City Council Minutes 02-25-2019REGULAR MEETING — MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, February 25, 2019 — 6:30 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Mayor Brian Stumpf, Jim Davidson, Charlotte Gabler, and Lloyd Hilgart
Absent: Bill Fair
1. General Business
A. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Stumpf called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
B. Approval of Agenda
Mayor Stumpf requested to add item 4B — Consideration of adopting Resolution
2019-18 in support of Economic Development Analysis of TH 25 transportation
improvements connecting I-94 to US 10.
Councilmember Gabler moved to approve the agenda with the addition of
413. Councilmember Hilgart seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes
Special Meeting Minutes from February 11, 2019
Councilmember Gabler moved to approve the special meeting minutes of
February 11, 2019. Councilmember Davidson seconded the motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
Regular Meeting Minutes from February 11, 2019
Councilmember Gabler moved to approve the regular meeting minutes of
February 11, 2019. Councilmember Davidson seconded the motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
D. Citizen Comments
• Councilmember Gabler thanked Public Works for their efforts with snow
removal.
E. Public Service Announcements
• Spring Tree Sale — residents can purchase up to 3 trees per household.
There are five varieties. The cost is $35 per tree and forms are due by
March 15. The pick-up day is Saturday, May 4.
F. Council Liaison Updates
EDA — Councilmember Davidson provided an update. Items included:
subordination contract with Rivertown Residential Suites LLC; grant for
Rivertown Residential Suites LLC for underground parking; workshop on
affordable housing with CMHP; and workshop on Fagade Improvement
Grant Program.
City Council Minutes — February 25, 2019 Page 1 1 4
G. Department Updates
• Jeff O'Neill, City Administrator, gave an update on the following:
1. Regarding Coalition of Utility Cities:
- Draft legislation that would create a grant account for
transitioning host cities funded by annual distributions from
the Renewable Development Account.
- A bill modifying the existing administrative challenge
process for state assessed property valuation.
2. Jeff O'Neill, Fire Chief Mossey, and Fire Marshal/Emergency
Coordinator Dan Klein will be testifying on February 26, 2019 in
support of legislation granting sales tax exemption for purchases
related to Monticello fire station.
3. EDA is holding a special meeting on Block 52 on Wednesday,
March 13.
4. The Becker Energy Transition Advisory Group is meeting in Becker
on February 27 at 5 p.m.
5. A Nuclear Energy Institute transportation tabletop exercise has been
scheduled for May 21, 2019 at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant.
6. The Comprehensive Plan update with be discussed with Monticello
Township at an upcoming meeting.
7. Recognized Jennifer Schreiber for her designation at Minnesota
Certified Municipal Clerk.
2. Consent Agenda:
Councilmember Hilgart moved approval of the Consent Agenda with Item L being
tabled. Councilmember Gabler seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
A. Consideration of approving the payment of bills. Recommendation: Approved
the bill and purchase card registers for a total amount of $753,278.16.
B. Consideration of approving new hires/departures. Recommendation: Approved
the hires for MCC and termination for MCC.
C. Consideration of approving the sale/disposal of surplus city property.
Recommendation: Approved as submitted.
D. Consideration of approving a temporary charitable gambling permit for a raffle to
be conducted by the Wright County Ducks Unlimited, Chapter 39, in conjunction
with their annual banquet on May 6, 2019. Recommendation: Approved the
charitable gambling permit.
E. Consideration of adopting Ordinance 713 approving amendment to Title 3,
Chapter 20 — Mobile Food Units, to increase allowable length of food unit.
Recommendation: Adopted Ordinance 713 approving amendment to Title 3,
Chapter 20.
F. Consideration of renewing membership in the I-94 West Corridor Coalition for
2019 in the amount of $6,799.50. Recommendation: Approval renewal of
membership in the I-94 West Corridor Coalition.
City Council Minutes — February 25, 2019 Page 2 14
G. Consideration of approving a donation from Advanced First Aid Inc. of a Phillips
Heartstart Defibrillator with a value of $1,952 for the Fire Department and a
donation from the Monticello Lions of $2,000 for Music on the Mississippi.
Recommendation: Adopted Resolution 2019-14 approving the donations.
Mayor Stumpf recognized the donors.
