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City Council Minutes 05-28-1991MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, May 28, 1991 - 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Shirley Anderson, Dan Blonigen, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle, Ken Maus Members Absent: None 2. Approval of minutes. Shirley Anderson noted that under item #10, "Consideration of further action regarding police commission appointments," Anderson asked that the minutes be amended to note that she had volunteered to serve on the police commission. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan Blonigen to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held May 13, 1991, as amended. Motion carried. unanimously. 3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints. None forthcoming. 4. Public hearing to consider the 1991 annual sidewalk inspection report. Mayor Maus opened the public hearing. Public Works Director Simola reviewed the sidewalk inspection report. Tom Bose reviewed the report. With no comments from the public forthcoming, the public hearing was closed. A motion was made by Dan Blonigen and seconded by Shirley Anderson to approve the report as drafted and order abatement of hazardous sidewalks. The 1990 sidewalks identified as hazardous are to be corrected by the City after June 1, 1991. The 1991 property owners are to correct hazardous sidewalks by July 1, 1991. 5. Public hearing on Sidewalk Improvement Project 91SW-1. AND 6. Consideration of a resolution accepting bids and award of contract for Sidewalk Improvement Project 91SW-1. Mayor Maus opened the public hearing. John Simola reviewed the bids. He noted that the bids are under budget by approximately $7,000. Don Doran was in attendance and had questions regarding the cost to install sidewalk. He thought his contractor could replace the sidewalk for less. He also had questions regarding the location of the sidewalk along the boulevard. Page 1 Council Minutes - 5/28/91 Ron Peters had questions regarding blacktop replacement across the sidewalk that crosses a driveway. Simola responded by saying that the blacktop would be sawcut, and no patching may be necessary. At this point in the meeting, the public hearing was closed. Dan Blonigen noted that sidewalk improvements should be done entirely as a City project and that portions of the work should not be done by individual property owners. Having the City do all of the work will assure consistent sidewalk construction quality and will enhance the ability of the City to obtain favorable bids. After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Clint Herbst to accept the lowest bid submitted by DNCON, Inc., of Lakeville, Minnesota, in the amount of $30,077.05, including alternate B. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 91-12. 7. Consideration of reviewing evaluation of properties discussed at the Board of Review --City Assessor. At this point in the meeting, the Board of Review reconvened. Peggy Stencel was in attendance and reviewed the adjusted EMV of 11 residential and 6 commercial properties. After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and seconded by Brad Fyle to approve the proposed adjustments to the estimated market value as prepared by City Assessor, Peggy Stencel. Motion carried unanimously. Stencel informed Council she would inform property owners of their right to continue their appeal to the county level. Ken Maus was concerned that properties owned by Jay Morrell ( M & P Transport) and Al Larson ( Coast to Coast) may have been inadvertently left off of the list of properties to be reviewed by Peggy Stencel and the Board of Review. In response to this concern, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Brad Fyle to add properties owned by Jay Morrell and Al Larson to the list of properties eligible to be reviewed at the county level. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Consideration of authorizing leqal action to remove construction equipment illegally stored on property located in a PZM zoning district. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that a large collection of construction equipment related to the asphalt paving process is being stored on property along Highway 75 Page 2 Council Minutes - 5/28/91 across from the Bondhus Corporation. Equipment repair, oil changing, and vehicle sales are al -,.To being conducted at this site. O'Neill noted that the site is zoned for PZM uses. In the PZM zoning district there is no provision for outside storage of construction equipment. In addition, O'Neill noted that the City has received complaints regarding the presence of the construction equipment at one of the major entrances to the city. O'Neill went on to ask the City Council to consider further action regarding the matter. Floyd Kruse, owner of the property, indicated that he has leased the property to Lee Larson and has allowed the equipment to be stored there because he was informed by the Building Inspector that the property could be used for such purposes. O'Neill noted that the Building Inspector may have given approval to store a single dump truck at the site some time ago; however, this informal approval should not be construed as approval to store the numerous vehicles and other equipment at the site. Mayor Maus noted that the site may be difficult to develop under the PZM zoning district because of its nearness to the wastewater treatment plant. In addition, it might be possible that this area might be better zoned for industrial uses. Maus also suggested that some type of screening could possibly be used to obscure the view of the construction equipment from the street. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan Blonigen to submit this item to the Planning Commission for further review. Motion carried unanimously. 