HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-24-1984 Council Minutes MINUTES �F THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 24, 1984 PAGE 1
ATTENDANCE 7 :00 PM The Orono City Council met on the above date with the
following members present : Mayor Butler, Council-
members Frahm, and Grabek. Councilmember Adams
arrived at 8 : 55 p.m. Councilmember Hammerel was not
present. City Administrator Benson was not present.
Public Works Coordinator Gerhardson, Assistant
Zoning Administrator Gaffron, City Engineer Cook,
City Attorney Radio, City Recorder Sutton represented
the City staff .
CONSENT AGENDA* Mayor Butler moved, Councilmember Grabek seconded, to
approve the Consent Agenda* , subject to removing item
#2 from the Consent Agenda for discussion, with all
staff reports concerning these items reviewed at this
meeting to be attached to the original copy of these
minutes on file in the City Clerk' s office. Motion,
Ayes (3 ) , Nays ( 0 ) .
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Frahm noted on page 12 under McDowell ' s
� application that he voted nay.
Councilmember Frahm moved, Councilmember Grabek
seconded, to approve the minutes of September 10 ,
1984, subject to thechangenoted above. Motion, Ayes
(3 ) , Nays (0 ) .
LARE MINNETONRA
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
REPORT Jo Ellen Hurr was not present because she had nothing
to report.
PLANNING COMMISSION
COMMENTS There were no Planning Commission comments .
PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no comments from the public.
#603 WILLIAM WEAR
2901 WATERTOWN ROAD
FINAL SUBDIVISION
RESOLUTION #1680 Bill Wear was present.
Mayor Butler moved , Councilmember Grabek seconded, to
approve Resolution #1680 , A Resolution Approving
Roliing Meadows plat. Motion, Ayes ( 3 ) , Nays ( 0 ) .
MAYOR' S REPORT Mayor Butler stated that staff has asked that a member
of the City staff be appointed as liaison between
Council and staff during the absence of City
Administrator Benson. Butler suggested John
Gerhardson or Joanne Lattin.
Councilmember Frahm moved, Councilmember Grabek
seconded , to appoint John Gerhardson, Public Works
Coordinator, as a temporary liaison between the
Council and staff and Joanne Lattin, Office
Coordinator, when John is away. Motion, Ayes ( 3 ) ,
Nays (0 ) .
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 24 , 1984 PAGE 2
CABLE TV REPORT Mayor Butler stated that she is no longer on the Cable TV
Executive board and asked if another member of the
Council or public is interested to contact her.
7 :45 PM APPEARANCE -
GERRY SIRORSKI Gerry Sikorski arrived at 7 : 50 p.m. Sikorski was
present to answer any questions the Council had.
Sikorski stated that he has checked into the federal
and state funding issue for the Crystal Bay area sewer
project and still has found no funding available.
Sikorski stated that he would continue to try and find
funding for the Crystal Bay sewer project.
CRYSTAL BAY AREA SANITARY
SEWER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
PUBLIC HEARING 8 :00 PM
PUBLIC HEARING TO BE �
CONTINUED OCT. 29 Assistant Zoning Administrator Gaffron noted the
certificate of mailing and the affidavit of
publication.
Mayor Butler announced that now was the time and place
for 'the public hearing concerning the proposed Crystal
Bay area sanitary sewer improvement project.
Thefollowing CrystalBay arearesidentswere present:
Duan� Glew of 1135 Brown Road South
John Story of 1233 Briar Street
Arlene Jansen of 1045 Brown Road South
LaDean McWilliams of 1130 Willow Drive
Kath�erine Quady of 1223 Brown Road
Mr. and Mrs . Flam of 1212 Arbor Street
RicY�ard and Ardella Johnson of 1241 Brown Road So.
Rich Kiemen of 1212 Briar Street
Mr. and Mrs. Mike McClelland of 2170 Minnetonka Ave
Mabel Belt of 1380 Briar Street
Elizabeth Johnson of 1365 Arbor Street
Maybell Kohls of 1224 Briar Street
Alex & Dianne Jentilucci of 1295 Briar Street
Mr. and Mrs . Sandgren of 1215 Arbor Street
Lawrence & Phyllis Symoniak of 1155 Brown Road
Phillip Kaley of 1395 Brown Road So
Steve Carlson of 1205 Arbor Street
Marcus Blue of 2160 Crystal Avenue
Evelyn & Pat Drummond of 2160 Prospect Ave.
Jay Wood of 1285 Arbor Street
Charlie Dobson of 1290 Arbor Street
Randolph Lukanen of 1085 Brown Road So.
Mr. Lukanen of 1085 Brown Road South stated that he did
not receive a notice of the public hearing.
