Memorial Day: Thank 10 Veterans you do not know!!!

Today is a rare moment of the year that we all pause to give thanks to those that protect the very freedoms we take for granted. Too many Americans do not realize the real sacrifice our military and National Guard personal make to safeguard our freedom. While they are stuck in some arid land rooting out people that pledge their lives to eradicate ours, we sit around asking our Government to keep our unemployment checks coming. I never served in a military capacity. I do not know nor do I pretend to envision what goes through the mind of a soldier in combat.

I recall the disrespect brave men and women were given as they came back from Vietnam. Those that fought in Vietnam didn't do so for those politicians in Washington; rather those that saw combat, from what I have been told, fought for the brethren in their company. They toe the line and often give up the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. The freedoms that many of us take for granted. The rights that many of Americans feel we are entitled to. The ugly truth in it all is that we are not entitled to anything. We must maintain our freedom, we must defend our freedom and sometimes we must spill blood to ensure our freedom.

Take a moment today to seek out a veteran. Make a point to thank a veteran today face to face. It is easy to post a blog about the importance of the day but it is not as easy to actually thank a veteran that you do not know. My goal is to thank 10 veterans I do not know. I challenge everyone else to do the same. Thank you to all those military families that have loved ones that currently and have served and an extra appreciation and condolence to those military families that paid the ultimate price while their love ones defended our freedoms.

The Ardent Viper receives hate mail!!!!

A few weeks back the Star Tribune printed one of my letters to editor. The title of my entry was "Marriage is not a Right" which ran in the paper on May 14^th. In the event you missed it here is what it said (http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/93729454.html?page=2&c=y):

It is time for Minnesotans to recognize that government involvement in the institution of marriage is the problem. Everyone has the right to choose a partner in life. It shouldn't be up to government to determine the makeup of that choice. We need to repeal all aspects of marriage from government and leave it to the religious institutions. It is time to replace the marriage license with a partnership recognition certificate that will give all legal aspects that the current marriage license does.

Why you may be asking yourself am I bringing this up now? It is not to toot my own horn about being published in the Star Tribune rather in response to a piece of mail I received earlier this week. A normal white envelope appeared in my mail box on Wednesday May 26^th with my name and address and a return address of American News Center 55401. At first glance I paid it no attention as I figured more junk mail. Thursday I decided to open it. Inside the envelope were two news articles. The first article was "Bonin guilty of four more road slayings" an AP story from Santa Ana, California. The second was "Sordid, gay-on-gay murder ignored in marriage debate" from WorldNetDaily dated January 1, 2010.

As I said, I really gave no thought. Then yesterday I asked my wife if she had seen what someone sent me in the mail. To which she had and didn't make sense. On closer inspection of the envelope she discovered a cartoon with the title of "The lower end of the Behavioral Spectrum". The cartoon depicted a normal man then a queer ape then a queer supporter ape with human head. My wife immediately thought hate mail to which I brushed off. So she did an internet search on the mysterious return address. Come to find out that it is hate mail in response to the letter to the editor posted above.

Here are some additional bloggers that received similar hate mail from American News Center 55401.

http://www.wilderoastcafe.com/diary/2006_01_01_archive.shtml

http://theangrycraig.blogspot.com/2008/03/american-news-center-55401.html

http://blueminneapolis.blogspot.com/2006/05/hate-mail-brought-to-you-courtesy-of.html

I am all for free speech and association. I recognize that with all the freedoms we take for granted we also must accept the fringe elements of every cloth among us. What raises my ire a bit, not much, is the anonymous factor and ignorant message the envelope sent. Personally I do not care who others choose as their life partners. My religious upbringing raises questions about why one may choose a same-sex partner and aspects of the teachings discuss its sin. Regardless of that, we live in a land where freedom reigns, at least for now, and with any free society there will be elements that we disagree with. I have on several occasions discussed the Same-Sex Marriage debate and offered an alternative solution that, I feel, will put the conversation to rest. What is so wrong with removing the "Marriage" license from our Governmental and Legal documents and replacing it with a certificate of partnership?

I understand we have over 200 years of institutional marriage red tape to unwind but the solution seems so obvious as to appease the Religious factions in America while ensuring the basic freedoms that our Founding Fathers intended to exist. No longer will there be an IRS box for marriage, no longer will the doctor's have to discern relations, no longer will we need to debate the sanctity of marriage as it will be preserved in religious ceremonies, and no longer will the Justice of the Peace be used to oversee marriage or any other type of union between two people. Everyone wins, right?

Super Bowl 2014: One Year Exception or Start of a new Trend?

In case you missed it with all that has been happening, the NFL announced earlier this week that the site of the 2014 Super Bowl will be in New York/New Jersey. The decision to have the new $1.6 billion Meadowland Stadium will be the first cold weather outdoor stadium to host the Super Bowl. According to a cbssportsline.com article, the coldest kickoff temperature for a Super Bowl is 39 degrees while the average temperature in East Rutherford in February is 24 to 40 degrees. Then again snow is always an option too.

I like New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's response, on the NFL Network, to the news of getting the Super Bowl, "People talk about the weather, but, you know, this is football, not beach volleyball." Mayor Bloomberg does have a point as every other game during the playoffs is played in the elements of the host city and not moved to warm weather sites. Now, will the weather prevent the best team from winning? Does this open the door for places like Pittsburgh, Green Bay or New England to host future Super Bowls?

Sestak alleged job offer: Why is the White House no quelling the allegation?

Finally last night I was able to take a breather to watch some of the pundit shows. As I watched the various pundits' shows it dawned on me that we have not seen President Obama on television, in front of a teleprompter, holding a press conference or taking questions from any of the media lately. Why might this be? We all know that oil is spewing into the Gulf, Super Tuesday Primary voters sent a message that those in office beware, and rumors are swirling around a job offer to Rep. Joe Sestak to drop out of the primary race in Pennsylvania. Where is President Obama?

Rep. Joe Sestak contends that he was offered a high-ranking position within the Obama Administration if he were to drop out of the 2010 Democratic Senate primary. The New York Times reported that Republican Senators sent Attorney General Eric Holder a letter asserting that the issue is "very serious and, if true, suggest a possible violation of various federal criminal laws intended to safeguard our political process from the taint of bribes and political machine manipulation." Ironically, last year Rob Blagojevich was run out of town because of his alleged selling of President Obama's Senate seat. Is President Obama avoiding the media so he does not have to go on record about the Sestak deal? Where is the special investigation into the alleged deal making? What is Obama hiding? If a deal was not offered, why would Sestak assert one was made? Where are Woodward and Bernstein?

Sen. Obama ran on the platform of bring transparency to Washington, so why is he so quiet now?

Hamburg City Council Meeting – March 25, 2010

 

 

 

6:55. Public Hearing for Ordinance Number 137

 

7:00. Call City Council Meeting to Order @ 7:00 PM

• Pledge of Allegiance
  
• Miscellaneous Business (Public Comments)
  
• Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption
  
• Adopt Ordinance Number 137 (Amending Side Yard Setbacks)
  
• Approve Minutes for April 13, 2010
  
• Review Claims List for May
  
• Old City Business (Memo)
  

 

7:10. Fire Department Report

• 2010 FEMA Grant/US Fish & Wildlife Grant/DNR Grant
  
• Amended By-Laws of the Hamburg Firefighters Relief Association
  
• Carver County Open Fiber Initiative Project (Letter of Support)
  
• Regional Grant for Pagers
  
• New Fire Department Member
  

 

7:25. Dennis' Report (Public Works & Utilities)

• Part-time Seasonal Help
  
• Community Hall Ramp Canopy Repairs (Estimates)
  
• Estimates for Sidewalk Replacement (Parkside Tavern)
  
• Estimates for Seal Coating (Donald Avenue) & Crack Sealing
  
• Estimate from Grade "A" Gutters
  
• Water Wells Usage – Water Consumption for 2010
  
• Storm Sewer Repair (City Shop)
  
  • Replace City Shop Driveway
    
• General Water Chemistry Project
  
• Project List (Added Items)
  

 

7:45. Deputy Clerk Report

• Delinquent Utility Bills Report
  

 

7:55. City Clerk/Treasurer Report

• I/I Abatement Program (Sanitary Sewer/Storm Water Improvements)
  
  • Easements for Project
    
  • 2011 Intended Use Plan Deadline (June 4, 2010 Deadline)
    
    • Funding for Storm Water Improvements
      
• 2010/2011 City Cuts to LGA & MV Credits
  
• Informational Items
  
  • Mosquito Control Schedule
    
  • Memo from MNSPECT (State Surcharge on Fixed Fee Permits)
    
  • Caldwell Asphalt Company
    

8:15. City Council Reports

• Councilmember Mueller Report (Sewer & Water)
  
• Councilmember Cummiskey Report (Streets)
  
  • Handicap Bathroom for Hall
    
• Councilmember Trebesch Report (Buildings)
  
• Councilmember Barnes Report (Parks)
  
• Mayor Malz Report
  

 

8:40. Approve Added Claims for April 2010

 

8:45. Adjourn Meeting

"The times set forth above are estimated.  Some subjects may take a longer time to discuss and take action on; some subjects may take less time than set forth."

Hamburg City Council Minutes – March 23, 2010

Mayor Malz called the regular meeting of the Hamburg City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Steve Trebesch, Councilmember John Barnes, Councilmember Larry Mueller, Councilmember Brian Cummiskey, City Clerk Jeremy Gruenhagen, Deputy Clerk Sue Block, Maintenance Worker Dennis Byerly, and Fire Chief Brad Droege were in attendance. Also in attendance were Brad Falteysek (Abdo, Eick & Meyers), Jared Mackenthun (Hamburg Fire Department), and Justin Buckentin (Hamburg Fire Department).

 

Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption

• Added – Relief Association – Rate of Return for Deferred Members
  
• Added – City Website – City Events and Local Clubs
  

Councilmember Mueller moved to adopt the agenda with the two additions, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.

 

Approve the February 9, 2010 Minutes

• Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the February 9, 2010 Hamburg City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

Old City Business

• #3 – Bid and Build Handicap Bathroom in Hall
  
  • Councilmember Cummiskey reported that he has not heard back from the contractors concerning estimated prices to build the bathroom.
    
  • Mayor Malz suggested more effort should be placed on getting the cost for the project.
    
• #6 – H.I.P. Group To Attend City Council Meeting
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen reported that the members were unable to attend. They are hoping to attend the next council meeting on April 13^th.
    
  • Council discussed if the city had any authority over the H.I.P. Group to have them attend a council meeting and/or report the groups' finances and plans.
    

• #7 – Hire Part-Time Maintenance Worker
  
  • This will be discussed under City Clerk Gruenhagen Report.
    

 

Fire Department Report

 

Out of State Travel Policy (Changes)

• Fire Chief Droege suggested adding "during emergencies or emergency deployment out of state, i.e. crossing state lines, will be covered under the policy.
  

2009/2010 FEMA Grant Update

• No word yet on the FEMA Grants
  

US Fish & Wildlife Grant

• Fire Chief Droege applied for a $1,150 grant. Proposed purchases with the grant money: tools for the J-5, bladder bags, filters for air packs.
  

Hamburg Fire Department 2009 Annual Township Report

• At the last council meeting Fire Chief Droege presented Council with the report.
  
• Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the Hamburg Fire Department 2009 Annual Township Report, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

Engine 12 Transmission (Update)

• The transmission repair on Engine 12 should be completed this Thursday and the cost estimate will be somewhere around $4,000 plus.
  

1981 Heavy Duty Rescue Truck

• The current Hamburg Rescue Truck will be taken to the Radde Auction Sale site on April 26, 2010 with Council's approval. Fred Radde will wave his percentage fee and the truck will be auctioned off with a reserve of $20,000.
  
  • Council discussed what the reserve for the truck should be set at. They decided to set the reserve at $20,000 with the option of $14,000 as the lowest minimum.
    
• Councilmember Cummiskey moved to give permission to Fire Chief Droege to list the Hamburg Rescue Truck at the Radde Auction on April 26 with a $20,000 reserve and at Chief Droege discretion lower the minimum down to $14,000, seconded by Councilmember Barnes.
  
  • Council discussed the motion and decided to amend the motion concerning the reserve minimum.
    
  • Councilmember Cummiskey amended the motion to approve the sale of the Hamburg Rescue Truck at the Radde Auction on April 26, 2010 with a reserve of $20,000 and set a minimum reserve amount at the next Council meeting on April 13, 2010, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
    

HD Rescue Truck from Chelsea, MI

• Approve Resolution Number 2010-04
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council they should pass Resolution 2010-04 authorizing the sale of the Equipment Certificate of Indebtedness. The Certificate of Indebtedness is payable in full by November 30, 2015. The certificate will bear the interest rate of 4.5% annually with payments made to the State Bank of Hamburg.
    
  • Councilmember Trebesch moved to approve Resolution 2010-04 authorizing the sale of the Equipment Certificate of Indebtedness, seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
    
• Approve Commercial Security Agreement with State Bank of Hamburg
  
  • Councilmember Trebesch moved to approve the Commercial Security Agreement with the State Bank of Hamburg, seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
    
• Approve Transfer of Truck to Hamburg
  
  • Members of the HFD will meet members of the Chelsea Fire Department in Green Bay, WI to pick up the 1981 Rescue Truck. The planned pick-up is scheduled for this Thursday, March 25^th.
    
  • Estimated cost for fuel to and from Green Bay, WI was $600.
    
  • Councilmember Trebesch moved to approve the trip to Green Bay, WI to pick up the 2001 Rescue Truck and authorized the estimated fuel and mileage cost of $600, Councilmember Mueller seconded and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
    

Relief Association 2009 Audit – Justin Buckentin

• The Hamburg Fire Department Relief Associations By-Laws have not been updated since 1999 and the Auditors pointed out some changes that need to be made. One of the changes is that currently when a fire fighter retires the money is put in a CD and the fire fighter keeps the interest up to 5%. This is against State Statute. The Statue states that the interest rate has to be a set rate. During a Fire Department Board meeting the interest rate for deferred members was set at 3% however this percentage rate can be changed yearly with the approval of the Hamburg City Council.
  
• Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the rate of return for retired deferred members of the Hamburg Relief Association at 3% as of February 1, 2010, Councilmember Trebesch seconded and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

 

Abdo, Eick & Meyers – 2009 Financial Report

 

Brad
Falteysek, Relating to the 2009 Financial Report, reported on the following:

 

Page 1 - Their Responsibilities under Auditing Standards and Significant Audit Findings

Page 2 - 2009-1 Preparation of Financial Statements

• Criteria:
  

  Internal controls should be in place to provide reasonable assurance over the reliability of financial records and reporting.
  

• Recommendations:
  
  • The most effective controls lie in management's knowledge of the city's financial operations. It is the responsibility of management and those charged with governances to make the decision whether to accept the degree of risk associated with only two office workers preparing financial statements (segregation of duties) because of cost and other considerations.
    
  • The following specific recommendations;
    
    • Utilize a disclosure checklist to ensure all required disclosures are present and agree to work papers.
      
    • Agree your QuickBooks receipt and disbursement information to the amounts reported in the financial statements.
      
• Management response:
  
  • For now, the City accepts the degree of risk associated with limited segregation of duties and thoroughly reviews a draft of the financial statements.
    

Page 3 - 2009-2 Limited Segregation of Duties (Finding Since 2008)

• Criteria:
  
  • There are four general categories of duties: authorization, custody, record keeping, and reconciliation. In an ideal system, different employees perform each of these four major functions. In other words, no one person has control of two or more of these responsibilities.
    
• Effect:
  
  • The existence of limited segregation of duties increases the risk of fraud and error.
    
• Recommendation:
  
  • The risk can be reduced with better monitoring. Recommend that the billing clerk continue to review the unopened bank statement, looking for activity within cancelled checks that appears inconsistent to the checks she prepared and payroll checks. For deposits, she should pay close attention to deposits that were made by the Clerk/Treasurer looking for inconsistencies. The utility billings should be reviewed by someone other than the person entering and printing billing registers. Council should also be reminded of their duties over finance at least annually.
    
• Management Response:
  
  • The City has evaluated the accounting procedures and has determined that the job duties are assigned to the staff most capable. This doesn't always allow for complete segregation. The City will continue to review its processes and make changes where possible.
    

Page 4 - 2009-3 Audit Adjustment of Fund Balances

• Criteria:
  
  • The financial statements are the responsibility of the City's management.
    
• Effect:
  
  • Financial information reported to Council during the year has been inaccurate. In addition, this indicates that it would be likely that a misstatement may occur and not be detected by the City's system of internal control. The audit firm cannot serve as a compensating control over this deficiency.
    
• Recommendation:
  
  • Management reviews each journal entry, obtain an understanding of why the entry was necessary and modify current procedures to ensure that future corrections are not needed.
    
• Management Response:
  
  • Management continues to work with the auditing firm to make all necessary adjustments prior to the year-end audit. All adjusting entries are reviewed by management as a part of the annual audit. Management will implement the recommendations suggested.
    

Page 5 – 2008-3 – 125^th Anniversary Celebration

• Condition:
  
  • Statutes do not specifically authorize cities to spend money on centennial celebrations; cities may spend money to commemorate important historical events under limited circumstances.
    
• Criteria:
  
  • In accordance with Minnesota statue, section 471.93, the City "may appropriate money for the purpose of collecting, preserving, storing, housing, printing, publishing, distributing and exhibiting data and material pertaining to the history of the city, for the purpose of commemoration the anniversary of any important and outstanding event in such history, and to preserve such history data and material for future generations."
    
  • Per State statute 412.271 "no disbursement of city funds shall be made except by an order drawn by the mayor and clerk upon the treasurer" and "no order shall be issued until the claim to which it relates has been audited and allowed by the council."
    
  • Minnesota statute 15.17, subdivision 1, requires the City to preserve all records necessary for "a full and accurate knowledge of their official activities."
    
• Current Year Status:
  
  • The City followed the requirements set forth in the Minnesota statutes 471.93, 412.271, and 15.17, subdivision 1 during 2009 and the finding has been removed from the audit.
    

Page 5 – 2008-4 – Acceptance of Gifts

• Condition:
  
  • The City had several donations during 2008, $25,150 of which were from the Fire Department Relief Association.
    
• Criteria:
  
  • In accordance with Minnesota statute, section 465.03, every acceptance of gifts "shall be by resolution of the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full."
    
• Current Year Status:
  
  • The City followed the requirements set forth in Minnesota statute 465.03 for their donations received during 2009 and the finding has been removed from the audit.
    

Page 6 – Corrected and Uncorrected Misstatements

• The following material misstatement was detected as a result of audit procedures and was corrected by management:
  
  • A journal entry was made to correct beginning fund balances for several debt service funds as well as the Water and Sewer enterprise funds. This entry was made primarily because debt service expenditures had been incorrectly adjusted against fund balance.
    
• The Auditors also assisted in preparing a number of year end accounting entries. These were necessary to adjust the City's records at year end to correct ending balances. The City should establish processes and procedures to reduce the total number of entries in each category. The City will receive better more timely information if the preparation of year end entries is completed internally.
  

Page 7 - General Fund

• The General fund is used to account for resources traditionally associated with government, which are not required legally or by sound principal management to be accounted for in another fund. The General fund balance increased $41,946 from 2008. The fund balance of $299,825 is 59.48 percent of the 2010 budgeted expenditures. It is recommended the fund balance be maintained at a level sufficient to fund operations until the major revenue sources are received in June. A reserve of approximately 50 percent of planned expenditures and transfers out is adequate to meet working capital and small emergency needs.
  
• The purposes and benefits of a General fund balance are as follows:
  
  • Expenditures are incurred somewhat evenly throughout the year. However, property tax and state aid revenues are not received until the second half of the year.
    
  • The City is vulnerable to legislative actions at the State and Federal level.
    
  • Expenditures not anticipated at the time the annual budget was adopted.
    
  • A strong fund balance will assist the City in maintaining, improving or obtaining a bond rating. The result will be better interest rates in future.
    

Page 8 – Fund Balance

• Fund balances have increased, 47.87 percent in 2005 to 59.48 percent in 2009. Almost a 60 percent fund balance for 2010. One reason for 2010's high fund balance is due to projects that have been budgeted but put on hold.
  

Page 9 – Summary of the 2009 Revenues and Expenditures

• Revenues were $33,199 above budget.
  
  • Largest revenue budget variance was in miscellaneous revenue, $15,513 over budget. This is in most part from donations from the Hamburg Fire Relief Association toward capital purchases as well as an insurance reimbursement from the League of Minnesota Cities. The next largest variance was provided by property taxes, which were in excess of budget by $13,857. This is a result of collection of previous year delinquent taxes receivable.
    
• Expenditures were $7,581 over budget.
  
  • Expenditures in general government buildings were $16,816 less than anticipated. However, the largest expenditure variance was in capital outlay which was $19,479 over budget. This over expenditure was partly covered by donations from the Hamburg Fire Relief Association.
    

Page 10 – Comparison between 2007, 2008, and 2009 General Fund revenues and other financing sources

• Taxes – 66.4%
  
• Intergovernmental – 20.6%
  

Page 11 – Comparison between the 2007, 2008, and 2009 General fund expenditures and transfers

• General Government – 38.6%
  
• Public Safety – 23.0%
  
• Public Works – 11.0%
  
• Culture and Recreation – 12.7%
  

 

The City is spending more per resident but receiving more taxes. The City is "not just keeping" the money but spending the money on the residents.

 

Page 12 – Special Revenue Funds & Capital Projects

• Special revenue funds are used to account for specific revenues that are legally restricted to expenditures for particular purposes. The special revenue funds are:
  
  • Fire Equipment – Increase from 2008 - $1,245
    
  • Hall Improvement - Increase from 2008 - $82
    
  • Capital Purchases – Increase from 2008 - $19,497
    
  • Capital Projects
    
    • Maria Avenue Improvements – Decrease from 2009 – ($982)
      
      • The City should analyze the projects' status each year and close those that are completed.
        

Page 13 – Debt Service Funds

• The following is a summary of the cash, total assets and bonds outstanding for the City:
  
  • General Obligation Community Center Bonds - $3,000 – Final Payment 2010
    
  • 1998 Street Construction Bonds - $50,000 – Final Payment 2011
    
  • 2006 Equipment Certificate (Ambulance) - $22,000 – Final Payment 2011
    
  • 2007 General Obligation Improvement Bonds - $170,000 – Final Payment 2023
    
    • Maria Ave Street Improvement
      
  • 2008 Peterbilt Tanker - $101,600 – Final Payment 2013.
    

Page 14 – Enterprise Fund - Water

• 2007 and 2008 – Operating expenses were more than operating income.
  
  • 2007 – ($9,541)
    
  • 2008 – ($5,864)
    
  • 2009 – Operating income was more then expenses.
    
    • 2009 - $23,027
      
• The two yearly decreases were largely from around $20,000 in 2008 repair and maintenance expenses.
  
• The one year increase was largely due to the $25,000 transfer from the general fund to the utility fund.
  
• The Auditors noted approximately 10.2 million gallons of water sold and nearly 14.6 million gallons pumped. It is uncertain what the discrepancy is related to but management will monitor it during 2010.
  

Page 15 – Enterprise Fund – Sewer

• 2009 Operating revenues was more then expenses, $26,927, mostly due to rate increases. However, Non-operating revenues (expenses) for 2009 were ($190,829) due to the City's Inflow and Infiltration project.
  

Page 17 – Policies and Procedures

• Condition:
  
  • Currently the City has a limited number of written policies and procedures kept on file.
    
• Effect:
  
  • Without these policies, it is more likely the processes to account for operations are inefficient. This is especially true in times of turnover. It could also lead to omission of material information if the processes are not clear.
    
• Recommendation:
  
  • The City begins creating and adopting written policies and procedures. This may result in additional time for the clerk/treasurer to complete. This time can be minimized by using a neighboring City as a starting point. The Auditing firm may have some examples if needed.
    

Page 18 – Interest on Cash Balances

• Condition:
  
  • The City had $515,615 in the checking account at the State Bank of Hamburg. This is not an interest bearing account. The City also had cash balances invested in savings and CDs, which averaged approximately $68,000 and earned a combined average of 2.3 percent.
    
