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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.07.87 Council Minutes MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR DECEMBER 7, 1987 1. Mayor Akin called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Members Present: Akin, Kelly, Mayer, Sprute. Members Absent: Uhl. Also Present: Administrator Thompson, Attorney Grannis. 2. Motion changes: A. B. C. by Kelly, second by Akin to approve the agenda with the following Remove item 8e - Paving Project on CSAH #64. Remove item 11f - Capital Outlay Request - Fire. Remove item lIb - Capital Outlay Request - Fire - from Consent Agenda for general discussion. D. Remove item lIe - Schools and Conferences Request - Police - from Consent Agenda for general discussion. E. Add discussion of applicants for various boards and commissions. motion carried. APIF, 3. Motion by Akin, second by Kelly to approve the minutes of the November 16, 1987 regular meeting with the amendment of item #19 to read, "Mayor Akin opened a public hearing which was continued from November 2, 1987 to consider...." APIF, motion carried. 4. The Council noted the passing away of Reverend Drake who was the Fire Department chaplain, and noted that the Fire Department had lost a great asset. 5. Mayor Akin opened a public hearing to consider various zoning amendments. Mayor Akin reviewed the correspondence between the Planning Commission and Council. Mayor Akin stated that he was not in favor of the Planning Commission's recommendation. Administrator Thompson stated he had approached the Planning Commission and the November 16, 1987 minutes accurately reflected the discussion. Mayor Akin stated that the reasons stated by the Planning Commission for granting variances versus conditional uses were not very strong. Councilmember Mayer concurred with Mayor Akin and indicated that the Planning Commission's statement that Conditional Use permits process was "not easy". Councilmember Mayer also stated that he did not know how a "hardship" could be proven. Councilmember Kelly agreed with the aforementioned comments. Mayor Akin closed the public hearing. 6. Motion by Akin, second by Mayer to direct staff to prepare a proposed ordinance incorporating maximum garage sizes at 800 square feet for R-1, R-2 and R-4 and to allow up to 1,000 square feet as a conditional use permit. APIF, motion carried. 7. Motion by Mayer, second by Kelly to approve the following 1988 Licenses and Permits: Beer Off Sale Tom Thumb - 420 Elm Street; Tom Thumb - 22280 Chippendale; Budget Mart - 705 8th St.; Budget Mart - 18226 Pilot Knob Road Arcade Licenses The Exchange - 344 3rd St; Farmington Lanes - 27 5th St. Billboards Naegles Outdoor Advertising, Schubert Outdoor Advertising, Vogel Outdoor Advertising, Fredrickson Outdoor Advertising. Mineral Extractions and Grading Dan Reisinger - 20737 Akin Road; James Jensen - 19224 Flagstaff Avenue APIF, motion carried. 8. Motion by Kelly, second by Mayer to adopt Resolution No. R79-87 supporting the American Legion bid to host the ~ Third District Convention. APIF, motion carried. ,qqo 9. The Council next received an update from the Administrator relating to the Co-Compost Grant. Several questions and concerns were raised by the Council regarding "red tape", timing of the grant/project, progress in preparing the grant, size of the plant and securing the site location. EDC Director Robert Williamson addressed each point, stating that he was now in a position to complete and submit the grant. Councilmember Sprute suggested a deadline be placed. It was em- phasized that the City was under a tight schedule and that the grant must be submitted in the near future. Motion by Akin, second by Sprute to submit the Co-Compost Grant application as soon as possible under the direction of the EDC Director, and for the Administrator to update the Council. APIF, motion carried. 10. The Council next considered a request by the Police Chief to institute a comp time program. Mayor Akin asked if the program would be part of the labor agreement. Chief Whittingham stated that it would not. Questions were raised regarding the maximum amount of comp time, potential savings, the need for the program. It was noted that the program would only be approved on a trial basis. No action was taken at this time. 11. The Council next considered the clarification of Officer Dau's salary. Chief Whittingham stated that it was his understanding that the Council had hired Officer Dau at a "two and one half" year pay level which was between the two and three year level, and that Officer Dau had accepted the position on those terms. Administrator Thompson stated that it was his understanding that the Council had not established a new pay grade, but had appointed him with the understanding that his salary would increase to the three year level after 6 months. The Council concurred with the Administrator's interpretation, but that the miscommunication should be rectified. The Council directed the Police Chief to offer one half of the increase in back pay. It was also acknowledged that the intent of the Council was to start Officer Dau at a 2 year level. 