City Council Minutes 01-08-1996MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, January S, 1996 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Brad Fyle, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf, Tom
Perrault
Members Absent: None
2. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting held December 11., 1995.
It was noted that the estimated wage scale for the Public Works Secretary as
noted on page 9 of the minutes should be corrected to state $8.40/hr to
$11.13/hr.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING HELD DECEMBER 11, 1995, AS CORRECTED. Motion
carried unanimously.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
A. Consideration of change order #1 for Highway 25/School Boulevard
turn lanes - Project 95-03C.
Consulting Engineer Chuck Lepak reported that in order to keep the
School Boulevard project on schedule, the project was bid without a
turn lane and bypass lane on Highway 25. Subsequent review by
MN/DOT found the lanes to be necessary with a stipulation that the
work be done in the fall of 1995. The total cost of the change order was
$10,678.10.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND
SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDER #1 IN
THE AMOUNT OF $10,678.10 FOR PROJECT 95-03C. Motion carried
unanimously.
B. Consideration of authorizing submittal of ISTEA funding application
for construction of I-94 pedestrian crossing and pathway segments.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill requested authorization to apply for
ISTEA funding for construction of a pedestrian bridge over I-94 at or
near County Road 118, for pathway segments along County Road 118
from CSAR 75 to School Boulevard, and for pathway segments
connecting the Meadow Oak, Eastwood Knoll, and Oak Ridge
neighborhoods to the school campus area. Fie noted that $30,000 was
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included in the 1996 budget as a portion of the cost to install the
pathway segments, which would be used to offset a portion of the
City's share of the project through the ISTEA grant.
O'Neill noted that Consulting Engineer Bret Weiss estimated the
construction of the pathway segments and bridge section at $400,000,
not including engineering and inspection, which was estimated at
$100,000. If the City agreed to pay 20% of the project cost, the total
cost to the City for the entire project was estimated at $180,000.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND
SECONDED BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR FUNDING FOR
A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER I-94 AND PATHWAY SEGMENTS. Motion
carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 96-3.
C Consideration of accepting proposal from Ewing Engineering Company
to supervise testing at Sunny Fresh Foods.
Public Works Director John Simola requested that Council consider
accepting a proposal from Ewing Engineering Company of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, in the amount of $15,000 to supervise testing at Sunny
Fresh Foods. The purpose of the testing is to allow the City to obtain
the most energy efficient and reliable SBR equipment for treatment of
Sunny Fresh Foods' wastewater at the City's treatment plant.
Bob Peplin of HDR reported that the scope of services would include
assisting HDR in preparing the pre qualification specification/aeration
testing document, two site visits of one week each to conduct the tests,
data analysis, and preparation and submission of a written report of
the findings. It was Peplin's view that by accepting the proposal from
an independent company such as Ewing Engineering, the City would
benefit from their expertise and install the most efficient equipment at
the wastewater treatment plant.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND
SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FROM
EWING ENGINEERING COMPANY FOR SUPERVISING TESTING AT
SUNNY FRESH FOODS IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000. Motion carried
unanimously.
4. Citizens comments/petitions, requests., and complaints.
A. Roger Pribyl, President of the Monticello Baseball Association,
presented the City Council with a check in the amount of $1,000 to
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help pay for the lighting project at the ballfields. Pribyl also thanked
the Council for continuing to provide baseball parks, the additional
parks on the east side of town, and the coordination of field use by
John Simola and Roger Mack.
5. Consent agenda,
A. Consideration of setting firefighter's wages at $7 per hour for all fire
calls. . Recommendation.- Approve an increase in the salaries for the
second hour of a fire call from $5 to $7.
B. Consideration of adopting a resolutign calling for a public hearing to
modify Redevelopment Project No. 1 and to modify TIF District Nose
1-1 through 1-18, Recommendation: Adopt a resolution calling for
a public hearing on January 22, 1996, for modification of the Central
Monticello Redevelopment Project No. 1 and TIF District Nos. 1-1
through 1-18. SEE RESOLUTION 96-1.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND SECONDED BY TOM
PERRAULT TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS RECOMMENDED.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. Public Hearing—Consideration of a request to nierae Lots 5 and 6, 0 k
Industrial Park 2nd Additionand to vacate uti:lity!Qasements alQng the
current boundary, Applicant, Willi Hahn Corporation. Vi
Mayor Fyle opened the public hearing.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that the Willi Hahn Corporation
purchased Lots 5 and 6, Oakwood Industrial Park 2nd Addition, from the
City a few weeks ago for construction of a 10,000 sq ft warehouse building
and future expansion to include production operations. He noted that in
order for the property to be developed as desired, it was necessary to combine
Lots 5 and 6 and vacate the utility easements along the current boundary.
There being no comment from the public, the public hearing was closed.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON TO APPROVE VACATION OF THE STORM
WATER AND UTILITY EASEMENTS BETWEEN LOTS 5 AND 6, OAKWOOD
INDUSTRIAL PARK 2ND ADDITION, ALLOWING SAID LOTS TO MERGE.
Motion carried unanimously.
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7. Consideration of purchase of sludge application site.
Public Works Director John Simola reported that for the past several years,
City staff has been working toward maintaining an inventory of land for
biosolids application. Currently, the City is using permitted sites on the
Robert Shierts farm; however, of the 157 -acre site, only 33 acres are usable
for biosolids application. It was noted that by the fall of 1996, the City may
not have sufficient sludge storage to make it through the winter without the
purchase and permitting of additional land.
Simola went on to report that after reviewing sites within a 5 -mile radius of
Monticello, the Susan Hanaford site, located on County Road 106, was
investigated for sludge application; however, Hanaford was not willing to sell
the property. Staff then approached Iden and Carol Bohanon about the
possible sale of their 158 -acre farm. A market analysis performed for the
Bohanons showed the value of the property to be $464,000, and an analysis
performed for the City determined the value to be $450,000. Simola noted
that the Bohanons were not in a hurry to sell, as they receive $30,000 per
year in rent; therefore, they requested $600,000 for the 158 -acre farm at this
time.
After reviewing the appraisal data and the Bohanon's asking price, the
biosolids site committee recommended that staff approach the Bohanons with
an offer of $525,000, with $450,000 paid upfront and the additional $75,000
in the form of rent over the next 2-3 years. The offer was made contingent
upon Council approval, after which details of the purchase agreement would
be negotiated; the Bohanons indicated they would accept the City's offer. It
was recommended by City staff that the Council approve the purchase of the
Bohanon site, as it offered more tillable acres, had better access to the
property than the Hanaford site, and had a willing seller.
Pam Dane, owner of Silver Springs Golf Course, noted her concerns
regarding aesthetics and ground water contamination, as the property
surrounding the golf course may be developed in the future. She requested
that the City use the injection method for application and that the City
install monitoring wells on her property, for which she would grant
easements.
Mayor Fyle asked City staff if additional monitoring wells were possible. The
Public Works Director indicated that he could discuss additional wells with
Braun Engineering, as they would need to determine which direction the
ground water is flowing.
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Bret Gemlich, director of the YMCA camp, noted his concern regarding the
ground water and possible odor problems. He also requested that monitoring
wells be placed on the YMCA property to ensure that the lakes remain
acceptable for public use. In addition, Gemlich indicated that he would
consider renting YMCA farm land to the City for sludge application.
The Public Works Director pointed out that the access to the YMCA farm
land was on Briarwood, which is a township road. This would create road
restriction difficulties for the sludge trucks, and the Township prohibits by
ordinance the hauling of sludge on township roads.
After discussion, it was the consensus of Council to authorize the Public
Works Director to research the possibility of using the YMCA farm land as an
additional sludge site.
Other residents of the area adjacent to the Bohanon site expressed their
concerns with odor, truck traffic, surface run-off, and ground water
contamination. Staff explained that information will be gathered regarding
the potential of the site for sludge application, and a public hearing will be
held in the future.
