Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Hamburg City Council Minutes - June 23, 2009

Mayor Malz called the regular meeting of the Hamburg City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Larry Mueller, Councilmember Cummiskey, Councilmember Steve Trebesch, Councilmember John Barnes, City Clerk Jeremy Gruenhagen, Deputy Clerk Block, Maintenance Worker Dennis Byerly, and Fire Chief Brad Droege were present. Others present were Doug Parrott (S.E.H), Chris Lund (612 Kim Avenue), and Richard Odoms (150 Jacob Street).

Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption

  • Added – Memo from Ron Seymour dated June 19, 2009.
  • Added – Resolution 2009-09 request State Bonding Funds for 2010.
  • Added – Councilmember Trebesch will report on estimates for material and labor from K&K Services to repair the missing trim on the Hall.
  • Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the agenda with the three additions, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.

Old City Business

  • Number 5 – Lawnmower
    o The lawnmower has been fixed and is up and running.
    o Council agreed to remove this from the list.
  • Number 6 – Discrepancy in Ordinance #95.6 verbiage, what constitutes a dog kennel, three or four dogs?
    o City Attorney Mac is reviewing this.
  • Number 8 – Purchase shirts for Council and Mayor.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen reported that he has not heard from G&K Services on the shirt he ordered and will follow up on this for next meeting.
  • Number 10 – Review current evaluation forms.
    o Councilmember Cummiskey, Councilmember Trebesch, and City Clerk Gruenhagen will set up a date and time to meet again to discuss the updating of the employee review forms.
  • Number 11 – Civil Defense Siren – Purchase batteries and/or a solar battery charger.
    o Councilmember Mueller commented that he had spoken with Chuck Allison from Robs Electric and he did not know of any advantage to purchasing a solar charger. He suggested just changing the four batteries every three years.
    o Council agreed to go along with Chuck’s suggestion and take this off the list.

Fire Department Report – Chief Brad Droege

2009 FEMA Grant Application

  • Fire Chief Droege informed Council that the 2009 FEMA Grant is being evaluated and he should know in two to four weeks what Fire Departments will be awarded grants.

SAFER Training

  • Hamburg and Norwood/YA will have training July 6, 2009 and July 13, 2009. SAFER is a group that gets together to raise money to purchase arm bracelets for Autistic and Alzheimer Patients. These bracelets send out a signal to help locate a person if they have wondered away from home or a care center. The bracelets would be donated to the patients and the cost is around $240. Reimbursement for Green Isle Fire Call (July 2 and 3, 2008)
  • It has been almost a year since the Shamrock Fire in Green Isle. Through the work of Representative Laura Brod, Green Isle received $64,000 for fuel and associated costs to fight the fire. Hamburg may receive reimbursement for some of their cost in helping fight the fire. The cost for Hamburg was around $5,000; about $1,800 was for water and the rest was for fighting the fire.

Zummerfest Celebration

  • Fire Chief Brad Droege commented on how well Zummerfest went over even with the cancellation of the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, the church service, and kid’s baseball. Over all there was a good crowd and turn out.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen noted a previous Council decision that no tables or chairs are to be taken out of the Community Center. The Lions took some but were asked to bring them back. This is particularly important when the Community Center is rented for the weekend.
  • Mayor Malz added that he was impressed by the turnout and the good times had by all during the Zummerfest Pro-Wrestling event.

Election vs. Selection

  • Before tonight’s meeting Fire Chief Brad Droege had asked City Clerk Gruenhagen to check into the Fire Departments By-Laws and Constitution. The Fire Department does not have to have their own By-Laws or Constitution for they are a part of the city. Some fire departments still have there own, some don’t, and some go by the rules and regulations of their city. In the current Fire Department By-Laws and Constitution there were 14 items that have to be changed, per review by the League of MN Cities, and Fire Chief Droege asked Council for Councils direction.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen commented that one thing that could be done is change the Fire
    Departments By-Laws into Hamburg Fire Department Policies. This would be more correct and then review and look into the League of MN Cities recommendations.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen will check with other cities on how they do their fire departments
    policies. He will put this information along with the Leagues recommendations on the next City Council Meeting Agenda for further discussion.

Relief Association Financial Statement for 2007 & 2008

  • The Municipal Contribution for 2009 was $34,969 and the Municipal Contribution for 2010 will be $42,101. Fire Chief Droege commented that he does not know why the contribution for 2010 is so much higher than the previous year.
  • Council discussed the possibilities for the increase but decided to ask Justin Buckentin (Hamburg Fire Department Relief Association President) who had prepared the report the reason for the high increase. Pension Increase for Reporting Year 2010
  • Fire Chief Droege informed Council that if there will be any type of pension increase this information would have to be turned in later this year (2009). Council can discuss this at a later council meeting.

Doug Parrott – City Engineer (SEH)

Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Improvement Project

  • PFA Funding/Stimulus Monies
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that he had received a phone call on June 16, 2009 from Becky Sabie (Minnesota Public Utilities Authority) and she officially informed the City that Hamburg will not be receiving any stimulus money for the I & I Project.
    o Ron Seymour, Doug Parrott, and City Clerk Gruenhagen discussed this during a conference call that there were other projects ahead of Hamburg that were shovel ready. The funding was based on first come first serve.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen added that not receiving any stimulus money was not due to lack of effort by the Council or City Engineers.
    o It was decided to continue moving forward on the project but at a slower pace and the project start the Spring of 2010. Excavation of Sanitary Sewer Force Main
  • Mr. Parrott presented Council with information on the excavation of the sanitary force main. S.E.H did an exploratory dig on the easterly side of the City Park and did find the force main and its depth. It is deep enough to cross this line with the storm water and sewer lines. Because of the depth the lines from the northern water shed area (Lois Droege private ditch) there will be enough slope or fall for drainage.

Clean Out Y Detail

  • Council had asked to include, in the contract, a Y joint be attached to the main sewer line. One line would go to the home for easy service clean out and the other line would go up to just under ground with an iron pin for easy location.
  • This will be added to the bid contract.

Catch Basins

  • The proposed storm drain catch basins will be 2’ x 3’. This size provides improved storm water drainage. Right now the city has one and one half by one and one half drain catch basins.

Pipe Materials – Under Street Areas and Non Street Areas

  • Mr. Parrott commented that Council had requested reinforced concrete pipe be used under the city streets and an alternate type of piping under the non-street areas. There are two different types of pipe that could be used in non-street areas.
    o One – Corrugated black plastic pipe, corrugated polyurethane which has a corrugated outside and a smooth inside.
    o Two – PVC, polyvinyl chloride, typically called A200. It also has a corrugated outside but is usually cheaper. This type of pipe is most often used for the storm water fun off.

Storm Drain Tile in Backyards

  • Mr. Parrott explained that the drain tile in backyards will be used for sump pumps and service inlets. A perforated line in the backyards will help drain ground water in the flat back yard areas.
  • Risers and 12 inch diameter pipe will be used.
  • Future Maintenance. Mr. Parrott pointed out that two foot diameter risers (inlets) are planned for easy maintenance and clean out. These will be placed about four feet deep.
  • Castings. Flat castings will be placed on top of the backyard inlet structures. These flat castings are easy to mow over and persons will not trip over them. They are bicycle safe and lawn mower safe.

Status of Plans & Specs

  • Mr. Parrott handed out spec updates and informed Council that they are 95% completed. He then asked Council if they had any questions.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen asked if the additional water hydrants Council had requested were added to the plan.
    § Mr. Parrott replied yes, contractors will have three additional bid items on the contracts
    for the hydrants.
    § Mr. Parrott will set up the contract so that Council can accept all, some, or none.
    Permission to enter Residents Backyards
  • A representative from S.E.H has been going door to door talking with residents asking them for permission to enter their backyards. Permission is needed to bring in equipment to hook the home up to the new sanitary sewer line. He only has one or two residents left to talk with otherwise all have agreed to the request except one. When the representative is finished he will draft a description of where the access easement would be and this information will be given to City Clerk Gruenhagen, City Attorney Mac Willemssen, and Council.
    o City Attorney Willemssen will then draft a legal document for homeowners to sign authorizing S.E.H permission to access the property.
  • Mr. Parrott added that he will give City Attorney Willemssen and City Clerk Gruenhagen a list of other easements and property descriptions that are needed to continue with the building of this project.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen along with help from Council will then proceed to obtain the property easements.

