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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-1996Agenda Item A-1 C-1 n RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Annual Meeting No. 1 - January 3, 1996 President Hunziker called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. Those being sworn to office and accepting the duties of the Office of the Mayor and Councilmembers were as follows: Mayor, Chuck Canfield; Councilmember of the First Ward, Ed Hruska; Councilmember of the Third Ward, Jean McConnell; Councilmember of the Fifth Ward, Mack Evans. Roll call was taken with the -following members present: President Hunziker, Councilmembers Evans, Hruska, McConnell, Senjem and Stobaugh. Absent: vacant position of Councilmember of the Second Ward. Hearing no objections, President Hunziker moved items C-1 through C-5 to the front of the agenda. Address from President John Hunziker: Good evening. I would like to thank you for coming out tonight to give us your views and listen as we discuss the business of the City of Rochester. The last time I addressed you I touched on three main ideas that the City needed to deal with: privatization of the dog pound, a performance audit of a City department, and revisiting the community strategic plan - Futurescan. It was decided to keep the dog pound as part of the City organization. The Police Department applied for and received a grant to train themselves and City staff in planning and carrying out a performance audit of the Police Department. There have been ongoing discussions with citizens, community leaders and the Chamber of Commerce as to a new strategic planning effort for the City of Rochester and the surrounding area. The Planning Department has been very involved and this effort should be up and running shortly. We have a new councilmember with us today, a new mayor, and the responsibility to fill the 2nd ward position. We will pick a successor within the next 45 days. The Council has tentatively set up a planning session for itself at the end of the month to set out goals and objectives for the coming year. Some of the topics will be bringing new jobs and tax base to Rochester, safety in the neighborhoods, police working with neighborhood watch groups, exploring ways of cooperating and consolidating with the County to reduce inefficiencies, looking at areas that could be contracted out to the private sector as a way of stretching taxpayers' dollars to give service at the best price, and continuing to work with people of all cultures that choose Rochester as their home, enabling everyone to be a contributing member of the community. 4683 Agenda Item RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE. COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Annual Meeting No. 1 - January 3, 1996 Finally, I would like to stress two areas dealing with education that have an impact on the City of Rochester. The community needs to aggressively continue its quest for post -secondary higher education opportunities. The direction of higher education in Rochester is being studied by consultants for the State. GRAUC is working to further develop the Rochester University Center, more and more it is becoming a fact that Rochester's ability to retain business and jobs and bring in new business and jobs is directly related to our educational opportunities and institutions. Lastly, I firmly believe that it is time for the community to work together to pass the upcoming school bond for a new high school and technological improvements in the school system and get on with the business of educating our children. think that I speak for the entire Council when I say, we are your representatives, and we can accomplish anything if we work together as a community. Thank you. C-2 Councilmember Senjem moved, Evans seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 1-96 Robert Rules of Order for the conduct of business by the Council, except that a motion to lay on the table shall be considered a debatable motion. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. Councilmember Stobaugh moved, Senjem seconded, to adopt Resolution No.2-96 Rules and Regulations for Order of Business of the Council. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. C-3 President Hunziker appointed Councilmember Evans to the Rochester Public Utility Board and himself to the Airport Commission. He stated that he intends to make all other committee appointments when the second ward councilmember is appointed at the February 5, 1996 meeting. Councilmember McConnell moved, Evans seconded, to approve the two committee appointments to the Rochester Public Utility Board and Airport Commission. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Annual Meeting No. 1 - January 3, 1996 4585 Agenda Item C-4 I Address from Mayor Chuck Canfield This is the most exciting day of my life, next to my wedding day. Rochester is one of the finest cities in the world. We have institutions and industries at the pinnacle of world class. We have a well-educated citizenry and are perennial leaders in "most livable city" rankings. To be elected Mayor of such a city is a great honor. It is also a huge responsibility. A responsibility that I accept with joy and enthusiasm. I feel like I have been in training for this job my whole life and I am anxious to tell you how I intend to serve you. My business background has taught me to proceed in an organized way: prepare, plan and act. I think of it as Ready! Aim! Fire! Each function must be in order. Programs that start with Ready! Fire! Or plans that never lead to action are sure to fail. You elected me because of - or in spite of - ten years of city council preparation, planning and action. Do you remember Rochester ten years ago? Businesses were leaving downtown. There were no skyways or new hotels, no Peace Plaza or Galleria, no Government Center, riverside trails, new library or Civic Arena. Some things were there. Sleazy bookstores, nude dancing bars, rap and massage parlors, a triple-x movie house and a boarded up Chateau Theatre. The Mayo Clinic was concerned that the downtown environment could hurt their reputation. Ten years ago there was no city plan to expand and retain our industrial base. But, now we have the RAEDI organization that organized successful projects with Marigold, Pemstar, Quest, Western Digital and others. How did we change all these things and reduce the City's share of the property tax at the same time? Considering that I own a restaurant I am the least likely person to suggest that there is a free lunch. But, there are better financing methods. We created tax increment districts so that the new buildings and the new businesses would pay off the City's bonds for all the projects. The people of Rochester believed in our plans and passed a referendum for a city sales tax. We all took a carefully controlled risk and invested in our city. The debts are already paid off and the sales tax will automatically expire in two years. All of these projects, fully paid for by our generation, is a gift from us to all future generations in Rochester. We should be very proud of this accomplishment. We were ready, we had a plan, and we got action. The national credit rating services are so impressed with our financial picture that they again rated Rochester Triple A. Only nine cities in this entire nation have this highest rating. RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL 4586 CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Annual Meeting No. 1 - January 3, 1996 Agenda Item The whole complicated package of organizing the reassembly of our city was the work of a very talented professional staff. These people are dedicated and innovative as any I have seen in private business, and as your Mayor I will treat them with great respect. Don't think for a minute that you can elect people who can put together a plan that is this complex. Just keep electing sound citizens who love their city and have faith in its future. I believe our new Council is like that. I never trivalize the service that we get from city government or the professionalism of our employees. I saw a lot of shiny new toys this Christmas that were useless without batteries. I see a lot of shiny new buildings that were built to serve our citizens and they are just as useless without the power and energy of good people. I am in the service business at my restaurant and as your Mayor, I will encourage this corps of very bright city personnel to test good ideas and if they make a mistake by being too helpful, I will be there to help them. This is a transitional time for Rochester. Many of our plans have just been completed. We are at the end of an excellent "Hazama" administration. We could drift from excellence to mediocrity if we fail to set new goals. I have asked the Chamber of Commerce and the City -County Planning Department to join with me to begin a year -long visioning process. We will take advice from all sectors of Rochester and the surrounding areas. We will put the aim back in Ready! Aim! Fire! Let me close with my two chief concerns. First - Rochester will not have long- term economic success unless we honor the importance of good education. We are being offered a school bond referendum that will provide the necessary facilities for our children. It is a good common sense proposal and I will support it. We must then demand that an excellent educational opportunity exists inside these buildings. At the University level - Rochester is the largest city in the United States without access to a four-year liberal arts college. At Rochester University Center, several providers have cooperated in forming local degree -granting opportunities and some graduate studies. I don't minimize how far they have come and how unselfishly they have worked. The State of Minnesota should help us develop a simpler more understandable institution for Rochester. I will work in that direction. Second - my primary focus the last few years has been to support people in our neighborhoods in their effort to make home a safe and pleasant place. The citizens of Rochester have developed a great and growing neighborhood watch program with the help of Mike Seidel and Ron Miller of the Crime Prevention staff, volunteers like Gerry Dooley and the cooperation of the whole Police Department team. We have invested in six more police officers this year. We must understand that 100 police officers cannot protect 80,000 people 24 hours a day 365 days a year. What they will do is support our efforts to help each other and control the problems we cannot handle. 