10-11-1994 CCMI
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor
Torgerson. Present were: Mayor Marlin Torgerson, Council
Members Bill Craig, John Mlinar, Kay Peterson, and Don
Erickson. Also present: City Administrator Gary D. Plotz,
City Engineer John Rodeberg, and City Attorney G. Barry
Anderson.
2. The invocation was given by the Reverend Richard Gross.
3. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of September 27, 1994 and
bid opening of September 27, 1994 were approved as
distributed.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
(a) REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
1. BUILDING OFFICIAL'S REPORT - SEPTEMBER 1994
2. LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 29, 1994
3. AIRPORT COMMISSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 26, 1994
(b) RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
1. RESOLUTION NO. 10319 - RESOLUTION ADOPTING REVISED
ASSESSMENTS
2. RESOLUTION NO. 10320 - RESOLUTION SETTING DUE DATE
FOR 1994 ADOPTED ASSESSMENT ROLLS
3. RESOLUTION NO. 10321 - RESOLUTION ACCEPTING $162,500
FROM HUTCHINSON UTILITIES COMMISSION
4. RESOLUTION NO. 10322 - RESOLUTION ENTERING INTO
AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, AND THE COUNTY OF MCLEOD FOR A
JOINT -USE HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE FACILITY
5. ORDINANCE NO. 94-119 - AMENDMENT TO SUBDIVISION
ORDINANCE NO. 466, SUBDIVISION 6 & 7 (DEDICATION OF
PARKLAND FOR BIKE PATHS) (SECOND READING AND ADOPT)
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 11, 1994
6. ORDINANCE NO. 94-120 - AMENDMENT TO ZONING
ORDINANCE NO. 464, SECTIONS 8.04, 8.05, 8.06 AND
10.03 REGARDING GARAGES IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
(SECOND READING AND ADOPT)
(c) SNOW REMOVAL PERMITS FOR STEVE REINER AND HARRY KEMPER
(d) CITY/SCHOOL 1994-1996 FACILITY USE CONTRACT
The motion to approve the consent agenda, with the
exception of item No. 4-b(3), was made by Council Member
Peterson, seconded by Council Member Mlinar and
unanimously carried.
Following discussion, the motion to approve and adopt
Resolution No. 10321, item No. 4-b(3), was made by
Council Member Craig, seconded by Council Member Peterson
and unanimously carried.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - 8:00 P.M.
(a) ISSUANCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSE TO ANNA LINDA
SOEFFKER, DBA MAIN STREET BAR -GRILL (CONTINUED FROM
SEPTEMBER 27, 1994)
Attorney Mark Carrigan, representing Anna Soeffker,
commented on the lack of restaurant facilities in the
leased space on Main Street. It was noted by Carrigan
that a representative from the State Board of Health had
investigated the structure and determined it suitable for
serving food. Attorney Carrigan requested the Council to
issue a conditional liquor license that his client would
have an operational restaurant in the near future.
City Attorney Anderson was opposed to the City Council
issuing a liquor license until all the requirements in
the City Ordinance were fulfilled. He inquired about the
status of the unpaid taxes on the property and if the
applicant had any experience running a bar.
Police Chief Madson commented this was the fourth
application for a license for this property. He stated
the person with a lien against him was still active with
the business, and it appears to be a "scam." Chief
Madson placed the Council on notice that in an interview
on October 7, 1994 by the Police Investigator, the
applicant stated the owner would be in the bar and
operate the business in the evening.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 11, 1994
Applicant Anna Soeffker denied she made the statement to
Dick Waage. She claimed Waage was the only person who
had contacted her. Soef fker claimed she would be working
in the evening and closing up the business. She stated
her proposed menu was steaks, hamburgers, fries, and a
salad bar.
Attorney Carrigan was of the opinion that the applicant
should not be denied a license based on Doherty's tax
problem with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. He
also felt it was up to the State Department of Health to
determine if a restaurant could be operated on the site.
