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City Council Minutes 02-11-1974tea Regular meeting of the City Council - Feb. 11, 1974 - 7:30 P. M. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P. M. in the City Hall by Mayor Conrad Johnson. Council members present: Blonigen, Erickson, Martie, Rowan. Absent: None. The Mayor announced that the meeting would be taped. The minutes for the meeting of January 21, 1974., were approved with the following correction: Page, last paragraph, line 13, was amended to read: "There was general agreement, no vote, that there should be a minimum charge, etc....." The Mayor announced that time was allowed for citizen comments or inquiries. A presentation was made by Mr. George Phillips who announced that a new business firm, Wright County Products, Inc., would be located in Monticello. The business site is the Mid-America Dairy Plant. The firm is looking for expansion space for egg processing and anticipate that 4.0-60 employees will be needed there. Mr. Phillips introduced Mr. Jim Ridgeway, of Wright County Products, who announced plans to build a cold storage plant into the present facilities and stated Wright County Products, Inc. hopes to double their capacity within a five year period. There will be a staff of eight individuals, in addition to the plant employees, when the firm commences op- eration in Monticello, Mr. Ridgeway stated that the old Orr water main on Locust Street is not adequate to service antici- pated needs. Thore Meyer gave a report on alternate methods that could be used to properly service the area which are as follows: 1. There is an old 4" water line running on Locust Street which has been vacated. Engineers for Wright County Products state they cannot build a cold storage warehouse over this line. The old 4" water line services the area south of the railroad tracks and is not adequate to service this area properly. There could be a looping of the 6" water line from Walnut to Locust at an ap- proximate cost of $4,800.00. Mr. Meyer felt this proposal is impractical as the city would still have a 411 line running across the tracks. 2. There could be an extension of the 6" line on Walnut down and across the tracks to Locust on Sixth Street. This proposal would cost approximately $10,000 to $111000.00. 3. The third proposal would be to move over to Linn St. and then construct a 6" or 8" line at an approximate cost of $17,700.00. Regular meeting of council - Feb. 11, 1974. - cont' d. Mr. Meyer stated that after adopting any one of these three proposals the city could cut off the 4." line that presently *,.s on T.ocust Street. Mr. Pringle stated that Locust Street from 4th to 5th was pro- perly vacated in 1967, however, it was not properly recorded. In addition, the city owns the street so it will take a deed to transfer the property from the city to Wright County Pro- ducts, Inc. The council has the option of granting a building permit to Wright County Products subject to the approval of Thore Meyer and the building inspector, Harry Gruesner. The Mayor stated that the decision to deed city property to pri- vate individuals or a private corporation he would normally be against; but noted we have a completely different situation here. We have an existing building sitting on city property and it would be unwise to say we still own the building and try to tear it down. In this regard, a motion was made by Dick Martie, seconded by Denton Erickson, to deed the land on Locust Street from Fourth Street to the railroad tracks to Wright County Products, Inc. Construction and financing of the water line to be decided at a later date after review by Thore Meyer and the city council. Transfer of deed to be made with the contingency that, if the land is not used for a specific purpose by June 1, 1974, the land will revert back to the city. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. A motion was made by Dick Martie, seconded by Jeff Rowan, authorizing Thore Meyer to grant a building permit to Wright County Products to build a 15' by 30' building after review of plans and the Monticello Zoning Ordinance. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. A discussion was held concerning the Planning Commission's re- commendation to zone the area in Block 1 by Holker's East Side Drive -In from R-1 to B-1. There was council consensus that it would be an error to make a zoning change here. In this regard, a motion was made by Jeff Rowan, seconded by Dick Martie, stat- ing that the council has no objection to a real estate office here and that possibly a variance from the Zoning Ordinance can be authorized. The matter to be referred to the Planning Commission for further review. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Jbhnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. A motion to table the "Application for Flood Insurance" through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Dick Martie. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. 145 Regular meeting of council - Feb. 11, 1974 - cont' d. A discussion on the Park Board proposal for a solution to the Dutch Elm disease problem was tabled until the meeting of Feb. 20, 1974• A presentation was made by Lee Hatfield, of the Public Safety Commission. Mr. Hatfield stated that it was the consensus of the Commission that Monticello Township be charged $1,325.00 as their yearly cost for fire service and that there be a $6.50 charge per man, per hour, per fire. A motion to accept the recommendation of the Public Safety Commission was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Dick Martie. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. The proposal will be presented to the Township in an appropriate letter from the village administrator explaining our position. A motion to approve renovation of the 1965 fire truck so that it will be similar to the 1973 fire truck purchased by Monti- cello Township was made by Dick Martie, seconded by Dan Blonigen. The cost of the renovation estimated to $800.00 to $1,000.00. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. A motion to make 4 -way portable folding stop signs available to local churches as recommended by the Public Safety Comm. was made by Rowan, seconded by Blonigen. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, John son, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. The signs will be purchased by the city upon request of the churches. The Public Safety Comm. recommends that the city of Monticello consider 4 -way (possibly electric) stop signs by the schools. Information will be obtained regarding electric and flip down signs and presented at a later date. A report was made by Gloria LaBau of the Monticello Housing Authority. Mrs. LaBau stated the Housing Authority had met with Mike Auger of the Minnesota State Planning Agency and that different approaches had been suggested to get Monticello.; more active in local housing. More meetings will be held in an attempt to obtain financing. A report was made by Mr. George Phillips for the Business & Industrial Comm. Mr. Phillips reported that the Downtown Planning Comm. had finalized property development west of the city hall leaving the house on the corner (Highway 25 & E. Third Street) for sale. Mr. Phillips added that a proposal for 1974 construction work in regard to Monticello Downtown parking lots and alley improvements had been completed. At this time the proposal in report form was given to all counitil members and the administrator. 146 Regular meeting of council - Feb. 11, 1974 - cont' d. (Copy of report on file in city hall, available for review) . Total proposed 1974 expenditures are $165000.00. The break- down of costs is as follows: Land acquisition - Total Blocks B & C in report $66,000.00 Block B - Total $315400.00 Lighting 7,500-00 38,900.00 Block C - Total $355300.00 - Lighting 75500-00 42,800.00 Alleys - - Block B $ 89600.00 - Block C 9,600.00 18,200.00 $1655900-00 It is proposed that the entire project be financed through a city bond issue with all costs being assessed to the six block downtown community. The city is to keep a record of maintenance costs which can be financed by a 2 mill levy, all costs in ex- cess of the 2 mill levy to be assessed back to the affected pro- perty owners. A motion was made by D. Erickson, seconded by D. Martie, to approve the project as presented and to adopt a "Re- solution Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans." One hundred per cent of cost to be borne by affected property owners. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. (Copy of Resolution attached as Enclosure 1 ) . A complaint was made concerning "No Parking" signs in front of the Monticello Theatre. The administrator was instructed to write to the theatre management concerning this matter. A presentation was made by Dr. C. W. Erlandson representing the Monticello Liquor Commission. Dr. Erlandson proposed an "Off Sale" only liquor store be planned on property owned by the city near the Interstate. There was council consensus to have the Liquor Comm. continue with their research and pre- sent a detailed report at the council meeting scheduled for March 115 1974• The Public Utilities Comm. will make a detailed presentation of the work they have completed at the meeting of Feb. 20, 1974. Mr. Arve Grimsmo, representing the Roads and Streets Comm., presented a written report to the council in regard to a solution to the 4th Street case. (Copy of report on file in city hall). After review of the report and a discussion period, a motion was made by Martie, seconded by Rowan, to adopt a resolution whereby the city property adjoining the playground will be deeded to the school. Said deed would carry the sti-pp ulation that said property would revert to the city at such time as the said property ceases to be necessary for use as a play- 147 Regular meeting of council - Feb. 11 , 1974 - cont' d. ground area. The school district would agree to keep the street open for travel during non -school hours. The school would handle the placement and removal of the barricades. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. A motion was made by D. Erickson, seconded by D. Martie, to relieve Mr. William C. Hoffman as attorney for the City of Monticello in the 4th St. case, and to have Mr. Hoffman terminate legal action in the case. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. A motion was made by J. Rowan, seconded by D. Martie, to re- designate Maple Street from 4th St. to Highway 152 as a State Aid road, and to designate Locust. Street from Highway 152 to 4th St. as a truck route, and to eliminate 4th St. from High- way 25 to Locust St. as a State Aid road. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. A motion to accept the contract offer bf Meyer-Rohlin, Inc. for engineering services for the city of Monticello for calendar year 1974, was made by D. Erickson, seconded by D. Martie. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. A motion to accept the city clerk's annual financial statement as prepared by the clerk and reviewed by auditor Gary Wieber of Gruys, Johnson, Mosford & Assoc. was made by Blonigen, se- conded by D. Martie. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. (The annual financial statement will be published in the Monticello Times edition of February 21, 1974•) A motion was made by D. Blonigen, seconded by D. Martie, to approve the issuance of cigarette licenses to the following organizations and authorizing the mayor and clerk to sign: Fair's Market Red's Mobil Kraus Foods American Legion Monticello Gas Dairy Store Lauring Drug Poirier Drug Nelson's Fairway Dells Service Dick's " W, Monti. Recreation Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. The Mayor appointed Dick lvlartie to serve as the council repre- sentative on the North Central Gas Rate Authority. There was council consensus, no vote, on this appointment. 148 A motion was made by D. Martie, seconded by D. Blonigen, to change the second meeting in February from February 2S to Feb. 20, 1974. Time and place to remain the same. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. A motion to approve the listing of bills for the month of January, 1974, was made by J. Rowan, seconded by D. Blonigen. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. Liquor: $46.,262.62; Admin: $3,397-97; Fire: $621.50; Park: $538.14; Sewer: $1.,623.56; Water: $1,047.25; Service: $3,622-77; Street: $3,260-48; Other: $4,787.07. A letter from a Monticello resident regarding an assessment charge was presented by the Mayor. This letter is to be re- ferred to the Utilities Commission for review. A motion to adjourn was made by Erickson, seconded by Martie. Voting in favor: Blonigen, Erickson, Johnson, Martie, Rowan. Opposed: None. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 P. M. Kevin L. LaFrance, Adm. KLLF/lsg