This transcript features **Mayor Jim Michalski** presiding over the meeting, with **Tim Peterson** serving as the City Administrator (the role currently held by Ellissa Owens in your provided list, but referred to as "Tim" and "Mr. Administrator" throughout this 2017 recording). [0:10] **[Music]** [0:25] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Sometimes it is the camera pads away you feel as general issues like to welcome everyone to the regular meeting Moose Lake City Council for Wednesday December 13th 2017 like to start with a Pledge of Allegiance place. **[Music]** [1:05] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Like to welcome our guests here tonight in the general public thank you the next item is an agenda do we have any additions or Corrections to agenda here none do I have a motion to accept the agenda? [1:20] **Council Member Walter Lower III:** So accepted as written. [1:24] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any further questions comments hearing none all in favor say aye opposed motion carried. Under consent agenda to raise the minutes we have the November 8th 2017 City Council meeting minutes are there any questions or discussions on the minutes hearing none do we have a motion? [2:00] **Council Member Kris Huso:** So moved. [2:02] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** Second. [2:04] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye opposed motion carried. Under to Albania of the financial reports number 1 is a city accounts payable for December 2017 number 2 is a city financial statements for November 2017 and number 3 is a liquor-store profit loss statement for November 2017. Any questions or discussion and the financial reports? [2:25] **Council Member Kris Huso:** If can we get it from now on for next year can we get more of a breakdown out of the liquor store between the two departments? [2:36] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** Yeah, I don't think we don't—agreed. I don't think we ever have. [2:40] **Council Member Kris Huso:** That's what I'm saying. Do you mean like a salami right? [2:45] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** I talked to Mark what the deuce is the new system I think was capable of doing it. We will try yes. [3:11] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any other questions? Nothing? No other questions comments grabbed motion to accept the financial reports? [3:20] **Council Member Walter Lower III:** So move. [3:22] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** Have a second. [3:24] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye opposed motion Kade. Number 3 public comment time this time is reserved for comments from the public on matters not listed on the agenda please keep your comments to three minutes have anyone attendance care to speak? Very none we'll move on and this time is a public hearing for truth in taxation and we'll open the public hearing at this time I'm turned over mr. administrator. [3:59] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** All right page 30 of your packet is the budget presentation we'll start with just the general property taxes the levy for 2017 compared to 2018 there's an increase in the levy by about $32,000 for the general fund... [detailed budget explanation]... local government aid will increase in 2018 by thirty six thousand one hundred and sixty nine dollars and the transfer from Power & Light will remain the same. [5:31] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** On the next slide expenditures... the city administrator department is now fully staffed for an entire year the police department overtime budget part-time wages and overtime part-time wages have been lowered... [detailed department explanation]... [7:07] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** The next slide is capital improvement projects the big one for the police department is their systems... Public Works has a new Public Works pickup truck skid steer trailer... the next slide has Parks and Rec we have new doors for the bathrooms... Riverside arena has a power amp and subwoofer heater... [8:43] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** The next slide is capital improvement by department... most likes levy and tax rate is lower than communities like Barnum car ten Proctor and slightly higher than communities like Willow River and Renshaw. [9:35] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** Page 36 is where our kind of our first step to this budget is these are a couple options for our levy what's included in our budget right now is the 5% increase that we had talked about at our initial budget meeting in September that is still my suggestion... [10:22] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** The water fund and sewer fund are next... our water fund has not been increased over the last couple years and it certainly is is needing a boost in income to start contributing back to its system I'm suggesting a rate increase of 3%... [11:53] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** The sewer fund has large debt payments... I'm suggesting a three percent rate increase for the sewer as well... 2018 we'll also need to start looking into replacing the two wells in the well house. [12:42] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** The liquor fund next year... my suggestion is that we add that back or add that into the budget as well and get that one [surveillance system] knocked out I think that we will we will look a little silly if something takes place there and we have a surveillance system that doesn't work. [14:13] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** The next one's the DMV fund... we still do have a net loss of nine thousand four hundred and fifty one dollars budgeted for the DMV so the last slide is on page forty we will need motions for the final levy dollar amount the general fund revenue and expenditure amounts and the enterprise funds as well. [15:01] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any questions on that? You should open it up for any public comment once we hear public comment then we'll