Celebrate Kennedy

Mayor Deere called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Members present were Duane Peterson, Scott Winge and Jon Turn. Also present were Jeff Keller, Shannon Mortenson and Greg Mitziga.

Additions to the Agenda: None.

The minutes were reviewed from the June Monthly Meeting. Motion was made by Peterson, and seconded by Winge, to approve the minutes. All in favor, motion carried.

Public Forum. Jeff Keller updated the council on the Summer Recreation Program. The season has been going great. He would like to see something done with the area behind home plate as water does not drain there. The rest of the field is dry; the tile works very well. Mitziga will assess the situation. Concessions are being sold this year. Keller is keeping the bus and the dugouts clean. The dugout was broken into mid June. The Sheriff’s Department was notified and they are investigating. There are numerous eye witnesses so should not be hard to find the individuals. A new drag could be purchased or made for the program. Keller will bring Pembina’s drag next week and Mitizga will look at it. The PeeWees and Midgets tournaments will be held in Kennedy this year.

Clerk’s Report: Mortenson attended the Minnesota Association of Small Cities Annual Meeting held in Duluth on June 27-28. She also attended a Loan Pool meeting this afternoon. Motion was made by Winge, and seconded by Peterson, to accept the Clerk’s Report as presented. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer’s report: The balance sheet was reviewed. The first half of the tax settlement from Kittson County was received. The first half of the Local Government Aid will be to the city toward the end of the month. Motion was made by Peterson, and seconded by Turn to transfer $50,000 from the checking account to the money market account in July. All in favor, motion carried. . The Unpaid Bills sheet was reviewed; one bill was added. Motion was made by Peterson, and seconded by Turn, to pay the bills as presented. All in favor, motion carried. Motion was made by Turn, and seconded by Peterson, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. All in favor, motion carried.

Maintenance Report: The sewer line from the ToddCo building to the main was damaged during the bridge construction. Mitziga installed a new line. Mosquito spraying has taken place twice. It has rained every three – four days most of June. Mitziga fixed the broken door in the dugout. He has spent most of his time watching the bridge project. Motion was made by Peterson, and seconded by Turn to accept the Maintenance Report as presented. All in favor, motion carried.

Fire Dept. Report: Maintenance tasks were performed in June. The ’84 tanker had a leak in the tank and it was welded. The big truck had an exhaust leak which was repaired. The fourth pager has arrived and some pagers have been fixed. An e-mail was received requesting additional information for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Mayor asked if the department had any idea on the fire protection needed for the canola crushing facility. This will be further investigated.

Council Committee Reports: Mayor’s Report-Randy Jansen has really improved the area by the burn pile. It looks super! This was all done on his own and the city will benefit from the improved drainage. Discussion ensued on the burn pile. Otter Tail Power Company has been in the city looking at the baseball field lights. A plan is to be to the city by the end of the week. There is concern over the closing of the Kennedy school building. Council discussed various approaches to voice concern over the closing. Mortenson will write up something in the city newsletter. The bus garage at the school needs to be painted.

Mortenson reported for Mary Ryden that she represented the city in the Argyle parade on June 30. The parade organizers would like the city to be in the parade next summer when Argyle celebrates 125 years.

Petition Watershed District: An e-mail was received from Dan Money and viewers still have not been appointed.

Kennedy EDA: Nothing.

Bridge Replacement: The weather has not cooperated in the last month for construction on the bridge. Three inches of rain fell last night which will further hinder the project. The phone company has been an issue to work with but now lines have been spliced and buried. The culverts were installed last weekend. There is a manhole west of the bridge that still needs to be fixed. No finishing date due to the weather.

Senior Center Fundraiser: The date will be August 9 at The Café/VFW. Mortenson will organize and inform council later in the month of their duties. Council reviewed the list of activities the Senior Center performed in the last year. The center is a great asset to our community.

Enforce Junk Ordinance: Letters were sent to residents and the areas have been cleaned. A thank you will be sent to the individuals.

Mosquito Spraying: Council consensus was to leave the fee at $150 each time. Mitziga will work with Lonnie Thompson on when to spray that city.

Wage Negotiations: City personnel would like to start the process prior to budget time. Mortenson will work with Ryden and Turn to establish a meeting time and date.

Building Permits: Motion was made by Winge, and seconded by Peterson, to approve the building permits for Floyd Nelson, Marshall Bank and Rod & Beth Stark. All in favor, motion carried.

August Meeting Date: The August Council Meeting was set for Tuesday, August 7 at 6:30 PM.

There being no further business brought forward for the member’s attention, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM by motion of Peterson, seconded by Winge. All in favor, motion carried.

Shannon Mortenson, Clerk (Attest) Louis C. Deere, Mayor

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This page was last updated on 09/17/07.