City Council Minutes 06-09-1986MINUTES
RECONVENED MEETING - MONTICELLO BOARD OF REVIEW
June 9, 1986 - 6:00 p.m.
1. The meeting was called to order by Board of Review Chairperson
Arve Grimsmo at 6:06 p.m.
Mr. Grimsmo opened the meeting for further input from affected
property owners in attendance.
2. Mr. Floyd Kruse, owner of Dino's Deli, questioned the figures
which were sent out from the City Assessor in regards to the
final value placed on his property, with the final figure written
on his Board of Review card when the two Assessor's were there,
was a different figure than was sent to him in a letter from
the City Assessor. The County Assessor, Doug Gruber, went through
the figures which were used, and an incorrect figure was used.
No depreciation was added for the upstairs apartments. With
that adjustment made, the figures did come out to what we had
originally agreed with Mr. Floyd Kruse.
3. Mr. Con Johnson, owner of Johnson Properties, representing the
commercial properties which he owns and also some of his fellow
commercial property owners in the downtown area, wanted to express
his appreciation of the consideration of the re -assessment work
done by the City Assessor and County Assessor. lie felt that
the work that was done by the two assessors was acceptable and
would be workable within his properties and also other commercial
property owners which he is familiar with.
4. Monticello Times Building, Don Smith, Partner -in Partners Smith.
Mr. Smith questioned as to why his letter was not entered as
public record at the original City Board of Review meeting.
With this omission accounted for, it will be entered as part
of the original Board of Review minutes. Mr. Smith also countered
he had no reason to argue with the valuation which was placed
on his property with the readjustment. He felt it was equitable
with other properties that were reviewed.
5. Mr. Thomas Eidem, City Administrator, received a call from Mr.
Denton Erickson, owner of Moon Motors. Mr. Erickson felt there
were different things he would like to mention as to why he feels
there should be no increase in the valuation from the 1985 assessment.
They are as follows: New commercial sales which have occurred
have no reflection on his commercial property value; Commercial
values are going down rather than going up; A 20-25% increase
in property would also mean his taxes would increase that much,
and he was very much in disagreement with any increase in his
property; With the reconstruction of Highway 25 going on, his
business is going to be down considerably from the previous years;
With any type of an increase at all with the mill rate more than
likely going up for next year, when he pays the taxes on this
increased value will be considerably more than commercial properties
could assume to pay. Consensus of the Board of Review was to
make no change in his commercial property value.
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Monticello Board of Review Minutes - 6/9/86
6. Floriano Brion/Northwest Medical Clinic. Mrs. Brian was present
to question the increased value even when it was readjusted by
the two assessors being more than they originally paid for the
property back in 1983. Their building needed a new roof replacement,
along with some other minor repairs which need to be done; and
she felt that their property hasn't gone up in value since they
originally purchased it in 1983. City Board of Review Member
Mr. Jack Maxwell reiterated Mrs. Brion's request where he felt
the total value should be adjusted down to $170,000.00 total
Estimated Market Value, questioning the high value placed on
the building amount portion of this total value. Consensus of
City Council members was to reduce the total value of the Northwest
Medical Clinic property from $207,000.00 down to $170,000.00
total Estimated Market Value.
7. Mr. Stan Douglas, owner of two commercial properties in the City
of Monticello, questioned as to which value the Board of Review
was going to consider for their approval at tonight's meeting.
Were they considering the value which was sent out on the equalization
notice card, or the value which was readjusted when the two assessors
came out to view his properties. Mr. Grimsmo countered that
it would be the value that the two assessors came up with. Mr.
Douglas indicated he was very much in favor of the values which
the two assessors had come up with and appreciated their efforts.
Motion by Bill Fair, seconded by Jack Maxwell, to approve the
adjusted list of changes as presented to them on commercial properties
which were physically reviewed by the two assessors. Motion
carried unanimously.
