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City Council Minutes 01-14-1980MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL January 14, 1980 - 7:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Arve Grimsmo, Dan Blonigen, Fran Fair, Ken Maus, Phil White. MEMBERS ABSENT: None Citizens Comments: Mr. Dave Heskins asked the City Council whether there were any reasons why the streets were not sanded more often during the past snow storm. It was explained by the Public Works Director that sanding had been done throughout the City, but that with the cold weather, the sanding and salt mixture did not do a very good job and would be carried away by the traffic. Discussion on Billboard_ Advertising Signs - Mr. Del Blocher, of Blocher Advertising Company, explained that he presently owns quite a number of billboard advertising signs along the Interstate in the City limits of '`Monticello. He indicated that he is aware of the City Ordinances requiring them to be removed in August 1980, but requested that the Council seriously consider grandfathering in all the present signs. Mr. Jim Franklin, who owns Franklin Advertising Company, indicated to the Council that he would like to see the Freeway billboard signs remain and also is seeking additional permits to erect more signs in the future. Although he did not have a specific application for a sign, he would like to see the Ordinance amended to allow for possible additional signs. A public hearing to discuss the sign ordinances relative to billboard advertising will be held on February 25, 1980 with all sign companies having the opportunity to voice their opinions in regards to the City's current ordinance. 1. Consideration of Rezoning Request from R-1 to R-2 by Brad Larson on the First Baptist Church Property. 111r. Brad Larson requested that the property presently owned by the First Baptist Church on !lest County Road 75 be rezoned from R-1 to R-2 to allow for the construction of five 4 -unit townhouses. If the property was zoned to R-2, townhouses could be allowed as a conditional use, which Mr. Larson plans to apply for at a later date. Mr. Larson indicated that the townhouses would be owner -occupied and is a needed development for Monticello. He noted that the present Church building would be converted into a duplex and the balance of the property would be used for the 20 -unit townhouse development, Mr. Larson indicated that he felt the property was well-suited for a higher density COUNCIL MINUTES - 1/14/80 due to its isolation from other residential property, that being School property on the east, some commercial development on the west and the Golf Course and Railroad tracks to the south. Objections to the proposed rezoning were heard from the following people: Mr. Steve Johnson, a property owner in the area, felt that the area should remain R-1 because people built homes in the area with the understanding that it would remain residential. In addition, he pointed out there are other areas within the City zoned properly for townhouses that could be developed and asked why a residential zoned area had to be used for townhouses. His primary reason for opposing the development was that he felt additional traffic congestion would result because of the large number of units to be placed on this property. Mr. Denton Erickson also felt that congestion would result from the townhouse development. It was noted that although a site plan has not been presented for review, a proposed new road in the development would not enter County Road 75 at the location where Sandy Lane enters County Road 75. This should help in eliminating traffic routing through the residential areas, and should keep traffic on County Road 75. Mr. John Uban, of Howard Dahlgren Associates, City Planners, indicated that he felt the area is well situated for R-2 zoning and townhouses because of its well -buffered area. In addition, at the last planning commission meeting, the Committee recommended that this property be rezoned to R-2 for townhouses based primarily on the fact that the area was well situated for higher density use and felt that the additional traffic created would not be a hazard to the residential areas. After more discussion, motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to table the rezoning issue on this property until the Planning Commission can review the conditional use permit for the Townhouse Development by Mr. Larson. It was felt that the Planning Commission and the Council should have available the site plan indicating where the buildings will be located, and also any roads that would be constructed should this property be rezoned. It was felt this may help please some of the citizens in the area if they could see how the develop- ment is proposed. This item will be on the Council agenda February 25, 1980, after the Planning Commission has a chance to review the conditional use permit request on February 19th. 2. Public Hearing on the Consideration of Issuance of $1,000,000 in Industrial Revenue Bonds for Clow Stamping Company Inc —__ "1r. Robert Hanson, fiscal consultants for the Clow Stamping Company, explained to the Council the procedures needed from the City for the issuance of $1,000,000 in industrial revenue bonds to Clow Stamping Co. - 2 - 3. COUNCIL MINUTES - 1/14/80 Clow Stamping Company is a metal fabricating and manufacturing