City Council Minutes 03-28-1994MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, March 28, 1994 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Patty Olsen
Members Absent: Brad Fyle left the meeting during item #7.
2. Consideration of a royal of minutes of the re ular meetin held March 14
1994.
Brad Fyle requested a correction to item #11. He noted that he voted
against the motion, and Clint Herbst voted for the motion.
The following sentence should be added to the second to the last paragraph
of the last item in the meeting minutes:
"Status reports on park projects implemented with the approval of
the City Administrator should be provided to the City Council
accordingly."
A motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley Anderson to
approve the minutes of the March 14 meeting as amended.. Motion carried
unanimously.
3. Citizens comments/ etitions re uests and com Taints.
Richard Carlson indicated his concern regarding the City's plan to plat
Outlots C and D and install utilities for the purpose of developing a
residential subdivision. It was his view that the City should not be the
developer and that citizens would be better served if the City would simply
sell the land to a private developer.
Shirley Anderson noted that the property continues to be available for sale
at a price equal to the existing debt against the property owed to the City.
4. Consideration of a royal of the reliminar Tat of the Eastwood Knoll
residential subdivision. A licant Cit of Monticello.
City Council reviewed the preliminary plat of the Eastwood Knoll
residential subdivision.
Patty Olsen was concerned that the City has not accounted for all of the
costs associated with development of the property. For instance, she
estimated that the annual taxes on each wisold lot is $532 per lot. Are
these lots tax exempt because they are owned by the City, or will the City
need to add this additional cost to the figures? She wondered if there isn't
Page 1
Council Minutes - 3/28/94
an easier way to develop this property in the manner desired by the City.
Perhaps it could be platted with restrictive covenants and then sold far
development by others. Clint Herbst mentioned that if any developer was
willing to pay the debt against this property, then the City should consider
selling it. Herbst also noted that this type of development is long overdue.
We need upgraded homes and lots that exceed the 12,U00 sq ft minimum.
It's worth the gamble to invest in this type of development.
Bruce Berning, resident of the Meadow Oak area, noted that the design of
the plat is different from the original subdivision design for the area
because it includes a road that connects to the Briar Oal~es area. This
means that a considerable amount of additional traffic will be passing
through the existing neighborhood that was not contemplated under the
original plan. He was concerned about the impact of the added traffic
created by this new design on his neighborhood.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, noted that the public hearing notice
mistakenly included the outline of the original subdivision plan for the area.
This information could have misled people into not coming to the public
hearing. Perhaps the City should consider issuing a new public hearing
notice calling for a public hearing with the Planning Commission prior to
the next Council meeting.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst to approve the
preliminary plat of Eastwood Knoll as submitted. Motion died for lack of a
second.
A motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Patty Olsen to
table further consideration of the preliminary plat and direct City staff to
prepare design alternatives that would. reduce traffic through the existing
neighborhood, and direct staff to notify area residents of upcoming meetings
regarding this issue accordingly. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Consideration of rezonin Outlots C and D of the Meadow Oak subdivision
From R-PUD to R-1. A licant Cit of Monticello.
A motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Clint Herbst to
table the matter. Motivn carried unanimously.
6. Consideration of a resolution ordering plans and specifications _for Eastwood
Knoll subdivision. A licant Cit of Monticello.
It was the consensus of Council to table further development of plans and
specifications until the final design of the plat has been identified.
Page 2
Council Minutes - 3/28/94
Discussion regarding the merits of the City completing the project was
discussed again. Various methods for completing the sale of the property
were discussed. Staff' was directed to outline in an upcoming agenda item
methods or strategies for marketing the property.
7. Receive u date on status of RFP rocess - Outlot A Countr Club Manor,
Assistant Administrator O'Neill informed Council that the City received two
proposals for development of Outlot A, Country Club Manor. He requested
that Council call for a special meeting to review the proposals in detail.
It was the consensus of Council to conduct a special meeting scheduled for
April 12, 1994, at 4 p,m.
$. Consideration of a rovin and authorizin advertisement of communit
arena desi n stud RFP,
O'Neill informed Council that it was the consensus of the community arena
task force that the City should hire a consultant to assist the task force and
the City in developing a final design and cast estimates for the ice arena.
The information generated by the report will become the basis of the
referendum and the basis of a possible design build construction process.
O'Neill noted that the community arena group will be providing the cash
necessary to conduct the study and is requesting that the investment in the
study be counted as a portion of the $100,000 contribution requirement.
Clint Herbst noted that the arena must be a block structure. A steel pole
shed is not a good idea. We need to get a better idea of what the facility
will cost.
Shirley Anderson mentioned her opposition to having the City conduct the
study. It was her view that if the City conducts the study, it will be viewed
as the City supporting the community arena, and she did not want to give
that impression. Clint Herbst mentioned that he supported the study;
however, it was his view that the cost to conduct the study should be in
addition to the $100,000 requirement.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by
Shirley Anderson to adopt the following resolution:
RES4LUTI~N 94-10
WHEREAS, the City of Monticello has established a conditional
authorization to conduct a general referendum on a community arena;
and
Page 3
Council Minutes - 3/28/94
WHEREAS, the City of Monticello is responsible far building and
managing the facility if the referendum passes; and
WHEREAS, the responsibility of building and maintaining the facility
requires participation by the City in the planning process; and
WHEREAS, adoption of this resolution does not constitute support or
opposition to the development of the community arena; and
WHEREAS, the City will not be expending City funds to hire the
consultant completing the design study.
THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that the City of Monticello
hereby approves the request for proposals for preliminary design and
planning consultation far the Monticello Community Arena and
authorizes the advertisement of the RFP subject to the community
arena association funding the cost of the study apart from and in
addition to the $100,000 contribution requirement.
Adopted this 28th day of March, 1994.
Motion carried unanimously with Brad Fyle absent.
9. Consideration of ado tin a resolution a rovin r feasibilit stud far hose
IV of the Cardinal Hills residential subdivision and callin fora ublic
hearin on associated School Boulevard athwa im rovements.
Bret Weiss, City Engineer, reviewed the feasibility study in detail and
outlined the proposed pathway locations outside the boundaries of phase N
of Cardinal Hills subdivision.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Patty Olsen to approve the resolution and direct the City Engineer to
provide a trail connection to the property south of the site at an alignment
outside of the existing wetland to the south. Motion carried unanimously
with Brad Fyle absent. SEE RESOLUTION 94-11.
10. Consideration of re lacin ridin lawn mower and snowblower for cit hall.
John Simola, Public Works Director, reported that Lhe Honda riding lawn
mower and Toro snowblower used for maintaining various city grounds are
in need of replacement. The existing units are about eight years old and
are at the end of their design life. In preparation. for these purchases, the
City budgeted $3,000 for a mower replacement and $].,400 for a snowblower
replacement.
Page 4
Council Minutes - 3/28/94
Simola noted that he obtained two quotes for replacement of the mower, one
from Moon Motors for $3,008 and one from Northern Hydraulics for $2,955.
For the snowblower, he obtained a price of $1,700, which is $300 over the
budgeted amount for the unit desired.
Clint Herbst stated that he thought $3,000 is too expensive for a lawn
mower. Herbst noted that he is aware of a John Deere lawn mower at
Scharber's that costs about $2,200. Ken Maus noted that the City owes it to
ourselves to explore options.
After discussion, o motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Patty
Olsen to table the matter and direct staff to obtain additional quotes for
mower and snowblower equipment. Motion carried unanimously with Brad
Fyle absent.
11. Consideration of bids and uotes for re lacement of 1978 International low
truck.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Clint Herbst to table the matter. Motion carried unanimously with Brad
Fyle absent.
12. Consideration of rantin a burnin ermit allawin maintenance of the
rairie rass lantin at the Ta er's Inc. industrial site.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that in September of 1990, the
City Council authorized the establishment of a prairie grass planting in lieu
of sod at the Topper's, Inc., development site. In order to maintain the
prairie grass planting as required by Council, a controlled burn of the site
must be conducted every few years. The burn will be conducted by Prairie
Restorations out of Princeton.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Patty
Olsen to authorize issuance of a prairie grass burning permit. Motion
carried unanimously with Brad Fyle absent.
13. Consideration of allowin the fire de artment to conduct a controlled rairie
grass burn -pathway pxoL.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill informed Council that in conjunction with
development of the pathway between River Street and Jerry Liefert Drive,
it is proposed that the fire department conduct a controlled burn of the
grasses in this area to encourage rejuvenation of native prairie grasses
found along the pathway route. O'Neill reported that according to Biologist
Paul Jackson from Prairie Restorations of Princeton, due to the isolation of
the grassy areas provided by the railroad right-of-way and County Road 75,
Page 5
Council Minutes - 3/2$/94
portions of the pathway route have retained many of the characteristics of
the original oak savanna prairie that once extended along the Mississippi
River up through Monticello. The purpose of the burn would be to help
rejuvenate prairie grasses, thereby adding another positive dimension to the
pathway project.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Patty Olsen to allow the fire department to conduct a controlled burn
sometime between April 1 and May 15 along selected sections of the
pathway between Jerry Liefcrt Drive and Diver Street. Motion carried
unanimously with Brad Fyle absent.
14. Consideration of ratif 'n EDA's a royal to amend the Non-Performance
Provision for GMEF Loan No. 007.
Ollie Koropchak, Economic Development Director, reported that the City
Council is requested to consider ratification of the Economic Development
Authority's approval to amend the Non-Performance Provision of Loan
No. 007. The Non-Performance Provision amendment i.s proposed to extend
the loan disbursement date to June 1, 1994. The need to extend the time
for disbursement stems from delays in delivery of the equipment funded
through the loan.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Patty Olsen to ratify the EDA's approval to amend the Non-Performance
Provision of GMEF Loan No. 007 by extending the disbursement date to
June 1, ].994. Motion carried unanimously with Brad Fyle absent.
15. Consideration of bills for the month of March.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Patty
Olsen to approve payment of bills as submitted. Motion carried
unanimously with Brad Fyle absent.
Jeff O' ' 1
Assistant Administrator
C
Page 6