08-26-1991 City Council MinutesSTATE OF MINNESOTA The City Council of the City of
COUNTY OF WRIGHT Otsego met this 26TH day of August
CITY OF OTSEGO 1991 at 7:3OPM. Norman F Freske,
Mayor, Douglas Lindenfelser, Floyd
Roden, Larry Fournier and Ron Black, Council Members, Jerome
Perrault, Clerk, James N Barthel, Treasurer, Elaine Beatty,
Deputy Clerk, Judy Hudson, Secretary, Larry Koshak Engineer,
Dave Licht, Planner, and Bill Radzwill, Attorney, were
present.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Norman F
Freske.
Motion by Larry Fournier to approve the minutes of the
August 12, 1991, City Council Meeting. Seconded by Doug
Lindenfelser, all Council Members voted in favor of the
motion.
Motion by Floyd Roden to approve the minutes of the
August 15, 1991, Special Council Meeting. Seconded by Ron
Black all Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Don Meinhardt, Architect, was present and presented the
Council with construction plans for the new City Hall. Some
of the features of the plan are sound proofed walls in the
offices and rest rooms, a steel pent house on the roof for
utilities with an interior stairway to the penthouse,
collapsible voting booths in the large meeting room, and an 8
inch slope on the roof.
Norman Freske explained to the residents in attendance
that preparation of the plans had been authorized by the Town
Board over a year ago but that the site of the new City Hall
is still on hold.
Motion by Floyd Roden to make a payment of $12,000.00 to
Meinhardt and Associates for City Hall plan preparation.
Seconded by Doug Lindenfelser, all Council Members voted in
favor of the motion.
Motion by Larry Fournier to re -activate the Building
Committee to review the plans. Seconded by Ron Black, all
Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Arlyn Bajari appeared before the Council in regard to
the restoration work on his excavation site. The excavation
was done by Park Construction to get gravel for the MN/DOT
test facility and needs to be restored. He said he would
like clean fill in the hole and Park Construction is
reluctant to do this. Larry Koshak advised him that one of
the conditions of the extension of the Mining Permit was that
Park Construction come in with a new restoration plan as more
material was excavated than originally planned and the hole
is much larger, Mr Bajari asked if a permit could be
obtained to fill the hole with demolition material. Bill
Radzwill advised him that a PCA permit would be needed and
also it would be in violation of the new City Solid Waste
Ordinance. Larry Koshak advised him it was Park
Construction's responsibility for site restoration. Mr
Bajari said he was concerned that Park Construction will pull
out without completing the restoration as they will be done
by mid-October with their contract work on the MN/DOT Test
CITY OF OTSEGO COUNCIL MEETING OF 8/26/91 AT 7:30PM
- PAGE 2 -
Facility. Larry Koshak said that we need to get a
Restoration Plan from Park Construction.
Motion by Floyd Roden to request Larry Koshak to meet
with Park Construction and request a site restoration plan
from them. Seconded by Larry Fournier, all Council Members
voted in favor of the motion.
Keith Franklin, of the Franklin Outdoor Advertising Co,
presented the Council with a new blue and white "Otsego City
Hall" sign to be placed above the entrance door. He said
that he wished to donate the sign to the City. The Council
thanked him for the donation.
Mrs LaVerne Constant presented the Council with a
petition containing 19 signatures of residents of Nashua
Avenue 85TH Street and 83RD Street stated they were opposed
to the Nashua Avenue - 85TH ST and 83RD ST stated they were
opposed to the Nashua Avenue - 85TH ST project, that they did
not feel this major road construction was worthy of their
needs. Those signing the petition were as follows:
M. MC GILLIVRAY WENDY BYERS
RUSS MC GILLIVRAY KEVIN BYERS
M C LU CONIC
LAVERNE CONSTANT
RAY CARRON
JEANETTE CARRON
CATHERINE COOK
KEVIN COOK
JOHN JAKUBIEC
CONSTANCE JAKUBIC
Mrs LuConic asked if all City streets are going to be
built to 9 ton standards. The Council said, yes, lower
standards will not hold up. She also asked if John Anderson
was going to be assessed for one unit or two as
he would have land on both sides of Nashua Avenue. Larry
Koshak advised her that Mr Anderson would be assessed for one
unit as his land on the West side is low and unbuildable.
