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City Council Minutes 04-25-1994 MINUTES REGULAR MEE'T'ING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Monday, April. 25, 1994 - 7 p.m. Members Present: Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle Patty Olsen arrived during item #3 Members Absent: None 2. Consideration of a roval of minutes of the re ulcer meetin held A ril 11 1994, and the special meeting held April 12, 1994. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley Anderson to approve the meeting minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously with Patty Olsen absent. 1 3. Citizens comments/ etitions re uests and com laints. A. John Belinski, resident of the Meadow Oak neighborhood, registered his complaint that the City does not do enough for the youth of Monticello through park development stating that there are not enough ballfields to handle the needs of organized play and neighborhood play. Basketball courts are needed as well. In the Meadow Oak area, we have a flooded field, two swings, and a slide. Parks are an investment in the community, and he asked what are we giving our children. Clint Herbst noted that we have quite a few parks, and we are developing a path system to connect the parks that we have, making them more accessible. Brad Fyle noted that during the past budget session, the City delayed same park improvements; however, he noted that the City recently spent $800,000 on lighting the NSP ballfields and that the City is trying to work with the community toward development of the park system. Belinski stated that providing recreation for the youth will save the City dollars in the long run by providing constructive activities far young people. Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that the Parks Commission h.as analyzed the park development needs of the community and has a plan for park development to address the needs within the budget provided by the Council. He noted that the Parks Commission would welcome any camrnents that Belinski would have regarding park development planning. Page 1 Council Minutes - 4/25/94 B. Patrice Bogart described health problems created by smoking and outlined her request that the City adopt an ordinance requiring that businesses selling cigarettes be licensed and that the sale of cigarettes be conducted primarily through assisted sales. The ordinance would also provide stricter control aver use of vending machines for selling cigarettes. In support of the need far the ordinance, she outlined the results of a recent survey on the ease by which youth can obtain cigarettes. The survey showed that 30%~ of youth who attempted to buy cigarettes over the taunter and 75% of the youth buying cigarettes from vending machines were successful. Bogart requested ordinance amendments that would result in a lower success rate for teenagers attempting to buy cigarettes. 4. Consideration of a ointment to the Councilmember vacant . Clint Herbst noted that he stands by his previous recommendation and made a motion to appoint Dan Blonigen to the vacant City Council position. He felt that Dan Blonigen was not actually voted out at the previous election. His name was misspelled on the ballot. Herbst noted that Blonigen is very conservative, and you need people of all different perspectives on the Council. Herbst also stated that he agrees that a Planning Commissioner would be a goad alternative. Brad Fyle stated that Dan. Blonigen did a goad job while on the Council but also noted that Brian Stumpf was mentioned as a Candidate. Many positive things have been said about him with regard to his work on the Planning Commission. Stumpf would be up to date on the current issues. Herbst suggested that the Council should appoint someone who has been in the position in the past. He also noted that Blonigen could have pressed the issue with the City regarding the misspelling of his name on the ballot. Patty Olsen noted then he should have pressed the issue at the time of the election. Patty Olsen stated that we need someone who is more of a moderate or middle-of--the-road candidate. Herbst responded by saying that we need a variety of people on the Council, not just a rubber stamp. Brad Fyle suggested that we need a Councilmember that will sit well with the existing Council to assure good relationships. Patty Olsen was concerned that her victory over Blonigen in the election would impart Council relations unfavorably. Clint Herbst responded to Olsen by stating that you can't sit back and go against Blonigen just because you think he will vote the apposite of you due to personal reasons. Page 2 Council Minutes - 4/25/94 Shirley Anderson seconded Herbst's motion. to appoint Blonigen. Anderson noted that Blonigen is a reasoned thinker and would vote based an what he thought was in the best interest of the City and would not be affected by personal issues. At this point in the meeting, Judy Leming indicated her interest in serving on the City Council. In her statement, she noted that she is a fair person. In her business as a real estate agent, she has become experienced in mediating between parties. After further discussion, Brad Fyle indicated that he would prefer to table the matter rather than casting the deciding vote and that the City would continue to accept names of volunteers. Voting in favor of the motion: Clint Herbst, Shirley Anderson. Opposed: Brad Fyle, Patty Olsen. It was the consensus of Council not to formally advertise the availability of the position. 5. Public hearin on the ro Deed assessment roll for delin uent char es and consideration of a resolution ado tin an assessment roll for the certification with the Count Auditor coverin delin uent char es. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Brad Fyle to adopt the assessment roll far delinquent charges as presented. Motion carried unanimously. SI~aF I~,ESOLUTION 94-13. 6. U date on senior citizen center remodelin Consideration of increasin ro'ect bud et from 1.5 000 to ~ 22 000. Gary Anderson, Building Official, outlined the scope of the remodeling project proposed by the Lions Club. He noted that the materials needed to support the volunteer efforts of the Lions Club in completing the remodeling amounts to $23,000. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Patty Olsen to increase the funding for the senior center remodeling from $15,000 to $23,000. Motion carried unanimously. Rick Wolfsteller, City Administrator, noted that this is not a budgeted item and asked if the City should increase the tax levy next year to pay for this expenditure. It was the consensus of Council to draw from existing capital funds to pay for this improvement. Page 3 Council Minutes - 4/25/94 7. Consideration of approval of plans and specifications for phase II_of the__ Monticello Public Works facility and authorization to advertise for bids. Bill Zerfas of OSM reviewed final design changes made by the building committee and described the scope of the project in detail. Brad Fyle noted that one of the goals of the committee was to tie the facility together in order to improve efficiency of operations. After discussion, a motion was made by Patty Olsen and seconded by Clint Herbst to approve the plans and specifications as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Consideration of selectin a develo ment ro osal and authorize ne otiation of a development agreement - Outlot A, Country.Club Manor. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed a summary of the attributes of the two proposals to purchase Outlot A of Country Club Manor. In his presentation, he noted that both companies are reputable. The Hornig proposal comes with a higher price for the land, the structures will have more 3-bedroom units, which will result in a higher population and a higher tax value. The Shelter proposal, on the other hand, will result in a lower population for the area and calls for a significant investment in the neighborhood park, which would be dedicated to the City. The park investment offsets the lower price offered for the land. Laura Maser, representing the neighborhood group, outlined specific reasons why they supported the Hornig proposal as follows: 1. The outer structure and appearance of the Hornig proposal was superior. 2. The tenant mix would be better. 3. The floor plan of the Hornig development was superior. 4. Several of the neighbors stated that they would not mind having a structure like the one Hornig is currently building on 7th Street next to them. 5. Finally, Maser noted that the neighborhood group she has worked with liked the layout of the overall site. 0 Page 4 Council Minutes - 4/25/94 Brad Fyle noted that either one of the developments would be fine. The Hornig development has a slightly higher amenity level. Overall, the value to the City under each proposal is close. Clint Herbst Hated he was happy to hear from the neighborhood that the Hornig development is favored. Herbst noted his favor over that plan as well. Patty Olsen noted that the price of the land offered along with the value of the park improvements makes the Shelter offer superior to the Hornig proposal. Fyle noted that over time, the higher tapes paid by Hornig will offset the difference. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley Anderson to authorize City staff. to negotiate a development agreement with Hornig Companies on the sale and development of Uutlot A of Country Club Manor. Voting in favor of the motion: farad Fyle, Clint Herbst, Shirley Anderson. Opposed: Patty Olsen. 9. Consideration of ado tion of the Cit of Monticello Em to ee Safet Manual. John Simola, Public Works Director, reported. that in order to comply with Minnesota Rules, Chapter 5206, in regard to Employee Right-To-Know Standards of the Minnesota Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction Act and the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act; and in order to provide a safe workplace, City staff initiated implementation of a more comprehensive safety program, which includes development of a comprehensive employee safety manual. Simola went an to note the process followed in development of the safety manual, which included input from a safety committee made up of a cross- section of City employees. Clint Herbst noted that the City should be careful not to go overboard on safety procedures sa as to reduce efficiency of work. He also indicated his concern regarding the proposal to identify a City employee as a Safety Coordinator. Perhaps it would be better to have each department head simply be responsible for implementing the safety manual. Shirley Anderson concurred that we should avoid appointing a Safety Coordinator. The work of implementing the manual should be up to each department head. Page 5 Council Minutes - 4/25/94 After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Clint Herbst to table adoption of the safety manual pending adjustments to the manual that would streamline certain rules and reorganize organization and implementation of the manual by eliminating the role of the Safety Coordinator and by giving Safety Coordinator duties to department heads. Motion carried unanimously. 