City Attorney Paul Weingarden recommended that the Council authorize
him to discuss the method of sale prior to entering an agreement in order to
reduce the amount of risk for the City. He suggested that perhaps a contract
for deed could be negotiated to ensure that the City doesn't lose $525,000 if
the PCA did not permit the site.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF TO DENY ENTERING INTO A
PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH THE BOHANONS. It was Stumpf's view that
the City should research the offer of renting the YMCA farm land prior to
purchasing property. Motion died for lack of a second.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRAD FYLE AND SECONDED
BY TOM PERRAULT TO AUTHORIZE THE DRAFTING OF A PURCHASE
AGREEMENT WITH KEN AND CAROL BOHANON FOR THE PURCHASE OF
THEIR FARM AT BRIARWOOD AND WEST COUNTY ROAD 39 FOR THE SUM OF
$525,000, WITH THE CONDITIONS OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT TO BE
FINALIZED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. FINAL PURCHASE
AGREEMENT TO BE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL AT A FUTURE COUNCIL
MEETING. Noting in favor: Brad Fyle, Clint Herbst, Tom Perrault.
Opposed: Brian Stumpf, Shirley Anderson. It was Anderson's view that the
City should offer the appraised price of $450,000, not including future rent in
the amount of $75,000. Motion passed.
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8. Consideration of approving preliminary plat of the Shingobee subdivision
Applicant, G ae Veit.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that Gae Veit requested approval of
the preliminary plat of the Shingobee subdivision, a 2 -lot, 2 -acre plat located
on the east side of Highway 25 directly south of the Tom Thumb store. The
subdivision would result in the Subway Shop being located on a smaller lot,
and the newly -created lot would become the site of a proposed quick lube
facility.
O'Neill noted that the preliminary plat was consistent with city code;
however, the property is unique in that it does not have direct access to a
public right-of-way even though it has Highway 25 frontage. A private
easement is in place that allows access to the Subway Shop site and the
newly -created lot, and O'Neill noted that the final plat process should include
a requirement that an easement be prepared which allows access to the
Subway Shop across the new lot. In addition, the Planning Commission
recommended that a formal agreement be executed regarding maintenance of
the private access to these two lots. O'Neill also explained that easements
allowing access to the utility lines, which would cross the newly -created lot in
order to serve the Subway Shop, would need to be prepared and recorded in
conjunction with the platting process.
O'Neill went on to report that the Shingobee plat is near the Highway 25
corridor area, for which the City recently authorized a transportation study.
The study would include alternatives for realignment of the Oakwood Drive/
Highway 25 intersection, which would require acquisition of Highway 25
frontage. O'Neill noted that it did not appear that the proposed site of the
quick lube facility would be needed for future right-of-way serving the new
intersection.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY CLINT HERBST TO APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF
THE SHINGOBEE SUBDIVISION WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. EASEMENT DOCUMENTATION MUST BE PREPARED PRIOR TO FINAL
PLAT ALLOWING UTILITY AND DRIVE ACCESS TO THE SUBWAY SHOP.
2. A FORMAL AGREEMENT MUST BE EXECUTED REGARDING ROAD
MAINTENANCE.
Motion carried unanimously.
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9. Consideration of a purchase agreement offer - Kruse parcel.
City Administrator Rick Wolfsteller reported that he had received a purchase
agreement proposal from Floyd Kruse offering to sell the 6 -acre parcel
adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant for $360,000. In addition, the
agreement also stated that the City would absorb a $22,000 deferred sewer
and water special assessment against the property. Wolfsteller noted that
there was still sufficient time to design the layout of the plant incorporating
the additional acreage if the City purchased the property at this time.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY CLINT HERBST AND
SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO MAKE A COUNTEROFFER TO FLOYD
KRUSE OF $278,000 FOR THE 6 -ACRE PARCEL ADJACENT TO THE
MONTICELLO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. THE CITY AGREED TO
WAIVE THE $22,000 IN SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS. OFFER VALID FOR 7 DAYS.
Motion carried unanimously.
10. Consideration of reviewing Police Commission traffic control
recommendations for School Boulevard.
City Administrator Wolfsteller reported that during construction of the latest
segment of School Boulevard, a stop sign was installed on School Boulevard
at the Fallon Avenue intersection near Little Mountain Elementary School;
however, since the opening of the entire section of School Boulevard, the stop
sign was removed from School Boulevard, with traffic required to stop on
Fallon Avenue. Concerns have been raised by the School Superintendent
regarding the amount and speed of traffic on School Boulevard near the
elementary school, and it was his view that the four-way stop sign should be
reinstituted at the Fallon Avenue/School Boulevard intersection and the
speed limit reduced in the area of the school.