close it and then we would do the motions during the regular City Council meeting so I'll open up to a general public for any questions on our budget for 2018. I didn't receive any calls or emails or mail or anything like that either. I don't know if we have to wait if there is a time limit if not Alaska again are there any comments from the public on our budget for 2018? And I'll ask a third and final time are there any comments for the 2018 budget? Hearing none then we'll move on we will at this time close the public hearing and I think we need a motion for that. [16:20] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** So move. [16:22] **Council Member Walter Lower III:** Second. [16:24] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any questions on favor say aye aye opposed motion carried the public hearing is closed. We do have three areas that we are looking for a motion final City Moose Lake levy dollar amount you know what is the dollar amount mr. administrator? [16:50] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** It's currently in the way that it's budgeted right now is five hundred and seventy four thousand five hundred and seventy seven dollars ($574,577). [17:00] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** Make a motion that we levy the amount of 574,577 dollars for 2018. [17:10] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** I'll second it. [17:12] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any questions comments hearing none all in favor say aye all right then proposed motion carried the next motion we need is on the general fund revenue and expenditure amounts give me one second. [17:35] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** If you go to page 34 the revenue amount is there... you can't do that in your head okay the revenue dollar amount is 1,980,623 dollars. The expenditure is 1,825,896 dollars. [18:25] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any questions discussion or emotion on the revenue and expenditure amounts? [18:30] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** So then you just added those the operating expense and the CIA lumens together okay. Make a motion that's a general fund revenue and be passed for 1,980,623 dollars. [18:45] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** I'll second it. [18:47] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any questions discussion all in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried. And the last motion needed would be for the enterprise fund revenue and expenditure amounts mr. administrator. [19:05] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** So let's start with water if you go to page 37 the water revenue and expenditures are laid out if the council would like to move forward with the three percent rate increase the revenue is included. [19:22] **Council Member Kris Huso:** Counsel I guess I kind of have a little issue with that since leaved water laying arrangement presented to survive this year three and three? I agree it's perhaps not the best of timing. [20:11] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** The one thing that I will say is that if we if we don't look to make small increases what I fear will happen is that we will wind up doing the same thing that the utility is is claiming now which is we haven't made increases... the sewer department is is kind of a good example of this... I would have to say that I'm a little bit more adamant about that one. [21:10] **Council Member Kris Huso:** The water fund I mean you're just you're just putting it down the road that's absolutely absolutely. We need three percent of the silver body make a motion that we do with Wonder and a half rate increase one half percent rate increase on the water fund and the three percent on the serve one. [21:40] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** I second. [21:42] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any further questions discussion I'll just make a comment I grieve totally with what you're saying Chris and I think that's a good compromise of one and a half thank you. We have a motion a second all in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried and I believe that is all the motions that we need correct? [22:15] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** Liquor liquor expenses... with the surveillance system not being included in there that's that's kind of one that I would like to to discuss... my suggestion is that we have ten thousand dollars to go towards a surveillance system. If you make a motion on the revenue and expenditures and want to include the surveillance system just increased the expenditure by ten thousand dollars so it'd be 1,275,557 dollars. [23:25] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** There's a motion to approve the liquor store revenues of 1,339,300 dollars and expenditures of 1,275,557 dollars which includes a $10,000 surveillance system. [23:45] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** Second. [23:47] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any further questions discussion during an all in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried and that brings us to the DMV fund and I don't have any suggestions for that one other than what's provided for revenue and expenditures. Is there any special expenditure that we're facing? [24:10] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** No... frankly I'd love to tell you there's something that we could cut there isn't and I'd love to tell you that there's something that we could raise and there isn't. This will be the third year that I have reviewed and know about that will be a net loss. I don't think ten thousand dollars of a net loss is a reason not to have a DMV... I think the DMV brings a lot of people into our community. [25:35] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Counsel any questions discussion and/or motion? [25:40] **Council Member Kris Huso:** I'll make a motion that we accept the revenues of 1,812,800 dollars and expenditures of 1,822,251 dollars here the DMV. [26:10] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** I