firm which would like to move its operations from St. Louis Park to Monticello. The firm would like to build a new plant in the Oakwood Industrial Park and would employ approximately 70 to 75 people. The basic reason for the request by Clow Stamping Company for industrial revenue bonds is that the current interest rate for real estate and machinery makes it almost impossible to finance such a project without the help of industrial revenue bonds. These revenue bonds are approximately 9% interest rate to the company, whereas open market rates could vary from 13 to 18%. City Attorney, Cary Pringle, has reviewed all the necessary papers rela- tive to the issue itself, and felt that the documents and papers are in order. It was also noted that the City would be under no obligation once these bonds are issued and would not be held responsible for repay- ment should the Company default. Hearing no other comments, motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously carried to approve a resolution giving preliminary approval to the proposed $1,000,000 industrial revenue bond issue for Clow Stamping Company (See Resolution 1980 #1). Consideration of Resolution Ordering Preparation of a Feasibility Report on Improvements Alonq East County Road 75 and East County Road 39. A petition has been received from "1r. Curt Hoglund and Floyd Kruse requesting that additional sewer and water lines be constructed from the Wastewater Treatment Plant east along County Road 75 and then along County Road 39 up to "Mississippi Drive. The first two parcels east of the Wastewater Treatment Plant already have sanitary sewer available, but the balance of the property would be receiving both sewer and water. A proposed townhouse development on the Curt Hoglund property was the basic reason for the sewer and water petition. Since more than 35/ of the property owners bility study be completed, motion was made Ken Maus and unanimously carried to order a sewer and water extensions as stated in the City Engineer, indicated that a feasibility within 60 days and will report back to the (See Resolution 1980 #2). - 3 - have requested that a feasi- by Phil 1.4hi te, seconded by feasibility study on the petition. Mr. John Badalich, study should be completed Council at that time. a COUNCIL MINUTES - 1/14/80 Discussion of Dewatering for Sewer Service Connections for Certain Lots in Ritze Manor Addition. Three property property owners in the Ritze Addition at the west end of Monticello requested to be on the Council agenda to discuss some dewatering problems they had had while hooking up to the sewer system. 11r. Bud Kline indicated to the Council that he spent over $1,900 in dewatering costs when he tried to hook up to a sewer stub in Ritze Manor. He felt that the sewer stubs for these lots out there should have had risers put on them bringing them out of the water table so that problems would not occur when hooking up to the sewer. He indicated that he spent over $1,900 in dewatering costs to enable his contractor to hook up to the stub. John Badalich, City 'Engineer, informed the Council that at the time the sewer was put in in 1975, all sewer services were put at a 9' depth to facilitate all types of future homes that could be built in the area. By this, he meant he allowed sufficient depth for a full basement should one be constructed. He indicated at the time the project was being constructed, Ritze Manor did not yet have a grading plan submitted to the City, and the water table borings that were done as part of the project indicated a water depth of anywhere from 52' to as much as 11' deep. Although 1975 and 1976 were dry years, apparently, the water table is now much higher than it was at the time the services were installed. He felt that the project was installed according to standard procedures and to take water borings at every lot to determine the water level would be extremely costly. Mr. Charles Ritze has also met with the City staff in regards to possible future problems that will result when the balance of his lots are hooked up to the sewer system. A possible solution to future problems that may result would be to have the entire area dewatered at one time with all the services on the remaining vacant lots being brought up to what should be above the water table. 11r. Ritze has indicated he may be willing to do this in an effort to make the lots more salable in the future. It was noted by both the City Engineer and the Public Works Director that the cost for each lot would be quite small if all of them were done at one time rather than individually as was the case of Mr. Kline's. The Council discussed the possibility of reimbursing some of the cost for the extra dewatering to the property owners, although they noted that it is not entirely felt that it is the City's problem due to natural fluctuations in the water table. Therefore, a motion was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Ken P1aus to table any action on reimbursement for dewatering costs to these property owners until further study of the area and additional input can be gotten from Mr. Charles Ritze in regards to future plans for sewer hookups in the area. This item will be brought up at a later date after Mr. Ritze is contacted on his plans. - A - COUNCIL MINUTES - 1/14/80 5. Consideration of Extension of Conditional Use Permit and Variance Request for Ijloliday Station Stores, Inc. Holiday Station Stores, Inc. requested an extension of their conditional use permit along with the variances received at the City Council's January 23, 1979 meeting. It was noted by the Station's representative that it was necessary to request an extension as a result of the fact that the firm was prevented from building last year for lack: of a Federal gasoline allocation. The representative has indicated that the Station plans to begin construc- tion as soon as weather permits, therefore, a motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to grant a one-year extension to Holiday Station Stores on their conditional use permit and variances. 6. Consideration of Credit on Prairie Road on the 1978-1 Improvement Project. "fir. "larvin George of 'larvin George Builders requested that he be granted a credit for part of the construction costs associated with improving Prairie Road near Balboul Estates. A feasibility report was prepared by the City because of a petition from '"arvin George for improvements to Balboul rEstates. The feasibility report initially indicated that only 50% of the replacement cost for Prairie Road would be assessed to abutting property owners. It was noted at the time that the project was proposed to be assessed to the property owners, but since ""arvin George wanted to start the project as soon as possible, he agreed to assume all costs of the project and pay for it himself rather than have it put on assessments. The final agreement signed by ""arvin George and the City of N,onticello indicated that '1r. George would pay for the entire costs associated with improve- ments to Balboul Estates. As a result, this item was not included in the contract referring to the feasibility report on the City picking up half of the cost of restoring Prairie Road. It was noted by the City Engineer that it was normally the City's policy to assess only half of the cost of restoring a road because of an improve- ment project. "normally the road was previously bituminous surfaced, and this was the reason for only assessing half of the costs. He noted that Prairie Road was only a gravel road and was actually first improved with bituminous as part of this project, and felt that the entire cost should be borne by "1r . George. The amount of credit 11r. ""arvin George requested totalled $2,167.32, or one half of the gravel -restoration cost, not bituminous surfacing. Based on the agreement, motion was made by Dan Blonigen, seconded by Phil White to deny the request for any reimbursement to Marvin George as part of the 1978-2 Improvement Project. Voting in Favor: Arve Grimsmo, Phil White, Dan Blonigen, Fran Fair. Opposed: Ken Maus. - 5 - COUNCIL MINUTES - 1/14/80 Relative to the 1978-2 Improvement Project to Bal boul Estates, motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried to establish June 1, 1980 as a deadline for completion of the 1978-2 Improvement Project by "larvin George. If the items are not completed by that date, the $1,000 retainage amount will be utilized by the City to complete the project. 7. Consideration of Extension on Variance to Allow the Use of a "lobile Home as a Sales Office in a B-3 Zone by Scott Potato Company. Mr. Robert Pedersen, of Scott's Inc., a potato brokerage firm, requested that their variance allowing them to use the mobile home as a sales office in a B-3 zone be extended until late spring to allow them ample time to move the home to a new site. Presently, the mobile home sales office is located next to Monticello Ford on Highway 25, and Scotts Potato Company was allowed only until January lst to use this office. It was noted that Scott's Potato Company is not requesting an extension to use the office for their business, but rather, are asking only to be allowed to leave the mobile home on the present site until they can find a suitable place to move it to. Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried to extend the deadline for the removal of the mobile sales office to June 1, 1980, with the understanding that it will not be used in their brokerage business in the meantime. 8. Consideration of ,'appointment of Committee Members and Various Cit Functions and Duties. The list of present Committee 'Iembers and functions were reviewed by the Council for re -appointment for the year 1980. (See Supplement 1-14-80 #1). Mr. Fred Topel, member of the Planning Commission, has resigned and the Council recommended that Mr. John Bondhus be asked to fill this vacancy for 1980. In addition, the following changes were recommended: H.R.A. Committee - Extend George De"tars term to 1-1-85. Historical Society - Recommended "larion Jamison to replace the position of Hazel Koti 1 i nek . Senior Citizens Center Board - ?noted that Jay "lorrell was no longer on the Board, and recommended that Karen Hanson be appointed an ex -officio member. Joint Recreation Board :Recommended that Kay Gauthier be appointed to replace 'den "taus , and appoint Rick Uol fstel 1 er as an ex -officio member. - 6 - COUNCIL MINUTES - 1/14/80 Community Education Board Rep. - Appointed Loren Klein to replace Rick lWolfstel1er. Official Depositories - Added the First National Bank of Minneapolis. A motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously carried to appoint the individual committee members as listed in the Supplement with the changes as amended, along with the official functions and duties listed. The individuals recommended for replacements on various committees will be contacted to see if they are interested in serving. (See Supplement 1-14-80 #1). 