City Council Minutes 02-11-1991MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, February 11, 1991 - 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Dan Blonigen,
Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle
Members Absent: None
2. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held
January 28, 1991.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded
by Brad Fyle, to approve the meeting minutes as written.
Voting in favor of the motion: Dan Blonigen, Brad Fyle,
Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst. Ken Maus abstained, as he was
unable to attend the meeting.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
None forthcoming.
4. Consideration of proposal to utilize the fire hall for
community organizations.
Ken Maus reviewed the proposal submitted by the Jaycees and
noted that he is somewhat uneasy about approving the proposal,
as the City would be required to maintain ownership of the
structure without control, and the plan does not include a
method to replace the storage space that would be lost if the
fire hall is refurbished for office space. Maus also wondered
who is going to manage the facility if it's being used by a
number of organizations.
Warren Olson noted that the City would maintain complete
control; and his intent is not to get a definite go ahead from
the City, but he would like a general response regarding the
proposal to give him the direction he needs to determine
whether or not this idea should be studied further.
Dan Blonigen noted that he could see the purpose or the need
for the space for social service related activities, but the
taxpayers should not pay for the brunt of it.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson,
seconded by Dan Blonigen, to authorize an establishment of a
subcommittee of the Council to explore the proposal further.
Motion carried unanimously. Shirley Anderson and Dan Blonigen
volunteered to serve on the committee.
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5. Consideration of a resolution adopting an ordinance amendment
establishing a Parks Commission.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed the proposed
ordinance amendment.
Clint Herbst suggested that the ordinance be changed slightly
to allow only Monticello residents to serve on the Park Board.
Ken Maus concurred that this should probably be a requirement,
as the Park Board may be making recommendations on where to
spend taxpayers' dollars. It would not seem fair to have
someone other than a city taxpayer serving on the Parks
Commission.
Ken Maus suggested that the ordinance amendment be slightly
modified to focus the duties of the Parks Commission on review
and analysis of park facilities and park facility development
and eliminate Parks Commission review of recreation programs
and recreation needs.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded
by Shirley Anderson, to approve the resolution adopting an
ordinance amendment establishing a Parks Commission with
modifications as noted. Motion carried unanimously.
SEE RESOLUTION 91-5. SEE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 203.
6. Consideration of a resolution adopting an ordinance amendment
establishing regulations governing trapping activity.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed the proposed
ordinance amendment that was prepared in response to concerns
by citizens that trapping was being conducted within the city
limits of Monticello and that such activity could possibly
harm pets and children.
Dan Blonigen stated that he has no reason to object to the
ordinance. Blonigen noted that there is a provision in the
ordinance which allows use of cage type live traps that can be
used for control of nuisance animals as long as such traps are
tended to each twelve ( 12 ) hours. It was Blonigen' s view that
this is a good provision in the ordinance and that live traps
should continue to be allowed in the city.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson,
seconded by Dan Blonigen, to approve a resolution adopting an
ordinance amendment establishing regulations governing
trapping activity. Motion carried unanimously.
SEE RESOLUTION 91-6. SEE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 204.
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7. Consideration of buying new brush and tree chipper for the
tree department.
John Simola reported that the City has a 1975 Aspen tree
chipper. It was purchased through the state contract program
for $4,887. The City paid 50% of this cost. This machine has
been used for the past 16 years in the Dutch Elm Tree Disease
Program for miscellaneous brush and tree cleanup in various
areas of the city. The mulch produced from the chipping has
been used in various reforestation projects, park pathways,
and given away to city residents and landscapers. He noted
that although the machine has been kept up quite well, it does
have limited use, as its reasonable capacity is only 4 -inch
diameter brush or limbs, and it cannot be used for any dried
or slightly dirty brush. Any amount of dried or dirty brush
caused the blades to become immediately dull. Because of the
design of the chipper, it takes about three to four hours to
replace the blades. In addition, there are concerns regarding
the safety of the present tree chipper. All in all, the
safety related problems and the high maintenance of the
existing machine have created the need to look at purchasing
a new unit. In preparation for the proposed purchase, the
Public Works Department placed $14,000 in the 1991 budget.
It was the consensus of Council that the safety considerations
were significant, and it was determined that a need exists for
a chipper.
A motion was made by Shirley Anderson, seconded by Brad Fyle,
to authorize purchase of a Model 200 Brush Banded chipper from
Road Machinery in the amount $14,441 and authorize City staff
to advertise our existing Aspen chipper to be sold to the
highest bidder. Motion carried unanimously.
On a related matter, Council elected to modify the present fee
schedule used for charging citizens that wish to utilize the
City crew and chipper for the reduction of brush on property.
Motion was made by Brad Fyle, seconded by Clint Herbst, to
charge for the use of the chipper, with assistance from a
public works employee, at a rate of $25 per every half hour of
use or fraction thereof. Motion carried unanimously.
8. Consideration of increasing the minimum recycling requirements
from six to nine materials per quarter.
John Simola reported that although participation in the
recycling program remains high, we must remember that a
minimum number of six materials need to be recycled over a
quarter of a year. Some residents have chosen to recycle only
the minimum amount. Consequently, the tonnage recycled during
the third quarter of 1990 is 18.1% less than the same period
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in 1989. In addition, the tonnage recycled for the fourth
quarter of 1990 is 17.6% less than the fourth quarter of 1989.
