12-14-1992 City Council MinutesSTATE OF MN The City Council of the City of
COUNTY OF WRIGHT Otsego met this 14 day of December,
CITY OF OTSEGO 1992, following the adjournment of
the Public Hearing on the Lefebvre
Watershed Drainage. Norman F. Freske, Mayor, Doug
Lindenfelser, Floyd Roden, Larry Fournier and Ron Slack,
Council Members, Jerome Perrault, Clerk, James Barthel,
Treasurer, Elaine Beatty, Deputy Clerk/Zoning Administrator,
Judy Hudson, Secretary, Bill Radzwill and Andy McArthur,
Attorneys, David Licht, and Bob Kirmis, Planners, and Larry
Koshak, Engineer, were present.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Norman F.
Freske.
Mayor Freske announced that Item 4 on the Agenda (Wild &
Scenic issues and Wild & Scenic Ordinance) would be
considered first as Paul Swenson of the DNR, was present at
this time.
David Licht said there are 2 separate Wild & Scenic
Areas to consider the area East of Hwy 101 where we do not
request any changes in the DNR regulations and the area West
of Hwy 101 where we would like a change in the DNR
regulations. The DNR regulations require not more than 50%
impervious coverage (buildings & parking lots) on lots on the
West side of Hwy 101 and as this is highly desirable area for
prospective Commercial Development, the City of Otsego would
like to have 90% impervious lot coverage in that area.
Paul Swenson said that he is the Supervisor for all
water permits, that we have a National River to protect and
deal with pollution. Regulations are hard to deal with but
the ultimate goal is protection of the river. He said that
he agreed that the area West of Hwy 101 is highly desirable
for Commerical Development and that we want to be able to
take care of the drainage from each lot. 50% lot coverage
would do this, 90% lot coverage would not. It is important
to keep communication between the DNR and the City of Otsego
open on this matter.
David Licht commented that what is realistic for tax
base purposes is what is of concern. The City of Otsego has
exceeded the DNR regulations in most areas of the City, the
area West of Hwy 101 is the issue at present. HE said most
cities with land in the Wild & Scenic Area are allowed higher
than 50% impervious lot coverage.
Norman F. Freske commented that the City is concerned
about its tax base and the land West of Hwy 101 is prime
commercial development area to improve the tax base.
Paul Swenson said that lots of areas now use an
individual lot impervious coverage percentage rather than a
flat area percentage.
Bill Radzwill commented that this Community needs that
Hwy 101 tax base.
Larry Koshak said that most other Communities have 90%
or higher impervious lot coverage regulations.
Paul Swenson Said that he thought 90% lot coverage would
be hard to defend in a Hearing on this issue.
CITY OF OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 14, 1992.
Page 2
Ron Black said he thought it should be up to the
individual lot or land owners to comply with all the
regulations to comply with lot drainage and runoff and water
quality.
David Licht commented that the real issue is water
quality in the area West of Hwy 101 and we have regulations
already built in to the City Ordinance to control this.
Larry Koshak said that the area West of Hwy 101 is vital
to the City, water management is the key and this can be
done.
Bill Radzwill commented that he feels Otsego has the
Council and the Staff to see that development and water
management is handled in the right way.
Ron Black said he feels we should proceed with our
request for 90% impervious lot coverage in the area West of
Hwy 101.
Motion by Larry Fournier to recommend 90% impervious lot
coverage in the area West of Hwy 101. Seconded by Ron Black.
Floyd Roden commented that the Halls Drainage System is
an example of what Otsego has done in the past. All Council
Members voted in favor of the motion.
Motion by Douglas Lindenfelser to approve the Minutes of
the November 23, 1992, City Council Meeting. Seconded by Ron
Black, all Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Motion by Ron Black to approve the Minutes of the
November 23, 1992, Public Hearing on the Parks & Recreation
Commission Comprehensive Plan. Seconded by Floyd Roden, all
Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Motion by Ron Black to approve the Minutes of the
November 24, 1992, Special Council Meeting on MSA Funding and
MSA Projects. Seconded by Larry Fournier, all Council
Members voted in favor of the motion.
Motion by Doug Lindenfelser to approve the Minutes of
the November 30, 1992, Truth in Taxation Hearing. Larry
Fournier said the Minutes should read a 6 1/2% Tax Capacity
Rate increase instead of a 6 1/2% tax increase.
Larry Fournier seconded the motion to approve the
Minutes of the Truth in Taxation Hearing as amended. All
Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Norman F. Freske then declared the Open Forum to
be in session.
Linda Synder said she was concerned because she had
heard there would not be signal lights at the Co. 37 - Hwy
101 intersection when Hwy 101 is rebuilt to a 4 lane road.
The Council advised her they want signal lights at that
intersection and both the Co Engineer and the MnDOT Project
Engineer should be contacted and made aware that the City
wants signal lights at the intersection.
Motion by Larry Fournier that the City should send
letters to the MnDOT project Engineer, the Wright Co.
Engineer and Commissioner Pat Sawatzke regarding the City's
desire to have signal lights at the Co. 37 - Hwy 101
CITY OF OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 14, 1992.
Page 3
intersection. Seconded by Floyd Roden, all Council Members
voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Norman F. Freske then called a recess in the
Council Meeting in order to have an EDA Meeting the City
Council Meeting reconvene following adjournment of the EDA
Meeting.
Motion by Floyd Roden to adopt Resolution No. 92-49
approving the Final Road Plat for the Nashua Avenue - 85th
Street Construction Project and to have it filed with the Co.
Recorder. Seconded by Ron Black, all Council Members voted
in favor of the motion. The full text of the Resolution is
attached to these Minutes.
Larry Koshak advised the Council that the City has
established enough points to have the Kadler Avenue Bridge
replaced under the MnDOT Bridge Replacement Program. The
State program will pay for replacement of the bridge but not
the engineering costs or the road approach work that part
could be funded by MSA Maintenance Funds of Road & Bridge
Funds.
Motion by Floyd Roden to adopt the following Resolution=
Be it resolved that the City Council of the City of
Otsego hereby orders the Improvement Project of
replacing the Kadler Avenue Bridge and orders Plans and
Specifications be prepared by Hakanson Anderson
Association, Inc. to replace said bridge. The Motion
was seconded by Larry Fournier, all Council Members
voted in favor of the motion.
Larry Koshak advised the Council that MnDOT has approved
the Plans and Specs for the 85th Street from Page Avenue to
Co. 42 MSA Construction Project. The MSA share of the storm
drainage on the project was reduced to 60.6%. Mr. Koshak
said he has met with John Lefebvre and Fabian Sadowski
regarding easements for the 85th Street Project and
recommended holding off advertising for bids on the project
until the easements are clarified.
Mr. Koshak said he had met with Mr. Kincannon regarding
the fish pond on his land on Nashua Avenue and it appears he
has not violated any rules. The Council requested Elaine
Beatty to send Floyd Goenner a letter advising him of this.
Larry Koshak suggested that the Council send MnDOT a
letter informing them that the City will bill them for the
maintenance of 70th Street West of Co.. 19 until it is
accepted by the City.
Regarding the right turn lane on Wright Co. 39 to turn
onto Nashua Avenue, Wright County will pay 100% of the turn -
lane construction costs upon receiving verification from the
City Engineer as to quantities used and the dollar amount to
construct the turn lane.
Motion by Ron Black that the necessary signatures be
approved and affixed to the funding agreement with Wright
County for the construction of the Wright CO. 39 turn lane
CITY OF OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 14, 1992.
Page 4
for Nashua Avenue. Seconded by Doug Lindenfelser, all
Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Doug Lindenfelser suggested that Cook's evergreens
should be trimmed for better visibility when approaching CO.
39 on Nashua Avenue. Mr. Koshak said he would talk to Mr.
Cook about this.
Mr. Koshak said that the City has not as yet signed a
street lighting contract with Wright -Hennepin Electric Co-op
Association. Ron Black said that he and Mr. Koshak had met
with Neil McMillin of Wright -Hennepin to discuss the contract
and some changes will be made such as moving poles for street
construction and the placement of the street lights. They
agreed to install street lights as requested by the City.
Wright -Hennepin was concerned if they would have to run a
line over 1/4 of a mile to service a street light but this is
unlikely to occur. They also modified the paragraph to
require the City to secure easements to put a street light on
private property. Regarding vandalism, Wright -Hennepin will
discuss the problem with the City before disconnecting the
light. Mr. McMillin will be coming back with a revised
contract and meet with them again.
Motion by Floyd Roden to reduce the Letter of Credit for
Country Ridge Development by the following amounts:
SEE LETTER FROM ENGINEER DATED 12-8-92 (Attached)
Seconded by Ron Black, all Council Members voted in
favor of the motion.
The Council requested Larry Koshak to investigate the
status of 96th Street West of O'Brian Avenue in Hylo Acres.
Motion by Ron Black to table consideration of the Abdo,
Abdo and Eich Contract at this time. Seconded by Floyd
Roden, all Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Motion by Floyd Roden to conduct EDA Advisory Board
Members interviews January 18, 1993, at 730 PM with 20
minutes intervals for each interview. Seconded by Doug
Lindenfelser, all Council Members voted in favor of the
motion.
Motion by Larry Fournier to reappoint Darlene Solberg
and Tom Baillargeon to 4 year terms on the Parks & Recreation
Commission. Seconded by Ron Black, all Council Members voted
in favor of the motion.
Motion by Ron Black to purchase a refrigerator for the
new City Hall from Bruce Lubke for $1,700.00. Seconded by
Larry Fournier, all Council Members voted in favor of
the motion.
Motion by Doug Lindenfelser to hire Nathan Meinhardt to
install the penthouse on the new City Hall. Seconded by
Larry Fournier.
Ron Black said he disagreed with this approach because
Metro Builders have already put up plywood for the pent house
CITY OF OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 14, 1992.
Page 5
and we could end up paying double. We should request Don
Meinhardt to submit another proposal reflecting the current
status of the penthouse. Doug Lindenfelser, Larry Fournier
and Floyd Roden voted in favor of the motion, Ron Black and
Norman F. Freske were opposed, the motion passed.
Motion by Ron Black to approve the final levy for 1993
General Fund $280,000.00
Road & Bridge 160,000.00
Bond & Interest Fund105,000.00
of:
TOTAL $545,000.00
Seconded by Larry Fournier, all Council Members voted in
favor of the motion.
Proceeding as board of audit, the Council audited and
allowed verified accounts Nos. 1218 to 1303 inclusive.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
, NORMAN F. FRESKE, MAYOR
, DOUG LINDENFELSER, COUNCIL
, FLOYD RODEN, COUNCIL
• LARRY FOURNIER, COUNCIL
, RON BLACK, COUNCIL
Attest: .Jerome Perrault, Clerk
JP/jeh