City Council Minutes 05-10-1993MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, May 10, 1993 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle, Patty
Olsen
Members Absent: None
2. Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting held April 26,
1993.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Brad Fyle to approve the meeting minutes as submitted. Motion carried
unanimously.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
None forthcoming.
4. Consideration of a variance request that would allow development of a
driveway within a 5 -ft minimum setback area and allow construction of a
canopy over clinic entrance. Applicant, Monticello -Big Lake Hospital District.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that the hospital district requests
variances that would enable the district to install a 24 -ft wide driveway and
covered canopy to service the front entrance of the clinic site. In order to
construct the driveway, a 5 -ft variance to the driveway setback requirement
is necessary. In addition, a 30 -ft variance is necessary to allow construction
of a canopy in the front yard area.
O'Neill reported that the Planning Commission recommended that the
variances be approved because of the unique needs of the handicapped and
elderly that commonly use the site. Installation of the drive and canopy will
improve the ability of the site to serve handicapped or elderly that may have
difficulty entering the building without direct vehicular transportation to the
door.
Council discussed whether or not the conditions at the site were unique enough
to justify a variance without impairing the intent of the ordinance.
Clint Herbst felt that a variance was justified. He pointed out that the
original structure could not be set back any farther because of the steep hill.
This was a unique situation or hardship that the clinic faced when placing the
building on the property in the first place. He also felt that without a canopy,
it is difficult to provide adequate access to the site for some of its primary
users, which include elderly and handicapped.
Page 1
Council Minutes - 5/10/93
John Simola noted that the distance from the Hart Boulevard road surface to
the proposed driveway is substantial at this location and that placement of the
canopy and driveway as proposed will not create a negative impact on the
ability of the City to maintain the road surface and provides adequate room for
snow storage.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley
Anderson to approve the variance to the 5 -ft minimum setback requirement
and to approve the construction of a canopy within the front yard setback area
based on the following findings:
1. Original placement of the structure toward the front of the
property was necessary to accommodate a hardship created by
steep slopes on the property. Therefore, the need for the variance
was not created directly by the property owner but was the result
of the topographic condition which the original site plan had to
respond to in order to provide reasonable use of the property.
2. Elderly and handicapped are major users of medical clinic
facilities. Without the driveway and canopy, accessibility for
handicapped and elderly is difficult and, therefore, the variances
are necessary to provide a reasonable use of the property.
3. The variances granted will not alter the essential character of the
area.
Motion carried unanimously.
5. Discuss the possibility of allowing the hospital district to utilize a 5 -ft x 120 -ft
section of Hart Boulevard richt-of-way for driveway and canopy post location.
Location is Block 22, Lot 1 and west 1/2 of Lot 2, Lower Monticello.
Council discussed the possibility of allowing the hospital district to utilize a
5 -ft by 120 -ft section of Hart Boulevard right-of-way for driveway and canopy
post location.
It was concluded that from a functional standpoint, there was sufficient room
between the existing road surface and the proposed driveway and canopy
locations to allow an encroachment into the city boulevard as proposed.
It was the consensus of Council to allow the hospital district to utilize the
right-of-way as proposed. City Attorney, Paul Weingarden, outlined possible
methods for vacating the necessary right-of-way. He indicated that he was not
sure if simply leasing the space to the hospital district would be acceptable
Page 2
C:1
7.
Council Minutes - 5/10/93
because he had not done the research to determine whether or not Hart
Boulevard is a dedicated street right-of-way. If it is determined that Hart
Boulevard is a dedicated street right-of-way and not owned by the City, then
the normal street vacation process would need to be followed.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Patty Olsen to authorize City staff to prepare a lease agreement which would
allow the hospital district to utilize a 5 -ft x 120 -ft section of Hart Boulevard
for driveway purposes and for the location of canopy posts. In the event that
the City Attorney finds that Hart Boulevard is a dedicated street, then staff
is directed to set a public hearing calling for vacating the 5 -ft x 120 -ft section
of Hart Boulevard. Motion carried unanimously.
Review first quarter liquor store financial report.
Ken Maus expressed concern over the gross profit percentage of 27% and the
concurrent reduction in sales volume. He was concerned that the pricing
practices at the store may be getting too high and not consistent with the
competition's.
Rick Wolfsteller noted that part of the reason for the high gross sales could be
the result of a mistake in the inventory. Wolfsteller noted that in the past
three years, our gross profit percentage was in the 23% range.
Patty Olsen suggested that the liquor store complete an up-to-date inventory
by the end of May. Joe Hartman, Liquor Store Manager, said that they can
inventory the store products at any time.
It was the consensus of Council that the City double-check accuracy of the
inventory and determine approximately what our gross profit margin really is.
