MINUTES GRACEVILLE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 9, 2017 7:00 P M GRACEVILLE COMMUNITY BUILDING

Mayor Audrey Rahrlien called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM, and we recited the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag. Council members present: Audrey Rahrlien, Chad Hoppe, Scott Bauer, Dean Jensen and Duane Steen. Also present Paul Kalibabky, Ashlie Johnson, Krista Hartman, Dona Greiner, Jay Backer and Duane Richardson. M/S/C Jensen-Steen to approve the minutes of the last regular meeting. M/S/C Hoppe-Jensen to approve the Agenda. Reports:  Ambulance report. No report  Building report. We are looking into replacing some of the doors on the building. They are starting to rust and do not open well. The building will be washed after it warms up. M/S/C Hoppe-Jensen to purchase a gas power washer for the building.  EDA report. Audrey discussed BSAG.  Fire Department. No report  Library report. No report  Toqua Park. No report  Maintenance report. FYI to council, Browns Valley had a Sanitary Sewer emergency and borrowed our 6” portable pump through the MNWARN system.  Planning and Zoning; land use permit for Bill Griffith-addition to garage.  Sheriff report: The Department spent 29 hours in town and reported 22 incidents for February. Old Business:  Sewer Project. M/S/C Jensen-Hoppe to approve the Certificate of Substantial Completion for J and J Earthworks contract as of October 19, 2016 to start the warranty period for the Sanitary Sewer installation. WSN also included in the Certificate the punch list that still needs to be completed.  Water Project. M/S/C Jensen-Steen to approve the Certificate of Finale Completion for Dakota Supply Group. M/S/C Steen-Hoppe to approve finale payment to DSG.  M/S/C Steen-Hoppe to offer a resolution to construct a road on out lot 76. All council persons voting yes. New Business:  BPI will be doing paving in town this summer and mentioned that if anyone had a project, driveway or shoulder, to stop at city hall and mention that to Scott and we can put you on a list. BPI will then contact those on the list to give them a quote.  Dona Greiner and Krista Hartman, BSC Emergency Management, presented the council with information on the Big Stone County Emergency Plan. There are some updates that need to be made. Critical Infrastructure and Facility lists need to be updated. And Graceville should have a Local Operations Plan in place. Dona also told the Council that training opportunities will be available in both Big Stone County and Stevens County for our Emergency needs. They also explained the Citizen Alert System that is already in place. Folks are welcome to sign up for this. There are brochures at City Hall and at Graceville Country Market. This system would alert you to dangerous storms via your phone, email or text.  Ashlie Johnson with Countryside Public Health presented the Council with a proposal to start a bike fleet. This program is sponsored through SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program) They have tried this in other communities and found that it works well. They would buy 2 kids bikes and 1 adult bike, a rack and a maintenance pole to be placed at our Community Building. The bikes would be free to use at any time for anyone. They are painted turquoise green so everyone knows who they belong too and where they need to be returned. The council agreed this would be a nice idea and will partner with SHIP. There is no cost to the City of Graceville for this, just in-kind labor. Scott Bauer volunteered to watch over the bikes in case they need any maintenance.  Waste Management representative Paul Kalibabky presented the Council with a proposal to lower the cost of garbage service for the citizens of Graceville. The contract would be changed from the current to the City taking care of billing. The rates would be lowered for residential with all fuel surcharges and other surcharges being removed. The new rate would be about 22% lower than the current rates. Commercial rates would also be lowered between 27% and 38% depending on the size of the service. Commercial customers would still be billed by Waste Management. Part of the reason this was looked into is because so many citizens do not currently use residential garbage service. The recycling center, commercial dumpsters, park dumpster and others ends up with a lot of these customers garbage. Everyone in town will be required to use a service or be charged a drive-by fee. There was much discussion on this proposal as the council does not like to force people to use the service. We do see a problem with abuse when it comes to waste. M/S/C Hoppe-Steen to accept the proposal from WM. There will be some adjustments to be made so the new contract will not take affect for a couple of months. The rates will be as follows. Senior tote-$12.73, 32 gallon-$15.01, 64 gallon-$19.58 and 96 gallon-$22.53 per month. The City is required to collect the Minnesota State Tax of 9.75%.  Dog problems were brought to our attention again. Barking dogs are not allowed in our city. If we have to prosecute for this the fine will be very unpleasant, up to $750.00. Dogs running at large, same thing. If you have a pet it is to be kept on your own property, kept on a lease when walking and cannot be left to continue to bark. Other; Loss control workshops are coming in March and April; council persons are encouraged to attend. Parking issues were also discussed. We are noticing people parking in Fire Lanes, during snow events and in front of mail boxes. Persons need to be aware and please park in designated parking areas especially around the apartments.  Approve Bills M/S/C Steen-Bauer to approve the bills as submitted.  Transfers Adjourn Mayor Audrey Rahrlien adjourned the meeting at 10 PM.