HAWLEY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 17, 2016

The regularly scheduled semi-monthly meeting of the Hawley City Council was held on Monday, October 17, 2016 in the City Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Johnson with the following members present: Gary E. Johnson, Ben Gunkelman, James Joy, Sean Mork and Carlos Diaz. Also present were Clerk Treasurer Lisa Jetvig and Marc Ness.

A motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Joy to approve the amended agenda. Ayes: All.

A motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Mork to approve the following recommendations from the Personnel Committee: 1) Adopting the 10-16 Streets/Parks Assistant - Full-Time job description and making it a Grade 4 position on the Full Time scale, 2) Approving the new Streets/Park Assistant - Full Time position at a prorated 80% (32 hours per week with prorated 80% benefits), and 3) Promoting Andrew Wang from Street/Parks Assistant - Part Time to the Streets/Parks Assistant - Full Time for the prorated 80%, on Grade 4, Step 1, at $14.73/hour, effective October 18, 2016. Ayes: All.

It was discussed that Wang is trained and ready to immediately take on-call hours which will be a cost savings to the city. It was also noted that it was budgeted in 2016 for this position to become full time earlier in the year.

A motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Joy to approve Pay Request No. 1 in the amount of $60,380.96 to Hough, Inc., and the invoices totaling $16,059 from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for work completed on the Airport Hangar Apron and Taxilane Improvements project. Ayes: All.

Gunkelman stated that Engineer Hajicek is working with the striping contractor regarding the scheduling of the on-street walking path project. The contractor will contact the City and Moore Engineering, Inc. prior to mobilizing to the site to perform the work.

Gunkelman informed the Council that the Study Review Committee, working with MetroCOG, is close to having a final draft ready for the City Comprehensive & Sidewalk Plan. They will be meeting again on November 1, 2016 and will be holding a Public Open House on the Comprehensive Plan on December 5, 2016 at 6:45 p.m.

1 Diaz reported that the school is requesting permission from the city to make softball field #3 into a combination softball/baseball field to make the field usable for Little League, Babe Ruth and Jr. High baseball. The estimated cost of the project is $4,530 (no cost to the city). The only thing they are requesting from the city is the availability of a truck to haul the sod and dirt away from the site.

A motion was made by Diaz, seconded by Gunkelman to approve the request from the Hawley Public Schools to make field #3 at the quad diamond baseball/softball complex into a combination softball/baseball field. Ayes: All.

Diaz gave the Council an update on the Autumn View Addition project. The sanitary sewer installation is almost completed. The water main work should begin and nearly be completed yet this week. Then they will work on the installation of the storm sewer and the road.

Diaz reported that the Ridgeview Circle utility improvements project is completed except for a few minor punch list items. Final payment on the project will not be made until the items are completed.

A motion was made by Diaz, seconded by Joy to approve Payment Request No. 1 in the amount of $34,787.19 to Hough, Inc., and Moore Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $13,000 for work completed on the Ridgeview Circle Utility Improvements project. Ayes: All.

Diaz stated that the city has not received quotes yet for a trailer for the Public Works department.

Jetvig informed the Council that the developer of the Autumn View Addition project will pay 20% of the project costs up front. The City has worked with Financial Advisor David Drown to bond with Rural Water for the additional 80% ($411,000), at an interest rate of 2.65%, and assess the bond costs over a 15 year period.

A motion was made by Joy, seconded by Mork to approve RESOLUTION 16-46 Resolution Authorizing the Issuance, Sale and Delivery of a $411,000 General Obligation Improvement Note, Series 2016B. Ayes: All.

A motion was made by Joy, seconded by Gunkelman to approve the Loan Agreement in the amount of $411,000 between the City of Hawley and Northview Bank in Finlayson, Minnesota. Ayes: All.

2 A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the Clay County landfill fee increases effective January 1, 2017. Fuchs Sanitation is proposing a rate increase of 22% for residential and businesses. The Council will be meeting with Clay County Solid Waste Manager Kirk Rosenberger and Fuchs Sanitation on November 3rd.

