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City Council Minutes 09-09-1991MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 9, 1991 - 6:30 p.m.
Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Dan Blonigen,
Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle
Members Absent: None
Representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission were present
and gave a brief overview of their activities at the Northern
States Power Nuclear Plant in Monticello. Issues that the NRC is
now dealing with relative to the nuclear plant include the
following:
1. Relicensing --Current license expires in the year 2010.
The Monticello nuclear plant is in the process of
extending the present license. The Monticello plant will
be the first in the U.S. to submit a license renewal
request.
2. Low level radioactive waste will not be accepted by
outstate locations after January 1993.
3. High level radioactive waste disposal site for disposal
of spent fuel rods is being developed by the federal
government and is supposed to be ready by the year 2010.
Resistence to development of a disposal site has caused
a delay.
2. Approval of minutes.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Clint Herbst to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting held August 26, 1991, as submitted. Voting in favor:
Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Dan Blonigen. Brad
Fyle abstained, as he was not present at the August 26, 1991,
meeting.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
Mike Beck, President of Meadow Oak Estates, requested that the
City take action to develop an outlet for the Meadow Oak water
retention pond. Beck was concerned about the potential for
flooding, and he was concerned that much of his lawn and land
once available for park area is now a pond.
Ken Maus agreed that an outlet needs to be developed, and it
may need to be developed relatively soon.
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4.
Council Minutes - 9/9/91
John Simola reported that there is a significant amount of
pond capacity remaining in the park area; therefore, the
threat of flood is not great. However, he concurred that
development of an overflow system should be developed which
would guarantee the full use of the park area adjoining the
pond and guarantee that the pond would not rise to a level
that would cause flooding of homes adjacent to the pond.
Staff was directed to develop cost estimates for a storm water
feasibility study, which would analyze alternatives for
providing an outlet to the Meadow Oak storm water retention
pond.
Patrice Bogart requested that the
development of an outdoor wading pool.
percentage of the residents in the
children and that a wading pool
recreation for these families. She
cities have outdoor wading pools that
summer.
City Council consider
She noted that a large
community have small
provides inexpensive
also noted that other
are very popular in the
It was the consensus of Council to direct Bogart to the Parks
Commission for further study of the potential development of
a wading pool.
Public hearing on assessment and adoption of assessment roll
for sidewalk repair and replacement, Project 91 -SW -1.
Ken Maus opened the public hearing.
Don Doran was present and requested that he receive payment
for 75% of the cost of the width of his driveway he recently
installed since his driveway will actually be used as part of
the sidewalk. Doran stated that had he not put a driveway
there, he would have extended sidewalk across the area.
John Simola noted that it's been our policy for the City to
reimburse for repairs or replacement, but it's not necessarily
meant for new construction.
Doran noted that he would be glad to get a one-year guarantee
on the cement that was installed with his driveway.
Ken Maus asked Doran to define his credit request. It was
Maus's concern that granting Doran's request for the City to
grant a credit for 75% of the driveway/ sidewalk cost, the City
could be providing a greater credit than what Doran's actual
cost was.
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Council Minutes - 9/9/91
The public hearing was closed.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and
seconded by Brad Fyle to set the assessment at $3.70 per
lineal foot at an interest rate of 7.25% for a period of five
years and to grant Don Doran a credit associated with
installation of the driveway not to exceed 50% of his project
cost. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 91-31.
5. Consideration of a request to amend the probationary period/
residence requirement for Richard Cline.
Rick Wolfsteller reported that Richard Cline was appointed to
the Water System/Wastewater Collection System Operator
position in 1990. As part of the job description, the
individual in this position has to be able to respond to an
emergency within a 10 -minute period of time after being
notified. When Mr. Cline took the position, he signed an
employment agreement stating he fully understands that his
residence had to be within a 10 -minute response time from the
city. He acknowledged that failure to live within this
response time could result in termination of his employment.
Wolfsteller went on to note that Cline was able to sell his
home, and City staff assumed that Cline would be relocating to
within an acceptable distance; however, Cline has indicated he
is having difficulty in finding a suitable residence within
his price range and has found a home that does not appear to
easily meet the 10 -minute response time he had agreed to.
Wolfsteller noted that under perfect traffic conditions from
the home proposed by Cline, it appears that it would take
10-12 minutes to make it to Monticello. Council was asked to
review the situation and determine if the response time meets
the requirement or consider amending the response time
requirement.
