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City Council Minutes 09-14-1987MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Monday, September 14, 1987 - 7:00 p.m. Riverroad Plaza Development Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Bill Fair, Warren Smith, Dan Blonigen Members Absent: None 1. Call to Order. 4. Consideration of Construction of Service Road at County Road 39 East and County Road 75. The Council meeting opened with an on-site inspection of the Riverroad Plaza Development and discussion centered on the upcoming need to construct a service road from the new County Road 39 location back to MacArlund Plaza, the new apartment buildings, and the rear entry for Riverroad Plaza. Representatives from the Wright County Highway Department were present and indicated that the responsibility for a service road lies with the City once the relocation of the County Road 39 and County Road 75 intersection is constructed. Public Works Director, John Simola, reviewed with those in attendance the three possible alternatives for construction of a new frontage road/service road that would serve the development. The frontage road would primarily exist on the present County Road 39 road base and the first alternative would be to construct the service road only as far as the rear entrance of the Riverroad Plaza convenience store. This would provide access to the development, but the owners and leasees of the Riverroad Plaza have requested continued use of an entrance onto County Road 75 which would necessitate the extension of the service road along the north portion of County Road 75 to the middle of the MacArlund Plaza Development. The initial cost estimate for a service road that would just serve as the initial entrance to the back door of the Riverroad Plaza was in the area of $7,000 to $10,000. Continuing the service road around the south side of the Riverroad Plaza to the middle of the MacArlund Plaza Subdivision would escalate the cost to approximately $17,000 to $20,000. In order for trucks to be able to make this entrance off of County Road 75, it would be necessary to have a large radius at the new entrance which would require an additional 30 feet of right-of-way acquisition from Curt and Anna Mae Hoglund. The Hoglunds indicated that because the lots are currently small, it may cause some problems if the lots are reduced in size to allow for the frontage road. As a result, Curt and Anna Mae Hoglund recommended that the service road continue along County Road 75 an additional 300 feet to the west edge of their property near the entry to the Maurice Hoglund property. It was their opinion that this type of an entrance would be better suited for their property rather than requiring additional right-of-way from their smaller lots. It was Council Minutes - 9/14/87 Page 2 noted that this would increase the cost another $8,000 to $10,000 and would put the total frontage road/service road cost at approximately $30,000. Mr. Jim Maus, leasee of the Riverroad Plaza convenience store, questioned whether the raised median along County Road 75 could be shortened up to allow their existing driveway to be used for both left and right turns. Mr. Dave Montebello, from the Wright County Highway Department, indicated the design of the curb median was necessary to allow for adequate storage of cars that will be making left turns and did not feel the design could be shortened up. The idea of using a painted median similar to what was used in downtown Monticello on Highway 25 did not seem appropriate in the County's opinion because of the speed limit being greater along County Road 75 than on Highway 25. The raised channelization would provide greater safety factors for cars making left turns and is easier to identify. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that a decision on the type and length of service road would not be made at this meeting but tabled until the next regularly scheduled Council meeting on September 28, 1987. The Council meeting reconvened at the City Hall at 7:30 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes. Motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by Fran Fair, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held August 24, 1987. 5. Discussion with Wright County Sheriff's Department on Possible Solutions to Cruising Problem. Wright County Sheriff, Darrell Wolff; Chief Deputy, Jim Powers; and Lieutenant Don Hozempa were in attendance at the Council meeting to review possible solutions to the cruising and loitering problem existing in Monticello on weekends. After a brief opening statement by Mayor Grimsmo regarding the problem, Sheriff Wolff noted that in addition to the cruising, it appeared that more of a problem exists from the groups gathering along Broadway. Sheriff Wolff suggested that a committee possibly be set up to come up with ideas and solutions to tackle the problem for the upcoming year, including possible ordinances and regulations that would tackle the loitering problem including curfew, etc. The Sheriff's Department representatives felt that if the groups gathering along Broadway could be lessened, the audience would be eliminated for the cruisers, which might help control the situation. The department indicated that additional coverage would be necessary in man hours to enforce the regulations and suggested the City Council consider increasing its hours of protection, especially on weekends. Council Minutes - 9/14/87 Page 3 After further discussion, motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded by Fran Fair, and unanimously carried to authorize the City Administrator to contract for additional coverage for Friday and Saturday evenings for the balance of 1987, the additional coverage to be provided by a foot patrol officer and authorized a task force to be set up consisting of Sheriff Department, City Council, and/or citizen participation to find solutions for the problem next year. 6. Consideration of Zoning Map Amendment - Boyle Property. Recently the City staff initiated a proposed ordinance amendment that would change the zoning on the Jim Boyle property lying south of I-94 and east of the Oakwood Industrial Park adjacent to the new middle school property. The area was currently zoned partially light industrial, with the majority heavy indusrial; and it was the staff's opinion that the property should be down zoned somewhat to accommodate uses adjacent to the new school. A tentative rezoning of the area was proposed to the Planning Commission who recommended the City Council adopt the rezoning as an interim measure until the land owner subdivides the property in the future. It was felt the proposed rezoning would not be necessarily permanent in nature but would depend primarily on how the developer planned on platting the property; and at that time the entire area could be reviewed for possible additional amendments. Property owner, Jim Boyle, requested the City Council not take any official action at their meeting to enable himself to further research all the possibilities that the new zoning may affect his property. Mr. Boyle had been informed of the proposed rezoning hearing held by the Planning Commission but had not been shown a map of the area and the actual rezoning proposed. In addition, the City Consulting Planner, Dahlgren, Shardlow & Uban, had not yet completed their review of the proposed rezoning; and this information was received on September 14, 1987. As a result, motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen, and unanimously carried to table final action on the proposed rezoning of the Jim Boyle property until the next regularly scheduled Council meeting to allow the property owner additional time to review the zoning changes and provide comment. 7. Consideration of an Amendment to the Sign Ordinance Requiring Address Signs on each Building in all Zoning Districts. An ordinance amendment was proposed by the City staff that would require all buildings in the City of Monticello, including residential, commercial, and industrial, to display an address number on their building. The main purpose of this ordinance amendment is Council Minutes - 9/14/87 Page 4 to better identify property addresses by their numbers in case of an emergency response request and that the numbers are easily visible from the public right-of-way or public street. The proposed regulations would require the address numbers to be at least 3 1/2 inches in height and be a contrasting color to the color of the building. Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Bill Fair, and unanimously carried to approve adoption of the ordinance amendment requiring address signs. See Ordinance Amendment No. 158. 8. Consideration of a Sketch Plan Proposal to be Known as Highland Heights One. Applicant, Rivera Financial and Development Corporation. Mr. George Rivera was present at the Council meeting to review a proposed sketch plan of a development to be known as Highland Heights One consisting of commercial and residential townhouse development on a parcel of property located directly west of Sandberg South development south of I-94 adjacent to Marvin Road. The initial proposal would create a commercial area consisting of possible uses such as office building, restaurant, and drive-in fast food establishments and additional areas proposed for townhouse development. At this stage of the planned unit development, Mr. Rivera was looking for concept approval for his continuation of his development; and such items as park dedication, sewer and water and street construction plans would have to be addressed later as he proceeds with his planned unit development. Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Bill Fair, and unanimously carried to approve the general concept of the sketch plan proposal to be known as Highland Heights and directing Mr. Rivera to continue with his planned unit development through the normal procedures. 9. Consideration of Approval of Liquor Store Sign Design and Landscaping Design. Council members were presented with a number of new sign designs that had been obtained by the Liquor Store Manager from various sign companies. Liquor Store Manager, Joe Hartman, noted that the City staff had reviewed the sign proposals submitted and recommended that a double posted pylon sign from Cragg Signs of Golden Valley be purchased. The price for the new sign would be $8,983 and an additional $1,020 would be needed for letters on the building fascia. It was the Council consensus to authorize the Liquor Store Manager to proceed with ordering the double faced pylon sign from Cragg Signs at the quoted price of $8,983 and the additional edge trim letters for the building fascia at an additional cost of $1,020 with the colors to be determined by a color coordinator selected by the Liquor Store Manager. Council Minutes - 9/14/87 Page 5 In regards to the landscaping proposed for the Liquor Store site, Public Works Director, John Simola, noted that the City had requested three design bid quotations for landscaping proposals at the Liquor Store. Landscaping designs were submitted by Fair's Garden Center of Monticello, Ak-Sar-Ben Landscape Contractors from Elk River, and Steve's Nursery also of Elk River. The City staff had reviewed the designs submitted and initially selected the proposal submitted by Steve's Nursery of Elk River, which also happened to be the low bid price at $10,060.35. Minor alterations were recommended to their plan; and after further consideration, the question arose whether or not the City should prepare its own design specifications for the landscaping plan and ask all bidders to resubmit quotations based on the same plan. The Public Works Director noted that in order to prepare a basic design with specifications on the type of shrubs, trees, and landscaping that would be required and to receive the bids from all interested parties might take two to three additional weeks, and completion of the project may not be possible yet this fall. As a result, it was the consensus of the Council to have the Public Works staff prepare a basic design for a landscaping plan over the next few months and present the bid specifications to all interested parties during the winter for implementation next spring. 10. Consideration of Setting a Public Hearing Date to Modify the Finance Plan for Tax Increment Redevelopment District #6. Economic Development Director, 011ie Koropchak, informed the Council that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority had approved Modification #1 to the Finance Plan for the Tax Increment Redevelopment District #6 which would modify the plan to allow for the HRA and the City to recapture additional expenditures through tax increment for this district. As part of the original financing plan, the HRA had incurred additional cost of approximately $25,000 because of soil correction needed on the Sixth Street extension, and an additional $28,000 in soil correction surrounding the City easement for the interceptor sewer project. It was recommended by the HRA that the plan be modified to allow for the additional $53,000 in cost to be recaptured. Motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen, and unanimously carried to adopt the resolution setting a public hearing for the purpose of modifying the Tax Increment Finance Plan for Redevelopment District #6 on September 28, 1987. See Resolution 87-26. Council Minutes - 9/14/87 Page 6 11. Consideration of City Attorney Appointment. Due to the recent death of City Attorney, Gary Pringle, the Council discussed the appointment of a new city attorney to fill out the balance of the appointment for 1987. The partners remaining in the law firm of Smith, Pringle, and Hayes, have indicated a willingness to continue serving as city attorney and partner, Tom Hayes, had agreed to continue as the official city attorney representative. Mr. Hayes and partner Greg Smith have been familiar with some of the City's legal affairs; and at this point, it was the Council's consensus to continue with this firm as the City's legal representative and officially appoint Mr. Tom Hayes as the city attorney for the balance of 1987. 12. Discussion on Senior Citizen Center Position. On a recommendation by legal counsel, motion was made by Bill Fair, seconded by Fran Fair, an unanimously carried to table any discussion on the Senior Citizen Center position until a special closed meeting is held at 6:00 p.m., September 28, 1987. Rick Wol steller City Administrator