Loading...
City Council Minutes 07-12-1982MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1982 - 7:30 P.M. Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Ken Maus, Phil White, and Dan Blonigen. Members Absent: None. I. Call To Order. A) Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting Held on June 28, 1982. A motion was made by Fair, seconded by Maus to approve the minutes of the meeting held on June 28, 1982. Voting in favor: Fair, Maus, Grimsmo. Voting in opposition: None. Abstaining: White and Blonigen. B) Petitions, Requests, Complaints/Citizens Comments. Administrator Eidem presented a petition from Jim Boyle, owner of property in southeast Monticello,requesting sewer and water extension and that a feasibility study be completed and that a public hearing be held. Full text of the peti- tion is on file with the city office. The City Council acknowledged receipt of petition and directed that all neces- sary documentation be prepared for July 26, 1982 regular meeting. Tom Eidem also announced an addition to the agenda which was Mr. Jim Boyle and Mr. Knutson, representing them- selves and their interests in Meadow Oak Subdivision. Their request was to appear before the Council at this time rather than in two weeks after the Planning Commission so that Mr. Boyle would not have to make a second trip from Arizona. The Council accepted the addition to the agenda. II. A) Consideration of a Resolution Deferring (Or Abating) Assses- ments Against Outlot A, Lauring Hillside Terrace. Mayor Grimsmo asked Eidem why this item was being reconsider- ed on this agenda, when he understood the matter to be have been resolved at the June 28, 1982 meeting. Eidem explained that during the interim between meetings that staff members had discussed several options that had possibly been over- looked when the first decision was made. He stated that the primary concern by the staff was that if the assessments are abated, the selling price for said Outlot could increase substantially since the current owner would have nothing to lose by not selling. Eidem also stated that his primary con- cern was the setting of a precedent and establishing a prac- tice of giving relief on assessments long past certified. - 1 - Council Minutes - 7/12/82 He stated that adjustments to assessments in Holker's Sub- division have just been recertified to accommodate those Land owners and that he fully anticipates another group of property owners presently dissatisfied with the assessments will be coming before the Council in a the month. Mr. Lauring spoke to the Council stating that he had left the last meeting with the full understanding that this matter was fully re- solved and was quite surprised to find that it was on the agenda again. He stated that the lot never should have been assessed in the first place being that it is an unbuildable outlot and that he would now like to have the assessments re- moved so that he has no financial obligation to that parcel. The Mayor noted that there was an assessment hearing at the time that the role was established and that if it should not have been assessed, it,in fact, should have been addressed at that time. Mr. Lauring again said that he would like to sell the land for $2500, and had no intention of "holding up" anyone. Mr. Eidem asked for a clarification concerning the $2500. He wondered whether or not if the land sold for $2500, was it Mr. Lauring's intent to then pay the assessments out of that $2500 or did he see $2500 as the actual sale of land price clear of any assessments. Mr. Lauring indicated that that was the land price clear of all assessments. Mr. Lauring stated that in his opinion no one would be willing to buy the land if they had to pay the assessments on it as well. Eidem noted that the original concern that was brought up was, as a result, that while this outlot carried the majority of assessments for the improvements, the parcel of land adjacent to it, having very little street frontage was assessed a very small amount and that in the event that the two parcels were combined, the then owner would have a substantially improved parcel paying little or no assessments in the event that these outlot assessment were abated. Council Member Maus wondered whether or not the assessments could be deferred for a specified period of time in order to facilitate the sale of the land and perhaps if the land is still unsold, it could be reviewed again when that time limit expires. A motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Maus and carried to adopt the following resolution. Full text on file in the city office. (See Resolution 1982 #50). B) Consideration of Granting One -Day 3.2 Beer and "set-up" License to the Monticello Rod & Gun Club. Eidem presented to the Council applications by the Monticello Rod & Gun Club for one day 3.2 beer licenses and one day set- up licenses for the dates of August 13th, 1982 and August 21, 1982. A motion was made by Maus, seconded by White and was carried unanimously granting one day licenses for the dates specified and further, requesting that certificates of insur- ance be supplied by the Monticello Rod & Gun Club. - 2 - Council Minutes - 7/12/82 