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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-11-14 CC MIN• • • OHM COUNCIL CHAMBER Stillwater, Minnesota REGULAR MEETING The meeting was calldd The Invocation was given by the Acting City Clerk - Schnell. Present: Absent: Also Present: Press: Citizens: November 14, 1978 7:30 P. M. Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Mahoney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker None to order by President Junker. Acting City Clerk, Schnell; Finance Director, Kriesel; City Attorney, Magnuson; Superintendent of Public Works, Shelton; Public Safety Director, Abrahamson; Director of Parks and Recreation, Blekum; Consulting Engineers, Elliott and Moore; Building Inspector, Niska; Chairman of the Planning Commission, Zoller Stillwater Evening Gazette - Liberty WAVN - Gary Larsen Free Press - Kevin Regan Mary and Don Sathre, Glen Van Wormer, Glenna Bealka, Mary Emmanuelson, Cecil Callahan, Michael Ward, Al Ranum, Don Beberg, Tom Cropp, Mark Wikelius, Ron Langness (Springsted's) INDIVIDUALS - DELEGATIONS 1. GLEN WAN WORMER AND MARK WIKELIUS appeared before the Council and cited the heavy volume figures on the downtown traffic - 31% go into Wisconsin, 12% to the north through town and 57% stop at downtown points or go west. There are 9,000 cars per day on either side of Chestnut Street, The biggest cause of the congestion is the turning neffic from Chestnut to the south on Highway 95 and the left turns on Myrtle Street are also presenting a problem and are the cause of many of the accidents on Main Street. The Main and Myrtle signals belong to the City and has no pedestian signals and is on a fixed time cycle. The signal at Hy. 95 and Chestnut is a State and City cooperative main- tenance agreement is more modern and it, too, has problems with its tight turning radius at the one cori.er and the State wants to take care of some of the problems at this intersection. The two systems are not inter - connected in anyway and this causes inefficiency in driving through town - cars have to stop at both of them and they do not have to do this in all instances. The proposal that they presented was brought to the City in 1977 and he presented these layouts to the Council members at this time. The proposal includes both lane arrangements for the protection of the left turns and signal revisions at both Myrtle and Main - and at Chestnut to accomplish the better system. They would be providing left -turn phases for left turns at Myrtle off of 95 both northbound and southbound - they would provide left turn phase at southbound at 95 and Chestnut and they would provide a left turn, which is provided now, with the westbound at Chestnut at 95 to a southbound. The north- bound at Chestnut would stand since there is not enough room without blocking that intersection. Instead they would be putting the left turn phase at Myrtle - a lane and phase of its own - in that way they could get more traffic through Chestnut and noL cause the delays. They would have pedestrian indications at both intersections and they would put in overhead indications on "95" to make the signals more visible to the traffic. They would inter - connect the two systems to provide the efficiency for thru traffic and they would also add detection and the signals would just go from one direction to another direction without any regard to traffic and would be responsive to traffic such as a heavier left turn would be served when it is heavy and not to have that extra time when it was not there To provide for the left turn lanes, there would be a lane shift which means that some parking is lost on "95" - there are approxi- mately 20 parking spaces that are lost between Commercial and Olive Street. Most of the parking loss is on the west side which is to provide for the Third lane. This proposal was shown to the Planning Commission in 1977 and did receive their formal approval - this was also presented to the Downtown Council and received their informal approval in March of 1977. Part of the proposal that affects everybody is the funding and they did request programming last year for a project for this year and due to outside funding problems it has been delayed until next year. Right now the project is programmed for a November, 1979 letting. 