City Council Minutes 06-24-1991MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, June 24, 1991 - 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle, Ken
Maus
Members Absent: Dan Blonigen
2. Approval of minutes.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Brad Fyle to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting held June 10, 1991. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
None forthcoming.
4. Public Hearing --Delinquent sewer and water accounts.
City Council reviewed the status of two delinquent utility
billing accounts. Both account holders requested a public
hearing with the Council to allow them to explain why they
have been unable to pay their account and why the City of
Monticello should not disconnect their water service.
With regard to the Tom Hass account, Hass informed Council
that he would like an exemption from participation in the
recycling program because he eats out all the time and he does
not produce recyclable waste.
Council also reviewed the James Cellette delinquent utility
billing account. Mr. Cellette indicated that he inherited the
high water bill from the individuals that were previously
occupying his home and that he is not able to pay the full
amount at this time.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded
by Clint Herbst to require that Tom Hass pay the sewer and
water portion of the utility bill per the policy for late
payment of utility bills and to abate that portion of the
utility bill associated with failure to participate in the
recycling program. If payment is not forthcoming, the water
service should be disconnected immediately. Motion also
included that James Cellette pay the utility bill as
calculated under the existing policy for payment of delinquent
accounts; however, Council elected to waive the 10% service
charge and the recycling charge. Motion carried unanimously.
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Council Minutes - 6/24/91
Consideration of approval of development agreement governing
City/developer installed improvements --Briar Oakes Estate
Phase I.
Assistant City Administrator O'Neill reviewed the development
agreement with Council. After discussion, Council elected to
table the matter until after consideration of the resolution
approving plans and spec's and authorizing advertisement for
bids for Briar Oakes Estate, which is item #7 of this Council
agenda.
Consideration of approval of final plat, Phase I, Briar Oakes
Estate.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed modifications made to
the preliminary plat, and they were incorporated into the
final plat. O'Neill noted that the Army Corps of Engineers
had given verbal approval of the phase I grading plan;
however, approval is contingent upon the removal of Lot 6,
Block 1, as a buildable lot. The Army Corps of Engineers
requested that this lot remain as a pond area and not be
filled.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Brad Fyle to approve the final plat subject to the
following:
1) verification of title transfer of Outlot I from
Farm Credit to Prestige Builders;
2) City Engineer approval of the grading plan;
3) The development agreement must be executed, with
all financial securities provided and approved by
the City Attorney;
4) Two copies of the restrictive covenants must be
signed;
5) Walkway easement documentation must be prepared and
submitted to the City;
6) County surveyor's signature must be on the plat
prior to City signatures;
7) If Lot 6, Block 1, is deemed unbuildable by the
Army Corps of Engineers, a separate document must
be recorded against the lot indicating such. The
property associated with the unbuildable lot would
then be distributed to Lots 5 and 7, Block 1.
Motion carried unanimously.
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Council Minutes - 6/24/91
7. Consideration of a rezoning request to rezone Outlot I, Meadow
Oak subdivision, from R -PUD to R-1 zone. Applicant, Prestige
Builders of St. Cloud.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill informed Council that in order
for the Briar Oakes Estate to be developed as proposed, the
original PUD zoning designation must be changed to the R-1
zoning designation.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Clint Herbst to approve rezoning Outlot I from PUD
to the R-1 zoning designation. Motion was based on the
finding that the Briar Oakes subdivision is designed to
sufficiently integrate with the adjoining PUD areas in terms
of street, sidewalk, and utilities design; the rezoning is
consistent with the comprehensive plan, geography, and
character of the area; and rezoning will allow development of
single family building lots which are in short supply at this
time. Motion carried unanimously. SEE AMENDMENT NO. 209A.
8. Public Hearing --Consideration of a resolution approving plans
and authorizing advertisement for bids --Briar Oakes Estate,
Proiect 91-2.