Consequently, the tonnages to the landfill are up
significantly in the fourth quarter of 1990. In response to
the drop in participation and in light of the fact that
plastics are now being recycled, it is the recommendation of
the recycling committee that the recycling plan be amended to
require a minimum of nine materials per quarter to be recycled
for the maximum credit as allowed by ordinance.
Clint Herbst noted that residents should be required to
recycle more than six items per quarter, as it is such a small
amount. In addition, he suggested that the City should
consider raising the special processing fee charged to
property owners that fail to meet the minimum recycling
requirements.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson,
seconded by Brad Fyle, to modify the recycling plan to require
a minimum of nine materials per quarter to be recycled for a
maximum credit as allowed by ordinance. Motion carried
unanimously.
Council also discussed the penalty amount which is charged to
people who do not meet the recycling requirements.
After discussion, a motion was made to raise the current
penalty for residential property from $7.00 to $10.00 per
month and increase the penalty paid by multi -family dwellings
from $5 to $10 per unit per month. Motion carried
unanimously.
9. Consideration of 1991 4th Annual Junk Amnesty Day.
John Simola reviewed the concepts behind the Junk Amnesty Day
and requested that Council consider directing staff to
organize the 4th Annual Junk Amnesty Day.
Shirley Anderson noted she likes the idea of the Junk Amnesty
Day. Assistant Administrator O'Neill told Council that he has
been informed that the Women of Today organization will be
working with the Lions Club in organizing volunteers to assist
people with getting materials from their home sites to the
junk amnesty dump site.
After discussion, motion was made by Clint Herbst, seconded by
Shirley Anderson, to authorize City staff to hold the 1991
Junk Amnesty Day on May 4, 1991, at an estimated cost of
$4,000. Motion carried unanimously.
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10. Consideration of purchase of micro -computer for use by
Economic Development Director.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill asked City Council to consider
the purchase of a micro -computer with emulation for use by the
Economic Development Director. The purpose of the computer is
to increase efficiency and improve written presentations
through the application of word processing and electronic
spreadsheet applications. No new printer is needed, as the
existing laser jet printer would be used for output through
the use of the emulation hardware. O'Neill went on to note
that the Economic Development Director prepares agendas and
meeting minutes for the HRA, IDC, Chamber of Commerce, and the
EDA. Almost all of her correspondence is completed on the
typewriter. Much of her correspondence consists of form
letters that are more efficiently and professionally prepared
when done on word processing.
After discussion, motion was made by Shirley Anderson,
seconded by Brad Fyle, to authorize the purchase of a micro-
computer and hardware at a purchase price not to exceed
$2,500. Voting in favor: Brad Fyle, Clint Herbst, Shirley
Anderson, Ken Maus. Opposed: Dan Blonigen.
11. _Consideration of purchasing personal accident insurance
coverage for Council members.
Rick Wolfsteller reported that currently the City of
Monticello is providing workmen's compensation for insurance
coverage for the Mayor and Council members. This option was
available to the City, and a couple of years ago we chose to
include the coverage as part of our policy. The current
minimum premium amounts to $610 per year for covering the five
Council members. Wolfsteller reported that the same
information was brought to the Council's attention last year,
and it was the consensus of the Council that the City would
remain with worker's compensation coverage for Council
members. Potential benefits are much greater from workmen's
compensation versus the individual accident policy in that
worker's compensation would also cover medical expenses,
rehabilitation expenditures, and other benefits even though
the cost is substantially higher.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle, seconded by
Shirley Anderson, to remain with the worker's compensation
coverage. Voting in favor: Brad Fyle, Shirley Anderson, Dan
Blonigen. Opposed: Ken Maus, Clint Herbst.
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12. Report on City Attorney selection process; consideration of
establishing date and time for interviews.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that the screening
committee has interviewed nine attorneys and firms interested
in becoming general counsel for the City of Monticello. Of
this group, four firms have been selected for final interview
by Council. O'Neill requested that Council establish a
special meeting for the purpose of conducting final
interviews. A meeting of the City Council was then scheduled
for Tuesday, February 19, at 3:30 p.m.
13. Other matters.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill and 011ie Koropchak informed
Council that a large distribution center is seriously
considering Monticello and six other communities in the upper
Midwest for the location of a new distribution facility. The
proposed facility would include 1.2 million square feet of
warehouse space, employ 500 people, require 150 acres of land,
and generate an annual tax revenue of over $700,000. The
facility would also increase traffic at the Highway 25 and
I-94 interchange by 15% to 25%. Council was asked to review
this information and provide staff with direction toward
development of a proposal to be submitted to the company.
Shirley Anderson noted that the City should not give up its
quality of life for a project of this magnitude. We should
move ahead, but carefully.
It was the consensus of the Council that tax increment
financing should be utilized to finance utilities that must be
extended in conjunction with this project; however, the use of
tax increment financing should be limited to one-half the
amount that would be generated by this project.
Dan Blonigen requested that staff prepare information
regarding previous Council decisions to allow employee use of
City vehicles. He also asked for history behind the
establishment of the City Administrator's monthly mileage
stipend.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Jeff O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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