City Council Minutes 09-22-1997 (2)MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 22, 1997 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Bill Fair, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf, Roger Carlson, Bruce
Thielen
Members Absent: None
2. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting held September 80 1997,
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY CLINT
HERBST TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD
SEPTEMBER 8, 1997, AS WRITTEN. Motion carried unanimously.
�- •T ... • . .•- •.
A. It was requested by staff that designation of a representative
authorized to execute disaster assistance applications be added to the
consent agenda.
None.
5. Consent agenda.
A. Consideration of authorizinz exchange of auit claim deeds --Georgia
Gould Estate. Recommendation: Authorize the Mayor and City
Administrator to execute a quit claim deed clarifying the boundary line
of the City parking lot parcel and the boundary line of the Georgia
Gould estate parcel.
B. Consideration of approval of final plat, development agreement, and
disbursement agreement --River Mill Second Addition.
Recommendation: Approve the final plat, development agreement,
and disbursement agreement contingent on development of approved
engineering plans and specifications.
C. Consideration of purchase of 185 cfm trailer -mounted air compressor.
Recommendation: Award the purchase of a Sullair air compressor
to RDO Equipment at a price of $10,329 plus tax based on the superior
warranty of two years on the engine and five years on the compressor.
Page 1
Council Minutes - 9/22/97
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND
SECONDED BY ROGER CARLSON TO ADOPT THE DOWNTOWN/
RIVERFRONT AREA PLAN AS AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN BASED ON THE FINDING THAT THE AMENDMENT IS CONSISTENT
WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. Motion carried unanimously.
8. Consideration of adopting a resolution indicating intent to develop a joint
City/National Guard Community and Training enter.
Assistant Administrator Jeff O'Neill reported that the task force established
to study development of a National Guard Training and Community Center
completed the initial phase of its work and recommended that the City
Council support a letter of intent to the National Guard indicating the goal of
beginning facility construction in 1998 with occupancy by September 1999.
The site proposed for the facility is a 7 -acre site in the area of Walnut and
5th Streets, which corresponds with the HRA/MCP plan for the Walnut
Street connection of downtown and the mall.
The training and community center as proposed would include the following
uses:
National Guard Offices: (4,000 sq ft)
The building must be designed to allow expansion to 8,000 sq ft.
Additional outside storage in the amount of 15,000 sq ft must be
available within 2 miles of the site.
Alternative Learning Center: (4,000 sq ft)
This use assumes that sufficient revenue can be derived from the ALC
program to pay for the cost to provide the space and support operation
costs.
City Offices: (9,000 sq ft)
This portion of the facility would be in lieu of purchasing the
Marquette Bank building since this portion of the project could satisfy
the city office needs at no greater cost than the bank building
purchase.
Senior Center: (4,500 sq ft including private lunch room)
Because the senior population is the second fastest growing group in
the city, the current facility would only be sufficient to satisfy short-
term needs.
Recreation Services/Youth Center/YMCA Offices: (4,900 sq ft)
The precise manner in which this space would be used was not defined
at this time; however, the task force felt it was important to include
Page 3
Council Minutes - 9/22/97
D. Consideration of purchase of equipment trailer for street and parks
department. Recommendation: Authorize purchase of the
Towmaster Q-16 equipment trailer from St. Joseph's Equipment, Inc.
in the amount of $6,304.80.
E. Consideration of approval of wetland mitigation plan for Cardinal
Pond subdivision. Applicant, John Leerssen. Recommendation:
Accept the wetland mitigation plan for the Cardinal Pond subdivision
as presented.
F. Consideration of resolution designating a representative authorized to
execute disaster assistance_a D-lications on behalf of the Citv.
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City
Administrator to execute disaster assistance applications on behalf of
the City for the July 1, 1997, storm. SEE RESOLUTION 97-48.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND SECONDED BY ROGER
CARLSON TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS RECOMMENDED. Motion
carried unanimously.
6. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
None.
