City Council Minutes 09-23-1991MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 23, 1991 - 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Brad Fyle, Clint
Herbst, Dan Blonigen
Members Absent: None
2. Approval of minutes.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and
seconded by Dan Blonigen to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting held September 9, 1991. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
Charles Walters, resident of the Meadow Oak neighborhood, was
present to voice his concerns regarding the level of the water
in the Meadow Oak storm water retention pond. He noted that
it appears that the water is now outside of the storm water
easement areas designated on his property and is encroaching
on his yard. He was concerned that a portion of his sprinkler
system is now under water and could freeze and crack over the
winter months. Walters requested that the Council consider
developing a storm water outlet that would be employed to
maintain the water level at an elevation that would allow him
full use of his property.
Ken Maus informed Walters that the City Council is reviewing
the problem and will be considering authorizing the
preparation of a feasibility study which will define methods
that could be used to regulate the water elevation in the
pond. Council discussed the issue but deferred action until
agenda item #9, which calls for consideration of a resolution
authorizing preparation of a Meadow Oak pond outlet
feasibility study.
4. Consideration of approval of county state aid highway
maintenance agreement with Wright County.
John Simola reported that each year the City of Monticello
performs certain maintenance on county state aid highways and
receives money from the County for -Chat work. For example, we
remove snow and ice from County Road 75 from Willow Street
east to County State Aid Highway 39 near the Total Mart store.
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The City performs 25% of the snow and ice removal on County
Road 39 from the Monticello Public Works building to County
Road 75, and we perform all miscellaneous maintenance on
County State Aid Highway 58 and 59, which are actually
portions of Locust Street, 4th Street, Walnut Street, and 7th
Street in downtown Monticello. The County reimburses the cost
based upon their previous year's cost for related maintenance
in the county. For 1990, we would receive $5,274 for this
maintenance based on 1989 average cost.
Simola went on to recommend that the City approve the
maintenance agreement as drafted, as changing the current
agreement or reducing the amount of maintenance done by the
City could result in a lower level of service to the
community, as the County's priority on the highways and roads
noted above are not always the same as the City's.
Brad Fyle asked if the reimbursement provided to the City for
the maintenance activity is realistic. John Simola responded
by saying that the City has not established its own cost per
mile; however, the cost that the County reimburses the City is
equal to what the County feels its maintenance costs are per
mile.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded
by Shirley Anderson to approve the maintenance agreement as
submitted by City staff. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Consideration of replacing underground heat pipes at the City
wastewater treatment plant.
John Simola reported that despite efforts to correct leaks
with the use of stop leak chemicals in 1989, the heating pipes
continued to leak, which creates two problems for the system:
1) the introduction of fresh cold water to the system at rates
of one to two times the capacity of the system causes high
inefficiencies in the heating system both from a cost
standpoint and from a heating capability standpoint; and
2) the boiler treatment chemicals which are used to protect
the boiler and the heating system from corrosion are washed
away and must be replenished. The boiler treatment chemicals
are very expensive, in the neighborhood of $500 per barrel;
and when losing 300 gallons of water a day, a barrel of boiler
treatment chemicals does not last long. Simola reported that
City staff has looked into a number of options, which he
described, for correcting the situation.
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After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and
seconded by Shirley Anderson to authorize City staff to work
with PSG for replacing the heat pipe system at the wastewater
treatment plant at an estimated cost of $7,700 to $10,000 and
to remove the existing 30 -year-old fuel tank at the site at an
estimated cost of $1,450. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Consideration of study for public works facility expansion.
John Simola reported that at the direction of City Council,
the public works facility building committee, consisting of
Councilmember Blonigen, Councilmember Fyle, Roger Mack, and
John Simola, had met and defined the issues to be studied with
the public works facility expansion.
After numerous meetings and tours of public works facilities
in various other communities, the building committee has
narrowed the focus of the proposed study. The subcommittee
has concluded that the existing site has sufficient room for
expansion of the public works department for the near and
foreseeable future. Once the site nears or reaches capacity,
it is likely that the sewer/water collection department would
relocate, possibly to the industrial park near the reservoir.
Therefore, the study will focus entirely on the existing site
and existing buildings. The study will look at the
possibility of joining the office of public works and garage
for the sewer/water collection system with the existing public
works shop under one roof. In addition, it will look at the
possibility of adding onto the existing building or buildings
individually.
Simola went on to note that the public works facility building
committee has recommended that the City contract with the
engineering firm TKDA to conduct a public works facility
expansion study at a lump sum cost of $2,750 plus expenses.
City Council reviewed the scope of the proposed project.
Brad Fyfe noted that the City should stay away from using wood
to heat the public works facility. Ken Maus noted his
agreement, as the cost to use wood fuel in terms of labor
could exceed any savings. John Simola responded by saying
that due to the Dutch Elm disease problem, the City has a good
supply of fire wood. This wood would otherwise be taken to
the landfill, which results in a cost to the City. He noted
that the burner would be designed to accommodate large pieces,
and a process would be established to make the loading of the
furnace as efficient as possible.
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It was the consensus of the Council to allow installation of
a wood burning furnace if it could be demonstrated that it was
cost efficient to provide supplemental heat to the building in
this manner.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Clint Herbst to authorize the City of Monticello
to contract with TKDA for a public works facility expansion
study at a lump sum cost of $2,750 plus expenses as listed.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. Consideration of replacing sewer jet truck and chassis.
