Loading...
1989-10-17 Council minutesPage No. 2705 2705 October 17, 1989 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, October 17, 1989 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, was held at 7:30 o'clock P.M. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 7:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers Blesener, Cummins, and Hartmann. AGENDA ADOPTION Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 COUNCIL APPOINTMENT Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Councilmember Cummins moved adoption of the revised agenda for the meeting, as amended to add item 3a, Councilmember appointment. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Mayor Mertensotto informed the audience that at 6:00 P.M.Council interviewed seven applicants for the purpose of filling the unexpired term of former Councilmember Witt. He stated that all seven of the applicants answered impromptu questions in a structured and good manner and that it was the general consensus of the Council that three of the applicants, Bernard Friel, Burt Anderson and Mike Sokol were excellent candidates. Councilmember Hartmann moved that Burt Anderson be appointed to fill the unexpired term of Elizabeth Witt. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Mayor Mertensotto requested that staff notify Burt Anderson of his appointment and schedule the swearing in ceremony at the beginning of the agenda of the first meeting in November. Councilmember Cummins was excused at 7:45. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Hartmann moved approval of the minutes of the October 3rd meeting with Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Page No. 2706 2706 October 17, 1989 corrections. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Councilmember Hartmann moved approval of the consent calendar for the meeting, as revised to move item 5g, Bond Sale, to Section 7 of the agenda, along with authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein. a. Acknowledgment of the Treasurer's monthly report for September. b. Acknowledgment of the Fire Department monthly reports for August and September. c. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the October 10th Park and Recreation Commission meeting. d. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the September 26th Planning Commission meeting. e. Acknowledgment of an update on the Dan Johnson water problem and direction to staff to send a letter to Tom Mogren of the St. Paul Water Department. f. Adoption of Ordinance No. 263, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1113." g. Approval of a modified critical area site plan for 1143 Orchard Place. h. Adoption of Resolution No. 89 -117, "RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LOT DIVISION OF LOTS 1 AND 2, BLOCK 2, VICTORIA HIGHLANDS 5TH ADDITION. i. Approval of the list of contractor licenses dated October 17, 1989 and attached hereto. j. Approval of the list of claims dated October 17, 1989 and totaling $364,931.96. k. Acknowledgment of a report from Officer Mario Reyes regarding the D.A.R.E. program along with direction to send Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 RUBY DRIVE Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 DODGE NATURE CENTER Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 WAGON WHEEL TRAIL FEASIBILITY HEARING Page No. 2707 2707 October 17, 1989 copies of the report to the VFW, local principals and parent associations Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Public Works Director Danielson reviewed the bids received for construction of the Ruby Drive drainage improvements. He informed Council that the City staff has worked closely with Somerset on this job. He stated that the energy dissipator is being paid for entirely by the City of West St. Paul, and that Mendota Heights will have to support a small share of the cost for the creek bed improvements. Councilmember Hartmann moved to authorize an additional $2,000 City expenditure for the project along with authorization for City staff to perform the inspection work. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Councilmember Hartmann moved adoption of Resolution No. 89 -118, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BIDS AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STORM WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS CALLED THE RUBY DRIVE OUTFALL PROJECT (IMPROVEMENT NO. 89, PROJECT NO. 5)," awarding the contract to D.H. Blattner & Sons, Inc., for their low bid of $97,935.00. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Councilmember Hartmann moved to continue the hearing on the Dodge Nature Center's request for a conditional use permit for PUD to construct an Interpretive Center to December 19, 1989 at 8:00 P.M. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Mayor Mertensotto opened the meeting for the purpose of a public hearing on proposed Wagon Wheel Trail street and storm sewer improvements. He informed the audience that the proposed project was initiated by the Council in part because the recently approved park bond issue includes Page No. 2708 2708 October 17, 1989 construction of a bicycle trail along Wagon Wheel Trail from Highway 149 to west of Lexington Avenue. Assistant City Engineer Klayton Eckles explained that the purpose of the feasibility hearing is to discuss the desirability and feasibility of constructing improvements. He stated that there were some residents who requested that a bike trail be added to Wagon Wheel Trail so staff looked at that and determined that it would be difficult to just add a bike trail. He stated that a feasibility report was done for improving all of Wagon Wheel Trail. He informed the audience that Wagon Wheel is an M.S.A. street, and stated that if this project were to be completed it would include widening of Wagon Wheel Trail, addition of concrete curb and gutter and filling in of many of the ditches. The project as proposed also includes construction of storm sewer, and a bike trail along the north side of the road and softening of the curbs that passes by the lake. Mr. Eckles also informed the audience that it is also proposed that the intersection of Decorah and Wagon Wheel at Dodd Road be upgraded to form a four way intersection rather than an offset intersection. He stated that the project could be started as early as next year and finished as early as 1991. He estimated the project cost to be $565,000, and stated that because Wagon Wheel is M.S.A. street the State would probably contribute about $434,000 of the construction costs, including all costs of the widening, one half the cost of curb and gutter, most of the cost for the bike trail and some of the cost of the stormsewer. The remaining cost, approximately $132,000, or about 23 percent of the total cost, is proposed to be assessed. The proposed assessment amount would fund half of the cost of curb and gutter, some of the storm sewer and some overlaying. He explained that it is proposed to assess the street cost at $16.50 per foot of frontage along Wagon Wheel and $8.07 for storm sewer frontage, for a total estimated assessment of $24.57 per foot. An average lot would would be assessed $2457.00 under this Page No. 2709 2709 October 17, 1989 formula -- almost half of the normal street assessment, because of the availability of MSA financing and the fact that the road is already in place. Assessments would be spread over a ten year period for street construction and nineteen years for storm sewer, at an estimated 8% interest rate. Engineer Eckles stated that many of the lots on Wagon Wheel are larger than a typical lot, some having as much as 250 feet of frontage, and suggested that Council may wish to consider requests from property owners for deferment of assessment amounts for frontage in excess of 100 feet. He stated that he has received a number of calls from people with concerns, including calls from residents with frontage along Wagon Wheel which is actually under water. He assured these property owners that unbuildable frontage would not be assessed. He informed Council that one resident asked about upgrading Swan Drive as part of the project, and suggested that this could be considered at a future date if the Wagon Wheel project is ordered. Responding to a question from Councilmember Blesener, Mr. Eckles stated that to arrive at an assessable amount, staff took the total cost of the project and deducted everything that MSA would normally finance. He stated that it was determined that MSA financing could be used to support the cost of improvements to the unassessable frontage (park, Highway 35 right -of -way, lakeshore areas), and those costs are not proposed to be passed on to the property owners. Councilmember Blesener pointed out that cost for construction of this section of the trail was not included in the park bond financing because it can be supported by M.S.A. financing. Mayor Mertensotto asked for questions and comments from the audience. Mr. Richard Bebel, 1011 Wagon Wheel Trail, felt that Wagon Wheel residents should not be assessed if the trail construction could have been included in the bond issue. Page No. 2710 2710 October 17, 1989 Councilmember Blesener stated that property owners would not be assessed for trail construction and pointed out that MSA will not fund any of the cost of trail construction if no additional improvements were proposed. In response to a comment from Mr. Bebel, Mayor Mertensotto stated that another MSAroad that has to be upgraded to MSA standards is Mendota Heights Road. He pointed out that within the next five years MSA funds will be available to improve the last two segments of M.S.A road in the City, and that if the City doesn't use the funding within five years it will lose the MSA funding. Mrs. Phyllis Miller, 1021 Wagon Wheel Trail, asked if there has been any preliminary environmental impact evaluation done for the wetlands. In response to a question from Councilmember Blesener, Public