City Council Minutes 09-11-1995MINLJ'rES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 11,199b - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Brad Fyle, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf, Tom
Perrault
Members Absent: None
2.
~gular meeting hel~~gust 28, 1995.
It was suggested that the last sentence of item #2 of the regular minutes
include a statement that Perrault was opposed only to the language change
of the motion for item #5.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND
SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL
MEETING HELD AUGUST 28, 1995, AND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING HELD AUGUST 2$, 1995, AS CORRECTED. Motion
carried unanimously.
1
3. ConeidPratinn of addineyt ~ma n .h ny~ndA
A Conaiderntion of ordering~nuhlic hean~e fnr the M~1 .wnne d Ci*a1r
atn~wer i~mvemant y~j et. nn .h w at aide,
City Engineer Bret Weiss reported that the City has expressed a
concern regarding the ability to provide positive drainage from the
rear yards of Meadow Oak 4th Addition adjacent to the rear lots of
Meadow Oak 3rd Addition. The back yards were intended to be
graded to drain to Maplewood Circle along lot lines; however, the
applicable drainage easements from Lot 3, Block 2, were never
obtained to satisfy the development plan and drain the area through
this lot. Weiss noted that he recently spoke with the owner of Lot 3,
Block 2, and it appears he is willing to allow the developer to purchase
the required easement; therefore, no public hearing will be required at
this time.
It was the consensus of Council to take no action at this time to allow
for easement negotiations.
4. ('itizenw en_~ment~s/ppta" •tinna. reQues .a. nd cmm~lain .s,
None.
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Council Minutes - 9/11/95
5. Cons~it agenda:
' A. Consideration of a ~n'vewnv aisle end n~l~ne c. nditinnal L e rmik.
~plirant. Vector Tool.
Recommendation: Motion to approve a stall, aisle, and driveway
design conditional use permit which would allow elimination of a curb
line based on the finding that the conditional use permit will not result
in erosion problems and is in the location of a proposed future
expansion.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND SECONDED BY SHIRLEY
ANDERSON TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS RECOMMENDED. Motion
carried unanimously.
s.
Facilities Plan and amendments.
Mayor Fyle opened the public hearing.
Public Works Director John Simola reported that a Facilities Plan was
completed in April 1995, which evaluated four alternatives for the expansion
of the wastewater treatment plant in order to meet the expected growth of
the community. The alternatives included expanding the existing plant and
continuing use of the activated sludge/trickling filter process, converting the
plant to a trickling filter plant, building a sister plant at a remote site, and
abandoning the existing plant and building an entirely new plant at a remote
site. The alternatives ranged in price from approximately $11.5 million to
$20 million.
Concern about adding to an already complex plant, Council directed staff to
solicit proposals for expansion of the plant. These proposals resulted in two
additional alternatives for consideration, the oxidation ditch and sequencing
batch reactor (SBR), and HDR Engineering, Inc., was hired to fiurther study
these two alternatives. Estimates given for the expansion using the
oxidation ditch or SBR systems ranged from $5 to $8.5 million. Simola noted
that at the same time HDR was studying expansion of the plant, the City
Engineer was in the process of completing a study of the city's infrastructure
system of pipes leading to the plant and expected grnwth of the community
during the next 40 years.
Bob Poplin and Scott Wallace of HDR presented information regarding the
sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and oxidation ditch alternatives, including
the capital costa associated with each. It was noted that either process would
produce a Class A sludge, which is pathogen free, versus the Class B sludge
currently produced at the plant. HDR recommended the SBR system, which
has a lower capital coat, has a smaller foot print, and would be able to handle
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Council Minutes - 9/11/95
phosphorus removal. The oxidation ditch system would better handle shock
loadings when at design capacity; however, the three-tank SBR system would
add a higher safety factor far handling shock loadings than the two-tank
SBR system, as the third tank would allow a longer holding time for
treatment. Public Works Director Simola noted that staff will be reviewing
additional SBR systems during the next two weeks before making a
recommendation to the Council.
Peplin and Wallace concluded their presentation by reviewing the projected
final design cost ranging from $9.9 to $11.6 million; however, staff noted that
further review of the project may reduce the cost closer to $9 million.
Area residents questioned whether the odor would be less with Class A than
Class B sludge. It was noted by Scott Wallace that the odor may be less with
Class A sludge, but the main advantage of Class A is that it is pathogen free.
He also noted that Class A sludge can be used for root crop fertilization.
