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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.04.96 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR NOVEMBER 4, 1996 1. Mayor Kuchera convened the meeting at 7:00P.M.. Members Present: Kuchera, Ristow, Gamer, Fitch. Members Absent: Galler. Also Present: City Administrator Erar, Attorney Grannis. 2. Mayor Kuchera led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. MOTION by Ristow, second by Gamer to approve the agenda with the following changes: a) Add Item 3a - State Representative Dennis Ozment presentation/discussion. b) Pull Item 4a - Deer Meadow Fence/Stump Clean Up - for discussion. c) Add Item 5j - Approve Substitution of Election Judges for General Election. d) Item 8b - Middle School Warming House Sewer Project - add addendum. e) Item 9b - Lane Striping on Elm Street - add additional information. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Citizen Comments Sue Courteau - Addressed Council regarding Pilot Knob Road. Ms. Courteau presented a list of concerns she wishes Council to address: monitor speed with State patrol equipment; stop use of turn lanes as passing lanes, lower speed limit; install stop lights and signs. Police Chief Siebenaler informed Ms. Courteau that Pilot Knob was on a list for use of State Patrol monitoring equipment and that City Administrator Erar would be meeting with County officials regarding pilot Knob and would update Council at the next regular meeting. Mayor Kuchera asked why it was so difficult to have stop signs installed. City Engineer Kaldunski responded that the County would only install traffic control devices when traffic counts, accidents and other studies indicated they were warranted. Representative Dennis Ozment - Mayor Kuchera introduced Representative Ozment. Mr. Ozment, Council and staff discussed various topics among which were: Growth Options Act, 1/2% sales tax refund to cities, use of right of way for telecommunications, control and accountability in government. Councilmember Ristow - Discussed the removal of the farm fence and tree stumps between Deer Meadow and Hill Dee Addition. Member Ristow felt a deadline needed to be established to guarantee the removal. Diane Kies stated that she wished to install a fence before winter set in and felt that 30 days was too long a time frame for the clean up. MOTION by Fitch, second by Kuchera to set a deadline of 30 days for the removal and clean up of the area. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. MOTION by Ristow, second by Gamer to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approve the minutes of October 21, 1996 as presented. b) proclaim November 18-24 as Farmington Chemical Health Week. c) Set Public Hearing - Review Liquor/Therapeutic Massage Licenses for d) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. Rlll-96 accepting donation of street lights in Park from anonymous donor. e) Approve appointment of Robin f) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. Rl12-96 g) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. Rl13-96 fee. h) Receive 3rd quarter building i) Approve payment of the bills j) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. Rl14-96 Election. 1997. Industrial Roland to Finance Director position. amending R4-96 - adding water treatment fee. amending R4-96 - adding senior center membership permit summary report. as submitted. appointing substitute election judges for General APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 6. Cable TV Update City Administrator Erar reported on the positive progress being made on a franchise agreement update and renewal. He requested Council move forward on a financial commitment on the franchise agreement and in drafting a model telecommunication ordinance. He also requested Council direct staff to send a letter to the City of Lakeville acknowledging Farmington's desire to be considered for the donation of used video equipment for taping/broadcasting Council meetings. MOTION by Kuchera, second by Gamer to approve financial participation in drafting a model telecommunications ordinance and franchise renewal document; and to approve a request for potential donation of video equipment from the City of Lakeville. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 7. Middle School Warming House Sewer Project Parks and Recreation Director Bell explained that Farmington Youth Hockey Association had requested the City provide sewer service to the Middle School warming house. FYHA would pay for the work required to install the service with the understanding that the City would repay the cost with proceeds from the Parks Referendum, if it is passed. Mr. Bell stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission approved Youth Hockey's request and recommended installing the sewer service line. The City's bond counsel was also consulted regarding the appropriateness of this transaction. MOTION by Ristow, second by Kuchera to approve the agreement with Farmington Youth Hockey Association for payment of the installation of sanitary sewer service to the Middle School warming house, with the understanding that if the Parks Referendum passes, the costs will be repaid to FYHA by the City. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. 1996 Budget Reapportionment City Administrator Erar explained the need for revisions to the 1996 budget in order to ensure continued service levels and to avoid deficits in 1996. Concerns were noted regarding the inadequacy of the fund balance reserve levels noted in the 1995 audit. After discussion, MOTION by Gamer, second by Kuchera to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R11S-96 amending the 1996 Budget by establishing new revenue and expenditure levels. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. Fuel Purchase Proposal Police Chief Siebenaler explained that staff recommends the solicitation of proposals to provide a formal fuel contract. Chief Siebenaler stated that the current practice of purchasing fuel at any location created difficulty in sorting and assigning expenses to specific cost centers. He noted that a contract could result in a cost savings to the City. Two local vendors had shown interest in the proposal. City Administrator Erar noted that Councilmember Galler had informed him of his concern in keeping the fuel vendors local. MOTION by Kuchera, second by Gamer to proceed with RFPs to interested vendors for a fuel purchase contract. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 10. MOSA Expansion Update City Planner Tooker reviewed the issues discussed during a recent meeting between City and Metropolitan Council staff on City MUSA expansion. The main concern appears to be the ability of the Empire Wastewater Treatment Plant to handle the additional flows from the expansion area. Staff will forward a proposed copy of the plan amendment and will set a public hearing for the first meeting in December to receive public input. 11. Lane Striping on Elm Street City Engineer Kaldunski reviewed parking along Elm Street, noting the County was asking the City to consider no parking along Elm from 1st to 4th Streets in order to install a center turn lane. Member Gamer expressed his thought that no parking be established the entire length of Elm Street to Highway 3. Engineer Kaldunski responded that this could be reviewed as part of the City's CIP. Residents in attendance expressed concerns regarding the need for a drop off zone in front of Park Presbyterian church, dust control in the alley on Oak Street due to increased use, the need for a stop light at 1st and Elm Streets, and safety concerns due to increased speed on the improved County Road SO bridge. Council's consensus was that a drop off zone by the church would be warranted, and dust control in the alley should be considered. City Administrator Erar noted that the budget would have to be reviewed in regard to paying for any dust control activities in the alley. Councilmember Ristow requested the City Engineer provide more information regarding driveways, pedestrian crossings, drop off zones and dust control on Elm Street and the affected Oak Street alley. 12. CSAH 31 Cost Update Recent estimates received from the County indicated that an additional $211,000 would be needed to fund construction and right of way acquisitions for the project. Discussion followed regarding City assessment policy to benefiting properties. Craig Schlawin asked questions regarding the use of MSA funds for the project to reduce the amount of the tax levy on residents. Further discussion followed but no action was taken. 13. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to adopt RESOLUTION NO. Rl16-96 declaring costs to be assessed and ordering the preparation of a preliminary assessment roll for Project 96-5 - Industrial Park Phase II improvements. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 14. Larch Street Plans and Specifications MOTION by Ristow, second by Kuchera to approve the plans and specifications for Larch Street and to authorize the advertisement for bids in 1997. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 15. Roundtable Member Gamer - Felt that prairie Waterway surveys may have been sent out prematurely. Administrator Erar - Noted the Empire/Farmington Joint Planning Board would be reviewing mining permits and non-conforming use zoning issues at its December 9th meeting. Administrator Erar - Move forward with RFPs for auditing firm for 1998. Administrator Erar - Requesting a policy be established to provide flexibility in waiving utility payment penalties on case by case basis. Will forward information/policy at November 18th Council meeting. Member Fitch - Noted that due to Veteran's Day, the regularly scheduled HRA meeting on Monday, November 11th would be moved to Tuesday, November 12th. Respectfully submitted, Sue Miller Building Secretary