City Council Minutes 01-13-1997MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING — MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, January 13, 1997 — 7 p.m.
Members Present: Bill Fair, Roger Carlson, Bruce Thielen, Brian Stumpf, Clint Herbst
Members Absent: None
2. Oath of office for new Mayor and Councilmembers.
City Administrator, Rick Wolfsteller, administered the oath of office to Mayor Bill Fair and
Councilmembers Bruce Thielen and Roger Carlson.
3. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting held December 9, the special meeting held
December 18, and the special meeting held December 30, 1996.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY CLINT HERBST
TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD DECEMBER 9,
THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD DECEMBER 18 AND THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD
DECEMBER 30, 1996 AS WRITTEN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Consideration of adding items to theagenda.
A. Public Works Director, John Simola requested that discussion of hiring a full-time
construction inspection for the wastewater treatment plant project be discussed with
item #9.
B. Councilmember Herbst requested that discussion regarding snow removal be added
under item # 15.
C. Councilmember Stumpf requested that a discussion of the downtown fire be added
under item # 15.
D. Assistant Administrator, Jeff O'Neill requested that an update on the storm sewer fee
policy be added under item # 15.
5. Citizen comments/petitions, requests and complaints.
A. Steve Johnson requested that the City Council review a decision made in 1996 by the
previous Council regarding an adjustment of property lines for a building located
downtown. It was Johnson's view that the decision was made in error and was not
based on facts presented. He requested that the Council reconsider this item at this
time or at a future meeting.
Council Minutes - 1/13/97
Mayor Bill Fair directed staff to place this item on the January 27
Council agenda.
B. City resident Dave Kinnard requested that Council review the
snowmobile ordinance. He noted that snowmobiles have been racing
on River Street, which has created a dangerous situation, especially
with the high snowbanks blocking motorists' vision.
Councilmember Herbst noted that 200 hours were added to the police
contract for 1997, which could be used for additional patroling on
weekends when snowmobile use increases. Councilmember Thielen
added that staff could work with the Snowmobile Association to help
solve the problem together.
Mayor Fair directed City staff to review the snowmobile ordinance and
report back to the City Council at a future meeting.
Councilmember Herbst requested that item 6A be removed from the consent
agenda for discussion. Councilmember Thielen requested that item 6C also
be removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
A. Consideration to approve the agreement amending the Contract for
Private Redevelopment among the HRA, Cedrus Creek Craftsman,
Inca and the City of Monticello. Removed from the consent agenda for
discussion.
B. Consideration of authorizing city staff to prepare environmental
assessment worksheet for the high school constructionoject.
Recommendation: Authorize preparation of an EAW for the high
school construction project.
C. Consideration of purchase of a micro computer for building permit
applications. Removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND SECONDED BY BRUCE
THIELEN TO APPROVE ITEM 6B OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
RECOMMENDED. Motion carried unanimously.
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6A. Consideration to approve the agreement amending the Contract
Private Redevelopment among the HRA, Cedrus Creek Craftsman
Inc., and - City of Monticello.
Economic Development Director 011ie Koropchak reported that John
Komarek of Cedrus Creek Craftsman, Inc., requested that the HRA
amend the private redevelopment contract by amending the
commencement date for construction of Phase I of Prairie West from
December 31, 1996, to July 1, 1997, and amend the date for recording
of the final plat from December 31, 1996, to April 1, 1997. Due to the
need to contact Burlington Northern Railroad for drainage easement
rights, the redevelopment would not meet the deadline for plat
approval. Koropchak noted that the HRA's biggest concern was that
four units be completed by December 1997 in order to begin collecting
tax increment; however, since the developer saw no problem with
meeting the completion date, the HRA agreed to amend the contract.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY ROGER CARLSON AND
SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO APPROVE AMENDING THE
COMMENCEMENT DATE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE I OF PRAIRIE
WEST FROM DECEMBER 31, 1996, TO JULY 1, 1997, AND AMENDING
THE DATE FOR RECORDING OF THE FINAL PLAT FROM DECEMBER 31,
1996, TO APRIL 1, 1997. Motion carried unanimously.
6C. Consideration of purchase of a micro computer for building permit
applications.
Councilmember Bruce Thielen asked what the past policy has been for
purchasing items included in the budget. Assistant Administrator
O'Neill stated that items costing $1,000 or more were typically
reviewed by Council prior to purchasing.
Thielen suggested that the purchasing process be streamlined, as it
was his view that items included in the budget should not be reviewed
a second time by Council.
