City Council Minutes 04-20-1987 SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL AND MONTICELLO TOWNSHIP BOARD
Monday, April 20, 1987 - 9:00 a.m.
Monticello Township Hall
Council Members Present: Mayor Arve A. Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Bill
Fair, Dan Blonigen, Warren Smith.
Township Board Members Present: Darlene Sawatzke, Stuart Hoglund,
Charles Holthaus, Franklin Denn,
Ted Holker, Jr., and Marjorie Goetzke.
Also Present: Terrence Merritt, Executive Director of Minnesota
Municipal Board; and Pat Lundy, Assistant Director
of Minnesota Municipal Board.
1. Call to Order.
2. Consideration of an Offer from the City of Monticello to Enter a
Joint Resolution Pertaining to the Planning, Development, and Annexation
of Certain Lands.
Mayor Arve Grimsmo made opening comments regarding the background
of the annexation proposals and maps. The City Council proposes
immediate annexation of the orange area on the map; the yellow area
would be called the development area and would consist of approximately
2,100 acres. The City Council proposes the basic terms shown on
the agreement, including the revised payment schedule. They would
like to discuss one area of the map, that being the balance of the
OAA shown as the white area on the map. Would that be the future
planning area, or would the OAA be eliminated.
Mr. Franklin Denn, Chair for the Monticello Township Board, requested
better clarification on immediate annexation. He pointed out that
maybe the name of the OAA should be changed to Joint Planning Board.
The Township is interested in some control of the development area.
There are concerns about cities dissolving and going back to the
townships, as well as concerns regarding aid to local government.
Mr. Terrence Merritt, Executive Director of the Minnesota Municipal
Board, asked what role he and Pat Lundy, Assistant Director, should
play during this meeting. He stated they would be happy to help
with the discussion if so desired. It was agreed that the Council
and Township were here to negotiate and discuss an agreement. If
Mr. Merritt or Ms. Lundy had suggestions, they would be appreciated.
Mayor Grimsmo stated that the City was set on the current map and
agreement and wanted to negotiate only the balance and what to call
it (the white area on the map).
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A discussion then centered around the original proposal and counter
proposal. Members also discussed the maps before them and how this
joint meeting came about. Mayor Grimsmo explained that the basis
for the City Council drawing lines on the development area comes
from petitions received from Kjellberg, Sandberg, and a petition
for the Momsen/Tozer area. The balance on the map is for the City
to plan utilities. The City believes it's a fair proposal, and the
City Council is firm on the proposal. He stated there is not much
room for negotiation.
A letter was then read into the record by Mr. Merritt which was written
by Mr. Radzwill, Attorney for the Township, to Gary Pringle, City
Attorney. The letter was dated April 17, 1987, and stated that the
only item to be discussed at this joint meeting was the original
proposal from the Township to the City. Councilmember Bill Fair
pointed out that this meeting was in the process of being organized
prior to the letter being written.
A discussion was then held regarding the yellow area shown on the
map referred to as the development area.
A short break was taken to review the maps, etc.
The meeting resumed at 9:52 a.m. Mr. Merritt discussed the areas
of the Dunes, the Klein property, Prairie Acres, and the east portion
of the Fuller property and just south of the Fuller property. He
also discussed the timetable of development in the development area.
The Township Board agreed that when talking about immediate development,
they are looking at things happening within one to two years, not
speculation of development. Councilmember Bill Fair noted that the
developers would petition for annexation, and the development proposal
would conform to City Ordinance. If it didn't conform, it wouldn't
be annexed.
Township Board Member, Stuart Hoglund, raised a question on the water
line and that that was the reason for immediate annexation. The
area surrounding the Monte Club was discussed concerning assessments
and development occurring in that area to help pay for assessments.
Mayor Grimsmo stated that they had never had an area assessment in
the past but will be looking into that possibility.
Councilmember Bill Fair questioned Mr. Merritt if the City Council
could act by statute to annex land if the land is approximately two-thirds
surrounded by land within the city limits. Mr. Merritt illustrated
examples of that situation and clarified the statute.
Mr. Merritt then clarified the proposals from both the Township and
the City Council in terms of property description of the development
area. He stated that the Fuller property and Klein property could
be included or left out of the development area. Either way would
be okay with the Township. However, they did not want the Dunes
or Prairie Acres included. The Township had stated that those land
owners could petition for annexation if they desired to do so.
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Mayor Grimsmo then requested a break to meet with the City Council.
The joint meeting resumed at 10:40 a.m. Mayor Grimsmo stated it
was the opinion of the City Council that the Dunes and Prairie Acres
should stay in the planning area because with 100+ homes, they may
need services in the future, and the City should have that information
for planning purposes, for instance, what size line to place on Highway 25,
etc. Mr. Franklin Denn, Township Board Chair, noted that there is
no need for those areas to be included for planning purposes, as
they will not increase or decrease, so there is nothing to be concerned
about.
Mr. Merritt suggested they put the discussion regarding the Dunes
and Prairie Acres aside and move onto the immediate annexation area
(the orange area on the map). Mr. Franklin Denn stated the Township
is not opposed to annexation of the school property (80 acres) or
the 1-94 corridor. However, they would not consider the balance
for annexation. He also stated it was not necessary to annex land
to put the water tower on Monte Hill. Therefore, there was not sufficient
reason for annexation. Councilmember Bill Fair noted that the benefit
would be increased land value. Mr. Denn countered that it would
be disastrous to the Schultz property, as he intends to keep farming.
The discussion then centered on whether to continue negotiations
since no agreement had yet been reached. Mayor Grimsmo made closing
comments stating that the City wouldn't hurt any of the property
owners and that the City Council felt their offer was a fair one.
Mr. Franklin Denn noted in his closing comments that the City can
place the water tower on Monte Hill without annexation by obtaining
easements. There would be no need to annex if the City wasn't going
to assess the people. Councilmember Fran Fair pointed out that the
City didn't say they wouldn't assess; there would be total assessment.
Since no agreement was reached at this time, Fran Fair noted that
these proceedings would go to the hearing as scheduled for Tuesday,
April 21, 1987, for total annexation.
The meeting adjourned at 11:24 a.m.
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