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04-09-1991 CCMMINUTES REGULAR MEETING - HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor Ackland. The following were. present: Mayor Paul L. Ackland, Aldermen Craig Lenz, John Mlinar, Marlin Torgerson and Don Erickson. Also present: City Administrator Gary D. Plotz, City Engineer John Rodeberg and City Attorney G. Barry Anderson. 2. INVOCATION The invocation was given by the Reverend Robert Brauer. 3. MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting of March 26, 1991 and special meeting of March 29, 1991 were approved as distrib- uted. 4. ROUTINE ITEMS (a) REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 1. BUILDING OFFICIAL'S REPORT - MARCH 1991 2. PARK & RECREATION BOARD MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 27, 1991 3. NURSING HOME BOARD MINUTES OF JANUARY 24 & 31, 1991 4. AIRPORT COMMISSION MINUTES OF MARCH 18, 1991 5. HOSPITAL BOARD MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 19, 1991 (b) APPOINTMENTS TO SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD 1. LLOYD MUELLER 2. ARNOLD HEIL The motion was made by Alderman Mlinar, seconded by Alderman Lenz and unanimously carried, to order report and minutes filed and to ratify appointments. 5. PUBLIC HEARING - 8:00 P.M. (a) MAIN STREET (T.H. 15) TRAFFIC CONTROL AND STRIPING IMPROVEMENTS Keith Voss and Larry Holden, representatives from MN/DOT, presented the proposed Main Street (T. H. 15) traffic con - 1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APRIL 9, 1991 trol and striping improvements. They reported the three accident areas are Hwy. 7 and 15, Main Street and Wash- ington Avenue, and Main Street and Second Avenue. Otto Rettig, 516 Adams Street S., inquired about the lanes and asked if there would be a jog in the main lane. He stated the problem with Main Street and Adams was too much traffic, and it takes 10 minutes to cross Main. His suggestion was a cross-over to resolve the problem and eliminate some of the traffic. Mr. Rettig commented that in the winter months no one will be able to see the mark- ings on Main Street. District Engineer Voss stated accidents were caused because of high traffic volume. The proposed method would attempt to improve the situation. Assistant Engineer Holden commented that the accidents were rear -end and left -turn accidents. MN/DOT's proposal should help eliminate this type of accident. Brian Lorence, Sioux Hills Road, expressed concern about traffic going through town and routed past the school. He suggested a bypass to separate traffic according to those who want to go downtown and those passing through town. Engineer Rodeberg reported on meetings held to review the problem. He thought the new County fringe road would eliminate some of the truck traffic. He commented the traffic downtown was local. They were considering im- proving the Bluff Street bridge. Norman Pendergast, 133 Second S.E., said he was repeating what others had already said. Every area town had been able to route traffic off Main Street and around town. Therefore, he commented it was ridiculous to bring trucks down Main Street. He suggested stop lights on the post office corner to make crossing easier. Mr. Pendergast also asked about the cost of installing semi -fours. Mayor Ackland reported that MN/DOT had rerouted traffic around towns and not the town itself. The towns were op- posed to it. The local business people would like truck traffic off Main Street; however, it would be difficult to reroute Hwy. 15. N CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APRIL 9, 1991 Gerald Hintz, 15 11th Avenue N.E., commented MN/DOT had made a mess of the recently remodeled Hwy. 15 South. The new turn lanes were confusing at Hwy. 7, 15 and 22. He wondered why there was a need for two lanes when there wasn't enough traffic to warrant a stop light by the post office. Mr. Hintz stated a few more downtown lights would delay traffic. On Third Avenue South cars think they're still driving on four lanes. He pointed out that usually a sign was posted to show the lane was narrowing to two lanes. Kay Johnson, Downtown Coordinator, stated she represented 61 Main Street business owners who want to save the down- town and were opposed to losing any parking spaces. There is a need to explore all options and to educate drivers. She stated they would not notice striping, bar- ricades, or swinging lights. The downtown merchants want to be certain the plan will work. Mayor Ackland responded that until the