City Council Minutes 01-06-1975 Special1 J
Special Meeting of the City Council
January 6, 1975 - 7:30 P.M. - City Hall
Mayor announced that meeting would be taped. All council
members present.
Mayor introduced Gary Wieber as Acting City Administrator.
,Stan Hall was administered oath of office as council` man.
Mayor asked for citizen's comments.
Jim Herbst asked council what could be done with large dogs
running loose. Con Johnson said council hoped to resolve this
through dog control program. Mr. Herbst said there was a
particular problem by Peterson Funeral Home.
There was discussion on a Centra Sota bill for fencing, fire
department charges, tractor repair and a request by the mayor
for a breakdown of salaries between regular and overtime wages.
Gary Pringle stated he would check into a court tanscript
cost. Upon motion by Denton Erickson, seconded by Dick Martie,
the December bills were unanimously approved. See supplement
#1 (1-6-75) for listing.
The December 16, 1974 minutes were amended to read regarding
the one mill special levy for shade tree disease control that
Dan Blonigen was opposed to this levy. With this amendment
the December 9 and 16 minutes were approved upon a motion by
Gene Walters and seconded by Denton Erickson, motion carried.
Upon a motion by Dick Martie and seconded by Stan Hall, the
following appointments were made with Con Johnson stating
that he was a director of the Wright County State Bank.
Official Newspaper -
Official Depository -
City Auditor -
Health Officer -
Acting Mayor -
Official Meetings -
Motion carried unanimously.
Monticello Times
Wright County State Bank
Gruys, Johnson, Mosford, Assoc.
Dr. Maus
Denton Erickson
2nd and 4th Monday of each month
At this time Mayor Con Johnson reviewed the city's objectives
for 1974 and outlined the goals and objectives for 1975 in a
14 point outline. See supplement to minutes #2 (1-6-75).
In addition the Mayor stated the taxes of the old city of
Monticello'will be reduced by 20-25% in 1975. The slight
increase in the newly annexed area will be more than compen-
sated by free garbage pickup alone.
260,
Special meeting of the council - Jan. 6, 1975 (cont' d)
Mayor Johnson instructed the city fiscal officer to make
his check as Mayor of Monticello for 1975 payable to the
Christian Service Committee.
Mayor Johnson then went through each proposal and objective
for 1975 in detail and opened it up to discussion.
New Civic Center - Mayor stated that this would be for a
teenage and senior citizen's center along with a city hall.
Also discussed was the possible use of the civic center for
a city library and combining the project with a new liquor
store facility. Location was discussed with studies made
of alternative sites.
New Maintenance Building - Mayor stated that additional space
is required for city equipment with the disposal plant as
possible location.
Sale of present on sale liquor store - Mayor stated that large
amount of headaches and small portion of profits came from
on -sale portion of liquor store. A new and larger off -sale,
from all possible indication, would produce greater profits.
Consideration would be given to the necessary on -sale liquor
ordinance.
Conversion of City Hall to Fire Hall - Mayor stated present
structure could be remodeled to allow for four stalls for fire
trucks. Present location creates a conflict with the city
council meetings at times.
New Post Office Building - Mayor said while there isn't too
much the city can do, it should offer its full cooperation.
Airport Proposal - Meetings have been held between Big Lake
and Monticello. Gene Walters stated that approximately 80-
90% would be state and federal financed. This would be non -
reimbursable funds to the City. These funds do not cover
building construction.
Historical Committee to Continue to
has been selected as Bi -Centennial
federal and state funds to finance
and landsights.
Pursue Goals - Monticello
community with possible
bandstand, building markers,
Housing ,& Redevelopment Committee - Encouraged the committee
to continue their efforts. Mayor Johnosn stated that we have
to take care of the housing needs of the existing population
and elderly.
Special meeting of the council - Jan. 6, 1975 (cont' d) .
Alternate Site for Food Stamp Distribution Center - Currently
food stamp center is city office and disrupts official city
business. Alternative sights are being looked into. Stan Hall
mentioned American Legion Club as possible site.
Creation of Public Works Department - Combine present Sewer
& Water and Street & Park' departments into one department.
Mayor Johnson said a department of Public Works would be an
economical move by using the present department personnel to
their fullest. Personnel would work where needed.
Authority of City Administrator - City Administrator must
have authority to accompany the responsibility of the office.
City Administrator is answerable to city council, however, the
city council has responsibility to the City Administrator.
Mayor Johnson stated that the city will be interviewing later
in the month for a City Administrator.
Possible changes of ordinances - Mayor Johnson stated that
it is a very costly procedure to update ordinances. Monticello
has acquired a set of ordinances from a city that has gone
through the same growing process as Monticello. Attorney
Pringle thought a wise decision, and said each ordinance
should be reviewed in detail to adapt to Monticello. Mayor
Johnson suggested to council that next 30 days be spent
reviewing ordinances.
Hiring of City Planner & City Engineer - Mayor Johnson suggests
within 30 days of the city retain a city planner and city
engineer. Planning is a definite necessity and there is no.short
cut to long range planning. Jim Herbst agreed a long range plan
is a necessity.
The following committee changes and actions took place;
Planning Commission - Con Johnson said that Jim Maus desired
to be relieved from his appointment. A motion was made by
.Stan Hall to increase committee to seven men from the present
six, a second was made by Dick Martie, and motion carried
unanimously. Stan Hall nominated Gordon Steinert and Denton
Erickson nominated Howard Gillham - both nominations were
unanimously approved. Three year terms.
Housing and Redevelopment Committee - Mayor nominated William
A. Anderson, and Jean Powers (to replace Gloria LaBau who has
moved). Both nominations were approved unanimously. Four year
terms.
Business and Industrial Development Committee - Council
accepted resignation of George Phillips. Mayor nominated
Lois Schoepf and Stan Hall nominated Wilbur Eck - both nomin-
ations were unanimously approved.
26-
uz
Speical meeting of the Council - Jan. 6, 1975 (cont' d) .
Liquor Commission - Dr. Erlandson recommended addition of one
person and made the recommendation of Ron Schlief. . The council
unanimously approved the appointment of Ron Schlief.
Public Safety Commission - Council recommended commission
remain intact.
Public Utilities Commission - Recommendation and nomination of
Lee Trunnel unanimously approved. Mayor complimented commission
for fine efforts in setting rate structure.
Roads & Street Commission - Arve Grimsmo recommended and
Stan Hall nominated Harvey Kendall to represent newly annexed
area - nomination unanimously approved.
Historical Society - Don Smith said that 2 women were recommended
to be added to commission by Robert Brown, chairman, who was not
present. Gene Walters made a motion, seconded by Dick Martie,
that Hazel Kotilinek and Julie Lewandowski be appointed to the
commission - unanimously approved.
Airport Commission - Con Johnson suggested that he thought it
sufficient that only one council man represent the city
council - Gene Walters. Dick Martie agreed and resigned from
the commission. Motion by Denton Erickson, and seconded by
Dick Martie that John Bondhus and Roy Lauring be appointed to
the commission - unanimously approved.
Park Board - Jim Lungwitz recommended that individuals from
newly annexed area be added. Gene Walters nominated Dave
Bauer with a second by Denton Erickson and motion unanimously
approved. See supplement #3 (1-6-75 for revised commission
list) .
George Phillips of the Wright County State Bank recommended
that the city consider revenue bonds to encourage business
development. Mayor instructed Gary Wieber to contact League
of Municipalities on the pros and cons of revenue bonds.
Hohn Poirier complimented the city council on the fine
business -like conduct of council meetings.
Con Johnson requested that the finance officer analyze the
costs of the fire department in order to determine billing to
Township of Monticello. The Mayor also requested the finance
officer to investigate the possibility of getting bids on.
insurance.
Special meeting of the Council - Jan. 6, 1975 (cont' d) .
The Mayor.mentioned that he rode in the snow plow on the
night of a snowstorm and could really appreciate the hazards
caused by parked cars on the streets. After some discussion
a motion was made by Dick Martie and seconded by Gene Walters
that the 2 ordinances relating to no parking )between 1 A.M.
and 6 A.M. and no parking during snow removal be strictly
enforced. No warning tickets would be issued.
Dick Martie also suggested that business places shovel their
snow or have city crew do it and charge the businesses.
At this time Con Johnson announced a council meeting at
4 P.M. on Tuesday, January 7, 1975, to discuss personnel
policies.
Police contract to be discussed at January 13, 1975 meeting.
Wilbur Eck thought contract cost was excessive especially in
light of the fact that city doesn't receive any fine money.
It was suggested the city study cost factor involved between
local and county police. In addition, a six month contract
should be looked into.
The Mayor announced that, subject to approval by the Monticello
School Board, that the public library would btr,used for city
council meetings due to the inadequacy of the present facilities
in the city hall. The meeting of January 13 would be held in
the library if approved by the school board.
Mayor suggested that councilmen give consideration to picking
up the employees cost for group insurance for his or her depen-
dents.
Gene Walters asked if it would be possible to use sand on one
street on an experimental bads. Dick Brooks mentioned that
this was tried about 3 years ago and the sand froze. Blonigen
said he had seen a black substance used and Dick Brooks said he
would check into this.
Midwest Planners would be contacted in regard to appearing
at January 13 meeting and making a proposal. The Mayor thought
the decision on an engineering firm should be delayed until
the proposal from the planner was heard.
Stan Hall mentioned problems in getting on to County Road #75
from Hillcrest Addition because of snow build up. Dick Brooks
said it was a problem and he would look into.
Gene Walters made a motion that the city put up flagpole with
U.S.,, State, and BiCentennial Flag, seconded by Dick Martie,
and unanimously approved. Acting city administrator to look
into.
264
Special meeting of the Council - Jan. 6, 1975 (cont' d. )
The acting city administrator was directed to confer with the
garbage pickup contractors on a new contact and come back to
the council with recommendations. Gene Walters thought billing
for annexed area from contractors was excessive.
A motion to recess to 4 P.M. January %, 1975, was made by
Dick Martie and seconded by Denton Erickson, unanimously
approved at 10 P.M.
Gary Wietr
Acting City Administrator
GW/mj q