02-08-1993 City Council MinutesSTATE OF MN The City Council of the City of
COUNTY OF WRIGHT Otsego met this 8 day of February,
CITY OF OTSEGO 1993, at 730 PM. Doug
Lindenfelser, Floyd Roden, Larry
Fournier and Ron Black, Council Members, Jerome Perrault,
Clerk, James Barthel, Treasurer, Elaine Beatty, Deputy
Clerk/Zoning Administrator, Judy Hudson, Secretary, and Larry
Koshak, Engineer, were present.
The meeting was called to order by Vice -Mayor Doug
Lindenfelser.
Motion by Floyd Roden to approve the Minutes of the
January 11, 1993, Council Meeting with one correction, the
motion approving the Treasurer wages was seconded by Floyd
Roden and all Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Seconded by Ron Black, all Council Members voted in
favor of the motion.
Motion by Larry Fournier to approve the Minutes of the
January 25, 1993, City Council Meeting. Seconded by Ron
Black, all Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
State Representative Stephanie Klinzing addressed the
meeting and gave a report on upcoming legislation. She said
she and Senator Adkins having been working hard on the Hwy
101 Project trying to get that project moved up because of
safety issues. She said that Governor Carlson has proposed a
freeze on Local Government Aid, in fact it is actually a cut.
She is opposed to any cut because it means higher local
taxes.
The first legislation she introduces was a bill to
forgive the penalties imposed on Sherburne County or
exceeding the levy limitations, her reasoning being the high
population growth rate in Sherburne County in recent years.
Ron Black advised her that he was concerned because
Cities and Townships are now required to pay Sales Tax and
this idea should be abolished. The Sales tax and this idea
should be abolished. the Sales tax was put into effect to
fund Local Government Aid and reduce local taxes and now
Local Government Aid is being cut and the Cities and
Townships are being required to pay Sales Taxes, totally
defeating the original intent of the Sales tax.
County Commissioner Pat Sawatzke was present and
acknowledged receipt of a letter form the Council
requiring a meeting with the Commissioners. He suggested
waiting until the new City Hall was completed and then the
Commissioners would come out and meet with the Council.
The Council advised him one of the issues they wish to
discuss is recycling as it is expensive and very little
financial help comes form the County or State for this.
Bob Hosforth was• present to request a CUP to move in a
28' X 40' house. The house has to be moved from the it's
present location by March 5 and he would like to move it onto
his lot before road restrictions go on. He owns a 3 acre lot
(purchased form Iverson) on Co. 42 East of Hwy 101.
The Council advised him the CUP application must be
presented to the. Planning Commission First. .. Elaine Bc,a ,.,,
CITY OF OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8, 1993.
Page 3
advised him that if he gets all the necessary information to
her by this Friday, she could get him on the March 3 Planning
Commission Meeting Agenda.
Duane Fielder presented the Council with spec sheets for
the tractor equipped with backhoe and loader that the
maintenance department wishes to purchase.
Motion by Ron Black to proceed with an advertisement for
bids on the tractor, backhoe and loader upon completion of
the spec sheets needed for advertising. Seconded by Floyd
Roden, all Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Motion by Ron Black to advertise for another maintenance
man. Seconded by Larry Fournier. Duane Fielder said we are
looking for a man with truck driving experience, a Class A
Truck driving license, and mechanist maintenance ability. He
and Dave Chase will assist in formulating the ad. All
Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Larry Koshak advised the Council that a meeting with
MnDOT has been set for March 3, 1993, at 3:00 PM at the City
Hall. Issues to be discussed will be Jalger Avenue and the
damages to 85th Street, Kadler Avenue and 80th Street.
Larry Koshak said he has prepared a draft letter to
MnDOT regarding he City of Otsego's desire to have a signal
light installed at the Hwy 101 - Co. 37 junction when Hwy 101
is rebuilt. Larry Fournier suggested changing a paragraph to
read that State criteria for installing signal light will be
met in a very short time after Hwy 101 is re -built. Pat
Sawatzke commented that Wright County has set aside money for
a signal light at that intersection. Ron Black said it
should be noted that MnDOT has stated at Public Hearings on
the Hwy 101 project that this intersection would be
signalized.
Larry Koshak said the test bore on Ogren Avenue
indicated trees and brush were buried under the road bed. He
will further analyze the borings and make recommendations,
probably to dig out the brush and refill the hole. There
will be gas and phone liens to contend with when this is
done. Odell Avenue was also test bored and the bumps
appeared to be caused by soil differences under the road bed.
Larry Koshak commented that he thought the City of
Otsego should respond to the Albertville Wastewater Treatment
Plant expansion plans as the plant discharges into Mud Lake
and Mud Lake drains into an Otsego ditch and in turn
affecting property owners along the ditch.
Motion by Larry Fournier to have the Engineer and
Planner respond to the Environmental Quality Board on the EAW
for this plant expansion project. Seconded by Floyd Roden,
all Council Members voted in favor of the motion.
Regarding easements for 85th Street between Page Avenue
and County 42, John Lefebvre has now contacted an Attorney.
Wright County has approved re --imbursement for the
construction of the Co . :39 r Light turn lane at Nashua Avenue
CITY OF OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8, 1993.
Page 4
and a check for $7,216.87 was received.
Arlene Wirth, Head Start Director for Wright and Western
Hennepin County, appeared before the Council to say she is
interested in leasing the present City Hall for Head Street
classrooms. She would have a State Inspector check the
building and make recommendations for needed repairs and
changes. New doors would be needed, the second bathroom
functioning, and another exit. Head Start provides
transportation for the children ages 3 to 5 and also provides
some meals.
Larry Fournier asked if there would be any State or
Federal Funds available to update the building. Ms. Wirth
replied that this was a possibility. She said if the
building were approved, she would be interested in a long
term lease.
The Council was receptive to the idea of leasing the
building to Head Start. Mrs. Wirth said she would proceed
with applying for a license to use the building.
The Parks and Recreation Budget was brought up for
discussion and tabled until the next meeting.
Elaine Beatty advised the Council that the Informational
Meeting on he Ag Preservation Program has been tentative set
for April 19, 1993.
The Council okayed April 22, 1993, at 7100 PM as the ate
for the Board of Review Meeting.
Neil McMillian of Wright -Hennepin Electric, has notified
Elaine Beatty that there are some funds available for sewer
and water. The Council suggested setting up a meeting with
him after the new City Hall is open.
Motion by Floyd Roden to purchase a pup trailer from
Dennis Fehn for $2,500.00 including the hydraulic ram.
Seconded by Larry Fournier, all Council Members vote din
favor of the motion.
Motion by Ron Black to grant Rudy Thibodeau a one year
extension of his PUD for his "Mine -E -Golf" business.
Seconded by Floyd Roden, all Council Members vote din favor
of the motion.
Ron Black asked the Council's opinion of purchasing a
used fire truck with a 500 gal tank and pressure pump to use
for flushing culverts. There is one available in New Hope.
The Council suggested having Ron Black and Dave Chase check
into it.
Motion Floyd Roden to appoint Larry Fournier as
alternate Council Representative to the Planning Commission.
Seconded by Ron Black, all Council Members voted in favor of
the motion.
Motion by Ron Black to appoint Norman F. Freske as
alternate Council Representative to the Parks and Recreation
Commission. Seconded by Larry Fournier, all Council Members
voted in favor of the motion.
Proceeding as a board of audit„ the Council audi_t_<.i
CITY OF OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8, 1993.
Page 5
allowed verified accounts Nos. 99 to 170 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
jeh