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City Council Minutes 06-27-2005MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Monday June 27, 2005 - 7 p.m. Members Present: Clint Herbst, Wayne Mayer, Tom Perrault, Glen Posusta and Brian Stumpf Members Absent: None 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Herbst called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and declared a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. 2A. Annrove minutes of June 13, 2005 regular Council meeting. Tom Perrault had several changes to the minutes: 1) On the approval of the June 13, 2005 regular meeting minutes, he had seconded the motion not Brian Stumpf, 2) On the discussion of the fertilizer use at the park, the date was May 28' not May 25t"; 3) On his motion on the Comprehensive Plan he felt the language should be changed to reflect his belief that because this was a Comprehensive Plan encompassing all areas of the City no fee should be charged; and 4) Brian Stumpf had moved to approve the payment of bills. Tom Perrault also asked if $44,000 for the City's proposed contribution to the Senior Center was the correct figure. Clint Herbst verified that was the figure he had proposed. GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 13, 2005 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING WITH THE CORRECTIONS. WAYNE MAYER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2B. Approve minutes of June 13, 2005 Special Meeting WAYNE MAYER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 13, 2005 SPECIAL MEETING. TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda. The following items were added to the agenda: 1) On street parking; 2) Status of liquor store sign; 3) Moving of DMV to the Community Center; 4) Long grass at various sites in the City; 5) Update on WWTP biosolids study and possible information gathering trip; 6) Update on surveys sent to developers; 7) Fiber Optics Task Force; 8) Central Minnesota Initiative; 9) Letter of intent to purchase on the Kramer property (811 Minnesota Street); 10) Law enforcement; and 11) Update on service line replacement by Center Point Energy. Council Minutes - 6/27/05 Glen Posusta said that based on statements made at the last Council meeting, he wanted to issue a public apology to Martie's Farm Service for misinformation supplied by staff at that meeting. He noted that had the City purchased the type of fertilizer offered by Martie's Farm Service the City would have saved $500. 4. Citizen comments, petitions, requests and complaints. Paulette Conroy, 104 Hillcrest Circle came before the Council to discuss blight conditions in their neighborhood. She noted that they are trying to sell their house and the condition of the neighborhood is hurting their sales effort. She cited a semi -trailer that is parked up next to a resident's house at night and another house that has two race cars and a flat bed trailer parked on the lot. She has talked to the property owners but has not been able to get the situation corrected. Paulette Conroy stated that at one time the neighborhood was in better condition but has declined and she asked if the City still did the community sweep prior to Junk Amnesty Day. She asked that the cleanup of blight conditions in the City be discussed at a future meeting. She felt the City needs to have standards to keep the community clean that are enforced. Without that, home buyers will look to locate in other cities. Clint Herbst responded that the City was looking to be more aggressive on blight enforcement and that was a consideration when the city changed legal counsel as they wanted someone who would actively pursue ordinance violations. Jeff O'Neill stated that because of the heavy work load, the Building Department, which handles blights, was not able to do sweeps this year. He added that with the addition of the building inspector position that is currently being advertised the City hopes that they can again focus on blight enforcement. Jeff O'Neill felt the City should do an inventory of the blight/ordinance violations and then prioritize them. Brian Stumpf stated that he was of the understanding that the Council didn't want to do sweeps but rather would do enforcement based on written complaints. Clint Herbst agreed that was their position but felt that this might be something the Council needs to revisit. Glen Posusta noted there is a property on Broadway that has not yet been mowed even though staff was informed about 6-8 weeks ago. Kurt Fasen, 110 Hillcrest Road, concurred with the comments made by Paulette Conroy and her concern about what has happened to the neighborhood. He too was requesting better enforcement of the ordinances by the City. Clint Herbst said the City needs to decide what provisions of the ordinance they are going to enforce. Kurt Fasen suggested coming up with guidelines. Glen Posusta stated the City has guidelines in place but they are just not enforcing them. Jeff O'Neill suggested scheduling a tour so they could identify the blight problems. Glen Posusta stated that most of the photos he saw that had been taken by staff were of violations at the industrial park. Brian Stumpf felt instead of scheduling a tour, each Councilmember could take a Council Minutes - 6/27/05 portion of the City, drive through the area noting any problems and report their findings back to the full Council. Clint Herbst felt Brian Stumpf s suggestion was a good one. Jeff O'Neill stated that staff should prepare a list of violations since staff knows what the ordinances are and the Council may not. Clint Herbst added that the Council may have to look at their ordinances as far as enforceability and, if necessary, the ordinances may have to be amended. Kevin Peters, 7382 County Road 39 asked about the status of the rezoning for the Hidden Forest development. He was not able to attend the public hearing conducted on this matter by the Planning Commission. Clint Herbst informed him that the rezoning had not come before the Council for approval yet. Jeff O'Neill stated that the item should come before the Council at their next meeting. Isabelle Olson from the Swan River Charter School came before the Council to discuss a playground for the children in the down town area. She stated there is no play area for the children in this location other than the MCC and membership is required for use of most of their facilities. The school is planning to install a playground at some point and Isabelle Olson suggested the City look at this as a shared project with the school. The school would be willing to have their land open for this type of use. Clint Herbst stated his first reaction was to question whether this collaboration was appropriate or not. Jeff O' Neill stated that the area between County Road 39 and TH 25 has been identified as an area of need. Initially the only park site identified for this area was Outlot A of Country Manor. At one time a portion of the MCC site had been discussed as possible site but that space is now being used by the National Guard for storage of their equipment. Tom Perrault, will pass this proposal on to the Parks Commission at their next meeting. Glen Posusta asked what the school was looking for from the City. Isabelle Olson stated they would look at this as 50-50 venture. Glen Posusta asked if the facility would be open to the public when school was in use. Isabelle Olson indicated that the playground would not be open during that time. Jeff O'Neill stated that the City has funds available in the park dedication fund. Isabelle Olson said their plan for the playground had an estimated cost of $121,000. Jeff O'Neill stated the City would have to define the playground area and then see how it impacts parking for the Community Center site. Isabelle Olson said the playground would be located next to the church. The play area would be fenced in because of liability issues with the parking lot nearby. The play area would be approximately 5,000 sq. ft. Isabelle Olson said the City would have to provide the liability insurance for the playground. �. Consent agenda. A. Consideration of new hires and departures. Recommendation: Ratify the hires and Council Minutes - 6/27/05 departures as identified. B. Consideration of resolution declaring intent to reimburse project costs through bond sale proceeds. Recommendation: Adopt a resolution declaring intent to reimburse expenditures to the proceeds of bond covering the projects outlined. Res. No. 2005-69. C. Consideration of approval of a temporary 3/2 beer license for St. Henry's Fall Festival September 17-18, 2005. Recommendation: Approve temporary 3/2 beer license for St. Henry's Fall Festival, September 17-18, 2005. D. Consideration of approving a temporary charitable gambling license for St. Henry's Fall Festival September 17-18, 2005. Recommendation: Approve temporary charitable gambling license for St. Henry's Fall Festival September 17-18, 2005. Res. No. 2005-70. E. Consideration of renewing the easement agreement with Wright County for the compost facility. Recommendation: Authorize staff to request an extension of the agreement with Wright County for the compost facility for another ten years. BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. GLEN POSUSTA SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6. Consideration of items removed from consent agenda for discussion. None. 7. Public Hearing - Consideration of ordinance changing street name in the plat of Parkside at Meadow Oaks 2"' Addition. Jeff O'Neill stated that this item was a housekeeping matter. There are two cul-de-sacs that have the same name and unfortunately that was not caught before the plat was recorded. Since no one has built on this cul-de-sac the street name could be changed without impacting anyone. Mayor Herbst opened the public hearing. No one present spoke for or against the proposed street name change. Mayor Herbst then closed the public hearing. Clint Herbst commented on how often Oak is used in the street names. Brian Stumf stated that on new developments the City uses the County's grid system for street names but noted the concern the Fire Department has with similar street names like Oak Circle, Oak Court, etc. Jeff O'Neill said part of this plat is on the grid system and part of it isn't. Brian Stumpf suggested if this cul-de-sac adjoins the portion on the County's grid system this cul-de-sac should be incorporated into the grid system. 11 Council Minutes - 6/27/05 BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE STREET NAME IN THE PLAT OF PARKSIDE MEADOW OAKS 2ND TO CORRESPOND TO THE COUNTY'S GRID SYSTEM OR TO ANOTHER STREET NAME AS DESIGNATED BY STAFF. GLEN POSUSTA SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 8. Public Hearing and consideration of approving a resolution adopting a modification to the redevelopment plan for Central Monticello Redevelopment Project No.l and establishing a Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-34 therein and adopting a tax increment Financing Plan therefor. 011ie Koropchak, Economic Development Director, asked that the Council open the public hearing on this item and continue the hearing until July 25, 2005. Mayor Herbst opened the public hearing. No one was present to speak on the matter. Mayor Herbst continued the public hearing until the July 25, 2005 meeting. GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING FROM JUNE 27, 2005 TO JULY 25, 2005 FOR CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MODIFICATION TO THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES FOR CENTRAL MONTICELLO REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT PLAN NO. 1 AND ESTABLISHING TIF DISTRICT NO. 1-34 AND ADOPTING THE TIF PLAN THEREFOR. TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 9. Consideration of approving job descriptions for City Engineer position and Building Inspector position. Jeff O'Neill stated this items comes before the Council at the request of the Personnel Committee. Based on direction from the Personnel Committee staff had proceeded with advertising these positions but they are bringing the job descriptions before the Council for their approval. Jeff O'Neill summarized what he felt were the benefits from having an in-house engineer and cited the City of St. Michael who recently hired a city engineer as an example of a community who benefitted by hiring an in-house engineer. The benefits according to Jeff O' Neill would be that an in-house engineer would get the City to the next level that staff needs to be at; provide a contact for residents with questions on developments and improvement projects and could result in cost savings for the City by decreasing the need for consultants' time. Clint Herbst felt this position would have enough billable hours so that it would pay for itself. Jeff O'Neill said that building fees that are collected would pay for the cost of the city engineer and building inspector positions, support staff and space needs. 5 Council Minutes - 6/27/05 Glen Posusta asked who the City Engineer would be reporting to. Jeff O'Neill stated the City Engineer would report to him. Glen Posusta asked if that was a wise decision given the scope of tasks involved. Glen Posusta felt it would be more appropriate if this position was like other department heads and is responsible to the City Administrator. Jeff O'Neill responded that as the person who directs overall community development the City Engineer should report to him. He felt the City engineer reporting to the City Administrator would be outside the loop. Glen Posusta asked if the Personnel Committee would be involved with the interviewing of the applicants and selection of the final candidates. Jeff O'Neill stated that had not yet been determined. Brian Stumpf felt the entire Council should be involved in the interview process. Jeff O'Neill stated that based on the salary being proposed there may not be many candidates for the city engineer position. The interview and selection for the building inspector position would be done in the same manner and the Council discussed doing it in the same session as the city engineer position. Brian Stumpf stated he is in opposition to the in house engineer as felt that the City had been well taken care of with the consulting services provided by WSB & Associates. Tom Perrault stated he was not comfortable with the fact that the positions were being advertised before they were approved by the Council. WAYNE MAYER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY ENGINEER POSITION AND AUTHORIZE COMPLETION OF THE HIRING PROCESS. GLEN POSUSTA SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED WITH BRIAN STUMPF VOTING IN OPPOSITION. WAYNE MAYER MOVED TO APPROVE THE BUILDING INSPECTOR POSITION AND AUTHORIZE COMPLETION OF THE HIRING PROCESS. TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 10. Consideration of purchase of generator for the Chelsea Road Lift Station Project. Public Works Director, John Simola, stated that staff was recommending purchasing the generator from Cummins North Central Diesel of St. Paul based on their cost estimate. BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO AWARD A PURCHASE CONTRACT TO CUMMINS NORTH CENTRAL DIESEL OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA FOR THE NEW STANDBY GENERATOR FOR THE CHELSEA ROAD LIFT SATION BASED UPON THEIR LOW BID OF $35,038.50 AND ACCEPTING THE FACT THAT THE GENERATOR IS 2.8" HIGHER THAN THE ZIEGLER GENERATOR. GLEN POSUSTA SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; Council Minutes - 6/27/05 Added Items: Gas Service Line Replacement: John Simola provided background information supplied by Center Point Energy on their project to replace non-standard couplings in service lines. There is