---

Center City Council met December 3 for a regular meeting.  All members were present.   The council opened the meeting with a public hearing for a bond renewal for Hazelden/Betty Ford Foundation.  Artie Stueber, a representative from Hazelden was on hand asking for the city to renew the bond of $35 million. Stueber told the council the bond is used for all Hazelden Minnesota facilities including Plymouth, St. Paul and Center City.  Stueber told the council the debt restructuring will be used towards upgrading HVAC systems in all the buildings.  The city has been a conduit for the bonding since the 1980’s.  Council voted unanimously to approve the bond renewal.

Talk then turned to the burned out property at 117 Busch Avenue.  The property had a fire on October 5 which resulted in a total loss of the structure.  The council agreed at the November meeting to solicit bids for demolition which the city would fund, and charge the homeowner four percent interest on the amount with 10 years to pay off.  City clerk Dana Miron told the council the lowest of the three bids was Perry Excavation for $12,530 which the council approved unanimously.

Council then passed liquor license renewals for Jake’s on the Lakes, Fiesta Cancun, Tony’s Bar, Pizza Pub, Nordic Liquors and Nordic Harbor Rooftop bar.

The council then discussed firefighter pensions.  The department had been asking for a 40 percent increase over the current $2,500 per year of service.  Council member Mark Wolcott told the council he would be in favor of a 20 percent increase which would raise the yearly amount to $3,000.  The council agreed and passed unanimously.

Council then approved a contract for city consultants Municipal Development Group for $115 per hour and $75 per hour for traveling expenses.

Maintenance supervisor Shawn Gallagher told the council he has hired a replacement part time worker.  The city has hired Mike Kirch who has worked for other local cities prior.  Gallagher said Kirch will work four five hour days with Fridays off.  

Council approved a contract renewal with Loefler Companies for copier and printer support.  Clerk Miron told the council the new contract includes a new copier at city hall.

Council then heard from  the Hoyts who are Busch Avenue residents.  The Hoyts have been to prior meetings seeking permission for five service dogs within the city limits.  Currently the city ordinance only allows three dogs per home and anything above that would require a kennel license.  The Hoyts brought in the document cards showing all dogs are certified as service dogs.  As tempers rose while addressing the subject, city attorney Ted Alliegro reminded the Hoyts the city is trying to protect itself from just anyone coming in and getting permission to house over three dogs.  Alliegro told the council they could grant a Reasonable Exception” to the ordinance or just flat or change the ordinance.  Council agreed to allow a reasonable exception as long as the Hoyts license all dogs.

Fire Chief Travis Greene then told the council his department has had 150 runs to date which is up from 140 for last year.  Greene told the council he has applied for a grant for new radios but noted the grant which could total $108,406 had to be used for portable radios. Portable radios were listed as a high priority by the grant writers.  The city or the department would be responsible for five percent of the $108,406.  

Greene then told the council as the brakes were being fixed on the current grass rig, and they were notified the chassis of that vehicle is rusted badly.  Greene told the council he has been looking and located a used Chassis with a 2019 350 engine.  Cost of the new used chassis would run around $55,000.  The current chassis in question is a 1994.  Greene told the council there are enough funds in the new truck fund to cover the replacement chassis. Council approved the purchase up to $55,000 unanimously.

Council adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

---