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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/12/1977 Council MinutesDecember 12, 1977 43 The regular meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order at 8:00 P.M., December 12, 1977 by Mayor Bohjanen. Council members present; Karth, McLean, Schneider, Ansent; Zelinka. Mr. Locher was also present. Mr. Karth moved to approve the minutes of November 28, 1977 as presented. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried unanimously. The Clerk presented the following items for Council consideration: ..A letter from the Minnesota State Highway Department notifying the Council of the planned changes at the intersection of Highway #8 and Highway #49. This will involve the installation of two street lights. The Department is asking the City to assume the responsibility of the cost of power. Mr. McLean moved to approve this. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. ..A copy of a letter received from Mr. Robert Nethercut setting forth the ideas as dis- cussed at the meeting in Hugo. All Council members have a copy and this will be dis- cussed at a future date. ..Three copies of the Agricultural Inspector's Report had been received. This must be filled out by the weed inspector and mailed to Anoka County. ..The final figures for the footage on West Shadow Lake Drive had been computed by Mr. George Gotwald, Engineer, and a billing has been sent to Drovers State Bank. ..Anoka County Auditor's office is holding a dinner meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 1977, to discuss the Votomatic System with eommunities now using paper ballots. The Clerk and the Mayor -Elect will attend. ..The Clerk presented a list of unfinished business. The various items were designated to Boards, future agendas and to the Clerk. This list will be deleted from and added to and presented at the first meeting of each month. A towing proposal had been submitted by Gene's Towing. Al's Towing has had an exclusive contract on a trial basis for the past three months. This will expire at the end of December. This gentleman was under the impression that this would automatically be renewed. Mayor Bohjanen said there will be a change in the makeup of the Council and one Council cannot bind another Council. He did not mean to imply that the contract would not be renewed, nor would he say the contract would be renewed. This is the responsibility of the new Council. This matter will be considered at the first meeting in January. Mr. Duane Hillman was in the audience. He owns a lot on LaMotte Road, has sold the lot and had been in the office to prepay the assessments. The Clerk had said that the first year's assessments have been certified to the County and must be paid with the tax state- ment. Mr. Hillman had been to see the Auditor and Mr. Lefebvre had said this could be done by Resolution by this Council. Mr. Hillman's letter of notice had been returned to the City offices as undeliverable - there was no forwarding address. Mr. Hillman said he had notified Anoka County of his change of address. However, the print out received from data processing had not changed the address. Mr. Schneider moved to waive the first year's interest and allow Mr. Hillman to prepay the total assessment due to the error in the data processing printout. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Schneider reported that Mr. Anfinson, the Auditor, will be in the offices the week of January 9, 1978. Mayor Bohjanen introduced Mr. William Houle, who in turn introduces Dee Knaak, the Senator Elect for this District. Senator Knaak said she just wanted the Council to know that she is always available to 44 them, she vans tQ have a newsletter to keep the local officials happening at the State Capitol, she will attend Council meetings try to keep in close contact with the municipalities. Mayor Bohjanen asked how she felt about the Metropolitan Council felt it was a 'white elephant' and she would support any program power. December 12, 1977 informed as to what's whenever asked, and will and Sen. Knaak said she that would lessen their Mr. Karth asked her position on the elected Council or appointed, as it is now. Sen. Knaak said she felt if the members are to be appointed, they should be appointdd by the local officials rather than by the Governor's office as now. Seh said, if they are elected. then the communities have another layer of government. Sen Knaak thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak to them and asked that she be contacted if the need arises. Mr. Munson, Chief of the Lexington Fire Department, was present to discuss the questions raised at the last Council meeting. Mr. Schneider said he would prefer to hold this matter until Chief Muhre was present. Mr. McLean reported that he has had no word from Mr. Kronholm or Drovers State Bank. Mr. Schneider said he did not believe Mr. Kronholm would accept the City's proposal for a park in the Country Lakes Area. Mr. McLean instructed the Clerk to contact Mr. L. Nerka, at Drovers State Bank, and ask for a meeting in order to get this matter settled. Mr. Schneider had no report. Mr. Locher reported on the letter from the of the Jonathan Group Home for Boys. This such a home in the Leo Hensel home located Chain of Lakes Park. He had contacted the the Planning and Zoning Board. State of Minnesota in reference to the application orginazation had applied for a license to operate at 1181 Mound Trail which is now