City Council Minutes 02-08-1993MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, February 8, 1993 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle, Patty Olsen, Ken
Maus
Members Absent: None
2. Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting held January 25,
1993.
Clint Herbst requested that item #7 be corrected to show that he voted in
opposition to the motion.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Brad Fyle to approve the meeting minutes as corrected. Motion carried
unanimously.
3. Citizens comments/petition, requests, and complaints.
None forthcoming.
4. Consideration of a resolution accepting feasibility report and ordering plans
and specifications --Cardinal Hills subdivision, phase III.
City Engineer, Bret Weiss, reviewed the design of the streets, sewer, storm
sewer, and water systems associated with phase III of the Cardinal Hills
subdivision. Weiss provided an estimated total cost of the improvements in the
amount of $721,300.
Ken Maus noted that property lines will be extending into pond areas. He
wondered who's responsible for maintaining storm water pond areas.
Weiss responded by saying that property owners are responsible for
maintaining areas adjacent to the pond. The pond easement provides the City
with the right to enter the pond area to clean it in order to maintain the pond's
function as a basin for storm water retention.
The design of the proposed walkway at mid -block connecting School Boulevard
to the two east/west interior roadways was reviewed. Ken Maus noted that the
proposed walkway will be extended between two pond areas. He stated that
the plan may need to include installation of a railing along that portion of the
path that crosses the storm water pond areas. It was the consensus of Council
to delay development of the paved surface until completion of future phases;
however, in the interim, the walkways should be graded in anticipation of
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future paving and be clearly marked with signs indicating the presence of the
walkway with the goal of identifying the walkway area to all future home
owners in the area. Staff also noted that for lots directly adjacent to the trail,
the developer has agreed to locate garages on the side next to the trail.
Council discussed the potential design of the proposed sidewalk/walkway along
the north side of School Boulevard. It was the consensus to leave this item in
the plan documentation with the possibility of deleting the sidewalk from the
project if a source of financing and a plan for maintenance is not identified.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Clint
Herbst to accept the feasibility report ordering plans and specifications for
Project 93-02C, phase III of the Cardinal Hills residential subdivision, with one
exception. Staff is directed to research further the potential design of the
walkway areas to determine whether or not the plan should be modified to
show a 5 -ft concrete surface rather than the 8 -ft wide bituminous surface as
proposed in the feasibility study. Motion carried unanimously.
SEE RESOLUTION 93-2.
5. Consideration of issuing a non -intoxicating malt liquor license --Little Mountain
Rillinnio,
Rick Wolfsteller reported that at the previous meeting, the City Council tabled
action to grant a 3.2 beer license in order to obtain more information
concerning definitions of restaurants.
Wolfsteller noted that based on state statute license restrictions, it appears
that we have only two choices, and that is to either call the facility a
restaurant or call it a beer tavern. Under either scenerio, the City could
possibly open up itself to other establishments requesting on -sale licenses that
aren't normally contained in this definition. Wolfsteller noted that statutes are
very specific as to the types of businesses that can have licenses, and the City
can make its own definition of what a restaurant is but should be aware of the
ramifications of a liberal interpretation.
It was the consensus of Council that the nominal dining facilities provided at
the billiard hall were not sufficient to qualify the business as a restaurant.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley
Anderson to deny the 3.2 license based on the finding that the billiards
establishment does not qualify under the present ordinance as either a
restaurant or beer tavern and is thus not eligible for a license. Motion carried
unanimously.
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6. Consideration of approving a resolution adopting the 1993 Economic
Development Work Plan and IDC Budget.
Economic Development Director, 011ie Koropchak, reviewed the development
work plan and IDC budget with Council.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Patty Olsen to adopt the resolution as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
SEE RESOLUTION 93-3.
7. Consideration to review and accept the Economic Development Authority's
(EDA) Year-end Statements and 1993 Budget.
011ie Koropchak reviewed the Economic Development Authority/Greater
Monticello Enterprise Fund Balance Sheet.
Shirley Anderson asked if the EDA's Balance Sheet is audited. Rick
Wolfsteller noted that the CPA firm that does the City's audit also audit's the
ERA's Balance Sheet.
Ken Maus noted that the budget calls for an appropriation of $200,000 for
loans in conjunction with the Greater Monticello Enterprise Fund. He stated
his concern regarding utilization of these funds for projects that might
otherwise be completed without loan assistance through this fund. He was
concerned that available funds should be reserved for projects that truly need
gap financing. He also noted that the appropriation of $200,000 is on paper
only and that the past primary source of loan funds (liquor fund) may not have
assets sufficient to cover the projected appropriation. He noted that at some
point we need to aggressively look at other funding alternatives.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Brad Fyle to accept the EDA Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenues,
Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balance, 1993 Cash Flow Projections, and
Annual Activity Report as presented with the understanding that the $200,000
proposed appropriation for 1993 is pending subject to the availability of funds.
Motion carried unanimously.