75 \\ • • • 7s p November 14, 1978 The funding that they have applied for is High Hazard Safety Funding - this is a federal program whereby the federal govenment pays 90% funds. To qualify there has to be an accident reduction whereby the cost benefit is such that there is a benefit. Both the lane arrangements and the signals have been put into one project whereby they can take care of all of the problems at the same time. The cost estimate right now is in the detail design and the rough cost estimate right now for the new signal systems at both intersections is about $120,000 - this incoudes all of the street equipment and all the control equip- ment and all the underground work - based on the High Hazard Safety Bunding and assuming that the federal government will pay the 90% and based upon the policy of cost participation on signals, the City's portion would come out at about $4,500. The State would then also pickup the maintenance of the signal at Main and Myrtle similar to what is done at Main and Chestnut. What they were looking for is Council approval of the lane arrangement. MR. VAN WORMER stated that there are two practical ways of financing this project - the west approach on Chestnut coming down to Main is a county road and the City could approach the County and ask them to contribute - he has done some tentative discussion with the County and they are not opposed at this time and that would reduce it by another $1,600. The west approach on Myrtle Street is on the Municipal State Aid Street system and Municipal State Aid Funds could be used for that - this would be $1,250 from the State Aid Fund and about $1,650 from another source - it is possible to borrow or utilize monies from the State Aid Fund for the entire local share, but there would be a small penalty on that money which would technically come off that system and there would be a penalty over ten years. The second way of financing is to use what is known as Federal Aid Urban Funds - both Chestnut and Myrtle west of "95" or Main Street are on the Federal Urban system. The City of Stillwater has Federal Aid Urban Funds allocated to them but they have no project yet. If the City were to utilize those funds, the federal government would pay 75% (approximately), and considering that the State would be willing to pickup $20,000 and the federal government would pick up _bout $90,000 that leves about $11,AO for the City's share. Again they could approach the County for $4,100 as opposed to $1,600 and that would reduce the MSA funds to $3,100 which are definitely available or possibly get the entire $11,000 from them. He recommended the use of the High Hazard Safety Funds from both the stand- point of a reduction in accidents, reduction in congestion that is expected and then the Federal Urban Funds would be available to spend on other streets that are on the Federal Aid System in Stillwater. They will not have a commitment from the Federal government until the actual design study report goes in and they have to approve that and they could see no reson why it should be turned down - nothing binding on the City until they sign an agreement until all the plans are completed in a detailed form. There will be agreements between the City and the State for both the construction and maintenance of the signals. COUNCILMAN POWELL indicated that the proposal was presented to the Council in 1977 and some of the merchants felt that they would have no parking in front of their stores and they were the ones that influenced the Council on this proposal. Some of the businessmen questioned how one could tell where the yellow lines would be in the winter time with the snow on the streets. MR. VAN WORMER stated thwen you get in a high traffic area the snow does wear off relatively quick and a large percentage of the traffic is local and they know the street system and will be familiar with these lanes. MR. ELLIOTT indicated that on November 28th there will be the hearing on the parking lot which will have 93 parking stalls and that will have some effect on these lost parking spaces. COUNCILMAN PETERSON felt that the Planning Commission and the Retail Council should take another hard look at this proposal and look for something more than tentative approval. He felt that they are going to have to give up some- thing to control the traffic - limited in space the right -of -way can't be than gd and the only thing that can be changed are the parking lanes, if they don't feel that this is the way to solve the problem then it is their responsibility to come up with an alternate solution to it. MR. WICKELIUS stated they would not get a firm approval of the funding until the study is done and get into the point of the detail design - they need a commitment prior to that - they will have to have their plans done by the end of the summer - they should have something from the City by the first of March. On motion of Councilman Powell, seconded by Councilwoman Bodlovick, that there be a joint meeting of the City Council, the Planning Commission and the Downtown Council in the form of a public hearing at the December 12th Council meeting and invite the Department of Transporation and those who are affected to get the information first hand. (all in favor) • • • • November 14, 1978 n � • 1 • The City Clerk was directed to send a letter to the Downtown Retail Council regarding this meeting. 