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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.07.77 Council Minutes MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR FEBRUARY 7, 1977 1. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 7:30 P.M. Present: Mayor Akin, councilmen Johnson, Kuchera, McElmury, Whittier Also Present: Administrator Ford, Attorney Gorgos 2. Motion by McElmury, second by Whittier that Fire Fighter Ken Kuchera hereby be promoted to the position of Assistant Chief retroactive to January 1, 1977, (budget adjustment dated 2/4/77) . Voting for: Akin, Johnson, McElmury, Whittier. Voting against: None. Abstaining: Kuchera. Motion carried. 3. Motion by Kuchera, second by McElmury that Fire Fighter Gerald Klahr be appoin�as Secretary Treasurer of the Fire Department. APIF, motion carried. 4. Motion by Akin, second by,Kuchera that the 1977 budget for the Fire Department operating portion be adjusted to provide for the payment of two assistant Fire Chiefs at $40.00 per mo.ea.by further reducing the General Supplies budget by $480 and increasing contract Fire Charges receipts by $480. APIF, motion carried. 5. A public hearing previously set by the council for 8:00 P.M. this date could not be held because publication of notice had not been made. The council. was asked to reset the public hearing in the matter of project 77-2, street improvement Phase II, Pine Knoll, Dunbar Ave. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera to adopt Resolution #R4-77 which resets the public hearing in the above matter for 8:OO P.M. March 7, 1977. APIF, motion carried. 6. The public hearing scheduled for 7:30 P.M. was opened by the Mayor to consider the proposed ordinance which amends the zoning ordinance by initially .zoning certain lands recently annexed to the City from Castle Rock Township. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera to adopt Ordinance #077-49 entitled An Ordinance amending the zoning ordinance map by initially zoning certain recently annexed land in Castle Rock Township. APIF, motion carried. 7. The council was informed of correspondence received from the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities which set forth a program for Dutch Elm Disease Control which that organization was to urge upon the legislature. 8. The council then discussed the recommendations of the Planning Commission concerning the possible rezoning of certain lands from R-1 to R-A and also amending the zoning ordinance to permit in the R-A zoning District the land use entitled "Equipment Maintenance and Storage; Non-Commercial". Motion by Whittier, second by Kuchera that a public hearing be held in the above matter at 8:30 P.M. , March 7, 1977. APIF, motion carried. 9. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the council hereby appoint Lawrence Daily as a member of the Farmington CATV Advisory Commission provided for under Ordinance #076-47, adopted 12/20/76, for a three year term from February 1, 1977 to January 31, 1980. APIF, motion carried. 10. The council was informed that representative Robert Jensen and James White would be holding public informational meetings on February 25,: 1977 at the Lakeville City Hall at 3:30 P.M. and the Farmington City Hall at 6:30 P.M. 11. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera that the request for budget adjustment dated F�F-e ruary 7, 1977 providing for purchase by General Services of a Truck Tool Box in. the amount of $157 and an Administrative pager in the amount of $285 and additional Class 5 for $1038 with a corresponding reduction in General Services Street Salaries of $1480 be approved. APIF, motion carried. 12. Motion by Kuchera, second by Whittier that the City hereby employ Mr. Thomas Jensen as a permanent full-time employee, Light Equipment Operator at the rate of $6.04 per hour effective March 1, 1977 and further that the normal 6 month pro- bationary period be waived. APIF, motion carried. 13. The council then received an informal presentation by representatives of Peoples Natural Gas led by local Manager Vern Mohlis. It was an illuminating and educational presentation in which all of the aspects of the natural gas shortage were dealt with and to the best of the ability of the local representa- tives were explained. 14. Francis Zweber, Townboard Member from Eureka Township, lead a delegation of Eureka Township residents with a brief comment to the council and at which time a petition was presented to the council consisting of approximately 183 unvalidated entries objecting to any annexation of Eureka land by the City of Farmington. 15. Motion by Kuchera, second by Whittier that upon recommendation of the City's Insurance Agent that the multi-peril Insurance Policy be converted to the All-risk basis for the existing term at an increased premium of approximately $350. APIF, motion carried. 16. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera that the City approve the Plans and speci i—cations for the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission Project No 74-09, Apple Valley Interceptor and that said approval be conveyed to the MWCC. APIF, motion carried. 17. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera that the minutes of January 17, 1977 be appy— o� as presented. APIF, motion carried. 18. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera that the minutes of January 24, 1977 be approved with the following amendment:. . . . . . . "At 8:20 P.M. the Council met in joint session with the Farmington HRA, all of whom were present except Commissioner Tharaldson. The meeting began with a discussion with Fire Chief Tom Jensen. The Chief requested that he be kept abreast of HRA activity, especially the construction of new structures, so as his Department would be better prepared in the case of a fire. All present felt this to be a good idea and that the HRA would inform Chief Jensen of their activities in the future. Chairman Sifferath summarized a history of the HRA. His summary consisted of the Council's approval of the HRA's Downtown Redevelopment Plan in December of 1974, project feasibilities, bonding authorized by the Council, development contracts with Erickson Diversified Corporation and Farm Service Association, repay through tax increment, $200,000.00 HCD grant received by the City and implemented by the HRA to acquire the Elderly Housing Site. The status of the three projects undertaken by the HRA, he stated, is that the Erickson Grocery Store opened for business in October of 1976, Farm Service Retail-Commercial Complex is well into construction, and expected to open in June of 1977, and thirdly, bids are being sought for demolition in the Housing for the Elderly Site and the Developer, Ithaca Corp. , is working with Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to get the mortgage money and rent subsidy guarantee. Chairman Sifferath stated the HRA was now looking to the future and would like to continue working on their Downtown Redevelopment Plan. They would need continued Council support and the Chairman was asking for reactions from the Council. There was several specific questions discussed among the two groups. Mayor Akin stated he would like to see the HRH's audit and specific plans and studies before additional bonding authority be granted. The tax increment method of financing was explained and discussed in detail. The possibility of using excess tax increment funds in the future to purchase fire fighting equipment was discussed. It was the expressed opinion of each member of the council that the HRA had accomplished their objectives to date in a responsible and productive manner and could count on Council support in the future." APIF, motion carried. 19. Motion by Kuchera, second by McElmury that the bills be approved for payment as presented. APIF, motion carried. 20. Motion made and carried to adjourn at 9:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, William J. Ford City Administrator APPROVED n����