John Simola reported that the public works department has
looked at the need to replace one of our older snow plow
trucks. The 1981 Chevrolet is underpowered and has been a
troublesome unit for several years during heavy winter plowing
and hauling. The 1978 International is beginning to rust and
is becoming less and less dependable each year but is
adequately powered and is currently a better snow plow truck
than the 1981 Chevrolet. In addition, the 1981 Chevrolet plow
unit was built utilizing equipment taken off a 1972
International. The dump body itself is in extremely poor
condition.
Based upon this information, City staff would like to propose
to Council that we remove the box and wing from the 1981
Chevrolet and install the sewer jet on this cab and chassis.
We would then like to spec and bid a new snow plow truck to
replace the 1981 Chevrolet with a 1992. In the time frame
between now and when the new truck arrives, we would be able
to plow snow in an emergency utilizing the 1981 Chevrolet, as
we could keep the plow and hydraulic system on this unit, as
it has little value and may be used in an emergency.
Simola went on to note that use of the 1981 Chevrolet cab and
chassis for the sewer jet would replace a 1972 International
truck which does not currently meet federal standards, as the
frame is broken and bowed, all four springs need replacement,
and the two front tires do not have sufficient tread to meet
federal standards. The cost to repair this vehicle is far in
excess of its value; therefore, it really needs to be
replaced.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded
by Dan Blonigen to authorize City staff to utilize the 1981
Chevrolet cab and chassis for the sewer jet and prepare
specifications for a replacement snow plow truck. Motion
carried unanimously.
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8. Consideration of a resolution authorizing preparation of a
Hart Boulevard storm sewer outlet feasibility study.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that a number of factors
have emerged in the past few weeks that have caused staff to
request that Council consider ordering a feasibility study
that would analyze the design and costs issued associated with
managing storm water run-off currently passing underneath Hart
Boulevard and through the Bondhus property. O'Neill noted
that storm water run-off may now be exceeding the natural
discharge rate due to urban development upstream. With
continued development, the problem will likely get worse and
could result in damage to private property for which the City
would be liable.
O'Neill also noted that in addition to the possible storm
water capacity problems, there is another factor contributing
to the need to analyze the situation. City staff has been
informed that the health care center located directly east of
the hospital may be expanding, and it is very possible that
with this expansion, a parking lot could be located in the
same position as a potential storm water outlet to the
Mississippi River which would be installed to bypass the
Bondhus property. O'Neill noted that development of the storm
sewer at this time would eliminate the high cost to install
the system after the parking lot is in place.
Dan Blonigen noted that the City needs to look at managing
water upstream. The scope of the study should include not
only defining the cost of piping the water to the river, but
it should also look at developing techniques to manage the
water upstream to allow for replenishment of the ground water
supply. Clint Herbst concurred with this view.
Ken Maus noted that the study at this time would look at both
the cost to develop the storm water system by passing the
present course through Bondhus property and would look at
methods by which water could be managed upstream.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Brad Fyle to adopt a resolution ordering a Hart
Boulevard storm sewer outlet feasibility study at an estimated
cost of $4,300 as outlined in the City Engineer's proposal to
the City dated September 19, 1991. The feasibility study is
to also analyze the feasibility of managing water upstream
from the storm water outlet in a manner that would eliminate
the need to create a new outlet at Hart Boulevard. Motion
carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 91-33.
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9. Consideration of a resolution authorizing preparation of a
Meadow Oak pond outlet feasibility study.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that at the previous
meeting of the City Council, Mike Beck, a resident of Meadow
Oak Estates, voiced his concern regarding the rising level of
water to the Meadow Oak pond. Beck was concerned about the
threat of his home being flooded, and he was concerned that
much of Meadow Oak, along with his yard, has become unusable
due to the high water. O'Neill noted that in order to develop
a plan and develop alternatives for future action, the City
will need to conduct a feasibility study which will define the
extent of the existing problem and develop alternatives for
future action.
John Simola noted that one of the alternatives reviewed in the
feasibility study includes development of a combination
overland and piped system extending from the Meadow Oak
development area through farm land owned by Mr. Bauer and
through the Sandberg East/Gillard Avenue area to the
Mississippi River.
Dan Blonigen noted that he is not overly concerned about the
current elevation of the existing pond. He observed that the
pond at this time is at its design height and is not exceeding
the original pond outlet elevation.
Brad Fyle concurred that the pond is nowhere near the flood
stage, and there is ample room for additional storm water
retention in the event that additional rainfall occurs.
Dan Blonigen stated that the City needs more information
regarding alternatives as suggested by staff; however, he
noted that City staff talk to landowners that will be impacted
by development of a storm water outlet and determine if there
is any interest in allowing the City to extend storm sewer
utilities across their property.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and
seconded by Brad Fyle to postpone acting on the proposed
resolution until affected landowners have provided feedback to
the City regarding the potential of development of a storm
water system crossing their property. Motion carried
unanimously.
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10. Consideration of approval of bills for the month of September.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and
seconded by Dan Blonigen to approve the bills as submitted.
Motion carried unanimously.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Jef O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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