MINUTES –MORRIS CITY
COUNCIL-REGULAR MEETING– NOVEMBER 10, 2009
The regular meeting of the
Morris City Council was called to order at 5:15 p.m. this 10TH
day of November, 2009, by Mayor Giese in the Council Chambers of the Morris
Senior Citizens/Community Center.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL: Roll
call was taken with the following members present: Council member Carrington,
Webster, Miller, Storck and Mayor Giese. Also present was City Manager Hill,
Finance Director Krosschell, City Engineer/Surveyor/Inspector Fier and City
Attorney Glasrud.
ADDITION TO AGENDA:
Mayor Giese added an Application to Conduct Off-Site Gambling as Item E under
the Consent Agenda.
CITIZEN’S COMMENTS:
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: Final
Assessment Hearing – Highland Homes Improvement Project and Resolution Adopting
Assessments in Conjunction with the Project: Mayor Giese opened the public
hearing at 5:16 p.m.
City Manager Hill stated
the purpose of the hearing was to take input on the assessments from the
property owners. After the hearing the council will take up the resolution as
to whether or not they are going to adopt the assessment. Hill informed those
present that if they have a written objection and want to reserve the right to
appeal, a written objection has to be submitted prior to the end of the public
hearing.
City Engineer Fier stated
it was a pretty good project, with good weather and a good contractor. Fier
noted there are a bunch of little things that have to be done yet. For example,
dirt has to be added where there was some settling in the trenches, clean up
work, tree branches and reseeding. The project should be finished by the
middle of summer next year. In addition, there are some sections of blacktop that
have to be cut out and redone next spring.
Fier reviewed the formulas
used for each improvement.
The sanitary sewer total construction
cost was $185,048.50, with a 15% engineering charge of $27,757.28 for a total
of $212,805.78. The City picks up 25% of this cost, which is $53,201.46. The
total assessable cost is $159,604.32. This number is divided by 99 (72 users +
27 for Keyrow Apartments) for an assessment of $1,612.16 per unit. The
estimate used at the improvement hearing was $2,960.00. Fier noted because of
Keyrow everyone received about a $600 break.
The construction cost for
water was $267,502.79, with a 15% engineering charge of $40,125.41 for
a total of $307,628.20. The City also picks up 25% of this cost, or $76,907.05.
The total assessable cost is $230,721.15. This assessment is based on 76
users for a total of $3,035.80 per unit. The estimated used at the improvement
hearing for water was $3,660/unit.
Fier explained curb &
gutter is assessed at 100%. Curb and Gutter was figured at $7.65 per lineal
foot plus 15% engineering of $1.15 for a total assessable cost of $8.80 per
lineal foot. There were 9,556.96 lineal feet at $8.80 for a total of
$84,101.29. The estimate used at the improvement hearing was $16.20 per lineal
foot. Fier indicated the curb and gutter was almost half of the original
estimate and is the lowest curb & gutter assessment in ten years.
With regard to storm sewer,
the city pays 50% of the cost. Fier indicated he tries to physically see where
water runs and then come up with a total square footage for the project. The
construction cost was $273,414.92, plus $41,012.24 for engineering for a total
cost of $314,427.16. The city’s share is $157,213.58, with a remaining 50%
assessable cost of $157,213.58. The assessable area is the actual square
footage of a property contributing runoff into the storm
sewer system. The square footage is then modified for land use runoff using a
multiplier as per City Code Section 2.74 S.2-74, Sub. 11, Public Improvements,
which for this project is 1,230,661 sq. ft. The formula used is $157,213.58
divided by 1,230,661 adjusted feet = .128 per square foot. The estimate used
at the improvement hearing was .11 per sq. ft.
Mayor Giese asked how the final
numbers compared to some recent projects. Fier pointed out last year’s sanitary
sewer assessment was $2,887, which is $1,200 more than this year. Water was at $3,614
last year, which was $600 more than this year. There was a 12% reduction in
curb & gutter costs.
Paul Jost, 1117 Park Lane,
asked if having the back yard problems fixed was optional. Fier stated it was
talked about at the initial hearing but residents wanted it done.
Glen Thedin, 12 Sunnyslope
Road, asked how curb & gutter was figured on a corner lot. Fier stated curb
& gutter is figured on both sides for a corner lot.
Fier indicated with regard
to drainage they did not run a storm sewer to every little frog pond because it
would have been too cost prohibitive. Miller asked how many storm drains there
were in the area now. Fier estimated there were about 6 or 8 of them and run about
4” deep.
Bob Stevenson stated the
project was excellent but his concern is the blacktop and feels it looks half
dead. Stevenson stated he was a blacktop inspector for the state for 14 years.
Fier indicated the oil in the blacktop was 5.3%. Council member Storck stated
he saw the same thing but Fier assured him that samples were taken and they
passed. Fier noted that times have changed and it is so expensive to put so
much asphalt into the mix so they have to use a higher amount of recycle. Fier
pointed out this mix design came from the state of Minnesota. The final layer
will have more oil and less recycle. Fier reiterated that there are some bad
spots on the project and those would be replaced.
Fier explained that the
city is holding a lot of money on the project yet but it looks very good
compared to most projects. There is also a warranty for a year after the
project is completed.
Fier thanked everyone for
their cooperation on the project.
Hill indicated he received
a note from Don Ritter, who owns a home at 1129 ½ Park Avenue, asking
whether or not there is a cap on the amount that taxes can be increased due to
an assessment. Hill stated he is not aware of a cap. This is a low valued
home but the assessment is based on the benefit to the property. Hill noted
there is nothing that needs to happen with this as far as the assessment roll
goes.
Mayor Giese closed the
public hearing at 5:46 p.m. and brought the matter back to the council for
action.
The council discussed the
deferral process but there was no one that applied for this option.
Jeff Schaefer, 17 Westwood
Acres, asked what the rate was on last year’s assessment. Hill noted it was a
little over 5%. The amount is based upon bonds sold by the city and this bond
rate was higher than the one last year.
The process on how to pay
the assessment was discussed.
Council member Miller
moved, seconded by Webster, to adopt Resolution #2896-10-09, A Resolution
Adopting Assessments in Conjunction with the Highland Homes Improvement
Project. Upon a roll call vote taken and all present voting in favor, motion
carried.
READING AND APPROVAL OF
MINUTES: 10/27/09 Regular Meeting Minutes: Council member Webster
moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the 10/27/09 regular meeting minutes.
Motion carried.
10/27/09 Condensed
Version Minutes: Council member Webster moved, seconded by Carrington, to
approve the 10/27/09 condensed version minutes. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Mayor Giese removed the audit of the city bills from the consent agenda. Mayor
Giese moved, seconded by Council member Webster, to approve the audit of the
City bills dated November 10, 2009. Upon a roll call vote taken and all
present voting in favor and Council member Storck abstaining due to a payment
to Morris Fire Control, motion carried.
Council member Webster
moved, seconded by Council member Carrington, to approve the consent
agenda, which included the following items:
A. Final
Pay Estimate – West 4th & 8th/Alleymain Trunk Sewer
B. October
Transit Report
C.
HRC Minutes, 10/21/09
D.
Application to Conduct Off-Site
Gambling
Motion carried.
PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND
COMMUNICATIONS: None
ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS: Resolution Authorizing Gambling for the Morris Hockey
Association: Council member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to adopt
Resolution #2897-11-09, Resolution Authorizing Gambling for the Morris Hockey
Association. Upon a roll call vote taken and all present voting in favor,
motion carried.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS
& RECOMMENDATIONS: Emerald Ash Study: Mayor Giese moved,
seconded by Council member Miller, to support participation in the emerald ash
study.
City Manager Report:
Hill stated the city received its renewal for health insurance with a rate
increase of 15.75%. Hill suggested the city may have to start looking for
rates every year to see where the best deal is.
Hill explained with regard
to the franchise policy he did some checking and there was not an official
policy laid down by the council for franchise fees. Webster stated he feels all
projects are important but wonders why street lights get $50,000 while the bike
path can get $100,000 at the drop of a hat. Webster proposed that it be done
on a case by case basis instead of just dropping $100,000 without the council
even knowing about it. Fier pointed out the capital improvement plan was
reviewed by the council and each project was listed. Hill noted in December the
capital improvement plan will be reviewed again.
Considerable discussion
was held on the best use of the franchise fee funds.
Storck stated
he was puzzled as to where the money went from the capital outlay fund after
the franchise fee money came along. Hill explained it is eaten up by cost
increases as the overall budget is balanced. Miller indicated it wasn’t to
replace the taxes; it was to catch things up because streets had gotten
neglected. Fier pointed out the city has to levy more then.
Giese stated he feels by
and large the funds have gone to what their intended purpose was. Storck stated
he remembers when the council voted to use the money specifically for street
maintenance. Webster pointed out that staff is having a hard time finding that
information. Glasrud noted it is more or less an indirect tax which is just
part of the revenue stream and can be spent as the council wishes.
Hill noted city staff had
a good meeting with the University to talk about 2nd Street.
Hill stated the Planning
Commission is going to start looking at the zoning changes that are being proposed
within the city and the half mile around the city limits. This will require a
few public hearings with different neighborhoods.
Miller noted he has
received some phone calls and asked about the status of second proposed wind
generator. Hill stated the plan all along was to put up two of them. Hill
noted there are laws that pertain to these and the University is trying to
comply with them but the city has no jurisdiction over this.
Miller asked if Hill had heard
anything from the unions. Hill noted the budget has been balanced without any
reductions in pay for 2010. The focus will now be on 2011. Hill stated the
city doesn’t have the contractual ability to freeze wages. Miller asked if
there were any proposed freezes for non union staff. Hill stated when dealing
with full time wages they are all tied together because it affects the pay
equity. Hill indicated next year will be a big issue as to how the city does business,
as far as employees go.
NEW BUSINESS: None
OLD BUSINESS: None
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
None
ADJOURNMENT: There
being no further business, Mayor Giese adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
|