Works Director Danielson stated that the City is required to upgrade MSA streets to MSA standards at some point in time. David Pace, representing his mother who lives at 981 Wagon Wheel Trail, asked if M.S.A. funds do not recognize curb and gutter, and felt that the City does not have to use the funds for curb and gutter. Mr. Eckles responded that if the street is upgraded, it must be upgraded to MSA standards, which includes curb and gutter installation for an urban street. In response to a comment from Mr. Pace, Councilmember Blesener stated that if the proposal was only to construct the trail, the cost would be $134,000, but there is no funding available to construct just the trail. Henry Pabst, 970 Wagon Wheel Trail, stated that he has three young children and he does not want to see an increase in traffic or speeds on Wagon Wheel Trail, as would be the case if the street is widened. He also felt that the environmental issue should not be taken lightly -- constructing the Page No. 2711 2711 October 17, 1989 project would change the whole character of Wagon Wheel. Mayor Mertensotto stated that a lot of people walk on the street on Wagon Wheel, and that traffic is generated by the need for use of the street. Mr Scott Miller, 1021 Wagon Wheel Trail questioned how the ditches would be filled in. Mr. Eckles responded that some of the ditches would remain and some eliminated depending on the situation. Mr. Al Wisdom, 881 Wagon Wheel Trail, asked if the City knew two years ago when it accepted Wagon Wheel from the County, that the road would be widened eventually. Mark Sterling, 810 Wagon Wheel Trail, asked if trees are going to be eliminated and also stated that Wagon Wheel is a speed way. Rita Lahtonen, 854 Wagon Wheel Trail, asked why the City can not remove the street from M.S.A. designation and leave it the way it is. Mayor Mertensotto responded that the road will not last forever, and that in its existing condition Wagon Wheel has a limited life, five to seven years depending on use. In response to a question regarding the need for storm sewer on Wagon Wheel, Engineer Eckles stated storm sewer construction would eliminate the need for ditches. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the "S" curve is very dangerous on Wagon Wheel Trail, and that the street is very hazardous. Councilmember Blesener informed the audience that Council is trying to address those streets which can be dealt with at this time, to improve their safety for both drivers and pedestrians. Mr. Mark Sterling, 810 Wagon Wheel Trail, stated that many of the people using the trail are not Wagon Wheel residents and Page No. 2712 2712 October 17, 1989 that if the Council goes through with the project he would like everyone in the City to share in the cost. Councilmember Biesener felt that Council should be given recommended alternatives for funding and asked whether MSA funding is ever available after the fact. Acting Administrator Danielson responded that it is not. Responding to a comment from Ultan Duggan that proceeds from the referendum could be used for the trail, Councilmember Biesener stated that other people in the City who live on an improved street have paid their fair share of the cost of improvement. She stated that what Mr. Duggan is proposing is that the people on Wagon Wheel not pay anything for an improved street and such a proposal could not be justified in all fairness to the rest of the community. Councilmember Hartmann stated that in every case of an M.S.A. street that has been improved, the property owners that were affected by the improvements were assessed. Responding to a question from Mayor Mertensotto, Engineer Eckles stated that the traffic count on Wagon Wheel is roughly 600 per day. Councilmember Biesener stated again that if funding being made available now through M.S.A is not utilized, the total costof any improvement at any point in the future must then be borne by the residents along the street. Mr. Pace stated that the Council is letting everyone think that the M.S.A. funds not used for Wagon Wheel Trail at this particular time will not be available again, but that this is not true. He further stated that MSA funds can be applied for more than one time. Mr. Al Wisdom, 881 Wagon Wheel Trail, felt that the community should pay for the improvements. He stated that Wagon Wheel Trail property owners should not have to pay $3,000 each so that 42 people two blocks away can walk along Wagon Wheel. Vote on Amendment: Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Vote on Original Motion as amended: Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 FURLONG ADDITION FEASIBILITY HEARING Page No. 2713 2713 October 17, 1989 Councilmember Hartmann stated that this is not the philosophy behind the payment for street improvement. He stated that payment for the street improvement is based on benefit to the property and that the people down the street do not benefit from the improvement. Councilmember Biesener moved to continue the Wagon Wheel Trail Feasibility hearing to November 7th. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Councilmember Biesener stated that she would like to have the opportunity to explore any funding alternatives and suggested that the next meeting may be too soon, since the Park and Recreation Commission may want to review the trail issue. Scott Miller, 1021 Wagon Wheel, stated that he feels that the bike path merits further study and that the biggest objection is the curb and gutter. Mr. Richard Paul, supported Mr. Pabst's comments that the street is not a thoroughfare and that Wagon Wheel Trail is a residential street unlike Mendota Heights Road and Highway 110. He felt that Council should consider the bike trail. Councilmember Blesener moved to amend the motion to schedule the continued hearing at 8:00 P.M. on December 5th. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Mayor Mertensotto opened the meeting for the purpose of a public hearing on proposed Furlong Area street improvements. He informed the audience that the project is proposed in response to Furlong Area residents requests at past meetings for upgrading the neighborhood streets. Page No. 2714 2714 October 17, 1989 Engineer Eckles explained that at the direction of Council, City staff studied the feasibility and cost for improving the streets to a more acceptable level. He stated that there have been several complaints received about the condition of the streets, and that staff's task was to try to find a way to improve the streets, while keeping the costs down to about $1,000.00 per lot. He stated that the total project cost is anticipated to be $35,000, which would be assessed against benefitting properties. Mr. Doug Guyer, Kendon Lane, stated that the only thing that he ever heard about was patching the streets and improving them as far as the highway. He stated that the basic problem on Kendon is at the intersection with Highway 55, where there is a two foot gap. Mr. Bob Tousignant stated that one of the concerns of the residents is that ten years from now the streets will probably be torn up to install sewer and water, and whatever is invested now will be lost. He felt that the work could be done more skillfully than proposed. Mrs. Lois Furlong presented a petition to the Council. She stated that the residents feel that the reason why the streets are in such bad condition is because they have been poorly maintained. Mr. Eckles responded that it is true that the maintenance has been poor, but that there is a point when a street becomes in such poor condition that maintenance just doesn't pay off. He stated that about 25 percent of the roads need removal or repair of some type. Councilmember Hartmann asked if it would be possible to look at the problem right at the intersection at Highway 55 and make improvements. In response to a question from the audience, Mr. Eckles stated that the City could request that the State repair the aprons on the Highway. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 AIRPORT NOISE Page No. 2715 2715 October 17, 1989 Mayor Mertensotto directed the Engineering Department to contact the Highway Department to see what can be done to correct the problem at the intersection. He stated that it was obvious that none of the residents are in favor of the project. Councilmember Hartmann moved that the public hearing be closed. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Councilmember Hartmann moved that the consideration of the proposed improvements be dropped and the feasibility report be rej ecte$ Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Mayor Mertensotto called a recess at 9:28 P.M. The meeting was reconvened at 9:39 P.M. Mayor Mertensotto explained that consultant David Braslau had previously submitted a documented report tothe City and drafted a recommended resolution for the purpose of requesting a 180 day testof a fanned corridor. He stated that during the high peak traffic hours departures from the airport would befanned out from a northerly boundary of 90degrees to the southerly boundary of 150degrees. He further stated that during non -peak hours planes would be back in the 15 degree cone separation. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the City has adopted that resolution and asked if it has been submitted to MASAC. Mr. Braslau responded that the earliest the resolution could be submitted would be on December 5th. Councilmember Blesener asked if the City of Eagan would have an opportunity to present any counter arguments to the proposal before Mendota Heights has the chance to formally present its proposal. Mr. Braslau stated that would be something to monitor, and that MASAC Chair Walter Rockenstein has not informed him of any request from the City of Eagan with respect to making a presentation at the next MASAC meeting. Page No. 2716 2716 October 17, 1989 Mayor Mertensotto read several quotes from a newspaper article submitted to Council for their information. He observed