part of the unit and said this matter had been referred to However, Mr. Locher said he felt the main question here is 'is this a Park and Open Space Use ?' which is the purpose for the condemnation and acquiring of the home. He had called Mr. Burman on this matter and asked him to check into the operation. Mr. Locher said the State Statute covering this type of operation, allows six boys without the need for a use permit. This number is considered a single family unit. The people from the Group home had said they planned to remain in this location from three to five years and then move some- where else within the Park. Mr. Locher will follow this through. Mr. Locher had also checked with the League of Minnesota Cities on the fines for misdemeanors. He had found that most cities had either increased the fines to the $500.00 amount or re- duced the penalty to a petty misdemeanor. He had also checked in the manner in which special assessments are handled and found that most municiplaities require a letter of credit for the full amount or a bond and the total assessment to be paid upon completion. Mr. Schneider asked if Mr. Locher had contacted Mr. Smythe and Mr. Locher said that he had. The fee is $40.00 per hour and Mr. Smythe is not an Attorney he has a degree in economics. He would present the City's position at mediation hearings, but would need an Attorney on legal questions. The work he has already done is the property of the City to be used as they want. He felt it would be some time in January before a mediation hearing is set and March or April before arbritation. Mr. Locher said he ha been contacted on paid vacation time for part-time personne. He had checked this matter with Chief Myhre and found this isinot a consideration for part time personnel. a a-' December 12, 1977 4 5 He had checked this matter with Chief Myhre and found this is not a consideration for part -time personnel. Mr. Karth felt that the City should avail itself of Mr. Smythe's services. Mayor Bohjanen felt someone with experience in labor relations is needed in dealing with the Union. Mr. Locher said he had checked and the question of filling the Sergeant's position is a Council decision. Mayor Bohjanen felt this is an unnecessary position and should not be filled at this time. Mayor Bohjanen also questioned the position of the Police Clerk. Mr. Smythe had recommended this position be deleted from the bargining unit. Mr. Schneider said he would prefer to discuss these matters after the arrival of the Police Chief. He felt the estimated cost of $1500.00 would be worth it to the City. This would be valuable for this year, but also in the years to come in establish- ing a contract the City could live with. Mr. McLean asked how this would work and Mr. Locher said Mr. Smythe would do the layout work since he has the comparable figures available, Mr. Smythe would assemble this iriformation and put Lino Lakes in the classification where they belong and argue this before the mediator. He would only consult Mr. Locher if there is a legal position. Mr. McLean moved to authorize Mr. Smythe to put this package together, Mr. Locher to contact the Union for another meeting to see if this can be settled before mediation. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. McLean had a carry over from the last Planning and Zoning Board meeting. Mr. Davis had applied for a variance to the 300' limit on a driveway. At the time he did not have a certificate of survey. Mr. Davis was present and has the survey and he is the property owner of record. The Planning and Zoning Board had recommended approval of this variance with the provision that the Certificate was presented. Since this has been taken care of, Mr. McLean moved to approve this variance. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. A copy of the final, plat of Rohavic Oaks had been delivered to the office. Mayor Bohjanen asked that discussion of this be delayed until after the Lexington Fire Department had been heard. Benjy Munson, Fire Chief for Lexington, presented the Council with the fire report for the month of October and there was no report for November, as there had been no fires. He also presented the Council with the Years' end report. (The Lexington Fire Department's fiscal year is from December through November.) Mr. Munson said he was here to answer some of the questions he had read in the papers. Mayor Bohjanen reminded Mr. Munson that things don't always get printed as said. Mr. Schneider apoligized to Mr. Munson. This matter should have been brought to Mr. Munson's attention immediately following the Council meeting. These matters should not be read about in the papers before notification. Mr. Munson said some of the problems earlier this year was due to the fact that the fire trucks were dispatched by phone. They are now connected to the Central communication emergency number and the trucks are dispatched from Anoka. There was several instances the Council had questioned at the last meeting. These were discussed and Mr. Munson explained the reasons for lack of response. 