City Council Minutes 03-22-1999MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, March 22, 1999 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Roger Belsaas, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf, Roger Carlson, Bruce Thielen
Members Absent: None
2. A. Approval of minutes of the special meeting_hcld March 8, 1999.
A MO'T"TON WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF ANT) SECONDED BY RULER
CARLSON TO APPROVE THE MINi1TES OF THE SPECIAL, MEETING HELD
MARCH 8, 1999, AS WRITTEN. Voting in favor: Roger Belsaas, Brian Stumpf,
Roger Carlson., Bruce Thielen. Abstaining: Clint Herbst. Motion carried.
B. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting held March 8, 1.999.
Councilmember Roger Carlson requested that the vote far item #12 be changed to
show his vote in favor rather than opposed to the motion.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY BRUCE
THIELEN 'TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE RF.,GULAR MEE'T'ING HELD
MARCH 8, 1999, AS AMENDED. Voting in favor: Roger Belsaas, Brian Stumpf,
Roger Carlson, Bruce Thielen. Abstaining: Clint Herbst. Motion carried.
3. Consideration of addin items to the a enda.
A. Update on sanitary sewer and water trunk fees.
City Engineer Bret Weiss reported that at the last meeting Council accepted a
report for sanitary sewer and water trunk fees and requested that the proposed fees
be discussed with local organizations. Discussion with the IDC was scheduled for
March 18; however, time ran short and will likely be rescheduled for the next IDC
meeting. A meeting has also been scheduled with builders and developers for
March. 25 at 8 a.m. In addition, he noted that as part of this policy, vacant
properties that have not paid trunk fees would now be charged, minus any
previously-paid oversizing charges.
No Council action was required.
B. Update on Coalition of Utility_Cities.
City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller reported that the lobbyist for the Coalition of
Utility Cities suggested that cities send a letter to their citizens advising them of
the personal property tax legislation being proposed and the effect it would have
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on their city. He noted that a bill has been introduced in the Senate by the utility
companies to phase out personal property tax over ten years and would require the
State to guarantee cities' debt.
It was the consensus of Council that the proposed letter be mailed to the citizens
of Monticello.
C. Councilmember Brian Stumpf asked whether Council would be interested in
reducing the Mayoral term back to two years. An ordinance amendment was
adopted in 1998 increasing the term to four years effective January 1, 2001. The
process to bring the item back to Council for consideration was discussed, and the
City Administrator noted that he would research the request and report back to the
City Council.
4. Citizens comments/petitions, requests,. and_cc~mplaints.
A. Tom and Jean Matis requested that the City Council take action to correct the
blight problem at 110 Balboul Circle.
Chief Building Official Fred Patch noted that staff has been working on the
cleanup of this property since the summer of 1998; however, he suggested that the
City may be more successful in taking stronger legal action.
Council discussed creating a policy for public nuisance cleanup which would
include provisions for second and. third offenses.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELF;N AND SECONDED BY CLINT
HERBST TO AUTHORT7E THE CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL TO INITIATE
LEGAL AC`1~ION 'T'O CORRECT THE PUBLIC NUISANCE AT 1 ] 0 BALBUUL
CIRCLE, AND ALSO DIRECTED THE CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL TO WORK
WITH 'T'HE CITY ATTORNEY TO CREATE A PUBLIC NUISANCE POLICY FOR
CITY COUNCIL RFVIF,W. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Economic Development Director Ollie Koropchak introduced two Rotary
exchange students, Piano from Thailand and Paul from Poland, who will remain
in the United States through the summer. The Mayor welcomed Piano and Paul
and presented each with a city mug and pin.
Consent a eg nda.
A. Consideration of resolution authorizing the issuance of a gambling license-Ducks
Unlimited Banquet. Recommendation: Adopt a resolution authorizing the State
Gambling Control Board to issue a gambling license. SEE RESOLUTION 99-9.
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B. Consideration of resolutions authorizinc the issuance of uamblinc licenses for the
Silver Fox Motel and Days Inn Motel - Kni rho is of Columbus.