2. MR. & MRS. DON SETHRE appeared before the City Council regarding permission to build a home on their property which they own in Penthouse Acres - they are considering the sale of same and would like to be able to pass such permission on to the new owners. MR. MAGNUSON, City Attorney, stated that we are still holding Mr. Leitte's money and he felt that the Council should allow this building permit as several have been allowed in the past. On motion of Councilman Mahoney, seconded by Councilman Peterson, that a building permit be granted to Mr. & Mrs. Don Sethre for their lot in Penthouse Acres and direct the City Engineer to get this property platted and take the funds out of the Escrow Fund for the cost of said platting. (all in favor) 3. On motion of Councilman Powell, seconded by Councilman Peterson, the Council approved the "On Sale Liquor" transfer to Michael R. Ward for the Jim -Jam Bar at 124 North Main Street. (all in favor) 4. TOM CROPP, Stillwater Emergency Medical Services, appeared before the City Council regarding a subsidy for the Stillwater Ambulano°Service and they have a certain area in Washington County that they service and all of the municipalities in the service area will be asked for a similar subsidy. It will be the first of January, 1979 before he will personally and physically take over the operation himself. He outlined his personal background for the City Council as to his education and his work experience. He was re- questing a subsidy because in his opinion and some other people's opinion an ambulance s - vice is looked on these days as a third public service along with po' LL and fire. On many occasions they work along with police and fire deparuments and rescue squads and they are an intregal part of that systen 4.i.so an intregal part of the medical community. They have a duty to serve and a service to perform and they don't ask for credit checks. In the past this has been a family owned and operated business and they are available 24 hours per day and 7 days a week and he would find it very difficult to operate in this manner. He will have to employ at the minimum six people whose salaries would run from ten to twelve thousand each and he presented his total operating budget to the Council for their review. This was his first presentation and he will be approaching Lake Elmo a week from today. At the present time subsidies are being work on in St. Croix County and Washington County is aware that he is coming. It was suggested that the Public Safety Committee have a look at this and the Council felt that they should have sometime to study this and research such a program and that by the next Council meeting on Novemver 28th make a d2cision as to whether or not there should be a public hearing on this matter. Questions were asked about the territories for ambulance service and Mr. Cropp stated that the State Health Department estabishes the territories and that the City of Stillwater could not be asked to subsidize another operation for this area. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. The following bids were received for the cars for the Police Department as advertised in the Stillwater Evening Gazette, the official new aper of the City on October 30, 1978: Bid No. 1 - White Bear Dodge 3430 Highway 61 North White Bear Lake, St. Paul 55110 Certified Check Bids - $5,172.80 (Squad #205 - Trade -in) $5,272.80 (Squad #206 - Trade -in) $5,372.80 (Squad #204 - Trade -in) $5,972.80 (Squad #203 - Trade -in) $15,818.40 $21,791.20 Bid No. 2 - Dependable Ford - Mercury, Inc. 14702 - 60th St. N., Stillwater 55082 Certified Check Three 1979 Ford LTD - trading #204, 205 and 206 $14,310.00 Four 1979 Ford LTD - trading #204, 205, 206 & 203 $19,580.00 • • • On motion of Councilman Peterson, seconded by Councilman Mahoney, these bids were referred to the City Attorney and the Public Safety Director for study and recommendation at a future meeting. (all in favor) 2. The following bias for Local Improvement No. 157 were opened at 3:00 P. M. Thursday, November 9, 1978 and those in attendance were as follows: City Finance Director - Kriesel Acting City Clerk - Schnell City Attorney - Magnuson A number of the bidders Consulting Engineer -Dick Moore Superintendent of Public Works - Shelton Bid No. 1 Bid No. 2 Bid No. 3 Bid No. 4 Bid No. 5 Bid No. 6 Bid No. 7 Bid No. 8 Bid No. 9 Bid No. 10 November 14, 1978 Arcon Construction Co. Mora, Mn. 55051 Bid Bond Total Base Bid Alternate Bid $14,560.00 Nodland Associates, Inc. Alexandria, Mn. 56308 Bid Bond Total Base Bid Alternate Bid $14,500.00 Mueller Pipeliners of Minnesota New Brighton, Mn. 55112 Bid Bond Total Base Bid Alternate Bid $11,060.50 Orfei & Sons, Inc. 1156 Homer St., St. Paul, Mn. 55116 Bid Bond Total Base Bid Alternate Bid $11,827.27 Barbarossa & Sons, Inc. R. #3, Osseo, Mn. 55369 Bid Bond Total Base Bid Alternate Bid $14,782.50 Johnson Bros. Corp. Box 1002, Litchfield 55355 Bid Bond Total Bse Bid Alternate Bid $13,641.00 Austin P. Keller Construction Co. 481 Front Ave., St. Paul 55117 Bid Bond Total Base Bid Alternate Bid $12,765.00 Forest Lake Contracting, Inc. 14777 Lake Drive, Forest Lake 55025 Bid Bond Total Base Bid Alternate Bid $14,055.00 Erwin Montgomery Construction Co. 10883 - 89th Ave. No., Osseo 55369 Bid