Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Hamburg City Council Minutes – August 25, 2009

Mayor Malz called the regular meeting of the Hamburg City Council to order at 7:02 p.m. Councilmember Larry Mueller, Councilmember Brian Cummiskey, Councilmember Steve Trebesch, Councilmember John Barnes, City Clerk Jeremy Gruenhagen, Deputy Clerk Sue Block, Maintenance Worker Dennis Byerly, and Fire Chief Brad Droege were present. Others present were Richard Odoms (150 Jacob Street), Chris Lund (612 Kim Avenue), Bill Dunn and Gene Erickson (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency), Becky Sabie (PFA), and Doug Parrott (SEH). Shawn Sprengeler (To The Home Wireless Internet) arrived at 7:57 p.m.


 

Miscellaneous Business (Public Comments)

  • Richard Odoms (150 Jacob Street) sent City Clerk Gruenhagen and email and the content will be discussed during the City Clerk report.
  • Mr. Odoms also requested a copy of tonight's agenda.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied that there is a copy of the agenda on the table for the public.


     

Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption

  • Added – Two emails from Richard Odoms (150 Jacob Street)
  • Stricken – Senator Ortman was scheduled for this meeting but will be unable to attend.
  • Added – Update on I & I Abatement program to be moved from the City Clerks report to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency report.
  • Added – Signage of the lease agreement with To The Home Internet.
  • Added - Corrections to the April 14, 2009 City Council Minutes which were previously approved.


 

Approve Minutes for July 28, 2009

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen apologized to Council for not emailing them, minutes were not attached to the email, the July 28th Minutes before the Council meeting for their review. The approval will have to be done at the next Council meeting on September 8, 2009.


 

Correction of Minutes

  • Deputy Clerk Block informed Council that on the April 14, 2009 original draft under Moorhead, MN – Flood Updates the wording was: Fire Chief Droege also reported that many fire Departments self deployed to the same area not abiding by the EOC rules.
    • During the June 9, 2009 Council meeting Mayor Malz noted that the word deployed should be changed to employed. Council approved the minutes with the one change.
    • Deputy Clerk Block when making the change noticed that employed was not the correct word to use in describing what some of the other Fire Departments did during the flooding. She requested the sentence be changed back to the original wording.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that Councils approval of the March and April minutes were not listed as approved in the June 9, 2009 minutes. Deputy Clerk Block has added them to the minutes as approved.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen also mentioned that in the June 23, 2009 minutes on page 6 Ann Perry was noted as the City Engineer. Ms. Perry is actually the City Planning Consultant. Deputy Clerk Block has changed the wording.
  • Councilmember Cummiskey moved to approve the changes for the April 14, June 9, and June 23rd 2009 minutes, Councilmember Barnes seconded and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.


 


 

Old City Business

  • Item Number 3 – City Clerk Gruenhagen mentioned that Senator Ortman should be added to this item. Representative Kohl's and Senator Ortman both should be asked back to discuss infrastructure issues again.
  • Item Number 12 – Fix crack in sidewalk by 430 Railroad Street.
    • Fire Chief Droege asked if the crack had been repaired.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen will follow up with Mr. Harms again.


 

Fire Department Report – Chief Brad Droege


 

US Fish & Wildlife Grant & 2009 FEMA Grant

  • FEMA Grants have not come out yet. They should be here the end of the month or the beginning of September.
  • The Hamburg Fire Department did not receive a US Fish & Wildlife Grant this year.


 

Fire Relief Association

  • The Fire Relief Association donated $600 to the city. The money will be used to purchase two arm bracelets for Alzheimer patients or Autistic persons for the S.A.F.E.R program.


 

Volunteer Fire Relief Association Investment Report Card

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council and Fire Chief Droege that this information was added in Councils packet as an informational item from the State.


 

Pension Increase for Reporting Year 2010

  • The Hamburg Fire Department voted for a $50 increase, Fire Chief Droege noted that he thought this amount should be hirer.
  • Chief Droege informed Council that the Fire Department did receive some money back from Moorhead, MN for their help during the flooding. Chief Droege added that it cost the city more money than what they received back. Other cities received $1,200 to $1,300 more back than Hamburg and the reason why is because other cities are paid by the hour for calls.
  • Fire Chief Droege continued by adding that something he wanted to check on is if the City of Hamburg ever has a sever storm it may not get any money back for their time because they do not have something in place. In 2008 it would have cost the City of Hamburg an extra $7,000 for the Fire Department to go to Moorhead during that flooding if the department was paid by the hour.
  • Fire Chief Droege mentioned that instead of paying the Fire Department x amount of dollars he thought that the city could pay the Fire Fighters $5 per meeting, training, and call. Other fire departments are getting paid $7.00 per call plus their pension. Hamburg is dropping to the bottom of the 11 towns in pensions again and not getting anything per hour. This is one reason why Fire Chief Droege feels they should receive a higher increases than $50. He knows things are tough and tight but the city played catch up a few years ago and it was very expensive for the cities budget.
    • Mayor Malz commented that the Fire Department should get something per hour for meetings or something to go along with their pension. If something happens like the floods this is what FEMA basis payment to cities on.
  • Fire Chief Droege had figured out that last year the fire department had 42 calls with about 12 persons per call at $5.00 per call that equals $2,520 per year. This should not be in place off a raise on the Relief Association.
  • Councilmember Mueller asked how much do the fire fighters get now.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied $1,405 per year after retirement. You have to be a member for 20 years before you can collect from the retirement fund.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen suggested Fire Chief Droege bring it up at a Fire Department meeting what the other Fire Fighters think about getting paid per call.

Councilmember Muller made a motion to accept the $600 donation from the Hamburg Fire Department Relief Association for the purchase of two arm bracelets for the S.A.F.E.R program, Councilmember Trebesch seconded and motion unanimously passed. All Council members were present.


 

Fire Chief Droege commented that under Maintenance Worker Byerly Report on OSHA Requirements he would be able to put an OSHA checklist by the eye wash station in the fire departments bay area.

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen stated that Maintenance Worker Byler has some schedules at the WTP and he can bring them to the office to be copied. Maintenance Worker Byerly can then hang the schedule.


 

Councilmember Trebesch asked Fire Chief Droege if Wm. Mueller & Sons had a Loader that Rick Stockman could use. A Loader is needed to move the brush to the chipper out at the city ponds.

  • Fire Chief Droege replied that the 930 Loader could be used, just give him a one day notice.


