Loading...
City Council Minutes 04-09-1984MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTI CE LLO CITY COUNCIL April 9, 1984 - 7:30 P.M. Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Jack Maxwell, Ken Maus, Fran Fair, Dan Blonigen. Members Absent: None. 1. Call to Order. 2 . Approval of Minutes. Motion was made by Fair, seconded by Blonigen, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held March 26, 1984. Voting in favor was Fair, Blonigen, Maus. Abstaining: Grimsmo and Maxwell due to their absence at the last meeting. 4 & 6. Public Hearing - Fulfillment Systems, Inc., Tax Increment Finance District, and Consideration of a Resolution ARjproving the Tax Increment Finance District for Fulfillment Svstems , Inc. The Council held a public hearing on the Redevelopment Project Plan Modification #1, which consisted primarily of changes in the legal language of the first Redevelopment Plan approved by the City. The Modification #1 merely adds Statements of Statutory Authority and references to particular chapters, sections, and subdivisions of Minnesota Statutes. In addition, a section on environmental controls would be added. Hearing no comments from the public, motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Maxwell, and unanimously carried to approve a Resolution adopting Modification #1 to the Monticello Redevelopment Project. See Resolution 1984 #8 . A public hearing was also held by the Council for the purpose of considering establishing a Tax Increment Financing Economic District #2 for Fulfillment Systems, Inc. FSI, Inc., has plans to construct a 43,200 sq. ft. building on Lots 6, 7, and 8, in Block 2, Lauring Hillside Terrace. The Tax Increment Financinq Economic Development District #2 would have a duration of approximately 9' years with the City collecting tax increments for the last eight years. The HRA proposal would be to acquire Lots 6, 7, and 8, Block 2, for approximately $130,000 and sell this property to FSI for the sum of $25,000 resulting in a write down in the cost of the land to Fulfillment Systems in the amount of $105,000. This $105,000 would be recaptured by the City - 1 - Council Minutes - 4/9/84 during the eight years through tax increments estimated at approximately $28,000 to $34,000 per year. The initial funds to acquire the property would come from a bond sale proposed in the amount of $155,000. Motion was made by Fair, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution establishing a Tax Increment Financing Economic Development District #2. See Resolution 1984 #9 . 7. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Bonds. Mr. Jerry Shannon of Springsted, Inc., the City's Bonding Consultant, was present at the Council meeting to review the procedures necessary for the City to authorize the sale of bonds for the Tax Increment Financing Plan recently approved by the Council. The proposed sale of bonds would be in the amount of $155,000 for the purpose of financing the acquisition of land for Fulfillment Systems' Tax Increment Financing Plan. The $155,000 bonds would be payable over a 10 -year period of time at an estimated 9% interest. Mr. Shannon noted that since this amount is under $300,000.00, Springsted, Inc., may negotiate the sale on the City's behalf without going to a formal bid process. Motion was made by Maus, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously carried to adopt a Resolution authorizing Springsted, Inc., to solicit bids and quotes for the sale of $155,000 in tax increment bonds by April 23, 1984. See Resolution 1984 #10. 5 & 8. Public Hearing and Consideration of Vacating Hennepin Street and the Selling of the Street to Construction 5. In October of 1983, the City Council held a public hearing and received no negative comments regarding the vacation of Hennepin Street between Lauring Lane and the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks.. Construction 5 was also the applicant at that time and the City Council asked a price of $24,000 for the sale of the vacated street. Construction 5 had made a counter-offer of $6,500 for the street and there being no further offers, the sale did not occur. The City Council then invalidated its own motion to vacate Hennepin Street. Recently, the City staff discovered that Construction 5 was excavating fill material out of Hennepin Street to use at their construction site adjacent to this street. Construction 5 was advised that they must immediately cease their mining efforts and restore the street to precisely the condition that it was found. - 2 - Council Minutes - 4/9/84 Mr. Gus LaFromboise of Construction 5 then petitioned for the vacation of Hennepin Street again, as he felt that he would not be able to restore the street to its original condition. The City, in the meantime, issued an excavation permit to Construction 5 in the amount of $24,000 to cover the cost of restoration should a vacation and sale not take place. It was noted by the City staff that if the sale was authorized by the Council, the $24,000 would be applied to the sale price. No comments were heard from the public regarding the proposed vacation of Hennepin Street between Lauring Lane and the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks; and as a result, a motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Maus, and unanimously carried to vacate this portion of Hennepin Street. Motion was also made by Maxwell, seconded by Fair, and unanimously carried to approve the sale of this portion of vacated Hennepin Street to Construction 5 at a total cost of $24,750 with the $24,000 excavation permit being applied to the purchase price. 9. Consideration of Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Regarding Signs. Recently, the Planning Commission recommended adoption of an Ordinance Amendment that would clarify the number of signs and the square footage of signs that would be allowed on an office building that had more than one occupant or tenant. Previously, the City Ordinance regarding signs did not clearly identify the options available for a building that has more than one tenant except for shopping centers. The Ordinance Amendment proposed by the Planning Commission would allow any principal building to have six sign boards or place cards, no more than four of which may be product identification signs with two walls allowed for display of the signs. The total maximum size of the wall signs could not be more than 20% of the gross silhouette area of the front of the building up to 300 square feet, whichever is less. In the case of a building where there were three or more business uses, the owner of the building would have to apply for a Conditional Use Permit and file with the Zoning Administrator a detailed plan for signing including size of the signs and number, etc.. No tenant would have more than one sign nor could one tenant exceed 25% of the total allowable sign area. Motion was made by Fair, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously carried to adopt an Ordinance Amendment regulating the number and size of signs for a principal building including clarification for buildings with more than one occupant. See Ordinance Amendment No. 133. - 3 - Council Minutes - 4/9/84 10. Consideration of a Conditional Use Re nest, Applicant - Metcalf and Larson. Metcalf and Larson, owners of a new office building, requested a Conditional Use Permit under the newly adopted Sign Ordinance to allow 200 of their silhouette area of the building for a total of 224 square feet of sign footage. The proposal presented by Metcalf and Larson would allow six individual signs with the maximum per tenant being 56 square feet. Motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously carried to approve the Conditional Use Permit for the Metcalf and Larson Professional Building consisting of six signs for the occupants as proposed in their plan. 11. Consideration of Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Allowing More than Five Children, Including Family's Own, in a Day Care or Foster Care Home as a Permitted Use in an R-1 Zone. Currently, the City Ordinances allow as Permitted Uses in an R-1 Single Family Zoning District foster homes provided there are no more than five children, including the foster family's own children, and a day care home also providing there are no more than five children. In the past, several requests have been made by individual home owners to allow for day care centers that may have in excess of five children total including the family's own children. The state legislature is currently considering passing legislation that would require communities to allow up to 12 people in a day care facility and up to six people in a foster care home. Since it appears likely that this legislation will pass this session, it was recommended by the staff that the Council consider amending its ordinance at the present time to allow similar regulations as proposed by the state. Motion was made by Fair, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously carried to adopt an Ordinance Amendment that would allow boarding homes or for foster children to have up to six children, including the family's own children and also to allow a day care home in an R-1 Zone to have up to 12 children, including the family's own children. See Ordinance Amendment No. 134. 12. Consideration of Renting the Saxon Property. On March 30, 1984, the City completed the real estate transaction acquiring the Bob Saxon property adjacent to East Bridge Park. The potential use of the property will be for park expansion after the Highway Department completes its proposed Highway 25 Bridge project. In the meantime, a temporary City employee has indicated a desire to rent the property from the City. - 4 - Council Minutes - 4/9/84 The City staff in reviewing the condition of the home felt that a small amount of capital outlay would be needed to clean up the home and make it rentable. The City employee interested in the property has indicated a willingness to do the work himself, and it was recommended that if the Council decided to rent the property, a $300 per month rental fee would be appropriate for the home. Motion was made by Maus, seconded by Fair, and unanimously carried to approve renting the Saxon property to the temporary City employee in the amount of $300 per month with the first and last month's rent payable in advance, and the rental to be on a month to month basis without a lease. 13. Consideration of Health Course for Anders Wilhelm/Par West Park. At the previous Council meeting, the City staff was directed to look into several facets of the development of the Health Course for the Anders Wilhelm/Par West Park. A map depicting the overall development of the park including a planting schedule and an under- ground sprinkler system was reviewed by the Council. John Simola, Public Works Director, estimated that the total cost of the park development would be approximately $17,300 without restroom facilities but including paving of the parking lot and a picnic shelter. Of this $17,300.00, part of the plantings of trees and shrubs in the amount of $1,000 was recommended to be delayed for one year along with the picnic shelter, which would reduce the cost to approximately $15,300 in 1984. The Council discussion centered on whether this type of park would be used by the majority of the public or whether it would be a specialized type of facility only for those interested in physical fitness. Although it was noted it is a specialized activity, all of the City parks in one way or another may not appeal to all of the residences,as some parks have playground equipment just for children, others have boat launching facilities which also are specialized. The City Administrator informed the Council that he had researched other communities which have Health Courses in their parks and indicated that these communities strongly recommend this type of installation. It was also noted that only $4,000 of the estimated $15,300 pertains precisely to the Health Course facilities and that the majority of the expenditures for the park would have to be done regardless of what type of park development occurred. Motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Fair, to approve the expenditures for 1984 totaling approximately $15,300 for the improvement of the Anders Wilhelm/Par West Park with a Vita Health Course facility including benches, trees and shrubs, black dirt underground sprinkling system, etc. Voting in favor was Fair, Maxwell, Maus, Grimsmo. Voting in the opposition was Blonigen. - 5 - Council Minutes - 4/9/84 14. Consideration of Approval of Plans and Specifications for Additions to Pump Houses 1 & 2 and Authorization to Advertise for Bids. John Simola, Public Works Director, presented plans and specifications for the new additions to Pump Houses 1 & 2. The estimated cost of the two additions was $16,000. Mr. Simola requested that the plans and specifications be approved as presented and requested that a bid letting date of Monday, April 23, be approved. Motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Maxwell, and unanimously carried to approve the plans and specifications for the additions to Pump Houses 1 & 2 and to authorize the Public Works Director to advertise for bids returnable Monday, April 23, 1984. 15. Consideration of Ordering Financial Feasibility Studies for Hart Boulevard from the Hospital East to CountRoad 75 and Cedar Street from the Burlington Northern Railroad to Lauring Lane. The Public Works Director recommended to the Council that consideration be given to improving Hart Boulevard and Cedar Street during 1984. Cedar Street is presently a Class V surfaced street, and it was recommended that this section of street be improved with curb and gutter and bituminous surfacing. A significant portion of this project could be assessed to the benefiting property owners. Concerns were expressed by Council members as to whether all of the sewer and water utilities were presently installed in Cedar Street or whether any of this street would have to be torn up in the future for the installation of sewer or water. It was noted that the water main is currently installed along Cedar Street, but the property adjacent does not have sewer service, which was planned as part of the interceptor project in the future. It was also noted by the Public Works Director that the installation of sewer at a future date should not cause a problem, as the curb would be eliminated near the railroad tracks where the interceptor would cross Cedar Street. The section of Hart Boulevard from the Hospital past the Wastewater Treatment Plant is currently bituminous surfacing but is in bad need of repair. It was recommended that Hart Boulevard adjacent to residential property be improved with curb and gutter and new bituminous surfacing and that the balance of Hart Boulevard near the Wastewater Treatment Plant to County Road 75 be blacktopped in a rural type section without curb and gutter. Motion was made by Maus, seconded by Maxwell, and unanimously carried to authorize the City Engineer to prepare a feasibility study for improving Cedar Street with bituminous surfacing only and to prepare a feasibility study on improving Hart Boulevard with a combination of curb and gutter near the residential area and blacktopping only for the balance of the street. It was noted that the City Engineer in his feasibility study will determine whether bituminous surfacing only on Cedar Street is the best method rather than also installing curb and gutter at the present time. - 6 - Council Minutes - 4/9/84 16. Consideration of a Proposal for Professional Services for the City Fire Hall. At a previous Council meeting, the City staff had presented possible site locations for a new Fire Hall and possible building layouts for the new Fire Hall. Mr. Jerry Corrick, of the City's Consulting Engineering Firm of OSM, presented a proposal to the City Council offering their services with Bernard Jacob Architects Ltd. to study the potential sites for compatibility of a new Fire Hall and also present building layouts to fit each potential site. The proposal would look at each specific site to see how suitable the soils and location are for a new Fire Hall and would also present basic building layouts for the lots and estimated cost of construction for various types of buildings. Mr. Corrick noted that the total fee for this service would be approximately $2,000.00, but would not include a design of a building, which would be a separate contract for architectural services. The Council noted that at the present time the City does not have enough information on the availability and cost of the two or three recommended sites and felt that the City is not in a hurry at the present time to seek professional advice.. 17. Consideration of a Resolution Setting a Public Hearing for Tax Increment Financing, Applicant - IXI. IXI, Inc., has indicated a desire to begin new construction at their manufacturing complex in Oakwood Industrial Park. They are proposing to purchase the remainder of Lot 7, Block 3, in Oakwood Industrial Park and construct four new buildings in 1984. Previously, IXI purchased half of Lot 7, Block 3, as part of the Tax Increment District #1 and the intent now would be to sell the second half of the lot and create another Tax Increment Financing District. In order to consider establishing a new Tax Increment Financing District for this new construction, a public hearing has to be held by the City Council. Motion was made by Blonigen, seconded by Fair, and unanimously carried to adopt a Resolution setting Monday, April 23, 1984, as a date for the public hearing regarding the establishment of a Tax Increment Financing District #4. See Resolution 1984 #11. 18. Consideration of Issuing a 3.2 Beer License and a Set-up License to the Monticello Lions Club and Issuing a 3.2 Beer License to the Monticello Softball Association. Mark Irmiter, representing the Lions Club, requested a one -day 3.2 Beer License and a one -day Set-up license so that the Lions could again host - 7 - Council Minutes - 4/9/84 the Ducks Unlimited Banquet at the Monticello Roller Rink. The Monticello Softball Association also requested a 3.2 Beer License to sell beer at the softball fields during the summer months. Motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Blonigen, and unanimously carried to approve the issuance of a 3.2 Beer License and a Set-up License to the Monticello Lions Club for their Ducks Unlimited Banquet May 7, 1984; and approve issuing a 3.2 Beer License to the Monticello Softball Association for the summer months provided appropriate bonds and insurance forms are submitted as required. 19. Department Head Reports. The following Department Heads were present at the Council meeting and reviewed items with the Council; Karen Hanson, Senior Citizens Center Director; Gary Reitan, Wright County Sheriff's Department; John Simola, Public Works Director; Allen Pelvit, Economic Development Director; and City Administrator Tom Eidem. Rick Wolf ste er Assistant Administrator