Mrs LuConic said she was also concerned about the impact the
road will have on wetlands. Mr Koshak explained to her that
the DNR has to okay anything we do in wetland areas. She
also asked what would happen to the part of the road vacated
and Mr Koshak advised her it would revert back to the
adjacent property owner.
Norman Freske advised the residents that most of them
signing the petition were the same ones who signed a petition
in 1989 requesting the road be bituminous surfaced. The
residents replied that their request at that time was for a
less expensive road. The Council explained that their
assessment would be the same ($2,500.00) whether Nashua
Avenue was built to MSA standards or lower standards.
Jim Gerads asked what was going to be done on 85TH ST as
he lives on 85TH ST near O'Dean Ave. He was told that just
f ha I,i s1 7c:)0 trat-?t noyt i'n Nachiis A n nils t,cii 1rJ 1-
MIKE RODEN
CAROL RODEN
FLOYD GOENNER
JOHN RAHKOLA
JULIE ANN RAHKOLA
BETH RAMSEY
KEITH RAMSEY
CITY OF OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF 8/26/91 AT 7:30PM
- PAGE 3 -
constructed at this time and not in his area.
Floyd Goenner asked how long he could defer the
assessment on his farm land under the Green Acres Program?
He was advised that it could be deferred as long as it
remained farm land.
Tom Constant asked when the rest of 85TH ST would be re-
built. Larry Koshak said not at this time, however 85TH ST
is in the MSA Street Plan all the way from Nashua Avenue to
Co 42 and will be an MSA project in the future.
Kim Peterson said she had heard of possible industrial
sites in the area and asked how they would be assessed. Dave
Licht advised her that three potential industrial sites have
been considered and this was not one of them.
Floyd Goenner asked why the cul-de-sac residents were
not being assessed as they also use Nashua Avenue and because
of this he thought they should be assessed as well. Mr
Koshak said the present plans are not to bituminous surface
the cul-de-sac.
Gene Goenner asked why the cul--de-sac was not included
as part of the MSA project. Larry Koshak replied that it was
not part of the MSA Street Plan submitted to MN/DOT, however
we could include it in the project and submit it to MN/DOT
for their approval or rejection.
Norman F Freske asked when the City would receive the
MSA funds for the project, Larry Koshak explained that it
would be necessary to have the construction contract for the
project awarded and signed before the City would receive up
to 95% of the funds and he hoped to have this accomplished by
this December.
Motion make by Ron Black to adopt the following
RESOLUTION
Be it resolved, that the City Council of the City of
Otsego hereby requests Hakanson Anderson and Associates to
prepare plans and specifications for the re --construction and
bituminous surfacing to MSA standards of Nashua Avenue from
Co 39 to 83RD Street and 85TH ST from Nashua Avenue East 750
ft, including the Cul--de-sac, and to delete the storm sewer
along 85TH ST from the project at this time. The motion was
seconded by Doug Lindenfelser. Ron Black, Floyd Roden, Doug
Lindenfelser, and Norman F Freske voted in favor of the
motion, Larry Fournier voted no, the motion carried.
Edward Bach, an Attorney representing the Darkenwalds,
addressed the Council concerning the area at the intersection
of Co 42 and Hwy 101. He requested the Council to consider
the area at the intersection of Co 42 and Hwy 101. He
requested the Council to consider possible future MN/DOT
plans to restrict the intersection at Co 42 and Highway 101
and to make MN/DOT awar that- thAv cmc-ncnd 1-n .ani..
CITY OF OTSEGO COUNCIL MEETING OF 8/26/91 AT 7:3OPM
— PAGE 4 —
restrictions of the intersection. MR Bach said he was also
concerned about how the area was being addressed in the
Comprehensive Plan as the secondary and not the primary
commercial area. He said this intersection already has sewer
available.
Dave Licht replied that he could appreciate the
Darkenkwald"s concern about the intersection, being the
principal property owners, and while MN/DOT has no definite
plans to upgrade Hwy 101 to a freeway status and restrict the
intersection that does not mean it is not in their future
long range plans, as they have indicated and in the
Comprehensive Plan it is best to plan for these possibilities
and while development will occur at the Co 42 and Hwy 101
intersection, that is not to say that it will be the main
development area.