approximately 1,000 household in the City and the Township together where Center Point Energy is proposing to replace the service lines. After researching the problem Center Point Energy determined it was more economical to replace the service lines. The service line replacement project will begin the first week in August and go through mid-October. Center Point Energy has requested to use the storage facility across from the Public Works facility to house their equipment while working in this area. They have also asked to put a link on the City's website so affected residents can access information on this matter. There will be a separate crew doing the restoration work and they want a city staff member to work with the restoration crew acting as a link between the residents and Center Point Energy. Glen Posusta asked if property owners would get compensated for loss of trees. Clint Herbst suggested that staff check into that. John Simola said he would bring that information back to the Council at their next meeting. There was some discussion on relaying the information to the residents. It was felt with the link on the website, copies of the packet handed out by Center Point being available to residents, and with Center Point contacting the residents prior to the work being done, the residents should be adequately informed. Glen Posusta suggested adding something in the City's newsletter. Parking Lot - Mississippi Drive: John Simola submitted a sketch showing proposed head -in parking for the swan viewing area along Mississippi drive. He noted that this design does not gain much in the way of parking stalls. On street parking: Scott Douglas, Fire Chief asked that the Council consider allowing on street parking on one side only where streets are less than 30 feet in width and that the street are signed accordingly. Brian Stumpf asked that the Council revisit the parking ordinance and make sure that the ordinance reflects this. Bret Weiss noted on cul-de-sacs the City has allowed 30 feet with parking on both sides. Brian Stumpf asked that the Council consider this requirement for private streets as well as public streets. Bret Weiss said on private streets the City has allowed as streets as narrow as 24 feet but have required off-street parking. Bret Weiss said the City need to look at townhome developments as far as private streets because the private streets are not signed for"no parking". He added that on one way streets there is typically parking only on one side. WWTP biosolids: Brian Stumpf questioned whether the Council was going to follow up on scheduling a trip to gather information about the biosolids treatment options the City is considering. John Simola said Bob Brown from Bolton Menk would be providing the data on the belt dryer system. The feasibility report on the biosolids options should come before the Council in August. John Simola stated he is looking at land sites for sludge spreading in an effort to identify site that might be suitable. He added that purchasing additional land would just be a stopgap measure. Wayne Mayer asked if he had any more information on the system Mystic Lake had ordered. John Simola said at this point Mystic Lake's system has not been installed and he emphasized the need for urgency in acting on the biosolids 7 Council Minutes - 6/27/05 treatment options. Parking Lot: Glen Posusta asked if the parking lot at Pioneer Park would be ready in time for Riverfest. John Simola indicated it should be ready. Glen Posusta asked before going forward with the parking lot design for Mississippi Drive that the staff get prices and update the Council. Bret Weiss indicted they would take this to the plans and specifications stages and then get bids. Glen Posusta asked about the type of curbing that would be used.. Bret Weiss said there is B 16 curb there and they would just be adding pavement behind. . Liquor Store Sign: Rick Wolfsteller informed the Council that the liquor store manager had talked to three vendors but has not received cost information back. The City's Building official is helping design something that would complement the Towne Centre sign. Hopefully this would be ready for the next meeting. Glen Poasust asked about collaborating with Vaughn Veit on a monument sign that tenants could utilize as well. There was some discussion about location of the existing sign. Glen Posusta felt one sign with the liquor store, MCC and Town Centre tenants would be sufficient. Rick Wolfsteller stated he didn't know if that proposal would violate any sign ordinances. Staff will check into that and report back. Glen Posusta stated that some of the tenants have complained about no signage on TH 25. DMV/New Positions Office Space: Glen Posusta asked about bringing on the City Engineer and Building Inspector and the need to create more space. Glen Posusta asked if the City had looked at moving the DMV into the child care area of the MCC. Rick Wolfsteller asked if the Council wanted staff to get an architect to come up with some ideas and suggested that this item come before the MCC Advisory Board for their input. Glen Posusta said for all the times he has been the at the MCC he has never seen more than three children in the child's area. Some discussion was held on coming