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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.05.87 Council Minutes MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR OCTOBER 5, 1987 1. Mayor Akin called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Members Present: Akin, Kelly, Mayer, Sprute, Uhl. Members Absent: None. Also Present: Administrator Thompson, Attorney Grannis. 2. Motion by Sprute, second by Kelly to approve the agenda with the following changes: 1. Add approval of the September 15, 1987 Special meeting minutes. APIF, motion carried. 3. Motion by Kelly, second by Mayer to approve the following minutes: a. September 15, 1987 special meeting. b. September 21, 1987 regular meeting. c. September 28, 1987 special meeting. APIF, motion carried. 4. Mayor Akin reopened a public hearing, continued from September 8, 1987, to consider various zoning amendments. The Council reviewed the recommendations from the Planning Commission relating to maximum garage sizes and access plans. Mayor Akin noted that the Planning Commission had recommended that garages be set at a maximum of 800 square feet, and if a person wanted a larger garage, a variance could be granted. Mayor Akin stated that he concurred with Commission review, but didn't know how a hardship could be shown. Council member Mayer stated that he felt the same and suggested that garages of 800 - 1000 square feet be allowed by conditional use. It was the consensus that this recommendation be sent back to the Planning Commission for its consideration. The hearing was continued until November 2, 1987 at 7:15 P.M. 5. The Council next considered a proposed amendment to the Whispering River Development Plan. Administrator Thompson indicated that, while staff had not had sufficient time to thoroughly review the plan, they were seeking concept approval to relocate the sidewalk from private property to the boulevard area along Spruce Street and Division Street. City Engineer Kaldunski stated that, based on his preliminary review, the proposed location of tIle sidewalk was too close to the strl'let,/which w6ttld hmnper snow rertoval. Mr. v.LIldunski indicated tha~ the sidewalk could be moved closer to the property line if certain .trees and/or utility pedestals were lIDVed. Warren Sifferath, representing the hrnreowner association, stated it was the wish of the association, to lIDVe the external sidewalks as far away from the houses as possible. Questions were raised regarding the need for the sidewalk and possible aligrnrents. Representatives from the- hrnreowners association and Mr. Kaldunski left the Council chambers to discuss possible alternatives. 6. The Council next considered the proposed Park Naming/Donation Policy as recommended by the Park and Recreation Advisory Board. Mayor Akin read the policy. General comments were raised regarding housekeeping changes. Council member Sprute stated that the language regarding the criteria for naming certain equipment/items after individuals was too restrictive. The Council concurrred with the general concept of the policy, but sent it back to staff for general housekeeping changes. 7. City Engineer Kaldunski stated that he had reviewed possible locations of the sidewalk with the Whispering River homeowners association and indicated that the sidewalk could be located along the Spruce Street boulevard, but either trees or pedestals would have to be moved. Discussion followed regarding possibly granting an extension for completing the sidewalk. The Council directed staff to meet with the homeowners association and the developer to develop an acceptable sidewalk plan. 8. The Council next considered the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission's recommendation to name the new Rambling River Trail entrance "Rambling River Park _ Willow Street Entrance" and that a drinking fountain with a plaque stating "Site of Kuchera's Tourist Park - Operated by Emil Kuchera" be located at the entrance. Council member Sprute stated that the Council could name the entrance "Kuchera's Entrance" and it still would comply with the concept of not naming parks after individuals. Mayor Akin disagreed with Council member Sprute's interpretation. Eugene "Babe" Kuchera distributed pictures of the tourist park which used to be located on the property. Mayor Akin stated that his recollection was that the park was operated as part of a private business and not as a public park. Mr. Kuchera stated that he would purchase the property back, plus improve- ment costs, and operate it as a public park. Mayor Akin stated that it was not