The Sheriffs Department initiated an in-house traffic survey along School
Boulevard, and Deputy Hudek reported that the majority of cars traveled
well below the 45 mph maximum while passing the schools. It was his view
that this indicated that drivers saw a reason for exercising caution, and he
agreed. Hudek also noted that the most dangerous situation near the school
was when ball Lyames were in prov-ress and vehicles were parked alonLy both
After reviewing the Sheriffs Department recommendations, the Police
Commission made the following recommendations to the Council:
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1. A consistent 35 mph speed limit should be established from
Highway 25 to County Road 118, and the limit reduced to 25 mph
along the school property when children are present (between Fallon
Avenue and County Road 118).
2. Four-way stop signs at the intersections of Fallon Avenue and School
Boulevard and also at County Road 117 and School Boulevard be
installed.
3. A flashing warning light be installed at the pedestrian crosswalk
leading from the Cardinal Hills development to the Little Mountain
Elementary School.
It was noted by staff that state statutes indicate that if a city street is
developed with businesses or residential structures with driveways accessing
the road every 100 ft, city authorities have the right to establish the speed
limit; however, since this was not the case on School Boulevard, MN/DOT
was the authority that would conduct a traffic survey and establish the speed
limit. It was noted that MN/DOT previously conducted a survey and
established the speed limit from Fallon Avenue to County Road 118 at
45 mph. It was also noted that the off-road path was built specifically to
separate pedestrian/bike traffic from vehicular traffic.
School Superintendent Shelly Johnson stated that he had recently spoken
with the MN/DOT St. Cloud transportation official who oversees speed limits
in this area, who indicated that approval by the City Council would be
sufficient to lower the speed limit on School Boulevard.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND
SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT ON SCHOOL
BOULEVARD FROM COUNTY ROAD 118 TO FALLON AVENUE TO 30 MPH
WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT. Motion carried unanimously.
SEE RESOLUTION 96-2.
o be moved.
City Administrator Wolfsteller reported that as part of the wastewater
treatment plant expansion project, the rental dwelling located at 1501 Hart
Boulevard needed to be removed to allow for SBR tank construction. Eight
bids were received with a low of $3,150 to a high of $10,500. Wolfsteller
recommended that the high bid be accepted.
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A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND SECONDED BY TOM
PERRAULT TO ACCEPT THE HIGH BID OF $10,500 FROM RICK AND CHERYL
SRNSKY FOR THE HOUSE AT 1501 HART BOULEVARD, WITH FULL PAYMENT
AND PROOF OF INSURANCE REQUIRED PRIOR TO THE HOUSE BEING
MOVED. Motion carried unanimously.
12. Consideration of annual appointments for 1996.
Councilmember Shirley Anderson stated that she considered Bret Weiss of
WSB a valuable asset to the City due to his 6-7 years of experience in
Monticello as City Engineer. THEREFORE, A MOTION WAS MADE BY
SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF TO APPOINT WSB
AS THE CITY ENGINEER.
MAYOR FYLE THEN AMENDED THE MOTION TO APPOINT WSB AS THE CITY
ENGINEER AND REVIEW THE APPOINTMENT IN SIX MONTHS.
It was noted by the Assistant Administrator that a staff meeting had been
scheduled to define the role of the City Engineer. The City Administrator
stated that WSB's fee structure was unknown at this time and that fees
should be reviewed prior to appointing an engineer.
IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF COUNCIL TO TABLE THE MOTION TO APPOINT
WSB AS THE CITY ENGINEER UNTIL THE JANUARY 22, 1996, COUNCIL
MEETING.
Council then discussed the remaining list of appointments.
The City Administrator reported that he would meet with the City Attorney,
Paul Weingarden, to critique his services of the past year.
Mayor Fyle recommended that the City not formally appoint a City Planner
and utilize Northwest Associated Consultants on an as -needed basis for the
time being.