Bond Total Base Bid Alternate Bid $16,340.00 Progressive Contractors, Inc. Osseo, Mn. 55369 Bid Bond Total Base Bid Alternate Bid $15,990.00 $1,053,062.76 $1,097,418.60 $1,023,745.58 $1,061,994.73 $1,012,642.75 $ 987,065.20 $1,072,680.50 $1,074,480.75 $1,235,967.25 $1,258,351.60 • • • • November 14, 1978 On motion of Councilman Mahoney, seconded by Councilman Peterson, a resolution was introduced "AWARDING THE BID FOR LOCAL IMPROVEMENT NO. 157 TO JOHNSON BROS., BLAINE, MINNESOTA, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE STATE AGENCIES ". AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Mahoney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) 3. On motion of Councilman Mahoney, seconded by Councilwoman Bodlovick, the date for the meeting with P. J. Gaughan was set for the November 28 meeting. (all in favor) 4. On motion of Councilman Mahoney, seconded by Councilman Peterson, the proposal for the Nelson School submitted by Al Ranum in behalf of Richard Kilty was referred to Rivertown Restoration to be included with the other proposals, and that Rivertown Restoration present the proposals that they have received to date at the November 28th meeting. (all in favor) THE MAYOR DECLARED A RECESS FROM 8:30 to 8:45 P. M. 5. On motion of Councilman Powell, seconded by Councilman Peterson, the City Attorney made the second reading of an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 383, THE ZONING ORDINANCE, BY PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION, PLACEMENT, HEIGHT, ^ATURE AND EXTENT OF FENCES ". The ordinance was read section by section followed by roll call after each section and all members of the Cour.cil voted in the affirm- ative. The chair then put the question, "Shall this ordinance pass?" and on roll call the ordinance was unanimously adopted. NEW BUSINESS 1. On motion of Councilwoman Bodlovick, seconded by Councilman Mahoney, a resolution was introduced "EMPLOYING CONCESSION STAND ATTENDANTS AND SKATE GUARDS FOR THE LILY LAKE ICE ARENA" (Kelly Juhl - Concession Stand Attendant and John Porter and Brian Richert as Skate Guards) AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Mahoney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) - -On motion of Councilwoman Bodlovick, seconded by Councilman Mahoney, a resolution was introduced "INCREASING THE COMPENSATION FOR KAAREN PERRIN, CONCESSION STAND ATTENDANT" (Increased from $2.50 to $2.75 per hour) AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Maloney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) 2. On motion of Councilman Peterson, seconded by Councilman Mahoney, a resolution was introduced "APPOINTING CITY TREASURER AND CITY CLERK" (Nile Kriesel and Dorothy Schnell, respectively) AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Mahoney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) 3. On motion of Councilman Mahoney, seconded by Councilman Peterson, a resolution was introduced "DESIGNATING PROPER PARTIES TO HANDLE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE CITY ". (City Clerk and Finance Director) AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlvock, Councilmen Mahoney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) 4. On motion of Councilman Mahoney, seconded by Councilman Peterson, a resolution was introduced "DIRECTING THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS ". AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Mahoney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) - -On motion of Councilwoman Bodlovick, seconded by Councilman Mahoney, a bill in the amount of $2,800.00 for materials for the improvement of the Croixwood Seventh Addition Park was removed from the above resolution as directed by the City Attorney. (all in favor) • • INDIVIDUALS AND DELEGATIONS None at this time November 14, 1978 APPLICATIONS On motion of Councilman Mahoney, seconded by Councilwoman Bodlovick, the following Contractor's Licenses were approved: (all in favor) John A Dalsin & Son Renewal 2830 - 20th Ave. S., Minneapolis, Mn. 55407 Roofing tiaines Tree Service, Inc. Tree Trimming 9262 Otchipute Ave. N., Stillwater Renewal Hayes Contractors, INC. 1010 Currie Avenue, Minneapolis 55404 Excavators Renewal Petroleum Maintenance Co. 1420 Old Hy. 8, New Brighton Excavators Renewal Plywood Minnesota Homes Renewal 5401 East River Road, Minneapolis 55421 General COMMUNICATIONS From David Magnuson regarding the Taxi Cab Licensing Ordinance. (A copy of the City Attorney's opinion was sent to the Stillwater Taxi Company CITY CLERK'S REPORT 1. The Council set the date of November 20, 1978 at 4:30 P. M. to meet with Jerry Serfling for the contract negotiations for Local No. 90. 