Bill Radzwill commented that the City wants to promote
business at all the intersections, and that the City is not
trying to favor one property owner over another.
Norman F Freske said that if we did indicate the Co 42
Hwy 101 intersection as the primary commercial area, the
Darkenwald"s should be made aware in writing of the
possibility of intersection being closed off.
Gil Darkenwald said it did not seem logical that the
City should give up an intersection because it is too close
to the Co 37 Hwy 101 intersection when other areas have main
intersecitons just as close.
Ron Black commented that the City Council would be
remise if we did not pursue keeping Co 42 Hwy 101 a main
intersection and that we should remove any speculation about
it closing from the comprehensive plan.
Doug Lindenfelser said'that if we go ahead and remove it
from Comprehensive Plan and there 20 years from now the
intersection is closed, we would look like fools.
Larry Fournier commented that he had been working on the
comprehensive Plan from the very beginning and has no problem
with the Co 42 Hwy 101 intersection as being the No 2
priority intersection, however he believes there should be a
reference in the Comprehensive Plan of the possibility of it
closing. He added that keeping the intersection open would
be a positive thing for the Community.
Motion by Ron Black to delete any reference to the
closing of the Co 42 - Hwy 101 intersection in the
Comprehensive Plan and to stress that all Hwy 101
intersections are vital to the City of Otsego. Motion
seconded by Floyd Roden.
Doug Lindenfelser said that he would like to get a
commitment from MN/DOT as to what their future plans are for
that intersection.
Dave Licht said that MN/DOT would never make a definite
commitment that far in advance.
I arry Fe ttrni Qr F 1 a 7 nr r,ai-i-v what. c7,1-1,a��-
CITY OF OTSEGO COUNCIL MEETING OF 8/26/91 AT 7:30PM
- PAGE 5 -
the Hwy 101 meetings. Elaine replied that it was basically
the same thing that Dave Licht had said, that Hwy 101 could
be upgraded to a freeway status in the future and there could
be a grade change at the Co 42 - Hwy 101 intersection.
Larry Fournier said there seems to be factual evidence
of the possibility of this intersection closing and it should
be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan.
Ron Black voted in favor of the motion, Floyd Roden
abstained; Larry Fournier, Norman F Freske and Doug
Lindenfelser voted no.
The motion did not pass.
Norman F Freske and Doug Lindenfesier said they both
voted no because they wanted more time to study the
matter.
Motion made by Floyd Roden to consider the Comprehensive
Plan Options along Hwy 101 at the second Council Meeting in
September.. Seconded by Doug Lindenfelser, all Council
Members voted in favor of the motion.
Discussion of the Comprehensive Plan continued at this
time. Dave Licht said he is recommending a Planned Unit
Development Zoning for Riverwood Conference Center so as to
have better control over it. The Council asked if we would
be opening ourselves to permitting others to do the same
thing? Dave Licht replied "no", that Riverwood was in
existence prior to the Comprehensive Plan.
Kathy Lewis said there was no reference to a third
industrial site in the Comprehensive Plan and does the
Council want a third industrial site identified at this time?
The Council replied, no that could be addressed later.
Dave Licht said that Floyd Roden had raised a question
concerning the moratorium on accessory buildings in R-1
Residential areas and could this be changed to a one year
moratorium on accessory buildings in the Urban Service Area,
with the exception of farm buildings? Dave Licht said this
could be done.
Motion by Ron Black to adopt the Ordinance recommended
by Dave Licht for a one year extension of the moratorium on
accessory buildings in the Urban Service Area with the
exception of farm buildings. Seconded by Larry Fournier, all
Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Motion by Ron Black to extend the Ordinance establishing
a moratorium on Home Extended Businesses for six months
beyond September 11, 1991. Seconded by Floyd Roden, all
Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Motion by Ron Black to extend the Ordinance establishing
a moratorium on outdoor advertising signs for six months
beyond September 11, 1991. Seconded by Floyd Roden, all
Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Elaine Beatty asked for comments on adding a "Letter to
the Editor" section to the Newsletter. The consensus of the
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CITY OF OTSEGO COUNCIL MEETING OF 8/26/91 AT 7:30PM
- PAGE 6 -
at the beginning of next year.
