Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption
- Added – Video CD from the German TV Station
- Councilmember Cummiskey moved to approve the agenda with the addition, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council Members were present.
Old City Business
- Councilmember Cummiskey asked how the cities web site is coming along.
o Mayor Malz responded that it is coming along but it is a very slow process.
Adopt Resolution Number 2009-03
- Mayor Malz asked for a motion to approve Jeff Arndt’s variance request, number 2009-03, to build a deck at the rear of his house. The request was discussed at the Public Hearing today (April 14, 2009) at 6:45 p.m.
- Councilmember Barnes moved to adopt Resolution Number 2009-03, seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council Members were present.
Fire Department Report – Chief Brad Droege
2008 FEMA Grant – Chief Droege has to wait two more months before he can finalize the grant.
DNR Grant – nothing to report at this time
US Fish & Wildlife Grant
- Grant money in the amount of $2,970 was received in March 2009.
New Member – Colton Kroells
- Colton Kroells is a new member of the Hamburg Fire Department.
- The Hamburg Fire Department now has 30 members.
J5 Rig
- The J5 is being lettered. When the lettering is done the project will be completed.
Severe Weather Awareness Week - The week of April 20 through April 24, 2009 is scheduled to be “Severe Weather Awareness Week” in Minnesota with Thursday, April 23, designated as the statewide tornado drill day.
- On Thursday, April 23rd (Drill Day), the warning sirens will be sounded two times during the day. Once at 1:45 p.m. for businesses, schools, and other facilities to run through their plans, and again at 6:55 p.m. for late shifts and families in their homes.
Pump Testing
- Randy Sorensen, Fire Chief of Waconia, scheduled a fire engine pump test for Norwood/Young America, Waconia, Hamburg, St. Bonifacius, Mayer and two other fire departments.
- The pump testing is done on a fire truck’s engine to make sure it can pump water in the amount it is suppose to. The engines need to pass three years in a row for the ISO rating.
- Combining the test with seven fire departments saved their respective communities money.
Smoke Trailer
- Fire Chief Droege received information from the Eagan Fire Department that they wanted to sell their Smoke Trailer. A smoke trailer is a fire prevention trailer, which looks just like a mini home, and teaches kids how to escape a burning building. Eagan Fire Department wanted $3,000 for the unit however they agreed to sell the trailer for $1,500. Hamburg, Cologne, and Norwood/YA are purchasing the trailer together so the cost is $500 per Fire Department.
- The smoke trailer will be stored at Norwood/YA and they will carry the insurance on it.
- To purchase a new smoke trailer it would cost between $25,000 and $30,000.
- Trailer will be used to train NYA and Cologne High School students how to escape a burning building; a host fire department would rent a smoke trailer at a cost of $250 to $300. In a few years the trailer will pay for itself.
- The trailer was redone in 2006 and just needs a few props like frayed cords, pots and pans, etc.
- Fire Chief Droege requested a $500 check for the purchase of the Smoke Trailer and made payable to the Norwood/Young America Fire Department Relief Association General Account.
- Councilmember Cummiskey moved to allocate $500 for Hamburg’s Fire Department to purchase the Smoke Trailer along with the cities of Cologne and Norwood/Young America Fire Departments, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council Members were present.
Moorhead, MN – Flood Update
- Fire Chief Droege had put the City of Hamburg’s name in at the Minnesota Emergency Operations Center when the flooding started in the Fargo/Moorhead area. Chief Droege offered the use of the Gamma Goat, J5, light tower, and man power (8 fire fighters from Hamburg).
- On March 27, 2009 Chief Droege received a call requesting 100 fire fighters as soon as they could get to the area. He received the call at 5:50 p.m. and proceeded to call other fire chiefs for their assistance. By 8:45 p.m. a total of 37 fire fighters from 7 different towns were on their way to Moorhead. They arrived at 12:30 a.m. but were not called on to help until 9:30 a.m. the next morning.
o The type of work they did was watching pumps, helping residents on private property raise their dikes, and filling sand bags. - Fire Chief Droege also reported that many Fire Departments self deployed to the same area not abiding by the EOC rules.
o 150 fire fighters showed up, some as far away as Duluth. They drove their engines to the area and some of the engines froze during the trip. They brought in equipment and man power even though they were not called for assistance. - The group from Hamburg had planned on staying 2 days but at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday they decided to return home because of all the people that were there. They arrived in Hamburg at 5:15 p.m. Saturday night.