that there is no northern boundary so there is no corridor, and that Eagan doesn't want any aircraft south. In response to one comment in the article, he stated that Mendota Heights is not allowing homes to be built in any contour areas other than LDN4 which is approved by theMetropolitan Council for residential use providing that the noise attenuation ordinance that Council has adopted is complied with. He stated thatMendota Heights resident complaints are not coming from these new development areas, but rather from those homes were probably been in existence long before Eagan ever expanded from a township. Mayor Mertensotto informed the audiences that Mr. Braslau was present to discuss with Council his overall proposal for a two year period, which could cost $35,000 to $40,000. Mr. Braslau stated that the main reason for the costs is because of all the meetings he might have to attend. He stated that he could eliminate several meetings. In response to a question from Councilmember Blesener, Mr. Braslau stated that the meetings are standard operations committee meetings. Mayor Mertensotto stated that while Council does not want to write a blank check, it will do anything economical and feasible to reduce the noise impact. He asked Mr. Braslau what his best cost estimate would be to complete the proposal through Task 10. He stated that Council wants to control the charges so that it can measure the benefits and the progress that is made. He stated that if costs and benefits do not correlate and if Council feels it is not receiving sufficient benefit for the expense, the City would be on the same treadmill it has been on for the last few years. Mr. Braslau stated that he asked MASAC Chair Rockenstein whether he thought it was necessary to move ahead and Mr. Rockenstein felt that it would be in the best interest Page No. 2717 2717 October 17, 1989 of Mendota Heights to formally present the proposal and try and follow through with it. He asked Mr. Braslau if it is his understanding that if he is commissioned to proceed based on his proposal, that Council has the right to review progress with Mr. Braslau and terminate the agreement. Mr.Braslau agreed, and felt that he should work on either a 90 or 180 day basis so that Council has some idea as to what the results are. He informed Council that right now the Task list is his best instrument. Hestated that if for any reason MASAC shouldcome back and do something different he wouldhave to return to the Council andask if it is worth while and justifiable. He anticipated that much of the work will be done by either the MAC staff or by Howard Needles who is the MAC consultant. Councilmember Blesener stated that the contract could be accomplished through Task 10 provided that everythingfalls into place. Mr. Braslau responded that he might be able to provide the City a contract that indicates that if the work is needed he will do it and will get paid up to a certain amount. If the work is no longer needed, the contract would be subject to cancellation either in writing or however Council wishes. He also informed Council that he intends to submit either monthly or bimonthly written reports. Mayor Mertensotto stated that a memorandum or an agreement should be drafted by Mr. Braslau's firm to authorize the firm to proceed through Task 10because that gets the test started, assuming that there is a vote of approval all the way. He stated that the same memorandum should give some alternatives should there be a negative reaction. Council directed that Mr. Braslau prepare a proposed agreement for consideration on November 7th. AIR NOISE Mr. Ultan Duggan, 813 Hazel Court, informed COMMITTEE TRAFFIC CONTROL REQUEST Page No. 2718 2718 October 17, 1989 Council that he attended the MASAC meeting held in relation to the test that redistributed the noise over Highland. He stated that Highland was well represented, but that he was the only person representing Mendota Heights. He stated that the residents of Highland seemed very happy with the amount of noise that was redirected over their area as a result of the 180 -day test. He further explained that the reports generated for that meeting kept on referring to Eagan and once in awhile Mendota Heights. Mr. Duggan stated that he asked for information on departure statistics for the cities surrounding the airport, and that although they had much information, when he asked about the number of departures over Mendota Heights, that information was not available. He felt that Mendota Heights should be better represented at some of these meetings, and that there is no reason why, as a community, Mendota Heights cannot get its own facts and figures by simply observing where planes are going. Mayor Mertensotto stated that an air noise committee should be established in the community, and that the residents of Mendota Heights should bandtogether. He stated that the City Hall is available for such committeemeetings, and that in the very nearfuture there will be a