City Council Minutes 11-09-1992MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, November 9, 1992 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Dan Blonigen, Brad
Fyle
Members Absent: None
2. Approval of minutes.
Shirley Anderson requested that the minutes of the meeting held October 26,
1992, be corrected to show that she voted against agenda item D.
There being no further corrections, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson
and seconded by Dan Blonigen to accept the meeting minutes as corrected.
Voting in favor: Ken Maus, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Dan Blonigen.
Abstaining: Brad Fyle.
3. Citizens comments/petitions, requests, and complaints.
Candy Benoit, President of the Monticello Chamber of Commerce, and
Executive Director, Cyndie Johnson, requested that Council consider
authorizing City staff to assist with the preparations for the Home for the
Holidays celebration planned for December 4, 5, and 6. Specifically, the
Chamber representatives requested assistance with placing a Christmas tree
planting and stringing the lights for a Christmas tree to be located in East
Bridge Park. It was also requested that City staff help with installing a
Christmas tree on the Chamber of Commerce grounds at the corner of
Highway 25 and Broadway.
After discussion, it was the consensus of Council to authorize City staff to
assist with the Home for Holidays promotion as requested.
4. Consideration of approving addendum to 1993 law enforcement contract.
Rick Wolfsteller requested that Council formally update the police contract for
1993 to match the recent approval of 24-hour police coverage. Wolfsteller
stated that as part of the 1993 preliminary budget, funds were included to
cover the increased cost of this action. The current law enforcement contract
we entered into with Wright County last year was for 2 years ending
December 31, 1993. As a result, the Council should approve an addendum to
the law enforcement contract for this increased coverage. The total expected
contracting fee for 1993 would be $261,516.
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Dan Blonigen noted that he was not convinced that the City needs a patrol car
on hand 24 hours a day, and the increased coverage during morning hours is
not quite necessary. Clint Herbst agreed that the demand for the police
protection is not evident yet.
Ken Maus noted that the calls for service are double of what we were a few
years ago. One of the biggest complaints he hears is traffic control in the
morning hours. The additional patrol car will be available in the morning to
address traffic related problems.
After discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle and seconded by Shirley
Anderson to approve the addendum to the 1993 law enforcement contract with
Wright County Sheriffs Department by increasing the coverage from the
current 7,321 hours to 9,176 hours. Voting in favor: Brad Fyle, Shirley
Anderson, Ken Maus. Opposed: Clint Herbst, Dan Blonigen.
5. Consideration of resolution requesting traffic investigation on School
Boulevard.
In his written report, John Simola requested that Council consider asking the
State of Minnesota to perform a traffic investigation on School Boulevard to
determine a safe and reasonable speed so that the City may post the speed
limits. Prior to the State commencing their work, MN/DOT needs a resolution
from the City Council requesting that the study be conducted.
After discussion, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen and seconded by Brad
Fyle to adopt a resolution requesting that MN/DOT do a traffic study on School
Boulevard to determine a safe and reasonable speed limit. Motion carried
unanimously. SEE RESOLUTION 92-31.
6. Consideration of request by Sunny Fresh Foods to temporarily close a portion
of Walnut Street.
John Simola reported that the City has received a request from Sunny Fresh
Foods to temporarily close Walnut Street between 5th and 4th Streets on
November 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The purpose of the temporary closure is
to allow direct sales of Sunny Fresh products to the public as a fund raiser for
a literacy program. Simola noted that the activities will be going on in the
Monticello Library as well as Sunny Fresh during that period of time. The
closing of Walnut Street will provide freedom of movement for the public
between the library and Sunny Fresh and may provide for safer access and
egress and draw attention to the activities of the day.
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Simola went on to note that Sunny Fresh has contacted the Retired Sheriffs
Association for traffic control assistance during the event. Simola noted that
since Walnut Street is a major thoroughfare, he felt it best to obtain Council
approval. He went on to note that the City has in the past closed other minor
streets for activities such as St. Henry's Fall Festival.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded by Dan
Blonigen to authorize temporary closure of Walnut Street on November 21
between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. as requested by Sunny Fresh Foods.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. Review third quarter liquor store financial report.