- Fire Chief Droege has a CD of the Moorhead flooding and if anyone would like to see it just let him know.
- Councilmember Cummiskey asked Chief Droege if he was going up to the Moorhead area to help clean up the sandbags.
o Fire Chief Droege replied that with all the extra personal and contractors in the area already he does not think he will be going back. However, everything is ready if they decide to go.
Request for City Blog Site – Chris Lund
- Mayor Malz asked Chris Lund to explain what blogging is.
o Mr. Lund replied that it is a form of amateur reporting on the internet. - Mr. Lund informed Council that he started his blog site mainly because a Hamburg resident had complained at a previous Council meeting that the cities official newspaper (Norwood Young America Times) was not doing a very good job of reporting what is happening in Hamburg.
- Mr. Lund would like to post the City Council agenda on the blog.
o If more people see what is on the agenda, then maybe more residents would come to the meetings and be more active within the community and in its decision making. - After a City Council meeting Mr. Lund would like to post the transcript (minutes) on his blog.
o Entering information on the blog would be another way residents could keep informed on what is going on within the city. - Mayor Malz asked how he can get to the blog.
o Chris Lund replied that he has set up a web site and the address is: www.thehamburgpost.blogspot.com
o The web site is through Google and if you want to make comments on his (or any other) blog you would have to obtain a user id. If you only want to view the blog then you do not have to set up a user id. - Mayor Malz commented that there could be good comments and bad comments, there could be anything.
o Mr. Lund replied yes there can be. - Mr. Lund read to Council his Mission Statement: “The Hamburg Post promotes conceptual ideals that America was founded by moral and ethical people who pursue intellectual dialogue and critical thought on the topics that shape our community, state, and nation. Through open, honest, and civil discourse is how current citizens pass legacy and stability onto future generations.”
- Mr. Lund informed Council that his blog is not moderated. He does not think there is a need at this time and so far most people that comment on the blog are respectful. If people start attacking others on the site with no regard to what they are saying then he will start moderating it.
- Chris Lund commented to Council that he would like to post the agenda and then do a follow up on the blog after a council meeting. He would also like to have his blog site posted on the cities electronic sign to give people another avenue to get information on what is going on in Hamburg.
- Mayor Malz questioned that if someone posted something derogatory would it be totally up to Mr. Lund’s discretion or would he contact the city office.
o Mr. Lund stated again that the site is not moderated so anyone can make any comment they what. If derogatory statements start appearing on the blog or there are any attacks or slight on the city or anyone on Council then Mr. Lund would take steps to find out what it is all about and remove the comment from the blog.
o Mr. Lund is hoping to have good intellectual conversations on what ever the topic may be and the comments are respectful and honest. - Councilmember Cummiskey commented that the city is working on an official web site and what Mr. Lund is asking for is public information.
o The city council minutes are typically done the Friday after a Council meeting and then reviewed. - Councilmember Cummiskey continued that he would not be comfortable supporting any blog or website that is not the cities official web site and handled by city employees.
- Deputy Clerk Block asked the question if a blog can be controlled to a certain area or does it go out world wide.
o Mr. Lund responded that once on a website it is world wide. - Mayor Malz thanked Mr. Lund for attending the Council meeting and explaining his blog and what a blog is.
- Fire Chief Droege added to the discussion that 10 people can take a comment 10 different ways. How do you control one comment causing an uprising over nothing just because somebody took a comment the wrong way? You can take a comment and change it anyway you want to make it worse than it was.
o Mr. Lund replied that yes this could happen. - Chief Droege continued commenting that why would a city want to get into something like this. If something was put in about the city and a few words were changed it could be taken the wrong way.
- Councilmember Barnes asked Mr. Lund if he puts the minutes on the blog would he add them exactly as they were written or would he change some of the wording.
o Mr. Lund replied that he would put the Agenda and Minutes on the blog exactly the way there were written, he would not change any wording. He is trying to be a conduit so people can go to his blog to find out what is happening in Hamburg. - Fire Chief Droege questioned Mr. Lund that he would put the Minutes exactly as they were written and not change or add any words.
o Mr. Lund replied that he would not change anything or put words into it. He may make a comment at the end but not change the actual Minutes or Agenda. He wants to make visible what people are not seeing and does not want to start up any controversy. - Fire Chief Droege asked Mr. Lund if he was thinking about joining with Mr. Odoms and his web site. (Delta Dick – unofficial web site for the city of Hamburg).
