1994-05-02 CC Minutes
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 2, 1994
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Potter (8:44pm); Anderson, Barthel, Berning. Vetsch
STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Powers; City Attorney Couri (8:00pm);
City Engineer Robertson; City Working Foreman Lindsay; City Public Works
Assistant Rutkowski
OTHERS PRESENT: Donatus Vetsch, Judy Roden, Aaron Brom. Clemens Marx,
Bernard Marx, Doug Psyk. Tom Haller, Joyce Smith, Char Zachman, Brian
Wulff, Jeff Cobb.
The meeting was called to order by Berning @ 7:32pm.
Vetsch/Barthel unanimous to approve agenda.
Barthel/Vetsch unanimous to approve consent agenda.
Community Forum
-Bernard Marx: Water problems on Clemens Marx~s property. He had heard that
the culvert under the railroad was to be repaired. A 16" culvert was broken
when the high school sewer was put in; as a result, there is water l' over
the culvert and 2.5-3' of water in the meadow. He wants the water out of
there. The City Council directed Robertson to make a field visit to the
.area in question and report his findings to the Council.
-Tom Haller: Requests usage of the City Hall on Thursday, May 5, to meet
with 50 St residents concerning pending litigation against the City. The
Council said that the City Hall was in use that night for a Park Board
meeting. The Council recommended usage of the park shelter. Haller will get
back to the City on that recommendation.
-Joyce Smith: Drainage problem in the back yard of her property at 11711 NE
54 St. Powers stated the engineering problems associated with that location
as told him by Norm Gartner of Meyer-Rohlin. The City Council directed
Robertson to make a field visit of the property and report his findings to
the Council.
Maintenance Department
-Tractor/Loader: Lindsay and Barthel looked at tractor/loaders. They agreed
that a utility model would better serve the City~s needs.
Vetsch and Anderson questioned if a new tractor/loader was necessary given
the diminishing amount of non-paved roads in the City.
Vetsch moved to table this issue for another year. Motion died for lack of
a second.
Barthel/Anderson 3-1 (Vetsch) to table this issue until the June 6. 1994
.Council meeting, and directed Powers to gather more information about cost
and the effect of the purchase on carry-over.
-Flow Mate: Lindsay feels that the City would save money by purchasing a
flow rate meter and checking flows ourselves. as opposed to contracting
this out. PCA requires these flows be checked on a regular basis.He
delivered a quote of $3,055 + tax + freight for the piece of equipment.
Anderson/Barthel unanimous to table the request until the May 16. 1994
.council meeting, and directed Powers to check into this request and report
back to the Council.
-Project Updates: Lindsay reported that the water flow into the storm sewer
system has increased from 130,000 gallons to 500,000 gallons due to the
recent heavy precipitation. He feels there is a problem with residents
directing their sump pump flows into the sanitary sewer, which is against
City ordinance. Couri suggested an ordinance that requires sump pumps
installed in existing housing at the point of sale; as an alternative, he
suggested that certification of no floor tiling going into the sanitary
sewer be provided the City from the buyer.
-Crack Sealing: Lindsay reported that the crack sealing equipment arri.ved,
so that the crack sealing will be done this week. Lindsay further requested
additional help to drive the truck and flag traffic. He further stated that
he has had this help in the past; he knows personally of individuals who
will help out; and they request $8/hr for their help. Powers reported to
the Council that Lindsay had requested this help earlier today, and that he
wished Council advise on the request, feeling that $8/hr. is a bit high for
the kind of help Lindsay is requesting. The Council directed Powers to
secure help at a pay range closer to $5/hr.
Le~al
Psykrs 6th Addition Final Plat Approval: Couri discussed the Developer"s
Agreement Summary. [Potter arrives during this discussi.on.] Major points of
. contention:
-Park dedication: land vs. fees. The City Council referred this issue to
the Park Board.
-Drainage: It appears that surface drainage will flow north into Clemens
Marx"s property. A culvert is proposed on both sides of Lachman Av NE on
Marx"s property. Psyk mentioned that he had drafted a drainage agreement
covering this area, but has not as of yet come to an agreement with Marx.
The Council directed Robertson to make a field visit and research the
situation.
Anderson/Barthel unanimous to table final plat approval pending resolution
of the drainage problem.
1994 City Hall Property Taxes: Couri stated that, since the City took
possession of the present City Hall after July 1, 1993, the City is liable
for all property taxes (city, county, school district). The net amount of
this tax would be in the $4,000-$4,500 range. The Council directed Powers
to investigate methods of abating this charge, to locate funds in the
budget to cover this shortfall, and to check with the County to insure the
property will be tax-exempt for 1995.
Organized Collection: Couri reviewed State Statutes concerning organized
collection. According to these statutes, the City must undergo a 180 day
.Planning and formulation period that involves input from the haulers (if
they so desire) prior to instituting an organized collection system. The
Council directed Powers to discuss with the haulers price comparisons
involving tipping at the County compost and tipping at other locations.
Administration
4It[Letter from Chuck and Karen Mason: The Mason~s wrote a letter to the City
concerning the following items: sewer line was not insulated due to
excavation work on 50 St; property stakes that were removed and not
replaced; and more water in the swamp east of their property.
The Council directed Powers to copy Thore Meyer this letter and to have him
investigate the situation.]
Wulff variance: Petitioner Wulff (5552 Lannon Av NE) is requesting a
variance from the 10~ side setback ordinance in order to construct an
additional attached garage next to the existing attached garage. Since this
is categorized as a minor residential variance. no Planning/Zoning review
is necessary per ordinance; however. it does require a 4/5~s vote of the
Council.
Anderson/Vetsch unanimous to approve the Wulff variance.
Patio/Volleyball Court request: Mike Zachman~s 4/23/94 letter to the
Council requests Council permission to keep the patio and volleyball court
area next to the 152 Club open until 1:00am Sunday June 26 (Saturday night)
for the Lamont Cranston show. and until 1:00am Sunday June 12 (Saturday
night) for Friendly City Days.
Council-discussion centered primarily on crowd control for both events.
~Anderson/Vetsch unanimous to approve Zachman~s request. amended as to time
~(12:30am) and security (at least one uniformed Wright County Sheriff~s
Deputy on duty until no later than 2:00am Sunday June 12 and June 26).
1-94 Sewer/Water Extension: On 4/27/94 a meeting was held with affected
property owners in the area north and east of the I-94/County Road 37
interchange for the purposes of planning for the sewer/water extension. It
is the sense of the Council that a committee of two Council members be
formed to worked with the affected property owners. and that any action
await return of a survey of these property owners to ascertain their
construction plans.
Stop Signs: Still no MN/DOT traffic study_ Powers said he would check with
MN/DOT for a progress report on the traffic study.
Personnel: Powers proposed changes to the City~s personnel policy. These
changes involved language pertaining to a "chief administrative officer";
limited layoff power given to the administrator; and a progressive
discipline policy.
Berning/Anderson unanimous to approve changes to the City~s personnel
policy.
EDA: Powers notified the Council that Diane Vinge of L+ D Trucking has
expressed a willingness to serve on the Albertville EDA. It was suggested
~that. in the absence of any affirmative response from Curt Muyres. that the
~Mayor appoint four of the five members. with the fifth to be named at a
subsequent Council meeting.
Anderson/Barthel 3-1 (Berning) to approve the mayoral appointments of
Vinge. Rod Fraser. Potter. and Berning to the Albertville EDA.
Anderson/Barthel unanimous to adjourn @ 10:34pm.
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Dale Powers, City Administrator
C:\WORDFILE\MINS0502.94
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Mike Potter, Mayor
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