MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HALLOCK CITY COUNCIL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2021

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HALLOCK CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2021

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Dave Treumer called the regular meeting of the Hallock City Council to order at 5:33 pm on September13, 2021. Those Present: Mayor Dave Treumer, Mike Totleben, Naomi Larson. Jen Peterson and Kevin Waller.
Also present: City Clerk-Administrator Aimee Sugden, Maintenance Supervisor Dan Larson, Police Chief Mike Docken, Fire Chief Kevin Klein, Airport Manager Jeremy Seng and Kittson County Enterprise Reporter Anna Jauhola.
APPROVE AGENDA: Councilor Waller motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilor Totleben moved to approve the minutes of the regular Hallock City Council Meeting on August 2, 2021. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
FISCAL & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:
Approval of Bills
Mayor Treumer and Councilor Totleben reviewed bills.
Motion by Councilor Totleben to authorize payment of City bills in the amount of $206,064.57, General fund, checks #12152 to #12208, which includes a transfer of $82,361 to the payroll account to cover wages, taxes and benefits. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Treumer and Councilor Totleben will review bills for the October 2021 meeting.
Maternity Leave Policy
Administrator Sugden presented a revised maternity leave policy. The personnel committee (Treumer, Totleben, Sugden) met in August to discuss and revise the outdated policy. The committee recommended 4-weeks of paid leave. By law, the city must allow employees up to 12-weeks of leave.
Motion by Councilor Waller to adopt a 4-week paid maternity leave policy. The motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Step Increase; Maintenance Employee
Motion by Councilor Totleben to approve a step increase for C. Pinnock, a maintenance worker. He will now be paid $25.58/hour. This is the final step in pay for C. Pinnock. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Part-Time, Temporary Employee
The council authorized Administrator Sugden to advertise for a temporary, part-time employee to assist with office duties from mid-October 2021 through February 2022. Advertised wage will be $14-$17/hour.
Budget to Actual Report
Administrator Sugden presented the council with a ‘Budget to Actual’ report for the month of August 2021.
2022 Budget
Motion by Councilor Larson to approve the presented budget in the amount of $1,019,538 which includes an additional $40,000 transfer from the gas fund to repair streets. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
Utility & Parks Department Report:
Utility Superintendent Dan Larson presented a quote for replacing the lights at the pool. The council approved of the expense. He also updated the council on the pool’s closing, tree removal, an increase in mowing, gas line installations and removals, replacing and fixing water meters and completing a gas survey. Council members thanked Larson and his department for their work on the playground and expressed their gratitude for the completion of the project.
Police Report
Police Chief Mike Docken reported to the council that the annual bow hunting season within city limits begins this weekend. He has eight hunters signed up. In the past month he has marked several dead or dying trees to be removed by property owners. New city signs arrived and will be put up within the next few weeks. The council approved Chief Docken attending a training in October.
Fire Department Report
Fire Chief Kevin Klein reported to the council that their current set of ‘jaws of life’ are broken and unable to be repaired. The current set is old and was given, used, to the department from the ambulance. He was confident he could find funds from the Fire Relief, possibly a fundraiser and may ask the council for a small amount to cover the balance.
Airport Report
Airport Manager Jeremy Seng reported to the council that he is hoping to have a crack sealing project completed before winter this year. The project has been awarded, but we are currently awaiting the state encumbrance. The city’s portion of the project has been budgeted for.
Airport Manager Seng, City Attorney Hanson, Mayor Treumer and Councilman Totleben attended a walkthrough with KLJ and an independent engineer/inspector to address issues with the new hangar. KLJ provided the city with a punch list of items that need repairing. The group will continue to work with KLJ on getting each issue resolved.
New Business:
Kittson Memorial Health Center Agreement of Understanding
Motion by Councilor Totleben to authorize the Agreement of Understanding with Kittson Memorial Health Center. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2021-10; Authorizing a Gaming Permit for MN Deer Hunter’s Association
Motion by Councilor Waller to approve Resolution 2021-010, a gaming permit for the MN Deer Hunter’s Association. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2021-11; Authorizing the Two River Golf Club to Dispense Liquor at Hallock City Hall
Motion by Councilor Peterson to approve Resolution 2021-11, authorizing Two River Golf Club to serve liquor. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
2021 Delinquent Garbage Assessment Roll
Motion by Mayor Treumer to approve the delinquent garbage tax assessments for 2022 property taxes. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
Sale of Parcels
Tabled the topic until the next meeting.
Other Business/Announcements
Upcoming Meetings
Council Meeting; October 4, 2021 @ 5:30 p.m.
2022 Proposed Budget Due to State; Thursday, September 30
Council Roundtable & Public Comment
None
Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilor Peterson moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Hallock City Council on September 13, 2021. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
Dave Treumer, Mayor Aimee Sugden, City Administrator
Minutes prepared by Aimee Sugden
(October 13, 2021)
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