MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILJULY 13, 2004Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order at 6:03 P.M. with the following Council present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, and Dana Dahlquist. Employees present: Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk, and Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer. Arlen Leenderts resigned effective June 30, 2004, by written resignation hand delivered by Arlen Leenderts to the City Clerk/EDA & Condo Secretary following the meetings on June 8, 2004. Guests present: Rich Crawford, VanTek Communications. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to approve of the minutes of June 8th. Motion carried. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to approve payment of the June expenditures, and Treasurer’s report. General $8,793.48; Park $13,340.25; Fire $1,366.57; Street $3,315.52; Legion $400.27; Sewer $10,636.06; Garbage $3,220.29; Recycling $508.10; Water $4,477.43; Baseball $49.26. Motion carried. General Checking 63,388.26General Fund CD#18197, 2.5%, 12/4/04 237,314.41General Fund CD#17792 (prev. #15742) 2.5%, 5/29/03 – cashed in 6/3/03General Fund CD#17760 (prev. #17573) 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,735.68Sewer Fund CD#17877 (prev. #17433) 2.5%,10/18/03 – cashed in 10/03 – ($21,000 to general)Sewer Fund CD#18255, (prev. #18171) 1.5%, 7/19/04 –inter-fund loan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay-off apt. bond - $70,771.64Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#18237, 1.5%, 1/11/05 23,228.20Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 2,412.85Hills EDA Checking – Acct. #1248 13,103.05Southern Hills Apt. Acct. #1255 6,763.22Southern Hills Condo Acct. #1263 108.39Southern Hills CD#17759 (prev. #17572) 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,183.92EDA CD#17850 (prev. #17384) 2.5%, 5.7/05 27,963.43EDA CD#18275 (prev. #17268) 1.25%, 7/26/04 – inter-fund loan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay-off apt. bond - $10,661.76EDA CD #18160, 1.5%, 10/17/04 20,000.00TOTAL $420,201.41The Council reviewed street improvement costs for Josephine Drive and Sixth Street, and requested a second proposal. United Enterprises will be contacted with regard to the cost of improvements for Sixth Street. Council also requested a proposal for blacktop or concrete in the alley north of Third Street between Blue Chip and Alliance’s shop.The softball and baseball field dugouts and concession stands will be repaired, repainted, and shingles replaced. The Council agreed to allow an individual 80 hours of community service toward the above-mentioned work.No further discussion regarding junk tires, no major concerns, and the local stations are gradually disposing of tires. Rich Crawford, VanTek Communications, appeared at the meeting to inquire whether the Council would allow VanTek permission to install a two-way radio repeater antenna on the water tower. VanTek would be responsible for the licensing, installation, and removal of the antenna when the water tower is painted or repaired. Also, to install a repeater in the City’s building at no responsibility to the City. In return, VanTek offered the City use of the two-way radio repeater system worth $400 per year; and a discount on two-way radios at $275 each, with a distance of 15-30 miles. The Council decided to move the base radio from Ward’s home to the City Office, rather than purchasing new mobile radios. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to allow VanTek permission to install an antenna on the water tower, with the option of a discount toward the purchase of radios in the future. Discussed the cost of labor and equipment rent for mosquito spraying for other communities. The cost was set at $85 per hour from the time the machine leaves Hills, until its return, plus the cost of chemical. The Council chose to spray only for the neighboring communities of Beaver Creek, Steen, and Ellsworth. It was suggested to inquire whether Ellsworth would be willing to work a trade in street sweeping for mosquito spraying. The worker’s compensation insurance policy will remain the same with the regular premium option, and will not include elected officials, separate administrative boards or volunteers.Mildred Kesterson’s tree removal issue still pending upon receipt of a second bid. Meyer Electric will install lights on a separate pole located east of the basketball court, rather than from the softball field pole, in order to create more even lighting. The Council was informed that the Luverne Optimist Club, which is licensed for pull-tabs at Kelly’s Roadhouse, donated $750 toward the City’s basketball court project. The Council expressed their appreciation and requested that a thank-you be published. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to appoint Bonnie Sundem, Karen Soehl, Lois Nelson and Colleen Martens as election judges for the primary and general elections. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to approve of the building permit applications for Mike Kerkhove and Amy Brandt for a new home with a basement and attached garage; and for Shaun Swenson for a deck. No action was taken on two other requests, pending further information. Motion carried. The Clerk was instructed to begin requests for sealed bids for propane. The Council discussed whether to replace the septic tank at Rez Park. City Maintenance will be instructed to follow-up on whether the tank can be inspected and repaired. The Council discussed a concern for the removal of petroleum tanks located on railroad property. Prior to discussion, Mayor Jim Jellema requested to be excused from the room during the discussion due to conflict of interest. Elbers volunteered to approach the owner of the tanks regarding the status of their removal. The Council continued discussion regarding abandoned vehicles within a storage area. The owner of the property informed the clerk that some vehicles had been removed within the month, but that it’s a slow process due to the small demand for junk vehicles and legal issues. Rock County Land Management contacted the City regarding recycling changes. Due to the reduction in state funding and budget cuts, Rock County will no longer accept glass bottles and jars as recycling materials. However, they will accept the following items as long as they are separated from other materials; magazines, phone books and catalogs. Discussed Rock County Rural Water’s charges to the City of Hills at 60 cents per newsletter, for quarterly newsletters to the residents of Hills, the Council will request that RCRW refrain from sending these mailings. Discussed problems regarding poor water quality over the past few months, according to Rock County Rural Water, this is due to overfeeding the system with phosphate which is meant for gradual clean-up of iron from pipes and connections. RCRW has regulated the usage of phosphate, and requested that the City of Hills submit to RCRW labor costs and water usage for flushing mains, in order to credit the City of Hills for this error. The City’s current ordinance regulating firearms does include paint ball guns. Therefore the use of these firearms are not allowed at Rez Park or anywhere within the city limits. Reviewed a letter of resignation from Arlen Leenderts, resigning as City Council member and EDA Vice President as of June 30, 2004. The Council requested that a notice be published for any qualified person interested in fulfilling this term through December 31, 2004 to contact the City Office. The Council instructed the Clerk to send correspondence to a resident with regard to the removal of abandoned vehicles and miscellaneous junk. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Dahlquist to adjourn at 7:55 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(7-29)