City Council Minutes 12-28-2011MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING — MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, November 28, 2011 — 7 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Clint Herbst, Lloyd Hilgart, Tom Perrault, Glen Posusta, Brian Stumpf
Absent: None
1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Herbst called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Little Mountain Wolf Pack Scout Troop #274.
Mayor Herbst thanked the troop for coming to the meeting.
2A. Approval of Minutes — November 14, 2011 Regular Meeting
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO ACCEPT THE NOVEMBER 14, 2011 REGULAR
MEETING MINUTES AS CORRECTED. LLOYD HILGART SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4 -0 WITH BRIAN STUMPF ABSTAINING FROM
VOTING.
213. Approval of Minutes — November 16, 2011 Special Meeting
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ACCEPT THE NOVEMBER 16, 2011 SPECIAL
MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. LLOYD HILGART SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda
Jeff O'Neill noted copies of information provided for Council members: email
regarding meeting to discuss legislation affecting school districts; December 14th
FEMA Flood Risk meeting/open house; New River letter regarding governance
decision.
4. Citizen comments, public service announcements, and staff updates
a. Citizen Comments: None
b. Public Service Announcements:
1) MCC Holiday events — Kitty Baltos reported on Home for Holidays on
December Pin in West Bridge Park with a Santa Parade, photos with Santa,
Horse drawn wagon rides, and more. On December 3`a, MCC "Around the
World" Holiday Celebration will be held in conjunction with ECFE Task
Force at the Community Center. There will be many fun activities and
photos with Santa (sponsored by FiberNet). An Indoor Fanner's Market
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will be held at the Community Center that same day. Sun, Dec 18 Skate
with Sant
2) Swan Park camera — Bob Paschke noted a donation of $2000 from Xcel
Energy and in -kind donations from Kaltec, Wes Olson Electric and Wright
Hennepin Electric will be used to fund camera equipment and installation
at Swan Park. Public Works will be working on pole installation this
week. Clint Herbst asked if there are plans to alert the public about the
viewing camera when it is ready. Bob explained that they would be
placing a sign at Swan Park.
C. Staff Updates: None
5. Consent Agenda:
A. Consideration of approving payment of bills for November 281'. THIS ITEM
WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
B. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for City departments.
Recommendation: Ratify new hires and terminations for Parks, MCC,
Water /Sewer, and Liquor Store.
C. Consideration of adopting Resolution #2011 -107 approving contribution from
Tom Perrault for the General Fund. Recommendation: Adopt Resolution
#2011 -107 approving donation of $250 from Tom Perrault for the General Fund.
D. Consideration of approving a license for on -sale intoxicating liquor and Sunday
liquor for River City Lanes Acquisition Group, Inc. dba River City Extreme at
3875 School Boulevard; Applicants: Mike and Matthew Anderson.
Recommendation: Approve license for on -sale and Sunday liquor for River City
Lanes Acquisition Group, Inc dba River City Extreme at 3875 School Boulevard.
E. Consideration of adopting Resolution #2011 -105 approving submission of an
application for a DEED grant by the Monticello EDA. Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution #2011 -105 approving submission of an application for a DEED
redevelopment grant and allocation of matching funds.
F. Consideration of adopting Resolution #2011 -106 appointing the State
Commissioner of Transportation as Agent of the City of Monticello for accepting
federal aid fiends for eligible transportation improvements. Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution #2011 -106 appointing the State Commissioner of
Transportation as agent for the City for accepting federal aid funds for eligible
transportation improvements.
G. Consideration of calling for a Special Council Meeting in December for approval
of bills. THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
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H. Consideration of authorizing replacement of light fixtures that will convert to
energy efficient units at Public Works buildings utilizing Xcel Energy rebates and
incentives. THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
AGENDA.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE
REMOVAL OF ITEMS A, G AND H. TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
6. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion
#5A. Consideration of approving payment of bills for November 28th
Lloyd Hilgart had questions on what the payments were for to Calix Networks (for ONT
boxes for FiberNet), Century Link (for monthly 911 access), and Doug Lyseng (for IT
consultant fees).