9. Consideration of bids and award of annual sealcoating project. Public Works Director Simola reported that this year's sealcoating project involves the eastern portion of the core city east of Highway 25 and up to Dayton Street. Simola reviewed the bids and noted that Allied Blacktop submitted the lowest bid at $38,043.26; and since this amount is less than the budget amount of $47,500, Simola recommended that the City Council award the sealcoating project to Allied Blacktop of St. Cloud. After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Dan Blonigen to award the 1991 sealcoating project to Allied Blacktop. Motion carried unanimously. Page 3 Council Minutes - 5/28/91 10. Consideration of reviewing first quarter liquor store report. Rick Wolfsteller reported that sales for the first quarter were up 9.3% over the first quarter of 1990. He also noted that gross profit also increased $14,600 or 24% over the same period last year. Wolfsteller noted that the operating income is excellent for the first quarter considering our first quarter is usually the lowest for the liquor store on an annual basis. Council reviewed the liquor store report and accepted it as presented. 11. Consideration of renting or demolition of the recently - acquired house adjacent to City Hall. Rick Wolfsteller reported that the City purchased the Cole property near City Hall for $50,000 to allow for future building expansion or parking requirement needs. At the time of the purchase, the Council chose to postpone a decision regarding possible rental of the dwelling until this spring to determine whether the building could be demolished for parking lot or building expansion needs. The property was winterized and the garage was utilized by the public works department for storage in the meantime. Wolfsteller noted that the cost to rehabilitate the Cole building to a point where the building could be used by renters would cost approximately $6,000. Wolfsteller suggested that it may not make sense to invest $6,000 in the property when the City may be demolishing it relatively soon to make way for City Hall parking. Dan Blonigen suggested that the City may be able to find an individual that would be willing to do some repairs to the structure while they are living there which would provide the City with time to decide on how the parking lot should develop. Ken Maus noted that it might not be fair to allow someone to move in and fix it and then turn around and require that they move out when the City has decided that the building needs to be demolished to make way for a parking area. Maus noted that he would like to see it rented but not in its present condition. Clint Herbst noted that the cost of $6,000 to rehabilitate the structure is too high. It was his view that we should rent it out and fix up the structure using City staff, thereby reducing costs. Page 4 Council Minutes - 5/28/91 Brad Fyle noted that to make it good enough to live in, the City is going to have to spend $10,000. It was his view that it makes more sense to demolish it now. Ken Maus suggested that the City staff look at the parking needs of City Hall closely and determine if parking is needed in terms of the existing ordinance and parking demand. If it is determined that parking is needed immediately, then that could be sufficient justification for development of the parking area at this time. It was the consensus of Council to make the house available to anyone interested in removing it from the site and in the meantime study the City Hall parking needs and determine alternatives once the parking needs have been clearly identified. 12. Consideration of granting annual approval for municipal licenses. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan Blonigen to approve the licenses as submitted: Intoxicating Liquor, On -sale (fee $3,750) 1. Monticello Liquor, Inc. 2. Silver Fox 3. Joyner's Lanes 4. Stuart Hoglund --Comfort Inn Intoxicating Liquor, On -sale, Sunday (fee $200 set by Statute) RAnPwA1q 1. Monticello Liquor, Inc. 2. Silver Fox 3. Joyner's Lanes 4. VFW Club 5. American Legion Club 6. Comfort Inn Non -intoxicating Malt, On -sale (fee $275) 1. Rod and Gun 2. Pizza Factory 3. Country Club Non -intoxicating Malt, Off -sale (fee $75) R A n PW A 1 G 1. Monticello Liquor 2. Riverroad Plaza Page 5 Council Minutes - 5/28/91 3. Maus Foods 4. River Terrace 5. Tom Thumb 6. Holiday 7. Plaza Car Wash Wine/3.2 Beer Combination, On -sale (fee $500) DInnoc.7'a 1 1. Dino's Deli Set-up License (fee $275) 1. Country Club 2. Rod and Gun Club Licenses (fee --set by Statute based on membership) 1. VFW --$500 2. American Legion --$650 Bingo, Temporary (fee $20) 1. St. Henry's Fall Festival Gambling, Temporary ($20 per device) 1. St. Henry's Fall Festival 2. Rod and Gun Club --Steak Fries in August Motion carried unanimously. 13. Consideration of a resolution requesting funding for Wright County Overall Economic Development Plan. Mayor Maus reviewed the Wright County Mayors Association plan for developing a county -wide economic development program. He noted that the Wright County Mayors Association has requested that each City consider committing $500 as a contribution to the county board to help start implementing a development plan. The hope is that if all cities contribute $500 each, the county would have $7,500 available, which would encourage the county commissioners to proceed with the preparation of an economic development plan for the county. Mayor Maus explained that the smaller cities in the county need help in organizing economic development efforts. At first blush it may not appear that the City of Monticello has much to gain from this program since we already have an established economic development program; however, the City does gain from economic development at a county level, as additional tax revenue can offset some of the increases we've Page 6 Council Minutes - 5/28/91 seen in the county tax demands. Although the program will make smaller cities in the county more competitive, the competition will not likely affect the City or result in Monticello losing an industrial prospect; and the fact that the City is participating in this program provides additional marketing of what's available