City Council Minutes 05-09-2005 SpeciallMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday May 9, 2005 - 6 p.m.
Members Present: Clint Herbst, Wayne Mayer, Tom Perrault, Glen Posusta and Brian Stumpf.
Members Absent: None
1. Call to Order.
Mayor Herbst called the workshop meeting to order at 6 p.m. Also attending the meeting
were Tom Salkowski from the Wright County Office of Planning and Zoning and Pat
Sawatzke, Wright County Commissioner.
2. Discussion of proposed revisions to annexation agreement.
Clint Herbst stated that the first meeting of the Joint Planning Board as set up in the
annexation agreement was held in March. At that meeting the Joint Planning Board reviewed
the annexation agreement and revisions were suggested. Clint Herbst didn't feel the changes
that were suggested by the Joint Planning Board were a major item.
Clint Herbst stated that although staff expressed their concern about certain residential
developments specified in the agreement as being considered contiguous to the City, he didn't
feel that provision was necessary. With almost 4,000 acres of land within the Koch property,
Heritage development and the YMCA site he didn't feel the City should be taking on any
more than that. He felt that there was adequate land for development over the 15 year term of
the agreement without have these developments considered contiguous to the City.
Brian Stumpf questioned if the Township did not feel it was a good agreement why did they
sign it. Wayne Mayer asked Tom Salkowski and Pat Sawatzke if they felt it was a good
agreement. Tom Salkowski had served on the MOAA Board since 1979 and Pat Sawatzke
had been on since 1991. Pat Sawatzke said the County Board was not happy with the
agreement and that without the County Board approval this would have gone to court. Pat
Sawatzke said one provision the County Board didn't like in the agreement was that the
Township and City appointed a County Commissioner to the Joint Planning Board.
Tom Salkowski said he didn't know what had taken place during the negotiations. He said he
would have done it differently but added that not having gone through the negotiation process,
he couldn't say if his feelings would be different. He agreed with Pat Sawatzke that the City
or Township cannot appoint a County Commissioner to anything. Tom Salkowski said with
or without an annexation agreement the County should have provided some input but he
realized this was an agreement between the City and the Township. Tom Salkowski said the
changes proposed came up because the Joint Planning Board was looking at the agreement to
see the function of the Joint Planning Board. Tom Salkowski felt these changes as far as the
County was concerned was an improvement.
Special Council Meeting Minutes - 5/9/05
Jeff O'Neill said that planning for infrastructure needs was a very important consideration for
the City and the City felt to get something going the annexation request was necessary. While
he realized the size of the annexation request created hard feelings, he felt it was necessary to
come up with a planning area to study as far as infrastructure needs.
Glen Posusta said prior to the new agreement the Township gave up 602 acres of land. Clint
Herbst stated that the revisions made does not substantially change the agreement.
Jeff O'Neill questioned the change in the provision that would not allow the City Council to
remove City representatives to the Joint Planning Board if they are not following the
provisions of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Clint Herbst said his understanding is that you
could not remove them during their one year term. There was nothing to say that the City
could decide not to appoint those same members for another term. Clint Herbst stated this
issue was raised because on the previous annexation board, the City's representative didn't
follow the Council's directive. He stated he was on the board and that particular case was a
public hearing and he didn't think it was right that his mind be made up ahead of time.
Pat Sawatzke stated there are nine proposed changes to the agreement some very minor. He
noted that the proposed changes were not brought up by the County or the Township but by
the City representatives on the Joint Planning Board. Brian Stumpf stated that this was a
negotiated agreement and questioned if the Joint Planning Board had authority to make these
changes. Clint Herbst said it was a recommendation of the Joint Planning Board.
John Simola mentioned a concern about the developments listed as contiguous to the City and
making sure the infrastructure was sufficiently sized to serve the area. John Simola would
like to leave the door open as far as these developments.
Sunset Ridge/Hidden Forest was brought as it is adjacent to one of the developments listed as
contiguous in the agreement. Clint Herbst felt that because this was already in the
development stage it could be exempted. County Ditch 33 and Pelican Lake were also
discussed. Pat Sawatzke stated that Pelican Lake is an area they are trying to preserve and to
have that in annexation area gives the perception that it will be developed which is why a
portion of that area adjacent to Pelican Lake was removed the annexation agreement area..
Tom Salkowski stated on May 10th after the County Commissioners meeting he would be
giving a presentation on the County Comprehensive Plan. The County realizes that parts of
the Comprehensive Plan need to be updated. They are suggesting working on a plan for the
northeast quadrant of the County including Monticello, Rockford and Buffalo Townships and
the cities of St. Michael, Monticello, Rockford and Buffalo. The County wants to get city
and township involvement at the same time. Tome Salkowski said in the 25 years he has
been with the county the type of growth has changed going from large lot septic systems to
lots within the cities. Tom Salkowski said he believes that Pelican Lake can be preserved.
The Township provides road service only, so the County would have to get involved with the
storm water management. Pat Sawatzke felt there should be an agreement between the
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Special Council Meeting Minutes - 5/9/05
different entities that work with this area. Tom Salkowski felt that Wright County is the most
restrictive as far as density. Jeff O'Neill said the development pressure is great and it is
important that the City be alert in order to preserve unique areas.
Pat Sawatzke said the Township is primarily zoned agricultural and he has not talked to
anyone on the town board who wants to see it changed. If the township says they want 1 in 40
density, the County accepts it. Pat Sawatzke said the County was more cautious in allowing
development.
Glen Posusta asked why the one acre lots work in some areas and not others, like in Otsego.
Pat Sawatzke felt the one acre lots were more wasteful and that five acre lots could be
redeveloped at a later point. Tom Salkowski felt that one acre lots do not work anywhere.
Tom Moores spoke about a property which is being surrounded by the proposed Sunset
Ridge/Hidden Forest Development and that will result in a large lot site being surrounded by
City lots. Did the city want to see that happen? He felt the developers should buy those
lands rather than allow islands of township surrounded by City. Bret Weiss said the City
encourages developers to purchase those site but the City can't force the developer to do so.
Tom Moores asked if the City was going to bend over backwards for this development
because of the ditch 33 problem.
Council action on the proposed revisions will be taken at the regular Council meeting.
3. Adjourn.
Mayor Herbst closed the workshop meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Recording Secretary
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