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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_CCWorkMeeting_10192010CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING OCTOBER 19, 2010 6:00 P.M. IONA COMMUNITY CENTER PRESENT: Mayor Brad Andersen, Council President Jane Shaw, Council member Dennis McArthur Council member Dan Gubler, Council member Bruce Case, Public Works Supervisor Zech Prouse, Police Chief Shannon Basaraba, City Clerk Robyn. VISITORS: Paul Scoresby Steele Property. Mayor Andersen said he was still trying to meet with Mr. Steele to discuss the property on Dayton and Rockwood. Clerk Keyes said Mr. Steele had been in to the office and said he was still interested in meeting with the Mayor. Youth Committee Report. Mayor Andersen said the Youth Committee would give their report during the regular Council meeting. Safe Routes to School Project (SR2S). Paul Scoresby said Well House #3 was complete with one issue remaining; a panel the contractor was taking care of. The well had been tested and everything was fine. Mr. Scoresby said the bids for the SR2S were higher than expected and the state did not want to deal with changes on the original grant application to reflect the higher cost of the project. Mr. Scoresby said the City's choices were to be prepared to absorb the extra cost of the project or cancel the project. At present, the extra cost of the project was approximately $34,000, which was only $15,000 to $16,000 above the amount the City originally expected to pay for the project. The City originally anticipated paying $12, 00 to $15,000 out of pocket for the expenses. Mr. Scoresby reminded the Council they were still getting $125,000 grant for the project. Mr. Scoresby said there was a good chance the actual cost of the project may not be as much as the contractor estimated. Council member Gubler asked if the actual cost of the project was less than estimated would the contractor reduce the amount of his bill. Mr. Scoresby said yes, the city would only pay the actual expenses. Mr. Scoresby explained that the engineer estimated the best they could without incurring more engineering costs. The engineer was not expecting the variation in width between 55t" and Iona Rd. Council member Gubler asked if the flashers for the cross walk could be installed this fall, and if the City had the money budgeted to absorb the cost difference of the project. Council member Gubler also stated his dissatisfaction with the engineering costs and estimations. 1 Mr. Scoresby said the flashers could be installed this fall, and explained the nature of the estimation process and much of the material was in a variable cost market. Mayor Andersen said the City could pay for the additional costs, but it could affect other projects. The Mayor stated his support with the engineer and the project and agreed the City was paying very little for a large, much needed project. The Mayor thanked Mr. Scoresby for his time, and said the Council would make the decision to move forward or cancel the project during the regular Council meeting. Reports Mayor Andersen went over some of the items discussed at the Council and Planning and Zoning training on roles and responsibilities in St. Anthony. The Mayor said according to the training, it was recommended that all Council members be present or available for conference calls when ever there was a public hearing. If all members could not be present, the Council should wait to make a decision. The training also recommended that the City should follow the appointed attorney's recommendations, and in the event the attorney has made a mistake with the advice, the City would not be held responsible if they were following the advice of the attorney. Mayor Andersen said it was recommended the City preapprove the regular reoccurring bills the City pays such as utilities. Council member Gubler said the City already approved the recommendation. Mayor Andersen said he was making sure the approval had taken place with the current Council. Mayor Andersen reminded the Council that a roll call vote was necessary for ordinance changes, approval of contracts, and a motion to enter into executive session; however, a Council member could request a roll call vote anytime. The Mayor also reminded the Council that public meetings such as the Council meetings were open for the public to attend, but the public could not offer input unless the Council allowed it. The only time the public may openly comment in public meetings was during pubic hearings, code changes, and legislative changes. Mayor Andersen said the Council was allowed to talk to the public outside the Council chambers regarding code changes and legislative changes, but the Council was not allowed to talk to the public regarding conditional use permit and variance hearings. Furthermore, regarding conditional use permits and variance requests, the Council was only allowed to consider whether the request met the requirements stated in the code book, and the Council could not make a decision based upon what some citizens may or may not want. Council member Gubler said the code for conditional use permits stated the request must be for the over all good of the community. 2 og, Mayor Andersen agreed the community as a whole, not just a few people. Mayor Andersen asked Clerk Keyes to post the Council meeting times for the entire year on the community board outside and at the bottom of the schedule and to include verbiage for instructions for people needing assistance entering the building. Public Works Supervisor Prouse said he had been busy getting the City ready for winter, and next week the chlorination system would be installed for well #3. Mayor Andersen asked if the City should have a water meeting. Supervisor Prouse said it would be a good idea. Supervisor Prouse said the soffit and facia replacement around the City building would begin next week. The Supervisor also said he would be gone the 15-19 of November for back flow inspection training. Chief Basaraba said he had been having some troubles with the police vehicle and would like to start saving for a new vehicle. The Chief said he would like to purchase a new vehicle in a couple of years and begin a cycle of purchasing a new vehicle every 5 years. Mayor Andersen said he was not aware the police vehicle had been having problems and said he thought when the City purchased the vehicle the plan was to use that same vehicle for several years. The Mayor asked the Chief to keep him informed and let him know what the problems were with the vehicle. The Mayor said the Chief would have to hold off as long as possible before purchasing a new vehicle. The Mayor said the Council would have to talk about the idea of purchasing a new vehicle every 5 years. Chief Basaraba said he could not find the SR2S manual that showed where the flashing lights were going, and he explained the incident with the Sheriffs deputy speeding through the school zone. Meeting Closed 7:00 p.m. 1/r 6-Pe (e 3