City Council Minutes 11-26-1984MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
November 26, 1984 - 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Mayor Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Ken Maus, Jack
Maxwell, Dan Blonigen.
Members Absent: None.
1. Call to Order.
2. Approval of Minutes.
Motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Maus, and unanimously
carried to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held November 13,
1984, as presented.
3. Citizens Comments/Petitions, Requests, and Complaints.
The Council acknowledged a petition request for consideration
of vacating Sixth Street adjoining Block 41 by Construction 5,
Inc. The purpose of the requested vacation was to construct
a 12 -unit apartment building.
Motion was made by Fair, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously
carried to hold a public hearing on January 14, 1985, for the
purpose of considering vacation of a portion of Sixth Street
adjacent to Block 41, Lower Monticello.
4. Consideration of a Resolution Setting the Sale of Series 1985
General Obligation Bonds for the Purposes of Constructing a
Fire Hall and Acquiring Adjunct Equipment.
Mr. Jerry Shannon of Springsted, Inc., the City's Bonding Consultants,
discussed with the Council the recommendations for the issuance
of $860,000.00 in General Obligation Bonds for the purpose of
constructing the new Fire Hall. Mr. Shannon suggested that
the City consider combining the debt service for the Fire Hall
bonds with the only other outstanding General Obligation Bond,
which is for the Library,that was issued in 1981. By combining
the two debt service payments into one, the new issue would
have a 12 -year payment schedule and would save substantial amount
of interest for the City rather than going 15 years.
Motion was made by Maus, seconded by Fair, and unanimously carried
to adopt a resolution setting the sale date of Monday, January 14,
1985, for the purpose of issuing $860,000.00 in General Obligation
Bonds for the construction of the Fire Hall and to combine the
debt schedule with the existing Library bonds. See Resolution 1984 #51.
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5. Consideration of Entering a Contract for Law Enforcement Services
with the Wright County Sheriff's Department.
The Wright County Sheriff's Department recently submitted a
law enforcement contract for the year 1985 that would consist
of 6905 hours of annual patrol coverage at an hourly rate of
$17.00 per hour. The total annual contract fee would amount
to $117,385.00.
The contract form remained the same as in previous years except
that a paragraph was eliminated that indicated the municipality
shall defend the Sheriff's Department for damages resulting
from enforcement of any municipal ordinance. The Sheriff's
Department indicated their own liability insurance would cover
them for any damages arising when they are executing their duties
under a contract and thus, this paragraph was eliminated.
Motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Maxwell, and unanimously
carried to approve the law enforcement contract with the Wright
County Sheriff's Department for the year 1985 at an hourly rate
of $17.00.
6. Consideration of a Proposal to Vacate River Street in Exchange
for Alternate Street Dedication - Applicant, Monticello -Big
Lake Hospital District.
At the previous Council meeting, the Council denied the request
by the Monticello -Big Lake Hospital District to vacate River
Street behind the hospital and requested continued negotiations
with the Hospital District for possible alternate routes that
could be established to connect Hart Boulevard and River Street
if the Council were to vacate River Street. The City Administrator
has been negotiating with the hospital to establish alternate
routes and land exchanges. The initial proposal was to obtain
roadway easements just east of the Medical Facilities Clinic
between Hart Boulevard and River Street in exchange for the
City vacating River Street behind the proposed nursing home.
Problems arose with this alternative in that since the Medical
Facilities Clinic was built with Industrial Revenue Bonds, all
individual bond holders would have to agree to release the property
for roadway purposes, which would almost be impossible to accomplish.
As a result, the hospital re -aligning River Street behind the
nursing home further to the north and would dedicate approximately
40 feet of their property north of the present River Street
in exchange for the City vacating the southerly 40 feet of the
present River Street adjacent to their nursing home complex.
One condition for this re -alignment was requested by the hospital
that some sort of an agreement be established indicating that
the City would not pursue development and construction of River Street
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as long as the nursing
location. The nursing
request was for safety
in that the City has no
time but only wishes to
in the future.
Council Minutes - 11/26/84
home is being operated in its present
home's main reason for the initial vacation
factors, and this compromise seems reasonable
plans to develop a street at the present
retain its right to do so if needed
Motion was made by Fair, seconded by Maxwell, and unanimously
carried to vacate the southerly 40 feet of River Street located
approximately between Elm Street and Oak Street according to
proposal submitted by City Engineer and to accept a dedication
from the hospital of an additional 40 feet on the north side
of River Street contingent upon an agreement being prepared
working out all details on final locations and covenants.
7. Consideration of Bids and Award of Contract for New Snowplow
Truck.
