1993-05-03 CC Minutes
Albertville City Hall
7:30 PM
.
ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
May 3, 1993
PRESENT: Mayor Mike Potter, Counci lmembers John Vetsch,
Sharon Anderson, Duane Berning, and Albert Barthel, city Engineers
Thore Meyer and Norm Gartner, City Attorney Mike Couri, City Clerk
Linda Houghton
Mayor Potter called the regular meeting of the Albertville
City Council to order.
The agenda was amended under Administration to add discussion
of the League of Minnesota Cities
Annual Conference and the Wright County Mayors' Association
meeting.
Berning made a motion to approve the agenda as amended.
Anderson seconded the motion. All voted aye.
.
The minutes of the April 19, 1993, meeting were amended on
Page 1, Paragraph 5 to clarify that Berning rescinded his motion
to vacate 60th Street NE only after Paul Ederer of Security Bank
Northwest stated that he did not need the vacation of the street
in order to construct the new bank building.
Vetsch made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 19,
1993, regular meeting of the City Council as amended. Barthel
seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Vetsch made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 27,
1993, Board of Review hearing as presented. Barthel seconded the
motion. All voted aye.
Upon the advise of the city attorney, no results of the closed
meetings previously held to discuss litigation between the City and
Doug and Beatrice Psyk will be announced until after the proper
court documents have been filed.
.
Ken Diers, 11389 54 1/2 Street NE, addressed the Council with
his concerns regarding a fire hydrant located in the middle of his
lot. Engineer Thore Meyer indicated that the pI ans and specs
called for the hydrant to be located on the lot lines and he was
unsure of how or why the hydrant was placed in a different spot.
Joint Powers had a representative on site during construction of
psyk's 4th Addition, and the error was apparently not discerned at
that point. Moving the hydrant would cost somewhere in the $1,000
area. The consensus of the Council is that Diers should contact
the Joint Powers Board about moving the hydrant, since Joint Powers
has accepted psyk's 4th Addition water improvements and subsequent
decisions affecting the water system.
Judy Roden questioned the Counci I on what wi II be done
.
ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
May 3, 1993
Page 2 of 6
regarding a failing septic system on the Ralph Ackerman property.
Couri advised the Council that he is aware of the situation and is
in the process of reviewing Wright County's ordinance, which was
adopted as the City's ordinance to determine the proper course of
action.
.
Bob Thistle of Springsted, Inc. reviewed the city's credit
profile with the Council. A copy of the Credit Profile is attached
as a permanent part of these minutes. Thistle recommended that the
Council take four steps to stabilize the City's financial outlook
and improve the chances of being rated. The four steps he outlined
are as follows:
(1) Put together a capital improvement program.
(2) Take steps to increase the General Fund fund balance from
its current deficit to a positive three-to-four month
reserve.
(3) Reduce the city's debt. Thistle explained that the
majori ty of Ci ty debt is special assessment debt and
would be paid of in the next five years. He suggested
that some of the current bonds be considered for
refunding in order to save interest payments.
(4) Establish a five year plan for making capital
improvements.
Thistl e wi II get Linda copies of other communi ties' Five Year
Program to review.
Linda reported that nei ther Dave Licht or Bob Kirmis from
Northwest Associated Consultants would be able to attend the joint
meeting with the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Park Board.
The Council agreed to postpone the meeting until Linda can contact
Licht to find a mutually convenient date to meet.
Linda reported that the composting program had been successful
and that the maintenance department had reported several requests
that the compost site be open at least one Saturday a month during
the summer. The Council decided that the Maintenance Department
could open the compost site the first Saturday of the month while
he is at the wastewater treatment site checking pumps. This will
not cost the City any additional expenses for overtime.
Mayor Potter told the Council that he had discussed procedures
and pol icies for crack seal ing wi th Ken and they would draft a
crack sealing policy prior to working on next year's budget.
.
