MILACA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 19, 2002 The regular meeting of the Milaca city council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Milaca Fire Hall by Mayor Randy Furman. Upon roll call the following council members were present: Johnson, Bridge, Totzke, Pedersen. Staff present: Lerud, Anderson Others present: Eric Freeman, Dick Curott, Jay Hakes, Glenn Erickson, Rita Rouse, Arla Johnson, Gloria Oien, Tom Sauer, Evan Beutz, Scott Harlicker, Jay Rensenbrink, Bill Hjort, Paul and Ellner Brouwer, and one other person. Motion by Totzke, second by Pedersen to approve the minutes with the correction on a vote total, unanimous consent. Shelly Larson arrived at 6:31. Motion by Johnson, second by Bridge to approve the following bills for payment: General bank; #28253-28254, #28319-28337, #28343-28402, #228249-228252 totaling $90,552.58: Liquor bank; #17525-17526, #17548-17549, #17553-17576, totaling $51,668.17, unanimous consent. Verna Quaintance arrived at 6:33 p.m. Mayor Furman opened citizen s forum and invited anyone to speak to an issue not on the agenda. Tom Sauer asked what the city s snow removal policy was on sidewalks. He suggested that the city council discuss it before the next snow season. Mayor Furman that was a very big issue several years ago, and as result, the city has no requirement about snow removal. Mayor Furman said, however, he is in favor of revisiting the issue before next winter. No one else came forward. Mayor Furman closed citizen s forum. Mary Fehring arrived at 6:37. Glenn Erickson said he was before the council to discuss a project that CMDI would like to do. He spoke about the relationship between CMDI and the hospitals it serves. He said CMDI is a cooperative that provides high tech medical services to area hospitals. CMDI is continuing to grow, and Erickson said they want to purchase a new MRI scanner, as well as rehab three others, and purchase a nuclear medicine device. Erickson left a financial statement, and said CMDI is considering purchasing a lot in the Milaca Industrial park which will house at least four semi trailers, but the corporate
offices would remain at the Milaca clinic. He anticipated starting the building sometime this summer. Alan Jedlicki arrived at 6:40. Erickson asked the council to consider supporting the effort to purchase the new medical equipment. He said the cost is $2.8 million, and it is not an obligation of the city. Erickson said CMDI needs a sponsoring agent to access the tax-exempt money available from the state. He said this process is the same as the project completed two years ago. Council member Totzke offered Resolution #02-07 and moved for its adoption, second by Pedersen RESOLUTION #02-07 RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS TO FINANCE A HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (CENTRAL MINNESOTA DIAGNOSTIC, INC. PROJECT) Lerud presented a letter from the city engineer outlining the next phase of the process for a new treatment facility. He said the engineer is recommending a water treatment study as the next phase, which will explore all treatment options, from rehabilitating the existing tank to a new facility. Motion by Totzke, second by Pedersen to authorize Bonestroo to conduct a water treatment study for $2,500 to $3,000, unanimous consent. Lerud presented a letter from the Mille Lacs Area Community Development Corporation. He said the CDC does quite a bit of work for small businesses in Milaca, and their only compensation is through a contract with the Small Business Development Center. Lerud said they requested a $1,000 donation, and he recommended approving the donation. Motion by Bridge, second by Johnson to donate $1,000 from the economic development fund to the Mille Lacs Area CDC, unanimous consent. A conditional use permit application from Rita Rouse was presented. Lerud said the planning commission recommended approval of the application with a couple of conditions no outside storage of materials and if there were any additional employees outside the house, the present site would not be allowed to house the business. Council member Bridge offered Resolution #02-08 and moved for its adoption, second by Johnson RESOLUTION #02-08 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR RITA ROUSE
A conditional use permit application for Lori Carlson and John McElfresh was presented. Lerud said this is coming before the council due to the sixty day rule. Lerud said the planning commission tabled action on the application until further information was received. After looking at the application date, Lerud said the sixty day action period would have expired on April 7, and because no affirmative action to extend the period was made, he thought it best to have the council hear it, rather than the application be automatically approved. Lerud said the applicants are proposing to convert the motel at 860 Central Avenue North into an elderly long-term care facility. Council member Bridge said there was some concern about who would be occupying the facility. Lerud said the owners must follow state law in operating their facility, and the city s only action is to decide if the proposed use is compatible with the zoning, and place any conditions on the operation. Lerud said he and Marshall Lind developed five conditions for operation, and they are included in the Resolution. Council member Pedersen said he believed the only conditions the city needed to place on the operation was the one parking spot per bedroom, and the time they have to open the facility. He said they must follow all state laws and building requirements, regardless of where they are. Lerud said that is probably right, but we just want to be very clear about what is permitted. Council member Johnson offered Resolution #02-09 and moved for its adoption, second by Pedersen RESOLUTION #02-09 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR LORI CARLSON AND JOHN McELFRESH A conditional use permit application for the old Baptist Church was presented. Lerud said the planning commission recommend approval with the five conditions listed in the resolution. Council member Johnson offered Resolution #02-10 and moved for its adoption, second by Bridge RESOLUTION #02-10 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR PAUL AND ELLNER BROUWER
