3.1. DRAFT MINUTES 05-16-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes Page 3 May 2, 2011 Councilmember Westgaard stated concerns regarding Project #2 (Industrial Park area) regarding the ability to allow businesses to continue operating even during road construction, since this area requires a full depth reclamation. Mr. Femrite explained the process of the work, which would still allow for traffic to go into and out of businesses. Mayor Dietz stated he would like affected property owners to have low interest rates and a longer time to pay back the assessment during this tough economic time. He asked what the interest rate would be. Ms. Johnson stated they would allow property owners options to extend their payments should they choose. Mr. Simon stated at this time, interest rates would be around 2.5 to 3% and offer 7 years to pay the assessment. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO RECEIVE THE FEASIBILITY REPORT AND ORDER A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE MATTER OF THE 2011 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO AUTHORIZE THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS IN THE MATTER OF THE 2011 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 5.2. Street Department Personnel Request Ms. Johnson presented the staff report. The first request was to clarify the use of the Lead Street Maintenance assignment to include days when either the Street Superintendent or Assistant Street Superintendent is absent. Mr. Thompson stated there were several people interested in the lead street maintenance assignment. He stated he would have those interested employees work with him for three or four weeks at a time to determine who would be best suited for the assignment. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS TO APPROVE THE REQUEST TO ASSIGN THE LEAD STREET MAINTENANCE ASSIGNMENT IN PLACE WHEN EITHER THE STREET SUPERINTENDENT OR ASSISTANT STREET SUPERINTENDENT IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The next request was to hire additional staff to fill the 1040 hours lost by the phased retirement of Street Superintendent Phil Hals. Council had concerns with hiring a laborer, stating the money saved from the phased retirement shouldn't be spent on hiring a laborer. After some discussion, Council asked staff to evaluate the entire structure and staffing of the street department to determine what the exact needs are, and return to the June Worksession with that information before proceeding to hire an additional laborer.