Motion by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Fran Fair, to adjourn the
reconvened meeting of the Monticello City Board of Review. The
meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Anderson
City Assessor
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, June 9, 1986 - 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Bill Fair, Jack Maxwell,
Dan Blonigen.
Members Absent: None.
2. Approval of Minutes.
Motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Maxwell, and unanimously
carried to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held May 27,
1986.
3. Citizens Comments/Petitions, Requests and Complaints.
Mr. John Sandberg, who owns 34 acres abutting the eastern City limits
along County Road 39 known as Halliger's Tree Farm, noted that approximately
a year ago he had requested that his property be considered in the
future when the City considered annexation of surrounding lands and
questioned whether he could be part of the Council's recent action
concerning annexation. Mr. Sandberg noted that the boundaries specified
for annexation by the Council did not include his property and noted
his desire to be included.
The Council suggested Mr. Sandberg submit an updated formal petition
requesting annexation, and the Council would at the next meeting
amend its previous resolution and include his property in the original
request to the Municipal Board.
Mr: John Leerssen, owner of approximately 10 acres of land abutting
property Mr. Jim Boyle had petitioned for annexation, noted that
his property appears to be included in the area the Council recently
proposed for annexation and indicated he would be in opposition to
being included in the annexation procedures. It was noted by the
Council that his property was intended to be included in the annexation
procedures, as it allowed the area to be squared off and follow a
definite boundary. The Council suggested that Mr. Leerssen attend
the public hearing that the Municipal Board will schedule in the
future and to provide written statements objecting to being annexed
if he so desired.
4. Consideration of a Request to Create Two Buildable Lots which are
Substandard in Size - Applicant, Del Emmel.
5. Consideration of Making Water Improvements on Chestnut Street.
At the previous Council meeting, Mr. Del Emmel had requested a variance
to subdivide a lot adjacent to Chestnut Street into two 8,000 sq -ft.
plus residential lots. As part of the Council discussion at that
time, Public Works Director, John Simola, noted that the new lot
if allowed would not have water services available without extending
Council Minutes - 6/9/86
a long service line to River Street and recommended the City Council
consider improving Chestnut Street with its own water main to service
the three existing homes along Chestnut that currently use long service
lines to either Broadway or River Street for their services.
Mr. Simola noted that as part of the Chestnut Street improvement
project, water main could be extended between Broadway and River
Street at an estimated cost of approximately $8,000.00 and that the
existing three homes would be assessed approximately $3,000.00 each;
and if Mr. Emmel's lot was allowed to be subdivided, four parcels
could share in the cost which would bring the assessment to the neighborhood
of $2,200.00 per lot. Mr. Simola recommended that the City Council
seriously consider installing this water main even if the subdivision
requested by Mr. Emmel is not approved, as eventually someone may
have a problem with their service line and be responsible for repairing
the newly constructed street in the future.
Mr. Del Emmel requested that the City Council consider tabling his
request for a simple subdivision at this time, as he did not want
to be the cause of a proposed water assessment for other neighboring
properties and requested that the City decide first whether they
plan on improving Chestnut Street with water main prior to considering
his subdivision request. He noted that if a water main is decided
to be installed on Chestnut Street, his request for an additional
lot would help lower the cost of the assessments by splitting the
cost over four lots rather than three.
A letter opposing Mr. Emmel's lot split and any water improvements
that would result in assessments was presented by the three property
owners. A public hearing on this proposed water main extension will
be included on the June 23 Council agenda at which time a decision
will be made on whether the improvement will take place this year.
In addition, the Council noted that after the water main issue is
resolved, a decision will be made on Mr. Emmel's request for his
lot subdivision request.
6. Consideration of a Proposed Ordinance Amendment to the City Code
of Ordinances Regulating Open Burning.
The City Administrator recommended that this item be tabled until
the next regular Council meeting to allow for review by the City
Attorney.
7. Consideration of the Renewal of Annual Licenses.
Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen, and unanimously
carried to approve the following renewal of licenses effective July 1,
1986.