Tim Connors of Local 49 was present. He noted that a 10 -
minute response time is not necessarily a reasonable amount of
time. Other cities that he works with do not have a 10 -minute
response time. Most respond by beeper and have a 25 -minute
response time. He also noted that in Monticello, employees
are required to be within a 10 -minute response time area;
however, they are not required to be on call. In other
cities, employees are told to be on call and are paid
accordingly.
Dan Blonigen noted that the City should be establishing a
response area and not time.
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Council Minutes - 9/9/91
Ken Maus noted that rather than change the requirement, he
preferred to interpret the present situation as meeting the
spirit of the 10 -minute requirement.
Brad Fyle concurred. If Rich is within 10 miles, it basically
meets the standard.
Ken Maus noted that quick response depends on the employee.
For instance, an employee could be five blocks away; however,
he may still be slower to respond if he does not take his
position seriously.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and
seconded by Dan Blonigen to agree that Mr. Cline's proposed
residence northeast of Big Lake falls within the 10 -minute
response time requirement. Motion carried unanimously.
6. _Consideration of adopting a resolution establishing guidelines
for privately funded improvements to city parks and other
public property.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that at the previous
meeting of the Council a group of individuals residing on or
near East River Street have volunteered to develop a landscape
arboretum in East Bridge Park. At the meeting, Council
provided general concept approval of the plan; however,
Council requested additional detail regarding the plan.
Council also requested staff develop guidelines with the help
of the Parks Commission that could be used to govern this type
of use of city parks.
O'Neill reported that the Parks Commission has reviewed the
guidelines as outlined in the resolution under consideration.
City Council reviewed the guidelines and focused their
discussion on the type of identification signs that would be
allowed in the arboretum.
After discussion, it was determined that plant identification
signs would be allowed; however, these signs would be limited
to one square foot in size and one sign per plant type. Also,
signs indicating memorials would not be allowed without
separate Council approval.
Dick Frie noted that the plant identification signs are
important for their educational aspect. He also noted that in
case of vandalism, the volunteer group is responsible for
replacing or repairing signs.
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Council Minutes - 9/9/91
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Clint Herbst to approve the resolution outlining
the guidelines for privately funded improvements to city parks
or other public property with the deletion of item B2 and
item C2. Voting in favor: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint
Herbst, Brad Fyle. Opposed: Dan Blonigen.
SEE RESOLUTION 91-32.
Council reviewed the detailed plan prepared by the volunteers
developing the East Bridge Park aboretum. Dan Blonigen noted
that the plan is not drawn to scale, and he does not feel that
the plan gives a clear idea of where the plants are going.
Ken Maus disagreed and stated that there is a good
understanding of what's expected with development of the
arboretum.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded
by Clint Herbst to approve the East Bridge Park arboretum
plan. Voting in favor: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint
Herbst, Brad Fyle. Opposed: Dan Blonigen.
7. Update on City Hall parking lot expansion.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Dan Blonigen to direct staff to develop plans and
specifications and bid the project over the winter months in
anticipation of spring construction. Motion carried
unanimously.
8. Consideration of revised plan for remodeling and additions to
the information center.
John Simola reviewed alternative methods for remodeling of the
information center. He noted that one alternative would be to
authorize staff to pursue building public restrooms at the
site and improvements to the information building at an
estimated cost of $30,570. The second alternative would be to
direct staff to have a unisex bathroom constructed in the
information center and have the building improvements made as
described at an estimated cost of $14,440. The third
alternative would be to modify the plans again as directed by
the City Council to include any combination of the plans as
presented or a new concept as directed. The fourth
alternative would be to look at the possibility of repairs to
the existing restrooms. Originally $3,000 was budgeted for
repairs to the existing facilities for this year. The fifth
alternative would be to do nothing.
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Council Minutes - 9/9/91
Dan Blonigen noted that the City should acquire a commitment
from the Chamber of Commerce before the project is initiated.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Dan Blonigen to direct staff to demolish existing
bathrooms and remodel the information center to include a
unisex bathroom at an estimated cost of $14,440. In addition,
the site should be developed so as to allow for future
development of public restrooms and grant staff latitude to
adjust the plan to allow for other improvements deemed
necessary by the Chamber of Commerce. Motion carried
unanimously.
Consideration of reviewing second quarter liquor store report.
