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City Council Minutes 09-23-1996MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Monday, September 23, 1996 - 7 p.m. Members Present: Brad Fyle, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf, Tom Perrault Members Absent: None 2. Approval of minutes Qf the, appsial meeting held September 9 and the regWar meeCing held Spptember 9, 1996, Councilmember Stumpf noted a typographical error in item 3C of the regular meeting minutes. A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 9 AND THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 9, 1996, AS CORRECTED. Motion carried unanimously. A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO ADD THE UPDATE ON THE TREATMENT PLANT STUDY TO THE AGENDA. Motion carried unanimously. Public Works Director John Simola reported that at the August 26 meeting, HDR reviewed the estimated cost of the proposed wastewater treatment plant expansion, which increased from $10,000,000 to $12,000,000, approximately $2,000,000 over the previous estimate. Council directed City staff and PSG to work with HDR to lower the cost of the project to bring it more in line with the original estimate. After reviewing the plans, Simola reported that their goal was to reduce the cost but maintain the scope of the project, its integrity, its operability, its maintainability, and the enhancements regarding odor control and tree planting that were promised to neighbors. Several small changes were made, along with the deletion of small pieces of equipment that were not absolutely necessary, for a savings of $459,870. By also deleting the 3% contingencies on the savings and the 15% engineering fee on the savings, a total savings of $555,293 was reached. Page 1 Council Minutes - 9/23/96 Simola requested that Council authorize advertisement for bids in order to keep the project moving forward; however, at the same time, staff would continue to review the plans with HDR for additional savings. AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION PROJECT AND AUTHORIZE CITY STAFF TO CONTINUE REVIEWING THE PLANS AND NEGOTIATING WITH HDR TO FURTHER REDUCE THE PROJECT COST. Voting in favor: Clint Herbst, Tom Perrault, Brad Fyle. Opposed: Brian Stumpf, Shirley Anderson. Motion passed. Councilmembers Stumpf and Anderson noted their dissatisfaction with the fact that HDR submitted the lowest bid originally but continues to increase the project cost to an amount higher than all the original bids received. It was their view that it was unreasonable for HDR's fee to increase as the project cost increased since they were awarded the project based on their low bid. 3B. Consideration of advertising for bids for snowblower. Public Works Director John Simola reported that a new snowblower is needed and requested that Council authorize advertisement for bids at this time to expedite the process before snowfall. The cost of a new snowblower was estimated at $65,000. It was the consensus of Council to authorize the Public Works Director to advertise for bids for a new snowblower for the public works department. 3C. Comment on letter from Vaughn Veit. Councilmember Herbst stated that the City received a letter from Vaughn Veit alleging that the City of Monticello had informed Veit's truck drivers that they could not use County Road 75 in Monticello. In his letter, Veit demanded that the City publish an apology in the newspaper. Herbst stated that the City has never forbid anyone the use of a city street. It was noted that there had been a discussion between City staff and the City of Minneapolis Public Works Department regarding the number of trucks on County Road 75 in Monticello, and Herbst Page 2 Council Minutes - 9/23/96 praised the City of Minneapolis for agreeing to cooperate by using the second Monticello exit whenever possible to help reduce the truck traffic for residents living on County Road 75. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that no apology would be printed in the newspaper. 4. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints. None. 5. Consent agenda. Councilmember Herbst requested that item 5A be removed from the consent agenda for discussion. A. Consideration of final payment on public works building expansion, phase II--Shingobee Builders. •.SWIM WINKIMP-011F=-IRVIVOW 5A. Consideration of final payment on public works building exlQ phau • o.-• Builders. Councilmembers Anderson and Herbst questioned making final payment prior to all project items being completed. Public Works Director Simola noted that the items should be completed within a week. A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY CLINT HERBST TO AUTHORIZE FINAL PAYMENT TO SHINGOBEE BUILDERS FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS PHASE II EXPANSION IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,265.98 CONTINGENT UPON ALL ITEMS BEING COMPLETED BEFORE PAYMENT. Motion carried unanimously. 7. Public Hearing --Consideration of liquor license transfer --Comfort Inn Motel. Mayor Fyle opened the public hearing. It was reported by the City Administrator that Mr. Sandip Bhakte was in the process of purchasing the Comfort Inn Motel and Treehouse Lounge from Robert Eidsvold. As part of the transfer of ownership, Mr. Bhakte applied for the on -sale liquor license to be transferred to his new corporation. A background check showed no information that would prohibit him from obtaining the license. Page 3 Council Minutes - 9/23/96 There being no public comment, the public hearing was closed. A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF THE CURRENT ON -SALE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE COMFORT INN/TREEHOUSE LOUNGE TO MR. SANDIP BHAKTE, DBA GAGA CORPORATION. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Consideration of a variance request toap rking lot and building setback requirements Applicant, Bondhus Corporation. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that John Bondhus of the Bondhus Corporation requested a variance to the 40 -ft rear yard setback requirement for parcels located in the I-1 zone. The request proposed an extension of the existing building line at the current 3 -ft setback for a length of 179 ft. A similar variance was approved in 1989 based on the finding that the variance would not result in a depreciation of adjoining land values due to the infrequency of use of the Burlington Northern Railway. O'Neill noted that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance. It was their view that granting the variance would not set a precedent due to the existing building at the requested setback and due to the narrowness of the parcel. Public Works Director John Simola asked whether the Planning Commission discussed the safety of cars parking near the steep slope on the northwesterly side of the site. He was concerned about cars going over the embankment if curbing is not installed in this area. O'Neill noted that the Planning Commission didn't discuss curbing in this area since the ordinance allows elimination of curbing in an expansion area. O'Neill noted that the safety issue can be handled administratively by City staff working with Bondhus on the site plan. AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO APPROVE THE VARIANCE REQUEST FOR THE BONDHUS CORPORATION. Motion was based on the finding that the variance would not result in a depreciation of adjoining land values, and it would not be possible to obtain reasonable use of the property for I-1 purposes without a variance due to the unique shape of the parcel and the location of the existing building on the site. Motion carried unanimously. Page 4 Council Minutes - 9/23/96 9. Consideration of a zoning ordinance amendment which would define "auto maintenance facilities" and allow auto maintenance facilities as a conditional use in a PZM zoned Consideration of a conditional use permit allowing an auto maintenance facility in a PZM zone; Consideration of a variance to the buffer yard standards. Applicant, Investors Together. A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO WITHDRAW THIS ITEM FROM THE AGENDA AS REQUESTED BY THE APPLICANT, INVESTORS TOGETHER. Motion carried unanimously. 10. Consideration of approving an o tin on agreement for the sale of Lot 3, Block 1,, Oakwood Industrial Park 2nd Addition - Lake Tool. City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller reported that he has been working with Eric Bondhus of Lake Tool to finalize a purchase agreement offer from Lake Tool for the acquisition of Lots 1 and 2, Oakwood Industrial Park 2nd Addition, as previously approved by the City Council. In addition to purchasing Lots 1 and 2, Lake Tool requested consideration of a 3 -year option on Lot 3. The proposal offered a 3 -year agreement to purchase Lot 3 at the City's asking price of $27,232, with Lake Tool paying an annual option fee of 3% of the asking price. AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON TO APPROVE ENTERING INTO AN OPTION AGREEMENT WITH LAKE TOOL FOR LOT 3, OAKWOOD INDUSTRIAL PARK 2ND ADDITION, FOR 3 YEARS AT A 3% ANNUAL FEE BASED ON THE 1996 ASKING PRICE OF $27,232. Motion carried unanimously. 11. Consideration of bills for the month of September. It was the consensus of Council to direct City staff to research the title of the recently -purchased Kruse property for the possibility of being reimbursed the cost of removing the contents from the underground tank and capping two wells found on the site. AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO APPROVE THE BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS PRESENTED. Motion carried unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Kar e Doty Office Manager Page 5