7. Consideration of amendment to the comprehensive plan for the City-Q—f
Monticello generally affecting the Downtown/Riverfront District Area,
Applicant, Monticello Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Assistant Administrator Jeff O'Neill reported that in 1996 the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority took steps to implement the comprehensive plan by
funding a major downtown/riverfront redevelopment study. The study
utilized the MCP for public input and a consulting planner. On September 2,
1997, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing and
recommended adoption of the plan as an amendment to the City's
comprehensive guide plan. O'Neill noted that the implementation process
has already begun in that the Planning Commission is in the process of
updating the zoning district boundaries and sign and building design
standards, the HRA has been working with developers and property owners
to redevelop the riverfront and has established a TIF redevelopment district,
and the EDA has developed a funding program and guidelines for building
facades improvements. In addition, the Parks Commission has been working
with the MCP design committee on upgrading West Bridge Park.
Mayor Fair noted that he was enthused about the plan and considered it to
be an investment in the community; however, implementing the plan will
require a commitment from the community, elected officials, and taxpayers.
Page 2
Council Minutes - 9/22/97
space for youth activities with actual programming to follow. Also
included in the proposal is a "wheel park" which would consist of a
paved surface and ramps for use by rollerbladers and skateboarders.
Joint Use Space: (23,970 sq ft)
This space would include a kitchen, gymnasium, two meeting rooms, a
large meeting room/council chambers/corporate training area, media
room, lockers, restrooms, and lobby.
Aquatic Center and Ice Sheet:
The task force stressed in their recommendation that both the aquatic
center and ice sheet should be incorporated into current site planning
activities; however, they were not included in the cost of the core
facility, as the timing of construction and associated financing must be
staged and structured in a manner that makes them affordable.
The total cost of the core facility without water and ice was estimated at
$6,033,000, which includes $1,000,000 for land acquisition/relocation costs
and $4,813,000 for building and site improvements. Of the $4,813,000, the
National Guard's share of the cost is $1.5 million, with the School District
paying $450,000, which leaves the City's share at $2,862,000. O'Neill noted
that the task force proposed utilization of lease revenue bonds plus other City
sources for financing the City's share of the facility, which would not require
a referendum.
Rusty Fifield of Ehlers and Associates noted that the community center
financing was still in the preliminary stages; however, it was estimated that
the total bond issue required for the project would be $3,950,000, which was
illustrated utilizing either lease revenue bonds or general obligation bonds.
Additional financing tools were also being evaluated to reduce finance and
interest expenses.
Councilmember Clint Herbst noted that he was in favor of the idea and the
location of the facility; however, he felt it was important to research the cost
and financing for the project prior to making a commitment to the National
Guard. In addition, he noted that he would be opposed to financing an
aquatic center or ice sheet without a referendum.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that the task force will be meeting on
October 7 to review the proposal.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND
SECONDED BY ROGER CARLSON TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE
FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION BY THE TASK FORCE AND TO SEND A
LETTER OF INTENT TO THE NATIONAL GUARD ACCORDINGLY:
Page 4
Council Minutes - 9/22/97
1. THE CITY WILL STRIVE TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF A CORE
FACILITY IN 1998, WHICH WILL GENERALLY INCLUDE
NATIONAL GUARD OFFICES, ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTER
SPACE, CITY OFFICES, SENIOR CENTER, RECREATION
SERVICES/YOUTH CENTER/YMCA OFFICES, AND JOINT USE
SPACE.
2. THE METHOD OF FUNDING THE FACILITY WILL INCLUDE $1.5
MILLION FROM THE NATIONAL GUARD. THE BALANCE WILL
BE FUNDED THROUGH A COMBINATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT
FUNDS (ALC), LEASE REVENUE BONDS, AND OTHER CITY
FUNDING SOURCES TO BE DETERMINED. THIS FINANCING
METHOD WILL NOT REQUIRE A REFERENDUM.
3. THE GENERAL LOCATION OF THE FACILITY WILL BE BOUNDED
BY MAPLE STREET ON THE WEST, WALNUT STREET ON THE
EAST, RAILROAD TRACKS ON THE NORTH, AND 6TH STREET ON
THE SOUTH. BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROPERTY OWNERS
ON PURCHASE OF THE SITE.