Intoxicating Liquor, On -sale (Fee $3,300)
R PnPwa l
1. Monticello Liquor, Inc.
2. Silver Fox
3. Charlie's West
4. Joyner's Lanes
5. Stuart Hoglund
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Council Minutes - 6/9/86
Intoxicating Liquor, On -sale, Sunday (Fee $100)
Renewals
1. Monticello Liquor, Inc.
2. Silver Fox
3. Charlie's West
4. Joyner's Lanes
5. Oakwood Motel
6'VFW Club
7. American Legion Club
Non -intoxicating Malt, On -sale (Fee $245)
Renewals
1. Rod & Gun
2. Pizza Factory
3. Country Club
Non -intoxicating Malt, On -sale, Temporary (Fee $10/day)
1. St. Henry's Fall Festival, 2 days - $20.00
Non -intoxicating Malt, Off -sale (Fee $50.00)
Renewals
1. Monticello Liquor
2. Riverroad Plaza
3. Wayne's Red Owl
4. Maus Foods
5. River Terrace
6. Tom Thumb
7. Charlie's West
8. Holiday
9. Plaza Car Wash
Wine/3.2 Beer Combination, On -sale (Fee $400)
Renewal
1. Dino's Deli
Set-up License ($250)
1. Country Club
2. Rod & Gun
Club Licenses (Fee - set by Statute)
1. V.F.W. - $500 (membership 268)
2. American Legion - $650 (membership 580)
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Council Minutes - 6/9/86
Bingo, Temporary ($20)
1. St. Henry's Fall Festival
Gambling, Temporary ($20 per device)
1. St. Henry's Fall Festival - $60
8. Discussion on Existing Force Main Sewer Repairs.
Public Works Director, John Simola, informed the Council of problems
with the existing force main located on Elm Street connecting to
Third Street and Chestnut Street that was installed a few years ago.
The force main has not been in use but will be connected at this
time to the Chestnut Street lift station as part of the interceptor
sewer project. In testing the main, the City has found out that
the 6 -inch force main between Sixth Street and Country Club Road
near Ruff Auto parts has a small leak somewhere that should still
be located before the system is completed. In addition, the larger
10 -inch force main between Sixth Street along Elm to Third Street,
and from Third Street to Chestnut Street has possibly numerous areas
that have leaked. The force main has been dug up in a couple places
and found to be cracked as a result of water being in the pipe over
the past few years and having frozen. The freezing has occurred
primarily due to the inadequate depth of the sewer line when initially
installed a number of years ago.
Mr. Simola recommended that the City hire a firm from Omaha, Nebraska,
that will be in Minnesota shortly that specializes in detecting where
leaks are occurring in force mains at an estimated cost of $1,900.00
for two days' work. The firm would also be used to test other force
mains the City has in other locations.
Motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously
carried to authorize hiring Leak, Inc., from Omaha, Nebraska, for
$1,900.00 to test the City's force mains for leaks.
9. Discussion on Dog Catcher Position.
The City's current dog catcher, Dave Stromberg, has recently turned
in his resignation; and as a result, the Mayor and City staff have
been reviewing the budget of the Animal Control Department and recommended
that an increase in pay for dog catching services be approved. Currently,
the Animal Officer receives $5,100.00 per year, and it was recommended
that this be increased to $6,900.00 per year. In addition, the contract
for pound maintenance is currently $3,000.00 per year; and it was
recommended that it be increased to $3,300.00 per year.
Mr. Grimsmo noted that Mr. Stromberg had been doing an excellent
job as the City's dog catcher but felt the pay was not sufficient
for the amount of work involved.
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Council Minutes - 6/9/86
Motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Bill Fair, and unanimously
carried to approve amending the Animal Control budget for 1986 increasing
the Animal Control pay to $6,900.00 per year and the pound maintenance
contract to $3,300.00 per year and to offer the increase to Mr. Stromberg,
if he is willing to accept the increase.
Rick Wolfst .filer
Assistant Administrator
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