Draft-Minutes are not official until approved by council at the next regular meeting.

City of Effie October 8th, 2007 Minutes

In attendance: Mayor Matt David, Council Members: Liza Erickson, Lil Black, Bill Hastings, and T.J.Grady See attached for list of community members in attendance.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Matt welcomed back Bill. Motion by Grady to approve the minutes of the last meeting, seconded by Liza, MCU

OLD BUSINESS:

Sewer Project: The collection system is almost finished. Construction of the treatment system will begin soon. Grady asked if anything could be done about the mud on people’s properties. He suggested straw to help prevent any freezing of pipes due to the displaced soil. Matt will ask about landscaping tomorrow. Motion by Matt to approve Resolution 2007-09 Local Government Application grant, to allow Matt and Tranette to apply for funding from the Dept of Employment and Economic Development, seconded by Bill, MCU. Motion by Matt to approve Resolution 2007-10 IRR Public Works Infrastructure Grant, to allow Matt and Tranette to apply for funding from the Iron Range Resources, seconded by Grady, MCU. Matt suggested that the city have infrastructure put in for a possible future bathroom at the ball park and six future camp sites. Putting in a bathroom as opposed to renting satellites would save the city $600 per year.

Rec Area: The girl scouts have applied for a grant with the Blandin Foundation for $500 under the City of Effie. Motion by Grady to approve the grant application, seconded by Liza, MCU.

Streetscape: Matt met with Brian Anderson and Tim Johnson. He presented a map with the proposed streetscape outlined on it. Tim Johnson will begin grant writing.

Joint Powers Board Community Plan: At their last meeting, the JPB discussed housing issues and business needs. Matt mentioned that a program will be offered where property owners can have their structures assessed by the fire department for possible fire danger and access issues for free. Bill will attend the next meeting on October 24th, 2007 at 6:30 in Marcell.

Old School: The boarding of the windows will be done next week. Fred Wass will also assess the possibility of a temporary patch of the roof.

Flags: Bill asked if Tranette had received the flags as they were to have arrived by the last meeting. Bill will check again.

NEW BUSINESS:

Biofuel Energy Facility: The Itasca Power Company is looking at Effie as a possibility for their new plant. The plant would offer 30-40 jobs. They are interested in 40 acres of tax forfeit land. They would like the council to hold a special meeting next week as they were unable to attend the regular council meeting. Motion by Matt to call a Special Meeting for Monday, October 15th, 2007 at 7:00 pm, seconded by Liza, MCU.

Saddle Club: The Saddle Club asked the council to look at selling the old city dump. They are interested in buying it contract for deed to put in an arena. Matt stated that Tranette will find out the assessed value and if there are any stipulations on selling the land.

Mowing: Matt asked the council if the city property should be mowed one more time. It was decided to let it go until next year.

American Legion Sign: Motion by Matt to approve the sign proposed by the American Legion, seconded by Liza, MCU.

Clerk’s Training: Motion by Bill to send Tranette to a 2 day seminar in Bemidji on Microsoft Excel for $128, seconded by Liza, MCU.

Office Equipment: Tranette requested a new chair for her office. Motion by Bill to allow Tranette to purchase a chair for under $50, seconded by Liza, MCU.

Bud Drewlow: Bud asked why construction was done on his land without a signed easement. He stated that the state said they couldn’t widen the shoulders because the right of way doesn’t go beyond the ditches, which means that construction was being done on his property. Matt said that the city’s attorney is looking into why an easement was unnecessary for his property. The attorney only drew up easements for the property owners that the engineer requested. The Drewlows also said that a posted sign was driven over and is gone and stated that the city may be looking at a civil suit.

Lil asked Tranette to change her last name on the minutes of the last meeting to Black.

Bills: Motion by Matt to pay the bills, seconded by Liza, MCU. Motion by Matt to pay Wagner Construction’s partial pay request in the amount of $355,873.80 provided Rural Development approves it, seconded by Liza, MCU.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.