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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.16.96 Council Minutes MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR JANUARY 16, 1996 1. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kuchera at 7:00 P.M.. Members Present: Kuchera, Galler, Fitch, Gamer, Ristow. Members Absent: None. Also Present: Interim City Administrator Finstuen, Attorney Grannis. Mayor Kuchera thanked Councilmembers Ristow and Galler for filling in for him during his absence and for all of the work and cooperation shown by both Council and staff. Councilmember Galler expressed, on behalf of the Council, his pleasure that the Mayor was feeling better and had returned. 2. The Mayor led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. MOTION by Ristow, second by Gamer to approve the agenda with the following changes: a) Remove item 5h - Payment #3 for Project 95-2 - from Consent for discussion. b) Remove item 5i - Change Order #2 for project 95-2 - from Consent for discussion. c) Remove item 5k - Police Officer hiring process - from Consent for discussion. d) Remove item 5n - Authorizing Staff to secure storm sewer right of way easements - from Consent for discussion. e) Remove item 5s - Capital Outlay Request for Swimming Pool - from Consent for discussion. f) Add approval of Board and Commission appointments to the Consent Agenda. g) Add City Hiring Practices to the agenda. h) Remove item 7c - Reimbursement for sewer back up costs - from the agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. There were no citizen comments. 5. Consent Agenda a) Approve Minutes - 11/4/95 (Special); 12/27/95 (Special); 1/2/96 (Regular) b) Approve Consulting Engineering Rates for 1996 - Bonestroo, Rosene, and Anderlik. c) Approve School/Conference Request for the Annual Sewer Operator's Seminar. d) Approve Capital Outlay Request for solid waste container numbers - $467.53. e) Approve Final Payment for Automated Solid Waste Vehicle - $9,595.87 to MacQueen. f) Approve Conference Request - MN Chiefs of Police Training Institute. g) Appoint Engineer Kaldunski as City's delegate to select new VRWMO commissioners. h) Approve School/Conference Request for Fire Instructors Association conference. i) Accept the high school easements and utility mains from the School District. j) Accept Nelsen Hills Farm 1st Addition improvements as complete. k) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. ~-96 amending R4-96 - Fees and Charges - GIS Fees. l) Accept Limerock Ridge improvements as complete. m) Approve payment of the bills as submitted. n) Approve appointments to Boards and Commissions as recommended at the 1/13/96 ~mep~~~ ~1't1~ _ 1~C#mrJA~~' ~ AUF. KOnON CARR'"". J) 'i. . "'"-f \;; , .-1\ t\ \ j) c: j:\ [.._ c:.~\cJA)/tl.C{- VhSf{ ~) \)1(.0' ~( \~~~~ j'-lt) "-.J/\P v '\ Council Minutes - 1/16/96 - Page 2 6. Spruce Street Access/Area utilities - project 95-2 Member Fitch discussed items 5h and 5i on the Consent Agenda. He noted that there had been a $21,000 increase to the costs for project 95-2 (Spruce Street Access and Area Utilities) and questioned what the increase was for and how it was to be financed. City Engineer Kaldunski noted that it was for completion of service drives on the East Farmington project and that all costs would be assessed to the developer. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to approve Payment #3 in the amount of $26,621.64"to Ryan Contracting and Change Order #2 for project 95-2. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 7. police Officer Hiring Process Member Galler questioned why the advertisement for a new police officer was not going to be published in any of the professional trade publications. police Chief Siebenaler noted that it would create a one month delay in the hiring process because of publication dates and that it was his belief that there was no significant decrease in the candidate pool by advertising in the Star Tribune. MOTION by Galler, second by Kuchera to approve the police officer hiring process as presented. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. Right of Way Easements for Storm Sewer Project ;t Member Ristow stated that he had removed this item from the Consent Agenda because he would need to abstain on the voting, and also because of both the time spent on obtaining an agreement with Wausau Supply and the cost of the fencing required by the agreement. Attorney Grannis stated that he had spoken with Attorney Paul Thissen who was confident that Wausau would sign the agreement if it was approved by the Council. He also reminded the Council that if the matter went through the eminent domain process, the settlement would probably include reimbursement for the fencing. It was his opinion that it was best to settle out of court if at all possible. Member Fitch questioned whether Attorney Thissen had provided an update on the status of the easements associated with the Prairie Waterway project. Interim Administrator Finstuen stated that he had, that hearings were scheduled, and that the information