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City Council Minutes 03-26-1979MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL March 26, 1979 - 7:30 P.M. Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Dan Blonigen, Fran Fair, Ken Maus, Phil White. Members Absent: None Citizens Comments: Mr. Ron Peters, speaking for himself and a number of property owners in the neighborhood of Block 10, asked that the Council consider the possi- ble rezoning of this block and other areas in this neighborhood from R-3 (Multiple Family Residential) to a single-family classification. Mr. Peters indicated that the reason for the request was that rumors have been heard that an apartment complex is planned for Block 10, and the neighborhood group felt that there was enough multiple -family units in the area with Ridgemont Apartments and other duplexes or fourplexes already in existence. He indicated that the majority of the homes in the area are single-family and they would like to see it remain single- family in nature and asked that the Council look into the issue of possi- bly restricting future multiple -family zoning in the area. It was noted by the Council that a public hearing would have to be held on any rezoning issues, and therefore, a motion was made by Ken Maus, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously carried to have a moratorium on the issuance of any multiple -family building permits for this area until a Public Hearing on the rezoning request could be held. 1. Public Hearing on Consideration of Variance Request by Electro Industries. Mr. William Seefeldt, of Electro Industries, requested a sideyard setback variance and a waiver from the hardsurfaced parking requirements for a 4,800 square foot cold storage warehouse building he was planning to build at his plant. Mr. Seefeldt asked that the variance be granted to build the new facility 16' from the property line rather than 40' as required in an I-1 Zone, since this will align the new building with the present office building which is currently on the site. In addition, a variance from the hardsurface parking requirements and curb barrier provisions was asked by Mr. Seefeldt because he felt that the area was rural in nature, and that the only business in the area was his own. He also indicated that the road leading to his business is a gravel road and that since NSP owns property to the west of his building, future development would not be likely to occur. Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to approve a 16' setback variance for the building addition at Electro Industries. Council Minutes - 3/26/79 After a lengthy discussion on the hardsurfacing requirements, it was noted that since Electro Industries only required approximately eighteen spaces for parking, a motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Phil White and unanimously carried to allow a variance requiring only 25 parking spaces to be blacktopped, instead of the entire parking area. It was noted that these 25 spaces would not have to be in one area, and could be provided in different places around the existing buildings. 2. Public Hearing on Consideration of a Variance Request from Pylon Sign Ordinance Requirements - Rosewood Corporation. Rosewood Corporation, owner of the Monticello Mall, requested a variance to allow the expansion of an existing pylon sign from 108 square feet to approximately 160 square feet. The variance was necessary in that the current ordinances allow only one pylon sign per business, and the shopping center already has two pylon signs. Provisions in the ordinance also indicate that any non -conforming sign cannot be expanded or enlarged without a variance. Monticello's ordinances do allow a 200 square foot sign for this location, and if the variance was approved, the sign with the addition would still meet the height and square footage requirements of a single pylon sign. Since the sign with the addition would meet the square footage require- ments of the current ordinances, a motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously carried to approve the variance request for the additional expansion of the pylon sign at the Monticello Mall. 3. Review of Assessment Policy. Requests have been made previously by developers and other property owners within the City to have the Council reconsider the recently -adopted assess- ment policy regarding special assessments. King Forness, of Springsted, Inc., bonding consultants for the City, reviewed with the Council areas of the assessment policy which have been questionned. The major areas of concern were: 1. That assessments be spread over a longer period of time to possibly ten years rather than five. 2. That assessments be paid when a building is completed or occupied rather than at the time a building permit is taken out. 3. Whether the frontend money on improvements to new subdivisions would still be required. Mr. Forness indicated that a ten year assessment would probably not hurt the bond rating for the City of Monticello, but strongly indicated that the City should not be in the financing business and that is why a ten year or less assessment payoff was recommended. In regards to the assess- ments being paid at the time of a building permit application, Mr. Forness indicated that the main concern was that the City be assurred of getting the assessment balance and he felt that this was the only time that the City had control over collecting the assessments was at the building permit stage. Mr. Forness also pointed out that if a new subdivision - 2 - Council Minutes - 3/26/79 or developer requested improvements, by requiring at least 25% frontend money for the project, a developer is not likely to speculate on the improve- ments and leave the City with delinquent assessments. It was also noted that if property that has existing homes is served by improvements requested by a developer down the road, these existing homes could be assessed over twenty years with the developer requesting improvements still being assessed at five or ten years. Comments from developers and builders from Monticello indicated that their concerns were over whether the assessments could be paid after a building is constructed, rather than at the time of building permit application. These individuals also indicated that a ten year assessment payoff period would be much more favorable for development and would encourage industry, etc. to come to Monticello. After discussion on the three major issues was completed, motion was made by Ken Maus, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to amend the assessment policies as follows: 1. Change the assessment policy spreading future assessments over ten years rather than five years. 2. Requiring assessments on undeveloped lots to be paid at the time a building is constructed and occupied, or 180 days from the time a building permit is taken out, whichever comes first. 3. It should be noted that in regards to the frontend money required from developers on new subdivisions, the policy was left as is requiring a minimum of 25% up to 1000, depending upon Council action. (See Ordinance Amendment; # 6("4'(`'3-,_2w-71) 4. Review of Updated Feasibility Report on Improvements to Lauring Hillside Terrace and the Consideration of calling a Public Hearing. At the last Council Meeting, Mr. Roy Lauring petitioned for various improve- ments to Lauring Hillside addition based upon certain contingencies, such as the assessments be spread over ten years if rural streets were put in, or fifteen years if permanent streets with curb and gutter were installed. In addition, his petition was contingent upon assessments not being paid in full at the time of an application for a building permit. Mr. John Badalich, consulting engineer, reviewed with the Council the updated feasibility report on the proposed improvements. Mr. Badalich indicated that sewer, rural type streets and storm sewer type facilities of a rural type nature could be installed in this area at an estimated cost of $230,100. If the area were served with sewer, storm sewer and permanent type streets, the estimated cost was $389,100. Mr. Lauring and Mr. Bob Johnson, who intends to purchase some of the lots in Lauring Hillside addition for development, indicated that if rural type streets were constructed with a ten year assessment payoff, the project would seem favorable to them. - 3 - Council Minutes - 3/26/79 Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution receiving the updated feasibility report and calling for a public hearing for this improvement on April 9, 1979. (See Resolution 1979 #6). 5. Consideration of Setting Hearing Date for the 1979-1 Improvement Project. At the last Council meeting, a resolution was passed accepting the feasibility report for improvements noted as 1979-1 improvement project, and calling for a public hearing. No specific date was set at that time for the hearing since it was determined to wait until any revisions regarding the assessment policy might be made. Since Agenda Item 4 regarding improvements to Lauring Hillside Addition will be considered as part of the 1979 improvement project, a motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to set the public hearing for April 9, 1979 for the areas petitioned for under the 1979-1 Improvement Project. 6. Consideration of Subdivision of Parcel of Land by James Refrigeration. James Refrigeration Company has applied to subdivide the lot they own on south Highway 25 where the Tom Thumb store is presently being built. Their proposal was to make two lots of approximately 39,465 square feet, and 32,670 square feet. The Planning Commission, at their last meeting, approved the subdivision contingent upon the changing of a lot line in order that one lot would not need an easement from the other to get onto County Road 117 or Oakwood Drive. A representative of the James Refrigeration Company indicated to the Council that the lot line would be changed accordingly, and a motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously carried to approve the subdivision as presented provided a 100 of the valuation of the land would be paid in park dedication fees. 7. Consideration of Authorization to Purchase Cube -Master Ice Maker for Hi -Way Liquor Store. Since the Municipal off -sale liquor store has an icemaker that is not adequate to handle the volume that is necessary, the store is currently buying its ice from an ice manufacturer and reselling it to the customers. It is estimated that if the liquor store had its own ice machine large enough to supply the demand, the cost of the new equipment should be M recovered in approximately a year and a half. Motion was made by Ken Maus, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to authorize the liquor store manager to purchase a new Cube -Master Icemaker with storage bins and a display case in the amount of $2,430. 8. Consideration of Appointment of Street Supervisor. As part of reorganization within the Public Works Department, a motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously carried to appoint Roger Mack as the new Street Supervisor at a salary of $1,250 per month. It was also noted that Dick Brooks, the present Street Supervisor, will remain at a salary of $1,250 as a maintenance worker. - 4 - Council Minutes - 3/26/79 9. Approval of Bills and Minutes. Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Phil White and unanimously carried to approve the bills for March 1979, as presented, and also to approve the Minutes of March 8, 1979 special meeting and March 12, 1979 regular meeting, as presented. 10. Discussion on Purchase of New Street Sweeper. The Council discussed with the new Public Works Director, John Simola, and Street Supervisor, Roger Mack, about the purchasing of a new street sweeper this spring. It was noted that specs have been prepared for a new street sweeper and comments from Mr. Mack and Mr. Simola indicated that an Elgin street sweeper appears to be the best on the market. Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to authorize the advertising for bids for a new street sweeper per specifi- cations with bids returnable for both a diesel and gasoline engines, by April 9, 1979, and should also include an estimated cost for a year's worth of maintenance and repair. These costs on maintenance would not be included in the bid, but only be presented for comparison on maintenance for a year. Motion was also made by Fran Fair, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried to rent a new Elgin street sweeper for one month on a trial basis with the cost of the rent being applied to the purchase price should the City buy an Elgin street sweeper. The estimated cost of the rent would be approximately 100 of the purchase price for one month. Meeting adjourned. Oe RickWo fste er Assis ant ministrator RW/ns - 5 -