City Council Minutes 08-28-1978MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
August 28, 1978 - 7:30 P.M.
Members present: C. 0. Johnson, Dan Blonigen, Arve Grimsmo, Gene Walters,
Philip White.
1. Public Hearing - Consideration of Variance on Fence Height Limitation -
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Gus Hammer.
Mr. Gus Hammer requested a variance to allow a 6' high fence to be
erected on his property to within 20' of the front property line. Mr.
Hammer's house is located approximately 36' from his front property line,
and he requested that the fence be allowed to within 20' of the property
line. Mr. Hammer requested that he be allowed to extend the fence $'
closer to the property line than his neighbor's house setback is in order
to provide more privacy from the abutting residence.
Monticello ordinances state that no fence shall exceed 3' in height when
located in front of the principal building on a lot.
Because the location of the fence requested by Mr. Hammer would not seem
to obstruct any view of the neighbor due to the existing amount of trees
on the property line, a motion was made by D. Blonigen, seconded by P. White
and unanimously carried to approve the variance for a 6' high fence to be
erected to within 20' of the front property line for Mr. Gus Hammer.
2. Public Hearing - Setback Variance Request by Duane Rajanen.
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Mr. Duane Rajanen, of 112 E. 3rd Street, requested a variance to allow a
garage to be set back 5' from the easterly property line. Current ordinances
require a 10' setback, and Mr. Rajanen would like to remove the existing
garage and add on a double garage to within 5' of the property line.
Hearing no objections from the abutting property owners, motion was made
by P. White, seconded by D. Blonigen and unanimously carried to approve the
5' setback variance for Mr. Duane Rajanen.
3. Public Hearing - Variance Request from Minimum Lot Size Requirements by
Darwin Straw.
Mr. Darwin Straw requested a variance to allow the subdivision of Lots 19 2
and the W of Lot 3, Block 10, into two lots, one lot being 66' x 165' and
the other lot being 99' x 165'. Currently, there is an existing home and
garage located on Lot 1 and the W2-1 of Lot 2, and as a result of a dis-
cussion and recommendation from an abutting property owner, Mr. Straw
was agreeable to creating two lots, one lot being 75' x 165' and the other
lot being 90' x 165'. The recommendation to make the one lot 75' wide would
place it within 1' of the existing garage located on the other lot.
Minutes - 8/28/78
Ron Peters, a neighbor, indicated that he would be satisfied with a 75'
lot provided that the remaining 90' lot would not be subdivided someday
in the future into two additional parcels. Mr. Peters was informed that
the remaining 90' lot would again need variances from City ordinances
should Mr. Straw decide in the future to ever try and subdivide this lot.
Motion was made by D. Blonigen, seconded by A. Grimsmo and unanimously
carried to approve the subdivision request creating two lots, one being
75' wide and the other being 90' wide for Mr. Darwin Straw.
4. Public Hearing_- Variance on Setback for Garage by Tom Chock.
Mr. Tom Chock requested a variance from the setback provisions for a garage
at his apartment house at 801 W. 3rd Street, Lot 5, Block 42. Current
ordinances require a 10' sideyard setback and Mr. Chock requested a
to be allowed to build within 5' of the West property line.
Since Mr. Chock owns the abutting property to the west and no other
opposition was heard, a motion was made by A. Grimsmo, seconded by
D. Blonigen and unanimously carried to approve the 5' setback variance
for the garage on Mr. Chock's property.
5. , Public Hearing on the Proposed Use of Federal Revenue Sharing Funds.
In 1979, Monticello expects to receive approximately $89,000 in revenue
sharing money. According to Federal Revenue Sharing regulations, it was
necessary to hold a public hearing to allow input from the citizens as
to the possible uses of these Federal Revenue Sharing funds.
No comments were indicated by the citizens present at the meeting, and
therefore, no action was taken by the Council.
Another hearing will be required when the budget is adopted to allow
further input and actual determination of the use of the 1979 Federal
Revenue Sharing funds.
6. Consideration of Rezoning Request from R-1 to R-3, Lot 5, Block 1,
Riverside Addition by John Sandberg.,
Mr. John Sandberg requested that Lot 5, Block 1, Riverside Addition
be rezoned from R-1 (Single Family) to R-3 (Medium Density Residential).
Mr. Sandberg indicated that the reason for the request was to allow for
a four or five -unit luxury apartment building to be built some time in
the future. Mr. Sandberg indicated to the Council that he would be
willing to put covenants on the land that would limit the number of units
to say four or five, and also place covenants that would limit the number
of people that could be living in each unit to only two people.
At the Planning Commission's last meeting there were several property
owners present objecting to the rezoning request. The primary reason for
the opposition was that the property owners felt that they had built in
a single family residential zone and that the area should remain as
single family.
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Virgil LaFond, a neighboring resident, spoke for the neighborhood group
and indicated that they were all still opposed to the rezoning and indi-
cated that the area should remain single family and that an apartment
complex would hurt the neighborhood and the surrounding beauty of the
river property.