• Effect:
  
  • Based on current interest rates on the City's CDs and the cash flow pattern evident from month end checking balances, it would be reasonable to expect the City's interest earning to be $9,000 higher than the actual results.
    
• Recommendation:
  
  • In accordance with Minnesota Statute, section 427.05, it is the duty of the Council "to secure safe depositories for the funds of the city and to obtain the highest rate of interest possible consistent with safety for such moneys." It was recommended that the City develop an investment cash flow projection and implement a more focused investment strategy. This will ensure that the City earns at least market rates and that it utilizes all available cash to earn interest.
    

 

Annual Financial Report – City of Hamburg – Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Page 13 – Management's Discussion and Analysis

• Financial Highlights
  
  • The assets of the City exceeded its liabilities at the close of the most recent fiscal year by $1,992,451 (net assets). Of this amount, $535,730 (unrestricted net assets) may be used to meet the City's ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors.
    
  • As of the close of the current fiscal year, the City's governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances of $463,419. Of this amount $85,556 is reserved for debt service fund and prepaid items. The remaining $377,863 is available for spending at the City's discretion.
    
  • At the end of the current fiscal year, unreserved fund balance for the General fund was $289,376 or 59.4 percent of total General fund expenditures and transfers out.
    
  • The City's total long-term debt decreased $122,898 (9 percent) during the current fiscal year, including compensated absences.
    
• Overview of the Financial Statements
  
  • This discussion and analysis is intended to serve as an introduction to the City's basic financial statements. The City's basic financial statements comprise three components:
    
    • Government-wide Financial Statements
      
    • Fund Financial Statements
      
    • Notes to the Financial Statement.
      
  • The report also contains other supplemental information in addition to the basic financial statements themselves.
    

Page 70 – Gives an overview of the City's revenues budgeted and actual for the year ending December 31,          2009.

 

Dennis' Report (Public Works & Utilities)

 

Hall Ceiling Tile

• Maintenance Worker Byerly informed Council that the ceiling tile project has been completed.
  

Wax Hall Floor

• This is almost completed. A few more coats will be applied to the flooring behind the bar and kitchen areas. The restroom floors have not been started yet.
  

Plumbing Repairs at Hall

• Dan Swanson was contacted to do some plumbing repairs at the Hall. No word yet from Mr. Swanson on when he will be able to come out to start the repairs.
  

 

Lift Station Bids

• New bids for the lift station repairs were received.
  
  • Electric Pump - $4,225
    
  • Northstar - $2,250
    
• Councilmember Muller moved to have Northstar do the repair work on the cities lift station, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

Lawn Mowing for the 2010 Season

• Council discussed if they should hire someone to mow the grass on a part-time basis or go to bids. They decided to hire a part-time "as needed" seasonal worker for lawn mowing and general maintenance work.
  
  • Pay - $8 to $10 per hour
    
  • 10 to 20 hours a week up to 26 weeks
    
  • Must have valid driver's license
    
• City Clerk Gruenhagen added that the part-time person would be covered under Workmen's Comp.
  
• Council also discussed purchasing a lawn mower. Currently there is $4,500 in the budget for the purchase and this amount could be divided between hiring a part-time person and purchasing a mower.
  
• Councilmember Cummiskey moved to have City Clerk Gruenhagen place an add in the newspaper advertising for a part-time seasonal lawn mowing and light maintenance person, $9.00 per hour pay and 10 to 20 hours per week up to 26 weeks, Councilmember Barnes seconded and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  
• A committee consisting of Maintenance Worker Byerly, City Clerk Gruenhagen, Councilmember Steve Trebesch, and Councilmember John Barnes will review the applications, hold the interviews, and make the decision of who to hire from the list of applications submitted.
  
• City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that Rich Schug from the baseball club informed him that the club has a X-Mark 2009 lawnmower for sale. It has 71and a half hours on it, 60 inch deck, 27 horse power, also with a one year factory warranty. They are asking $8300 for it.
  
  • Council decided to wait until the next council meeting to discuss purchasing a lawn mower.
    

Safety Meeting

• Wm. Mueller and Sons will be holding a Safety Meeting on March 23 and 24, 2010 at the Hamburg Community Center starting at 8:00 a.m. Maintenance Worker Byerly and Deputy Clerk Block will be attending.
  

West Carver RSG Training Meeting

• Maintenance Worker Byerly will be attending the meeting on April 7, 2010. Cost of registration will be $300.
  

Sweep City Streets

• Contractor (Lonny) was contacted and Hamburg is on his list to sweep the streets.
  
  • Council requested to be notified in advance so residents can be notified to keep their cars off the city streets.
    

Flush Hydrants

• Hydrants will be flushed after the street sweeping is completed.
  

Lift Station Repairs

• Northstar was contacted as to when the lift station repairs could be made. Their reply was that Hamburg is second on the list however it may be awhile because they are helping with the flooding.
  

Water Wells Usage – Water Consumption

• To help determine a possible cause for the amount of water pumped versus billed issue Maintenance Worker Byerly will, when doing monthly meter reads, try and read the residents outside meter and the inside meter at the same time. Reading the inside and outside meters should help in identifying which residents have 1000 or 100 meters. This information can then be verified with the billing entries to make sure we are entering the correct water amount usage.
  

Paint Picnic Tables

• The STS (Sentence to Serve) will be out this Friday, March 26^th, to help paint picnic tables.
  

Recall on Fire Hydrants (Update)

• No new information on when this project can be started.
  

Wax Community Center Offices

• Maintenance Worker Byerly is working on having someone from STS come out to wax the floors.
  

Shop Vacuum Cleaner

• The cities shop vac needs replacement.
  
  • Council discussed and advised Maintenance Worker Byerly to purchase a new one.
    

Repairs

• Councilmember Trebesch listed several items that need repair through out the city.
  
  • Council and Maintenance Worker Byerly discussed various items on how to repair or fix the situations.
    

Maintenance Worker Byerly – Hours

• Council discussed as to when Maintenance Worker Byerly should be starting work and his ending time.
  
  • It was decided that he should not start work before 7:00 a.m. and space his time out during the week so he is available longer on Fridays.
    
• Council also discussed the two hours of over time for Saturday and Sunday rounds.
  

Henning – Shop Driveway Project

• Councilmember Mueller had spoken with Henning about the storm sewer repair. He asked Henning to hold off on the project until the end of April due to several hall rentals at the beginning of April. Councilmember Mueller will contact Henning again around the middle of April.
  

Compost Dumpster

• Due to the early warm weather residents are asking for the cities compost dumpster.
  
  • Maintenance Worker Byerly had already called for the dumpster to be delivered.
    

Gate Valves

• Councilmember Mueller informed the other members of council that three gate valves need to be repaired and suggested that Wm. Muller & Sons could patch the city streets at the same time.
  
  • Council briefly discussed and no decision was made.
    

Ditch Clean Out

• Councilmember Mueller commented that the city has spoken with the county several times about cleaning out the cement by the ditch culvert and deepening the ditch however nothing has been done. He suggested having Wm Mueller & Sons clean out the ditch and lower its depth.
  
  • Council briefly discussed and decided to go ahead with Councilmember Mueller's suggestion.
    

S.E.H. – Sump Pumps

• S.E.H. has requested the number of sump pumps with in the city.
  
  • Maintenance Worker Byerly will make note of which residents have sump pumps while he is going through town reading meters.
    

Ditch High Water Mark

• The County has requested a reading of the highest water level in the ditch during the spring run off.
  
  • Maintenance Worker Byerly will monitor this and get a high water level.
    

City Park

• Council requested the water be turned on at the Park the first part of May.
  
• Councilmember Barnes requested the play ground equipment be checked for safety issues.
  
• Council also discussed and decided not to have the Portable Handicap Bathroom ordered for the summer until the beginning of May.
  
• Dan Swanson will be out to check where and how to install a water meter in the Park. He will also look at where and how to install a water meter in the Hall.
  

 

Deputy Clerk Report

 

Delinquent Utility Bills

• Shut off notices will be sent out on delinquent accounts. The winter shut off rule will no longer be in effect on April 15^th.
  