 

Myron Stuewe's Request for use of Picnic Tables from Park (September 25, 2009)

  • Mr. Stuewe stopped in the City Office requesting the use of the park picnic tables.
    • Deputy Clerk Block and City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Mr. Stuewe that this would have to be a Council decision. He would have to ask Council if he could use them at the next Council meeting on August 25th.
  • Mr. Stuewe was not present at the Council meeting.
    • Mayor Malz asked to have Mr. Stuewe contacted, to be present at the next council meeting, to request the use of the picnic tables and put on the next council agenda.


 

Dennis' Report (Public Works & Utilities)


 

MDH Inspection Report – Public Water Supply System

  • Maintenance Worker Byerly reported this is something the MDH does yearly. Everything looked good.
  • Councilmember Mueller asked why MDH still had the #2 well by the former creamery on the report.
    • Maintenance Worker Byerly thought that part of the report had just been on there awhile. It just has been on the sheet that they copy.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen mentioned that it still may be on the report because the well is not sealed. The MDH has been told that the well is not a city well.
  • Councilmember Mueller mentioned to Maintenance Worker Byerly that on page 2 of 2; Operator Compliance with State Requirements - The certified operator should continue to further qualify himself by attending one of the annual waterworks operator's seminars and also the local operator's seminars. They are a valuable experience for anyone engaged in this field. Councilmember Mueller expressed that they are valuable experiences and there is a lot of truth to that.
    • Maintenance Worker Byerly commented, Yes.
    • Councilmember Mueller continued to state that there have been three seminars with in the county this last year.
      • Maintenance Worker Byerly commented, I know.
    • Mayor Malz asked if more are coming up.
      • Councilmember Mueller did not know, he thought the last seminar was in Waconia last week.
      • Maintenance Worker Byerly commented that he was very busy last week.
        • Councilmember Mueller replied that the schedule for the seminars comes out far enough in advance.
          • Maintenance Worker Byerly commented; I know that.
      • Councilmember Mueller stated to Maintenance Worker Byerly that the one in Victoria and Chaska are the ones he could very well have attended.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that there was one in Waconia that Maintenance Worker Byerly could have attended also.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen noted to Council that on page 1 of 3 of the Public Water Supply Inventory Report the emergency after hours contact was himself. The emergency number should be Dennis Byerly and his home phone number. He (City Clerk Gruenhagen) was not the operator Dennis was. City Clerk asked if Dennis had any objections to the emergency after hours contact number.
    • Maintenance Worker Byerly replied, nope.


 

Water Tower Inspection

  • Councilmember Mueller asked Maintenance Worker Byerly if the water tower was going to be inspected this year.
    • Maintenance Worker Byerly asked if they are scheduled. They are for the paint.
    • Councilmember Mueller asked if they were coming for the rust spots.
      • Maintenance Worker Byerly replied yes. He continued by adding that he had called them and when the guy gets in the area he will be there not just send somebody.
      • Councilmember Mueller added that when you look up at the southwest corner of the water tower you can see them. He does not know if it is where the welds area, where the grid piece comes across. Councilmember Mueller asked when the tower was last painted.
        • Others from Council replied: last year before Zummerfest.
      • Mayor Malz requested that they be kept after so that we can find out what it is.


 

Park Repairs – Water Leak

  • Mayor Malz – park repairs water leak.
    • Maintenance Worker Byerly commented that this is not done.
  • Mayor Malz asked Maintenance Worker Byerly if he had a plan of some sort when?
    • Maintenance Worker Byerly commented: no, I'll get to it.
  • Mayor Malz commented the water is turned off.
    • Maintenance Worker Byerly replied no the water is on. Mayor Malz – it's on. Maintenance Worker Byerly replied that there were enough people that wanted the water on. Mayor Malz, I had turned it off. Maintenance Worker Byerly answered well there were people with campers that wanted it on. Mayor Malz: that was my concern.
  • Maintenance Worker Byerly added that he never did see where the leak was when the water was off.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Maintenance Worker Byerly to stop in the City Office tomorrow and he would give him a general idea of where the leak is.
      • Maintenance Worker Byerly then replied that he basically knows where the leak is.
    • Mayor Malz commented that if the water is on the ground will be mushy.


 

Cooling Fans for the Community Hall

  • Maintenance Worker Byerly asked Council for a little direction as to where exactly they want the fans located in the Hall and how high. He had called Chuck and he requested this also.
  • Council discussed different locations and height. Council decided to place two on the north side of the dance floor, one on each side of the stage. Two on the south wall and all four 7 feet from the bottom of the fan, off the floor.
  • Maintenance Worker Byerly asked what about the other two. Council discussed and decided to put one just above the bar area on the west wall and the one in the middle of the east wall.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Maintenance Worker Byerly if he had called the electrician (Chuck) and gotten any recommendations on the fuse box panels.
    • Maintenance Worker Byerly replied no. I thought they did a bid.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen state that at the last Council meeting it was decided to get a recommendation from Chuck. Maintenance Worker Byerly commented that Chuck has not been back since he had told him about the fans.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen and Mayor Malz asked Maintenance Worker Byerly that when Chuck comes to look at the fans to have him give a recommendation and draft up a proposal.
      • Maintenance Worker Byerly replied that he did talk to him about the wiring.


 

Tree Stumps (Cut Down) at Community Center

  • Maintenance Worker Byerly informed Council that that this has been done.


 

General Maintenance Schedules (OSHA Requirements)

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen commented to Maintenance Worker Byerly that this on the agenda just so he keeps up on them.


