City Council Minutes 05-09-1988MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, May 9, 1988 - 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Warren Smith, Dan Blonigen, Bill
Fair
Members Absent: None
2. Approval of Minutes.
Warren Smith requested that the meeting minutes pertaining to the
establishment of the color scheme for the Streetscape Project be
amended. Smith noted that it was his understanding that the Council
agreed to the color green as the color for the fixtures to be installed
as part of the project.
Motion made by Warren Smith to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting held April 25, 1988, with the corrections made as suggested.
Motion seconded by Fran Fair. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Consideration of Readvertising for Pump House Over Municipal Well #3.
Public Works Director Simola reported that the water quality found in
well #3 is such that the City can use municipal well #3 on a regular
basis without treatment of well #3 water. He went on to note that the
capacity of well #3 is limited to 600 gallons per minute compared to the
1500 gallons per minute that was hoped for. Simola recommended that the
Council authorize readvertisement for bids for pump house construction
and pump installation at municipal well #3, which would include the
modifications as necessary to allow additional wells such as #4 to be
hooked onto this building at a later date. A discussion of the type of
pump for well #3 ensued. Councilmember Blonigen noted that a
submersible pump may not be as reliable or serviceable as a line shaft
pump. Simola went on to note that the City currently uses line shaft
technology with their pumps and that the line shaft pumps have worked
effectively. After discussion, Council agreed to include line shaft
pump technology in the bid specification and to not include an alternate
for submersible pump technology.
Water quality and quantity issues were discussed as it pertained to
well #4. John Badalich noted that well #4 will have a capacity of 1500
gallons per minute; but there is a concern about well #4 water quality,
as the iron appears high and manganese is moderate. Warren Smith
requested that all questions about water quality be established prior to
development of well #4 and that the City should run a third additional
test on water taken from well #4.
Motion by Bill Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen, to authorize
readvertisement for bids for the pump house construction and pump
installation at municipal well #3 which would include modifications as
necessary to allow additional wells such as #4 to be hooked onto
proposed pump house #3 at a later date. Motion carried unanimously.
See Resolution 88-12.
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5. Consideration of Redecorating Council Chambers.
City Administrator, Rick Wolfsteller, noted that $2.,500 has been
allocated by the City Council through the budget process for repairs and
remodeling to City Hall. Wolfsteller reviewed some suggestions for
remodeling at which time a discussion ensued. Council determined that
remodeling should include improvement to the lighting system and should
also include chairs in the estimates. Council requested that the clock
in the Council Chambers be fixed and requested that additional black
chairs be added to the Council Chamber area. It was also noted that
cable television was not a priority in establishing a design for
remodeling of the Council Chambers.
6. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Approving the Termination of the
Original Assessor's Agreement for Economic Tax Increment Districts #1
and #4 Pursuant to the Minnesota Statute, Section 273.71 to 273.78
Inclusive, and Establishing a Minimum Guaranteed Annual Increment
Agreement.
Economic Development Director, 011ie Koropchak, reported that the IXI
building has sold or will sell at a price significantly below the
structure's current market value. The developers of the IXI building
wish to have a reduction in the valuation of the property to be based on
the property sale price. However, in doing so, the reduced taxes
generated will be insufficient to retire the debt associated with the
tax increment district; and in addition, there is an assessor's
agreement which prohibits any reduction of the market value of the
property below the amount agreed upon without City approval. Koropchak
went on to report that the HRA requests that the City Council pass a
resolution which supports a revised agreement with the new owner of the
property. The revised agreement would provide for sufficient revenue to
pay the debt associated with Tax Increment Districts #1 and #4. Mayor
Grimsmo noted that the developers will be occupying a now vacant
building and will be creating new jobs for the community. Dan Blonigen
noted that it is vital for the City to be consistent in its treatment of
individuals and that such a request must be considered carefully.
Councilmember Bill Fair noted that there are special circumstances
involved in this situation and that the City must be assured of gaining
the revenue needed to retire the debt associated with the Tax Increment
Financing Plan for this structure. Rick Wolfsteller noted that even
with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority action to terminate the
existing assessor's agreement and replace it with a new annual increment
agreement, the County may still require that no reduction will be made.
Wolfsteller went on to say that under the proposal prepared by the HRA,
the City will finance the tax increment debt through the revenue created
by the revised taxable amount and through funds generated by a separate
developers agreement.
Mayor Grimsmo noted that the proposed action by the City Council and the
HRA represents a positive intent to encourage existing and new business
in the city of Monticello and that the action represents a flexible
response to special problems or conditions facing a business wishing to
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locate in the community. Dan Blonigen noted that it is important that
the City treat all of its citizens consistently and that by reaching
this agreement, the City may be setting a precedent that will come back
to haunt it later.
Motion made by Bill Fair, seconded by Warren Smith, to approve
Resolution 88-13 approving the termination of the original assessor's
agreement for economic Tax Districts #1 and #4 pursuant to the Minnesota
Statute Section 273.71 to 273.78 inclusive, and establishing a minimum
guaranteed annual increment agreement. Voting in favor was Bill Fair,
Fran Fair, Arve Grimsmo, Warren Smith. Opposed: Dan Blonigen.
Jeff O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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