C) Consideration of Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Con- tract for the Improvement of 7th Street Between Trunk Hwy 25 and Cedar Street. The City Engineer, John Badalich, reported on the bids that were opened on Thursday, July 8th, 1982 at 10:00 A.M. The bids are as follows: Base Bid Total plus Total plus AltArnAfp A A1tPrnatP R Bituminous Consulting & Contractors, Minneapolis, MN. 33,452.00 45,222.50 41,106.50 Veit & Co. Rogers, MN. 31,555.00 40,511.50 39,871.00 Wisconsin Country Stone Golden Valley, MN. 37,457.00 43,169.00 47,096.00 Aero Asphalt, Inc. Hamel, MN 31,825.00 39,542.00 37,862.50 Buffalo Bituminous Buffalo, MN. 28,270.00 38,770.00 34,234.00 Omann Construction Hanover, MN. 25,915.70 37,980.20 31,501.70 John Badalich further reported that he had run reference checks from the lowest responsible bidder and that they had good ref- erence checks and that he could recommend that the job be awarded to the lowest bidder. Council member asked -about any forseeable changes in the overall area which might justify using the cheaper of the two retaining wall alternatesi that being the timber wall as opposed to the stone wall. Badalich stated that he could anticipate no major changes in that even MNDOT efforts to widen Hwy 25 would not interfer with the project as designed. Considerable discussion centered on the advantages/disadvantages of the lannon stone retaining wall alternate as opposed to the timber retaining wall alternate. Council Member Blonigen said that he did not believe the stone wall justified the additional $6400 expense. It was noted by certain staff members that the stone would be more aestheti- cally pleasing and that since it was abutting on the cemetery which is a historical land mark, perhaps the City would con- sider spending the additional money to make a substantial improvement to the area. It was also noted that the surround- ing area, namely Perkin z and the new motel, would be comple- mented more by the stone wall than the timber wall. - 3 - Council Minutes - 7/12/82 Council Member Maus, while expressing favor with the stone wall, expressed further concern with the apparent disparity of price between the base bid and the lannon stone alternate, that being approximately $12,000. It was decided to award the job based on the base bid and investigate securing additional price quotes on the retaining wall portion of the job. A motion was made by White, seconded by Blonigen and carried unanimously to adopt the following resolution. The entire text is on file at the city office. (See Resolution 1982 #51). NOTE: Because certain members of the public had not yet arrived to discuss their items on the agenda, the Mayor elected to move onto other items of business. The remainder of the minutes does not follow in order with the agenda as originally established. D) Consideration of Plans and Specifications for Seal Coating Streets within the City of Monticello. John Simola, Public Works Director, presented to the Council plans and specifications for the seal coating of several blocks within the City. He discussed an apparent budgeting discrep- ancy. He noted that the original seal coating plan called for a six year repeating cycle with an allocation of $28,200 an- nually. He went on to explain that in 1981, the first year of this cycle, substantially more streets were seal coated for the dollar value than was originally anticipated and that as a result the 1982 budget showed a decreased appropriation in order to bring the improvement cycle back in alignment with itself. The 1982 budget appropriation was set at $17,000. He noted, however, that a $13,000 appropriation was made in the 1982 budget to do overlay work on a service road at the south end of Monticello and that this road did not need the overlay as was originally anticipated. Thus, the $13,000 appropria- tion could be freed up for seal coating. A motion was made by White, seconded by Fair and was unanimously carried to approve the plans and specifications for seal coating and calling for bids. E) Consideration of a Request for Financial Assistance with the Monticello area Chemical Awareness Program. Mr. Buddy Gay, representing the Monticello area Chemical Awareness Program, was present to request a contribution from the City in the form of matching funds up to but not exceeding $3,000. He presented to the Council a copy of the 1981 - 1982 financial statement for the program and a list of accomplishments for the past year. He stated that their plans are to expand the program in the upcoming year and as a result, their costs would be growing. He indi- cated that their canvassing efforts for contributions have also been expanded and that in this year's drive to raise funds, they were approaching both the City and the Township. - 4 - Council Minutes - 7/12/82 Council Member Fair wanted to know what kind of benefits have been achieved during the first year of the program. Mr. Gay responded that the PIP Program had grown and achieved acceptance and that the Monticello Awareness Program had been asked to be a leader in the field and that they had become recognized as an excellent program. Mayor Grimsmo made his comment that in his estimation that