Two bids were opened on Monday afternoon, November 26, for the
purchase of a new diesel powered truck with box and sander along
with a wing and hitch. The first bid received was from Hoglund
Bus Company for a total price of $51,550.00 for the complete
truck and equipment. It was noted by the Public Works Director
that the Hoglund Bus bid did not include the proper box and
hoist as specified in the specifications.
The second bid was from Lakeland Ford of South St. Paul for
$49,368.00, which included the proper box and hoist specified.
Public Works Director, John Simola, informed the Council that
the local Ford Dealer in Monticello would take care of warranty
items except major repairs to the diesel engine, which they
were not equipped to handle. Any diesel repairs would have
to be made by Lakeland Ford in South St. Paul. In contacting
Lakeland Ford, they indicated they would tow the vehicle to
their dealership for any major repairs to the diesel engine
free of charge during the 2 -year warranty period.
Due to the savings in the bid price of $2,182.00, it was the
Public Works Director's recommendation that the low bid from
Lakeland Ford be accepted.
The Council then discussed their concerns about purchasing a
vehicle from a dealer out of town and felt that the savings
may be lost in the future years in down time and labor expense
in servicing the vehicle if it had to be taken down to South
St. Paul all the time. City Administrator noted that State
Statutes do allow some latitude in awarding bids to a higher
bidder if it can be substantiated that convenience and servicing
would be difficult from an out of town dealer.
After further discussion, motion was made by Fair, seconded
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by Maxwell, to award the bid for the purchase of a new truck
to the lowest responsible bidder, Lakeland Ford, in the amount
of $49,368.00. Voting in favor: Fair, Maxwell. Opposed:
Grimsmo, Maus, Blonigen.
Motion was then made by Maxwell, seconded by Blonigen, to award
the bid for the purchase of the truck to Hoglund Bus Company
in the amount of $51,550.00 provided Hoglund Bus provides a
Heil box that meets specifications rather than the J -box included
in their original bid price. Mr. Gordy Hoglund, of Hoglund
Bus Company, indicated a willingness to supply the proper box
to meet specifications. Voting in favor: Grimsmo, Maxwell,
Maus, Blonigen. Opposed: Fran Fair.
8. Consideration of Appointment of New Employee for the Street
and Parks Department.
Public Works Director, John Simola, informed the Council that
51 applicants had applied for the position with the Street and
Parks Department. Interviews were held by the City Administrator,
Public Works Director, and Street Superintendent, with the qualified
applicants; and it was recommended that the position be given
to Mr. Keith Trippe of 201 East River Street, Monticello. Mr.
Trippe was recently employed by the City of Monticello in the
fall of 1983 and was recently laid off by the City November 2,
1984. Mr. Trippe's original employment was under the MEEDS
program which terminated.
Motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Maus, to hire Mr. Keith
Trippe as a new employee for the Street and Parks Department.
Voting in favor was Grimsmo, Fair, Maxwell, Maus. Opposed:
Blonigen.
9. Consideration of Entering an Agreement with Minnesota Department
of Transportation.
Many months ago when MN/DOT was preparing plans for the new
Highway 25 bridge replacement, negotiations had taken place
with MN/DOT allowing the City to acquire replacement land for
park purposes to replace the portion of East Bridge Park that
would be needed by the State for the new bridge construction.
At approximately the same time the negotiations were taking
place, the City acquired Bob and Mary Saxon's property located
adjacent on the east side of East Bridge Park. During that
same period of time, MN/DOT provided the City with a copy of
a legal agreement which would accommodate the transfer of the land
they needed for the bridge location and also included reimbursement
by the State for replacement land if the City should acquire
any.
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Council Minutes - 11/26/84
The City Council had approved this reimbursement agreement, but
recently MN/DOT indicated the agreement would have to be changed
with minor wordinj changes to indicate that the City has acquired
replacement land rather than the City may acquire replacement
land.
Motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Maxwell, and unanimously
carried to approve entering into the new agreement with MN/DOT
allowing for the exchange of land and reimbursement by the State
for the land the City purchased previously.
10. Consideration of Conditional Use Request to Allow a Nursing
Home in an R -B Zone - Applicant, Monticello -Big Lake Community
Hospital District.
The Monticello -Big Lake Community Hospital District requested
a conditional use permit to be allowed to start construction
of their new nursing home to be located on the north side of
the present hospital.
Motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Maxwell, and unanimously
carried to approve the conditional use permit for a nursing
home in an R -B Zone by the Monticello -Big Lake Community Hospital
District.
11. Consideration of a Conditional Use Request to Allow Outdoor
Sales in a B-3 Zone - Applicant, Monticello Auto Sales, Inc.