Rick Wolfsteller reported that total sales for the first 9 months have increased
approximately $67,000, with the gross profit also increasing $37,000 from the
same period last year. After deducting the expenses, operating income shows
an increase of $9,721 for the same period last year.
Wolfsteller went on to note that the liquor fund contains approximately over
$1 million in cash and investments; however, approximately $500,000 to
$600,000 has been dedicated for the public works building project. These funds
have not been transferred to the construction fund as of this time.
Council reviewed the information only. No action was taken.
8. Consideration of a salary schedule adjustment for 1993.
Rick Wolfsteller reported that in December 1991, the City Council adopted and
implemented a new comparable worth study to meet state of Minnesota
regulations. The program included establishment of a new salary
administration schedule. This schedule was based on recommendations made
by the League of Minnesota Cities personnel department. The schedule
includes 22 grades and 6 potential pay steps within each grade. As part of the
ongoing maintenance of the salary system, the City Council should annually
review the salary schedules in order to retain the City's pay relationship to the
market.
Wolfsteller went on to note that cost of living adjustments provided by other
cities have varied between 2.5% to 4%, with the majority expected to be around
3% to 3.5 %. He also noted that the Minneapolis/St. Paul consumer price index
for the year ending September 1992 indicates a 3.2% increase. The Kiplinger
Letter has also projected a 1993 inflation rate at 3% to 3.5%.
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Finally, Wolfsteller noted that the union personnel were granted a 3% cost of
living adjustment as part of the union settlement for 1993, which takes effect
April 1, 1993. Finally, given the actual rate of inflation and the adjustments
granted by other communities, it was Wolfsteller's recommendation that the
salary schedule be adjusted by 3.2%.
Shirley Anderson noted that the cost of living adjustment for social security is
3%. This could serve as a guide for Council as it considers adjusting the pay
schedule.
Clint Herbst stated that the majority of working people are not getting a 3%
increase. He would like to freeze the salaries but would accept a 2.5%
increase.
Ken Maus noted that it would be a mistake not to provide an adjustment to
the pay schedule based on inflation. He supported a 3% increase, as this
increase compares to what other cities have granted their employees. He also
noted that when the pay schedule was adopted, the City eliminated the top
step in the pay equity program recommended by the League of Minnesota
Cities. This adjustment was made because it was our view at that time that
the comparisons used by the League did not include enough outstate cities;
therefore, we were justified in dropping the top step.
After discussion, a motion was made by Clint Herbst and seconded by Brad
Fyle to establish a cost of living increase for the 1993 pay schedule of 2.5%.
Voting in favor: Shirley Anderson, Brad Fyle, Dan Blonigen, Clint Herbst.
Opposed: Ken Maus.
9. Other matters.
A. Assistant Administrator reviewed a procedure for obtaining
commercial/retail/industrial/multi-family housing building permits. The
proposed process is designed to improve the level and accuracy of
information to the developer at the design phase, improve staff efficiency
by establishing a consistent meeting date and time to collectively review
site plans, improve communication with the developer by providing a
single source of information regarding the status of the review process,
and defines to what extent the City will review and correct plans
without charge.
Dan Blonigen noted the importance of the pre -design meeting and the
value of making sure that the developer has all of the information
regarding city requirements early in the stages of the design of the
structure.
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O'Neill noted that the process proposed is a general guide and not
meant to be a rigid, inflexible structure. City staff will strive to work
within the guideline to make the development process as efficient and
smooth as possible for both the developer and City staff.
After discussion, a motion was made by Shirley Anderson and seconded
by Brad Fyle to approve the construction design and building permit
application process. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Council discussed problems relating to snowmobile operation within the
city. It was noted that many snowmobile users operate in apparent
disregard of the ordinance.
Mayor Maus suggested that perhaps some of the operators are unaware
of the rules. Staff informed Council that a summary of the ordinance
will be published in the Monticello Times and in the city newsletter.
It was the consensus that staff should prepare an amendment to the
ordinance that establishes a speed limit for snowmobiles using city
streets.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Jeff O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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