Mayor Maus opened the public hearing. Assistant City
Administrator O'Neill, along with City Engineer, Bret Weiss,
reviewed the sewer, water, street, and storm sewer
improvements associated with phase I of Briar Oakes Estate,
Project 91-2. O'Neill noted that the majority of the cost to
install public improvements associated with this project are
to be assessed against the Briar Oakes Estate plat; however,
a portion ($13,500) of the storm sewer cost associated with
this project could be distributed to other benefiting
properties.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Clint Herbst to approve a resolution approving
plans and authorizing advertisement for bids for Briar Oakes
Estate, Project 91-2, and to establish a tentative assessment
roll for the $13,500 storm sewer improvement connecting the
southeast pond to the east pond. The assessment roll
incorporates the cost to provide the storm sewer to benefiting
township properties and spreads this cost across properties in
the city benefiting from the improvement. Under this
assessment program, Prestige Builders pays 570 of the total,
or $7,700; Outlot J of Farm Credit pays 140 of the total, or
$1,900; Outlot L owned by Farm Credit pays 22%, or $2,900; and
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Council Minutes - 6/24/91
Outlot M of Farm Credit pays 7%, or $1,000. Voting in favor:
Shirley Anderson, Ken Maus, Clint Herbst. Opposed: Brad
Fyle. In voting against the motion, Brad Fyle supported the
approval of plans and spec's but did not agree with the
formula for distributing the $13,500 storm sewer expense.
SEE RESOLUTION 91-19.
City Council then addressed the development agreement
addressed in agenda item #5. After discussion, a motion was
made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley Anderson to adopt
the development agreement as submitted by City staff and
amended by the City Attorney. In addition, the development
agreement should reflect the proposed storm water assessment
against the Prestige Builders property as identified in the
previous agenda item. Motion carried unanimously.
9. Consideration of a resolution approving plans and authorizing
advertisement for bids for Fallon Avenue and Cardinal Hills,
Improvement Projects 91-1 and 91-3.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill informed Council that the
developer provided the City with a letter of credit in an
amount equal to the cost to prepare plans and specifications.
In turn, the City Engineer completed plans and specifications
associated with the Fallon Avenue improvement and phase I of
the Cardinal Hills improvement. O'Neill asked Council to
consider approving the plans and authorizing advertisement for
bids.
Prior to Council consideration of the matter, Kevin Schmitz of
Prestige Builders and Tom Holthaus and Matt Holker of Value
Plus development group indicated that they understand the risk
associated with bidding the Value Plus and Cardinal Hills
projects together in that if one of the projects drops out,
then the bid process for the remaining project will have to
start over, which will delay construction time by 45 days.
Both developers indicated they understand this risk and are
willing to accept it for the sake of obtaining lower bid
prices.
A motion was made by Shirley Anderson and Seconded by Brad
Fyle to adopt a resolution approving plans and authorizing
advertisement for bids for Fallon Avenue and Cardinal Hills,
Improvement Projects 91-1 and 91-3. Motion carried
unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 91-20.
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10. Consideration of accepting the 1991 Audit Report for the City
of Monticello.
Rick Borden and Kim Lillehaug of Gruys Johnson reviewed the
audit report for the City of Monticello.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded
by Shirley Anderson to accept the 1991 Audit Report as
submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
11. Consideration of an offer to exchange land in lieu of
delinquent assessments, Outlot A of Country Club Manor.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and
seconded by Brad Fyle to offer to release the balance of the
assessments against Outlot A if $300,000 of the existing
assessment debt is paid to the City. In addition:
1) Four acres of Outlot A must be transferred to the
City for use as a storm water retention area;
2) Development of the property is subject to all
existing zoning regulations;
3) Any development must meet all City standards, which
would include the removal of billboards at such
time that development occurs;
4) The offer is good for 30 days;
5) The payment of $300,000 must be in the form of a
one-time cash payment.
Motion carried unanimously.
