Minutes - Council - 01/12/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ! I I I Case #5: Workers' Compensation, Property/Casualty Insurance Finance Officer Helling stated that the quotation from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust for the City of Ramsey's 1993 Property/Casualty Insurance has not yet been received. However, the quotation on the Workers' Compensation was received. There was a significant change in Ramsey's "mod" rating from .86 to 1.07. This would result in a 21% increase. The reason for the significant increase was the large Workers' Compensation claim in 1990. Until then, and following, claims have been basically at a minimum. Deductibles were discussed. Motion by Councilmember Hardin and seconded by Councilmember Zimmerman to direct that the City Administrator sign the application for coverage with the League of Minnesota Cities requesting 1993 Workers' Compensation coverage with a deductible of $500.00 per occurrence and that it be reviewed again in a couple of years to see if the City could go with the higher deductible. Motion carded. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Hardin, Zimmerman, Beyer and Peterson. Voting No: None. Absent: Mayor Gilbertson. Case #6: Report from the City Attorney City Attorney Goodrich disseminated a memorandum to Council regarding the status of the Barthold Pig Farm Nuisance and the Waste Management of Minnesota, Inc. Lawsuit. He stated he had spoken :with Dr. Tom Hagerty, Chief Veterinarian for the State of Minnesota, who advised him that even though the number of pigs has been reduced to less than one-half the number in August 1992, the City cannot reasonably expect a one-half reduction in odor. Mr. Goodrich stated that Dr. Hagerty also mentioned that feeding pigs on concrete as opposed to bare ground is cleaner and there would be less odor because the manure could be cleaned off of the concrete in a better manner than from the bare ground. Concrete would also eliminate the standing water which adds to the odor. Mr. Goodrich added that he had spoken with a neighbor who had conferred with another neighbor and they felt that the odor problem had been reduced, however, it is still present even with a reduced number of pigs and the cold temperatures. He stated that Mr. Barthold has been cooperative in reducing the pigs to less than half of their 1992 peak but he is reluctant to reduce the number much further or take other actions which would reduce the odor. Mr. Jake Barthold, owner of the pig farm, stated he complied with Council's request by reducing the number of pigs. As far as concreting every pen at a cost of $10,000 per pen, he asked if Council could assure him it would work and that he could stay in business. Doug Fountain, 15255 Garnet Street N.W., Ramsey - inquired if the recycled food wasn't a significant odor factor. Mr. Goodrich stated that the vet felt it was not the food. Mr. Goodrich stated that the City began receiving complaints when Mr. Barthold increased his herd from about 300-350 to 750 and also began raising pigs past the feeder pig stage. Mr. Fountain stated that he did not detect a problem until this past summer and on two occasions noticed the odor. He felt that Council has to do something about this before next spring. Mr. Goodrich stated he would place this item on the next Council agenda and solicit input from residents. He stated he would also be presenting information on the WMMI lawsuit on that agenda. He informed Council that the City has been named as one of the 36 municipalities in a City Council/January 12, 1993 Page 7 of 8