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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.06.78 Council Minutes MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR FEBRUARY 6, 1978 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by the Mayor Present: Mayor Akin, Councilman Kuchera, McElmury and Whittier Absent: Councilman Johnson Also Present: Administrator Ford and Attorney Gorgos 2. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera that the minutes of January 16, 1978 be approved. APIF, motion carried. 3. The Administrator informed the council that the Federal Government had completed the first phase of a flood plain study which may result in a required revision in our ordinance. He further informed then that the Chicago office of HUD would be requesting that the council set a public meeting to discuss those changed pre- sumably the first part of March and that hopefully information would be sent for council review, prior to that date. 4. The council discussed correspondence received from the Minnesota Municipal Board in which the City was informed that the MMB still had four open files in their office dating back some years. The letter from the MMB requested that the City either re-activate these and bring then current or to drop then. After considerable discussion, Motion by Akin, second by McElmury that the Minnesota Municipal Board be informed that it is the desire of the City that these actions be dropped and that the files be closed. Voting for: Akin, Kuchera, McElmury. Voting against: Whittier. Motion carried. 5. The council had, at an earlier meeting, discussed an amendment to the zoning ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission which would, in effect, allow the Planning Commission to permit an acceptable non-conforming use in an existing structure to avoid undue financial hardship on the part of the owner, or which would result in the building remaining vacant. The form of the proposed ordinance was now before the council with a resolution attached, explaining the intent of the ordinance and setting a public hearing in the matter. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera to adopt Resolution No. R6-78 which authorizes the preparation of the zoning amendment concerning the existing structures and sets a public hearing in the matter for 7:30 P.M. , February 21, 1978. APIF, motion carried. 6. The council discussed a petition which had been received from the Farmington Elementary School Staff requesting that parking be permitted on the West side of Sixth Street between Maple and Beech. All the members of the council said they had looked into the matter prior to the meeting. The Mayor also read a letter sent to the council from Mr. Robert Boecknan, Independent School District 192, and a memo attached from Mr. Robert Metcalf, Police Chief. After considerable discussion Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the petition be denied. APIF, motion carried. 7. The council deferred until the next regular meeting, the following vacant positions on Boards and Commissions: Planning Commission 1 year, Council Rep 2-1-78 to 1-31-79 Human Rights Com 1 yeax, Minority Memb 2-1-78 to 1-31-79 3 year, Park and Rec 2-1-78 to 1-31-81 Park and Recreation 2 year, Member 2-1-77 to 1-31-79 The council then took note of receipt of resignation from Dennis Pilger, Park and Recreation Advisory Board member. Motion by Akin, second by Whittier that Mr. Pilgers resignation be accepted effective March 1, 1978. APIF, motion carried. 8. Motion by McElmury, second by Whittier that the appointment of Don Johnson as Chief of the Farmington Police Reserve be approved. APIF, motion carried. 9. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera that the minutes of January 3, 1978 be amended to show that there exists a $50,000 blanket employee bond for all city employees. APIF, motion carried. 10. A letter from Independent School District 192 was read,wherein they requested the City Council to waive $445.84 in interest on special assessment for the improvement of Spruce Street. The total amount of the assessment was $4584.00 assessed on roll #95, November 3, 1977. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the City agree to waive this interest in favor of immediate total payment of the principal and that the County be so informed. APIF, motion carried. 11. The Mayor then opened the public hearing scheduled for 7:30 P.M. to consider the amendment of the 1977 Com comity Block Grant Application which would permit rehabilitation under Loans and Grants city-wide, rather than restricted to the area which was shown on the original application to HUD. There being no citizens in the audience to speak to the matter, the Mayor brought the discussion back to the table and indicated that he would entertain a motion. Motion by Whittier, second by McElmury that the council adopt Resolution No. R7-78 amending the 1977 Comnunity Block Grant Application to permit city-wide rehabilitation loans and grants. APIF, motion carried. 12. The Mayor then opened the public hearing scheduled for 8:00 P.M. to provide for citizen participation concerning a possible 1978 Community Block Grant application. In the audience were Farmington HRA Chairman Warren Sifferath and HRA Commissioner Joan Shea. HRA Executive Director Rick Anderson, explained the program to the council and to the audience, the various types of activities that were eligible and the priorities that HUD was using in evaluating a given application. Mr. Sifferath stated that he felt that two of the highest housing priorities in Faxmington should be 1) low and moderate income family housing and 2) elimination of unsafe rental housing. The approximate cost of preparating an application was agreed on at about $2,000. It was the consensus of everyone that the odds were against any application which did not center directly upon either housing or poverty. It also seemed to be the consensus that applications should not be made for activities which were not very high in priority and made simply because the money might be available or obtainable. The Mayor then said he would entertain a motion to make application for a 1978 Block grant. There was no motion. He then indicated he would entertain any motion at the pleasure of the members of the council. Motion by Kuchera, second by Whittier that no application be made for 1978 community block grant. APIF, motion carried. 13. In other HRA matters the council took the following action: Motion by Akin, second by McElmury that the City Administrator be instructed to prepare and send a letter of appreciation on their behalf to Mr. Dick Johnson, former member of the Farmington HRA, recognizing his service to the community. APIF, motion carried. 14. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the City Council not support the position of the City of Robbinsdale in regard to retaining the existing tax increment law on the basis that it was the councils opinion that that law did in deed, need revision in certain aspects. APIF, motion carried. 15. Motion by Akin, second by McElmury to approve the request of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority that the city reimburse that body in the amount of $2267.50 for grant preparation for 1975 Grant preparation expenses which were disallowed by HUD and paid for by HRA. Voting for: Akin, McElmury, Whittier. Voting no: Kuchera. Motion carried. 16. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera to approve the payment of $1937.96 to secure ownership on the now paid up lease on a Burroughs L3000 Computer and that the budget be adjusted from the contingency portion to implement such payment. APIF, motion carried. 17. Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera that the budgeted capital outlay items for the Fire Department be approved: Boots- $144, Rescue Tools $121.20. APIF, motion carried. 18. Motion by Whittier, second by Kuchera that the council approve the attendance at the Minnesota Municipal Liquor Store Association Annual meeting, February 15-16, 1978, by Liquor Store Manager Paul Asher. APIF, motion carried. 19. Motion by Kuchera, second by Akin to adopt Resolution No. R8-78 opposing the position of the MWCC against the City of Shakopee claiming they had superior powers over local ordinances. APIF, motion carried. 20. Motion by Akin, second by McElmury authorizing the attendance by the City Administrator at a Risk Management Workshop, March 2, 1978, in Arden Hills. APIF, motion carried. 21. Motion by Kuchera, second by McElmury that the bills be approved for payment as presented. APIF, motion carried. Council Meeting cont. 2/6/78 22. The City Council earlier had received three copies of the proposed revised Empire Comprehensive Plan and the councilmen had studied then. The Administrator was instructed to distribute then to other Boards and Commissions and Consultants and asked that their comments come back to the council at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 23. The Administrator reported to the council that there had been no activity regarding negotiations with the Teamsters Local 320 representing the Farmington Police Department since November, 1977, when the Administrator responded to a request of the Teamsters to the State Mediation Board requesting mediation. 24. The Administrator reported that he had met with representatives of Cooperative Power Association to negotiate a space rental agreement involving the municipal water tower and that the two parties were very close to arriving at an agreement which could be recommended to the City Council. 25. Councilman Kuchera complained the snow plowing on Third Street and on Oak Street was inadequate in that the accumulation in the gutter was allowing cars to come up over the curb and smash into the lite standards. The Administrator said he would take the matter up with the General Services Department. 26. Motion made and seconded to adjourn at 10:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, illiam J. Ford APPROVED City Administr or WJF/kf