What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Public ethics complaint and charter-city petition discussion (Randi Erickson)
During floor items, resident Randi Erickson criticized the council’s ethics and alleged that Councilmember Pilon was acting unethically in relation to the flying club item on the agenda; she stated she was prepared to file a League of Minnesota Cities ethics complaint and discussed organizing a petition to change Nowthen back to a charter city (a “Home Run Charter”). The minutes record that Pilon and Mayor Schulz cut off her remarks after the time limit, and no council action was taken on her request during floor items.
Agenda: C, 2b. Speakers: Randi Erickson, Pilon, Bill Schulz.
Munter interim use permit for concrete/masonry home occupation (19320 Burns Parkway)
The council again delayed action on Roy and Monica Munter’s request for an interim use permit for an extended home occupation at 19320 Burns Parkway. The council voted to table the request to the June 10, 2014 meeting so Munter could put together a timeframe for cleanup of concrete and masonry rubble.
Agenda: 2a. Motions: M2. Speakers: Scheffler, Meyer.
3DRC Flying Club / rocket club temporary agreement and escrow requirement
The council discussed the 3DRC flying club/rocket club use and a temporary agreement while deciding whether the use should be handled by an interim use permit or an ordinance amendment. The council voted to require the flying club to put up a $1,000 escrow before the city would continue further actions, citing city costs for attorney/planner work to prepare an agreement and pursue next steps.
Agenda: 2b. Motions: M3. Speakers: Schulz, Scheffler, Pilon, Meyer, Rainville, LaDoucer, Randi Erickson.
Ernie Koehler Field dedication and bench purchase
The council announced the Ernie Koehler Field dedication scheduled for June 19, 2014 at 5:30 PM and directed that RSVPs go to the city offices. The council approved the Hyland bid for $700.91 and directed staff to order the benches.
Agenda: 3a. Motions: M4. Speakers: Rainville, Judy Herrala, Meyer, Schulz.
Consent agenda approvals (including cracksealing, liquor licenses, farmers market relocation, shared fire services, URRWMO budget)
The council approved the consent agenda items listed in the minutes, including approval of April 8 minutes, the financial report, audited bills (claims #8720–#8778 and listed net distribution report dates), liquor licenses for Burns Bottle Shop, Northwoods Bar & Grill, and Bill’s Superette, relocation of the farmers market, the crackseal bid with Asphalt Concrete Solutions, Resolution 2014-06 for shared fire services contracting, approval of the URRWMO 2015 budget ($2,767.53), and adoption of Resolution 2014-07. The consent agenda motion was contingent on attorney review and approval of the Farmers Market Rental Agreement.
Agenda: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11. Motions: M5. Speakers: Pilon, Meyer, Rainville.
City Hall water softener and outside faucet
The council approved a bid from Nowthen Plumbing for water softener repairs and installation of an outside water faucet, for an amount not to exceed $1,450. The vote was 4 in favor with Mayor Schulz opposed.
Agenda: 5a. Motions: M6. Speakers: Pilon, Rainville, Schulz.
Footwear policy and annual allocation
The council adopted the footwear policy and amended the allocated amount to $140, approving the policy by unanimous vote.
Agenda: 5b. Motions: M7. Speakers: Schulz, Rainville.
Birchwood Lane cul-de-sac construction bid
The council approved the Dennis Hall Etd. Excavating bid for construction of the Birchwood Lane cul-de-sac for $7,401.50, contingent on receiving executed easement documents from the property owner.
Agenda: 5c. Motions: M8. Speakers: Scheffler, Meyer.
Full-time maintenance staff hiring discussion (tabled pending personnel policy)
The council re-addressed hiring full-time maintenance staff and discussed possibly extending seasonal status, including that extending seasonal employment would require paying toward PERA on the 186th day and operational needs such as training on the grader. The council voted to table the matter until the Personnel Policy is completed, with Scheffler and Schulz opposed.
Agenda: 5h. Motions: M9. Speakers: Scheffler, Rainville, Pilon, Glaze, Schulz.
City Hall steps/ramp repairs and insurance claim
After noting a potential safety issue with the handicap ramp due to apparent vehicle damage, the council directed staff to file an insurance claim and approved temporary stabilization expenditures not to exceed $500 while awaiting an insurance adjustor’s review and determination for repairs or replacement.
Agenda: 5i. Motions: M10. Speakers: Meyer, Rainville.
Fee dispute letter from Bill Weiss and 50/50 split offer
The clerk introduced a letter from Bill Weiss stating he was against the fees but agreeable to meet the city on a split of the fees. The council voted to accept a 50/50 split of the fees.
Agenda: 6. Motions: M11. Speakers: LaDoucer, Scheffler, Pilon, Meyer.
Recycling center cement work specifications
The council requested that staff have information about recycling center posts for the next council meeting, and voted to have specifications for cement work at the recycling center drafted for the next meeting.
Agenda: 6. Motions: M12. Speakers: Council, Pilon, Schulz.