City Council Minutes 12-11-1989MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, December 11, 1989 - 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Ken Maus, Fran Fair, Warren Smith, Shirley Anderson,
Dan Blonigen
Members Absent: None
2. Approval of minutes of regular meeting held November 27, 1989, and the
special meeting held December 4, 1989.
Shirley Anderson requested that the December 4 meeting minutes be updated
to include her opinion that across the board salary increases can be
unfair, as individuals with higher salaries get a larger increase.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests and complaints.
Kirk Kjellberg presented a prepared statement to Council regarding the
Evergreens subdivision. In the prepared statement, Kjellberg reviewed
the development goals of the project and explained how the project will
benefit the City. He also noted that Kjellberg, Inc., fully intends to
rectify problems associated with the Kjellberg East Mobile Home Park by
making sewer system improvements that are in compliance with all city,
state, and county requirements.
Mayor Maus thanked Kirk Kjellberg for his comments. No further action
taken.
4A. Consideration of feasibility report for anticipated stormwater management
improvements within the Monticello Mall watershed.
Chuck DuFresne of The Lincoln Companies reported to Council that a signed
lease agreement between The Lincoln Companies and K -Mart has been
executed, and a March 1, 1990, groundbreaking date for the development of
the K -Mart addition has been established.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill requested that Council consider
authorization to proceed with the storm water management feasibility
study necessary to fully define project design and cost. O'Neill
reported that the estimated cost of the storm water study is $4,500, with
The Lincoln Companies paying one-half of the initial cost to complete the
study. Once the improvements are completed and in place, any up -front
payments made by The Lincoln Companies will be deducted from their
assessments.
Chuck DuFrense reported that this arrangement for financing the
feasibility study is acceptable to The Lincoln Companies.
Dan Blonigen reminded staff to take a look at utilizing the unused
capacity of an existing storm water line now serving a portion of the
Highway 25/I-94 intersection area.
4B.
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Dan Kling stated that he would look at that option; however, he is
concerned that the agreement between the State and the City regarding
this storm water structure may limit the City's ability to use it for
drainage of the mall area.
After discussion, motion made by Warren Smith and seconded by Shirley
Anderson to authorize OSM to conduct feasibility study for storm water
improvements within the Monticello Mall watershed for an estimated amount
of $4,500. Motion carried unanimously.
Consideration of feasibility report to establish profile for 7th Street.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill requested that Council authorize
preparation of a feasibility report which would establish the final
profile for the 7th Street alignment and also provide complete cost
estimates for street construction. O'Neill went on to note that The
Lincoln Companies has requested that the 7th Street right-of-way be
slightly elevated, which would allow the K -Mart parking lot to be
relatively level. In order to elevate the parking area, the 7th Street
right-of-way must be elevated, which will result in the need for a
retaining wall on the north side of 7th Street and also result in
elimination of the Ridgeview Apartment complex access to 7th Street.
David Hornig, owner of Ridgeview Apartments was present and noted his
concerns that by elevating the roadway, the value of his property may be
diminished in some manner. He also noted that there may be some positive
reasons for eliminating this access as well; however, until the
feasibility study is done, it is difficult to determine the impact to his
property created by elevating the roadway.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill informed Council that Marvin Kramer has
withdrawn his previous verbal offer to sell his parcel to the City for
$189,000. O'Neill noted that purchase of the Kramer property at this
time is not vital to the development of the 7th Street right-of-way
serving K -Mart; however, the future extension of the 7th Street
right-of-way may be complicated or more expensive if the City does not
acquire the property at the time of the development of the K -Mart.
Dan Blonigen noted that the market place tends to work things out, and
he did not see it necessary to acquire the land at this time in
anticipation of the 7th Street right-of-way at some point in the future.
Ken Maus noted that there is always the potential of putting a jog in the
7th Street right-of-way which would allow us to go around the Kramer
property.
Warren Smith agreed that it may not be necessary to purchase the property
in anticipation of the future extension of the 7th Street right-of-way,
and he expressed concern about the potential of an intersection jog.
Fran Fair agreed with the concept of deferring any purchase of the Kramer
property until absolutely necessary.
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After discussion, motion made by Fran Fair and seconded by Shirley
Anderson to adopt a resolution ordering a feasibility study establishing
a profile for the 7th Street right-of-way using straight alignment and to
continue with pursuing the straight alignment but defer purchase of
Kramer's property. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 89-39.
5. Consideration of interpretation of conditional use permit - Fair's Garden
Center_
Assistant Administrator O'Neill requested that Council review the
Christmas season use of Fair's Garden Center and determine if the use is
in compliance with the terms of the conditional use permit granted some
months ago. Specifically, a portion of the site earmarked for parking is
now being utilized for sales and storage of Christmas trees. O'Neill
asked that Council review this matter to determine if a portion of the
parking area may be used for Christmas tree sales and display area.
