HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/21/1991 Council Minutes1
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COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 21, 1991
Mayor Harold Bisel called the work session to order at 3:00
P.M. Council members present: Reinert, Bohjanen, Neal,
Kuether. Staff members present: City Administrator
Schumacher, Asst. to the City Administrator Tesch, and Fire
Chief Bennett. Others: Gene Johnson and Ellen Luken of
Winsor Faircy.
Mr. Schumacher began the session by updating the council on
the C. Ross case. Mr. Schumacher stated that Officer Ross
decided not to accept the council's offer to extend his
probationary period and undergo a psychiatric evaluation in
September. The results of this evaluation would have
determined his fitness to return to the Sergeant's position.
The hearing is still scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9:00
A.M.
Mr. Bohjanen had two concerns; 1) is the position been vacant
since the demotion, and 2) will the outcome of the hearing
tomorrow fuel Ms. Doriott's case against the city. Mr. Neal
related to the council that it was he that brought this issue
to their attention last summer. Mr. Bohjanen and Mr. Neal
were concerned about the perception of this case within the
community.
Mr. Schumacher related his concerns about the Doriott case.
Mr. Reinert stated that we need to simply proceed as best we
can. It is impossible to anticipate everything, and we
should take this one day at a time.
FIRE HALL
Mr. Schumacher handed the floor over to Mr. Johnson and Ms.
Luken. Mr. Johnson explained that he had brought out two
designs and floor plans. The council would be expected to
choose a plan today, and they would be able to begin the
project within five weeks. He continued that he would like
the council's input on materials and all aspects of the
building.
Ms. Luken presented the first of
are fairly similar and include a
offices, restrooms, a conference
There is room for expansion both
area ".
two options. The options
lobby, control area,
room, 3 equipment bays.
of the bay area, and "living
The estimated cost of the facility will be roughly
$785,000.00, and contain 9400 square feet. The bays are 80
feet in length, long enough to accommodate new, longer
vehicles.
Ms. Luken described the outside of the building. It will be
an all brick structure with tinted windows and a flat roof.
Council member Reinert voice his concern with the possibility
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COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 21, 1991
of a flat roof. Mr. Nelson explained why he felt this type
of roof was workable, also explaining how it would be an
energy saver. Mr. Nelson and Ms. Luken will be looking into
an extended warrantee for the roof.
Ms. Luken gave the council the option of glass doors for the
fire hall. The council felt this was a good idea. This type
of door was well received in Apple Valley when recently
installed in their new hall.
Ms. Luken presented a second design option to the council for
their consideration. This second design had a slight bow in
the front, designed to produce a better look.
Mayor Bisel questioned whether or not we should consider at
this point adding a second bay. Chief Bennett replied that
we would probably need another fire building before we would
need the additional bay. Council member Neal questioned the
lack of sleeping quarters. While there is room for future
expansion of this nature, Chief Bennett felt that as we do
not have a full time department, there would be little need
for sleeping quarters for fire department members.
Mayor Bisel requested that we go around the table and each
council member explain which design they preferred, and why.
He also said that it would be best if the whole council could
agree unanimously on a design. Mr. Reinert agreed that a
concensus would be best.
Mayor Bisel felt that option #2 was more to his liking.
Council Member Kuether agreed, stating that option #1
(square) looked to institutional and reminder her a bit of
Alcatraz. Mr. Bohjanen also felt that #2 was more to his
taste, adding that #1 looked as if it had a very large tomato
soup can in the front of it. Mr. Reinert at first felt the
lines on option #1 were cleaner and more to his taste. He
added that he really had no preference, and as they are both
functional, he would vote with the majority and go with
option #2. Mr. Neal did not agree, and instead voted for
option #1. He felt we might be able to save some money with
option #1. He added that for an additional $40,000.00 in
today's dollars, he would like to see the fourth bay added.
Chief Bennett again stated that he did not want to have all
his equipment at one end of the city some day. It was the
concensus of the City Council to proceed with with Option #2,
and proceed with plans and specifications based on this
design.
Mayor Bisel asked staff what they thought of the plans. Mr.
Schumacher stated that he had originally preferred option #1,
but has as of late changed his mind and now prefers option
#2. Chief Bennett stated that he did not care one way or
another as long as it functioned.
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COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 21, 1991
Construction is expected to begin in mid June.
Mr. Schumacher and Mr. Tesch handed out tax information they
had been collecting over the past several weeks in addition
to letters that citizens and public officials have been
receiving from the Governor's office. It was noted that the
financial future for most cities will be fairly tight over
the next year or so.
Mr. Reinert stated that what cities need to have "home rule"
re- introduced. Mayor Bisel noted that state government is
attempting to pass the criticism of their financial "mess"
down to local government. It was interjected that government
at the local level is the most fiscally prudent as it is
closest to the scrutiny of the public.
The council finished their meeting with a brief discussion on
council compensation. Mr. Reinert presented the idea of a
basic salary for a set number of meetings, and a per meeting
charge for meetings over the set number. He felt this would
improve attendance at meetings. Mr. Neal questioned whether
members would simply show up, be counted on the role, then
leave. Mr. Reinert felt that any policy established would
have to be fine tuned. Mayor Bisel added that the only he
wanted this issue raised initially was to close the gap of
pay between council members and the mayor. He felt that this
body needs to work as one, and all members of the council
attend basically the same number of meetings.
Council member Reinert and Mayor Bisel will get together and
try and work out a policy that can be presented to the whole
council.
The work session was adjourned at 5:15 P.M.
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