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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/10/1978 Council Minutes136 June 21, 1978 The regular meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order at 8:05 P.M. on July 10, 1978 by Mayor Karth. Council members present; McLean, Kulaszewicz, Schneider. Absent; Zelinka. Mr. Locher was not present. Mr. Kulaszewicz moved to approve the minutes of the June 26, 1978 meeting as present- ed. Mr. McLean seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. Water and Sewer Rates Mayor Karth asked Mr. Schneider to present his study on utility rates. Mr. Schneider explained the City hired the firm of Anfinson, Hendrickson & Co. to study the utility rate structure. The rates have not been adjusted since the sys- tem began operation in 1972 and there was an operating loss of over $2000.000 in 1977 and it appears there will be and operating loss for 1978. Mr. Schneider explained he revised some of the figures on the Audit Report; the salary figure was adjusted downward, the utility figure was reduced and considered the ef- fect of the sale of the lift station. Mr. Anfinson had suggested large increased in both the water and sewer rates. Mr. Schneider had compared the present Lino Lakes utility rate to 23 other Cities in the Metro Area. Our present rates are low; however, Mr. Anfinson's proposed rates would be very high. The average water rate for there 23 Cities is 58.64. Mr. McLean asked what effect the sale of the lift station will have on the rates. He asked if there was a reserve for maintenance. Mr. Schneider explained there is no reserve at present and it has not been determined what is the legal way to handle the sale of the lift station. Mr. Schneider was asked what effect additional customers will have on the rate. said at this time it is difficult to tell. Mayor Karth suggested that the rate could be increased to 77(C and reviewed annually. Mr. McLean asked if they were considering water rates only and was told yes. Mr. Schneider moved to raise the water rate from 48 per 1000 gallons to 77 per 1000 gallons effective October 1, 1978 and review this rate during December 1978. Mr. Mc- Lean seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. Mr. Johnson from the audiance said he received the impression from the Circulating Pines that the water rate also reflected depreciation. Mayor Karth explained that the rate suggested by Mr. Anfinson and the rate suggested by the City did not reflect depreciation or any reserve. Mr. Kolstad from the audiance asked where the additional monies to operate this utility system came from if it was actually operating in a deficit. He was told the money came from General Funds. Mr. Anfinson's study indicated a sewer charge of $23.55 was needed to cover expenses of operating this utility. This will not cover depreciation or reserve. Mayor Karth suggested tabling this item until December 1978 and study it at the time the water rates were reviewed. The sale of the lift station was discussed. Mr. McLean said +here has been no indi- cation when the sale will be completed. Also it has not been determined how these monies should be handled - returned to the affected property or try to locate the or- 1 1 1 July 10, 1978 iginal land owner? 137 The Clerk was asked to obtain a copy of the letter requesting the settlement for Mr. Kulaszewicz. Mr. McLean moved to(14y over the increase in sewer rates until the last meeting in August. Mr. Kulaszewicz seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. Plat - Pyles 1st Addition The public hearing for the Plat - Pyles 1st Addition was Called to order at 8:35 P.M. The Clerk read the public notice. Mr. Pyles had called and said he did not have all the necessary information and asked that the hearing be postponed. Mr. McLean moved to continue this hearing until July 24, 1978 at 8:45 P.M. when all documentation will be available. Mr. Kulaszewicz seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. Special Use Permit - Pete Scherer Mr. Scherer told the Council that a letter was submitted some time ago by the Building Inspector detailing the content of the process he wishes to use for strip- ping furniture. Mr. McLean said he had never seen the letter and told Mr. Scher- er he should ask the City Engineer Mr. Gotwald for confirmation that he will accept Mr. Mobley as an authority. Mayor Karth told Mr.