City Council Minutes 11-10-2003 (2)MiNL1TES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO C1TY COUNCIL
Monday, November 10, 2003 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Roger Carlson, CTlen Nosusta, Robhic Smith, Brian Stumpf and Bruce Thielen.
Members Absent: None.
1. ('all to Order and fledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Thielen called the meeting io order at 7 p.m. and declared a quorum present. 'l'he Pledge
of Allegiance was said.
2. Annrovc minutes of the October 27, 2003 regular. Council meeting.
B17IAN STUM1'F MOVED TO APPROVE THE MiN[_1TF;S OH' 1'I-i>/ OC'1'OBEIt 27, 2003
M}~:1?~I"IN(i WI`I'I I A `I'YPO(iRANC-ICC CORRECTION ON PAGE 5. RUCiC;,R CARC.SON
SECONDED THE MU`hION. MU`fION CARRICi:D CINANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of addinw items to the agenda.
Brian Stumpf added discussion of the paint job on the water tower to the agenda. Glen Posusta
added a discussion of Cedar Street, Wells h'argo, Ruff Pluto and. a follow up on the lout' way
stop signs on Walnut Street.. Rick Wolfsteller added the purchase of a compressor for the fire
department.
4. Citizen comments/petitions, requests and complaints.
Mayor Thielen explained the purpose of the citizen coznmcr~t portion of`the meeting. Roger
Schwintek, 1309 West Broadway can~c before the Council. He stated he had filed an objection
to his $2,500 assessment for the CSAH 7.5 Improvement Project. l lc was notified that he was
scheduled to meet for a review of the assessment at 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2003.
F-Cc arrived on time for the review but was kept waiting. After waiting a considerable length of
tithe he left as he felt his time too valuable to waste with continued waiting. 1 Ie stated the
review group should have included a council member and that he didn't feel the city engineer
should be running the meeting. City Engineer, Bret Weiss, explained that the review group
consisted of .lohn Simola, Public Works Director, Matt I3rokl, City Attorney and. the City
Engineer. He stated the review group was on schedule with the appointments until
appointment just prior to Mr. Schwintel: which ran late. Mr. Schwintek was informed that they
were running late.
(ilea Posusta said he had heen contacted by Mr. Schwintek and Mr. Schwintek indicated he
didn't [eel he was treated as a customer should be. Glen Posusta lelt that Mr. Schwintek should
have been apprised in more timely way that the review group was behind schedule. Glen
Posust~.r said a number of the people on the review list had made similar comments. Bruce
`Thielen stated he was not going to let this item become an opportunity to lambast city staff and
asked Mr. Schwintek if he wanted to re-schedule his review time.
Col.ulcil Minutes - 1 1 /10/0
5. Consent agenda.
A. Consideration of ratifying new hires for the community center. Recommendation:
Approve the new hires as identified.
B. Consideration of a request for a conditional use permit for expansion of drive through
banking facility and other site improvements. Applicant: Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota .
Recommendation: Approve the expansion of the drive through facility, including the
interim improvelllents to the driveway, but with the condition that the northwest corner
of the site is left unimproved until a commercial building is proposed for the site, based
on a finding, that a drive through area along Highway 25 is reasollablc use of the
property, but the Conlprehellsive Plan calls for maxin7izing the buildil7g Irol7tage along
Walnut Street.
C. Consideration of an a171end171e17t t0 tlleI..On1Ilg ordlIlance t0 ~1110W Sa1ldWlcl7 boal'CI S1gI1S
in the right of way in the CCll (Central Colnmullity Distl'ici). Recommendation:
Adopt the zoning ordinance all7cndnlcnt based on a finding that such signs are
consistent wish the intent of the downtown area a11C~ Wlth the I'eCOIllIllf.'IldatlOllS OI the
Rcvitali~ation Plan.
U. ('onsideration to make a filed of declaration for an EAW (L~:nvironmental Assessment
Worksheet) for Sunny >'resh mood's demolition and/or relocation of the Methodist
Church Building. Recommendation: Move to rcconllnend approval of the draft EAW
for publication and comment.