Attorney Anderson determined there was insufficient
information to grant the liquor license. He recommended
closing the hearing and waiving the requirement for an
additional investigation fee if the applicant met the
restaurant requirements within a six month window. The
City Attorney stated the applicant had no building permit
to construct a kitchen facility, no construction plans,
no application with the Board of Health, and no
restaurant equipment.
The motion to close the hearing at 8:27 P.M. was made by
Council Member Craig, seconded by Council Member Mlinar
and unanimously carried.
Council Member Craig moved that the application for a
liquor license be denied since the applicant did not meet
the requirements set by City ordinance and to waive the
investigation fee if the applicant submits another
application within the six month window. Motion seconded
by Council Member Erickson and unanimously carried.
6. COMMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS
None
7. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
(a) SEE CONSENT AGENDA
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(a) DISCUSSION OF CRIPPS PROPERTY ISSUES BY BARRY ANDERSON
City Attorney Anderson stated this matter was not a legal
issue but rather a moral issue on the part of the City
since over a period of years it had billed the property
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 11, 1994
02
owner for sewer service that was
City line. He noted the Statute
exempt the City from any claims
involved.
not connected to the
of Limitation might
due to the parties
Finance Director Kenneth B. Merrill reported the City
records dated back to 1983. The problem was discovered
after Mr. Scott Cripps sold the property at 121 Fifth
Avenue NE to Mr. Kim Hauer in 1990. The Hauers took the
City to small claims court for damages from sewer backup
in their basement. They were awarded the claim of
$1,776.00 from the City. The City also reimbursed the
sewer payments, with interest, which were made by Hauers
and Cripps.
Following discussion, the motion to pay $2,000.00 to Mr.
Scott Cripps to clear up the issue was made by Council
Member Craig, seconded by Council Member Mlinar and
unanimously carried.
(b) CONSIDERATION OF PROPERTY ON FIRST AVENUE SW OWNED
BY NEIL JENSEN
Following discussion of acquiring the property located at
125 First Avenue SW, the motion to proceed with
negotiations as outlined in Neil Jensen's letter was made
by Council Member Craig and seconded by Council Member
Peterson. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried four
to one, with Council Member Erickson voting nay.
(c) CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING AIRPORT PAYMENT NO. 11
Finance Director Merrill requested the motion to approve
payment for pay request No. 11 at the September 27, 1994
City Council meeting be rescinded and to approve the
revised pay request No. 11 in the amount of $272,107.08
to Mathiowetz Construction Company for MN/Dot Project No.
4304-11.
Following discussion, the motion to rescind the September
27, 1994 motion and to approve the revised payment was
made by Council Member Mlinar, seconded by Council Member
Peterson and unanimously carried.
NEW BUSINESS
(a) CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATION FOR "ON SALE" NON -
INTOXICATING MALT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR RUSS CARTER JR.,
DBA J'S PIZZA (CONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 1994)
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 11, 1994
Police Chief Madson reported a bill of sale to Russ
Carter Jr. was presented during the investigation. Also,
an on -sight tour of the structure was conducted, and it
was observed that the door between J's Pizza and the
adjoining business had been locked with a padlock
controlled from 16 Main Street N. Based on these facts,
it was Chief Madson' s recommendation to issue the license
to J's Pizza.
Following discussion, the motion to approve and issue the
license was made by Council Member Mlinar, seconded by
Council Member Erickson and unanimously carried.
(b) CONSIDERATION OF TAXICAB LICENSE APPLICATION BY DUANE
BUSKE
Mr. Duane Buske informed the Council that he and his
brother wished to operate a taxicab business in
Hutchinson with three taxicabs.
Following discussion, the motion was made, seconded and
unanimously carried to approve issuing a taxicab license.
(c) CONSIDERATION OF ADVERTISING FOR BIDS ON NEW CHLORINE
SYSTEM FOR WATER TREATMENT FACILITY
Following discussion, the motion to approve advertising
for bids was made by Council Member Erickson, seconded by
Council Member Peterson and unanimously carried.
