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1993-03-15 CC Minutes . . . ~ ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL March 15, 1993 Albertville City Hall 7:30 PM PRESENT: Mayor Mike Potter, Councilmembers Duane Berning, Sharon Anderson, Albert Barthel, John Vetsch.. City Clerk Linda Houghton, City Attorney Mike Couri, City Engineer Thore Meyer, and Secretary Ann Culley. Mayor Potter called the regular meeting of the Albertville City Council to order. The Forum: ( 1) McDermeit agenda was amended by adding the following under Community Complaint regarding speeding on 51st St. and concerned residents. Wendi Mayor Potter further amended the agenda under administration to include a discussion regarding release of minutes only after approval of same. Berning made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Anderson. All voted aye. Anderson made a motion to approve the follow-up sheet for the March 1, 1993 meeting. Barthel seconded the motion. All voted aye. Anderson made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 1, 1993, meeting as submitted. Barthel seconded the motion. All voted aye. Wendi McDermeit addressed the Council regarding the problems on 51st Street and requested that the Council consider placing two stop signs, one in either direction, on that street. She further stated that the hill created a dangerous blind spot. Houghton stated that she has contacted the Sheriff's Department and requested that they keep a close watch on that area. Potter stated that the problem with placing stop signs where McDermeit has requested is that there is not a cross street there. It is the consensus of the residents that the businesses in the Industrial Park contribute heavily to the excessive traffic on 50th Street. The Council directed Linda to contact the Sheriff's Department once again and also to contact the businesses in the Industrial Park and request that they post signs to their employees asking them to drive cautiously. . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL March 15, 1993 Page 2 of 6 Thore Meyer was directed by the Council to check into what options are available to alleviate this problem. Speed bumps, 15 MPH speed limit, and flashing amber lights were some of the suggestions. Meyer will contact Wayne Fingalson, County Engineer, and find out who to contact with MNDOT to check into the matters of legality and liability. The residents stated their concern that the blind spot created by the hill is a bigger problem than the speed limit is. The Council also directed Meyer to provide them with a topography map of 51st Street. The Council will contact Wendi McDermeit after they have explored the options. . Ken Lindsay presented a quote for a used cab for the John Deer. The cost is $1500. Linda explained the Maintenance Department's proposal for future capital outlay to the Council (a copy of which is attached as a permanent record of the minutes). Lindsay further explained that the figures projected did not include any trade in value of the current equipment. He also stated that if the City continued to grow at its current rate, another plow truck would be needed. Anderson made a motion to approve the purchase of the used cab for $1500 from the capital outlay fund of the Maintenance Department contingent upon Potter physically inspecting the cab. Barthel seconded the motion. Anderson, Barthel, Vetsch, and Potter voted aye. Berning voted nay. Potter brought up a continuing problem with the storm sewer on 60th Street, near Barthel Industrial Drive, freezing up every spring. Potter suggested placing 2" of styrofoam and a layer of dirt on top of the pipe in that area to act as an insulator. Lindsay stated that there is an open catch basin there and that it could be dangerous. Lindsay recommended placing a beehive in that location after the sewer replacement project is completed. Meyer discussed a letter received from the Railroad regarding upgrading the railroad crossing on Main Avenue. The cost, which the railroad is not willing to share, would be $36,000+. It was the consensus of the Council that the City could not afford the expenditure at this time. . Meyer stated that the MPCA had to date received three responses to their environmental assessment worksheet regarding the wastewater treatment expansion. The responses were from the Historical Society, the DNR, and the City of Otsego. He further stated that he and Attorney Radzwill will meet with the City of Otsego and try to settle any concerns and answer any questions they may have. Meyer said that Widmer has completed the first leg of the sewer line replacement and will not complete the remainder of the project until after Albertville Friendly City Days. . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL March 15. 1993 Page 3 of 6 Potter mentioned that Meyer should check the manhole on the frontage road to the north of I-94 and see if it needs to be raised and sealed. Lindsay stated that he and Norm Gartner had already discussed this situation and that Gartner is looking into raising it. The Council next addressed the Planning Commission's recommendation to adopt Ordinance #1993-2, Shore land Management Ordinance. Attorney Couri advised the Council that, should they decide to publish the ordinance summary as opposed to the entire ordinance, they will be required to post the entire ordinance in a place where it is available for anyone to read. Couri stated that there would be no problem posting it in City Hall. He further stated that, after Council approval, the ordinance would have to be forwarded to the DNR for their final approval. Vetsch made a motion to approve RESOLUTION # 1993-7 adopting Ordinance # 1993-2 entitled AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1988-12 (LAND USE ZONING REGULATIONS) OF THE CITY OF ALBERTVILLE, RELATING TO SHORE LANDS AND PROVIDING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH REGULATIONS. The motion was seconded by . Barthel. All voted aye. Barthel made a motion to approve the summary of Ordinance #1993-2 entitled AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1988-12 (LAND USE ZONING REGULATIONS) OF THE CITY OF ALBERTVILLE, RELATING TO SHORELANDS AND PROVIDING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH REGULATIONS. Anderson seconded the motion. All voted aye. City Attorney, Mike Couri, arrived at 8:30 PM. Berning made a motion to recess the public meeting at 8:37 PM and to enter a closed meeting to discuss settlement proposals and litigation strategy between the City and Douglas and Beatrice Psyk and John-George, Inc. regarding assessment appeals. The public meeting was reconvened at 9:28 PM. City Attorney, Mike Couri, left the meeting at 9:30 PM. . Wally Boris of Jones Intercable presented the City with a check in the amount of $2,068.21, representing their 1992 franchise fee. Boris requested that Linda send copies of all new plats to them. He stated that Hardwood Ponds is scheduled for cable installation this summer. Boris was informed that Psyk's Fourth Addition on 54 1/2 Street and Lambert Avenue would like to be connected to cable. . . . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL March 15, 1993 Page 4 of 6 The Council directed Meyer to meet with the Rodens, Voght, and the Wright County Engineer to try to facilitate the drainage problem on their properties on County Road 19. The Council directed Linda to contact the railroad once again regarding the drainage and culvert problems behind Andy Savitski's property. She has already written to them twice and called them once with regard to this matter. The Council directed Meyer to meet with Savitski and see what the City can do. Berning made a motion to direct Linda to provide monthly budget reports, including revenue and expenditure figures to the Fire Department, the Planning Commission, and the Park Board. These reports are to be distributed by the 15th of each month. Anderson seconded the motion. All voted aye Wage Increases for Mike Rutkowski and Ann Culley was discussed by the Council. Linda stated that she had met with Barthel, Anderson, and Vetsch to discuss the employee reviews. Linda stated that the current deficit would be approximately $7,000 less than last year. She further proposed a 3.5% increase for Rutkowski and Culley. Said proposed increase would be . 33/hour for Rutkowski and .30/hour for Culley. Vetsch stated that he can' t justify an increase as the Council has other things to consider right now. Anderson stated she felt some type of compensation should be given but was not sure that much could be given at this time. Potter suggested a 2% increase for both of the employees. This would amount to .19/hour for Rutkowski and .18/hour for Culley. Linda questioned if the Council felt the increase should be retroactive to January 1, 1993. Anderson made a motion to grant a 2% increase to both Rutkowski and Culley, retroactive to January 1, 1993. Barthel seconded the motion. Anderson and Barthel voted aye. Berning and Vetsch voted nay. Potter cast the determining vote by signifying aye. The motion was carried. Linda stated that all of the City's employees had met with Potter and Berning in order to address continuing problems due to lack of communication. It was the consensus of those meeting that a Personnel Committee be formed, said committee to consist of two Councilmembers and the City employees. The purpose of the Committee being to gain more insight and to promote better teamwork. The Committee would meet once a month. She further stated that in a memo directed to the Council, the City employees had requested that Barthel be appointed to this committee. Berning made a motion to appoint Barthel and Potter to the Personnel Committee. Vetsch seconded the motion. All voted aye. . . . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL March 15, 1993 Page 5 of 6 Anderson stated that she would like the Committee meeting to be taped. She further requested that the City Council meetings be taped once again. Linda explained that the Council tapes would have to be retained for a period of 2 years, according to State Statute. None of the Councilmembers objected and it was decided that the meetings would be taped per Anderson's request. Anderson made a motion to approve the financial statement as submitted. Barthel seconded the motion. All voted aye. Anderson made a motion to approve payment of the bills, check #7294 -- #7321. Barthel seconded the motion. All voted aye. Anderson made a motion to approve the Engineering Contract. Barthel seconded the motion. All voted aye. Anderson made a motion to approve the application for a liquor permit from the Jaycees for City Park at March 21, 1993. Barthel seconded the motion. All voted aye. Potter suggested that the minutes of the Council and Planning Commission meetings not be released until after they have been approved in an effort to avoid inaccuracies in reporting. Berning stated that he felt that if minutes were provided within a day or two following a meeting the inaccuracies could probably be avoided. He further stated that he felt that if the minutes were not released until after approval, many of the residents would not be informed of what took place for two weeks. Linda explained that many times it is not possible to transcribe the minutes that quickly due to the fact that many other City matters take priority. Berning made a motion that the City not release any minutes of its meetings until after they have been approved. Vetsch seconded the motion. All voted aye. Anderson requested that a work session be set up in order to update the newest Councilmembers with regard to the City projects currently in process. The Council directed Linda to schedule a work meeting on March 24, 1933, at 7:00 PM, immediately preceding the Council meeting with Otsego to discuss the fire contract. The Council further directed Linda to post notice of this meeting. Linda questioned if the Council wanted the thank you for those involved in the park shelter to be placed in the Wrie:ht Count v Journal Press and The Crow River News. The consensus of the Council was to place the thank you in The Crow River News only. . . . .. ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL March 15, 1993 Page 6 of 6 Judy Roden questioned Potter as to why he didn't go back to using The Crow River News as the official City newspaper. Potter stated that he was looking for more objective journalism and indicated that he had called owner, Carol Larson, and she had not returned any of his calls, nor had she called anyone on the Council or at City Hall since the decision to change legal newspapers was made. Barthe 1 made a seconded the motion. motion to adjourn All voted aye. at 10 : 35 PM . Berning Ad/~ Michael Potter, Mayor