- Scherer that as soon as the City receives the letter of con- firmation form Mr. Gotwald a Special Use Permit will Be Issued. Mr. Mobley asked to address the Council regarding mining on the property formerly owned by Mr. Scherer and now owned by Mr. Marcel LeRouix. The mining and removal of the dirt destroyed 64th Avenue. Mr. Scherer explained that Mr. LeRouix is attempting to remove a large bank so that the land can be made ready for development. Mayor Karth asked how the bank compares to the roadway. Mr. Scherer said the bank was 30' to 40' higher than the roadway. Mr. Mobley said the pit bottom is also high- er than the roadway. Mr. McLean explained that a Geological survey and a completed application for mining is needed before a permit can be issued. Mr. Scherer felt that the survey had been completed some time ago when he sold the property. He explained to Mr. Gotwald at that time his plan for removing dirt and just assumed it was taken care of. Mayor Karth told Mr. Scherer that if Mr. Gotwald would forward a topo survey to the City office and if Mr. Scherer would complete an application for a mining permit the Clerk would poll the Council members and a mining permit would be issued. Mr. Mobley presented to the Council the situation at the Lino Air Park North. He explained he had received a complaint that a broken culvert on the Air Park was caus- ing a back -up of water to the North flooding sod feilds. Mr. Kolstad,, owner of the Air Park, was out of town and couldn't be reached• After numerous telephone calls to the City Engineer, City Attorney, Mayor and other parties to City tried to locate equipmemt to alleviate the problem but the equipment was not available. 138 July 10, 1978 Mr. Mobley said that Mr. Kolstad had met with him this morning and agreed to bring an approved plan regarding the water flow. Mr. Kolstad said he 'thought that when the original plat was approved, all the engineering was approved at the same time. Mr. McLean asked Mr. Kolstad if the grading plans were approved by Mr. Gotwald. Mr. Kolstad said, No. Mr. Kolstad told the Council he had returned from a fishing trip to find City personnel looking for construction equipment to use on his property. Mr. Mobley explained that the intent was to avoid law suits against the City and Mr. Kolstad. He had been told by Attorney Locher to relieve the pressure and Mr. Gotwald had told him to have the road barricaded.' Mayor Karth explained that approval of the plat does not mean approval of any grading or road building. He told Mr. Kolstad to take his plans and topogs to Mr. Gotwald for his approval. When 'Mr. Gotwald approves his plans and a letter of approval is received by the Clerk she will poll the Council members and issue the permit. Mr. McLean reminded Mr. Kolstad that his letter of credit has expired and it will have to be reissued. Plat - Sherwood Green, Charles Nelson Mr. Kolstad told the Council the Hardshells for Sherwood Green are ready for sig- natures. Mr. McLean moved to approve the signing of the Hardshells for Sherwood Green subject to Attorney Locher's written opinion on the abstract and receipt of'the park dedication. Mr: Schneider seconded the Motion. Motion declared passed. Richard Roberts - Pig Farm Mayor Karth told the Council that there has been several complaints regarding the odor from Mr. Robert's Pig Farm on Holly Drive. The Clerk had researched the min- utes regarding this operation. Mayor Karth asked Chief Myhre if he had checked this operation recently. Chief Myhre said, No. Mr. Scherer from the audience said it had been his understanding that Mr. Roberts was asked to remove his pig operation from another City. Mr. Mobley said he would visit the Roberts farm to determine if Mr. Roberts is operating his farm as he said he would in 1971. Mayor's Report Mayor Karth said the Council has received a petition asking for the permanent re- moval of the pigeons at 6438 totem Trail. Mr. Kulaszewicz moved to set a public hearing on the petition for the removal of pigeons at 6438 Totem Trail for July 24, 1978 at 9:00 P.M. Mr. McLean seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. Sunrise Park - Lena Billik Mayor Karth said he has been contacted by several citizens who have said they heard that the City asked Mrs. Billik to vacate the House at Sunrise Park by July 31, 1978. Since there has been some misunderstanding on this matter be asked to set a realistic time in which Mrs. Billik should vacate the house. He further explained that the house is in such a state that the City would be derelict to 1 1 1 July 10, 1978 let her stay. 39 Mr. Kulaszewicz moved to allow Mrs. Billik until October 31, 1978 to vacate the property at Sunrise Park. Mr. McLean seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. Street Improvement - LaMotte Drive Mr. Schneider moved to accept the bid from T.A. Schifsky & Sons. Mr. Kulaszewicz seconded the motion. 