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City Council Minutes 09-09-1991MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Monday, September 9, 1991 - 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Dan Blonigen, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle Members Absent: None Representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission were present and gave a brief overview of their activities at the Northern States Power Nuclear Plant in Monticello. Issues that the NRC is now dealing with relative to the nuclear plant include the following: 1. Relicensing --Current license expires in the year 2010. The Monticello nuclear plant is in the process of extending the present license. The Monticello plant will be the first in the U.S. to submit a license renewal request. 2. Low level radioactive waste will not be accepted by outstate locations after January 1993. 3. High level radioactive waste disposal site for disposal of spent fuel rods is being developed by the federal government and is supposed to be ready by the year 2010. Resistence to development of a disposal site has caused a delay. 2. Approval of minutes. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Clint Herbst to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held August 26, 1991, as submitted. Voting in favor: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Dan Blonigen. Brad Fyle abstained, as he was not present at the August 26, 1991, meeting. 3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints. Mike Beck, President of Meadow Oak Estates, requested that the City take action to develop an outlet for the Meadow Oak water retention pond. Beck was concerned about the potential for flooding, and he was concerned that much of his lawn and land once available for park area is now a pond. Ken Maus agreed that an outlet needs to be developed, and it may need to be developed relatively soon. Page 1 4. Council Minutes - 9/9/91 John Simola reported that there is a significant amount of pond capacity remaining in the park area; therefore, the threat of flood is not great. However, he concurred that development of an overflow system should be developed which would guarantee the full use of the park area adjoining the pond and guarantee that the pond would not rise to a level that would cause flooding of homes adjacent to the pond. Staff was directed to develop cost estimates for a storm water feasibility study, which would analyze alternatives for providing an outlet to the Meadow Oak storm water retention pond. Patrice Bogart requested that the development of an outdoor wading pool. percentage of the residents in the children and that a wading pool recreation for these families. She cities have outdoor wading pools that summer. City Council consider She noted that a large community have small provides inexpensive also noted that other are very popular in the It was the consensus of Council to direct Bogart to the Parks Commission for further study of the potential development of a wading pool. Public hearing on assessment and adoption of assessment roll for sidewalk repair and replacement, Project 91 -SW -1. Ken Maus opened the public hearing. Don Doran was present and requested that he receive payment for 75% of the cost of the width of his driveway he recently installed since his driveway will actually be used as part of the sidewalk. Doran stated that had he not put a driveway there, he would have extended sidewalk across the area. John Simola noted that it's been our policy for the City to reimburse for repairs or replacement, but it's not necessarily meant for new construction. Doran noted that he would be glad to get a one-year guarantee on the cement that was installed with his driveway. Ken Maus asked Doran to define his credit request. It was Maus's concern that granting Doran's request for the City to grant a credit for 75% of the driveway/ sidewalk cost, the City could be providing a greater credit than what Doran's actual cost was. Page 2 Council Minutes - 9/9/91 The public hearing was closed. After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and seconded by Brad Fyle to set the assessment at $3.70 per lineal foot at an interest rate of 7.25% for a period of five years and to grant Don Doran a credit associated with installation of the driveway not to exceed 50% of his project cost. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 91-31. 5. Consideration of a request to amend the probationary period/ residence requirement for Richard Cline. Rick Wolfsteller reported that Richard Cline was appointed to the Water System/Wastewater Collection System Operator position in 1990. As part of the job description, the individual in this position has to be able to respond to an emergency within a 10 -minute period of time after being notified. When Mr. Cline took the position, he signed an employment agreement stating he fully understands that his residence had to be within a 10 -minute response time from the city. He acknowledged that failure to live within this response time could result in termination of his employment. Wolfsteller went on to note that Cline was able to sell his home, and City staff assumed that Cline would be relocating to within an acceptable distance; however, Cline has indicated he is having difficulty in finding a suitable residence within his price range and has found a home that does not appear to easily meet the 10 -minute response time he had agreed to. Wolfsteller noted that under perfect traffic conditions from the home proposed by Cline, it appears that it would take 10-12 minutes to make it to Monticello. Council was asked to review the situation and determine if the response time meets the requirement or consider