 

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - (Gene Erickson & Bill Dunn)

Public Facilities Authority – (Becky Sabie)


 

Explanation of TMDL Grant Reduction of Points

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed members of Council and the public the reason why Mr. Erickson, Mr. Dunn and Ms. Sabie were at the meeting was to clarify why the City of Hamburg lost 20 points on the TMDL Grant. About four to six weeks ago the City Clerk Gruenhagen found out that 20 points that were assigned to the city should not have been. Council requested they attend a Council meeting to explain why.
  • Mr. Bill Dunn addressed City Council by apologizing for the confusion this error has caused. He then explained that Hamburg's application for the TMDL Grant was received in May of 2008. At that time the points were scored up on the project and mistakenly assigned 20 points in the TMDL category. What is required to receive those points through their rule citation is that the project that is being proposed by the city would actually be required to be a project that is based on waste load allocation for an approved Total Maximum Daily Load. For this area, the lower Minnesota TMDL is for dissolved oxygen. This was awarded to the cities project, scored up and assigned to Hamburg's project with 78 points on the 2009 Project Priority List. Since Hamburg was not queuing up for the next step which is the Intended Use Plan things were left as they were. Mr. Dunn looked at Hamburg's project plan and it appeared to him that it was not a TMDL driving project which is required by a waste load allocation. A requirement that is based on the TMDL that the city has to do a project. At the October 2008 meeting everything looked fine and they thought that the City of Hamburg qualified. As they were completing the 2010 TMDL which are reviewed each year at that time they realized that they assigned points to Hamburg's project and another cities project to their TMDL that does not actually have a waste load allocation or a mandated requirement that they do the project. At this point Mr. Dunn spoke with Gene Erickson and they informed City Clerk Gruenhagen that they were going to be reducing Hamburg's points from 78 to 58, taking away the 20 points for the TMDL. This resulted in Hamburg no longer eligible for the TMDL Grant funds that were allocated during the 2009 Legislative session. When the error was found they had no other option but to correct it. Based on state statute and the program requirements Hamburg no longer has eligibility for this program.
  • Mr. Gene Erickson added that the main concern for this TMDL is phosphorous, to remove phosphorous from the Minnesota River. Hamburg's plan does not remove phosphorous it involves removing clean water from your system. That is basically why the 20 points were removed.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Mr. Erickson that if Hamburg was required on their discharge permit for extensive monitoring or removal of phosphorous then Hamburg would be eligible.
      • Mr. Dunn responded that if this was the case then the project would be looked to find out what percentage of the project was related to the TMDL. This could have related further to reductions and the eligible costs and there is also an EBC calculation that further reduces that.
  • Mr. Erickson continued that if the pond was expanding then you probably would have to remove phosphorous or do something about the phosphorous but Hamburg's pond is not expanding. It is all related to the collection system.
  • Mr. Dunn informed Council that if the project did have the pond work then we would be talking about looking at eligibility for the TMDL or the Phosphorous Grant program. These two projects were established by the Legislature and are being funded through the sales tax amendment money for specific purposes. Only some cities actually meet the requirements.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen commented that Hamburg's discharge permit only requires the monitoring of phosphorous not the removal of phosphorous.
  • Mayor Malz asked where the cut off number, if 78 points had Hamburg in the running for grant money but at 58 points Hamburg was eliminated how does this work.
    • Mr. Dunn replied that it does not work that way, with the TMDL grant program they will take all the applications and go down as far as the money goes. There is no set point of where the cut off is. However with the Revolving Fund that there is a set cut off point which is 45 points. Hamburg's project does qualify for the below market interest loans, state government revolving loan fund.
  • Councilmember Trebesch commented that the city is trying to eliminate water in sewer lines. Then the city can start putting in new homes, after that the city has to have more sewers lines. Is this what the city is looking at?
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen responded that what is being looked at is more about environmental issues than excess water.
    • Councilmember Trebesch questioned that what is being discussed is more about the addition of sewer lines and at a later date the ponds.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied that this is about the ponds not sewer lines. What Mr. Dunn is explaining is if the City would be expanding the ponds or waste water treatment plant then there may be the possibility of a grant.
  • Councilmember Mueller commented that the worst part of this is that the City can not expand because they will not let us. Council was criticized just this week for being unfriendly to small business, a small business wanted to rebuild in Hamburg but they would not give the city a permit to expand the cities sewer system for them to connect on to it.
    • Mr. Erickson commented that sewer extensions are allowed all you have to do is put in a request and they will take a look at it.
    • Councilmember Mueller responded that the previous mayor, Mayor Mike Buckentin, had gone down to their office twice and talked to Chris Klucas about a business wanting to build just across the city line. Mayor Buckentin was told that we could not expand our line because we were at capacity until the City gets it I&I approved. How can the city afford to fix it if there is no funding and Council has been told they are not over taxing the residents but we are. We pay an engineer to write up for this grant and once it is wrote up and applied for we are told we are not eligible.
      • Mr. Dunn asked which grant program Councilmember Mueller was talking about.
      • Councilmember Mueller responded: this TMDL grant that the city lost points on.
      • Mr. Dunn replied that actually they have never received an application from Hamburg for the TMDL program.
      • Councilmember Mueller then asked Mr. Dunn how Hamburg got the points.
      • Mr. Dunn answered that as he tried to describe in the beginning the points were awarded. This year when they were going over the list they realized that this was a mistake so they corrected it.
        • Councilmember Mueller's response was that this is just a political game.
  • Mr. Dunn, Mr. Erickson, and Council discussed the incident with Chris Klucas that happened about three years ago concerning the allowing or not allowing a small business to hook up to the cities lines before additional improvements are made. The main points were:
    • MPCA put a moratorium on the request because at that time Hamburg was not making any progress to remove clean water from the system. According to Mr. Erickson they have repeatedly told Council members since 1999, through inspections, that Hamburg had an issue with clean water (I&I). Nothing was done to let them know we were making progress towards removing the clean water so the only resource they have is to hold back sewer extensions. Since that time Hamburg has made progress towards water removal unfortunately now Hamburg does not have any money to do the project but with the grant.
    • Mr. Erickson informed Council that if Hamburg does have a sewer extension request all they have to do is ask. If a business wants to come in they can take a look at it and say Hamburg is making progress towards removing extra water and they can grant the request.
      • Councilmember Mueller commented that this is a thing in the past.
      • Mr. Erickson commented that no it isn't it is on going all the time.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen commented that they (MPCA) and other cities should make aware that more money should be made available by some other type of programs. The PFA programs are great but a 1.2 million dollar project that Hamburg has already done for water and now Hamburg is looking at another 1.2 million dollar project, low interest loans are great it saves the city money but it is a huge burden on taxpayers on a City of our size. There are all these mandates but no programs or money to back them.
