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City Council Minutes 04-11-1994 MINUTES REGULAR, MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Monday, Apr~.l 11, 1994 - 7 p.m. Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle, Patty Olsen Members Absent: None 2. Consideration of a royal of minutes of the re ular meetin held March 28 1994. Brad Fyle noted that he was not in attendance at the meeting and that the minutes should be corrected accordingly. Patty Olsen requested that item #4 be clarified to indicate that "she estimated that annual taxes on each unsold lot is $532 per lot." After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Patty Olsen to approve the meeting minutes with the corrections as submitted. Voting in favor: Ken Maus, Patty Olsen, Clint Herbst, Shirley 1 Anderson. Abstaining: Brad Fyle. 3. Citizens comments/ etitions re nests and com faints. Bob Grieman, representing petitioners from the Meadow Oak neighborhood, outlined neighborhood concerns regarding the City acting as developer of Outlats C and D of Meadow Oak. He mentioned the petitioners' concern about the conflict of interest and wondered if the decision-makers as City representatives can separate themselves from the issue. Mr. Cxrieman submitted a list of questions and concerns from the petitioners for Council review relative to the potential City action to develop Outlots C and D of Meadow Oak subdivision. Assistant Administrator O'Neill informed City Council that at the special meeting of the Planning Commission, the Planning Commission acted to table consideration of the preliminary plat pending preparation of an alternative design for the subdivision. He went on to state that consideration of the preliminary plat cannot occur at this time; it can only be conducted after the City Council receives a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Page 1 Council Minutes -4/11/94 4. Update on phase II of the Monticello Public Works facility. expansion. Doug Wild and Bill Zerfas of GSM outlined the proposed design of phase li of the Monticello Public Works facilities expansion. Phase ll consists of three separate parts. Part one is the addition of a sand/salt storage structure. Part two is connection of the two existing buildings with the addition of an oil storage room and wash bay. Part three involves adding onto the front portion of the existing shop facing County Road 39. This addition consists of a lunch room, handicap accessible restrooms with showers, and a meeting/training room. The total cost of the three portions of the project amounts to $380,000. After discussion, it was the consensus of Council to authorize the architect to finalize drawings for review at the next meeting. Rick Wolfsteller reported that sufficient funds are available from liquor store proceeds to fund the project as proposed. 5. Consideration of proposals to complete interior renovations of he Monticello Senior Citizens Center. Gary Anderson, Building Official, reviewed the proposed r. enovations to the existing Monticello Senior Center. It was noted that the Lions Club will be contributing a large amount of volunteer labor to complete tl~e project. The total cost to the City for improvements for materials amounts to $15,000. The work completed includes replacement of the ceiling, redoing existing carpeted walls with new sheetrock, updated electrical boxes and outlets, installation of windows donated by the H-Window Company, and other items. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Brad Fyle to authorize the refurbishment of the senior center as proposed by the Senior Center Director and the Lions Club with City expenses not to exceed $15,000. Motian carried unanimously. [J Page 2 Council Minutes - 4/11/94 6. Consideration of a royal of reliminar lot of the Eastwood Knoll residential subdivision. Applicant, City of Monticello. AND 7. Consideration of rezoning Outlots C and D of the Meadow Oak subdivisi_o_n ~~~ from R-PUD to R-1. Applicant, City of Monticello. AND 8. Consideration of a resolution orderzn~ plans and specifications for the . --~- Eastwood Knoll subdivision. A licant Cit of Monticello. Ken Maus mentioned that due to the fact that the Planning Commission tabled further consideration of these items, it is not possible for the City to take formal action on items 6, 7, or 8. However, Council may wish to discuss the matter further at this time. Maus explained various reasons why the City has been involved in development of Outlots C and D. He noted that the City obtained ownership of the land through a tax forfeiture process, which has forced the City into the development process. In order to recover City expenses associated with the foreclosure, the City must take action to encourage development of the property. He noted that for some time, there has been a need for larger, nicer lots in the community and that the City Council saw this as an opportunity to be a catalyst to farce large lot development. He noted that no formal action has been taken in this regard and that the option remains to sell the property for private development. Bab Grieman reviewed the petition noted at the comments/questions/ complaints section of the meeting. A major concern emphasized was the problem created by additional traffic being channeled through the Meadow Oak neighborhood. Clint Herbst noted that he agreed that traffic could be a problem. He pointed out, however, that the Eastwood Knoll development proposes 30 lots versus 43 under the original design. Herbst went on to emphasize the benefit of City control over development. If the City develops the site, we can be assured that the natural characteristics are preserved to the greatest extent possible. If developed privately, the City has much less control aver the manner in which the site is developed. Brad Fyle noted that the City wants to see nicer homes out there. It was his view that if the City developed the property, we would have mare control over the land so that it can be developed to its best potential. At the Page 3 Council Minutes - 4/11/94 same time, Fyle mentioned that the City is not hung up an being the total developer and that perhaps a private developer could be interested in develaping it under the design prepared by the City. Shirley Anderson reiterated that the main reason for developing it is to save the taxpayer dollars. She noted that our chance of recovering the full debt against the praperty is probably better if the City develops it. At this point in the meeting, a general discussion regarding subdivision design ensued. After discussion, it was the consensus of Cauncil to direct the City Administrator to prepare a request for proposals applicatian which would include a general description of the property along with development parameters. Council authorized the Administrator to advertise for proposals. The goal of the marketing effort is to determine if the City could recover a sufficient amount of the debt against the praperty through direct sale to a developer and be guaranteed that the development of the property meets the design goals of the City. After discussion, a motion was made by Patty Olsen and seconded by Shirley Anderson to market the property to potential developers with the goal of reviewing offers in conjunction with review and approval of the preliminary plat scheduled for May 9, 1994. Motion carried unanimuusly. 