HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.21.75 Council Minutes 15�
G),
APPROVED I
MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR
July 21, 1975
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by the Mayor.
Present: Mayor Daily, Councilmen Akin, Johnson, Kuchera, McElmury
Also Present: Administrator Ford, Attorney Gorgos, Engineer Blaisdell
The Mayor opened the Public hearing, notice of which had been previously published,
to consider the proposed amendment to the Zoning ordinance which would provide for
Housing for the Elderly and Handicapped as a special exception in the B-2 zoning
district. It was pointed out that this had come to the council as a recommendation
from both the HRA and the Planning Commission. Motion by McElmury, second by Daily
that ordinance #075-13 entitled as above hereby be a—copted. APIF, motion carried.
Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the Police Department, in conjuction with
tNeGeneral Services Department be instructed to block off that section of public
street on Oak Street between third and second street on August 16, 1975 between
the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 12:00 P.M. in response to a request by the Farmington
VFW for an annual festival. APIF, motion carried.
Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the Police Department in conjunction with
tTie eneral Services Department be instructed to close off the following public
streets during the following hours in conjunction with the annual crazy days
celebration: July 25, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 P.M. and on July 26, between
7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. , on Oak Street between 2nd and 4th, on 3rd street between
Elm and Spruce. APIF, motion carried.
Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera to adopt resolution #R67-75 which increases the
retirement rment benefits for members of the Farmington F—ir—e--RelieT Association from
the present $200 per year of service to $300 per year of service at an anticipated
special levy cost of from between $1000 and $3000. APIF, motion carried.
The Engineer presented to the council his preliminary findings as to the approximate
cost of an overhead pedestrian bridge at Maple and the Railroad track. The council
had asked that this inofrmation be sought in response to a possible safety hazard
involving school children crossing the tracks through and under railroad cars.
The Engineer reported that, in his judgement, a total cost for an effective job
would be approximately $252,200, of which approximately $193,000 would be the
cost of the bridge, the addional cost would go toward chain link fencing on both
sides of the right of way to funnel the children into the bridge. The council
also discussed in conjunction with this matter, correspondence from the Farmington
School district dated July 16, 1975, in which they made inquiry of the council
whether or not any action was contemplated, involving the representation made by
the Chicago, Milwaukee Railroad that they intended to fence the right of way. Also,
in conjuction with this matter, the council discussed a memo to the City Administrator
by the City Attorney in which the latter states he has discussed this matter with the
Public Service Commission and that in their opinion some sort of official resolution
setting forth the contention of the council in this matter would bring some action.
The City Attorney further recommended that this be in the form of either a joint
resolution or that the School District be asked to submit a companion resolution.
Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera to adopt resolution #R68-75 setting forth the
ex siting conditions in the opinion of the council, as to e existing hazard at
that crossing and in addition the completely inadequate maintenance of surface crossings
throughout the City and requesting that the PSC take this matter under advisement.
APIF, motion carried.
The Mayor then opened the public hearing which had been previously published, dealing
with project #74-4, Sewer Lateral, 190th Street. The council discussed this project
with affected property owners who were in the audience and the City Attorney pre-
sented models of assessment rolls. It was emphasized to people present at the
outset that the dollar amounts used were simply for descriptive purposes and for
demonstrative purposes and should not be taken literately. There seemed to be a
consensus among the council members and those present that the project is desirable
and necessary and the projected costs as shown on the Engineer's feasibility study
of approximately $52,000 was reasonable. Motion by Kuchera, second by Johnson
to adopt resolution #R69-75 ordering the improvement and preparation of the plans
and specifications for project 74-4, sewer lateral, 190th street. APIF, motion carried.
t52
Motion by Kuchera, second by McElmury to set a public hearing for 7:30 P.M.
August 18, 1975 for the purpose of discussing a proposed amendment to the zoning
ordinance which would permit greenhouses and nurserys as a special exception in
the R-2 zoning district. APIF, motion carried.
Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera to approve the minutes as presented for June 16,
July 7 and July 16, 1975. APIF, motion carried.
The Administrator informed the council that the new immediate reponse vehicle
had been delivered to the Farmington Fire Department and that the International
Scout Vehicle was now excess to the needs of the Department and could be dis-
posed of. There was some discussion among the council members involving an
earlier decision as to whether or not the vehicle should be auctioned. Motion
by AKin, second by Kuchera that an auction be held at the council meeting-
August 18, 1975 at 8:00 P.M. , further discussion followed. Councilman Akin
then reviewed the minutes of the previous action and withdrew his motion.
Motion by Johnson, second by Kuchera to dispose of the vehicle by receiving
sem bids after due posted notice and preparation of specs. The exact
timing to be left to the City Administrator. APIF, motion carried.
The Administrator informed the council that correspondence had been received
from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in regard to the City's
pre-application for a housing and Community development grant. The gest of
the correspondence was that out of a list of 40 applicants within the metro-
politan area seeking participation in the discretionary fund pot, Farmington
had been rated number 4 in priority with recommended funding of $200,000.
