City Council Minutes 06-12-1978MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
June 12, 1978 - 7:30 P.M.
Members present: C. 0. Johnson, D. Blonigen, A. Grimsmo, P. White.
Members absent: Gene Walters
1. Consideration of Adoption of Assessment Polio'.
A revised draft of the proposed Assessment Policy and the proposed Subdivision
Ordinance changes was reviewed by the City Council. The revised drafts,
prepared by Springsted, Inc., fiscal consultants for the City, incorporated
the revisions recommended by the City Council at the previous Council meeting
held May 22, 1978.
Some of the changes made in the revised Assessment Policy included the follow-
ing:
A. Each unit parcel assessment for a residential lot would be based
on the City's minimum lot size requirements of 80 feet.
B. Lateral assessments against property zoned and/or currently used
at the time of installation as multiple family residential shall
be determined on the basis of 75% of a single family residential
equivalent unit or on a front footage basis as determined by the
Council.
C. Storm sewer shall be assessed 100% against the benefitting property,
whether or not the services are made immediately available. Future
extensions of storm sewer improvements may result in additional
assessments for areas that were previously assessed.
D. When a lift station is determined to be of general or partial bene-
fit to the City, it should be paid for wholly or partially through
sewer user charges, rather than ad valorem taxes.
E. Street improvement assessments should be based over a ten-year period,
rather than 20 -years.
F. A developer of a new subdivision would be required to deposit with
the City a minimum of 25% of the proposed improvement cost before
construction would take place.
A motion was made by Arve Grimsmo, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously
carried to adopt the assessment policy as presented along with the proposed
subdivision ordinance changes regarding assessments. (See Supplement
6/12/78 #1.)
6/12/78
2. Public Hearing - Proposed 197$ Improvement Projects.
A public hearing was held for the following proposed improvements:
(A) Extension of Curb, Gutter and Permanent Street Improvements from the
intersection of 6th and Pine Streets to 6th and Cedar Streets.
(B) Extension of Sanitary Sewer,
Permanent Street Improvements
subdivisions:
Sandberg South Plat
Riverside Plat
Country Club Manor Plat
Kampa Estates Plat
Watermain, Storm Sewer, Curb, Gutter, and
along all streets within the following
(C) Extensions of Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer, Curb, Gutter and Permanent
Street Improvements through Lauring Hillside Addition from the inter-
section of 7th and Cedar to Washington and 7th Street along Lauring Lane.
(D) Extensions of Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer, Watermain, Curb, Gutter and
Permanent Street Improvements through all streets within Holker Hillside
Addition.
(E) Extension of Watermain and Bituminous Surfacing on Chelsea Road from
Lot 4, Block 2, Oakwood Industrial Park east to Lot 5, ;Block 21 Oakwood
Industrial Park.
(F) Extension of Sewer and Water from a point on Golf Course Road (West
County Road #39) approximately 950 feet west of the intersection of
Golf Course Road and Elm Street to and along portions of Golf Course
Road to the Interstate 94 overpass.
Regarding item (A) listed above, only street improvements were originally
requested for this area. John Badalich, City Engineer, recommended that
since sewer could not be installed in this street at the present time to
serve the property abutting 6th Street, it was recommended that this
improvement not be completed until a future interceptor sewer line was
installed through the area.
A motion was then made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously
carried to deny this street improvement request.
Regarding extension item (B), a motion was made by Phil White, seconded by
Dan Blonigen and unanimously carried to approve the extension of Sewer, Water,
Storm Sewer, Curb and Gutter and Permanent Street Improvements along all
streets within the following subdivisions:
Sandberg South Plat
Riverside Plat
Country Club Manor Plat
Kampa Estates Plat
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6/12/78
In regards to item (C), Mr. Roy Lauring had petitioned only for sewer to be
extended through his Lauring Hillside Addition. Mr. John Badalich,City
Engineer, recommended that along with sewer extension permanent streets,
curb and gutter and storm sewer facilities should be constructed at the same
time. Mr. Lauring was informed that without permanent streets or curb and
gutter building permits would not be issued on those lots in the Hillside
development until such improvements were installed. Mr. Badalich also reminded
the Council that the City Ordinances do require all utilities to be installed,
including streets, as part of the Subdivision requirements.
A motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen to approve the
extension of sewer only through the Hillside Addition. Voting in
favor: Blonigen and White. Opposed: Grimsmo and Johnson. Because of
the tie vote, the extension was denied.
(D) Extensions of Sewer, Storm Sewer, Water, Curb and Gutter and Permanent
Streets through the Holker Hillside Addition was approved on a motion made
by Grimsmo, seconded by Blonigen and unanimously carried.
Item (E) extension of Watermain and Bituminous Surfacing on Chelsea Road
from Lot 4, Block 21 Oakwood Industrial Park to the east of Lot 5, Block 2,
Oakwood Industrial Park was approved on a motion by Phil White, seconded
by Arve Grimsmo and unanimously carried.
Item (F) Phil White made a motion, seconded by Arve Grimsmo and unanimously
carried to approve the extension of Sewer and Water along Golf Course Road
with the exception of the Lloyd Grossnickle property, and the Monticello
Country Club.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously
carried to adopt a resolution ordering preparation of plans and specifica—
tions for the 1978-1 Improvement Project as approved. (Resolution
#1-97$-10)
3. Public Hearing — Variance Request on Sideyard Setback — Ron Peters.
Mr. Ron Peters requested a variance to build a garage up to the lot line
of his property at 503 West 6th Street. Mr. Peters has indicated that he
would like to place the garage as far as possible to the side of his lot
to allow room for a patio between his house and the garage at a later date.
Mr. Peters has obtained letters from both of his abutting neighbors indicating
they have no objections to his request.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved the variance request at their
last meeting, provided the drip line of the garage was on his property.
Motion was made by Grimsmo, seconded by Blonigen and unanimously carried
to approve the variance request provided the drip line remained on his
property.
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6/12/78
4. Consideration of Ordinance Amendment, Conditional Use Permit, and Buil
Permit Request for a Tom Thumb Superette - James Refrigeration.
Mr. Charles James applied for a Conditional Use Permit to build a convenience
food store and self-service gas station on the Southeast corner of the inter-
section of State Highway #25 and Oakwood Drive.
This area is currently zoned Highway Business and in order to allow such a
use an Ordinance Amendment would be necessary to allow a motor fuel station/
convenience food store. The present City Ordinances allow a fuel station
as a conditional use within a B-3, but it would be necessary to clarify the
Ordinance by adding the wording motor fuel station/convenience food store
as a conditional use.
Mr. James proposed to build a 3,571 square foot store that would be constructed
of concrete block with a Cedar Shake roof. The convenience store would have
one self-service island for gasoline and would be open from 7:00 A.M. until
11:00 P.M. daily.
The plans have been submitted to the building inspector and planning commission
and both parties have recommended approval of the permit contingent upon
the completion of drainage and landscaping plans.
Hearing no opposition regarding the conditional use permit or the ordinance
amendment, a motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by White and unanimously
carried to approve an ordinance amendment providing for a motor fuel station/
convenience store and a conditional use permit and building permit to
Mr. Charles James for a Tom Thumb Superette. (See Ordinance Amendment
8--25-75 #52) .
5. Consideration of Zoning Ordinance District Amendments.
As part of the review of the Revised Comprehensive Plan and the resulting
zoning ordinance district amendments, the following two areas were scheduled
for further review by the Planning Commission and City Council:
Area 1 - Approximately 120 acres located between County
Highway #75 and Interstate Highway #94, north of
Prairie Road, from R-1 (Single Family Residential)
to I-2 (Light Industrial).
Area 2 - Lots 1 through 10, Block 30, and Lots 1 through 5,
Block 37, from B-4 (Regional Business) to R -B (Resi-
dential Business) or R-2 (Single and Two -Family
Residential).
Various testimony has been received at a previous meeting from the surrounding
property owners in the Hillcrest area objecting to the rezoning of Area 1 from
R-1 (Single Family Residential) to I-2 (Light Industrial). However, various
individuals did support the rezoning of this area to Light Industrial due to
the fact that a current Light Industry (Electro Industries) is located in
this area along with the salvage yard currently operated by Edgar Klucas.
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6/12/78
The Planning Commission initially recommended that the entire area be
rezoned to Light Industrial, and after a second review, they again felt
the area should be rezoned to Light Industrial. Their recommendations were
based on the following:
A. The Electro Industries Property was originally zoned to Light Industrial
based on the premise that the surrounding area would also be zoned
to Light Industrial.
