Celebrate Kennedy

Mayor Turn called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Members present were Mary Ryden, Duane Peterson, Paul Larson and Arnold Christian. Also present were Todd Truedson, Shannon Mortenson and Greg Mitziga.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Additions to the agenda: None.

The minutes were reviewed from the January Monthly Meeting and the Emergency Meeting. A temporary liquor license for the VFW was approved at the Emergency Meeting. Clerk will add. Motion was made by Peterson, and seconded by Ryden, to approve the minutes. All in favor, motion carried.

Clerk’s Report: Mortenson would like to attend a Jobs Forum in East Grand Forks on Feb. 11 which is moderated by Sen. Franken’s office. Council consensus was to attend. The priority list applications were received. Should the city complete the application for the 5^th St. project since that includes water and wastewater. The priority list is for 2011. Council consensus was to complete. Mortenson would like to attend the Legislative Conference on March 25 which is sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities. The cost is $80. The Minnesota Association of Small Cities is having a meeting on the 24^th. Council consensus was to attend the conference and city will pay the fee. The Kennedy Jaycees are renting the school building on March 6 for a dodgeball tournament. Motion was made by Ryden, and seconded by Christian, to accept the Clerk’s Report as presented. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer’s report: The balance sheet was reviewed. The delinquent tax settlement was received in January. The Newfolden school purchased lockers for $840. Motion was made by Peterson, and seconded by Christian to transfer $8,000 from the money market account to checking in February. All in favor, motion carried. The Unpaid Bills sheet was reviewed. Motion was made by Christian, and seconded by Peterson, to pay the bills as presented. All in favor, motion carried. Mitziga had six hours of Sunday overtime on Jan. 24 for snow removal. Motion was made by Christian, and seconded by Larson to pay Mitziga 6 hours of Sunday overtime. All in favor, motion carried. Mayor Turn and Peterson reviewed the received bills, January bank statement and the reconciliation statement. Motion was made by Christian, and seconded by Peterson, to pay the legal bill out of the EDA fund. All in favor, motion carried. Motion was made by Larson, and seconded by Ryden, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. All in favor, motion carried.

Maintenance Report: Mitziga took classes to recertify his pesticide license in Thief River Falls. He has to attend one more recertification course in Fargo on Feb. 26. Kittson County road personnel sanded the city streets after the storm in January. The snow plow truck broke down during the last storm. The wires to the electrical switch burned out. A new switch has been purchased but not installed at this time. Mitziga removed snow most of today after the six inch snowfall. The gear box in the snow blower broke. He may have to have the repair done by Kittson Equipment. With the last sleet storm, Mitziga is anticipating the culverts will need to have the ice removed during the spring thaw period. Motion was made by Christian, and seconded by Peterson to accept the Maintenance Report as presented. All in favor, motion carried.

Fire Dept. Report: "Roosters" Fundraiser is March 20. There were two calls-both car accidents.

Council Committee Reports: None.

Kennedy EDA: The building did not sell at the foreclosure sale. There is a 6 month redemption period now before the city receives the building back. Motion was made by Christian, and seconded by Peterson to have the clerk pay Todd’s Electric when the money comes from the Department of Commerce. All in favor, motion carried.

School Building: Todd Truedson was given the floor to update the council on the geothermal project. Truedson really needs to be paid for work performed and equipment purchased. He is 90 days out. Mortenson will continue working on that with Mayor Turn. There are 3-4 workers per day working at the school to complete the project. The loopfields are filled and circulating. The referee room should have the water disconnected to it. The elementary wing still has water going to the entire wing. This water should be disconnected also. The walls and tunnels need to be erected. The furnaces for the gym should be here; they are on backorder. The furnaces will sit on the north and south sides of the stage. Truedson will be gone Feb. 25 – March 1 but will have workers at the school. The council thanked Todd for his attention to the project and Truedson exited chambers. Council directed Mitziga to start building the walls and working in the tunnels. He was also directed to call the plumber, Mike Johnson, and secure him for disconnecting the water. Mortenson has been calling over to Farmer’s Union in Lake Bronson for a 1,000 gallon propane tank. She will continue to try to get one from them. This tank would be in addition to the 500 gallon one that is there.

Snow Removal Policy: Motion was made by Larson, and seconded by Christian, to omit the asterick sentence in Item #2 and add a sentence after the first one, stating alleys are to be completed next. All in favor, motion carried.

Otter Tail Franchise Fee: Council consensus was not to pursue this revenue source.

Vacation Carryover Policy: Tabled. Clerk will obtain information from area cities.

Mosquito Chemical: Motion was made by Ryden, and seconded by Christian to purchase 55 gallons of chemical. All in favor, motion carried.

March Meeting Date: The March Council Meeting was set for Monday, March 8 at 7:00 PM.

There being no further business brought forward for the member’s attention, the meeting was adjourned at 8:41 PM by motion of Christian, seconded by Peterson. All in favor, motion carried.

Shannon Mortenson, Clerk (Attest) Jon Turn, Mayor

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