'Motion declared passed. Mayor Karth asked if the letter of credit had been released to Mr. Ulmer. The Clerk said all the documents were recieved and the letter released. Mayor Karth said he had talked to Mr. Volk about the drainage along Ware Road. Mr. Volk had thought that some driveways may not have culverts thereby blocking flow. Mr. McLean moved to send letters to the addresses in the affected area and tell them to install culverts. After further discussion Mr. McLean recinded his motion and asked the Clerk to check with Attorney Locher to find out if the City requires culverts. Old Business Mayor Karth told the Council Mr. Wilber has resigned as a part -time officer and he has also heard that Mr. Kirschbaum may not return as a full -time officer. Mr. Kulaszewicz said there will have to be a determination in the situation of Officer Kirschbaum. Mayor Karth said any action would have to be taken through the City At- torney. The Clerk was asked to have Attorney Locher obtain some firm resolution to this mat- ter for the July 24, 1978 Council meeting. Mr. McLean moved to accept the resignation of Officer Wilber. Mr. Kulaszewicz second- ed the motion._ Motion declared passed. Mr. Kulaszewicz moved to hire Robert Columbe as a permanent part -time polic¢ officer. Mr. McLean seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. Mr. Kulaszewicz asked when the section of Totem Trail at the end where it meets Birch Street will be completed. The Clerk explained that she had talked to Mr. Gotwald and he said Mr. Rehbein had made arrangements to have it completed at the time H & S com- pletes the north end on East Shadow Lake Drive. Mr. Kulaszewicz asked when the "Watch for Children" and "Speed Limit" signs will be in- stalled. Mr. Schneider said Mr. Volk has ordered all his signs to be received possibly in September. New Business Mr. Kulaszewicz moved to adopt a sump -pump ordinance and drain tile ordinance as a requirement of all new house building permits in urban service areas. He explained the numerous wet basement problems that have been reported to him. Mr. MsLean seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. Mr. McLean noted that this proposed ordinance should be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board. Mr. Berg from the audiance asked if sump -pumps can be pumped into the municiple sewer. The Council felt they should not be. 140 July 10, 1978 Mr. Schneider said he had Mr. Volk call the Anoka County Highway Department to deter- mine when the weeds will be cut along the county roads. Mr. Volk was informed by the County that there was not enough money in the budget for all county roads. The County said they would add another mower in this area. Mayor Karth said that the County had set a public hearing for July 13, 1978 at 11:00 A.M. to consider an ordinance regulating large outdoor gatherings or "field parties" in unincorporated areas in the County. A sample of this ordinance was attached to the letter. Mayor Karth said he had been contacted by the Memorial Hospital District and told that the Lino Lakes representative had resigned and a new representative should be appointed in her place. He asked for suggestions and asked the Clerk to put this on July 24, 1978 agenda. Mayor Karth noted a receipt of a letter from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency approving extension of the utilifiiss on East Shadow Lake Drive. The Clerk noied a receipt of the April 1, 1978 Preliminary Population Estamite from Metropolitan Council indicating a population for Lino Lakes of 4,570. The Clerk noted a receipt of $55000.00 from the County as an early tax draw. Mr. Kulaszewicz moved to approve requisition #846 through and including #850. Mr. Schneider seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. Mr. McLean moved to approve bills #8909 through and including #8961 with #8958 be- ing voided. Mr. Kulaszewicz seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. Mr. McLean moved to ajourn at 10:45 P.M. Mr. Kulaszewicz seconded the motion. Motion declared passed. These minutes were approved with correction July 24, 1978 at the regular Council meeting. 0-4 EDNA L. SARNER, CLERK- TREASURER 1 1 1