Roy Lauring also spoke in opposition to the rezoning and suggested to the
Council that the City should consider buying this lot from Mr. Sandberg
and create a natural environment park for the people of the City.
Mr. Sandberg asked the Council for an extension of time to enable him to
present further information such as plans on the building and also to
enable him to consult with the neighborhood residents as to the type of
building he proposes. Mr. Sandberg indicated that the extension of time
would allow him the chance to show the neighbors what type of building
he would be proposing and hopefully to change their mind against an
apartment building in the neighborhood.
By consensus of the City Council, the item was tabled for 60 days with any
new plans, etc. being presented to the Planning Commission before Council
consideration.
7. Consideration of Ordinance Amendment regarding Salvage anQzor Junkyards.
Currently Monticello ordinances require all junkyards and/or salvage yards
to be in an industrial district and effectively screened. This section
goes on to require that all non -conforming junkyards and/or salvage yards
shall be discontinued after one year unless they are brought into compliance
with this ordinance section.
In order to rectify this situation, the Planning Commission held a public
hearing to amend the provisions of this ordinance section requiring that
all non -conforming junkyards and/or salvage yards be allowed to continue
as non -conforming uses provided that an effective screen is put up.
In reviewing the State Statutes relative to junkyards and/or salvage yards,
it was found that monies were available from state and federal funds to
effectively screen in any junkyard and/or salvage yard that met the
following criteria:
A. Within one-half mile of a state trunk highway;
B. Visible from a state trunk highway;
C. Zoned other than commercial or industrial.
State and federal monies will only be used to fence in that portion of a
junkyard that is visible from the trunk highway, and if the City required
fencing of the entire junkyard, monies would not be available for this
type of fence. Additionally, it was pointed out that the State Department
of Transportation would not put up an effective screen fence unless the
City of Monticello would amend its ordinances to allow the present junk-
yards as permitted, lawful, non -conforming uses, rather than the present
ordinance which indicates that those uses must be amortized out within
one year.
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After consulting with the
junkyards to be screened
may not be in a position
own fence.
Minute s - 8/28/78
City's Attorney regarding the issue of requiring
entirely, the Attorney indicated that the City
to require property owners to construct their
As a result of the recommendations made by the City Attorney, the Planning
Commission voted to amend the City Ordinances to grandfather in all existing
junkyards as lawful non -conforming uses, but to not require any screening
on the part of the property owner.
Mr. William Hoffman, representing Ruff Auto Parts, indicated that their
client would be agreeable to the ordinance change, and also indicated that
screening the entire junkyard would be prohibitive as far as costs are
concerned.
Motion was made by P. White, seconded by A. Grimsmo and unanimously carried
to amend ordinance section 10-3-2-M to allow any existing junkyards as
lawful non -conforming uses within an R-1 zone.
See Ordinance Amendment 8-25-75 (#59)-
8. Consideration of Approval of Appraisals for Easements for 1978-1 Improve-
ment Project.
At a previous Council meeting, the City Council approved the obtaining
of appraisals for the easements necessary to complete the 1978---1 Improve-
ment Project. Appraisals were obtained by John Sandberg relative to the
easements on the Harold Ruff Property and the Tim Genung Property. Mr.
Sandberg appraised the easement at $1,500 for Mr. Harold Ruff, and at
$4,600 for Mr. Tim Genung.
A motion was made by P. White, seconded by A. Grimsmo to offer the pro-
perty owners the appraised amounts per the appraisals received from
Mr. John Sandberg for the easements on the 1978-1 Improvement Project.
Voting in favor: P. White, A. Grimsmo, C. Johnson, G. Walters.
Opposed: D. Blonigen.
9. Consideration of Approval of Taxi Cab License.
Hoglund Bus Company, Inc. requested a taxi cab license to operate within
the City of Monticello. The application filed by Hoglund Bus indicated
that the hours of operation would be from 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Monday
through Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Motion was made by P. White, seconded by D. Blonigen and unanimously
carried to approve the taxi cab license for Hoglund Bus Company.
10. Consideration of Callinz for a Sale of General Obligation Improvement
Bonds to Finance 1978-1 Improvement Project.
King Forness, of Springsted, Inc., reviewed with the Council his recom-
mendations for the sale of General Obligation Bonds to finance the
1978-1 Improvement Project.
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Mr. Forness recommended that the bonds be financed over an eight-year
period. He indicated that this would be recommended since the assessments
were going to be collected over a five-year period of time, and that the
extra number of years would allow for the possibility of some of the
properties being delinquent on payments.
A motion was made by G. Walters, seconded by A. Grimsmo to call for bids
on the sale of General Obligation Bonds to finance the 1978-1 Improvement
Project in the amount of $1,475,000-00.
Voting in favor: G. Walters, A. Grimsmo, C. Johnson, P. White.
Abstaining: D. Blonigen.
11. Consideration of Soliciting (quotes for Shelving.
Loren Klein, Building Inspector for the City, completed simplified plans
and specifications for the following sections of shelving to be used at
the Library: Two (2) 8t long sections811 high; and one (1) free-standing
shelving section 81811 long and 7211 high`.`'
Mr. Klein indicated that the above shelving would cost approximately $600
and $800 respectively for the sections indicated.