1 RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Annual Meeting No. 1 - January 3, 1996 4587 Agenda Item Our Building and Safety inspectors have done a great job, demanding responsible operation and maintenance from the few difficult landlords. We have used over two million dollars in community development block grants to rehab older homes in cooperation with private owners. These funds improve the housing stock and stop the development of any slum district. We have added restrictive zoning to decrease the density in parts of the inner city. In the last year I have distributed hundreds of copies of my eleven safe neighborhood initiatives. People under stress were relieved to learn that we had support functions in place for them. We had a plan and we were taking action. One of our neighborhood watch captains, Cindy Meline, told me she knows her neighbors now and feels more comfortable at home than she ever did before. This is one of those projects that has no end. We must get together block by block. I am committed to this effort day after day for as long as I live in Rochester. This is a great time of year to start a new career as a Mayor of a great city. I thank you for this opportunity from the bottom of my heart. I'm going to make it a joyful experience and I'm anxious to get started. God Bless You and Happy New Year to You All. C-5 Councilmember Hruska moved, Evans seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 3-96 designating the Rochester Post Bulletin as the official newspaper for the City of Rochester. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. B-1 A Hearing on the Vacation Petition #95-20 by the City of Rochester to vacate a portion of 33rd Street N.W. Having no present that wished to be heard, President Hunziker closed the hearing. Councilmember Evans moved, McConnell seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 4-96 vacating a portion of 33rd Street N.W. with the condition that a utility easement for the existing electrical line be retained. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. B-2 A Hearing on Type III, Phase II Zoning District Change #95-11 by Thomas W. Moore. Wishing to be heard was Thomas Moore, 4215 St. Bridget Road S.E., the applicant, who stated that he was available for any questions the Council had. Having no one further wishing to be heard, President Hunziker closed the hearing. Councilmember Senjem moved, Stobaugh seconded, to approve the proposed zoning district amendment with the four conditions noted and to instruct the City Attorney to prepare the required ordinance. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Annual Meeting No. 1 - January 3, 1996 Agenda Item B-3 A Hearing on the Land Subdivision Permit #95-10 to be known as Glendale Hills Second Subdivision. Wishing to be heard was Lawrence Lundgren, 1512 Glendale Hills Drive N.E., and Bill Sepic, 1502 Glendale Hills Drive N.E. Both individuals spoke as to the quietness of the neighborhood, the concern for the connecting road (17th Avenue N.E.) to the north and the need for parkland close or adjacent to the property. Wishing to be heard was Gary Wellner, Bloomington, one of the owners of the Wellner property to the north of the proposed subdivision. Mr. Wellner noted that he had not been notified previously of any meetings dealing with the lands in this area and was opposed to the vacation of 17th Avenue N.E. He stated that an access to his property via 17th Avenue is essential because of the grade of the land. Wishing to be heard was Jim Wellner, Twin Cities, also one of the owners of the property to the north. He noted that in negotiations with the County, when East Circle Drive was completed, 17th Avenue access was an essential part. Wishing to be heard was Bill Tointon, McGhie and Betts, architects/engineers for the applicant. Mr. Tointon stated that they do not feel that 17th Avenue needs to be extended due to the fact that only 1.1 additional acres would be served by this road. He feels that the area is accessible from the north. He also noted that the applicant is agreeable to the six conditions that would be placed on the approval. Having no one further wishing to be heard, President Hunziker closed the hearing. Councilmember Evans moved, Hruska seconded, to remand the permit back to the Planning Department for further study and consideration at their next meeting. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. (Note: The next meeting of the Planning Commission is January 24th; the item would then come back to the Council at their February 21st meeting.) B-4 A Hearing on the Conditional Use Permit #95-22, Preliminary Plan, for a Restricted Development for the Property Located at 304 Sixth Street S.W. Wishing to be heard was Mich Degerstrom, 316 Sixth Street S.W. Mr. Degerstrom was concerned about the increased traffic activity and parking problems that may arise with a retail business. Jane Kansier, Planning Department, noted that the building has 13 or 14 off -site parking stalls. Having no one further wishing to be heard, President Hunziker closed the hearing. Councilmember McConnell moved, Evans seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 4A-96 approving the permit with the three conditions as proposed. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. 