City Council Minutes 04-24-2000MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, April 24, 2000 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Roger Belsaas, Roger Carlson. Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf and
Bruce Thielen.
Members Absent: None
Mayor Belsaas called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2. Approve minutes of the April 10, 2000 regular council meeting.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 10, 2000
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. CLINT HERBST SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
Clint Herbst asked that transient merchants fees be discussed. Public Works Director, John
Simola, requested that the presentation of an award that was received for wastewater operations
and scheduling of an informational meeting regarding left turn lanes for Broadway and TH 25
be added to the agenda. The council discussed whether the informational meeting should be
held as part of a regular council meeting or if it should be done separately. It was suggested
that the informational meeting be scheduled for the May 8" meeting and to start the regular
meeting at 6:30 p.m.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ADD TO THE CONSENT AGENDA SCHEDULING AN
INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR BROADWAY AND TH 25 AS PART OF THE NEXT
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AND TO SET 6:30 P.M. AS THE START TIME FOR
THE MEETING. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Rick Wolfsteller requested that consideration of an ordinance amendment to the subdivision
ordinance dealing with public utility installation be added to the agenda.
4. Citizen comments/petitions, requests and complaints.
None.
5. Consent Agenda
A. Consideration of review of bids and award of contract for Walnut Street/West Bridge
Park Parking - Project No. 2000-02C. Recommendation: Approve the award of
the contract to Buffalo Bituminous for the Walnut Street Parking improvements for
Council Minutes - 5/8/00
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE ITEMS 5A AND 5C OF THE CONSENT
AGENDA. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
The final plat and development agreement for River Forest II Subdivision was removed
from the consent agenda at the request of Bruce Thielen who asked whether the restrictive
covenants for the development had changed since the first addition had been put in and if so,
what those changes were. Jeff O' Neill stated that the maintenance of the entrance monuments
had changed. Bruce Thielen asked that the staff review the covenants and report back to the
Council on the changes in the covenants.
BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO TABLE ACTION ON THE FINAL PLAT AND
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR RIVER FOREST II SUBDIVISION UNTIL THE
CITY STAFF COULD REPORT BACK TO THE COUNCIL ON CHANGES IN THE
COVENANTS. CLINT HERBST SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Public Hearing - Consideration of request for vacation of a portion of Oakwood Drive
north of Chelsea Road and adjacent to the Days Inn and Comfort Inn Motels.
The Comfort Inn and the Days Inn had petitioned for the vacation of a portion of Oakwood
Drive. The Comfort Inn would like the see right-of-way vacated because of expansion plans for
their motel. It was noted that there are utilities located in the right-of-way and there is a proposal
for a pathway in that area as well. Without knowing what the expansion plans are for the
Comfort Inn, the City didn't know if the utilities and pathway would be affected by the proposed
expansion. It may be that the need for the Comfort Inn is more for relief from the setback
requirements than it is a need for the vacated right-of-way.
Mayor Belsaas opened the public hearing. Orin Khauv of the Comfort Inn stated that his concern
is that the proposed vacation of Oakwood Drive would be needed in order for them to expand.
Mayor Belsaas noted that until there are definite plans for the expansion it would not be known
whether this area was needed. No one else spoke on the proposed vacation. Mayor Belsaas then
closed the public hearing.
ROGER CARLSON MOVED TO TABLE VACATION OF OAKWOOD DRIVE PENDING
DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN FOR USE OF THE VACATED AREA. BRIAN STUMPF
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Council Minutes - 4/24/00
project would be done. He did not feel the project would provide any benefit to his property as
he felt his property could best be served from utilities that would be installed when 7th Street
was constructed. Mr. Brennan also asked about the cost of utilities for his property under this
project. John Simola indicated that the sewer cost would be approximately $5,000 and the
water which would be based on a per foot cost would be approximately $8,000. There was
discussion on how the 13 acre Brennan parcel could be served. City Engineer, Bret Weiss
noted that how the property developed, whether it developed as one industrial site or multiple
sites would impact how it could be serviced with utilities. However, the extension of sewer and
watermain along Elm Street would not service all of the Brennan property. Mr. Brennan stated
that he preferred not to be involved in the Elm Street Project.
Tim Genung stated that he felt the project costs should be shared by all the affected property
owners. Mayor Belsaas then closed the public hearing.
Mayor Belsaas stated that he felt consideration should be given to the RV Center for the costs
they had incurred for work to upgrade their septic system. This will be addressed at the time the
project is assessed. Tim Genung asked about the time frame for the project. John Simola
indicated that it would be approximately 3-4 weeks before the bid results would come back to
the Council. Mr. Genung asked that he be notified when that happens.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO AUTHORIZE PREPARATION OF FORMAL PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS AND BIDDING DOCUMENTS BASED UPON APPROVAL OF THE
PLAN SHEET PRESENTED IN THIS AGENDA PACKET AND UPON COMPLETION OF
THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR
BOTH WATERMAIN AND SEWER. CLINT HERBST SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Res. No. 2000-31
9. Public Hearing - Street improvements to Orchard Road between I-94 and CSAR 75
Proiect No. 2000-07C.
Public Works Director, John Simola, summarized previous Council discussion on the proposed
improvement and reviewed the City's assessment policies on streets. It is proposed to widen
the shoulders on Orchard Road and replace the bituminous surfacing which is estimated to cost
$16,031.95. Since this is less than $25,000, the City would not have to go through the
competitive bidding process.
Mayor Belsaas opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak for or against the
the proposed improvement. Mayor Belsaas closed the public hearing.