Recommendation: Adopt the resolutions authorizing the Knights of Columbus to
apply for gambling licenses at the Silver Fox Motel and also at the [)ays lnn
Motel. SEE RESOLUTIONS 99-10 AND 99-1 l .
C. Consideration of resolution establishin various fees and char es.
Recommendation: Adopt the resolution establishing the following fees and
charges:
Fee Type Current Fee Schedule New Fee Schedule
Seasonal outdoor sales None established $150 per 60-day license
license
CCD zoning district None established $1,000 per parking stall
parking fund charge per
parking stall
Grading permit fee and None established $150 per permit + an
restoration bond-land escrow of $150 far City
reclamation & mining Engineer costs, if any
Plumbing permit fee Commercial: Commercial:
$40 + $2/fixture $50 + $5/fixture
Residential: Residential:
$20 + $2/fixture $30 + $5/fixture
Mechanical permit fee Commercial: Commercial:
$50 + $2/fixture $50 + $5/fixture
Residential: Residential:
$30 + $2/fixture $30 + $5/fixture
SEE RESOLUTION 99-12.
D. Consideration of approving installation of decorative awning_at_Deputy Registrar
Building. Recommendation: Authorize the purchase of the canopy awning
proposal from G.J. Awning and Canvas in the amount of $2,897.$0.
E. Consideration of resolution authorizing the release of Community_ Center Bond
Proceeds. Recommendation: Adopt a resolution authorizing the release of the
community center bond proceeds. SEE RESOLUTION 99-13.
F. Consideration of approvine iob description for the position of Community Center
Director and authorize position opening. Recommendation: Approve the job
description for the position of Community Center Director and authorize
publication of the position opening; Direct the City Administrator to select, at his
discretion, Grade 12 or 13 of the salary scale for the position. Councilmember
Bruce Thielen and Mayor Roger Belsaas noted that they would like to be involved
in the interviews for this position.
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G. Consideration of authorizing Walnut Street/Community Center Plaza Planning.
Recommendation; Authorize the City Planner to work with WSB & Associates
to develop a Walnut Street design theme and a specific plan for reconstruction of
Walnut Street and development of the community center parking plaza.
A MOT10N WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND SECONDED BY ROGER CARLSON
TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS RECOMMENDED. Motion carried
unanimously.
6. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
None.
7. Public Hearing -Consideration of resolution advertising submittal of Outdoor Recreation
Grant Program Application for, assistance in development of River Mill Park.
Mayor Belsaas opened the public hearing.
Deputy City Administrator Jeff O'Neill reported that the River Mill Park is a seven-acre
neighborhood park located on the east side of Monticello and is the gateway to the
community from the I-94 off ramp. A preliminary site plan was prepared, followed by a
meeting with the neighborhood residents to discuss components of the park, with
construction planned to begin in 1999. The proposed grant application would give the
City the opportunity to acquire up to 50% of the funds necessary to develop the park.
Park Superintendent Gregg Engle added that the grant is through the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources -Local Grant Program, which requires a 50/50 match
and the park improvements to be completed in three years. The total cost of the park and
trail system is $235,800, with the City's share totaling $127,900. He also reviewed the
components of the park, noting that it will meet AUA standards.
The Deputy City Administrator also noted that a pathway was planned for the upper
portion of the River Mill subdivision prior to the developers dedicating land to the east
from the park and the River Forest area along the freeway. A pathway along this area
would create a nice connection to the future road and pathway that will connect to Dillard
Avenue. He suggested that the cost to construct the pathway be identified and added to
the grant.
There being no public comment, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND SECONDED BY ROGER CARLSON
TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION TO THE
OUTDOOR. RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO INCLUDE
AN AMOUNT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONNECTING PATHWAY. Motion carried
unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 99-14.
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S. Consideration of resolution su ortin a com romise land use lan ro osal for submittal
to the MOAA.