Bill Radzwill advised that preparation work for the
Packard Avenue Bonding is about completed.
Motion by Floyd Roden to adopt the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION
Be it resolved that the City Council of the City of
Otsego hereby awards the sale of General Obligation Bonds
in the amount of $200,000 to the Bank of Elk River at an
interest rate of 6.25% per annum for a period of ten years.
Motion was seconded by Douglas Lindenfelser, all Council
Members voted in favor of the motion.
Larry Koshak advised the Council that the contractor has
found some poor soils conditions in one area of Packard Ave
that will have to be excavated. He expected it to be not
more than 1500 cu yds and cost not more than $5,000.00. He
would need a change -order to authorize the excavation. This
additional expense could increase the total project cost to
over $200,000.00.
Motion by Floyd Roden to increase the Bond Issue to
$210,000.00 contingent upon approval of Attorney Bill
Radzwill and the Bank of Elk River. Seconded by Ron Black,
all Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Motion by Larry Fournier to approve a change order
authorizing the removal of additional material on the Packard
Ave Project not to exceed 1500 cu yds @$3.42 cu yds.
$5,230.00. Seconded by Doug Lindenfelser, all Council
Members voted in favor of the motion.
Larry Koshak said that he has met with the
administrators of Buffalo and Monticello to discuss the cost
sharing policies of the Wright Co Hwy Dept. One of their
concerns is the policy of the Wright Co Hwy Dept to request
the Cities to cost share projects that they receive State
funding for. They will be meeting again on the subject.
Larry Koshak also advised the Council that he had
attended the pre -construction meeting for the second phase of
the MN/DOT Test Facility. He advised them that the City of
Otsego did not approve using the City graveled road to haul
in material and equipment to the site. Doug Lindenfelser
asked if Jalger Ave was discussed at the meeting and Larry
said no.
Motion by Floyd Roden to purchase an Optic IIIP Voting
Machine for $4,900.00 with a backup for $350.00 and all the
necessary accessories from Business Records Corp. Seconded
by Larry Fournier, all Council Members voted in favor of the
motion.
Motion by Ron Black to approve Wright --Hennepin Co-op
Elec Assn placing an underground cable under Needham Avenue
to replace the overhead wires when providing service to the
Rodney Zernechel residence. Seconded by Larry Fournier, all
r flIlYlf`7 7 HlamhA.arr tIn1'.ord in cnt,,,r .yi^ Fi^tc,
CITY OF OTSEGO COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 26, 1991 AT 7:3OPM
— PAGE 7 —
Motion by Doug Lindenfelser to approve Bridegwater
Telephone Company placing buried cable from Julger Ave to
70TH ST to provide telephone service to the MN/DOT Test
Facility. Seconded by Larry Fournier, all Council Members
voted in favor of the motion.
Motion by Larry Fournier to have a Special Budget
Meeting at the Law Office of Ron Black on September 5, 1991
at 7:30PM, Seconded by Doug Lindenfelser, all Council Members
voted in favor of the motion.
Pam Novotony did not appear as scheduled before the City
Council to discuss the Dog Warden position. Motion by Doug
Lindenfelser not to provide Dog Warden Service in the City of
Otsego. Seconded by Ron Black, all Council Members voted in
favor of the motion.
Motion by Floyd Roden to discontinue the agreement with
Riverview Kennels to provide kennel Service to the City of
Otsego. Seconded by Larry Fournier, All Council Members
voted in favor of the motion.
Larry Fournier said he thought the Council should
consider establishing an Economic Development Commission to
promote commercial and industrial development in the City of
Otsego. The other Council Members agreed with Larry that it
was a good idea and .-.hat they should pursue it after the
Comprehensive Plan is in place.
Motion by Larry Fournier to hire an appraiser to
evaluate the Vigeant property just East of the City Hall.
Seconded by Doug Lindenfelser, all Council Members voted in
favor of the motion.
Proceeding as a Board of Audit, the City Council audited
and allowed verified accounts Nos. 700 to 723 inclusive.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
DEN, COUNCIL
ATTEST
RO QLD G BLACK, COUNCIL JEROME PERRAULT,CLERK
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