Ness suggested that the city could make recycling more convenient by having outside containers or curbside pickup.

Joy stated that the Clay County Commission is holding a Public Hearing on October 25, 2016 to consider any comments and possibly act on the issue of whether or not to extend the Housing Property Tax Abatement Program for 2 more years.

A motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Mork to present a letter from the City of Hawley to the Clay County Commission at their Public Hearing on October 25, 2016 stating that the City of Hawley requests that they extend the Housing Property Tax Abatement Program for 2 years. Ayes: All.

Ness appeared before the Council requesting that the city again purchase an ad in the Valley Connection phonebook. Ness stated that he cost of the ad would be the same as last year which he believes was around $600, and asked if the Council could approve the ad contingent on the cost being the same as last year.

A motion was made by Joy, seconded by Mork to purchase an advertisement in the 2016-2017 Valley Connection Phone Directory, contingent on the cost being the same as the ad purchased for the 2015-2016 phonebook. Ayes: All.

A motion was made by Mork, seconded by Joy to approve RESOLUTION 16-47 Declaring Cost to be Assessed, and Ordering Preparation of Proposed Assessment Hewson Project #1. Ayes: All.

A motion was made by Joy, seconded by Diaz to approve RESOLUTION 16-48 Resolution for Hearing on Proposed Assessment Hewson Project #1. Ayes: All.

A motion was made by Mork, seconded by Gunkelman to approve RESOLUTION 16-49 Declaring Cost to be Assessed, and Ordering Preparation of Proposed Assessment Hall Emergency Water Service Line Project. Ayes: All.

A motion was made by Mork, seconded by Joy to approve RESOLUTION 16-50 Resolution for Hearing on Proposed Assessment Hall Emergency Water Service Line Project. Ayes: All.

3 A motion was made by Mork, seconded by Gunkelman to approve RESOLUTION 16-51 Resolution Declaring Cost to be Assessed, and Ordering Preparation of Proposed Assessment Special Service Charges for Emergency Services - Fire Call. Ayes: All.

A motion was made by Mork, seconded by Gunkelman to approve RESOLUTION 16-52 Resolution for Hearing on Proposed Assessment Special Service Charges for Emergency Services - Fire Call. Ayes: All.

A motion was made by Mork, seconded by Gunkelman to purchase the Plan A advertising package on KRCQ Radio for Hawley Nugget Fall Sports Play-Off Games, at a cost of $77.00 per game. Ayes: All.

A motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Joy to approve the following consent items: -10/03/16 minutes -September 2016 Fund Balance Report -MAOSC Member Update Sept & Oct & Flood Relief -City of Hawley handout on Benefits Offered to Developers -October/November 2016 Meeting Calendars The motion carried by a vote of Ayes: All.

Mork highlighted the benefits offered to developers by the City of Hawley such as extension of electric and natural gas utilities into the development at no charge, the city may bond for project and allow for assessments on the developed lots to pay for the bonds over time, $1,000 utility credit on new homes & multiple electric appliance/lighting rebates available for energy efficiency, reasonable fees for zoning permits and hook ups, planting of boulevard trees, and the city is working on extending the 2 year housing property tax abatement program for new home construction.

A motion was made by Joy, seconded by Mork to approve the following accounts payable $223,858.08. The motion carried by a vote of Ayes: All.

Gunkelman questioned the progress on the restroom door locks and security cameras at Westgate Park. Jetvig stated that the door locks will be installed this fall and the security cameras will be installed next spring.

Mork gave the Council an update on the successful Fire Department Open House and Brat Feed during fire safety week.

4 There being no further business at 6:30 p.m. it was moved by Joy, seconded by Gunkelman that the meeting be adjourned. Ayes: All.

Attest:

______Gary E. Johnson Lisa Jetvig Mayor Clerk Treasurer

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