Minutes of the Swanville City Council meeting held in the Swanville Center on Tuesday, December 2, 2014. The meeting called to order 7:30 p.m. with the following members present: Sandy Peterson, Jay Bartkowicz, Jim Molitor, and Tim Grittner. Also present: Tim Churchwell, Julie Zupko, Mark Hallen, Tony Maciej, Lonny Hutchins and reporter Kerry Drager.
Minutes of the Swanville City Council meeting held Tuesday, November 6, 2014 were read. A motion was made by Tim Grittner to approve the minutes as read. Jim Molitor seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
The treasures report was given. A motion was made by Jay Bartkowicz and seconded by Tim Grittner to approve the treasurer’s report. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Peterson handed out a credit card policy regarding city workers using the city credit card. After discussion, council was in favor to have the policy put into effect. The city clerk and maintenance man can both use the city credit card, both signed the policy form.
There was discussion on frozen city water lines policy. Residents are to test their water during the cold weather, if the temperature is at 40 degrees or colder residents are to leave a small stream of water running and contact the city clerk so their water bill will be adjusted. If the water line becomes frozen the city will pay for half of the thawing charge. Lonny will purchase thermometers for residents to use to test their water.
A very part time person is needed to plow snow should the maintenance man be out of town. An ad will be put in the paper for this position.
City Attorney, Tim Churchwell, and City Engineer, Mark Hallen, was present to discuss with the council the Rhoda Avenue Project. Churchwell has looked over the project contract and drew up a preliminary letter to be sent to Larson Excavating. The letter states the retainage amount due is $56,075.28, city contracted work in the amount of $9,868.52, final retainage amount: $46,206.76. As Larson failed to meet the completion date the letter states that a final payment check in the amount of $26,435.42 will be sent. After discussion, Jim Molitor made a motion to send the letter to Larson Excavating. Mayor Peterson seconded the motion. Council members Mayor Peterson, Jim Molitor, and Tim Grittner voted in favor, council member Jay Bartkowicz opposed. Motion carried.
Julie Zupko was present to go over the city insurance renewal policy. Zupko explained the waiver form. After discussion, Mayor Peterson made a motion to not waive the monetary limits on the waiver form. Jim Molitor seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried. Zupko also discussed with the council when renting out any city owned building, a liability certificate from the renters home owners policy should be on file for liability purposes. Jim Molitor made a motion to have renters produce an liability certificate in order to rent a city owned building. Tim Grittner seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, Motion carried.
The Morrison County Animal Humane Contract was read. Tim Grittner made a motion to sign the contract. Mayor Peterson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
The levy for 2015 was discussed. After discussion Mayor Peterson made a motion to leave the general fund the same as last year. Jay Bartkowicz seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried. The final levy General Fund is $73,500.00 and the Debt Service Amount is set at $11,231.15 for a total levy amount of $84,731.15.
There was discussion if the lots to the west of MT Repair should be rezoned as residential lots. After discussion, Council members were not in favor.
Tony Maciej was present to discuss with the council the need to replace the Jaws of Life that the Swanville Rural Fire Department uses. The cost for the new equipment should be under $20,000.00. Mayor Peterson made a motion to purchase this equipment for the benefit to the residents and surrounding area people. Tim Grittner seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried. The funding to pay this request to purchase new Jaws of Life equipment for the Fire Department will come from the Swanville Lions Club donated funds.
The following claims were presented for payment. Members of the council were furnished with a listing. Jim Molitor made a motion to approve the claims. Jay Bartkowicz seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried. The next monthly meeting will be held Tuesday, January 6, 2015.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Jay Bartkowicz and seconded by Tim Grittner to adjourn. All members voted in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned 9:30 p.m. Julie Hollermann, City Clerk/Treasurer