10. Consideration of re lacin emer enc enerator transfer switch at the Cit 's under round water reservoir in the industrial ark. Jahn Simola, Public Works Director, reported that during a monthly operational test the transfer switch in the reservoir building failed and needs to be replaced. The City currently has one quote from Olson Electric for a heavy duty T-Geneva bolt switch. The Olson Electric quote is $3,9$0 for parts and labor. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Patty Olsen to request that the City purchase the emergency transfer switch and seek two quotes for the labor to install the switch. Staff is authorized to proceed utilitizing the company that provides the lowest cast for labor. Motion carried unanimously. 11. Consideration of Arbor Da roclamation and observance for Frida A ri1 29 1994. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Patty Olsen to proclaim Friday, April 29, 1994, as Arbor Day. Motion carried unanimously. 12. Consideration of settin a worksho for the ur ose of reviewin Cit staffin needs and discussin Cit riorities. Rick Wolfsteller, City Administrator, requested that the City Council establish a date For a workshop with staff members to discuss future staffing needs and how staffing relates to goals and priorities that the City Council would like to see established. After a recent staff meeting, it became very apparent that there are a number of staffing deficiencies that currently exist within various departments. Wolfsteller stated that it would be beneficial for the City department heads and staff to meet with the City Council in an informal session so that everyone is aware of the problems we are experiencing keeping up with the workload due to our community's growth and expansion. Page 6 Council Minutes - 4/25/94 Council discussion focused on building inspection needs. Wolfsteller noted that due to the number of permits issued, permit fees are in excess of expenses in the building inspection department. O'Neill noted that the excessive workload for the building inspector has become unmanageable. It was the consensus of City Council to authorize City staff to provide alternatives for addressing the needs in the building inspection department, and Council set the date for a workshop far May 23 at 5 p.m. 13. Consideration of reviewin conce is for develo meat of a storm sewer funding progrram. Assistant Administrator O'Neill outlined preliminary concepts for development of a trunk storm sewer funding program. In his presentation, he reviewed the numerous areas where trunk storm sewer will need to be installed in the next 15 years. In his presentation, he outlined problems associated with our current funding program in providing the full funding needs, and he outlined potential solutions which included a proposal to develop a trunk storm sewer access charge. Under the trunk storm sewer funding program, it would be the objective of the program to utilize a combination of assessment revenue and access charges to fund a major portion of trunk storm sewer development cost. General taxes ar general obligation bonding would also be used when sufficient assessment or access charges are not available to fund the full cost of each individual project. Under the proposal, an access charge would be established which would roughly equal the total cost per acre to provide trunk storm sewer on a city- wide basis. The access charge when applied to individual parcels would be calculated based on land area benefit and the type of land use. This means that land use types that have more hard surfaces and, therefore, generate mor. a storm water run-off such as industrial land will pay more per acre than residential land. The formula establishing the charge could be adjusted over time for inflation and other factors. One factor could include the extent to which Council would like to allow general taxes to help pay for trunk storm sewer expenses. The access charge would be calculated based on the total amount of land encumbered in conjunction with a development project. For instance, the access charge far an industrial development that occupies only 2 acres of a 5-acre site would be required to pay an access charge based on the 5 acres since eventually the total 5-acre site would be developed. Finally, the access charge could be reduced for individual properties, or access charge credits could be provided to landowners that provide land or storm sewer Page 7 Council Minutes -4125/94 facilities serving an area outside of the landowner's development site. Finally, the access charge would be paid when a building permit is issued. O'Neill noted that access charges are common in ether communities. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Patty Olsen to authorize City staff to proceed toward implementation of the storm sewer funding program as proposed. Motion carried unanimously. ].4. Consideration of bills for the month of April. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Patty Olsen to approve the bills as submitted. i Jeff ' 1 Assistant Administrator 1 Page 8