Hamburg City Council Meeting Minutes – August 11, 2009

Mayor Malz called the regular meeting of the Hamburg City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Larry Mueller, Councilmember Brian Cummiskey, Councilmember Steve Trebesch, Councilmember John Barnes, City Clerk Jeremy Gruenhagen, Deputy Clerk Sue Block, and Maintenance Worker Dennis Byerly were present. Fire Chief Brad Droege arrived at 7:20 p.m. Others present were Ryan McNamee (Carver County Attorney's Office), Jim Keeler (Carver County Prosecutor) Allison O'Toole (Carver County Prosecution Assistant), Brian Biermann (210 Broadway Avenue), Richard Odoms (150 Jacob Street) arriving at 7:30 p.m., and Shawn Sprengeler (To The Home Wireless Internet) arriving at 8:40 p.m.

Miscellaneous Business (Public Comments)

• Brian Biermann representing the Emanuel Lutheran Church (18175 County Road 50, Hamburg, MN) requested the use of the City Park on August 22, 2009 for their annual Rib Fest social gathering. Mr. Biermann request if Council would consider allowing them the use of the park free of charge. (This request was discussed under the City Clerk/Treasurer's Report.)
  

Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption

• Added – Storm Water Management Fund
  
• Added – Waiver from the Arlington Baseball Association
  
• Added – Merging of Embarq and CentruyTel
  
• 
  Added – Building Report
  
• Added – Request from Emanuel Lutheran Church
  
• Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the agenda with the five additions, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

Approve Minutes for July 14, 2009

• Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the July 14, 2009 City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

Old City Business

• Number 1 – Councilmember Trebesch to contact Rick Stockman to chip wood pile at the ponds.
  
  • Councilmember Mueller asked Councilmember Trebesch if he had spoken recently to Mr. Stockman about chipping the wood pile. The city has grant money this year to pay for the chipping, however, next year it does not look like Hamburg will receive grant money for this.
    
    • Councilmember Trebesch will contact Mr. Stockman to make sure he will be out this fall to chip the wood pile.
      

• Number 5 – Business Cards for Council, Mayor, and Maintenance Worker Byerly.
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council if they wanted their Business Cards in color.
    
    • Council replied that color was not necessary.
      

• Number 6 – Purchase Shirts for Council, Mayor, City Clerk Gruenhagen, and Deputy Clerk Block.
  
  • The shirts were received however G&K Services have not credited the city's account for the incorrect shirts. G&K Services will be contacted concerning this issue.
    

• Number 8 – Set up a committee to review current evaluation forms.
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen did meet with Councilmember Trebesch and Councilmember Cummiskey before tonight's council meeting at 6:00 p.m. The evaluation forms and review forms are almost finalized.
    

• Number 12 – Fix crack in sidewalk by 430 Railroad Street.
  
  • Mr. Harms has been contacted twice asking him to come back and repair the crack. Mr. Harms has replied that he will be out to fix the crack, however, City Clerk Gruenhagen has not heard from Mr. Harms. City Clerk Gruenhagen will follow up with Mr. Harms again.
    

Carver County Attorney James Keeler – 2010 Prosecution Contract

Carver County Attorney James Keeler presented to Council the following 2010 proposed prosecution contract with the City of Hamburg.

• The Carver County Attorney has a statutory obligation to prosecute all adult felonies that occur in the County, also a select number of gross misdemeanor and all juvenile delinquencies.
  
• The Prosecution Contract does not pertain to statutory mandated services required by law. The services that will be talked about tonight the city will get through this contract.
  
• Civil responsibilities include acting as legal council to the elected board of commissars and other departments and agencies in Carver County Government. Civil matters on behalf of Carver County include: Board and County Departments, Child Protection, Paternity and Child Support, and Civil Commitments.
  
• Currently the Carver County Attorney's Office has 16 Attorney's with 157 years of combined practice and 136 combined years of prosecution. There are 4 Paralegals with 20 years of combined years of experience. Victim Witness Coordinator with 12 years experience. Support staff has 7 personnel with 44 combined years of experience. With approving this prosecution contact the City of Hamburg is also acquiring Consistency and Continuity.
  
