Summary of March 2009 Minutes

The regular city council meeting was called to order by Mayor Schabert at 7pm on March 5, 2009 in the Council chambers in the Courtland Community Center. All council members were present except Sharon Retka.

Poehler made a motion to approve the amended agenda to include the Community Center Contract. Bents seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

Kollmann made a motion to approve the written minutes of the regular meeting held on February 5, 2009. Poehler seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

Poehler made a motion to approve the bills from February 2009. Bents seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

The clerk informed the council that she would be attending the MCFOA conference in St. Cloud March 17-20 and would then be on vacation the week of March 31. She stated that she would be back in the office on April 6.

Andrew Splinter gave the audit report to the council. He stated that the city was in good financial condition. He said that many positive things had occurred over the past year. The mayor asked if because our fund balance was higher than the recommended amount by the state auditor if the city could be penalized. Splinter stated that he didn’t think that our balance was that high. He stated that the city did an excellent job of working within their budget this last year.

Joe Duncan gave a report on the grant applications that he had submitted for the city to try and get some money from the stimulus package for roads and infrastructure. He said that Minnesota Department of Transportation got the largest portion of the stimulus money. He said that at this point they are not funding any new infrastructure for new subdivisions. The only possibility for any money would be for extending the water along Riverview-Mary Lane and up to connect by S & S Motors so that our water system is looped.

There was extensive discussion on the remodeling on the city office. The council was looking at a table for the council and desks for Bonnie and Heather. The committee had gotten proposals from several office supply firms and it was suggested that we get another proposal from Kemske Office Supply.

Poehler made a motion to approve the contract for maintenance on the new civil defense siren from Frontline Plus. The contract would be to service the siren in the spring and fall for $100.00 per year.

Kollmann seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

The members of the community center board would like to rewrite the contract for use of the center They stated that they would like to address a letter that they had received from a resident but would table that issue until next month. The committee will also make up a cleaning schedule. The furnace for the large part of the hall needs to be replaced and they are getting estimates from several venders.

The council discussed changing the ordinance on collecting utility charges. The city seems to have a problem with some residents not paying their bills in a timely manner. The council asked the utility committee to look into changing the ordinance for collecting utilities and bring in a proposal at our next council meeting.

Poehler made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Schabert seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

The meeting closed at 9:10pm. A signed written copy of the minutes is on file in the office of the city clerk.

Respectfully submitted,

Bonnie J. Hubert, City Clerk