H. Consideration of approving the Finance/Payroll Clerk to attend 2019 SNUG
(Springbrook National User Group) User Conference Training in Portland, OR on
June 12-14, 2019 at an estimated cost of $2,075. Recommendation: Approved
the Finance/Payroll Clerk to attend 2019 SNUG User Conference.
I. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2019-17 approving plans and specifications
and authorizing advertisement of bids for the Fallon Avenue Landscaping Project,
City Project No. 16C006. Recommendation: Adopted Resolution 2019-17
approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement of bids for
Fallon Avenue Landscaping Project.
J. Consideration of authorizing Bolton and Menk, Inc. to provide engineering
services at a cost not to exceed $11,725 for the 2019 Pedestrian Improvements
project. Recommendation: Authorized Bolton and Menk for cost not to
exceed $11,725 for engineering services for 2019 Pedestrian Improvements.
K. Consideration of approving final plat for Clear Creek 2nd Addition. Applicant:
Clear Creek Land Company, LLC. Recommendation: Approved final plat for
Clear Creek Second Addition.
L. Consideration of approving purchase of a new air compressor/fill station for the
new fire station from Alex Air Apparatus in the amount of $52,039.
Recommendation: Item was tabled.
M. Consideration of adopting a Frozen Water Pipe Policy. Recommendation:
Approved the Frozen Water Pipe Policy.
4. Regular Agenda
A. Consideration of an appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of a variance to
Chapter 4.5 Signs for a forty (40) foot P lon sign. Applicant: Twin City Staffing
Steve Grittman, NAC, provided an overview of the appeal, which is the property
owner's appeal of the Planning Commission's denial. The applicant constructed a
sign at the height of 30 feet. This exceeded the base zoning allowable sign height
of 22 feet, but took advantage of the allowance in the Freeway Bonus Sign
Overlay District for such signs up to 32 feet in height. They requested to increase
to 40 feet because of their concerns that the view of their sign is obstructed by the
Morton Building Sign.
The Planning Commission, acting as the Board of Adjustment and Appeals, voted
to deny noting that the applicants had other options to comply with the code and
improve visibility of the sign. In addition, the applicant's sign was constructed
after the Morton Building Sign had already been in place for some time.
The following individual addressed the City Council:
City Council Minutes — February 25, 2019 Page 3 14
Mike Miner, Twin City Staffing, addressed the Council. The applicant
distributed new images to the Council and staff. They noted that they amended
their request to bring the sign to height of at least 35 feet.
Mayor Stumpf commented that he feels the request is reasonable. Councilmember
Davidson added that he appreciates the fact that the applicant researched other
options as recommended. Councilmember Hilgart commented that his only
concern is that the city has rules for reason. Councilmember Gabler would
support the additional 5 feet.
Staff recommended denial of the variance request of 40 feet because there were
other options for sign location and design on the property that would comply with
the terms without variance.
Mayor Stumpf moved to adopting Resolution 2019-16, approving the appeal,
overturning the denial decision of the Planning Commission for the proposed
variance for sign height as requested by the applicants, based on the findings
in said resolution, including the shape of the parcel and presence of a large
drainage utility easement and swale, and granting a variance of up to an
additional 5 feet. Councilmember Gabler seconded the motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
B. ADDED ITEM: Consideration of adopting Resolution 2019-18 in support of
Economic Development Analysis of TH 25 transportation improvements
connecting I-94 to US 10.
Mayor Stumpf presented the item which was discussed in a special meeting prior
r to this regular meeting. Mayor Stumpf noted that, if approved, the resolution
would be presented to the Highway 25 Coalition meeting on Thursday, February
281 2019. Jeff O'Neill commented on the city's involvement in the Highway 25
Coalition and the value it brings to the area. This resolution would request that an
economic development component be added to the scope of the study. If the
group agrees there will be additional cost.
Councilmember Gabler moved to adopt Resolution 2019-18 in support of
Economic Development Analysis of TH 25 transportation improvements
connecting I-94 to US 10. Councilmember Hilgart seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
5. Adjournment:
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Recorder: Jennifer Schreiber /f>
Approved:
City Council Minutes — February 25, 2019
Attest:
City Administrator
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