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City Council Minutes 05-29-1990MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Monday, May 29, 1990 - 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Ken Maus, Fran Fair, Warren Smith, Shirley Anderson, Dan Blonigen Members Absent: None 2. Approval of minutes. Warren Smith noted that the vote on item #6 of the May 14, 1990, minutes should be amended to include Ken Maus as abstaining from the vote. Motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to approve the minutes as amended of the regular meeting held May 14, 1990. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints. None forthcoming. 4. Review of community education/summer recreation program for 1990. Duane Gates was present to discuss the various activities and programs provided by the community education/ summer recreation program. Members of the City Council asked if a bike safety program is available through community education. Duane Gates responded by saying that it is not provided by the school program at this time; however, if bike safety programming is not being offered by any other organization, it is something that community education could look into. Dan Blonigen asked Gates what the level of participation in the community education program is for township residents and city residents. It was Blonigen's view that by contributing to this program, the City is paying twice, as city residents pay for both school and city programs. Ken Maus noted that Dan Blonigen has valid points; however, if we did not have a joint agreement between the City and the school regarding summer programs, the City would likely be saddled with greater expense associated with providing our own recreation programming. Page 1 Council Minutes - 5/29/90 Warren Smith noted that City participation in this program allows for use of existing recreation facilities and potential to their greatest advantage, which eliminates City duplication of school district efforts. Dan Blonigen also asked what percentage of the total cost is offset by fees. This being an information item, no action was taken. 5. Consideration of adopting a resolution awarding bids for Project 90-02, 7th Street and Minnesota Street. John Simola reported that the bids came in extremely favorable, with the lowest bid submitted by R.L. Larsonbeing $47,000 less than the engineer's estimate. After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Fran Fair, to award the 7th Street and Minnesota Street Project 90-02 to R.L. Larson Excavating of St. Cloud, Minnesota, for the amount of $242,581.93. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 90-22. 6. Consideration of hiring operator/mechanic for Public Works Department. Administrator Wolfsteller noted that with the transfer of Richard Cline to the Water/Sewer Collection Department, the City was left with a vacancy in the operator/mechanic's position. Sixty-four candidates responded to the advertisement for the position, and eight individuals were interviewed. After careful deliberation and checking of references, the selection committee recommended that City Council hire Joseph Kovich of 220 Leighton Drive, Big Lake, as Mr. Kovich has a well-rounded background and skills in the areas covering almost every job description and should fit in well with very little training. Wolfsteller noted that Joseph Kovich's wife, Pat Kovich, works for the City as one of the deputy registrars at City Hall. The committee, along with the City Attorney, felt that this was not a problem, as the departments are totally separate from each other. It was recommended that if Council is not satisfied with hiring Kovich, such a decision should not be based on the fact that his wife also works for the City because the positions are totally unrelated. Page 2 Council Minutes - 5/29/90 Cory Flagg, applicant for the position, was present with questions regarding the selection process. Flagg mentioned his interest in the position and desire to work for the City of Monticello. After discussion, motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Warren Smith, to select Joseph Kovich to fill the position of operator/mechanic contingent upon passing of the City physical. Motion carried unanimously. 7. Consideration of hiring groundskeeper/janitor. Rick Wolfsteller noted that after placing advertisement in the local papers, we received 12 applications for the job and recommend the City hire John Lukach of 222 Kjellbergs Park in Monticello. John has a background in the building and grounds maintenance field. After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Dan Blonigen, to select John Lukach for the position of groundskeeper/janitor contingent upon passing of the City required physical. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Consideration of adopting process governing information submittal for variances, conditional use permits, and zoning ordinance amendment applications. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported to Council that the proposal to formalize the submittal process stems from problems associated with late submittal of information by applicants to City staff which reduces time needed to properly review land use proposals and limits the City staff's ability to complete the Planning Commission/City Council agenda supplements on a timely basis. Adherence to the schedule by applicants as proposed will assist City staff in performing their jobs better. O'Neill noted that the policy includes the ability to override the schedule when necessary providing the City with flexibility in the event that a development proposal cannot meet the standard time frame. Mayor Maus suggested that the application deadline be changed from the second Friday of each month to 9:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month. No other changes were made to the proposed schedule. Page 3 Council Minutes - 5/29/90 After discussion, motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to approve the process for review of conditional use permit, zoning ordinance amendment, and variance request applications as amended. Motion carried unanimously. 9. Consideration of establishing a fee for special meetings of the Planning Commission and consider providing compensation to Planning Commission members that attend special meetings. Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted to Council that the Planning Commission requests that Council consider establishing a special fee to be charged to applicants requesting a special meeting of the Planning Commission for review of variances, conditional use permits, or zoning ordinance amendments. The purpose of the fee is to discourage developers from requesting special meetings and to provide funds to cover the added cost of conducting special meetings. In addition, the fee revenue will be used to compensate Planning Commission members for their attendance at special meetings. O'Neill went on to note that occasional special meetings have not been a problem for the Planning Commission; however, in the past few years, the frequency of the special meetings has been increasing to an uncomfortable level. Dan Blonigen noted that he has no problem with a fee for the special meetings; however, he was concerned that the Planning Commission members might be compensated at a greater level than City Council if more than one Planning Commission special meeting is held per month. Blonigen suggested that the number of special meetings that the Planning Commission would be eligible to be compensated for be limited to one meeting per month. Ken Maus suggested that the special fee be established at $250, which is equal to the compensation paid to Planning Commission members. Maus did not believe that it was necessary to charge more than the actual cost of the special meetings. After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson to establish a fee of $250 for special meetings of the Planning Commission and approve a payment of $50 to Planning Commission members as compensation for attendance at special meetings of the Planning Commission. Planning Commission members eligible for compensation for special meetings is limited to one special meeting per month. Motion was seconded by Dan Blonigen and carried unanimously. Page 4 Council Minutes - 5/29/90 10. Consideration of authorizing purchase of base radio for office of Public Works Department. John Simola reported that this is a budgeted item, and the proposed purchase of a Kenwood mobile base unit and antenna for the office of the Public Works Department for $753 is less than the budgeted amount of $1,600. After discussion, motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to authorize the purchase of a Kenwood mobile base unit and antenna for the office of Public Works from Audio Communications of Big Lake, Minnesota, for $753. Motion carried unanimously. 11. Consideration of approving gambling license renewal --American Legion Club. City Council reviewed the application and gambling license report submitted by the American Legion Club. No opposition to the license was forthcoming; therefore, the license is automatically granted. 12. Consideration of gambling license renewal --VFW Club. City Council reviewed the application and gambling license report submitted by the VFW Club. No opposition to the license was forthcoming; therefore, the license is automatically granted. 13. Information --The Ride Across Minnesota --Preliminary Plan. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed The Ride Across Minnesota preliminary plan with Council. No changes to the plan were suggested by Council. 14. Information --City Engineer review of PCA Draft Permit for Wastewater Treatment Plant--Kjellberg West. City Council reviewed a letter submitted by the City Engineer on behalf of the City which outlined concerns associated with a proposal to construct a wastewater treatment facility at the Kjellberg West Mobile Home Park. The letter was addressed to the Pollution Control Agency and should result in a formal hearing regarding this matter. Page 5 Council Minutes - 5/29/90 Dan Blonigen asked if it is helpful to pass a resolution noting the City Council's concern regarding this matter. Blonigen went on to note that the City should be doing everything we can to prevent the development of a wastewater treatment plant in such close proximity to city services. John Simola noted some of the potential techniques for serving a residential area that is located some distance from the city utilities. Simola explained that a shallow force main could be installed to convey sewage from the west park to a city sewer system manhole. He also noted that service of the west park is possible without annexation according to existing City policies. Ken Maus noted that at some point, the City may need to do a feasibility study to determine the precise method and cost of serving the mobile home park. Maus also noted that the City should set a new deadline for rectifying the Kjellberg East problem, as the potential of rectifying the problem in conjunction with the development of the Evergreens subdivision does not appear to be coming to fruition, as the Evergreens project does not appear to be moving forward. After discussion, motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen, to authorize the City staff and City Engineer to actively monitor this matter and provide the PCA with information and testimony that will assist the PCA in making a decision regarding the proposed wastewater treatment facility that is in the best interest of the environment. Motion carried unanimously. 15. Consideration of adopting a resolution requesting assistance for the placement of flood elevation reference marks and signing of 100 -year flood mark at various locations within the city of Monticello. Gary Anderson noted that the Department of Natural Resources has funds available to be used for signage marking the 100 -year flood elevation at various locations within the city of Monticello. After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Fran Fair, to approve a resolution requesting assistance for the placement of flood elevation reference marks and signing of 100 -year flood mark at various locations within the city of Monticello. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 90-23. Page 6 Council Minutes - 5/29/90 16. Consideration of inspection criteria and grid system for city of Monticello sidewalks. Public Works Director, John Simola, presented criteria for repair and replacement of sidewalks and a proposed sidewalk grid system outlining sidewalk development avenues. After discussion, it was concluded that Dan Blonigen should work with John in refining the criteria to be used in determining which sidewalks should be repaired or replaced for safety reasons. Ken Maus reviewed the sidewalk development grid system and noted that the sidewalk located on the grid must serve a purpose and that sidewalk isn't always necessary on a major roadway if there is no pedestrian traffic on that roadway. Maus noted that the grid map should be revised to show elimination of certain sidewalks and should also show a phasing in over time of sidewalks as part of the overall grid system. Fran Fair supported the development of a grid system. She went on to note that those properties with sidewalks not on the grid system and in poor condition should be repaired, replaced, or removed, as the presence of poorly maintained sidewalks on city property can create liability for the City. Ken Maus suggested that Shirley Anderson work with John Simola toward development of a sidewalk grid system that takes into account pedestrian volume as well as traffic volume. The proposed grid system should also include recommendations regarding staging of sidewalk development over a period of years. After discussion, a motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to authorize development of a sidewalk grid system with Shirley Anderson advising John Simola on development of said system and authorize Dan Blonigen to work with Simola in the rewording of the sidewalk repair/ replacement criteria. Motion carried unanimously. 17. Consideration of approval of bills for the month of May. Dan Blonigen was uncomfortable with approving the bills without the standard check register report and noted that the report provided does not clearly indicate the purpose for each expenditure. Administrator Wolfsteller noted that he would provide a follow-up report that better describes the purpose for each expenditure to Council members. Page 7 Council Minutes - 5/29/90 Motion was made by Warren Smith, seconded by Fran Fair, to approve the bills as submitted with full information regarding the bills to be submitted to Council prior to the next meeting. Voting in favor: Shirley Anderson, Warren Smith, Fran Fair, Ken Maus. Opposed: Dan Blonigen. There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned. Jeff O'Neill Assistant Administrator mne