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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.04.91 Council Minutes -<0 --l MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING SPECIAL/REGULAR FEBRUARY 4, 1991 1. Mayor Kuchera called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. at the Senior Center. Members Present: Kuchera, Mayer, Orr, Derington, Galler. Members Absent: None. Also Present: Administrator Thompson. 2. The first part of the special meeting was to discuss the Compensation Plan with the City employees. Councilmember Galler presented an overview of the Compre- hensive Plan review process noting the City had reviewed: a. Organizational Chart, b. Job Descriptions, c. graded each job according to six factors, d. developed Pay Line and implementation plan. Mayor Kuchera noted the purpose of the meeting was to meet with employees to explain the compensation process and receive input from employees. Councilmember Galler noted that Councilmembers had different perceptions about each job and that the Department Heads had done an excellent job looking after the interests of their employees. Mayor Kuchera noted that while the review had not been easy, the Council had tried to be fair and honest. Councilmember Mayer stated that while he agreed with the outcome of the Plan, he had concerns regarding compliance with new DOER regulations and the plan not addressing part time positions. 3. Sergeant Dan Churchill stated that he did not feel the 2% increase for his position was appropriate, especially in view of police officers now making more than him. Sergeant Churchill noted that the police officers had received 4.5% and 4.5% over the past 2 years while he received 4% and 2%, which was compounding the problem. Mr. Churchill also noted: a. The Sergeant's and Police Chief's positions could not be compared with other City employees because the Police Officers were not subject to Comparable Worth. b. There must be an offset established between the Sergeant and Police Officers. 4. Maintenance Worker I Bill Weierke stated that he did not believe it was fair that his position had consistently received increases lower than other positions. Mr. Weierke noted that the Maintenance Worker I was not keeping pace with the cost of living and that the Council should at least give a minimum cost of living. Councilmember Galler noted that the Council had considered this issue and the 1/2 cost of living adjustment was the best way to bring workers to midpoint. 5. Park Maintenance Foreman Don Hayes stated that the Council should consider shift differential pay and urged the Council to finalize salary adjustments earlier in the year. 6. Custodian Marilyn Speiker stated that she was paid more as a substitute janitor at the School District than her full time salary with the City. 7. Mayor Kuchera noted that employees should be aware that the City was facing tough financial times ahead. 8. MOTION by Mayer, second by Orr to continue the regular meeting at City Hall. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. The Council reconvened at 7:00 P.M. at City Hall. ~ ;(' ~~_O Council Minutes - 2/4/91 - Page 2 9. MOTION by Orr, second by Derington to approve the agenda with the following changes: a. Add discussion of speed limit on CSAH 31. b. Remove item llf - Garage rental - from the Consent Agenda for general discussion. c. Remove item 6a - Planner's Contract - from the agenda. d. Remove item 8d - Project 90-1 - Farmington Industrial Park - from the agenda. e. Remove item 8e - Project 87-7 - Fairground Utilities - from the agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 10. MOTION by Orr, second by Galler to approve the minutes of the January 22, 1991 regular meeting. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Derington, second by Orr to approve the minutes of the January 23, 1991 special meeting. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Derington, second by Mayer to approve the minutes of the January 28, 1991 special meeting with the following change to Paragraph No.3: "Voting For: Derington, Galler, Mayer, Orr. Abstain: Kuchera. Motion carried." APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. The Council next considered the relocation of Rite Touch Therapeutic Massage. It was the consensus that such a change would not require a public hearing and that staff should draft an amendment to the ordinance clarifying the intent. MOTION by Galler, second by Kuchera to approve the application by Rite Touch to relocate to 310 3rd Street. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 12. MOTION by Kuchera, second by Mayer to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R8-91 accepting the donation of $740.25 from the FAA Employees to the Senior Center. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 13. MOTION by Galler, second by Orr to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R9-91 ordering a feasibility report for various public improvements to Spruce Street from 4th to 8th Streets. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 14. MOTION by Derington, second by Kuchera to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 091-240 amending the City Code relating to disposition of City property as outlined in the Finance Director's memo dated January 30, 1991, with the clarification that any "junked" property should be brought to the Council for action. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 15. The Council next considered the upcoming workshop. It was the consensus of the Council that the date of the workshop should be moved in the event all Council- members could not attend. MOTION by Orr, second by Derington to approve the agree- ment with GTS for the workshop to be held on March 1st and 2nd, 1991. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 16. The Council next considered the proposed amendment to the Personnel Policy. Administrator Thompson noted that all City employees had a chance to review and comment on the changes. It was the consensus of the Council that due to the length of the meeting, the item should be tabled until later in the evening. 17. The Council next considered proposed changes to the City assessment policy. Administrator Thompson noted the concerns regarding the present policy, which focused on corner lots and sanitary sewer assessments. Tom Ryan also noted the following concerns: Council Minutes - 2/4/91 - Page 3 17 a) great disparity between corner and interior lots; b) Erickson's should have been assessed in the 89-3 Project; c) assessments should not include 12% for engineering; d) existing taxes and sewer and water fees should pay for the assessment; e) Council should hold a special meeting to discuss the matter; f. existing policy is too confusing. John Manke stated the Council should arrive at a method so that sewer is assessed on an equal basis. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the problems of trying to equalize assessments within the project area. It was the consensus that the policy should strive to assess sanitary sewer on an equal basis and corner lot street assessments should be approximately 25% more than interior lots. The Council directed staff to prepare a formula for achieving these goals, prepare a sample worksheet on the upcoming street improvement project and report back at the next meeting. 18. The Council next considered the following bids for the Fire Department Mini Pumper: Firm &~BM Alternate Forstner Fire Apparatus 79,895.00 79,420.00 Smeal Fire Equipment Company, Inc. 86,217.00 84,892.00 Central States Fire Apparatus, Inc. 76,039.00 74,714.00 Tom Conway Truck and Equipment 96,386.00 95,826.00 Boardman Fire Apparatus 112,773.35 No Bid Luverne Fire Apparatus 84,444.44 83,280.44 Engle Fabrication 78,515.00 77,200.00 The Council noted the concerns outlined in the Fire Chief's memo dated January 31, 1991 and the reasons for rejecting the bids lower than Smeal's. Attorney Harmeyer stated he had reviewed the Chief's concerns and concurred with his recommendation to award the bid to Smeal. Chief Kuchera noted the budget was set at $80,000 and the Fire Relief Association was considering donating the amount over budget. MOTION by Derington, second by Orr to adopt RESOLUTION NO. RIO-91 awarding the bid for this mini pumper to Smeal (Alternate Bid $84,892.00). APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 19. The Council considered the City's present insurance coverage and carrier as outlined in the Finance Director's January 29, 1991 memo. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the history of the LMCIT which was basically owned and operated by member cities, how effective the coverage was and competitiveness. It was the consensus not to pursue the matter further. 20. The Council next considered the completion of the Celebrate Minnesota 1990 project, specifically how the landscaping east of the railroad tracks would fit into future development. Discussion followed regarding the construction of a parking lot. It was the consensus of the Council that the City Planner prepare a layout and estimate costs, present it to the HRA for review and report back to the Council. 21. Staff informed the Council that the Metropolitan Council had approved the City's weight-based solid waste system grant and was seeking authorization to begin imple- menting the grant. Discussion followed regarding the implementation, specifically: a. The system cutting down on people taking their garbage to other containers. 