Anderson made a motion to adjourn to a closed session to
discuss pending litigation regarding the assessment appeal by John-
George, Inc. at 9:25 PM. Vetsch seconded the motion. All voted
aye.
.
.
.
ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
May 3, 1993
Page 3 of 6
Mayor Pot ter reconvened the publ i c porti on of the Ci ty Counci I
meeting at 9:47 PM.
Attorney Couri reported he has determined that the concerns
over the assessment on the Virgil Pouliot problem that were brought
to the Council's attention appear to be a problem between the buyer
and seller of the property. The City had done everything properly
in placing the assessment on the one PID. The property should have
been split and given two PID number when it was sold.
Couri explained that the Radzwill Law Office cannot represent
the City of Albertville nor the City of Otsego in the disagreement
that has risen over the expansion of the wastewater treatment
facility. He advised the Council to retain an outside attorney to
represent the City's interests. Engineer Norm Gartner recommended
that the Ci ty have an attorney present to represent the Ci ty' s
interests when the PCA Board meets on May 25, 1993, to consider
approval of the recommendation of the PCA staff that an
Environmental Impact statement is not necessary for the wastewater
expansion.
Vetsch made a motion to authorize Mayor Potter to retain
counsel to review the Environmental Assessment Worksheet submitted
to PCA and to be prepared to attend the PCA Board meeting on May
25. Barthel seconded the motion. Berning questioned the need for
and the cost of retaining another attorney. He questioned if a
not-to-exceed cost figure should be establ ished. There were no
cost figure limitations added to the motion. Mayor Potter called
for a vote on Vetsch's motion. Barthel, Vetsch, and Anderson voted
aye. Berning voted no. The motion carried.
The Council decided to table discussion on City policy
regarding on the 429 statutes and Letters of Credit until after the
joint meeting to discuss the City's Comp Plan has been held.
Engineer Norm Gartner presented three proposals for an
Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey for the wastewater treatment
faci I i ty needed to answer issues raised by the Minnesota Historical
Society. The three proposals are as follows:
The 106 Group Ltd.
Archaeological Research Service
Braun Intertec
not to exceed $1,226
not to exceed $1,887
$2,400
Vetsch made a motion to accept the proposal from The 106 Group Ltd.
at a not-to-exceed cost of $1,226. Anderson seconded the motion.
All voted aye.
Gartner recommended that the Council consider increasing the
sewer rates wi thin the next six months by approximatel y 10% in
.
ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
May 3, 1993
Page 4 of 6
order to build up a cash reserve in the sewer fund at the end of
twenty years. He also suggested that the Council review the sewer
rates and consider an increase in another two or three years.
The Council will discuss a rate increase at the meeting to discuss
the City's comp plan.
Norm reported that he is sti II wai ting for word from the
electrical contractor regarding any non-essential cuts in the bid
for the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant.
Engineer Thore Meyer reported that the pre-construction
meeting on 50th street had been held. Fehn wi II be beginning
grading 50th street, possibly tomorrow. All but one easement from
property owners has been secured. Wilfred Becker has been
traveling and is expected to return soon. Thore reported
completion of the first lift on blacktop on 50th is scheduled by
August 1.
.
Thore reported the Main Avenue sidewalk project is basically
complete. The City removed more curb than necessary as requested
by the developers of Hardwood Ponds 2nd Addition. The additional
costs to the City will be billed to that developer.
Thore presented a Feasibi 1 i ty study for correction of the
drainage problems in the Burlington Northern Railroad/County 19
area ( a copy of which is attached as a permanent part of these
minutes) for the Council's review. The Council agreed to review
the study and discuss what should be done at the next Council
meeting.
Thore was directed to contact MNDOT concerning their
participation in the correction of the drainage problems along the
interstate. Frankfort Township is apparent I y not wi 11 ing to
participate in the costs, but the City Council has concurred that
the problem be corrected regardless.
Thore reported Widmer, Inc. will be starting the sewer main
replacement by 60th street and Large Avenue on June 1. Norm will
put together a proposal for repairing the storm sewer on Large
Avenue in conjunction with the sewer replacement project for the
Council to consider at their next meeting.
