July 13th West Concord City Council Meeting
Meeting was held at the City of West Concords Bell Tower Center
PRESENT: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
(Arrived at 7:00pm)
ABSENT: Councilmember Christina Peterson
ALSO PRESENT: Administrator Cory Hinz, City Clerk-Treasurer Lauren Highfill, Peoples Services Dan Vrieze, Kennedy and Graven, Chartered, Joesph Sathe, Accounting Clerk Michelle Lee, Police Chief Shannon Boerner and Library Director Heather Frederick.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Sandra Sullivan was present to offer recommendations to the City Council regarding youth safety and education. Sandra suggested to the Council that the remaining ARPA/COVID Funding be used to fund youth programming for the City of West Concord. Sandra recommended programming be managed by City Administration, the City of West Concords Public Library and the City of West Concords Public Pool. Ideas presented included free swimming lessons and pool passes for residents in need, summer reading programs, library programming and oral health education. An emphasis was placed on allocating funds to creating long term youth programing.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve City Council Meeting Minutes from June 15, 2023
B. Approval of Payment of Claims dated 06-21-2023 in the amount of $87,556.83
C. Approval of Payment of Claims dated 06-22-2023 in the amount of $548.63
D. Approval of Payment of Claims dated 06-22-2023 in the amount of $2,208.83
E. Approval of Payment of Claims dated 06-30-2023 in the amount of $21,589.79
F. Approve Resolution 2023-26: to Hire Part-Time Library Director: Heather Frederick
G. Approve Resolution 2023-27: Accepting Friends of the Library Donation
MOTION: Motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Motion was made by Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, seconded by Councilmember Collin Ripley.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
CITY BUSINESS
MINNESOTA MARIJUANA LEGISLATION IMPACTING SMALLER COMMUNITIES AND WORKPLACE GUIDELINES UPDATE, AND E-PULL TAB CHANGES – JOSEPH SATHE, CITY ATTORNEY (KENNEDY & GRAVEN, CHARTERED)
The City Attorney, Joesph Sathe (Kennedy & Graven, Chartered) presented an overview of the New State of Minnesota Marijuana Legislation impacting smaller communities and workplace guidelines. Joseph also discussed the new future guidelines impacting e-pull tabs.
Informational Item
MOTION TO APPROVE SEWER AND WATER EXTENSION PLANS AND CONNECTION AGREEMENT FOR RICKIE AND WENDY JONES, 410 STATE STREET NORTH, WEST CONCORD, MN
The City Engineer, Joseph Palen, approved the Sewer and Water Extension Plans to 410 State Street North on Hwy 56 (submitted by Ellingson Companies). City Staff recommended that the City Council approve the sewer and water extension plans and to execute the City of West Concords Sanitary Sewer and Water Service Agreement with Rickie and Wendy Jones.
MOTION: Motion to approve the Sanitary and Water Service Extension plans and Sanitary Sewer and Water Service Agreement at 410 State Street, North on Hwy 56, West Concord, with Ricky and Wendy Jones.
Motion was made by Councilmember Jeff Burse, seconded by Councilmember Collin Ripley.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
MOTION TO APPROVE SEWER AND WATER EXTENSION PLANS AND CONNECTION AGREEMENT FOR RONALD AND AMY FLICEK, 420 &421 STATE STREET NORTH, WEST CONCORD
The City Engineer, Joseph Palen, approved the Sewer and Water Extension Plans to 420 & 421 State Street North on Hwy 56 (submitted by Ellingson Companies). The City Staff recommended that the City Council approve the sewer and water extension plans and approval to execute the City of West Concords Sanitary Sewer and Water Service Agreement, with Ronald and Amy Flicek.
MOTION: Motion to approve the Sanitary and Water Service Extension plans and Sanitary Sewer and Water Service Agreement at 420 & 421 State Street, North on Hwy 56, West Concord with Ronald and Amy Flicek.
Motion was made by Councilmember Collin Ripley, seconded by Councilmember Crystal Nielson.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
2023 CITY OF WEST CONCORD BEAUTIFICATION INITIATIVE – POLICE CHIEF
The City of West Concord Police Chief presented the monthly 2023 Beautification Update.
Informational Item
APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023 – 28: APPROVING ACQUISITION OF A 2023 FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY VEHICLE
City Staff sought City Council approval to purchase a 2023 Ford Interceptor Utility Vehicle, safety, and police equipment in the amount of $60,302.00 from Pine Belt Auto Group / Dana Safety Supply, Inc out of Greensboro, North Carolina. The police vehicle replacement was identified and budgeted in the West Concord Equipment Revolving Fund Account 220, in the amount of $63,672.00 in 2023.
MOTION: Motion to approve Resolution 2023-28, the Acquisition of a 2023 Ford Interceptor Utility Vehicle, Safety, and Police Equipment in the amount of $60,302.00.
Motion was made by Councilmember Jeff Burse, seconded by Councilmember Collin Ripley.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
REPORT OF OFFICERS
REPORT FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
The City Administrator presented the May 2023, rent from West Concord Historical Society in the amount of $2,960.82 and the Municipal Liquor On & Off Sale Monthly Report.
The City Administrator explained that the May budget expenditures for the Municipal Liquor store did not cover the May expenses, but that revenue was up from the 2022 revenues. Revenue from the Survival Days budget is expected to help off-set expenses. In addition, staffing plans are being reviewed for budget sustainability.
The Administrator also reviewed the recent EDA recommendation to accept the return the purchase of 621 6th Street, a lot located in the EDA managed Mathias subdivision, from Jacob Rosenau. The lot was purchased in 2019 in the amount of $4,000. The EDA recommends purchasing the lot back from the owner at the original purchase price.
REPORT FROM WEST CONCORD LIBRARIAN
Monthly Report Attached
REPORT FROM WEST CONCORD PUBLIC WORKS
Monthly Report Attached
REPORT FROM PEOPLE SERVICES
Monthly Report Attached
REPORT FROM WEST CONCORD POLICE CHIEF
Monthly Report Attached
REPORT FROM FIRE CHIEF
Councilmember Crystal Nielsen was present and explained that, based on the most recent Fire Department meeting, a representative from the Fire Department plans to be present in August to discuss the Fire Department structure, officers and recruitment programing.
OTHER BUSINESS:
City staff requested scheduling of the 2023 City of West Concord Budget Meetings. The Council agreed that all Budget Meetings will take place at City Hall and will begin at 6:30pm. The Public is invited to attend City Council Budget Meetings. Department scheduling will be completed by City Administration and publicly posted prior to the Meetings.
BUDGET MEETINGS 2023
Thursday August 29th, 2023
Tuesday September 5th, 2023
Thursday September 7th, 2023
Tuesday September 12th, 2023
Thursday September 14th, 2023 (Tentative)
MOTION: Motion to approve the 2023 Budget Meetings.
Motion was made by Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, seconded by Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting Adjourned at pm 8:07pm
MOTION: Motion to Adjourn.
Motion was made by Mayor McCool, seconded by Councilmember Crystal Nielsen.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
