City Council Minutes 11-26-1990MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, November 26, 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 requested that his name be deleted from the list
of members present at the November 13, 1990, Council meeting.
There being no further changes to the minutes as proposed, a
motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Shirley Anderson, to
approve the meeting minutes of the meeting held November 13,
1990, along with the proposed correction. doting in favor:
Ken Maus, Fran Fair, Shirley Anderson, Dan Blonigen.
Abstaining: Warren Smith.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
None forthcoming.
4. Consideration of proposals for replacement of control center
at wastewater treatment plant.
Public Works Director, John Simola, reviewed the four
proposals that had been submitted to the City to replace the
wastewater treatment control center. Of the four firms
submitting proposals, the two firms of Bentec and Dynamic
Systems are being recommended for further review.
Bentec Engineering proposed a system that would use a large
portion of the existing wiring in the control center and would
also feature a Mitsubishi PLC and PC driven system. The cost
of the Bentec System is $47,663. Dynamic Systems proposed a
full and complete replacement of the existing control center
at a price of $85,750, using a PLC system with a "panel view"
center.
John Simola noted that the original control center which
caused us so many problems was installed by Bentec through a
joint effort with Edison Controls Equipment; therefore, staff
is somewhat concerned about selecting the Bentec system
without careful consideration even though the price is
attractive.
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Council Minutes - 11/26/90
Ken Maus asked if Bentec's inability to provide service was
due to faulty equipment that they were using in conjunction
with the control center. John Simola responded by saying that
this could be a factor in why Bentec had problems servicing
our equipment as well as a disillusion of associations between
Bentec and Edison Controls. Simola went on to note that
Dynamic Systems appears to have an excellent track record and
currently has a number of treatment plants operating using the
same system that is proposed, whereas the exact system that
Bentec proposed is not operating in conjunction with any
wastewater treatment plant at this time.
Dan Blonigen noted that we should not be looking at the low
dollar in this situation. We have had problems with the
Bentec systems in the past, and it may not be wise to make the
same mistake by selecting this firm to install our new control
center. Shirley Anderson, Fran Fair, and Warren Smith
concurred.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson,
seconded by Dan Blonigen, to direct staff to continue the
selection process and narrow down the possible candidates to
Bentec Engineering Corporation and Dynamic Systems. Motion
carried unanimously.
5. Consideration of establishing a strategy for selecting a City
Attorney.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill outlined a proposed process
for selecting a City Attorney. O'Neill suggested that the
Council establish an ad hoc committee to assist staff with
selection of candidates for subsequent interview by Council.
The Committee could also prepare a request for proposal form
and advertise the position opening. The request for proposals
form would include questions regarding fees and also includes
specific questions regarding various areas of municipal law,
including labor laws, planning, zoning, real estate, code
enforcement, etc. The information provided would help the
City in determining to what extent each candidate's experience
matches the City's current needs. The ad hoc committee would
then review responses to the RFP and select candidates for
interview. Finally, Council interviews of candidates would
occur at the first regular meeting in January.
Ken Maus noted that there are able attorneys locally and all
should receive a close look; however, it may be wise at this
time for the City to open up the position to attorneys from
outside the city of Monticello that have specific experience
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in city government. In addition, an attorney from outside of
the city would be less likely to experience a conflict of
interest situation.
Shirley Anderson stated that the City should be open to hiring
an attorney from outside the city of Monticello, and she is
willing to serve on the ad hoc committee. Dan Blonigen
concurred that we should look outside of the city. He would
like to see an aggressive attorney hired.
It was the consensus of Council to notify all local attorneys
directly of the position opening and consider applications
submitted by attorneys from outside of the city of Monticello.
Ken Maus noted that he would review the request for proposals
prior to it being submitted to interested candidates.
6. Consideration of establishing a date and time for a budget
workshop.
A budget workshop date was set for November 30, 1990, at
9:30 a.m.
7. Consideration of bills for the month of November.
Motion was made by Warren Smith and seconded by Shirley
Anderson to approve payment of bills for the month of
November. Motion carried unanimously.
8. Other matters.
John Simola noted the success of the state wide adopt -a -
highway program and suggested that the City of Monticello
consider adoption of a similar program. It was the consensus
of Council that John Simola should go forward and prepare more
information and a policy statement regarding this matter.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Jeff `O eill
Assistant Administrator
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