9. Consideration of a lication for carnival license. A licant Monticello Ma11 Merchants Association. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Patty Olsen to approve issuance of a carnival license as requested. Motion carried unanimously. 7.0. Consideration of ratifyin~ union contract. renewal. City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller informed Council that Councilmember Herbst, along with alternate Brad Fyle, has worked with the union toward establishment of a contract to replace the contract expiring April 1, 1994. In the proposed contract, a 3°I, increase will be granted which will place union salaries in line with the comparable worth study. The contract also calls for tying in the second year of the increase to what Council grants for other employees, which would eliminate advanced guessing in establishing the second year increase in the union contract. There are na other major changes proposed in the contract. Page 4 Council Minutes -4/11/94 Wolfsteller went on to note that it is the recommendation of the negotiating committee that the union contract be ratified as proposed with a salary adjustment of 3% for 1994 and a minimum of 1 1/2°Io For 1995. After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Clint Herbst to ratify the contract as submitted.. Motion carried unanimously. 11. Consideration of proposals for demolition of the old Cole house _near city hall. - John Simola, Public Works Director, reported that at the February 28 meeting, City Council authorized advertisement for demolition and removal of the Cole house. Proposals were received at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 7. Following is a tabulation of the proposals: Fyle Excavating $4,495 M & P Transport $6,750 Veit & Company $3,169 Simola went on to recommend that the City Council award the work to Veit & Company in the amount of $3,169. After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Shirley Anderson to accept the proposal from Veit & Company to demolish the old Cole house for the sum of $3,169. Motion carried unanimously. 12. Consideration of rebid far new snow low truck. Jahn Simola, Public Works Director, reported that at the last meeting, Council rejected bids far the new truck and tabled action on quotes for the dump body and snowplow equipment. City staff was directed to more closely align truck specs with the needs of the public worl~s department. The main changes were in regard to wheel base, turning radius, and engine design. Simola noted that the rebids for the new truck were received at 11 a.m, on Friday, April 8. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Patty Olsen to award the purchase of a new truck to the low bidder, Boyer Ford, in the amount of $44,639, and to sell ar trade the truck replaced to Boyer Ford in the amount of $8,200; purchase the dump body from Grysteel Equipment of Fridley, Minnesota, fur $10,976; and purchase all of the snowplow equipment from J Craft of Kimball, Minnesota, for $12,005, which amounts to a total expenditure of $63,2$2.31. Motion carried unanimously. Page 5 Council Minutes - 4/11/94 13. Continuation of consideration of purchase of lawn mower and snowblower for city hall. Jahn Simola, Public Works Director, outlined the various alternatives and recommended that the City purchase the Honda riding lawn mower From Moan Mators. The advantages of this lawn mower are reliability and durability, coupled with an extra-wide cut and hydrostatic drive make it the best value for the dollar. Simola explained that its higher price ($3,008) would be made up over the next few years in time savings in greater efficiency of the mower and operation and due to less down time. Clint Herbst was concerned that the added value associated with the Honda and wider grass cut do not create sufficient value to offset the higher price. Ken Maus noted that in his research of lawn mowers, he found that the Honda appears to be a better value in terms of durability and efficiencies created by labor savings. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley Anderson to buy the John Deere GX95 riding lawn mower with rear bagger, gauge wheels, and 30-inch cut with mechanical transmission from Scharber Equipment for $2,060.7$, and to buy the John Deere TRX snowblower from Scharber Equipment for $1,086.30. Motion carried unanimously. 14. Consideration of a resolution a rovin lans ands ecifications and authorizin advertisement for bids for hase IV of the Cardinal Hills residential subdivision. After discussion, a matian was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Patty Olsen to adopt a resolution approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for phase IV of the Cardinal Hills residential subdivision. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 94-12. 15. Consideration of ataproval_ of lane ands ecifications and authorization to advertise for bids for demolitian of the buildin s an the Gille ro ert After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley Anderson to table this matter until the City owns the property and until after the tanks are removed. Motion carried unanimously. Page 6 Council Minutes - 4/11/94 [' 16. Consideration of i in modifications in the di ester um room at the wastewater treatment plant. John Simola, .Public Works 1]irector, reported that OSM and PSG have determined that piping modifications of the sludge lines in the digester building pump room need to be made in order for the first stage and second digesters to function together more efficiently. The cost of the modifications based upon the quote from Gridor Construction is $6,830. Simola went on to recommend that the City authorize Cxridor Construction to install piping modifications as outlined. Most of the cost is for materials, and the labor is quite low, as Gridor is currently working on the site in conjunction with digester cover maintenance. Simola noted that we would not likely receive a lower quote from any other contractors that would need to mobilize to the site to complete the work. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Clint Herbst to authorize Gridor Construction of Plymouth, Minnesota, to install piping modifications at a cost of $6,830 as recommended by OSM and PSG. Motion carried unanimously. [: 17. Other matters. A. Bret Weiss indicated that there has been a delay in pathway construction. due to a time consuming state and federal review process. State and federal agencies are currently reviewing the pathway memorandum for the third time. Barring anymore additional changes requested by state officials, it is hoped that the final plans will be submitted for review in the next few weeks. The goal for completion of the pathway at this point is September or October 1994. There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned. Jeff O' Bill Assistant Administrator Page 7