Mr. Clarence McCarty, owner of Monticello Auto Sales, requested
a conditional use permit to allow Auto Sales at the former Dino's
Restaurant site on East County Road 75. Mr. McCarty indicated
that the lot would only be used for his cars that would be advertised
for sale, and no actual sales facility would be located at the
site.
The Planning Commission recommended that if approved, the following
conditions be attached to this conditional use request.
1. The conditional use be for a period not to exceed past December 31,
1985.
2. The vehicles to be sold there, whether they be automobiles
or pickups, are not to exceed a gross vehicle weight of
9,000 pounds.
3. The site be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and meet
his approval before it can open for business.
4. The area is to be lighted, and the light directed to the
cars on the sales lot only.
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5. The entire number of cars at this point not to exceed 10.
6. The entire area which Mr. McCarty is leasing be kept neat
and well maintained through the duration of his conditional
use permit.
7. The vehicles to be displayed belong only to Monticello Auto
Sales, and they cannot be consignment cars from other individuals
or corporations.
8. A fence be put around the old basement in the front and
on the two sides.
Motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously
carried to approve the conditional use request for Monticello
Auto Sales provided the 8 conditions listed above are met.
12. Consideration of Conditional Use Request to Allow a Detached
Accessory Building in Excess of 1000 Square Feet to be Built
Without a Principal Use for the Vacant Property - Applicant,
Marvin Scherer.
Approximately one year ago, Mr. Scherer requested a building
permit to build a cold storage building on his property on West
County Road 39. Since there were no other buildings on the
property and the property is zoned residential, Mr. Scherer's
request for a garage facility was not an acceptable use of the
property without a residence being established there first.
It was the intent of the City staff that after a review of the
zoning ordinances may have determined that this area should
be rezoned to a different classification allowing Mr. Scherer
to build his proposed garage. The zoning ordinance as of this
date had not yet been revised, and Mr. Scherer again applied
for a permit to build the accessory building he initially proposed.
The request to build an accessory building of approximately
54' x 90' was prompted by the City's desire of Mr. Scherer to
clean up a blighted area in that the property contained numerous
automobiles and related equipment stored outdoors. In an effort
to make the area more attractive, the Planning Commission recommended
that a conditional use be granted allowing Mr. Scherer to construct
his proposed building, provided a number of conditions were
met by the owner as follows:
1. The building be set at the southwest corner of the property
with a 5 -foot setback on the south and west sides.
2. That the entry doors be on the east end of the building.
3. That a screening fence made of treated wood between 7 and
8 feet high be constructed.
Council Minutes - 11/26/84
4. That the property be kept mowed and groomed as if it were
a residential house.
5. That the driveway be blacktopped or concrete.
6. Maximum gate opening in the fence be 15 feet and the maximum
driveway width be 12 feet.
7. The gate must be kept closed and be of the same material
as the screening fence.
8. The minimum height of tree plantings recommended by the
Planning Commission be 8 feet and that Mr. Scherer conform
to the site plan on number of trees required.
9. No outside storage would be allowed.
10. The building could be used for storage of automobiles and
accessories only.
Councilmember Fair questioned whether fencing around the building
and through his property would be desirable in the residential
area, as it may detract from the area and only encourages items
to be stored within the fenced area. Mrs. Fair felt the money
for the fence should be spent on making the building more attractive
to fit in with the area. It was the general consensus of the
Council that fencing around the building would not eliminate
the building from being seen from County Road 39 and may be
more of a detriment than no fence at all. It was also the consensus
not to require Mr. Scherer at the present time to blacktop or
concrete his driveway.
City Administrator suggested that if a conditional use permit
is granted, it should be granted to Mr. Scherer only and that
it should be recorded against his property so that future transfers
of ownership would require a new owner to reapply for a conditional
use permit to use the building if it's used for other than storage
of automobiles. This would provide the City with controls over
the property being transferred and new owners using the building
for other purposes not conducive to a residential area.
Motion was made by Fair, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously
carried to approve the conditional use permit allowing Mr. Scherer
to build a cold storage building on his property provided all
conditions are met as listed above except that fencing would
not be required around the building and that the driveway would
not have to be blacktopped or have concrete surfacing. It was
noted that before a Certificate of Occupancy would be given
to Mr. Scherer on the building, all plantings would have to
be in compliance with the site plan; and if not completed by
the time the building is done, an extension would be granted
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to June 1, 1985, provided Mr. Scherer post a bond for one-half
times the value of the landscaping work.
