Sundrud Park Upgrades Discussed

City of Oklee met on June 12, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Oklee Café. All council members were present: George Burthwick, Matthew Genova, Paul Cyr, Kaye Munt and Lori Melby. And Derek Cross (City Clerk).

Visitors were: Toni Burthwick, JoAnn Hamm, Jackie Cross and her daughter, Gale Schmitz (accountant), Brady Grove, Sheriff Mitch Bernstein, Deputy Casey Roisland, and Darrell Tougas (Maintenance).

Right before the meeting Genova handed out copies of the Incident report he filed with the Sheriff’s Department in regard to being called nasty names by the City Clerk Derek Cross.

At 6:02 p.m. Mayor George Burthwick called the meeting to order. 

Minutes were presented for approval. Genova brought to attention the last paragraph where Cross called Genova an “idiot” and that Cross called him a nasty word in the City Clerk’s office, which brought about the complaint being filed. Genova left the office, and came back with Burthwich, and Cross continued to called him a nasty word. Genova said Cross has to follow the rules – code of ethics. 

Cyr said this should not be part of the minutes, Melby said we need to approve the minutes. Melby made a motion to accept the minutes with no changes, Cyr seconded. Carried.

Financial report was given by Gale Schmitz, from Gale Schmitz, LTD. First Schmtz went through April’s report as it wasn’t available last month. Genova had a question about the water bills. There is a cumulation of past due bills totaling approx. $10,000. The City does turn them over to Delinquent Taxes but that takes many years before it comes back to the city, we need to find a better solution. Genova went on to say, the City must get after people for past due bills. Burthwick said the City follows the rules. Genova pointed out that the City does have ordinances – shutting off water, charging for mowing lawns, the City needs to address this. Burthwick said the City is getting better. Cyr suggested going line by line at another meeting. The April Financials were approved with a motion and carried.

The May Financials were next and Cyr had a question for Schmitz on Account for Doubtful, if that is what Genova is talking about, past due accounts, and Schmitz said the auditors use that for such accounts and it given as a adjustment. Genova asked if we had extra funds, can we use it to pay off other debts, and Schmitz said the City can, but it can cause restrictions in the future. It is good to have some extra funds. Schmitz said the City of Oklee is in good financial shape. A motion to accept the May Financials was made and approved.

Sheriff Mitch Bernstein reported that the nuisance property has been taken care of and the case has been dismissed. There has been some dog drama on Bourden Street. Five meth arrests has been made in Red Lake County, but none in of them were in Oklee. The Sheriff’s Department has created a Facebook page since it worked so well catching the burglars from the Plummer Legion burglary. Genova asked if a Neighborhood Watch program was in Red Lake County and Bernstein said no, and in small towns, most neighbors watch neighbors already. 

Bernstein also said Genova had called the sheriff’s office and paper work was filed, it is closed. It is up to the City what is wants to do with it. Internal needs to be done in the City would be an option. Cross said he wanted his side also reported to Bernstein. 

Burthwick mentioned that he had checked out back alleys and has a list of properties that need to be fixed up. Letters will be sent out.

School Parking was discussed next. The School is requesting permission to remove the sidewalk on the east side of the school to be replaced with more roadway/parking. The City is concerned about the curb and gutter not being included in the quote and it needs to address curbs and gutters for drainage. The council didn’t think the school would gain any space for parking and the road would still be narrow. Trucks are not supposed to park on that street and it is posted. The City Council said the will approve the schools plan only if it addresses curbs and gutters. Cyr, Burthwick will to go the School and discuss this with Superintendent. Genova made a motion, Munt seconded to approve changes with curb and gutter added. Carried.

City Maintenance person, Darrel Tougas reported to the Council that the pumps had been serviced, ponds have been drained and may need to drain once more to get to the sludge issue, so it can be removed. Tougas has been busy spraying weeds around the town. Melby mentioned the Tennis Court need to either be fixed or removed, in her opinion. It is used for basketball by locals.

Other items mentioned to Tougas were if the Truck has been sold on bids (no), the new mower (is it here, no), swing set put up in new location (get help, it has taken too long). Also, discussion on the street in front of the Baker property, needs to be fixed. Requested bid be gotten when the school does their street work. Also, the fire hydrant by the fertilizer plant needs to be fixed. If help is needed, contact a person on the list. Added to the discussion was that someone is interested in the old sweeper. Did the City want to sell it? Yes.

Building Permits and the pricing was brought up and the way it is currently set up was not understood by the Council, so it will be discussed at the next meeting with the numbers. If free lots were given, should there be a flat rate for a building permit was the original question.

The Park Project through the EcoFootprint grant was next with bids for a picnic shelter. The bids for the physical building were from Scitus and Vettleson. The bids were for $9,100 and $9,400 respectively. 

Genova asked if the bidders should have the license # attached and they should be stamped. Especially since the Scitus bidder is Cross’s son-in-law. There could be a conflict of interest without safe guards. The Council said they will be stamped in the future to insure there is no conflict. The bid was accepted by the low bid and Scitus was awarded the bid with a motion by Cyr, seconded by Melby, carried.

Jacke Cross was asked to leave at this point for calling Genova names by Council person Cyr.

The bids for electrical was from E & E Electric. The bid was accepted by the council.

The Sundrud Sign is in, waiting for Gopher to mark the area, then it will be installed. Other subjects mentioned was a possible dump tank for campers at the park, how much camper rent, and hookups. If the dock has been ordered.

The meeting was adjourned with a motion by Melby, seconded by Munt.