City Council Sets Filing Dates for Municipal Election
City Council Sets Filing Dates for Municipal Election
By Crystal Howerton
The Edina Board of Alderman met in regular session on Monday evening, November 10, 2008. In the last order of business, Council members voted to set the filing dates for the April 7, 2009 Municipal Election for December 16, 2008 through January 20, 2009.
City Collector Betty Morgret read the minutes from the October meeting in the absence of City Clerk Margaret Gibson, as well as presenting the Collector’s Report.
Although City Treasurer Peggy Collinge was present at the meeting, a report was unavailable due to scheduling conflicts between Collinge and the City Clerk. However, Collinge did announce the intention of a utility company to collect $35,000 in over-paid taxes from the City over the next three months due to an error in billing that occurred from the years 2000 to 2003, which was discovered during a recent audit.
City Council members heard from Bill Delaney of Edina during Citizens Communications. Delaney passed around minutes from the April 11, 1983 Edina City Council meeting regarding a problem with his sewer line, which stated that “Richard Woods said that a man from DNR has looked at the situation and he says the roots from the trees there are causing the problem. The Council agreed that the City should rod out that particular sewer line twice a year to prevent it from stopping up”.
Delaney said that although there have been no problems with the sewer line since that time, he is concerned that if the sewer line is not rodded out once every six months, as originally agreed upon, that another stoppage could occur.
Superintendent of Utilities Mike Wriedt responded that the particular sewer line has been rodded out twice during his employment with the City however he has since applied a chemical root killer that he feels has been effective root control. In addition, at the time of the sewer camera purchase, the sewer line was viewed for obstructions and none were found.
It was the consensus of the Board to view the sewer line again via the sewer camera and provide Delaney with a copy of the footage, and continue to check the sewer line for obstructions periodically.
Wastewater Superintendent Brad Eitel submitted his written report and asked if there were questions or comments. According to Eitel’s report, the average daily flow for October was 152,000 gallons per day, or 69% of design flow and a total of 4,710,000 gallons treated. The actual population equivalent was 1,437. Eitel reported no repairs or problems and stated that 27 loads of sludge or 54,000 gallons had been hauled.
Wriedt reported that City employees have inspected 35 manholes by popping open the lids, ten of which in the southwest corner should be addressed. He stated that a water inspection was conducted during the middle of month and was fine, aside from the connection at the lake, which should be capped. Wriedt reported that the city streets were ready and lime truck prepared for winter use. Also under discussion was the purchase of an enclosed trailer, having been mentioned at previous meetings. It was the consensus of the Board to revisit this purchase at the first of the year.
Edina Police Chief Roger Waibel announced that the Annual Children’s Halloween Party was a success and 111 children were registered. It was the consensus of the Board to compensate Edina Fire Department Co-chiefs Martin Edwards and Tom Morgret for their assistance in patrol of the City on Halloween Eve, per Waibel’s request. He stated that there was no trouble on Halloween night.
Waibel suggested that the Council should revisit the animal ordinance, stating there are a few problems/loopholes that should be addressed. Ongoing projects regarding derelict properties were also discussed.
Council members agreed to have copies made and distributed for review prior to next month’s meeting for a Proposed Floodplain Management Ordinance, which is being recommended by SEMA (State Emergency Management Agency).
City Council members approved two applications for building permits submitted by William Whiles and Trevor Parton. Whiles requested a building permit for a two-car garage (28ft X 28ft.) at 505 North East Avenue. The proposed garage would be stick-built on a concrete slab with vinyl siding and a shingled roof. In addition, a permit for a 16×80 1994 Dutch mobile home to be placed at 402 S. Linville was also approved. The singlewide trailer has vinyl siding and a shingled roof and was said to be in excellent condition.
During Alderman Comments, numerous requests for streetlights and signs were discussed. Council members discussed trimming a tree which is located at the corner of Clay and Cottey streets because it is obstructing stop sign visibility.
The December meeting was rescheduled for December 15, 2008 due to a scheduling conflict. In addition, a tentative date was set for the annual safety meeting of December 1, 2008 at the Edina Country Club.
