City Council Minutes 10-14-1981MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
October 14, 1981 - 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Phil White, Kenneth Maus, Dan Blonigen.
Members Absent: Fran Fair.
1. Public Hearing - Appeal of Variance Granted to Monticello Ford, Inc.
by Planning Commission Regarding Monticello Ordinance Regulating
Parking Areas.
At the regular meeting of the Monticello City Council on November 7,
1977, a variance was granted to Monticello Ford for their parking lot
not to require a continuous concrete curb barrier to the south and to
the west. This was granted as a result of proposed expansion plans
by Monticello Ford, Inc. This initial variance was for two years and
since occupancy in the building did not take place until approximately
October of 1978, this variance lapsed in October of 1980.
At this time, Mr. Larry Flake, President of Monticello Ford, Inc., is
requesting a permanent variance from the concrete curb perimeter re-
quirement. Additionally, Mr. Flake is requesting a variance from the
hard surface parking requirements for a vehicle display area to the
north of the garage building. He had indicated his request is based
on the feeling that the grass area in which this display area is
maintained enhances the appearance of the trucks and other vehicles
which are displayed in this location.
At the Planning Commission meeting on September 29, 1981, Mr. Flake
also requested that he be allowed to use an area for over flow car
display that would not require hard surfacing.
After discussing the variance request, the Planning Commission unani-
mously approved of the following:
- Granting a variance eliminating the curb barrier on the south
and west sides of the existing hard surfaced area until such
time when further development takes place on the site.
- Allow the vehicle display area to the north of the existing
garage to be grass until such time when further development
of the site takes place.
- Allow an additional area to the south of the existing hard sur-
faced to be used as an over flow vehicle display area with-
out requiring hard surfacing or curb barrier provided the area
is seeded or sodded and maintained.
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Additionally, the Planning Commission indicated that as the area west
of the Monticello Ford site is developed, the drainage plan be reviewed
in accordance with the letter from Orr-Schelen-Mayeron, and Associates
dated December of 1977.
Phil White appealed the decision of the Planning Commission on the
grounds that a time limit was not imposed on the variance granted.
At the public hearing the following comments were received from the
audience:
- Chuck Bangasser, representative of Monticello Ford, felt that
the Planning Commission was informed of the full situation
and they did not want to continually review an extension of
a variance as long as the circumstances stayed the same.
- Larry Flake, President of Monticello Ford, indicated that
the drainage provided was in accordance with our engineers
letter of December of 1977. Furthermore, he indicated that
curbing and hard surfacing would only increase the drainage
problem. Mr. Flake did indicate that all customer parking
is now hard surfaced.
At this point, the Council deliberated relative to the merits of
requiring curb barriers. There was some feeling that there are
cases when a curb barrier is not necessary.
Mayor Arve Grimsmo called for a motion, but no motion was made and
as a result, the decision of the Planning Commission stands since
it would have taken a 4/5's vote of the council to reverse their
decision.
2. Public Hearing on the Consideration of $200,000 in Industrial Develop-
ment Revenue Notes for an office Building - Melvin C. Wolters.
Mel Wolters filed an application to finance construction and land
acquisition cost for an office building to be located southeast of
the intersection of Walnut and 6th Streets in Monticello immediate-
ly west of the Dairy Queen.
The proposed breakdown of the project cost is as follows:
ITEM
COST
Land Acquisition
$ 37,000
Construction
137,000
Legal Fees
7,000
Interim Financing
10,000
Financing Fees
7,000
Contingencies
2,000
TOTAL
$200,000
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A motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Ken Maus, and unanimous-
ly carried to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of $200,000
in Industrial Development Revenue Notes for the office building pro-
posed by Mel Wolters. (See Resolution 1981-#31).
3. Public Hearing on the Adoption of Assessment Rolls for 1981-1 and
1981-2 Improvement Projects.
The purpose of the hearing was to consider the adoption of an assess-
ment roll for the 1981-1 Improvement Project which consisted of
sewer, water, and street improvements to a portion of West River
Street in the vicinity of the NSP Training facility and sewer,
water, street and drainage improvements to a portion of the Meadows
Subdivision plot. The 1981-2 Improvement Project consisted of a
storm sewer improvement project on Cedar Street from Lauring Lane to
the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks.
The total project cost is as follows:
1981-1 1981-2 TOTAL
Total Project Cost $332,405.62 87,495.81 419,901.43
Portion Assessed 297,636.13 86,141.36 383,777.49
Percent Assessed 89.540 98.450 91.040
Final assessments were about 70 percent of the original estimate in
the case of the Meadows Subdivision and the Cedar Street storm sewer
project and approximately 94 percent of the original estimate in the
case of West River Street. The primary reason for this was the bids
on the project that were received were lower than the estimate.
There were no comments on the public hearing although Mr. Edgar Klucas
had previously filed an objection to the assessment of his property
which was $37,206.32.
A motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unani-
mously carried to adopt the assessment roll with the 1981-1 Improve-
ment Project as presented except for the assessment against the Edgar
Klucas parcel which would be considered at an adjourned hearing on this
subject. A motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen to
adopt the assessment roll for the 1981-2 Improvement Project as present-
ed. Mayor Arve Grimsmo indicated that he would not be voting on the
1981-2 Improvement Project since he owned property that was affected
thereby. Voting in favor: Dan Blonigen, Ken Maus, Phil White.
Opposed: None. Abstaining: Arve G.rimsmo. (See Resolution 1981-#32
and Resolution 1981-#33).
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4. Consideration of Extension of Variance For Parking Lot Curb Perimeter -
Tonette Ruff.
At the City Council's last meeting, Tonette Ruff was granted a condi-
tional use permit and a variance from the City of Monticello's parking
lot requirements that the parking lot proposed for her consignment
sales facility have a continuous concrete curb barrier. The variance
was granted for 60 days to allow occupancy until such time when she
was able to complete this aspect of the parking lot.
Ms. Ruff requested that the variance be extended to July 1, 1982 due
to the weather and also to the fact that she wanted to make absolutely
sure that the consignment sales facility would be a success prior to
incurring the expense of a concrete curb barrier.
5. The Quarterly Department Head Meeting.
A discussion was held with the following department heads:
Fire Department Representative George Liefert
Wright County Sheriff Representative Buddy Gay
Building Official/Civil Defense
Director Loren Klein
Public Works Director John Simola
City Administrator Gary Wieber
Mr. George Liefert indicated that the Wright County Sheriff's Depart-
ment would be installing a repeater for the pager system at the Fire
Hall. This system would cost the City of Monticello approximately
$125 to $150 for an antenna. Civil Defense Director, Loren Klein,
indicated that there would be an exercise for the Monticello Nuclear
Plan on May 5, 1982. Public Works Director, John Simola, indicated
that the payment for the 1981-1 and 1981-2 Improvement Projects
should be made very shortly and that the project would be complete.
City Administrator, Gary Wieber, discussed the aspect of having the
city newsletter run in either the Monticello Times or the Monticello
Shopper as opposed to a separate flyer contained within the Shopper.
It was decided to utilize the Monticello Shopper because of the dis-
tribution and there are some things occurring in the city that may be
of interest to areas outside the city limits.
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6. Consideration of Approval of Stipulation to be Submitted to Tenth
Judicial District Court Regarding Larsen Carpet.
A motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unani-
mously carried to approve of a stipulation to be submitted to the
Tenth Judicial District Court regarding Larsen Carpet. This stipu-
lation will allow the possibility of three (3) additional years of
retail carpet sales at the Ken Larsen residence, but at the end of
three (3) years, Mr. Larsen would have to discontinue the use of
his residence as a retail sales outlet of any kind. (See Exhibit #1).
7. Consideration of Change Order #17 and #18 with the Paul A. Laurence_
Company on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction Contract
A motion was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Phil White and unani-
mously carried to approve the following change orders with the Paul
A. Laurence Company for an additional $5,136.00:
#17 - Request by the Public Works Department that a by-pass of
the chlorine contact tank be installed to facilitate
cleaning and maintenance of the chlorine contact tank,
additional $4,428.00.
#18 - "Equipment Running" light indicators be added on the
main control panel graphic display for air operated
diaphragm pumps, additional $708.00.
8. Consideration of Approval of Job Descrii>tion and Authority to Adver-
tise for Superintendent of Wastewater Treatment Plant.
With the completion of the City of Monticello's Wastewater Treatment
Plant and the upgrading of the city's plant to an A Plant, it is
necessary to have an A Operator for this facility.
John Simola prepared a job description which was reviewed by the
council. A motion was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Phil White
and unanimously carried to advertise for a superintendent of the
Wastewater Treatment Plant and approve the job description as
presented.
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Council Minutes - 10/14/81
9. Consideration of Authorization to Prepare Specifications for the
New 212 Yard Loader.
John Simola reviewed the status of the city's current Hough 3 yard
loader. Because of its current condition and the repairs required to
it, Mr. Simola was requesting that the City Council prepare specifi-
cations for a new 212 yard loader.
Mr. Simola explained that he felt the city needed a 21-1 yard, 100 horse
power loader, at a minimum. The current loader is a 3 yard loader and
140 horse power.
Council Member Blonigen indicated that he felt the city could get by
with a smaller loader even than that proposed. After discussion on
the merits of different sizes of loaders, a motion was made by Phil
White, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried to have John Simola
prepare specifications to advertise for bids for both a 211 yard loader
with 100 horse power and the next smallest size which Mr. Simola in-
dicated would be approximately an 80 horse power loader.
10. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of September 28, 1981.
A motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unani-
mously carried to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held
on September 28, 1981.
11. Discussion Regarding a Proposed Tanker for the Monticello Fire Depart-
ment.
It was the concensus of the City Council to have the Fire Department
investigate the possibility of a used tanker and chassis versus a new
tanker and chassis. It was felt that there could be quite a bit of
savings on a piece of equipment of this sort that may not necessarily
require the equipment to be brand new.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
ary Wieb , City Administrator
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