o Mr. Lund replied that he was open to any ideas to get the information out to the public. - Deputy Clerk Block asked Mr. Lund that if people interpret a comment the wrong way and a little issue gets blown out of proportion would the Council end up having to monitor the blog site. Would Council or the City Clerk have to monitor the blog so they could enter information to squelch the rumor due to someone’s misinterpretation?
o Mr. Lund replied that there is some general concern that takes place and if it is something that can not be rectified on blog the person should come to a Council meeting. What is put on the blog should be done respectfully and honestly and not using profanity. He is hopping that Council would not have to monitor the blog but just go on it to see what is being posted. He is not expecting it to be an official site of Hamburg. - Mayor Malz commented that he would like to table this discussion until the next Council meeting. He would like to speak with City Clerk Gruenhagen to get his opinion because this will affect him also.
- Fire Chief Droege asked Mr. Lund if he will continue with the blog even when he returns to work.
o Mr. Lund responded by saying that he will keep the blog going until blogs no longer exist. - Councilmember Cummiskey commented what Mr. Lund will be placing on the blog is public information however the city should obtain a Google Id so City Clerk Gruenhagen could go on the blog and respond to a comment the Council feels should be responded to.
- Councilmember Mueller added that he thinks that people will but their opinions on the blog instead of coming to a council meeting. He has nothing against what Mr. Lund is trying to do however people have a tendency to put opinions on blogs so they do not have to come face to face with others.
o Mr. Lund responded that if a lot of mug slinging starts to happen he will start moderating the site. He would also put on the site that it is being moderated and if they do not see there comment he will suggest that they come to a council meeting. He is not trying to lower attendance but increase attendance at council meetings by keeping residents informed. - Councilmember Mueller agreed with Mayor Malz that City Clerk Gruenhagen should be involved in this discussion.
o Mr. Lund agreed and the reason why he had previously spoken with City Clerk Gruenhagen was to ask if his web site address for the blog could be put on the cities electronic sign. With the address on the sign more people would become aware of the website. - Mayor Malz thanked Mr. Lund for coming to the meeting and explaining everything. Mayor Malz informed Mr. Lund that this topic will be put on the next council agenda scheduled for April 28, 2009.
Dennis’ Report (Public Works & Utilities)
Water Meter Test Results – Lois Willemsen
- Maintenance Worker Byerly reported that the test results were received back from Midwest Testing, LLC and the meter tested 99% to 100% accurate. The meter was within the cities guidelines (Resolution Number 2006-05) of under the 5% error margin according to AWWA specifications.
- Council members agreed that neither they nor Maintenance Worker Byerly could explain why Mrs. Willemsen had a spike in her water usage. Her water spiked in the February reading for January 2008 to 11,300 gallons then it went back to normal (average of 10 month usage) 2830 gallons per month. Then her March billing for February 2009 spiked again to 17,100 gallons.
- Deputy Clerk Block explained to Council that the records back to July of 2007 were checked and the readings were entered correctly.
- Mayor Malz questioned what should Council tell the resident, how do we explain the spikes happening at the same time for two years.
- Maintenance Worker Byerly mentioned that he has spoken with the resident and could not explain the reasons for a spike in her water usage.
- Council, Maintenance Worker Byerly, and Deputy Clerk Block discussed possible reasons for the two spikes happening at about the same time each year (2008 and 2009). No one could come up with a reasonable explanation.
- Mayor Malz commented that they may have to wait until next January or February to see if it spikes again during that time.
- Councilmember Mueller asked Deputy Clerk Block and Maintenance Worker Byerly what Mrs. Willemsen wants.
o Deputy Clerk Block responded that Mrs. Willemsen does not want to pay the 17,000 gallon usage bill. Her penalties can be adjusted out for the last two months but at the last Council meeting it was agreed upon that we would stand by the Cities adopted Resolution (number 2006-05). - Councilmember Mueller asked Deputy Clerk Block how much her penalties were.
o Deputy Clerk Block responded about $10 to $15.
o Maintenance Worker Byerly mentioned that City Clerk Gruenhagen had told Mrs. Willemsen not to pay until this issue was straightened out.
o Deputy Clerk Block added that if Council stands by their decision to follow Resolution 2006-05 then Mrs. Willemsen will have to pay her bill for the 17,000 gallons used minus the penalties. - Mayor Malz asked what meter is installed now.
o Maintenance Worker Byerly replied that a new touch read meter was installed and it is working accurately. - Mayor Malz commented to Council that she is going to have a bill and we should look at the fairness point of it also. Her water bill should be averaged over a 12 month period.
o Deputy Clerk Block asked if Council wanted an average going from the month after the first spike to the month before the last spike.
o Councilmember Cummiskey suggested taking an average of 10 months back from the last spike. - Mayor Malz mentioned that the Council is not out to create enemies and we can not explain it either.
- Councilmember Mueller commented that this is not about not paying your bill, this is different.
- Mayor Malz let Council know that he can see Mrs. Willemsen point and doing the 10 month average. If it happens again next year with the new meter then it would be a whole different story.
- Councilmember Mueller asked what her average bill is.
o Deputy Clerk Block replied that it is around 2,000 to 3,000 gallons per month. - Councilmember Mueller continued to comment that he does know the city has a policy but there should be some give and take both ways.
- Mayor Malz asked if anyone on council would like to make a motion to average her water usage over the 10 month period.
o Deputy Clerk Block asked just to clarify that the penalties should be taken out.
§ Council agreed to remove the penalties. - Councilmember Barnes questioned if there was a way to monitor Mrs. Willemsen account to see if this happens again next year.
o Deputy Clerk Block answered by saying that a note could be put in the memo part of her Utility Billing section. - Councilmember Trebesch commented that this issue should not be forgotten. What ever happens this will come back. There are residents out there just waiting for this to happen.
o Mayor Malz commented that sometimes you have to handle them case by case. Sometimes there is no easy way out. - Councilmember Cummiskey added to the discussion that if the minutes start hitting the public more, we might need to have a more discreet way of handling this rather than something like this ending up in the minutes. We might have to give the authority to City Clerk Gruenhagen to make the decision at his discretion otherwise every time this comes up it will be in the minutes then everyone will know and they are going to be complaining. City Clerk Gruenhagen can talk discreetly to some people and find out what their feelings are and handle it discreetly then it will not be hitting the blogaspher.
o Councilmember Mueller commented that this is a good idea. - Councilmember Cummiskey continued adding that he thinks a motion should be made to give City Clerk Gruenhagen the authority to negotiate bills that appear to be in error.
o Councilmember Barnes inserted; but still following procedure. - Councilmember Cummiskey answered yes the procedures should be followed but this way we would not have to have it in the minutes and on the official record as to how it was exactly resolved.
- Mayor Malz asked if this was his motion.
o Councilmember Cummiskey replied yes and made the following motion: - Councilmember Cummiskey moved to give City Clerk Gruenhagen the authority to resolve water bill disputes within reason and within the guide lines that the Council has given him, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch. Mayor Malz: Motion made and seconded to have City Clerk Gruenhagen the authority to handle water disputes case by case according to the City guidelines. Motion unanimously carried. All Council Members were present.
- Councilmember Mueller and Councilmember Cummiskey both added that the Council does not need this at every meeting.
Annual Preventive Maintenance – Emergency Backup Generator
- A notice was received from Ziegler Power Systems informing the city office that it is time again to perform the annual preventive maintenance on our emergency engine/generator. To continue proper maintenance the following service is due with the cost amount of:
o Level 2: 67-point insp. + Oil Change w/filters - $905
o Level 3: Coolant flush and fill w/hose & stats - $2,000
o Level 4: Megohmeter test (Generator Windings) - $665
o Level 5: 2-hour resistive load bank test - $1,580
o Level 6: Intake/exhaust valve adjustment - $635
o Level 9: Battery replacement - $910 - Mayor Malz, Council and Fire Chief Droege commented on the high prices and if this preventive maintenance is even necessary. The question came up if the city had purchased an extended warranty and if so when does it expire.
o Mayor Malz decided he would call Ziegler and ask if the prices listed are really what they charge. Are the prices accurate or possible a typing error? - Councilmember Barnes suggested this topic should be tabled till next council meeting when City Clerk Gruenhagen is present.
- Councilmember Mueller added that if Council does not want to do the preventive maintenance the city could just send in a sample of the oil and anti-freeze to be tested. Ziegler can analyze the samples and let the council know what is in it. This would save the city money and Ziegler can also send a sample kit.
