What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
2015 final budget and levy (Resolution 2014-19)
After holding the Truth in Taxation hearing with no public comments, the council adopted Resolution 2014-19 setting the final property tax levy collectable in 2015. The resolution listed a total levy of $1,243,409.00, including $1,100,194.00 for General Revenue and additional levies for debt/service items ($90,300.00 refunding GO, $50,247.00 2011 & 2013 certificates, and $2,668.00 GO special assessment).
Agenda: Truth in Taxation Hearing, 4. Motions: M5. Speakers: Scheffler, Meyer.
Fire Department tanker truck purchase and fire council joint powers agreement
The council approved fire department actions including buying a used tanker truck from the City of Ramsey for $13,500, approving the Anoka County Fire Protection Council joint powers agreement with a condition that the council’s issues be addressed in the future, and transferring $30,000 from the Fire Department Operating Fund to the Fire Department Equipment Fund.
Agenda: 2a, 2b, 2c. Motions: M2, M3, M4. Speakers: Scheffler, Pilon, Meyer, Rainville, Schulz, Ruppe, Kapler.
Consent agenda approvals (minutes, claims, tobacco sales, liability waiver)
Council approved the consent agenda in one motion, including approval of the November 12, 2014 meeting minutes, the financial report, audited bills/claims (claims #9136 through #9210 plus referenced net distribution reports), tobacco sales applications for Bill Superette and Burns Bottle Shop, and the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust liability coverage waiver decision (city does not waive statutory tort limits).
Agenda: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5. Motions: M6. Speakers: Rainville, Schulz.
Administrative policies: office hours and lunch break change
During discussion of administrative policies, council adopted a change to office hours and lunch policy starting January 5, setting office hours as 8:00 to 4:30 with an unpaid 1/2 hour lunch and staggering lunches to avoid service disruption, with office closure during lunch if only one staff person is working; the minutes record this motion passed 3-2 with Jeff and Scheffler opposed. The council also passed a separate motion recommending the revisions be reviewed later during policy discussion.
Agenda: 6a. Motions: M7, M8. Speakers: Rainville, Meyer, Scheffler, Pilon, Schulz, Ruppe, Jeff.
Unused vacation payout and year-end office closure
Council debated unused vacation payout, with two initial motions failing for lack of a second, and ultimately approved paying up to 48 hours of unused vacation. Council also approved closing the office on December 26, 2014, requiring staff to take a vacation day.
Agenda: 6b, 6k. Motions: M11, M23. Speakers: Rainville, Pilon, Meyer, Scheffler.
8109 185th Ave encroachment agreement for garage in easement
Council approved an encroachment/license agreement to allow a portion of the auxiliary building/garage at 8109 185th Avenue NW to remain within the City’s drainage and utility easement, addressing a title company request related to a refinance; the agreement included a stated fee of $1.00.
Agenda: 6c. Motions: M12. Speakers: Rainville, Schulz.
Code enforcement direction: 19111 Cleary Road and Koch Pipeline noise complaint (22365 Baugh Street)
For 19111 Cleary Road, council directed no further action as long as there were no life safety issues, unless something changes on the property. For the noise complaint involving Koch Pipeline and Ben Fuchs (22365 Baugh Street), council directed the city attorney to send a letter stating the information received indicated the noise levels were within ordinance regulations.
Agenda: 6d. Motions: M13, M14. Speakers: Rainville, Meyer, Ruppe, Ben Fuchs.
Recycling Center locks, safety review, facility estimates, and promotional items (SCORE funds)
Council approved timed locks for the recycling center north doors and directed staff to get fire marshal input on locking other exits and marking exits. Council also directed staff to obtain costs to redo the entire roof and siding and appointed Pilon and Schulz to review costs and make final approval decisions, and approved purchasing promotional items pending funding availability; the packet memo cited $31,711.65 of unused 2014 SCORE reimbursement and referenced a separate $35,000.00 grant for 2015.
Agenda: 6e. Motions: M15, M16, M17, M18. Speakers: Meyer, Pilon, Rainville, Schulz.
CDBG/ADA follow-up for City Hall railings and drawings
Council directed Schulz and Pilon to attend a meeting and determine ADA requirements and whether City Hall railings and drawings for the railings could be paid for using CDBG funds, with the packet noting an application deadline in January 2015.
Agenda: 6f. Motions: M19. Speakers: Rainville, Schulz, Pilon.
Meeting scheduling: January workshop
A motion to cancel the workshop failed for lack of a second, and council instead scheduled the workshop for January 8th at 5:00 PM.
Agenda: 6g. Motions: M20. Speakers: Scheffler, Pilon, Rainville.
Prosecution services contract
Council approved a contract with Kurt Glaser of Smith & Glaser, LLC for prosecution services for the City of Nowthen.
Agenda: 6h. Motions: M21. Speakers: Rainville, Schulz, Kurt Glaser.
Table skirts/privacy panels for meetings
Council discussed purchasing privacy panels/table skirts (including possibly adding the city logo) but tabled the discussion until another estimate could be obtained, with staff directed to request quotes from cabinet makers in town.
Agenda: 6j. Motions: M22. Speakers: Pilon, Meyer, Scheffler, Schulz.