The censure of the mayor that was tabled at the last Becker City Council meeting, was ultimately approved by council and legally instituted, starting Tuesday.

 

Following the last council meeting in which the censure was tabled, the city’s attorney, Scott Lepak, met with Mayor Lefty Kleis’ attorney to explore other alternatives rather than the censure — which the four council members were seeking and the mayor was trying to defeat.

 

 Lepak said through extensive discussions, it was determined the only other course of action was to go to mediation, which council had already indicated they were opposed to.

 

“We thoroughly aired it all out and mediation was the only thing that had possible legs,” said Lepak.

 

Council members all this time argued that the mayor had infringed upon the city’s pledge and observance of rules and code of conduct. 

 

In December, the mayor sent an email to City Administrator Greg Pruszinske asking Greg to send the mayor a copy of Pruszinske weekly work schedule. This request is contrary to the consensus of council and was reasonably perceived as potential bullying of Pruszinske — particularly given council’s prior concern over the significant number of hours Pruszinske was working at the time.

 

Council had previously expressed concern over the mayor’s communications with Pruszinske and other city employees. The issue was directed to the personnel committee and they concluded the mayor continues to engage in aggressive communication, contributing to a hostile environment and not abiding by the city’s code of conduct rule.

 

“These are all false allegations,” said Kleis.

 

With the passage of the censure, the mayor will not personally contact city employees without a council member present. The mayor is to not telephone city staff except in emergency situations. The mayor will “cc” the mayor pre tem on any electronic communications to city employees. Data requests by the mayor shall be submitted in writing or email to the city clerk with a “cc” to the mayor pro tem.

 

The mayor is also expected to strive to obtain data on questions before public meetings using the procedures outlined rather than making data requests during council meetings and expecting an immediate response. Finally, the mayor is expected to follow procedure by raising employment concerns to the personnel committee rather than raising them in a public meeting.

The censure passed in a 4-1 count.

 

Lepak spoke in regards to the wastewater treatment facility agreement with LPI in heed of the letter of credit line item.

 

As the city and legal were working with Moody’s on getting their rating reaffirmed, it was discovered some language in the agreement did not parallel the city’s intentions of the letter of credit.

“Basically, it’s adding one level of security to the agreement,” said Lepak. “LPI has been notified and they are endorse the change.”

 

A resolution proposing the language correction was approved by council.

 

Paul Steinman of Springsted, Inc. presented the bid results of the city’s bond issuance to fund the industrial wastewater improvements.

 

Steinman said Northland Securities came in with an interest rate of 2.06% for the $6,920,000 bond, which was significantly less than the estimated three precent the city expected.

 

“That means it’s $360,000 less to the buyer because of the lower interest rate,” said Steinman.

 

With the acceptance of the proposal, Steinman says he anticipates bond proceeds to be available by mid-March.

 

Treasurer Sarah Brunn presented the 2015 year-end transfers to council for their review and approval.

 

Brunn gave a summary of the transfers which includes $1,264,754 transferred from the general fund to the revolving capital find reserve account (RCARA) (admin/planning - $106,349; police - $82,617; public works - $210,618; streets - $657,500; parks - $207,670). 

 

Also,  $1,500 will be transferred from the EDA fund to the RCARA; $126,246 will be transferred from the BCC fund to the RCARA fund; $75,000 from the general fund to the revolving capital future improvements reserve account (RCFIRA); 62,145 from the general fund to the RCFIRA; $48,000 from revolving capital sewer access charges (RCSAC) fund to the domestic sewer fund; $37,329.89 from the trunk facilities water fund to the water enterprise fund; $100,000 from the trunk facilities water fund to the 2012A bond fund; $91,000 from revolving capital golf reserve account (RCGRA) to golf enterprise fund (to cover capital lease payments); $150,000 from RCFIRA to golf enterprise fund; $50,000 from general fund to RCFIRA; the year-end balance of fund 2009A GO WWTF debt service to the 2010B refunding fund.

 

Members Rick Hendrickson, Lori Keller, Tracy Bertram and Adam Oliver voted in approval of the transfers and the mayor voted “naye” due to the fact he says “the golf course should be self-sustaining.”

 

Brunn presented draft financials for the year end 2015.

 

Brunn said the financials included the proposed transfers and the budget and finance committee has reviewed the numbers and approved.

 

She also said the city’s audit is next week.

 

Water/Wastewater Supervisor Dave Pesola asked council to approve the purchase of a 2016 water supply service truck for the amount of $64,632.40.

 

Pesola said the water supply department had the truck in their budget for $65,000 and that will include the truck, service body and plow.

 

Pesola said staff selected a truck package through the state bid process and funds will be obtained from the water supply enterprise fund.

 

Pesola says the new truck will better serve the water supply department needs and the current, 2003 Ford truck will continue to be used as a staff vehicle to conduct lift station rounds, servicing, collecting LPI samples, snow removal and to tow wastewater collection system maintenance equipment.

 

Clerk Julie Blesi asked council to approve the purchase of five Laserfiche (electronic content management system) users and to provide a centralized scanning station. She also asked for the purchase of six additional Canon DR-M160II desktop scanners, one QuickFields setup and one Canon DR-M7075C scanner for 11x17 documents.

 

Last June, council approved the purchase of five users with two scanners and that  process went smoothly, so the city is ready to move forward with the next budgeted plan.

 

Blesi got quotes from three suppliers and OPG-3 came in with the best price structure for the system. The total cost for all software, hardware and maintenance fees for this year would be $19,225.

 

Blesi said in looking forward to 2017, staff is recommending connecting the remaining five departments by purchasing nine additional user licenses and seven scanners for each department (police, BCC, golf course, public works-streets and public works water/wastewater.

 

Sherburne County Attorney Kathleen Heaney presented a year-end report on cases in the county. She noted they have seen a 10% increase in juvenile cases in the last year while felonies decreased by one percent.

 

Heaney also said the county plans to take the initiative to buckle down on distracted driving in 2016 by ticketing and warning individuals who are caught breaking the law.

 

• Kleis mentioned Ken Burgess of the Becker Community Center was the safety award winner fot he month of January;

 

• U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 6th congressional district, Tom Emmer will be at Pebble Creek, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.;

 

• The BCC is holding their annual craft sale Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.;

 

• Chase the Leprechaun 5K walk/run will be Mar. 5 at the BCC starting at 10:30 a.m.;

 

• Meet the mayor is Feb. 27 at Ellis’ Bakery from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is Mar. 2 at 6 p.m. (instead of Mar. 1) because of caucuses.