Mayor Butler noted that Mr. Lukanen is on the mailing
list for the public hearing notice.
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 24, 1984 PAGE 3
CRYSTAL BAY AREA SANITARY
SEWER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
A,rlin Jansen stated that she did not receive a public
hearing notice.
Assistant Zoning Administrator Gaffron noted that Ms.
Jansen is outside the proposed Crystal Bay project
area and was not included on the list.
Rich Kiemen of 1212 Briar Street stated that he did not
receive a notice either.
Mayor Butler noted that Mr. Kiemen is on the mailing
list for the public hearing notice. Butler noted that
Lukanen and Kiemen should have received a notice
because they were mailed by the City. Butler also
noted that the public hearing was published in the
paper. Mayor Butler accepted the petition from the
neighbors.
City Attorney Radio stated that the public hearing
could still be held.
City Engineer Cook reviewed with the audience where
the sewer lines would run on the streets . Cook stated
that the septic tanks are failing on many of the
properties in the Crystal Bay area and that the area is
in need of sewer. Cook stated that the estimate f or
the installation of sewer is based on 1985 dollars .
Cook stated that for the installation of sanitary
sewer it would cost $645 , 400 and for the street
restoration another $467 , 500 . Cook stated that the
total for the whole project is $1 , 112 , 900 . Cook
stated there would be an annual cost of $4 , 500 to
maintain the lift station. Cook stated that there are
83 units that would be assessed for sewer and the cost
per unit would be $13 ,410 . Cook stated that an
additional $1,500 per unit for the connection to the
line was anticipated.
Councilmember Adams arrived at 8 :55 p.m.
City Engineer Cook stated that the Council has the
option of how the sewer project can be assessed. Cook
stated that a breakdown of the assessments on an annual
basis has been provided. Cook stated that probably a
15 year assessment at 11 percent interest would be
used. Cook stated that staff looked at three
different options for the assessment as follows :
l. The entire assessment based on 100 percent
assessed against the benefitting property owners
would result in a $13 ,410 per unit with a first
year charge of $2 ,692. 41 on down to the year 2000
where assessment would be $992. 34 .
2. 75 percent of the total cost assessed against the
_ benefitting property owners would result in a
total assessment of $10 , 060 per vnit and a $2 , 000
assessment for the first year and on down to
745_ 11 _
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 24, 1984 PAGE 4
CRYSTAL BAY AREA SANITARY
SEWER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT3. 50 percent of the total cost assessed against the
benefitting property owners would result in a
total assessment of $6 ,705 .
One man asked why the Art Center was excluded from the
sewer project.
Mayor Butler stated that the Art Center was excluded
from the sewer project because they have enough space
to expand theirsepticsystemif needed. Butler noted
that the Art Center is outside the MUSA boundary and to
redraw that line the City would have to have approval
from the Metropolitan Council.
Assistant Zoning Administrator Gaffron stated that
staff would have to research the exact location of that
MUSA line.
LaDean McWilliam asked that the Council continue to
seek funding for the project.
City Engineer Cook noted the time frame of the sewer
�construction. Cook stated that approximately 1
mont� of preparation, a 60 day actual digging period of
heavy construction, and 1 month to clean up.
Gary Printup stated that the public ' s main concern is
the cost of the project. Printup stated that they
would like to see the Council choose option 3 .
Printup stated that it would not be precedent setting
to assess the cost of sewer like option 3 because
there are only two areas that need sewer in Orono and
that is Crystal Bay and Stubbs Bay.
Councilmember Frahm stated that if the City chooses
option 3 and the City has to pay for 50 percent of the
sewer project, that 50 percent would roll over onto the
general public. Frahm statec' that the general public
in turn would ask why their taxes are going up because
of the Crystal Bay sewer project when other projects in
the City had to pay for 100 percent of a project.
Frah� stated that assessing the cost of a project with
option 3 would be precedence setting. Frahm stated
that he would have to see the appraisals of the
properties before he could decide which option to take
as far as the assessments.
Councilmember Grabek stated that the Council has to
have some rationale to explain to the general tax
payers when they ask why their taxes went up because of
sewer that is benefitting the Crystal Bay area when
they don't even live in the area. Grabek stated that
he cannot decide which option to choose until he gets
more information from staff in regard to how much the
general tax payers taxes will go up if the Council
chooses an 80 : 20 ratio or 70 : 30 ratio or 50 : 50 .
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 24 , 1984 PAGE 5
CRYSTAL BAY AREA SANITARY
SEWER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Grabek asked staff to have available grant information
for those who are eligible at the next meeting.
Grabek stated that he would also like to review the
appraiser ' s appraisal before making a decision.