public announcement of the committee formation and written notices will be sent out to eighteen people who have expressed interest in forming a committee. Staff was directed to set up meeting for either November llth or 18th, and to send a press release about the meeting to the local newspapers. Mr. John Winter, 694 Cheyenne Lane, explained his request for traffic control on Cheyenne Lane and Pontiac Place. He stated that the goal is to find some means to reduce volume and speed of vehicles on Cheyenne Lane, and that the request is for a three or four way stop at Cheyenne Lane and Pontiac Place. He stated basis of the request is the need and feelings of residents on CheyenneLane and some assessment of the traffic volume done by Page No. 2719 2719 October 17, 1989 the Police Department. He stated that the volume of traffic seems highand that it seems to be increasing. Hepersonally observed speeds at over 40 miles per hour. Councilmember Hartmann asked how Mr. Winter determined that vehicles were traveling in excess of over 40 M.P.H. Mr. Winter responded that he was behind the car on Cheyenne Lane and that he was speeding also. He stated that it is his experience, using a speedometer, personal observation and living on the street, that there is more traffic and more speed there than he is comfortable with as resident with small children. Councilmember Hartmann asked if the residents are aware that stop signs are not speed control devices. Mr. Alan Milavetz, 680 Cheyenne Lane, stated that the manual of uniform traffic control devices includes a provision called "Purpose of Traffic Control Devices," and that it does say that the purpose of traffic control devices is to insure safety. He stated that stop signs may not control speed but would certainly help safety. John Maczko, 751 Cheyenne Lane, stated that he is a traffic engineer for the City of St. Paul, and that Councilmember Hartmann is correct in saying that a stop sign does not slow cars down. He stated that a stop sign at Pontiacand Cheyenne will not slow down the traffic in his area, and further, that state statute provides that the lowest speed on any unpostedstreet is 30 mph. He suggested that the police department post an advisory speed at 20 mph and see if that slows the vehicles down. Mr. Winter agreed that a request for a stop sign is not by any means the only answer and that alternatives are very welcome. Mayor Mertensotto explained the traffic control policy which was adopted early this year. He stated that the police department has reviewed Mr. Winter's request and has determined that signs are not warranted. BOND SALE Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 PARK CONSULTANT Page No. 2720 2720 October 17, 1989 The owner of property at the corner of Cheyenne and Pontiac stated that vehicles are racing down the street and that there are 27 children along that street. She informed Council that as many as 12 kids at a time play around the deadend street and that drivers do not pay attention. Mayor Mertensotto stated that although the police department has determined signs are not warranted, the residents can discuss the matter further with Chief Delmont. Mr. Maczko asked if it would be possible to do some studying about posting the speed limit to 20 miles per hour and also working on enforcement. Mayor Mertensotto suggested that an article be included in the newsletter to inform residents about what the law requires. Council suggested that Mr. Maczko discuss his speed limit suggestion for residential areas with the Police Chief. The Police Department was also directed to address consideration of "children playing" signs. City Treasurer Larry Shaughnessy reviewed six proposals received for the saleof $1,650,000 in general obligation improvement bonds. He recommended that Council award the sale to the low bidder, Norwest Investment Services, Merrill Lynch Capital Markets, American National Bank of St. Paul and the Marquette Bank of Minneapolis, for a net interest rate of 6.58 %. Councilmember Blesener moved adoption of Resolution No. 89 -119, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BID ON SALE OF $1,650,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION IMPROVEMENT BONDS OF 1989, PROVIDING FOR THEIR ISSUANCE AND LEVYING A TAX FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF," awarding the bid to Norwest Investment Services, et al, for their low quote of 6.58% net interest. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Discussion on consideration of a proposed contract for park consultation services between the City and Barton Aschman Associates was tabled to November 7th. AMM POLICIES Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 FIRE DEPARTMENT COMPUTER Page No. 2721 2721 October 17, 1989 Councilmember Blesener, the City's representative to the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities, indicated that she would be unable to attend the AMM policy meeting on November 2nd. She also indicated that she would prefer to be replaced as the representative. Mayor Mertensotto volunteered to attend the policy meeting as a City representative. Councilmember Blesener moved that Councilmember Hartmann be appointed the City's representative to the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Fire Chief Maczko was present to request Council authorization for the purchase of computer equipment for the fire department. He stated that the department has the need for an additional computer and that since there have been fewer fire calls than anticipated that there will be monies left over in the department's budget. Responding to a question from Councilmember Blesener, Chief Maczko stated that he projects an excess of about $25,000 in the department's budget at year end. He stated that his original request to Council was for $5,300 in unbudgeted funds, but that former Administrator Frazell held a laser printer out of the department's proposed 1990 budget. He stated Administrator Frazell suggested that Council should consider the whole package including the laser printer in 1989 or defer the printer to 1990. Chief Maczko stated that he has a need for two computers now, and that he could wait for the printer until next year. Mayor Mertensotto stated that Council has asked staff to prepare to discuss with Council the effect of the City's loss of government aid and the decrease in homestead tax credit. He stated that staff is going to come back and propose budget cuts. Responding to a question from Chief Maczko on whether there is any problem with the program as proposed or the equipment that Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 PROPERTY TAX REVIEW Page No. 2722 2722 October 17, 1989 is needed,Councilmember Blesener stated that she feels the proposal makes sense. Chief Maczko informed Council that the existing computer will be placed in the command vehicle. Mayor Mertensotto noted that since there is $2,500 budgeted for fire department computer equipment and the department has received $3,000 in donations for computer equipment, the department could proceed with buying a computer. Councilmember Blesener stated that it appears that the department's operation in general will come in under budget, which is a reflection of good management and the fire call reduction. She felt automation and computer use contributes to the management effort and felt Council should support the request. She felt that the Chief should consider proceeding with purchasing what can be funded by the $2,500 and donation money as the first step in the process. She suggested that Chief Maczko provide Council with specifics at year's end on what the budgeted savings have been for the year, at which time Council could proceed to authorize the department to spend some of the savings. Councilmember Blesener moved to authorize an expenditure of $5,502.20 for a Macintosh 2CX computer and associated equipment as described in Chief Maczko's recommendation, and that Council review the balance of the request in December provided that the fire department demonstrates through projections that it will be below budget for 1990, reserving consideration of the laser printer for the 1991 budget. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Treasurer Shaughnessy informed Council that information on the City's revenue situation will be available on October 23rd, and that a proposed tentative tax levy resolution will be submitted in the November 7th agenda. He informed Council that based on all information currently available, the elimination of State Aid to the City and TASK FORCE ADMINISTRATOR RECRUITMENT COUNCIL COMMENTS ADJOURN Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Page No. 2723 2723 October 17, 1989 transfer of aids to the School District should result in a "wash” for taxpayers. Councilmember Blesener informed Council that the School District has tabled action on a City/School District negotiation task force until further committees can be convened. Mayor Mertensotto briefly reviewed the status of the City Administrator recruitment and selection process. Councilmember Blesener asked if anything had been done with regard to removing the brush on the corner of Douglas and Douglas, and whether the property owners at the southwest corner of the intersection had been contacted yet. Councilmember Blesener informed Council on the recent Community Education Committee meeting. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Blesener moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 11:02 o'clock P.M. thleen M. Swanson City Clerk ATTEST: ./240,44;; „ee Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor LIST OF CONTRACTORS TO BE APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 17, 1989 Concrete License Mike Buettcher Construction Excavating License Beuch Excavating Gas Piping License McDowall Company Heating and Air Conditioning License Arneson Heating Service Company General Contractors Licenses Innovative Structures, Inc. Schomaker Construction Co.