2. The City Clerk informed the Council that the Stillwater Township held the improvement hearing regarding a water line being extended down Nightingale Road by the City of Stillwater, but they made no motion to approve the assessment of the final engineering. MR. ELLIOTT called attention to the add - alternate bids for this improvement and this could present a problem to the bonding agent - either that amount of money should be included in the bond issue and that portion of the project will go ahead or not - he had estimated the project at about $12,000 - since it is an add - alternate it is something that can be added to the contract at anytime - Ron Langness will have to assure the Council that there is enough money in the whole bond issue and that this is almost a drop in the bucket of the total. The City Clerk was directed to call Mrs. Bantli and find out when the Town Board will take action on this matter. The City Attorney felt that the problem is the City's suggestion that all four parties be assessed and that Stillwater Township had a problem with the one party who already has the service and they did not want to get into a dispute with that party. ;tscussion followed regarding these services and some of the officials from Stillwater Township felt that if they want these services they should annex to the City. Part of the problem according to Jack Shelton was the Township did not wish to be bothered with these assessments and all of the paperwork involved. Mr. Elliott stated that he had a quotation from Mr. Moore to do this work for about $10,000 which would have to be paid by three party owners rather than four - this could have been put in and we would have no problems with this now. MAYOR JUNKER indicated that he talked to Don Anderson and he said that the Water Department never requested that he put up a $300 Escrow Fund and Council- man Peterson stated that Mr. Anderson promised to supply an Escrow Account, they did not bill him and he did not provide it and it appears that he is not going to pay it. The Water Department was told that it was by Council approval and that is not true as it cannot be found in the minutes - it was discussed and it was reported that Mr. Junker and Mr. Marshall told the Water Department to make this hookup. COUNCILWOMAN BODLOVICK stated that in no way $300 is anywhere near the cost of such a hookup and this was three years ago. MR. MAGNUSON informed the Council that the project should not be ordered until the City has the approval of the Township to assess these four parties. It is up to Stillwater Township, as there are four property owners notified and they cannot selectively only assess three of the parties. • • • ■ • 1. • • P1 COUNCILMAN PETERSON stated that they agreed to the assessments on Mid Oaks Avenue and could not figure out why they could not cooperate in this one. Discussion was helding regarding these parties annexing to the City of Stillwater, but because of the Orderly Annexation Agreement, the City is unable to do anything about this - it is up to the property owners. • FINANCE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Kriesel requested a date for another budget meeting and the Council agreed to meet on Monday evening following the meeting with Mr. Serfling. PUBLIC SAFETY 1. On motion of Councilwoman Bodlovick, seconded by Councilman Peterson, a resolution was introduced authorizing the installation of "NO PARKING SIGNS ON THE WEST SIDE OF SCHULENBERG ALLEY" (side to be determined by the Superintendent of Public Works). AYES -- Councilwoman Bodkvick, Councilmen Mahoney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) 2. On motion of Councilman Peterson, seconded by Councilman Mahoney, a resolution was introduced "AUTHORIZING A FIFTEEN MINUTE PARKING ON THE EXISTING METER WEST OF THE 'NO PARKING' AREA ON THE NORTH SIDE OF CHESTNUT STREET WEST OF MAIN STREET ". AYES -- Councilwoman. Bodlovick, Councilmen Mahoney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker NAYS- -None (see resolutions) 3. On motion of Councilman Powell, seconded by Councilwoman Bodlovick, a resolution was introduced "AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS ON NORTHLAND AVENUE AT HAWTHORNE STOPPING NORTHLAND AVENUE BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH ". AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Peterson, Powell and Mayor Dunker NAYS -- Councilman Mahoney (see resolutions) PUBLIC WORKS 1. On motion of Councilman Peterson, seconded by Councilwoman Bodlovick, the Council authorized the installation of two street lights (1) the South Fourth Street entrance to Fairview Cemetery (east side); (2) West Laurel Street between North Fourth and North Third Streets. (all in favor) 2. On motion of Councilwoman Bodlovick, seconded by Councilman Powell, a resolution was introduced "PROMOTING DAVID REICHOW TO HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1978" as recommended by the Public Works Committee. AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Mahoney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker NAYS - -None (see resolutions) 3. A request was made that the Council consider at the next budget meeting the possibility of employing another man in the Public Works Department. 