government bodies only belong where other agencies or people are unable to address the needs and that he did not think that this was one of those areas. Council Member Maus expressed some concern over the fact that the Monticello group was holding the PIP Fest at a substantial local expense. He stated that he had no objection when the money was being spent internally, but could we justify the expense when the money is being spent on others. Council Member White stated that he fully supported the program but would request that the task force do everything in its power to raise other funds and to continue looking around before approaching the City for money. He stated that he would hate to see the task force fail for lack of money, but encouraged their seeking other revenue sources. Council Member Blonigen spoke and stated that he was in agreement with Mayor Grimsmo and that he did not think the City should be contributing money for this particular group. Eidem stated that he favored a modified type of approach in that he feels the program is extremely worthy and that in fact government should lend its support to the program, but that the task force should try to find innovative methods in which the City could help rather than outright cash con- tributions. He noted that chemical abuse throughout the State and nation has reached epidemic proportions and that it is everyone's responsibility to do something about it, but that he could not endorse an outright cash contribution to the program, but could fully support any other innovative ways that the City government might be able to assist the chemical awareness task force. A motion was made by Maus, seconded by Fair for the City to contribute $1,000 to the 1982 - 1983 Chemical Awareness Program. Voting in favor were White, Fair and Maus. Voting in opposition were Blonigen and Grimsmo. F) Consideration of Adopting as Ordinance, the Granting of a Non-exclusive Franchise to North Central Public Service Company (A Natural Gas Company). Mr. Thomas Gallogly, representing North Central Public Service Company, was present to answer any questions the Council might have concerning the 25 year non-exclusive franchise for the distribution of natural gas within the City. - 5 - Council Minutes - 7/12/82 Eidem reported that the franchise would be granted to the ordinance procedure and that City Attorney, Pringle, had reviewed the ordinance text and given it his approval. A motion was made by White, seconded by Blonigen and carried unanimously to adopt the following ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise to North Central Public Service Company for the distribution of natural gas. (See Ordinance Amendment 1982 #117) G. Consideration of a Request to Construct a Freight Loading Dock at Hiway Liquors. Eidem presented to the Council a feasibility plan for the construction of a freight loading. dock at Hiway Liquors. He stated that he and Mr. Trmiter had discussed the po- tential advantages of such a loading dock. He noted that it would shorten the time for unloading of beer and other inventory and eliminate the necessity of city personnel making second, third and possibly fourth moves of the in- ventory once inside the building, since the inventory would be loaded by pallet inside of by individual cases. He also noted that the quicker that loading could be ac- complished, the less time the doors would stand open, thus creating a substantial energy savings. Council Member Maus spoke in favor of the proposal stating that he was aware of how much more efficiently the opera- tion could run. He also addressed the next item on the agenda which was a request to construct an expansion to the walk-in cooler and stated that perhaps both projects should be done in conjunction with one another since they both relate to greater inventory and ease of storage. A motion was made by Maus, seconded by Fair to secure price quotes (bids) for the construction of a loading dock and construction of a walk-in cooler expansion at the Hiway Liquors Store. The motion was carried unanimously. H. Consideration of aPresentation of Plans for Meadow Oak Subdivision. Mr. Boyle and Mr. Knutson, representing Meadow Oak Sub- divisi.on,were present as an addition to the agenda, to give a preliminary explanation of their subdivision plans. Mr. Knutson noted that the three types of housing that will be available in the Meadow Oak Subdivision will be the executive home site which has a ten year period phase and a manufactured housing area which has a five year - 6 - Council Minutes - 7/12/82 development phase and a multiple housing area which has a seven year development phase. Mr. Knutson noted that all development phases will run concurrently. They noted that they will be appearing before the Planning Commission on July 13, 1982 and rather than present gas detailed an explana- tion to the Council as they will to the Planning Commission, they were present simply to present their basic idea and to answer any questions that the Council might have. Mr. Knutson went on to note that their projected timetable is largely dependent upon Council decision and action, but that they are hoping the results of the feasibility study