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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.20.95 Council Minutes ~?~! MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR NOVEMBER 20, 1995. 1. Mayor Kuchera called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.. Members Present: Kuchera, Galler, Ristow, Gamer, Fitch. Members Absent: None. Also Present: Finance Director Henneke, Attorney Grannis. 2. The Mayor 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 the minutes of the October 19th, November 2nd, and November 7th special meetings to the Consent Agenda for approval. B. Pull item 5c - Update on Commercial Recycling - from Consent for discussion. C. Pull item 5e - Application for Grant for Senior Center Van - from Consent for discussion. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. MOTION by Galler, second by Ristow to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R131-95 accepting a donation from the Eagles Auxiliary for Meals on Wheels. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. The Eagle's Auxiliary was commended for their continued support of the Meals on Wheels program and staff was directed to send a thank you letter to the Auxiliary. 5. Citizen's Comments Henry Iwerks: Thanked the Council for their work on the annexation agreement with Empire Township, particularly Members Ristow and Fitch. Requested that the Councilmembers speak louder since he and others in the audience had difficulty hearing what was being said. Inquired as to whether it was stated in any employee's job description that they were to make recommendations to the Council regarding hiring of new staff. Ed Nelsen: Inquired as to whether or not he could speak during an item later in the meeting. (Informed that Citizen Comments was for items not on the agenda, therefore, he was invited to speak on items that were on the agenda when they came up.) Willard Barnett: Empire Township resident. Commended Council on bringing the annexation issue to a close. .I 7 Council Minutes - 11/20/95 - Page 2 6. Consent Agenda MOTION by Ristow, second by Gamer to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: A. Approve the minutes of October 19 (Special), October 30 (Special), October 30 (Special), November 2 (Special), November 6 (Special), November 6 (Regular), and November 7 (Special) B. Approve School/Conference Request - Administration - Land Use and Zoning C. Approve Driveway Agreement with Roger Randall for Spruce Street Access project D. Approve Capital Outlay Request - Fire - Breathing Apparatus/Masks/Adapters, Cartridges . E. Adopt ORDINANCE NO. 095-364 amending Section 7-1-5(B) - Storage of Refuse F. Approve Budget Adjustment to Fund TB Testing - Rescue Squad - $219.00 G. Approve Changes to Job Descriptions for Liquor Store positions H. Approve Payment #1 for projec~ 95-2 (Spruce Street/Area Utilities) - $126,854.64 I. Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R132-95 ordering preparation of a feasibility report for Sanitary Sewer Trunk and 190th Street Improvements per request of Heritage Development J. Approve Payment of the Bills as submitted. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 7. Update on Commercial Recycling Questions were raised as to the reasoning for retaining the commercial cardboard portion of the recycling program. It was the consensus of the Council to table the matter until the next regular meeting so that Public Works Director Kaldunski could respond to the questions raised. 8. Application for Grant to Fund Senior Center Van Councilmember Fitch expressed a concern regarding the funding of the City's portion of the purchase of the van. Parks and Recreation Director Bell explained that the action required from the Council would only approve applying for the grant and, if the grant was received and funding was not available, the Council could choose to not accept the grant. Mr. Bell further explained that it was hoped funding could be raised through charitable gambling contributions, but that the "window of opportunity" to apply for the grant was limited. He further stated that the current Senior Center Van needed to be replaced because of its age. MOTION by Fitch, second by Kuchera to approve application for the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the purchase of a Senior Center Van. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. 1996 Budget Update Finance Director Henneke gave an overview of the various aspects of the budget. He noted that the Council's goals for maintaining tax capacity rates at the 1995 level; establishing capital outlay at 12.5% of operating; and maintaining the debt levy at approximately 25% of the total levy had been met. He provided additional information regarding the budget and different City funds. Member Fitch congratulated staff on the work they had put into their departments' budget. It was noted that the Truth in Taxation meeting would be held on November 29th and the budget could not be adopted until after that ~eeting. .,-,-_.__ ~;r___IJa.~1".~ -,-<". ' ";'~:~~':'::~".;<~' ,~;:~::;;. Council Minutes 11/20/95 - Page 3 'to ="'fA l zj 10. Public Hearing - Licenses - Liquor and Therapeutic Massage Mayor Kuchera opened the public hearing scheduled for 7:30 P.M.. There was no public comment. It was noted that the applications appeared to be in order and that they had been signed by the Police Chief. MOTION by Ristow, second by Gamer to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Kuchera, second by Ristow to approve the following licenses: On Sale Liquor - Farmington Lanes - 27 5th Street Longbranch Saloon - 309 3rd Street American Legion - 10 North 8th Street On Sale Sunday - Farmington Lanes - 27 5th Street Longbranch Saloon - 309 3rd Street American Legion - 10 North 8th Street Eagles Club - 313 3rd Street VFW Club - 421 3rd Street Club License - Eagles Club - 313 3rd Street VFW Club - 421 3rd Street Therapeutic Massage/ Individual Therapist - Rite Touch/Doris Louis - 310 3rd Street APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. TH 3 Branch Easement Agreement - Ristow Property Member Ristow vacated his seat at the Council table during the discussion. Member Fitch explained the purpose of the easement agreement to the audience. Member Galler requested that the item be deferred until a third party appraisal could be done in order to determine the surface water management fees which would be charged to the property. Member Ristow stated that he had no desire to have the pipe installed on his property, but had agreed to its installation to benefit the project. Member Fitch stated that he felt staff needed direction in how to handle the matter and requested that the issue not be returned to the Council for action until both the Ristow and Wausau agreements were completed, since they were contingent upon each other. Discussion continued regarding the need for an additional appraisal, the need to take public perception into account, and the desire to finish the easement acquisitions for the prairie Waterway project. MOTION by Fitch, second by Galler to order staff to obtain a third party appraisal on the Ristow property, to have City Attorney Grannis review the agreements, and that the item not be brought back for Council consideration until both the Ristow and Wausau agreements were ready to be finalized. VOTING FOR: Kuchera, Galler, Fitch, Gamer. ABSTAIN: Ristow. MOTION CARRIED. 12. City Hall Remodeling Architectural Agreement Finance Director Henneke gave an overview of the changes which had been made to the agreement with CNH Architects and the possibility of using CDBG funds to pay for changes which involved meeting ADA requirements. There was some discussion with 1 Council Minutes - 11/20/95 - Page 4 members of the audience regarding updating the Council Chambers and making the Council meetings available on cable television. Questions were also raised regarding the procedure used to hire CNH Architects and the architects' fees. MOTION by Galler, second by Fitch to approve the agreement with CNH Architects as presented. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 13. Economic Develqpment Director position Councilmember Galler updated the Council on the Compensation Commi~tee decision that the position would be rated at a Grade 11. It was noted that there were two applications received. Member Ristow suggested that interviews with both candidates be scheduled as soon as possible. Member Fitch stated that the employment agreement should include language requiring a performance review such as that for the City Administrator position. It was the consensus of the Council that the candidates be interviewed at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, November 27th. 14. The Council received background information on the Ash Street/Prairie Waterway Phase III project in preparation for the public hearing scheduled for December 4th. 15. Amend Development Agreement - Nelsen Hills Farm 4th Addition John Dobbs, representing Heritage Development, explained the need for the amendment to the development agreement which involved granting certificates of occupancy prior to bituminous street paving. He noted that from an engineering viewpoint, it would be beneficial to both Heritage and the City to wait to install bituminous and curb and gutter until Spring so that the finished product would be durable. The Councilmembers were in agreement with the reasoning for the request but suggested the need to amend the City's base development agreement to allow this without Council action. Staff was directed to make the suggested change to the base development agreement and bring the item back to the next regular meeting. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to approve the amendment to the Nelsen Hills Farm 4th Addition which allows the issuance of certificates of occupancy prior to the installation of bituminous paving, provided that the Developer maintain the road in a accessible condition, inform new homeowners that they would be inconvenienced in Spring when the bituminous was installed, and that the bituminous would be installed no later than June 15, 1996. VOTING FOR: Fitch, Galler, Gamer, Ristow. AGAINST: Kuchera. MOTION CARRIED. 16. Roundtable A. Construction trailer at Farmington City Center - needs to be removed. B. Farmington Independent interviews with students regarding juvenile crime. Need to take comments seriously, perhaps set a joint meeting with the Council, school Board, Student Council and Police Liaison. 17. The Council adjourned into executive session at 9:40 P.M. 18. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adjourn the executive session at 9:52 P.M. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Council Minutes - 11/20/95 - Page 5 I c,: , (j : 19. Senior Center Coordinator Position Parks and Recreation Director Bell informed the Council that Senior Center Coordinator Melissa Kohlbeck had been interviewed for the coordinator position in the City of Lakeville. Ms. Kohlbeck had stated her preference to remain in Farmington, however, she needed a full time position. Mr. Bell stated that he felt it was in the best interest of the Senior Center and the City to retain Ms. Kohlbeck in the coordinator position and suggested various sources for funding the additional hours. (See memo dated November 20, 1995). MOTION by Galler, second by G~mer to approve the increase in hours for the Senior Center Coordinator position. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 20. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adjourn at 10:08 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Submitted by, Wayne Henneke Finance Director Approved