Sibley County Ditch Authority

  • Mr. Parrott informed Council that he had received a call from the Sibley County Ditch Inspector Jeff Majeski. He is the lead person to contact if there are questions or concerns about the ditch. This ditch, which is on the south side of the City Park area, is the one that the City of Hamburg requesting to drain into.
    o Mr. Parrott had submitted a request for permission to make this the Cities outlet and ask if there were any legal requirements the City had to comply with.
    o The response was that they are not going to require the City of Hamburg to go through any hearings or public hearing processes or permitting processes. The reason is that that City is already paying into the ditch and the City has a right to drain into it.
  • Mr. Parrott continued saying that all that has to be done is submit a final design and plans to them and if they have anything they want modified they will let the City know.
  • Mayor Malz asked: We have drainage permission from Sibley County but not Carver County?
    o Mr. Parrott replied that Sibley County is the lead agency on the ditch. County that has the greatest water shed area going into a ditch is the lead agency.
    o Mr. Parrott also informed Council that they have been working with Mike Wanous (Carver County Soil & Water Conservation Representative) keeping him aware of what’s going on. The Sibley County Ditch Inspector, Jeff Majeski, has been working closely with Mike Wanous on this project.
  • Mr. Parrott informed Council that he was informed (by email) that they are still planning to clean out the entire Lateral System ditch this fall, from the City Park to a couple of miles down stream.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Mr. Parrott if he should forward the email to Mr. Wanous.
    § Mr. Parrott replied yes.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen also mentioned that he had spoken with Mike Wanous (Carver County) concerning the issue of who pays for the culvert. Carver County did look into this and it would be the Road Authority by State Statute. Mr. Wanus did talk to Lothar Walter with Young American Township they will bring it forth at their next meeting to discuss the possibility of paying 50% and the city paying 50%. The boundaries will have to be looked at if it is completely in the Township or partially in the City.
    o Councilmember Mueller mentioned that he had spoken with Jim Ische and he will also look into who will be responsible for paying for the culvert.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen reiterated that he informed Mr. Wanous that the ditch has to be cleaned out this fall. Mr. Parrott did not have anything further to report except that he, City Attorney Willemssen, and City Clerk Gruenhagen will continue working on what has been talked about this evening. Mr. Parrott will be submitting, this week, the required submittal to Carver County Water Resource Department on the proposed project. They
    have an application process to be sure the City is complying with the Storm Water Management Rules and Regulations. Mr. Parrott will do the things necessary to continue to move the project forward.

PFA Funding

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen reported on the memo from Ron Seymour concerning funding from PFA.
    o The City was not on the 2009 Intended Use Plan initially, the PFA allowed projects to request IUP placement during a two week window last March. This is when the City of Hamburg did do its submittal to PFA.
    o Based upon the quick obligation of funds, it is apparent that many projects that had requested placement last year were very far along in the design and bidding process.
  • Mr. Seymour is also working with MPCA to find out if there are any other program options available and checking on the total maximum daily load (TMDL) reduction grant program. During the last session the State funded the PFA TMDL reduction grants program with monies that will be received from the new Water Legacy Act (sales tax). It is expected that the PFA will provide a notice of fund availability
    (eligibility and funding amounts) next month (July 2009) concerning this program.
    o The City could repeat the application process for State Capital Bonding funding. The application is due June 25, 2009 and requires an authorizing resolution to accompany the application.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen told Council that what was discussed during the conference call was to move forward with placement on the 2010 Intended Use Plan. This would allow for spring construction.
    o Next step would be to obtain easements for the project.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen suggested to Council that they should repeat the application process for the State Capital Bonding funding. This is described in Resolution 2009-09; it was done last year and can be done again this year.
    o It was discussed and everyone involved with this project agreed that the City should continue to request grants and funding. Keep knocking at the door, keep asking, and keep the name Hamburg in front of the agencies. If you do not ask you will never receive.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen suggested revising the project schedule once more information is received from the 2010 Intended Use Plan and the TMDL Grant Program.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen noted that if Council wants to proceed with this project funding then Resolution 2009-09 should be passed tonight.
  • Councilmember Cummiskey moved to adopt Resolution Number 2009-09, Resolution Authorizing Submission of Request for State Bonding Funds for the Correction of Wastewater Inflow & Infiltration, seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously passed. All Council members were present.
  • Councilmember Trebesch asked what type of pipe will be used.
    o Mr. Parrott answered by saying that most cities use ASTM (American Society of Testing
    Material) standards. They have a plastic pipe that is labeled SDR35 and is a high quality pipe.