The preliminary plat for the Beutz-Jedlicki addition was presented. Lerud said utilities and a final grading plan will be available for the final plat hearing. Council member Totzke offered Resolution #02-11 and moved for its adoption, second by Pedersen RESOLUTION #02-11 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PRELIMINARY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PLAT FOR BEUTZJEDLICKI ADDITION IN A GBD AND I DISTRICT Jody Chambers and Ardy Becklin arrived at 7:00. Council member Bridge said the planning commission heard all the items discussed at tonight s council meeting. She also said the planning commission passed a motion supporting the Dietz-Hall site for a new library. Lerud said the economic development commission did not meet yet in March, so there was no report. Shelly Larson said the Friends of the Library took an unscientific poll at the EXPO on people s opinion about Trimble Park as a location. She said 76 responses were received, with 46 saying no and 30 saying yes. She said the no votes were adamant. Although they did not solicit written comments about the Trimble site, she said some people had written comments, which she presented to the council. Mayor Furman said he is not in favor of spending $200,000 for a site, and he will vote against that every time. He said as long as there is public property available, those should be favored. Larson said the grant process is moving forward, and proceeding on the assumption that the Dietz-Hall site is still the preferred site. In addition, she said Ron McGriff said, as a part of his planning process, he will be looking at the needs for a community center. Larson said she has contacted the city of Willmar about a local sales tax option they used to help construct a new library in their city. She said the program was very successful, and paid off the $4.5 million addition earlier than planned. Larson said she would like to pursue that option. Lerud said the process for implementing the local sales tax option is the city holds a referendum approving the sales tax increase, and assuming that is successful, the city then seeks approval from the Legislature. The sales tax would then only apply within the city limits of Milaca. If Bock, Foreston or Pease wanted to also implement a local sales tax, then they would have to go through the same process.
Council member Bridge said she and Karen Schlenker met with the camber of commerce executive board, and they were going to solicit their members opinion about a local sales tax. Bridge also said that Milaca township said they wanted to match a contribution to the library with what they give toward recreation. Bogus Brook township said they also would like to contribute toward a library, because they help pay for the Princeton library. There was a brief discussion about the size of the Santa House lot and the lot on the opposite corner of the same block. Lerud said the square feet were approximately 15,000 and 17,500 respectively. Lerud presented a layout of the government center lot, and how an 11,000 square foot building would fit on that lot. Council member Johnson said the problem with the Dietz site is that the upfront cost is so high, that after the expense of acquiring the properties and removing buildings, the value would probably be less. Tom Sauer said he disagreed with that, and believed that the property would be worth more with the buildings gone. Council member Pedersen said he thought that a very good library could be built for $750,000, including the cost to purchase the land. He said that Trinity Lutheran Church built their addition for $54.00 per square foot. Pedersen said he would like to set a number that the council could go to the public with, and then stick to that amount. There was a general discussion about the location of a new library. Jody Chambers said all the people working for a new library are looking for is for the city to tie up the Dietz Hall property so the city has first right of refusal if they sell the property. Motion by Bridge, second by Pedersen to obtain a first option to buy the property between the Dietz and Hall s property, at the agreed upon prices. Mayor Furman called for a roll call vote: Totzke no, Pedersen yes, Bridge yes, Johnson yes, Furman no. Motion passed 3-2. Council member Pedersen said that the city needs to look at three questions as we go forward, first what is the estimated revenue a ½ cent sales tax would raise, second, what is the amount in G.O. bonds the city is willing to issue, and finally, what happens to the existing building. Lerud said Paul Reiman asked if the city would be willing to sell Lost 5, 6 and 17 in the Centennial addition. Lerud said lots 5 and 6 have a pond covering most of the area, and lot 17 boarders first street. Lerud said that the city has no plans for the property, and recommended selling, but that the ponds must remain because they serve as a storm water retention area. Lerud also said he thought it best to go out on sealed bid so any interested party would have an opportunity to submit an offer. Motion by Pedersen, second by Totzke to accept sealed bids for parcels 5, 6, and 17 in Centennial addition, with the condition that the pond in Lots 5 and 6 remain covered by a
storm water easement, and that the minimum asking price is the assessed value, unanimous consent. Mayor Furman called for council comments. Council member Pedersen asked about the purchase agreement with the Armory, and he thought there were conditions about the current owner selling the building. Lerud said he did not believe there were any restrictions, but would look into it and take appropriate action. Council member Johnson said he thought it would be a good idea to send a reminder to candidates about political signage, and the restrictions where signs can be placed. Mayor Furman said he met with a Mountain Bike club in St. Cloud, and they are going to be hosting a mountain bike race in Milaca for the Star of the North Games. The race is scheduled for June 22-23, and they will take over Rec Park for that weekend. With no other business a motion to adjourn was made by Johnson, second by Totzke, all voted in favor and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. ATTEST Mayor Randy Furman Greg Lerud, City Manager