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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.19.74 Council Minutes 53 APPROVED 1/3/75 MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR AUGUST 19, 1974 The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 7:30 P.M. Present: Mayor Daily, Trustees Akin, Graphenteen, Kuchera, McElmury Also Present: Administrator Ford, Attorney Gorgos, Park and Recreation Com Chairman Orr, Architect Peterson The minutes of August 5, 1974 were deferred to the next meeting. Motion by Akin, second by McElmury that the council adopt resolution #R79-74 au—thorizing the placement before the electors at the next regular election, the question of permitting the sale of liquor by the drink on Sunday. APIF, motion carried. The council discussed the proposal of the creation of a joint CATV study committee. The mayor asked the council members to recommend to him candidates for appointment to this committee. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera to adopt resolution #R78-74 which corrects anadministrative oversight and accepts the results of Special Election in accordance with the minutes of January 19, 1974. APIF, motion carried. Mr. Lloyd Wettenkamp of Metro Cable informed the council that the cable TV system in Farmington as well as in the surrounding communities was in place and ready to be turned on. He further informed the council that he was being held up by the issuance of an interim certificate by the State Cable Television Commission which in turn was dependent upon the City of Farmington amending their franchise ordin- ance to conform with the proposed franchise provisions put out by the State Commission dated July 29, 1974. Mr. Steve Shaye, representing the State Cable Commission discussed this matter with the council. The Administrator and the City Attorney were instructed to contact Mr. Robert McDonald, Executive Director of the Commission and to determine the legitmacy and the reason for this with- holding of a certificate and in particular to determine why Metro Cable as a franchisee in Farmington had not been grandfathered in on the basis of sub- stantial construction completed. The council discussed the decision which had been made at their meeting of August 5, in which it was decided to submit to the voters the question of authorizing an additional sale of municipal bonds for the construction of an arena. It was pointed out that the day following that council meeting the council collectively had instructed the staff not to proceed with this action. Motion by Graphenteen, second by Kuchera that the council hereby formally resend t e�ecision to pro- ceed with a bond sale election at their meeting of August 5, 1974, and to validate the withholding of action by the staff. APIF, motion carried. The cour- _�iscussed at length with Mr. Orr, Mr. Peterson and members of the ,W' nce't e financial feasibility of proceeding with the construction of an lhtena. It was the consensus of the council that it was not financially feasible to proceed at this time due primarily, however, not exclusively, to the following . factors: (a) the limit of $670,000 authorized bond sales, (b) the excessively high bids that were received over and above the estimated bid, (c) the sharply escalated rate of interest that would have to be paid, (d) the on-line increased long term debt of the city, (e) the time limit specified by the firm bid, and (f) an inability to substantially reduce the cost under the present plans and specifications. Motion by Graphenteen, second by Daily that the matter be referred to the Park and Recreation Commission to consult with the Arena Study Committee in an attempt to specify a building within the financial capability of the city and report back to the council. APIF, motion carried. The council again discussed the possibility of formulating certain rules and regulations governing city parks. It was the consensus that no action be taken in this matter at this time but to inform the Police Department that the City would rely on more concentrated and stricter patroling in the parks. The Administrator presented to the council a partial payment request from Adkins- Jackels, Architects for the multi-purpose arena. The request was in the amount of $9218.05. This would bring the total paid to approximately $28,000. The Administrator expressed his misgivings that the City would have paid this money and received so little value. He raised the question of the City's legal status in view of the great disparity between the Architects estimate and the actual 54- low bid. Leon Orr urged that the bill be paid on the basis that value had been received and that the contract required it. City Attorney Gorgos re- commended that it not be paid until he could determine and report to the council what he believed to be the legal position of the City. Motion by Kuchera, second by Daily to approve the payment under contract #1974-1, to Adkins-Jackels in the amount of $9218.05 with the understanding that no further work be undertaken by this firm until further notice. Voting for: Akin, Daily, Kuchera, Graphenteen. Voting against: McElmury. Motion carried. Motion by