.
Anderson made a motion to approve the recommendation of the
Planning Commission to grant the variance request from L & D
Trucking allowing only partial blacktopping of the parking area,
the remainder to be of crushed cement for trailer parking and
allowing the pI acement of curb stops as opposed to curbing the
parking area, as presented in the site plan submitted. Berning
seconded the motion. All voted aye.
(2)
Addition, contingent upon the following:
The developer will comply with all conditions
outlined in the report from Northwest
Associated Consultant dated April 22, 1993.
The developer will comply with all conditions
outlined in Meyer-Rohlin's report dated April
22, 1993.
The developer enters into a Developer's
Agreement with the City.
The developer wi II, at his discretion, dedicate
property for a walking path, if feasible,
and/or make a cash payment for required park
dedication.
.
ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
May 3, 1993
Page 5 of 6
Vetsch made a motion to approve the recommendation from the
Planning Commission granting preliminary plat approval to Hardwood
Ponds 2nd
(1)
(3)
(4)
Barthel seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Vetsch made a motion to approve the Financial statement for
the period April 14 - April 28 as presented. Barthel seconded the
motion. All voted aye.
. Vetsch made a motion to approve payment of Check #7408 and
Check #' s 7425-7452 as presented. Barthel seconded the motion.
All voted aye.
Vetsch made a motion to approve the 3.2 Liquor License for the
Albertville Jaycees for May 7 from 5:00 PM to midnight, May 8 from
10:00 AM to midnight, and May 9 from noon to midnight. Barthel
seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Vetsch made a motion to approve the 3.2 Liquor License for the
Albertville Jaycees for June 11 from 5:00 PM to midnight, June 12
from 10: 00 AM to midnight, and June 13 from noon to midnight.
Barthel seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Vetsch made a motion to approve the 3.2 Liquor License for the
Albertville Fire Department for June 11 from 8:00 PM to midnight.
Barthel seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Vetsch made a motion approving the sale of the 1973 plow truck
for $1,500. Barthel seconded the motion. AIl.voted aye.
Because of the lateness of the meeting, the Council agreed to
table the insurance review until the next meeting.
.
Anderson made a motion to approve the amendments to the 1993
budget as presented (a copy of which is attached as a permanent
part of the record). Vetsch seconded the motion. All voted aye.
.
.
.
ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
May 3, 1993
Page 6 of 6
The Council took no action on the awarding a bid for
improvements in the psyk's 5th Addition pending a decision from the
developer and a signed Developer's Agreement.
Doug psyk questioned whether the City would allow PCV water
main to be installed instead of cast iron in Psyk's 5th Addition.
Joint Powers has updated its specs to allow PCV to be used, but
each community has the option of requiring the use of cast iron.
Thore was directed to check into the pros and cons of PCV vs. cast
iron.
The Counci I discussed Joint Powers' request that the Ci ty
require each developer to provide an additional letter of credit
or cash escrow to cover construction of the water system. Anderson
made a motion to have Joint Powers secure and maintain its own
letter of credit or escrow deposit. Barthel seconded the motion.
All voted aye.
Mayor Potter announced that the annual League of Minnesota
Cities Conference is being held in st. Cloud June 8-11 and told the
Council that if any of the Council was interested in attending to
contact either him or Linda.
Albertville will be hosting the June Wright County Mayors'
Association meeting.
Mayor Potter briefly reviewed his discussions with Winkelman
Construction regarding a lease/purchase program for a new fire
barn. Anderson questioned why the City had not received more than
one proposal and recommended that the Council should have at least
one other proposal to consider before any decision is reached. The
general consensus of the Counci I is to check around for other
companies that may provide lease/purchase agreements.
Berning made a motion to
seconded the motion. All voted
adjourn at 11: 45 PM.
aY~~
Michael Potter, Mayor
}
Barthel