MINUTES– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR
MEETING– FEBRUARY 10, 2009
The regular meeting of the
Morris City Council was called to order at 5:15 p.m. this 10th day
of February, 2009, by Mayor Giese in the Council Chambers of the Morris Senior
Citizens/Community Center.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL: Roll
call was taken with the following members present: Council member Webster,
Miller, Storck and Mayor Giese. Council member Carrington was absent. Also
present was City Manager Hill, Finance Director Krosschell, Public Works
Director Dittbenner, Fleet Manager Searle, Police Chief Beauregard and City
Attorney Glasrud.
CITIZEN’S COMMENTS:
The city crew was commended for cutting back the snow on the boulevards.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None
READING AND APPROVAL OF
MINUTES: 1/27/09 Regular Meeting Minutes: Council member Storck
moved, seconded by Webster, to approve the 1/27/09 regular meeting minutes.
Motion carried.
1/27/09 Condensed
Version Minutes: Council member Webster moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to
approve the 1/27/09 condensed version minutes. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council member Webster, to approve the consent
agenda, which included the following items:
A.
Approval of the city bills dated
February 10, 2009.
B.
Acceptance of the January
transit report.
C.
Acceptance of the Revenue &
Expenditure report
PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND
COMMUNICATIONS: None
ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS: Ordinance No. 84, An Ordinance Conveying Real Property:
City Attorney Glasrud stated the reason for this ordinance is the correction
on a legal description for property conveyed to Rick and Carrie Hennen. Hill
pointed out the current procedure is cumbersome every time it involves the
transfer of real estate.
Hill noted, for example, if
the city gets into the land development business, every single lot that is sold
would have to have an ordinance. Hill pointed out typically there is not a lot
of people coming to a second reading of an ordinance.
Glasrud stated the Charter
sets the requirements for the transfer of real estate but he could take a look
at what it would take to change the charter.
Council member Miller
moved, seconded by Storck, to accept this as the first reading of Ordinance No.
84, An Ordinance Conveying Real Property and to set the public hearing and
second reading for 5:20 p.m. on February 24, 2009. Upon a roll call vote taken
and all present voting in favor, motion carried.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS
& RECOMMENDATIONS: City Manager Report: Hill indicated city
staff met with members from the MPCA and there would be a draft agreement on
the next agenda.
With regard to the Ransone property,
Glasrud stated there is always a risk that it will end up back in bankruptcy so
he has encouraged Nora from HRA to make an offer before something else happens.
Hill stated the March
economic forecast is the key time for the budget right now. Hill explained he
plans to bring an updated budget to the council for review and approval.
Hill indicated he had a chance
to make a presentation at the Morris leadership program, which he feels is a good
program to generate new leaders in the community.
Council member Storck asked
City Manager Hill if he had a new plan with regard to the shoveling of
sidewalks. Hill stated he is not sure what the answer is, but there needs to
be a faster process. Storck asked if a notice could be published similar to
what is done in the spring for the mowing of grass and weeds. Glasrud
suggested surveying some other cities to find something that has worked.
Glasrud stated the city’s current process is so cumbersome that it’s almost
useless.
Hill pointed out the city can’t
afford to have a full time person watching over snow removal. Hill noted maybe
citizen volunteers are the answer. Glasrud stated not only is it inconvenient
to not have sidewalks shoveled, it’s dangerous as well. The council directed
City Attorney Glasrud to look into this issue and survey other cities.
Council member Storck asked
about the replacement of a sanding truck. Fleet Manager Searle stated there
are two sanding trucks, one is newer and the second one is 20 years old.
Searle stated the city has always had two sanding trucks.
Webster asked about the
limitation of money to other areas such as the museum. Hill stated the city
owns the building but doesn’t run the operation. Hill noted the city has to
focus their attention on police, fire and other core services. Hill indicated
the city pays the costs of operation for certain things at the museum such as
maintenance, which adds to the budget. Hill pointed out the city doesn’t want
to have to limit hours or close, but if it gets ugly enough the city could see
things like the library and museum hours getting cut.
NEW BUSINESS: None
OLD BUSINESS: None
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
None
ADJOURNMENT: There
being no further business, Mayor Giese adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
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