E. Consideration of approving Change OI'der 1 to CSA[ 175 Inlprovelnent Project No.
2000-16C. Recommendation: Approve change order # 1 in the amount of $42,00.5.;_5
to Bul`talo Bituminous for CSAI-1 75 Improvement Project No. 2000-1 GC'.
F. Consideration of entering into Cooperative Agreement No. 79;44 with the State of
Minnesota for a traffic control signal at "I'H 25 and Chelsea Road. Recommendation:
Approve entering into Cooperative Agreement No. 79344 with the State of Mim7esota
for a traffic control signal at `I'I-I 25 and Chelsea Road.
Glen Posusta requested that item #SF3 be rcnlovcd for discussion.
ROGFIZ CAItI.SON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSI/N"f AGENDA WITH THE
REMOVAL OF ITEM #SB. ROBI3IF: SMI'I'I I SIi:CONDED THE MOTION. MUTTON
CAIZRII;ll UNANIMOUSLY.
G. Cryonsideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
. Glen Posusta stated that he received a number of calls from people who were not in favor of the
sign ordinance amendment because of provision #2 which stated the sandwich board sign could
Council Minutes - 1 1 /10/03
. bC n0 nIOCC thal7 S away froth the entrance of the property. 1 le couldn't see why the ordinance
had to be so specific. He asked if that could be taken ofl~or acljt_tstcd. :leff O Neill stated the
reason for the sign being as close to the property as possible was that it was meant for
pedestrian traffic walking in front of the property and was not meant to attract vehicle traffic.
BRIAN S"TUMPF MOVED 'l'O RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF' THE SIGN ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT BASED ON A F'INDINC, THAT SUCH SICTNS ARE CONSISTENT WITH
'I"I IE IN'f"ENT OH' I'I IE DOWNTOWN AREA ANI) WITH THE RECOMMF:NDA'ITON Ot~'
THE REVITALIZATION PLAN. GL.F;N POSIJSTA SECONDED "I"I11i; MOTION. MOTION
CARRIT~.D IJNANIMOt1S[.Y.
7. Consideration to authorize re aration of a urchase a reement for ac uisitiun of
ro er for industrial develo mcnt.
Mayor Thielen asked Ollie Koropchak, Economic I)evcloprnent Director to summarize the
discussion of the workshop held on this matter prior to the meetitlg. (.>Ilic Koropchal< brief]y
summarized the work of the industrial land subcon~mittcc and noted that cost studies were done
to determine ifit was feasible for the City to do this. Both the LIRA and IDC supported the
subcommittee recornmetldation. The Cowicil is being asked to authori?e preparation of a
p~trcl~ase agreement for 1 14-120 acres of the Otter Crock C:rossitlg property. 'There was
suggestions for cliscussion of terms and conditions. Roger C"arlson asked when the Otter Creek
Crossing developer made his ol`fer to the City. 'L~hc offer was made in September and will
expire on November 15, ?003.
Bruce Thielen stated he has sotxte concerns about making this purchase now because the City
leas other major projects to consider like the CSAI l 18 interchange, tlae relocation of the
redi-mix plant and the library expansion. Bruce Thielen stated his personal preference would
be to continue negotiations until such time as the City has better cost information on the CSAH
18 and rcdi-mix plant relocation. He sttggcstcd that City see if the seller will extetlci his offer
until the first oi`year. Roger Carlson stated that while there is some question whether the City
should. be in the real estate business, he doesn't believe an industrial park will happen unless
the City gets involved. Brian Stumpf felt that they should request that the offer be extended
until February 1, ?004 io give the City adequate time to get attswcrs on project costs Ior the
projects noted.
E3RlAN S"I"[JMI'F MOVED TO TA13[,I-~ 'l'[ IIS ITEM t1NT.IL TIIF h'IRST MEETING IN
FEBRUARY TO AL,[~OW THE CITY TIME "1'O GE"l, COST INFORMA'I~ION FOR CSAI-I 18
W`L'ERC'I IANGE AND THE REDI-MIX NLANT RELOCA~I'lON AND TO ALLOW FOR
CONTINUING NF,GOTIATIONS ON "I'I Ih C:HADWICK PROPI~;RTY Bt1T NOT TO
h;X'l F.ND A I'i1RCHASE AGREEMI:~.N'1' AND TO ASK ~THI~, DEVELOPER TO EXTEND
HIS OFFER ON THE SALE OH' 'I'I-IF, PROPERTY. KOL3F3IE SMITH SECONDED TI III
MOTION. MOTION CAKKIh;I7 [JNANIMOtISLY.