18 ~ Council Minutes - 2/4/91 - Page 4 b. 300 gallon containers replacing most 1~ cubic yard dumpsters. MOTION by Orr, second by Derington to approve the following Capital Outlay Request: Navicom Navicom Wray Tech Rahn Manufacturing Micro Arizala $ 2,280.00 1,995.00 6,000.00 500.00 3,000.00 APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 22. MOTION by Mayer, second by Derington to approve the Capital Outlay Request for the purchase of 300 gallon containers. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 23. MOTION by Galler, second by Orr to direct the Public Works Director to prepare plans and specifications for an automated packer truck. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 24. The Council next considered the MSA Annual Certification of Mileage. Public Works Director Kaldunski noted that because of the streets constructed in 1990, the City should certify the additional MSA mileage to begin collecting needs. Mr. Kaldunski also noted the Council should consider amending the MSA road system and 5 Year CIP to conform with upcoming County projects and planned City street improvements. Mr. Kaldunski noted the following restrictions: a. MSA streets must begin and end at another MSA street, County State Aid Highway or State highway. b. MSA roads which have received MSA funding cannot be removed from the system. c. MSA routes cannot be extended beyond the City limits. It was the consensus of the Council to designate First Street from Walnut to Ash as an MSA route. MOTION by Derington, second by Mayer to approve the MSA Annual Certification of Mileage. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 25. The Council directed staff to prepare an amended MSA plan with the following considerations: a. Concentrate on 195th Street from CSAH 31 and TH 3, and work with the County staff to dedicate County State Aid on the section outside of the City limits. b. Consider deleting Essex from 190th to 195th Street from the 5 Year CIP. c. Look into adding Walnut Street to the 5 Year CIP. d. Consider removing Flagstaff from 195th to TH 50 from the MSA system. 26. MOTION by Orr, second by Kuchera to amend the Council By-Laws relating to the recording of meetings and to acknowledge the inaudible tapes as outlined in the January 28, 1991 memo. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 27. A lengthy discussion followed regarding a City survey. It was the consensus of the Council to concentrate on doing an "in house" City survey. 28. The Council next considered the location of the proposed Resource Recovery Facility as reported in the Administrator's January 29, 1991 memo. Councilmember Orr requested clarification as to why Flagstaff and TH 50 was dropped. Council- member Derington stated that he felt the facility should be located in Farmington. Council Minutes - 2/4/91 - Page 5 ~ L A general discussion followed. The Council directed staff to review the issues and report back for direction. 29. Per the Administrator's memo dated January 29, 1991 and recommendation of the City Attorney, the Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance allowing sludge ash/incinerator ash landfills as a conditional use for Planning Commission con- sideration. 30. MOTION by Orr, second by Derington to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R11-91 requesting the County to reduce the speed limit on CSAH 31 from TH 50 to 180th Street, con- centrating on the area from Pine Knoll Addition to 195th Street. APIF, MOTION CARRIED . 31. MOTION by Galler, second by Mayer to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a. Approve Capital Outlay Request - Fire Department - Air Pack Conversion - $4,236.00. b. Approve Capital Outlay Request - Public Works Department - Dumpsters - $1,832.00. c. Approve recommendation of Public Works Director regarding speed limit in the alley between 3rd and 4th and Spruce and Walnut. d. Approve an in-house workshop. e. Approve Administrative Fee policy. f. Approve School and Conference Request - Police Department. g. Approve School and Conference Request - Police Department. h. Approve School and Conference Request - Public Works Department. i. Approve School and Conference Request - Fire Department. j. Adopt ORDINANCE NO. 091-241 relating to membership in the Human Rights Commission. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 32. It was the consensus of the Council that per Councilmember Mayer's request, the rental of the HRA garage be tabled pending further review by the HRA. 33. The amendments to the Personnel Policy were tabled until the March 4, 1991 meeting. 34. The following matters were discussed during roundtable: a. Place discussion of strategy for the VRWMC Southeast Area Storm Sewer Project on the March 4, 1991 meeting agenda. b. Staff to prepare budget adjustments for 1990/1991 pay implementation. c. Place discussion of the Public Works building on a future agenda. d. Joint City ALF meeting. 35. MOTION by Orr, second by Mayer to adjourn at 11:45 P.M. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ~~YA~~:PStrator Approved J. - tC\ -C\,