Councilmember Herbst noted that perhaps the process should be
changed with the 1998 budget since the previous Council did not
review the 1997 budget on a line -by-line basis.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND
SECONDED BY ROGER CARLSON TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF A
PERSONAL COMPUTER AND ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT FOR THE
BUILDING DEPARTMENT NOT TO EXCEED $3,000, WITH THE
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UNDERSTANDING THAT CITY STAFF WILL PRESENT ALTERNATIVES
FOR STREAMLINING PURCHASES IN 1997 AT A FUTURE COUNCIL
MEETING. Motion carried unanimously.
8. Consideration of a request by Monticello Post Office to utilize city property
for establishing a second driveway exit from Dost office facility.
City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller reported that the Metcalf and Larson
partnership was to provide the HRA with a permanent 20 -ft easement from
Locust Street as part of a tax increment financing project to allow access to
the post office facility. They failed to do so and instead requested assistance
from the post office property owner to help maintain the driveway. The post
office and landlord felt maintenance was not their responsibility since the
easement was to be provided by Metcalf and Larson. In response to the post
office denying maintenance assistance, Metcalf and Larson chose to close the
access off of Locust Street, which has resulted in only one access for the post
office facility off of Broadway. Wolfsteller noted that the HRA chose not to
pursue any action against the developer to reopen the easement. It was their
view that it was a private matter between the post office, landlord, and
Metcalf and Larson. HRA Chair Al Larson added that the HRA met with
Metcalf and Larson and the post office landlord; however, they were not able
to resolve the dispute.
Due to safety concerns of traffic entering and exiting onto Broadway,
Postmaster Jack Hutchinson requested that the City consider allowing the
post office to construct a gravel driveway exit from the rear of their property
to Linn Street through City -owned property. Wolfsteller noted that the City
has offered the property for sale to the post office landlord; however, no offers
or direct interest in acquiring the property for a reasonable value have been
received.
Wolfsteller also reported that the City has a 12 -ft easement along side the
Metcalf and Larson building, which stops a few feet short of the post office
property. The 12 -ft easement easement was moved in order to allow the
building to be constructed, which was supposed to be re-established in the
center to allow access to the site from Locust Street.
Mayor Bill Fair suggested that staff research whether the City still has the
12 -ft easement, which could be used to negotiate with Metcalf and Larson as
a trade for opening the access to Locust Street.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY BRUCE
THIELEN TO TABLE ACTION ON ALLOWING THE POST OFFICE TO UTILIZE
CITY PROPERTY FOR ESTABLISHING AN EXIT TO LINN STREET AND DIRECT
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CITY STAFF TO RESEARCH WHETHER THE CITY HAS CLEAR TITLE TO THE
12 -FT EASEMENT AND RETURN TO COUNCIL FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. Consideration of selecting a financing alternative for wastewater treatment
plant construction loan.
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City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller reported that with the recent decision to
award the contract to Adolfson & Peterson for the construction of the $14.5
million wastewater treatment plant, the City needs to decide on the length of
the construction loan. It was Wolfsteller's view that since the project has
increased from $10 million to over $14.5 million, the City may want to borrow
the money over a 20 -year period rather than 15 years to keep the cost at a
reasonable level for the taxpayers.
Wolfsteller went on to note that financing for the project has been arranged
with the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) since this would likely be the least
costly method of borrowing the money. The City received approval from the
PFA last year for the estimated $10.3 million project cost; however, during
recent discussions, the PFA agreed to increase the funding to the $14.5
million range.
Council discussed the three options for financing the project, which included
a 15 -year loan at an interest rate of 3.83% and interest free for the first 18
months; a 20 -year loan at an interest rate of 4.08% and interest free for the
first 18 months; and a 20 -year loan at an interest rate of 3.83% with interest
charged from the day the funds are received. Wolfsteller noted that even
though the City would pay interest from the beginning of the loan, the third
option would allow a 20 -year payback and would save the City approximately
$350,000 in interest cost due to the low interest rate.
Councilmember Thielen suggested that the City review the current sewer
hookup rate of $1,500 per unit and consider increasing the cost to help pay
for the new treatment plant.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN AND
SECONDED BY CLINT HERBST TO SELECT THE 20 -YEAR LOAN AT AN
INTEREST RATE OF 3.83%, WITH IMMEDIATE ACCRUAL OF INTEREST, AND
DIRECT CITY STAFF TO SURVEY SEWER HOOKUP FEES OF SURROUNDING
COMMUNITIES FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE MEETING.
Motion carried unanimously.
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Discussion of hiring full-time construction inspector.
