City Council Minutes 08-25-1997MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, August 25, 1997 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Bill Fair, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf, Roger Carlson
Members Absent: Bruce Thielen
2. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting held August 11,, 1997,
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY CLINT
HERBST TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD
AUGUST 11, 1997, AS WRITTEN. Motion carried unanimously, with Bruce
Thielen absent.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
A. Assistant Administrator Jeff O'Neill requested that adoption of a
resolution supporting continuation of the Monticello Heartland
Express be added to the consent agenda.
B. City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller requested that authorization of
the use of eminent domain proceedings to acquire Dundas Road right-
of-way be added to the consent agenda.
C. Councilmember Brian Stumpf requested that consideration of re-
opening urban service boundary negotiations with Monticello
Township be added to the agenda.
D. Chief Building Official Fred Patch requested that the status of signs
and billboards destroyed by the storm be added to the agenda.
4. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and com lap ints
None.
5. Consent agenda.
A. Consideration of a resolution approving plans and specifications and
authorizing advertisement for bids for the 1997 Pathway Project
(river -walk segment). Recommendation: Adopt a resolution
approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for
bids for the 1997 Pathway Project (river -walk segment) contingent on
staff reviewal. SEE RESOLUTION 97-41.
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B. Consideration of a resolution approving plans and specifications and
authorizing advertisement for bids for the foot bridge portion of the
1997 Pathway Project. Recommendation: Adopt a resolution
approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for
bids for the foot bridge portion of the 1997 Pathway Project (river -walk
segment) contingent on staff reviewal. SEE RESOLUTION 97-42.
C. Consideration of adopting a resolution supporting continuation of the
Monticello Heartland Express at the current service level.
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution supporting continuation of the
Monticello Heartland Express for 1998 based on the 1997 budget/
management plan plus inflation (4% or less).
SEE RESOLUTION 97-43.
D. Consideration of authorizing use of eminent domain proceedings to
acquire Dundas Road right-of-way. Recommendation: Adopt a
resolution reaffirming authorization to use eminent domain
proceedings to acquire the narrow, triangular parcel adjacent to Cedar
Street and Highway 25 for the purpose of future expansion of Dundas
Road. SEE RESOLUTION 97-44.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ROGER CARLSON AND SECONDED BY BRIAN
STUMPF TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS RECOMMENDED. Motion
carried unanimously, with Bruce Thielen absent.
6. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
None.
7. Public Hearing --Consideration of vacating a portion of Hennepin Street,
Applicant, Monticello -Big Lake Hospital District. AND
8. Consideration of
a zoning ordinance
amendment changing the zoning
district
designation from
R-3 to PZM, consideration
of a conditional use
permit
allowing operation
of a clinic facility,
and consideration of a simple
subdivision request
in a PZM district.
Applicant, Monticello -Big
Lake
Hospital District.
Assistant Administrator Jeff O'Neill reported that the Monticello -Big Lake
Hospital District requests vacation of a 30 -ft strip of Hennepin Street right-
of-way in conjunction with a request to rezone the Counseling Center
property from R-3 to PZM, a conditional use permit to allow operation of a
clinic facility in a PZM zone, and simple subdivision. Approval of the
requests, as recommended by the Planning Commission, would bring the
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Council Minutes - 8/25/97
Center into conformance and would allow construction of a garage and
expansion of the parking lot. The City would retain easement rights for
access to utilities.
O'Neill noted that Council must also determine the selling price of the
vacated land if it supports the vacation of right-of-way. Past policy of the
City has been to offer vacated streets to abutting property owners but charge
fair market value for the land. After reviewing a number of comparable sales
in the past, the City Administrator suggested that the Council sell the
vacated right-of-way to the Hospital District for $.67 per sq ft.
Mayor Fair opened the public hearing.
Barb Schwientek, Executive Director of the Monticello -Big Lake Hospital,
noted that the Hospital had purchased vacated property from the City in the
past; however, since the use of the property was for a nonprofit organization
and the City would be retaining easement rights, she requested that the
Council consider not charging the Hospital District for the vacated right-of-
way.
