01-17-12 Council
January 17, 2012
A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Mayor Simonson
called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was taken.
The following council members were present: Council members Connie Amos, Chris Ness, Jim
Schneider, Sally Swanson and Mayor Randall Simonson. Staff present: City Administrator Anne
Hurlburt, City Attorney Tom Miller, City Planner Sherri Buss, Police Deputy Chris Majeski, Fire
Chief Jim Finnegan, Treasurer Colleen Firkus and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
PUBLIC FORUM
Wayne Boerner introduced himself to the council as the newly appointed William O’Brien State
Park Manager, the fifth state park that he has managed in his career with the Minnesota DNR.
Mr. Boerner described the variety of activities occurring at the state park this season. Mayor
Simonson welcomed Mr. Boerner to the community.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Council member Swanson added 9.e) Discussion of the February 14, 2012 council work session
Ness,
agenda. Swanson suggested that goals for 2012 should be addressed at this meeting.
seconded by Amos, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried 5-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following Consent Agenda was presented:
a)Minutes
1)December 20, 2011 Regular Meeting
b)Treasurer’s Report
Beginning Balance 12/01/2011 $1,872,065.89
Receipts + 1,077,320.92
Expenditures $240,398.22
Payroll 19,959.61 - 260,357.83
Adjustments: Health Ins. Overcharge Credited + 421.00
Ending Balance 12/31/2011 $2,689,449.98
c)Payment of Vouchers
d)Approve Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for the Scandia Fire & Rescue Relief
Association (February 25, 2012)
e)Approve Official Depositories (Resolution 01-17-12-01)
f)Ratify Surety and Blanket Bonds (Resolution 01-17-12-02)
g)Joint Powers Agreement with the State of Minnesota for Cooperative Purchasing
Ness, seconded by Amos, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion
carried 5-0.
PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Council member Sally Swanson, council representative to the Park and Recreation Committee,
reported on the actions of the past month. Activities for the upcoming Vinterfest event, being
held on February 4, are in place. In the absence of snow, a volunteer may haul in snow from the
January 17, 2012
Scandia City Council
Page 2 of 4
Eko Bakken sliding hill to use for the snow sculpture contest. The after-school skating program
is going well with registrations filled. The Committee has plans to expand the Scandia
Community Market and select a logo to represent the program.
Mayor Simonson recognized Ice Rink Maintenance Worker Mike White for doing a tremendous
job in keeping up the condition of the ice rink this winter.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
Building Official Keith Wille presented the building inspection report. Two permits were issued
in December. The total permits issued for 2011 numbered 108, at a value of $2,814,409. Wille
suggested that he attend council meetings on a quarterly basis, which the council agreed to.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Deputy Chris Majeski reported on the past month’s police activity. A stolen vehicle was
recovered at the Big Marine Lake north landing. The vehicle contained a number of stolen tools.
Majeski is monitoring twenty properties that residents have left vacant over the winter season
while on vacation.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Jim Finnegan reported that the department responded to fifteen calls in December,
five fire related and ten rescue calls. Finnegan also provided a year-end report for 2011. There
were a total of 198 calls, a 12% decrease from the prior year.
Finnegan explained the assignment of the Lakeview Ambulance service being headquartered 24
hours a day at the fire station. This is a temporary solution until the Emergency Service
Regulatory Board (EMSRB) makes a final decision regarding coverage area since the Marine
Ambulance service was discontinued at the end of 2011. Finnegan stated that there are many
benefits to the community. The department has made space available for the ambulance within
the facility. It is anticipated that a final decision by the EMSRB will be made by the end of
January.
The Chief Officers are looking at changes in the recruitment process. City Administrator
Hurlburt will meet with Fire Chief Finnegan to prepare a report for discussion at the February 14
council work session.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Tom Miller reported on his transition as the newly appointed City Attorney. Miller
reviewed the TKDA contract and the Community Center kitchen rental agreement this month.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
City Administrator Anne Hurlburt reported that delivery of the 2012 Mack truck could occur as
soon as next week. During the last snowfall event on January 1, the Ford F-350 plowtruck
sustained damage to the truck box while backing up in the Public Works/Firehall parking lot.
Staff is investigating the replacement of the truck box with a flatbed assembly, as it would be
comparable to the repair cost and offer more flexibility for the truck’s use.
January 17, 2012
Scandia City Council
Page 3 of 4
Brad LeTourneau, appointed as Maintenance Superintendent at the December 20 council
meeting, has requested to delay his start date to February 13.
DESIGNATE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER
The city received two proposals for publication of official notices as required by law. The Forest
Lake Times was the legal newspaper from 2007 through 2009, and in 2011. The Country
Messenger was designated the legal newspaper in 2010. Both papers submitted proposals.
Randi Smith, publisher of the Country Messenger, was present to answer any questions. There
had been an issue with the circulation numbers last year, but Ms. Smith stated that the circulation
numbers solidly meet the minimum requirement of 400 copies. Ms. Smith also stated that the
paper would provide 25 free weekly copies of the Country Messenger at a newspaper rack at the
Community Center.
Council member Ness stated that he prefers the Country Messenger based on their coverage of
community events and involvement. Council members Swanson and Amos agreed with this
position.
Ness, seconded by Amos, moved to designate the Country Messenger as the official legal
newspaper for 2012. The motion carried 5-0.
APPOINT ACTING MAYOR FOR 2012
Council member Swanson nominated Council member Schneider as Acting Mayor for 2012.
The council voted 5-0 to appoint Council member
There were no other nominations.
Schneider as Acting Mayor for 2012.
Council member Schneider will serve as the presiding officer at Council meeting in the absence
of Mayor Simonson and will have the authority to sign documents and checks.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TOLTZ, KING, DUVALL,
ANDERSON AND ASSOCIATES, INC. (TKDA)
The City has been working with TKDA under a contract for services related to planning issues
since 1988. The Council requested that professional service agreements be reviewed and
updated. City Attorney Tom Miller worked with TKDA on a new agreement. Miller stated that
some fine tuning was done and overall it is a fair contract. The fee schedule had a few changes
from that which was in effect in 2011.
Schneider, seconded by Ness, moved to approve the Professional Services Agreement with
Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson and Associates, Inc. (TKDA). The motion carried 5-0.
SCANDIA COMMUNITY CENTER KITCHEN RENTAL AGREEMENT WITH SAM’S
SALSA AND JAMS, LLC
Samantha Keeney had approached the council last November with a request to rent the
Community Center kitchen at an hourly rate to make homemade salsa and jams for retail sale.
January 17, 2012
Scandia City Council
Page 4 of 4
Treasurer Colleen Firkus and City Attorney Tom Miller worked on a draft rental agreement
which the council reviewed. The storage of finished product was still in question. Ms. Keeney
wrote in a memo on January 12 a proposal to rent space for a locked cabinet in the bar area of the
hall for a fee of $5 a month.
Ness, seconded by Amos, moved to approve the contract and authorize the Mayor to sign
the contract with Samantha Keeney, with the condition that an addendum be added to
allow for storage of the locked container at an additional $5 per month rental fee. The
motion carried 5-0.
FEBRUARY 14, 2012 WORK SESSION AGENDA
The Council discussed having the following items will be on the February 14, 2012 work session
agenda:
Fire Department hiring process
Goals for 2012
Scandia Community Market
Committee assignments
Introduction to Maintenance Superintendent Brad LeTourneau
ADJOURNMENT
Ness, seconded by Swanson, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk