City Council Minutes 04-11-1988MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, April 11, 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 Dan Blonigen, seconded by Fran Fair, to approve the
minutes of the regular meeting held March 28, 1988. Voting to approve
the minutes were Fran Fair, Bill Fair, Warren Smith, and Dan Blonigen.
Arve Grimsmo abstained from voting, as he did not attend the March 28,
1988, meeting.
3. Citizens Comments/Petitions, Requests and Complaints.
Gene Bauer and Jim Lindberg requested city funding which would assist
them in operating a Saturday night program for junior high aged
children. The purpose of the program is to provide junior high school
students with an option for constructive use of their time during summer
weekends. The program is to consist of supervised dances and social
events. Bauer and Lindberg noted that students are charged $1 admission
at the door, and the cost to operate the program last year was $4,400.
At this point, Council discussed the merits of providing a constructive
diversion for junior high school students. Although it will not solve
the problem, it was recognized that the program might indirectly impact
the cruising problem in a positive way. Warren Smith noted that kids on
the sidewalks is a problem and that it's not just the cars on the
streets that are causing the cruising problem. Mayor Grimsmo noted that
the City needs to take positive action in improving the situation and
that it should channel kids into positive directions. Councilmember
Blonigen concurred by saying that city money is better spent directing
children in a positive way than by spending money on tougher law
enforcement. As this discussion came to a close, Council discussed the
need to develop longer range plans that will satisfy the recreation and
leisure activity needs of the local youth. It was noted by Bauer and
Lindberg that the task force would be willing to work with the City in
creating long term solutions. Finally, Bill Fair requested an annual
report to be submitted by the organizers of the youth night which would
outline attendance and describe programs developed through the program.
It was also suggested that the program be provided for both Friday and
Saturday night and that the organizers should attempt to broaden the
base of participation as much as possible.
There being no further discussion, motion was made by Fran Fair to award
$4,000 to the youth task force represented by Gene Bauer and Jim
Lindberg. Motion seconded by Warren Smith. Motion passed unanimously.
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Council Minutes - 4/11/88
Gene Carlson of D & D Bus Service was in attendance to voice his concern
for the closing of Highway 39. He noted that the closing will place a
particular hardship on the bus service and school district. John Simola
noted that there is just not enough right-of-way to allow for the
construction of a bypass road. He went on to note that the contractor
will maintain a narrow pathway for use by his own vehicles and by
emergency vehicles only. In addition, the road will be open during
certain hours of the day. Those hours will be established based on
input generated at an upcoming community meeting. School
Superintendent, Shelly Johnson, voiced his support for the bus company
and noted that the school transportation .fund will be impacted by this
detour.
4. Update on Well #3 Test Drillings.
Staff noted that test drillings neighboring proposed deep well #3 reveal
that deep well #3 can be extended beyond its current level and reap an
expected capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute. Staff recommended that
deep well #3 be completed because the additional cost of $25,000 to
complete the well is reasonable and because $44,000 has already been
invested in developing the well to the present stage. Deep well #3
could serve as a backup well providing access to water located in a
glacial drift formation that is different than other primary city wells,
thereby providing a good backup in case the primary wells become
contaminated. John Badalich and Gene Anderson of OSM outlined the
procedure by which well #3 will be completed. It was estimated that the
cost to complete the well is $25,000. Mayor Grimsmo noted that the City
really does not have an alternative but to go ahead with development of
this well. It was also noted by staff that the test well #4 located
1,800 feet the south of well #3 appears to be a perfect site for a
primary well. Tests show that the expected volume capacity of the well
will match 1,500 gallons per minute. Councilmember Blonigen asked if
wells #3 and #4 will be serviced by one pump house. Public Works
Director Simola responded by saying that one pump house can service both
wells; however, the original design intended for well #3 will need some
modifications in order for it to service both wells.
There being no further discussion on this matter, motion was made by
Bill Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen, to complete well #3 at an estimated
cost of $25,000. Motion passed unanimously.
5. Consideration of Awarding Bid for Sanitary Sewer and Watermain
Improvements on West County Road 39 - Grossnickle Property.
City Administrator Wolfsteller reviewed the status of the situation. He
noted that the total project cost is $49,000 with $44,000 of that being
assessable to Grossnickle and golf course property. Wolfsteller noted
that the cost per buildable lot for the project is $11,000. Wolfsteller
went on to outline several options for allocating the total project cost
among benefiting properties. After discussion by Council, it was
tentatively established that the maximum assessment for the
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Council Minutes - 4/11/88
Grossnickle property would be about $8,000 for each of the three lots
that she could create, with the balance of the assessment to be paid by
the Golf Course. Grossnickle was reminded that the cost to improve her
property will be offset by the added value created by the installation
of the sewer and water service. Mrs. Grossnickle's daughter disagreed
noting that the additional costs of subdividing the property when added
to the cost of installing sewer and water will not be offset by the
added value created. Mrs. Grossnickle asked also what the normal cost
for developing sewer and water service per lot is for other
communities. City Engineer Badalich noted that the cost to provide
sewer and water service to the Grossnickle project is only slightly
higher due to the construction problems caused by the high water table
in the area. It was also noted by John Badalich that the City has until
May 23, 1988, to make a decision on the matter, as at that time the
contract bid sunsets. No further action was taken on this matter.
6. Consideration of Conditional Acceptance of Chelsea Road Improvement
Prosect.
Mr. Bill Block, consulting engineer for the Chelsea Road project owned
by Jim Boyle, appeared before the Council requesting consideration of a
conditional acceptance of Chelsea Road improvement project. Mr. Block
noted that Jim Boyle was not able to appear at the meeting because of a
delay in his flight to Minneapolis from Detroit. Council reviewed a
letter submitted by Jim Boyle's engineer which outlined plans for
meeting city requirements and also requested that the City accept the
street project on a condition that all requirements be met at sometime
in the future. Council reviewed the requirements that have not been met
by the developer of the road and determined that it would be premature
at this time to accept the road. Council directed the City Attorney to
work with the developer and the developer's engineer in establishing a
plan that will protect the City's interests regarding this matter. City
Attorney, Tom Hayes, was in attendance and noted that the City should
not accept the road until all requirements are met. He went on to say
that the City should override previous requirements only if such action
is of great public concern. No formal action taken on this matter.
7. Consideration of Concession Building Plans.
John Simola informed Council that approximate cost of the project is
$30,000. Simola was not able at this time to provide exact figures for
the cost of the structure, as the bidding process was not yet complete
as of the time of the Council meeting. It was Simola's concern, as well
as Jeff Michaelis' of the Softball Association, that the City should
make a decision on this matter at the April 11 Council meeting because
the foundation of the structure needed to be started and completed prior
to organized use of the field. Councilmember Bill Fair noted that he
isn't comfortable with potential for a higher cost than anticipated.
Simola noted, too, that this is a concern of his as well, but went on to
say that if the costs come in higher than expected, the City Council may
elect to wait until after the next budget cycle to complete the project
or develop a wood frame structure as a less expensive but higher
maintenance alternative.
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Council Minutes - 4/11/88
After discussion, motion was made by Fran Fair to approve the laying of
the foundation for the concession stand with a re-evaluation of
proceeding with the remainder of the structure if budget figures come in
appreciably higher than $30,000. Motion was seconded by Bill Fair.
Voting in favor was Fran Fair, Bill Fair, Arve Grimsmo. Opposed:
Warren Smith, Dan Blonigen.
8. Consideration of Awarding Bids on Liquor Store Landscaping.
Three bids were received by the City, with the low bid submitted by
Steve's Elk River Nursery for a total amount of $7,048. After
discussion, motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by Bill Fair, to
award the bid to the low bidder which was Steve's Elk River Nursery in
the amount of $7,048.
9. Consideration of Walt Mack's Retirement and Matt Theisen's Appointment
as Superintendent.
Motion was made by Dan Blonigen to acknowledge the retirement of Walt
Mack and approve appointment of Matt Theisen to the position of
Waterwork Superintendent. Motion was seconded by Bill Fair. Motion
carried unanimously.
10. Consideration of Authorizing for Water Department Position and Posting
of Opening with Union.
Public Works Director Simola noted that the job description for the
position vacated by Matt Theisen needed updating. After discussion, a
motion was made by Bill Fair to authorize development of a new job
description. Motion was seconded by Warren Smith. Motion passed
unanimously.
11. Consideration of Request for One (1) Day Set-up/3.2 Beer License for
Ducks Unlimited Banquet and One (1) Day 3.2 Beer License for July 3rd
Celebration - Lions Club.
Motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded by Warren Smith, to approve said
licenses. Motion carried unanimously.
12. In other matters, the City Council discussed the possibility of
establishing a center for collecting waste material such as auto parts,
metal, unrepairable appliances, or other items otherwise known as junk.
Staff was directed to investigate methods by which the City can assist
citizens' efforts to clean up the neighborhoods by providing a place to
take unwanted materials.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
J f O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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