Grab�ek stated that the general public should also have
a pu�lic hearing if they are going to be assessed for
the Crystal Bay area ' s sewer.
Public Work Coordinator Gerhardson stated that there
is CDBG monies available for those who are eligible but
that they have to apply for this individually.
Councilmember Frahm moved , Councilmember Grabek
seconded, to direct staff to obtain an independent
appraiser and to report back to the Council in 30 days
and staf f to have the the dol lar f igures on October 15 ,
as to what how much the general tax payer ' s taxes would
increase if they are assessed a portion of the Crystal
Bay sewer project. Motion, Ayes ( 4 ) , Nays ( 0 ) .
Mayor Butler read George Rovegno ' s letter dated
September 16 , 1984 , which is attached to these minutes
on page 6 and 7 as Rovegno requested in his letter.
Mayor Butlermoved, Councilmember Grabek seconded, to
continue the public hearing until October 29 , 1984 at
7 : 00 p.m. Motion, Ayes ( 4 ) , Nays ( 0 ) .
SERVICE ORGANIZATION
DONATION TO POLICE
DEPARTMENT Mayor Butler stated that the Minnetonka Mist would
like to donate some equipment that the police
department would need. Butler stated that she had no
problems with the proposed donation.
Councilmembers Frahm and Grabek both had no problems
with the proposed donation as long as there is nothing
tied to the donation.
MET COUNCIL SYSTEMS
COMMITTEE MEETING
REPORT City Engineer Cook noted that at the Met Council
meeting he noted Orono' s concerns with the pipe size
increase and that the Met Council assured him that
there would be language in the approving motion to
assure that properties will not be allowed connect to
the interceptor.
SCHLEE SUBDIVISION
PARR LAND USE CHANGE Mayor Butler stated that the City has been requested to
consider a park land use change within the Schlee
Subdivision. Butler stated that the residents that
are moving into that area do not have small children
and therefore would not use the tot lot that was
originally required by the City. Butler stated that
Schlee is asking if they can use that land for a park
instead of a tot lot.
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 24 , 1984 PAGE 6
George F. Rovegno, Jr.
2010 Shoreline Drive
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391 U.S.A.
September 16,1984
Orono City .Council
Crystal Bay, Minnesota
In the matter of the Public Nearing on Sanitary Sewer in the
Crystal Bay area:
I regret that I am personally unable to attend the September 24, 1934
Public Hearing on the above matter. However, I would like to make
a few comments and suggestions.
The Public Hearing Notice, as published and as mailed, appears to
be defective. It doesnot describe the same area as is reported
upon in the feasibility report. As a result I suspect that action
cannot be taken without re-publication and notice and a new hearing
held. As you know we have occasionally had to do this for Planning
Commission public hearings.
T4J0 alternatives to the problems in the Crystal Bay area are apparente
construct sanitary sewer or make private systems work properly. Those
with functional septic systems might prefer the latter, while those
with failing systems no doubt would prefer the former to the alterna-
tive of a holding tank system.
As more systems fail more pressure will be brought to ir.stall public
sewers. Sooner or later ti�is area will be sewered. In fact, since
costs would have been much less and the City certainly knew of the
problems, this area should have been sewered years ago.
For this reason I will assume that in my absence you will take action
to cause the construction of sanitary sewer in this area. The passions �
that surround this issue arise largely from tne cost of the project.
Having read the minutes of your August meeting on this subject and
the feasibility report, as well as having spoken with Mike Gaffron , _
it would seem that the big problem is the �12 ,230 cost per unit.
I have a few suggestions.
First the Council should carefully examine the costs estimated in the
feasibility report. To my mind,� l���,������ for 11,,�7�s feet
of sewer pipe, i .e. ��� 3 7 per foot, is exorbitant. Perhaps a lift
station must cost �35,000, but $4,500 of annual maintenance on top of
the capital expense seems unreasonable. The Council must exercise its
management function. We should find out why parts of this system will
be 27 feet under grade. We should ask these questions and many more
before we spend a million dollars , a sum equal to the annual total
City operating budget. If any of us was faced with this kind of
expense at home or at work in the private sector, we would not
accept this type of cost/benefit relationship.
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 24, 1984 PAGE 7
My second set of comments address how this project should be paid for.
