City Council Minutes 05-12-1980MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
May 12, 1980 - 7:30 P. M.
Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Dan Blonigen, Fran Fair, Ken Maus, Phil White.
Members Absent: None
1. Consideration of Final Resolution Approving the Issuance of $975,000
in Industrial Development Revenue Bonds - Clow Stamping Co., Inc.
Clow Stamping Co., Inc. requested final approval for the issuance of
$975,000 in Industrial Development Revenue Bonds. The City Council, at
their January 14, 1980 meeting, gave preliminary approval, and also the
Commissioner of Securities for the State of Minnesota has given prelimin-
ary approval.
The funds will be used by Clow Stamping Co. to build a new manufacturing
facility in the Oakwood Industrial Park, and it was noted that the bonds
are not a general obligation of the City of Monticello and will not be charged
against the general credit or taxing power of Monticello. Mr. Gary Pringle,
City Attorney, has reviewed all documents relative to the issuance of
the bonds, and it was his recommendation that the City could adopt a final
resolution approving the issuance.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried
to adopt the final resolution for the approval of $975,000 in industrial
development revenue bonds for Clow Leasing Co. (See Resolution 1980 #10)
2. Consideration of an Ordinance for Electric Distribution and Transmission
Franchise Rights - Northern States Power Companv.
Mr. Ward King, representing Northern States Power Company, informed the
City Council that their present franchise to operate electric distribution
system and transmission lines within the City of Monticello will expire
September 5, 1980. Mr. King asked the City Council to adopt an ordinance
granting NSP a new 20 -year franchise right which gives NSP the right to
construct and maintain its poles and transmission lines and other fixtures
as necessary on City property, streets and public ways.
Although it was noted by the Council that some communities charge a fran-
chise fee to the power companies for this right, such a franchise fee is
still charged back to the property owners on their monthly billings.
Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Phil White and unanimously carried
to adopt an ordinance granting franchise rights to Northern States Power
for the period of 20 years beginning May 12, 1980, without any franchise fee.
(See Ordinance Amendment 5/12/80 #73).
COUNCIL MINUTES - 5/12/80
3. Consideration of Rezoninq Request from R-1 to R-3 - Harold Ruff.
Mr. Harold Ruff, owner of a parcel of land that lies east of Kampa Estates
and west of the NSP maintenance building, between the railroad tracks and
County Road 39, requested that this parcel be rezoned from single family
residential to R-3, multiple family.
Jack Maxwell, of Maxwell Realty, representing both Mr. Ruff and his son
Tom Maxwell, indicated that a purchase agreement for the parcel is contin-
gent upon the rezoning and he also indicated that his son would be planning
on building an apartment complex in this 3.94 acre parcel.
John Badalich, City Engineer, informed Mr. Maxwell and the City Council
that, although this property has been served with sewer and water and has
been assessed for such, no service stub was assessed to the property since
Mr. Ruff did not want any service stubs at the time the project was put in.
Mr. Badalich indicated that the City did install a service stub for sewer
and water at the east end of Mr. Ruff's property on City property. It was
noted that should development occur on this parcel of land, an additional
amount of approximately $1,200 would be charged to the property owner as an
additional cost for sewer and water hookup.
Mr. Ralph Munsterteiger indicated that, if the development on this parcel of
land which abuts Kampa Circle plans on using Kampa Circle for access to
their development, then the Council should consider some type of reimburse-
ment to the property owners in Kampa Estates since this 4 acre parcel
was never assessed for any part of the street improvements along Kampa
Circle. Mr. Maxwell indicated that he plans on having only one access
off of County Road 39, and should not have any need for access from
Kampa Circle.
At their last meeting, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the
rezoning request, and felt that the subject property was well -located and
suited for multiple family construction due to the commercial property to
the east and the railroad tracks to the north to act as buffer zones.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried
to approve the rezoning of this 3.94 acres from R-1 to R-3 contingent upon
the property getting access from County Road 39.
4. Continuation of Public Hearing on 1980-1 Improvement Project to Serve
Macarlund Plaza and Land Owned by Maurice Hoqlund.
This public hearing was continued from the April 14, 1980 Council meeting
at which time the City Council decided to defer action to give the developers
and the City Engineer time to work out new proposed alignments for the
improvements to the development. One of the concerns expressed at the
April 14th meeting was that Maurice Hoglund wished to develop his property
just north of his present residence, but was not in favor of sewer and water
extensions along East County Road 39 to his other property.
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COUNCIL MINUTES - 5/12/80
City Engineer, John Badalich, presented a feasibility report and cost
estimate for improving Macarlund Plaza development with sewer and water
and storm sewer drainage from Mississippi Drive, rather than along East
County Road 39. The new layout for serving the Macarlund Plaza would
route sewer and water between Lots 14 & 15, Block 3, Hoglund Addition,
from Mississippi Drive through an easement to serve the property. The
total cost for getting the improvements from Mississippi Drive into the
Macarlund Plaza development was estimated at $106,100. Mr. Badalich
indicated that this entire $106,100 could be assessed to the Macarlund
Plaza apartment complex consisting of 30 individual townhouse lots at
an approximate cost of $3,540 per townhouse unit. Another alternative
discussed by Mr. Badalich was the extension of sewer and water to serve
Lots 1 thru 6, Block 1 of Macarlund Plaza, south of the townhouse
development, thereby eliminating any sewer and water construction on
East County Road 39. The additional cost of serving these six lots
in the development would amount to an additional $31,000, making the total
cost of $137,100. A possible way of assessing this total cost could be
based on the amount of potential benefit by each property, resulting
in 30 townhouse lots being assessed $92,915 with each of the commercial
lots 1 thru 6 being assessed different amounts based on front footage.
After the feasibility report was presented by Mr. Badalich, Jack Maxwell,
representing Macarlund Plaza, indicated that he would like more time to
discuss with other partners in the development, which would be the more
desirable method of serving the property. It was noted that, although it
would be up to the City to decide, numerous ways of assessing the Macarlund
Plaza development and other lots owned by Curtis and Maurice Hoglund
could be decided in the future.
It was the Council consensus to table any action on preparing plans and
specifications for this project until all property owners have had a chance
to review the report and be in attendance at the next Council meeting
scheduled for May 27, 1980.
5. Consideration of Holding Public Hearing on Extension of Sewer, Water and
Street Improvements along Prairie Road.
A petition was received from Mel Wolters requesting that sewer, water and
street improvements be extended approximately 330 to 360' west of its
existing termination point on Prairie Road to serve lots in The Meadows
Subdivision Plat.
John Badalich, City Engineer, prepared a feasibility report on the exten-
sions, and estimated that the total project would cost $45,480 to serve
nine assessable lots. Each lot being served by sewer, water and street
improvements would have an assessment of $5,053.55, and also, four unit
charges would be assessed to property south of Prairie Road owned by
Don Christopher, in the amount of $19,881.60.
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COUNCIL MINUTES - 5/12/80
Although a public hearing on the proposed improvements would be held in
the future, Ralph Munsterteiger, representing The Meadows Subdivision,
indicated that the Christophers, at present time, are not in favor of
the improvements, but Mr. Munsterteiger is working with the property owner
to work out a solution to the problem. Mr. Munsterteiger felt that some
type of solution would be worked out and requested that the public hearing
be held on the improvement. It was also noted by Mr. Munsterteiger and
the City Engineer, that if the sewer and water were extended an additional
few feet to the west, one more lot could be served with sewer and water,
thus reducing the total assessments per parcel, because there would be ten
parcels rather than nine to be assessed.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimsouly
carried to adopt a resolution receiving the feasibility report on the pro-
posed improvements and calling for a public hearing on the extension of
sewer, water and street improvements along Prairie Road. (See Resolution
1980 #11) .
6. Consideration of Utilization of Historical Museum.
A meeting was recently held by the Monticello Historical Society, and one
of the topics was the utilization of the Monticello Historical Museum at
the corner of Highway 25 and Broadway Street in Monticello.
Mrs. Marion Jameson, Wright County Historian, informed the Council that
only one additional member besides herself attended the meeting to discuss
the future of the Historical Society of Monticello. Mrs. Jameson indicated
that although attendance at the meeting was poor, she would like to see
something get going on the Historical Museum in Monticello. Suggestions
presented included the possibility of additional display cases at the present
building for such items as photographs and other items in an effort to get
something going in Monticello.
Mrs. Jameson indicated a willingness to spearhead an effort to organize and
contact people to see if something could be started. She indicated that
she would talk to some of the members of the Senior Citizens Center to
see if some of the people would be willing to help and provide manhours
at the Museum.
It was noted by Mr. Blonigen that he felt the location of the present
museum is too small to get something going, and felt that larger space
would be necessary before a lot of enthusiasm for such a project could
get started. Although Mrs. Jameson thought that a larger area would be
nice in the future once the museum got started, she felt that the present
site would be adequate for a start.
Motion was made by Fran Fair, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously
carried to appoint Mrs. Jameson as Chairwoman of the Historical Society
to see if she can get something organized and some interest going in
a museum. Mrs. Jameson indicated that the possibility does exist for
the City to hire CETA workers to spearhead a historical museum if the
City would be interested. Mrs. Jameson will be reporting back to the
Council on her efforts to organize the historical committee.
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COUNCIL MINUTES - 5/12/80
7. Consideration of a Variance for the Temporary Display_ of a Banner b
the A.F.S. on Broadway Street.
Darlene Anderson, with the American Field Service, requested a variance to
allow the display of a temporary banner across Broadway Street by the
Lutheran Church for a spagetti dinner to be held at the Church on May 22,
1980. She requested that this banner be displayed for approximately one
week in advance of the festivity, and would be taken down immediately
afterwards.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Dan Blonigen and unanimously
carried to approve the variance allowing for the display of a banner by
the A.F.S. across Broadway Street for a period of one week beginning
May 16 thru May 22, 1980. It was noted that the banner should be located
in the downtown area as the area near the Lutheran Church appears not to
be suitable for hanging a banner.
8. Consideration of Proposed Garbage Disposal _Contract _and Authorization to
Advertise for Bids.
New contract proposals were prepared for the Council's review prior to the
actual bid -letting scheduled for May 27, 1980. The present garbage haulers
have served their written notice that they intend to terminate their
contract as of August 1, 1980. The new proposals call for bids for
either a one-year contract or a three-year contract, and both contain
options of either once or twice weekly pickups.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Ken Maus and unanimously carried
to approved the proposed garbage disposal contract specifications and
authorize the advertisement for bids returnable May 27, 1980.
9. Review of First -Quarter 1980 Financial Statements for Municipal Liquor
1�tnrA
Mark Irmiter, Manager of the Liquor Store, reviewed with the Council the
1st quarter financial statements for the off -sale liquor store operation.
It was noted that sales have increased approximately 17% over the 1st quarter
of 1979, with gross profit up approximately 28%. No action was taken by
the Council other than review of the financial statements with
Mr. Irmiter.
In regards to the liquor store site, the Council authorized the Public
Works Director to look into the possibility of putting in a sand -point for
watering the front lawn at the liquor store site.
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COUNCIL MINUTES - 5/12/80
10. Consideration of Having our Engineer Prepare Plans and Specifications to
Bid Right -Turn Lane - Sandbera South.
As a result of an April 30, 1980 letter from the Minnesota Department of
Transportation (MN/DOT) it appears that the City of Monticello will now
have to install a right -turn lane into the Sandberg South development at
its own expense.
The City Council originally reviewed this item in September and October of
1979, and it was decided at that time to appeal the requirement of a
right -turn lane into Sandberg South addition. According to the regula-
tions of the MN/DOT, an entrance permit application was necessary for access
to the plat because the property changed use by subdividing and that all
the cost for a right -turn lane is the responsibility of the City.
In the fall of 1979, the City Engineer estimated that this project would
cost approximately $5,000 for a right -turn lane of over 300' in duration.
Although it appears that the City will be required to install a right -
turn lane at its own expense, the preparations of plans and specifications
for this improvement was delayed until the next scheduled meeting in order
to give the Public Works Director a chance to check out the plans and
specifications used on similar right turn lanes along Highway 25, such
as the one recently installed in Buffalo, Minnesota. It appears that
other similar right -turn lanes are not nearly as long as the one proposed
in Monticello.
11. Consideration of Having Plans and Specifications Prepared for Commuter
Parking Lot Southwest of I-94/Highway 25 Interchange.
A parcel of land located at the southwest intersection of I-94 and
Highway 25 is scheduled to be deeded from the State of Minnesota to
Wright County, and in turn, from Wright County to Monticello for
the use and development of a commuter parking lot. A preliminary site
layout of the land for use as a commuter parking lot has been prepared
that would accommodate approximately 220 cars. The estimated cost for
the development of this entire site including landscaping, grading and
paving, could amount to $50 - $60,000.
Although the Council felt that the need for such a commuter lot is
imminent, the consensus was that if the lot is developed, it should
probably be only Class 5 to begin with and could be developed in
stages rather than the entire lot at one time. The possibility also
exists that funds might be available from the State of Minnesota to help
develop commuter parking lots in the future, and as a result, if such a
parking lot is developed, a public hearing would probably be held to
consider a Class 5 parking lot only for one or two years.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded.by Ken Maus and unanimously
carried to authorize the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications
improving the proposed parking lot with blacktop, lighting, 1andscaping,
etc., with the possibility of developing the project into three stages.
Once the feasibility study is prepared and the costs are known, a public
hearing could then be held on the project.
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COUNCIL MINUTES - 5/12/80
12. Approval of Minutes - Special Joint Meeting of April 24, 1980 and Regular
Meeting of April 28, 1980.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously carried
to approve the Minutes of the City Council's Special Meeting held April 24th
and Regular Meeting held April 28, 1980.
13. Consideration of Setting Salary Scale and Reallocation of Wages for
Information Center during 1980.
Karen Hanson, Senior Citizens Center Director, requested that the City
adjust the allocation of those personnel working at the Information Center.
Mrs. Hanson asked that the City consider the possibility of paying those
employees who work at the Information Center 2/3's of the hourly wages
with the remaining 1/3 being set aside for the Senior Citizens Center
rather than the 50/50 split in previous years. Reasons for this request
was that the people who do work at the Information Center do provide
their own transportation to and from the Center and do contribute quite
a bit already to the Center in terms of any portion of the wages they
earn. In addition, Mrs. Hanson asked that the hourly wage be set at
$2.90 per hour in 1980 as a result of the Minimum Wage Law in the
State of Minnesota.
Motion was made by Phil White, seconded by Fran Fair and unanimously
carried to authorize the payment of $2.90 per hour for staffing the
Information Center, with 2/3's of the salary being paid to the individual
and 1/3 being set aside in a fund for the Senior Citizens Center.
Meeting adjourned.
RW/ns
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Rick Wol fstel
r
Assitant Adm'
istrator
RW/ns
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