City Council Minutes 07-08-1991MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, July 8, 1991 - 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Shirley Anderson, Brad Fyle, Ken Maus, Dan
Blonigen
Members Absent: Clint Herbst
2. Approval of minutes.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded
by Shirley Anderson to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting held June 24, 1991. Voting in favor of the motion:
Shirley Anderson, Brad Fyle, Ken Maus. Abstaining: Dan
Blonigen.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
Mickey Peterson, manager of the Professional Approach Beauty
Salon, informed Council that she was treated poorly when
dealing with a problem with her water bill. She indicated
that she will be sending a letter that outlines the problem in
detail. She noted that City staff involved with customer
service should be required to take classes to develop public
relations skills.
Ken Maus thanked Peterson for her comments and noted the
importance of bringing problems to the attention of Council.
Rick Wolfsteller indicated that as soon as he received the
letter from Peterson that he would look into the matter and
report back to Council.
4. Consideration of reviewing the Economic Development
Authority's (EDA) approval of Greater Monticello Enterprise
Fund (GMEF) Loan No. 003 for Aroplax Corporation.
011ie Koropchak reported that Aroplax Corporation has applied
for a loan in the amount of $30,000 to assist with the
purchase of machinery and equipment. The interest rate on the
loan is 6.5% to be amortized over a 7 -year period, and the
loan approval is subject to Companion Bank and Small Business
Administration funding of the remaining project costs.
Koropchak indicated that the facility will be approximately
23,000 sq ft and will bring 25 new jobs to the community. In
her summary, Koropchak noted that the Economic Development
Authority reviewed the Greater Monticello Enterprise Fund
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Guidelines and voted to approve the loan request, as the
request meets all public purpose criteria noted in the fund
guidelines.
Ken Maus asked if the proposed loan is a result of a gap in
financing, or was the loan being provided as an incentive to
attract Aroplax to Monticello. Koropchak responded by saying
that although the financing gap is difficult to completely
prove, the financial statement indicated that the $30,000
injected into the plan, although a small part of the overall
finance plan, provided an important source of funds.
Council took no action on the matter; therefore, the Economic
Development Authority's recommendation is supported by the
City Council, and the loan may be issued.
5. Consideration of adopting a resolution calling for a public
hearing on the proposed modification by the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Monticello of
the Redevelopment Plan for Redevelopment Project No. 1, the
modification of the tax increment financing plans for Tax
Increment Financing District Nos. 1-1 through 1-12, and the
adoption of the tax increment finance plan for Tax Increment
Financing District 1-13, all located within Redevelopment
Project No. 1 (Shingobee TIF Planj.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and
seconded by Brad Fyle to adopt a resolution calling for the
public hearing on July 22, 1991. Motion carried unanimously.
SEE RESOLUTION 91-23.
6. Consideration of renewing animal services agreement --Patty
Salzwedel.
Rick Wolfsteller reported that since July of 1988 the City has
had a contract arrangement with Patty Salzwedel of Monticello
to perform the animal control functions for the City,
including the daily dog pound maintenance. Both the pound and
the animal control agreements were for a one-year time period
and were automatically renewable for additional one-year
terms. Since the agreement is up for renewal in July, the
contract and her compensation should be reviewed by Council.
Wolfsteller went on to note that Patty and Tracy have been
doing an excellent job in both cleaning and maintenance of the
dog pound facility and have provided excellent animal control
services. City staff has had very few complaints regarding
animal control services, and Patty has been instrumental in
recommending numerous changes to our animal control ordinance,
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including a requirement for dog license renewals and
vaccination for rabies. Patty has also organized and held two
rabies clinics for the Monticello public, which have seen
favorable response from our citizens and has also resulted in
increasing the number of licenses issued. Patty's record
keeping has been excellent with well-maintained and accurate
information regarding impoundment and retrieval of animals
from the other 11 cities and townships that contract with the
City of Monticello for using our shelter.
Dan Blonigen concurred that Salzwedel is doing a good job and
noted that an annual increase is appropriate.
Council discussed raising the price charged to other cities
for use of the Monticello dog pound. Salzwedel noted that the
present charge of $7.25 per day is probably an average charge
or slightly below that which other similar facilities charge.
Ken Maus recommended that City staff do additional research
regarding what other nearby dog pound facilities charge prior
to adjusting the current $7.25 per day charge.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and
seconded by Brad Fyle to adjust the monthly compensation for
cleaning the pound facilities from $272.50 per month to $300
per month, and increase the animal control service fee from
$654 to $700 per month. Motion carried unanimously.
7. _Consideration of proposal for architectural engineering
services for developing long and short-range building
requirements and space needs for the public works department.
John Simola reported that over the past several months City
staff has been preparing site plans outlining options for
development of the public works facility located on Golf
Course Road. Footprint drawings have been prepared of the
existing buildings, and staff has looked at space requirements
of existing equipment as well as future needs. In addition,
the public works department has looked into the possibility of
adding on to the existing masonry public works building along
with various combinations of removing the old pole building or
letting it remain. There appear to be a great number of
options in regard to building additions, none of which appear
to solve all of our needs.
