City Council Minutes 03-14-1988MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, March 14, 1988 - 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 Bill Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen, and unanimously
carried to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held February 22,
1988.
4. Consideration of Planning Commission Appointment.
Council discussed the qualifications of the five individuals that
applied for membership on the Planning Commission. It was noted by
staff that there was a tie between Dan McConnon and Patrick Faltersack
when voted on by the Planning Commission. A general discussion ensued
regarding the terms of 6ffice of Planning Commission members. After
discussion it was agreed by consensus that no changes would be made to
the present policy governing Planning Commission members terms of
office.
Bill Fair noted that all candidates are qualified but that he prefers
Mr. McConnon because McConnon has been a long-time resident of the
community. Motion was made by Bill Fair to appoint Dan McConnon to the
Planning Commission. Motion seconded by Dan Blonigen. Motion passed
unanimously.
Arve Grimsmo requested that staff keep the resumes of the applicants
that were not chosen for the Planning Commission in a current file.
5. Consideration of Allowing the Monticello Food Shelf to Utilize the Old
Fire Hall Building.
Mary Nolan and Mary Swenson were present representing the Monticello
Food Shelf. Questions regarding the history and growth of the
Monticello Food Shelf were asked by Warren Smith. Mary Nolan responded
by saying that the Food Shelf has been growing in recent years with an
average monthly usage presently at 32 families. She went on to say that
all support of the program is donated. No public funds are provided to
the Food Shelf. Private support fluctuates widely with most support
coming from two major drives per year. Fran Fair asked where is the
ideal place for the Food Shelf. Mary Nolan responded by saying that the
best place for the Food Shelf is in a low profile area. She went on to
say that space needs include interviewing area, office area, and food
storage area. A general discussion ensued regarding the relationship
between Christian Social Service and the Food Shelf Organization. Mayor
Grimsmo noted that communities cannot rely on federal and state programs
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and that each community should take care of its own. He went on to say
that a committee should be established to look at long range social
service needs of the community. Warren Smith added that a true measure
of a community is how it takes care of its sick and needy. Smith agreed
that a social service committee is a good idea. Bill Fair commented on
a need for an inventory of community needs through development of a
community survey. After further discussion, Fran Fair made a motion to
approve the use of the fire station for the Food Share Program. Motion
seconded by Bill Fair. Motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications for Pump
House #3 and Authorization for Bids.
After discussion, motion by Bill Fair to approve a resolution approving
plans and specifications for pump house #3 and authorization for bids.
Motion seconded by Dan Blonigen. Motion carried unanimously.
See Resolution 88-6.
Consideration of Use of Commuter Parking Lot on Saturday, April 16, for
Tire Amnesty Day.
Motion made by Warren Smith to approve the use of the commuter parking
lot on Saturday, April 16, for Tire Amnesty Day. Seconded by Fran
Fair. Motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of City being General Contractor on Streetscape Project.
John Simola reported that if the City becomes the general contractor and
the project goes very smoothly with full cooperation of all parties,
approximately $20,000 to $25,000 can be saved. He noted that this is
only an estimate and that the savings could be actually less. He went
on to note that there are additional risks associated with the City
becoming general contractor on this project. He went on to state that
the risks associated with the City being general contractor on this
project outweight the potential savings. Bill Fair noted that he does
not see potential for significant savings to the community by acting as
general contractor on the project. Fran Fair added that the City would
be pushing its luck by adding this project to the list of projects
already on schedule for City staff this summer. Fran Fair made a motion
to not have City act as general contractor for the Streetscape Project.
Motion seconded by Bill Fair. Motion carried unanimously.
10. Consideration of Cost Estimates for Frontage Road for Riverroad Plaza on
East County Road 39 Project.
At the October 26, 1987, Council meeting, the City Council had agreed to
build a frontage road that would serve MacArlund Plaza Development with
no cost being assessed to abutting property owners. The frontage road
was needed to provide access to the development due to the realignment
of County Road 118, County Road 39, and County Road 75 intersection.