Public Works Director John Simola reported that the previous Council
recommended that the City consider hiring a full-time construction inspector
for the wastewater treatment plant project. The contract with HDR has
alotted funds of $160,000 for on-site construction inspection for 18 months;
however, if the City hired an inspector at a salary of between $35,000 to
$40,000, the result would be a full-time inspector for 3 years for the same
amount as budgeted by HDR. Once the treatment plant project is completed,
the inspector could move into other duties such as sanitary sewer and water
main installation. Simola requested that Council authorize City staff to
prepare a job description and salary range for review by the Council.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY CLINT HERBST TO AUTHORIZE CITY STAFF TO PREPARE A
JOB DESCRIPTION AND SALARY RANGE FOR A FULL-TIME CONSTRUCTION
INSPECTOR FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT. Motion
carried unanimously.
10. Consideration of amendments to the snowmobile ordinance specifying that it
is unlawful to operate snowmobiles on city pathways.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that the current snowmobile
ordinance does not clearly state that operation of snowmobiles on pathways
is prohibited; therefore, the Parks Commission requested that Council adopt
an amendment stating that it is unlawful to operate a snowmobile on any
sidewalks or pathways provided for pedestrian and/or bicycle travel.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY ROGER
CARLSON TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT SPECIFYING THAT
OPERATION OF SNOWMOBILES ON PATHWAYS IS PROHIBITED. Motion
carried unanimously. SEE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 285.
Mayor Fair directed City staff to work with the Police Commission to review
the entire snowmobile ordinance and recommend ways to better direct safe
passage through the city.
Councilmember Thielen requested that the issue of winter pathway
maintenance be reopened for discussion. Mayor Fair directed staff to bring
an estimate of winter pathway maintenance to Council for review before Fall
of 1997.
11. Consideration of annual appointments for 1997.
City Administrator Wolfsteller reported that Minnesota Statutes require that
at the first meeting of each year, specific appointments must be made.
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AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY BRUCE THIELEN TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING
APPOINTMENTS FOR 1997:
Official Depositories: Marquette Bank Monticello
First Bank
First National Bank of Monticello
Chief Financial Officer -
authorized to designate other
depositories for investment
purposes only.
Newspaper: Monticello Times
Housing and
Redevelopment Authority: 1. Tom St. Hilaire 12/2001
(5 -year staggered terms) 2. Darrin Lahr 12/2000
3. Brad Barger 12/99
4. Al Larson 12/98
5. Steve Andrews 12/97
Planning Commission: 1. Richard Carlson
2. Jon Bogart
3. Dick Frie
4. Richard Martie
5. Rod Dragsten
Health Officer: Dr. Donald Maus
(1 year)
Acting Mayor: Clint Herbst
(1 year)
Joint Commissions:
Community Education: Bill Fair
Fire Board: Rick Wolfsteller & Brian Stumpf
OAA: Bill Fair
Library Board: 1. 12/99
(3 -year staggered) 2. Duff' Davidson 12/97
3. Jeanette Lukowski 12/99
4. Ruby Bensen 12/97
5. Diane Herbst 12/98
Attorney: Paul Weingarden
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Planner:
Auditor:
Recycling Committee:
Economic Development
Authority:
(5 -year staggered terms)
Engineer:
Police Advisory Commission:
(3 -yr staggered terms)
Parks Commission:
(3 -yr staggered terms)
Council Minutes - 1/13/97
Gruys, Borden, Carlson & Assoc.
Bruce Thielen
1. Roger Carlson, Council 12/2001
2. Clint Herbst, Council
12/98
3. Ken Maus*
12/2001
4. Al Larson
12/97
5. Barb Schwientek
12/98
6. Bill Demeules
12/99
7. Ron Hoglund*
12/2000
1. Brian Stumpf, Council
12/98
2. Bridget Baldwin
12/97
3. David Gerads
12/97
4.
12/98
5. Liz DeMarais
12/99
1. Earl Smith 12/98
2. Larry Nolan 12/99
3. Fran Fair 12/97
4. 12/98
5. Robbie Smith 12/99
1 1 m�. •-
HRA/EDA: Roger Carlson
Planning Commission: Clint Herbst
Parks Commission: Bruce Thielen
Police Commission: Brian Stumpf
Fire Board: Brian Stumpf
Community Ed: Bill Fair
Library Board: Bruce Thielen
MCP: Brian Stumpf
Motion carried unanimously.
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12. Consideration of establishing a plan for prioritizing projects.
Mayor Fair reported that the City Administrator and Assistant
Administrator have been asked to consider scheduling a joint workshop with
all city commissions to review the priorities of each commission and set goals
for the future.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that the next step would be to submit
the worksheet of projects to each commission and incorporate their input,
with a final list to be reviewed by the Council in April.