To The Home Internet Service – Shawn Sprengeler

Site Lease Agreement

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Mr. Sprengeler that the lease agreement was sent to the City Attorney for review. Mac has reviewed the agreement and the only comment he had is that the City should in some way benefit from this service. This issue has been discussed at other Council meetings and the City does understand the limited base here in Hamburg. City Attorney Mac also pointed out that in the agreement with Cologne they will start to collect a 10% share of revenue once 100 subscribers are signed up.
    o Mr. Sprengeler replied that this is correct but they are not even close to 100 subscribers. They do have an option for the City of Cologne to be able to switch over and use this internet service at no cost to them. This could work for the City of Hamburg also.
  • Mayor Malz asked about how many subscribers are in and around Cologne.
    o Mr. Sprengeler replied that there are about 12 so far.
  • Mayor Malz asked if there are any other cities with this service.
    o Mr. Sprengeler replied that they are planning to deploy in Victoria, MN. They will not be going through the City of Victoria but will be installing their equipment on a private company’s tower.
  • Mayor Malz asked if the City of Victoria even knows what is going on.
    o Mr. Sprengeler replied that they had previously spoken with their Council two or three years ago and found out there was no room on their tower to mount the equipment. Mr. Sprengeler has not figured out how to market to that area yet but is working on it.
  • Mayor Malz asked how many have committed to this service in Hamburg.
    o Mr. Sprengeler replied that currently there are 12.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen mentioned that he has been contacted by a lot of rural residents asking for information on this service.
  • Mr. Sprengeler added that there are more services that could become available such as phone service, video surveillance, TV, and City broadcasting capabilities for Council meetings.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen touched on some of the comments made by City Attorney Mac. Mac did like some of the options in the agreement, the ease to get out of the contract and that it is not exclusive. Mac mentioned that the City might be able to benefit in someway with the base rent if this does grow. Mac also mentioned that the main concern is to make sure all the insurance paperwork lists the City of Hamburg as additionally insured.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen brought up that he know that there is a push to get this system set up but there is also a City process. The City has to follow procedure in having Mac draw up a contract and have the plan sent to Ann Perry (City Engineer) for review. Residents and other persons are pushing to get this done but the City has to have time to get this set up correctly.
  • Councilmember Cummiskey commented on allowing To The Home Internet to install their equipment in the building under the water tower. The technicians would need 24/7 access to the building for any repairs or maintenance to the equipment. By doing this it would allow them access to the Cities water supply. Councilmember Cummiskey asked if the equipment could be installed outside of the building.
    o Mr. Sprengeler replied that it could be and all that would be needed is a electrical outlet with 24/7 accessibility.
    o Councilmember Mueller agreed that the equipment should be outside of the building.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked if Mr. Sprengeler had any agreement with the City of Cologne to pay them for any electrical usage.
    o Mr. Sprengeler replied that it is in the contract with Cologne but they have not asked for any payment. Unless servers are put in the usage is less than 4 watts.
    o Councilmember Muller suggested that a minimal fee should be charged, maybe $2 a month. If the City starts to give free electrical hook-ups then they would have to give it to Xcel and others if they ask.
    § Mr. Sprengeler replied that a clause could be put in the contract under the rental terms.
    He would like to include the power supply in the internet service for the city along with
    the mounting assets. Then invoices would not have to be sent out increasing his expense.
    It could also be put in with the free service to the city.
    o Councilmember Mueller and City Clerk Gruenhagen both commented that once the Fiber Optic Line is installed in the City Office, Water Treatment Plant, and the Hall there will be no benefit to the City to use To The Home Internet services. Basically the City will only be providing the service to residents and the surrounding area.
    o Council continued to discuss this issue and possible solutions. It was decided to have City Clerk Gruenhagen talk with Hamburg City Attorney Mac and the City of Cologne Attorney on drafting the plan. The plan will also be forwarded to Ann Perry (City Consultant) for review.
  • Mayor Malz suggested and Council agreed to have Mr. Sprengeler move forward with his plan and the City with theirs.