4. Discussion was held on what can be done to reduce the cost of the dump box service and possibly have a pay type of dump box service - remove the boxes to the Rustin property just south of the City Garage. It was suggested that there be a Solid Waste Advisory Committee to come up with some suggestions as how the City can save money on this service. On motion of Councilman Peterson, seconded by Councilman Mahoney, the Finance Officer was instructed to prepare news articles for volunteers for a Solid Waste Advisory Committee to appear in the paper one time each week ' the next two weeks and report on the number of volunteers that we would have at our next regular meeting. (all in favor) PARKS AND RECREATION 1. On motion of Councilman Mahoney, seconded by Councilwoman Bodlovick, the Council authorized the skate sharpening concession at the Ice Arena to add a small quantity of assorted related articles for sale along with his sharpening service. AYES -- Councilwonan Bodlovick, Councilman Mahoney and Mayor Junker. NAYS -- Councilmen Peterson and Powell (motion carried) November 14, 1978 COMMITTEE REPORTS 81 • • • • • �2 ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE No report November 14, 1978 CONSULTING ENGINEER 1. Mr. Elliott presented a report on the South Main Street Parking Lot for the Council to review before the public hearing which will be heard on the 28th. Mr. Van Wormer presented a brief report on the alternates that were considered for this proposal. He explained the layout and the meters and raisulislands that will be used in this project. He asked that possibly that the Council should have the Minnesota Department of Transportation definte the street in the Brick Alley Area a little better - the cars are parked in different locations as the street is not very well defined. He also called the Council's attention to the fact that if the parking lot goes in it pretty well kills any possibility of the by -pass which had been considered. He also suggested that parking meters be installed in the open spaces on the west side of this street, but that some kind of curb would have to be put in to protect same. NEW BUSINESS (continued) 5. MR. RON LANGNESS from Springsteds presented the recommendations for the Issuance of $1,050,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds of 1979. He went through all of the details of the issue with the Council. He has included $50,000 as a cushion on this project for any possible over -runs. He stated that the bulk of this would be assessed to the Industrial Park; the Hauge property which is in the Township and the Feely property which is Green Acres; and then there is the Alternate No. 1. He noted in his report that there has been a request that the assessment period be extended to 20 years - he was a little bit concerned about a twenty year period for industrial - policy of the City is to require the assessments to be paid in full at the time the property is sold or developed, if there is such a policy. MR. MAGNUSON indicated that there is no policy in this regard. MR. LANGNESS stated that the City normally has a policy and has not gone twenty or established a policy of twenty years and felt that they could be setting a precident for the next one coming up. He was afraid if there was going to be a lot of property development the debt load is going up faster than the City will want it to go up. This at some point in the future could affect the rating - it is not going to happen now, so it is a policy decision of the Council if they want to change their assessment procedure. If the present owner sells the property and the assessment is not paid up right away, but they are assuming the assessments that the payments each year are probably higher than they are in some other areas - -the policy with principal payments, those payments are fairly heavy when you look at the tables of payments,, and alternates. MR. ELLIOTT explained that the street assessments were proposed to be made at the same figure of $3,600 for both phases of this project in the estimates but when they spread the assessments for Phase II the total utilities and streets amounted to somewhat over $8,000 per acre and of that figure for the streets was $4,100. In computing this figure it does include the 196,897 of MSA Funds to keep these asssessments the the same as Phase I. MAYOR JUNKER made mention of the request from Oscar Kern fo- the twen year bonding for this project. MR. KERN felt that the property is not going to develop overnite and with assess- ments of $10,000 per acre and they will be approaching a competitive market for the sale of this property for development. MR. LANGNESS explained that the interest rate is going to be a little bit higher and he felt and recommended that the Council go to 8% for the assessment on this project. He asked Mr. Kern as to how he proposes to sell this property and he explained the various methods that might be used. The matter of the possibility of bonding for a new bookkeeping machine along with this issue