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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.19.88 Council Minutes MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR DECEMBER 19, 1988 1. Mayor Kelly called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Members Present: Kelly, Mayer, Sprute, Galler. Members Absent: Donaldson. Also Present: Administrator Thompson. 2. MOTION by Sprute, second by Mayer to approve the agenda with the following changes: a. Remove item 11c - Capital Outlay Request - General Services - from the Consent Agenda for general discussion. b. ~ve item lIe - Traffic Lights at T.R. #50 and T.H. #3 - from the Consent Agenda for general discussion. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. It was the consensus of the Council to approve the minutes of the November 30, 1988 special meeting and the December 5, 1988 regular meeting. 4. MOTION by Kelly, second by Sprute to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 088-211 relating to partial payment of special assessments. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. MOTION by Sprute, second by Mayer to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R90-88 relating to recount cost legislation. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 6. The Council next considered a report by the Administrator dated December 19, 1988 relating to the acquisition of the Henderson ditch easements. Administrator Thompson cited a number of conditions placed on the easement, most of which appeared acceptable. The only condition which the City may have problems with was the demand that the proposed ditch be connected to the "Fischer" ponds via a storm sewer and the ponds improved and lined. City Engineer Kaldunski stated that the cost of the storm sewer would be approximately $350,000 excluding pond improvements if installed per the Southeast Area Stormwater Feasibility Report. The cost could be reduced to $75,000 by using an alternate route and only installing a portion of the project. Administrator Thompson stated that improvement of the ponds would require easements, which would exchange the problem of obtaining easements from one property owner to another. Councilmember Mayer stated that the project was not worth installing without the outlet to the Fischer ponds. Councilmember Sprute expressed concern regarding the alternate route fitting into the overall plans of the Vermillion River Watershed Board. Administrator Thompson stated that the State was presently reviewing the Board's Comprehensive Plan and that no projects could be initiated until the review had been completed. Bob Henderson stated that he would not agree to the easement unless the ditch was connected to the Fischer ponds and the ponds lined. It was the consensus of the Council that staff contact the Vermillion River Watershed Board regarding the timing of the project and report back at the next regular meeting. 7. Mayor Kelly opened a public hearing at 7:30 P.M. to consider the proposed landscape ordinance. Administrator Thompson stated that the Planning Commission had not met since the Council directive to review the Council's recommendations. MOTION by Mayer, second by Kelly to continue the hearing until January 3, 1989 at 7:15 P.M. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. The Council next considered the 1989 Salary Report from the Council Salary Committee dated December 16, 1988. Administrator Thompson gave a brief overview of the report. Councilmember Mayer stated that he had issued a minority report, but that his concerns were addressed by the full committee. Councilmember Sprute expressed the following concerns: clarification of the titles Deputy Clerk or Administrative Assistant and City Engineer or General Services Superintendent; information should be presented in a better format; only Department Heads receiving grade increases; wide disparity of salary increases ranging from 4% to 16.7%; large increases were out of line; constant changes in the plan translating to large increases; and, salary policy only benefitting a few. Administrator Thompson stated that the goal of the Comparable Worth legislation was to equalize salaries based on job content and that some positions were receiving large increases because the report showed they were underpaid. Administrator Thompson stated that, if the Council allowed the plan to work, eventually all positions would reach midpoint. Councilmember Galler stated that raises should be based more on merit than COLA's. Administrator Thompson stated that under current Comparable Worth legislation, any merit pay plan could be challenged as discriminatory if not properly designed and implemented. Mayor Kelly noted that the only factor which was deadlocked was "Know How" under the Administrative Assistant. MOTION by Kelly, second by Galler to rate "Know How" under the Administrative Assistant as an "E". VOTING FOR: GALLER, KELLY. AGAINST: MAYER, SPRUTE. MOTION FAILED. 9. MOTION by Mayer, second by Kelly to rate "Know How" under the Administrative Assistant as a "D+". APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 10. MOTION by Mayer, second by Kelly to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R91-88 adopting the Compensation Committee report as recommended. VOTING FOR: KELLY, GALLER, MAYER. AGAINST: SPRUTE. MOTION CARRIED. 