    • Mr. Dunn responded that a third of the money from the Minnesota Clean Water Legacy Act is going to municipal projects either through the TMDL project grants or Phosphorous Grants.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen responded that Council wants to know about Hamburg's situation.
      • Councilmember Barnes asked where the other two thirds of the money are going to.
    • Mr. Dunn continued commenting that he does know there are needs all around the state and that they are not meeting the demand. PFA and PCA continue to argue for higher levels.
      • Deputy Clerk Block asked where the other two thirds are going.
    • Mr. Dunn replied the other two thirds are going to parks and trails. A little less then a third goes to Arts & Cultural and a third to Parks & Trails.
      • Deputy Clerk Block asked how this helps Hamburg with the Clean Water Act if the money is going to parks and trails.
      • Council and City Clerk Gruenhagen all replied that it is politics.
      • Deputy Clerk Block responded that this is not using common sense, Hamburg needs the money and it is going to build parks and trails in Minneapolis.
    • Becky Sabie (PFA) commented that Hamburg is in a difficult situation because we have projects that are high costs, residents with limited affordability, and there are a lot of other cities within the state with similar situations. There is more demand even with the below market loan funds that are offered through the PFA then what they can keep up with and the grant money for the Clean Water Legacy Act is very limited. This money is specifically for projects like the TMDL Grant. There is great need, great demand, aging infrastructure, and communities that are smaller that do not have economies to scale like Minneapolis. Ms. Sabie went on to comment the Clean Water Revolving program that she works with is a low interest loan which the City of Hamburg is eligible for. The loan would be below market rate with 20 year financing. The rate Ms. Sabie came up with for Hamburg is 2% to 2.5% interest over 20 years.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked if the PFA ever considered extending the loan to 25 or 30 years, Rural Water offers loans out to 40 years.
      • Ms. Sabie replied that this year there was a change to the statute allowing them to go 30 years but only when the cost of resident's burden exceeds 1.4% of median household income. Hamburg's median income is lower than this.
    • Councilmember Cummiskey commented that once Hamburg's I&I project is completed then the city will have to figure out what to do with the increased sewer capacity before the city has more expansion capabilities.
    • Mr. Dunn brought up the subject that bids are coming in lower then projected. The biding climate is very good and Council could consider using this to their advantage.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that the City is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The City badly needs small businesses but can not expand. Right now the City is looking at 400 thousand just to replace the sewer pipes and if the storm sewer is added then the residents are looking at 1.2 million dollars. After this is completed the City is looking at another 3 million to expand its waste water treatment. Loosing businesses is the hardest part of all this and Council needs to work with Mr. Dunn and Mr. Erickson in allowing small business into the community.
      • Mr. Erickson replied that they are more than willing to work with Council if they can show progress in removing the excess water thus allowing for more room in the sewer system. Mr. Erickson thinks Hamburg is showing progress however they are now stuck because they have no money to complete the project.
      • Mayor Malz asked Mr. Erickson what the city has to do to show progress.
      • Mr. Erickson answered that before Hamburg did not show any progress but now the flow is around 40 thousand a day average and the design is 63 thousand. If the city can show no increase in flow and show some type of improvement interlay. Mr. Erickson asked Council what they have done internally to remove extra water from the system. Mr. Erickson questioned if all the sump pumps are no longer pumping into the sewer lines.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied that this is part of the cities project.
      • Deputy Clerk Block asked if the city is unable to remove the sump pumps from the sewer lines what chance does the city have.
      • Mr. Erickson replied that they would not know until they look at the specifics. Once the firm specifics are looked at then they could say yes or no.
      • Councilmember Mueller commented that some residents will have to pay an assessment to put the main line in and pay to replace their service lines. This would be another $3,000 to $4,000 burden on them.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that the City has already spent about $100,000 in the past three years on those type items and engineering fees to get to the point were we can make reductions. Now the city needs the money to put this project into place. We know what we need to do but we also need the money to do it.
  • Chris Lund (612 Kim Avenue) asked Mr. Dunn that if the city did not submit an application how did they know Hamburg had 78 points.
    • Mr. Dunn replied the TMDL Grant application.
    • Mr. Lund asked what they saw to give the city its points.
    • Mr. Dunn replied the scoring worksheet.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked that Mr. Dunn did not receive Hamburg's TMDL application.
      • Mr. Dunn answered that these are two different applications. It was an error on his part that Hamburg submitted the TMDL application which is automatically 20 points however Hamburg did not submit this.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Mr. Doug Parrot (SEH) if the TMDL Grant application was ever done.
        • Mr. Parrot replied that he would have to check with his Community Funding person, Ron Seymour.
      • Becky Sabie (PFA) commented that the TMDL applications would have come to the PFA. Questions concerning whether or not the project qualified for TMDL funding were addressed prior to the time that an application was submitted. The PCA does scoring sheets for every project that seeks placement on the project priority list.
        • City Clerk Gruenhagen reiterated that Hamburg mistakenly got applied or applicable to receive the 20 points upon a submittal of.
        • Mr. Dunn interrupted informing Council that because the Legislature appropriated money their agency was working at PFA getting ready to find out who was eligible. That was when they identified 52 projects and that two of the projects were not eligible. This happened July 13, 2009 and why they contacted Hamburg to make them aware of the situation and understood why.
        • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that this is why he asked them to attend the Council meeting because Council was under the impression that the TMDL grant was submitted.
        • Mr. Dunn added that they do have an application for the PPL. Ms. Sabie commented that they do not have a Grant application for the TMDL.
  • Chris Lund (612 Kim Avenue) questioned, going back to the scoring sheet, what did the city get points for.
    • Mr. Dunn replied that under their scoring system Hamburg received points for:
      • 85% over capacity – 5 points.
      • Pipes that will be replaced date back to before 1979, over 20 years old – 20 points.
        • Councilmember Mueller commented the pipes go back to the 1950's.
      • Hamburg's has excessive I&I – 15 points.
      • Receiving water is a Class 2 – 3 points.
      • Large discharge into small receiving water – 15 points.
    • Mr. Dunn continued that adding up the points score the project at 58 points. Projects that rate high on I&I ranking are considered fundable however a lower score of 48 would not be considered as fundable. Hamburg's amended but accurate score is 58 points.
  • Chris Lund (612 Kim Avenue) commented that some resident's service lines may not be going into the cities sewer lines due to some type of blockage. Wouldn't this help in giving back some of the 20 points in Sub-Section A.
    • Mr. Erickson replied that this would not help. The TMDL grant is just for removing phosphorous. The connections to the cities sewer lines are a private situation. It is a pollutant problem not a phosphorous problem which the TMDL grant is for.
  • Mr. Doug Parrott (SEH) commented that in the future some of the money be designated to communities under 3,000 population that do have high TMDL but use the money for some of the other high contributors.
    • Mr. Dunn added that in the future the Legislature discuss how else these funds can be distributed.


