Loading...
City Council Minutes 04-23-1990MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Monday, April 23, 1990 - 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Ken Maus, Fran Fair, Warren Smith, Shirley Anderson, Dan Blonigen Members Absent: None 2. Approval of minutes. Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Warren Smith, to approve the meeting minutes of the regular meeting held April 9, 1990, as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints. None forthcoming. 4. Consideration to adopt the final plat for Remmele Addition. Mike Pudil, representing Remmele, was present and informed Council that verbal agreements are in place, and it appears likely that Remmele will be able to acquire the land proposed for platting. After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Fran Fair, to approve the final plat of the Remmele Addition subject to the placement of the names of the actual property owners of land incorporated with the Remmele Addition. Motion carried unanimously. 5. Consideration to approve the vacation of Fallon Avenue between Chelsea Road and I-94 and the vacation of drainage and utility easements. After discussion, motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to vacate Fallon Avenue between Chelsea Road and I-94 and to vacate said drainage and utility easements subject to the recording of the final plat of the Remmele Addition. Motion carried unanimously. 6. Review proposal to install and operate prototype furnace usin rubber products as fuel. No formal action requested --review only. The Assistant Administrator reported that Ray Schmidt of Universal Equipment Manufacturing Company hopes to occupy the structure that will soon be vacated by Larson Manufacturing. Schmidt has placed earnest money down in anticipation of Page 1 Council Minutes - 4/23/90 purchasing the structure; however, he will not complete the purchase until the City reviews his operational plans which include the operation and development of a prototype furnace which uses automobile tire byproducts as fuel. The furnace proposed for development installation is not an incinerator. The furnace is designed to use tires in heating the structure and is not intended to be designed for the sole purpose of incinerating tires. This furnace is one among other machines that Schmidt manufactures that are designed to transform waste tires into materials that can be used for other purposes. O'Neill went on to report that in addition to the rubber burning furnace, Schmidt also has developed machinery that will remove tires from wheels, cut tires into manageable pieces, and reduce the manageable pieces further into tire bits which can be used for many purposes, including furnace fuel. The equipment that Schmidt has designed is relatively inexpensive and is intended to be used by small scale tire reducing operations. O'Neill went on to ask Council to discuss this matter and provide Schmidt with some direction for future action. Schmidt's next step would be to apply for an ordinance amendment which would allow this type of furnace to be installed as a conditional use in an I-1 zone. Ray Schmidt reiterated that the tire burning furnace is one product among many that he is designing and building for the purpose of recycling and reusing tires. He noted that the furnace burns at 3,000 degrees, which creates a very clean burn, with the major byproduct being the steel used in the steel belted radial tires that are burned in the furnace. Fran Fair asked how the burn starts. Schmidt noted that the furnace is designed to recycle (burn) one minute every hour at a minimum. No other fuel is used to start the burner. Ray Schmidt stated that we all know that waste tires are a problem. Someone has to tackle it. We need something on a small scale. He went on to note that his company must hire a testing agency to test the furnace prior to PCA approval. A testing process can cost as much as $30,000. Finally, he went on to note that the use of the furnace is only a small part of his operation and that most of his sales and business activity comes from manufacturing and selling his other tire reducing equipment. Mayor Maus asked if Schmidt could live up to the conditions stipulating a review time for operation of the furnace. He asked Schmidt if he would be willing to remove the furnace in the event the furnace does not meet with PCA approval. Schmidt stated that if his burner fails the test, he would quit using it immediately. Page 2 Council Minutes - 4/23/90 Warren Smith stated that the City should not say "no" to the operation of this furnace due to a preconceived notion. After discussion, it was the general consensus that this matter should be referred to the Planning Commission for the purpose of reviewing a proposal to allow installation and operation of a rubber burning furnace as a conditional use in an I-1 zone. 7. Consideration of preliminary plan to develop a shopping mall connected to and extending east of Maus Foods. Plan requires that Cedar Street be vacated and Palm Street be opened. At this point in the meeting, Mayor Maus relinquished his position as Mayor and asked Fran Fair, as acting Mayor, to conduct the meeting during discussion of this matter. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed the site plan which called for development of a 34,000 square foot retail mall connected to the existing Maus Foods store and extending east across Cedar Street and into the existing undeveloped parcel of land. The proposal also called for development of a roadway around the eastern perimeter of the proposed shopping center which would cross the tracks and connect to Palm Street. The proposal would also require relocation of city sewer, water, and storm sewer structures now located under Cedar Street. O'Neill asked Council to review the proposal and indicate to the developers if they should proceed with further detailed study of the feasibility of the concept. If Council supports the concept, then this site plan would be further refined and then submitted to the Planning Commission for review. Finally, O'Neill noted that if Council is not supportive of the site plan as proposed, it is his understanding that the developers will submit a new site plan which utilizes the available land and utilities as they now exist. O'Neill also noted that the City Planner, John Uban, was not supportive of the concept, as the proposal would create a significant disruption to the traffic pattern established in Monticello. He noted that Walnut and Cedar Streets act to strengthen the access from the downtown area out to the interstate making it possible for commercial linkage between the shopping center and the downtown area. By breaking Cedar, the parallel road system breaks down at a critical point as it approaches the interstate. By directing traffic to Palm Street, the commercial traffic will increase on an otherwise residential area. It would further de-emphasize the parallel road system and desire for Page 3 mm Council Minutes - 4/23/90 commercial development to attach to downtown and would start spreading the commercial activity in an east/west fashion that is not recommended in the comprehensive plan. Greg Mooney of 21st Century Builders noted that the proposed development allows space for Maus Foods to expand and stated that the idea is innovative and worth serious consideration. Shirley Anderson noted her opposition to closing Cedar Street, as the proposal will bring significant commercial traffic onto an otherwise residential street. Warren Smith noted the high cost of completing such a re -alignment. Dan Blonigen stated that we should not consider the proposal and that the City should not consider spending any money on the re-routing of utilities. Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Warren Smith, to not consider closing Cedar. Street, as the proposal is not consistent with the comprehensive plan. Voting in favor: Dan Blonigen, Warren Smith, Fran Fair, Shirley Anderson. Abstaining: Ken Maus. Public hearing - Consideration of amendment to off-street parking requirements for theaters. The Assistant Administrator reported that the Monticello Theater has plans to develop two new screens which results in the need for an additional 105 parking spaces according to the present ordinance. In conjunction with the expansion of the theater, Wright County State Bank plans on purchasing the Stokes Marine building and developing a parking area for use by theater patrons. The new parking area will be able to accommodate approximately 44 stalls, which falls short of the 105 new spaces that are needed with the theater expansion. Council is asked to consider lessening the theater parking requirements from 1 space per 4 seats to 1 space per 5 seats. O'Neill went on to note that traffic studies are available which support the concept of lessening the theater parking requirements. After discussion, motion was made by Fran Fair and seconded by Shirley Anderson to approve an ordinance amendment which would lessen the theater parking requirement from one parking space for each five seats based on the design capacity of the main Page 4 Council Minutes - 4/23/90 assembly hall. Said amendment should apply to theaters located in the Original Plat of Monticello only. Motion carried unanimously. SEE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 186. 9. Public hearing - Consideration of ordinance amendment which would allow theaters to utilize joint off-street parking facilities located within five hundred (500) feet of theater. Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that the current ordinance requires that joint parking associated with theater use must be located within 300 feet of the theater. The proposed ordinance amendment calls for extending this distance to 500 feet. By extending the distance as proposed, a number of public parking spaces can be counted as joint parking spaces, which enables the theater expansion to meet minimum parking requirements. O'Neill went on to note that according to the City Planner, it is not unreasonable to expect people to walk 500 feet from parking areas to a theater; and such a distance is common in many other cities. After discussion, motion was made by Fran Fair and seconded by Warren Smith to approve the amendment to the ordinance which allows theaters located in the Original Plat of Monticello to utilize joint parking located within 500 feet of said theater. Voting in favor: Warren Smith, Fran Fair, Shirley Anderson, Ken Maus. Opposed: Dan Blonigen. SEE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 187. 