• Under the Prosecution Contract the Carver County Attorneys office serves as Hamburg's City Attorney. This service would prosecute all Adult Gross Misdemeanors, Misdemeanors, and Petty Misdemeanors that occur within the city. Examples:
  
  • Petty Misdemeanor would be a speeding ticket, stop sign violation, etc.
    
  • Misdemeanor – criminal damage to property, domestic assault, etc.
    
  • Gross Misdemeanor a repeat DWI offender.
    
• Beginning in 2010, violations of City Ordinances will be prosecuted at no additional fee.
  
  • In previous years these cases were handled on an hourly basis at $69 and in 2009 the hourly rate increased to $75.00 per hour.
    
  • 
    The violations handled with no additional fee will be criminal violations not civil. Civil violations will be handled by city ordinance violations and the cities Attorney. Any city ordinance that has a criminal penalty attached to it, by law, the maximum would be a misdemeanor penalty. Mr. Keeler's office can and will handle these as they would Petty Misdemeanors, Misdemeanors, and Gross Misdemeanors.
    
• For criminal violations it is likely that the judge would, at sentencing, propose a fine the defendant has to pay. By state statuette the fine is divided in thirds, State Court system receives a third, the prosecuting City (Hamburg) receives a third, and the prosecuting attorney's office would receive a third.
  
• Currently there are 10 Cities participating in the service contract in Carver County. The expense for providing this prosecution service to the participating cities is approximately $203,929.
  
  • The cost represents the number of staff the attorney's have determined it takes to handle the case load. The staff represents the salaries of two attorneys' plus one legal secretary to prosecute and process the cases. The $203,929 is for salaries only, no cost of overhead, office space, material, supplies, etc.
    
  • 
    To pay for staff personal salaries 54% is covered by fine revenue to the prosecuting attorneys office, the cities pay only 34% of the costs, and Carver County subsidizes the cities prosecution cost at a rate of 12% (14% in 2009).
    
    • The Carver County subsidizes starting in 2009 will be diminished during a time period of 5 years to 6 years. The cities receiving this service will eventually pay the cost for these services.
      
  • The contract and expense that the City of Hamburg incurs equals Hamburg's share of the total number of cases handled under the prosecution contract.
    
• The prosecution cases Hamburg incurred from 2007 to 2008 were:
  
  • There were no petty misdemeanor cases in 2007 or 2008.
    
  • In 2007 there were three misdemeanors, no gross misdemeanors, and one gross misdemeanor - repeat DWI, one Felony and two Juvenile caseloads.
    
  • In 2008 there was one misdemeanor, one gross misdemeanor, and zero gross misdemeanors – repeat DWI, two Felonies' and one Juvenile caseload.
    
    • The felonies' and juvenile prosecution services are mandated by state law to have the County Attorney's office prosecute. There is no charge to the cities for these two types of cases.
      
• Contract Rates & Fine Revenue
  
  • Current rate (2009) for Hamburg is $466.59.
    
  • In 2010 the proposed rate for the City of Hamburg would decrease to $305.82.
    
  • The fine revenue (paid to City by State) the city collected in 2008 was $398.29.
    
  • Carver County subsidy of approximately 12% is expected to be reduced further in subsequent years.
    
  • Any adjustment in per-city contract rates will be directly related to fluctuations in its caseload. City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Mr. Keeler how soon the County would like to receive the Prosecution Contract.
    
• Mr. Keeler responded by saying that it is due by the end of December 2009, however, the sooner his office receives the contract the sooner they would be able to send it to the County Board for review.
  
• City Clerk Gruenhagen asked if Council reviews the contract and makes a decision at the next council meeting on August 25, 2009 this would that be soon enough.
  
  • Mr. Keeler answered that would be more than enough time. Councilmember Cummiskey asked Mr. Keeler if he would be interested in attending next years National Night Out.
    
• Mr. Keeler responded that he would like to attend and to just send him a reminder.
  

Fire Department Report – Chief Brad Droege

US Fish & Wildlife Grant & 2009 FEMA Grant

• Fire Chief Droege informed Council that he has not heard anything about the grants.
  

Fire Chiefs Convention

• Fire Chief Droege asked Council if they would ok the signing of some checks. He just received the information about the convention and did not know if checks would have to be sent in before the next council meeting. The Convention will be held October 15 thru October 18, 2009 at Duluth, MN.
  

