City Council Minutes 11-24-1997 (2)MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, November 24, 1997 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Bill Fair, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf, Roger Carlson, Bruce
Thielen
Members Absent: None
Councilmember Roger Carlson noted that his name should be corrected on
page 2 of the minutes.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ROGER CARLSON AND SECONDED BY BRUCE
THIELEN TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD
NOVEMBER 10, 1997, AS AMENDED. Voting in favor: Bill Fair, Roger
Carlson, Bruce Thielen, Clint Herbst. Abstaining: Brian Stumpf. Motion
carried.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
A. Add Item 5E to consent agenda to consider approving final payment to
RKI for Briar Oakes 2nd Addition and River Street sanitary sewer -
Projects 96-02C and 96-06C.
4. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
A. Mr. Harold Pittman stated that he was looking for volunteers to help
haul trees and brush from the Little Mountain Settlement, which is
still being cleaned up due to the July 1 storm. He also noted that if
the City would cover the expenses, Schluender would haul the trees
and brush.
Public Works Director John Simola explained that the City Council
offered to assist through December 1 by contracting removal of brush
and trees, with the cost being assessed to the property owners for 10
years at an interest rate of up to 8%. He also noted that Scott Douglas
or Mark Wallin of the Monticello Fire Department could be contacted if
the Little Mountain Settlement elected to burn the brush.
B. Ms. Billy Jo Smith asked if she should speak at this time regarding
the High School Trunk Storm Sewer Project assessment. Mayor Fair
noted that comments regarding the assessment would be taken during
the public hearing under item #7.
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Council Minutes - 11/24/97
C. Mr. Robert Harwarth questioned how much input the voters would
have on the proposed community center and whether a referendum
would be held. He also asked where the community center was
proposed to be located. Council members and staff explained that a
task force was established to study the issue of building a training and
community center in conjunction with the National Guard. Proposed
financing includes lease revenue bonds, which is still under study by
the task force. The proposed location is a 7 -acre site on Walnut and
Sixth Streets, which stemmed from citizen input through the MCP
plan. No Council action was required.
5. Consent agenda.
A. Consideration of purchasing a 1 4 -acre lot from TDS Telecom, located
on West County Road 39 near the public works building.
Recommendation: Authorize City staff to purchase the property
owned by TDS on West County Road 39 for an amount of $48,500
using reserves from the water access fund.
B. Consideration of approval of change order #8 for Wastewater
Treatment Plant expansion - Project 93-14C. Recommendation:
Approve change order #8 to the contract with Adolfson & Peterson in
the amount of $25,643 as outlined.
C. Consideration of adopting a resolution adopting assessment roll for
Briar Oakes 2nd Addition - Project 96-02C. Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution adopting the assessment roll as prepared by the
City Engineer for the 32 lots in Briar Oakes Estate 2nd Addition.
SEE RESOLUTION 97-57.
D. Consideration of resolution accepting the Monticello Lions Club
request to adopt the Lions Club Pioneer Park (Klein Farms).
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution accepting the Lions Club's
request to adopt the Lions Club Pioneer Park.
SEE RESOLUTION 97-58.
E. Consider approving final payment to RKI for Briar Oakes 2nd
Addition and River Street unitary sewer Projects 96-02C and 96-
0-6C. Recommendation: Authorize final payment to RKI in the
amount of $126,178.68 upon receipt of all final lien waivers, etc., for
the project.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND SECONDED BY BRIAN
STUMPF TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS RECOMMENDED. Motion
carried unanimously.
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Council Minutes - 11/24/97
6. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
None.
7. Public Hearing --Consideration of adopting a resolution adopting assessment
roll for high school storm sewer - Project 97-07C.
City Engineer Bret Weiss reported that as part of the new Monticello High
School construction project, it was necessary for the City to construct trunk
storm sewer through the high school parcel to provide an outlet from the
Cardinal Hills development, through the high school property, and
eventually discharging into various ponds heading toward the Mississippi
River. The project also provided lateral benefit for the high school
development. The total amount of the project to be assessed is $31,196.29,
with the balance of $133,265.02 to be collected by future trunk charges.
Mayor Fair opened the public hearing.
Cardinal Hills residents questioned whether the assessment was a one-time
or yearly charge and whether other developments would also be assessed for
utility services. The City Engineer explained that the assessment is a one-
time charge that could be paid in full or spread over 10 years. He also noted
that since the trunk storm sewer fee program was not in place at the time of
the Cardinal Hills development, the City was required to assess when the
project was completed rather than collect the necessary amount previously
from the developer. However, developers would pay the necessary fees
upfront for areas developing after implementation of the trunk storm sewer
fee program.
There being no further public comment, Mayor Fair closed the public
hearing.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY BRUCE
THIELEN TO APPROVE. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ASSESSMENT ROLL
FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL STORM SEWER, PROJECT 97-07C, AS PROPOSED.
Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 97-59.
Chief Building Official Fred Patch reported that after reviewing
Mr. Johnson's appeal for a variance to the rear yard setback, the Council
previously tabled the request and directed staff' to work with the applicant in
an effort to meet the zoning code and satisfy Mr. Johnson's needs.