12. Consideration of Chamber request for office space.
Chamber President, Bob Dawson, and board member, Mary Micke,
were present to request that the City assist the Chamber with
finding office space for use by the Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Maus outlined a concept for providing the Chamber with
space that would be developed by the City then leased back to
the Chamber. The location for the Chamber office would be the
present museum and restroom space at the southwest corner of
Broadway and Highway 25. Maus noted that there are good
reasons for reviewing the concept of developing Chamber office
space at this site: 1) the present use of the site is as a
museum is somewhat under-utilized. It may be possible to
combine the exhibits with the Chamber office facility. 2) the
existing structure and plantings need updating, and such an
update could improve the appearance of the corner. 3) parking
is sufficient for the intensity of use expected with operation
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Council Minutes - 6/24/91
of a Chamber office. In terms of financing, Maus noted that
the site could be improved/ remodeled by the City and leased to
the Chamber of Commerce.
Brad Fyle indicated that he would like to see if the senior
citizens have a problem with giving up or sharing the museum
space.
Shirley Anderson noted that she would like more information on
how much it would cost to develop the site as proposed.
After discussion, it was the consensus of Council to direct
City staff to investigate the physical aspects of developing
the site and report back to Council with cost estimates.
Bob Dawson requested that the City consider allowing the
Chamber of Commerce to use space in City Hall for short-term
use by the new employee proposed for the Chamber.
Brad Fyle indicated that he has no problem in allowing the
Chamber of Commerce to use City Hall on a short-term basis if
there is a plan for moving the Chamber employee in the near
future.
After discussion, it was the consensus of Council to allow the
Chamber of Commerce to use City Hall office space for use by
a Chamber employee for a 90 -day to 120 -day period while plans
are being made to find a permanent home for the Chamber
office.
13. Consideration of options for parking lot expansion at City
Hall.
Council reviewed various site plans presented by Council. It
was the consensus of Council to select alternative #3;
however, plan #3 should be modified by eliminating the alley
to the west of the parking lot linking the two drive aisles
and through elimination of the island green space in the
middle of the parking area.
14. Consideration of a resolution supporting county adoption of
local sales tax option.
City Administrator, Rick Wolfsteller, reported that the
Minnesota State Legislature recently passed a new tax bill for
Minnesota which included a sales tax increase from 6% to 6.5%
statewide. The additional 1/2% increase in sales tax is
effective July 1, 1991, and will automatically expire on
December 31, 1991. While the term "option" is included in the
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Council Minutes - 6/24/91
law, in reality each county and municipality in the state
stands to lose a lot of local government aid and homestead
credit aid if they do not increase the sales tax by 1/2% next
year.
For the local option sales tax to take effect after December
31, 1991, each county board must decide to impose the tax.
Since the City of Monticello does now receive approximately
$242,000 in homestead credit reimbursements, the City of
Monticello again could stand to lose this type of aid if
Wright County does not opt for the sales tax increase. The
proposed resolution simply urges the county to adopt the 1/2%
local option sales tax.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded
by Clint Herbst to approve a resolution urging the county to
adopt the 1/2% local option sales tax. Motion carried
unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 91-21.
15. Consideration of speed study for Chelsea Road and approval of
the county posting the paved shoulders on County Road 117 near
Highway 25 with "no parking."
John Simola reported that at the request of a local property
owner, the county has looked into consistency of speed zones
on County Road 117, Chelsea Road, and County Road 118. The
county is also looking at parking problems along County
Road 117 and right -shoulder passing along the same road.
Simola went on to report that the county engineer suggested
that the City contact the Commissioner of Transportation to
determine the correct speed zone on Chelsea Road. The City
public works department posted this road at 30 mph some years
ago due to concerns with the fast traffic in the area. More
than likely, the Commissioner of Highways will determine that
the speed limit should be above 30 mph, especially in that
area of Chelsea east of Fallon to County Road 118.
