City Council Minutes 08-10-2020REGULAR MEETING — MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, August 10, 2020 — 6:30 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Jim Davidson, Bill Fair, Charlotte Gabler, and Lloyd Hilgart
Absent: Brian Stumpf
1. General Business
A. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Acting Mayor Hilgart called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
B. Approval of Agenda
Mayor Stumpf requested to add discussion on liquor store.
Councilmember Hilgart moved approval of the agenda with the added liquor
store discussion. Councilmember Gabler seconded the motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes
Special Meetinp, Minutes from July27, 2020
Councilmember Gabler moved approval of the Special Meeting minutes of
July 27, 2020. Councilmember Fair seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
Regular Meeting Minutes from July 27, 2020
Councilmember Fair moved approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of
July 27, 2020. Councilmember Gabler seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
D. Citizen Comments
• Dwayne Olson, 921 W. Broadway. Mr. Olson expressed concern about the
amount of traffic on 3rd Street coming off of Elm Street. The additional
traffic was caused by the Pinewood Elementary recent closing of entrance
to Broadway. In addition, there has been truck traffic moving down 3rd
Street due to their roof replacement. The item was referred to staff for
review for possible `no truck traffic' signs.
E. Public Service Announcements/Updates
• Candidate Filing for the General Election begins Tuesday, July 28 and
ends Tuesday, August 11.
• Farmers Market and Arts Market — Thursday, July 30.
F. Council Liaison Updates
• CMRP — Angela Schumann, Community Development Director,
noted that the partnership and liason teams will be working on Round
2 engagement.
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• IEDC — Mayor Stumpf noted that the group received a summary
overview of the Coalition of Utility Cities and other various items.
• Planning Commission — Councilmember Gabler stated that the
commission had a public hearing on accessory use standards as related
to building materials.
• BCOL — Councilmember Davidson commented that the board
discussed the completion of the campground which is set to open next
spring.
F. Department Update
• COVID-19 update was provided.
• City Administrator Update. Jeff O'Neill provided an update on the
following:
1. Monticello has been certified as a telecommuter friendly city.
2. There was a sanitary force main break at River Street/Chestnut.
3. ATV update will be provided at the next meeting.
• Construction Update included the following:
1. 2020 Pavement Project — The contractor has paved all the
neighborhoods and is completing the area of the Wastewater
Treatment Plant. Final topsoil placement and sod replacement will
occur the week of August 17.
2. Chip Seal Project — The contractor finished the pavement markings.
3. Riverwalk Trail — The final grading, hydro seeding, and landscaping
work was completed.
4. Community Center Roof Project is scheduled to being later in August
but an exact date has not been set.
5. The Maple Street Storm project is commencing. As part of the project
there will be a large crane brought in and the street will need to be
closed to traffic for a period of time. The public will be notified in
advance as soon as the details are provided.
2. Consent Agenda:
Councilmember Hilgart moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Councilmember
Davidson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
A. Consideration of approving the payment of bills. Recommendation: Approved
the bill and purchase card registers for a total amount of $909,760.94.
B. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for city departments.
Recommendation: Approved the new hires for Liquor Store and DMV and
departures for MCC.
C. Consideration of approving the sale/disposal of surplus city property.
Recommendation: No report this cycle.
D. Consideration of authorizing a payment to the Coalition of Utility Cities for city
share of CUC membership dues in the amount of $32,345. Recommendation:
Payment was approved.
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E. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2020-58 awarding the sale of General
Obligation Bonds, Series 2020A, in the original aggregate principal amount of
$2,155,000; fixing their form and specifications directing their execution and
delivery; and providing for their payment. Recommendation: Adopted the
resolution awarding the sale of General Obligation Bonds.
F. Consideration of adopting Ordinance 745 amending Title XIII: General Offenses,
Section 130.09 — Noise by adding section titled Engine Breaking.
Recommendation: Adopted the ordinance.
G. Consideration of approving an amendment to grant contract with Wright County
Health and Human Services for SHIP funding to update the comprehensive plan
with consideration for health equity principles. Recommendation: The
amendment to the grant contract was approved.
H. Consideration of approving a 50/50 partnership with Xcel Energy to fund a turf -
conversion project at Par West Park in the location of the old disc golf recreation
area for $11,580. Recommendation: Approved the partnership to fund a turf -
conversion project.
I. Consideration of authorizing Design Tree Engineering to provide engineering
services to perform design and construction engineering for improvements to the
city's SCADA system for the water and sewer utilities for a total cost of
$116,420. Recommendation: Approved contract with Design Tree
Engineering to provide engineering services.
J. Consideration of adopting Ordinance 746 adopting amendments to Title IX:
General Regulations by amending Chapter 94 to add regulations for
undergrounding utilities in the right-of-way. Recommendation: Adopted
Ordinance 746 amending Title IX.
K. Consideration of approving the purchase of a pressure washer for the Public
Works Department for a total of $11,970.65. Recommendation: Approved the
purchase.
