HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.02.79 Council Minutes
'}7
i'....1 f
MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR
APRI L 2, 1979
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by the Mayor
Present: Mayor Akin, Councilmen Johnson, Kuchera, Orr, Whittier
Also Present: Administrator Ford, Attorney Gorgos
2. Motion by Whittier, second by Kuchera to approve the minutes of March 19,
1979, with the following changes:
a) Paragraph 3, starting with the words "Motion by Orr...'1 replace with the
following language: "Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that no increase
be made in Sergeant wages at this time. Motion by Orr second by Whittier
to amend the main motion to provide for a rate of pay for Sergeant equal
at least to that of Police Officer. Voting for the amendment to the motion:
Orr, Johnson. Voting against: Akin, Kuchera, Whittier. Motion not
carried. The question was then called on the main motion. Voting for:
Akin, Kuchera, Johnson, Whittier. Voting against: Orr. Motion carried.
No change in Sergeant Salary.
b) Paragraph 16, item 5, first sentence, insert the word "Tribune" between
the words IICounty" and 'wasil.
APIF, motion carried.
3. Motion by Kuchera, second by Johnson that the City enter into an agreement
with CETA involving the conversion to permanent status of Rec Tech I I, Randy
Allen, in accordance with the terms set forth in the Administrators memo dated
March 27,1979. APIF, motion
4. Motion by Orr, second by Kuchera to approve the following capital outlay
purchases for the Park and Recreation Department both of which have been budgeted:
1. $3432.00 plus trade for the purchase of a pool heater from Capital Supply
Company.
2. $990.00 for a pool pump and motor to be purchased from PFC Equipment Co.
APIF, motion carried.
5. Motion by Whittier, second by Johnson to authorize the attendance at an annual
Arena seminar in Albert Lea on April 18-19, 1979, of three persons from the Park
and Recreation Department. APIF, motion carried.
6. The council authorized the City Administrator to submit appropriate grants to
CETA involving special projects within the Park and Recreation Department and/or
the General Services Department, none of which should result in any cost to the
City.
7. Motion by Kuchera, second by Orr to approve the specifications for the purchase
of a reversible snow plow for the General Services Department and to set the taking
of bids for 2:00 P.M., May 21, 1979. APIF, motion carried.
8. Motion by Kuchera, second by Johnson to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R14-79 which
indemnifies publ ic officials against liability in their official actions as
provided by Minnesota Statutes. APIF, motion carried.
9. The council reviewed the proposal of Mr. Harold Rice to install a bowling
alley as a special exception at 27 South 5th Street which is in an 1-1 zoning
district. Mr. Rice informed the council that the issuance to him of an on-sale
liquor license would be essential to his proposal. The council was further
informed that this matter had been before the Planning Commission who had looked
28
favorably upon it and who had scheduled a publ ic hearing in the matter for
April 17, 1979, contingent upon favorable action by the council. The Planning
Commission was recommending that the council hold a public hearing on April 16,
1979 to consider amending the ordinance which would provide for commercial
recreation as a special exception in the 1-1 zoning district. Also, they were
informed that the Planning Commission, if it granted a special exception once
the ordinance had been amended, the special exception would be for a commercial
recreation land use with the restaurant and liquor activity considered accessory
uses to the main use. It was revealed that no variances would be required.
Motion by Whittier, second by Kuchera to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 079-80 an ordinance
amending the on-sale liquor ordinance. APIF, motion carried.
10. Motion by Kuchera, second by Orr to set a public hearing for 7:30 P.M.
April 16, 1979, to consider an amendment to the zoning ordinance which would
provide for a commercial recreation land use as a special exception in the
1-1 zoning district. APIF, motion carried.
11. Motion by Kuchera, second by Orr to approve the bills for payment as pre-
sented. APIF, motion carried.
12. The council then considered an abatement recommendation from the County
Assessor involving parcel No. 14-03100-021-11, the site of the former Fredrick-
Willys Factory. The recommendation was to reduce the assessed value from
$94,213 to $78,690 based on a conclusion by the assessor that the property
was over-evaluated as evidenced by a recent sale. There was a general discussion
revolving around the validity of these requests for abatements coming through
during the year when the property owner has not availed himself of the opportunity
to request such an abatement during the annual tax board of review before the
council. Also, this particular abatement indicated that the reduction in
assessed value was the result of a recent sale. The council took issue with
this consideration, based on statements made at previous annual tax boards of
review in which the assessor stated that sales data was not used in appraising
the value of a property. Motion by Orr, second by Kuchera that the council
not concur in the recommendation for abatement. APIF, motion carried.
13. Motion by Akin, second by Johnson that the City Administrator be authorized
to attend a data privacy seminar on April 24, 1979, at the University of
Minnesota. Apif, motion carried.
14. Councilman Johnson stated to the council that he had some misgivings about
the decision arrived at by the council at the previous meeting concerning a
proposed adjustment to the wages for Police Sergeant. Councilman Kuchera indicated
that he too had been given cause for reconsideration and stated that he recalled
in the past when a $75.00 separation between Sergeant and Police Officer had been
purposely maintained. Mayor Akin agreed that there should be a difference but
that the question should not be opened up during the year because of the effect
on the budget and the possibil~ty that it would result in opening up the question
of wages for all classifications. Councilman Orr felt that the council should be
willing to address themselves to any accusation of inequity when and as it arose.
No action taken.
15. The Administrator was requested to submit to the council some data concerning
the cost of chloriding and specifically what those costs might be in regard to
city alleys in the urban area.
Minutes of April 2, 1979 cont.
16. The council was informed that the new installation of the pager antenna
atop the Dakota County Tribune Radio Tower was almost completed.
17. The Mayor called a special meeting for 8:00 P.M., April 12, 1979, which
would be a joint meeting of those members of the council who wish to meet with
the PARAC.
18. Motion by Orr, second by Whittier that the automotive reimbursement for the
City Administrator be increased from $65 to $100. Voting for: Johnson, Orr,
Whittier. Voting against: Akin, Kuchera. Motion carried.
19. Motion made and seconded to adjourn at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
AI'" /' . .<,./1_,.~. ..'//
/J"_' . ," ,.. ..,.. . /
~~~G#-~
Wi 11 i am J. Ford'
City Administrator
APPROVED
4/,1t Irt
WJF/kf