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City Council Minutes 03-22-1993MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Monday, March 22, 1993 - 7 p.m. Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle, and Patty Olsen Members Absent: None 2. Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting held March 8, 1993. It was noted that the citizens' comment item pertaining to granting permission for a limited burn on property east of Sixth Street Annex did not include the motion vote. The minutes were amended to include the unanimous vote of the Council on this item. After further discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle, seconded by Clint Herbst, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of March 8 as presented and amended. 3. Citizens' comments/petitions, requests, and complaints. There were none. 4. Consideration of an application for a one -day gambling license --Ducks Unlimited Banquet. The Wright County Ducks Unlimited organization requested a one -day gambling license to conduct a raffle as part of their May 10, 1993, annual banquet. A motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Brad Fyle, and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of this one - day license. SEE RESOLUTION 93-8. 5. Consideration of 1993 fee schedule revisions. The current fee schedule in use by the City for various building and zoning permits and applications, liquor license applications, and other miscellaneous services and fees provided by the City was reviewed by the Council. It was noted by the City Administrator that the current fee schedule did not include the charges for a sign permit nor the fees for home occupation permits. It was recommended that the fee schedule be adopted with the addition of a fee established for the sign and home occupation permits as follows: Page 1 Council Minutes - 3/22/93 1. Sign permit - fee to be $10 for first $1,000 of value and $5 for each $1,000 of value thereafter, with a minumum fee of $10. 2. Home Occupation permits - administrative permit charge to be $10 and the special permit fee to be $125 plus expenses. After further review of the various fees currently in place, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Patricia Olsen, and unanimously carried to adopt a fee schedule as recommended for the sign permits and home occupation permits. 6. Consideration of proposal from Bridge Water Telephone for new phone system for the public works facility. Public Works Director, John Simola, reviewed with the Council a new phone system that had been proposed by Bridge Water Telephone Company for the maintenance building facilities. The Norstar system is similar to the AT&T Partner II system that was reviewed by the Council previously. The phones have many of the same basic features, including direct extension dialing or menu dialing, and also included voice mail capabilities. Simola noted that the cost of the Norstar system with optional features recommended totaled $6,878.25 compared to the previously -reviewed AT&T system at $5,280. Councilmember Fyle noted that it was his opinion the maintenance building facilities did not need an entirely new phone system for over $6,000, as he has not experienced any problems in delays or reaching individuals in the public works department. Bridge Water representative, Wayne Mayer, did confirm that were inefficiencies in how the phone system was currently installed and that the public works employees did not have direct access to each building but would have to physically search for employees receiving phone calls. John Simola also noted that Bridge Water Telephone Company will soon have Centrex switching gear available that would allow the addition of many features that the department is now seeking in a new phone system. The availability of this new system would not be until later in 1993 and, as a result, still recommended that the Council consider purchasing a new phone system at this time. Any equipment purchased would be compatible to the Centrex system in the future. Simola also noted that improving the communications through the purchase of a new phone system should allow the public works department to delay the addition of a full-time secretary for up to possibly one to three years. Page 2 Council Minutes - 3/22/93 Based on eliminating the need for a public works department secretary at this time, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Clint Herbst to authorize the purchase of the Norstar system from Bridge Water Telephone Company for the public works facilities in an amount totaling $6,600. Voting in favor: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst. Opposed: Brad Fyle, Patricia Olsen. 7. Consideration of future cable equipment installation for council chambers. City Council reviewed with the Administrator the feasibility of future installation of video equipment within the council chambers. It was noted that the equipment purchases and installation costs would be paid by the Sherburne Wright Cable Commission of which Monticello is a member. The estimated cost of the eventual cable equipment installation could be as high as $25,000 to $40,000 depending on the amount of remodeling work necessary and the type of equipment purchased. Councilmember Anderson again indicated her support for the televising of meetings on cable. Councilmember Fyle had indicated he would like to see the equipment and tour the facility in the Elk River City Hall before committing to the installation in Monticello. Councilmember Herbst suggested that Monticello tentatively indicate a desire to install the equipment in 1994 and so inform the Cable Commission. After further discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Clint Herbst, and unanimously carried to authorize and request the Sherburne Wright Cable Commission to do a feasibility study on the future installation of cable equipment within the council chambers for 1994 installation. 