On examination of the feasibility report it appears that there are two
projects each costing approximately $500,000.00. One project is the
materials , labor, engineering and adminstration of the sanitary sewer
and lift station. The other project, equal in scope is road and right-of-
way reconstruction. Certainly these roads are among the oldest in the
City. Certainly, the housing density here is much greater than all or
nearly all of the rest of Orono. Certainly the cost "pe r unit" of main-
taining these roads is much, much less than all or nearly all the othe r
pu�lic roads in Orono. I humbly suggest that should this project pro-
ceed that all road and right-of-way reconstruction be financed out of
the City' s Public Works and General funds and that they not be assessed
to these properties that have been bearing more than their fair share
of road costs du� to the relative density of housing and limited length
of public roads here. Only those costs having a direct connection with
sewerage should be assessed to the property owners in this area. In
addition the City' s lots in this area must assume their fair share of the
costs .
The above approach should serve to make the assessments equitable if
not reasonable. Equity also demands that assessments be levied on a
per unit basis. •�
One last issue should be addressed. This area is perhaps the most dense-
ly built area in Orono. As I remember, the CMP said the average lot size
was one-eighth of an acre. We have traditionally maintained the LR-lA
low density zoning district to support on-site septic systems . In this
area the existing density demands that this area be reclassified LR-1C,
medium density residential development, as part of this sewer project.
To summarize, I suggest that:
1. The Public Flearing be rescheduled with proper publication and notices.
2. We proceed with this project only if:
A. the costs can be divided bet4veen assessed sewer costs and city-
abso rbed roadway costs ;
B. the costs are assessed on a per unit basis ;
C. the total costs are reduced by good management; and _
D. the area is rezoned to LR-1C.
Failing any of the above, I feel the project should not be undertaken .
Sincerely,
�' �����Gl-Z'l '���-=o ?�I�
�i��i�� � L� `
George F. Ro no, Jr. Susan J. Rovegno
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 24 , 1984 PAGE 8
SCHLEE SUBDIVISION Councilmember Frahm moved, Councilmember Grabek
seconded, to approve the request from the Schlee
Development Corporation to make that a park rather
than a tot lot. Motion, Ayes ( 3 ) , Nays ( 0 ) .
PARK FUND CONTRIBUTION* Mayor Butler rnoved, Councilmember Grabek seconded, to
accept the Park Fund Contribution in the amount of $200
made by Boonestroo & Associates and to officially
thank them. Motion, Ayes ( 3 ) , Nays ( 0 ) .
RESOLIJTION �1681
APPOINTING ELECTION
JUDGES* Mayor Butlermoved, Councilmember Grabek seconded, to
approve Resolution #1681 , A Resolution Approving the
Appointment of Election Judges. Motion, Ayes ( 3 ) ,
Nays ( 0 ) .
LETTER FROM COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS* Mayor Butlermoved, Councilmember Grabek seconded , to
approve the letter from the county commissioners
regarding the assesor ' s contract non-renewal.
Motion, Ayes ( 3 ) , Nays (0 ) .
WORR SESSION -
1985 BUDGET* Mayor Butler moved, Councilmember Grabek seconded, to
schedule Monday, October l, 1984 at 7 : 00 p.m. as the
work session for the 1985 budget. Motion, Ayes ( 3 ) ,
Nays ( 0 ) .
REVENUE SHARING STATEMENT
OF ASSURANCES* Mayor Butler moved, Councilmember Grabek seconded, to
approve the revenue sharing statement of assurances.
Motion, Ayes ( 3 ) , Nays (0 ) .
APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY
COMMITTEE FOR NOERENBERG
PARR* Mayor Butler moved, Councilmember Grabek seconded, to
appoint Diann Goetten and Barbara Peterson to the
advisory committee for Noe�enberg Park. Motion,
Ayes ( 3 ) , Nays ( 0 ) .
LETTER TO PRIMARY
ELECTION JUDGES* Mayor Butler moved, Councilmember Grabek seconded, to
approve the letter to the primary election judges and
alternates . Motion, Ayes ( 3 ) , Nays ( 0 ) .
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT City Attorney Radio had nothing to report.
BILLS* • Mayor Butler moved, Councilmember Grabek seconded, to
that the All Funds Accounts and Liquor Store Accounts
be paid. Motion, Ayes ( 3 ) , Nays ( 0 ) .
AUDITOR REPORT Kennetn Malloy, CPA for Anfinson & Associates ,
reported to the Council that in his examination of the
records that no irregularities were found. Malloy
suggested that Council arrange a special meeting to
review the report.
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 24 , 1984 PAGE 9
AUDITOR REPORT
Mayor Butler suggested October 15 to present the
results .
ADJOURNMENT 10 :15 PM Councilmember Frahm moved, Councilmember Grabek
seconded, to adjourn the regular meeting at 10 :15 PM
and to go into executive sessione Motion, Ayes ( 4 ) ,
Nays ( 0 ) .
ATT ST:
�
� ,
,
othy . Hallin, City Clerk Mary C. u ler, Mayor