Residents of Mississippi Drive requested that trucks traveling to the plant
during construction not be routed down Mississippi Drive. Staff noted that
the City can route the trucks to the plant through the entrance at Hart
Boulevard.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND
SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO
SEPTEMBER 25, 1996, AT 7 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
7.
akatine~ elan.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that a few weeks ago, Council
reviewed a proposal far rebuilding the existing hockey rink and adding a
temporary rink at the 4th Street Park. Council agreed that the City would
fund the cost of the materials for building the hockey rink, and the Hockey
Association would provide all labor needed to rebuild the original rink;
however, Council directed staff to work with the Hockey Association t4 create
a plan for making the second hockey rink a permanent rink in order to
eliminate long-term labor costa associated with seasonal installation and
removal of the second rink.
O'Neill reviewed the new plan, which called for the original hockey rink to
remain the same and the second rink to be placed along side and directly east
of the original rink; however, the second rink would be partially permanent
and partially temporary, as a portion of the second rink would still overlap
the area of the baseball field. Consequently, every spring the section of the
boards that overlap the ballfield area would have to be removed. The Hockey
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Council Minutes - 9/11/95
Association has volunteered to install and remove these boards. O'Neill also
noted that this plan does not require relocation of the fire hydrant or existing
lighting, which results in a substantial savings.
Council reiterated their preference for two permanent hockey rinks, despite
the additional cost of moving the fire hydrant and lights, rather than a
temporary rink which requires installation and removal of boards every year.
It was suggested that the two hockey rinks be turned horizontally to allow
both to be permanent.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND
SECONDED BY BRAD FYLE TO APPROVE FUNDING OF TWO PERMANENT
HOCKEY RINKS IN 4TH STREET PARK AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $20,000,
WITH THE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION PROVIDING THE LABOR TO REBUILD THE
ORIGINAL HOCKEY RINK, Motion carried unanimously.
8. ('ona'deration of nnnmv 1 of a hxnee order t t1±e comnrehenaive nl~n
ptpiect by adcL+ne a st on¢er p _rk lan nn9~e mmmnent.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that the Parks and Planning
Commissions request that Council consider modifying the comprehensive
plan project by placing additional emphasis on park planning. The City
Planner submitted a proposal for adding the park planning component at an
additional cost of $4,000.
O'Neill highlighted reasons why a comprehensive park plan would be an
important addition to the comprehensive plan. Discussion included the
following points: 1) The rapid growth of the community will result in the
need for additional park facilities. The plan would identify capital
improvements necessary to accommodate growth in demand; 2) It would help
substantiate the need for park land acquisition at the time of subdivision
development; 3) The plan would identify areas that need to be preserved as
open space; 4) It would identify methods for utilizing the recreation potential
of the Mississippi River; and 5) It would identify strategies for improving
efficiency of park system maintenance.
Some Councilmembers expressed confidence that the Parks Commission is
capable of completing the Parks Comprehensive Plan. It was also noted by
Parks Commission members that the funds received in the past from
developers in lieu of park land could be used to pay for park planning.
Parks Commission Chair Bruce Thielen noted that parks are part of a
healthy community and that nearby cities and townships have recently spent
as much as $30,000 for a parks plan. He also noted that it maybe difficult
forCity staff to find time to assist the Parks Commission in completing such
an intensive study of the city.
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Council Minutes - 9/11/95
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND
SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO APPROVE A CHANGE ORDER TO THE
SCOPE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL PARK
PLANNING AS IDENTIFIED IN THE PROPOSAL FROM THE CITY PLANNER
UNDER THE BASIC PLAN AT A COST OF $4,050, USING PARK FUNDS NOW
AVAII.ABLE FROM PAST YEARS' BUDGET OR MONEY GIVEN IN LIEU OF
LAND. Voting in favor: Shirley Anderson, Brian Stumpf. Opposed: Clint
Herbst, Brad Fyle, Tom Perrault, as it was their view that the members of
the Parks Commission could complete a comprehensive park plan. Motion
failed.
9. (:nneideration of +re Aar e c~mn~nrit~e p~,+' m n ..
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that as requested by Council at the
July 24, 1995, meeting, the Computer Support Analyst has investigated
additional printer options that might be less costly than the IBM 4019 laser
printer and provide for a color printing option.
It was recommended by staff that the City purchase two HP Deskjet 855C
printers at a cost of $550 each. The cost of on-site maintenance was also
discussed, and it was suggested that the City purchase the extended
warranty For each printer at a cost of $40.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHII~LEY ANDERSON AND
SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF TWO HP
DESKJET 855C COLOR PRINTERS AT A COST OF $550 EACH, ALONG WITH
THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR EACH, AND A REPLACEMENT SWITCHBOX
AT A COST UNDER $100. Motion carried unanimously.