possible because LAWCON/LCMR funds were involved. Council member Sprute stated that the Council should give consideration to naming it Kuchera Entrance because it was a small gesture by the Council, but important to the general public because many people identified the property as "Kuchera's". Council member Mayer stated that the first time the name was considered, the Council rejected the process, not the name. Council member Mayer stated that he felt comfortable naming the entrance "Kuchera's". Mayor Akin indicated that he would abstain from any action, because discussions he had with one of the involved parties might influence his decision. Motion by Sprute, second by Mayer to name the park at 5th and Willow Streets "Rambling River Park - Kuchera Entrance". Voting for: Sprute, Mayer. Against: Kelly, Uhl. Abstain - Akin. Motion failed. 9. The Council next considered the comp time proposal for police officers. Attorney Grannis stated that the proposal did meet the Fair Labor Standards Act, but recommended that the policy be agreed to in writing. Mayor Akin stated he did not wish to have comp time language included in the labor agreement. Police Chief Whittingham recommended that the policy be stated in a memorandum of under- standing and intent with the Union. The Council forwarded the policy to the Com- pensation Committee for its recommendation. 10. City Engineer Kaldunski presented a proposal to give away the soft maples from the City's nursery. Mr. Kaldunski stated that soft maples were not suitable for boulevards. Mr. Kaldunski stated that all of the details had not been worked out at this time. but the only cost to the homeowners would be the cost of moving the trees. Motion by Kelly, second by Uhl to approve the program as presented. APIF, motion carried. 11. Motion by Akin, second by Kelly to approve the sales tax refund agreement with Arcon Construction, Inc. with the change that the word "direct" be eliminated from "...provided the undersigned incurs no direct costs or expenses." APIF, motion carried. 12. Motion by Sprute, second by Kelly to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Approve a Capital Outlay Request - Parks - Doors - $368. b. Approve a "Smoke Free Arena" policy per the Minnesota Clean Air Act and adopted Resolution No. R68-87 establishing said policy. c. Approved the 1987 Budget transfers as submitted. d. Approved the Request for Payment #2 - Arcon Construction, Inc. Project 87-13 thru 87-15 - $187,255.50. e. Approve the 1987 Budget adjustments as presented. f. Approve the Final Pay Estimate - Moser Construct.ion - Proj ect 87-11 - $6,199.42. g. Approved a School and Conference Request - Fire - Defensive Driving. h. Approved a Capital Outlay Request - Fire - Blinds - $314. i. Approved a Capital Outlay Request - Administration - Work Station - $330. j. Approved payment of the bills as submitted. APIF, motion carried. 13. Motion by Mayer, second by Uhl to donate $300 to the Chamber of Commerce for Christmas Decorations from the Liquor Store Advertising. APIF, motion carried. 14. The Council next considered the 1988 Operating Budget. The following action was taken: l)due to a lack of a consensus from at least four members to assess seal coating,. $75,000 was added to streets for seal coating; 2) the Council acknowledged the Department of Revenue's increasing levy limits by $15,000; 3) the Certificate of Indebtedness Levy for the Fire/Rescue Truck was reduced by $5,000; 4) street, curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement remained at $1,500; 5) there was lengthy discussion on pager replacement, with a possibility of setting a flat amount in capital outlay for the Fire Department to be spent on a priority basis. No consensus.; 6) $5,000 from Administration capital outlay - Furnace - to Fire Department Capital Outlay ($11,000 to $16,000) as the furnace will be bought during 1987; 7) Mayor Akin stated the salary contingency should not be cut in order to prevent employee turnover. Council member Spru~e suggested the contingency be reduced to 4%. Consensus was 5%.; 8) Council member Sprute suggested schools and conferences be cut. Mayor Akin disagreed. No consensus at this time. 15. Motion by Akin, second by Kelly to approve the CIP portion of the budget, with an understanding that it can be amended at a future date. APIF, motion carried. 16. The budget discussions will continue during the special meeting on October 8, 1987 at 7:00 P.M. 17. Motion by Mayer, second by Uhl to adjourn at 11:00 P.M. APIF, motion carried. Respectfully submitted, ~o?3 City Administrator Approved /0 Ilr /8"7