 

I/I Abatement Program

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen reported to Council that Doug Parrott (SEH) sent a letter to Mike Wanous (SWCD District Manager Carver County) a reminder about cleaning out Lateral 4 of Joint Ditch No. 3A.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen also reported that he had meet with Doug Parrott (SEH) and Greg Kimman
    from SEH to start working on the Storm Sewer Ordinance. The ordinance will be forwarded to the Council members. They are looking to update the Storm Sewer Ordinance the same time the Cities Zoning Ordinances are updated.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that a representative from Rural Water meet with Craig Anderson and other members of SEH to talk about the possibility of some stimulus money that may still be available through USDA Rural Development. City Clerk Gruenhagen thought that this is something Council should give Doug Parrott the permission to pursue.
    • Councilmember Cummiskey moved to give Doug Parrott (SEH) permission to pursue the possibility of obtaining stimulus money from USDA Rural Development Fund, Councilmember Mueller seconded and motion unanimously carried. All council members were present.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen had one other thing to mention and that was about the email he had received about the Green Infrastructure's upcoming event on September 24, 2009 starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. He and Councilmember Mueller had discussed this event and wondered is SEH would be interested in attending this meeting to find out if there would be any thing the City could benefit from this. This event is part of the 2009 Minnesota Land Conservation and Clean Water Summit.
    • Mr. Parrott added that Chris Cabot
      is a licensed engineer that would like to attend this meeting. SEH would pay their own way but because this is an invitation only event the City of Hamburg would have to designate Chris as a representative of Hamburg.
    • Council discussed and felt that this would be a benefit for the city if Mr. Cabot would attend.
    • Councilmember Cummiskey moved to send Chris Cabot from SEH as a representative for the City of Hamburg to attend the Green Infrastructure meeting at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on September 24 from 7-9 p.m., Councilmember Mueller seconded and motion unanimously carried. All council members were present.


 

To The Home Wireless Internet


 

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that the building permit has been submitted however MNSPECT will be contacting Mr. Sprengeler about what type of brackets he will be using to secure the antenna to the water tower and other items relating to the building codes.
    • Mr. Sprengeler mentioned that they have not gotten back to him yet.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen will follow up with MNSPECT.
  • Mr. Sprengeler informed Council that Mediacom will be out tomorrow, Wednesday. They just need to get inside of the building located under the water tower to get to a power source.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Mr. Sprengeler if he will mount a cable box outside the shed and that what he only needs is a power outlet.
      • Mr. Sprengeler replied yes. He does not know if Mediacom will want to put their equipment inside the building or not. Mr. Sprengeler does not know how this will all be done until Mediacom comes out tomorrow. Mediacom is Mr. Sprengeler vendor for he is buying service for the back hall from them.
    • Council discussed where they would like the equipment box placed, inside or outside of the shed. Council decided that the equipment box and internet equipment should be placed outside the shed. The main reason as Mayor Malz explained is that if people have access to inside the shed they would have access to Hamburg's main water supply.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that he has requested MNSPECT expedite approving the building permit so this project can get completed.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Mr. Sprengeler and Council that the Lease Agreement should be signed and he asked Mr. Sprengeler if he wanted the agreement signed with or with out a notary.
    • Mr. Sprengeler replied without a notary would be fine.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that Council has already approved the contract so all that has to be done is have it signed and that can be done tonight. The Lease Agreement was signed.


 

Council Addressed Richard Odoms (150 Jacob Street) Web Site Comments


 

City Clerk Gruenhagen started out by reading the comment made by Mr. Odoms in an email he had sent to the City of Hamburg (hamburgcity@mchsi.com), "The very fact that a council meeting 'packet' that is laid out for the public to view is labeled as 'Public'; well, that would indicate to any reasonable person that there is also a second, or 'private' packet, available. This is NOT acceptable."

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen commented that this is not correct, anything that is possible handed out to Council is also laid out at the public speaking table. Nothing is hidden; if something is public it will always be made available to the public you just have to ask or request it. He is more than willing to get it to the person requesting it.
    • Councilmember Cummiskey added that there are Data Privacy situations where Council has information in their packets that are illegal to be given out to the public. Council has to maintain Data Privacy laws. This would be the only reason why the Councils agenda and the Public agenda would be different.
    • Mr. Odoms replied that he disagrees with City Clerk Gruenhagen comment. He has picked up a couple of agendas and as he pointed out in his email the delinquent water bill list was not there. He knows this could be an oversight and he is not accusing anyone of doing something underhanded however he is just asking that what ever Council has that is pertinent to the council meeting except items protected by data privacy be put in the public packets. Mr. Odoms also requested more packets be made available to the public other than the one he had to share with two other persons.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen responded to Mr. Odoms comment by informing him that the packets are usually put together the Friday before a council meeting and any additional information that comes in between Friday and Tuesday is laid out at the public speaking table beside the original Council packet.
    • Councilmember Mueller commented that who is on the delinquent water list is public information but a person may have only missed his/her payment for one month. He does not believe that the whole world should know about this but if a person wants to know who is on the list they could come into the city office and ask for the list.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen commented about another item that was in Mr. Odoms email: Mr. Odoms mentioned that he had previously requested the opportunity to photograph elected Hamburg City officials for posting on his Website that I maintains about the City of Hamburg. To date, that request has gone unacknowledged. I renew that request again. Please advise me when I may take their appropriate photographs.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Mr. Odoms that it was Councils wishes not to be photographed.
    • Mr. Odoms responded that this was never replied back to him.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen apologized for not responding back. He had emailed members of council if they wanted their pictures taken but did not receive any responses back. It was also discussed at one of the Council meetings.
    • Mr. Odoms did not understand why council did not want their pictures taken, most other council members have their pictures or group pictures on their web sites.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen responded that Mr. Odoms could ask Council tonight if they would like there picture on his web site.
      • Mayor Malz replied that this is something to think about.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen read another segment of Mr. Odoms email; "Lastly, in view of the fact that the City of Hamburg is in the process of (needlessly) hiring a firm to design and maintain a Website for the City of Hamburg; (something that I have provided NO CHARGE to the City of Hamburg or its residents for the past two and one-half years), the 'focus' of the Website that I currently maintain about the City of Hamburg has now changed. Part of that 'change' will be the making the audio recordings of Hamburg City Council meetings available to city residents (and the world) on my City of Hamburg Website; available at www.hamburgminnesota.com."
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen commented that it is not that the City does not appreciate what Mr. Odoms has done or what he does for the city on his website, he has a lot of positive comments but it the same concept as to when Mr. Lund wanted his blog site on the city electronic sign. Looking at the city as a business it would be best to hire someone outside the city then hire someone local to avoid any conflict of interest, confrontations, or issues. Right now there are some issues on Mr. Odoms website that are not very favorable to the City.
    • Mr. Odoms commented that it is open to interpretation, those comments are revolving around this issue with the wireless internet. He is sure that the city officials and office are getting a lot of calls from area residents asking what is going on.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen responded that only one call has been received and that was received on the Fire Departments voice mail.
      • Mr. Odoms replied that he is receiving a lot of phone calls because he is a city resident trying to promote something, to give the city a positive image, and the people out there are getting frustrated. This has been built up and Mr. Sprengeler is working very hard to get this up and running. Mr. Odoms commented that he has been very patient and purposely telling people to not call City Council members and bug them and drive them nuts. I there for awhile and the city was getting phone calls and the ones Shawn and I have been receiving the people are at a point of tearing their hair out. He is trying to run interference for the city saying that it all takes time but it does seem like tonight things are getting done.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied that they do sympathize with the people who have signed up for the service but there are certain things the City has to do to cover the cities aspect. He knows it is a simple thing to put an antenna on the cities water tower but we are talking about the cities water supply. There is a process and he finds it unfair that some of the comments put on Mr. Odoms website that the city does not appreciate small business. The reason our taxes are so high is because we do not have businesses in town. It is not that we do not want business we want business there are other stipulations that should be clarified as to why we do not have businesses. We more then welcome Shawn and this business and the city is providing this at no cost to him and he does not see this mentioned anywhere in the email. The city has gone out of its way, yes there were some hold ups, but the only thing I want to apologize for is when our attorney was on vacation and we did not know about it. Other than this the city has followed the same procedure as if someone had come in for a conditional use permit or any other type of issue that required extensive research.
        • Councilmember Cummiskey added that this is the first time this type of request has been put before council. We needed time to find out what we needed to do to cover ourselves. This takes time, once we find out about one thing then something else comes up that has to be done. It is getting all your ducks in a row and we did not know what ducks were needed to get in that row.
        • Mr. Odoms replied that he knows that but when this was brought up at the end of March or April as something new and exciting Council responded that it is something they would have to think about. Then there was two weeks to the next council meeting and things were talked about but there were times that nothing was done. In the mean time you have all these people thinking this is going to be great and then this snowballed and now they are thinking that nothing will happen. I am not here on behalf of To The Home.com I am hear as a city resident trying to promote a small business who wants to provide a service to the city of Hamburg.
          • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked if he was here to promote or slander council. What is on your website does not look like promoting a business. (Councilmember Barnes added that it was pretty slanderous.) It is hurtful to To The Home.
          • Mr. Odoms responded that he does think so and added that after Shawn was here tonight the end is in sight as to get this system operational. You have to understand that there is a lot of frustration on the part of the people on getting this going and I suspect there is frustration on members of council and there is certainly frustration on my part and I will up date the web page appropriately.