City Council saw the plan working on Hwy. 7 and 15, it would not allow the proposed striping on Main Street. Wally Higgins, 315 Connecticut Street, questioned the study and the numbers used to determine the need for a left turn lane. He thought more traffic turned right than left. Mr. Higgins asked how many parking spaces would be lost. He stated the confusion was with the lanes not clearly marked, and a solution would be over- head signs to indicate what was happening. Engineer Voss stated the proposal would reduce parking by three cars on each side of the block, for a total of 26 parking spaces on Main Street. Gerald Hintz asked if the proposal had worked in any community. He also inquired about the pedestrian acti- vated light. He suggested altering the situation down- town by installing one-way arteries. Mayor Ackland referred to Brainerd as an example where MN/DOT removed parking spaces. He suggested overhead signs to show the direction of traffic flow. Assistant Engineer Holden commented pedestrian activated lights make drivers unsure of when the light will be on. 3 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APRIL 9, 1991 6. 7. Alderman Torgerson inquired if there were as many acci- dents for right turns as left turns. Engineer Voss re- sponded that left turn and rear -end accidents rate high- est. Bernard Kerkvliet, 415 Kay Street, stated he drives through town on Hwy., 15 every day. He has lost his con- fidence in MN/DOT. The curbs are not wide enough, and the signal lights don't function properly when the road bed is wet. He thought there was something wrong with the pads. Renae Kaufmann, Route 4, questioned the lane markings and stated how confusing they were. She thought overhead signs were a must. The motion was made by Alderman Lenz, seconded by Alder- man Torgerson and unanimously carried, to close the hear- ing at 8:48 P.M. No action taken. COMMUNICATIONS. REQUESTS AND PETITIONS (a) CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR INSTALLATION OF TWO STREET LIGHTS ON PARK ISLAND DRIVE Following discussion, the motion was made by Alderman Erickson, seconded by Alderman Torgerson and unanimously carried, to approve and refer to the Hutchinson Utili- ties. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES (a) ORDINANCE NO. 91-31 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON, MINNESOTA, AMENDING CITY CODE SECTION 6.40, SUBD. 2 (A) GOVERNING THE IMPOSITION OF A LODGING TAX AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE, CITY CODE CHAPTER 1 AND SECTION 2.99 WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONTAIN PENALTY PROVISIONS The motion was made by Alderman Torgerson, seconded by Alderman Mlinar and unanimously carried, to waive second reading and adopt. (b) ORDINANCE NO. 91-32 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS IN THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON AND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP (REZONING FOR H.T.I.) 4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APRIL 9, 1991 8. 9. The motion was made by Alderman Lenz, seconded by Alder- man Torgerson and unanimously carried, to waive second reading and adopt. (c) RESOLUTION NO. 9460 - RESOLUTION FOR PURCHASE The motion was made by Alderman Erickson, seconded by Alderman Torgerson and unanimously carried, to waive reading and adopt. (d) RESOLUTION NO. 9461 - A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING $137,500 FROM HUTCHINSON UTILITIES COMMISSION The motion was made by Alderman Torgerson, seconded by Alderman Mlinar and unanimously carried, to waive read- ing and adopt. (e) RESOLUTION NO. 9462 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SALE OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY The motion was made by Alderman Mlinar, seconded by Ald- erman Torgerson and unanimously carried, to waive reading and adopt. (f) RESOLUTION NO. 9463 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY The motion was made by Alderman Lenz, seconded by Alder- man Erickson and unanimously carried, to waive reading and adopt. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (a) CONSIDERATION OF EVACUATION PLAN FOR COUNTRY CLUB TERRACE MOBILE HOME PARK (DEFERRED JUNE 11, 1990) Following discussion, the motion was made by Alderman Mlinar to defer to the April 23 meeting. Motion seconded by Alderman Lenz and unanimously carried. NEW BUSINESS (a) CONSIDERATION OF REVISING CEMETERY FEES Following discussion, the motion was made by Alderman Erickson, seconded by Alderman Lenz and unanimously car - 5 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APRIL 9, 1991 ried, to approve the revised fees and to waive reading and adopt Resolution No. 9464. (b) CONSIDERATION OF TKDA ENGINEER'S CONSULTING AGREEMENT FOR AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS Following discussion, the motion was made by Alderman Torgerson, seconded by Alderman Mlinar and unanimously carried, to approve and enter into agreement. (c) CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTING $5,000 DONATION FROM HUTCHINSON BASEBALL ASSOCIATION TO CONSTRUCT RESTROOM FACILITY AT VETERANS MEMORIAL FIELD Following discussion, the motion was made by Alderman Erickson, seconded by Alderman Lenz and unanimously car- ried, to approve the donation. (d) CONSIDERATION OF PURCHASE OF SPECTROPHOTOMETER FOR WATER/ WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS Following discussion, the motion was made by Alderman Erickson, seconded by Alderman Torgerson and unanimously carried, to approve the purchase. (e) CONSIDERATION OF ROBERT ELLIOTT AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENT TO LEASE, DBA TOWN AND COUNTRY SADDLERY AND TOWN AND COUNTRY TIRES, IN SHOPKO DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT SITE Following discussion, the motion was made by Alderman Erickson, seconded by Alderman Mlinar and unanimously carried, to approve and enter into agreement. (f) CONSIDERATION OF FUTURE USE OF OLD WATER PLANT Mr. Gene Jeseritz reported that since his February pre- sentation on alternative uses of the old water plant, the DNR decided not to use the facility for aquaculture. He requested to be a consultant to the City at a $20/hour fee, or $6-7,000 over an 18 -month period, to research fish farming in the private sector. Following discussion, the motion was made by Alderman Erickson, seconded by Alderman Torgerson and unanimously carried, to appoint Aldermen Torgerson and Lenz and the City Attorney to meet with Gene Jeseritz to negotiate a N CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APRIL 9, 1991 recommendation for City Council consideration. 10. MISCELLANEOUS (a) COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR City Administrator Plotz reported on the status of the old fire station. The roofing was near completion, the garage doors were to be removed, and the electrical work will be done soon. Also, air conditioning units were being considered. Testing for soil contamination at Mike's Mobil site will be necessary prior to bid letting. (b) COMMUNICATIONS FROM ALDERMAN JOHN MLINAR Alderman Mlinar commented about the condition of the lawns and aprons in the Clifton Heights area following construction work. Alderman Mlinar stated that either Alexandria or Brain- erd started a fish program. Perhaps the City should de- termine if this is a feasible use of the old water plant and pursue it. (c) COMMUNICATIONS FROM ALDERMAN MARLIN TORGERSON Alderman Torgerson referred to the liquor store informa- tion from Economic Research Corporation and suggested contacting them for a proposal. (d) COMMUNICATIONS FROM ALDERMAN DON ERICKSON Alderman Erickson inquired about the response to the mailing on unsurfaced driveway aprons. Engineer Rodeberg stated one-half the residents will comply. (e) COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY ATTORNEY Attorney Anderson commented on relocation for Dr. Bruce Rannow. Following discussion, the motion was made by Alderman Erickson, seconded by Alderman Lenz and unani- mously carried, to approve the $23,000.00 full and final complete waiver of payment, with the understanding that relocation be by the agreed date, and to waive collection 7 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APRIL 9, 1991 of rent for the month of May which would be in full sat- isfaction of all relocation and other claims against the City. (f) COMMUNICATIONS FROM DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING Engineer Rodeberg reported that Wal-Mart has submitted its plans and specifications, signed subdivision agree- ment, and three checks to cover the costs of parks and open space and deferred assessments. Therefore, it ap- pears they will be moving forward on their project. 11. CLAIMS. APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT PAYMENTS (a) VERIFIED CLAIMS The motion was made by Alderman Mlinar, seconded by Ald- erman Torgerson and unanimously carried, to approve the claims and authorize payment from appropriate funds. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M. 8