8. Consideration of a resolution amending Cardinal Hills phase III bid opening date from 10 a.m., April 2, 1993, to 10 a.m., April 9, 1993. A motion was made by Clint Herbst, seconded by Shirley Anderson, and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution changing the bid opening date from 10 a.m., April 2, 1993, to 10 a.m., April 9, 1993, for the Cardinal Hills phase III improvement project 93-02C. SEE RESOLUTION 93-9. Page 3 Council Minutes - 3/22/93 9. Consideration to adopt a resolution calling for a public hearing on the proposed modification of the Redevelopment Plan for Redevelopment Project No. 1, the modification of Tax Increment Districts Nos. 1-1 through 1-14, and the adoption of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan for TIF District No. 1-15 (Custom Canopy). The City Council was informed that the Monticello HRA has adopted a resolution authorizing the preparation of a TIF Plan for District No. 1-15 for Custom Canopy Company. As part of the TIF District creation, the City Council must call for a public hearing on the creation of this district. As a result, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Patricia Olsen, and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution calling for a public hearing on the adoption of the TIF Plan for District No. 1-15 (Custom Canopy). SEE RESOLUTION 93-10. 10. Consideration of a resolution approving final plans for improvement to eastbound County Road 75. Previously, the City Council had reviewed and approved the preliminary plans for the improvement to the eastbound lane of CSAR 75 from Highway 25 to the high school. Prior to the project being let out for bids, the City Council must now approve final plans. There have been no changes to the plan; therefore, a motion was made by Brad Fyle, seconded by Shirley Anderson, and unanimously carried to adopt the resolution approving final plans for the improvement to County Road 75. SEE RESOLUTION 93-11. 11. Consideration of bills for the month of March. A motion was made by Brad Fyle, seconded by Clint Herbst, and unanimously carried to approve the bills for the month of March as presented. 12. Other matters. A. The City Council was informed that Mr. John Middendorf has accepted the position of Water/Sewer Collection System Operator and will be starting April 5, 1993. One item that staff failed to include in an informational package that was sent out to all applicants was that the City's health insurance company's policy did not cover new employees or their families for the first 30 days. Since Mr. Middendorf was not aware of this policy, the Council discussed the City Administrator and Public Works Director's recommendation that the City consider reimbursing Mr. Middendorf for continuing his present coverage with the City of Clarkfield for the first 30 days. Page 4 Council Minutes - 3/22/93 While the Council did feel that it may be the general standard industry- wide that the first 30 days are not covered for new employees, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Clint Herbst to reimburse Mr. Middendorf up to $351.37 for the first month's insurance coverage and to authorize the City Administrator to change the policy wording in our personnel policy to clarify that new employees will receive insurance coverage when they become eligible based on insurance company standards. B. Heard an update from the Public Works Director and City Engineer who estimated the improvement and reconstruction of Fallon Avenue between Dundas Road and Cardinal Hills development could cost $190,000. No action was taken other than to discuss the possible improvement of Fallon Avenue with the Monticello Township Board in the future. C. Reviewed and discussed the recent burning permit that was issued to Veit Construction concerning property located east of Sixth Street Annex. Council members expressed dissatisfaction with the entire land - clearing operation and noted they were not advised that the entire property was going to be cleared of all trees. Mayor Maus noted that the property owner did have the authority to remove trees if he desired, and Mr. Veit did agree to haul some of the larger trees off site to a demolition site rather than burning. It was noted by Brad Fyle that some soil erosion controls may be necessary, and City staff should continue to monitor the site. D. Discussed with Councilmember, Patty Olsen, her recent advertisement that contained an apparent recommendation from a City official for realtors, Patty Olsen and Judy Leming. Ms. Olsen expressed her dissatisfaction with the way the matter was handled by City administration, and councilmembers also expressed their concern over the advertisement being used with the City of Monticello's name and individual employee's title being associated with the ad. Qx__4 Rick Wolfstelle City Administrator Page 5