01-26-2004 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes Page 2 January 26, 2004 ----------------------------- 3.5 Authorization to Hire Maintenance I Position Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals explained that advertising had occurred for two weeks and the City had received 26 applications for the Maintenance I position. Five applicants were interviewed and staff is recommending the hiring of Mike Zappa as a fulltime Maintenance I employee. This hiring would be contingent upon his satisfactory completion of background checks and pre-employment drug screening tests. It is recommended that he start at pay grade 8 level C with the possibility of advancement to pay grade 8 level D after satisfactorily completing a 6-month orientation period. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ TO HIRE MIKE ZAPPA AS THE MAINTENANCE I EMPLOYEE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS AS OUTLINED FROM STAFF. MOTION CARRIED 5-0 City Administrator Pat Klaers updated the Council on plans for some of Phil Hals employees to be departing from his department with the hiring of a Park and Rec Director. These Park Maintenance employees will report directly to the Park and Rec Director with staff working together to coordinate manpower and equipment. 5.1 Discuss County Ditch Issues Building and Environmental Administrator Stephen Rohlf explained that the County had received two petitions requesting cleanout of County Ditch 31. Staff concurs that the work is needed and requests Council’s authorization to proceed. Mr. Rohlf wanted Council to be aware that this project will cost over $32,000 and that the County Board will make the decision to approve this work. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO DIRECT STAFF TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE COUNTY BOARD INFORMING THEM THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS AUTHORIZED THE CLEANOUT OF COUNTY DITCH 31 AT THE BID PRICE OF $32,725. 00. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Mr. Rohlf also explained the situation in regards to County Ditch 28. This ditch having three branches lies within the City of Elk River and Big Lake Township. Property owners in Big Lake Township have complained in regards to the equity of payment for assessments for branches of this ditch that don’t benefit them. Staff agrees with their argument and would like to work with the County Attorney’s Office to create Subordinate Service Districts, which would allow the three branches to be assessed and billed separately. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO DIRECT STAFF TO WORK WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE IN CREATING SUBORDINATE SERVICE DISTRICTS FOR THE THREE BRANCHES OF DITCH 28. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Related to the Ditch 31 work, Councilmembers Motin and Tveite disclosed that they are shareholders in the Country Club.