SPECIAL MEETING
AKELEY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 17, 2009
6:00 PM CITY HALL
The Akeley City Council met in a special meeting Monday August 17,
2009 at 6:00 pm. Mayor Scott Vettleson called the meeting to
order. Council members present were Cliff Johnson, Jennifer
Mitchell and Troy Hegg. Jon Johnson was absent. The Pledge of
Allegiance was recited by the Council and attending audience.
Lee Johnson and Roger Geimer were present to discuss the possibility
of lowering the percentage of pull tab rent money paid to the liquor
store which is currently at 20%. Lee said that since the City has a
problem giving money to Paul Bunyan Days he believes he has a remedy
that he spoke to the mayor a little bit about at one point in time.
Lee suggested that the City lower the rent amount from 20% to 10%
which would give EHCFD enough money to give back to the C&C so that
they could help out with Paul Bunyan Days, maybe there would be
enough for Hay Days and possibly money could be put away to take
care of the Paul Bunyan Statue. Lee stated that the way things are
working out right now the City could lose Paul Bunyan Days and asked
if the City was willing to lose the biggest weekend of the year.
Both Jennifer Mitchell and Mayor Vettleson stated that it was a
legal issue and that the City couldn’t legally donate money to the
Paul Bunyan Days Committee. Jennifer Mitchell also stated that the
C&C gave the City the Paul Bunyan Statue which the City has paid for
as well as all repairs to the statue. Cliff Johnson asked if the
C&C would be taking over Paul Bunyan Days. Lee said for this
financial part they would be and that technically the Paul Bunyan
Committee is still considered part of the C&C since it was a
committee within a committee.
Lee stated that in 2007, the fire department donated from pull tab
profits just under $13,000 towards Paul Bunyan Days, in 2008 just
under $7,000 and $4,000 in 2009. Lee also said that it costs almost
$15,000 a year to have Paul Bunyan Days and on an average it runs at
a cost of about $12,000. Lee questioned where the money comes from
to pay for the 2 years of the “Battle of the Bands”. Cliff Johnson
stated that the Liquor Store pays for it.
Cliff Johnson asked if the City was to reduce the percentage for
rent and the additional money was to go to the C&C, would the money
be turned right over to them. Roger Geimer replied that it would
and but stated that the C&C needs to get their 501C3 yet. Council
members asked what the City would receive if the gambling rent would
be reduced to 10%. Roger stated it would be around $450 to $500 per
month. Clerk Denise Rittgers asked if there was any way that the
City of Akeley could see what is spent for Paul Bunyan Days and what
is brought in. Roger Geimer stated that the City representative for
the fire department was given copies of that information the past
two years. Council members stated they would like to see a
breakdown of the expenses and receipts from the Paul Bunyan Days
Committee for the $15,000 required. Mayor Vettleson asked if the
C&C has already agreed to do this and Lee Johnson replied that they
haven’t spoken to them yet. Roger Geimer stated that the licensing
fee needs to be turned in by August 31st or the fire
department will lose their license. Jennifer asked if the
percentage could be changed at any time of the year and Roger
replied that it could be but it would have to be submitted to the
Gambling Control Board at least 10 days before the effective date of
the change.
Jennifer Mitchell stated that she is not completely against changing
the (rent) amount but did not feel comfortable with all of the
unknowns and said that it has nothing to do with the fire department
but with the Paul Bunyan Days Committee and the C&C and that they
need to come in and tell the Council what their plans are before a
decision could be made.
Motion by Scott Vettleson seconded by Jennifer Mitchell and carried
to leave pull tab rent at the liquor store at 20% until the Council
and EHCFD can sit down with the C&C and the Paul Bunyan Days
Committee to discuss plans and to review Paul Bunyan Days Committee
expenditures and receipts.
Motion by Scott Vettleson seconded by Troy Hegg and carried to
adjourn at 6:30 pm.
Denise
Rittgers
Clerk
Treasurer
City of
Akeley
Wendy
Klein
Deputy
Clerk
City
of Akeley