amending the response time requirement. Tim Connors of Local 49 was present. He noted that a 10 - minute response time is not necessarily a reasonable amount of time. Other cities that he works with do not have a 10 -minute response time. Most respond by beeper and have a 25 -minute response time. He also noted that in Monticello, employees are required to be within a 10 -minute response time area; however, they are not required to be on call. In other cities, employees are told to be on call and are paid accordingly. Dan Blonigen noted that the City should be establishing a response area and not time. Page 3 Council Minutes - 9/9/91 Ken Maus noted that rather than change the requirement, he preferred to interpret the present situation as meeting the spirit of the 10 -minute requirement. Brad Fyle concurred. If Rich is within 10 miles, it basically meets the standard. Ken Maus noted that quick response depends on the employee. For instance, an employee could be five blocks away; however, he may still be slower to respond if he does not take his position seriously. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Dan Blonigen to agree that Mr. Cline's proposed residence northeast of Big Lake falls within the 10 -minute response time requirement. Motion carried unanimously. 6. _Consideration of adopting a resolution establishing guidelines for privately funded improvements to city parks and other public property. Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that at the previous meeting of the Council a group of individuals residing on or near East River Street have volunteered to develop a landscape arboretum in East Bridge Park. At the meeting, Council provided general concept approval of the plan; however, Council requested additional detail regarding the plan. Council also requested staff develop guidelines with the help of the Parks Commission that could be used to govern this type of use of city parks. O'Neill reported that the Parks Commission has reviewed the guidelines as outlined in the resolution under consideration. City Council reviewed the guidelines and focused their discussion on the type of identification signs that would be allowed in the arboretum. After discussion, it was determined that plant identification signs would be allowed; however, these signs would be limited to one square foot in size and one sign per plant type. Also, signs indicating memorials would not be allowed without separate Council approval. Dick Frie noted that the plant identification signs are important for their educational aspect. He also noted that in case of vandalism, the volunteer group is responsible for replacing or repairing signs. Page 4 Council Minutes - 9/9/91 After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Clint Herbst to approve the resolution outlining the guidelines for privately funded improvements to city parks or other public property with the deletion of item B2 and item C2. Voting in favor: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle. Opposed: Dan Blonigen. SEE RESOLUTION 91-32. Council reviewed the detailed plan prepared by the volunteers developing the East Bridge Park aboretum. Dan Blonigen noted that the plan is not drawn to scale, and he does not feel that the plan gives a clear idea of where the plants are going. Ken Maus disagreed and stated that there is a good understanding of what's expected with development of the arboretum. After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Clint Herbst to approve the East Bridge Park arboretum plan. Voting in favor: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle. Opposed: Dan Blonigen. 7. Update on City Hall parking lot expansion. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan Blonigen to direct staff to develop plans and specifications and bid the project over the winter months in anticipation of spring construction. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Consideration of revised plan for remodeling and additions to the information center. John Simola reviewed alternative methods for remodeling of the information center. He noted that one alternative would be to authorize staff to pursue building public restrooms at the site and improvements to the information building at an estimated cost of $30,570. The second alternative would be to direct staff to have a unisex bathroom constructed in the information center and have the building improvements made as described at an estimated cost of $14,440. The third alternative would be to modify the plans again as directed by the City Council to include any combination of the plans as presented or a new concept as directed. The fourth alternative would be to look at the possibility of repairs to the existing restrooms. Originally $3,000 was budgeted for repairs to the existing facilities for this year. The fifth alternative would be to do nothing. Page 5 a Council Minutes - 9/9/91 Dan Blonigen noted that the City should acquire a commitment from the Chamber of Commerce before the project is initiated. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan Blonigen to direct staff to demolish existing bathrooms and remodel the information center to include a unisex bathroom at an estimated cost of $14,440. In addition, the site should be developed so as to allow for future development of public restrooms and grant staff latitude to adjust the plan to allow for other improvements deemed necessary by the Chamber of Commerce. Motion carried unanimously. Consideration of reviewing second quarter liquor store report. Rick Wolfsteller summarized the report and noted that in the first six months of 1991 sales were up $70,000 or 12.3% increase over last year. The gross profit is up $12,000 or 9% over last year. The operational expenses also increased $8,400 over the same period last year; but as a percent of total sales, operation expenses were down 13.1% from 13.2% last year. This result is a net income from operations of $62,800 for the first six months, which is an increase of $3,647 over last year's net income. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan Blonigen to accept the report as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. 10. Consideration of authorizing the purchase of a PC computer cash register system for the liquor store. Rick Wolfsteller reported that as part of the overall computerization process, we've planned on converting the cash registers at the liquor store to a computerized system that would provide better inventory control and increase accuracy within our operation. Joe Hartman has contacted a number of area liquor stores that have converted to a PC computer system and has _received favorable input on their conversion. Joe Hartman, Cathy Shuman, and myself have received demonstrations from two vendors who specialize in these systems for liquor store operations, and we feel that the system provided by Total Register Systems, Inc., of Crystal will adequately fit our needs at a reasonable price. Wolfsteller went on to note that purchase of the computer system is in the 1991 budget in the amount of $15,000. It appears that the cost to install this system along with cabinet modifications will cost somewhere in the neighborhood Page 6 Council Minutes - 9/9/91 of $21,000. Wolfsteller noted that although we only budgeted $15,000 for computer acquisition, there should not be a problem with expending additional dollars for counter and office modifications necessary to complete the installation. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Clint Herbst to authorize the purchase of two TRS8 Avis cash registers and related computer systems for the liquor store at a cost of $14,995. Motion includes authorizing new cash register countertops, installation of electrical service, and office cabinet modifications to accommodate the new system at a cost of $5,000 to $6,000. Motion carried unanimously. 11. _Consideration of authorizing purchase of cardboard baler for the liquor store. Rick Wolfsteller reported that because of recent City efforts to promote recycling amongst its residents and because the largest bulk of our refuse at the liquor store consists of cardboard boxes, Joe Hartman has been investigating the purchase of a cardboard baler which would allow us to recycle all of our cardboard boxes. Joe has obtained two quotes for balers that range in price from $3,000 to $3,800 depending on the type. Wolfsteller went on to recommend that a baler of some type be purchased. The amount of cardboard waste generated by the liquor store is substantial, and we should be recycling this cardboard. Wolfsteller went on to recommend that the City purchase the E.P. Baler because of its better performance and lower maintenance due to the hydraulic system used in the baling process. Ken Maus concurred that the hydraulic system is more durable and that his experience has been that the maintenance required on this type of system is minimal. After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and seconded by Clint Herbst to approve the purchase of a cardboard baler from E.P. Baler in the amount of $3,860. Motion carried unanimously. 12. Consideration of establishing an assistant manager position at the liquor store. Rick Wolfsteller reported that currently our liquor store operation has what the City considers two full-time employees, Manager Joe Hartman and Clerk Cindie Erickson. Both Joe and Page 7 Council Minutes - 9/9/91 Cindie work primarily daytime hours with the balance of employees being part-time covering afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Wolfsteller noted that the bulk of our sales now occur in late afternoon, evenings, and weekends. Although both Joe and Cindie do work occasionally during these hours, it could be perceived by many of our customers that there does not appear to be someone in charge during the high volume periods of the day. With many of our part-time employees being teenagers, it's important that someone on staff be in charge of the operation during evenings and weekends and that Council consider authorizing an assistant manager/night supervisor position. Joe Hartman concurred that the assistant manager position would be appropriate not only for supervising and directing part-time employees but also in managing the overall operation. He noted that typically the liquor store has experienced high turnover of part-time employees. As a result, productivity and efficiency of these employees is sometimes limited. Wol f stel ler went on to review the job description and proposed a salary ranging from $18,000 to $21,000 per year. He also noted, however, that though the pay scale would be approximately double that of a part-time employee, it is anticipated that the extra cost would only amount to $8,000 to $10,000 a year over what part-time employees are currently earning. In addition, continual training of new part-time employees would be eliminated, which has not been very productive. Ken Maus concurred that the store needs a watchdog on evenings. We need a responsible full-time employee available during these hours. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Dan Blonigen to authorize creation of an assistant manager position which would be a full-time job to cover afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Motion includes authorization to advertise for the position. Motion carried unanimously. There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned. Je O'Neill Assistant Administrator Page 8