Akin, second by Daily to adopt resolution #R77-74 which creates a special sewer fund #7-77-74. APIF, motion carried. The Administrator informed the council that on their behalf the city had agreed to host a meeting on September 24, 1974 in the the Farmington Civic Center of an area wide meeting of the Metropolitan Council for the expressed pur- pose of representatives of the council to meet with various area wide public officials. The meeting is to commence at 7:30 P.M. The City Attorney discussed with the council a petition from Peerless Plastics to vacate a portion of 2nd Street between Elm St and 170 ft. North. Motion by Akin, second by Daily to adopt resolution #R80-74 setting a public hear ni g in this matter for 7:30 P.M. , September 16, 1974. The Attorney to advertise. APIF, motion carried. Motion by Daily, second by Kuchera adopting resolution #81-74 authorizing the City of Farmington to participate in the National Bi-Centennial Celebration from 1974-1976. APIF, motion carried. The Administrator informed the council that an estimated cost had now been firmed up by the HRA which would pay for the necessary preliminary studies to take them through phase I and phase II. This figure was set at $9500. The Administrator informed the council that they had previously arranged for funding for the HRA in the amount of $7500 and that the HRA was uncertain as to the council intentions. It was the consensus of the council that word be conveyed to the HRA that the council would not have intended that the Authority be created unless it were to be funded and that obviously they could accomplish no work unless they were funded. It was suggested that the HRA contract with their consultants be split into two segments. The first covering work in the amount of $7500 and the second covering work in the amount of $2000. The latter of which would be forthcoming from the council. The Administrator discussed briefly with the council the matter of flow equali- zation which the Mid-America Company had been committed to construct by the Metro Sewer Board. The Administrator informed the council that their might be some possibility of their acquiring the present Farmington Waste Water Treatment Plant and Site and the possibility of modifying or converting this to some type of pre-treatment by Mid-America. The Administrator was author- ized to pursue the possibilities. Motion by Daily, second by McElmury to authorize the payment of Estimate #2 To Fischer Construction under contract 1974-2 in the amount of $216,544.37. APIF, motion carried. Motion by Daily, second by Kuchera to authorize the payment of Estimate #1 (Final) to Hi-Lite Electric to cover the total cost of Tennis Court Lighting in the amount of $3680.00. APIF, motion carried. Motion by McElmury, second by Graphenteen authorizing the payment of $1896.65 To-Twin City Testing Company in return for the work which they performed in conjunction with the inspection, testing and evaluating of work under contract 1973-1 (Lamppa, Inc.) APIF, motion carried. Motion by Daily, second by McElmury authorizing the payment of $782.75 to tib e Dakota County Highway Department, covering the cost of additional fencing in conjunction with Highway #31 land acquisition under project 70-11. Voting for: Daily, Graphenteen, Kuchera, McElmury. Voting against: Akin. Motion carried. wry r : Minutes of 8/19/74 cont. Motion by Graphenteen, second by Kuchera to adopt resolution #R82-74 setting tTie public hearing for assessment purposes on Westview Acres, Project 74-3 for September 9, 1974, 7:30 P.M. APIF, motion carried. MotiQn.,V44enteen, second by Kuchera to adopt resolution #R83-74 setting A 'T6Iic hearing for assessment purposes on Spruce Street, Project 73-3A & B for September 9, 1974 , 8 : 30 P.M. APIF, motion carried. Motion by Daily, second by Kuchera that the normally held first meeting of the monr this September be changed from the 2nd of September to the 3rd of September due to the Labor Day Holiday. APIF, motion carried. The council was informed of the results of the bids taken at 3:00 on the purchase of backhoe. The tabulation is as follows: Carlson Tractor and Equipment $5683.00 Long Lake Ford Tractor 5725.00 Midway Tractor and Equipment 5850.00 Motion by Daily, second by Kuchera that award of bid be made to the apparent low idder, Carlson Tractor and Equipment in the amount of $5683.00 contingent upon the concurrence of the Water Board as per previous agreement between the council and the Water Board. APIF, motion carried. The council was advised by the City Attorney that the Assessment roll for West- view Acres now depended upon the Council clarifying the method of assessment. After considered discussion he was instructed to employ the normal standard procedure under the existing council policy. In answer to a question by Mr. Gilbertson as to the disposition of their cost in preparing the sub-grade, he was informed that he should submit detailed bills to the Engineer for review. Motion by Kuchera, second by Daily that the bills, as submitted, be paid. APIF, motion carried. Motion made and carried to adjourn at 12:07 A.M. Respectfully submitted, William J. Ford City Administrator WJF/kg