have a second. [26:12] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Good any questions discussion? We can't send less back to the state can we? [26:20] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** Right. That is actually a resolution that's on here is seeking to to increase rates... I know they don't ever increase our fees. [26:40] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All right we have a motion a second all in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried thank you I believe that is the end of the motions needed and we will at this time then move on to Department reports. Tim is there any reason you want to move anything up? People here today can do the mediated what do the opponents okay will it's 5 C we will jump down we'll do the reports after we finish some of our things that our guests are here for. This would be 5c EDA appointments patron hand we have a page page 15. [27:49] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** So we didn't have to here last time that you guys had requested that we invite Yvonne and Terry... we have five positions on the EDA two of them our council three of them need to be filled. The only comment I would I would state is that looking at the applicants all of them bring something to the table but our rules are clear as stated right now is that the applicants have to be residents of Moose Lake. [28:34] **Council Member Kris Huso:** No so we started off as red that's what we did we started off as residents but then we included residents then we do business if you work in Moose Lake okay because that would change things greatly. [28:50] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** Oh yeah all enough all of these okay all of these fit our expanded rules. [29:05] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** And we gave this opportunity I think for the two that didn't show up to talk I'd like to hear them they want me to right you all know me Yvonne. [29:21] **Yvonne Skelton (EDA Applicant):** Yvonne Skelton I was born most like raisin I was like graduated I was like moved away came back to raise my family... on a business right next door Davidson insurance... I think this would be a great way to save I guess our city in that sense to bring economic development. [30:20] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any questions like there? Thank you yes thank you. [30:44] **Terry Cooney (EDA Applicant):** My name is Terry Cooney and my husband I purchased a cabin several years ago here on Sand Lake... I really loved this lake and I I just want to be more involved in the community. I hope I'm able to live on Sally but I don't know if that's going to be negative thing or not. [31:25] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** I don't think—I think that one actually—do you work and most like? [31:30] **Terry Cooney:** No I work at essential health essentia health and Duluth. [31:32] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** That one might not fit. I think what it was is living Moose Lake, work in Moose Lake, lure on a business, phone business and this is [Moose Lake] property sure. That one I think doesn't fit okay like I think you made that that motion is that how you remember to live and work and something like that him? [32:00] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** We had some so we could get outside input they don't that's the idea there. [32:10] **Council Member Kris Huso:** But I don't I don't think that one fits I'm sorry I missed I missed that one that's I was thinking out and I was sitting there well thank you anyway. One thing I would say though is that you know it's very rare to have somebody come here and say you know I want to be part of this community and we do have we do have other openings on different committees. [32:45] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All right thank you much thank you. The second thing actually we will be going over that later of what committees are open. Yvonne and Steve you. [33:00] **Council Member Kris Huso:** I'll make a motion that we accept Steve, Tia and Yvonne for the positions that are open basically. [33:10] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any further question or discussion all in favor say aye all right opposed motion carried thank you. We'll go back to the police department chief come on the department reports this is for November 4th through December 6th. [33:53] **Police Chief (Brian Belich):** Thank you mr. mayor council another busy month. We did install our radars dying on Arrowhead Lane seems to be working properly. Last week we did tobacco compliance checks everybody passed with the exception of marketplace foods... Wednesday before Thanksgiving what a multi-agency drug roundup in Moose Lake... recovered several grams of methamphetamine I think officer Jamie Jungers worked tirelessly on that investigation. [35:25] **Police Chief (Brian Belich):** The county installed school this is on signs by the new school on County Road 10, 20 miles an hour... I have where the letter and also talked to our commissioner Gary Peterson asking them to install radar signs on County Road team in the the speed zone transitions. [36:20] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Can you keep an eye on why that speed zone thing is? Because I think if people stop at the stop lights I don't think you can even get to 30 by the time that you hit that radar sign on red light too. [37:15] **Police Chief (Brian Belich):** I'll certainly monitor it there... Highway 73 Sue Hill has just done wonders with traffic coming down the hill. [37:45] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** The response that I've gotten people just didn't even realize it... I'm open up radar sign would really catch the attention of people. [38:15] **Police Chief (Brian Belich):** Was the roundabout going? Roundabout is fine now we haven't had any accidents in that. [38:41] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** Some of the people are just mention something about when the students get out of school they come to that intersection and they won't allow