Loading...
City Council Minutes 06-10-1974MGM Regular meeting of the City Council - June 10, 1974 - 7:30 P. M. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P. M. in the City Hall by Mayor Conrad Johnson. Council members present: Blonigen,. Martie. Council member Denton Erickson arrived approximately 10 minutes after the meeting began. The one council seat was vacated due to the resignation of Jeff Rowan on June 7, 1974• The Mayor announced that the meeting was to be taped. A presentation was made by Mr. Kermit Bensen and Duane Gates representing Independent School District #882. They explained that the Joint Recreation Program that would be in effect this year and requested city of Monticello participation. In this regard, a motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Martie, to have the city of Monticello participate in this program at a cost of $1,325.00 for the year and to allow for payment in the same amount for last summer's program. Voting in favor: Bloni- gen, Martie, Johnson. Opposed: None. Absent: Erickson. One council seat was vacated. Motion carried. A presentation was made by Mr. Axel Rasmussen in regard to a variance permit requested by the Monticello Coast to Coast store. In this regard, a motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Martie, to grant a variance permit to the Coast to Coast store so that the requirements of paragraph 6-5, of the Monticello Zoning Ordinance, are waived to allow parking for every 100 feet of floor space rather than 200 feet of floor space. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Absent: Erickson. One council seat remained vacated. Motion carried. A Zoning Hearing was held to consider an amendment to the Monticello Zoning Ordinance. In this regard., a motion. -was made by Martie, seconded by Blonigen, to amend the Monticello Zoning Ordinance as follows: That Lots 1 , 2, 3, 12, 13 and 14 of Block 11 and Lots 1 and 2 of Block 12 (Lower Monticello) be re -zoned from the present R-2 (Urban Residential) to an R-3 (Multiple Residential) zoning classification. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Absent: Erickson. One council seat remained vacated. Motion carried. No citizen comments were made in regard to the a- forementioned ordinance change. Council member Denton Erickson arrived at this time. A motion to approve the minutes of May 20, 1974, as they were presented, was made by Blonigen, seconded by Martie. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. 194 Regular meeting of Council - June 10, 1974 - cont' d. A presentation was made by Mrs. Gloria LaBau, representing the Monticello Housing Authority. Mrs. LaBau stated that the Housing Authority was seriously considering two choices for a low income housing site; one is the present Hartwig -Kane pro- perty located in the area of Sixth Street and Locust Street; the second site is the present Maurice Haglund property located on the east end of Monticello across from Curt' s Storage & Sales. Mrs. LaBau stated the Housing Authority would prefer either of these two sites over the Fourth Street ball park proposal. Mrs. LaBau requested City Council permission to have the City At- torney work out.legal considerations in regard to the site pur- chase. A motion to authorize the Housing Authority to employ the City Attorney to work out legal considerations in regard to the low income housing site purchase and to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the letters recommending low cost housing and sewer and water service, was made by Martie, se- conded by Blonigen. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, John- son, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. The Mayor stated he had visited the Senior Citizen Center on Friday and everyone there appeared to be in favor of low income housing for Monticello. Mr. Jim Lungwitz stated the Park Board is in favor of low in- come housing, but would give up the Fourth Street ball park reluctantly. Mayor Johnson thanked Mrs. LaBau and Mr. Lun g- witz for their report and noted that the Fourth Street ball park would probably not be used as the housing site location. The Municipal Liquor Store audit report for the period Jan. - April, 1974, was presented by Mr. Gary Wieber. Mr. Wieber noted that `,there was a net profit increase of approximately $4,500.00 over the same period of one year ago and explained that the report for the store in general was "very good." The Mayor requested that the next four month period might show a break down of expenses between --the "off" and "on" sections of the store. The Adm. and Auditor noted this would be done. The Mayor concluded the report by saying this was a very good report and a reflection of good management. A motion to approve the report was made by Blonigen, seconded.by Martie. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. A motion to approve the _.annual Board of Review report as presented by Mr. B. Mattson and Mr. R. Des Marais at the meeting of May 20, 1974, was made by Martie, seconded by Erickson. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Op- posed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. Regular meeting of Council - June 10, 1974 - con 1 t. 195 The Mayor asked the Administrator to read a report from Mr. Jean Brouillard in regard to "clean-up" activities in Monticello. In the report, the Cleanup Committee recommended that a letter be sent to vitiators of the blight ordinance and that pictures be published of blighted areas. In addition, it was recommended that one day be set aside whereby city residents could set aside miscellaneous "junk" articles that would be picked up by the garbage contractor. It was noted that in some cases vacant lots are not being mowed properly. In this regard, a motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Erickson, to allow city personnel to mow vacant lots and charge for time and material when this is necessary. This would be after property owners or developers have been requested to mow the property in question. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. A presentation was made by Dr. John Kasper, chairman of the Utilities Commission, and a discussion was held in regard to theproposed charge for a "water hook-up." Mr. Thore Meyer stated that a notation should be made in regard to the standard hook-up charge of $375.00. In this regard, a motion was made by Erickson, seconded by Martie, that makes an allowance whereby "in any case where service lines have been installed and paid for by an assessment, the basic charge (for a one (1) inch line) will be $70.00, plus a cost -of -meter charge." In addition, this motion 1calls for the adoption of an ordinance amending section 1100.048 of ordinance No. 1100 so that the water hook-up charge is based upon the size of the line installed (copy of hook-up charge ordinance attached as Enclosure 1). Voting in favor: Bloni gen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. (Ordinance to be published in the Monticello Times on June 13, 1974)• Dr. Kasper stated the Utilities Commission will make a final decision in the near future regarding a fair charge for laundromats. He stated the Commission will be meeting soon to try and settle the Pinewood school hookup charge. Mr. Thore Meyer made a presentation in regard to the sewer problem between River Street and Highway 152 on Vine St. Mr. Meyer stated that the sewer line apparently needs re- placement and noted that if the line can be "open -cut" the cost of replacement will probably be about $10,900-00. If jacking is required under Highway 152, the cost could run as high as $21.,500-00- In answer to an inquiry from council member Blonigen, Mr. Meyer noted that work would start near River St. and work south. There was council consensus to finance this project from the Sewer Operating Fund if the cost can be kept in the area of $11.,000.00. If the costs are to exceed this figure, alternative financing will be considered. G "1 Regular meeting of Council - June 10, 1974 - cont' d. After further discussion, a motion was made by Martie, seconded by Erickson, to link this project with the proposed watermain improvement on Locust/Walnut so that bids will be let for the two projects at the same time. The projects are, however, financed separately. The Vine St. sewer is to be financed by the Sewer Fund and the Locust/Walnut St. project will be financed by a Water Operating Fund certificate of deposit which will be replaced as assessments are collected. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, John son, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. A presentation was made by Mr. Hugo Hillstrom and Mr. Clifford Olson in regard to their request for a curb and gutter im- provement. Three property owners would be involved in this improvement: Mr. Hillstrom, Mr. Olson and the Monticello School District. If they all agree on the improvement, no hearing will be necessary. The Mayor stated he would contact representatives of the Monticello School District to see if they agree with the proposed improvement. The Administrator read separate letters from Mr. Hillstrom and Mr. Olson in which they outlined their desire for the improvement. Mr. Olson attached certain conditions to his approval. A copy of this letter is on file in the city "petitions file." In this regard, a motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Martie, to adopt a "RESOLUTION ORDERING PREPARATION OF REPORT ON IMPROVEMENT," including specifications and plans. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. (Copy of resolution attached as Enclosure 2). A discussion was held in regard to the proposed Street improvement in 1974 as adopted by the City Council on June 4, 1974• After discussion of this matter, a motion was made by Erickson, seconded by Martie, to link this project with the downtown parking plan for "patching" only at an estimated cost of $4,000.00; the City will advertise forbids in regard to the seal coating of Cedar St. and Third St. and the link of the "patching" with downtown parking is for contactor use only. The projects are financed separately. The street l patching" is to be financed by Federal Revenue Sharing funds; "Downtown parking" is financed by a bond issue. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. A motion was made by Erickson, seconded by Martie, to adopt an ordinance (104.050) setting the terms of the Mayor and council members. The ordinance is based upon council action of January 21, 1974. Ordinance.fol-m is recommended by the League of Municipalities. A copy of the proposed ordinance Regular meeting of Council - June 10, 1974 - cont' d. 197 is attached to these minutes as Enclosure 3. (The ordinance will be published in the Monticello Times edition of June 20, 1974) . Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. The administrator presented a proposed liquor set-up license ordinance. This was tabled to the meeting of June 24, 1974 • A motion to approve the issuance of a cigarette license to the Country Kitchen Restaurant was made by Blonigen, seconded by Martie. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. Mayor and Clerk authorized to sign license. ion to approve the Federal Rveneue Sharing planned u report for riod July 1, 1974 to June 30 , was made by Erickson, secon Blo 0 Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, J , Mar i osed: None. Motion carried. ouncil seat remained vacated. and Clerk orized to sign license. A motion to approve the Federal Revenue Sharing planned use report for the period July 1, 1974 to June 30, 1975, was made by Erickson, seconded by Blonigen. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. One council seat remained vacated. Copy of Planned Use Report attached as Enclosure 4. In response tp a question from council members, tl'e Admin- istrator stated that Mr. Jeff Rowan had been in on Friday, June 7, 1974 and announced that he was resigning as a member of the City Council. After discussion, a motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Martie, to adopt a resolution declaring the council seat held by Jeff Rowan vacated. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. The'Mayor asked council members if they had any names they desired to nominate to fill the vacated council seat. Denton Erickson recommendedtthat Mr. Gene Walters be considered for nomination. No other nominations were made. In this regard, a motion was made by Erickson, seconded by Martie, to appoint Mr. Gene Walters to fill the remaining term of the seat vacated by Mr. Rowan. Mr. Walter's term will expire on December 31, 1974. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. The Administrator presented a memorandum from Mr. Pringle in which Mr. Pringle noted it was his opinion that the IssRe� lar meeting of Council - June 10., 1974 - con't. salary increase granted to the City Council in May, 19725 was a technical error and that none of the council members serving from that time until the error was corrected (ap- proximately March, 1973). should be required to pay back the money received. A motion to adopt the recommendation of Mr. Pringle, was made by Blonigen, seconded by Martie. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. The auditor is to be notified of this decision. A motion to authorize the Administrator to hire two young men for the summer months on an "as needed" basis at a wage rate of $2.00 an hour was made by Erickson, seconded by Martie. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. The Administrator noted that Wright County will be paying all but .250 per hour of the salary of one of the men hired. A motion to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Tree Removal contract with Mr. Gary Kroll of Buffalo was made by Blonigen, seconded by Erickson. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. The Administrator was instructed to have Mr. Kroll sign the release of liability statement prepared by attorney Greg Smith. The Mayor asked the council members if they had any questions in regard to the financial report submitted by the Administrator for the period January - April, 1974. No questions were asked. A presentation was made by Mr. Robert Lamm and Mr. Marlo Samuelson, representing the Monticello Junior Chamber of Commerce. They stated preparations were being made for Montissippi Days which will run from August 16, 1974 through August 20. Mr. Samuelson noted there are plans for a teen- age dance on August 16 and that plans are in process for a canoe race to be held on August 17. The two men requested city council permission to set up concession stands in the skating rink park. They also stated that a square dance is planned for Saturday and Sunday evening in the parking lot behind Johnson's Dept. Store. Mr. Samuelson noted that all of the concession stands will be operated by local organiza- tions and all of these are non-profit. A discussion was held concerning the possible blocking off of River St. between Highway 25 and Walnut St. It was the concensus of the city council that the blocking off of River St. will not be necessary. The J. C.'s were directed to report back to the city council if it is determined the blocking of the street is a necessity. A discussion was held concerning a letter from the Administrator regarding the use of tape recorders at city council meetings. Regular meeting of Council - June 10, 1974 - con't. 199 It was the consensus of council members that a high quality recorder is required to insure that meetings are recorded accurately and to allow the tapes used to be filed as a permanent City of Monticello record. The letter from the Administrator was based upon an opinion from the City Attorney. In this regard, a motion was made by Martie, seconded by Erickson, to proceed with the procurement of bids for the proposed tape recorder purchase. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Motion carried. A motion to adjourn was made by Martie, seconded by Erickson. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Op- posed: ,None. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:05 P.M. fi 14 Kevin L. LaFrance, Adm. KLLF/mj q Enclosures: 1. Water hook-up charge ordinance. 2. Copy of resolution ordering report on improvement - curb and gutter. 3. Copy of ordinance setting terms of Mayor and Council. 4. Federal Revenue Sharing Planned Use Report. City Council Meeting - June 24, 1974 - 7:30 P.M. - City Hall The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the City Hall by Mayor C. Johnson. Council members present: Blonigen, Erickson, Martie. Council member Gene Walters was absent. The Mayor announced that the meeting was to be taped. Citizen Comments: Mr. Jim Foster, through the Administrator, expressed his displeasure over a parking ticket issued to him in front of his business establishment. The Mayor noted that several tickets have been issued and that unless the ticket was issued within the parking time limit the council could not take any corrective action. Mr. Ron Michaelis presented a draft regarding an improvement of his business property. In view of the fact a variance permit will be required, the matter was referred to the Plann- ing Commission. Commission reports: Mr. Arve Grimsmo of the Roads & Streets Commission presented a detailed report of a meeting held 20 0 Regular meeting of Council - June 24, 1974. - con t t. with representatives of the Minnesota State Highway Dept. He noted that consideration is being given to a lighting proposal from the Interstate and for possible improvement of the lights at the corner of Highway 25 and 152. He stated that the State will be providing signs on the Interstate designating the availabilty of a hospital, gas and camping grounds. A restaurant would have to be open for 24 hours to qualify the city for "food" signs and the city is not eligible for lodging signs. Mr. Grimsmo stated that "No Left Turn" signs from the Monticello Mall area to Highway 25 will be required. He explained that the State is required to place a 211 mat on Highway 152 before it is turned over to the city or county. There are a number of factors to be studied carefully before the city would assume control of Highway 152 within the city limits. Mr. Thore Meyer explained some of the problems that need to be resolved before curb & cutter could be installed on Highway 25 and that this matter will have to be tabled to the meeting of July 8, 1974. Mr. Meyer stated he will be meeting with representatives of the State to resolve some issues. Mr. Meyer presented plans for the repair of the Vine Street Storm Sewer and for the Watermain on Locust -Walnut Street. In this regard, a motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Erickson, to adopt a RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFI- CATIONS AND ORDERING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Absent: Walters. Motion carried. (Copy of Resolution attached as Enclosure 1) . Mr. Meyer gave a progress report in regard to Downtown Park- ing and noted that some trees the city had planned on saving are diseased. The consensus of city council members, no vote, was to leave the decision of tree removal up to the Downtown Parking Committee. A discussion was held concerning the possible black topping of the area around the city hall. Mr. Meyer noted that the present Liquor Store mat could be used. It was the con- sensus of council members that itis probably best to keep the driveway in back of the city hall and that this will be part of the improvement. In this regard, a motion was made by Erickson, seconded by Martie, to authorize the black -topp- ing -and improvement of the area around city hall at the approximate price of $4.,000.00; the project will probably be financed with Municipal Liquor Store funds. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie. Opposed: None. Absent: Walter. Motion carried.