• Council discussed the delinquency amount due from Emily Siebold, 625 Kim Ave.
  
  • Deputy Clerk Block will send out a disconnect letter.
    
• Councilmember Barnes asked what the Level and Total Level on the Delinquency Report represent.
  
  • Deputy Clerk Block will put this out on List Serve to find the answer to this question and report back to council.
    

Email from Richard Odoms – 150 Jacob Street

• City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that he had spoken with City Attorney Mac about what is private and what is public information concerning Mr. Odoms request for information on Deputy Clerk Block. Her full name is public however her date of birth is not public.
  
  • Council discussed and decided to send Mr. Odoms only the requested information that is public. No further comments or information is required to be sent.
    

Notary Registry

• Deputy Clerk Block informed Council that on the Claims List there is a $100 check request to register her as a notary at the County. There is also a $19.25 check request to send for a Notary stamp.
  

 

Clerk/Treasurer Report

 

EAID Grant Program

• The State of Minnesota grant application has been sent in and the City may receive approximately $3,000 to install an automatic door opener at its polling place (Community Center).
  

Local Government Pay Equity Act (Notification of Compliance)

• The City of Hamburg received notification that it is in compliance with the pay Equity.
  

2010 Mosquito Spraying Schedule – Clarke Mosquito Control

• The city will be sprayed for mosquitoes on May 19, June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11, and August 25^th.
  
• Changes to the schedule can be made with at least a 72 hour advance notice and there are also options to do additional spraying if needed.
  

2009 Financial Audit - Abdo, Eick & Meyers

• City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council if there were any issues with the audit or how it was handled.
  
  • Council did not have any issues on how it was handled.
    

Letter of Support for Senator Ortman's Bill (S.F. No 3170)

• City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that he had drafted and sent a letter of support for Senator Ortman's Bill (S.F. No 3170) relating to expanding the economic development grant program to small cities in the metropolitan area.
  

I/I Abatement Program - Easements

• City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council for approval to allow Deputy Clerk Block to call Doug Parrott (City Engineer) if she has any residential questions she can not answer during City Clerk Gruenhagens absence.
  
  • Council gave their approval on the request.
    
• City Clerk Gruenhagen asked Council how they wanted to handle requests from residents if they ask if they will receive any monetary value for signing the Easement papers.
  
  • It was decided to reply to those residents that the less the city has to pay to obtain easements the less the burden on the tax payer.
    
• Councilmember Mueller commented that there should be one change to the plans if the water main loop is going to be put in. A new hydrant is planned to be put in by Dorothy Grimm's property (701 Park Avenue) and fifty feet down the road is a water hydrant that was installed in 1955. Councilmember Mueller suggested that this hydrant be removed as part of the project. Doug Parrott (City Engineer) did not see a problem with the old hydrants removal when he talked to Mr. Parrott.
  
  • Council discussed and decided that this was a good idea.
    
  • Councilmember Cummiskey moved to add to the specs the removal of the old water hydrant by 719 Park Avenue, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
    
• City Clerk Gruenhagen mentioned to Councilmember Mueller that Lois Droege (719 Park Avenue) would like to talk to him and City Engineer Doug Parrott about the easement request on her property.
  
  • Councilmember Mueller will have Doug Parrott contact Lois Droege to set up a time Mr. Parrott could meet with her.
    

Hall Canopy

• The cities insurance company will pay for the cosmetic repairs but if council wants to brace it or anchor it in any way this would not be covered.
  
• The damage was caused by an ice jam between the Hall roof and the canopy.
  
• Councilmember Trebesch will collect some estimates on the cost of repair.
  

City Clerk Gruenhagen – Vacation

• City Clerk Gruenhagen will be on vacation from March 25^th through April 9^th.
  

 

City Council Reports

 

Councilmember Mueller (Sewer & Water)

• Councilmember Mueller commented that if any city employees feel they work in a hostile work place they are to immediately report it to Mayor Malz or City Clerk Gruenhagen.
  

Councilmember Cummiskey (Streets) – had nothing further to report.

Councilmember Trebesch (Buildings) – had nothing further to report.

Councilmember Barnes (Parks)

• Councilmember Barnes requested that before Zummerfest (June 18 to 20, 2010) the park building that still has the wood siding be repaired with aluminum or steal siding.
  
• Council discussed and decided to have Councilmember Trebesch get some estimates on how much this would cost to replace. There is enough siding and soffits in the City Shop to do the siding without buying new.
  

 

 

Mayor Malz

• Mayor Malz requested someone from the H.I.P. group dump the garbage bags of cans into the can trailer by the Bank before they rip open.
  

 

Approve Claims List for March 2010

 

Claims List for March 2010

• Added check number 14354 pay to Jeremy Gruenhagen in the amount of $602.81 for the purchase of miscellaneous office supplies, conference hotel room, and mileage. City Clerk Gruenhagen does have all the receipts to verify the purchases. Deputy Clerk Block did verify the amounts with the receipts.
  
• Added check number 14355 pay to MPCA Water Seminar in the amount of $300.00 to register Maintenance Worker Byerly for the seminar.
  
• Change check number 14346 payment amount from #3.51 to $2.89 for Steve Trebesch. Claims List shows he purchased Textured Lay-In 2.4 and All Purpose Scrub. Councilmember Trebesch only purchased the Textured Lay-In for the city.
  

Councilmember Barnes moved to approve March ACH payment and March claim numbers 14336 through 14353 with the additions of check number 14354 to Jeremy Gruenhagen in the amount of $602.81 and check number 14355 to MPCA in the amount of $300.00. Also approve the change to check number 14346 to Steve Trebesch for $2.89, seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.

 

Councilmember Cummiskey moved to adjourn the Hamburg City Council meeting at 9:45 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.

 

        
 

                                                                            Submitted by:

 

 

                                                                            Sue Block

                                                                             Deputy Clerk

Hamburg City Council Minutes – March 9, 2010

Mayor Malz called the regular meeting of the Hamburg City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Steve Trebesch, Councilmember John Barnes, Councilmember Larry Mueller, Councilmember Brian Cummiskey, City Clerk Jeremy Gruenhagen, Deputy Clerk Sue Block, Maintenance Worker Dennis Byerly, and Fire Chief Brad Droege were in attendance. Also in attendance were Paul Hallquist (Hamburg State Bank), Jared Mackenthun (Hamburg Fire Department), Adam Glander (Hamburg Fire Department), Justin Buckentin (Hamburg Fire Department), and Mike Miller (Retired Hamburg Fire Fighter).

 

Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption

• Added – Quote for electric pump
  
• Added – Updated Claim List for March 2010
  
• Added – Updated Utility Delinquency List
  
• Move the H.I.P. Group to the next City Council meeting agenda.
  

Councilmember Mueller moved to adopt the agenda with the three additions and one change, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.

 

Approve the January 26, 2010 Minutes

• Mayor Malz had one comment under Councilmember Trebesch report. It states that Mayor Malz was going to check on the possibility of just using insulation on the Hall ceiling and not the tiles. This should be changed to; in addition to checking into the tiles.
  
• Mayor Malz also wanted to clarify that the snow on the sidewalk at 430 Railroad Street should also be removed.
  
• Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the January 26, 2010 City Council Meeting Minutes with the changes, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

 

Old City Business

• Clarification of the motion to purchase the Heavy Duty Rescue Truck at the February 23, 2010 City Council meeting.
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen and a few of the council members went back over the tape and it was decided that the first motion as stated was correct in passing the ok to purchase the Rescue Truck. City Attorney Mac agreed with the passing of the first motion as stated and no further action is needed.
    

 

Fire Department Report

 

Retirement of Volunteer Firefighter Mike Miller – Certificate of Recognition

• Mayor Malz, on behalf of the Hamburg City Council, presented Retired Firefighter Mike Miller with a Certificate of Recognition and Contribution for his 20 years of service with the Hamburg Fire Department.
  

 

Resolution Number 2010-02 – Resolution Approving Lawful Gambling for the HFDRA

• Councilmember Barnes moved to approve Resolution Number 2010-02 allowing the Hamburg Fire Department Relief Association to conduct lawful charitable gambling within the City of Hamburg, seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

 

 

2009/2010 FEMA Grant Update

• No word yet on the 2009 FEMA Grant.
  
