HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.19.77 Council Minutes MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR
DECEMBER 19, 1977
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by the Mayor
Present: Mayor Akin, Councilmen Johnson, Kuchera, McElmury and Whittier
Also Present: Administrator Ford, Attorney Gorgos
2. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera to approve the minutes of November 28
and Decem er 5, 1977 as presented. APIF, motion carried.
3. Bids had been opened earlier in the day, which had been received after due
publication of invitation for same for the purchase of a Fire Truck, cab and
chassis. The Administrator informed the council of the results of those bids
which are as follows:
Graeve #1 Graeve #2 Haugen #1 Haugen ''B" Todd
Intl 1700 Intl 1600 LN 700 Ln 800 CE 66703
1978 1977 1978 1978 1978
Base Price 9197.00 8552.45 8947.00 9621.00 9859.00
Alt #3 Trade-In (50.00) (50.00) (700.00) (700.00) (200.00)
Alt #1 Automatic Trans 1112.00 5-speed only 1050.00 5-speed only 1317.00
Alt #2 2-Speed Axel 65.00 Included 349.00 317.82 389.00
The Council discussed the bids briefly and deferred action until they could be
analysed by the Fire Department Officers who were meeting and reviewing the bids
in another room.
4. At the invitation of the City, State and Metropolitan representatives
appeared at the council meeting to inform the council of the present status of
Farmington concerning Transportation and to advise the council as to options
available to them to improve the situation. Individuals appearing were Bob
LaShomb, Director of Community Relations, Metropolitan Transit Commission,
Commissioner Kincannon from the Metropolitan Transit Commission and Romi Sloviak
from the Department of Transportation (DOT) . Mr. LaShomb informed the council
that Farmington, through special legislation, had been made exempt from the full
Metropolitan Transit tax district and was therefore, subject to only 1/10th of
the normal transportation tax or .172 mills plus capital improvement allocated
participation. He further indicated that the statute did provide, however, for
such a community to "buy in" in which service would be provided but the community
would pay the full cost of that service less the income derived from fares. The
details of this possible arrangment were set forth in his letter which he gave to
the council, dated December 6, 1977 and which is on file in the City Clerk's
office. Ms Sloviak inofrmed the council that in addition to the possibilities
that might be worked out with the Metropolitan Transit Commission, there were also
opportunities available from the Department of Transportation as a result of new
legislation and new funding provided by the State Legislature to support and en-
courage para-transit systems and imaginative, experimental approaches. The details
of this program were also set forth in the above letter which is on file in the
office of the City Clerk.
S. Motion by McElmury, second by Whittier that the council approve the following
licenses and permits for the dates indicated:
Beer Off-Sale Tom Thum Superette 12-31-77
Thelens Grocery 12-31-77
Dick's Red Owl 12-31-77
Ericksons Grocery 12-31-77
Old Crow Tavern 12-31-77
Beer On-Sale Farmington Lanes 12-31-77
Old Crow Tavern 12-31-77
Liquor License On-Sale Black Stallion 12-31-77
Sunday Black Stallion 12-31-77
Club VFW Club 12-31-77
Club American Legion 12-31-77
Rubbish Hauler Storlie Sanitation Service 12-31-77
APIF, motion carried.
6. School District 192 had requested, and the County had agreed, to install a
4-way stop at the intersection of 6th and Ash Streets in Farmington. The County
was seeking approval from the Council. The council agreed with the recommendation
of Police Chief Metcalf that signs should be larger than normal and that a request
should be made to the County to evaluate the erection of the same type of signs
at the intersection of 3rd and Ash Street. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera
that the request of the County receive the concurrence of the City Council. APIF,
motion carried.
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7. The council then proceeded to interview the three engineering firms who
were under final consideration to become the official engineering consulting
firm for the City of Farmington. Half hour interviews were scheduled for
the firms of Short-Hendrickson, Bonestroo-Rosene, Orr-Schelen. Following one
and on half hours of interview, the council decided to delay a decision in the
matter until toward the end of this meeting.