8. Consideration to review Suburban Machine & Manufacturing (SMM) and
Aroplax project costs and subsequent Housing and Redevelopment Authority
action and consider granting authorization to assume costs with the Economic
Recovery Grant packaging.
011ie Koropchak reviewed costs associated with organizing the financing
program associated with both the Suburban Machine & Manufacturing project
and the Aroplax project. In her review of the loan packaging and
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administrative expenses relating to the projects, she noted that $4,125 and
$9,185 respectively was not eligible for financing via the tax increment revenue
created by the projects. She indicated that the Housing and Redevelopment
Authority will be using available revenue generated by other TIF districts to
fund this expense.
Koropchak noted that the expenses exceeded TIF revenue to a large extent
because the HRA provided the businesses with expertise from Business
Development Services to assist them with preparation of materials associated
with obtaining loans from other sources. She went on to state that the HRA
has established a new policy which requires that individual businesses
benefiting from the loan packaging services provided by BDS are now
responsible for paying the cost of services provided by BDS.
Koropchak stated that Mr. Pelstring requested the City continue to be
responsible for assuming the cost associated with applying for funds through
the State Recovery Grant. Application expenses incurred under this program
could be paid by the City because it provides a direct benefit to the City.
Under the State Recovery Grant Program, the State provides the cash for the
loan; however, the loan payback is retained by the City.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Clint
Herbst to authorize the City of Monticello to assume the costs associated with
applying for State -approved Economic Recovery Grant Funds on behalf of
prospective industries locating in Monticello. Motion carried unanimously.
9. Consideration of a change in Job description for Water/Sewer Collection
Operator and policy regarding response to an emergency.
John Simola reported that while reviewing the job description for the
Water/Sewer Collection Operator, it was noted that the requirement of any
experience in sewer collection was not included in the job description. Simola,
therefore, requested that the job description be updated accordingly.
Simola also noted that when the previous employee for this position was hired,
it was suggested that the 10 -minute response time requirement be modified to
include the requirement that the individual live within a 10 -mile radius of his
reporting station, which is the public works office at 909 Golf Course Road.
This formal policy has never been updated; therefore, Simola requested that
Council consider doing so at this time.
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After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley
Anderson to add the requirement of "experience in sanitary sewer/wastewater
collection" to the job description for Water/Sewer Collection Operator and to
change the existing policy requiring a 10 -minute response time to the
requirement that the employee live within a 10 -mile driving distance of the
office at 909 Golf Course Road. Motion carried unanimously.
10. Consideration of 6th Annual Junk Amnesty Day, May 1, 1993.
John Simola reported that last year Junk Amnesty Day was held on May 2 and
proved to be one of the biggest years based upon the amount of materials
brought in. He went on to state that based upon last year's program, we need
to make some improvements in traffic control. Last year users backed up onto
Highway 25. When they were rerouted to Sandberg Road, there appeared to
be plenty of stacking room; however, some individuals lost their place in line
during the move. In addition, we need to streamline the process of unloading
household goods, scrap iron, and mattresses. The improvements will include
the use of one-half of Sandberg Road to form two staging lines for entering the
commuter parking lot. This should reduce the length of the line on the public
right-of-ways. Additional signage will also be included to help direct traffic.
Once in the lot, a second line should shorten unloading time.
Simola noted that the date is set for May 1, 1993. The time will be 8 a.m. to
3 p.m. Anyone entering the line by 3 p.m. will be allowed to use the service.
Simola outlined other program modifications. Previously, demolition material
has not been allowed to be deposited but was received in mixed loads. It is
proposed to change the plan to allow deposit of demolition material; however,
there will be a fee for deposit of this material in an amount equal to the
disposal cost. The City will also be adding residential fluorescent light bulb
disposal to Junk Amnesty Day for a fee, and commercial fluorescent disposal
on April 30 for a fee at the public works facility. Finally, antifreeze will no
longer be accepted.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Brad Fyle to authorize City staff to hold the 6th Annual Junk Amnesty Day
on May 1, 1993, based upon the plan submitted by City staff but to add a fine
of $100 on individuals disposing of materials not originating in the city of
Monticello. Motion carried unanimously.
11. Consideration of modifying the mileage reimbursement for employees.
Rick Wolfsteller reported that currently City employees who are required to
use their own vehicle for transportation purposes to conduct City business are
reimbursed at the rate of $.25 per mile. This rate was established in 1982 and
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since that time has not been increased to reflect higher car operating costs.
Wolfsteller noted that currently the IRS allows $.28 per mile as the standard
deduction amount for income tax purposes, and it is suggested that the City
increase the mileage allowance for employees to the same rate as the IRS
allows annually.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley
Anderson to increase the mileage allowance for employees from $.25 per mile
to $.28 per mile to correspond with the IRS allowance. Motion carried
unanimously.
12. Other matters.
A. Assistant Administrator O'Neill requested that the Council consider
rescheduling the special meeting to review the status of computer
system development.
It was the consensus of Council to conduct a special meeting on
March 3, 1993, at 4:45 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Jeff O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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