4. THE AQUATIC CENTER AND ICE SHEET ARE IMPORTANT
PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT. TIMING OF CONSTRUCTION AND
FINANCING OF THESE FEATURES ARE UNDER STUDY.
5. BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SELECTION OF AN ARCHITECT.
6. THE SITE WILL BE DESIGNED TO ALLOW ADEQUATE SPACE
FOR EXPANSION AS NEEDED BY THE NATIONAL GUARD.
Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 97-49.
9. Consideration of reviewing terms of purchase of Marquette Bank building for
use as city hal..
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY BRUCE
THIELEN TO DIRECT THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO DISCONTINUE
FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS AT THIS TIME FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE
MARQUETTE BANK BUILDING PENDING THE OUTCOME OF ADDING A NEW
CITY HALL TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER COMPLEX. Motion carried
unanimously.
10. Consideration of authorizing preparation of comprehensive park plan.
Assistant Administrator Jeff O'Neill reported that the Parks Commission
requested authorization to spend budgeted funds for the purpose of
development of a comprehensive park plan, which would be presented for
adoption as an amendment to the comprehensive plan in the spring of 1998.
The following items were proposed to be addressed in the plan:
Page 5
Council Minutes - 9/22/97
1. City-wide or regional ballfields.
2. Park dedication for commercial and industrial developments
and modifications to the residential development requirements.
3. Future park areas and pathway connections.
4. Park and recreation service programming.
5. Capital funding.
6. Park maintenance priorities.
7. Neighborhood park design and location.
8. Other planning issues identified in the Planner's scope of
services report.
Councilmember Clint Herbst questioned whether many of the items could be
completed in-house rather than through a consultant. Parks Commissioner
Larry Nolan noted that the Parks Commission deals with short-term issues,
but a long-range plan for the community should be completed to guide the
Parks Commission.
Councilmember Herbst requested that the Parks Commission review all of
the vacant park land and make a recommendation as to which areas were not
suitable for park development.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND
SECONDED BY ROGER CARLSON TO AUTHORIZE COMPLETION OF A
COMPREHENSIVE PARK PLAN AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $9,440. Motion
carried unanimously.
Assistant Administrator Jeff O'Neill reported that no response has been
prepared to the Township letter received two weeks ago; however, the
petitions for annexation were forwarded to the Minnesota Municipal Board
for consideration.
12. Consideration of bills for the last half of September.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY ROGER
CARLSON TO APPROVE THE BILLS FOR THE LAST HALF OF SEPTEMBER AS
PRESENTED. Motion carried unanimously.
Page 6
Council Minutes - 9/22/97
13. Other matters.
A. Consideration of appointing Council representative to act as local civ
media representative for NSP/FEMA civil defense exercises.
In his report, City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller noted that as part of
the City's civil defense training exercise program relating to the NSP
power plant, the Mayor becomes the chief spokesman for the City
Council and is dispatched to the state emergency office at the State
Capitol for the training exercises. In addition, one other Council
member has usually been involved in the training exercise by
attending the exercise at the emergency operations center at the
courthouse in Buffalo. This individual acts as the local public
information officer and provides updates or receives updates from the
Mayor at the State Capitol. The next FEMA/NSP exercise is scheduled
for Wednesday, October 8, 1997.
After discussion, Mayor Fair volunteered to serve as the local city
media representative.
B. Consideration of request from The Rand House.
Public Works Director John Simola reported that Duffy and Merrill
Busch requested that the City schedule additional brush pickups to
help property owners' continued efforts to clean up the damage from
the July 1 storm. Simola noted that emergency items were taken care
of by August 1; however, many areas still need to be cleaned up such
as the wastewater treatment plant, Riverside Cemetery, Otter Creek
Park, various boulevards, and the nursing home area. With the cost of
a single crew estimated at $2,000 per day, the cleanup of many areas
could cost up to $20,000 each. It was suggested that two Council
members volunteer to attend committee meetings to discuss continued
cleanup in the city.
Councilmembers Bruce Thielen and Clint Herbst volunteered to serve
on the storm cleanup committee.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ROGER CARLSON AND SECONDED BY BRUCE THIELEN
TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Motion carried unanimously.
4K�arDoty
Office Manager
Page 7