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City Council Minutes 07-09-1979MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL July 9, 1979 - 7:30 P.M. Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Dan Blonigen, Ken Maus, Phil White. Members Absent: None Citizens Comments: Mr. Ron Thimmesh and Jeff Schwietering, both property owners along Front Street in Monticello, inquired of the Council as to what the City plans to do to prevent similar sewage backups as occured in the past month. Both property owners inquired as to whether the lift stations were going to be repaired or what precautions would be taken in the future to prevent similar occurrances from happening now that they plan on finishing their basements again. The property owners were informed by the Council that later during the meeting, this item would be reviewed with the Public Works Director who has preliminary plans for updating the lift station to hopefully solve the problems in the future. Mr. Sam Peraro, owner of I-94 Tri -Plaza, indicated to the Council that McDonald's Corporation should be starting their new restaurant within the next few weeks, and he requested an extension of time to complete the blacktopping, curbing and landscaping at the Standard Oil site to enable him to do his at the same time McDonald's would do their curbing and paving. Mr. Peraro indicated that he will do the Standard Oil Station blacktopping and curbing within 60 days, even if McDonald's would not be ready at that time to complete their curbing. Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously carried to grant Mr. Peraro a 60 day extension, to September 1, 1979, for completing his curbing and landscaping at the Standard station site. 1. Public Hearing on Proposed 1979-1 Improvement Project and Consideration of Awarding Contract on 1979-1 Improvement Project Bids. At the last Council Meeting, bids were received on the 1979-1 improvement project, with a low bid submitted by Barbarossa Construction Company of Osseo, Minnesota, in the amount of $839,599. Since the construction bids were approximately 10=20 over the original estimate of $760,000 that was part of the feasibility study in March of 1979, an additional public hearing was held to afford the property owners involved an opportunity to hear the new estimated assessments. John Badalich, consulting engineer, updated the Council on the additional estimated assessments for the 1979-1 project, which included additional items not considered under the original feasibility study. Mr. Badalich indicated that the primary items that changed from the feasibility study were street improvements to the four areas being proposed for improvements. Council Minutes 7/9/79 The increases were not substantial, but did amount to approximately 10% over the original estimate. Mr. Badalich also stated that some of the reasons for the increased cost were attributed to construction cost increases since the report was made in March. Mr. Mike Reher asked why the Dundas Road extension through the J.R. Culp Farm was not planned for blacktopping at this time. The engineer indicated that even though sewer and water would be installed, he did not know where future side streets would be placed in the development and felt that this should be known first before the road is blacktopped as additional streets would require Dundas Road to be torn up and reblacktopped in the future. He indicated that if the developers could give him an idea where the streets may be in the future, there still existed the possibility that Dundas Road could be blacktopped all the way to Highway 25. Mr. Roy Lauring asked that the Council and the City Engineer review the street elevation along Lauring Lane in Lauring Hillside Addition, as he thought too much cutting of the elevation may result in snowplowing problems next year. Hearing no other comments regarding the proposed assessments, motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to award the contract for construction of the 1979-1 Improvement Project for areas 2, 3, and 4 to Barbarossa and Sons. In addition, a motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair to award the contract to Barbarossa and Sons for area 5 (Lauring Hillside Addition), with a total contract amount being for all areas - $839,599. Voting in Favor: Phil White, Fran Fair, Dan Blonigen, Ken Maus. Abstaining due to a possible conflict of interest was Mayor Grimsmo. 2. Consideration of Resolution Calling for Sale of $1,170,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds. In order to finance the 1979-1 Improvement Project with Barbarossa & Sons in the amount of $839,599, King Forness, of Springsted, Inc., reviewed with the Council the procedures necessary to authorize the sale of G.O. improvement bonds in the amount of $1,170,000. Mr. Forness indicated that this amount of the bond issue was determined by taking the construction bid of $839,599 and adding 20% for indirect costs such as engineer, attorney fees, etc. to arrive at the $1,170,000 issue. Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously carried to adopt the resolution authorizing the sale of $1,170,000 G.O. improvement bonds to finance the 1979-1 improvement project. (See Resolution 1979 #12). 