 

  • Mayor Malz made the comment to Mr. Odoms that there is or was a part on his website that really bothered him. It read as follows; "Many of you previously wanted the names and telephone numbers of the Hamburg City Mayor and Council Members so that you could contact them and express your disgust with how they've all irresponsibly dealt with the handling of this project."
    • Mayor Malz asked Mr. Odoms who are all of these many people, are they people in town or they rural people.
    • Mr. Odoms replied they are a lot of people in town, to get the service they are relying on the site on the water tower to be operational.
    • Mayor Malz replied that he has not gotten any calls.
    • Mr. Odoms replied that this does not necessarily surprise him because you are not the one promoting the service.
    • Mayor Malz commented that people get on Mr. Odoms website and they think the Council is irresponsible. Mayor Malz added that he does not like that and as City Clerk Gruenhagen had previously commented that this is slandering Council.
    • Deputy Clerk Block asked Mr. Odoms how many is many. How many can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Do you have a number?
    • Mayor Malz continued commenting that this project is near completion but he still does not like the comment that they (Council) are irresponsible. The Council has to play by the book, jumping through hoops to get this project done right. As City Clerk Gruenhagen had said the Cities attorney was out for two weeks, city is sorry for this but Mr. Odom's comments were not very professional.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen commented, to continue on the email from Sunday, August 23, 2009 Mr. Odoms stated "Therefore, please schedule a time, convenient to you, that I may duplicate the recordings of the Hamburg City Council Meetings; beginning with the June 23rd meeting. As copies of these recordings are received, they will be posted, in their entirety, on my www.hamburgminnesota.com Website and available 'on demand' 24/7. Thank you, in advance, for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. Also, please advise me when I may pick up a 'complete' city council agenda for this Tuesday's meeting.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen explained that the City has the right to charge for a copy of the tapes and a right to charge for copy of any agenda or pages that someone wishes to receive information on. He has been very good about doing additional things but when there are things of such a nature written to this extent maybe Council should consider charging for copies.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Mr. Odoms on how he planned to copy the tapes, did he want the city to do it or was he going to come in and copy them.
      • Mr. Odoms replied that he has a cassette copier.
    • Councilmember Mueller mentioned that Cologne charges $25 per tape of their council meetings.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen responded that Hamburg has $30 written in their city fee schedule.
    • Councilmember Cummiskey commented that the tapes are city property and also public information however the tapes should not leave the city office. If Mr. Odoms would want to copy the tapes then he would have to come to the city office to copy them.
      • Mr. Odoms replied that he would have no problem with coming to the city office to record the tapes.
  • Mr. Odoms asked Council if they had ever talked about cable casting the council meetings.
    • Councilmember Cummiskey and other members of Council replied that it has been talked about but with the low to no public attendance at the meetings it never went any further.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that he would like to see more attendance at the council meetings. He would like to have residents voice there opinions at the meeting instead of calling council members or himself at home or sitting at the local bar complaining instead of at a council meeting. It would actually help Council in making decisions concerning the city.
    • Mr. Odoms commented that when he walked in at 7 p.m. he did not know there was a Special Meeting taking place that evening.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen responded that this is usually put in the agenda but it is always posted at city hall, the bank, and post office.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council what were their wishes concerning the coping of the tapes.
    • Council discussed and agreed that if Mr. Odoms wants a copy of the tapes they had no objection of him coming to the city office and recording them. However, the tapes can not leave the building. There will be no cost to Mr. Odoms as long as he does all the recording himself and does not involve City Clerk Gruenhagen.
  • Council, City Clerk Gruenhagen, and Mr. Odoms discussed extra copies of council meeting agendas, does the council want to charge for extras or not. At council meetings one has to be available for public review and if someone requests a copy(s) then the city can charge for them. It was decided that Mr. Odoms could take the public agenda after the council meeting.
  • Council and City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Mr. Odoms if there was anything else he would like to discuss.
    • Mr. Odoms replied that he was sorry if Council thought that his website contained some harsh verbiage and will change it that night. Mr. Odoms commented that he did not regret what he said he has his own feelings and he is entitled to his own opinion. He is doing To The Home internet service with Mr. Sprengeler to help him promote his service within the community just as he has been doing for two and a half years promoting the city on his website. He had spent approximately $300 to $400 of his own money taking pictures during Zummerfest. He did not expect to get paid for it but when word got to him, second handed, that the city was going to hire a web site service and he has been doing his for two and a half years it made him wonder. He though he has painted a very nice picture of the city, the fire department, and city events and to think he was not considered for the cities website.
      • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied that Mr. Odoms can continue to do it the way he has however the city should look at this as a business aspect not a personal one.
      • Mr. Odoms commented that with the City trying to find ways to cut money from the budget he though it would be beneficial to the city to have him do the cities website.
      • Mr. Odoms continued his commenting that he likes to have an open dialogue with the Council and if nothing else comes of this he hopes Mr. Sprengeler gets his project going so the city can benefit from it and the community can abide by it.
  • Councilmember Trebesch commented that he would like to commend the Council on all their hard work they have done. We are all tax payers in this town and we are doing the best we can for this town. When he read the comments by Mr. Odoms he did not appreciate them but that they are Mr. Odoms opinions. Councilmember Trebesch wanted to commend everyone on the good job they are doing.
    • The other members of Council including the Mayor, Deputy Clerk Block, and City Clerk Gruenhagen thanked him for his comment.
  • Mayor Malz mentioned to Mr. Odoms that Special meetings are scheduled just before regularly scheduled Council meetings so there is no additional cost to the city. Otherwise any additional meeting there is a fee that goes to Council members so they are giving that all up.
    • Mr. Odoms commented that he believes that City Clerk Gruenhagen and he have a decent rapport for he has never refused him anything and if he does hold off on giving him something he has asked for, it is usually to get Councils approval.

