Pledge of Allegiance was said
Consent Agenda:
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO APPROVED THE AGENDA.
ROLL CALL/ 4 AYES-1ABSENT
Others Present:  Steve Bell, Carl Rice, Brett Laughlin
Sheriff’s report:     There were 113 ICR’s (26 over 2015), 3600 for contract area of Valley, approximate 3% are SMP reported by Sheriff Bell.  Trend in calls follow trend in media.  Asked if any action on false alarms and he stated that they leave a notice of a false alarm and as of now there is no fine issued.
Public comments   Brett Laughlin of 16634 22nd St. So requests possible opportunity to place a pole shed/accessory structure on the property. This is the former Wang property.  He was referred to the Building Inspector.
2016 Appointments.
Fire District Audit Commission may change as the Fire Department is now audited annually by an outside CPA
Valley Branch …Nancy Anderson if needed
Neighborhood Watch is removed and now it is City Clean-up.
City Clean Up   - Joe FreeSmeier
Parks – Gary and Joe, Joe and Gary
Eckberg Lammers Professional  Corporation  - the city attorney’s new name.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS TO APPROVE THE 2016 APPOINTMENTS.
ROLL CALL/4 AYES-1 ABSENT

CITY MEETING DATES:
CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTED THE DATES AS PRESENTED.
CITY FEES 2016   Councilmember G. Williams noted city past trouble in collecting outstanding fees.  Attorney Sandstrom speaks to language change in City application regarding fees incurred   maybe a possibility of including a variance in the river way category.  Treasurer Niedzwiecki suggests that a preliminary review fee be instituted.  Both City Clerk and City Attorney Sandstrom spoke to right of tax payer to ask questions or request info without a fee incurred.  Councilmember Anderson proposes variance deposit increase to $1500 or $2500.  Treasurer Niedzwiecki presented examples of past variance costs incurred.  Most expenses are exceeding the deposit of $1,000.  Also noted was a possible change in fee language if the zoning application is accepted.
ZONING APPLICATION   Discussions on preference of Option #1 all-inclusive application VS Option #2 where separate applications are provided for Land Use/Subdivision/General Removal of Lot Line Adjustment.   Legal description of property owner for adjoining properties that needs cleaning up for discrepancy.  The City ultimately needs to sign off.  
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER TO APPPROVE FEE SCHEDULE ALSO, MOVING THE LOT LINE CHANGES TO A NO FEE.        ROLL CALL/4 AYES-1 ABSENT
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER FREESMEIER AND SECONDED BY MAYOR ROETTGER TO APPROVE OPTION #1 WITH CHANGES TO PAGE 1 AND ADDED NUMBERED PAGES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IF NEEDED.
ROLL CALL/3 AYES, 1 NAY, 1 ABSENT
TREE INSPECTOR     Contract Agreement.  Attorney Sandstrom spoke to the changes requested and the Mayor will have Mr. Helke contact our City Attorney Sandstrom
MSCWMO.     The city received a letter from Chair Zeller which requests consideration of an all-purpose variance application to be used by all cities of the WMO.  Council initial response was not interested but then decision to wait to see what is the next correspondence.
CITY WEBSITE   Councilmember Anderson reported that the website is back up and changed host.  Councilmember Freesmeier provided a quote of $2,000 for an upgrade website.  Council provided no interest.



Treasurer Report   Claims and Disbursements.  Treasurer Niedzwicki provided review of year end financials.  Note that the Building Inspector’s fees are up $12,000, however property tax collections at 99% Revenue is up, reviewed revenues and expenses although not all December expenses are in as of this meeting date.  
Councilmember G. William notes that a transfer of excess funds should be made to the Arts Fund as 2016 did not budget for it. He requests the treasurer to transfer to the ARTS fund $500 when presenting the 2015 yearend financials at February meeting.    Treasurer Niedzwiecki clarified Conservation of Natural Resources is actually MSCWMO regarding Councilmember Freesmeiers inquiry.  Review of claims to be approved.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER G. WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDERSON TO PAY CLAIMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,632.53 AND EFT 01 TO 10 AND CHECKS 5422 TO 5431.        ROLL CALL/4 AYES, 1 ABSENT
CITY ENGINEER    A Turnaround survey for 25th St. is on hold until other City Street projects are presented for work.  SMP has a shared street project with LSCB. Councilmember G. Williams expressed concern for taxing for the Road Budget without doing road projects.  Other discussions on Fire Dept refinance of Building Bond.  HRA is to handle with a 1.5% rate.  He proposed Council should check on the purchase of the property next to City Hall and our City Park looks bad.
CITY ATTORNEY   Attorney Sandstrom reported the Holmer Litigation is still on going as waiting for Holmer’s Attorney response.  
DATA PRACTICE REQUESTS.  Several request received by Attorney Sandstrom with some in depth.  Also the requestor insists that Council made the Attorney responsible authority.  However he noted that was not intent of Council.  (City Clerk still is but requests can be directed to City Attorney if clerk needs for medical reason).  He noted 2016 Appointments show clerk to be Response Authority.  He also received intensive data request for legal services information he noted he would go ahead and provide the information to the requester.
CITY CLERK:  With no obligation clerk will get info and quote on CO and Fire Alarm.
Fire Department   Building debt service reduction of $10,000 which is about $800 a year for SMP, the refinance rate of 1.478%.  In June the City will know how to adjust for Debt Service Budget.
Alliance   nothing
Planning   nothing
Cable     nothing,
WMO    Meeting time changed to 6:00, beginning January 2016

COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember G. Williams.  River level is 676.26, door opener for City Hall ADA button request consideration to go ahead with approximated cost of $1,500.00 to $2,000.00.
Concern that new houses built on a slab foundation should have a safe room.  Therefore concern for time of disaster without a place to go notes a need future consideration of this.
Meeting adjourned at 8:48    


                        _______________________________________
                        Jay Roettger, Mayor

Attested to by:

_________________________________________
Cindie J Reiter, City Clerk