Simola went on to suggest that the City Council enlist the
assistance of the engineering firm, TKDA, to assist in
selecting a cost-efficient alternative that would address all
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of the work study issues. TKDA would also prepare conceptual
site and floor plans for an option to be selected by City
staff and Council. Simola noted that TKDA has given us an
attractive lump sum price of $2,750 for the study with an
estimated $150 additional cost for mileage and reproduction
costs. This item is also budgeted in the 1991 budget at an
amount of $4,500.
Ken Maus emphasized the importance of developing a functional
facility rather than a hodge podge of unorganized working
spaces. In addition, he reviewed the importance of creating
a green or site barrier between the public works facility and
the adjacent residential area.
Dan Blonigen suggested that the City Council and City staff
can work together to best determine the needs of the public
works department and that an architect will be needed only at
such time that the building is designed.
The representative from TKDA noted that some of the issues
that would be addressed in the study would be 1) the viability
of the existing site; is this the proper spot for the location
of the public works facilities given the future growth of the
community; 2) is it possible to split the public works
facility into two locations, one near the industrial park and
the other location to remain on Golf Course Road; or 3) maybe
an entire new site is the best option given the residential
character of the area where the existing public works
buildings are located and given the development pattern in the
community.
Dan Blonigen noted that it's not that complicated. A
consultant isn't necessary to determine an answer to the
issues noted. He noted he would like to serve on any
committee addressing the public works facility issues.
Brad Fyle concurred that maybe a committee could adequately
address the issues.
John Simola responded by saying that the quote submitted by
TKDA to do the study is an attractive price, but he is
certainly open to addressing the issues via a committee made
up of Council and staff.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Ken Maus to table a decision to authorize TKDA to
work with City staff toward development of a public works
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facilities plan and appoint a committee made up of Dan
Blonigen, Brad Fyle, and City staff members to review public
works facility preliminary issues and report back to Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
8. Consideration of expansion of City Hall parking lot.
John Simola reported that at the last meeting it was the
consensus of City Council that the preferred parking lot
expansion should follow plan U. Suggestions made were to
delete the westerly circular driveway which created the island
around the transformer and delete the center island on which
the existing locust tree was located. Simola also noted in
regard to internal landscape areas or island delineators, the
City ordinance requires internal island delineators equal in
size to a single parking space and bounded by concrete
curbing; and in any parking lot over 5,000 sq ft, the area
that was originally on plan #3 around the transformer and
locust tree island would have met the ordinance requirements
for internally landscaped island delineators, as they were
part of the parking lot and were curbed. If all the islands
are to be deleted from the parking lot, we would be required
to obtain a variance and state the non-financial hardship
under which the variance should be granted.
Council discussed the island delineator issue and indicated
that City staff should prepare an ordinance amendment which
would eliminate the need for island delineators on smaller
parking lots.
Ken Maus noted that although the Pratt house directly to the
south of City Hall is better than the Cole house, the best
parking lot plan and the plan that is in the long-range best
interest of the City is to place the lot directly adjacent to
the existing parking area per plan #3, which would result in
the removal of the Pratt house. In the meantime, the City can
consider refurbishing the Cole house.
Dan Blonigen noted that he is opposed to taking out the Pratt
house to the south; however, he concurred that in terms of
parking plans, alternative #3 is the better plan.
City Engineer, Bret Weiss, noted that the parking lot project
could be combined with the project currently out for bids,
which could result in the City obtaining a favorable price.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Dan Blonigen to adopt alternative #3A. Staff is
directed to obtain quotes on the cost to refurbish the Cole
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house and to explore options for demolition or moving of the
Pratt house and remove the house accordingly. Motion carried
unanimously.
Consideration of improvements or replacement of the
information center/museum/public restrooms.
John Simola reported that City Council has asked staff to
examine the existing information center/museum building to see
if it could be remodeled and added onto with new restrooms to
serve as not only the information center but as offices for
the Chamber of Commerce. Simola reported that City staff has
examined the building site and found that the existing
information building is structurally sound and could be added
onto.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Dan Blonigen to develop preliminary plans for
constructing office space through demolition of the existing
restrooms and refurbishment and remodeling of the information
center for use by the Chamber of Commerce. Plans are to be
developed with the assistance of an ad hoc committee,
including Shirley Anderson and Clint Herbst, with final
architectural drawings completed by OSM after the preliminary
plans have been approved by Council. Motion carried
unanimously.
Consideration of concurrence with Wright County to post "no
parking" along County Road 117 east of Highway 25.
John Simola reported that at the last Council meeting, staff
presented information to the City Council regarding Wright
County's proposal to post "no parking" signs on County
Road 117 just east of Highway 25. Simola noted that staff
continues to recommend that "no parking" signs be installed in
this area, as parking of large trucks along County Road 117 on
the paved shoulders conflicts with the bicycle and pedestrian
traffic in the area.
John Simola reported that property owners in the area were
contacted, and only one of the property owners indicated that
the "no parking" signs are not necessary.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and
seconded by Brad Fyle to concur with Wright County on the
posting of "no parking" along County Road 117 east of
Highway 25.
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11. Other matters.
Ken Maus noted site line problems at certain intersections in
the community, most noticeably the intersection of River
Street and Sandy Lane. He mentioned that lilac bushes create
a site line problem and, therefore, they may need to be
trimmed back. Dan Blonigen noted the same problem at Fourth
Street and Vine. Ken Maus suggested that the Sheriff's
Department look at those intersections and provide input.
John Simola reported that he would review the site lines at
the intersections and contact property owners affected.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Jeff O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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