March, 2008
January 7, 2008The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, January 07, 2008. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, Jerry Jackman, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and Chryll Ginn. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the January 2008 consent agenda consisting of: December 2007 regular Council meeting minutes, January 2008 pay ordinance totaling $81,651.97, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing January 11, 2008. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
VISITORSNone present.OLD BUSNESSCity Code Revisions Attorney Heim asked the Council if they would rather review a print of the total Code book or just the revisions only. The Council agreed they would review the revisions only. Topic was tabled until the February Council meeting.Library Improvements The Council approved to have the City crew make the improvements as time allows. Playground Equipment for City Park Topic was tabled until the February Council meeting. Appointment of City Representative on Senior Center Advisory Board Topic was tabled until the February Council meeting. Water Project Update Clerk Evans informed the Council that Shawn Turner had suggested the City advertise the project for bid and set the bid opening for February 21st or shortly thereafter. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve letting the project for bid and to schedule a special meeting for February 25th to open bids. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council also agreed to discuss fraud risk issues at the special meeting. Employment Vacancy The Council approved to advertise the vacant position on the City crew and to accept applications until February 1, 2008. Applications will be reviewed at the February 4th Council meeting. Fence at 218 E. First Superintendent Stodgell advised the Council that the fence had not been moved off the pole as requested and asked how the Council would like to proceed with the matter. Councilmember Ginn moved the City crew take down the section of the fence that is attached to the electric pole. The Council discussed sending the land owner a certified letter ordering them to remove the fence or issuing a summons citing the landowner to court. Councilmember Muller moved to second Ginns motion to have the City crew take down the fence, motion passed with all approving. Correction to December Minutes Mayor Merkel noted the December minutes needed revision on page 4, paragraph 4, line 3 which were written Stodgell said he has not taken any action in the past to request the fence be moved, but the City crew needs to move the pole in question and the resident is going to have to move the fence off the pole. The Council agreed the words to move should be changed to read needs access to the pole in question . NEW BUSINESSDual County Sanitation Rate Increase/Resolution 2008-01 - The Council reviewed notice received from Dual County that refuse collection rates will be increasing 8.5% effective immediately. The Council discussed rate increases and agreed the rates for refuse collection should be increased from $5.50 to $6.00 and poly carts should be increased from $1.65 to $2.00. Councilmember Mueller moved the City adopt Resolution 2008-01 setting these rates. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.2008 Standard Mileage Rates Councilmember Mueller moved the City adopt the IRS 2008 mileage reimburse rate of .505 cents per mile. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Accounts Receivable The Council discussed a problem with past due accounts and collection issues related to credit extended to customers making service upgrades to their homes. The customers in question agreed to make regular monthly payments on the total credit extended and have neglected to make payments as agreed. The Council discussed the matter and agreed the customers should be given until February 1st to pay the past due accounts in full or the balance will be added to their February utility bill. Should the February utility bill not be paid in full, the account will be subject to disconnect per Moran City Code. Homes Damaged by Fires The Council requested the Clerks office send letters to the landowners and ask what their plans may be to clean up the properties. Topic tabled until February meeting. Landmark/American Legion CMB No action taken. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief Chief Merkel informed the Council that the department responded to two house fires in December. He noted the department had to borrow the City crews chainsaw for one of the fires and the department would like to purchase a chain saw with carbide chain for future use. He said he planned to get pricing for the February meeting. The Council agreed Chief Merkel should go ahead and purchase a saw with carbide blade for the fire department as he sees fit.Police Chief Chief Smith reported he had completed the fire reports and sent them to the State for 2007. He also noted the department had received all the equipment ordered through the STEP Grant.
Superintendent Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of December: Superintendent Stodgell suggested the Council consider purchasing a generator to be used to power City Hall in the event of emergencies. The Council discussed propane versus natural gas powered generators and asked Stodgell to contact Hoffmeier Electric for an estimate to modify City Halls electrical wiring to utilize a generator. Superintendent Stodgell also reported a residential complaint that the siren at First and Cedar Streets is too loud for residents living next to the siren. The Council discussed installing some type of shield on the siren, moving the siren one block east, and raising the height of the siren. Superintendent Stodgell said he would see if he could find additional information regarding sound dispersion and height ranges for the siren in question. The Council discussed fencing the water tower to secure the area from intruders. The Council agreed to review the topic when the water project is closer to completion. City Clerk Clerk Evans reported income for the month of December 2007 as follows:
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March, 2008
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