Call to order: The regular Randolph City Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Robert Appelgren.
Roll Call:
Present:
Mayor Robert Appelgren
Council Members Sarah Podritz, Jacob Friedrich, and Jacob Toledo.
Treasurer Sandy Nicolai was absent
Clerk Mary Haro
Public Comments:
None.
Prior Meeting Minutes
A motion to approve the November 11, 2020 regular council meeting minutes and November 19, 2020 special council meeting minutes as written was made by Friedrich, seconded by Podritz. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
Treasurer's Report
No report this month.
Approval to Pay Bills
Bolton & Menk's invoice is for Hereford Hills so it will be forwarded to Dan Wenstrom for payment to the City.
Motion to approve the payment of bills as written was made by Friedrich, and seconded by Podritz. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
Old Business
Snow plowing of City Sidewalks
We received a bid of $145 for every time they snow plow the city sidewalks. Motion by Appelgren to approve the bid, seconded by Podritz. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
New Business
Final Budget – Tax Levy
Podritz brought up raises which we previously discussed. A 5% raise would amount to $110 for councilmembers; $220 for the mayor; $580 for the clerk and $628 for the treasurer, 8% would give councilmembers $112; $224 for the mayor; $590 for the clerk and $639 for the treasurer and 9% would give $114 to councilmembers; $228 to the mayor; $601 to the clerk and $651 to the treasurer. By giving us a 5% raise that would allow to leave some money for payment of special meetings to remain under budget. After discussion Podritz made a motion to approve 5% raises to the council members, mayor, clerk and treasurer, seconded by Friedrich. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
A discussion regarding the street budget should continue with the same budget for next year. There is one road that will not be repaved with the sewer project so we could use the budget money for that road so that all roads will be redone – it is 291st Street between Dawson and Dickman.
In a discussion regarding the budget we decided not to make any changes to the budget. A motion was made by Appelgren, to approve the final budget and Resolution No. 20-12 setting the levy in the amount of $136,120, seconded by Podritz. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
Polling Place Designation
Clerk Haro made a motion to approve Resolution No. 20-13 designating the Randolph City Hall as the polling place for 2021, seconded by Podritz. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
Reimbursement of COVID Funds to Fire Department
Motion to approve Resolution No. 20-14 reimbursing the fire department in the amount of $27,258.00 for money that was spent on equipment, radios and face masks, due to the COVID-19 pandemic was made by Podritz, seconded by Friedrich. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
Driveway Off of 292nd Street/Dawson Avenue
Sarah asked if the city would take over this driveway. Since the road will be torn up during the sewer project, she wanted if it was ever a possibility for the city to consider buying it or taking it over to turn it into a road. Doug Douscher currently owns the road but it has not been maintained.
Shelley Kidd indicated there is a recorded easement for maintenance of the road with the owners of the properties which include hers and one other and Doug, She wanted the road redone a few years back but the others parties could not do it so it did not get done. Matt indicated we could take it over if all the parties agree and have our attorney draw up the documents. It would be a great time to do it with the sewer project coming it. It is a private road.
Sarah did talk to him and she was not sure if he was willing to turn it over or to sell it. It was noted that the City will not buy it. He said the lot behind them the road goes with it. It was indicated that they should check with an attorney to see if they have rights to make
him maintain the road. You should do the work to figure out what it would take for the city to take it over and then bring it back to us to revisit this issue. The roads will be put back the same way they currently are at – if it gravel, it will be replaced with gravel.
Mowing Contract
Ace Mowing presented a proposal for a one-year contract for the same fees as last year. Motion to accept the proposal from Ace Mowing made by Podritz, seconded by Haro. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
Miscellaneous
Doug Jones Proposal
Doug Jones presented a proposal for the storage of crushed granite on his property in Randolph that he asked be shared with the council. He is looking for field access off of Dickman to his property which I told him he would need to contact Dakota County for permission to do that as that is a county road. His property is zoned as agricultural. Most likely he would need a conditional use permit. We would need to do some research before we can even consider this request.
Bolton & Menk Sewer Update
Matt Blazer of Bolton & Menk gave an update on what is happening with the sewer project. They have been working on the survey. They used a drone for footage so they have all of the area photography done. Please leave the pink markings alone they are just reference points. They meet with the township and have a meeting next week with Doug Felton. Next meeting we will discuss Ehlers, a financial advisor and getting them on board so we can secure some short term financing. He has completed the application but the financing is the piece that is missing from it.
The missing piece will be to set up a meeting with Ehlers, a financial advisor and setting up a loan. They will come to the next meeting. Once we get all of this done then we start to schedule an informational meeting in mid to late January which he will update us at next month's meeting. Then we can provide more information to people and get information from people. It will be similar to the presentation they already gave. Late March do an neighborhood open house where we can say where the pipes are going and costs involved. After that meeting decisions will be made on options and that next meeting they will present the feasibility and that is when the council need to make decisions. Then we will approve the plan and spec. and design next summer. Hopefully break ground for late next Fall for the ponds. It was asked that they bring us costs for curb and gutter so we have options. It was discussed with Mr. Kelly if we could use the school for these meeting and he indicated that we could. Also the meetings can be online and could be recorded. He has received a lot of phone calls and questions regarding the project. People just want more information. Matt indicated to let people know they can call him for information. They have been talking with the Township and will continue the talks. Information is very important. Once the ground breaks and the excavator starting digging it is hard to change things. That's why we want to have meetings, give information and get information. They are meeting with Doug Felton next week. If others are interested and hear they want this we are to let them know – it's always good to have a backup plan. He would be limited on what he can plant on his fields – it cannot be anything consumed by humans. We could buy the land and lease it back to him or lease it from him for 125% of the life cycle of the facilities that are being installed. If down the road he doesn't want to spray the fields any longer, it can be switched down the road by hooking in a pipe to a different location.
Right now the acreage for the three ponds would be approximately 10 acres but we would like room for expansion, that for 187 homes currently in the city. We would need some reserve area for the expansion. Our attorney, Korine is putting together some information regarding location, annexation, and conditional use permits.
MidCo Internet Service in City Hall
Discussed having Midco install internet service in City Hall. Sandy had discussed this with them and she received the following costs - $150 for installation, $88/month with one year contract, $78/month for a two year contract and $68/month for a three year contract. We would also want the fire department to have access to it.
Friedrich made a motion to go with the three year contract, seconded by Podritz. Note that we need to keep Northfield Wifi for our email. All voting in favor, none opposed,
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Podritz, seconded by Friedrich, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.