Bruce Thielen suggested holding another workshop on tlae land acquisition prior to the first
meeting in February.
Cotu~ci I Minutes - 1 I / 10/03
$. ('onsideration of a re uest from the Monticello Youth Ilocke Association for financial
assistance in funding for a hockey rink.
Rick Wollsteller gave a brief summary of what was being proposed by the Monticello Youth
1 lockcy Association. Representatives from the Hockey Association spoke to the Council
regarding their proposal. Steve Hammer thanked the Council for their previous offer to donate
land to the association and then submitted a letter to the Mayor releasing the City fi-orn the
obligation of the land donation. Since the original proposal the MYHr1 has looked at various
options in order to build an arena for the Icast amount of cost. The plan. they came ttp with is to
work with the school district. The school district has been very cooperative thus tar and the
hockey association is working on the language for the lease. The plan is to have the school
operate the area. "Phis plan is less costly since the hockey association does not have to provide
parking or locker room facilities. The plan is to have the school operate the arena. 'The school
will lease the land, the association will build ille building and the school will operate the
facility. Their cost. estimate is based on the cost to build a facility similar to one built in Sartell
Whrch Was abOtlt $2,400,000. The lease would support a loan of $1,500,000. There are
$300,000 in committed Funds and with the loan funds they would need $650,000 of additional
funding to complete the construction. They would hke to tinish construction so the facility
could be used next year. Tl1is means construction would need to start its April. ~I'hc school
district has an approval process that. would take about three months. The MYHA needs to
complete financing by .fanuary 1, 2004. The MYHA is regttesting that the City commit to
providing $50,000 a year for 10 years as a minimum and if possible up to $75,000 a year. 'l~hey
arc also asking that City use its tax exempt status to have a bond issued for the facility. The
City would not be obligated trrlder the bond issue but it would. allow the MYI IA to get a lower
interest rate. Steve I lammcr also requested the City to look at waiving the Sr1C, WAC,
building and other fees.
Brian Sturnpl`asked about financial documents to support their funding request. (tick
Wolfstcllcr stated that there was rio financial document accompanying the MYl-lA's request for
ftrnding. He noted that the current proposal with a lower' arena cost was requesting snore
financial commitment ilian the earlier request. Rick Wollsieller felt there was a need to
provide full financial disclosure. The hockey association stated that $1,000,000 is needed to
fund the cash flow for operating the arena. 'I'hc school district will be handling all income and
expenses and would realize a small profit in the operation of the arena.. Having the school
operate the facility provides some cost savings in the area oI`liability insurance. The lease
payment would be applied directly to the loan.
Bruce Thielen stated when the City first began discussion with the hockey association the land
was offered because the way state statute is written it did trot allow a cash donation. He
questioned whether the City could make a donation like that. Joel .lamnik, legal counsel,
indicated tlaat City could not do that. Options to a cash contribution were discussed. Brian
Stumpf stated he was opposed to the City being a partner in this ventttrc rioting the city has a
number of projects to fired such as the CSAI 11$ interchange and the library expansion. Fle
questioned whether the City could commit to $50,000/year for 10 years. Glen l'osusta asked
. about waiving, of the fees or using $_50,000 to purchase ice time. Bruce Thielen suggested that
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Cottncil Minutes - 11/10/03
• Ricl< Wolfsteller and a number of council representatives discuss the various options with the
hockey association.
Robbie Smith asked if the operation of the arena turns into a losing proposition and the school
is responsible, how are the losses handled. Would it go back on the school levies. The hockey
association did riot feel this would happen and cited the growth in other area arenas. Robbie
Smith stated that while he would like to see an arena in the community, he would like more
financial information on this. Cilen Posusta stated that he is not a lnembel' of the hockey
association but he has heard this term "losing proposition" for a number of years and he
believes it is a red herring. I Ie felt the City should whatever tlacy could to help out. A
cornrnittee of Rick Wolfsteller, Glen Posusta and Roger Carlson will work. with the MYI IA and
the school on the arena issues.
