City Council Minutes 08-25-1980L
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
August 25, 1980 - 7:30 P. M.
Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Ken Maus, Phil White.
Members Absent: Dan Blonigen.
1. Public Hearing - Consideration of a Variance Request - Blocher Outdoor
Advertising Company (Billboards Along Interestate).
Mr. Del Blocher, of Blocher Advertising Company, requested a variance to
replace one of his signs along I-94 with a single -pole billboard struc-
ture, as opposed to the present multi -poled structure. The new structure
would be made of steel.
Blocher Advertising Company recently replaced one of its destroyed signs
with a new single -pole structure in an effort to beautify the billboards
they own. This replacement sign was allowed under City ordinances since
the cost of fixing the old one did not exceed 500 of its original value.
Blocher Advertising Company also agreed to the City's agreement to remove
any of his billboard signs when they no longer become a principal use
of that property, and in addition, would do landscaping with shrubs and
rocks around each new sign.
Motion was made by Ken Maus, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried
to approve the request for a single -pole pylon replacement sign along
I-94, contingent upon $250 worth of landscaping be included on both new
single -pole signs.
2. Public Hearing - Consideration of a Variance Request for a Front Yard
Setback - Robert Sartoris (Lot 12, Block 3, Hoglund Addition)
Mr. Robert Sartoris requested a variance from the City's 30' front yard
setback requirement to be able to construct a new home within 24' of
the front yard setback line.
Mr. Sartoris requested the 6' variance to allow adequate space to remain
in the rear yard for landscaping to facilitate drainage and runoff from
the steep hill which is in the back of the lot. He indicated that if the
house had to be set back the entire 30', because of the steep hill, his
house would be in a position where landscaping and terracing would not be
possible, and runoff from the hill would probably enter his house.
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Council Minutes - 8/25/80
The Planning Commission, at their last meeting, recommended approval of
the variance request, and no opposition to the request was heard at
the Council meeting.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously
carried to approve the 6' front yard setback variance request of
Robert Sartoris.
3. Consideration of Acquisition of Additional Land for the Proposed Monticello
Library.
At their last meeting, the Library Project Committee reviewed the
alternatives available in order to accommodate a library of approxi-
mately 6,000 square feet on the parcel conveyed to the City by the
School District for Library purposes. The Committee reviewed the
possibility of pursuing additional land from the School District located
just east of the present site, but which is bound by a covenant by
Mr. Tom Bondhus. In discussions with City Attorney, Gary Pringle, the
option existed for the City to try and get a declaratory judgment from
the District Court that would enable the City to use this land for
parking for a library. However, it was noted that this Court procedure
could take many months or even possibly years if Mr. Bondhus decided to
appeal any decision.
The Library Project Committee's ultimate recommendation was that the
City Council consider pursuing acquisition of additional land for the
library from Mr. Bob Dowling. Mr. Dowling has indicated he would be
willing to negotiate with the City on selling his land, and indicated
that he would be agreeable to an option on his property.
Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Phil White and unanimously carried
to authorize City Administrator, Gary Wieber, to pursue obtaining an option
on the Dowling property at a total cost not to exceed $70,000 with the
option containing the provision that any money would be refundable within
six months if the City decided not to buy the property.
4. Consideration of a Rezoning Request - Mel Wolters (Lots 1-14, The Meadows).
Mr. Mel Wolters, the owner of The Meadows subdivision, requested that
Lots 1 thru 14, Block 1 in The Meadows, be rezoned from R-1 (single family
residential) to R-2 (single and two-family residential).
The request for the rezoning is so that he could build duplexes on these
individual lots that would have "0" lot lines at the common wall of
the duplexes. Each duplex building would then be sold to two individuals
under separate ownership.
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The City's consulting planner, Howard Dahlgren Associates, reviewed the
rezoning request, and felt that it was a proper rezoning request as the
lots in question were bordered by the railroad to the north and
industrial property to the west, and would provide a good transition
to the other single family residential property in the area.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously at their last meeting to
recommend approval of this rezoning request.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously
carried to approve the rezoning of Lots 1 thru 14, Block 1 in The Meadows
from R-1 to R-2. (See Zoning Ordinance Amendment 8/25/80 #85).
5. Consideration of an Extension of the Variance Request of Hardsurfaced
Requirements for a Parking Lot - Mel Wolters (Dairy Queen).
Purpose of this item was to consider a request for the extension of a
variance previously granted by the City on June 25, 1979 for a period
of one year to allow Mr. Mel Wolters, owner of the Dairy Queen in
Monticello, to utilize the abutting property as a parking lot without
having the property hardsurfaced or providing curbing. The reason for
his initial request was that he had planned to build an office building
on this piece of property and indicated that he would just have to tear
up the blacktopping to construct the new building, which would be a waste
of materials and money.
At this time, Mr. Wolters indicated that he still has plans to proceed
with a proposed office building, and requested that at a minimum, the
variance be extended an additional 60 to 90 days to provide extra parking
for the Dairy Queen until the winter months. His plans are that a new
office building would be constructed possibly this winter and be ready for
occupancy by next spring.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried
to extend the variance request of hardsurfaced requirements for the abutting
parking lot next to the Dairy Queen until June 1, 1981, contingent upon
having a surety bond or other satisfactory security presented to the City.
6. Consideration of a Simple Subdivision Request - Richard Lembke.
Mr. Lembke requested that this item be postponed until the September 8,
1980 Council meeting in order that he have adequate time to request a
variance along with the simple subdivision of his lots.
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7. Consideration of Approval of Plans & Specifications for a Commuter Parking
Lot - Southwest of I-94 Interchange.
City Engineer, John Badalich, has recently prepared a layout to accommodate
approximately 222 parking spaces for a commuter parking lot on the south-
west corner of the I-94 interchange, on a 2 -acre parcel of land previously
agreed to be given to the City by the County. This property, if utilized
for a commuter parking lot, would have a total construction cost estimated
at approximately $47,000, which would include excavation, blacktopping,
class 5, and black dirt, with indirect costs for engineering, inspection
fees, legal fees, etc., the total cost would approach approximately
$54,000.
The Council discussed to what extent a commuter parking lot should be
developed, and whether the entire parking lot or portions of it should
be blacktopped with curb and gutter, or constructed with Class 5 base.
In addition, it was noted by the engineer that if the entire 222 spaces
were developed in blacktopped parking lot, drainage runoff from the
parking lot may create problems along the interstate, and approval of
this parking would therefore have to be okayed by the State of Minnesota.
It was noted that approximately 50 to 60 commuters are now using municipal
parking lots in the downtown area with the possibility that other
commuters are parking elsewhere who could also utilize a commuter lot
once it was made available.
It was the Council consensus that the parking lot should be developed
as soon as practical, and that the lot should be developed with blacktop,
curb and gutter for approximately 100 cars to begin with. As a result,
it was the consensus of the Council that City Engineer, John Badalich,
prepare cost estimates for developing the parking lot for approximately
100 cars with hardsurface blacktop and curb and gutter, and to also
present the plan to the State of Minnesota for their approval of the
drainage plan. The proposed plans along with cost estimates could then
be presented back to the Council for their review prior to any advertising
for bids. After the scope of the project and the cost has been determined,
possibility exists that the City may approach the County Board in a cost
sharing proposal, since a lot of the cars in the commuter lots would
probably be from outside of the City limits.
8. Consideration of Award of Contract on 1980-1 and 1980-2 Improvement Projects.
Bids were received on Friday, August 22, 1980, for the construction of
improvements projects 1980-1 and 1980-2 relative to improvements to
Macarlund Plaza and the surrounding area, and also the extension of
improvements to Prairie Road.
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John Badalich, City Engineer, has reviewed the bids and recommended that
the low bidder, Hayes Contractors, Inc., be awarded the contract for the
improvement project. Eleven (11) bids were received from various con-
tractors from a low of $117,797.50 to a high bid of $155,448.30.
Motion was made by Ken Maus, seconded by Phil White and unanimously carried
to award the contract on the 1980-1 and 1980-2 improvement projects to
Hayes Contractors, Inc. in the total amount of $117,797.50. (See
Exhibit 8/25/80 #1).
9. Consideration of Calling for Assessment Hearing on the 1979-1 Improvement
Project.
With the 1979-1 Improvement Project nearing completion, which included
sewer, water and street improvements to the southern part of Oakwood
Industrial Park, sewer and water extensions to the J.R. Culp area,
sewer and water improvements to the Commercial Plaza 25 area, and
sewer and street improvements to Lauring Hillside Terrace, a motion
was made by Phil White, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried to
set September 22, 1980 as the date of the Assessment Hearing on this
improvement project for the purpose of adopting the assessments rolls
for the project. (Resolution 1980 #20)
10. Review of Engineer's Progress on the Allocation of Chemical Feed
Equipment and Operating Expenses.
Approximately one year ago, chemical feed equipment was installed at
the wastewater treatment plant at a cost of over $16,000 plus engineering
fees. This chemical feed equipment was installed to treat waste primarily
produced by Wrightco Products, Inc.
At that time, it was the intent of the Council to allocate the cost of
the installation plus the chemicals used to the prime industrial user,
which in this case was Wrightco Products.
