10-09-00 CCCITY OF OTSEGO
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OTSEGO CITY HALL
OCTOBER 9, 2000
1. Mayors Fournier will call meeting to order:
Mayor Fournier called the City Council Meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
a. Roll .all: Mayor Larry Fournier; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner, Virginia
Wendel, Suzanne Ackerman, Richard Nichols.
Staff. Mike Robertson, City Administrator; Elaine Beatty, City Clerk/Zoning
Administrator; Judy Hudson, Deputy Clerk; Andrew MacArthur, City Attorney; Dan
Licht, City Planner; Larry Koshak, City Engineer.
Mayor Larry Fournier led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Consider agenda approval.
Mike Robertson requested to add under Item 9.1.d. Letter from Rivers of Hope. CM
Wendel requested to add under Item 9. Discussion of driveway widths and fences in the
Lin -Bar Addition. Mayor Fournier requested to move Item 8.1. to 4.1.e., Consider
Amendment to the Nuisance Ordinance, and add under Item 9. Update from the
Otsego/Albertville sub -committee meeting and also add under Item 9. Update on the Park
Shelter, Update on the EDAAC Marketing Meeting, Discussion of Recycling and remove
Item 9.5. for lack of information.
CM Heidner motioned adoption of the City Council Agenda as amended. Seconded
by CM Wendel. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Consider Minutese
a. Sel2tember 25. 2000 - Regular Council Meeting inures
CM Wendel motioned to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by CM
Ackerman. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Open Forum:
No one appeared on Open Forum.
4.A. Special Pr .. .ntation@
1. Discussion of Abatement of Nuisances
Andrew MacArthur stated the Council will consider an amendment to the City's Nuisance
Ordinance and a Resolution establishing a proposed policy. The City has given notice to
the property owners giving them the opportunity to appear before the Council to make
any statements regarding nuisances on their property. The City has the right to abate
nuisances and assessed all costs incurred against the property. Mr. MacArthur went over
the proposed amendment and Resolution.
City Council Meeting of October 9, 2000, cont'd. Page 2.
A. Karen Wilson_ 14738 83rd Street NE
Mayor Fournier opened the Public Hearing for Karen Wilson at 6:49 PM.
Elaine Beatty stated the proper noticing was done.
Jerry Olson, Building Official, stated there has been over 25 actions taken by the City
since 1996, not including the phone calls. Jerry has seen very little improvement, if any,
on this property. At one time, everything was gone for a month and then everything was
moved back.
Kent Rasmussen, who lives at 14783 83rd Street, informed the Council that he has
arranged for five of the cars to be taken to Princeton. He has a dumpster coming in, he
has put new stairs on the landing and white rocks have been put around the tree.
Mayor Fournier opened the Hearing for Public Comment.
There was none.
Jerry Olson stated he has heard all of this previously from Mr. Rasmussen and he
reminded him that the vehicles have to be able to run so they can be used and are to be
licensed. The dumpster mentioned has been there all the time and Mr. Olson said that it
should also be removed.
Mayor Fournier closed the Public Hearing at 6:45 PM and asked for Council comment.
CM Wendel stated she drove by this property earlier today and although there has been
some improvement she feels there is a long way to go.
B. John and Cheryl Butler, 9439 Ogren Ave NF
Mayor Fournier opened the Public Hearing at 6:50 PM.
Elaine Beatty stated the property noticing was done.
Jerry Olson reported he has been dealing with this property for over four years. In
addition to the junk and blight complaints he has received complaints of cars being sold
and bought on this property. Sometimes there are two or three cars being worked on at
one time. The motor home had someone living in it.
John Butler stated that he agreed with everything Jerry Olson said. He said he has been
cleaning up the place and everything seen in the pictures is now gone except for what is
behind the garage. He has a dumpster there and feels he is doing the best he can do.
Mr. Butler stated he would like to sell this property and move to the country. He said the
motor home runs and is not occupied and he will have it licensed and moved up to the
fence.
Mayor Fournier opened the Public Hearing for Public Comment.
There was none.
Mayor Fournier closed the Public Hearing at 6:55 PM and asked for Council comment.
CM Heidner said in looking at information provided, this property appears in better
condition than the others and sees more of a hope for long term improvement than the
others. Jerry Olson agreed with him.
C. Chad M Lofgren, 14166 62nd Street NE
Mayor Fournier opened the Public Hearing for Chad Lofgren at 6:56 PM.
Elaine Beatty stated the proper noticing was done.
The property owner, Chad M. Lofgren, was not in attendance.
City Council Meeting of October 9, 2000, cont'd. Page 3.
Jerry Olson stated Chad Lofgren and Timothy Eckgren are neighbors. The Lofgren home
burned down two years ago and the property has been turned into a salvage yard with
shabby outbuildings. A lot of demolition has been done on this property. Mr.. Lofgren
has been in Court various times and many times just moves his junk to the neighbors.
Jerry said this property owner has cost the City thousands of dollars with all the time he
and the Attorney have spent on this.
Mayor Fournier opened the Public Hearing for Public Comment at 7 PM.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Fournier closed the Public Hearing at 7 PM.
D. TimothyF Eckgr .n_ 14126 62nd Street NE
Mayor Fournier opened the public Hearing at 7 PM.
Elaine Beatty stated the proper noticing was done.
Timothy E. Eckgren was not in attendance.
Jerry Olson stated this is a miniature salvage yard and is costing the city thousands of
dollars trying to get this property owner to clean up his property. Mr. Olson also stated
he hand delivered the notices of this meeting to Mr. Lofgren and Mr. Eckgren.
Mayor Fournier opened the Public Hearing up for Public Comment at 7:01 PM.
There was none.
Mayor Fournier closed the Public Hearing at 7:01 PM.
2. Czar; Lefebvre - Discussion of shooting geese in no discharge
zone
Mike Robertson said this was placed on the agenda at the request of Gary Lefebvre.
Mr. Lefebvre and the Council discussed different options other than shooting the geese
such as decoys, dogs and gun poppers. Gary would like a one day permit to hunt the
geese on the east side of 101 behind the corn stand. The Council encouraged Mr.
Lefebvre to use other options other than shooting the geese.
3. Discussion of DNR Hunting Permit - Pheasant Dreams
Gabe Davis and Ann Bentz of Packard Avenue appeared before the Council complaining
of hunters shooting within 500 feet of their homes. These hunters are hunting on the
Lefebvre land used for Pheasant hunting. Both Gabe and Ann feel that the Lefebvre
property behind their homes does not meet the DNR requirements of licensing for this
type of use. They have talked to the DNR regarding this. The Lefebvres have agreed to
take down the hunting signs on this piece of property and both Gabe and Ann feel the
problems they have been experiencing have been resolved. They want to know what they
should do if someone is trespassing on their property or shooting within 500 feet of their
homes. Mayor Fournier said he talked to Sheriff Miller regarding this issue and the Sheriff
told him people should take down the license plate numbers, names and also take a picture
if possible and call the Sheriff.
5. Consent Agenda (Non -Controversial Items)
There were no Consent Agenda Items.
City Council Meeting of October 9, 2000, cont'd. Page 4.
6. Dan Licht City pl_�r:
6-1- Consider Pronesed Amendment to the 7oning Ordinan RP B gilding
Materials
Dan Licht presented his report.
CM Nichols motioned to approve Ordinance No. 00- 17, An Ordinance amending
Section 20-17-4 of the Zoning Ordinance dealing with building material
requirements for all uses within the City, including application of specific materials
for commercial and institutional uses. Seconded by CM Heidner.
Voting For the Motion: CM Nichols, CM Heidner, CM Ackerman, Mayor
Fournier.
Voting Against the Motion: CM Wendel.
Motion carried four (4) to one (1).
CM Wendel motioned to adopt Resolution No. 2000-27, Resolution adopting Notice
of Abatement at 14738 83rd St. NE, Otsego, MN for violations of City Ordinance 6-
2-4 O &P and 6-2-5 A. Seconded by CM Heidner. All in favor. Motion carried.
CM Wendel motioned to adopt Resolution No. 2000-28, Resolution adopting Notice
of Abatement at 8439 Ogren Avenue NE, Otsego MN, for violations of City
Ordinance 6-2-4 O & P and 6-2-5-1. Seconded by CM Nichols. All in favor.
Motion carried.
CM Heidner motioned to adopt Resolution No. 2000 - 29, Resolution adopting
Notice of Abatement at 14166 62nd Street NE, Otsego, MN, for violations of City
Ordinance 6-2-4 O & P and 6-2-5 A. Seconded by CM Ackerman. All in favor.
Motion carried.
CM Ackerman motioned to adopt Resolution No. 2000 - 30, Resolution adopting
Notice of Abatement at 14126 62nd St. NE, Otsego, MN, for violations of City
Ordinance 6-2-4 O & P and 6-2-5 A. Seconded by CM Nichols. All in favor.
Motion carried.
6.2. C'onsidPr Final Plat of Sime ateEstates
Dan Licht presented the Planner's Report .
Larry Koshak stated that in his opinion, there are a number of items that need to be
completed before final approval. Two of these items are clarification of ownership and
stormwater impact fees for this district.
Doc Bowman, Tollefson Development, asked for Final Plat Approval with all items listed
as conditions so they could move forward.
Also discussed was the 83rd Street connection to Country Ridge. Mr. Koshak said the
developer needs to remove the cul-de-sac, bring curb and water and street to the property
City Council Meeting of October 9, 2000, cont'd. Page 5.
line with no cost to the City. The City will pay for the relocation of the one driveway and
the improvement to the driveway going to the pump house.
Mayor Fournier motioned to table the consideration of the Final Plat of Stonegate
Estates until all documents have been received by the staff and time for them to
review. Seconded by CM Ackerman.
Voting For the Motion: Mayor Fournier, CM Ackerman.
Voting Against the Motion: CM Heidner, CM Nichols, CM Wendel.
Motion failed three (3) to two (2).
After further Council discussion the following motion was made:
CM Nichols motioned to table consideration of the Final Plat of Stonegate Estates
for two weeks. Seconded by Mayor Fournier.
Voting For the Motion: Mayor Fournier, CM Nichols, CM Ackerman.
Voting Against the Motion: CM Heidner, CM Wendel.
Motion carried three (3) to two (2).
Doc Bowman said it was always his understanding that the City would reimburse them for
the 83rd Street issue and if the City doesn't, there is a problem. He would consider taking
credit for this in other ways, such as reduction of SAGWAC charges.
Mike Robertson said he couldn't ever recall discussing the City reimbursing, and this was
always a condition that the developer would pay for this connection. He indicated that he
had informed the developer of this condition and does not know why they are maintaining
they didn't know about it. He thinks this would a "deal breaker".
6.3_ Consider Final Plat of Ba rly's Industrial Sit /Bayed
Dan presented the Planner's Report.
Larry Koshak recommended that the Council table this issue for lack of information.
CM Heidner motioned to table consideration of Final Plat of Bauerly's Industrial
Site due to lack of information. Seconded by CM Nichols. All in favor. Motion
carried.
There was no other Planning Business.
7. Larry Koshak_ City Engineer
7.1. Consider Partial Payment of 1999 Street OverlayProject
Ron Wagner will be meeting with Dan Remer of Bauerly Bros and go over every item and
complaint.
CM Heidner motioned to approve Partial Payment No. 6 in the amount of
$67,235.00. Seconded by CM Wendel. All in favor. Motion carried.
7.2_ Consider A .ce�i g Bids & Awarding Contract for the Ory Avenue
Trunk Sanitary Sewer & Storm Sewer Improvement and the 88th Street &
Quaday Avenue Sanitary Sewer, Watermain, & Storm Sewer Improvement
Larry Koshak and Ron Wagner went over the bids.
CM Heidner motioned to award to low bidder S. R. Weidema, Inc. for $564,690.70
contingent upon receiving the permit from MPCA and the acquisition of necessary
easements. Seconded by CM Ackerman. All in favor. Motion carried.
City Council Meeting of October 9, 2000, cont'd. Page 6.
7.3. Any Other Engin ringb usiness
There was no other engineering business.
8. Andrew MacArthur, CityAttorney*
8.1. Consider Amendment to the Nuisance Ordinance
CM Heidner motioned to approve amendment of Ordinance No. 00-18, an
Ordinance amending Otsego Ord. No. 91-23 defining Nuisances prohibiting their
Creation or Maintenance and providing for abatement and penalties for violation
thereof. Seconded by CM Nichols. All in favor. Motion carried.
CM Heidner motioned to adopt Resolution No. 2000-31, adopting Policy and
Procedure for City Code Violations. Seconded by CM Nichols. All in favor.
Motion carried.
8.2. Any Other Legal Business
8.3. See 9.5. below
9. Council Items:
A. Any Council Bus' ss
L Discussion of Sheriffs hours for 2001
The Council agreed to table this decision until next meeting.
CM Ackerman stated she has not yet received the information from Dave Chase.
3. Discussion of Dave Eide's Annexation Request
Mayor Fournier requested this item be placed on the next City Council Agenda.
4. Otsego/Albertville Sewer Sub -committee,
CM Heidner thought that Albertville seems interested in the possibility of providing sewer.
Mike Robertson thought this was the most positive meeting held with Albertville being in
favor of selling sewer capacity but can't agree on the terms and conditions. The next
meeting has been set for November 16 and Otsego will provide Albertville a copy of the
Dayton/Otsego Agreement.
5. Letter from Rivers of Hope requesting donations.
The Council agreed that it is the City's Policy not to donate money.
6. ED A . Marketing Meeting of October 4, 2000.
Mike Robertson reviewed the meeting, which he feels was well attended and a good
meeting for property owners and developers.
Mike said the Park Shelter should be completed in a couple of weeks.
9.1. Mike Robertson_ City Administrator - update:
A. Consideration of Tree Installation Bids
CM Heidner motioned to approve the City Administrator's recommendation of
providing pine trees at the Water Tower Site and replacing trees in the Otsego
City Council Meeting of October 9, 2000, cont'd. Page 7.
Prairie Park with funds coming from the Park Dedication Fees. Seconded by CM
Ackerman. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mike said he received a letter from Bonestroo updating him on the Sewer Plant and that
they will be exceeding the estimated budget by $10,000 due to the delay in the original
construction schedule. The Council directed Mike to inform the City of Dayton.
9.2_ Elaine Beatty, City Clerk - update
No items.
9.3. Judy Hudson, Deputy Clerk - update
A. Consideration of al)o'n 'ng an additional Election Judge for the
General Election,
CM Heidner motioned to approve the Addendum to Resolution No. 2000-15
appointing an Election Judge for 2000. Seconded by CM Ackerman. All in favor.
Motion carried.
B. Recycling billing showing_ up on hauler invoice.
Mayor Fournier and staff have received complaints from some residents stating a recycling
charge is showing up on their garbage bill. Mayor Fournier directed Mike Robertson,
Andrew MacArthur and Judy Hudson to review this.
9.4. Consider Claims List for approval.
CM Heidner motioned adoption of the Claims List as presented. Seconded by CM
Ackerman. All in favor. Motion carried.
9.5. Closed Meeting for Attorney Client Privilege (Attorney Andrew
MacArthur)
This item was removed from the agenda.
9_6_ Adjourn by 10 by
CM Ackerman motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Wendel. All in favor.
Motion carried. Meeting adjqurned at 9:44 PM.
Larry
Attest: Elaine Beatty, City Clerk/Zoning Administrator
Recorded by: Judy Hudson, Deputy Clerk
City Seal