9-3-09 Minutes Summary

The regular city council meeting was called to order by Mayor Schabert at 7:00pm on September 3, 2009 in the Council chambers in the Courtland Community Center. All council members were present.

Poehler made a motion to approve the amended agenda to include the following items: history of Courtland, signage for City building, radius by S & S Motors, Red Shoe Drive, Courtland Community Center, gravel pit and software for billing water and sewer. Kollmann seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

Poehler made a motion to approve the written minutes of the regular meeting held on August 6 , 2009. Kollmann seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

Kollmann made a motion to approve the bills from August 2009 with the changes on the Xcel Energy bills. Poehler seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

Gulden gave a short report for the utility department stating that it had been a pretty quiet month. He asked the opinion of the city council as to the possibility of siding the pump house building at the same time that we would shingle the roof. There was discussion as to where we would get the money to do both at the same time. It was suggested that the money could be taken from contract services or the water equipment replacement fund.

McCallum informed the council on the progress on the Studtmann preliminary plat for the split of Wilmer Studtmanns property. She stated that at this point Bolton and Menk in Mankato are working on the plat. She also informed the council that Senator Kathy Sheran will be attending our council meeting on November 3, 2009. She presented a sample of A Revenue & Expenses worksheet that she will be doing each month for the council. They made a few suggestion and she said she would work on it again this month.

Poehler made a motion to set the regular December city council meeting for December 3 at 6:45 pm. The truth in taxation meeting will be held during the regular meeting. Retka seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

There was discussion concerning putting up a sign on the building and perhaps on the corner by the park on the highway pointing to the city office. It was suggested by a new resident because they felt it is difficult to find the city office. Kollmann will look into getting something done.

Schabert brought up the Kilibarda Mining Conditional Use permit and it was decided that the clerk should put it on the agenda for next month.

There was discussion on the merits of central air versus a wall air conditioner for the meeting room. Poehler stated that the city has an opportunity to purchase a central air unit for $1500.00 and this would also cool the kitchen and bathrooms. Gulden stated that he had already purchased a wall unit but that it could be returned and we would receive a refund. A central unit would be more economical and much quieter. The community center board stated that they would be willing to pay for half of the unit and installation as it would benefit them also by cooling the kitchen and bathrooms. Bents made a motion to purchase central air. Kollmann seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

Bents made a motion to request a change order to put a hard surface on Red Shoe and include the cost in the loan not to exceed $50000.00 at this time. Kollmann seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

Bents made a motion to adjourn to our continuance meeting on September 10th to finalize our proposed levy budget. Retka seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.

The continuation of the city council meeting was called to order by Mayor Schabert at 6:00pm on September 10, 2009 in the Council chambers in the Courtland Community Center. All council members were present.

A lengthy discussion took place and a few areas were cut. The council set the preliminary budget levy at $113,606.00, a 6.4 percent increase from last year..

The preliminary budget can be lowered before the final levy is submitted to the county by December 26 but it cannot be raised.

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

A signed written copy of these minutes is on file in the office of the city clerk.

Respectfully submitted,

Bonnie Hubert, City Clerk