HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-02
Hastings, Minnesota
November 18, 2002
Tile City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on
Monday, November 18, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 101 4th
Street East, Hastings, Minnesota
Members Present: Councilmembers Hazlet, Hicks, Moratzka, Riveness, Schultz, and
Yandrasits
Mayor Werner
Members Absent: None
Staff Members Present: David Osberg, City Administrator;
Shawn Moynihan, City Attorney;
Melanie Mesko Lee, Administrative Assistant/City Clerk;
John Hinzman, Planning Director;
Tom Montgomery, Public Works Director;
Lori Webster, Finance Director;
Bill Mesaros, Supervisor of Inspections & Code Enforcement
Approval of Minutes
Mayor Werner asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of
the regular meeting of November 4, 2002 or the special meeting of November 7, 2002.
Hearing none, the minutes were approved as presented.
Council Items to be Considered
Councilmember Hazlet requested that Item #4 under Planner, Resolution-
Variance: Mike Judge (115 Grove Street), be pulled from the agenda at the applicant's
request.
Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Riveness, seconded by Councilmember Hicks, to
approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, None.
Copy of resolutions on file.
1. Pay Bills As Audited
2. First Reading/Schedule Public Hearing-Amend Chapter 10.09 of City Code:
Parking Lot Surfacing Requirements
3. Approve Grand Excursion 2004 Applications
4. Order Public Hearing on Modification of Downtown Tax Increment Financing Plan
for December 16, 2002
5. Approve Tobacco License-Murphy USA (Wal-Mart)
6. Pay Estimate #2-General Sieben Drive Improvements: McNamara Contracting
7. Pay Estimate #1-Louis Lane Ponding Basin Trail: Pember Excavating
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November i 8, 2.002.
Page 2. of &
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8. General Sieben Drive Grading Easement-Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church
9. 2003 Dispatch Agreement
10. First Reading/Order Public Hearing-Vacation/Acceptance of Easement:
Westview Commons
11. Contract Renewal-Lifeworks
12. Pay Estimate #5_18th St. Reconstruction-3 Rivers Construction
Award Contract-Council Chambers AV Presentation System
Moved by Council member Schultz, seconded by Councilmember Moratzka to
approve the project as presented to Alpha Video in the amount of $181,108.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Public Hearing-Vacation of Right-of-Way: East 3rd Street
Mayor Werner opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.
Planning Director Hinzman provided background information on the item.
Hearing no further public comment, Mayor Werner closed the public hearing at
7:04 p.m.
Second Reading-Vacation of Right-of-Way: East 3rd Street
Moved by Councilmember Yandrasits, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to
approve the vacation of right-of-way as presented.
-- 7 Ayes; Nays, none.
2nd Reading-Preliminary/Final Plat: Eastenders Additions
Hinzman stated that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the
project at their October 18, 2002 meeting.
Moved by Councilmember Hazlet, seconded by Councilmember Yandrasits to
approve the Preliminary/Final Plat as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Public Hearing-2001 Assessments
Public Works Director Montgomery stated that the purpose of the hearing is to
establish the assessment amounts for each project. If a resident has a concern over the
actual construction, they should contact the Engineering Department. Montgomery
stated that the assessment policy was changed to reflect the actual benefit to the
property owner based on the property value increase as a result of the project, as
opposed to being based on the cost of the project. Montgomery finally stated that all of
the 2001 improvements cost approximately $3,900,000, of which approximately 28% is
proposed to be assessed.
Mayor Werner opened the public hearing at 7: 18 p.m.
Project 2001-1: West 4th Street. The proposed assessment is $17.55/frontage
foot. No one spoke on this project.
Project 2001-2: West 2nd Street. The proposed assessment is $60.30/frontage
foot. Rene Doffing, 2nd Street resident, questioned when a gas line was going to be
buried to the proper depth. Montgomery stated that, as a construction question, he
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 18, 2002
Page 3 of 6
would need to get clarification from the contractor on that issue. No one else spoke on
this project.
Project 2001-3: East 4th Street. The proposed assessment is $26.43/frontage
foot. No one spoke on this project.
Project 2001-3: East 5th Street & Project 2001-3: Sibley Street. The proposed
assessment is $34.20/frontage foot. The proposed water service replacement is
$183.94/each. No one spoke on this project.
Project 2001-6: Westview Drive Walk. The proposed assessment IS
$6.70/frontage foot. No one spoke on this project.
Project 2001-7: Bohlkens 6th Addition. For a new project, 100% of the
assessment IS charged to the property. The proposed assessment is
$12,490.60/frontage foot. No one spoke on this project.
Project 2001-8: Forest and 9th Streets. The proposed assessment is
$61.20/frontage foot. No one spoke on this project.
Project 2001-9: Century South Utility Extensions. The proposed assessment
is $50.45/frontage foot for sewer and $30.73 for watermain. The South Oaks
developer's attorney submitted a letter requesting redistribution of their assessment from
some of the platted lots currently being developed to an outlot that will be developed in
the near future. No one else spoke on this project.
Project 2001-20: Lock and Dam Road and Riverfront Trail Improvements.
The proposed assessment is $20.53/frontage foot. No one spoke on this project.
Hearing no further public comments, Mayor Werner closed the public hearing 7:29
p.m.
