City Council Minutes 06-11-1990MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, June 11, 1990 - 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Ken Maus, Warren Smith, Shirley Anderson, Dan
Blonigen
Members Absent: Fran Fair
2. Approval of minutes.
Motion was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Shirley Anderson,
to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held May 29,
1990. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
None forthcoming.
4. Consideration of appeal of a public nuisance order.
Applicant, Marvin Scherer.
This item was withdrawn from the agenda, as the applicant has
now complied with the public nuisance order.
5. Consideration of resolutions awarding the sale of $560,000
G.O. tax increment bonds, Series 1990A, and $730,000 G.O.
improvement bonds, Series 1990B.
Mr. Jerry Shannon of Springsted summarized the bids submitted
to the City of Monticello for both the Series 1990A and 1990B.
During his presentation, he noted that the net interest cost
and rate for both bonds were less than expected. In addition,
he noted that the tax increment income intended to retire the
general obligation tax increment bond, Series 1990A, will be
sufficient.
Shannon also noted that Moody's was concerned about the
existing unpaid assessments owed the City; however, this
concern was not sufficient to lower the City's "A" bond
rating. Aside from the delinquencies, the City has an
excellent financial statement.
After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson,
seconded by Dan Blonigen, to adopt a resolution awarding the
$560,000 City of Monticello, Minnesota, general obligation tax
increment bond, Series 1990A, to Northwest Investment
Services, Inc., at a net interest rate of 6.5603450. Motion
carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 90-24.
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Motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Dan Blonigen,
to approve a resolution awarding the $730,000 City of
Monticello, Minnesota, general obligation improvement bonds,
Series 1990B, to Northwest Investment Services, Inc., at a net
interest rate of 6.6143530. Motion carried unanimously.
SEE RESOLUTION 90-25.
6. Consideration of animal services agreement renewal --Patty
Salzwedel.
Rick Wolfsteller informed Council that the pound and animal
control agreement is essentially two years old, and the
contractor requests that the City review her performance and
consider increasing compensation. Wolfsteller reported that
Patty Salzwedel, along with her husband, has been doing an
excellent job in the cleaning and maintenance of the dog pound
and in the animal control services. Wolfsteller noted that
since 1988, City veterinarian bills for euthanization have
decreased substantially and that Patty has been successful in
either direct adoption of the animals or placing them through
the Humane Society and/or the adopt -a -pet organization.
Wolfsteller went on to note that the cost for operating animal
control service has decreased substantially since 1987 and
1988 due to Patty's efforts. Wolfsteller went on to note that
City staff has had very few complaints regarding animal
control services; and due to Patty's dedication to her duties,
he recommended that the contract be renewed for another 12
months with the animal control contract being increased by $60
per month. This would be an effective increase of
approximately 4.5% annually since the contract is already two
years old.
Dan Blonigen noted that he has no problem with the increase to
the contract. Shirley Anderson agreed. Warren Smith noted
that he had only one dog complaint in the past two years, and
he supports the increase in the contract.
After discussion, motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by
Dan Blonigen, to increase the contract compensation to Patty
Salzwedel by 90, which equals a 4.5% annual adjustment based
on a two-year contract. Motion includes adjustments to the
fees charged to other cities for animal control services.
Motion carried unanimously.
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Consideration of sidewalk inspection criteria and approval of
the sidewalk grid system.
John Simola reported that he and Dan Blonigen worked toward
development of a sidewalk inspection criteria that could be
used to determine which sidewalks should be repaired or
replaced. Simola asked that Council take action on this
matter so that the sidewalks could be properly inventoried.
After discussion, motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by
Shirley Anderson, to approve the sidewalk inspection criteria
as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
City Council then reviewed the proposed sidewalk grid system.
Ken Maus noted that the grid system could be used to tie into
the assessment policy. For instance, the cost to construct
non -grid area sidewalks should be fully assessed to the
property owner, whereas sidewalks located within the grid
system might be partially financed by the City, as they serve
a general public purpose.
A general discussion ensued regarding installation of sidewalk
along with the 7th Street/Minnesota Street improvement
project. Dan Blonigen noted that if we're going to put in a
sidewalk, we should look at installing it along the roadway.
Installation of sidewalks in this manner can be maintained
more efficiently.
John Simola noted that the best location is sometimes 20 feet
off the curb, as gas lines, telephone lines, utility poles,
etc., interfere with sidewalks that are located directly along
side the curb line.