12. Administrator Thompson informed the Council that the Whispering River developer had been out of town during the previous weeks and had not been able to respond to the Council's request to provide a drainage plan for the development. 13. The Council next considered a proposal by staff to increase sanitary sewer rates by 15% because of increased MWCC charges. The Council acknowledged that, while solid waste fees would not have to be increased at this time, they should be closely monitored. The Council directed staff to survey cities sewer rates that are serviced by the MWCC and report back to the Council. The possibility of a credit for elderly persons was also discussed. December 7, 1987 14. The Council next considered a staff proposal to enter into an agreement with Eureka Township for building inspection services. Concern was expressed regarding City liability and insurance coverage. Attorney Grannis stated that the agreement did not indemnify the City from liability. Motion by Akin, second by Kelly to adopt Resolution No. R80-87 approving the Building Inspection Services Agreement with Eureka Township, contingent upon affirmation that the City's insurance policy would cover any claims arising out of the contract. APIF, motion carried. 15. The Council next considered a request by the General Services Superintendent Tom Kaldunski to authorize the expenditure of $1,200 for the purchase of trees. Mayor Akin asked if the City had a policy where trees were to be located. Mr. Kaldunski stated that the City was trying to vary the types of trees planted and to fill in areas that had experienced large tree losses. Mr. Kaldunski stated that they try to concentrate on certain areas rather than spreading them throughout the City. Mayor Akin stated that because of potential problems with old maple trees, it was a good proposal to begin removing some of them. Council- member Sprute stated that he was opposed to removing any tree which could be saved. Mr. Kaldunski stated that the memo was only pointing out where the City was potentially going to have to concentrate its efforts in the future. Motion by Akin, second by Kelly to authorize the expenditure ot. up to $1,200' for the purchase of trees, and to exercise care in the future of the reinovar''ot,~iiifiple trees. Voting for: Kelly, Mayer, Akin. Opposed: Sprute. Motion carii~d. 16. Motion by Sprute, second by Akin to set the 1988 Annual Board of Equalization for April 18, 1987 at 7:00 P.M. APIF, motion carried. 17. Motion by Sprute, second by Mayer to authorize the expenditure of up to $10,000 for manhole rehabilitation as proposed. APIF, motion carried. 18. It was the consensus of the Council that the Compensation Committee call a special session when it has completed its report. 19. The Council next considered Section II of the By-Laws relating to the rules of order at Council meetings. Mayor Akin stated that the By-Laws gave the presiding officer the authority to control the meetings, including the length of discussion. Mayor Akin stated that as presiding officer, he would restrict discussion if he felt it was being repetitive or served no useful purpose. If a councilmember wished to appeal that decision, the Council could overrule it. Councilmember Sprute stated he would speak on a topic as long as he deemed proper. Mayor Akin stated that these were not his rules, but the Council's. No further action was taken at this time. 20. Motion by Kelly, second by Mayer to approve the consent agenda as follows: A. Approve the 1987 Budget Adjustments as submitted. B. Approve a schools and conferences request - Police. C. Approve a capital outlay request and budget adjustment - Police garage doors. D. Approve a capital outlay request - General Services metal detector. E. Approve payment of the bills as submitted. APIF, motion carried. 21. The Administrator requested that the capital outlay requests by the Fire Department for a typewriter be tabled. 22. Councilmember Kelly asked how many police officers were EMT trained. Police Chief Whittingham stated that three officers were EMT trained and one first responder trained. Motion by Kelly, second by Akin to approve the schools and conferences request for the Police Department as submitted. APIF, motion carried. 23. The Council directed staff to send out notification for vacancies on the various boards and commissions. 24. Motion by Kelly, second by Sprute to adjourn at 9:45 P.M. APIF, motion carried. Respectfully submitted, ~)1r- Larry Thompson City Administrator Approved !<x/~I/g7