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The cost of the improvement at that time had been estimated at $23,000
to $25,000 by the Wright County Highway Department; but after the design
was completed, new estimates by the County placed the cost at close to
$38,000 to $40,000. Due to the large increase in cost for the frontage
road, the Council discussed the options available, including whether a
portion of the cost should be charged to the abutting property owners or
whether their previous decision to pick up all of the cost should be
adhered to. Previously, the Council had indicated that the City would
also relocate the sign for the Riverroad Plaza, as it would be in the
new road right-of-way; but because of the large increase in the
construction cost, the Council felt the property owner should be
responsible for the relocation cost.
Councilmember Blonigen expressed opposition to the large increase in
cost and the previous Council action to pick up the entire cost, as he
felt the frontage road primarily benefited the property owners within
that development. Although the Council was unhappy with the large
increase in the estimated cost, a motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded
by Warren Smith, to reaffirm its previous action to complete the
frontage road at no cost to the abutting property owner with the
understanding that the property owners would be responsible for removal
and relocation of their existing sign and any other items located within
the right-of-way. Voting in favor was Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Bill
Fair, Warren Smith. Opposed: Dan Blonigen.
11. Consideration of Funding Participation and Construction Agreement with
Wright County Department of Highways for the East County Road 39, County
Road 75, County Road 118, Frontage Road Projects.
Motion was made by Bill Fair to approve funding participation and
construction agreement with Wright County Department of Highways for the
East County Road 39, County Road 75, County Road 118, frontage road
projects. Motion seconded by Fran Fair. Voting in favor of motion:
Fran Fair, Bill Fair, Warren Smith, Arve Grimsmo. Opposed: Dan
Blonigen. Motion carried.
12. Consideration of Sanitary Sewer Discharge Permit Upgrade - Sunny Fresh
Foods.
It was reported by the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant Consultant that
the proposed increase in wastewater flow associated with this permit
request would not significantly impact the ability of the system to
handle wastewater. He noted that the amount of waste created by Sunny
Fresh should be monitored closely. Public Works Director Simola stated
that the permit will be monitored closely. Arve Grimsmo asked
representatives from Sunny Fresh if their company will live up to the
permit requirements. Sunny Fresh representatives agreed that they will
comply with all requirements noted in the permit. Finally, Arve Grimsmo
requested that the Sunny Fresh Foods company keep the City informed of
any plans for future growth so that the City can plan accordingly.
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There being no further discussion, motion was made by Warren Smith to
approve sanitary sewer discharge permit upgrade for Sunny Fresh Foods.
Motion seconded by Bill Fair. Motion carried unanimously.
13. Consideration of Reconstruction of Mississippi Drive.
After discussion, motion was made by Bill Fair to approve expenditures
associated with street design only. Motion seconded by Dan Blonigen.
Motion carried unanimously.
14. Consideration of Final Plat of Oakwood Second Addition - Applicant, City
of Monticello.
Motion was made by Warren Smith to approve the final plat of Oakwood
Second Addition - Applicant, City of Monticello. Motion seconded by Dan
Blonigen. Motion passed unanimously.
15. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Allowing Participation in the
Minnesota Municipal Money Market Fund.
Motion was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Fran Fair, to approve
adopting a resolution allowing participation in the Minnesota Municipal
Money Market Fund. Motion carried unanimously. See Resolution 88-7.
16. Consideration of Ratifying the Proposed Date for the 1988 Board of
Review.
Council agreed by consensus that the Board of Review meeting would be
scheduled for May 16, 1988.
17. Consideration of Allowing the Granting of a Gambling License.
Motion was made by Bill Fair to take no action on this item. Motion
seconded by Fran Fair. Motion carried unanimously.
18. After the agenda items had been addressed, Council discussed the need
for a community survey. It was the general consensus of the Council
that a city survey is needed at this time which would assist the Council
in establishing plans for future activities. Assistant Administrator
O'Neill was directed to prepare information regarding a potential
citizens survey.
Council discussed a staff report which outlined maintenance issues
associated with the streets that lie north of County Road 75 and west of
Chestnut Street. It was noted by staff that the streets involved are of
rural design and that significant maintenance or reconstruction work
will be needed on these streets in the near future. Mayor Grimsmo noted
that the City should seriously consider installing concrete streets in
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replacement of asphalt streets. He noted that when all the costs are
added, including maintenance costs, it may be less expensive in the long
run to install concrete streets. The method by which this project would
be financed was discussed. No financing formula was established. There
being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeff O'Neill
Assistant City Administrator
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