Northome Council opens truck bids; give approvals on license renewals, Bingo permits and fire contract

The Northome City Council met Dec. 16 at the Northome City Hall following a special public hearing regarding the municipal airport closing.

Those present included Mayor Jim Schneider and councilors Chad Lindley, Jack White, Larry Salmonson and Jerry Struss.

Staff present included Clerk/Treasurer Tom Bonar, Maintenance Supervisor Cory Lindley and head bartender Angela Stradtmann.

A motion was made to recess the regular meeting until the conclusion of the Airport Public Hearing. Following a short duscyussuibm the regular meeting was recessed at 7:03 p.m. and was reconvened at 7:48 p.m.

No one wished to address the council during the open forum so the council moved on to its regular agenda.

Bonar reported to the council that there was nothing new to report on the municipal building project except that the problems with the air make up unit in the laundry had been taken care of.

Three bids were received and opened for the city's truck. The first bid was for $1000 from Doug Anderson of Trimont; the second was for $1003.57 from Randy Geiser of Northome and the last bid was for $2007 from Harry Donaldson of Mizpah.

After some discussion, the council voted to accept the bid from Donaldson. The council directed Bonar to write letters to the non-winners informing them of the outcome.

Lindley said he had nothing more to report. Councilor Struss asked Lindley to call him regarding waste water license testing as he had some information to share.

Stradtmann requested permission to move Jane Bloom from part time to full time to help fill day hours. There was a short discussion before the council voted to approve the request.

Stradtmann also informed the council that Customer Appreciation Day had been scheduled for Dec. 19.

Councilmember Salmonson asked if she was aware of any employees using personal laptop computers during "slow" times, and that instead of doing so they should occupy themselves in other duties such as cleaning. Stradtmann said she would speak with the bartenders.

Bonar asked for a motion authorizing himself and Mayor Schneider to sign a grant form being submitted to USDA by the library. The motion was made and then approved.

The council voted to accept the budgets (General Fund, Water/Sewer and Municipal Liquor Store) and the levy as presented.

After discussing Ordinance #53, separating the clerk and treasurer positions, the action was tabled. The council directed Bonar to seek job descriptions for each position from cities that currently have separate positions.

The council then voted to approve Resolution 2009-12, Returning the City to Cash Basis Accounting.

They also voted to accept the audit proposal from Brady-Martz for two years. Following that, the financial reports were approved as presented. Discussion.

The council directed Bonar bring more information on the Cemetery Fund to the next meeting.

The council voted to approve membership in the MAOSC for 2010 and to pay the membership fee and to pay the November and the received-to-date December 2009 expenditures as presented with the exception of the camp ground permit fee which may be paid after checking with the Minnesota Department of Health to ensure the correct fee has been calculated. Discussion.

Up next was the request for approval for the Overmann liquor license renewal for Powerhouse Bar and Grill. Following a bit of discussion, the council approved the request.

A motion was made to approve the Koochiching County Agriculture Association bingo permit.

Approval of the 2010 Warren Fire Contract was next on the agenda. With a unanimous vote, the council approved the contract.

They also voted to approve the Airport Maintenance Agreement with MnDOT after a short discussion.

Councilor Struss presented information on research he and Councilor Salmonson had conducted on street lights and a possible agreement for a refund by North Itasca Electric.

A motion was made to approve the proposed refund by North Itasca Electric before Bonar was asked to place Street Lights on the January 2010 council agenda for discussion of possibly eliminating some street lights.

Struss reported he is looking into possible stimulus money as well as funding from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund for improvements to Boy Scout Point. The council directed Bonar to contact MnDOT about possible signage on Highway 71 and in town directing people to the camping area.

The council authorized Bonar to send a letter to the Koochiching County Engineer and the county board regarding scheduling a meeting with the engineer to discuss potential state aid road projects within the city.

They also directed Bonar to send a letter to Stephen Frisco at MnDOT regarding improvements to Highway 46 and the possibility of these improvement including extending curbing past Skoe Lumber.

The next meeting of the council will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 6. The council directed Bonar to place all yearly council appointments on a consent calendar.