- Councilmember Barnes moved to table Ziegler’s Annual Preventive Maintenance request until the next Council meeting (April 28, 2009) when more information will be obtained, seconded by Councilmember Cummiskey and motion unanimously carried. All Council Members were present.
- Councilmember Mueller added that where he works they have dropped Ziegler due to the cost and went with Interstate.
Sentence To Serve
- Maintenance Worker Byerly informed Council that Sentence To Serve persons will be coming to Hamburg on April 21, 2009. He will have them clean up the park and hall.
- Maintenance Worker Byerly will ask for more Sentence To Serve personal just before Zummerfest to clean up the park again so it looks nice for the event.
Tube Slides in Park
- Mayor Malz asked Maintenance Worker Byerly to clean the insides of the slide tubes; there is a lot of profanity written in them.
o Councilmember Barnes suggested using the Sentence To Server to do this project.
Park Bathrooms
- Mayor Malz asked Maintenance Worker Byerly when the Park bathrooms are opened for the summer.
o Maintenance Worker Byerly replied that he was opening them up this week.
George Street Barricade - Mayor Malz asked Maintenance Worker Byerly to secure the barricade on the north end of George Street one of the posts is out of the ground.
Deputy Clerk Block let Council know that Maintenance Worker Byerly was very helpful during City Clerk Gruenhagen’s time off.
Stop Bar - Railroad Crossing
- Councilmember Mueller asked Maintenance Worker Byerly if the white line on the road by the Jacob Street railroad crossing had been repainted.
o Maintenance Worker Byerly responded that he did not know that one was still there but will paint it white this week.
Resident Sweeping/Racking Debris into City Street
- Councilmember Trebesch informed Council that right after the streets were swept the resident at 320 Sophia Avenue swept his flower garden debris into the street.
- Maintenance Worker Byerly commented that he wanted to put it right back on his yard.
o Councilmember Trebesch agreed that this would have been a good idea. - Councilmember Mueller suggested sweeping the debris up and put it in the back of the city truck for disposal. He knows that residents are not suppose to put it on the street but this would be better than causing trouble. Sometimes you just have to look the other way.
- Councilmember Cummiskey suggested Maintenance Worker Byerly sweep up the derbies, put it in the back of the truck, and then post the cities ordinance on this on the residents’ door. Pick it up one time but let the resident(s) know that there is an ordinance against this.
o Mayor Malz agreed this was a good idea.
Baseball Park – Water
- Maintenance Worker Byerly let Council know that the water meter was installed at the Baseball Park and that the water is on.
Curb Stop Markings
- Councilmember Mueller questioned Maintenance Worker Byerly how the markings of the water shut offs was coming along.
o Maintenance Worker Byerly responded that he will be marking a few each day until his is done. There are a few he can not find. - Councilmember Mueller made the comment that the storm sewer crossings will have to be painted green.
Deputy Clerk Report
Delinquent Utility Bills Report
- Deputy Clerk Block reported that Chris Tordsen sent in an email stating that he is intending to pay $500 on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 and be completely paid in full by the end of May. He will make another large payment on the 29th of April.
- The MES Group brought in a payment today, April 14, 2009. Emily Siebold was sent a certified letter letting her know if she does not contact the City Office and set up payments or pay off her delinquent amount her water will be turned off on April 16, 2009. David Chadwick and Darrell Grams received the same certified letter and they will be shut off if they do not contact the City Office.
2009 Minnesota Municipal Clerks Institute (MMCI)
- Deputy Clerk Block informed Council that the MMCI convention is scheduled for July 13 – 17, 2009. The Minnesota Municipal Clerks Institute is a three-year professional development program. Deputy Clerk Block reported that she did attend last year and City Clerk Gruenhagen highly recommends that she attend this year (2nd year). The cost is $410 if fees are paid by May 13, 2009. Deputy Clerk Block had applied for a grant and did receive a $250 grant to attend the conference. If Council would agree to pay for her registration fee the total cost would be $160.
Deputy Clerk Block asked Council if there would be a possibility of them paying for a hotel room so she could stay at the conference instead of driving back and forth. Last year she received only about 5-6 hours of sleep per night and extremely worn out by the last day of the conference. - The cities policy on lodging reimbursement is: Reimbursement will be made for the actual cost of lodging up to a maximum of seventy-five (75) dollars per day. Lodging of a greater cost must be pre-approved by the City Council, who will have the authority to determine whether conditions warrant the additional cost. Exceptions may be granted when lodging is prepackaged as part of a conference or training session. Business or Government rates must be requested when making arrangements for lodging. Overnight lodging will only be allowed when the employee must travel beyond a reasonable daily driving distance from Hamburg. Normally, travel within a sixty (60) mile radius of Hamburg will not qualify for overnight lodging.
