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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.02.80 Council Minutes MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 2, 1980 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Akin. Present: Mayor Akin, Councilmen Cook, Kuchera, Orr and Whittier Also Present: Administrator Ford, Attorney Gorgos and Engineer Rosene 2. The Council discussed with Park and Recreation Manager, Jim Bell the matter of open skating at the arena. Some felt that there should be more open skating available either in the arena or in the outside skating rinks. During the discussion several points were made including limitations on budget costs and available manpower. As a result of this discussion it was agreed that some addi- tional hours would be provided for open skating in the arena. That these hours would be from 9:30 to 11:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays and there would be no charge to the public. 3. Mr. Tim Carey, program director for the upcoming community celebration, Mountain Dew Days, to be held on June 20-22, brought the Council up to date on the plans for that celebration. He also provided a list to the Council of various permits and licenses that would be required for participation in that celebration. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the Council approve the issuance of various permits and licenses to the listed principles to conduct the indicated activities all included on a list provided by the City Administrator and on file in his office dated June 2, 1980 and that the fees for said permits and licenses be waived. APIF, motion carried. 4. In the matter of the Mountain Dew Days Celebration the Council was informed that Title 3, Chapter 11, of the City Code prohibited the display and consumption of liquor and beer on public thoroughfares, but that Title 3, Chapter 11, Section 5, empowered the City Council to grant an exception to this ordinance for a specified period of time by proclamation to accommodate a public, civic, or municipal activity community wide, such as a celebration or festival. Motion by Orr, second by Whittier that the Council grant an exception to the provision of Title 3, Chapter 11 under its powers granted by Title 3, Chapter 11, Section 5 in conjunction with the Mountain Dew Days Community Wide Celebration and that said exception be from midnight June 19 to midnight on June 22, 1980. APIF, motion carried. 5. Mr. Denver Daily, representing the Southern Minnesota Railroad Shippers Corporation sought the support of the City of Farmington to assure the continuance of rail service through the City of Farmington and other cities on the line between Austin and the Twin Cities. He stated that to accomplish this would require financial participation by private parties in the amount of $220,000, which he further stated had already been pledged by others, but that additional partici- pation by the City of Farmington and those who were not already pledged would reduce the per unit load. The Council agreed to take his request under consideration and to reply to him at the meeting of June 16, 1980. 6. The Northern Natural Gas Company located on State Highway 50 and County Road 31, at the last council meeting had requested that the City loot into the possibility of providing municipal sewer to that property. The council had ordered a very preliminary report and comment from our City Engineer. That report was now pre- sented to the council and to Northern Natural Gas Company, represented by Mr. Buck Folken who was in the audience. Mr. Bob Rosene who presented the report, stated to the Council that the property could be served feasibly and his initial drawing proposed an 8 inch line running westerly on County Road 31 on the North side of Trunk Highway 50. The discussion disclosed that this pipe would be set at a depth which would accommodate later on land located further to the west. His preliminary cost estimate of the project was $53,900. It was agreed that Mr. Folken would take the report under advisement and contact the City at a later date. Motion by Akin, second by Cook that the Preliminary Report be accepted by the Council. APIF, motion carried. 7. At 8:00 P.M. the Mayor opened the Public Hearing, notice of which was previously published concerning matters dealing with cable television in Farmington. The Council stipulated at the outset that the public hearing would be conducted under the current 15 year franchise issued by the City in 1971. It was further stipulated, that under the ordinance the Council did not have the power to approve or deny rate changes and for that reason the public hearing would be conducted for information gathering purposes and advisory only. Mr. Frank Woytek, President of Metro Cable Television, informed the council that he proposed to increase his basic rate from $&.50 per month of $8.50 per month, effective in the fall of 1980. He further stat~ that this would be the first increase put into effect since 1974. Only one person in the audience spoke on the issue. At 8:25 P.M. the Mayor then closed the public hearing and brought the matter back to the Council table for discussion. The discussion resulted in a consensus on two main points: A) The 1971 franchise ordinance did not empower the council without amendment to either approve or deny rate changes and that therefore, the operator was free to unilaterally put into effect his proposed rate changes, B) That the franchise granted by the City in 1971, was and is valid until 1986, and that MS238.09, Subn. 3, provides that the operator shall be issued a certificate of confirmation by the State Television Board upon his furnishing certain infor- mation to that Board. There was no further action taken by the Council. 8. Mr. Ken Malloy, Public Accountant, representing the firm of Anfinson, Hendrickson, and Company, the City auditing firm presented the 1979 City Audit to the Council. Membe~ of the Council during the course of the presentation had several questions and made several comments. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the Council accept the 1979 audit and authorized and directed the City Adiministrator to publish certain requisite portions of the audit in the official publication. APIF, motion carried. 9. The City Administrator in a memo dated May 16, 1980, called to the attention of the City Council, that firm policy did not exist concerning the charges for municipal services where a home occupation special exception had been granted. He was asking for firm council policy in the matter. A discussion followed. Motion by Akin, second by Whittier that the mere granting of a home occupation special exception shall not result in any additional charges for municipal ser- vices. Voting for: Akin, Whittier, Orr and Cook. Voting against: Kuchera. Motion carried. 10. Counci lmen Orr, project manager for the library and city hall remodeling, informed the council that the work was now 99% complete and suggested to the Counci 1 rough figures of cost amounting to $56,732. He informed the council that the Administrators Office would prepare and present at the next meeting a complete precise and final cost accounting for their review. 11. The Administrator was requested to coordinate with the Police Department to determine the nature and extent of parking congestion on Spruce Street between Fourth and Fifth, on Walnut between 4th and 6th and on 4th Street between Spruce and Oak. 12. The City Attorney informed the Counci 1 that pretrial hearing was scheduled for June 4, 1980, in the matter of the condemnation by the City of Abandoned railroad property and that he expected at that hearing to be informed that con- demnation proceedings would not be allowed to continue without the specific approval of the federal court who now had jurisdiction of the matter. He also informed the council that a deposition would be taken from the City Administrator and the Fire Chief on June 5, 1980. 13. Motion by Akin, second by Kuchera that the bills be approved for payment as presented. 14. Motion made and seconded to adjourn at 10:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ././ ' 1:1~// ~~N5ft1i ~ C:~~I:~m~~i:~~~Or APPROVED: ~/;lp/~o