(d) CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL TO PURCHASE INVENTORY
MANAGEMENT AND SALES SYSTEMS FOR LIQUOR STORE
Manager Neil Wegner addressed the need for new equipment
at the Liquor Hutch. He recommended the system be
purchased from Total Register Systems, Inc. in the amount
of $16,662.00.
Following discussion, the motion to approve the purchase
was made by Council Member Craig, seconded by Council
Member Mlinar and unanimously carried.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Anderson reminded the City Council that their
first meeting in November fell on the general election
day and recommended an alternate date.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 11, 1994
Following discussion, the motion to hold the City Council
meeting on Monday, November 7, 1994, at 7:30 P.M. was
made by Council Member Erickson, seconded by Council
Member Mlinar and unanimously carried.
(b) COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER BILL CRAIG
Council Member Craig commented on the groundbreaking next
week for the HTI learning center. He also pointed out
that HTI is a leader in the marketplace.
(c) COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER KAY PETERSON
Council Member Peterson stated the City Engineer, Police
Chief, and Mary Linder recently attended a neighborhood
block party. They did a good job of answering the
residents' questions.
(d) COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Administrator Plotz reported on the good response to the
community survey recently mailed to the residents. He
also commented on the bin sticker to be used for the
recycling program.
It was noted that an application from the McLeod County
Agricultural Association for a short-term "on sale" non -
intoxicating malt liquor license was received last
minute.
Following discussion, the motion to approve and issue the
license was made by Council Member Mlinar, seconded by
Council Member Erickson and unanimously carried.
(e) COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY ENGINEER
Engineer Rodeberg requested authorization to advertise
for bids on two 1995 police squad cars. Following
discussion, the motion to approve advertising for bids
was made by Council Member Erickson, seconded by Council
Member Peterson and unanimously carried.
The City Engineer also requested approval of Change Order
No. 1 for Letting No. 2, Project No. 93-02 and of Change
Order No. 2, Letting No. 12, Project No. 94-28.
Following discussion, the motion to approve the two
change orders was made by Council Member Craig, seconded
by Council Member Peterson and unanimously carried.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 11, 1994
Engineer Rodeberg presented Assessment Roll No. 298 for
Letting No. 10, Project No. 94-25/Changer Order No. 1 and
requested approval of waiving the hearing and adopting
the roll.
Following discussion, the motion to approve and waive the
hearing, to adopt Assessment Roll No. 298, and to waive
readings and adopt Resolutions No. 10323, No. 10324 and
No. 10325 was made by Council Member Mlinar, seconded by
Council Member Erickson and unanimously carried.
The City Engineer reported that MN/DOT would be providing
additional staff and funding to support the Hutchinson
Light Traffic Project. A marketing person will be in
town on November 21 to meet with individuals regarding
the Light Traffic Task Force.
(f) COMMUNICATIONS FROM FINANCE DIRECTOR
Director Kenneth B. Merrill reported the Financial
Consultant Committee will meet on October 13, 1994, at
4;30 P.M. to review the five proposals received for a
city financial consultant.
(g) COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR MARLIN TORGERSON
Mayor Torgerson commented on a telephone call he had
received from a citizen who lived in the area of Champion
Auto who was concerned about weeds.
The Mayor asked for Council approval for him to proceed
with obtaining additional information and support from
various groups for a one-half percent city sales tax.
The funds collected would be designated to specific
projects. A proposed referendum would be held in the
fall of 1995, and if approved, the sales tax would go
into effect in 1996. Mayor Torgerson stated that
Representative Bob Ness and Senator Steve Dille had been
contacted, and the Minnesota Legislature would have the
final vote on the issue.
It was the unanimous consensus of the City Council that
the Mayor investigate the city sales tax proposal
further.
11. CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT PAYMENTS
(a) VERIFIED CLAIMS
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 11, 1994
The motion to approve the claims and authorize payment
from the appropriate funds was made by Council Member
Mlinar, seconded by Council Member Erickson and
unanimously carried.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:13
P.M.
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