anything else to get into the into the roundabout... they tailgate each other to where they don't take the turn and yield. [39:50] **Police Chief (Brian Belich):** I don't think they're doing anything illegal know that it's more of a common courtesy thing. [40:14] **Council Member Kris Huso:** I had just question as someone made a comment to me about the cameras at the PD... is it just the liquor store that you're having an issue with? ... I don't think they've been utilized since they've been installed properly. [41:45] **Police Chief (Brian Belich):** We spent all this money and we we have some you know people in possession to do it if it's something that as a tech thing let's get it handled and let's get them working. [42:15] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** The second item under the police chief is squad computer purchase... the chief thought it would be best and I do as well to replace some of the equipment while we have the money available within that department... the total cost would be 9,850. [43:45] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** I make a motion that we purchase the smart computers and whatever accessories you need. [44:15] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** Second. [44:17] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried. [44:30] **Police Chief (Brian Belich):** Who comment on the tests this last weekend we waited 19, 16 showed up... I think seven candidates is what we figured out we just kind of drew the line at 75% for the test scores. [45:51] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Something good thank you thank you thanks chief. Public Works thanks Phil mr. mayor. [46:21] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** Mayor members of the council um we had a good month of November... the water department we on 3.4 million gallons drinking water... the sewer department collected 13 million gallons of wastewater... we're still on pace to meet our phosphorus limit for 2017 further the PCA which is huge because that was a big project. On the seventh Street loop station pumps that were approved at the last meeting were put in and installed. [48:42] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** That phosphorous system now that is the ponds are frozen right? Yep until next April. [48:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** See the engineer thank you Steve members of the council. [49:05] **Steve Voigt (SEH Engineer):** I didn't have any updates on the LR IP project... we're just waiting for spring now... there’s a little work cleanup work along third that I know needs to get done. The administrator had asked me to just check with my other cities about standards for driveways... I would suggest that we not have a written policy is that we look at each property as it comes up and what the land use is going to be. [51:15] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** How about the water that was sitting out in the corner I think was at the southeast corner? [51:30] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** There’s some water frozen yeah I think that's a battle that's probably gonna need to be something that we look at in spring. [52:35] **Cathy Troskey (Chamber President):** Good evening mayor members of council... Cathy Troskey I’m the president of the chamber. I did bring copies of the strategic planning process for you tonight. I wanted to talk about an event that we're planning on February 10th that's a ice bocce... we would hope to be able to use the pavilion as a warming house and then we've spoken with mark down at the Muni he's willing to bring up portable sales. [55:39] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Just what it's about I guess what they're going to be doing well it's a chance to pass it on to the community. [55:50] **Cathy Troskey (Chamber President):** The event is kind of a combination between bocce ball and curling... part of the idea is trying to get an event that happens in the winter that would be a draw for people to the area. I did wanted to mention I did the chamber received an email from Barney Hollis and he was concerned about the ice bocce event and us using the pavilion because he stores his decorations in there. [57:50] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** You probably would need your own porta-potties because I know the bathrooms are shutting off the water and stuff... and plowing we normally don't plow after Christmas. [58:30] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** I'm okay getting that plowed so you can use a parking lot and drive through okay you would not be using the boat landing for anything? [59:30] **Cathy Troskey (Chamber President):** Our annual meeting is coming up January 13th that is going to be at the su-9 Event Center... and then lastly business expo going in into next year's April 21st. [1:01:33] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** Moving on to number five previously discussed business 5a arena project update I got the Mighty Ducks amendment number three today to extend the grant again as it looks like the ice resurfacer will be another week or two later than they thought. [1:02:10] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** 5b moose lake city township consolidation? [1:02:15] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** I just got the final draft for the tax study we just need to review it and then we'll be ready to bring it here. [1:02:45] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** 5d new business number 6 a liability waiver we give Minnesota cities this isn't normal yeah we have to do this every year. [1:03:00] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** We always select that we do not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability. [1:03:05] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** Motion to accept. [1:03:07] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** Second. [1:03:09] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried. 6b transit passengers... what was the total? [1:03:45] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** 833 over 12 