National Night Out

• Fire Chief Droege commented that he thought National Night Out was well attended. For next year he suggested to start planning at least 2 month before. National Night Out is always the first Tuesday in August.
  
• Fire Chief Droege added that for next year the event could be placed on a calendar two months in advance just to remind everyone to start planning for it. Reminders could be placed on resident doors in an effort to get more people to attend.
  
• City Clerk Gruenhagen mentioned that about 125 to 150 people attended the event. In previous years the attendance was around 180.
  
• Fire Chief Droege and Council discussed rearranging where the food service line is located. Most people go straight to the food line bypassing the exhibit tables. If the area was rearranged so people would have to walk by the exhibits then more people may stop to socialize.
  
• Council also discussed other exhibits that could be asked to participate.
  
• The serving time was also discussed, possibly being moved back from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  

S.A.F.E.R Program

• The members of S.A.F.E.R. will be doing more training when they receive more modules and other equipment.
  
• Watertown will be the fifth City to join this program.
  
• At a later date Council will be invited to watch them during a training exercise.
  

Pension Increase for Reporting Year 2010

• Fire Chief Droege commented that he does not know when Council will be discussing the requested pension increase. If Council needs any information they can give him a call.
  

New Germany Softball Tournament

• The Hamburg Fire Department played in the New Germany Softball Tournament and took 4th place out of 18 teams.
  
• New Germany has been hosting the tournament for 28 years.
  

Dennis' Report (Public Works & Utilities)

LMCIT Loss Control Survey on June 11, 2009

• Maintenance Worker Byerly reported to Council that he has not completed anything more on the list for the Loss Control Survey.
  

Cooling Fans for Community Hall

• City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that the fans have not been ordered yet. After the last council meeting City Clerk Gruenhagen received numerous variations of what type of fans he should purchase. City Clerk Gruenhagen decided to bring this issue back to Council and ask for a definite decision by them as to what he should order or have Maintenance Worker Byerly pick up.
  
• Council discussed at length what would be best to help circulate the air during hot weather at the Hall.
  
• Council decided to have City Clerk Gruenhagen purchase six (6) wall mounting fans.
  
• City Clerk Gruenhagen also brought up the problem he is having with renters calling him at home and asking how to turn on the ceiling fans at the Hall. City Clerk Gruenhagen has always previously explained to renters that they do not work. City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council if the ceiling fans could be taken down.
  
  • Council agreed to have the fans removed.
    
  • Councilmember Trebesch offered to take down the ceiling fans at no cost to the city.
    
• Councilmember Cummiskey moved to have City Clerk Gruenhagen order six wall mounted osculating fans for the Community Hall and have the ceiling fans removed, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present
  

Air Conditioning

• Council discussed different ways and types of air conditioning that could be installed in the Community Hall.
  
  • Mayor Malz concluded that a committee should be set up to research air conditioners and the price it would cost to install a unit.
    
    • The committee consists of Mayor Malz, Councilmember Steve Trebesch, Councilmember Brian Cummiskey; Deputy Clerk Block and City Clerk Jeremy Gruenhagen if needed.
      

Tree Stumps

• City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that Maintenance Worker Byerly is working on cutting down the stumps.
  
  • Maintenance Worker Byerly added that the chainsaw chains became dull while he was cutting down the stumps and he had taken them to be sharpened. He just received the chains back today and will continue with the project.
    

Community Center Weekend Rentals

• City Clerk Gruenhagen brought up that Maintenance Worker Byerly will be out of town the weekend of August 15 to August 16, 2009. He asked if someone from Council would be willing to clean the Community Center Sunday morning because there are rentals Saturday and Sunday.
  
  • Councilmember Mueller volunteered himself and his wife (Linda) to come up Sunday morning to clean the Community Center.
    

Project List

• Maintenance Worker Byerly reported that he had twelve items completed on his project list.
  
  • Mayor Malz instructed him to turn the list into Deputy Clerk Block. She can mark them as completed and take them off his project list.
    

Water Leak in Park

• Mayor Malz mentioned that last Friday he had noticed there was a water leak in the Park. The ground was spongy possible that a pipe had broken so he turned the water off in the Park. Mayor Malz asked Maintenance Worker Byerly to fix the leak.
  

Time Off Request

• Maintenance Worker Byerly requested to use vacation time for time-off on Wednesday, August 12, 2009. City Council had no objections.
  

Deputy Clerk Block's Report

Delinquent Utility Bills Report

• Deputy Clerk Block reported that Kim Barstad (960 Park Avenue) paid $43.66 on her delinquent account. She is now only behind for the month of June. Deputy Clerk Block has not heard from the other persons listed on the delinquent report.
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that Jon Reed (416 Jacob Street) and Emily Siebold (625 Kim Avenue) had called the office to set up payment arrangements. Mr. Reed will pay in full on August 28, 2009 and Ms. Siebold will set up weekly payments. They were informed that if they miss a payment their water will be turned off.
    
• Deputy Clerk Block informed Council that to save the City money all delinquent notices will now be posted by the CSO instead of being sent certified mail. According to City Ordinance 50.02 (B) the notice can be served upon the customer personally, or by certified mail, or by leaving a copy of the notice at the premises served.
  
• The current delinquent property owners and renters were sent letters, through regular mail, notifying them that either payment in full is required or they will have to set up a payment schedule before 4:30 p.m. on August 13, 2009 or their water will be shut off. If the city office does not hear from them by this date a letter will be posted by the CSO informing them again that payment or arrangements must be made and the new due date is August 19, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. If they do not contact the city office their water will be turned off on August 20, 2009.
  
• Mayor Malz asked that EFN Investment, Inc be contacted as to why they have not paid their utility bills,in full, for the apartments they own. Their balance due is getting high and they must make arrangements or pay the full amount.
  

Sandy Nellen (440 Railroad Street) Water Bill

• Sandy had allowed the City to use her metered water to water the sod the City had place along the sidewalk in front of her home and her neighbors. City Clerk Gruenhagen and Council agreed at the last council meeting to average her July water bill by using last years May, June, and July readings.
  
  • Deputy Clerk Block informed Council that Ms. Nellen water bill unadjusted would have been over 10,000 gallons used for the month of July but using last year's average it was in range of her normal monthly usage of 3,700 gallons.
    

Steve Peterson (900 Park Avenue)

• Mr. Peterson called the City Office to let them know that he was in a car accident and his damaged car would be sitting in his driveway for about 2 weeks before it can be removed.
  
  • Council commented that this should be monitored and if the car is left at the property over the two week period a nuisance letter should be sent.
    

Time Off Request

• Deputy Clerk Block requested August 17, 2009 off, she will be using 6 hours of vacation pay.
  
  • Council did not have any objections.
    

Clerk/Treasurer Report

To The Home Wireless Internet

• City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that he received the site plan from Shawn Sprengeler on Friday, August 7th and forwarded the site plan onto Ann Perry (Hamburg's Planning Consultant). Once received back the project can continue forward.
  
• Shawn Sprengeler did submit the request to his Insurance Company and now needs the signed contract. He also needs the address of the Cities water tower for the certificates.
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen reported the address as 230 Railroad Street.
    
• Mayor Malz commented to Mr. Sprengeler that the original start up fee for the wireless internet service was $25.00 but the start up fee for Emanuel Lutheran Church is much higher.
  
• Mr. Sprengeler responded by saying the church is not a residential property for it is classified as a commercial property so the rates are higher.
  
• Mayor Malz mentioned that he had heard that there were already two antennas installed on silos outside of the city limits. City Clerk Gruenhagen mentioned that he was informed of one not two.
  
  • Mr. Sprengeler replied that one antenna was located at the Lindquist farm and the other one was located on the Kramer's silo located north of Highway 212.
    
• Councilmember Barnes asked how soon this project could get started in Hamburg.
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen stated as soon as Ann Perry gives her approval and the permit is submitted and approved by MNSPECT.
    

I/I Abatement Program – TMDL Grant

• City Clerk Gruenhagen is checking further into the reason why the City of Hamburg's points for the TMDL grant were reduced. He has emailed and spoken with Representative Paul Kohls on this issue. Representative Kohls asked what the city wanted him to do. City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Representative Kohls that the city would like an explanation from MPCA other than a response of "we made a mistake".
  