10. Public hearing - Consideration of conditional use permit allowing the Monticello Theater to use certain public parking areas as "joint parking." Assistant Administrator O'Neill requested that Council consider granting a conditional use permit to the Monticello Theater which would allow the theater to use certain public parking areas as joint parking. O'Neill noted that plans developed by the theater called for development of 420 seats. If a 5 to 1 parking ratio is used, 85 parking spaces must be created. The site plan presented calls for demolition of Stokes Marine and development of 44 parking spaces, which results in a deficit of 41 parking spaces. The joint parking conditional use permit as proposed calls for utilization of public parking spaces within 500 feet of the theater. He noted that numerous public parking spaces are available within 500 feet and are available for joint use, as the businesses that these parking spaces service are typically daytime operations. He went on to add, however, that there will be Page 5 Council Minutes - 4/23/90 some conflict between the theater and these typical daytime operations on Saturdays and on some weeknights, as a number of the businesses in the area do stay open past 7:30 p.m. one or more times per week. After discussion, motion was made by Warren Smith and seconded by Fran Fair to approve the joint parking conditional use permit subject to the following conditions: a. City approved joint parking areas shall be located within 500 feet of the theater. b. No substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the two uses (theater/retail service) for which the joint uses of the off-street parking facility is proposed. C. A properly drawn instrument executed by the parties concerned for joint use of the off-street parking facilities duly approved as to form and manner of execution by the City Attorney shall be filed with the City Administrator and recorded with the County Recorder. d. A properly drawn instrument executed by Wright County State Bank and Monticello Theater outlining a full and uninterrupted use by Monticello Theater of 44 parking stalls. Said instrument shall be filed with the City Administrator and recorded with the County Recorder. e. Owner/operator shall provide information to patrons regarding location of approved parking areas. Notice shall include publication of maps in the official city paper, posting of parking areas in theater lobby, review of parking areas at each show preview. Voting in favor of the motion: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Fran Fair, Warren Smith. Opposed: Dan Blonigen. 11. Public hearing - Variance request which would allow more than 50 percent of the off-street parking for the Monticello Theater Addition to be supplied by a joint parking facility. Withdrawn from agenda, as sufficient parking is available to meet the 50 percent requirement. No variance needed. Page 6 Council Minutes - 4/23/90 12. Consideration of a resolution approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids 7th Street improvement project. Motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Dan Blonigen, to adopt a resolution approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 90-16. 13. Consideration of log structure for Ellison Park. It was reported to Council that the Lions Club will commit labor and an annual dollar contribution toward the cost of the project. Annual contributions toward payment of the cost of the project will possibly amount to $6,000 to $8,000. Development of the structure is planned for the June 9, 1990, weekend. After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Dan Blonigen, to authorize the City of Monticello to purchase a log shelter from Voyageur Log Homes of Orr, Minnesota, for a cost of $12,338, and to further authorize purchase of roofing materials and installation of a concrete slab and wiring at an estimated cost of $2,512, bringing the total estimated cost of the building to $14,844. Motion carried unanimously. 14. Consideration of resolution approving the sale and transfer of ownership in cable system and transfer of the cable franchise of Jones Intercable to FBN Cablevision. Mayor Maus noted that the cable system reception needs improvement and wondered if it is not time to stipulate an improvement in the service. Rick Wolfsteller concurred that the reception is not as good in Monticello because the signal must be brought over cable lines from Buffalo. He noted that the reception would be better if the television signal was sent via microwave to Monticello and then distributed to cable users in town. He went on to state that unfortunately, the City is not in the position at this time to stipulate improvements in the signal; however, the cable company is aware of the problem and may take steps to improve the signal. After discussion, motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by Fran Fair, to adopt a resolution approving the sale and transfer from Jones to FBN Cablevision, which would include the transfer of the cable franchise rights. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 90-18. Page 7 Council Minutes - 4/23/90 15. Consideration of resolution amending the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Communication Commission's joint and cooperative agreement. Administrator Wolfsteller noted that the voting structure of the cable consortium is weighted in a manner that allows three of the larger communities of the consortium, including Elk River, Buffalo, and Monticello, to entirely control the decision making of the cable commission. It was the concern of the commission that too much power is in the hands of three cities, which might discourage the remaining cities to remain in the consortium. Wolfsteller went on to note that it was not the intent of the largest communities within the cable commission to control the actions of the committee. He agreed that it is a ten -city cooperative agreement; at least half of the voting members should vote in the affirmative for official actions. Wolfsteller noted that it was not Monticello's intent to have significant power over the other commission member cities and stated that he had no problem with the new voting arrangement proposed in the resolution. After discussion, motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Warren Smith, to approve a resolution which notes that all official actions of the commission must receive a majority of all authorized votes cast on that issue at a duly constituted meeting of the commission and the affirmative vote of five directors. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 90-17. 16. Consideration of hiring a Municipal Construction Inspector for the City of Monticello. John Simola noted that with the second advertisement for City Inspector, we received an additional eight applications and conducted two additional interviews. We received a total of 30 applications all together and conducted a total of 7 interviews. Simola recommended that the City hire Tom Bose at a starting salary of $26,000 contingent upon his passing a physical that is now required by City policy. Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to approve the appointment of Thomas Bose to the position of Municipal Construction Inspector at a starting salary of $26,000. Motion carried unanimously. Page 8 17. Council Minutes - 4/23/90 Consideration of hiring a Water/Collection Systems Operator to fill existing vacancy. Administrator Wolfsteller noted that Rich Cline, a current City employee, and an applicant from North Dakota are prime candidates for this position. At this time, the staff recommendation is to hire Rich Cline for the position; however, Wolfsteller noted that the applicant from North Dakota has excellent qualifications and appears to be more qualified for the position. At the same time, however, Rich Cline has done a good job for the City in his current position and will likely be able to achieve the same level of expertise as the other candidate with training and time on the job. In addition, Rich Cline is the candidate that the Water Superintendent has selected as his favorite candidate. Shirley Anderson noted that according to the Public Works Director, Rich Cline has been injured in the past on the job. Will the injury affect his ability to do the job? John Simola reported that Rich is off restrictions and should be able to fulfill all job duties. Shirley Anderson asked if this job is easier than his job with the streets department. Simola stated that both positions require heavy lifting on occasions. Ken Maus noted that Rich Cline has not missed work for a long period of time, and he is comfortable that Rich has overcome his physical problems. Ken Maus noted that the City should recognize the desire of individuals to transfer or move up from within the organization. Warren Smith was uncomfortable is not the best qualified for maybe it makes sense to bring from the outside. with hiring an individual that the position. He noted that a better qualified person in Dan Blonigen suggested that we transfer Rich Cline from his present position to the new position and advertise for Rich's old position. Fran Fair noted that Rich is a good employee, and his personality and skills are known and as such could make him just as qualified as the candidate from North Dakota. Page 9 Council Minutes - 4/23/90 After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Fran Fair, to transfer Rich Cline to the position of Water/Wastewater Collection Systems Operator. Voting in favor: Dan Blonigen, Fran Fair, Ken Maus. Opposed: Shirley Anderson, Warren Smith. Warren Smith stated that he is opposed because he does not feel that we are hiring the best person for the job given the information presented. After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Warren Smith, to authorize advertisement for the position vacated in the transfer of Rich Cline to the position of Water/Wastewater Collections Systems Operator. 18. Consideration of proclaiming May 6-12 "Drinking Water Week." Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to proclaim May 6-12 as "Drinking Water Week" in Monticello. Motion carried unanimously. 19. Approval of bills. Motion made by Warren Smith, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to approve bills as submitted. 20. Other matters. June 4 was designated as the day of the annual joint meeting between City Council and all City commissions. There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned. Jeff O'Neill Assistant Administrator Page 10