13. Consideration of Variance Request Appeal for a Simple Subdivision
Request of a Residential Lot, Variance Requests for Less than
the Minimum Lot Width and Lot Square Footage - Applicant, Harry
Stokes.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stokes have filed an appeal with the City
Council of the Planning Commission's decision to deny their
request for a simple subdivision of their residential lots located
on Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, Block 47. Mr. Stokes had originally
requested a subdivision of his property to create a lot 72 feet
wide along Vine Street with a depth of 132 feet, making the
total square footage 9,504 sq. ft. City ordinances currently
require a minimum width of 80 feet and a lot square footage
of 10,000 sq. ft., which Mr. Stokes was short on both cases.
The Planning Commission, after reviewing the simple subdivision
request, denied the variances on lot width and lot square footage
and disallowed the simple subdivision.
It was recommended by the City staff that the subdivision could
be accomplished by Mr. Stokes with an 80 -foot width rather than
the 72 as requested. Mr. Stokes indicated an unwillingness
to make the lot 80 feet, as it would then require him to relocate
his driveway off of Vine Street further south of its present
location. It was agreed that in making the lot width a minimum
of 80 feet, Mr. Stokes' driveway would have to be moved, but
there appeared to be sufficient room off of either Broadway
or Vine Street to provide access to his house without causing
much of a problem.
Mr. Stokes indicated he did not feel the subdivision was feasible
if he did not get the variances as requested. As a result,
motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously
carried to approve the simple subdivision as requested and granting
variances from the minimum width requirement of 80 feet and
minimum lot size of 10,000 sq. ft.
14. Consideration of a Subdivision Concept for the Ed Doran/Rand
Mansion Property - Applicant, Ed Doran and Realty Station.
Mr. Ed Doran, property owner, and Mr. Ralph Munsterteiger, of
Realty Station, submitted a subdivision concept for the former
Rand Mansion consisting of 7 building lots. The developers
are proposing access to five of the lots off of what is known
as Old Territorial Road, which is currently used as a driveway
to the Bob Jameson residence. The basic subdivision is allowable
under City ordinances, but the Planning Commission and City
Planner, John Uban of Howard Dahlgren Associates,recommended
that if a subdivision is allowed, possibly some type of architectural
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control should be placed as covenants against the property because
the Rand Mansion is on the National Historical Register.
Mr. Doran strongly objected to the notion of any architectural
controls being placed on the subdivision, as it would limit
the ability for anyone to sell the property and build homes
on the site. It was noted that although the architectural controls
would not require all homes to be built similar to the existing
Rand Mansion but would only require certain characteristics
of the architectural style incorporated into the Rand Mansion
to be incorporated into the new homes. The developers felt
any covenants or restrictions would be prohibitive in the sale
of the land and would not be feasible to the owner.
After further review, motion was made by Fair, seconded by Blonigen,
and unanimously carried, to approve the general concept plan
of subdividing the property without any covenants being attached
at this time.
15. Review of 3rd Quarter Liquor Store Financial Report.
City Council reviewed with Liquor Store Manager, Mark Irmiter,
the 3rd Quarter Financial Report. In addition to reviewing
the financial report, the Council discussed and recommended
that the staff look into additional lighting for both the sign
and the front of the building. The Council suggested that possibly
upgrading of the fascia of the building toward Highway 25 be
considered.
Motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Maus, and unanimously
carried to accept the 3rd Quarter Financial Report as presented.
16. Approval of Transfers Between Funds.
Motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Fair, and unanimously
carried to approve the following transfers recommended by the
City staff.
Purpose Amount From To
To close out $221759.00 LCMR Capital
fund Fund Outlay
To cover $642011.00 Capital Highway 25
deficit incurred Outlay Const. Fund
in purchasing
To cover est. $126,059.00 Capital 1984 Const.
City share of Outlay Fund
Broadway Impr.
Wn
Council Minutes - 11/26/84
Purpose Amount From To
To cover City $ 7,327.10 Capital 1984 G.O.
share of Asmt's Outlay Bond
Hart Blvd.
To cover WWTP $362235.00 Liquor Sewer
const. deficit
City share
To cover int. $33,765.00 Liquor Sewer
expense previously
charged to sewer
fund because of
WWTP const.
17. Consideration of Setting a Date for a Special Meeting for the
Express Purpose of Discussing 1985 Salaries for Non -Union Personnel.
It was the consensus of the Council to have a special meeting
at 7:30 A.M., December 1, 1984, for the purpose of establishing
a salary pool from which the Administrator could grant pay increases
for 1985.
18. Consideration of Bills for the Month of November.
Motion was made by Fair, seconded by Maxwell, and unanimously
carried to approve the bills for the month of November as presented.
Rick Wolfsteller
Assistant Administrator
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