Mayor Fair then closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Clint Herbst suggested that since the Hospital is a nonprofit
organization, perhaps a $1 fee would be appropriate for the vacated right-of-
way.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND
SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO APPROVE VACATION OF A 30 -FT SECTION
OF THE HENNEPIN STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY AND APPROVE SELLING THE
PROPERTY TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT FOR $1 BASED ON THE FINDING
THAT THE HOSPITAL IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, THE CITY WILL
MAINTAIN EASEMENT RIGHTS, AND THE HOSPITAL WILL NOT BE BUILDING
ON THE VACATED RIGHT-OF-WAY. Motion carried unanimously, with Bruce
Thielen absent.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY ROGER
CARLSON TO APPROVE THE ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REZONING
THE PROPERTY FROM R-3 TO PZM, APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT ALLOWING OPERATION OF A CLINIC FACILITY IN A PZM ZONE, AND
APPROVE THE SIMPLE SUBDIVISION IN A PZM DISTRICT WITH THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. ESTABLISHMENT OF LANDSCAPING AND TREE PLANTINGS AS
REQUIRED BY ORDINANCE.
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Council Minutes - 8/25/97
2. ADDITIONAL PLAN'T`INGS TO BE PROVIDED TO BUFFER THE
PARKING LOT FROM THE ADJOINING RESIDENTIAL AREA.
Motion carried unanimously, with Bruce Thielen absent. The motion was
based on the finding that the zoning map amendment and associated
conditional use permit are consistent with the character of the area and the
comprehensive plan, and a parking stall deficiency would be corrected.
SEE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 294.
9. Consideration of granting an increase to the individual pension for Volunteer
Firefighter Relief Association.
City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller .reported that the Firefighter Relief
Association membership requested that the City Council consider an increase
in their retirement benefit from the present $1,375 per year of service to
$1,575 or more after 20 years of service on the fire department. He noted
that in the past, the City Council has not supported any benefit level that
would require a contribution from the City as a tax levy. The $1,575 per year
amount would give the Relief Association a $200 per year increase over their
current pension and would provide a little more cushion before any tax
dollars would be needed if investment income was lower than projected.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND
SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO GRANT AN INCREASE TO THE
INDIVIDUAL PENSION FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RELIEF
ASSOCIATION TO $1,575 PER YEAR/$31,500. Motion carried unanimously,
with Bruce Thielen absent.
10. Consideration of proceeding with construction of new animal shelter.
Public Works Director John Simola reported that the public works
department completed the specifications for the electrical requirements of the
new animal shelter and the site plan and solicited proposals from area
contractors and vendors for the materials and labor necessary to build the
facility. The building inspection department solicited proposals for the
plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system requirements.
Simola noted that all proposals had been received with the exception of the
masonry and carpentry labor. The proposals received to date totaled
$115,724, leaving a budget balance of $34,276 for the masonry and carpentry
labor. Because the new shelter would need to be occupied by January,
Simola requested that Council authorize staff to move ahead with
construction of the new animal shelter. Although staff needed to solicit
additional proposals for the masonry and carpentry labor, it was estimated
that the total cost could be higher than projected but would be very close to
the amount budgeted.
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Council Minutes - 8/25/97
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY CLINT HERBST TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO MOVE AHEAD WITH
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW ANIMAL SHELTER. Motion carried
unanimously, with Bruce Thielen absent.
11. Consideration of establishing process and procedures for marketing cite
property.
City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller reported that staff has continued to work
with architect Al Mjorud in analyzing city hall's space needs and how city
hall could be configured in the Marquette Bank building; however, the
amount of space to be leased to Marquette Bank had not yet been agreed
upon, which would affect how the balance of the main floor could be
remodeled. Assuming an agreement would be reached and the bank building
was purchased by the City, the Council would need to review its options for
use or sale of the existing city hall property.
