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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.06.89 Council Minutes MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR FEBRUARY 6, 1989 1. Mayor Kuchera called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Members Present: Galler, Kuchera, Mayer, McKnight, Sprute. Members Absent: None. Also Present: Administrator Thompson, Attorney Grannis. 2. MOTION by Mayer, second by McKnight to approve the agenda with the following changes: a. Add donation for a pool table - Senior Center. b. Remove item 11h, Schools and Conference Request - Administration - from the Consent Agenda for general discu'ssion. c. Remove item Ilk - Department issued handgun - from the Consent Agenda for general discussion. d. Move items 5b and 5c to Unfinished Business for general discussion. e. Add discussion of news release - recycling schedule - to Unfinished Business. f. Move item ge to Ordinances and Resolutions. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. MOTION by Sprute, second by Kuchera to approve the minutes of the January 11, 1989 Special meeting and the January 17, 1989 Regular meeting. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Henry Iwerks addressed the Council on Solid Waste matters. Mr. Iwerks expressed deep concern regarding the proposed City owned compost facility. Mr. Iwerks stated that he was in favor of composting, but not at any cost. Mr. Iwerks explained he had visited other plants and discussed the matter with other officials and he did not believe it was feasible for the City to operate a plant. Mr. Iwerks cited several statistics which contradicted claims that the plant was feasible. 5. Mayor Kuchera opened a public hearing which was continued from December 17, 1988 at 7:15 P.M. to consider the proposed landscape ordinance. The hearing was con- tinued until later in the evening. 6. Mr. Iwerks stated that the bottom line indicated the City did not produce enough garbage to support such a plant. Mr. Iwerks stated that the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that the City was presently #2 in property taxes in Dakota County and this plant could drive taxes up higher. Mr. Iwerks requested a copy of the Solid Waste Coordinator's expense voucher for his trip to St. Cloud, asked why the Solid Waste Coordinator was not present at the last Planning Commission meeting nor address the Senior Citizens when he was scheduled to talk. Mr. Iwerks also questioned the attendance at the January 11, 1989 meeting by the Planner. The matter was tabled until the agenda item relating to Solid Waste. 7. Administrator Thompson introduced newly appointed EDC/HRA Director Gerald Henricks. 8. The public hearing to consider the landscaping ordinance amendment was opened. Administrator Thompson gave a brief background of the ordinance. Mr. Thompson stated that, per Council request, the Planning Commission had reviewed the ordinance and made its recommendations. Mr. Thompson stated that Attorney Grannis had recommended the language in Section G be changed as follows: (G) The following standards and criteria shall apply." MOTION by Sprute, second by McKnight to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. MOTION by Galler, second by McKnight to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 089-212 amending the Landscape section of the Zoning Ordinance with the abovementioned changes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 10. MOTION by Sprute, second by Kuchera to set the Annual Board of Equalization for April 17, 1989 at 7:00 P.M. at City Hall. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. MOTION by McKnight, second by Mayer classifying the following tax forfeited property as non-conservation property: Lot 7, Block 35, Moes Addition and that the City is not interested in acquiring the property. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 12. MOTION by Mayer, second by Sprute to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R7-89 approving the Farmington Preserve LAWCON Grant Application. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 13. Councilmember Mayer expressed his gratitude to staff and especially Parks and Recreation Director Jim Bell for their work on the grant. 14. Finance Director Henneke and Insurance Agent Brian Lundquist presented an overview of the City's insurance coverage and current exclusions, specifically Elected Officials Workman's Comp, and Umbrella Liability. Mr. Lundquist explained potential damages to public officials which may be excluded. Several questions and concerns were raised. It was the consensus of the Council that the Work Comp matters be tabled. MOTION by Sprute, second by Galler to set the City's Umbrella Liability policy at $1,000,000. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 15. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the Council's 1989/1990 Goals and Objectives. The Council directed the Administrator to prepare a report on the Goals and Objectives per the abovementioned discussion and report back to the Council. 16. The Council next discussed solid waste issues. Administrator Thompson expressed several concerns which were outlined in his February 1,1 989 memo. Most specifi- cally, Mr. Thompson stated that he 'ti"Clsconce.rne4 s.taffhCjlp.)>eeri criticized for being too aggressive and not aggressive enough , and was seeking direction from the Council. Mayor Kuchera stated that he had visited the St. Cloud and Fillmore Plants and based on what he had observed, he was still opposed to the City con- structing a co-composting plant. A lengthly discussion followed. Len Novitzke stated that the Council had to remember the process did not just involve composting, but also recycling, burning and landfilling. Administrator Thompson stated that collections should also be added to the list. Bob Sender stated that it should not be located in the T.H. #50 industrial park. Henry Iwerks stated that he has done a lot of research into this matter and both sides (compost vs. incineration) make arguments for their respective technologies. Mr. Iwerks stated that he personally favored composting, but not at any cost. Mr. Iwerks stated that the City should not jump into waste processing until more information is known about the pro- cesses. Jim Reisinger, Jr. stated that the plant should be located by a landfill to cut down on the number and distance of trips. Mr. Iwerks questioned if the consultant had been to any compost plants and how much the consultant had been paid. A question was. raised as to why