Rick Wolfsteller summarized the report and noted that in the
first six months of 1991 sales were up $70,000 or 12.3%
increase over last year. The gross profit is up $12,000 or 9%
over last year. The operational expenses also increased
$8,400 over the same period last year; but as a percent of
total sales, operation expenses were down 13.1% from 13.2%
last year. This result is a net income from operations of
$62,800 for the first six months, which is an increase of
$3,647 over last year's net income.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Dan Blonigen to accept the report as submitted.
Motion carried unanimously.
10. Consideration of authorizing the purchase of a PC computer
cash register system for the liquor store.
Rick Wolfsteller reported that as part of the overall
computerization process, we've planned on converting the cash
registers at the liquor store to a computerized system that
would provide better inventory control and increase accuracy
within our operation. Joe Hartman has contacted a number of
area liquor stores that have converted to a PC computer system
and has _received favorable input on their conversion. Joe
Hartman, Cathy Shuman, and myself have received demonstrations
from two vendors who specialize in these systems for liquor
store operations, and we feel that the system provided by
Total Register Systems, Inc., of Crystal will adequately fit
our needs at a reasonable price.
Wolfsteller went on to note that purchase of the computer
system is in the 1991 budget in the amount of $15,000. It
appears that the cost to install this system along with
cabinet modifications will cost somewhere in the neighborhood
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Council Minutes - 9/9/91
of $21,000. Wolfsteller noted that although we only budgeted
$15,000 for computer acquisition, there should not be a
problem with expending additional dollars for counter and
office modifications necessary to complete the installation.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Clint Herbst to authorize the purchase of two TRS8
Avis cash registers and related computer systems for the
liquor store at a cost of $14,995. Motion includes
authorizing new cash register countertops, installation of
electrical service, and office cabinet modifications to
accommodate the new system at a cost of $5,000 to $6,000.
Motion carried unanimously.
11. _Consideration of authorizing purchase of cardboard baler for
the liquor store.
Rick Wolfsteller reported that because of recent City efforts
to promote recycling amongst its residents and because the
largest bulk of our refuse at the liquor store consists of
cardboard boxes, Joe Hartman has been investigating the
purchase of a cardboard baler which would allow us to recycle
all of our cardboard boxes. Joe has obtained two quotes for
balers that range in price from $3,000 to $3,800 depending on
the type.
Wolfsteller went on to recommend that a baler of some type be
purchased. The amount of cardboard waste generated by the
liquor store is substantial, and we should be recycling this
cardboard. Wolfsteller went on to recommend that the City
purchase the E.P. Baler because of its better performance and
lower maintenance due to the hydraulic system used in the
baling process.
Ken Maus concurred that the hydraulic system is more durable
and that his experience has been that the maintenance required
on this type of system is minimal.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and
seconded by Clint Herbst to approve the purchase of a
cardboard baler from E.P. Baler in the amount of $3,860.
Motion carried unanimously.
12. Consideration of establishing an assistant manager position at
the liquor store.
Rick Wolfsteller reported that currently our liquor store
operation has what the City considers two full-time employees,
Manager Joe Hartman and Clerk Cindie Erickson. Both Joe and
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Council Minutes - 9/9/91
Cindie work primarily daytime hours with the balance of
employees being part-time covering afternoons, evenings, and
weekends. Wolfsteller noted that the bulk of our sales now
occur in late afternoon, evenings, and weekends. Although
both Joe and Cindie do work occasionally during these hours,
it could be perceived by many of our customers that there does
not appear to be someone in charge during the high volume
periods of the day. With many of our part-time employees
being teenagers, it's important that someone on staff be in
charge of the operation during evenings and weekends and that
Council consider authorizing an assistant manager/night
supervisor position.
Joe Hartman concurred that the assistant manager position
would be appropriate not only for supervising and directing
part-time employees but also in managing the overall
operation. He noted that typically the liquor store has
experienced high turnover of part-time employees. As a
result, productivity and efficiency of these employees is
sometimes limited.
Wol f stel ler went on to review the job description and proposed
a salary ranging from $18,000 to $21,000 per year. He also
noted, however, that though the pay scale would be
approximately double that of a part-time employee, it is
anticipated that the extra cost would only amount to $8,000 to
$10,000 a year over what part-time employees are currently
earning. In addition, continual training of new part-time
employees would be eliminated, which has not been very
productive.
Ken Maus concurred that the store needs a watchdog on
evenings. We need a responsible full-time employee available
during these hours.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and
seconded by Dan Blonigen to authorize creation of an assistant
manager position which would be a full-time job to cover
afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Motion includes
authorization to advertise for the position. Motion carried
unanimously.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Je O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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