46 December 12, 1977 Mr. Schneider .aid his one question was on response time 7 he had looked at the reports and there is no indication on the reports. Mr. Munson presented a revised reporting form and this will include the response time. Mr. Karth questioned the number of men at fires. Mr. Munson said not all the men who have signed the report attend the fires. This only means they responded to the call and reported at the fire station. Some stay and work at the station on equipment or cleaning the station. Mr. Munson said the money paid to Lexington by Lino Lakes for fire coverage is placed in an equipment reserve fund and next year they will be purchasing a new fire truck. Mr. Munson said Council members are welcome at their meetings which are held on the first Sunday of the month. Mr. Munson was thanked for his time and answers. A cloeer communication will be practiced in the future. Mr. McLean returned to the Rohavic Oaks plat. It would seem the comments of the Rice Creek Water Shed Board is still missing. Mr. McLean moved to hold this until this document has been received. The Clerk was instructed to contact the developer on this matter. Under old business, Mr. Karth asked if the towing contracts should be let out on bids? Mr. Locher said since the City is not receiving any money, nor are they paying money, it is not necessary. Mr. Schneider returned to the matter of the Sergeant's position. He said from an economic and business standpoint, this City does not need a sergeant. He asked Chief Myhre if he had any reasons why this position should be retained. Chief Myhre said the Sergeant does osme of :his work and he supervises the epairs and upkeep of the squads. Mr. Schneider said with a department of time people, how much supervision do we times, and it has been generally agreed said if this is a supervisory position, unit, if it is not supervisory, then it three full time people and three part - need? This has been discussed at various this position is not needed. Mr. Karth then it should be removed from the bargining is not needed. Mr. Schneider said. this had been talked about many times and he felt that until it is proven there is a need to have the Sergeant's position filled, this be deleted, Mr. Schneider moved that the Sergeant's position not be filled at this time as being not necessary, to be effective January 1, 1978. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried unanimously. The general consensus of the Council was if something happens to make this position necessary, the Council can reverse it's decision. A gentle man from the audience asked about archery bales in a Park - is there any possibility of setting some up in one of the Parks? Mr. Schneider said this could be discussed at the Park Board meeting. Mr. McLean said in the Personnel Commission's recommendations, there had been no consideration 6f the expenses for the Council members. He felt this is a matter that should be considered. The Clerk said there is a Personnel Commission meeting scheduled for this Thursday. She will put it on the agenda. Mr. Karth reported on the meeting he attended at the Metropolitan Council concerned December 12, 1977 47 with. the policies of rural density. There were mostly the larger cities giving testimony. However, the letter prepared by this City and mailed to the Metropolitan Council was noted and entered into the records. Mr. McLean asked of there had been any reaction to the City's presentation and Mr. Karth said, No, these people were just receiving information. Mr. Karth moved to approve requisitions $800 through and including #803. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried unanimoulsy. Mr. Karth moved to approve checks #8331 through and including #8179, with #8466 being voided. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. McLean moved to adjourn at 10:10 P.M. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Aye. These minutes were corrected and approved at the December 27, 1977 meeting. /a Edna L. Sarner, Clerk - Treasurer December 27, 1977 The regular meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order at 8:00 P.M. December 27, 1977 by Mayor Bohjanen. Council members present; Karth, McLean, Schneider, Zelinka. Mr. Locher was also present. As the first Order of business, Mayor Bohjanen asked Mr. Locher to administer the Oath of Office to the in- coming members. Mr. Harvey Karth took the Oath of Office for Mayor, Mr. Richard Kulaszewicz and Mr. John McLean took the Oath of Office as Council members. On considering the minutes of December 12, 1977, Mr. Schneider moved to approve as corrected. Seconded by Mr. Karth . Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Bohjanen questioned the Council's intent as to the deletion of the Police Clerk's position from the barigning unit. He felt that action should be taken on this before the next meeting with the Union. The general consensus of the Council was that no action had been taken at the last Council meeting. Mr. McLean understood that a package would be put together to present to the Union and as a part of that package, this position would be deleted from the bargining unit. Mr. Zelinka felt this should be acted on by the Council Mr. Karth felt the proposed package should be approved before presenting to the Union. Mr. Locher said he had called Mr. Smythe and he will be out of twon until the 6th of January. Mr. Zelinka asked if there is any indication as to when the mediation hearing will be set and Mr. Locher said, No. Mr. Zelinka moved to table consideration on this matter and this is to be put on the January 4, 1978 special meeting agenda. Seconded by Mr. MCLean. Motion carried unanimously. The Clerk presented the following items for consideration: ..A letter from the Metropolitan Council requesting information in conjunction with the Land Planning Grant Application. The Clerk will provide this information.