• City Clerk Gruenhagen and Representative Kohls came to the conclusion that someone from PCA should come out to a City Council meeting and explain the error. The person from PCA could also explain the TMDL Grant program so Council and the residents have a better opportunity to understand the program as a whole.
  
• City Clerk Gruenhagen will be meeting with Doug Parrott (S.E.H.) and a representative from S.E.H. St. Cloud office to work on the Storm Sewer Utility fund tomorrow, August 12 at 2:00 p.m., and to discuss the reason why the city was denied the TMDL Grant. Mr. Parrott is also looking into a possible Load requirement the city did not meet as a possible reason for the denial.
  
• Councilmember Mueller commented that the State gave out 94.8 million dollars between 40 communities yesterday (August 10, 2009) for Waste Water/Sewer Drinking Water projects. In two weeks the State will give out another 9.5 million. This money comes from the Stimulus Money for TMDL grants that the City of Hamburg did not get. Councilmember Mueller sent an email to Representative Kohls asking for a list of the cities that received the grant money and the amount they received.
  

Property & Casualty Insurance Renewal

• City Clerk Gruenhagen and Council discussed how much insurance coverage should be on the following items:
  
  • #1 - Building - Community Hall and City Garage
    
    • Current coverage is $621,262
      
    • Premium of $2,432
      
    • Leave as is.
      
  • #1 - Content - Community Hall & City Garage
    
    • Current coverage is $15,001
      
    • Premium is $90.00
      
    • Recommended increase to $20,000
      
    • Premium would increase to $120.00
      
    • Council agreed to increase content coverage.
      
  • #2 - Building - Pump House (230 Railroad St)
    
    • Current coverage - $5,578
      
    • Premium per year - $10
      
    • Recommended increase to $8.300
      
    • Premium would increase to $15
      
    • Council agreed to increase coverage.
      
  • #3 - Building - Park Restrooms (614 Park Ave)
    
    • Current coverage is $4,057
      
    • Premium per year is $52.00
      
    • Recommended increase to $7,956
      
    • Premium would increase to $102
      
    • Council discussed and decided to leave the coverage at $4,057.
      
  • #4 - Building - Fire Hall and City Hall
    
    • 
      Current coverage is $424,739
      
    • Premium per year is $401.00
      
    • Leave as is
      
  • #4 - Content – Fire Hall and City Hall
    
    • Current coverage is $13,739
      
    • 
      Premium per year is $17.00
      
    • Leave as is
      
  • #5 - Building - Baseball Grandstand
    
    • Current coverage is $181,306
      
    • Premium per year is $1,688
      
    • Council discussed and decided to have City Clerk Gruenhagen check with the insurance agent on how much this building should be covered for. The grandstand was constructed out of poured concrete and is virtually fire resistant and should also withstand a tornado.
      
  • #6 - PIO (other) - Baseball Field Scoreboard
    
    • Current coverage is $32,069
      
    • Premium per year is $357
      
    • Leave as is
      
  • #7 - PIO - Ball Field Lights
    
    • Current coverage is $68,229
      
    • Premium per year is $762
      
    • Recommended Coverage is $100,000
      
    • Premium would increase to $1,117
      
    • Council discussed and agreed to increase the coverage of the lights to $100,000.
      
  • #8 - Building - Open Shelter (614 Park Ave)
    
    • Current coverage is $9,129
      
    • Premium per year is $169
      
    • Leave as is
      
  • #9 - Building - Band Stand
    
    • Current coverage is $11,411
      
    • Premium per year is $212
      
    • Leave as is
      
  • #10 - Building – Lions Park Shelter (614 Park Ave)
    
    • Current coverage is $36,706
      
    • Premium per year is $274
      
    • Recommended Coverage is $57,600 (3,840 square feet)
      
    • Premium would increase to $430
      
    • Council discussed and agreed to increase the coverage to $57,600.
      
  • #11 - PIO - City Park Equipment
    
    • Current coverage is $69,363
      
    • Premium per year is $775
      
    • Recommended Coverage is $100,000
      
    • Premium would increase to $1,117
      
    • Council decided to increase the coverage amount to $100,000 to cover the playground equipment, electrical sign, basketball hoops, and bleachers.
      