B. The Planning Commission felt that the County Highway #75 and the
adjacent railroad tracks would provide a sufficient buffer zone
from the Single Family Residential Zoning to the proposed Industrial
zoning.
C. It was noted that recent residential development has occurred next
to the area proposed for rezoning to Light Industrial and none of
the developers have expressed any objections to the proposed rezoning
to Light Industrial.
D. It was felt that the area right now is more of an industrial nature
due to the Electro Industries property and the salvage yard.
Based on the recommendations of the Planning Commission, a motion was made
by Arve Grimsmo, seconded by C. Johnson to approve the rezoning of Area 1
from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to I-1 (Light Industrial).
Voting in favor: Grimsmo, Johnson
Opposed: Blonigen and White.
Motion died as 4/51s vote of the Council is needed for rezoning approval.
Regarding the rezoning of Lots 1 through 10, Block 30 and Lots 1 through 5,
Block 37 from B-4 (Regional Business) to R -B (Residential Business) or
R-2 (Single and Two -Family Residential), the following testimony was received:
Mr. George Kirscht, property owner in Block 30, presented a petition
signed by all of the owners of property in Block 30, asking that the
entire Block be rezoned from B-4 to R-2 rather than Residential Business.
Mr. Kirscht also indicated that since Mr. Leo Stokes, property owner
in Block 37, currently uses his property for commercial uses, that
Lots 1 through 5 could be zoned Residential Business.
Mr. McKinnon, a property owner in Block 30, felt that the neighborhood
has always been residential and is now used entirely as residential
should be rezoned from commercial to R-2.
Mr. Leo Stokes, a property owner in Block 37, indicated he was definitely
against R-1 or R-2 zoning, but felt that he could live with an R -B
zoning for his property.
Babe Clausen, owner of the Dairy Store in Block 37, felt that the
entire Block should remain zoned B-4 (Regional Business) to facilitate
future business expansion in the area.
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6/12/78
After hearing the testimony from the property owners involved, a motion
was made by Grimsmo, seconded by Blonigen and unanimously carried to
approve the rezoning of the South half of Block 37 from B-4 (Regional
Business) to R -B (Residential Business) and rezone the entire Block 30
from B-4 (Regional Business) to R-2 (Single and Two -Family Residential)
6. Consideration of Conditional Use Permit for a Three -Family Dwelling
Unit - Leo Nel son.
Mr. Leo Nelson requested a conditional use permit to build a tri-plex
apartment on the Northwest corner of lith and Wright Streets in Monticello.
Since this area is currently zoned as R-2, a conditional use permit was
required.
The dwelling would consist of two one -bedroom units and one two-bedroom
unit situated on two 66' x 165' lots. Additionally, Mr. Nelson's pro-
posed tri-plex would include one covered garage space for each unit
and would appear to meet all provisions of the city ordinances.
Hearing no objections, Blonigen made a motion, seconded by White and
unanimously carried to approve the conditional use permit.
7. Consideration of Approval of Preliminary Plat for Commercial Plazal 25
Sam Peraro.
Mr. Sam Peraro proposed a 4 acre Commercial development plat consisting
of five lots located just South of the Glass Hut on State Highway #25.
The preliminary plat had been reviewed by the City Engineer and the
City Planning Commission. The Planning Commission recommended approval
of the preliminary plat contingent upon the Engineer's recommendations
being carried out regarding a soil survey.
The lots in the plat range in size from 29,240 square feet, to 42,000 square
feet. These lot sizes are less than the minimum requirement of 22 acres
for a lot without City sewer and water; however, Mr. Peraro has petitioned
the City to extend sewer and water to the area. Since one of the lots in
the plat already will be used by the Monticello Pet Clinic and would have
less than the 22 acre minimum requirement, a variance would have to be
granted for allowing these lots to be developed without sewer and water.
A motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously
carried to approve the preliminary plat as presented, along with a
variance for all five lots from the 22 acre minimum requirement for lots
without city sewer and water.
8. Public Hearing - Variance Request from 22 Acre Minimum Lot Size Without
City Sewer and Water and Conditional Use and Building Permit Request -
Automatic Garage Door Company, Inc.
The Automatic Garage Door Company manufacturers of overhead garage doors,
were proposing to build a 9,000 square foot combination warehouse/office
space in the Commercial Plaza 25 Plat.