8. Final payment on project 77-1, Fredrickson Construction, Sewer and Water,
Ash Street, was deferred.
9. Insurance representative Brian Lundquist, explained to the City Council
that the present carrier for the city's umbrella policy had indicated that
after the first of the year they would no longer be writing municipal coverage
and that, therefore, the present policy would not be renewed with the present
carrier. Mr. Brian Lundquist informed the council that he had placed this
coverage with Home Indemnity Company.
10. The council then discussed the proposed amendment to the 1978 budget
providing for step increases in pay for the Recreation Technician I and
providing for an additional CETA person in the starting category, all of
which was expressed in a memo to the council dated December 9, 1977. Con-
siderable discussion insued in this matter. Motion by Johnson, second by
McElmury that the City so amend the budget, that tie position be filled by
Mr. John Mazurkiewicz contingent upon CETA qualifications and eligibility
effective immediately at a starting rate of $4.00/hr, all in conformance with
the terms expressed in the above cited memo. Voting for: Johnson, Kuchera,
McElmury, Whittier. Voting against: Akin. Motion carried.
11. The council was informed that the City had received a notice of intent
to file claim from Mrs. Joanne Wilson, on behalf of her son, whom she alleged
had been injured in an incident in or near the Youth Center. The Administrator
told the council that this claim was receiving normal processing. City Attorney,
Jerry Gorgos, however, notified the city that Mrs. Wilson was also his legal
secretary and that he would be unable to act in the matter for either party,
due to the possibility of conflict of interest. No action was taken in the
matter at this time.
12. Motion by Whittier, second by Kuchera that the council appoint Mr. Robert
Curtis to the unexpired term of Robert Meehan on the HRA, said term to expire
January 31, 1979. Voting for: Akin, Kuchera, McElmury, Whittier. Voting
against: None. Abstaining: Johnson. Motion carried.
13. The council received a :discussion paper dealing with the possible amendment
to the zoning ordinance which had been recommended by the planning commission.
The amendment would provide for a portional and a transitional special exception
which would permit in certain cases, non-conforming use of a structure to avoid
undue, economic hardship to the owner. The Administrator and City Attorney were
asked to prepare the ordinance in finished form for psesentation:to the council
at a subsequent meeting.
14. The Mayor asked the City Administrator to inquire into the circumstances
surrounding the refusal of the HRA to pay a bill for $70.00 covering the cost
of copying done by the City for the HRA.
15. The Mayor also expressed his opinion concerning the methed of billing to the
City, automotive expenses by the Administrator. He suggested perhaps a flat
rate approach would be more appropriate rather than a mileage formula. The
Administrator said he would get back to the council.
16. Motion by Akin, second by McElmury that the list of bills be approved for
payment and that to the list be added a bill from Mr. Charles Tooker, Planner
in the amount of $750.00. APIF, motion carried.
17. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the council abide by the legal
opinion received from the City Attorney, in that City facilities not be used
for religious purposes. APIF, motion carried.
18. Fire Chief, Tom Jensen then entered the meeting and reported to the council
that he and his officers had analysed the various bids on the Fire Truck and
were prepared to make a recommendation. Their recommendation was that the City
purchase the truck from Jim Haugen Ford under the alternate "B" which would be
for a 1978 Model LN 800 Truck at a basic price of $9621.00 and a trade in
allowance of $700 for a net amount of $8921. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera
Council Minutes 12/19/77 cont. Page 3
that the above recommendation be concurred in, and that the Administrator be
authorized and directed to effect the purchase. APIF, motion carried.
19. The council then discussed the selection of an engineering firm as a
result of the interviews conducted earlier in the evening. A considerable
discussion followed. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the City Council
designate the firm of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates, Inc. , as
the selected firm and that the City Administrator and City Attorney negotiate
a satisfactory contract. Voting for: Akin, Johnson, Kuchera, Whittier.
Voting against: McElmury. Motion carried.
20. Motion made and carried at 11:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
William J. Fo
City Administrator APPROVED /7 $
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