• 2010 FEMA Grant will start some time at the end of March or beginning of April.
  

 

2013 Narrow Banding (Pagers)

• On January 13, 2013 all radio frequencies will narrow affecting the counties paging systems. Several persons within the County are trying to obtain grants in 2010, 2011, and 2012 to help pay for new pagers. Without grant money the Fire Department does not know how the pagers will be funded. The new frequencies will be sent out in simulcast, meaning that all a calls would go out over all pagers within the County.
  
• The cost for this change is 1.2 million with the Federal Government covering 80% and the cities covering the remainder 20%. This comes out to $20,090 per city however this amount is just a preliminary number. The Fire Departments will be talking to the County Commissioners trying to have the counties pay for the new pagers not the cities. Having the counties pay for the new system would help spread the cost over the entire county instead of each city paying the same amount regardless of population.
  

 

Heavy Duty Rescue Truck from Chelsea, MI

• Fire Chief Droege clarified the financing of the HD Rescue Truck.
  
  • The cost is $37,900 minus $15,000 from the sale of the current Rescue Truck which leaves $22,900. Of the $22,900 the Hamburg Relief Association paid $2,000 of the Cities payment on the Ambulance. When the $2,000 was paid it was said that when the Fire Department purchased a Rescue Truck the City would pay the $2,000 towards the Rescue. The Relief's understanding is that they would then only have to pay $20,900.
    
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen added to help clarify the $37,900 would be divide by three, Young America Township, Washington Lake Township, and donations from the Relief Association
    
  • Fire Chief Droege added that it was the Relief Association understanding that if the City of Hamburg does not loose its $37,000 in LGA funds the City will help pay for the Rescue Truck.
    
• City Clerk Gruenhagen will be working with Doug Buckentin from the Hamburg City Bank on financial funding of the Rescue Truck.
  

 

Out of State Travel Policy – Travel Expense Reimbursement

• City Attorney Mac clarified how Mayor Malz could be reimbursed for mileage to and from Chelsea, MI. Mayor Malz along with other Hamburg firemen drove to Chelsea, MI to view the rescue truck which the city is now purchasing.
  
• To be reimbursed Mayor Malz should take his mileage figure and submit it to the Fire Department as an expense incurred on the Department's behalf. The Fire Department should then submit to council, as a Fire Department expense, the mileage cost of the firemen's trip using Mayor Malz' vehicle.
  

 

Hamburg Fire Department 2009 Annual Township Report

• Fire Chief Droege presented Council with a hand out listing their total expenses for 2009.
  
  • Total Expenses $105,462.80
    
    • Less Young America Township Paid Fees - $11,500
      
    • Less Washington Lake Township Paid Fees - $9,890
      
  • Total Expenses Paid by the City of Hamburg - $84,072.80
    
  • Total Hours Attending Fire Drills and Department Meetings – 1344 hours
    
  • Total Hours Attending Regional and State Meetings – 210 hours
    
  • Total Hours Attending First Aid and Rescue Trainings – 520 hours
    

 

• Total Department Calls
  
  • City of Hamburg
    
    • Rescue – 8 Hours – 64
      
    • Fire – 4 Hours – 39
      
  • Washington Lake Township
    
    • Rescue – 1 Hours – 8
      
    • Fire – 0 Hours – 0
      
  • Young America Township
    
    • Rescue – 4 Hours – 32
      
    • Fire – 8 Hours – 112
      
  • Mutual Aid
    
    • Calls – 20 Hours – 433
      
  • Sky Warn
    
    • Calls – 2 Hours – 19
      
• Township Payments for 2009-2011
  
  • Young America Township
    
    • 2009 - $61,000 (100 Units & Peterbilt Tanker/Skid Unit)
      
    • 2010 - $53,250 (100 Units & Peterbilt Tanker/Skid Unit)
      
    • 2011 - $53,080 (100 Units & Peterbilt Tanker/Skid Unit & HD Rescue Truck)
      
  • Washington Lake Township
    
    • 2009 - $18,140 (86 Units & Peterbilt Tanker/Skid Unit)
      
    • 2010 - $18,570 (86 Units & Peterbilt Tanker/Skid Unit)
      
    • 2011 - $26,580 (86 Units & Peterbilt Tanker/Skid Unit & HD Rescue Truck)
      

 

Fire Department Truck Detail

• Every month the fire trucks and fire equipment are inspected and the trucks are taken out and driven. This month Engine #12 (Yellow Truck) would not shift out of first gear. The Department sent out for quotes on how much it would cost to repair the transmission.
  
  • Interstate Diesel in Bloomington, MN quote was $5,000 to $6,000.
    
  • Jerry's Transmission in Lester Prairie, MN quote was $3,000 to $4,000.
    
  • North Central International in Glencoe, MN would have to take the truck to Marshal, MN to be fixed.
    
• Council discussed and decided to have Jerry's Transmission in Lester Prairie do the work.
  
• Councilmember Cummiskey moved to have Fire Engine #12 fixed by Jerry's Transmission in Lester Prairie, MN, seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

 

State Bank of Hamburg

• Paul Hallquist representing the State Bank of Hamburg requested the use of the Hamburg Community Center to hold an informational public meeting on Identity Theft. They would like to have the meeting on April 14^th starting at either 6:30 or 7:00 p.m.
  
• Council discussed this request and decided that the State Bank of Hamburg could use the Community Center on April 14^th with no cost to the Bank.
  
• Councilmember Muller moved to grant the State Bank of Hamburg the use of the Hamburg Community Center on April 14, 2010
  at not charge, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  
• City Clerk Gruenhagen will put the notice of the Identity Theft meeting on the city sign.
  

 

Dennis' Report (Public Works & Utilities)

 

Plumbing Repairs at Hall

• Dan Swanson was contacted to do some plumbing repairs at the Hall. No word yet from Mr. Swanson on when he will be able to come out.
  

 

Lift Station Bids

• New bids for the lift station repairs were received.
  
  • Electric Pump - $4,225
    
  • Northstar - $2,250
    
• Councilmember Muller moved to have Northstar do the repair work on the cities lift station, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

 

Lawn Mowing for the 2010 Season

• Council discussed if they should hire someone to mow the grass on a part-time basis or go to bids. They decided to hire a part-time "as needed" seasonal worker for lawn mowing and general maintenance work.
  
  • Pay - $8 to $10 per hour
    
  • 10 to 20 hours a week up to 26 weeks
    
  • Must have valid driver's license
    
• City Clerk Gruenhagen added that the part-time person would be covered under Workmen's Comp.
  
• Council also discussed purchasing a lawn mower. Currently there is $4,500 in the budget for the purchase and this amount could be divided between hiring a part-time person and purchasing a mower.
  
• Councilmember Cummiskey moved to have City Clerk Gruenhagen place an add in the newspaper advertising for a part-time seasonal lawn mowing and light maintenance person, $9.00 per hour pay and 10 to 20 hours per week up to 26 weeks, Councilmember Barnes seconded and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  
• A committee consisting of Maintenance Worker Byerly, City Clerk Gruenhagen, and Councilmember John Barnes will review the applications, hold the interviews, and make the decision as who to hire from the list of applications submitted.
  

 

Water Wells Usage – Water Consumption

• City Clerk Gruenhagen reported to Council that there is a discrepancy in billed water usage versus what is recorded as pumped out of the Water Treatment Plant.
  
  • For the month of January 2010 it was recorded that 1,770,347 gallons of water were pumped out at the Water Treatment Plant.
    
  • At the Lift Station it showed that 1,490,042 gallons of water was pumped out to the ponds during January 2010.
    
  • In January the water gallons billed was only 680,372 gallons.
    
• Council discussed what could be possible reasons as to why there is such a difference in pumped versus billed. One reason could be that the meter reading(s) and entry(s) are entered as 100 gallon instead of 1000 gallons.
  

 

• Council decided to have Maintenance Worker Byerly read the inside meter reading when he does the outside read. This may help in determining if the correct amount of water used is accurate, 100 gallons vs. 1000 gallons.
  

 

Paint Picnic Tables

• Maintenance Worker Byerly contacted the STS (Sentence to Serve) to come out and help paint picnic tables, strip and wax Hall floor, and help put up the new Hall ceiling tile.
  

 

Hall Ceiling Tile

• Maintenance Worker Byerly asked Council how soon they could get the ceiling tile.
  
  • Council discussed how many, where, when, and how they were going to get the new ceiling tile for the Hall.
    
  • Councilmember Barnes moved to approve the purchase of 384 tile from Menards in Hutchinson and authorize the use of the FD Rescue II to pick up the tile, Councilmember Trebesch seconded and motion carried. All Council members were present.
    

 

Mock OSHA Inspection

• City Clerk Gruenhagen suggested setting up a mock OSHA inspection in the spring.
  

 

Shop Driveway Project

• Maintenance Worker Byerly was instructed to contact Henning's again to find out when they will be able to start the Shop driveway project.
  

 

Deputy Clerk Report

 

Delinquent Utility Bills

• Everyone that was over 30 days delinquent will be sent a shut off letter after the March utility bills are sent out in April. As of April 15 the delinquent residents can be shut off, the winter rule is no longer in effect.
  

  
   

Clerk/Treasurer Report

 

Small Cities Development Program

• The Small Cities Development Grant program had five grants available for Hamburg residents. Out of the five residents that applied three are going to bids, one was denied and one dropped out leaving two openings.
  
• In spring (2010) it will be advertised that there are still two openings for the home improvement grant money. Christie Rock, NYA, will be the contact. She can be reached at 952-467-1800.
  

 

2009 Policing Contract Refund

• The City of Hamburg received a $1,320.27 refund from the 2009 Policing Contract.
  

 

EAID Grant Program

• The State of Minnesota has a grant program by which the city can obtain funding for an automatic door opener at its polling place (Community Center). Resolution 2010-03 would authorize the City of Hamburg to submit a grant application to the state for the opener.
  
• Councilmember Trebesch moved to approve Resolution Number 2010-03 authorizing the City of Hamburg to submit a grant application to the office of the Minnesota Secretary of State for an automatic door opener for the City of Hamburg's poling place, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

 

I/I Abatement Program

• City Clerk Gruenhagen gave an update on the February 24, 2010 meeting at the State Capital concerning PFA infrastructure funding sources. Senator Ortman and Representative Paul Kohls attended the State Capital meeting to show support for the city and its need for storm water funding.
  
• It was concluded that the City of Hamburg is not eligible for funding.
  

 

2009 Financial Audit (Abdo, Eick & Meyers)

• City Clerk Gruenhagen reported that the city audit went very well this year. The auditors will be attending the next council meeting to give Council a complete report.
  

 

Employee Bond Coverage

• Council briefly discussed and decided to have City Clerk Gruenhagen check into how much a $75,000 employee bond would cost.
  

 

Out of State Travel Policy

• The City Council asked City Attorney Mac to review Hamburg's "Elected Official Out-of-State Travel Policy". He suggested the first part of the Travel Policy be amended to read:
  
  • "The City of Hamburg recognizes that its elected officials and/or city employees may at times receive value for the City from traveling out of the state for workshops, conferences, events and other assignments. This policy sets forth the conditions under which out-of-state travel will be reimbursed by the City."
    
• In addition, every time there is reference in the policy to "elected official", the words "elected official and/or city employee" should be used instead.
  
• Mac also suggested the third bullet point paragraph be amended to read as follows:
  
  • "Whether the elected official and/or city employee will be viewing a city's facilities, functions and/or equipment that are similar in nature to things that a currently operating at, or under consideration by, the City where the purpose for the trip is to study such facilities, functions or equipment so as to bring back ideas for the consideration of the full council."
    
• Councilmember Cummiskey moved to change the City of Hamburg's Out of State Travel Policy to what was suggested by City Attorney Mac and adding "agents and/or representatives" in the places that it says "elected official and/or city employees" and add "purchasing" equipment with the third bullet point, Councilmember Barnes seconded and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

 

Council Meeting on August 10, 2010

• The scheduled August 10^th City Council meeting will need to be moved to another date due to the new voting change. Council will decide on a different date at a later council meeting.
  

 

Vacation Time

• City Clerk Gruenhagen reminded Council that he will be on vacation from March 25, 2010 through April 9, 2010. He will come into the office on the 24^th but will be leaving around 3 or 4 p.m.
  

 

 

City Council Reports

 

Councilmember Mueller (Sewer & Water)

• The County is planning to overlay County Road 50 through Hamburg this summer (2010) and are questioning what council is planning to do this summer with the I&I Project. The I&I plan is to cross County Road 50 several times during the construction period.
  
  • City Clerk Gruenhagen will send an email to the County Engineer explaining the cities plan.
    
  • Council questioned if there will be a cost to the city and Councilmember Mueller inserted that council has been waiting for the Maintenance Agreement from the county for the last 10 years.
    
• This summer on Hwy 212 right and left turn lanes will be put in at the Bongards turn off. Bongards donated the land so the turn lanes could be put in.
  
• Hwy 5 (by the Victoria Dairy Queen) at County Road 11 to 41 will be closed most of this summer. The bridge will be redone and on the other side of Victoria turning lanes will be added.
  
• If the City of Hamburg needs any signs they can get them from the County. Requests should be made by email.
  
• Any easement problems with the Stuewe family should be resolved.
  
• The proposed Fiber Optic line is looking for new investors before it can be started.
  

Councilmember Cummiskey (Streets)

• Councilmember Cummiskey commented that at the last City Council meeting Richard Odoms was out of order in coming unannounced to the Council Meeting and personally awarding Fire Chief Droege his own plaque of recognition. Council, on behalf of the city, had previously acknowledge Chief Droege in his accomplishments and agreed that Mr. Odoms was out of order. If it happens again during a City Council Meeting he will be addressed as being out of order.
  

Councilmember Trebesch (Buildings)

• Councilmember Trebesch informed Council that he has located two steal based picnic tables for the park by the Hall. The price for each table would be $150.
  
  • Council discussed if they should be placed on a concrete slab and how to secure them to the concrete.
    
• Councilmember Trebesch informed Council that he had verbally received a complaint from a resident about this resident's neighbor.
  
  • Council discussed and decided that it is a neighborly dispute and they need to settle the disagreement between themselves. They were already informed that the only way to settle this dispute is to have their property surveyed.
    
• The handicap bathroom project was brought up and Council decided that the project should be completed by Zummerfest. Councilmember Mueller suggested that specs should be drawn up so the contractors would be sending in estimates on the same items.
  
  • Councilmember Cummiskey will continue to work on the project.
    

Councilmember Barnes (Parks)

• Councilmember Barnes asked the other members of council how the email from Richard Odoms (Delta Dick) should be handled concerning a Council member and Deputy Clerk owning a bar in Norwood.
  
• Council agreed that the request was not city business and a response would not have been necessary.
  

Mayor Malz – had nothing further to report.

 

 

 

Approve Claims List for February & March 2010

 

Claims List for February & March 2010

• Added check number 14335 pay to Richard Malz in the amount of $1001.38 for the purchase of ceiling tile for the Hamburg Community Hall.
  
• Approve check number 14300 from February Claims List in the amount of $694.50. Pay to Richard Malz for mileage to Chelsea, MI.
  

Councilmember Trebesch moved to approve February claim check 14300, the two March ACH payments, and March claims 14312 through 14335, seconded by Councilmember Mueller and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.

 

City Clerk Gruenhagen informed Council that Maintenance Worker Byerly will be attending a water conference at New Ulm, MN and during the three day conference he would be paid 8 hours per day.

• Councilmember Mueller moved to have Maintenance Worker Byerly be paid 8 hours per day during the 3 day conference, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch, seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
  

 

Councilmember Mueller moved to adjourn the Hamburg City Council meeting at 9:16 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.

                                        Submitted by:

                                        Sue Block                        Deputy Clerk

Private Business Rights

The Republican Primary victory by Dr. Rand Paul displayed the influence the Tea Party can have on the future of the Republican Party. Dr. Paul is a lifetime Libertarian who campaigned in the Primary on fiscal conservative message but may have just unraveled that message with his comments made on the Rachel Maddow Show. The issue that may be Dr. Paul's Achilles Heel is his view on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although he agrees with ending the racism in government and institutional racism but he does feel the Government overreaches when it comes to private businesses. The comment made by Dr. Paul does create an interesting philosophical debate on the right of private business.