Wolfsteller noted that the city hall property was recently appraised at
$595,000 by R.A. Fields & Associates, who also appraised the Marquette
Bank facility at $750,000. Although a decision has not yet been made for use
of the current current site if city hall is relocated, the City received a letter of
interest from Peterson- Grimsmo Chapel for possible purchase of the city hall
property for $400,000.
Council discussed advertising the city hall property for sale to obtain
additional proposals. Councilmember Stumpf suggested that the City
consider including the property owned by Peterson-Grimsmo, which is
located next to the fire hall, in negotiations for the purchase of city hall. It
was Stumpf s view that the vacant parcel next to the fire hall would be more
beneficial to the City.
Council also discussed the current negotiations on the City's purchase of the
Marquette Bank building. It was noted that any sale of the current city hall
should be contingent on purchase of the bank building. Chief Building
Official Fred Patch suggested that Council appoint the City Administrator as
the City representative for negotiating with Marquette Bank.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND
SECONDED BY ROGER CARLSON TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR
AS THE CITY REPRESENTATIVE IN CHARGE OF NEGOTIATING THE
PURCHASE OF THE MARQUETTE BANK BUILDING. Motion carried
unanimously, with Bruce Thielen absent.
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Council Minutes - 8/25/97
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY CLINT
HERBST TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO ADVERTISE FOR
TWO WEEKS THE SALE OF CITY HALL CONTINGENT ON THE CITY
PURCHASING THE MARQUETTE BANK BUILDING, AND BRING THE ITEM
BACK TO COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1997, FOR CONSIDERATION. Voting in
favor: Clint Herbst, Bill Fair, Brian Stumpf. Abstaining: Roger Carlson.
Absent: Bruce Thielen. Motion carried.
12. National Guard Training Center update (verbal report).
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that four basic packages containing
different amenities for the National Guard Training/Community Center will
be presented to the task force on September 2 and will be reviewed by the
National Guard on September 3. He noted that there has been interest
expressed by various organizations in sharing space in the training/
community center, including the YMCA for either programming or operation
of the facility. Square footage for each use will be reviewed and used for
preparing the finance plan.
Mayor Fair added that the National Guard has committed $1.5 million
toward the community center, using $500,000 for their portion of the facility
and $1 million for the joint facility.
No action was required by the Council.
13. Consideration of bills for the last half of Auger.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND SECONDED BY ROGER
CARLSON TO APPROVE THE BILLS FOR THE LAST HALF OF AUGUST AS
PRESENTED. Motion carried unanimously, with Bruce Thielen absent.
M 411000171T.•- ..
A. Consideration of re -opening negotiations with Monticello Township
regarding urban service area boundary adjustments.
Councilmember Brian Stumpf requested that Council consider re-
opening negotiations with the Township to continue discussions on
adjustments to the urban service area boundaries. It was his view
that the subcommittee was not given an opportunity to negotiate the
proposal submitted by the Township.
After discussion, the issue was dropped for lack of a motion to revisit
the issue.
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Council Minutes - 8/25/97
B. Update on the status of d billboards destroyed by the July I
Chief Building Official Fred Patch reported that eight billboards were
blown down during the July 1 storm, which the sign companies want
to replace; however, since the signs were destroyed beyond 50% of the
value, city ordinance prohibits replacement because they are a
nonconforming use. Patch informed Council that enforcing the
ordinance may result in the sign companies bringing suit against the
City. After reviewing the situation, it was the opinion of Attorney
Paul Kaminsky that enforcing the ordinance may result in litigation;
however, the City's ordinance has substance and would have a good
chance of being upheld in court.
Public Works Director John Simola noted that two of the destroyed
billboards were located on City property, and a notice of intent to
cancel the lease should be issued to each sign company. Council
agreed that the City would need to abide by its ordinances and not
have the billboards replaced.
No action was required by the Council.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING. Motion carried unanimously, with Bruce Thielen absent.
Ifiaren Doty
Office Manager
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