Swanville City – August 7, 2012

Swanville City
August 7, 2012
Minutes of the Swanville City Council meeting held in the Swanville Senior Center on Tuesday, August 7, 2012. The meeting was called to order at 7:30p.m.with the following members present: Sandy Peterson, Jim Molitor, and Jim Piekarski Absent: Julie Hollermann, AJ Johnson, and Tim Grittner. Also Present: Mark Hallen, Tim Churchwell, Reporter Liz Verley, and Brian Zapzalka.
Minutes of the Swanville City Council meeting held July 3, 2012 were read. Jim Piekarski made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Jim Molitor seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
The treasures report was given. A motion was made by Jim Piekarski and seconded by Jim Molitor to approve the treasurer’s report. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
City Attorney, Tim Churchwell, was present to discuss with council about selling Lot 30 in Forest Hill Lane. Churchwell advised the council if the lot is sold, there would need to be some stipulations on the sell of the property which would carry with the lot if sold by the original buyer. The first would be any driveway through the lot would need to be paved, second, if more than one home owner would be using lot 30 as a passage to their property, the adjacent property would need to be annexed into the city and the township would have to be notified when the property is sold of this condition and three, no heavy equipment, such as logging equipment, can enter the adjacent property through lot 30. Mayor Peterson made a motion to have these stipulations attached to the sell of lot 30 in Forest Hill Lane. Jim Piekarski seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried. Jim Molitor made a motion to sell the lot for $5000.00 which would include the sell of the lot and the assessment on the land. Jim Piekarski seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
Churchwell also stated he is working on annexing to the city the property that was newly acquired by the school to have another softball field made. Mayor Peterson stated she attended Burnhamville Township meeting. The township did not have a problem with the property being annexed into the city, just as long as the property does not become residential.
Mark Hallen, city engineer, was present and gave a report on the well controller and switches that will be installed soon.
Central Tank Coating did a paint touch up on the interior and the exterior of the water tower. They also put in a frost free vent and other updates in the amount of $7,900.00. They also advised the council to budget $40 to $45,000.00 to have a complete interior and exterior paint job within the next 3 to 5 years. Mark Hallen suggested the city have an independent company come in and evaluate the tower to see if it is in fact worth doing that extensive of repairs.
Camping by Lake Pepin access was discussed. No action will be taken at this time. Tabled
A contract for a $1.35 a gallon for propane was presented from Rahn’s Oil. It was decided to have the Mayor sign the contract for the next heating season.
A request was read from the Initiative Foundation asking for support from the City once again. After discussion Jim Molitor made a motion to contribute to the foundation $600.00 in 2013. Jim Piekarski seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
The mural on the wall in the community center is now finished. Artist Nancy Leasman donated some of her time and Diane Borgert and Lowell Drager paid for the rest of the cost. Diane was wondering if a trim board could be put up to protect the wall from chair damage. Council thought a trim board could be added for not more than $50.00. Mayor Peterson stated she would like to have a plaque made for Diane Borgert for her 25 years of service as city librarian, council agreed.
A land use permit was presented from Carol Dold. She would like to add a 7’x16’ well cover to her existing shed. Jim Piekarski made a motion to give the land use permit to Dold if it meets the setbacks required by the city. Brian will check into it to make sure. Jim Molitor seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
The city maintenance man presented the council with an estimate from Tri-City paving to redo the tarring on Springbook Drive. Council will further discuss the resurfacing when another quote is received.
It was decided that a letter needs to be sent to the resident on Fourth Street that dug up the tar when repairing the sewer line going to the resident’s house. The council requests that the road is tarred by October 1, 2012 or the city will repair the road and put the cost of the repair on the resident’s property taxes.
The Mayor stated she is getting complaints that the JennieO Mill is producing a lot of dust. Council will review the contract which stated JennieO installed a new vacuum system at the next meeting.
The annual Swanville Rural Fire Association meeting is set for August 28, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the senior center and then recess to go to the fire hall to discuss the annual budget.
The following claims were presented for payment. Members of the Council were furnished with a listing. Jim Molitor made a motion to approve the claims. Jim Piekarski seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
The next monthly meeting will be held September 4, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Jim Piekarski and seconded by Jim Molitor to adjourn. All members voted in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned 9:15 p.m.
Julie Hollermann, City Clerk/Treasurer