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF THE BILL REGISTERS
FOR NOVEMBER 28T1 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,075,794.28. TOM PERRAULT
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
#5G. Consideration of calling for a Special Council Meeting in December for
approval of bills
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO CALL FOR A SPECIAL MEETING ON THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 22ND AT 7:00 A.M. FOR APPROVAL OF BILLS. CLINT HERBST
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
#5H. Consideration of authorizing replacement of light fixtures that will convert to
energy efficient units at Public Works buildings utilizing Xcel Energy rebates and
incentives
Lloyd Hilgart pulled this item as he wanted information on the quotes. Tom Moores
explained that he had received a second quote from Olson Electric just this day and
handed out copies. Tom Moores explained that BLI upfronts the entire project cost and
then bills the City for the portion that is not covered by rebates. Olson Electric bills the
City for the entire project and then the rebates are sent directly to the City from Xcel
Energy. Olson Electric's quote was slightly less than the one from BLI.
Clint Herbst asked if Olson Electric quote, dated today, was lower because they might
have been aware of the other quote amount. Tom Moores did not think so.
Tom Perrault asked about date of October 22, 2011 on the BLI quote for lighting
upgrades and asked if it was still effective. Tom Moores explained that the quote is still
good.
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Lloyd Hilgart asked why they did not seek a quote from Wes Olson Electric. Tom
Moores said he did not contact Wes Olson to submit a quote on this project. He was
originally contacted by BLI with the proposal to submit a quote in September and set it
aside due to other priorities. When he pulled it out, he contacted Olson Electric for an
alternate quote in keeping with the City's purchasing policy. Glen Posusta asked how the
decision was made to request this project and who was in charge. Tom Moores explained
that he and Bob Paschke had worked together. Glen Posusta asked if any other city
buildings were considered for updates and Tom Moores explained that they decided to
focus on Public Works buildings at this time to see how it worked out.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED FOR ALTERNATIVE 41 APPROVING REPLACEMENT
OF LIGHT FIXTURES WITH ENERGY EFFICIENT UNITS UTILIZING XCEL
ENERGY REBATES AND INCENTIVES AND AWARDING THE CONTRACT TO
THE LOWEST BIDDER, OLSON ELECTRIC. TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
7. Consideration of approving an Addendum to the Memorandum of Understandin
(MOU) between Wright County, City. of Monticello, and YMCA of Minneapolis;
approving a purchase agreement for the Phase III acquisition at the Bertram Chain
of Lakes Regional Park; and approving a shared use agreement between the three
ap rties
Angela Schumann summarized this item for Council with a presentation about the Phase
III acquisition at Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park. Angela Schumann first talked
about the MOU with the YMCA and how that defines the transactions of the property in
segments. The original MOU allowed for a 99 year lease for YMCA day camp. The
amended MOU more specifically identifies the use of facilities with the purchase of
Parcel 7B which includes the swimming beach on Bertram Lake. The amended MOU
also considers a move of Camp Manitou to Parcel 8 in the future.
The Shared Use Agreement identifies the use of facilities existing on the property and
how they can be used for continued YMCA day camp operations. Insurance provisions
are also addressed in this agreement.
The Purchase Agreement identifies the price for the Phase III acquisition which matches
the grant agreements.
The recommendation is for approval of the documents for the Phase III acquisition. The
next steps will look further at day camp scope and future shared use teens. The Bertram
Advisory Board will be meeting this week for further discussion of uses.
Jeff O'Neill pointed out there is some clarification needed on what is meant by "non-
motorized" use on the lakes.