3. Public Hearin
4. Reuular Agenda
A. Consideration of authorizing a partnership between the City of Monticello and
Monticello School District to operate a nature -based alternative education option
for the upcominp- school year to serve Grades K-5, by offerinv, park shelters at a
reduced rental rate
Tom Pawelk, Parks Superintendent, presented the item and gave a brief overview.
The Monticello School District is requesting the use of West Bridge, 4th Street
and Ellison Parks to service small groups of students Monday through Friday
from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for potentially 168 days. This also includes a reduced
rental fee of $25 per day to cover the cost of electricity and maintenance.
Joe Dockendorf, Eastview Principal, and Cindy Fasching, Director of Curriculum
and Instruction, gave an overview of the program.
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The City Council discussed the partnership and expressed support. Mayor Stumpf
expressed mild concern about other children or families being at the park at the
same time. Councilmember Fair suggested that there be some sort of signage to
let people know that there was school function taking place. Joe Dockendorf
addressed the City Council and noted that the school would support adding
signage. He added that the program is set to begin September 10, 2020 and
expects that there will be more interest than spots available.
Councilmember Hilgart moved approval of the partnership agreement with
the Monticello school District to offer reduced shelter rentals at a cost of $25
per day per shelter at West Bridge, 4th Street, and Ellison Parks for a nature -
based learning option for grades K-5 with a potential of renting up to 168
days. Councilmember Gabler seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
B. Consideration of amending traffic control at the intersection of 87th Street and
Ebersole Avenue
Ryan Melhouse, Senior Engineering Technician, presented the item. In 2019 the
city received a request to install an all -way stop at the intersection of 87th and
Ebersole. Staff evaluated the request and determined that an all -way stop wasn't
warranted due to low traffic volumes and no accident history. Recently, staff and
a City Council member did a traffic count of vehicles and different points in the
day and it was estimated that 107 vehicles travel through this intersection a day.
In addition, the city had a speed trailer located in this area and it showed that
drivers were not driving faster than the posted speed.
Mr. Melhouse then reviewed the MN MUTCD criteria for stop signs. This
intersection did not meet the criteria. Therefore, staff recommended no signing
changes at the intersection. Staff will continue to monitor accident history at this
intersection as part of our routine analysis of the city's transportation.
Discussion ensued among Council. Mayor Stumpf commented that the city has to
respond to facts, not perception. He does not support a stop sign in this area,
however, he is not opposed to looking at other areas of the city that meet the
criteria.
Councilmember Fair noted that he observed the intersection and counted four
cars. He added that there is no site obstruction at the intersection nor has there
been any accidents.
Councilmember Gabler spoke in support of the stop sign. She commented that the
city should have a policy in place to deal with these types of requests. She said
that the City Council should sometimes look at the human factor of a request. It is
a growing neighborhood that could potentially need this stop sign in the future.
Joe Kraft, 4313 87th Street NE, addressed the City Council and expressed the need
for the stop sign at the intersection. He added that the number of lots are
increasing in the neighborhood, which will increase the number of cars. This stop
sign is planning for the future and keeping children safe in the area. This
intersection is a bus stop for many kids in the neighborhood.
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Councilmember Hilgart noted that he sat in the location and counted two cars in
an hour. He also commented that there are other areas of the city that would have
a greater need for a stop sign. In addition, there are many more dense
neighborhoods than the one in question.
Councilmember Davidson added that many intersections have parks nearby and
only have a stop sign in one direction. This change would require a change in
many areas.
The City Council expressed concern about granting the stop sign, as this would
open the door for an unlimited amount of requests for stop signs.
Councilmember Fair moved to not make any traffic control changes based
on city staff recommendation and state criteria. Councilmember Davidson
seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-1; Councilmember Gabler voted
against as she was in support of installing the stop sign.
C. Consideration of authorizin,s4 staff to implement a 25 mph speed zones in
accordance with state law
Jeff O'Neill, City Administrator, gave a brief overview. Ryan Melhouse
proceeded to present the criteria for implementing 25 mph speed zones. The
process for implementation is first to develop a policy for analyzing current and
future roadway classification and surrounding land use. In addition, the city
would need to survey existing signage and develop a plan for public outreach and
installing new signs.
Staff noted that the policy and implemented plan is expected to be completed by
November 2020 with sign installation completed by March 2021. The budget
impact will be approximately $25,000, which includes signage and engineering
expenses.
The City Council discussed the item. Mayor Stumpf supports the 25 mph speed
limit in developments, but not in the downtown area. He added that he doesn't
want there to be any confusion of what the speed limit is. Councilmember Gabler
added that the plan needs to include an understanding of what the downtown area
is.
Councilmember Davidson moved to allow staff to move forward with the 25
mph speed zones and to bring back information and criteria on the process
in November for final approval. Councilmember Fair seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
5. Added Items:
• Mayor Stumpf requested discussion on part-time employment at Liquor
Store. Sarah Rathlisberger responded that the city is making progress.
They are hiring more people, however, people have been leaving for
various reasons. This is a work in progress.
6. Adiournment:
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
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Recorder: Jennifer Schreiber Akt 6 (&&4.1
Approved: U U
Attest:
City Administrator
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