City Council Minutes 03-23-1987MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, March 23, 1987 - 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Bill Fair, Warren Smith,
Dan Blonigen.
Members Absent: None.
2. Approval of Minutes.
Motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Bill Fair, and unanimously
carried to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held March 9,
and the special meeting held March 17, 1987.
3. Citizens Comments/Petitions, Requests and Complaints.
The Coordinator for Community Education for the Handicapped in Wright
County appeared before the Council to request City support of a proclamation
setting April 26 through May 2, 1987, as Handicap Awareness Week.
The proclamation was signed by the Mayor.
4. Public Hearing to Consider the Making of a Public Improvement in
Construction Five Subdivision and Along County Road 118.
A public hearing was held to receive any comments from the public
regarding the proposed sewer, water, and street improvements planned
for the Construction Five Subdivision and a water line extension
along County Road 118 to serve the new middle school site. Hearing
no comments from the public, the public hearing was closed.
5. Consideration of Accepting Bids for the Construction of Public Improvements
in Construction Five Subdivision and Along County Road 118.
On March 17, nine bids were received for the construction of sewer,
water, storm sewer, and street improvements within the Construction
Five Subdivision. The bids ranged in price from a low of $255,234.60
to $327,433.25. The alternate bid for the extension of a water main
along County Road 118 added $25,202 to the low bid for a total low
bid of $280,436.60. City Engineer, John Badalich, recommended that
the low bid from S & L Excavating of St. Cloud be accepted as the
responsible bidder.
Motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen, and unanimously
carried to accept the low bid as recommended by the City Engineer
from S & L Excavating in the amount of $280,436.60. It is anticipated
that the contract would be awarded at the April 27, 1987, Council
meeting.
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Council Minutes - 3/23/87
6. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Setting the Sale of Tax Increment
Finance Bonds for Improvements in Construction Five Addition.
Mr. Jerry Shannon of Springsted, Inc., the City's Bond Consultant,
reviewed with the Council the proposed $365,000 tax increment bond
issue necessary to finance the Construction Five Subdivision improvements.
The bond issue would run 12 years, and the projected tax increments
from the Construction Five Subdivision are anticipated to be sufficient
to retire the bond without additional tax levies.
Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Bill Fair, and unanimously
carried to adopt a resolution calling for the sale of $365,000 in
tax increment bonds with bids receivable April 27, 1987. See Resolution 87-8.
7. Consideration of Granting a Conditional Use for the Operation of
a Convenience Store and the Dispensing of Motor Fuels Incidental
to that Convenience Store. Applicant, Thomas Holthaus.
On January 13, the Planning Commission recommended that the City
Council grant approval to the issuance of a conditional use permit
for the purpose of dispensing automotive fuel incidental to a principal
use, namely, a convenience store at the former Charlie's West Supper
Club on County Road 75. Additional conditions that were attached
by the Planning Commission included 1) a detailed landscaping/screening
plan would be required prior to a building permit being issued;
2) a full hard surfaced parking lot with proper curb and gutter and
sidewalks would be required; 3) prior to granting a certificate of
occupancy, money would be required in escrow to guarantee the full
completion of any landscaping, screening, and parking not yet completed;
4) the hours of operation would not exceed 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily;
5) only four fuel dispensing pumps would be allowed; 6) the dispensing
of motor fuels would not be allowed for automobiles and trucks over
one ton.
The City Council on January 26, 1987, was presented with a petition
calling for an environmental assessment worksheet from the neighboring
residents on this project. The City Council at that meeting officially
denied the petition stating that an EAW would not be required. In
order to allow for the filing in District Court of any appeals on
the Council's decision not to require an EAW, the public hearing
was continued until March 23, 1987. Administrator Eidem noted to
the Council that the Court Administrator in Buffalo indicated that
no appeal had been filed and thus the City Council was able to consider
the conditional use request.
In reviewing the proposed development plan for the convenience store
and gas station, the Wright County Highway Engineer, Wayne Fingalson,
noted that problems existed with the driveway entrances off of County
Road 75 into the development as proposed. The County Highway Department's
main concern was that the proposed westerly driveway would be located
only 75 feet from the entrance of the existing Otter Creek Road and
would cause traffic problems. In addition, the County Engineer indicated
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Council Minutes - 3/23/87
that a right turn lane on County Road 75 would be required into this
development, as it would generate more than 40 vehicles per day.
Administrator Eidem noted that Otter Creek Road currently connects
to County Road 75 at an angle, and the road could be realigned to
a 90 degree angle which would provide 90 feet between Otter Creek
Road and the entrance into the convenience store. This footage would
be acceptable by the County, but the proposed realignment of Otter
Creek Road would cost approximately $7,000, which the County would
not help pay for. Although the developer, Tom Holthaus, did not
feel the realignment of Otter Creek Road should be their responsibility,
they did indicate a willingness to share in the realignment cost
of $7,000 in an effort to avoid redeveloping their site plan. It
was estimated by the City Engineer that the establishment of a right
turn lane would cost approximately $2,000, which should be entirely
borne by the developers, as it is an access to their property.
As a result of the above discussion, motion was made by Bill Fair,
seconded by Fran Fair, and unanimously carried to approve the issuance
of a conditional use permit for the dispensing of motor fuels provided
the six conditions recommended by the Planning Commission were adhered
to and that the developers pay 50 percent of the realignment of Otter
Creek Road cost and all of the right turn lane cost into the development.
