MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MOOSE LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
City Hall
6:30 PM Regular Meeting
Call to Order: Mayor Ted Shaw called the meeting of the Moose Lake City Council to Order. In addition to Mayor Ted
Shaw, the following City Councilors were in attendance: Curt Yort, Jim Michalski, Kris Huso, Michael Peterson. Also in
attendance: City Administrator; Mark Vahlsing, Chief of Police; Bryce Bogenholm, Lois Johnson, Joe Rhein, Eddie
Palkie, Spencer Skelton, Tom Paull, Pam Hall.
CALL TO ORDER
Motion made by Councilor Huso to accept the Council agenda with additions seconded by Councilor Michalski. Motion
carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion made by Councilor Peterson to accept consent agenda with noted change in Emergency meeting, seconded by
Councilor Yort. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments received.
PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED BUSINESS
Announcements:
Mayor Shaw stated that if any Vets have problems with their housing or need assistance in any way regarding to flood,
they should call Carlton County Veteran Service Office, Duane Brownie.
Mayor Shaw also stated that residents with lost dock sections should Call Greg Evenson. Some sections have been
found.
Flood Update
Chief Bogenholm gave an update on the status of the flood response by the City.
Most of the debris removal has been completed. New black dirt and seed is being placed on damaged lawns. The EOC
has been closed. There will be 24-hour police protection through summer. Swimming is safe again in the lake. Fishing
pier have been in contact with DNR and they are going to assist in repairing the pier. Critical incident debriefing took
place last night for all EMS and Fire, very beneficial. Another town meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 16, 6 p.m. at
the City Council chambers/community center.
City Engineer, Joe Rhein gave an update on the status of the City Utility Systems. He stated that the water system was
never compromised during the flood. The water was tested by the Minnesota Department of Health and was deemed safe
to drink. In the sewer system, all lift systems were now working at normal capacity. He recommended that the sanitary
sewer system should be televised. The televising process will look for collapsed or cracked pipes and identify areas that
need to be lined, replaced or repaired.
Tom Paull, Police Department Flood Manager. Tom had met with representatives of FEMA, and Homeland Security and
Carlton County to summarize which flood impacted houses meet the major or destroyed criteria. IN the Moose Lake area,
50 homes that were identified as flood impacted. Eleven were classified as destroyed, and with 39 major damage. FEMA
will consider individual assistance to those houses that are deemed destroyed. While 157 homes in Carlton County were
deemed major or destroyed. If the region qualifies for individual assistance, average payout may in the range of $1400$2500. Samaritan’s Purse is tentatively scheduled to leave area July 21.
Waiver of building permit fees for flooded home repairs.
Mayor Shaw requested that the Council waive building permit fees for repairs related to the flood. Administrator Vahlsing
stated that he needs to contact Water and Light to discuss water and sewer billing for flood impacted properties.
Motion made to waive building permit fees and adjust water/sewer billing for customers with inoperable water meters
made by Councilor Peterson, seconded by Councilor Michalski. Motion carried.
Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on the status of Status of Riverside Arena – The arena was not covered by
City insurance due to the fact that it was located in the flood plain. There also was not FEMA flood insurance for the
building. Arena manager Guyal Nelson is coordinating clean up efforts. The City received an estimate of $5800 for an
engineering study to determine the overall condition of the arena. The estimate which does not include costs necessary for
environmental testing, mileage and other out of pocket costs which could be up to $15,000 – Tom Paull stated that
possibly FEMA could provide a structural engineering assessment of the building.
Park Board Update
Administrator Vahlsing stated that Roy Peterson Park Concrete needs to be put in, hopefully within the next few weeks.
The Campground was severely damaged by the flood. The whole underground electrical system will need to be capped off
and new services for 70 sites will need to be installed. Water and Light will help cover cost. Campground repairs will not
be covered by the City’s insurance carrier. The Relay for Life memorial paver project is still scheduled as planned.
Status of cable franchise renewal negotiations with Mediacom –
Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on the status of the Cable franchise renewal. He reviewed a summary from
attorney Robert Vose. The cable franchise agreement officially ends in July but as long negotiations continue, the city
will operate under the terms of the current agreement. Mediacom has indicated that they will agree to some of the
requests made by the City for the next franchise agreement.
Proposed Ordinance 156 - Regulating vacant buildings in the City.
Administrator Vahlsing recommended that the Council adopt the proposed ordinance. He stated that the ordinance will
not be used for residents who have had to vacate their homes due to the flood. It would expedite the process of dealing
with abandoned homes.
Motion made to adopt Ordinance 156 by Councilor Yort, seconded by Councilor Peterson. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Announcement: Mayor Shaw stated that there is $30,000 in relief funds if anyone needs assistance related to flood
damage they can go to Covenant Church and complete an application.
Pam Hall – 108 8th St – request to close 8th street from Arrowhead Lane to Ash for August 5, 2012 neighborhood
party.
Chief Bogenholm has no issues with temporarily closing the street.
Motion to allow the closure of 8th street from Arrowhead Lane to Ash Avenue by Councilor Michalski, seconded by
Councilor Huso. Motion carried.
Complaints about traffic speed on Kenwood South and Jon Brown Drive.
Mayor Shaw stated that he had received complaints from area residents about traffic and speeding on Jon Brown Drive.
Chief Bogenholm stated that the Police Department had recently run radar in the area and found no violations. MSOP
was previously sent letters requesting that it’s employees do not use that route. MSOP will be vacating their location (old
Gateway Clinic building) and moving back to their main facility which will decrease traffic in the area. Chief Bogenholm
will discuss options with City Engineer Joe Rhein.
REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
Police Department Report – June
Chief Bogenholm discussed the June Police department report with the Council.
Joe Rhein – Bolton and Menk Engineering update.
The City Engineer updated the Council on the status of current projects. He discussed the street renovation project, GIS
mapping, sale of PVC pipe and other items. .
ADJOURN
Motion made by Councilor Peterson to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Huso. Motion carried.
Submitted by:
Paula Danelski, Recorder