The distance one way to the MMCI is 53 to 57 miles.
Councilmember Cummiskey commented that paying for a hotel room versus paying for mileage would be about the same. (57 miles one way times .55 = $31.35) or (10 trips = $313.50) A hotel stay for the event would cost $380. Also with her being in contact with other clerks during the extra time spent there could be beneficial to the city. - Mayor Malz asked where the MMCI will be held.
o Councilmember Barnes replied, at the Crowne Plaza, 2200 Freeway Boulevard, Minneapolis.
o Deputy Clerk Block answered that the conference is held at the hotel and there are a block of rooms reserved for conference goers. - Council continued to discuss if they were going to pay for Deputy Clerk Block’s hotel stay.
- Councilmember Mueller moved to pay $100 per day for Deputy Clerk Block’s hotel stay and eating expense and $160 registration fee for her to attend the MCFOA for a grand total of $560, taking into consideration the $250 grant received, seconded by Councilmember Cummiskey and motion carried. Councilmember Barnes abstained.
City Savings for 2009 Payroll
- Deputy Clerk Block reported that City Clerk Gruenhagen figured the total savings to the city by reducing Maintenance Worker Byerly and Deputy Clerk Block hours by 4 hours each week. The savings for 2009 will be about $5,700.
Grade Crossing Safety Program
- This information was put in the agenda packet for Councils information.
Added Items
- The city office received a CD from the German TV station who is planning on doing a documentary on residents of Hamburg who still speak low-German.
- Deputy Clerk Block informed Council that she added the contract bids for the cities parking lot and sidewalk repair. Two contractors just sent in their bids Tuesday afternoon, April 14, 2009. To late for the bids to be put on the agenda and distributed earlier.
o Council decided to look over the bids and discuss them at the next Council meeting on April 28th, 2009.
o
Fire Chief Droege asked Deputy Clerk Block if City Clerk Gruenhagen had any plans for a city clean up day. One resident has tires lying on his lawn and another resident has 4 or 5 cars parked at his residence. - Deputy Clerk Block responded that the city office is compiling a list of nuisance violations and letters will be sent out to residents shortly.
Fire Chief Droege commented that he wanted to bring up and maybe start this on the Fire Department because of staying overnight to have everyone bring back an agenda of what scheduled meeting times were. Councilmember Cummiskey had said that the rooms are $95 per night put miles would be 50 bucks. I know what it is like to get up in the morning and get back late at night, it is bad, but the MCFOA print out you gave out does not have any times listed. You may want to add this for future reference. If we start doing this for you (Deputy Clerk Block) and the last class gets over at 5 o’clock you don’t need to be staying but if there is something to 8 or 9, yes. At conventions there is usually not something going on every night, some nights maybe. This should cover everybody especially Deputy Clerk Block. Council should start thinking with this new blog coming and Brian says it is cheaper to stay down there at $95 then to pay mileage that is only going to be $50 - $52.
o Councilmember Cummiskey replied that he did not just say cheaper but we gain with the contacts that a person makes at a convention.
Fire Chief Droege continued that if it is 9 to 5 or 6 you got to start looking at the difference in cost with this blog thing. The way of the Council meetings is just like being on TV it got to change somewhat.
o Mayor Malz added that you could be scrutinized a lot.
Fire Chief Droege continued that if you are going to allow this it is going to have to change just like being on TV.
Deputy Clerk Block stated that she will bring an agenda back from the conference.
I & I Project Update – Councilmember Mueller
- Councilmember Mueller reported to the other members of Council that last Tuesday, April 7, 2009, Mayor Malz and him met with Doug Parrott on the I & I project because Mr. Parrott had run into a couple of problems. One of the problems is that the pond scheduled to be built on the two City owned lots along Brad Street will be too small. This is because of the easement that Xcel Energy has on the west side of the property. Mr. Parrott had mentioned that the pond would look more like a ditch. Mr. Parrott is going to talk to the County Soil & Water to see if he can eliminate that pond temporarily. As long as the city has a proposal to put a pond further down in the future, Mr. Parrott is hoping they will not require the city to put the pond in. There is not much more the city can do unless they purchase some land from Lois and put the pond way down by the ditch.
