Halle turns in his resignation

On January 11, 2016, the City of Oklee held their monthly council meeting at the Oklee Café at 6:00 p.m. with many visitors in the audience.

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by Mayor George Burthwick. Roll call: Lori Melby, Alex Halle, and Kent Bergerson were present. Kaye Munt was absent. Also at the meeting were Derek Cross, Clerk, Darrell Tougas, Maintenance, Leo Olson, Matthew Genova, Sheriff Bernstein, Deputy Lovely, Bonny Cote (Oklee Herald), and many people from the community.

The minutes were looked at and one correction was made, Bergerson made a motion, Melby seconded, all in favor, carried.

Cross informed the board that the November minutes and bills were not properly completed by a motion at the November meeting, so the Council (couldn’t hear which ones) made a motion and seconded, and it was carried.

Gale Schmitz, from the accounting firm the City of Oklee uses, was unable to attend the meeting, so he sent a draft. In an correspondence, Schmitz stated that he made changes to the street fund, otherwise everything else looks good.

Bergerson said that since this is a draft, the council will not be able to approve until the completed one is before the council, but bills will have to be paid. Cross stated that a new person is working at Schmitz’s office and that is why there were so many voided checks on the Check Register Report.  The bills paid for the month in the amount of $49,580.57 were paid with a motion by Bergerson and seconded by Halle, all in favor, carried.

Sheriff Mitch Bernstein was next up on the agenda and started with the Tobacco Ordinance which he thought had been accepted, but hadn’t. Bernstein had looked if over and felt it was fine, that the City of Oklee should go ahead and adopt it. 

Other news from Bernstein concerned a few dog issues and theft. Also, Casey Roisland has been hired as a part-time deputy/dispatcher and most of his duties will be in Red Lake Falls. 

Matthew Genova had a question for Sheriff Bernstein. Genova handed Bernstein a copy of emails between the City and the Sheriff’s Department from last month’s meeting packet regarding Matthew Genova. He asked if that was appropriate to have such a conversation about a resident. Bernstein didn’t feel that it was anything to be concerned about. Genova also asked what the proper way to start an investigation on the missing $511 (approx.) money from a water bill that had been paid in cash. Bernstein told Genova to call in tomorrow and they can talk about it. Bernstein excused himself and left the meeting.

Matthew Genova came forward to the Council and thanked the people in the audience for coming and asked the board why they won’t face the people, that it is disrespectful to the citizens of Oklee. Genova continued with a question to the Council about a bill that was paid for by the City of Oklee to the City Attorney when it was Genova that had called the City Attorney and should have been charged for that portion, if there was a charge. Cross answered that he originally had been corresponding with the attorney about a lot owned by a resident, and the attorney had mentioned the Genova conversation and charged the city for it. 

Genova continued with asking the Council if they had done anything more on the garbage around the City. Bergerson asked Genova what his standards are? Genova said the standards are in the ordinance book of the City. Genova offered to read the ordinances if it wouldn’t cost him his three minute limit to address the council. They said it wouldn’t.

Genova read the ordinances, 8.80 and 8.90 to the council. Ordinance 8.80 has to do with the maintenance of private property. Subd. 1 states it is the primary responsibility of any owner or occupant of any lot or parcel of land to remove all public health or safety hazards, to install or repair water service lines, and to treat or remove insect infested or diseased trees. Subd. 2 talks about the the upkeep of the lawn, that after proper notification by the City, the City of Oklee can maintain the property and will charge $50 for the first hour and $25 per hour thereafter. The City Clerk should prepare a bill for the cost and mail it to the property owner and if not paid immediately, can charge a penalty fee and can be certified by the County Auditor’s Office and be a lien upon the property.

Ordinance 8.90 concerns junk cars, furniture, household furnishings, appliances, trailers or the like stored on public or private property. It is unlawful to park or store any trailers or towed objects, unlicensed, unregistered or inoperable motor vehicles, household furnishings, or appliances, or part of components thereof, on any property, public or private for more than seventy-two hours, unless housed within a lawfully erected building or without the approval of the City Council. It then goes on to explain the steps the City should take to fix the situation.

Bergerson said that according to the ordinances, he would be out of compliance as would many of the residences of Oklee. And asked Genova where do you want the standards? Bergerson also talked about driving around Thief River Falls and there is garbage sitting is yards there also. Leo Olson spoke up and said that Oklee used to have a large item pickup in the spring. Darrell Tougas said that what the City does now, is that if there is a metal item (most appliances, not microwaves or TVs) that needs to removed, the residents should contact the City of Oklee and it will be picked up by one of the local salvage operators.

Consenses was that maybe the City of Oklee needs to start the large pickup service again and Melby stated that we worked on this problem before, we can do so again.

Genova finished his discussion with the City of Oklee, asking them how they wanted to proceed with the Coat of Arms flag that was proposed to the RLCC School and City of Oklee. Bergerson said he was unfamiliar with what a Coat of Arms was and so wished that Genova and the school proceed as they wish, Melby concurred. Genova said he would be back with the Coat of Arms when the design was completed for final approval of the Council. Genova also stated to the Council that he is not head hunting the council. That he just wants the council to work together and to start getting things done.

Resident Sandra Tougas stated that some places in the past needed some care and letters were sent out and things got done.

Bergerson once again stated the City of Oklee standards are very wide open. Ask how much does the City want to spend on this. And mentioned that maybe we should included this in the City’s garbage contract.  Genova thanked them for their time.

Sidewalks were next to be discussed. Cross had emailed Korky Kleven, County Engineer a few questions, and had gotten an answer. Looks like the City of Oklee may have to do something about some of the sidewalk issues instead of thinking the County will.

The Tobacco Ordinance was presented to the Council and it was passed with a motion from Melby and seconded by Halle, all in favor, carried.

The Trailer House ordinance has been read twice before, this being the third reading. The ordinance was accepted as read with a motion by Halle and seconded by Melby, all in favor, carried.

The maintenance report was given by Darrell Tougas, who said things are quiet. Tougas has been working on getting equipment ready and if there is snow to remove, get it done. Tougas informed the Council that he will have to attend training in March.

Personnel Policy was addressed next. The change to be made has to do with Emergency hours being paid. The policy now includes that any employee that is a volunteer for an emergency service will be allowed to be paid for the emergency hours up to 40 hours a week. Tougas also asked if the change had been made on the vacation/comp time so that a person can take it in any order. Bergerson pointed out that if Comp Time gets to 120 hours, you can no longer earn vacation time. Halle made a motion, Bergerson seconded, all in favor, carried.

Stacey Hofstad donated $500 to the Oklee Volunteer Fire Department. A thank you was sent to her, along with a public thank you was placed in the Oklee Herald. 

It is time for a member of the Council to attend Board of Appeal and Equalization training. After some discussion, it was decided that Mayor Burthwich would attend this year, since there may be changes to the council in the coming year.

Councilman Halle presented the council with a letter of resignation. He will/has moved and this meeting will be his last meeting. The Council accepted his resignation and hopes his future endeavors work in his favor. Melby accepted the resignation, Bergerson seconded, carried.

Cross was told to get an ad in the paper requesting letters to be submitted to the Council for the open Council Seat.

Genova asked of the Council to once again consider sitting face forward to the residents as it shows respect to them.

The meeting was adjourned with a motion from Melby, seconded by Bergerson, carried. 

By Bonny Cote