Deputy City Administrator JefT O'Neill reported that to assist in clarification of the
discussion at the previous meeting, a resolution was prepared outlining points supporting
the compromise land use plan, which was supported by the Planning Commission and
approved by Council on a 4-0 vote. The reasons for the compromise were reviewed as
noted in the proposed resolution.
Councilmember Clint Herbst noted his concern that the topography of the Gold Nugget
property would not support higher-end housing, anal he questioned. whether commercial
development should be moved. so far away from the downtown area in light of the City's
downtown redevelopment efforts. He also requested that the paragraph stating that the
City would likely be required to pay over $100,000 be deleted from the proposed
resolution.
City Planner Steve Grittman noted his concern that the MOAA Board has taken such a
strong stance on development of the MOAA land use plan. He explained that the current
City/Township agreement was based on, and the Township agreed with, the City
developing a land use plan. It was also noted that consideration must be given to public
comments received from city residents at the Planning Commission level as well as
township residents' comments heard by the MOAA Board.
Council also discussed the parcel east of Monticello located between County Road 75 and
I-94, which was designated as "open space." It was suggested that the designation be
labeled as "agricultural."
AF"1"ER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY
ROGER CARLSON TO MODIFY AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A
COMPROMISE LAND USE PLAN PROPOSAL BY DELETING THE LAST' PARAGRAPI-I
ON PAGE 1 REFERRING TO REPAYMENT TO GOLD NUGGET DEVELOPMENT FOR
OVERSIZING OF UTILITIES, AND TO CHANGE THE "OPEN SPACE" LANGUAGE TO
"AGRICULTURAL." Motion carried unanimously. SEF., RESOLUTION 99-15.
9. Consideration of ado tin resolution acce tin feasibilit stud and callin fora ublic
hearin on CSAH 75 im rovement ro'ect.
City Engineer Bret Weiss reported that it is expected that a portion of the City's share of
the cost for CSAH 75 improvements will come from benetitting property owners through
the assessment process. Council was asked to call for a public hearing to be conducted
on April 12, 1999. He also noted that the lighting program may still be revised. The
agreement between the City and the Hospital District regarding the construction and
maintenance of the stop lights, including terms governing development of the site under
the Planned Unit Development, will be presented to the Council for approval in
conjunction with the future public hearing and associated action to order the project.
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A MO'I"ION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF ANU SECONDED BY CLINT HERBST TO
ADOPT A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND AU'TI-IORIZE A
PUBLIC HEARING TO BE CONDUCTED ON APRIL 12, 1999, FOR CSAH 75
IMPROVEMENTS. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 99-16.
10. Consideration of bills for the last half of March 1999.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND SECONDED BY ROGER CARLSON
TO APPROVE TI1E BILLS FOR TIME LAST HALF OF MARCH 1999 AS PRESEN'TLD.
Motion carried unanimously.
11. Other matters.
A. Body~aiercing/tattoo business.
City Planner Steve Grittman reported that staff has received a request for
information regarding whether a body piercing/tattoo business is allowed in the
Central Community District. He explained that in most cities, if the ordinance
does not specifically state that a use is permitted or prohibited, then it is
considered to be prohibited, which is one approach the City of Monticello could
take; however, activists have been vocal regarding first amendment protection,
and most cities have decided to allow but license this type of operation. He also
noted that Wright County is considering health department regulations for this
activity. It was the Planner's recommendation that if the Council is interested in
allowing body piercing/tattoo activity within the city, the City should begin
investigating in which districts the activity would be allowed subject to approval
by the Wright County Health Department. He suggested that the CCD or B-3
districts may be appropriate, or it could be considered as an accessory to other
services such as tanning and/or beauty salons.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MO'I"ION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND
SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF 'I'O CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING BY THE
PLANNING COMMISSION TO RESEARCH THE POSSIBILITY OF AN
ORDINANCE AMENDMEN'h ALLOWING BODY PIERCING/TATTOO ACTIVITY.
Motion carried unanimously.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING. Motion carried unanimously.
Kar 15oty
Deputy City Clerk
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