Moves ahead on ‘Coffee with the Council’ informal confabs with residents
The Mountain Lake City Council approved coordinating meeting start times with those of the Mountain Lake Public School (MLPS) School Board at the city government group’s Monday, May 1 meeting. MLPS School Board members initially raised the idea to council members at a recent meeting. The city council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, while the school board’s regular meetings are held on the third Monday of the month.
The school board, at its April meeting, shifted its regular start time from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., contingent on the council’s meeting time move from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The council agreed to the 7 p.m. meeting start time.
This will enable elected representatives from each group to attend the meeting of the other.
The report will be a standing agenda item.
‘Coffee with the Council’ confabs to fill residents’ cups
The opportunity to meet informally with Mountain Lake residents through “Coffee with the Council” was discussed.
The council agreed to move forward with the idea, with the first confab slated for Wednesday, May 18, beginning at 3 p.m., at Our Hometown Café. Mountain Lake City Council members David Savage and Dana Kass will be on hand.
In other business
+ Adopted changes to a Mountain Lake City Ordinance concerning Utilities Bills and Contract for Deed. The ordinance makes both vendors (sellers) and vendees (buyers) in contract for deed agreements responsible for the payment of utilities.
+ Approved changes to City Ordinace addressing Alcoholic Beverages Licensing and Regulations. The amendments were needed so that the ordinance chapter conformed to the state statute regarding Sunday off-sale liquor that becomes effective on July 1. The amendments allow for the sale of off-sale liquor and beer on Sundays between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
+ Adopted a new City Ordinance Establishing Fees for Emergency Fire Protection Services. The new ordinance removes the fire service charge of $500. Ths fee will now be reviewed and set by the council on a yearly basis in conjunction with the review and setting of other city and utility fees. It also enables the council to certify any unpaid fire service change to the county auditor for collection with property taxes. The city must give the property owner of the notice of its intent prior to the certification of the unpaid charge. State law gives the city this power if adopted by municipal ordinance.
+ Reviewed the job descriptions of the Mountain Lake Economic Development Authority (EDA)/Mountain Lake Area Chamber of Commerce coordinator and assistant. Discussed was the idea of making Chamber activities the primary responsibility of the assistant, thus allowing the coordinator to focus on the EDA workload. The coordinator, Rob Anderson, and current assistant, Marva Ott, will be asked to attend the next council meeting.
+ Discussed the current arrangement for Mountain Lake City Attorney. Following discussion, the council issued a request for proposal for city attorney. The request will be reviewed at the next meeting, prior to publication.
+ Approved revised revenue recapture contracts for the city and utility. The Revenue Recapture Act authorizes the Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue to collect debts for claimant agencies from state income tax refunds. The city uses the Act to collect unpaid utility and ambulance service bills.
+ Reviewed the map of the city with streets to be treated with dust control this year. Questions were raised about streets that are – and are not – treated. Mountain Lake Street Superintendent Rick Oeltjenbruns will be asked to reduce the areas treated on 1st Avenue North east of 12th Street so that Castle Drive can be treated. The matter will be discussed at the next council meeting.
+ Reviewed changes to the 2017-2019 contract with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Following discussing on the changes, the contract was approved.
+ Requested additional information on non-union wages. The matter will be considered at the next council meeting.
+ Received an update on the status of the hiring of summer help.
+ Discussed the topics of video/audio broadcasting/rebroadcasting of city council meetings, and individiual council member Facebook pages. They will be reconsidered again at the next council meeting.
+ Approved a street closing for The Laker on Monday, June 19, the Monday night of Pow Wow. The street to be closed is 2nd Avenue from 10th Street west to the alley.
+ During Public Forum, Mountain Lake resident Gloria McKissick asked about the cost of the police car ordered at the last council meeting (purchased was a 2017 Ford Explorer and other needed equipment for $40,338, with funds from the Police Savings Account to cover the cost), as well as what happens to excess funds in the Mountain Lake Police Department’s reserves. McKissick also commented on the City Ordinance that amends Utilities Bills and Contract for Deed.
+ The next Mountain Lake City Council meeting will be on Monday, May 15, at 7 p.m., at Mountain Lake City Hall.
2017 meeting schedule
Council meetings will be held on the traditional first and third Mondays of the month – with the exception of the second meeting n June, which has been rescheduled to Monday, June 22 due to the annual Pow Wow celebration and the first meeting in September, which was moved to Tuesday, September 8 because of the Monday, September 7 Labor Day observance.
City of Mountain Lake Meeting Dates
+ Mountain Lake City Council meets the first and third Mondays of every month at 7 p.m.
+ Utilities Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at 7 a.m.
+ Economic Development Authority (EDA) meets the second Friday of every month at 12 noon.
+ Lake Commission meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Library Board meets the second Wednesday of every month at 4:45 p.m.
+ Police Commission meets the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.
+ Planning and Zoning meets the last Monday of the month, if needed.
+ Tree Commission meets quarterly – January, April, July and October – at 7:45 p.m.