Resolutions-Adopting 2001 Assessments
Moved by Councilmember Riveness, seconded by Councilmember Moratzka to
approve Project 2001-1: West 4th Street, as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
Moved by Councilmember Schultz, seconded by Councilmember Moratzka to
approve Project 2001-2: West 2nd Street, as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
Moved by Councilmember Hazlet, seconded by Councilmember Yandrasits to
approve Project 2001-3: East 4th Street, as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
Moved by Councilmember Yandrasits seconded by Councilmember Hicks to
approve Project 2001-3: East 5th Street, as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 18, 2002 Page 4 of 6
Moved by Councilmember Moratzka, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to
approve Project 2001-3 Sibley Street, as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
Moved by Councilmember Schultz, seconded by Councilmember Moratzka to
approve Project 2001-6: Westview Drive Walk, as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
Moved by Councilmember Hazlet, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to approve
Project 2001-7: Bohlken's 6th Addition, as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
Moved by Councilmember Riveness, seconded by Councilmember Moratzka to
approve Project 2001-8: Forest and 9th Streets, as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
Moved by Councilmember Hicks, seconded by Councilmember Yandrasits to
approve Project 2001-9: Century South Utility Extensions, as presented with the
redistribution request approved.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
Moved by Councilmember Moratzka, seconded by Councilmember Riveness to
approve Project 2001-20: Lock and Dam Road and Riverfront Trail Improvements, as
presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
School House Square Utility Improvements
Montgomery stated that the developers would like authorization to cut into
Ramsey Street to connect to sanitary sewer and water mains this fall. This street
excavation is estimated to take two days; the developer is requesting authorization to
close Ramsey Street during the project, providing as much assess as possible to the
existing homes on Ramsey Street between 8th and 10th Streets.
Moved by Councilmember Yandrasits, seconded by Councilmember Hazlet to
approve the request as presented, with the developer notifying the police and fire
departments prior to commencement.
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Resolution-Variance: Resurrection Remodeling (302 West 3rd Street)
Moved by Councilmember Schultz, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to
approve the variance as presented.
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 18, 2002
Page 5 of 6
7 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of resolution on file.
Award Bid-Demolition of 500 West 2nd Street
City Attorney Moynihan stated that the City has received a bid from Ginther
Excavating in the amount of $8,950 to demolish the property at 500 West 2nd Street.
Staff is also requesting approval to hire a licensed asbestos inspector to determine
whether there is asbestos in the building; if there is, staff is requesting further
authorization to hire a licensed asbestos removal company.
Terry Denn, 500 West 2nd Street, stated that he has prepared an outline to bring the
house up to City standards. He stated that work can begin December 16, 2002 and can
be completed by April 15, 2003. He also stated that he has approximately $47,000 to
make the repairs and improvements.
ICE Supervisor Mesaros stated that the City has worked with Mr. Denn for
approximately 9 years on house maintenance and improvement projects, with very little
success. Mr. Denn has taken out several permits for work which has never been
completed.
The Council discussed whether the improvements proposed by Mr. Denn and
whether they and the proposed funding were sufficient to make the necessary
improvements. City Administrator Osberg stated that staff's recommendation is not to
make a judgment on whether Mr. Denn's proposal is adequate, but rather whether to
grant him additional time to make repairs. Staff recommends denial of the request for an
extension.
Councilmember Hicks stated that this is a public safety issue, and that Mr. Denn has
a history of not complying with previous requests for extensions, which were granted by
the City.
Councilmember Riveness questioned whether the structure is fixable and whether
the funds are adequate to do so.
Councilmember Yandrasits stated that this is the first demolition project where the
property owner does not agree with demolition as a solution and that she would support
Mr. Denn's request for an extension.
Moved by Councilmember Hicks, seconded by Council member Hazlet to approve
the bid for demolition of the structure at 500 West 2nd Street with staff authorization to
hire an asbestos inspector and an asbestos contractor, if needed.
Roll call vote was taken.
Four Ayes; Nays, three. Councilmembers Moratzka, Riveness,and Yandrasits voting
against.
2003 Budget Presentation
Finance Director Webster presented brief information on the 2003 budget, which
is $14,301 less than the 2002 levy. The City tax rate will also decrease in 2003 by
17.14%. She stated that the City has proposed a freeze on capital spending for 2003.
Because the City's 2003 levy is lower than 2002, the City is not required to hold a formal
Truth in Taxation hearing for the 2003 budget year. Instead, the City is encouraging the
public to call with any questions about the 2003 budget. The budget will be presented to
the Council for formal adoption at the December 2, 2002 Council meeting.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 18,2002
Page G of G
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Councilmember Hicks thanked the Finance Committee of the Council as well as
City staff in making tough budget cuts for 2003.
New Business
City Administrator Osberg stated that the Grand Excursion 2004 will pass through
Hastings. The Grand Excursion is a regional initiative to shape the future of the upper
Mississippi. The 2004 event will commemorate the original Grand Excursion of 1854.
Volunteers are being recruited to assist with this project.
Adjournment
Moved by Councilmember Hazlet, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to adjourn
the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
7 Ayes; Nays, None.
~ t_ _
ATTEST~~i~
City Clerk
Mayor
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