Councilman Blonigen felt that quotes should be received for both wood and
metal shelving, as some libraries are using metal shelving.
It was noted that the present library has all wood shelving, and it was
felt that the reason wood specifications were prepared was that it would
match the existing shelving at the library, but a motion was made by
Phil White, seconded by Gene Walters and unanimously carried to solicit
quotes for the above library shelving in either wood or metal.
12. Consideration of Amending Policy for Processing Variance Requests on
Certificates of Occupancy.
Although not specifically part of the Monticello ordinances, the policy
has been that any variance request from a certificate of occupancy be
channeled through the City Council prior to issuance. In reviewing the
past variances that have been granted by the Council in regard to
certificate of occupancy variances, it was recommended by the Building
Inspector and the City Administrator that in those cases where the building
is completed except for landscaping and parking lot provisions, the policy
should be changed to allow the Building Inspector the authority to issue
the certificate of occupancy. It was noted that this change in the policy
would make the process simpler for someone needing a variance on the land-
scaping or parking requirements without the necessity of holding a special
meeting in some cases.
It was the consensus of the Council that these types of variances should
still be channeled through the Council meetings, and as such, the policy
was left as is.
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Minutes - 8/28/78
13. Consideration of Making an Offer on the House Located Behind City Hall.
Previously, the Alberta Hill residence at 211 Palm Street was offered for
sale to the City in the neighborhood of $50,000. Mr. John Sandberg
prepared an appraisal on the property for the City in the amount of
$347500. Due to the large difference between the asking price and the
appraisal price, a motion was made by D. Blonigen, seconded by P. White
and unanimously carried to not make any counter-offer to Mrs. Alberta Hill
regarding her home at this time.
14. Consideration of Granting More, Time to Make Housing Code Repairs.
Mr. Tom McCauley purchased the old bowling alley building from Mr. Ken
Springborg. Mr. McCauley also assumed the responsibility for making
repairs required to the building by the Building Inspector when a
uniform housing code inspection was made in July. Mr. McCauley requested
an extension of time to repair these items for 60 days,, or until October 31,
1978 for all items listed per inspection report except items #11 and #21,
which he requested be allowed until June 30, 1979• Mr. McCauley requested
that these two items which are repairing the damaged siding and painting
of the wood surfaces on the exterior of the building be waived until
spring to allow him to obtain a contractor to complete putting stucco
on the exterior and also, since it would be more financially feasible
at that time.
Since the minor repairs relating to health and safety have been taken
care of, motion was made by G. Walters, seconded by D. Blonigen and
unanimously carried to grant Mr. McCauley a 60 -day extension on all items
listed on the inspection report, and to also grant until July 1, 1979
for the completion of the exterior repairs on the building.
(See Supplement 8-28-78 #1).
15. 1, Consideration of Approval of Final Payment to Kenko,, Inc- on 1977-2
Improvement Project.
Kenko, Inc. submitted a final payment request in the amount of $14,635.66
for the above referenced project. City Engineer, John Badalich, recommended
that this final payment be paid. Motion was made by G. Walters, seconded
by A. Grimsmo and unanimously carried to approve the final payment
amount of $14,635.66 to Kenko, Inc. on the 77-2 project. This final pay-
ment amount includes $4,867-14 of quantity extras over the original
contract amount making a total contract paid of $126,801.96.
16. Approval of Bills.
Motion was made by D. Blonigen, seconded by P. White and unanimously
carried to approve the bills for August 1978 as presented. (See
Supplement 8-28-78 #2).
17. Approval of Minutes.
The Minutes of the City Council meetings held August 14, 1978 and
August 21, 1978 were approved as presented.
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Minutes - 8/28/78
18. Consideration of AcceptinZQuotes on Chemical Treatment Equipment for
Sewer Plant.
John Badalich, City Engineer, presented to the Council a summary of the
quotations received for the installation of chemical feed equipment
at the municipal wastewater treatment plant. The low quotes for the
equipment received totalled $15,930.78.
It was recommended by the City Engineer and the Public Works Director
that this equipment be purchased to enable the City to meet the
sewage discharge permit requirements as regulated by the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency. Mr. Badalich also indicated that over 2/3ts
of the cost of this equipment can be utilized later when the plant is
upgraded in a couple of years.
Motion was made by G. Walters, seconded by P. White and unanimously
carried to accept the low bids received for the installation of the
chemical feed equipment in the amount of $15,930.78. (See Supple-
ment 8-28-78 #3).
19. Discussion on Angle Parking Along Walnut Street.
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The City Administrator and Public Works Director were asked to review
the possibility of angle parking in front of the Golden Valley Furniture
Store and the Monticello Clinic along Walnut Street between Broadway
and River Street. The present perpendicular parking does create conges-
tion and the City Administrator and Public Works Director were asked to
report back to the Council on the feasibility of making this angle
parking along this one block.
Meeting adjourned.
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