- Councilmember Mueller commented that Mayor Malz has spoken with Mike Wanous from Carver County Soil & Water and he is working on getting proposals for cleaning out the ditch. It is up to the City and Township to clean the 48 foot culvert which is about three quarters full. Councilmember Mueller spoke with Lothar Walter from Young America Township and he is bringing this up at the Township meeting on April 14, 2009. Councilmember Mueller, Mr. Walter, and the Engineer talked about the City and the Township splitting the cost and everyone along the ditch will be assessed.
- It was also discussed about moving the line that comes through Lois’s easement and County Road 50 from going down Councilmember Cummiskey (724 Park Avenue) driveway to coming down County Road 50 and going west through the Park. This would alleviate the need to purchase more easement property. The only problem this would create is that a couple of the Cottonwood trees along the east side of the Park would have to be cut down. Councilmember Mueller added that they are getting old and are a mess anyway.
o Councilmember Cummiskey agreed. - The preliminary survey is almost finished on getting the elevations and in the near future someone will be coming in to do soil borings. The borings will be done in Mr. Cummiskey pasture and in the Park where one of the ponds is scheduled to be built. They will have to know what type of soil they will be working with.
- Councilmember Mueller suggested that as long as County Road 50 will be torn up it would be a good time to replace the two water hydrants along the road. The hydrants do not have streamer nozzles on them; they only have four inch leads. A six inch lead could be put on and then you would have a streamer nozzle. Council could think about it but it is something that could be added to the project.
- On April 14, 2009 Doug Parrott and two people from Juul Contracting checked if directional boring would be possible along David Avenue and Kim Avenue. Two other contractors had met with Mr. Parrott about the possibility of directional boring but he did not know the personal or the company they represented. Mr. Parrott had previously worked with Juul Contracting on directional boring and asked them to give him a third opinion. The conclusion was that directional boring can be done.
Councilmember Mueller made one more comment on the subject of planting flowers at the City Office. Maria Swanson leader of the Washington Lakers 4-H Club had called and said that the 4-H will plant some flowers in the flower pots located at the front of the City Office. Councilmember Mueller commented that the city should purchase the flowers for them; the cost should be minimal, about $50. Councilmember Mueller also asked if Maintenance Worker Byerly could put the two big flower pots back in the Park by the flag pole.
o Council discussed if the H.I.P group would be interested in planting and taking care of the plants in the park again this year. Did they have the money and people power?
o Councilmember Cummiskey commented that he knows a Boy Scout working for his Eagle badge that possible could make this his project. Council discussed and decided that this would not give him enough hours to qualify.
Councilmember Mueller mentioned that he knew enough people who would take care of the flowers in the Park if the city would pay for the flowers.
o Council agreed to this idea.
2030 Comprehensive Plan
- Mayor Malz asked Deputy Clerk Block what is the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
o Deputy Clerk Block responded that the packet was received in the mail and she was unsure if Council needed the information so she had added it into the agenda. - Council decided that the packet was more information but they would look it over.
City Council Reports
Councilmember Mueller (Sewer & Water) had nothing further to report.
Councilmember Cummiskey (Streets) had nothing further to report.
Councilmember Trebesch (Buildings) reported on the following:
· Councilmember Trebesch reported that he had called the police yesterday, April 13, 2009, about some 4-wheelers going up and down Sophia Avenue again. He also reported to police a dog that was not on a chain running loose in Hamburg. The dog was aggressive to one of the residents.
Councilmember Barnes (Parks) had nothing further to report.
Mayor Malz reported on the following:
- Mayor Malz asked the members of Council if someone from the Sheriff’s office ever come to a City Council Meeting.
o Members of Council replied that if they did the hours would be taken out of the allotted patrol time for the city.
o No further comment or action was taken.
Approve Claims List for March 2009
- Councilmember Mueller moved to approve April 2009 claims from the ACH payment through claim number 13797 with the addition of claim number 13798 for the Fire Departments shared purchase of the Smoke House in the amount of $500, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion carried. All Council Members were present.
Councilmember Mueller moved to adjourn the Hamburg City Council meeting at 8:44 p.m. seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion carried. All Council Members were present.
Submitted by:
Sue Block
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