in the city and could possibly bring additional industrial prospects to the city. Dan Blonigen stated that this program should be funded entirely by the county. Clint Herbst was not convinced that the county -wide program would help the city. Maus noted that $500 is a relatively token amount, and the program may never come to pass; but yet contributing to a county -wide economic development effort is a positive action that represents a cooperative attitude toward other cities in the county and could potentially contribute to developing a better and stronger county tax base, which would help the city in the long run. After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Shirley Anderson to adopt a resolution committing $500 in funding toward the development of a Wright County Overall Economic Development Plan. Voting in favor: Brad Fyle, Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson. Opposed: Dan Blonigen, Clint Herbst. SEE RESOLUTION 91-13. 14. Consideration of bids and award of contract for purchase of 125 kW emergency generator. John Simola reviewed the two bids submitted to the City. Simola also outlined deviations from the specifications found in the bids submitted by the two bidders. Finally, Simola noted that the low bid amount submitted by Cummins Diesel Sales Inc. is over the budget amount of $35,000 by more than $6,800. Ken Maus asked which of the bidders has the better reputation. Simola reported that both have good reputations for providing quality equipment and service. Shirley Anderson noted that the bids are over budget. She asked if there are enough funds to cover this cost. Ken Maus asked if we should adjust the bid specifications in an effort to get our cost down and readvertise for bids. Simola noted that it would be very difficult to amend the bid specifications in a manner that would result in much savings. He requested that the specifications remain the same if the City is going to readvertise for bids. Page 7 Council Minutes - 5/28/91 After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Clint Herbst to readvertise for bids for the purchase of a 125 kW emergency generator. Motion carried unanimously. 14A. Consideration of reaffirming our request for a signal to be installed at County Road 118 and County Road 75 intersection. Rick Wolfsteller reported that as part of the County Road 39 realignment improvement project at the intersection of County Road 75 near Riverroad Plaza, the City and County installed the underground portion of a future traffic signal at this location. As part of our 1991 budget, we included $35,000 for the City's share of anticipated cost of the signal construction. The balance of the project is intended to be paid for by county and state aid funds. The Wright County Highway Department recently completed another traffic count for the intersection. Although we are extremely close, the count apparently still does not meet state warrants for signal construction. Ron Bray, traffic engineer for OSM, feels that there is still a good chance that this project could be funded by the state. There are a number of alternatives to pursue in an attempt to get the project funded this year. At this point, the City Council will need to adopt a resolution reaffirming the City's desire to have this signal installed in order for the City Engineer and county highway department to pursue the signal installation. Ken Maus asked if we are locked into $35,000. Rick Wolfsteller stated not necessarily; however, we are locked into 500 of the total cost of the installation, which could result in a higher cost than $35,000. However, it is not likely that the cost will go higher than $35,000. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan Blonigen to adopt a resolution reaffirming our desire to have the signal installed as proposed. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 91-14. 15. Consideration of establishing a defined contribution plan for elected officials. Rick Wolfsteller noted that this item does not require formal Council action. He noted that each elected official will have the opportunity to make their own choice in establishing a defined contribution plan or contributing to social security. After Wolfsteller reviewed the information regarding a defined contribution plan, Council discussed the information prepared by Wolfsteller in the agenda. No action was taken. Page 8 Council Minutes - 5/28/91 16. Consideration of bills for the month of May. Motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan Blonigen to approve the bills as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. 17. Other matters. John Simola noted that the City of Pikesville, Kentucky, has requested that Simola visit Pikesville to review Monticello's recycling program. Simola noted that Pikesville will pay for airfare and all costs associated with his visit to the city. After discussion, it was the consensus of Council that exchange of information between cities is proper and should be supported; however, in this case an employee will be spending a considerable amount of time out of the city; therefore, Pikesville should be requested to pay Simola' s salary while he is away from his duties in Monticello. If Pikesville is not able or willing to do this, it was agreed that Simola could use his own vacation or comp time to make an out-of-state visit to another city for the purpose noted above. Comp time is to be used only after permission is granted by the City Administrator. The Assistant Administrator, Jeff O'Neill, reviewed a letter proposed to be submitted to the Wright County Board of Commissioners regarding the gravel mining and bituminous plant operation proposed for areas south of the city. O'Neill noted that the letter pertains to the environmental assessment worksheet and outlines questions regarding the environmental impact of the operation. After discussion, the consensus was to send the letter as prepared. There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned. a, � J f E'Nei Assistant Administrator Page 9