BRIAN STLJMPF MUVED'TU IIAVh GLEN POSUSTA, ROGh;R CARLSON AND RICK
WOLFS"TELLER BE TTIE COMMITTEE TU W(.)RK WITH MYHA UN UP'I~IONS l~'OR
FUNDING AND BRING l'T [3AC;K'I"O THE COUNCIL A"l' "I'III-; I~IRST MEETING IN
DECEMBER. GLEN POSt1STA SECUNI)EU 'I~HE MOTION. MUTIUN CARR[1i;[)
CINANIMOl1SLY.
Added Items:
Air Cmm~rc~ssor -Rick Wolfsteller reported this item was on the agenda at the request of the fire chief.
The present air compressor was purchased in 1991 Ior about $870() and is no longer working properly.
"To repair it would cost about $8100. Anew compressor with a contalmnent area, which USI IA
requires, is about $14,000. Since this was a larger cost item and had not been budgeted for, he wanted
to bring it before the Council. The Lire chief was also going to let the township representatives know
of the proposal.
BRIAN S't'I1Mi'F MOVED TO APPROVE TI-Il:~: Pl1RCI-IASE OF A NEW COMPRESSOR FOR
THE FIRE DEPAR"I`MEN'I' A"I' AN [i;S'I'IMATED OUST OF $14,000. ROGER CARLSUN
S[;CUN[)T?I) `hI I1r MO`T'ION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOiJSLY.
Water Tower -Brian Stumpf commented on the paint flaking off the water tower which. had been
painted fiive years ago. Bret Weiss stated that the tower was going to used only where the other towers
were being cleaned and he was not sure if it was still being used at all.
Cedar Street - Glen Posusta asked when the second lift of blacktop would be placed. Bret Weiss
replied it would be laid next spring. Glen Posusta asked about the manholes and how that would
impact snowplowing. Bret Weiss indicated the rnarlholes wotrld be lowered before the snow season.
Glen Posusta also asked about clean up of the construction debris. Bret Weiss will check into this.
We//.r Fargo -Glen Posusta asked why the cotaditional Lrse permit was not on the agenda.. .1e1`I` O'Neill
indicated that it was becattse Steve Cirittman, the city planner could not be present at this meeting.
Glen Posusta also asked about the no parking sign placed on the city property adjacent to the Wells
Fargo site. Rick Wolfsteller stated the site is not an improved parking lot and the Clly left 11 5110LIIdIl~t
Council Minutes - 11/10/03
be used for parki-~g unless it was improved. I-le added that the city is looking at construction of a
parking lot in the spring. Glen Yosusta said without that parking area, Sunny mesh employees were
utilising the Wells h'argo lot for parking.
Stop Sig~t.s ort Walnut -Bret Weiss stated the traffic engineer is working on this and the report should
he ready for the next meeting.
RuffAuto - Jelf O'Neill stated that Randy Rull~has gotten some tinanciizg to cover the cost of clean up
in the area but the City is still waiting on that. Ruff is allowing his property to he used for material a
co~Itractor has removed from a project. It was pointed that this arrangement was made between Mr.
Ruff and the contractor and the C"ity was not involved in the decision. Stall will check into this.
9. Senator Mark Ourada and .Representative Bruce Anderson
Kepresentativc Bruce Anderson. and Senator Mark Ourada arrived at the meeting shortly ai'ter 8
p.in. ~.lnd discussed a number of issues that came up in the last legislative session and also
discussed what they feel would be key topics in the upcoming session.
10. Annrove payment of bills for November.
ROBBIE SMITH MUVED TU APYROVh, PAYMI~:N'f OF BILLS. RUDER CARLSON
• SF.CONUpU'1'H1/ MO"PION. MO'1,ION CARRIED t1NAN1MOLISLY.
I1. Adjourn
ROBB11/ SMITH MOVED TO ADJOLIRN AT 8:55 P.M. RU<TI~R CARLSON SECONUh'U
"1'HE MU"PION. MO'I'lON C'ARRiF,D iJNANIMOiJSLY.
)(mod. a ~ ~_~.t~5 ~~~_.~
Recording Secretary
•
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