Dennis’ Report (Public Works & Utilities)

Loss Control Recommendations from the League of Minnesota Cities

  • Rental Agreements
    o Review rental and lease agreements for city properties. These are being looked at by the City Attorney Mac.
  • Fire Department – Test the emergency eyewash station
    o Council agreed to have a maintenance record form placed by the eyewash station in the Fire Departments bay area. When the eyewash station is checked it will be noted on the form. This will also be done for the three eyewash stations in the Water Treatment Plant.
  • Utility Room (in Fire Department bay area) - Maintain adequate clearance to electrical panels.
    o Maintenance Worker Byerly will clear a 36’ space from around the electrical panels’ floor area. Once this is done a yellow strip will be painted on the floor 36” from the panel.
    o This will also be done around the electrical panels in the Shop Area.
  • City Shop – Replace the handle on the maul located in the Northwest corner of the building.
    o Maintenance Worker Byerly no longer uses this maul so he will throw it out.
  • City Shop – Provide a covered container for combustible shop cloths.
    o There is a container in the Shop area for this and Maintenance Worker Byerly will start using it.
  • City Shop – Do an annual inspection of the 2-Ton hoist.
    o Maintenance Worker Byerly will start visual inspection of the hoist and keep a dated log of when it is done. The inspection should be done once a month.
  • City Shop – Repair the entranceway to the shop
    o A railing should be installed on the cement steps leading down to the Shop door. Maintenance Worker Byerly will install the railing.
    o The steep hill leading down to the two shop doors and the water grates need repair. Council has this project on the “Wish List”. At this time there is no money available in the cities budget to do the repairs but it has been looked into.
  • Hall – Remove/disconnect or provide automatic fire suppression systems for cooking devices in this facility.
    o Maintenance Worker Byerly will turn off the gas stove in the Hall basement.
    o Mayor Malz asked Council to check out prices to install a fire suppression system for the
    commercial griddle located in the upper half of the Hall.
  • Hall – Repair the rear stairs leading to the basement of the Hall.
    o Maintenance Worker Byerly will repair the steps with new boards.
  • Hall – Install handrails on both sides of the concrete stairs located on the east side of the building
    o This was previously discussed and Maintenance Worker Byerly will get these installed.
    City Clerk commented that this is a good example of why Maintenance Worker Byerly needs to create a Maintenance Schedule and keep it updated. This can not be stressed enough.

Sidewalk Replacement (Hard Stuff Masonry & Concrete)

  • The sidewalk has been replaced along Railroad Street from Maria Avenue to Sophia Ave.
  • There is one issue with the sidewalk, there is a crack in the cement
    o Council discussed and agreed to have City Clerk Gruenhagen call Hard Stuff Masonry and ask if they would come back and fix the crack. It should be cut out and filled with epoxy.
  • Maintenance Worker Byerly will fill in the space that was dug out between the new sidewalk and the resident’s lawn with black dirt.

Seal Coating (Southwest Paving)

  • The Community Center, Fire Hall, and Water Treatment Plant parking lots were seal coated last Wednesday.
  • Council agreed to wait as long a possible before sweeping the extra rock off the lot.
  • The parking lots will be re-striped once the rocks are removed.

City Keys for Council and Mayor

  • Council asked Maintenance Worker Byerly if this had been completed and his response was not yet.
  • Council asked him to complete this project as soon as possible for it has been on his list for a few months now.

Lagoons

  • Councilmember Mueller asked Maintenance Worker Byerly if the weeds were cut down on the slopes at the Lagoons. Maintenance Worker Byerly responded that this has been completed.
  • Councilmember Mueller asked Maintenance Worker Byerly if he had sprayed the weeds out at the Lagoons. Maintenance Worker Byerly responded “yes” and that he was going to re-spray.

