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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.04.96 Council Minutes MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MARCH 4, 1996 . I / Mayor Kuchera called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.. embers Present: Kuchera, Galler, Fitch, Ristow, Gamer. Members Absent: None. Also Present: Finance Director Henneke, Attorney Grannis. 2. Mayor Kuchera 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 5d _ Shade Tree Short Course School Request - from the agenda. b) Remove item 5k _ Revised East Farmington Development Agreement - from the agenda. c) Pull item 5n _ Appointment of Assistant City Engineer - from Consent for discussion. d) Add item 5s _ purchase of Computer for City Administrator's Office - to Consent. e) Add item 9c _ Discuss Changing Law Firms to Handle Easement/Right of Way Matters. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Councilmember G~ller noted the death of former mayor Robert Stegmaier, Sr. on sunday, March 3rd. Councilmembers acknowledged Mr. stegmaier's contributions to the City and community. It was the consensus of the Council to authorize staff to send a floral arrangement as an expression of the City's esteem and sympathy. .5. There were no citizen's Comments. 6. MOTION by Ristow, second by Gamer to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approve Minutes _ 2/16/96 - Special; 2/17/96 - Special; 2/20/96 - Regular; 2/21/96 - special. b) Approve articles for March City News Page in the Independent. c) Acknowledge successful completion of probationary Period of Senior Center Coordinator Melissa Kohlbeck. d) Approve School/Conference e) Approve School/Conference f) Approve school/Conference g) Approve School/Conference Department. h) Approve School/Conference Request - Minnesota Fire Conference - Fire Department. i) Approve Capital outlay Request - AIM Carbon Monoxide portable Monitor - from Clarey'S Safety Equipment for $511.95. j) Acknowledge Receipt of 1995 Annual Sewer Flow Report. k) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R28-96 Authorizing the Advertisement for Bids for the Annual Sewer Cleaning Contract. 1) Approve the Appointment of Patricia Vinje to the Accounting Clerk position. m) Approve School/Conference Request - Land Use planning Workshop - planning Commission Members Todd Larson and Dennis Gramentz. n) Authorize the Sale of Old city Dumpsters - Ten 3 cy and Eight 1 1/2 cy. 0) Approve payment of the Bills as submitted. Request - In House Training - Fire Department. Request _ Fire Investigation Conference - Fire Request - HazMat Operations - Fire'Department. Request _ sectional Fire and Rescue Conference Marshal. - Fire ~_. M__~_~,_,"#.~..~~~.~~. .~ p) Approve Capital Outlay Request - Purchase of Computer for City Administrator's office. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 7. Assistant City Engineer position Councilmember Gamer stated that he had concerns with the appointment of Donajo Heikes' because of her request for a leave of absence shortly after her starting date. He felt that her absence might create problems with maintaining adequate Engineering staff during the heavy spring/summer construction season. City Engineer Kaldunski explained that the leave of absence was to complete an international adoption. He stated that he understood Councilmember Gamer's concern, however, the period of time that she would be gone was relatively short (4 to 6 weeks) and the Engineering Department would be able to cover her temporary absence. He further stated that Ms. Heikes' experience would be a valuable asset to the City, noting particularly that she currently works for MnDOT and is already a certified professional engineer. MOTION by Kuchera, second by Ristow to approve the. appo~ntment of Donajo Heikes to the Assistant City Engineer position. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. Commercial Recycling Public Works Director Kaldunski explained that the proposal for entering into a contract with an outside vendor to handle the City's commercial recycling was based on previous Council direction, noting that the proposal forwarded by Dick's Sanitation would meet County guidelines. He requested that the City maintain its cardboard recycling services to commercial customers through the use of the cardboard cages in the downtown area. Member Ristow had concerns about subsidizing the cardboard recycling program. Mr. Kaldunski stated that the analysis of costs for the program was based on the worst case scenario and that, at the very worst, the program would be revenue neutral. MOTIONby Galler, second by Fitch to approve the commercial recycling contract with Dick's Sanitation; to direct staff to meet with the commercial customers to explain their options; and to continue the City's cardboard recycling program. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. City Survey Councilmember Galler requested that two questions be added to the survey; one asking what residents felt were the three most important goals the City should accomplish in the near future; and the second asking what three services residents would be most willing to see reduced or eliminated, if needed. It was the consensus of the Council that the survey presented, with the additions requested by councilmember Galler, would adequately address the objectives of the Council in obtaining feedback from residents. 10. Change of Law Firms for Easement/Right of Way Settlement Process Councilmember Ristow requested that the City change law firms to handle the remaining easement and right of way matters for the City. MOTION by Ristow, second by Galler to appoint Grannis and Grannis to handle the easement and right of way settlements for the City. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. ..', ,,', :-:.."f!:r:: 11. Roundtable · Councilmember Galler stated that the Compensation Committee had met prior to the Council meeting and had decided to temporarily postpone the scheduled Police Labor Contract mediation until new City Administrator Erar could participate. · On behalf of the Council, Member Fitch recognized the excellent performance of Interim City Administrator Finstuen over the last six months. · Mayor Kuchera noted complaints received from residents living along the railroad right of way on First and Second Streets regarding persistent problems with weeds and trash on the railroad's property. Staff was directed to contact the railroad and attempt to work out a cooperative solution to the problem. I I, ~ · Mayor Kuchera also brought forth complaints he had received from residents in the Pine Knoll subdivision regarding on street parking. Several residents had requested that the City establish one side only parking in the neighborhood. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to refrain from taking action unless the complaints continued. \ · Water Board Member Marvin Wier requested that the City's Boards and Commissions receive updates on actions taken during the Empire/Farmington Joint Planning Committee meetings. 12. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adjourn at 7:45 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Submitted by, Wayne Henneke Finance Director Approved