Loading...
City Council Minutes 03-08-1993MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL Monday, March S, 1993 - 7 p.m. Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brad Fyle, Patty Olsen Members Absent: None 2. Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting held February 221 1993. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Patty Olsen to approve the meeting minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints. A. Judy Leming, representing Vaughn Veit, requested that the City grant permission to allow burning of tree limbs and dead trees proposed for removal from the property directly east of the 6th Street Annex. Leming noted that due to the density of the foliage in the area, it provides cover for vandals. She stated that a number of fires have been started in the area, and she noted her concern regarding safety of tenants and customers using back door entrances to the 6th Street Annex. Leming submitted signatures from residents and property owners residing near the proposed burn site. Leming indicated that she is working on obtaining permission from Cedar Crest Apartments. Ken Maus asked if actual trees would be removed or just underbrush. Leming responded by saying that the work will be limited to thinning of the trees and removal of dead trees. Rick Wolfsteller reminded Council that the city ordinance does not allow burning within 650 feet of residential property. There is no section within the ordinance that provides the ability of the City Council to waive this requirement. He noted that the City could be liable if something went wrong. Leming responded by saying that Vaughn Veit will sign an agreement saying he will take full responsibility for any property damage that might result from smoke or fire. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Clint Herbst to grant permission to conduct a limited burn of underbrush and dead trees as proposed by Judy Leming contingent on the following: Page 1 Council Minutes - 3/8/93 1. Preparation of a signed statement from Vaughn Veit indicating that he will take full responsibility for paying any damages associated with the burn. 2. Approval by the fire Chief of the manner and timing of the burn. 3. No site grading allowed due to concerns regarding potential erosion. Motion carried unanimously. B. Terry Sievers, representing Hillside Apartments, requested that the City Council consider installing an additional street light at mid -block on Cedar Street. She noted that snowmobiles often use this boulevard; and due to poor visibility, she is concerned that a child may be struck. City staff was authorized to review the situation and report back to Council accordingly. 4. Consideration of approval of the preliminary plat of the Oak Ridge residential subdivision. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed the plat design, which called for development of 80 lots in two phases, the first phase consisting of 62 lots and the second phase 18 lots. The original planned unit development for the area called for development of approximately 160 lots in the same area. O'Neill went on to review the preliminary plat and focused specifically on discussion of the options for ownership of a 12 -acre outlot. The outlot consists of a combination of wetland, storm water detention area, and usable park space. O'Neill stated that both the Parks Commission and Planning Commission agreed that the outlot is a natural amenity that should be preserved for public use as a low -maintenance nature area. Under this alternative, public facilities would consist of a simple woodchip trail system with no mowing of native grasses in the area. He went on to state that the Parks Commission felt strongly that the area should remain accessible for the public to enjoy given the strong support for hiking and biking facilities noted in the community survey. O'Neill went on to outline the other option for ownership of Outlot A, which would require that the property stay in the hands of adjoining property owners. Under this alternative, the property owners are responsible for maintenance of the outlot. If storage of public nuisance items occurs on the outlot, the City can remove the material and assess the cost back to the property owners. Page 2 Council Minutes - 3/8/93 Clint Herbst believed that the area should remain accessible to the public and maintained as a low -maintenance nature area. Brad Fyle was concerned that the local residents that ultimately live adjacent to the outlot will request a higher level of maintenance of the outlot. The City may end up having to mow the property. O'Neill responded by saying that the development agreement will require that a document be recorded against each lot that identifies the outlot as a low -maintenance nature area, thereby providing this information to area residents prior to purchase and development of individual lots adjacent to the outlot. Fyle was also concerned that the development could potentially impact ditch 33, which could be a problem for downstream property owners. City Engineer, Bret Weiss, indicated that the developer has been directed to develop a storm water plan that will maintain the existing level of run-off from the site into ditch 33. Specific plans and associated storm water run-off calculations have not been prepared by the developer at this time; however, they must be prepared and reviewed by the City and the County Engineer prior to final plat approval. After discussion, a motion was made by Patty Olsen and seconded by Clint Herbst to approve the preliminary plat of the Oak Ridge subdivision as submitted and grant preliminary approval of the wetland mitigation plan, with final plat approval contingent on the following: 1. Plat should be modified by changing the name Meadow Oak Drive to Oak Ridge Drive. 