peti- tion form would warrant sewer and water construction by the fall of 1982 so that they could commence housing construc- tion during the construction season of 1983. The Council acknowledged the receipt of the petition and expressed their interest in the development project. They noted that no action can be taken at this time but that it will be on the July 26th agenda. I. Consideration of Change Orders #40, #42 through #49 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Gerald Corrick of OSM was present to discuss in detail all of the change orders before the Council at this time. Change Order #40 which was tabled at the June 28th meeting was represented. He stated that there seemed to be a significant advantage to the installation of a fuel tank at the treatment site since it would eliminate trucks that haul sludge from making trips through the center of town. He stated that the sludge hauling trucks were extremely large and that he did not think the Council would favor those trucks making trips through the center of town to get over to the public works garage. He went on to ex- plain in detail a number of aspects about change orders 42 through 49, many of which were electrical in nature, one of which involved an emergency telephone system. A motion was made by White, seconded by Blonigen and carried unanimously to approve the change orders #40, #42, #43, #44, #45, #47, #48, and #49. Change order #46 was tabled for further investigation. Mr. Corrick also presented the Council with an application for a grant amendment for the property management system that will be required to be initiated. He noted that because the City is receiving a substantial amount of Federal and State grant funds, a comprehensive inventory system accounting for all property needs to be developed. He noted that in future years, rep- resentatives from EPA would likely come to the City to per- form a property audit and that these management systems are required. A motion was made by Fair, seconded by White and unanimously carried authorizing application for the amend- ment to the grant program. - 7 - Council Minutes - 7/12/82 J. Consideration of a Letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development that an Application for Housing has been Submitted by Chateau Plaza Incorporated. Eidem explained to the Council that he had received notice that Chateau Plaza had submitted an application to HUD for the construction of 36 elderly apartment units. He stated that the letter requested that the City submit any comments that they may have on the project and he wished to know whether or not the Council did in fact wish to respond to the plan. Mayor Grimsmo noted that he was entirely satis- fied with the site location that had been chosen. He sited instances of at least two other communities that constructed their elderly housing in close proximity to their hospital and nursing home and felt that this might be more conducive for Monticello. Other members of the Council were in general agreement that the site currently designated did not seem to be an ideal site and directed Eidem to submit a letter stating that the City supported the project but would like further investigation into the actual site proposal. K. Consideration of a Salary Policy Dispute. Eidem reported to the Council that a dispute had arisen out of apparent misunderstanding relating to call back pay provisions. He stated the employees were under the impression and in fact have been submitting time for a minimum of two hours when called back to work during off duty hours. He stated that while this apparently had not been a problem in the past, there were two recent incidents where employees worked less than the two hours but sub- mitted a claim for two hours under the impression that they would be paid for a minimum of two hours for being called back. He reported that he had talked to Mr. Wolf- steller and Mr. Wieber about this and that while in fact past practice has been to pay them for two hours, they did not know that the employees were not working the two hours; that is to say, they understood the employees to be putting in the full amount of time for the hours submitted. Eidem stated that while it is not a written policy, the fact that it has been allowed to occur can be construed as accepted practice and thus cannot be deprived from the employees until the next contract would be negotiated. Eidem stated that he was in favor of establishing a policy that would provide for a minimum call back pay provision and that he would like to begin with that now. The Council directed Eidem to contact Mike O'Connor, the City's labor attorney, to see what his impression was of this. s Council Minutes - 7/12/82 Council Member Maus stated that he was of the opinion that certain call back provisions should be designed into a personnel policy, but that such a policy should be care- fully monitored and that employees should be notified that obvious abuses of this system could result in more stringent enforcement of several regulations. The Council directed Eidem to pursue this matter at greater length. No further action was taken. Meeting Adjourned. Thomas A. Eidem City Administrator - 9 -