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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