MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILJULY 12, 2005 – 6:00 P.M.Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order with the following council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, and Ross Metzger. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer; and Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk. Guests: Pete Hoff; Jeff Bass-Hills Fire Department; John & Carol Van Maanen; Dan Top; and Lexi Moore-Hills Crescent. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Svoboda to approve the June 14th minutes. Motion carried.Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to approve payment of the June expenditures: General $7,759.26; Park $2,140.87; Fire $898.69; Street $2,547.84; Legion $925.05; Sewer $1,784.66; Garbage $4,728.59; Recycling $1,006.20; Water $7,381.01; Baseball $40.44; Softball $17.98; Law Enforcement $9,322.50. Motion carried.The Council accepted the resignation of Councilman Dana Dahlquist at their June 14th meeting; a resolution was adopted with regard to that resignation. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Svoboda to adopt a resolution to appoint Pete Hoff to fulfill the vacancy. All were in favor, motion carried. Hoff signed an Oath of Office. General Checking 70,526.44General Fund CD#18924, 3.55%, 6/9/05 (prev. #18614) 246,637.06General Fund CD#18764 (prev. #17760) 2.75%, 9/15/05 71,299.52Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#18647, 2.0%, 1/13/06 0.00Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 1,440.14Hills EDA Checking – Acct. #1248 1,754.15Southern Hills Condo Acct. #1263 458.97EDA CD#18870, 3.25%, 5/7/06 75,630.77Discussed special assessment terms for blacktop work in Park View First Addition (South Elizabeth Ave.). Motion by Elbers, seconded by Metzger to assess blacktop costs of 97 cents per square foot to the property owners, according to recorded ownership, at 8% interest for a period of 10 years, with the option to pay off the balance at any time. Motion carried. Dan Cook appeared at the meeting to discuss the credit taken toward the City’s water bill, due to the numerous flushings of rusty water problems. RCRW agrees with the estimated number of gallons flushed, but disagrees with the water rate. Cook feels that RCRW has aided the City with various items throughout the years, and performed some of the flushings themselves. Cook provided the Council with a letter describing the assistance that RCRW has given to the City. Cook suggested a compromise by splitting the credit difference, suggesting a sum of $2,400. The Council agreed to the $2,400 credit, and will contact RCRW’s Board. The sanitary survey report from the MN Dept. of Health regarding the inspection of the public water supply at Rez Park shows no deficiencies. Council will discuss with city maintenance options to fill-in an old cistern; and street patching along Seventh Street. Jeff Bass, for the Hills Fire Department, has checked into liability insurance for serving 3.2 beer at a proposed fund-raiser, and requests a temporary liquor license in order to obtain the insurance. Also, the new tanker truck should be delivered by the end of the week, and that the remaining amount of $59,470 will be due at that time. Jellema suggested that the City keep the old tanker truck for the purpose of flushing culverts. John and Carol Van Maanen, and Dan Top appeared at the meeting to inquire about a building permit. Van Maanen’s are purchasing property from Top, located north of D&J Motors, and request a permit to construct a 36’x54’ building on a lot of approximately 36’x96’. There are no basements involved in the proposed building or the surrounding commercial buildings. The proposed storage building will be approximately 10’ from D&J Motors and the Fire Hall; and 25’ from the edge of the street. Motion by Hoff, seconded by Elbers to grant Van Maanens a building permit, with a requirement that the proposed building be set back in accordance with the Fire Hall. Motion carried. Metzger will contact Ryan Burgers for an estimated date for removing the mobile home and garage from the City’s property. Discussed setbacks for Ross Metzger and Kelly Leuthold’s building permit request. Motion by Hoff, seconded by Elbers to grant a building permit to Metzger and Leuthold for a 40’x128’ building, the front setback of the building to be in line with New Vision’s building. Voting in favor: Hoff, Elbers, Jellema; Voting against: Svoboda; Abstained: Metzger. Motion carried.Council reviewed National Incident Management System information and requested that the Clerk draft a Resolution regarding the same, to be adopted at a later meeting. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Metzger to enter into LP contracts with Popkes Car Care at $1.189 per gallon. Motion carried. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Hoff to obtain bonding insurance from the League of MN Cities to cover the City Treasurer, Clerk and Fire Relief Treasurer. Split the cost of the insurance premium two-thirds City and one-third Fire Relief. Motion carried. The Council will check into using printed garbage bags for extra garbage disposal, which could replace the garbage stickers. Elbers inquired whether the Council would allow Rod Verhey to construct a commercial building south of his residential property. The Council is not in favor, but suggested other locations. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to adjourn at 8:00 P.M.Meeting reconvened at 8:05 P.M. following the arrival of the City’s auditor, Matt Taubert of Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co. Taubert reviewed the City’s 2004 audit report with the Council. The State Auditor’s Office now requires a new method for capital investments which causes more paperwork for city employees and auditors. Council approved the report. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Hoff to adjourn at 8:50 P.M. Motion carriedConnie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk (7-21)