2. Approval of development plan and utility construction design by City Engineer. 3. Adoption of development agreement and developer providing associated financial guarantees. 4. Approval of wetland mitigation plan by Army Corps of Engineers. 5. Final approval of wetland mitigation plan by the City of Monticello. 6. Approval of plat and associated construction plans by the County Engineer. 7. City Council approval of request to rezone property from planned unit development to R-1. Page 3 Council Minutes - 3/8/93 8. Preparation of a document recorded against each lot along Outlot A stating that Outlot A will be maintained in its natural state and will not be mowed by the City. Voting in favor of the motion: Patty Olsen, Clint Herbst, Shirley Anderson, Ken Maus. Opposed: Brad Fyle. Fyle indicated that he supports development of the plat as proposed except for the inclusion of Outlot A being owned and maintained by the City. 5. Consideration of a resolution accepting plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids, phase III of Cardinal Hills, and call for a public hearing on improvement proiect. After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Shirley Anderson to adopt a resolution approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for Project 93-02C, Cardinal Hills, phase III. Motion carried unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 93-7. 6. Consideration of financing alternatives for phase III improvement proiect, Cardinal Hills. City Administrator, Rick Wolfsteller, noted that normally when the City is involved in constructing sewer, water, and street improvements such as those proposed for Cardinal Hills, the City will issue general obligation improvement bonds to finance the up -front costs of the project. Typically, the bonds will range in length from 7 to 15 years depending on the type of assessment roll we are considering. The developers of Cardinal Hills have requested that the Council consider funding phase III of their subdivision plat internally rather than selling a bond because of the developers' past history in being able to repay assessments within a year of the projects being completed. The advantage for the City and the developers in having the City finance the improvement project internally is that there is a savings of $10,000 to $15,000 in bond issuance cost that is passed on to the project cost. Assuming the City has the money to finance the project internally ($550,000), the City benefits by charging an interest rate that would be comparable to a bond sale rate that would also likely be higher than what the City could invest the same amount for. The disadvantage for the City would be a potential cash-flow problem in not having funds readily available within the 2 -year time frame to pay for other potential improvement projects that could potentially arise. Wolfsteller noted that in reviewing phase I and phase II of Cardinal Hills development, Value Plus has been able to repay projected assessments in a very rapid manner, usually within a year of the phase being constructed. Wolfsteller went on to state that the City does have the ability to finance the $550,000 cost internally. If the trend in housing construction continues as it Page 4 Council Minutes - 3/8/93 has in the first two phases, the City would probably be repaid in 1 to 1 1/2 years; however, past history is no guarantee that demand will be there for future phases, and there is some risk in financing it internally. We have not usually financed a project of this magnitude internally; and if the economy did slow down, we may have to wait a lot longer to recapture our investment. However, even if this did happen, it would not materially affect our cash-flow. Brad Fyle was concerned that funding the project internally puts the City out on a limb, and there is no guarantee that housing development in the area will continue at the pace it has shown in the past two years. He was also concerned that funding the project internally would reduce useable reserves and reduce our ability to fund city-wide projects without issuing bonds. Clint Herbst echoed Fyle's concern regarding cash flow. He indicated that he would be more comfortable if the dollar amount was closer to the $200,000 range. Ken Maus stated that it makes sense to consider this proposal because the City can get a better return on its investment by funding the project than it can by purchasing certificates of deposit. After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Shirley Anderson to continue the past practice of financing improvement projects through the sale of general obligation improvement bonds. Voting in favor: Clint Herbst, Shirley Anderson, Brad Fyle. Opposed: Ken Maus, Patty Olsen. 7. Consideration of reviewing year-end liquor store financial report. Council reviewed the report. No action taken. 8. Consideration of annual computer hardware maintenance agreement. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed the quotes obtained from various vendors that provide computer hardware maintenance and recommended that the City Council approve renewal of an annual maintenance agreement for computer hardware with Computer Parts and Service at a cost of $2,870, which is within the budget amount. After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Brad Fyle to approve renewal of the annual maintenance agreement for computer hardware with Computer Parts and Service at a cost not to exceed $2,870. Motion carried unanimously. Page 5 Council Minutes - 3/8/93 9. Consideration of granting seasonal 3.2 beer license to the Monticello Softball Association. Rick Wolfsteller reported that at the previous Council meeting no action was taken on renewing the Softball Association's beer license for the NSP ball park facility, as they had not yet reimbursed the City for all the required fees for 1992. The City Council went on to review the Monticello Men's Slow Pitch income report, which showed a net loss of $1,827. Ken Maus stated that adjustments to the manner of operation could and should be made to the concession operation to improve the balance sheet. The Association debts should be current, or the City will need to consider other alternatives for operating concessions at the ballfield. Clint Herbst suggested that a payment schedule be established which would require that the Association pay the beer license on an incremental basis. He also noted that revenue from team registration is due in mid-May; therefore, it might make sense to require that the 1993 license be contingent on payment of the 1992 balance by May 15, 1993. After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Clint Herbst to grant the 3.2 beer license to the Monticello Men's Softball Association contingent upon receipt of necessary insurance documents and contingent on payment of 1992 balance of $1,500 by May 15, 1993. Motion carried unanimously. 10. Consideration of appointing new employee for water/wastewater collection position. John Simola reported that the City received 50 applications for the position of Water/Sewer Collection System Operator. The selection committee consisted of the City Administrator, Public Works Director, and Water/Sewer Collection System Superintendent. The group had selected six candidates for interview. As a result of the selection process, City staff is recommending that John Middendorf be appointed to the position. Middendorf is a graduate of St. Cloud Technical College and is currently a supervisor for the City of Clarkfield Public Works Department. A motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Shirley Anderson to appoint John Middendorf to the position of Water/Wastewater Collection System Operator. Motion carried unanimously. Page 6 Council Minutes - 3/8/93 11. Consideration of re -design of park building for West Bridge Park. John Simola reported that the City of Monticello took bids on the original park building design by TKDA and reviewed bids with the City Council on May 11, 1992. The best bid was in the amount of $78,000, which was $26,000 over budget. At that time, it was the consensus of Council to work with the architect to modify the design of the building to cut costs further and look at the potential of utilizing public works employees to assist in construction of the facility. John Simola reviewed two basic alternatives for moving forward on the project. One alternative would be to re -design the building at an estimated cost of $2,560 to bring the building in line with our $52,000 budget and then re -bid the project as a whole for a summer construction project. The other alternative would be to re -design the building but have the City be the general contractor on the project with the possibility of the City crew doing a portion of the work such as concrete flat work and interior paneling installation. Council went on to review the alternatives and discussed the need for the facility. It was the consensus of the Council that the need for the facility as a warming house for ice skating is limited; however, the facility serves also as a warming house for the East Bridge sliding area, and it serves as a shelter for summertime uses. It was, therefore, concluded that the project should be completed. After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Shirley Anderson to authorize City staff to re -design the warming house as proposed in compliance with applicable building code and direct City staff to be the general contractor on the project and authorize City staff to participate in the construction process where appropriate. Motion carried unanimously. 12. Other matters. A. Assistant Administrator O'Neill provided Council with an update on City staff efforts to obtain state and federal funds now available to finance bridge/freeway approach ramps and bikeway projects. Staff will be preparing applications for development of a partial interchange at the intersection of I-94 and County Road 118 and will be preparing an application for funds to assist in financing construction of Fallon Avenue overpass. In addition, a preliminary application for funds to assist in financing bikeway/walkway development will also be prepared. B. 011ie Koropchak reported that the HRA has been making progress on its goal of facilitating development of a subsidized or market rate congregate or assisted living senior housing project. She noted that she will keep Council informed of developments as they occur. Page 7 Council Minutes - 3/8/93 C. Ken Maus observed that the City should consider acting to reduce speed or widen Fallon Avenue at some point in the near future. He requested that City staff contact the Township to explore options for upgrading Fallon Avenue between Chelsea Road and the Cardinal Hills development area. There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned. rte, Jeff U&erifll Assistant Administrator Page 8