No action was required of Council at this time.
13. Consideration of a resolution authorizing ISTEA grant application for
pedestrian walkway overpass.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that the Council reviewed an
ISTEA grant application in 1996 for a pedestrian walkway overpass and
granted approval; unfortunately, the project was not funded in 1996.
Because the application ranked very high as an enhancement program
application in 1996, and because development of the new high school will
result in greater pedestrian traffic at County Road 118, staff recommended
that the Council authorize resubmittal of the ISTEA grant application.
O'Neill went on to report that the application would include the pedestrian
walkway overpass at County Road 118 and I-94, pathway segments along
County Road 118 from CSAH 75 to School Boulevard, and pathway segments
connecting the Meadow Oak/Eastwood Knoll/Oak Ridge neighborhoods to the
school campus area.
O'Neill noted that the cost to construct the pathway segments and bridge is
estimated at $486,280, not including engineering and inspection. If the City
pays 20% of the construction cost and all of the engineering and inspection
fees, the total cost to the City for the entire project would amount to
$184,786, which is an increase from $180,000 estimated in 1996.
Public Works Director John Simola questioned whether all other possibilities
have been researched for adding to the existing bridge, which the City could
help fund but the County would maintain. City Engineer Bret Weiss stated
that adding to the existing bridge was discussed with the County; however,
there are no funds for this item in their budget, and it is not included in their
plans. It was Weiss's view that it would be less expensive for the City to
build the pedestrian bridge than to widen the existing bridge.
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AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY BRUCE THIELEN TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
CITY STAFF TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR ISTEA FUNDING FOR A
PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY OVERPASS, PATHWAY SEGMENTS ALONG COUNTY
ROAD 118 FROM CSAH 75 TO SCHOOL BOULEVARD, AND PATHWAY
SEGMENTS CONNECTING THE MEADOW OAK/EASTWOOD KNOLL/OAK
RIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS TO THE SCHOOL CAMPUS AREA, AND AUTHORIZE
ALLOCATION OF 20% (MINIMUM) OF THE PROJECT COST. Motion carried
unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 97-1.
14. Consideration of bills for the last half of December.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ROGER CARLSON AND SECONDED BY CLINT
HERBST TO APPROVE THE BILLS FOR THE LAST HALF OF DECEMBER AS
PRESENTED. Motion carried unanimously.
15. Other matters.
A. City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller reported that staff will be
presenting an update to the snow removal policy for Council approval
at an upcoming meeting; however, due to the large amount of snow
that has fallen this year, the City has received a number of concerns,
complaints, and requests regarding snow removal procedures. For
example, the Foodshelf, which leases a building from the City for $1
per year, requested that the City remove snow from the front of the
building. However, Wolfsteller noted that the agreement with the
Foodshelf states that the City take care of structural problems, but
routine maintenance, including lawn mowing and snow removal, is the
responsibility of the tenants. Other requests received included
removal of snow and ice from the sidewalks on the grid system,
clearing of snow from around mailboxes, and widening the runway at
the Pilots Cove Airport with the city snowblower.
Council discussed the snow removal requests and noted that with the
current manpower available, the City could not guarantee removal of
snow from residents' mailboxes. In regard to removing snow for the
Foodshelf, it was the view of the Council that the agreement regarding
ground maintenance should be upheld. It was suggested that the
Foodshelf seek help from nonprofit organizations within the
community for help in removing snow. It was also suggested that the
Pilots Cove Airport owner seek help from private parties in Sherburne
County for snow removal.
B. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that the last action of
Council regarding the trunk storm storm sewer policy adopted in
August of 1995 was to research the fees charged by surrounding
communities. O'Neill and Mayor Fair recently met with industry
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rmll owners to discuss their concerns about design standards and
methodology for managing storm water. O'Neill noted that Jon
Bogart, an engineer with John Oliver & Associates and a Monticello
Planning Commission member, volunteered to review the current
design standards and compare them with other communities.
Mayor Fair indicated that another informal meeting is scheduled for
February 5 to review additional information with the industrial group.
Council will then review the trunk storm sewer policy at a future
meeting.
C. Mayor Fair commended the Monticello Fire Department for their
efforts and coordination with other fire departments in fighting the
downtown fire on January 11. Councilmember Stumpf also thanked
the public works employees for their help, as well as the Building
Inspector, who helped shuttle firefighters to and from the fire hall.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRUCE THIELEN
AND SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Motion carried
unanimously.
' K�are'n Doty
Office Manager
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