Loading...
City Council Minutes 05-14-2001MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL May 14, 2001 - 7 p.m. Members Present: Roger Belsaas, Roger Carlson, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf and Bruce Thielen. Members Absent: None 1. Call to Order Mayor Belsaas called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and declared a quorum present. Mayor Belsaas announced that the City Council had met in a closed session at 6 p.m. to discuss pending and ongoing litigation. 2. Approve minutes of the April 23, 2001 regular Council meeting. BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 23, 2001 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Consideration of addinLy items to the aLyenda. A request was received from Otter Creek LLC to have City acquisition of their property placed on the council agenda for May 29, 2001. Discussion of townhouse development within the City and timing of the signals at TH 25/CSAR 75 were added to the agenda. Fred Patch updated the Council on the new microphone system installed in the Council Chambers. 4. Citizens comments/petitions, requests and complaints. None. 5. Consent agenda A. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for the Community Center and Liquor Store. Recommendation: Ratify the hiring of the part-time and seasonal employees for the Community Center and liquor store as identified. B. Consideration of adopting resolution clarifying vacation of easements in the plat of 90" Street Addition. Recommendation: Adopt resolution clarifying the easements vacated within the plat of the 90" Street Addition. Res. No. 2001-33. IN Council Minutes - 5/14/01 C. Consideration of approval of a carnival license for Burger King. Recommendation: Approve license for carnival operations on the Burger King property for May 31 -June 2, 2001. D. Consideration of changing meeting date of second council meeting in May. Recommendation: Because of the Memorial Day holiday change the second council meeting to Tuesday, May 29, 2001 at 7 p.m. E. Consideration to review and accept the Year -End EDA Financial Statements, Activity Report and 2001 Proposed Budget. Recommendation: Move to accept the EDA Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance, 2001 Cash Flow Projections and the Annual Activity Reports as presented. F. Consideration to approve amending EDA Business Subsidy Criteria/Greater Monticello Enterprise Fund (GMEF) Guidelines. Recommendation: Move to approve amending the EDA Business Subsidy Criteria/GMEF Guidelines as recommended by the EDA. G. Consideration to approve a Loan Agreement between the City and the HRA. Recommendation: Move to approve the Loan Agreement between the HRA and the City in the amount of $65,000 to pay off the Contract for Deed for the property located at 3 Walnut Street with an interest rate on the loan of 6.5% over 15 years. H. Consideration of accepting financial report for the Monticello Community Center. Recommendation: Move to approve the first quarter 2001 financial, facility user and pass information for the Monticello Community Center. I. Consideration of approval of sign system proposed by Dan Mielke. Recommendation: Move to approve the sign system based on the finding that the sign system in total under the PUD is better than the sum of signs that would be expected if each parcel developed independently. J. Consideration of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) concept plan for development of two two -unit townhomes located at 510 West Broadway and consideration of a variance to the lot area per unit standard. Recommendation: Move to approve the PUD concept plan based on the finding that the PUD concept plan, with conditions as noted below is consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan and is in compliance with the City Zoning Ordinance: 1. The developer submit a complete PUD development stage application in accordance with Chapter 20. Section 20-4[B]5 of the Zoning Ordinance requires that the development stage application be submitted within nine (9) months of the date of concept plan approval. The PUD application shall include project design and landscaping features as described in the Planner's report. 2 r�- Council Minutes - 5/14/01 2. Comments from other City staff. Garage size should meet minimum standards described by City Code which is 400 square feet. K. Consideration of purchase of property in re -development Block 9. Recommendation: Move to approve the purchase of portions of property in re -development Block 9 at a purchase price of $45,000. Brian Stumpf requested that payment to AKA for the undisputed amounts on the Community Center Project be added to the consent agenda as item #5L and requested that #5I be removed for discussion. Clint Herbst requested that #5H be removed from the consent agenda for discussion. Rick Wolfsteller noted a correction that should be made in the job title for the liquor store position listed in #5A. BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE ADDITION OF ITEM 5L, PAYMENT TO AKA OF UNDISPUTED AMOUNTS AND THE REMOVAL OF ITEMS 5H AND 5I FOR DISCUSSION. BRIAN STUMPF SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion. Community Center Director, Kitty Baltos, answered questions form the Council regarding the financial report for the Community Center for the first quarter of 2001. She noted that last year the Community Center expenditures included a lot of start up expenses that would not recurring in the 2001 expenditures. Clint Herbst asked about the bike park. Kitty Baltos updated the Council on the cost information she had received. Clint Herbst also asked if they could break out from the overall financial figures the cost and revenues for just