Lloyd Hilgart asked about the revised appraisal value based on the combined grant
award. Angela explained that the appraisal values are looked at as a whole and at each
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individual parcel. The appraised values may change but the overall purchase price will
not exceed $20.5 million. Glen Posusta explained that there is a need to purchase parcels
with regard to appraised value in accordance with the MOU. Angela Schumann pointed
out that with each acquisition grant, it is required to look at the appraisal and review of
the appraisal for grant purposes.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED FOR ALTERNATIVE #1 APPROVING THE THIRD
ADDENDUM TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
WRIGHT COUNTY, CITY OF MONTICELLO AND YMCA OF THE TWIN CITIES,
TO APPROVE THE SHARED USE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
MONTICELLO, WRIGHT COUNTY AND THE YMCA OF THE TWIN CITIES, AND
TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE PHASE III ACQUISITION
AT THE BERTRAM CHAIN OF LAKES REGIONAL PARK. GLEN POSUSTA
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4 -1 WITH TOM PERRAULT
VOTING IN OPPOSITION.
8. Consideration of reinstatement of Jerod Ruotsalainen to his position in the
Water /Sewer Department
Tracy Ergen explained that the City is asking for Jerod Ruotsalainen to be reinstated into
his former position as Foreman for the Water /Sewer Department. Tracy Ergen explained
that he had left for a position with the City of Anoka. Shortly after starting there, he
contacted Matt Theisen and asked for consideration of getting his job back with the City
of Monticello. Tracy Ergen mentioned that the city has advertised for his replacement
and received about 30 applications.
Lloyd Hilgart asked if proper notice had been given by Jerod Ruotsalainen. Tracy Ergen
stated that he had given three weeks' notice. Tracy Ergen also noted that, in his exit
interview, Jerod Ruotsalainen is a very positive employee, a hard worker, well- respected
in the department and at Public Works. Jerod did comment that his main concerns were
the response time requirements in the City and technology is lacking in the Water and
Sewer Department.
Brian Stumpf commented that he was concerned about the applicants that have sent in
applications and how the City will respond to them; it is possible that there would be
other excellent candidates in the pool. He feels that if Jerod quit, that should be it.
Glen Posusta commented that he felt the same way initially, but realizes the knowledge
that Jerod has gained is quite valuable to the City. He feels it is acceptable to allow him
to have his job back but with a penalty of some sort.
Matt Theisen talked to Council about the applications which he had reviewed. He found
12 possible persons to interview. Of those, most of them are currently earning more than
the City's union scale. He feels nine would be possible interviews, but was concerned
about the outcome when they find out they would have to start at the low end of the scale.
Matt would like to have Jerod Ruotsalainen back as he knows his track record and his
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expertise. Jeff O'Neill encouraged Council to consider hiring Jerod back and noted that
this would possibly be a precedent for the future in the decision that they make.
Glen Posusta again stated that he would be okay with hiring Jerod Ruotsalainen back, but
recommends that he lose a week of vacation for the next three years. He asked if Jerod
was present and it was so noted.
Brian Stumpf asked Jerod to step forward and explain his thoughts on a possible penalty.
Jerod explained that the most vacation he has taken has been no more than a week at a
time so he would be okay with a penalty forfeiting some future vacation. He stated that
he would much prefer to return to Monticello and understands the concerns of the
Council.
Lloyd Hilgart asked what made him decide that he wanted to return. Jerod Ruotsalainen
stated that the system at Anoka is so neglected that it was very difficult to work with.
They have gone through 11 employees in 2 years in that one department. Glen Posusta
also noted that Jerod had been given some promises that turned out to be false.
Clint Herbst summarized that he appreciated the comments and agrees that some penalty
is likely deserved. He suggested that Jerod Ruotsalainen also give a 2 week notice to the
City of Anoka before returning to work at Monticello.
CLINT HERBST MOVED FOR ALTERNATIVE #2 TO REINSTATE JEROD
RUOTSALAINEN AS FOREMAN IN THE WATER/SEWER DEPARTMENT
UNDER A SIX MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD, EARNING VACATION AT A
REDUCED RATE OF 3.08 HOURS PER PAY PERIOD FOR 2012. LLOYD
HILGART SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4 -1 WITH GLEN
POSUSTA VOTING IN OPPOSITION.
9. Added items
There were no items added to the agenda.
10. Adjournment
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:53 P.M. TOM
PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman
Approved: December 12, 2011
Attest: a
Cit nistrator
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