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6/12/78
Since a final plat has not been presented and approved by the City Council
on this Commercial Plaza 25 Plat, any approval of the building permit
would be contingent upon approval of a final plat.
A conditional use permit was also requested to allow a warehouse for
storage contained entirely within a building. Additionally, since this
building is proposed to be on a 38,000 square foot lot, a variance was
requested from the City's requirement that each building lot without city
sewer and water be of at least � acres.
Hearing no objections, a motion was made by P. White, seconded by D. Blonigen
and unanimously carried to approve the conditional use permit for the
Automatic Garage Door Company along with the building permit and 22 acre
requirement variance for the 9,000 square foot building. It was noted that
once sewer and water becomes available to this property, the current city
ordinance requiring hookup to City utilities would be enforced. Additionally,
the building permit would not be issued until final plat has been approved
by the City Council.
9. Consideration of BuildinZ Permits for River Terrace Park, Marn Flicker,
and Wrightco Products.
A. The River Terrace Trailer Park requested a building permit to add a
14' x 32' addition to their recreation game room. Motion was made
by Blonigen, seconded by Grimsmo and unanimously carried to approve
this building permit.
B. Marn Flicker requested a building permit to construct a 1,000 square
foot concrete block building on the former Fullerton Lumberyard site.
Mr. Flicker has indicated that he will be removing the storage building
that is furthest west of Highway 25 and will be utilizing the first
storage building as an accessory use to his new building.
Mr. Flicker intends to build the new appliance store on the North portion
of the former Fullerton site with the South portion, or that abutting
the intersection of Highway #25 and 3rd Street, will be held for future
sale. The building plans indicate that 18 parking spaces of the 27 spaces
required will be provided on the site. Since Mr. Flicker is currently
being assessed for 23 spaces under the 1973 Parking Lot Improvement
Project, there is actually an excess of 14 parking spaces that will be
sold with the South portion of the lot.
Mot -ion was made by P. White, seconded by A. Grimsmo and unanimously
carried to approve the building permit for Marn Flicker's appliance store.
C. Wrightco Products, Inc. requested a building permit for a 3,900 square foot
steel cold storage building.
Provisions for parking appear adequate and plans have been approved by the
Planning Commission and the Building Inspector.
This new building will be situated behind the weigh scale and the parking
ramp will be sloped towards the building with a graded ramp, and therefore,
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6/12/78
it will be impossible for trucks to pull in off of Locust Street into
the weigh scale and turn around on the Wrightco Products property.
As a result, Jim Ridgeway, Wrightco Products President, requested that
an additional access opening to the weigh scale be considered for
easier access and egress from the weigh scale. The Council requested
that the Public Works Director work with Wrightco Products regarding
the second access to insure that traffic leaving the scale would have
to travel West along lith Street by placing some type of post at the
exit of the weigh scale access. It was hoped that the trucks would
be prohibited from making a U—turn on lith Street.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously
carried to approve the building permit request for a warehouse addition
by Wrightco Products.
10. Consideration of Extension of Variance for Overhanging, .for Monticello
Ford, Inc.
A variance was previously granted by the City Council to Monticello Ford
to allow two signs to project over the public right—of—way up to June 30,
1978. Monticello Ford requested that the variance be extended to August 31,
1978 to allow the completion of their new building.
Motion was made by P. White, seconded by A. Grimsmo to approve the overhanging
sign variance request until August 31, 1978.
Voting in favor: White, Grimsmo, Johnson
Opposed: Dan Blonigen.
Motion carried.
11. Consideration of Approval of Tem ora On—Sale Malt Liquor License — Lions Club.
Monticello Lions Club requested a temporary license to sell 3.2 beer on the
lath of July as part of the Independence Day celebration.
This celebration takes place in the Bridge Park and a license was approved
last year by the City Council for this same event for the Lions Club.
Motion was made by D. Blonigen, seconded by P. White and unanimously carried
to approve the temporary one—day beer license to the Lions Club.
12. Request of Change of Lot Line — HenEZ Doerr.
Henry Doerr requested to move a lot line in his subdivision to change a lot
size from 1101 in width to 96, in width and widen the abutting lot from 80'
to 94t. By moving these two lot lines, Mr. Doerr will be able to have
two lots of approximately the same size. According to the City ordinances,
a certificate of survey would be required along with any park dedication
unless waived by the City Council. Since these two lots were previously
in Doerr Estates and Roden Acres, subdivisions which previously have dedicated
parkland
to the
City, the
recommendation of the
Planning Commission was to
waive the
park
dedication
requirements in this
case.