  • #12 – Building - Water Treatment Plant
    
    • Current coverage is $1,169,260
      
    • Premium per year is $1,473
      
    • Leave as is
      
  • #13 – Building - Food Stand (614 Park Ave)
    
    • Current coverage is $32,995
      
    • Premium per year is $612
      
    • Recommended Coverage is $21,600
      
    • Premium Would decrease to $400
      
    • Council discussed and decided to decrease the Food Stand coverage to $21,600.
      
  • #14 – Building - Baseball Park Open Shelter
    
    • Current coverage is $7,379
      
    • Premium is $136
      
    • Recommended Coverage is $15,000
      
    • Premium would increase to $276
      
    • Council agreed to increase coverage to $15,000 for roof and steal siding is new.
      
  • #15 – Building - Baseball Park Storage Shed
    
    • Current coverage is $8,854
      
    • Premium is $164
      
    • Recommended Coverage is $10,000
      
    • Premium would increase to $185
      
    • Council discussed and decided to increase coverage to $10,000.
      
  • #16 – City Warning Siren (on pole by pump house)
    
    • Not currently insured
      
    • Recommended coverage is $15,000
      
    • Premium amount of $167
      
    • Council discussed and decided to add coverage for the Warning Siren.
      
  • Water Tower
    
    • Not currently covered.
      
    • Approximate cost to replace - $300,000
      
    • Recommended coverage - $300,000 or $500,000
      
    • Premium amount $249.00 and $415.00 respectively.
      
    • Council discussed and decided not to insure at this time.
      
  • Mobile Property under $25,000
    
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen will handle this item with the insurance rep.
      

Liability Coverage

• Currently the city has $500,000 per person, and $1,500,000 per occurrence.
  
  • Recommendation is to increase each one by $1,000,000.
    
    • $1,500,000 per person
      
    • $2,500,000 per occurrence
      
  • Council discussed and agreed to raise the coverage. City Clerk Gruenhagen reminded Council that a final decision will have to be made on the insurance renewal amounts at the next council meeting on August 25, 2009.
    

    
    

LGA Un-Allotment for 2009 & 2010 – 2009 Budget Items to Consider

• City Clerk Gruenhagen informed members of Council that the Cities LGA funds were not cut for 2009 and 2010. Hamburg will receive its full aid during these two years.
  
• City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council to go through the City Wish List and look to see if there is anything they would like to have placed on the 2010 budget for completion.
  
• Council discussed what could be taken from the City Wish List and added to the 2010 budget.
  
  • Redo Driveway and Sidewalk for City Shop. – Keep on budget list.
    
  • Trim Trees in Boulevard – Council decided to cut down diseased Ash trees as needed.
    
  • Parks – Greg Schultz contracted to spray weeds twice a year – Council decided Maintenance Worker Byerly could spray the weeds to save the city some money.
    
  • Replace Hall Doors - Council discussed only redoing the west side ramp door.
    
    • Get prices for a replacement door with a panic bar.
      
  • Tables (Plywood) – purchase the same as the ones in the Community Center.
    
  • Capital Projects leave as they are now.
    
• Council added that Maintenance Worker Byerly could cut the grass around the city instead of hiring it out at $9,000 per year.
  
  • 
    No final decision was made.
    
• Councilmember Mueller suggested looking into hiring a private firm to do the water testing and paper work for the WTP. This could save the city money by freeing up some of Maintenance Worker Byerly time. This will be checked into.
  
• City Clerk Gruenhagen suggested adding new chairs for the office to the 2010 Budget. The ones that are in there now are falling apart and for Council meetings the Fire Department chairs are always being borrowed. Another request would be for a new phone system that has caller id on every phone and two different recorded message options.
  
• Mayor Malz added that the mowing contract and health care insurance should be looked at to help reduce costs to the city.
  

2010 Preliminary Budget Workshop Meeting

• City Clerk Gruenhagen suggested a Special Meeting should be set up to discuss the 2010 budget items.
  
• Council decided to hold the Special Meeting before the next council meeting on August 25th starting at 6:00 p.m.
  