the skate park. Kitty Baltos indicated that revenues generated by the skate park covered payroll and operating expenses but noted that this type of activity did not generate sufficient revenue to pay back the cost of construction. CLINT HERBST MOVED TO APPROVE THE FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL, FACILITY USER AND PASS INFORMATION FOR THE MONTICELLO COMMUNITY CENTER. BRUCE THIELEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Item #5I related to the signs proposed for the development of the Mielke site which the Planning Commission approved on 3-2 vote. Five pylon signs are being proposed for this site and one issue deals with the heights of the proposed signs. The ordinance would limit the signs in the Highway 25 area to 24 feet in height and freeway signs (within 800') to 32 feet in height. The signs proposed for the Mielke site are 30' (Highway 25) and 57' (freeway). Brian Stumpf expressed his concern that the signage requested far exceeded what was allowed under the ordinance. He also asked staff what steps were being taken to bring the Peterson Ford site into compliance with the sign ordinance. Bruce Thielen noted he did not feel that number of signs and the size of signs should be something that is negotiated on each development. There is an (' Council Minutes - 5/14/01 ordinance in place and the signs should conform to the ordinance. The Planning Commission did feel that the sign ordinance should be reviewed with the possibility of an ordinance amendment. Dick Frie explained the Planning Commission's discussion of the sign ordinance. There was lengthy discussion on the height of existing signs in the area. The concern was noted that properties that did not qualify as being within 800' of the freeway still wanted their signs to be off a height so as to attract freeway traffic. Other concerns included not creating process in the planned unit development procedure for signs that would be arbitrary or would be a way to bypass the requirements of the sign ordinance. If the feeling was that the sign height should be changed the proper way would be to amend the ordinance to reflect that change. Brian Stumpf felt the item should be tabled to allow for the Planning Commission hearing on the ordinance amendment. Jeff O'Neill noted that because this application was approaching the "60 day rule", the Council should act on the application either denying it or approving it. Dan Mielke spoke on the signage plan for his development. He stated that the pylon signs were aesthetically appropriate as they were similar in size to other signs in the area. He felt his proposal eliminated the clutter of signs. Dan Mielke also reviewed the signage that would be placed on the buildings. He indicated that the signage currently on the front of the building (TH 25 side) would also be placed on the back (Cedar Street side). Bruce Thielen felt the ordinance be amended to reflect the changes in the signs rather than having it done as part of a planned unit development. The sign ordinance was meant to provide consistency, if it is not followed there is no consistency. Dan Mielke felt that Council should consider his sign package based on its merits. ROGER BELSAAS MOVED TO APPROVE THE SIGN SYSTEM BASED ON THE FINDING THAT THE SIGN SYSTEM IN TOTAL UNDER THE PUD IS BETTER THAN THE SUM OF THE SIGNS THAT WOULD BE EXPECTED IF EACH PARCEL DEVELOPED INDEPENDENTLY. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED WITH BRIAN STUMPF AND BRUCE THIELEN VOTING IN OPPOSITION. 7. Public Hearing: Seventh Street reconstruction and sanitary sewer, curb and sideNyalk improvements between Cedar Street and Washington Street and consideration of authorizing preparation of plans and specifications. City Engineer, Bret Weiss reviewed the scope of the project and the proposed assessments. At the present time the City does not have in place an assessment policy for reconstruction projects. In the assessment information four assessment options were presented: 1) Assess 100% of new improvements and 20% of reconstruction items; 2) Assess 100% of new 11 Council Minutes - 5/14/01 improvements, 20% of reconstruction items and 60% of storm sewer costs; 3) Assess 50% of the project cost and 4) Assess 25% of the project costs. The project is proposing to reconstruct 7th Street increasing the width from 40' to 44'. The estimated cost for the work is $412,00. There was discussion on the various options presented but no agreement was reached. Bret Weiss noted that at this time the Council was only being asked to authorize the plans and specifications and that the assessment policy didn't need to be determined at this point. Mayor Belsaas opened the public hearing. No one spoke for or against the proposed project. Mayor Belsaas then closed the public hearing. BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR SEVENTH STREET RECONSTRUCTION, AND SANITARY SEWER, CURB AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS BETWEEN CEDAR STREET AND WASHINGTON STREET AND TO SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP TO ESTABLISHING THE ASSESSMENT POLICY. CLINT HERBST SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 8. Public Hearing: Cedar Street reconstruction and sanitary sewer, curb and sidewalk improvements and consideration of authorizing preparation of plans and specifications. Bret Weiss reviewed the project and noted that the primary reason for the improvement of the road was to serve the Mielke property by allowing a full access into the development. He added that at the informational meeting on this project, the property owners present didn't want the improvements to Cedar Street to extend all the way to Dundas Road. The Council concurred that at this