The Administrator further informed the council that HUD was requiring an
A-95 Review from the Metropolitan council which meant that if a full applica-
tion were to be submitted, it must be at the Metropolitan Council no later
than August 31, 1975, and with the A-95 attached at HUD no later than
September 30, 1975. The council was reminded that on the pre-application
for the funding of various projects, it was indicated that certain amounts
of money would be spent by the city as a local share so that application
for and acceptance of a grant necessary committed the council for the spending
of certain monies. Further, it was pointed out that it might be necessary to
hire the assistance of a consultant in the preparation of the forms but that
an attempt would be made by in house staff to compile a satisfactory full
application if the council so desired. Motion by Akin, second by Johnson that
the Administrator be instructed to set fort-in motion the necessary tasks to
proceed with the compilation of a full HCD grant application, and that
resolution #R70-75 be adopted ordering the preparation of the above. APIF,
motion carrie .
The Mayor then opened the public hearing, notice of which had been published
earlier, to consider the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance which
would allow one mobile home per rural tax parcel. It was indicated to the
council that this had come to the council as a recommendation from the
Planning Commission and that in their opinion this amendment would not do
violence to the intent of the ordinance. Motion by Akin, second by McElmury,
that ordinance #075-14 be adopted permitting mobile homes in certain rural tax
districts. APIF, motion carried.
The council set a public hearing for 8:00 P.M. , August 18, 1975, to consider
the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance which would permit a subdivision
real estate sign advertising the sale of property, not to exceed 80 sq. ft. ,
Motion by Akin, second by McElmury that the above public hearing be set and the
t orney t�oq publish. APIF, motion carried.
Mot' O Akin, second by McElmury to set a public hearing for 8:30 P.M. to
eDeer the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance which rezones certain
lands near Willow and 8th Street from R-2 and I-1 to B-1. APIF, motion carried.
Motion by Akin, second by Johnson to adopt resolution #R71-75 which puts the
Fa inrm gton City Council in favor of the position of t e League of Minnesota
Municipalities concerning proposed amendments to the open meeting law. APIF,
motion carried.
The Mayor requested of the council that they be prepared to submit names of
nominees for appointment to the HRA to replace Norman Hansen who had resigned.
Such nominees to be discussed at the meeting of August 4, 1975.
158
Page 3
Council Mtg
July 21, 1975
The council authorized the City Administrator to put in motion the necessary
steps preparatory to the hiring of a Park and Recreation/Ice Arena Manager.
This would include the writing of a job description, duties and authority,
suggested wage scale, cut off date for applications, method of selection and
starting date.
At the request of the Park and Recreation Commission and the City Administrator,
the Council authorized the hiring of Chuck Malecha and Bill Orr to jointly
supervise the activities of the Youth Center. It was understood that both would
be hired on a temporary basis until August 18, 1975, at a salary of $2.50/hr.
The council then discussed project 74-5, Sidewalks, original installation. An
inquiry had been received from the school district asking about the timing of
this project, the final cost and the possibility of their doing the work them-
selves. It was the consensus of the council that because of the delays involved
in preparing plans and specifications and securing bond funds that this probably
would not be done, if it were done by the City, until October or November. It
that context it was also the consensus that the saw no impediment to allowing the
school, its choice of whether to do the work itself on a grant of easement by the
City to the Right of way, or to be included in the 1975 construction schedule.
It was taken note of, that should the school elect to go on its own, the question
of sidewalks in front of two private residences on the west side of fourth street
immediately north of Walnut, would have to be dealt with. Motion by McElmury,
second by Kuchera adopting Resolution #R72-75 which drops any Erther considera-
tion of project 74-5 . APIF, motion Carrie .
The Mayor reported to the full council that he had attended on July 8, 1975, a
meeting of representatives from Dakota County municipalities to evaluate the
possibility of the establishment of a watershed district which would include
the City of Farmington. The meeting was conducted by the Dakota County Planner
and was intended to give background information to the communities. As a result
of the Mayor's report, the council instructed the Administrator to make contact
with the Dakota County Planner and to follow up on the question of Watershed District
establishme t.
inistrator informed the council that the April lst annual population estimate
Metropolitan Council for the City of Farmington was 4062.
Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera that the bills be approved for payment as
presented. APIF, motion carried.
The City Attorney informed the council that the Reitz special assessment appeal
trial date had been postponed with no new date established; that a trial date of
September 15, 1975, had been obtained for the case of Lamppa vs Farmington and
that the constitutional challenge of the City anti-pumping ordinance involving
Townsedge Shopping Center had been set for trial August 6, 1975.
Councilman Akin related a problem which he had encountered involving a vicious
dog running loose within the City. He indicated that he was upset in that he
had reported the existence of this hazard to the Police Department and that insofar
as he could determine, nothing had been done and that it had required a specific
followup on his part. This incident lead to a some what generalized discussion
involving the overall performance of certain departments and personnel within these
departments and the relationship between the departments and members of the depart-
ments and members of the council. During the discussion it was pointed out that
an individual councilman did not, by law, have the authority to issue direct orders
to employees on the basis that these orders may constitute the thinking of a single
individual and might very well not be agreed to by the other members of the council,
on the other hand it was agreed that each individual councilman could arrive at his
own conclusion as to the level of performance of any employee or department within
the framework of council established policy. As a result of this discussion the
council instructed the Administrator to construct a study and an analysis of the
existing governmental organization in Farmington and to make recommendation in a
specific area of various roles and relationships between the Council-Administrator-
Department Heads. A complete re-examination should be made of the duties, authority,
policy, departmental evaluation, organizational structure, authority limitations
and perogatives and that specific recommendations should be made to the council
as to how the existing governmental structure might be improved or at least clarified.
Motion made and carried to adjourn at 10:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
William J. Ford
City Administrator