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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.19.80 Council Minutes MI.NUTES COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR May 19, 1980, I. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Akin at 7:00 P.M. Present: Mayor Akin, Councilmen Kuchera, Orr, Whittier c \-' Absent: None The seat vacated by Don Johnson, had not yet been filled.. Also Present: Administrator Ford and Attorney Gorgos. 2. Motion by Whittier, second by Kuchera to approve the minutes of May 5, 1980 as presented: APIF, motion carried. 3. The Council then briefly discussed the procedure they would use in filling the vacancy on the Council. It was decided that each member in turn could put forth a name in the form of a motion which upon receiving a second would be voted upon. Motion by Whittier, second by Kuchera that the name Julia Stegmaier be submitted. Voting yes: Whittier and Kuchera. Voting no~ Akin and Orr. Motion not carried. 4. Motion by Orr, second by Akin that the name Ray Larson be submitted. Voting yes: Orr. Voting no: Whittier, Kuchera and Akin. t1otion not carried. 5. Motion by Kuchera, second by Akin that the name Dr. Earl Cook be submitted. Voting yes: Kuchera, Whittier, Akin. Voting no: Orr. Motion carried. 6. The Council then requested the City Administrator to call Dr. Cook by telephone to confirm whether or not he would accept the appointment. The Administrator reported back that Dr. Cook would accept the appointment and in fact would leave and come down to the meeting to be sworn in. 7. The item on the agenda listed as Review of the 1979 Annual Audit, was deferred to the next meeting. 8. The Council then took up the matter of a proposed development on the northwest corner of Spruce and Division Streets, which was being proposed by Petrie Development, Inc., represented at tonights meeting by Mr. Conklin. The developer had been before the Planning Commission at an earlier meeting, who tended to look favorably upon the development. The HRA had commented to the Council unfavorably on the development and the matter had been discussed at the previous council meeting at which time a letter was directed to the Minnesota Housing and Finance Agency stating that the City would not approve of a Section 8 Subsidized Housing Development which carried with it a 50% tax abatement. The matter was now on the agenda for purposes of reconsideration and an open discussion among members of the Counci I, the developer and others in the audience took place. It was stated that the total 50 units would have a market value of approximately $2,300,000 or $46,000 each, and that a mortgage committment of $1,973,000 had been obtained. The developer insisted that the data from HUD, the Metro Council and from the City itself showed a need for this type of housing. The developer stated that his calculation showed, that upon completion of the development approximately $20,000 in property taxes would . be yielded to the City even after the application of the 50% abatement. There was a motion by Akin, second by Whittier that the matter now be reconsidered. APIF, motion carried. Further discussion followed which was summarized by the Mayor in the concensus that, little would be accomplished in continuing the matter to a further meeting inasmuch as there was little indication that any member voting unfavorably before would be inclined to change his vote. There was no action taken. 1::s R 9. There was a motion by Orr, second by Whittier that the appointment of Dr. Cook to the vacant seat on the Council be unanimous. APIF, motion carried. 10. The Council then discussed the matter of a revised CATV franchise with Mr. Frank Voytek, President of Metro Cable, Inc. At the same time the Council took up the matter of his proposed changes in subscriber rates. A memo by the Administrator had been distributed which stated that there was considerable doubt whether or not the State Cable Board had the authority to require the City to revise its franchise ordinance at this time, inasmuch as it was granted in 1971 and according to the City Attorney, might be very well have been grandfathered in and therefore not subject to the new franchise, State mandated, requirements. It was decided that two actions be taken (a) that a public hearing be set in the matter of rate change~ and (b) that the City Attorney and Administrator prepare a revised franchise ordinance consistent with the past practice of the City whereby a short ordinance is adopted wherein a companion agreement is adopted by reference. There was a motion by Akin, second by Kuchera to set a public hearing for 8:00 P.M., June 2, 1980, at which time the proposed subscriber rate changes would be considered. APIF, motion carried. 11. The Council took note of the fact that a Public Hearing would be held on May 28, 1980, at 10:00 A.M. in the Farmington City Hall Meeting Room ordered by the Department of Transportation to consider the petition of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company for the discontinuance of agency service ln Farmington. 12. There was a motion by Kuchera, second by Orr that the Council approve the satis- factory completion of his probationary period by David Dahl effective May 1, 1980. APIF, motion carried. 13. Motion by Kuchera, second by Orr that the Council approve the preliminary outline for Project 80-1, Sealcoating 1980 and that plans and specifications be ordered pre- pared by the City Engineer. APIF, motion carried. 14. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera to approve the bills for payment with the addition of the following: Kelly Electric, City Hall remodeling - $4,596.18. APIF, motion carried. 15. Motion by Akin, second by Whittier that the salary for Joan Parott of the liquor store be increased from $3.50 to $4.00 per hour effective May 12, 1980. APIF, motion carried. 16. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the list of part time temporary employees for summer time help in the park and recreation department as shown on the managers memo dated May 6, 1980 be approved. APIF, motion carried. 17. Motion by Akin, second by Orr that the proposed new rates for swimming pool ad- mission as shown in the park and recreation managers memo dated May 6, 1980 be hereby approved. APIF, motion carried. 18. The City Administrator administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Council- man Dr. Earl Cook, who then took his seat. 19. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera to adopt Resolution No. R13-80, the Petition IT Northern Natural Gas Company for Municipal Sewer Service hereby be accepted, that Project No. 80-4, Sewer Lateral, Northern Natural, be established and that a feasibili be ordered from the City Engineer. APIF, motion carried. 1 '~. (~ LJ ....: 20. The Council agreed with the Administrator that the temporary sewer meters which were installed approximately 30 days ago, continue to be utilized until June 1, 1980, an appro- ximate cost of an additional $200. 21. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the plans submitted by the Department of Transportation for the improvement of Trunk Highway 50 between Farmington and Lakeville be accepted and approved. APIF, motion carried. 22. The City Attorney informed the Council that the necessary papers had been filed regarding the condemnation of abandoned railroad property in Farmington and that a hearing date should be set within two weeks. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the Council accept the compromise offer submitted by Attorney John McBrien on behalf of his client P. H. Feely, regarding the assessments on property owned by Feely, on the northwest corner of Division and Spruce which in effect would forgive approximately $1,600 worth of penalty and interest on the special assessments. APIF, motion carried. 23. Councilmen Orr reported to the Council that in his negotiations with the Library Board concerning their share of the cost overruns for remodeling that they had agreed to pick up an additional $2,000, for a total of $12,000. Mr. Orr further informed the Council that he would expect to present to the Council a complete cost accounting wrap up on the remodeling work at the meeting of June 2, 1980. 24. Motion made and seconded to adjourn at 10:10 P. M. Respectfully submitted, ~1.:YJ Wi II iam J. Ford City Administrator APPROVED: