Mayor Beyer called the Regular Meeting of the Rockford City Council to order at 7:30 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall 6031 Main Street, Rockford, MN.

 

ROLL CALL

Roll call was taken, the following members were present: Beyer, Altringer, Graner, Nichols, and Seymour.  Also in attendance was: Attorney Couri, Administrator Carswell and Public Works Supervisor D. Peterson.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given.

 

*CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION was made by Nichols, seconded by Graner to approve all items on the Consent Agenda except 2-D Parkwood Development Agreement.

 

MOTION CARRIED-VOTING IN FAVOR: BEYER, ALTRINGER, GRANER, NICHOLS, AND SEYMOUR.

 

*Approve Minutes/April 8, 2008

MOTION was made by Nichols, seconded by Graner to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2008 regular council meeting.

 

MOTION CARRIED-VOTING IN FAVOR: BEYER, ALTRINGER, GRANER, NICHOLS, AND SEYMOUR.

 

*Approve Payment of Claims

MOTION was made by Nichols, seconded by Graner to approve the payment of claims #014692-#014744 in the amount of $89,130.26.

 

MOTION CARRIED-VOTING IN FAVOR: BEYER, ALTRINGER, GRANER, NICHOLS, AND SEYMOUR.

 

*Resolution 08-20_ Appoint Planning and Zoning Commission Member

MOTION was made by Nichols, seconded by Graner to adopt Resolution 08-20 appoint planning and zoning commission member Amy Pederson to fill a term that expires on December 31, 2008.

 

MOTION CARRIED-VOTING IN FAVOR: BEYER, ALTRINGER, GRANER, NICHOLS, AND SEYMOUR.

 

 Approve amended Master Parkwood Development Agreement

This item was tabled to the May 13, 2008 regular council meeting.

 

Approve Minutes of the April 15, 2008 special council meeting

MOTION was made by Nichols, seconded by Graner to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2008 special council meeting.

 

MOTION CARRIED-VOTING IN FAVOR: BEYER, ALTRINGER, GRANER, NICHOLS, AND SEYMOUR.

 

Purchase Pagers for the Fire Department

MOTION was made by Nichols, seconded by Graner to approve the purchase of 14 Minitor V pagers from Infinity Wireless at a cost of $5,566 plus tax.

 

MOTION CARRIED-VOTING IN FAVOR: BEYER, ALTRINGER, GRANER, NICHOLS, AND SEYMOUR.

 

Review Fire Department Billing

Staff informed the city council that the fire board recently met and discussed the method of billing for fire services.  The City of Greenfield has requested that the city not bill for depreciation.  The Rockford Township stated that they agree with the method that the city has been using to bill for fire services.  However, after reviewing the depreciation schedule staff is suggesting that the depreciation for vehicles and equipment that is not paid for be dropped from the schedule.  Another option would be to reduce the depreciation by one-half or to $56,260 which reduces the bills for each service district.

 

The fire billing is spread between the City of Rockford, the Rockford Township and City of Greenfield. The methods for billing include using the tax capacity for all of the property served, the number of fire calls and number of rescue calls.

 

The fire service costs have increased from 2007 to 2008 $91,645.  The increased costs per entity for 2008 is: +$17,696 for the Rockford Township, +$28,692 for the City of Greenfield and +$45,257 for the City of Rockford.  If the city reduced the depreciation for equipment not yet paid for the costs would decrease $35,186.  Staff showed the billing costs for all entities for the past 6 years and found that the budget has not fluctuated much, which was determined best for all entities.

 

Greenfield Mayor Jill Krout addressed the city council about the city billing for depreciation of equipment and buildings.  Ms. Krout stated that she does not want to pay the cost of equipment that will be used in the future. Ms. Krout also expressed her concerns about the fire department costs for 2007 exceeding the budget.  Administrator Carswell stated that the spread sheet that Ms. Krout is looking at includes depreciation costs and CIP expenditures that are not part of the operating budget. Carswell noted that per the 2007 audit, the fire department operating budget was under by $6______.

 

Rick Stork a Greenfield resident stated that when he was a council member and member of the Fire Board the value for mobile homes was discussed and he feels should be used as part of the cities tax capacity. Administrator Carswell stated that mobile homes pay personal property tax and that is not considered tax capacity.  Council member Altringer agreed that the value of the mobile homes should be used as part of the formula. 

 

Ms. Krout stated that the city should subtract the extra revenue that is earned for interest from the expenditure budget.

 

Staff was directed to obtain the value for the mobile homes and add that to the next billing.  Staff was directed to research the replacement plan in regards to the fixed assets and depreciation schedule.

 

Mayor Beyer called a recess and convened the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

 

Resolution 08-21 Authorize Staff to Apply for Conveyance of Forfeited Tax Property From Wright County

Administrator Carswell noted that the city received a letter from Wright County regarding tax forfeited properties.  There are four Out lots on the list in the City of Rockford that will become state property and auctioned if the city chooses not to take ownership.  Since these parcels are wetlands, storm drainage ditches and road right of ways, the city should claim them for public purpose.

 

MOTION was made by Seymour, seconded by Altringer to approve Resolution 08-21 Authorize Staff to Apply for Conveyance of Forfeited property as listed.

 

MOTION CARRIED-VOTING IN FAVOR: BEYER, ALTRINGER, GRANER, NICHOLS, AND SEYMOUR.

 

Volunteer of the Year

There were three candidates for volunteer of the year.  Council voted unanimously to award Volunteer of the Year 2007 to Trish Waletich.  A plaque will be ordered and presented to Trish at the next council meeting May 13th.

 

Ongoing Directives

Council reviewed the ongoing directives. There was some discussion about whether the city should put a local sales tax question on the ballot in November to pay for the flood control project.  Businesses should be made aware of this and able to respond prior to the council making a decision.  This will be put on the May 13, 2008 council agenda for discussion.

 

Attorney’s Report

Attorney Couri asked the city council if they wanted to use the 2009 construction costs for the western access of Parkwood development.  The council agreed that the costs for the western access should be for construction of the project in 2009.  Engineer Statz submitted a cost of $700,000 for constructing Linnea Parkway west to the bridge including: water, sanitary sewer, curb and gutter.  Attorney Couri stated that the amended developer’s agreement includes the city assessing US Homes for the western portion of Linnea Parkway and the utilities.  Since the agreement was not sent out to the developer’s sooner, this will be placed on the May 13, 2008 regular council agenda.

 

 

Administrator’s Report

Council reviewed the Administrator’s report including the following items: City hall planning, interviewing Engineering firms, deputy clerk applications, city hall, 2007 audit report presented on May 13, US Census address list and public works facility.

 

Fire Chief’s Report

Kevin Reed gave a verbal report of the first quarter of the Rockford Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.  There have been 85 calls to date, which is less than last year.  They have installed Automatic Electronic Diffibulator's in all of the fire department vehicles. The department may have two new members which are available during the day. The department is working on saving on fuel costs this year.  The ’48 Fire Truck is operational and will be shown off at a car show soon and will be featured in the River Days Parade.  The Fire Departments largest fund raiser the “Annual Pancake Breakfast” is scheduled for May 4th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fire Station 6700 Main Street.

 

Adjourn

MOTION to adjourn was made by Altringer, seconded by Seymour.

Mayor Beyer adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.

 

 

                                                _________________________________

                                                Michael Beyer, Mayor

Attest:

 

 

_______________________________       

Nancy Carswell, Administrator