Loading...
10-09-2001 CCM MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2001 1. CALL TO ORDER- 5:30 P.M. Mayor Torgerson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Members present were John Mlinar, Jim Haugen, Kay Peterson and Duane Hoversten. Also present were Gary Plotz, City Administrator, Marc Sebora, City Attorney and John Rodeberg, Director of Engineering/ Public Works. 2. INVOCATION - In the absence of Rev. Jim Hakes, Seventh Day Adventist Church, no mvocatlOn was given. 3. MINUTES (a) REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 25,2001 Minutes were approved as presented 4. CONSENT AGENDA (a) REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 1. CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 24,2001 2. HUTCHINSON UTILITIES FINANCIAL REPORT FOR AUGUST 2001 3. HUTCHINSON AREA HEAL TH CARE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR AUGUST 2001 4. BUILDING DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2001 5. FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2001 6. PIONEERLAND LIBRARY SYSTEM FINANCIAL REPORT FOR AUGUST 2001 (b) RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 1. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 01-300 - AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON TO INCLUDE CERTAIN LAND OWNED BY JEFF AND THEA KEPLER AND GEORGE AND GEORGIA FORMHAL (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) 2. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 01-301- AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON TO INCLUDE CERTAIN LAND OWNED BY BRIAN AND BRADLEY LOKENSGARD (L & P SUPPL Y) (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) 3 . CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 01-302 - AN ORDINANCE APPROVING VACATION OF PERIMETER EASEMENTS FOR LOTS 3-6, BLOCK 3 OF WALNUT RIDGE ESTATES AS REQUESTED BY PAUL BETKER, 810-840 HILLCREST RD NE WITH FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION AND STAFF RECOMMENDATION (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) 4. RESOLUTION NO. 11797 - RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING LOCATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES (GOLF COURSE ROAD NW AND SCHOOL ROAD NW) (c) CONSIDERATION OF AWARDING BID (TH 15 SOUTH/EDMONTON AVENUE TRAFFIC SIGNAL REVISIONS/LETTING NO. 10/PROJECT NO. 01-22) CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 9,2001 (d) CONSIDERATION OF 2001/2002 STREET LIGHT PROGRAM (LETTING NO. 9/PROJECT NO. 01-02) (e) APPOINTMENT OF CHARLES BRILL TO AIRPORT COMMISSION FOR FIVE-YEAR TERM (REPLACING STEVE CROW) (f) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT AUTHORIZATION (g) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF TRANSFERRING OF FUNDS Motion by Haugen, second by Peterson, to approve consent agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 5. PUBLIC HEARING - 6:00 P.M. - NONE 6. COMMUNICATIONS. REQUESTS AND PETITIONS (a) CONSIDERATION OF SETTING COUNCIL WORKSHOP FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2001, AT 8:00A.M. TO ATTEND THE PRESENTATION OF THE HRA HOUSING STUDY Motion by Hoversten, second by Mlinar, to set Council workshop for November 20,2001, at 8:00 a.m. to attend the presentation of the HRA Housing Study. Motion carried unanimously. (b) DISCUSSION OF JEFFERSON STREET SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING AND STATUS OF SEPTIC SYSTEM REVIEW John Rodeberg, Director of Engineering/ Public Works updated the Council on the Jefferson Street Septic System project. He explamed that the neighborhood is divided on whether to be annexed or remain as a rural development. Mr. Rodeberg explained that a task force was created in early 2001 to work on this issue. The task force recommended this neighborhood not be annexed. Mr. Rodeberg explained that the county has performed tests on the field tile lines in this area and have found sewage- related contamination. The county has required that all homes in this area have their septic systems be tested for compliance. The testing needs to be complete by November 1,2001. Any major failures need to be corrected no later than June 1, 2002. Additional residential meetings have been held since July in order that all residents have pertinent information. Mr. Rodeberg explained that by previous policy, he has informed residents that the city will no longer be granting individual annexations. All annexations will have to be a regional effort. Mr. Rodeberg also expressed that the city is not proposing that this area be annexed, but that the effort be driven by the neighborhood. Mr. Rodeberg also explained the cost and other assessment issues if residents would choose to be annexed. Mr. Rodeberg emphasized that the city will not be forceful on this issue, but will try to satisfY the residents' needs as a whole. Due to concern of the amount of assessment fees, Mr. Rodeberg explained possible options to pay these fees. Mr. Rodeberg requested an affirmation of the city policies that are currently in place. Marlin Torgerson expressed that the Council and City Staff have done everything possible to aid this neighborhood and that all city policies should stand. He feels that this neighborhood 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 9,2001 needs to come to a cooperative agreement. Mr. Rodeberg explained that city staff is more than willing to work with residents, however there are health issues and risk issues that need to be addressed. Mayor Torgerson asked Marc Sebora, City Attorney, what the City's liability is in terms of the fact that they are aware that contamination is being funneled into the Crow River. Mr. Sebora feels that the City is held liable for this situation, however he feels that the County Environmentalist needs to address this issue. Mr. Rodeberg explained that the County Environmentalist has been very active with this project. Mayor Torgerson feels that the city policy should remain as adopted. (c) PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF HUTCHINSON DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC STUDY John Rodeberg explained the traffic study that was conducted on Main Street. Mr. Rodeberg explained the goals of the study and the specific projects that were presented to the consultant, SRF Consulting. Various alternatives and options were presented to alleviate the back -ups of traffic at the four intersections on Main Street. It was discovered that there is no easy solution to fix these traffic problems. No major reductions in traffic were perceived from the alternatives presented. Mr. Rodeberg explained that a large portion of the traffic on Main Street is local drivers. A consideration would be for drivers to use an alternate route to reduce the traffic flow on Main Street. There are no State plans to reconstruct Main Street within the next 5-10 years. Additional studies will be completed in association with the Downtown Association's comprehensive planning process. Mayor Torgerson feels that this issue should continually be monitored and eventually a solution will arise. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (a) CONSIDERATION FOR LEASING SPACE ON THE SOUTH WATER TOWER FOR CELL PHONE ANTENNAES Motion by Mlinar, second by Haugen, to table this item until October 23, 2001. Motion carried unanimously. 8. NEW BUSINESS (a) CONSIDERATION OF REVISING REFUSE/ORGANIC CONTRACT WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT Gary Plotz, City Administrator, explained the current process that Waste Management, refuse hauler for the city, is using for trash and organics collection. Currently, a two- compartment truck, manufactured by McNeilus, is being used. Mr. Plotz explained that concerns have risen with the ability that this truck has to actually pick up the compartments. Mr. Plotz explained that a two-compartment truck from a different manufacturer was considered, however did not meet all of the City's criteria. Due to the fact that there are no other two-compartment truck options with McN eilus, Waste Management has proposed that the City use a two truck system to pick up the compartments. Mr. Rodeberg explained that he and Steve Metz have discussed the weight of the trucks that will be used. The weight of trucks effects the condition of streets immensely. There will be additional costs to repair streets due to the heavy weight on the streets daily. 3 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 9,2001 Steve Metz, Waste Management, addressed the Council. He explained that McNeilus had expressed to them that they would be able to meet the City's and Waste Management's needs, but have not been able to do so. Overall, the process and program is working out very well. He appreciates the City's cooperation. Motion by Mlinar, second by Hoversten, to approve revising refuse/organic contract with Waste Management. Motion carried unanimously. John Mlinar questioned whether or not resident's fees would be reduced based on the savings the city will obtain from the change in the contract. Mr. Plotz explained that this will be considered as the agreement is being revised. (b) CONSIDERATION TO AMEND 2001 GENERAL FUND BUDGET & ESTABLISH BUDGET FOR STORM WATER REVENUE FUND Ken Merrill, Finance Director, explained that some city department directors have requested that individual areas be eliminated from their budget and aligned into a larger department. However, these items/areas will still be able to be tracked via the accounting system. Mr. Merrill is also proposing that money that was allocated in the general fund be pulled and a Storm Water Fund be created. Motion by Mlinar, second by Peterson, to approve the amendment of the 2001 general fund budget and establish budget for storm water revenue fund. Motion carried unanimously. (c) CONSIDERATION TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 93-94 - AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE SALARIES OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN Ken Merrill explained that these changes would need to be made before the November 6, 2001 Special Election. Mayor Torgerson explained that there has been one increase to the Council member's salary in the past 18 years. He feels that the workload has increased and changed significantly in these years. Mr. Mlinar feels that in accordance with the salary survey of surrounding cities, Hutchinson is in the ballpark of council member salaries. Motion by Mlinar, second by Peterson, to leave the Mayor and Council members' salaries as currently stated. Motion carried unanimously. ( d) CONSIDERATION OF SETTING BUDGET WORKSHOP FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23,2001, AT 4:00 P.M. Motion by Mlinar, second by Peterson, to set a budget workshop for October 23,2001, at 4:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. John Mlinar questioned Ken Merrill on the shortfall of $220,000 in local government aid. Mr. Merrill noted that the League of Minnesota Cities is researching the reason for the distinct decrease in funds. Mr. Merrill will bring additional information to the Council before the end of the year. Mr. Mlinar feels that the city should be informed if the city may be doing something "wrong". Mayor Torgerson would like to know who should be contacted to explain the reason that Hutchinson received such a significant decrease in funds compared to previous years. Mr. Merrill explained that the state strike does propose a problem to answer any questions in relation to this issue. 9. MISCELLANEOUS 4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 9,2001 (a) COMMUNICATIONS John Haugen - Mr. Haugen reminded the community to review fire procedures and check their smoke detectors at home. John Mlinar - Mr. Mlinar asked the community to "keep the faith" through the trying times of our nation and our city. Gary Plotz - Mr. Plotz reviewed the topics covered at the Leadership Team meeting earlier in the day. Topics included Jefferson Street Project, update on Linden Park, and the League of MN Cities Insurance Trust and claims that had been submitted. John Rodeberg - Mr. Rodeberg explained that an assessment roll for Letting No.4 was approved in May 2001. However, the follow-up procedures were never completed. Therefore, approval of such assessment roll was requested. Motion by Peterson, second by Mlinar to approve the assessment roll. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Rodeberg explained that the School Road North intersection may take another week to complete. The contractors are paying a daily penalty due to the lack of timeliness. The sub- contractor is having trouble transporting the hot mix to Hutchinson. Mayor Torgerson - Mayor Torgerson explained that a $20,000 environmental grant was given to the city from 3M to conduct work on the Crow River. 10. CLAIMS. APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT PAYMENTS (a) VERIFIED CLAIMS A Motion by Peterson, second by Haugen, with Hoversten abstaining, to approve and authorize payment of Verified Claims A from appropriate funds. Motion carried unanimously. (b) VERIFIED CLAIMS B Motion by Peterson, second by Hoversten, to approve and authorize payment of Verified Claims B from appropriate funds. Motion carried unanimously. 11. ADJOURN With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. 5