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City Council Minutes 02-11-1985MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL February 11, 1985 - 7:30 P.M. Members Present: Mayor Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Bill Fair, Jack Maxwell, Dan Blonigen. 1. Call to Order. 2. Approval of Minutes. Motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held January 28, 1985. 4. Consideration of a Request to Waive the Third Quarter's Liquor License Fee - Applicant, Stuart Hoglund. On October 9, 1984, Mr. Stuart Hoglund was granted an on -sale liquor license for his proposed motel on Oakwood Drive contingent upon submission of the proper insurance and bond forms and payment of the liquor license fees. Mr. Hoglund requested an extension to the end of January to pay the fees and provide the insurance forms,and when this deadline was missed requested that the City waive all fees until the next license period, July 1, 1985, as he did not feel he would be able to use the license until that time. Current City Ordinances indicate that once an application is made for a liquor license and approval is granted, the applicant shall pay all fees for that license regardless of whether the applicant has the facilities currently available to serve liquor. The reason is the City has essentially taken that license out of circulation and is no longer available to other applicants. Mr. Hoglund indicated that he would like to see the 3rd quarter fee from January 1 to April 1, 1985, waived; but he would agree to pay for the final quarter of April, May, and June, 1985. After further discussion, motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously carried to accept payment in the amount of $825.00 for the final quarter liquor license fee to July 1, 1985, provided the fee is paid immediately by the applicant or the license would become available to other applicants. 5. Consideration of Softball Field Development. Public Works Director, John Simola, reviewed with the Council a 5 -year plan for developing and improving the present softball fields located at the NSP park. The initial plans called for -1- Council Minutes - 2/11/85 upgrading the existing well capacity during 1985 and installing the main underground sprinkler lines that would be adequate to serve up to four ballfields and to start the construction of a third softball field during 1985. Minimal improvements would be done to the existing two fields yet this year. In 1986, one of the existing softball fields would be rebuilt and a sprinkler system installed; and in 1987, the second existing field would be rebuilt with sprinklers installed. In the beginning of 1988, all three fields should be in top operating condition; and at that time, the City could consider the construction of restrooms, concession stands, and storage rooms, along with a permanent sewer system facility. The estimated cost of the 5 -year capital improvement program could total approximately $100,000.00, depending on the amount of improvements considered. In reviewing the proposed improvements for 1985, some Council concerns were noted over whether the City should try and do more the first year (1985) in an effort to get all three fields ready for play in the spring of 1986. It was suggested that along with the construction of the third field this year, both of the existing fields should be considered for upgrading and sprinkler system installation immediately so that they would all be available as early as 1986 rather than spreading it out over the next three years. It was noted by the staff that although limited funds were budgeted for specific improvements during 1985, there would be funds available from the Capital Outlay Improvement Fund should the Council decide to do the bulk of the improvements this year. The estimated cost of getting all three fields improved this summer could amount to $30,000.00 or more according to the Public Works Director. Motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded by Fran Fair, and unanimously carried to direct the Public Works Director to continue working on the plan for the ball park improvements and to get firm cost on upgrading all three fields during 1985. Public Works Director will return to the Council with the revised cost figures estimated to complete these improvements this year. 6. Consideration of Lifting the Condemnation Order on the Old Monticello Ford Building. On February 15, 1979, a condemnation order was issued by the City to Mr. Larry Flake, owner of the former Monticello Ford Garage, listing five general areas that were deemed to be unsafe in the building requiring immediate repairs to allow further occupancy of the building. Mr. Pat Townsend and Mr. Floyd Shake, operators of Monti Motors, have been renting the back portion of the building, which was not affected by the condemnation -2- Council Minutes - 2/11/85 order,and have made an agreement with the building's owner to renovate the existing building including addressing the items listed in the condemnation order. A building permit was issued to these two men in December of 1984 to correct the problems indicated in the condemnation letter, and the parties have now requested that the City lift the condemnation order and order to allow them to continue remodeling the building for retail activities. The City of Monticello had an inspection done on the building by its Consulting Engineering Firm of OSM to review the progress being made on improving the areas that were noted deficient. It was noted by the Consulting Engineer that if the improvements are completed along with additional recommendations made by their firm, they would see no problem with the condemnation order being lifted and allowing the building to proceed with additional remodeling. The developers were advised that even if the condemnation order is lifted, they must present a complete, detailed plan showing how the building will be remodeled and what types of businesses will be located in the new building so that the City can determine what parking requirements and other conditions must be met before occupancy. The developers will be meeting with the City staff to present their entire plan so that the Planning Commission and City Council can review. Based on the recommendations of the City Engineer, motion was made by Fair, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously carried to lift the condemnation order dated February 15, 1979, provided the developers meet all conditions specified by the City Engineer in renovating the deficiencies noted in the original condemnation order. 7. Review of 1984 Year End Liquor Store Financial Report. Mr. Mark Irmiter, Manager of the Off -sale Liquor Store, was present to review with the Council the 1984 Liquor Store Financial Report. It was noted that total sales have increased approximately $65,000.00 over 1983, with a resulting operating income of approximately $20,000.00 more than last year. It was the consensus of the Council to accept the Liquor Store Ras presented. Rick Wolfstell r Assistant Administrator -3-