O'Neill went on to note that due to seasonal fluctuations in parking
demands, there appears to be justification for reducing the parking
requirements by four to five parking spaces.
Ken Maus noted that if the City is going to allow businesses to use their
parking space for display and sale of product in one location, we should
allow it to occur in another location. Maus noted that the City is
already allowing the Tom Thumb store to use a portion of their parking in
the summer months for display of goods.
Gary Anderson reported that Tom Thumb received a permit which allowed
them to use some of their parking for this special spring sale event.
It was suggested by the Mayor that City staff prepare a permit process
which would regulate the use of parking stalls for display of goods for
sale.
City Administrator Wolfsteller asked for clarification regarding the
springtime use of the parking area.
It was the consensus of Council that the area earmarked for parking
spaces as outlined in the conditional use permit be striped and available
for parking during the peak retail season.
After discussion, motion by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Ken Maus to
direct staff to work toward development of a simple permit process which
would allow businesses with fluctuating parking demands to adjust their
parking requirement accordingly. Voting in favor: Warren Smith, Shirley
Anderson, Ken Maus. Opposed: Dan Blonigen. Abstaining: Fran Fair.
Motion carried.
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7.
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Consideration of altering terms of 78-1 Project assessment roll.
Gene Walters of Oakwood Industrial Partnership and Gregg Smith of Central
Minnesota Projections were in attendance to discuss this matter.
City Administrator Wolfsteller noted that terms of the 78-1 Project
assessment roll included payment of principal due 10 years after the
initiation of a 20 -year amortization schedule. Wolfsteller noted that it
is time for this payment to come due and asked if Council would consider
altering the terms of the assessment roll in a manner that would allow
the payments to continue via the existing amortization schedule.
Gregg Smith of Central Minnesota Projections indicated that he clearly
understood the balloon payment situation and is not asking for any type
of subsidy from the City. He went on to request that the City could
adjust the interest rate to reflect the current market, and Central
Minnesota Projections would gladly continue to make payments for an
additional five years with a final balloon payment made at that time.
After discussion, motion made by Warren Smith and seconded by Fran Fair
to increase the amortization schedule interest rate to 7.5 percent and
require final payment of principal in 5 years. Motion carried
unanimously.
Consideration of authorizing entering into a sidewalk maintenance
agreement with MN/DOT.
Administrator Wolfsteller reported that as part of the Highway 25
overpass improvement recently completed by MN/DOT, sidewalk improvements
were constructed from 7th Street to the bridge overpass and also to
Oakwood Drive along Highway 25. Although the sidewalk improvements were
paid for by MN/DOT as part of the project, the City of Monticello will be
responsible for maintenance of the sidewalk portions leading to the
bridge structure. Wolfsteller noted that staff is comfortable with the
maintenance agreement and recommends acceptance as submitted. He added
that the City of Monticello did not have to contribute any funds toward
the sidewalk improvement.
Dan Blonigen asked, "Why should the City be responsible for accidents on
State property as noted in Article 3 of the maintenance agreement?"
Wolfsteller noted that the City would only be liable for accidents
resulting out of City negligence.
Dan Blonigen noted that more and more areas in the community are getting
sidewalks, and the City may want to consider establishing a nominal fee
for sidewalk snow removal in business areas.
Roger Mack noted that it is difficult to require the Perkins and Country
Kitchen to pay a portion of snow removal or to require that they remove
the snow from these sidewalk areas because those businesses, though
directly abutting the sidewalk, do not receive clear, direct benefit from
the sidewalk.
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After discussion, motion was made by Fran Fair and seconded by Warren
Smith to authorize entering into the sidewalk maintenance agreement with
the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Motion carried unanimously.
8. Consideration of initial capital outlay for new public works offices and
water department shop.
Councilmember Blonigen objected to the purchase of a $40 coffee maker and
$200 refrigerator.
It was the view of Councilmember Fair that the purchase of a coffee maker
and refrigerator are reasonable office purchases. It was also noted by
Fran Fair that the office renovation cost submitted by staff is less than
the budgeted amount of $10,000.
Motion made by Fran Fair, seconded by Warren Smith, to approve initial
capital outlay as prepared by the Public Works Director in the amount of
$7,455.50. Voting in favor: Warren Smith, Fran Fair, Shirley Anderson,
Ken Maus. Opposed: Dan Blonigen. Motion carried.
9. Consideration of water temperature monitoring system for new water tank.
Council was informed that problems could occur due to temperature changes
in the water of the new tank. During wintertime, severe icing problems
can occur in water tanks. It is important to have enough daily water
changes in the tank during the winter months to reduce the possibility of
heavy ice formation. Since our tank is somewhat isolated and a long way
from our water source, the water will be significantly cooler than it was
in our old tank. In addition, because of the size of the tank, the water
will be in the tank much longer and, therefore, allow cooling.
