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

City of Effie

February 9, 2009 Minutes

In attendance were Mayor Matt David, Lil Black, Tim Stewart and Liza Erickson

The meeting was called to order.

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

OLD BUSINESS

Council Position: Motion by David to accept letters of interest from Bill Hastings and Luverne Drewlow, seconded by Stewart, MCU. The Council heard statements from both individuals as to why they wanted to be on the Council. Drewlow stated that his goal as a Council member would be to listen to all concerns from residents, even if he didn’t agree with them, and to work for what was best for the City. Hastings had a number of project goals including installation of street signs, a water storage tank for firefighting and utilization of the old school building. He stated that he would look toward the future rather than worrying about just today. Motion by Erickson to appoint Bill Hastings as Council member. Motion by Stewart to elect Luverne Drewlow as Council member. Black seconded Erickson’s motion and that motion carried with Stewart opposing. David thanked Drewlow for his interest in the position. The clerk issued the oath of office to Hastings and he took his seat on the Council.

Sewer Update: There is no word back yet on the city attorney’s letter to Wagner requesting reimbursement for the work done by Pugh Brothers.

Erickson is looking into getting a door installed between the garage and the hall. A payment drop box could be installed at the same time.

Hastings wanted it stated in the minutes that the issue with the Effie Café sewer has been resolved and the issue with Waldron’s sewer was found to be caused by a toy and that issue has been resolved as well.

David inquired if the Council wanted letters sent to those users who have not paid their monthly sewer bill informing them that any unpaid charges will be certified to their property taxes at the end of the year. Stewart had questions about the billing schedule and David explained that bills for October and November were sent close together as the billing software was not set up. Storlie stated that she would be billing on the first Monday of the month from now on and bills would be due the first Monday of the following month. Motion by Erickson to send letters to users who are three months late or more, seconded by Hastings, MCU.

David stated that Joe Zimmer would be attending training to maintain his Class D wastewater license for the City of Bigfork. He is eligible to take the test to obtain his Class C license and would then be qualified to run Effie’s sewer system. Motion by David to pay the $32.00 fee for the test, seconded by Erickson, MCU.

Housing Rehab: David stated that the program is now open to rural Effie residents and applications are available from him or the clerk. Motion by David, seconded by Black to post notice of this around town, MCU.

NEW BUSINESS

Contract for Deed – Delinquent Taxes: The City received notice that David Olson has not paid the 2008 taxes on the old church property. The insurance policy that the City purchased expires this week and no proof of insurance has been supplied by Olson. Motion by Erickson to pay the taxes and renew the insurance for another year and to set up a reimbursement agreement with Olson for the full cost, the agreement to be in place for the next Council meeting, seconded by Stewart, MCU.

Appointment of Clerk as Treasurer: Motion by David, second by Hastings to appoint Clerk Angie Storlie as treasurer, MCU.

Bank Resolution: Motion by David, seconded by Stewart to authorize the signatures of the Mayor, Clerk and Acting Mayor on the bank accounts, MCU.

Appointment of Assistant Weed Inspector: Motion by David to appoint Stewart as Assistant Weed Inspectort, seconded by Hastings, MCU.

Ordinance for Street Name: The clerk had prepared ordinance #100 to name the sewer plant street. This needs to be done in order to contract with the County to maintain the street. Motion by Hastings to name the road “Anselmo Drive”, seconded by Erickson, motion carried with Stewart opposing. Motion to pass ordinance #100 by David, seconded by Hastings, MCU.

Liquor License: Effie Country Service needs a 3.2 beer license. Motion by David to issue the license, seconded by Hastings, motion carried with Stewart abstaining.

Other Business: Little Dipper feels they are over charged for sewer since they only use it once per week and only have half the building. The ordinance clearly states that there is a residential and commercial rate. The Council did not feel it was fair to give them a break and they would have to do it for others if they did it for them. Stewart asked if there was enough room in the budget to lower the rates across the board and David responded that we need to get in a full year of operation and see what the actual costs are going to be before we made that determination.

Erickson felt there was a need for a Community Center Committee that would be appointed annually by the Council. She thought it would be appropriate to appoint two members from the Council and two from the Legion and Auxiliary. The Committee would be in charge of coordinating rentals, scheduling, maintenance and repairs for the facility. Erickson will draw up the duties of the committee in a resolution for the next meeting and ask the Legion and Auxiliary to each nominate two of their members to serve on it.

In light of statements that residents don’t feel they are heard at Council meetings, Stewart suggested instituting a public forum at the start of the meeting to provide residents with an opportunity to speak, uninterrupted, to the Council. This will be the first item on the March meeting agenda.

Bills: Motion to approve the bills by Erickson, seconded by Hastings, MCU.

Motion to adjorn by Erickson, seconded by Stewart, MCU at 8:21 p.m.

Angela L. Storlie

City Clerk