9. Consideration of Acquisition of 2,000 Gallon Underqround Fuel System. The Public Works Director, John Simola, requested approval of installing a 2,000 gallon underground fuel system at the "laintenance Building at an estimated cost of $2,800. The purpose of having an underground fuel system would be that: A. An adequate supply would always be on hand. B. Savings would result by buying the fuel in bulk. C. Savings in labor costs waiting in fuel lines to fill up individual trucks. According to a summary prepared by the Public Works Director, an estimated $1,500 per year could be saved in labor and fuel costs to help offset the cost of an underground tank. It was noted that the fuel pump would have individual keys given to the employees which automatically metered the amount of gasoline pumped by each employee for record keeping purposes. "lotion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to approve the expenditure of approximately $2,800 for the installation of an underground fuel storage tank at the "Maintenance Building property. 10. Consideration of the Appointment of a Responsible Authority for the Purpose of meeting the Requirements of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Purpose of this new Act is to insure that public documents are available for review by any individual at the City Hall. A responsible authority is required after appointment to prepare a public document contai ni rg procedures which the responsible authority will use to administer the "linnesota Government Data Practices Act. It was noted that unless the City can find a Federal Law or State Statute classifying a particular piece of information, it is a public document and must be released to the public if requested. - 7 - COUNCIL MINUTES - 1/14/80 ,'lotion was made by Phil White, seconded by Ken "taus and unanimously carried to appoint Mr. Gary Wieber, City Administrator, as the responsible authority for the administration of the Government Data Practices Act. (See Resolution 1980 #3). 11. Actions 'Necessary As A Result of the State Auditor's Report for the Five -Years Ended December 31, 1978. As a result of the recently completed State Auditor's report for the years 1974 through 1978, certain items should require Council action as indicated in the report. After some discussion about the Auditor's report, a special meeting was recommended to be set up whereby the State Auditor's Office can be in attendance to go over the report item by item before any action is taken by the City Council. By Council consensus, Wednesday, January 23, 1980 was set as the date for 'Ir. Arne Carlson of the State Auditor's Office to be in attendance to go over the audit report item by item. An alternate date of January 30, 1980 was set. In addition, Mr. Arne Carlson will be requested to provide information relative to questions the City Administrator has asked in regards to items listed in the report, which he felt were not clarified or are in disagreement with. No other action was taken at this time in regards to the audit. 12. Quarterly Department Head Fleeting. The following department heads were in attendance at the Quarterly "leeting: Sheriff's Dept. Rep. - Jim Powers and Don Hozempa Fire Dept. Chief - Paul Klein Civil Defense Dir. - Loren Klein Senior Citizens Cntr. Dir. - Karen Hanson Public 1,4orks Director - John Simola Gary Wieber - City Administrator Mike Feelstad - VICA Detached Worker Program Public Works Director, John Simola, reviewed with the Council the revised snowplowing policy, which is on file at the City Hall. The snowplowing procedures as listed in the policy were reviewed and discussed by the Council. Mr. �Ii ke "gel stad , of the VICA, indicated that a new project will be started this summer at the Y"^CA camp for motor cycle riding. He felt this is a project that has worked extremely well in other areas, and he is very excited over the program. - 8 - COUNCIL MI"IUTFS 1/14/80 No other action was taken by the Council other than review with each Department Head. 13. Approval of 41i nutes . Minutes of the Council fleeting held December 10, 1979 were approved on a motion by Phil 14hite, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried. 14. Statement of Approval of a New Hospital Clinic. The Monticello -Big Lake Community Hospital Board of Directors has been recently approached by six doctors interested in constructing a multi - specialty clinic to be attached to the local hospital. The Hospital Board strongly supported the concept and asked that the City Council of Monticello also give their support in a letter form. "lotion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried to have the City Administrator prepare a letter indicating that the City Council of Monticello wholeheartedly supports the construction of a multi -specialty clinic to be attached to the Monticello -Big Lake Community Hospital. It was noted that this would be a private clinic with no public funds expended and would be a worthwhile addition to the City of Monticello. Hearing no other business, the meeting was adjourned. Rick Wolfstel er, Assistant Administrator RWIns - 9 -