Typically, there is very little water use in the city during the winter
from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. If the City had water temperature monitoring
equipment in the inlet/oulet of the tank, we could make better decisions
as to operation of the tank during the winter months by making
adjustments or wasting cold water if absolutely necessary. In addition,
we could have a similar problem in the summer months in that water will
tend to warm up as it sits in the tank. As the water warms, the
likelihood of the polyphosphates continuing to hold iron and manganese in
suspension diminishes, and these materials can be released causing
problems with water quality. The temperature monitoring device could
allow us to again operate the tank in such a fashion as to reduce the
warming effect during the winter months.
Warren Smith asked why this temperature monitoring system was not part of
the original proposal when the water tank was constructed. Smith was
concerned that we are getting nickled and dimed by add-ons to this
project.
Dan Blonigen expressed concern that the tank may be oversized. Because
the tank is oversized, the water is not exchanged as often, which creates
the need for a water temperature monitoring system.
Council Minutes - 12/11/89
Dan Kling noted that the size of the water tank is dictated by the
insurance requirements, and it is a common problem in the winter months
to have more capacity than you need because the demand in the wintertime
is one-quarter of the demand in the summer months. Kling also noted that
most cities with good fire fighting capabilities have temperature
monitoring devices, and such devices allow City staff to use their
training to properly manage the water system.
Shirley Anderson asked if there is money in the budget for this purchase.
City Administrator Wolfsteller noted that there is sufficient revenue
remaining in the water tank fund.
Dan Blonigen suggested that the City wait until next year to consider
this purchase.
After discussion, motion made by Warren Smith and seconded by Fran Fair
to criticize and object to the late notice of the need for this
improvement and authorize installation of the temperature monitoring
equipment from Automatic Systems at a cost of $4,792. Motion carried
unanimously.
10. Consideration of obtaining quotes and authorization to wire new check
valves at the reservoir at Chelsea Road.
After discussion, motion made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Fran
Fair to authorize City staff to obtain quotes for the electrical work for
the wiring necessary to hook up the new check valves to the existing
system and to have the work performed. Motion carried unanimously.
11. Consideration of "interim" wage adjustment for Cathy Shuman.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill asked Council to consider making an
adjustment to the wage received by Cathy Shuman retroactive to Cathy's
successful completion of her six-month probation period. O'Neill noted
that Cathy was hired as the utility billing clerk; however, she was
selected because her resume revealed unique skills and abilities that the
administration viewed as vital to meet the emerging computer related
demands of the position. When Cathy took the position, she was informed
that the City would consider an increase to her starting salary after a
six-month time period, and staff would further consider an increase if
Cathy successfully demonstrated her skills through implementation of the
utility billing system. Cathy successfully implemented the utility
billing system and has met or exceeded expectations.
O'Neill also informed Council that the proposed wage adjustment is within
the budgeted amount for this position.
Motion made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Fran Fair to increase
Cathy Shuman's hourly wage to $10.35 retroactive to Shuman's six-month
anniversary date. Said wage will be effective until a new receptionist
position is filled. Motion carried unanimously.
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12. Consideration of authorizing advertisement for receptionist/data entry
clerk position.
Administrator Rick Wolfsteller reported that the purpose of this item is
to request authorization from City Council to allow staff to begin
preparation of a job description and advertisement for receptionist/data
entry clerk position. Wolfsteller noted to Council that this position is
being developed to handle basic receptionist duties previously handled by
Lynnea Gillham and later by Cathy Shuman. With Cathy Shuman now taking
on additional computer responsibilities and finance responsibilities, an
individual needs to be brought on board to take care of some of the basic
receptionist activity. The position created by this reorganization will
very likely be a lower level clerical position.
Fran Fair noted that personality should be a major factor in deciding who
is hired for this position.
After discussion, motion made by Fran Fair and seconded by Shirley
Anderson to authorize staff to prepare an advertisement for the clerical
position of receptionist/data entry clerk and establish a job description
resulting comparable worth value. Motion carried unanimously.
13. Consideration of gambling license renewal - Joyner Lanes.
Council reviewed the balance sheet of the Celebrity Bowl Charities
Program at Joyner Lanes and did not oppose renewal of the license;
therefore, the license is granted automatically.
14. Consideration of bills for the first part of December.
Motion made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan Blonigen to approve
the bills as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
15. Other matters.
The park dedication payment associated with the Prairie West Plat was
discussed. No changes to previous Council action on this matter were
adopted.
There being no further business, meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
C
C�
Jeff O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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