The total estimated cost to the developer would be $5,500, and their
share would be paid to the City with terms to be negotiated with
City staff.
8. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of
the Cable Franchise from Rite Cable of Minnesota to Jones Intercable.
Rite Cable of Minnesota is proposing to transfer ownership of the
cable system to Jones Intercable. The Cable Commission has held
public hearings on the proposed transfer, and negotiations have taken
place regarding the franchise to be transferred, including some language
changes requested by Jones Intercable. The Cable Commission's attorney,
Tom Creighton, recommended that each City approve the resolution
authorizing the transfer of the cable franchise contingent upon further
review by the attorneys as to the language changes requested.
As a result, a motion wasmade by Bill Fair, seconded by Warren Smith,
and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution authorizing the assignment
and transfer of the cable franchise from Rite Cable of Minnesota
to Jones Intercable. See Resolution 87-9.
9. Consideration of a Request for a One Day Set-up/3.2 Beer License
for Ducks Unlimited and a One Day 3.2 Off -Sale Beer License for July 5th
Celebration - Applicant, Monticello Lions Club.
Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Warren Smith, and unanimously
carried to approve the issuance of the one day temporary 3.2 Beer
and Set-up License for May 11 and a one day 3.2 Beer License for
the July 5 celebration for the Lions Club Organization.
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Council Minutes - 3/23/87
10. Consideration of Allowing the Granting of Gambling Licenses.
The Wright County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited ha
to the State Charitable Gambling Board for a on
a raffle at their annual banquet May 11, 1987.
Jaycees have applied for a gambling license to
sales at the Comfort Inn and at the Silver Fox
governmental unit does not indicate in writing
any opposition to the issuance of the licenses,
will issue the license after 30 days.
s made application
e day license to conduct
Also, the Monticello
establish a pull tab
Inn. If the local
to the Gambling Board
the Gambling Board
Motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded by Fran Fair, and unanimously
carried to take no action opposing the license requests.
11. Consideration of Approving a Land Surveyors Certificate of Correction
for the River Terrace Plat.
Mr. Greg Smith of Smith, Pringle, & Hayes, submitted a Certificate
of Correction to the River Terrace Plat which would allow the plat
to be corrected in regards to a description error that occurred during
the original surveying.
Based on the recommendation of the City Attorney, motion was made
by Bill Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen, and unanimously carried to
approve the filing of the Certificate of Correction for the River
Terrace Plat as presented.
12. Department Head Reports.
Quarterly department head reports were discussed and reviewed with
the Council including representatives of the Wright County Sheriff's
Department and Monticello Fire Department.
Liquor Store Manager, Joe Hartman, was present and reviewed the year-
end financial report for the Liquor Store operation with the Council.
Mr. Hartman noted that this was the first year the Liquor Store had
sales in excess of $1 million with the total net income exceeding
$123,000.
Economic Development Director, 011ie Koropchak, noted that a letter
of inquiry was sent to the Minnesota Commissioner of the Midwest
Compact Commission in January which indicated Monticello's potential
interest in hosting a regional low level radioactive waste disposal
facility and requested additional information aimed at assisting
the City in deciding whether to pursue development of such a facility
in this area. The location of a waste disposal facility would generate
an estimated $2 million a year in direct and indirect revenue and
would require approximately a 200 acre parcel of land for the facility.
After further discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council
to proceed with obtaining more information on Monticello as a possible
site.
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Department head reports were also discussed with Roger Mack, Street
Superintendent, and Gary Anderson, Building Inspector.
13. Consideration of Highway 25 Bridge Lighting.
As part of the Highway 25 Bridge Project, MN/DOT had requested that
the City of Monticello pay for the electrical usage for the lights
on the bridge similar to the City's agreement on the lights in Monticello
for Highway 25. MN/DOT would pay for the installation of the six
lights at an estimated cost of $16,000, and MN/DOT would maintain
the lights in the future but requested again that the City consider
paying for the electricity to operate them. MN/DOT representatives
indicated that if the City is unwilling to pay for the electricity,
the lights would be removed from the bridge project. MN/DOT indicated
that there are two bridges, one at Clearwater and another at Elk
River, that the State does pay for the electricity, but the majority
of the bridges within District 3 that are located within a municipality
are paid for by the municipality.
Previously the City Council indicated an unwillingness to pay for
the electricity cost, as they felt it should be the responsibility
of the highway department. Administrator Eidem noted that only half
of the lights would actually be in the City limits, but at the present
time Sherburne County has indicated they would not be willing to
pay for their half; and he recommended that the City contact Big
Lake Township representatives to see if an agreement could be reached
to whereby they would reimburse the City for the electricity cost
of three of the lights.
The Council discussed whether MN/DOT would actually eliminate the
lighting from the bridge if the City did not agree to pay for the
electricity; and although it could not be determined whether they
actually would be eliminated, a motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded
by Warren Smith, authorizing the Administrator to notify MN/DOT that
the City would agree to pay the electricity cost for the bridge lighting
in the future. Voting in favor: Bill Fair, Warren Smith, Fran Fair.
Opposed: Arve Grimsmo, Dan Blonigen, as they felt it should be the
responsibility of MN/DOT for safety reasons.
14. Consideration of Bills for the Month of March.
Motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by Dan Blonigen, and unanimously
carried to approve the bills for the month of March as presented.
Rick Wolfst ler
Assistant Administrator
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