Deputy Clerk Block’s Report

Delinquent Utility Bills Report

  • Deputy Clerk Block reported that the delinquent accounts are the same as always. Every once in a while a delinquent payment or partial payment will come in. Letters will have to be sent out reminding residents to either pay off their accounts or make arrangements for payments.
  • Council and Mayor Malz discussed and made the decision that if residents do not pay their water bills after notification there water will be shut off. The city can not continue to carry these delinquent accounts.

MCFOA Clerk’s Conference (July 13-17)

  • Deputy Clerk Block asked Council if she could receive the $400 check before she leaves on Monday, July 13, 2009 for the Conference. Council had previously motioned to allow Deputy Clerk Block a $400 allowance to stay at the hotel during the conference.
  • Councilmember Mueller did not know of any reason why not to issue the check the Friday before she leaves. The other members of Council and the Mayor did not have any objections.
    o Deputy Clerk Block will bring back receipts from the Conference.

City Clerk/Treasurer Report

City Lease Agreements – Serving of Alcohol

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that he had spoken with other cities as to how they handle the serving of alcohol when persons rent city buildings. They all responded that they handle this basically the same way Hamburg does.
  • Council agreed that renters will have to carry a one day liability insurance policy if alcohol is present and provide the City with a copy for any future reference. City Clerk Gruenhagen will work with City Attorney Willemssen on the correct wording and have it added to the lease agreements.

LGA Unallotment for 2009 & 2010

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that it looks like the City of Hamburg will avoid any LGA cuts for 2009 and 2010. As of today the Minnesota Governor is planning on any city fewer than 1,000 population will not be cut from any LGA aid.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen will keep the cities budget cuts in the agenda’s so if this holds true then Council could schedule some budget items to be completed.

2030 Comprehensive Plan

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that Ann Perry (City Planning Consultant) has submitted the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and informed Met Council that the City has adopted the 2030 Plan.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen hoped to receive, in a month or two, the remaining $10,000 from the $20,000 Grant the City received for the Comp Plan update. Met Council Population & Household Estimates for the City of Hamburg (2008)
  • Ann Perry had sent an email to Met Council informing them that the City of Hamburg disagrees with the number of households (212) they had estimated for the city. Hamburg would like this number changed to 215, the same estimate for households in 2007. The housing units within the City are currently occupied.
  • Todd Graham from Metropolitan Council Research replied that this would not be a problem to revise the estimation to 215 occupied housing units, 215 households, and population of 557.

City Zoning Ordinances

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council if they had anything to add from the Special Meeting held two weeks ago and from the last Council Meeting.
    o Councilmember Mueller asked if Ann Perry had been notified to put something in the ordinances about Hoop buildings (Canopy), temporary housing for boats, trailers, etc. This will be forwarded to Ann Perry for her review.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen will keep this issue on the agenda and at the end of July this can again be discussed during a Special Meeting that was planned to be set up with Ann Perry.
    Resolution 2009-08 – Passing a Resolution Establishing West Carver Regional Safety Group
  • Hamburg is paring up with eight other cities to help cut safety meeting costs. The cost per session is about $1,200. The League would pay half this amount and the rest of the cost would be divided between the eight participating cThe safety training is done to meet the minimum OSHA requirements.
  • The meetings are for City Clerk Gruenhagen, Deputy Clerk Block, and Maintenance Worker Byerly. Ifmthe Hamburg Fire Department has a member that needs to catch up on safety training they can also attend.
  • Councilmember Cummiskey moved to approve Resolution 2009-08 Establishing West Carver Regional Safety Group, seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council
    members were present
    .

Carver County Fiber Optic Ring

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen received an email from Randy Lehs asking Council to prioritize the two additional lines (stimulus laterals). One additional line is for the fiber optic line to connect to the Water Treatment Plant and the other to the City Hall/Shop. Carver County is applying for Federal Government stimulus monies to pay for the additional lines. If the County does not receive any stimulus money then the City of Hamburg will have to pay for the additional lines.
    o Council decided to prioritize the Water Treatment Plant as number one and prioritize the
    Community Hall second.