Consideration of authorizing preparation of a transportation plan.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill requested that Council consider authorizing
preparation of a transportation study that would help prioritize and schedule
future investments in transportation infrastructure. He noted that the south
side of Monticello is growing at a rapid rate, and it is likely that the pace of
development will continue to increase. The existing road system serving the
growing portions of the community appear to be adequate to serve short-term
needs; however, in the long run, it is evident that the additions to the
transportation network as described in the Chelsea Corridor Study will need
to be implemented in order to properly serve the area. The major goal of the
study will be to inventory the current use of the existing system and create a
computer model which accurately describes the actual traffic patterns. This
information will help identify current and future problem areas. Once the base
Page 3
Council Minutes - 5/10/93
information is prepared, then the study can be used to assess how traffic
patterns will be impacted with the enhancement or development of a particular
road system. This information in turn will allow us to prioritize road
development. The computer model will become an important tool that we can
use to properly stage development of our infrastructure to serve the emerging
needs of the community in a cost-effective manner.
O'Neill also noted that in addition to providing a tool to help establish
priorities for cost-effective roadway development, the information can be used
in conjunction with communication with MN/DOT relative to needed
improvements and potential funding assistance for City -proposed projects. The
transportation plan can also be used as a basis for securing approval from the
Federal Highway Administration on improvements that affect Interstate 94.
O'Neill stated that the item was not budgeted for in 1993; however, funds are
available through the Minnesota State Aid Program. Therefore, there would
be no direct impact on the property tax. However, fewer dollars would be left
over for actual physical maintenance of state aid roads.
Bret Weiss went on to review the study in detail. Ken Maus asked why OSM
is qualified to complete this study. Bret Weiss responded by saying that the
OSM transportation department has completed similar studies and is capable
of meeting study standards determined by MN/DOT.
Brad Fyle indicated that he is not convinced that it is necessary to complete
the study at this time.
Patty Olsen indicated that the traffic problems in the community are
continuing to grow and that this study is overdue.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Patty
Olsen to authorize completion of a transportation study as proposed by OSM
and City staff at a cost of $9,500. Voting in favor of the motion: Ken Maus,
Patty Olsen, Clint Herbst, Shirley Anderson. Opposed: Brad Fyle.
8. Consideration of a resolution updating the municipal state aid street system
for the city of Monticello.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill explained that due to increases in population,
the City is eligible to designate additional mileage under the state aid
program. He noted that staff proposes that Council assign the additional
mileage to Cedar Street from Oakwood Lane to School Boulevard. This
roadway parallels Highway 25 and serves as a frontage road for Highway 25.
Designation of this roadway as a state aid road will allow us to use state aid
Page 4
7
10.
Council Minutes - 5/10/93
funds to construct a proper alignment of Cedar Street at the intersection of
Cedar Street and County Road 117. In addition, drainage problems at this
intersection can be corrected utilizing state aid funds.
Brad Fyle was concerned that there may be other roads better suited for state
aid designation. Bret Weiss indicated that designated roadways must be
connected to either county or state highways. There are relatively few other
locations in the community where local roads meet this requirement. He also
noted that road designations can be changed at some point in the future.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Clint Herbst to approve a resolution updating the municipal state aid street
system for the city of Monticello. Motion carried unanimously.
SEE RESOLUTION 93-16.
Consideration of purchasing a personal computer for Office Manager.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill requested that Council consider approval of
purchasing a more powerful personal computer for Office Manager, Karen
Doty. The request stems from an increase in demands for data base
maintenance and word processing and due to limitations in the memory of the
existing computer.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Clint Herbst to approve the purchase of an upgraded personal computer for the
Office Manager at a cost not to exceed $3,000 as budgeted. Motion carried
unanimously.
Consideration of update and improvement to eastbound CSAH 75.
John Simola reported that at the last meeting, City Council briefly discussed
the possibility of the County Road 75 project being delayed beyond Labor Day.
Council instructed staff to see if the City could up -front the cost of the federal
portion of the highway project due to the delay in federal funding.
After speaking with Wright County officials, Simola found that this might not
be a good idea because any money spent prior to the time of project award
cannot be recovered. Simola also noted that the project has also been reduced
one notch in priority. Simola recommended that the City Council continue
with attempts to have the County complete the project this year. Wright
County's traffic control plan provides for minimum interruption and
inconvenience during the project. There are no guarantees in 1994 that the
construction period would occur during a period of time with less interruption
and inconvenience to the public.
Page 5
Council Minutes - 5/10/93
After discussion, it was the consensus of Council to continue supporting the
County's attempt to have the project completed this year with federal highway
funding, which would mean the earliest completion date would be the week
after Labor Day.
11. Other matters.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed a summary of zoning ordinance
violations now occurring within the city. He requested further direction from
Council as to proceeding with possible enforcement action. After discussion,
it was the consensus of Council to review each specific violation and determine
priorities for enforcement based on criteria such as health and safety impacts,
impact of violation on adjoining property values, and the level of public
complaints.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Jeff O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
Page 6