was discussed and it was concluded when this was done in the past it was in a bond issue which was for items that were not asseased and that is why equipment could have been bonded for. • • • • • • November 14, 1978 At this time Mr. Elliott explained the drainage for this whole area and the storm sewer in this report costs $1,700 per acre for the whole area of 291 acres - and he could see some potential inequity because some of the earlier development will pay more because they pay higher taxes and the storm sewers will have to be assessed to the whole area according to Chapter 444. The storm sewer assessments will continue to go on as other improvements occur and there can be problems in developing a storm sewer drainage in a piece -meal fashion. The only alternative the City would have - if the $1,700 per acre was only assessed to the 61 acres for an area basis, and then when future developments go in the City would have to assess it against the total area and pick up that portion of the assessment that was not recovered from the first development. Because the whole development is not going ahead at the one time, the storm sewer assessment is difficult because bigger pipes will have to go in to the n west some day. He felt that the Council made the proper move when they established the district and they do have some latitude on how this storm sewer assessment is spread the cost for storm sewer may not end if storm sewers to the west are built because the water from this area will go into that area. When everything is done, everybody should have paid the same cost per acre for the storm sewer because it is all one district. Questions were raised about the inequity on these assessments that according to Chapter 444 says the cost of the storm sewers are recovered on taxes - not assessments - taxes - the taxes are based on value and if there is a building on the land you are going to have to pay a lot more and that is where the inequity somes in. The district has been established and possibly the City can operate under 429 kind of assessments. The amount of the bid for the storm sewers is about $400,000. MR. MAGNUSON felt thst Chapter 429 could be used as this is a part of the watershed district and with Chapter 444 there would be some inequity. MR. MAGNUSON posed several questions regarding the different payment periods and MR. LANGNESS explained them in detail. The third one was whether cities require the payment of assessments on the transfer of property - some cities insist upon it. He felt that shorter term assessments could mean faster develop- ment. MR. LANGNESS stated assess $110,000 now properties here and the taxes until the going to be hit the CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT No Report None that if the City operated under Chapter 444, you would and the remaining $300,000 would be levied against all of the they would continue to pay taxes on both the assessments and other parties are assessed. The first properties in are hardest. On motion of Councilman Mahoney, seconded by Councilman Peterson, the bonding company was instructed to issue the bond issue for twenty years and a resolution was introduced "PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF $1,050,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION IMPROVEMENT BONDS OF 1979 ". AYES -- Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Mahoney, Peterson, Powell and Mayor Junker NAYS -- None (see resolutions On motion of Councilman Peterson, seconded by Councilman Mahoney, the date for the sale of these bonds was set for December 5, 1978 at 4:30 P. M. (all in favor) COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS 1. Councilman Peterson asked about the ordinance allowing the City to make charges for feasibility charges and the City Attorney will have same ready for the second reading at the November 28th Council meeting. QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ORDINANCES Second Reading - An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 383, the Zoning Ordinance by Providing for the Regulation of the Construction, Placement, Height, Nature and Extent of Fences. • November 14, 1978 • RESOLUTIONS The following resolutions were read and on roll call were adopted: 1. Directing the Payment of the Bills. 2. Awarding the Bid - Local Improvement No. 157 - Joh i?flros. Construction 3. Employing Concession Stand Attendants 4. Appointing A City Clerk and City Treasurer 5. Designating Proper Parties for Finances 6. No Parking - Schulenberg Alley - West side 7. Fifteen Minute Parking - St. Croix Drug Co. 8. Stop Sign - Northland and Hawthorne (Councilman Mahoney opposed) 9. Promote David Reichow to Heavy Equipment Operator 10. Sale of Bonds for Industrial Park - Local Improvement No. 157 11 Increase Compensation for Kaaran Perrin ADJOUNRMENT On motion of Councilman Powell, seconded by Councilman Peterson, the meeting adjourned at 10:25 P. M. Attest: od.&. -•-•-� y A. � - trta J City Clerk 4031enh_ Mayor • • •