months or 70 passengers per month. It locks us into the price for a year we can cancel it where a month's notice. [1:04:06] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** 6e Chamber annual request and budget... so we're looking at a total of eight hundred dollars there. I just have one question so the funds are available? [1:05:00] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** Yes... the Historical Society is here as well. We would pay the chamber as the event came up which we're gonna do anyways... we don't have enough to cover all of the chamber events and the historical request at the same time. [1:05:30] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** I so move that we support the eight events for the chamber at a hundred dollars each and pay as needed. [1:05:40] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** Second. [1:05:42] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried. Historical Society donation request. [1:05:51] **Steve Wilson (Historical Society President):** Mr. mayor consoles I'm Steve Wilson president Historical Society. back in the indicated support for project they are doing up there for an Church... the total cost is five thousand dollars they overplayed three thousand dollars... we'd like to have the city help us out with that two thousand dollars. [1:07:45] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** My suggestion is that we give them the two thousand dollars to cover the bills no matter what... I think when you when you toured it and and when you see it and and and look at the picture it will be absolutely incredible. [1:09:40] **Council Member Kris Huso:** Make motion we donate the 2000 so they can keep going over there. [1:10:00] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** I have a second. [1:11:00] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye aye opposed motion carries thank you. [1:11:15] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** Moving on to 60 resolution 12 dot or 1.17 DMV support... basically saying the new system is really really really bad it hasn't gone well... requesting some of the additional fees go to the local DMVs rather than to the state. [1:12:15] **Council Member Kris Huso:** I so move we adopt resolution 12.01.17. [1:12:20] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** Second. [1:12:25] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried. Under 6 F Barney Hollis email... I don't think we really need to take any action it's more informational. [1:14:19] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** 2g liquor license rule... all forms have been completed insurance payment everything is in order Katie did a really really good job. [1:15:10] **Council Member Kris Huso:** I'll make a motion we approved these five applicants for the liquor license renewal for 2018. [1:15:20] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** Secondly. [1:15:25] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried. Number H tobacco license renewal. [1:15:35] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** One is in the mail... my suggestion would be to approve it pending everything is complete by December 31st. [1:16:30] **Council Member Kris Huso:** I'll make them motion we accept to go making backhoe applications for the nine individuals listed here and ending received of minute marks. [1:16:45] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** I'll second it. [1:17:15] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried. Committee and annual appointments I'm wondering would you like me to post all these in the paper online all of that stuff? [1:17:35] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** Yes and on the bulletin boards... there's also a letter page 146 from Steve Devine Jelinski who is stepping down from the water and like Commission... he's not seeking to be reappointed to the water and light board so that would be another one that we will be advertising. [1:18:50] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** I want to thank Steve for a fantastic job he's done through the three years and just appreciate all the time and effort he put into it. [1:19:10] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** The one thing I'll say is I am planning on at least getting a few bids for the city auditor Clifton Larson Alan's been doing it for a long time the fee went up again this year. [1:22:25] **Council Member Kris Huso:** Chris when she did do that meeting a while ago when you were gone that just excellent you know excellent me and she did so yeah it went by so quick. [1:23:45] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** The building inspector... I think we should put it out there it's it's nothing we don't need the elephant in the room that's we're actively we have been actively looking and we've had active complaints every single year. [1:25:41] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Committee and board meeting minutes we have the fire department... fire call report I think there's 41 calls in September... just note to the fire department thank you very much for your service. Announcements... regular Moose Lake City Council meeting Wednesday January 10th at 6:30. [1:27:15] **Tim Peterson (City Administrator):** Our organizational meeting will take place at 6:30 it just has a separate agenda. [1:27:30] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Moose lake water life commission regular meeting Wednesday December 20th... Moose Lake area fighter district will be Tuesday December 12th that's already happened... I did pretty good with those through this if you'll see I'm gonna give this section right one month that's you just set your goal for everybody take note... with fad like to thank everyone that came we're gonna have to go into a closed session on the Teamsters agreement. [1:30:00] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** Motion to close regular city council meeting. [1:30:05] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** Second. [1:30:07] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried. We're gonna go to the conference room okay. **[Music]**