John Badalich, City Engineer, indicated that he will have this report
prepared by the September 8, 1980 meeting, which should indicate the pro-
per allocation procedures to use.
11. Report by John Badalich on Bids Received for the Upgrading of the Present
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
On Wednesday, August 20, 1980, the City of Monticello received ten (10)
bids for the upgrading of its present Wastewater Treatment Plant and
installation of an interceptor sewer line. Bids ranged in price from
a low of $4,704,000 to a high bid of $5,795,000.
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The City Engineer has been tabulating the bids for errors and to see
whether the bids meet specifications, and it appears that the low bid
submitted by Paul A. Laurence Company of Minneapolis is correct,
but the possibility does exist that some of the equipment in the two
low bids may not meet specifications.
John Badalich, City Engineer, indicated that it will take another week
or two to contact the two low bidders, Paul A. Laurence Company and
Adolphson & Peterson, Inc., to review the equipment and materials they
plan on using to see whether these items will meet specifications.
His final recommendation will be made to the Council at the September 8,
1980 meeting, at which time, if a contract is approved by the City,
it will then be submitted to the E.P.A. prior to any construction startup.
12. Discussion on Parking Requirements for New Office and Retail Building -
Sam Peraro.
Mr. Sam Peraro was present at the Council Meeting to discuss his intent
to build a new office and retail building at the corner of Broadway
and Pine Streets in Monticello. Currently, the old structures on the
proposed lots have been demolished, and Mr. Peraro indicated he would
be ready to start construction almost immediately, but indicated that
of the 40 parking spaces required by the ordinance, only 8 on-site parking
spaces will be provided.
Mr. Peraro requested that the remaining 32 required spaces be assessed
to him under the 1974-1 Downtown Parking Lot Improvement Project, thus
utilizing the municipal lots for the balance of his parking.
Currently, the proposed site is already assessed for 10 spaces, and
Mr. Peraro indicated he would be willing to be assessed for the addi-
tional 22 spaces needed under the Downtown Parking Assessment procedures.
In light of the fact that the Council is pursuing constructing a commuter
parking lot which would free approximately 50 to 60 spaces in the
municipal parking lot, motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran
Fair and unanimously carried to approve Mr. Peraro's plan for 8 compact -size
on site parking spaces with the remaining required parking spaces being
assessed to him under the downtown parking lot project.
13. Approval of Minutes and Bills for August.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously
carried to approve the bills for August 1980 as presented, and the
Minutes of the 7/28/80 Special Meeting the the regular 8/11/80 Council Meeting.
(See Exhibit 8/25/80 #2)
Council Minutes - 8/25/80
14. Discussion of Drainage Problem Along River Street in Ritze Manor Addition.
Mr. Ron Nygaard, property owner at the northeast corner of River St.
and Hilltop Drive in Ritze Manor, complained to the Council that
drainage problems exist along that ditch during heavy rainstorms, that
backs up water into his basement. He indicated that the culverts
located along River Street are apparently too small in size to handle
the drainage runoff, which creates a backup on his property, and
he requested that the City try and find a solution to the problem before
the fall and spring runoff.
City Engineer, John Badalich, indicated that he has a sketch of the
area indicating the culvert sizes, and will be reviewing the problem
areas, and report back to the Council with possible solution, such
as increasing the size of certain driveway culverts or other permanent
storm sewer solutions. Mr. Badalich indicated that the ultimate
solution to the problem according to the comprehensive plan would be
to construct a storm sewer outlet into the creek behind Hillcrest and
Ritze Manor, but indicated that the present solution may be to resize a
few culverts in the area to provide adequate drainage.
The City engineer will be reviewing the problem and will report back
to the Council at the next meeting.
15. Discussion on Seminar on Nuclear Power and the Energy Crisis at
Oakridge, Tennessee.
It was noted that a workshop dealing with nuclear power is being held
in Oakridge, Tennessee during the weeks of September 22nd and October 20th,
1980. As a result of an inquiry by the City several months ago, NSP has
agreed to pick up the cost to send one individual to the seminar, and
additionally, pay half the cost of another individual should the City
so choose. At this time, Civil Defense Director, Loren Klein, and
Arve Grimsmo, Mayor, have expressed an interest in attending the seminar
with total cost of sending two people being $1,146 each, but the City's
cost would only be $573 with the share going to NSP of $1,719.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously
carried to expend approximately $573 for the purpose of sending Arve
Grimsmo and Loren Klein to the Nuclear Power seminar at Oakridge, Tenn.
Meeting adjourned.
ick GJolfstel er,
Assistant Adrdinistrator
RW/ns
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