Deputy Clerk Block's Report


 

Delinquent Utility Bills Report

  • Deputy Clerk Block reported a delinquent notice was sent to Fred & Heidi Pawelk (EFN Investments) requesting payment. Heidi Pawelk stopped at the city office with the letter requesting to come before Council to contest their delinquent bill. They will be put o the September 8th meeting agenda.
  • Jeff Muri sold his home at 941 Park Avenue but at closing Title Mark did not list the correct pay off amount for his utilities. The pay off amount should have been $340.22 but the amount listed and paid was $254.60, leaving a balance due of $85.62. The closing company Title Mark has contacted Mr. Muri and payment should be received this week.
  • Jon Reed contacted the City Office and he will pay in full his delinquent amount of $239.47 on August 31, 2009.
  • Emily Siebold has set up a payment plan with the city. She will be paying $50 per week to catch up on her delinquencies.


 

Clerk/Treasurer Report


 

Federal Stimulus Bill – Recovery Zone Bond Allocation to Carver County

  • David Frischmon (Carver County Finance Director) sent local officials a letter informing them that one city in the County has requested the County's full Recovery Zone Economic Development Allocation. The County sent the letter to determine if there are any other local issuers that may also want to use the County's Recovery Zone Allocation for Economic Development Bonds that would be issued by December 31, 2010.
  • A Recovery zone is any area designated by the County or local issuer of bonds as having significant poverty, unemployment, home foreclosures, or general distress.
  • Council discussed if Hamburg would benefit from the Recovery Zone Bond. Council decided to have City Clerk Gruenhagen have Doug Parrott (SEH) speak with Mr. Frischmon to find out if this bond could be used for the cities storm sewer project.

City Attorney – Alternative Contact (Mike Melchert)

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen explained to Council that with Mac (City Attorney) being semi-retired he thought it would be in the cities best interest to have a back up contact. Mac had suggested Mike Melchert as an alternate contact. City Clerk Gruenhagen is in the process of contacting Mr. Melchert to find out if he would have any objection to this arrangement. Mr. Melchert is located out of the Waconia law office.

2010 Prosecution Contract with Carver County Attorney

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council if they had any questions or if they wanted to move forward and approve the contract.
  • Councilmember Barnes asked if there had been any changes to the contract since it was discussed at the last City Council meeting.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied that there have not been any changes since the last meeting.
  • Councilmember Mueller moved to adopt the 2010 Prosecution Contract with the Carver County Attorney, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.


 


 

Property & Casualty Insurance Renewal

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen noted to members of Council that this has been gone over during several previous council meetings to make sure the proper coverage is made for the City. One of the things checked on was if the coverage for the Hamburg Baseball Grandstand could be lowered (current coverage - $181,306 and premium is - $1,688) to $50,000. The insurance company said that the grandstand coverage can not be lowered. The replacement cost has to be what is insured and if it is not they will not insure it. Council could contest, based on footage, the evaluation of the building by submitting pictures and a diagram showing the footage. The insurance company could then reevaluate the building, however, the evaluation could be higher. One thing the insurance company is going to do is reconsider the category the grandstand is listed under.
  • Council discussed if the fire hydrants and water tower should be covered and decided not to insure them at this time.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that the city is covered for statutory minimum requirements.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen will turn in the information and get a final premium cost.


 

City Zoning Ordinances

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council if they had any further comments on the Cities Zoning Ordinances.
    • Council did not have any additional comments.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen will ask Ann Perry (Cities Planning Consultant) to attend a council meeting in late September or early October for final review.


