CIty Council Minutes 10-26-1992MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, October 26, 1992 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Dan Blonigen
Members Absent: Brad Fyle
2. Approval of minutes.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and seconded by Shirley
Anderson to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held October 13, 1992,
as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
John Belinski was present to discuss his concerns with the City Council. He
noted that he has been a resident for one year and has been happy with city
services until a recent experience with the Wright County Sheriff's
Department. Belinski did not detail specifics of the experience. Belinski
requested that the City Council conduct a city survey that would address
concerns that he and his neighbors have regarding city service and operation
in the areas of city administration, retail commercial development, recreation
facilities, and capital improvement financing.
4. Public hearing on proposed assessment roll for delinquent charges and
consideration of a resolution adopting an assessment roll for the certification
with the County Auditor covering delinquent charges.
City Administrator Wolfsteller requested that Council adopt an assessment roll
for accounts which are delinquent (amount is over 60 days past due) on the
assessment roll to be certified to the County Auditor for collection the following
year with real estate taxes. Wolfsteller noted that Minnesota Statutes allow
for special assessments to be collected for various types of current services that
are delinquent. Those people whose accounts are delinquent have been
notified of the public hearing tonight and are given an opportunity to present
input if they so desire.
Ken Maus opened the public hearing.
Tom Rowan of 2800 Meadow Lane noted. that he is being asked to pay
delinquent charges that were accumulated by the previous owner. He noted
that he checked with the City to determine if there were any outstanding
assessments against the property and that the report was that there were
none. It was his view that these charges should be paid by the City.
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Charles Bartel submitted a complaint similar to the Rowan complaint.
Wolfsteller noted that Rowan and Bartel may not have been aware of the
outstanding bill because the bill may have become delinquent after the special
assessment search was done. If this is the case, it does not change the status
of the delinquent bills. They remain delinquent and, according to City policy,
should be included in the assessment roll for delinquent charges.
There being no further comments from the public, the public hearing was
closed.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan
Blonigen to adopt the assessment roll for delinquent charges as presented with
the exception that the Rowan and Bartel charges could be modified pending
additional research by City staff with regard to the nature of the delinquent
bill. SEE RESOLUTION 92-29.
Consideration of awarding the 1993-1994 transportation service contract.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that the bidding process for the
transportation service contract to operate the Monticello Heartland Express
has been completed. O'Neill requested the Council review the bid submitted
and consider making an award.
O'Neill reported that Hoglund Coach Lines provided the lowest bid for both
1993 and 1994 at $21.35 and $22 respectively. The other bid was submitted
by Mark -Daniel Enterprise of Duluth. This company proposed a 1993 hourly
rate of $22.23 and a 1994 hourly rate of $22.98.
O'Neill went on to note that Hoglund Coach Lines had submitted an alternate
bid which would call for utilizing the existing bus. Since this alternative was
not described in the bid specification, the City cannot legally accept this
proposal.
O'Neill went on to recommend that Council award the bid to Hoglund Coach
Lines. Under this alternative, the cost to operate the system per hour will
increase $.45 in 1993.
Clint Herbst noted that the marketing plan prepared by the Transportation
Advisory Committee shows that the group has their act together.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan
Blonigen to award the transportation service contract to Hoglund Coach Lines
in 1993 and 1994 at $21.35 and $22 respectively. Motion carried unanimously.
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6. Consideration of a request by the fire department for reimbursement of Fire
Relief Association audit fees.
Wolfsteller reported that annually the Monticello Fire Relief Association is
required by state statutes to prepare a financial report on the assets and
liabilities of the local fire relief association. Relief associations with assets or
liabilities exceeding $200,000 are required by statute to have this report
prepared by a certified public accountant. The audited financial report has
been prepared by the City Auditors, Gruys, Borden, Carlson & Associates.
Wolfsteller requested that the Council consider whether or not the City Council
is obligated to cover the cost of the audit report or whether the relief
association should be responsible for these incidental costs associated with
their retirement plan. The cost of the audit report is $700.
Clint Herbst asked if we could take the cost of the audit report out of the
existing fire department budget. Ken Maus noted that the fire department
budget is lean, and there are no funds available to pay for this expense.
Dan Blonigen mentioned that he is not in favor of granting even a small
amount toward the payment of the audit of the pension fund. This is an
administrative cost that each pension fund should bear. It should not be paid
via general taxes.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and seconded by Clint
Herbst to determine that the audit report is the responsibility of the relief
association and should be covered by the fund's assets. Motion carried
unanimously.
7. Consideration of bills for the month of October.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by
Clint Herbst to approve the bills as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
8. Other matters.
A. City Council discussed issues presented at the beginning of the meeting
by Tom Belinski. Ken Maus asked City staff if the City has ever been
contacted by Walmart, Target, or a major grocery store chain regarding
possible expansion into Monticello.
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Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that City staff has never been
contacted regarding expansion by any of these major retail companies
regarding expansion into Monticello. He stated that from time to time,
real estate agents will request information from the City regarding
potential development of various commercial sites. City staff has always
worked hard at providing information to the real estate agents so as to
enable them to adequately market their property.
Shirley Anderson noted that people don't seem to understand that retail
outlets will locate in Monticello when the demographics and associated
market demand justify it. The City can do very little to actually
encourage or discourage retail development.
Wolfsteller was directed to respond to Belinski as soon as possible.
B. Economic Development Director, 011ie Koropchak, requested that
Council consider declaring November 29 to December 3 as
Manufacturing Week in the city of Monticello. Koropchak's request is
in conjunction with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's effort to
heighten the awareness and importance of manufacturing jobs in
Minnesota to the general public and elected officials.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by
Shirley Anderson to declare November 29 through December 3 as
Manufacturing Week in Monticello. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that the Parks Commission is
preparing a comprehensive park plan in conjunction with the survey
recently completed. Parks Commission requested that a member of the
Council work with the committee in development of the plan.
After discussion, Shirley Anderson volunteered. She noted, however,
that she would withdraw from volunteering if Councilmember Fyle
indicates that he is interested in serving on the Parks Commission.
D. At this point in the meeting, Council closed the meeting to the public to
discuss City strategy with regards to the Wolf vs. City of Monticello
lawsuit. After completion of the closed session, Council opened the
meeting to the public.
A motion was made by Dan Blonigen and seconded by Clint Herbst to
accept the Court ruling based upon the advice from legal counsel that
the chances of winning on an appeal are remote and authorize City staff
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Council Minutes - 10/26/92
and the City Attorney to pursue development of amendments to the
adult use licensing ordinance that would cause it to be consistent with
the findings of the Court. Voting in favor: Ken Maus, Dan Blonigen,
Clint Herbst. Opposed: Shirley Anderson.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Jeff `014eill
Assistant Administrator
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