had been distributed earlier. Member Fitch also requested a tabulation of the fees paid to Briggs and Morgan for easement acquisitions. Finance Director Henneke stated he would research the request and forward the information at the next meeting. The subject of the fence height being requested in the Wausau agreement was discussed at length. It was the consensus of the Council that the City would reimburse Wausau'for the replacement of the existing 6 1/2 foot high fence, but would not compensate Wausau for the cost of the additional 1 1/2 feet in height being requested. City Engineer Kaldunski was directed to contact Wausau and inform them that the original walkway across their property was no longer being planned and, if the need for the additional 1 1/2 feet on the fence was due to this concern, it was no longer a factor. MOTION by Galler, second by Kuchera to approve the agreement with WausattC Supply with the change to item c that the City would only replace the original 6 '1/2 foot high fence. VOTING FOR: Galler, Gamer, Fitch, Kuchera. ABSTAIN: Ristow. MOTION CARRIBD. MOTION by Galler, second by Fitch to adopt RBSOLOTION NO. R7-96 authorizing staff to secure right of way easements for the Southeast Area storm Sewer with the change that Grannis and Grannis would provide the work rather than Briggs and Morgan. VOTING FOR: Gamer, Fitch, Kuchera, Galler. ABSTAIN: Ristow. MOT~ON CARRIED. " "~ .__.~ _Jftft~"t:::~.~~:.;:;':':~~'~:":,;.:'.;;';-. '. ,; :...\':\.~': ~.;l; ',: ~:: ::". .", Council Minutes - 1/16/96 - Page 3 9. Mayor Kuchera opened a public hearing scheduled for 7:30 P.M.. The hearing was continued until later in the meeting. 10. Pool Repairs Councilmember Galler acknowledged that the work at the pool was a necessity, but raised questions regarding the townships' participation in financing those repairs since they used the pool also and suggested contacting the townships to request funding. Parks and Recreation Director Bell stated that township residents paid more for season passes, but there were no other differences in user fees. It was noted that repairs would be budgeted over several years, but the skimmers and tiles needed to be replaced due to leakage and possibility of injury, respectively. Upgrades to the wading pool were discussed, as well as the School District's planned indoor pool, and swimming lessons. Member Fitch suggested that financing costs for City operated services which the townships use (Senior Center, Pool, Arena) be formulated and a plan established for requesting township participation in financing. MOTION by Galler, second by Kuchera to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R8-96 authorizing Bonestroo, Rosene and Anderlik to prepare plans and specifications and advertise for bids for the reconstruction of the municipal swimming pool. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. Public Hearing - TroyHill POD Planner Tooker informed the Council that the developer of TroyHill had requested that the public hearing be continued for one month so that engineering concerns could be addressed. MOTION by Galler, second by Gamer to continue the public hearing until February 20, 1996 at 7:30 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 12. Council By-Laws The proposed changes to the Council By-Laws which were introduced at the January 2, 1996 Council meeting were discussed. It was noted that changing the regular meeting days from Monday to Tuesday could create problems for publication of notices and news stories. The make up of the Finance and Personnel Committees was also discussed. It was the consensus of the Council that the wording should be changed to state that one senior and one junior member of the Council should be appointed to each committee. I~twas also noted that the City Administrator should participate in the annual review of the Economic Development Director. MOTION by Gamer, second by Kuchera to approve the changes to the Council By-Laws as discussed. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 13. Request to Increase Housing Density in DCE 9th Planner Tooker informed the Council that the Planning Commission had held a public hearing on the density increase at their meeting of January 9, 1996. He presented the drawings of the proposed townhouses, noting that the Planning Commission had made recommendations regarding locations of the townhouses on the site and additions to the planting plan. Mr. Tooker told the Council that the action required would be the adoption of an ordinance amending the zoning ordinance by increasing the de~sity requirements of the original PUD. MOTION by Gamer, second by Kuchera to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 096-370 amending the zoning ordinance by increasing the density of the Dakota County Estates PUD in the 9th Addition. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Council Minutes - 1/16/96 - Page 4 14. City Hall Remodeling Interim Administrator Finstuen informed the Council that the bid opening for the remodeling project was delayed until Friday, January 19th at 2:00 P.M.. The reason for the delay was because the prevailing wage statement had not been included in the bid proposals. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to include discussion of adopting a resolution which would cancel the City's participation in the Dakota County HRA New Home program to the Council agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Economic Development Director Henricks provided an explanation for canceling the City's participation in the Small Cities Block Grant funded program. The program had been established to' purchase blighted lots within cities and rebuild homes on those lots. There had been little, if any, interest in the program. Therefore, by canceling participation in the program, the City would have approximately $90,000 available to fund ADA required improvements at the municipal pool bathhouse and in the City Hall restrooms. MOTION by Galler, second by Gamer to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R9-96 canceling the City's participation in the Dakota County HRA New Home Program. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. It was noted that there were other financing programs available for rehabilitation of blighted areas within the City. MOTION by Galler, second by Gamer to set a special meeting for Friday, January 19, 1996 at 5:00 P.M. to receive bids and award the contract for the City Hall remodeling project. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 15. Attorney Grannis informed that Council that he had spoken with the attorney for S.M. Hentges and a meeting would be arranged between S.M. Hentges representatives and City Engineer Kaldunski to attempt to work out an agreement on the arbitration request for the Pine Knoll Improvement Project. .. 16. City Hall Asbestos Removal Architect Wayne Hilbert was present to explain various options and requirements for asbestos removal in conjunction with the City Hall remodeling project. Financingof the cost of removal was discussed. It was the consensus of the Council to proceed with the process and only remove the asbestos in areas which were disturbed and to' keep costs as low as possible. :~ 17. Attorney Grannis suggested that the discussion regarding City hiring practices be moved to Executive Session. The Council concurred with the recommendation. .)t 18. Upcoming Meetings a) The January 29th railroad workshop was discussed. b) The Council set the dates of their annual retreat for February 16th and 17th and specified that on Friday evening (2/16) the retail business owners should be invited to attend along with the Planning Commission. On Saturday (2/17) all of the Boards and Commissions were to be invited and one hour should be set aside for each group to discuss the issues which they felt were most pressing. It was the consensus that there was no need for a facilitator to be present at the meetings. c) It was noted that one of the candidates for the City Administrator position had taken a position elsewhere and the list of candidates was now at five. Council Minutes - 1/16/96 - Page 5 19. The Council reviewed the Cooperative Development Initiative Program application which had been submitted to the Rural Development Institute by Warren Sifferath on behalf of the City. It was the consensus of the Council that a letter of commitment be drafted and forwarded to the Rural Development Institute supporting the program application. 20. Roundtable a) The Dairy Queen should be sent a letter of thanks for their cooperation with installing a fence required by their conditional use permit. b) Mayor Kuchera read a letter he had received from the Chamber of Commerce which informed him that he was to be presented with the Chamber's Lifetime Achievement Award. A round of applause followed the announcement. c) It was noted that the new City Administrator would be appointed as the City's representative at various Chamber of Commerce functions. 21. The Council agreed to take a.five minute recess at 8:57 P.M.. 22. The Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:05 P.M.. second by Kuchera to close the Executive Session at 9:10 P.M.. MOTION by Galler, APIP, MOTION CARRIED. 23. The Council established hiring practices for the City with regard to interviewing and selection of candidates. If a finalist is related to a City Council member or an employee, the final interview will be conducted by the City Council. 24. MOTION by Galler, second by Gamer to add a proclamation establishing January 24, 1996 as Eugene "Babe" Kuchera Day in the City of Farmington to the agenda.- VOTING FOR: Galler, Fitch, Gamer, Ristow. ABSTAIN: Kuchera. MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Galler, second by Gamer to adopt the above noted proclamation. VOTING FOR: Fitch, Ristow, Gamer, Galler. ABSTAIN: Kuchera. MOTION CARRIED. 23. MOTION by Fitch, second by Ristow to adjourn at 9:20 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Submitted by, Karen Finstuen Interim City Administrator Approved ;-X::!-~ ..:-...,."........~~~":'~',..lI"T..."l-,...:..~;.......;...'. >;." .-,' ,.....' .4..~-,r:_. ..