 

2010 Preliminary Budget

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council if they had anything they would like to consider completed this year for the 2009 budget.
  • Councilmember Mueller asked what was remaining in the 2009 budget for sidewalk repair.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen stated $686.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen summed up what was discussed in the 2010 workshop meeting.
    • Streets – Street/Parking Lot Repairs – Overly, Seal Coating, Striping – Added $3,000.
    • Air Conditioning for the Hall – Added $10,000.
    • Maintenance Worker Byerly will check into the price of Bobcat tires and truck tires.
  • Councilmember Mueller brought up some items that have been talked about for the last six years.
    • Replacing Walk-in Cooler at Hall.
    • Walking/Bike Trail along and through the City Park.
      • Previous estimate - $6,000
    • Small pickup for Maintenance Worker Byerly.
    • Cleaning the Hall – contract out.
    • Lawn Mowing – contract out.
    • Hire a private company for the Sewer and Water.
    • Expanding the Community Center.
    • City Shop Water Problem
    • New Water Tower
    • Street Reconstruction/Repairs
  • Councilmember Cummiskey added:
    • Trees – Purchase up to $200 for trees in the park.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen continued.
    • City Shop/Driveway and Landscaping Costs
    • Cost of new mower – Have Maintenance Worker Byerly check on price and find out if there is any value to the cities current mower.
  • Mayor Malz commented that a city resident (Steven Buckentin) has volunteered to take care of the ball fields at no cost to the City.
  • Tree Trimming – Council agreed that this could be taken out of the budget and put $200 towards the purchase of new trees.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council to go down the 'Budget Items to Consider (2010 Budget) list he had prepared. Council should decide to keep, add, or eliminate each item.
    • Desktop Computer, Chairs, and Copier – keep in for 2010.
    • Redo Driveway and Sidewalk for City Shop (Cement) – keep in and move to 2010 budget.
    • Landscaping – Add to 2010 Budget
      • Council continued to discuss at length what should, could, or not to do with the water situation and drainage problem at the City Shop. Add landscaping or not to add landscaping. Where to drain the water, how to drain the water, what's legal what's not legal. Should tar or cement be used for the drive way. Build a new shop or not and if built where.
    • New Lawnmower – Maintenance Worker Byerly will get prices.
    • Bobcat and Tires for Truck – Maintenance Worker Byerly will get prices.
    • Tables (Plywood) for CC - $1,000
    • Projector Screen – take out of budget.
    • Fire Department Relief Association Debt (Add't City Contribution) – Leave in
      • FD requested a $50 raise which would amount to $20,000.
    • Trim Trees in Boulevard – Take off budget
    • Purchase Trees for Park - $200
    • Street/Parking Lot Repairs – Overlay, Seal Coating, Striping – Have $9,000 plus $3,000 from 2009 budget. Council decided to add $6,000.
    • Spray for Weeds – take out
    • Picnic Tables at Hall (2) – keep in
    • Park Equipment for Hall – wish list
    • Mowing Contract – Contract out for mowing the City Park and have Maintenance Worker Byerly mow the smaller areas around town - $4,500
    • Hall Lighting/Electrical Wiring – Repair/Replace - Add $5,500.
    • Replace Hall Doors - add $2,000
    • Tables (Plywood) for Hall - $1,000
    • Repair/Replace Ceiling Exhaust Fan – keep on wish list
    • Air Conditioning for Hall – Add $10,000
    • Capital Project – Community Center Addition - $2,000 has been put away each year, have $4,000 – Keep in budget and add $2,000
    • Capital Project – City Equipment Replacement Fund - $2,500 has been put away each year, at the end of 2009 the city will have $10,000 – Keep in budget and add $2,500
    • Capital Project – City Maintenance Fund (Equipment) - $3,000 in budget now
      • Councilmember Barnes asked what was the difference between City Maintenance Equipment Fund and City Equipment Replacement Fund – Maintenance Equipment is for replacement of signs, coolers at park – Equipment Replacement is for bobcat, snow blower, larger equipment.
    • Fire Department Pagers (replacement) – City Clerk Gruenhagen will talk to Fire Chief Droege about this item, does the city have to start putting money away for replacing pagers.
    • Sidewalk Repair in front of Parkside Tavern – Council decided to put $5,000 in the 2010 budget.
    • Council discussed at length the possible repair and how to repair the dump station at City Park.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that he thought another Budget Workshop should be set up for next week. He would add the dollar amounts Council has decided on tonight into the worksheet and at the next workshop Council could go over the budget again. Finalizing the 2010 Budget could then be done at the September 8, 2009 City Council meeting.
    • Council discussed and decided to hold a Special 2010 Budget Workshop on September 1st at 7:00 p.m.
    • Councilmember Cummiskey moved to have a Special 2010 Budget Workshop meeting on September 1, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. for discussing the budget, Councilmember Trebesch seconded and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.


 

Councilmember Mueller asked if Clark's Mosquito Controls contract is up next year.

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied that it is and they have only one more scheduled spraying on August 27th.
  • Mayor Malz and Council discussed if Clark's should come one more time after the scheduled spray because of the mosquito invasion this year. It would be good to have it done before the Chillin and Grillin event at the park.


 

City Council Reports


 

Councilmember Mueller (Sewer & Water) had no further comments.


 

Councilmember Cummiskey (Streets)

  • Councilmember Cummiskey informed Council that he was approached by a member of the Lions Club who asked about the Hoe Down. With the H.I.P. group not being able to do it this year he was thinking that the Lions Club could take it over.
    • Council decided that if the Lions Club does want to put on the Hoe Down they should come to a council meeting and request a date for it.


     

Councilmember Trebesch (Buildings)

  • Councilmember Trebesch asked Council if a motion had to be made to have the loader at the city ponds when the brush pile is chipped.
    • Members of council replied no, just get it done.
  • Councilmember Trebesch reported that he had turned in an estimate for an air conditioning unit for the Hall. Councilmember Trebesch asked if more estimates other then the one he had were received.
    • City Clerk Gruenhagen replied no and other members of council added that they are waiting to receive at least two estimates.

Councilmember Barnes (Parks) had no further comments.


 

Mayor Malz had no further comments.

Approve Claims List for August 2009


 

Mayor Malz informed Council that the claim numbers were from 13988 to 14002 plus three ACH payments.

  • Councilmember Trebesch moved to approve the August 2009 claims list from claim number 13988 though claim number 14002 and the three ACH payments, Councilmember Mueller seconded and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.


 

Mayor Malz made a final comment that the comments Mr. Odoms had in his email and on his web site still bothers him (other from council agreed). If you read all of his articles they just put the Council down. Mayor Malz commented that Council is not irresponsible.

  • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that this is a prime example of why Council does not want a private citizen to do the Cities web site.
  • Councilmember Barnes commented this is an example of why he personally does not want his picture associated with Mr. Odoms web site.
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen added that Mr. Odoms is entitled to his opinion but it should be represented on facts.


 

Councilmember Cummiskey moved to adjourn the Hamburg City Council meeting at 10:15 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council Members were present.


 


 

                                        Submitted by:


 


 


 

                                        Sue Block                                                        Deputy Clerk
Posted by at
Labels: ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)