Public Nuisance Letters

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen has sent out a nuisance letter to Darrell Grams (410 Sophia Avenue) requesting the clean up of their yard. This has been ongoing for several years and once the specified time stated in the letter is up and if nothing is done City Clerk Gruenhagen would like to have the City Attorney draw up documentation to handle the situation. If nothing is done then the City should go in and clean up the yard billing the cost to Mr. Grams. If this bill is not paid the amount will be assessed to his taxes.
    o The cars and tires in their yard are safety hazards and health hazards to the other residents of the City.
  • Another nuisance that residents are calling about is the Pigeons that Brian Herrmann (780 Park Avenue) keeps at his home. They keep getting out and getting into the neighbors gardens, yards, driveways and on roofs. It is starting to be a health hazard also. City Clerk Gruenhagen has sent a nuisance letter to the owners but the situation has not been taken care of.

City Council Reports

Councilmember Mueller (Sewer & Water) had nothing further to report.

Councilmember Cummiskey (Streets) had nothing further to report.

Councilmember Trebesch (Buildings)

  • Councilmember Trebesch presented Council with an estimate for material and labor from K and K Services (Kip Trebesch) to fix the trim work on the Community Hall. The estimate was $550.
    o Council also discussed and asked for an estimate on replacing the side Shop door.
    § Councilmember Trebesch will get an estimate to replace the Shop door from K and K
    Services.
  • Councilmember Mueller moved to have K & K Services repair the flashing (trim) on the Hall, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.

Councilmember Barnes (Parks) had nothing further to report.

Mayor Malz

  • Mayor Malz brought up the subject of borrowing tables and/or chairs from the Hall. He would like a sign in and sign out sheet for persons borrowing them.
    o Council, Mayor Malz, and City Clerk Gruenhagen discussed and decided to “get the word out” to organizations and residents that no tables or chairs will be taken out of the Community Center. If they want to borrow any tables/chairs from the Hall they will have to go through the City Office to sign them out and in. Council also decided not to allow anyone from outside the city limits to borrow them. The city residents paid for them and the city does not have money to keep replacing the tables and chairs.
  • Mayor Malz suggested that more fans should be purchased for the Hall, most of the ones the City has now do not work. He also added that the ceiling fans should be fixed.
    o Members of Council and City Clerk Gruenhagen discussed what type of fans should be purchased and how many. One suggestion was to purchase Squirrel fans for they move a lot of air and are quiet.
    o Repairing the ceiling fans has been discussed at previous Council meeting and every time they are fixed balloon strings or other objects get stuck in the fans and burn out the motors.
  • Mayor Malz also asked if air conditioning could be installed.
    o Council and City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Mayor Malz that this has also been checked into and the cost was around $100,000. The City does not have enough money to pay for this.
    o Mayor Malz is going to check into this again to find out how much this would cost and if there is any “Green Money” available.
  • Mayor Malz asked who is responsible for maintaining and up keep on the street light posts. Some are leaning, others are pealing, and most are faded.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen will call Xcel to ask them to fix the leaning posts and maintain the others.
  • Mayor Malz commented on the City Sign being out. He asked if someone could be trained to program the sign instead of calling City Clerk Gruenhagen during the weekend.
    o City Clerk Gruenhagen will train Mayor Malz as a back up if the sign goes out again during the weekend.
  • Mayor Malz informed Council that a sample of the Cities Website is available but it is not linked to the Internet yet.
    o Councilmember Barnes asked how much it will cost to complete the Cities Website and link it.
    § Mayor Malz replied that it would be around $600 and this is in the budget to be done.
    o Councilmember Cummiskey moved to continue to move forward in setting up the City Website,seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council memberswere present.
    o The question came up if Ordinances would be added to the Website.
    § City Clerk Gruenhagen did not see why not.

Approve Claims List for May 2009

Councilmember Cummiskey asked if the check for Deputy Clerk Block in the amount of $400 will be added to the claims.

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied yes it will be check number 13905.

Councilmember Trebesch moved to approve the June 2009 claims list from claim number 13892 though claim number 13905 including the one ACH payment to PERA, seconded by Councilmember Cummiskey and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.

Councilmember Trebesch moved to adjourn the Hamburg City Council meeting at 9:36 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council Members were present.

Submitted by:
Sue Block
Deputy Clerk

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