Ken Maus noted that he had no problems with having the
Commissioner of Transportation determine the proper posted
speed limit for Chelsea between Fallon Avenue and County
Road 117. Maus also indicated that we should get the opinion
of adjoining property owners prior to placing "no parking"
signs on Oakwood Drive in the area of Tom Thumb, Silver Fox
Inn, McDonalds, and Hoglund Transportation.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Clint Herbst to adopt a resolution requesting that
the Commissioner of Highways study the area known as Chelsea
Road from County Road 117 to County Road 118 to determine the
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Council Minutes - 6/24/91
proper speed limit and contact property owners adjacent to
Oakwood Drive for input regarding placement of "no parking"
signs. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 91-22.
16. Consideration of final payment for Project 90-04, utility
improvements and appurtenant work for Sandberg East.
John Simola reported that the restoration work on the Sandberg
East project is now complete. The contract as bid was
$167,986. After adding change order #1 of $2,250, the total
contract cost amounted to $170,236. The final quantities with
extensions at unit prices show a total value of the work
completed at $173,051. To date, the contractor has been paid
$157,008, leaving a balance due of $16,043. Simola
recommended that the City of Monticello authorize final
payment to Annandale Contracting, Inc., for Project 90-04 in
the amount of $16,043.49.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded
by Shirley Anderson to approve final payment to Annandale
Contracting, Inc., of Annandale, Minnesota, in the amount of
$16,043.49. Motion carried unanimously.
17. Consideration of purchasing tractor/mower/snowblower for the
parks department.
John Simola reported that last December the City Council
authorized the public works department to rent a 955 John
Deere 4 -wheel drive hydrostatic tractor with a 59 -inch 2 -stage
snowblower, 72 -inch mower, front -mount sweeper, and cab. The
primary function of the unit was to clear sidewalks of snow
utilizing the blower and the broom. In addition, we wanted a
unit that would also serve as a mower for the City, as we were
in need of an additional mower unit.
In preparation for the purchase, an amount of $55,000 was
placed in the 1991 capital outlay budget for the parks system.
Originally, we had proposed a more heavy industrial type of
unit for clearing sidewalks. Additional research by City
staff and Councilmember Dan Blonigen gave us new direction
toward the use of the 955 John Deere. It is proposed that we
keep our existing 650 John Deere to serve as a mower and
backup snowblower.
We have obtained a quote from Scharber & Sons of Rogers,
Minnesota, for the purchase of the tractor currently being
rented or leased by the City. The purchase price is $14,451.
We also have a second quote from Polfus Equipment of
Stillwater, and the amount of that quote is $20,902.
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Council Minutes - 6/24/91
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and
seconded by Shirley Anderson to authorize purchase of the John
Deere 955 4 -wheel drive tractor from Scharber & Sons of
Rogers, Minnesota, for $14,451. Motion carried unanimously.
18. Consideration of a proposal for exterior restoration of the
new Monticello Fire Station.
Building Inspector, Gary Anderson, explained that the new
Monticello Fire Station siding is in need of resealing.
Anderson went on to review the need for the protective coating
and indicated that the firm of Erickson Protective Coatings
has quoted a price of $8,489 to apply the protective sealant
to the fire station.
Clint Herbst indicated that the City should be examining
alternative ways to protect the siding. He noted that it is
rather expensive to have to apply an expensive protective
coating every four years.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded
by Shirley Anderson to approve the proposal from Erickson
Protective Coatings in the amount of $8,489; however, staff is
directed to negotiate the best warranty possible on the work
completed by Erickson Protective Coatings. Voting in favor:
Ken Maus, Brad Fyle, Shirley Anderson. Opposed: Clint
Herbst.
19. Consideration of bills for the month of June.
After discussion, a motio
seconded by Brad Fyle to
Motion carried unanimously.
20. Other matters.
n was made by Clint Herbst and
approve the bills as submitted.
Ken Maus suggested that the City make a special effort to
recognize the contributions made by Northern States Power
toward the well-being and development of the city of
Monticello in conjunction with the 20 -year celebration of the
operation of the nuclear power plant.
Jeff." O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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