City Council Minutes 07-10-1978MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
July 10, 1978 - 7:30 P.M.
Members present: C. 0. Johnson, A. Grimsmo, G. Walters, P. White.
Members absent: D. Blonigen
1. Consideration of Conditional Use and Variance Request by Mr. Bob Mosford.
Mr. Bob Mosford requested a conditional use permit to construct a profes-
sional office building on Lots 9 & 10, Block F, located on the corner of
Cedar and E. Third Street. In addition, Mr. Mosford requested that the
Council grant variances to allow 1) sideyard parking on a corner lot;
2) to allow him to have his parking lot extend to the property line
rather than setting back his parking lot 5' from the property line; and
3) to allow 33 parking spaces instead of the 39 required by the ordinances.
City Ordinances do not allow parking in a sideyard on a corner lot (the
side abutting a street). After trying several arrangements for this
building, sideyard parking would be necessary to achieve the maximum
parking spaces with the least need for variances.
On June 20, 1978, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the condi-
tional use permit for the office building and on a special meeting held
on July 5, 1978, at 5:30 P.M., the Planning Commission recommended that
the variance requests be granted.
Hearing no objections, the motion was made by Arve Grimsmo, seconded by
Phil White and unanimously carried to grant the conditional use permit
for a professional office building and the following variances:
1. Allowance of parking in the sideyard abutting Cedar Street.
2. Allowing the parking curb area to be on the property line on
Cedar Street.
3. Granting a variance of 6 parking spaces, requiring only 33 parking
spaces.
2. Consideration of Adoption of Assessment Ordinance.
At a previous Council meeting held June 12, 1978, the Council adopted a
revised assessment policy.
In order to have this new assessment policy as a permanent record of the
City, and to make it more easily amended, Motion was made by Phil White,
seconded by Gene Walters and unanimously carried to amend the current zoning
ordinances by adopting the ordinance relative to the City's new assessment
policy. (See Ordinance Amendment 8-15-75 #s8).
Minutes - 7/10/78
3. Consideration of Land Acquisition.
Mrs. Alberta Hill, who owns the house just South of City Hall, has indicated
to the City that she is planning to sell her property in the very near
future, and has inquired as to whether the City would be interested in
purchasing her property. Mrs. Hill did not indicate an asking price for
the house, but did say she would rather sell the property to the city,
than to a private party.
Motion was made by Walters, seconded by Grimsmo and unanimously carried
to have the City Administrator negotiate with the property owner regarding
purchase of her home, and report back to the Council. If the price
seemed excessive, it was the concensus of the Council that an appraisal
would then be obtained on the property.
4. Consideration of Requesting Determination of Eli ibility for Urban
Development Action Grant Program.
The City of Monticello has been identified as potentially eligible to apply
for Urban Development Action Grant, since it appears to meet the minimum
standards of stress as required under the program. This program is run
through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and its intent
is to stimulate the economy through a combination of private and public
investment.
Any applications for funding under this program are to be submitted in
August of 1978, or later. Eligible activities for grant application
include the following:
1. The acquisition of land which is blighted, deteriorated, undeveloped
or inappropriately developed, or ready for rehabilitation.
2. Utilities, street, street lights, sewer and water facilities,
and park improvements.
3. Clearance, demolition and removal of buildings to alleviate
harmful conditions.
It appears that the City of Monticello may be eligible for up to $500,000
should their application be accepted. Before the City can apply for
such a Grant, it must indicate the type of improvement the Grant would be
used for.
A decision was tabled for further review by the Council members to enable
them to review possible eligible activities that could be applied for
under this program.
5. Approval of Minutes.
Motion was made by P. White, seconded by A. Grimsmo and unanimously carried
to approve the Minutes of June 26, 1978, as presented.
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Minutes - V10/78
6. Discussion on Blacktopping Cedar Street between Chelsea Road and Thomas
Industrial Drive in Oakwood Industrial Park.
At the previous Council Meeting, City Engineer, John Badalich, discussed with
the Council the possibility of re-blacktopping that portion of Cedar Street
between the bowling alley on Chelsea Road and the Thomas Industrial Park
Drive. This portion of the road had deteriorated somewhat and the Engineer
indicated that the re-blacktopping could be made part of the 77-1 Improve-
ment Project with a Change Order. Letters have been sent to the abutting
property owners to see if they would be interested in being assessed
for a new blacktopped street. The City Administrator indicated that none
of the property owners have responded yet to the letter and a motion was
made by Gene Walters, seconded by Arve Grimsmo and unanimously carried
to hold a public hearing on the proposed improvement along this road to
give all property owners a chance to express their opinions.
7. Consideration of Certificate of Occupancy Variance - Mel Worth StoraZe
Building.
Mr. Mel Worth, owner of the storage building south of Interstate 94 on
Highway 25, requested a variance on his Certificate of Occupancy to open
without the landscaping being completed. Mr. Worth indicated that it was
recommended to him that the shrubs and trees not be planted until later
this Fall, but did indicate that the blacktopping would be completed
before opening.
Motion was made by White, seconded by Grimsmo and unanimously carried to
approve the Certificate of Occupancy variance for landscaping provided a
bond is posted with the City for the uncompleted portion of the landscaping.
8. Discussion on the Sideyard Variance Needed for a Residential Home in
Hillcrest Second Addition.
Loren Klein, Building Inspector for the City of Monticello, informed the
Council that a residential home being built by Sam Peraro in Hillcrest
Second Addition may require an 8' frontyard setback variance. Mr. Klein
indicated that he had made the error in determining where the setback line
was, and indicated that a variance should probably be granted to Mr. Peraro
as the home is now almost completed and requiring the property owner to
move the house would seem to be unrealistic.
Since no action by the Council can be taken until a Public Hearing is held,
it was recommended by concensus that a public hearing be held at the next
regular council meeting concerning this $' variance request. It was further
indicated that no further construction should take place on this home
until the public hearing is held.
9. Discussion on 1978-1 Improvement Project.__
Mr. John Badalich, City Engineer, informed the Council that plans and speci-
fications for the 1978-1 Improvement Project should be completed and pre-
sentable to the Council at the next regular meeting. If the plans and
specs. are approved by the Council, bids could be called for returnable on
August 18, 1978.
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Minutes - V10/78
As a result, a special meeting was scheduled for August 21, 1978, at 5:00 P.M.
for consideration of possibly awarding bids on the 78--1 Project.
10. Quarterly Meeting with Department Heads.
A quarterly meeting with the following department heads was held on
various topics:
Fire Chief
Deputy Sheriff
Senior Citizens Director
Building Inspector
Civil Defense Director
Public Works Director
City Administrator
In discussions with the Public Works Director, Mike Rajala, it was the
concensus of the Council to have the Public Works Director get quotes
for possibly sealcoating two parking lots, one located behind
Johnson's Department Store and the other one located behind the old
City Hall, and quotes to resurface the parking lot just West of the
old Fullerton Lumber Yard with bituminous mat rather than sealcoating.
Mr. Rajala will be reporting back to the Council after cost estimates
are received.
11. Discussion on Chemical Treatment Improvements at Disposal Plant.
Mr. John Badalich, City Engineer, informed the Council that it again
appears that chemical treatment to the sewage at the Disposal Plant
will be necessary as the affluent levels have again exceeded the permit
requirements.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has indicated that chemical treat—
ment will be necessary if the City continues to exceed the state standards
of our sewer permit.
Even though Step II Grants should be forthcoming as far as improving the
sewer plant, it appears that it will be at least 1980 or 1981 before the
plant will be upgraded to meet the new standards. The Council requested
that Mr. Badalich get revised cost estimates for installing the chemical
treatment equipment, and this item will be discussed by the Council in
two weeks.
Meeting adjourned.
1Z a/,.-�
Richard Wolfsller
Assistant Af istrator
RW/ns
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