3. Consideration of Amending Ordinance Relative to Moving Buildings. Currently, the Monticello ordinances require that buildings over ten (10) years of age can be moved into the City of Monticello except under certain conditions. As a result of the reading of the ordinance, it was suggested to clarify the regulations and that they should also apply to buildings moved not only into the City, but also buildings that are moved within the City from one location to another. - 2 - Council Minutes - 7/9/79 Motion was made by Ken Maus, seconded by Phil White and unanimously carried to amend ordinance Section 3-7-1 which regulates moving of buildings to state that the regulations shall apply whether a building is moved into or within the City of Monticello. (See Ordinance Amendment 7-9-79 #70). 4. Public Hearing on a Variance Regarding the Moving of a Residence. Members of the Trinity Lutheran Church requested a variance to move a home from 419 West Broadway to Lot 10, Block 42, Upper Monticello. This home is a single-family residence and would be moved to a properly zoned area on West Broadway. The variance was needed because the building is older than ten (10) years old, but the Lutheran Church representatives indicated they will be bringing the building up to all current building codes. Representatives also indicated that no objections were voiced by the abutting property owners, therefore, a motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded bV Dan Blonigen to approve the variance allowing the Trinity Lutheran Church to move the building to Lot 10, Block 42, Upper Monticello. Phil White abstained from voting due to a possible conflict of interest. Voting in Favor: Fran Fair, Dan Blonigen, Ken Maus, Arve Grimsmo. 5. Consideration of Change Order with Northdale Construction on Drainage Ditch and Consideration of Request for Extension of Time on the 1978-1 Improvement Project. Previously, the City Council generally approved of a drainage ditch being permanently constructed through the Country Club property to benefit Kampa Estates, Country Club Manor and other areas along County Road 39. However, no specific action was taken until permission from the DNR could be obtained. This permission was granted on June 29, 1979 after meetings with the City Engineer and representatives of the DNR. In addition, Northdale Construction Company requested that the completion date on the 1978-1 improvement project be extended to September 1, 1979 instead of July 1, 1979. Some of the reasons given were that several areas in the project did not have adequate grading completed and also easement problems had delayed construction during the project. Council members discussed the possibility of completing County Road #39 immediately since this road is heavily travelled, and all improvements are completed along this stretch of road. Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried to grant Northdale Construction until 9/1/79 to complete the 1978-1 Improvement Project, except that paving along County Road 39 should be done within ten days (10). In addition, the motion included a change order to be approved with Northdale in the amount of approxi- mately $4,000 for the completion of the drainage ditch through the Country Club property. - 3 - Council Minutes - 7/9/79 Motion was also made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Ken Maus and unani- mously carried to have Marvin George Builders complete the grading necessary in the Country Club Manor property by July 23, 1979, so that the improvement project in the area can be completed or the City will contract with Northdale Construction Company to do it and all costs will be assessed back to Mr. George. 6. Consideration of Requesting Planning Commission to Hold Hearing on Amendment to City of Monticello Ordinances Relative to Outdoor Advertising Signs. This item was scheduled at the last Council meeting but action was deferred to allow a representative from Blocher Advertising Company to make his presentation. Mr. Ray Galarneault, of Blocher Advertising Company, did request that the Council authorize the Planning Commission to hold another Public Hearing in regards to requested changes in the ordinance to allow billboard advertising signs. Mr. Galarneault felt that this is the best land use available for some of the areas along I-94 and felt that the ordinances should be changed to allow future signs. After reviewing the Planning Commission's recommendations in regards to any changes - which were to leave as is - a motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to take no action in regards to holding another public hearing for any ordinance changes as they felt current ordinances should stand as is. The Council noted that if Mr. Galarneault or Blocher Advertising Company wished to apply for a variance for an individual case, the procedures would be available to him. 7. Consideration of Approval of Final Plat for Thomas Park. Previously, the City approved a preliminary plat for Thomas Industrial Park, located south of 1-94. John Badalich, consulting engineer, indicated that the plat meets all City requirements for final approval except that a soil survey should be received by the City before final acceptance. Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried to approve the final plat for Thomas Industrial Park provided a soil survey is obtained and presented to the City and the park dedication fees are paid in cash. 8. Consideration of Approving Plans and Specifications for Civil Defense Siren System. Mr. Loren Klein, Civil Defense Director, presented final plans and specifi- cations for Council review for three additional civil defense sirens. Mr. Klein reviewed with the Council the three locations planned for the sirens, and indicated that these sirens could be started from either the Sheriff's Office, which would be the primary location, or the City Hall in Monticello. It was also noted that the bids would require a radio - controlled system rather than a land -line system, or telephone system. It was noted that the radio controlled system left open a possibility for buying additional walkie-talkies which could be hooked up to the alarm system. These additional two-way radios could be used by City personnel, such as the public works director or building inspector, etc. - 4 - Council Minutes - 7/9/79 Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried to approve the plans and specifications as presented and adver- tise for bids for the three sirens with alternates to include radio receivers and transmitters. The alternate would be a separate bid for different kinds of two-way radios that could be used with this system. 9. Consideration of Request from Monticello JayCees Relative to Bicycle Rnrnfchc The Monticello JayCees presented information to the Council in regards to a possible bicycle route being established along River Street from Otter Creek to Ellison Park. The JayCees would like to use one side of River Street for two-way bicycle traffic with that side of the street being prohibited from on -street parking. After discussing the bicycle route, it was determined that some of these streets being only 24' wide would pose a possible problem in regards to two-way traffic if 6' was designated for bicycle's only. By Council consensus, no action was taken to approve a bicycle route at the present time, and asked that Councilman Phil White meet with the JayCees to review the situation for possible alternates. 10. Consideration of a Variance Requiring HookUp to the City's Sanitary Sewer System. The Monticello Rod & Gun Club requested a variance from the provisions of City ordinances which require hook up to sanitary sewer system within three years after it becomes available. Sanitary sewer was installed past the Rod & Gun Club property in 1976, and as a result, the Rod & Gun Club should be hooked up by October 15, 1979. Representatives of the Rod & Gun Club asked that a permanent variance be granted to them since their site does not warrant hooking up to Sanitary Sewer system. Reasons given by the Club Members was that their activities are so small and that they do not generate hardly any sewage that would enable their septic tank to become a problem. They did agree that if the use of the land should ever change from what it presently is, then they would be agreeable to hooking up to the City's sewer. Because of the present usage demand and circumstances of the Rod & Gun Club, motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unani- mously carried to grant a permanent variance from the sewer hook up requirements provided the usage stays the same. This permanent variance could be revoked if the property or usage at the site changes in the future. 11. Review on Possible Upgrading of. Lift Station in West Bridge Park. Public Works Director, John Simola, presented information to the Council relative to increasing the lift station capacity in West Bridge Park to eliminate future sewer backups along Front Street. He indicated that the present capacity is rated at 640 gallons per minute, but is currently only capable of pumping approximately 300 gallons per minute. Mr. Simola indicated that new pumps should be installed that would be capable of pumping 975 gallons per minute, which should alleviate any problems in the near future. - 5 - Council Minutes 7/9/79 The new 15 h.p. pumps, along with a new control panel for the lift station, was estimated to cost approximately $11,000 on completion. With the new lift station repairs being completed, the system should be able to handle all present flow demands, along with any development that would occur in Country Club Manor and Kampa Estates, etc. It was noted in the future that the new interceptor line will be constructed on the south end of the City to alleviate future problems, but would not be constructed until approximately 1981 or 1982. Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously carried to authorize the purchase of new pumps and control panels for the West Bridge lift station at an estimated cost of $11,000. 12. Department Head Quarterly Meeting. The Council held a quarterly department head meeting with the following department heads: Public Works Director - John Simola Building Inspector - Loren Klein Fire Chief - Paul Klein Sheriff's Dept. Representatives City Administrator - Gary Wieber Senior Citizens Director - Karen Hanson Loren Klein, Building Inspector, reviewed the building permits issued so far in 1979, and also indicated that the City will have a Civil Defense drill in the near future in regards to the Nuclear Plant. Jeff Callahan, new Deputy Sheriff, who will be working in the Monticello area, was introduced to the Council by Jim Powers, Chief Deputy. The Council also asked Loren Klein, Building Inspector, to review the apparent drainage problems over at the Senior Citizens Center parking area. Councilman, Ken Maus, asked that the City Council consider giving the Lion's Organization authorization to have complete control over future 4th of July celebrations. Mr. Maus felt that the organization is pre- sently doing an excellent job, and the City should also recognize this fact and authorize the Lion's organization to organize future events on the 4th if they so desire. It was the Council consensus that a possible resolution to this effect will be acted upon in the near future. 13. Approval of Minutes. The Minutes of the June 25, 1979 Council meeting were approved as presented. Meeting adjourned. Rick Wolfsller, Assistant dministrator RW/ns - 6 -