Councilmember Herbst noted that Ron Hoglund's term on the Economic
Development Authority had expired and, according to a policy recently
enacted by Council, could not be reappointed due to the city residency
requirement; however, it was Herbst's view that each commission should be
reviewed separately for member appointments. Due to Hoglund's experience
on the EDA and his vested interest in the community through his business,
Herbst recommended that Hoglund be reappointed to the EDA at this time.
Herbst also noted that Diane Herbst would be willing to fill one of the
vacancies on the Library Board.
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Council Minutes - 1/8/96
AF'T'ER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND
SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO ACCEPT THE ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS
AS FOLLOWS:
1996 ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS
Official Depositories:
Newspaper:
Housing and Redevelopment
Authority (5 -year staggered
terms):
Planning Commission:
Health Officer:
(1 year)
Acting Mayor:
(1 year)
Joint Commissions:
Community Education:
Fire Board
OAA
Marquette Bank Monticello
First Bank
First National Bank of
Monticello
Chief Financial Officer
authorized to designate other
depositories for investment
purposes only
Monticello Times
1. Tom St. Hilaire
2. Roger Carlson
3. Brad Barger
4. Al Larson
5. Everette Ellison
1. Richard Carlson
2. Jon Bogart
3. Dick Frie
4. Richard Martie
5. Rod Dragsten
Dr. Donald Maus
Shirley Anderson
Shirley Anderson
Rick Wolfsteller
Brad Fyle
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12/96
12/2000
12/99
12/98
12/97
Council Minutes - 1/8/96
Library Board:
1. Ed Solberg
12/96
(3 -year staggered)
2. Duff Davidson
12/97
4.Al Larson
3. Vacant
12/96
12/98
4. Ruby Bensen
12/97
7. Ron Hoglund
5. Diane Herbst
12/98
Attorney:
Paul Weingarden
12/98
Planner:
No appointment at this time
Auditor:
Gruys, Borden, Carlson & Assoc.
Recycling Committee:
Shirley Anderson
(3 -yr staggered terms)
Economic Development
Authority (5 -year staggered
terms): 1. Tom Perrault, Council
12/96
2. Clint Herbst, Council
12/98
3.Harvey Kendall
12/96
4.Al Larson
12/97
5.Barb Schwientek
12/98
6.Bill Demeules
12/99
7. Ron Hoglund
12/2000
Engineer(s): WSB & Associates and
Orr-Schelen-Mayeron & Associates
(MOTION FOR, APPT. WAS TABLED
UNTIL 1/22/96 MEETING)
Police Advisory
Commission (3 -year
staggered terms):
1. Brian Stumpf, Council
12/98
2. Warren Smith
12/97
3. David Gerads
12/97
4. Vacant
12/98
5. Liz DeMarais
12/96
Parks Commission:
1. Earl Smith
12/98
(3 -yr staggered terms)
2. Larry Nolan
12/96
3. Fran Fair
12/97
4. Bruce Thielen
12/98
5. Steve Andrews
12/96
Motion carried unanimously.
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Council Minutes - 1/8/96
13. Consideration of Public Works Secretary appointment.
Public Works Director John Simola reported that a job description had been
drafted and job points calculated at 30, Grade 2, for the Public Works
Secretary position. The starting pay for the position at step 1 was
determined to be $9.14 per hour.
Simola noted that the position and job description were posted in all City
departments to allow existing employees to apply for the position. Only Beth
Green, the current part-time Public Works Secretary, applied for the
position. Simola noted that staff determined that Beth meets the
qualifications for the position.
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY BRIAN STUMPF AND
SECONDED BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON TO APPOINT BETH GREEN TO THE
PERMANENT POSITION OF PUBLIC WORKS SECRETARY AT GRADE 2, STEP 1,
AT AN HOURLY RATE OF $9.14/HR, CONTINGENT UPON PASSING THE
REQUIRED PHYSICAL. Motion carried unanimously.
14. Consideration of bills for the last half of December 1995,
AFTER DISCUSSION, A MOTION WAS MADE BY SHIRLEY ANDERSON AND
SECONDED BY TOM PERRAULT TO PAY THE BILLS FOR THE LAST HALF OF
DECEMBER 1995 AS PRESENTED. Motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Karen Doty
Office Manager
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