Earlier this year we saw private business rights challenged, which I do not believe any lawsuits ever came of it, when a doctor placed a sign outside his office telling any Obama supporters need not apply. The sign did have another twist because of the Hippocratic Oath that all doctors take before being allowed to practice medicine. Yet it still brings up the rights of private business. Does it make sense, from the standpoint of owning a business, to turn away anyone when they want to purchase from one's business? No. Do we need protections, like OSHA, for our citizens? Yes.

How far can the Government go to tell a private business how they are to run their own business? Setting aside Dr. Paul's comments a local private business, Target, had to deal with religious issues from their Muslim workers. For those that do not recall, Target Muslim cashiers refused to scan pork products because it violated their religious freedoms. In the end Target bowed to the perceived violation of the Muslim's Constitutional right to practice their religion. Here is the thing, when one agrees to work for a private employer for the most part your Constitutional Rights stop at the door step. Another example of Government intrusion into private business is the banning of smoking. While we can agree that smoking is not healthy for one; yet if one takes a job in a bar or restaurant or any establishment that allows smoking then we as an employee need to recognize that.

Now where the Government can mitigate the impact of smoking is through requirement of filtration to recycle the air. When it comes to private property are we okay with continual government intrusion?

Political Reform that makes sense

Today is a mini-Super Tuesday as many key primaries and vacancy votes will take place. The other day Kevin, poster on the blog, pointed out "Division is the single greatest problem this nation has but I don't see it changing anytime soon. Especially with movements like the "tea party" in play. They bring only negativity and disdain for the system to a process already flawed." I agree with Kevin that our political system is flawed and has created an oligarchy. I do disagree with movements like "tea" or "coffee" parties only bring negativity and disdain. It is true that the media is hyping the negative and polarizing sides of the message and the leaders, which there are no claim of one, have not been on message to combat the media.

We need more political participation by normal citizens in the United States. We need to allow all "parties" an equal shot at the ballot box. Many third party attempts have been made and failed miserably over the years largely in part to the lack of monetary support. That is where our system is flawed and broken. If people want to form parties and do fundraising more power to them but when it comes to the general election we need to do two things. First, we need to eliminate all private money from being used to campaign for or against a candidate. Secondly, we need to shrink the campaign season down to two months.

Obviously each State can establish their particular rules for the game but when it comes to our national election we need one standard. As I said, allow the Parties to run their primaries how they see fit but when each Party has determined their Presidential candidate then the following process takes over. All Parties will be required to have their Presidential candidate to be named and submitted to the election committee by September 5^th. Once the election committee has all the Presidential candidate names they will be posted online and be given a brief paragraph to introduce their candidate. Between September 5^th and election day in November four debates will take place with all candidates. The debates will be aired on public television so all will have access to viewing. All campaigns will be given $500,000 to run ads and cover expenses.

I understand that getting this type of reform through Congress is virtually impossible because it would upset the apple cart in a big way. There were obscene amounts of money being raised and evidence of that was during the last Presidential race with both major Parties raising record amounts. Imagine how much charity deeds could be done if the millions of dollars raised for campaigns went elsewhere.

Holder hasn't read Ariz. law he criticized - Washington Times

Holder hasn't read Ariz. law he criticized - Washington Times


The main man in regards to Law in our land admits that he has been critical of the Arizona Law on illegal immigration based on news reports and not based on the contect of the bill. Imagine if someone other than an Obama appointed Attorney General had admitted this? His/her resignation would have been demanded. Why not now?

This is par for the course when it comes to the Obama Administration and the leaders within Democrat Party since we are still learning about things in the Stimulus and Health Care reform. Glad we voted CHANGE in last time around. Perhaps the change was for more blindly lead government into the abyss!!!!

Update from Senator Ortman

Homeless Shelter and

Food Shelf Tax Check-Off

Early this session, Arthur Nguyen, a student from Johnson Senior High School in St Paul, introduced a great idea to a number of legislators at the Capitol. Arthur and his guidance councilor Dan Kennedy proposed a voluntary check-off box on Minnesota's income tax form to donate money to homeless prevention and local food shelves. MinnPost covered Arthur's proposal in this article, below:

http://www.minnpost.com/communitysketchbook/2010/04/19/17448/political_football_like_stadium_backers_this_group_is_seeking_creative_fundraising_%E2%80%93_but_for_the_poor

 

I co-authored the bill, and although it did not get enough traction to move through the Senate on its own, I had an opportunity in the tax committee to amend it onto the Omnibus Tax Bill. I am so pleased that Arthur will see this generous, thoughtful and much needed idea earn Senate support.

 

These are extraordinary times in our state and nation. Homelessness and hunger are a growing problem. The economic recession, high housing costs, prescription drug costs, unemployment, and low wages have had a strong impact on people's financial struggles. In 2008, over 2.2 million Minnesota families visited food shelves. Record numbers are being reported for 2009 with more than 64 million pounds of food being delivered and served to those in need. This is an 18 million pound increase from 2008. This amendment is a voluntary tax donation in order to raise revenue for an important cause. Up to $300,000 per year will be donated; 50% will go to food shelves, and 50% to homeless shelters. There is a three year sunset on this checkoff. Please also see this MinnPost article on the provision's inclusion in the tax bill.

http://www.minnpost.com/communitysketchbook/2010/04/21/17540/taxreturn_check_off_to_help_the_poor_revived_in_senate

 

Indeterminate Sentencing

After thirty years in prison, Ming Sen Shiue, one of this state's worst sex offenders, is going to trial to determine if he should be civilly committed to a secure state rehabilitation facility, or if he should be released on parole. In 1981, Shiue was convicted of kidnapping his high school teacher Mary Stauffer and her eight year old daughter, and murdering a 6-year-old boy who witnessed the abduction. The Star Tribune discussed Shiue's trial and his impending release from prison here:

http://www.startribune.com/local/north/91438514.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

 

Minnesota's rehabilitation program for sex offenders at Moose Lake Corrections Facility currently houses 552 offenders. The cost to house an offender here is close to $400 a day, about four times more per day than in a regular prison. This begs the question, why are we spending so much more money treating people who will never be capable of functioning in society? The most obvious solution is best; we should lengthen the sentences for offenders like this so they're never considered for either parole or treatment. Governor Pawlenty has proposed that convicted sex offenders should face a state prison sentence of 25 years, which is more than double the current penalty. This solution would keep the offenders off our streets without the added expense of a treatment program.

 

This session, Senator Linda Berglin introduced a bill to create a new review process for sex offenders at Moose Lake. It would allow a three judge panel to consider release upon the petition of the offender. I offered two reasonable public safety precautions as amendments on the floor. The first, supported by the County Attorneys Association, would provide a notification not only to the local law enforcement but also to the county attorney of the county to which the sex offender was being released. It is a common-sense provision for proper public safety communication between agencies of different counties.

 

On April 15, 2010 the amendment passed 38 -26 with bi-partisan support from 17 Democrats. Senator Berglin immediately progressed the bill to stop its passage. On April 19, 2010 the Berglin bill was taken up again. You will not believe what happened! The vote on my amendment to notify county attorneys was reconsidered. Numerous members changed their votes and the amendment failed 32-34! A total of five Democrats switched their votes from yes, to no. These are convicted, dangerous offenders. We should be looking first to protect our citizens. A vote against this amendment is a vote against public safety, plain and simple.

 

Patient Privacy

 

Over the past several months, I have heard from a number of individuals who have concerns about the use of their full social security number on Medical Assistance liens. In an age of destructive and expensive identity theft, this privacy oversight needed to be corrected. I introduced a bill to protect patients' privacy by only requiring the last four digits of the SSN on the lien. While the bill was not heard in committee, I was able to offer an amendment to include this provision in the Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill on the Senate floor. The inclusion of this provision in the HHS Omnibus bill is a great step forward in privacy protections for Minnesotans. The bill, including the privacy amendment, passed successfully through the Senate on Wednesday evening.