CLINT HERBST MOVED TO AUTHORIZE CITY STAFF TO OBTAIN PROPOSALS FOR
THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS TO ORCHARD ROAD BETWEEN I-94 AND CSAH 75.
ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Res. No. 2000-32.
Council Minutes - 4/24/00
10. Approval of plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for Chelsea
Road West/Groveland Phase I, Project No. 98-25C.
Deputy City Administrator, Jeff O'Neill stated that the Council was being asked to approve
plans and specifications on this project as the staff is continuing to work on the issues of
wetland mitigation and easement acquisition. MnDOT is proposing to start their loop ramp
work in August and the staff would like to see Chelsea Road completed before Oakwood Drive
is closed off. Jeff O'Neill indicated that at the May 8" meeting the balance of the issues relating
to the Groveland development would be addressed. Bret Weiss indicated that it is MnDOT's
plan to complete construction of the loop ramp this year. Clint Herbst asked the City Engineer,
Brett Weiss about his progress with getting the property owners to sign off on the layout
concept. Bret Weiss indicated that most of the property owners were in agreement but
had not yet signed off.
CLINT HERBST MOVED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR CHELSEA
ROAD WEST FROM 90TH STREET TO SANDBERG ROAD AND CONSTRUCTION OF
TRUNK UTILITIES TO SERVE THE GROVELAND DEVELOPMENT CONTINGENT
UPON APPROVAL OF THE WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN BY THE WRIGHT
COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT, FINAL APPROVAL OF PLANS BY CITY
STAFF AND POSITIVE ACTION BY THE COUNTY TOWARDS CONVEYANCE OF
VACATED RIGHT-OF-WAY. BRUCE THIELEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Consideration of discussing financing options for County Road 18 Bridge and Pathwa
Proiect No. 98-02C.
The Council reviewed the costs relating to the construction of the County Road 18 Bridge and
Pathway Project, #98-02C and discussed how to fund the City's portion of the project.
Depending on whether the ISTEA grant for 80% reimbursement of construction costs is
increased to reflect the increased construction cost, the City's share could range from $290,000
to $425,000. The City had previously budgeted $80,000 towards this project but needs to
determine where the balance of funds will come from. City Administrator, RickWolfsteller,
reviewed the available funds in the capital outlay fund. It was noted that there is budgeted
$45,000 for the Mississippi Drive pathway that could be used since this portion of the pathway
is held up because of the easement needed on the Bondhus property. Clint Herbst suggested that
the City borrow the balance of the funds needed from the City's reserve and levy an amount
each year to pay back the amount borrowed. The consensus of the Council was that the project
was important and should be done. Bret Weiss provided the Council with an update on the
easements needed for construction of this project. It was also noted that there is a meeting
scheduled with city staff on April 25" to review the design of the pedestrian bridge.
BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO DETERMINE THAT FUNDING OF THE CITY'S SHARE
Council Minutes - 4/24/00
OF THE COUNTY ROAD 18 BRIDGE AND PATHWAY PROJECT COULD BE
ACCOMPLISHED BY ADDING AN ADDITIONAL LEVY TO FUTURE YEARS
BUDGETS TO COVER THE COST OF THIS PROJECT, WITH THE STAFF TO LOOK AT
BETWEEN 3-5 YEARS FOR THESE ADDITIONAL LEVY AMOUNTS. CLINT HERBST
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
12. Review design concepts for development of mixed use development office/commercial/
residential) at Ferrell Gas site and consider granting development rights to Brenni
Properties formerly Silver Creek Development LTD.
The Council reviewed the proposal for the development of the Ferrell Gas site as proposed
by Brenni Properties. Ken Barthel from Brenni Properties was present to answer questions
from the Council on the proposal. The parking for the development was discussed as well
as zero lot line development and expansion of the liquor store.
BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO DIRECT CITY STAFF TO WORK WITH THE
DEVELOPER AND NO OTHERS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2000 IN PREPARING THE
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND TERMS OF SALE. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. Consideration of payment of bills for April.
BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR APRIL. BRIAN
STUMPF SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chuck Keyes, from PSG, presented an award that was received for operation of the wastewater
treatment system.
Clint Herbst asked what the current fees were for the transient merchant licenses and questioned
whether public buildings could restrict their use to only non-profit corporations. He felt that it was
unfair to local businesses, who pay taxes, to compete with someone who rents space in a publicly
owned facility that is tax exempt. It was suggested that the staff research what other communities are
doing in this area.
The Council reviewed a proposed amendment to the subdivision ordinance which would require that
all utilities be placed underground. This issue came to light because of the Groveland development.
NSP is proposing to construct its main line feeders overhead while the City and developer would prefer
to see these lines underground. Darrin Lahr, representing NSP, indicated that if the City requires that
these lines be placed underground that cost would not be borne by NSP. There are two options to
cover these costs; the City can pay the cost up front or a flat rate surcharge can be placed on all the
customers with the City's boundary. Darrin Lahr noted that because these are feeder lines if there are
outages or failures it will be affecting a larger area. He also noted that repairs to underground lines
take longer than repairs to overhead lines. The Council felt that before they would consider amending
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Council Minutes - 4/24/00
the ordinance they wanted additional information about the added cost of requiring underground lines.
Brian Stumpf asked about the signal lights at County Roads 75/18/39. John Simola indicated that
the problem was with the wiring and not the lights.
14. Adjourn.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 8:45 P.M. BRUCE THIELEN SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Recording Secretary