time they would look at improving Cedar Street from Oakwood Drive to Chelsea Road. As part of this project the City is relocating an existing water main at an estimated cost of $42,000. Bret Weiss again reviewed assessment options and while it was indicated that an assessment option was not being selected tonight it was pointed out that the assessment option selected would impact the cost figures for the various properties. Mayor Belsaas opened the public hearing. Marianna Khauv of the Best Western Silver Fox Inn commented on the street project stating that they had been assessed for improvements for Oakwood Drive, Chelsea Road and TH 25 and were now facing another assessment for Cedar Street. She didn't feel the property could afford any more assessments. Bret Weiss explained that the assessments against the property were not all for street improvements. Clint Herbst asked that the engineer research the assessments levied against the Khauv property. Dan Mielke spoke questioning whether the road expansion had to be as large as proposed. He did not feel his development would be generating enough traffic to warrant the expense. If the upgrade was only for the traffic generated by his proposed development, the road expansion need not be that large. If there were other reasons for the expansion, he should not bear the full 9 Council Minutes - 5/14/01 cost of the expansion. He also questioned the charge for the left turn lane. Mayor Belsaas then closed the public hearing. BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO AUTHORIZE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF CEDAR STREET FROM OAKWOOD DRIVE TO CHELSEA ROAD. CLINT HERBST SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 9. Consideration of authorizing proceeding with remodeling and expansion of Hi -Way Liquors Facility. City Administrator, Rick Wolfsteller, explained that previously the City had a consultant prepare a report on expansion of the liquor store. The Towne Centre project which impacts the west end of the liquor store facility has been initiated. At this point, the Council was being asked for direction on what type of remodeling and expansion should be considered. The recommendation of the consultant was that the City should consider adding an additional 3 800 square feet to the existing building. The cost estimate from the consultant for the expansion was $84/sq. ft. or approximately $302,400 for 3800 square feet. It was the intent that the remodeling/expansion work would coincide with the construction of the Towne Centre project and the expansion/remodeling work would aesthetically complement the Towne Centre structures. At this time there has been no additional work, other than the consultant's report, done on getting cost estimates or design for any expansion work. BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE CITY STAFF TO BRING BACK A COST ESTIMATE AND RECOMMENDATION FOR AN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM TO DESIGN THE PROJECT. BRIAN STUMPF SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 10. Consideration of ratification of alternate pump selection for the gravity belt thickener project at the wastewater treatment plant, Project No. 2001-03C. At the previous meeting the Council authorized the staff to negotiate a change on the pumps for the gravity belt thickener project. The City Administrator and Public Works Director were able to negotiate a change to the Moyno pumps at price of $8,594. BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FROM RICE LAKE CONTRACTING CORP. TO SUPPLY MOYNO PUMPS FOR THE GRAVITY BELT THICKENER PROJECT AT AN ADDITIONAL COST OF $8,594. BRUCE THIELEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 11. Review of annual Sidewalk Inspection Report. Public Works Director, John Simola, summarized the report and added that the sidewalk at 507 Al Council Minutes - 5/14/01 River Street East will be taken care of by the property owner. Approximately 15 panels will be replaced and another 20 panels will be jacked. BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE SIDEWALK REPORT AND AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO OBTAIN QUOTES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE SIDEWALK PANELS, INCLUDING RAISING, AND PROCEED WITH THOSE REPAIRS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 12. Approve payment of bills for May. CLINT HERBST MOVED TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR MAY. BRIAN STUMPF SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Additional Items: Clint Herbst asked if something could be done about the timing of the signal lights at TH 25/CSAH 75. John Simola reported that MnDOT is still working on the signals. The Council expressed their concern about the traffic backups at this signal. Jeff O'Neill talked to the Council about the average value of new homes being constructed. He reported that the City is seeing fairly high numbers for new home permits but the he was concerned that the value of the homes constructed was lower. Clint Herbst also suggested that the staff be given some direction on planned unit developments. He felt that some of the development taking place under PUD's was lower value. Amending the ordinance to increase lot and building size was discussed but the Council cautioned against restricting it to the extent that it would severely limit start up housing. The Council wants to assure that there is a good balance of all types of housing. It was suggested that once staff has studied this issue further, the Council may consider it as an item for a possible workshop meeting. 13. Adjourn. Mayor Belsaas adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. r) CA I J-)� S Recording Secretary IN 7