11-20-08 Special Council Meeting
November 20, 2008
A special meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Mayor Dennis
Seefeldt called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m. The following were present: Council Members
Mike Harnetty, Donnette Yehle, Dolores Peterson, Pete Crum and Mayor Dennis Seefeldt.
Incoming Council Member Connie Amos and City Treasurer Colleen Firkus were also present.
The following potential revenue increases were discussed:
a) Community Center Rentals increased as follows:
Resident Non-Resident
Hall $200 $475
Hall Previous Day Setup $100 $150
Kitchen Use $300 $300
Heritage Room (same) $ 75 $100
Security $135
b) Minimum Bldg Permit Fee increased to $100.
c) Utility Permit Fee increased to $150 – roads to be inspected after completion.
Mayor Seefeldt thinks city should have a deposit/letter of credit to see if the road
remains in good condition for a period of time after digging or boring.
d) Council Member Yehle suggested we have an Administrative fine on illegal signs.
Ordinance would be rewritten when Comp. Plan ordinances are written. Maybe
have other Administrative fines written into ordinances at the same time, i.e.
snowmobile on sidewalks, and other existing ordinances.
e) Council Member Yehle suggested that city cut professional expenses by not
having the engineer at every meeting ($50 per meeting) if there are no projects or
nothing new to discuss. Council agreed. Also, Planner ($105 per mtg.) may not be
necessary at all meetings. Yehle indicated the city has a “very qualified staff in
Anne & Steve, who could make that decision as to whether or not the Planner is
needed at a meeting.
Increases would be effective January 1, 2009, once passed by the Council.
Uptown Sewer
Council discussed the costs of removing the Rasmussen house, accessory structure, and fuel tank
and did not want to pass the costs onto Uptown users, but the ordinance/agreement should be
looked at to include future expenses related to the sewer/water system. Denny suggested a
meeting with church personnel to discuss the church’s benefit of the water and sewer system and
sharing all expenses.
201 Sewer System
Council decided to increase 201 fees by 20%, which will result in a $110 annual increase. A
letter of explanation is to be sent with the February bill explaining the reasons for the increase: 1)
Cover a deficit in the 2008 budget that resulted from unexpectedly high pumping costs this year,
Scandia City Council
November 20, 2008
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2) Increase reserves for future system repairs and pumping that occurs every three years, and 3)
Meet State Auditor’s expectations of adequate reserves. Staff is working with the County to
anticipate actual expenses and budget accordingly
Fire Dept. Budget
Mayor Seefeldt also said the increase in the May Twsp. fire contract will be at a minimum of
$6,000 and would cover the Rev/Exp difference. Council Members Crum and Harnetty
suggested that fire contracts could be based on population rather than number of houses as the
majority of calls is for medical, not house fire. Maybe data could be obtained from Sheriff’s
office on number of medical calls to May Twsp. Veteran’s Camp must have a lot of calls.
Council Member Crum presented info he gathered on siren effectiveness. Said the trend is to not
put in new sirens. He cited several surveys and news reports on sirens. Sirens are expensive, only
good for those in range when outside – still need to go inside to listen to radio/TV, wind
direction and atmospheric pressure affects range, 1960’s technology, need staff to educate
population on meaning of siren calls – repeatedly over time, need staff to give direction on how
to respond, may give false sense of security (Crum’s opinion), people tend to move toward the
danger when notified, one survey said 80% people liked having a siren, but not informed of
costs. Seefeldt, Crum and Harnetty thought giving away weather radios to residents would be
more cost effective and more useful. Seefeldt cited concerns over six firefighters retiring and the
Fire Relief fund being bankrupt at end of 2009, and would rather fund firefighters’ pension.
Notice of Proposed Total Budget and Property Taxes
Council member Harnetty and Mayor Seefeldt said the major question that will be asked about
the public notice is why are taxes going up 9% when expenses are going down 7%? They would
like to see this question answered in the presentation prior to it being asked. Otherwise, the
Council thought the presentation was great last year and would like to see it again this year with
the video about what affects taxes at the beginning.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer