07-13-98 CCCITY OF OTSEGO
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OTSEGO CITY HALL
JULY 13, 1998
L Mayor La= Fournier will call meeting to orden
Mayor Fournier called the July 13, 1998 City Council Meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
a. Pledge of Alleg' nc
Mayor Fournier led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Larry Fournier; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner, Mark Berning, Virginia Wendel,
CM Ackerman arrived at 6:52 PM.
Staff: Mike Robertson, City Administrator; Elaine Beatty, City Clerk/Zoning
Administrator; Judy Hudson, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer; Andrew MacArthur, City Attorney;
Dan Licht, Assistant City Planner; John Harwood, City Engineer and Gary Groen, City
Accountant. Also attending was Steve McDonald from, Abdo, Abdo, Eich & Meyers,
Otsego's Auditing Firm.
2. Consider agendarnn oval_
CM Berning requested the addition of Park and Rec. Commission Discussion under Item
9. Lb.
Mayor Fournier requested the following additions:
Item 4.2.a. Wright County River Rider Letter.
Item 6.2. Wright County Letter dated July 8, 1998 regarding a Tattoo Ordinance
Item 9. l.c. Set meeting dates for the Administrative Sub -committee and Public
Works Sub -committee.
Item 9.2.c. Memo from Jacquie Rognli regarding a special edition of the
Newsletter
Item 9.2.d. Discussion of Long Term Disability Coverage for employees.
CM Wendel requested the addition of the letter from Dynamic's Design and Land
Company under Item 9.1.a.
CM Berning motioned to adopt the July 13, 1998 City Council Agenda as amended.
Seconded by CM Wendel. All in favor. Motion carried.
I Consider Minutes:
a Regular Council Meeting of June 22, 1998=
CM Berning motioned to adopt the June 22, 1998 City Council Minutes. Seconded
by Mayor Fournier. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Open Forum:
4.1. Special presentation by Abdo, Abdo, Fich and Meyers LLP - Overview
and explanation of the 1997 Audit Renort for the City of Otsego
Steve McDonald.
City Council Meeting of July 13, 1998, cont'd. Page 2.
Mr. McDonald reviewed the 1997 Audit with the Council. Heg ave Otsego a "clean
opinion". He noted the General Fund has increased approximately $100,000 from 1996
and is currently at the recommended level. The reportable conditions are conditions that
are seen in 90% of the cities of Otsego's size. Mr. McDonald pointed out the Engineering
Budget was over by $60,000 but largely due to the sewer and water project and will be
reimbursed through the up coming bonding. The Year 2000 issue is the computer's
inability to recognize the year 2000. Mr. McDonald encouraged the City to make sure all
users such as banks., etc. that the City works with are prepared for Year 2000.
Mayor Fournier asked if the City should be maintaining the Fixed Assets Account. Mr.
McDonald said to do so would provide control, but it is not practical as the City doesn't
receive depreciation benefits.
Mike Robertson asked if the auditors found anything the City should be concerned with.
Mr. McDonald reported the audit is conducted according to State guidelines and the
bottom line is that things look good for Otsego.
CM Heidner motioned to accept the 1997 Annual Audit Report prepared by Abdo,
Abdo, Eick & Meyers LLP. Seconded by CM Berning. All in favor. Motion
carried.
The Council asked Staff to contact the County, Banks, etc., to make sure everything will
be assessable for Year 2000.
CM Ackerman arrived at this point (6:52 PM).
4.2. Gary Groen - recommendation re• City Finances and Accounting
Gary Groen gave a update on the conversion of the new finance software. Also discussed
was Mike Robertson's Memo of July 8, 1998 regarding the 1997 Audit Recommendation.
Specifically discussed was the Tree Fund, Park Shelter and Revolving Capital
Improvements Fund. There are funds remaining in the Capital Improvement Fund. Mr.
Robertson recommended for the City to set up a Revolving Capital Improvement Fund
and to develop a policy governing it's use and the role it should play in the financing of
capital improvement projects.
CM Berning motioned to adopt the City Administrator's recommendation to set up
a Revolving Capital Improvement Fund and to develop a policy governing it's use.
Seconded by Mayor Fournier. All in favor. Motion carried.
4-2-a- River Rider Bus Letter dated July 10, 1998.
The letter stated the City hasn't paid $3,195 due for 1998. Mr. Groen will follow this
through. CM Wendel updated the Council on the River Rider usage.
4.3. Any other Open Forum*
There was none.
Day-
5.2.
am
5 Council approval of "No Parking" signs to belap ced by City Crews
on the east side of Page Ave NE from 85th to 90th Street,
CM Heidner motioned approval. CM Berning seconded. All in favor. Motion
carried.
City Council Meeting of July 13, 1998, cont'd. Page 3.
6. Dan Licht Assistant City Planner:
Dan Licht presented the Planner's Report.
6.1. Consider application of Chris and Kari Haeska, 14833 70th Street NE
PID 118-500-331100,property on Packard Avenue NE and CSAH 37
for the following:
1 An Interim Use Permit to allow the keeping of a horse upon
their 5 acre prope�tr y zoned R-2 (Residential Immediate Urban Service
Area) which allows keeping of farm animals as an interim use.
CM Heidner motioned to issue an Interim Use Permit to allow the keeping of horses
on their property within the R-2 District subject to the seven conditions listed in the
Findings of Fact. Seconded by CM Berning. All in favor. Motion carried.
2 A Conditional Use Permit to allow accessory building area
greater than 2,000 sq, ft on a single family lot.
CM Heidner motioned to issue a Conditional Use Permit to allow a total accessory
building area greater than 2,000 square feet on a single family lot subject to the four
conditions listed in the Findings of Fact. Seconded by CM Berning. All in favor.
Motion carried.
6.2. Any other Planning_Business-
6.2-
Business.
6 2 1 Letter from Wright County regarding a Tattoo Ordinance.
The Council directed Mike Robertson to get a copy of the ordinance from Wright County.
9.1. A Discussion of a joint Council Meeting with Albertville for the
ppuMose of discussion of futureprovision of sewer and water.
9 1 a 1 letier from Dynamic's Design and Land Company.
(This Item was discussed under Item 6 while the Planner was in attendance).
In response to this letter, CM Wendel explained that through the sub -committee meetings
she and CM Ackerman have attended with the City of Albertville. Albertville wants an
answer from Otsego regarding if Otsego wants sewer service from Albertville.
CM Heidner motioned for Mike Robertson to send a copy of the letter from
Dynamic's Design and Land Company to Albertville City Council and to arrange
for a joint meeting with the two Council during the last two weeks in July.
Seconded by CM Ackerman. All in favor. Motion carried.
Item 9.2.c. Memo from JacQuie Rognli regarding a special edition of the
Newsletter regarding the Comj)rehensive Plan Public Hearing_
The Council discussed this option and decided not to have a special edition of the
Newsletter. They feel that publishing through the normal and required process in addition
to noticing in the Crow River News and the Monticello Times would be sufficient.
7. Andrew MacArthur, City Attorney:
7.1. Consider Contract Sewer Agreement with the City of Dayton.
Mr. MacArthur briefly went over the contract. He said the Dayton City Council will be
going over the contract at their July 14, 1998 Council Meeting.
Mayor Fournier set July 23, 6:30 PM for a City Council Workshop to discuss the Sewer
Agreement with the City of Dayton.
City Council Meeting of July 13, 1998, cont'd. Page 4.
None
R_ John Harwood, Cit,Engineer:
8.1. Approval of Mississippi Shores ShoulderingProject,
As recommended by John Harwood, this Item was tabled to the July 27 City Council
Meeting.
9_2_ Discussion and Review of Street Overlay Program -
Mr. Harwood said he has been preparing for the Information Meeting set for Monday,
July 20th with overheads, costs, etc.
CM Heidner asked if residents could be exempted from the Point of Sale Ordinance for a
limited amount of time if sewer would be going in. Staff will check into this.
Mike Robertson updated everyone on the sewer project schedule.
9. Council Items:
B_ Any other Council Business_
9_B_1_ Park and Rec. Commission Discussion
CM Berning went over a letter he received from Park and Rec. Chair, Jeff Bartheld
requesting a Youth Advisory Committee. This committee would be formed of youth and a
representative from the Park and Rec. Commission. They would look at providing
recreational activities. CM Berning wasn't in support of this since Community Rec. did this
in 1992 and this would be a duplication of process. He feels this time spent could go
towards getting the Friends of the Park going. The Council agreed.
CM Berning also said the Parks and Rec. Commission needed input on the 1999 Budget.
Should park maintenance be included in their budget, if so how much and who will be
responsible. Are Engineering fees to be included in the 1997 budgeted amount. Are capital
improvements and fixing the park amounts in their budget. They also want to know where
in the budget does the chalking and dragging of the fields come out of.
The Council directed the Engineering fees are to be considered part the Parks and Rec.
budget. The Council wants a progress report on the bleachers, which are not to be built
but purchased. Regarding the chalking, if the fields aren't being used, chalking doesn't
need to be done. The Council also noted that no construction of the Park Shelter is to
start until all the money has been set aside.
CM Wendel questioned the $3,000 for Merland Otto to complete the trail plan for the
Comprehensive Plan. Mike Robertson said he has talked to Dan Licht who thought he
could complete this for approximately $500 to $900.
9.1 _c_ Set Public Works and Administrative Staff Meetings,
Mayor Fournier set August 12th, 4 PM for Public Works and August 13th, 4 PM for
Administrative Staff.
CM Beming noted he will not be at the August 24th City Council Meeting.
City Council Meeting of July 13, 1998, cont'd. Page 5.
9.1 Mike Robertson,City Administrator - u do ate:
A. Celebration Ordinance-
Mike
rdin nce.Mike Robertson went over the proposed ordinance.
Mayor Fournier suggested to change the word "Riverwood" to broadly identify such
establishments. It was agreed by the Council to use "hotel/conference center". Mayor
Fournier also stated he doesn't support this ordinance feeling it is too much government
control.
CM Wendel motioned to adopt the Celebration Ordinance. Seconded by CM
Heidner.
Voting For the Motion: CM Heidner, CM Ackerman, CM Wendel, CM Berning.
Voting Against the Ordinance: Mayor Fournier
B 1998 Six Month Building Permit Report
Mike Robertson reviewed this report.
9.2.d. Discussion of Long Term Disability Coverage for employees.
Mike went over his July 2, 1998 Memo. He will have more information on the Long
Term Disability soon.
Mike also discussed setting up budget workshops since the preliminary tax levy must be
approved by September 15, 1998.
Mayor Fournier set August 17, 1998, 4 PM for a Budget Workshop. Mayor Fournier also
stated he wants all the commissions to have their budgets prepared.
Mike Robertson will call Wallace Odell regarding the EDAAC meeting on the 20th, which
is the same evening as a special City Council Meeting and to also explain to Mr. Odell that
Gary Groen wouldn't be able to attend the EDAAC meeting.
9.3. Elaine Beatty. City Clerk -update.
Elaine stated there will be additional money coming from FEMA. She requested a pay
increase for election judges. The Council directed her to come back with additional
information if the increase is covered by the Budget and how much this would amount to.
Charlie Rodby, resident, talked to Elaine about doing a Eagle Scout project. It would be
placing Bluebird houses in the park. The Council agreed with this as long as there is a
plan submitted and approved by staff.
Mayor Fournier announced that Ing Roskaft is in the hospital and is considering resigning
from the Planning Commission.
9.4. Consider Claims List for ap rp oval_
CM Heidner motioned to approve the Claims List as presented. Seconded by
Mayor Fournier. All in favor. Motion carried.
The Council would like to see more detail on the Claims List such as description and
account numbers.
The Peavey House Rental was discussed.
The Council requested for staff to prepare a report of all expenses incurred by this
property and of all rents received.
City Council Meeting of July 13, 1998, cont'd. Page 6.
CM Wendel stated she is concerned with the Heritage Commission Report Mr. Vogel has
prepared. The Council discussed the concerns this Commission is having with Mr. Vogel.
The Council agreed to pull Mr. Vogel's check until these issues are resolved.
CM Heidner asked about the VFW "No Parking Signs" on Quaday. He said he noticed
they are parking on the street even though they have space available in their parking lot.
Mike Robertson said he talked to the VFW. They are hoping to get their parking lot
striped and have no problems with the "No Parking Signs". Also, their last major event is
over for this year.
9.5. Adjourn by 10 PM.
CM Berning motioned to adjourn. CM Ackerman seconded. All in favor. Motion
carried.
Meeting journed at 9:0 PM.
d
Mayor y Fournier
4
ttest: Elaine Beatty, City Clerk/Z1g Adm.
Recorded by: Judy Hudson, Deputy Clerk
City Seal