DRAFT – Minutes are not official until approved by Council at the next regular meeting.

City of Effie

April 13, 2009 Minutes

In attendance were Mayor Matt David, Tim Stewart, Bill Hastings and Liza Erickson

The meeting was called to order.

Mayor David opened the public forum. Edith Thibeault addressed the Council with concerns about soil taken from the corner of her property during the sewer line installation and the resulting damage and standing water. David assured her that this and other issues would be resolved when the contractor returns later this spring. There was also an issue with trucks turning on the wrong side of the stop sign and causing damage. Hastings felt that the trucks did this because the County plows the area. David stated he would talk to the County about it. Edith final request was for a map of her property and Storlie will print what is available from the County’s website and get a copy to Edith. Greta Drewlow addressed the Council and stated that she has tried a number of times to get her property rezoned back to agricultural. The City tells her to talk to the County and the County tells her to talk to the City. Storlie will look into the process for this and let Drewlows know what she finds out. If it is found that the Council needs to take action, the issue will be on the May agenda.

Minutes: Minutes were approved in a motion by Erickson, seconded by Stewart motion carried unanimously (MCU).

OLD BUSINESS

Sewer Update: David reported that a walkthrough will be done with Rural Development on May 20th for the warranty work. A walkthrough will also be done with Midwest Assistance Program prior to this. A list will be compiled of things that need to be done or redone by the contractor. David and Erickson will be present for these walkthroughs. The City received a letter from Dan Burman’s attorney regarding his sewer connection and monthly bills. David explained that Burman’s sewer line was never connected to the system. It did not line up correctly with the bottom of his basement and it was within 25 feet of his well which is not allowed by Minnesota Department of Health standards. The City had informed Burman that the connection could be made with a grinder pump but Burman did not feel that he should be required to have a grinder on his private property. He pointed out that he would be the only one on the system in this situation and whenever anything went wrong with the pump, he would have to allow the City access to it and his property would be affected by the repairs. Burman felt the City should either pay to have the pump located on public property or grandfather his existing private sewer system in. Erickson asked if it would be financially feasible for the City to incur the costs of installing a grinder pump on public property and running a new line for Burman’s from it. David pointed out that there is already over $1,000 worth of pipe in the ground and it could not be used in this way. It was determined that the Council would meet with the engineer to see if there is a viable solution for both the City and Burman. Burman asked about the monthly bill he has been receiving for sewer charges. A motion was made by David and seconded by Steward to give Burman consideration due to engineering flaws and to waive the monthly fees until a solution is reached, MCU. David will contact Pugh Brothers for a new estimate on regular seeding. Erickson has heard that there have been days where there are excessive amounts of water running through sewer plant and asked if the cause had been identified. David stated they believed it was mainly due to melting snow and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) didn’t think it was an issue but they would be popping manholes during the walkthroughs to make sure they aren’t contributing.

Housing Rehab: David stated there may be a few spots left but they may all be taken. Kootasca is relocating their offices so they haven’t been in contact for the past couple of weeks.

NEW BUSINESS

Building Committee: Representatives from the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary were present with questions on the resolution passed by the Council at the last meeting establishing a building committee. They asked why they had not been contacted about this before the resolution was adopted and why they had not been allowed to select their own members for the committee. Erickson stated that the committee had been formed because the City felt it was important to have a group with representation from all interested parties. She stated that she, as Acting Mayor, had volunteered for the committee because the Mayor already has so much to do. The Council assumed that the other groups were similar in nature and simply appointed the second in command from each of those groups for consistency. The Legion members stated that they had found the resolution in good form other than the specific references to who would serve on the committee and the statement that the committee would be responsible for scheduling use of the Community Center. The Legion would not be able to collect money on the City’s behalf and so could not contribute to that task. David stated that the resolution probably was in violation of the law as it dictated voluntary service. It was determined that the resolution would be redrafted to read that one member of the American Legion and one member of the American Legion Auxiliary, of their choosing, would be appointed to the Committee along with two Council members. The section stating that the Committee will be responsible for scheduling of the Community Center use will be removed and this will be an issue for the Committee to discuss at their first meeting. Finally, two more signature blocks will be added to the resolution for acceptance by the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary so that it is a joint resolution of all three groups. Motion to amend the resolution as stated by David, seconded by Hastings, MCU. Storlie will forward the amended resolution to the Legion for their adoption and Council will adopt the amended resolution at their May meeting.

Resolution 2009-04: This resolution urges the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to complete the scheduled improvements in 2012. David explained that MnDOT had moved back the project date to 2012 but they also plan to do expanded improvements at that time. Motion to approve Resolution 2009-04 by Erickson, seconded by Stewart, MCU.

Basketball Hoops: There has been interest in replacing one of the basketball hoops and David has put a request in to Operation Round-Up for $300. The total amount needed is about $900 which is for an adjustable, break-away hoop with a lifetime warranty. If the funds are raised, the City can order the hoop and approve the installation. No action was necessary at this time.

Creek Cleanup: David stated that the creek cleanup can get started as soon as the ground it able to be tilled. Funds are available from Itasca County. Motion by David, seconded by Stewart to request funds from the County, MCU.

RV Park Delineator Post Painting: Northstar 4-H has gotten a grant for the paint and they will do the labor. They are going to training on how to paint these since they are historic. The City can let the 4-H group pick the color or tell them which color it should be. It was determined that it shouldn’t be painted a color that would blend in with the background or with snow during the winter. Motion by David, seconded by Erickson to allow the 4-H group to paint the post any color but white or green, MCU.

Bills: Stewart asked why there was a bill for snowplowing from both Hastings and Effie Country Service. David explained that Effie Country Service was called because the Community Center was rented out and the County had not yet plowed the parking lot. Motion to approve the bills by Erickson, seconded by Hastings, MCU.

Motion to adjourn by David, seconded by Erickson, MCU at 8:07 p.m.

Angela L. Storlie City Clerk