• Councilmember Cummiskey moved to hold a Special 2010 Budget Meeting on August 25, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the 2010 City Budget, seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

City Clerk Gruenhagen reminded Council that the Proposed Property Tax Levy is due by September 15, 2009.

Post Employment Benefits Liability

• City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that there is another required audit that the Government is mandating. Abdo, Eick, & Meyers sent a letter informing us that the purpose of the letter is to set forth the understanding of their engagement to provide a GASB 45 valuation for the year ended December 31, 2009 annual report.
  
• The following is what Abdo, Eick, & Meyers will do: Calculate our other post employment benefits liability using the alternative measurement method. They will provide us with a summary of results as well as prepare the financial footnote required for our 2009 annual report. They will complete the valuation prior to December 31, 2009. The valuation date will be January 1, 2009. Their engagement is not to determine compliance with any legal requirements. They will communicate any issues or difficulties observed to City Council in writing. The cost would be anywhere from $750 to $1,500.
  
• Mayor Malz questioned what the cost would be for this additional audit by Abdo, Eick, & Meyers. He also questioned if their auditing fees could be negotiated. The cost to have a year end audit is extremely expensive, around $19,000
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen will contact the City of NYA (Tom Simons) about meeting with Abdo, Eick, & Meyers to look into possible cost savings by signing a three contract with Abdo, Eick, & Meyers.
    

Emanuel Lutheran Rib Fest

• Brian Biermann (210 Broadway Avenue) requested on behalf of Emanuel Lutheran Church the use of the City Park on August 22, 2009 for Emanuel's annual Rib Fest. He also asked if the rental fee of $150 could be waived. The event this year is for raising money to renovate Emanuel's School kitchen.
  
• Councilmember Mueller moved to waive the $150 rental fee for the Emanuel Lutheran Church Rib Fest to be held on August 22, 2009 at the City Park, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

Mini-Biff

• City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that the mini-biff located at the City Park was tipped over again. This would be the third time it has happened. He asked Council for their opinion as to what should be done.
  
  • Council discussed and decided to have the mini-biff removed on August 27, 2009. Whether or not the mini-biff will be rented for next year will be discussed at a later date.
    

Time Off Request

• City Clerk Gruenhagen requested vacation time off for September 4, 2009.
  
  • Council had no objection.
    

City Council Reports

Councilmember Mueller (Sewer & Water)

• Councilmember Mueller suggested that a notice should be put on the City sign and a recognition plaque be sent to Janice Mackenthun. She was nominated the areas Senior Citizen of the year.
  

Councilmember Cummiskey (Streets)

• Councilmember Cummiskey asked if the City can put money towards National Night Out.
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen will check with the Auditor.
    

Councilmember Trebesch (Buildings)

• Councilmember Trebesch informed Council that K & K Services (Kip Trebesch) will start repairing the flashing (trim) on the Hall this week.
  
• Councilmember Trebesch reported he will take the ceiling fans down that are in the Hall at no cost to the city.
  

Councilmember Barnes (Parks)

• Councilmember Barnes asked if Joel Frank has contacted Dan Swanson to look at the sink Councilmember Cummiskey has for the park building.
  
  • Councilmember Cummiskey replied that he has not heard from either one if they want the sink or not.
    

Mayor Malz

• Mayor Malz asked if a projector screen is still needed for the Community Center.
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied that it would be a plus when renting the Center.
    
  • Council agreed to put it on the budget for 2010
    
• Mayor Malz asked City Clerk Gruenhagen how the clean up was coming along at Darrell Grams residence (410 Sophia Avenue).
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen will follow up with the Cities Attorney Mac as to what can be done.
    

Approve Claims List for August 2009

City Clerk Gruenhagen and Council discussed Fire Chief Droege's request for payment to registration members of the fire department to attend the Fire Chiefs Convention. Fire Chief Droege did not mention an amount needed or how many were attending the conference.

• Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the August 2009 claims list from claim number 13961 though claim number 13987, the ACH payments, and the check for the Fire Chiefs Convention Registration, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

• Councilmember Cummiskey moved to adjourn the Hamburg City Council meeting at 9:54 p.m., seconded byCouncilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council Members were present.
  

Submitted by:

Sue Block

Deputy Clerk