the City had not started a recycling program. Superintendent of General Services Kaldunski stated a curbside recycling program would start on April 1, 1989. Gary Hanson stated that he was very interested in composting but wanted to know exact costs. Administrator Thompson stated that estimates were based on obtaining quotes or using industry cost schedules but because of State Law, exact costs would not be. know until bids were opended. Councilmember Mayer stated that it appeared the City may have "put the cart before the horse" since it had ordered the recycling"equipment and now it appeared there were not enough votes to amend the zoning ordinance to allow recycling processing. General Services Superintendent Kaldunski g.ta'ted that the County would have recycling centers located within the County and that it was staff's intentions to store recycled goods on a short term basis (1 week or less) before transporting them to the centers. A lengthy discussion followed regarding amending the zoning ordinance to allow recycling but not composting. Attorney Grannis reminded the Council that no decision could be made until a public hearing was set. MOTION by Mayer, second by McKnight to hold a Town Meeting on February 28, 1989 at 7:00 P.M. at Dakota Electric or Dakota County Extension Office, whichever was available. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 17. MOTION by Mayer, second by Galler to set a public hearing for March 6, 1989 at 7:15 P.M. at City Hall to consider amending the Zoning Ordinance relating to resource recovery as a conditional use in the I-I District. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 18. The Council next reviewed an update on the Building Needs Study as outlined in the February 1, 1989 memo from the Administrator. No action was taken. 19. MOTION by Sprute, second by Galler to appoint Susan Miller as a Full Time Receptionist/Typist at $6.73 per hour with a 6 month probation effective February 7, 1989. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 20. MOTION by McKnight, second by Kuchera to authorize the sale of 10 Minitor pagers for $1,000, approve a budget adjustment increasing Fire Department Capital Outlay by $1,000 and approving a capital outlay request for.a Fire Department handheld radio not to exceed $1,000. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 21. The Council next considered a proposed MSA 5 Year Capital Improvement Program as outlined in General Services Superintendent Kaldunski's February 3, 1989 memo. Mr. Kaldunski outlined several options available to the Counc.il. A lengthy discussion followed. It was the consensus of the Council that Mr. Kaldunski prepare the 5 Year CIP based on the Council's input, and submit it for future consideration. 22. MOTION by Sprute, second by Mayer to approve a budget adjustment transferring $2,091.00 from General Fund Contingency to General Government - Vermillion River Watershed Board. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 23. MOTION by Kuchera, second by Sprute approving a joint powers purchasing agreement with the City of St. Paul. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 24. The Council was informed that Bradd Strelow did not wish to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. It was the consensus that the City advertise for applicants for the Commission. '~--.. .~-,-: -",1. 25. MOTION by Mayer, second by McKnight to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a. Approve a Schools and Conference Request - Administration - Inver Hills Community College. b. Approve tuition reimbursement - Liquor - InverHillsCommunity College. c. Approve Capital Outlay Request - Administration - Office Furniture - $1,485. d. Approve a Schools and Conference Request - Administration - Farmington High School. e. Approve a Schools and Conference Request - Fire - DAVTI. f. Approve a Schools and Conference Request - Fire - Mankato AVTI. g. Approve a Schools and Conference Request - Fire - Forest Lake. h. Approve a Capital Outlay Request - Finance - Computer - $4,847. i. Approve RESOLUTION NO. R8-89 pertaining to a Preliminary Breath Tester. j. Approve Capital Outlay Request - Police - Furniture - $380. k. Approve payment of the bills as submitted. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 26. The Council next considered a Schools and Conference request for the Solid Waste Coordinator to attend the MPCA Annual Solid Waste Seminar. Mayor Kuchera stated that enough information had been obtained related to solid waste and did not see the merit of sending anyone to this conference. Councilmember Mayer felt that the City could benefit greatly from information obtained at the conference. MOTION by Galler, second by Mayer to approve the aforementioned schools and conference request. VOTING FOR: McKnight,Sprute, 'Gailler, Mayer. AGAINST: Kuchera. MOTION CARRIED . 27. The Council next considered a request by Police Chief Siebenaler to purchase a handgun owned by Officer Aamot for Departmental use. Police Chief Siebenaler indicated that the cost was below the appraised value estimated by Officer Steigauf. Mayor Kuchera stated that he did not dispute the estimate by Officer Steigauf, but was uncomfortable with everything being handled internally, especially in light of what had happened the previous year. Councilmember McKnight stated that he was familiar with handguns and the $225 was an extremely good price for the City. Mayor Kuchera stated that the proposal should have included an outside appraisal. Chief Siebenaler stated that the City had approved a similar request recently. MOTION by Kuchera not to purchase the handgun. Motion died for lack of a second. MOTION by Galler, second by Mayer to authorize the City to purchase a Model 66 handgun from Mike Aamot for $225. VOTING FOR: Sprute, Galler, Mayer, McKnight. AGAINST: Kuchera. MOTION CARRIED. 28. MOTION by Galler, second by Sprute to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R9-89 accepting the donation of a pool table for the Senior Center. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 29. During roundtable, the following items were addressed: a. Plaques/trees for Ken Gerten and Phyllis Kelly. b. Commendations for Dan Whittier, Rolin Sampson, Denny Donaldson. c. Research No Truck Parking on Elm Street - specifically in the Hardee's/Tom Thumb areas. d. No City employee parking in front of City Hall. 30. MOTION by Sprute, second by Galler to adjourn at 12:10 A.M. APIF, MOTION CARRIED . ~ec~ submitted~ ~~ '~7:1f La..ft; 'Thomp on City Administrator Approved ~-~\-'\~