Council reviewed the proposed grid system submitted by John
Simola and Shirley Anderson.
After discussion, motion was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by
Warren Smith, to approve in principal map #1 which outlines
the sidewalk grid system for the city of Monticello. Motion
carried unanimously.
Ken Maus noted that now that we have a policy in place for
sidewalk development that serves and overall purpose for the
community, we need to indicate which sidewalks in the
community are not necessary and, therefore, could be removed
or replaced if the sidewalk becomes sufficiently deteriorated.
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After discussion, motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by
Shirley Anderson, to adopt map #2 which outlines sidewalks
that could potentially be removed in the event that said
sidewalks located on map #2 become sufficiently deteriorated.
Motion carried unanimously.
Council discussed the potential for development of sidewalk
along with the 7th Street improvement project. It was noted
by John Simola that Minnesota Street and 7th Street are both
designated to include sidewalks, and the time is right to
develop sidewalks at these locations along with the 7th Street
improvement project. Furthermore, the project costs have come
in $47,000 below estimates, and the surplus funds could be
used for development of the sidewalks along 7th Street and
Minnesota Street.
After discussion, it was the general consensus of Council to
authorize Simola to prepare a change order to the 7th Street
improvement project which would call for development of
sidewalk on Minnesota Street and 7th Street.
8. Consideration of hiring public works department employee.
John Simola reported that at the last meeting the City Council
appointed Joe Kovich of Big Lake as the new operator/
mechanic for the public works department. After accepting the
position, Mr. Kovich was offered a promotion and significant
pay increase from his existing employer, Honeywell. He,
therefore, reconsidered the offer of employment from the City
of Monticello and turned down the offer. In response to the
situation, the selection committee recommended that Council
offer the position to its second choice, Mr. James Eisele of
713 West 4th Street. Mr. Eisele has had experience in the
past working with the Wright County Highway Department as a
mechanic/operator and with other firms as a truck driver. He
has a well-rounded background of skills relating to the job
description and is noted in the community for his attention to
detail on any of his own projects.
After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson,
seconded by Dan Blonigen, to appoint Mr. James Eisele to the
position of operator/mechanic. Motion carried unanimously.
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9. Consideration of investigating possible purchase of property
within the City Hall block.
Administrator Wolfsteller reported that a parcel located on
Lots 2 and 3 on the block on which the City Hall is located is
available for sale. Wolfsteller asked Council to consider the
potential of purchasing this property in anticipation of
future expansion of City Hall.
Ken Maus noted that the property, although for sale at this
time, may also be available for sale at a relatively low price
in years to come. He went on to note that unless we have
specific plans to expand, we should wait to purchase the
property. Maus also noted that the City might wish to
consider buying the rear third of the two lots for sale which
could be used in conjunction with development of a larger
parking area.
Warren Smith concurred that we should look at purchasing the
the portion of the property that the City might need at this
time. No formal action was taken on this matter.
10. Consideration of adequacy of lease agreement between
Monticello Theatre and Wright County State Bank regarding use
of parking areas developed for use by the Monticello Theatre.
The City Council was informed that the Monticello Theatre and
Wright County State Bank have entered into an agreement
governing the use of the parking lot developed by the bank for
use by the theatre. Council was asked to review the lease, as
it appears that the lease will not completely fulfill the
terms of the conditional use permit which requires full and
uninterrupted use of the parking stalls indefinitely. The
agreement struck provides the theatre with parking for, at a
minimum, five years. After the five year period, the theatre
has the option of extending the lease another five years.
Tom Hayes noted that the original conditional use permit
requirement was impossible to achieve, as Wright County State
Bank could not realistically tie up the land for the parking
area in perpetuity. He noted that the lease does accomplish
the goal of providing adequate parking, and the theatre owner
recognizes that the conditional use permit could be withdrawn
if the parking area is lost; therefore, the risk associated
with this situation falls on the theatre owner. Mr. Muller
was in attendance and recognized the risk that the
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conditional use permit would be invalid if the Wright County
State Bank parking area became inaccessible to the theatre
patrons.
After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson,
seconded by Warren Smith, to approve the lease agreement as
presented and reaffirm the requirement that the conditional
use permit be subject to existence of a lease or such other
agreement as may be approved by the City Council. Motion
carried unanimously.
Appointment of Planninq Commission member.
Council reviewed the applications submitted by Jon Bogart and
Bruce Thielen.