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Council Minutes - 11/24/97
Staff reviewed various options and proposed a site plan using the same size
building, sufficient parking stalls, and provided for internal circulation in the
area between the two properties with an enter and exit only. However,
Mr. Johnson preferred his original site plan which would allow a future
addition to the rear of the building if the City vacated the Marvin Road right-
of-way. In the plan proposed by staff, any future addition would cause a
slight bend in the building.
Council discussed the Marvin Road right-of-way and whether it was possible
to grant a variance without setting a precedent based on the speculation that
it may be vacated in the future. City Planner Steve Grittman noted that the
situation was unique in that there was no commitment at this point on
whether Marvin Road would be vacated; however, it was difficult to
determine how unique this situation would be from future variance requests.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY ROGER CARLSON TO GRANT A VARIANCE TO THE REQUIRED
30 -FT SETBACK, ALLOWING A 10 -FT ENCROACHMENT AS DEPICTED BY THE
SITE PLAN SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT, BASED ON THE FINDING THAT
MARVIN ROAD MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR POSSIBLE VACATION IN THE
FUTURE. Voting in favor: Brian Stumpf, Roger Carlson, Clint Herbst.
Opposed: Bruce Thielen, Bill Fair. Motion carried.
9. Consideration of proposed zoning ordinance revisions implementing the goals
and objectives of the Downtown Revitalization Plan in downtown Monticello
Applicant; City of Monticello.
City Planner Steve Grittman reported that since the adoption of the MCP
Plan as an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan, a new zoning
district was being proposed to implement the Plan which was specifically
tailored to the unique aspects of Monticello's downtown. The district was
titled Central Community District because it is expected that the district will
include more than just business that the common title "Central Business
District" would infer.
Grittman went on to describe the unique components of the new district and
noted that the MCP would like to see relaxed sign regulations in the
downtown area; however, he did not recommend standards which would be
too flexibly applied within the CCD district. Once the ordinance language
has been adopted, rezoning of a designated downtown area would take place
at a future public hearing.
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Council Minutes - 11/24/97
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND
SECONDED BY ROGER CARLSON TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT CREATING A CENTRAL COMMUNITY DISTRICT AS A LAND USE
DISTRICT IN THE MONTICELLO ZONING ORDINANCE BASED UPON THE
FINDING THAT THE AMENDMENT WOULD IMPLEMENT THE GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. Motion carried unanimously.
SEE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 299.
10. Consideration of 9 -month liquor store report.
In his staff report, City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller noted that the 9 -
month gross profit had increased to $348,707 from $321,000, resulting in an
operating income at 12.4/0 of sales. Because the 4th quarter is typically one
of the higher quarters for sales volume and income potential, it was
estimated that total annual sales for 1997 would be near or exceeding $2
million for the first time.
Liquor Store Manager Joe Hartman reported that sales have been good in
1997; however, due to limited storage space, it was his view that his buying
power would limit future increases in sales. Mayor Fair noted that perhaps
staff could investigate the cost of expansion once costs are defined for the
core facility of the community center.
No Council action was taken at this time.
o. l . 1 "I'LA a
Mr. Al Deruyter, a resident of Buffalo Township, presented information to
the Council concerning the proposed FCR Superior Landfill expansion plans
proposed for their site in Monticello Township. He noted that the landfill
currently accepts garbage from many areas throughout the state and
encouraged the City Council and staff to contact their Wright County
Commissioners regarding the magnitude of the expansion request.
Public Works Director John Simola agreed that the proposed expansion of
the landfill would not be good for Wright County and also encouraged the
Council to contact their County Commissioners.
No Council action was required at this time.
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Council Minutes - 11/24/97
12. Consideration of scheduling a meeting with Monticello Township to discuss
annexation issues.
City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller reported that at their last meeting, the
Council approved the idea of submitting a proposal to the Township
Supervisors concerning amendments to the Orderly Annexation Area in an
attempt to resolve the annexation disputes. The proposal as prepared by
Planner Steve Grittman was forwarded to Township Chairman Franklin
Denn, along with a cover letter offering the proposal as a solution to the
annexation petitions.
The Township Board discussed the City's proposal on November 17, after
which the Township Clerk contacted the City Administrator to schedule the
first of three meetings to discuss the annexation proposal as requested by the
Municipal Board. The City Administrator requested information regarding to
what sections of the proposal were in dispute so that an agenda for the joint
meeting could be prepared. The Township Clerk indicated that the Township
attorney would be sending a letter in response to the City's proposal;
however, it had not yet been received.
Township Supervisor Ted Holker responded that he felt it would be better to
meet and discuss the proposal rather than responding in writing.
Councilmembers discussed whether it would be best to wait until the
Township Attorney's response is received prior to scheduling the joint
meeting or possibly have the City and Township attorneys meet initially to
discuss the proposal.
No Council action was taken at this time to schedule a joint meeting with the
Township Board.
13. Consideration of bills for the last half of November, 1997
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY BRUCE
THIELEN TO APPROVE THE BILLS FOR THE LAST HALF OF NOVEMBER AS
PRESENTED. Motion carried unanimously.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING. Motion carried unanimously.
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Office Manager
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