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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.22.91 Council Minutes 7 MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR JANUARY 22, 1991 1. Mayor Kuchera called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Members Present: Kuchera, Mayer, Orr, Galler. Members Absent: Derington. Also Present: Administrator Thompson, Attorney Harmeyer. 2. MOTION by Orr, second by Galler to approve the agenda with the following changes: a. Remove item lOb - Alley Speed Signs. b. Remove item 11a - School/Conference Request - Public Works c. Remove item lIe - School/Conference Reqeust - Solid Waste from the Consent Agenda for general discussion. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. ",. 3. MOTION by Kuchera, second by Galler to approve the minutes of the January 7, 1991 regular meeting. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Member Derington arrived at 7:20 P.M. 4. HRA Executive Director Henricks presented the proposed 1991 CDBG application as outlined in his January 17, 1991 memo. The grant called for acquiring either 213 Oak Street or 109 Elm Street as part of the HRA's ongoing rehabilitation work. Mr. Henricks noted that the Dakota County HRA was requiring the City to sign an agree- ment which called for repayment of the grant if not completed within two years. Discussion followed regarding the easement at 213 Oak Street and relocation costs. Mr. Henricks noted one of the major reasons for acquiring 213 Oak was to give control of the easement to the Exchange Bank Building developer and the relocation costs were mandated by Federal Law. Councilmember Mayer stated that he had concerns with the repayment agreement and stated it should be brought back for Council consideration before signing. MOTION by Galler, second by Mayer to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R2-91 approving the 1991 CDBG Grant Program as proposed. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. MOTION by Mayer, second by Kuchera to table the Mini-Pumper bids until the next regular meeting. 6. The Council next considered a request for sanitary sewer fee refund by Mike Hince as outlined in the Public Works Director's memo dated January 17, 1991. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the findings made by the Public Works Director. It was noted that Mr. Hince had incurred $240.00 in additional costs due to extenuating circumstances. MOTION by Kuchera, second by Derington to refund Mr. Hince $240.00 of his sewer permit fee. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 7. The Council next considered the appointments to the various Boards and Commissions. Mayor Kuchera and Councilmember Mayer noted that they were pleased with the number of applicants. Councilmember Mayer stated that he was comfortable with reappointing the incumbents at this time, but added that the Council should consider interviewing the applicants to fill open seats. A discussion followed regarding a possible format for interviewing. It was the consensus of the Council that Water Board incumbent Jack Sauber should be interviewed due to the number of absences. It was also noted that the Senior Center Advisory Council ordinance should be clarified relating to member qualifications. It was the consensus of the Council that the Council interview candi- dates on January 28, 1991 starting at 7:00 P.M. and that staff contact new applicants and Mr. Sauber to set up interviews with an estimated length of 10 minutes per interview. (II ~L~) Council Minutes - 1/22/91 - Page 2 8. The Council next considered a request for a sewer bill refund by the owner of the Farmington car wash as outlined in the Finance Director's January 16th memo. After discussion it was agreed that the Council should not give retroactive refunds for sewer bills resulting from the Council's billing formula. MOTION by Derington, second by Mayer to deny the request. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. A lengthy discussion followed relating to the upcoming VRWMC public hearing on the Southeast Area Storm Sewer project. Discussion focused on the points raised in the Administrator's January 16, 1991 memo. It was the consensus that the depth and pipe versus open ditch hinged on cost apportionment and that the Council would be open to discussing the proposed Joint Powers Agreement amendment relating to financing of the project. Administrator Thompson noted that depending on the outcome of project costs and subsequent apportionment, it may be necessary to adjust the annual storm water fee. The Council agreed that the City's position relating to the project would be dependent upon discussion at the hearing. 10. MOTION by Orr, second by Kuchera to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R3-91 accepting a donation from the VFW and American Legion for squad car cellular phone and service fees. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. '", 11. Discussion followed regarding a Council workshop. It was agreed that staff should research holding a proposed workshop on March 1st and 2nd with a facilitator and that participation possibly be limited to Department Heads and Board chairs. 12. MOTION by Galler, second by Kuchera to accept the Project 89-3 assessment proposal from Alice Falls as outlined in the Finance Director's memo. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 13. A discussion followed regarding the Administrators concerns relating to employee contact. It was agreed that Councilmembers should avoid individual contact with City employees relating to working conditions, and staff should draft an amendment to the Personnel Policy relating to employee contact. 14. Attorney Harmeyer updated the Council on the McVicker building demolition, noting the City should have a judgment within 60 days. It was the consensus that staff should begin drafting plans and specifications for the demolition. 15. The Council next discussed a proposed utility ordinance relating to the burying of cables. Administrator Thompson noted that it appeared the present ordinance gave the City the authority to order cables buried but that it would be at the City's cost. Councilmember Orr stated that the City should strive towards burying cables in the older part of town and that a consistent policy should be addressed during dis- cussion of the assessment/improvement policy. 16. MOTION by Orr, second by Galler to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a. Approve School/Conference Request - Police Department. b. Approve School/Conference Request - Police Department. c. Approve School/Conference Request - Administration. d. Approve Payment of the Bills as submitted. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. T Council Minutes - 1/22/91 - Page 3 9 17. Administrator Thompson requested clarification and acknowledgement of his recommendation to suspend school/conference requests pending the outcome of the 1991 legislative session. Administrator Thompson noted that schools and conferences which did not impact the General Fund or cost the City any money should not be suspended. The Council concurred. MOTION by Mayer, second by Orr to approve the School and Conference Request for Solid Waste. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 18. Councilmember Mayer apologized for missing the last Compensation Meeting, noting he had to attend a funeral. Councilmember Mayer also stated that due to a misunderstanding regarding the upcoming Compensation meeting, he had a schedule con- flict and requested that the meeting be changed. The Council agreed that it should meet during the week to expedite the review. After lengthy discussion it was noted that there was a conflict each night and that the meeting should be held on Wednesday as scheduled. ... 19. MOTION by Orr, second by Derington to declare the week of March 3 - 10, 1991 as Volunteer of America Week. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 20. The following items were discussed during roundtable: a. Consider topics for a City survey. b. Upcoming township/City meeting regarding the Regional Airport Search Area. c. Proposed State MVET funding cutback impact on City. d. Possibility of starting a building fund. 21. MOTION by Galler, second by Kuchera to adjourn at 11:00 P.M. APIF, MOTION CARRIED . Respectfully submitted, /72 _/, - / ;//7 'l:c1~-- Larry Thompson City Administrator Approved )-'t-q\