up with space for the additional staff.. Glen Posusta didn't feel the day care area had to be taken out but did feel they could get by with less pace. Rick Wolfsteller asked the Council to give direction as to what they wanted staff to do. He stated that having the DMV office in a recreational facility might not be practical. Rick Wolfsteller noted the parking issue and indicated that might be a disservice to those who are used to the easy parking at the present DMV site. Rick Wolfsteller asked that the Council establish some parameters for staff to work in. Does the Council just want to reduce the child care area or are there other changes the Council wants staff to consider. He added that city staff does not have architectural expertise. Clint Herbst suggested looking at what space is available and going to the MCC to ask them where they would consider consolidating or shifting space. Long Grass: This was discussed earlier under citizens input. Developers Survey: Wayne Mayer asked that a copy of the survey sent out to the developers be supplied to the Council as well as a list of the developer that the survey was sent to. Fiber Optics: Wayne Mayer indicated that the task force has met with Milda Hedlboom. Wayne Mayer listed the members of the task force and noted that the group has a good knowledge of the subject. He reviewed some of the discussion from their first meeting and the goals they had set. The task force will 0 Council Minutes - 6/27/05 report back to the Council in mid-August. Wayne Mayer was requesting expenditure of additional funds to continue their work with Milda Hedbloom. Ms. Hedbloom had originally proposed a fee of $6,000 for 35 hours of work. This was later reduced to $3,500 for 20 hours and that proposal was reaffirmed at the last meeting. The task force felt her hiring would be valuable. TOM PERRAULT MOVED TO AUTHORIZE GOING WITH MILDA HEDBLOOM' S PROPOSAL FOR 20 HOURS OF SERVICE AT $3,500. CLINT HERBST SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Law Enforcement: Tom Perrault stated he has received a number of questions about law enforcement in the City and he wondered if it would be possible to set up a joint meeting of the Police Commission, Council and Sheriffs Department representatives to address questions on law enforcement. This joint meeting could be done sometime in September or October. Clint Herbst suggested bringing this idea before the Police Commission. Wayne Mayer suggested that Scott Douglas also be in attendance at this meeting.. Rick Wolfsteller will let Tom Perrault know of the next Police Commission meeting so that he can be present to discuss his suggestion with the Commission.. Rick Wolfsteller noted that in the past the County Attorney's office and Sheriff s Department set up something similar to this at the County level. Glen Posusta state he did receive an unsigned letter about the speeding on the streets of Monticello. Glen Posusta asked if the Sheriffs Department has been requested to work on the speeding issue. Rick Wolfsteller he would bring it up to the Sheriff s Departmentagain. Minnesota Initiative Fund: Clint Herbst brought up information he had received from the Minnesota Initiative Fund asking for a donation from the city. Kramer Property: The City has received a letter of intent to purchase city owned property (155-500- 113207) known as the Kramer property for redevelopment. Clint Herbst said at this point the City would wait and see what is being proposed. He noted that 7t" Street is proposed to be extended through that area at some point. Bret Weiss noted the City purchased the property with state aid funds so if the property is sold there are certain procedures the City would have to follow. Pathway: Clint Herbst noted there is a section of pathway that is not in place at River Mill. Bret Weiss said part of the reason has been it has not been done was concern about of drainage issues. Also the state had been proposing to lower the freeway which might impact the pathway. Bret Weiss said they would try to get the work done this year. Glen Posusta asked about overlaying of pathways and who determines that. Bret Weiss said John Simola determines that. Clint Herbst asked about the trails and whether asphalt or concrete provided the best surface. Bret Weiss said the City used 12" of sand as a base before the blacktop is laid. John Simola noted that on many of the pathways there was not a lot of soil correction done but even so they have held up for 15-20 years. He noted that the School Boulevard pathway shows a little more wear and tear because of the amount of equipment used on it. Glen Posusta also asked about the retaining wall constructed at the commuter parking in Meadow Oaks and why it wasn't completed. John Simola stated they are working on the retaining wall by the lift station and it is their intent to get the project done this year but he indicated they are behind schedule. 0 Council Minutes - 6/27/05 11. Approve payment of bills for June Tom Perrault noted his concern about the bills continuing to come in for Walk N Roll. GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS. TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 12. Adjourn MAYOR HERBST CLOSED THE MEETING AT 8:55 P.M. Recording Secretary 10