10. Co video ration of a join . v ntnrn a:.h ha City of B»ffalo for oL haae of a
a_fi~m+.p,~_-dom.
Public Works Director John Simola reported that the Cities of Buffalo, Elk
River, and Monticello recently discussed the need for a stump grinder. Since
the City of Elk River has made arrangements to utilize a grinder, the City of
Buffalo requested a joint venture to purchase one. Staff also discussed a
joint venture with Wright County; however, the County has indicated they do
not wish to jointly purchase a stump grinder; therefore, staff recommended
that the City continue to contract far stump grinding services.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY CLINT HERBST TO NOT PURCHASE A STUMP GRINDER AT
THIS TIME AND CONTINUE TO CONTRACT FOR STUMP GRINDING AS
NEEDED. Motion carried unanimously.
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Council Minutes - 9/11/95
11. iI to on biosolids land acquisition.
Public Works Director Jahn Simola updated the Council by noting that at a
special Council meeting held on April 10, 1995, Council discussed the Susan
Hanaford property on County Road 106 as a passible site for biosolids land
application. At that time, it appeared that the only option for acquiring the
Hanaford property was through the eminent domain process, and the
property may require grading to control surface water run-off prior to sludge
application.
At the conclusion of the April 10 meeting, Council created a subcommittee to
further investigate the biosolids site issue and work with the Township.
Mayor Fyle•and Councilmember Perrault volunteered to be on the
subcommittee, and the following issues were discussed by the committee:
1. Considered expanding the search from a 5-mile radius around the
treatment plant to a 10-mile radius.
2. Letters were mailed to all local area realtors to find out whether or not
farm land existed for sale that would meet our criteria and needs.
Only one response was received but would not meet our needs.
3. Checked with other cities to discuss what steps they are taking for
disposal of sludge.
4. Reviewed Tony Emmerich's property located south of the Kjellberg
East Trailer Park; however, Emmerich does not wish to sell at this
time.
5. Mr. Shierts is selling 20 acres of the property the City currently uses
for sludge application; consequently, the City cannot meet the needs
for the immediate future with only 50 acres available.
fi. The 20 acres of the Remmele parcel north of the Kjellberg West Trailer
Park did not obtain a suitable pH of fi.5 or more.
7. The subcommittee is researching the possibility of contracting
application on someone else's site.
8. Reinvestigated a 160-acre site on West Caunty Road 39, which
indicated that it would be borderline far sludge application due to
expected water table and soil water-holding capabilities. All sludge
would have to be surface sprayed at this site.
9. New draft regulations for the PCA indicate that the pH limit may be
dropped to 6.0, which wauld help with the Remmele site and would
reduce the cost of permitting other sites.
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Council Minutes - 9/11/95
It was also noted that once the treatment plant is producing Class A sludge,
it could be land-applied right away, regardless of soil pH.
Mayor Fyle then opened the meeting to public comment.
Discussions focused on the water table at the West County Road 39 site and
the Hanaford site located on County Road 106. Area residents were
concerned that the sludge would reach the water table. Public Works
Director Simola noted that perhaps staff could obtain permission to enter the
County Road 39 property for testing at an estimated cast of $3,000 to $4,000.
Scott Wallace of HDR noted that one option the Council may want to consider
is dewatering the sludge for property on which sludge can only be surface-
applied.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO OBTAIN
PERMISSION TO TEST THE SOILS AT THE BOIiANON PROPERTY LOCATED
ON WEST COUNTY ROAD 39 AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $4,000. Voting in
favor: Brian Stumpf, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle. Opposed:
Tom Perrault.
12.
City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller reported that, as requested by Council,
the $300,000 initially proposed in the capital outlay fund for treatment plant
design fees has been reduced by $148,207, with the remaining funds
earmarked for possible land acquisition for either sludge application or
treatment plant expansion. He alas noted that he was recently notified by
the State Department of Revenue that the City would lose an additional
$31,431 in HACA aid over what was originally estimated; therefore, the
amount set aside for future land acquisition was further reduced to $120,362.
Walfsteller went on to request that Council consider setting a special meeting
for further detailed review of the 1996 budget.
It was the consensus of Council to set Wednesday, October 4, 1995, at 6 p.m.,
for a special meeting to discuss the 1996 budget.
There being no further business,
---. .
~, ,/ ,`
I LC=,,, 1
e Doty
Office Manager
the meeting was adjourned.
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