Motion was made by Dan Blonigen to appoint Bruce Thielen to
fill the vacant Planning Commission position. Motion died for
lack of a second.
It was the consensus of Council that both applicants are
highly qualified and that it would be appropriate at this time
to conduct a more formal extended interview of both
candidates; therefore, a special meeting of the City Council
was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on June 25, 1990, to be conducted
immediately prior to the regular meeting of the City Council.
Consideration of allowing Lions Club to place banners along
Broadway for Riverfest celebration.
John Simola noted that a county permit is not necessary if the
City okays the Lions Club request.
After discussion, a motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded
by Dan Blonigen, to authorize the Lions Club to place two
banners at selected locations across County Road 75 after
delivery of a certificate of insurance, a statement that the
banner and supporting ropes or cables be of a durable nature
and installed above 18 feet and will be maintained by the
Lions, a written authorization from utility companies and/or
building owners, and a permit if required from Wright County.
Motion carried unanimously.
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Consideration of establishing a plastic recycling pilot
program.
John Simola reported that since initiation of the City of
Monticello's recycling program, there have been numerous
requests and comments from the citizens to look into the
possibility of recycling plastic. Plastic recycling has been
slow to start due to the difficulties associated with the many
resins in the plastics, lack of markets, and lack of
contractors willing to recycle plastic. Simola went on to
note that things have changed in the recent months. Several
markets have opened up for co -mingling plastics, and these
markets are available within 40 miles of Monticello and are
currently paying 4 cents per pound delivered. All in all, it
appears that the potential for marketing plastics economically
is increasing; therefore, Simola proposed that the City
authorize the recycling committee to set up a pilot program
for recycling of plastics which would entail setting up a
pilot curb -side recycling program and drop-off program for two
subdivisions in the city of Monticello for a period of three
months. The two methods for gathering plastic will be
evaluated with the City adopting the most cost efficient of
the two methods.
Ken Maus asked what other communities are recycling plastics.
John Simola noted that Brainerd is recycling plastics, along
with a few other communities.
Shirley Anderson noted that she didn't feel there was a need
for prizes anymore, as the public is actively recycling, and
the prizes may no longer be a factor in encouraging recycling.
John Simola noted that at some point we could curtail the
prizes; however, at this time, he felt it still does provide
a motivating force for recyclers.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson,
seconded by Dan Blonigen, to authorize the recycling committee
to set up a pilot curb -side recycling program and drop-off
program for two subdivisions in the city of Monticello for a
period of three months. Motion carried unanimously.
Review of Heartland Express ridership and budget figures.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed that ridership has
been increasing steadily since the program started, with daily
ridership for May reported at 69 rides. As of May 31, 1990,
the ridership mix is as follows:
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Elderly 40%
Handicapped 4%
Children 30%
Toddlers 7%
General Public 19%
O'Neill went on to note that as each month goes by and more
people are using the bus, the miles per ride and cost per ride
ratios are improving. Warren Smith noted that the Heartland
Express has been a fine addition to the present list of City
services. Shirley Anderson noted that people are becoming
more creative in their use of the bus.
15. Review of results of joint meeting.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed the results of the
joint meeting and asked for comments from Council regarding
future joint meeting formats. It was suggested that a
strategy should be developed to incorporate the viewpoint of
a broader cross section of the community.
16. Other items.
Pat Faltersack and two other residents from the Meadow Oaks
development voiced their concern regarding the potential for
low income, single family residences in the neighborhood. It
was their concern that the existing property values would be
hurt by the type of housing that might be placed in the
neighborhood.
Ken Maus noted that the Council is concerned about maintaining
property values. At the same time, if someone applies for a
permit and the applicant meets all of the building code
requirements, the City has no choice but to allow construction
of the home.
After discussion, Ken Maus suggested that City staff, along
with the property owners, the local developer, and the Farmers
Home Administration, set up a meeting at which time the group
could discuss strategy for minimizing the impact of the
development of lesser valued homes in the Meadow Oaks
subdivision.
Roger Mack reported that the Legion Club is looking at
development of a basketball court at the park located at Par
West. The Legion has volunteered to contribute $1,500 to help
Council Minutes - 6/11/90
with the cement work necessary with the basketball court.
John Simola noted that City staff is capable of laying the
cement; however, staff is currently tied up on existing
projects.
It was the general consensus that City staff should attempt to
schedule time necessary to install the basketball court with
funding of materials being derived from the $1,500 to be
contributed by the Legion Club.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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Jeff O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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