11. Councilmember Sprute clarif;.ed his vote stating that he disagreed with the recommendations because of the 1arge~arity in salary increases, that some increases were way out of line, and that the purpose of the study was to bring salaries in line, but it appears to have had the opposite effect. 12. The Council next considered the Civil Defense Siren system. Police Chief Siebenaler presented the following options. Option Location Cost A Water Tower, 195th & CSAH 1131 (113db),Easter & 210th (127 db) and 5th and Walnut Not Available B Water Tower, 203rd & CSAH 1131 (127db) , 5th and Walnut $33,000 C Water Tower, 199th & CSAH 1131 (113db) , 5th and Walnut 24,000 D (Future) Water Tower, 199th & CSAH #31(113db), 5th & Walnut, Duo Plastics (127 db) and 200th & Flagstaff (127 db) 47,000 A lengthy discussion followed regarding the placement of the sirens. Ed Ulvi stated that he did not feel the siren in front of his house was located properly. Councilmember Sprute stated that it was very important to have overlapping coverage at the schools and that the smaller siren should be placed at 195th Street and CSAH #31. Police Chief Siebenaler stated that one of the problems of locating the smaller siren was providing an adequate power supply. Councilmember Mayer indicated that he preferred Option B which would address present needs and Minutes - Council - 12/19/88 future, and that costs should not be a controlling factor in design of the system. Mayor Kelly expressed concern that the placement of the siren at 195th and CSAH 1131 would leave Pine Knoll Addition largely uncovered. Councilmember Galler stated that individual alarms could be placed with the school. MOTION by Kelly, second by Galler to adopt Option "B" with the location of the middle siren at Dunbar and CSAH #31, provided that funding was approved from the 1989 Budget and that the small siren be sold. VOTING FOR: KELLY, GALLER, MAYER. AGAINST: SPRUTE. MOTION CARRIED. 13. The Council next considered an update on the City's municipal solid waste system dated December 8, 1988 outlining the schedule of critical dates. General Services Superintendent Kaldunski noted that the most critical date was April 1, 1989, when the City has to have its recycling program operating in order to receive the $61,000 grant from the County. Administrator Thompson stated the Council would be receiving these periodic reports and that they should note any concerns they have. 14. MOTION by Mayer, second by Kelly to table the bids on the automated packer trucks and containers until the next regular meeting. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 15. MOTION by Kelly, second by Sprute authorizing and directing the City's consulting engineer to prepare a hydraulic analysis on the storm sewer along the west side of the railroad tracks. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 16. MOTION by Kelly, second by Sprute to table discussion of the 1989 Legislative issues until the next regular meeting. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 17. The Council next considered the Maintenance Worker pos:i.tiQnaS:..~;rec,ommended in the General Services Superintendent's memo dated DeceIl!ber 15, 1988. Mr. Kaldunski stated that he was not satisfied with the applicants for the position and indicated he would reassess the Department's needs and report back to the Council. Mr. Kaldunski also recommended that Dan Duff be appointed as a full time Sanitation Truck Driver as authorized in the 1989 Budget. MOTION by Kelly, second by Mayer to appoint Dan Duff as a full time sanitation truck driver to be paid at midpoint of the 1989 salary schedule with a 6 month probationary period. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 18. MOTION by Mayer, second by Sprute to approve the consent agenda as follows: a. Acknowledge change in Consulting Engineering rates. b. Approve request to attend schools and conferences - Engineeering. c. Approve request to attend schools and conferences - Administration - Computer Training for Building Inspector. d. Approve capital outlay request - Fire Department - Charging Unit - $504. e. Approve payment of the bills as submitted. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 19. General Services Superintendent Kaldunski presented an explanation of his capital outlay request/budget adjustment/fund transfer. MOTION by Sprute, second by Galler to approve the capital outlay request to purchase a cracksealing kettle from Conspec Corporation for $10,500 and to approve the budget adjust- ments and transfer. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 20. Councilmember Sprute acknowledged the progress of the traffic signals at Highways 50 and 3. MOTION by Sprute, second by Kelly to approve the funding transfer from 1988 to 1989 for the traffic signals at Highways 50 and 3. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 21. During roundtable the following items were discussed: a. Gratitude expressed to Mayor Kelly for her service on the Council. b. Acknowledgement that the Attorney had released the Main Street Elevator demolition/cleanup. c. Hiring a consultant for the implementation of a matrix rating system. d. Possibility of funding a staff Christmas party. 22. MOTION by Sprute, second by Kelly to adjourn at 10:30 P.M. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ?j/? )?'~ Larry Thom~on City Administrator Approved