Local News

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Meeting Watch Includes: Eagle Valley School Board, Hewitt City Council, Bertha City Council Eagle Valley School Board by Karin L. Nauber All members were present for the one and a half hour meeting. Three of the new teachers were on hand for introductions to the board. Actions Approved the consent agenda which included: hiring Joann Jackson to fill the two hour kitchen position at the high school; approved the seniority list; a two hour early release on Monday, October 22 to have a training session for the Annual Yearly Progress correction plan; hired Becky Pratt as assistant varsity girl's basketball coach. Authorized Superintendent Stephen Twitchell to seek out an architect or independent contractor for a facility appraisal and to cost out the various facility options. Approved the preventative maintenance contract with Climate Makers for the elementary heating system at a cost of $2792. Discussion Without Action Danceline was discussed. There are currently eight girls who want to participate. A couple of former danceline members have volunteered to be advisors. There was quite a bit of discussion about high school lunch and breakfast. See separate story. The board heard about how the new homeroom is going. Principal Deanna Mattson-Millar said the kids have settled into it and seem to be settling into their day faster. Twitchell gave a follow-up to the coalition meeting. He said the meeting didn't go the way he wanted it to. He felt that people who may have wanted to contribute were not able to because they were not as outspoken. He felt it was necessary to emphasize that the changes that will be done would not happen overnight. Elementary Dean Duane Motzko said that they are seriously pursuing new playground equipment. They have had fundraisers for around nine years. He would like to see some parents involved in making the decisions. Teacher Mark Lundin went over the ineligibility policy. Board Member Twila Pierce asked why Lundin was in charge of it and not Athletic Director Andy Lancaster? Twitchell explained that Lundin is working on his administrative licensure and is working under himself and Millar on his practicums one of which is setting up this policy. Lundin explained the procedure and how it works and said that rather than have a five or six week snowball effect where a student gets more and more behind and can't catch up on their work, there is now a two day turnaround. Often, he said, the problem is just an assignment that was not turned in. Several commented that the policy did need to include all the kids, not just those in sports or other extra-curricular activities. Millar said that her idea was that a teacher could look at the ten or so kids in their homeroom and keep on top of their grades. Hewitt City Council by Karin L. Nauber All board members were present for the one hour and 41 minute long regular meeting. Actions The board agreed that all requests to shut off water should come through the city council. Agreed to send a letter to Terry Melzer to request that if at all possible, he park his refrigeration trucks on the west side of his building so that the noise does not bother neighbors. Melzer's property is zoned commercial. Several complaints were submitted by one of Melzer's neighbors, Ron Dupuis. Citizen Juanita Mitchell said it wouldn't matter if Melzer parked the truck in Wadena, there would always be a problem for Dupuis. Dupuis responded that she was right, there was always going to be a problem. He said it wouldn't be a problem if there wasn't a problem. He said he was willing to forget his complaints if Melzer would just park the refrigeration trucks where he used to park them. The council agreed to send a letter to all businesses in town that they should have cigarette butt receptacles outside their establishments. The Stampede already has one. The council approved getting high speed internet for the city office. Pre-approved the lowest bid for electric in the new city garage. Approved donating $300 for Hewitt Santa Day. Approved having a mid-term audit completed to make sure all the accounts are reconciled since the resignation of City Clerk/Treasurer Cedric Haugen. Discussion Without Action The question remains about a $5000 discrepancy in the books. City Clerk/Treasurer Miriam Collom said that she doesn't know where it went, but that $5000 is gone and may have been distributed in smaller amounts. Darlene Fah, who acted as clerk to the council before Collom was hired, said the transaction for the $5000 was done the last day Haugen worked. The council has some concerns about City Maintenance Worker Blayne Brisson working overtime. There were also questions about him accumulating comp time. Brisson was not at the meeting, but had told someone on the council that the policy he has allows comp time. Mayor Luke Mitchell said they needed to review the policy. Council Member Lyle Spencer said, "I don't know how he can get overtime with two part-time employees." Issues concerning the liquor license at the Stampede have been handed over to the city's insurance agent Steve Peterson. He confirmed that he had turned the matter over to the League of Minnesota Cities and then to the insurance adjuster. Mitchell said they should have an answer for owners Casey and Julie Nash at the meeting in November. Bertha City Council by Carolynne Bisel Deputy Mayor Dean Klebs chaired the council meeting due to the absence of Bob Larson for a medical reason. The remainder of the council members were present for the meeting held on October 8, which lasted for two hours. Guests present for the meeting were: Kent Louwagie, Wayne Uberto, Doug Kapphahn, Steve Greenwaldt, Elvin Greenwaldt, Bob Wieber and Mark Woelfel. Actions · Approved the Consent Agenda including the Resolution adopting the Preliminary 2008 Budget and Preliminary 2007 Tax Levy for Taxes Collectible in 2008 and the sidewalk application for Rach. · Granted the request from the American Legion representative, Bob Wieber, to move forward with the memorial planned for the park. · Agreed to bid out the city's old lawn mower. · Agreed to have several copies of the upgraded maintenance manuel made up and the original stored at city hall. · The City Council held a public hearing from 7:15 p.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m. concerning vacating of city property. Once the hearing was closed, the council approved the resolution to vacate the property. · Approved the Resolution to sell the vacated property to Steve Greenwaldt, owner of Seven Oaks Express. · Approved to reschedule the November city council meeting to Thursday, November 8 due to Veterans Day falling on the usual meeting date of November 12. · Granted the municipal liquor store manager's request to run an ad in the Independent News Herald's Special Edition for the amount of $50. · The Council heard a presentation from Kent Louwagie, P.E. from Bolton & Menk, Inc. He gave an overview about how the City of Bertha could develop a Comprehensive Plan for the future. · Approved to allow Bolton & Menk, Inc. to update the City of Bertha's plan for the Wastewater Treatment Facility not to exceed $1000. · Delayed making a decision on the request from the Todd County Sheriff's Office to adopt an Alcohol Ordinance Amendment until further clarification is received. · Approved to give copies of the City of Bertha's Ordinances to each councilmember. Discussion without Action · The council briefly discussed the rental policy for the community center and the requirements for cleaning and the set up fees and deposits charged. · Mark Woelfel noted that the maintenance manuel is done and has been a helpful guide for him. · The Council briefly discussed the MN NCIS Inspection Service offered by Pam Swanson, but took no action on using the service as a tool for the city.