6/12/78
Motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Grimsmo and unanimously carried
to approve this change in lot lines.
13-`d Consideration of Ratification of Contract with International Union of
Operating Engineers Local #49, AFL-CIO.
The City's union committee, consisting of Councilmen Arve Grimsmo and
Gene Walters, has had several negotiating sessions along with the Attorney,
Mike O'Connor, and City Administrator, Gary Wieber, with the Local #49
and Union Steward, relative to the above contract. The former contract
expired on March 31, 1978, and a new contract has been voted upon and
approved by the Union membership which will run for a two-year period of
time starting April 1, 1978, until March 31, 1980. The following wage
scales have been recommended for approval as follows:
April 1, 1978 top rate would be $5.90 per hour
April 1, 1979 rate would go to $6.30 per hour
The total package for the two-year period of time including the increase
in insurance and wage benefits amounts to 16.37 over the two-year period
of time.
Motion was made by P. White, seconded by D. Blonigen and unanimously carried
to approve the ratification of the contract with the I.U.O.E. Local #49.
(See Supplement 6-12-78 #2).
14.` Consideration of Approval of Final Payment - General Contractor - City Hall
Improvement Project.
The Architectural Alliance, architect for the new City Hall, recommended final
payment to the general contractor, Henry 0. Mikkelson & Company, be approved.
In addition to the final payment, a change order in the amount of $441.00
relative to the unused portion of the sign allowance be deducted from the
final payment.
Motion was made by A. Grimsmo, seconded by P. White and unanimously carried
to approve change order #3 resulting in a reduction of $441.00 and a final
payment in the amount of $17,313.00 on the City Hall Contract.
15. Consideration of Requiring Only City Council Approval for Building Permits
Other Than Single Family Residences.
Current Monticello Ordinances require that all building permits other than
a single family residence be approved by the Planning Commission and the
City Council. Oftentimes, this presents a problem, since the Planning
Commission only meets once a month and an individual or business may come
in after the Planning Commission meeting and it may take five to six weeks
to get approval for their building permit.
The Planning Commission, at their last meeting, recommended that building
permits not be required to go before the Planning Commission if there wasn't
a variance or rezoning request being made.
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6/12/78
Since the City has adopted a good set of zoning ordinances and now has
a fulltime building inspector on staff, a motion was made by C. Johnson,
seconded by D. Blonigen and unanimously carried to eliminate the requirement
of Planning Commission and Council approval for all building permits unless
the requested permit also requires other variances, conditional uses or
rezoning questions. Building permit requests may be brought to the Council
and Planning Commission for review if deemed necessary by the building
inspector. (See Ordinance Amendment 8--25-75 #53).
16. Interchange 94 Lighting System - East Side of Monticello.
Mr. Ed McCulloch, with the Brainerd office of the State Highway Department,
has indicated that the State Highway Department will be lighting the
interchange on the East Side of Monticello on Interstate 94 sometime in
the Spring or Summer of 1979. Mr. McCulloch requested that the City
Council discuss whether the City would be interested in bringing the
lighting system from the Interstate into the downtown area along
County Road #75.
Since the Lighting of County Road #75 does not appear feasible at this
time, motion was made by P. White, seconded by D. Blonigen and unanimously
carried to not consider such an improvement at this time.
17. Consideration of Building Permit Request - Northem States Power .
N.S.P. requested a building permit to construct a 12,000 square foot office
complex at the Nuclear Plant at Monticello.
The plans for the building have been submitted to the building inspector
and approved by the Planning Commission.
Motion was made by D. Blonigen, seconded by P. White and unanimously carried
to approve the issuance of a building permit to N.S.P.
18. Approval of Minutes.
Motion was made by A. Grimsmo, seconded by P. White and unanimously carried
to approve the Minutes of May 22, 1978 as presented.
19. Consideration of Hiring a Public Works Department Replacement.
By council consensus, the Public Works Director was authorized to advertise
for a person to replace Brian Meier, of the Public Works Department, who
will be resigning effective June 16, 1978.
Meeting adjourned.
d �l
Richard Wolfstp#ller
Assistant AdmInistrator
RW/ns
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