1 RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Annual Meeting No. 1- January 3 1996 4589 Agenda Item B-5 A Hearing on the Conditional Use Permit #95-18, Type III, Phase II by Western Walls to allow sand and gravel mining in the R-1 district and the Floodway of Cascade Creek and deposit of fill. Having no one wishing to be heard, President Hunziker noted that the applicant was unable to attend the meeting and requested that the hearing be continued until January 17, 1996. Councilmember Senjem moved, Stobaugh seconded, to continue the hearing until the January 17, 1996 meeting. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. B-6 A Hearing on Project No. 6205-4-96 J-9360 "Extension of Sanitary Sewer and Watermain in Future 5th Street N.W. from approximately 300 feet west of 43rd Avenue N.W. to approximately 2200 feet west of 43rd Avenue N.W.". Wishing to be heard was Sedrick Schultz, who was present on behalf of the applicant should the Council have any questions. Having no one else wishing to be heard, President Hunziker closed the hearing. Councilmember Senjem moved, McConnell seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 5-96 ordering Project No. 6205-4-96 J-9360 to be made. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. C-6 to ` Councilmembers Stobaugh moved, Senjem seconded, to approve items C-6, 7, C-12 19, 11 and, 12. C-6 I Approval of the minutes of the December 18, 1995 meeting C-8 Adopt Resolution No. 7-96 approving Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $1,016.50 to Mid -America Business Systems contract for Library shelving. RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL 4590 CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Annual Meeting No. 1 - January 3, 1996 Agenda Item C-9 Approve the following licenses and Activities: Bingo Renewal Circus World Bingo, 2828 East Frontage Road Cigarette Over the Counter Eddie Ingram DBA Out -Back Cafe, 314 1st Street S.W. Gambling - Premise Permit Renewals Celebrity Bowl Charities at Recreation Lanes, Colonial Lanes, J'J's Restaurant and Lounge (formerly Willows Restaurant) Sidewalks Hobby Concrete, Incorporated, Rochester Miscellaneous Rochester Education Association Fitness Walk - 01-25-96 Jefferson School & Walking Trail around Silver Lake Annual Renewals Bus 1 Chickens 2 Heating, Vent, Air Contract 92 Master Installer 128 Motion Picture 19 Pawnbroker 3 Plumber 60 Pigeons 5 Sewer and Drain 39 Sidewalk (Asphalt) 9 Sidewalk (Cement) 43 Sign Installers 19 Taxicabs 1 C-11 Adopt Resolution Nos. 8-96, 9-96, 10-96, 11-96 and 12-96 Designating Depositories, Authorizing facsimile signature and endorsement of Certificates of Deposits and Assignment of Securities. C-12 Adopt Resolution No. 13-96 authorizing payment for work covered under Supplemental Agreement No. 1 for Project No. 9355 J-6295 "3 1/2 Avenue S.W. at 12th Street S.W. Reconstruction". Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. C-7 Councilmember McConnell moved, Evans seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 6-96 approving Change Order #11 to the Lovering Johnson Ramp /Skyway contract in the amount of $1,507.00. Discussion. Doug Knott, Downtown Development, noted that the change order is the result of approved changes to the project as needed but that the City is holding a portion of the retainage from Lovering Johnson as well as additional monies for anticipated damages. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. 1 RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Annual Meeting No. 1 - January 3 1996 4591 Agenda Item C-10 I Councilmember Evans moved, Stobaugh seconded, to approve payment of Accounts Payable in the amount of $3,163,162.66. Discussion. Councilmember McConnell questioned the payment to the Center for Effective Living in the amount of $487.50 for consultations for team building for the Fire Department. Councilmembers agreed any need for services such as this be brought to the Council in the future for prior approval. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. D-1 No one wished to present any letters, petitions or presentations. E-1 Councilmember McConnell moved, Evans seconded, to approve the issuance of permits by the City Clerk for the hanging of banners over Second Street and First Avenue S.W. Discussion. Councilmembers asked the City Attorney the authority they held in issuance or denial of any banners. Terry Adkins, City Attorney, replied "none" as it was a questions of freedom of speech issue. Councilmember McConnell withdrew his motion, Evans his second. Further discussion noted that applicants for banners must be granted permission from the property owners to use the properties to secure the hangers from. Councilmember Hruska moved, Stobaugh seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 14-96 approving the issuance of permits by the City Clerk for the hanging of banners over Second Street and First Avenue S.W. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. E-2 Councilmember Evans moved, Hruska seconded, to approve the Off -Sale Non - Intoxicating Malt Liquor licenses for Fleming Companies, Incorporated DBA Rainbow Foods at 1201 South Broadway and 3960 East Frontage Road. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. E-3 Councilmember Senjem moved, Stobaugh seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 15-96 authorizing the purchase of an 80,000 lb Lowboy Tri-axle Trailer from the Long Lake Tractor and Equipment Company for a price of #34,969.20 including tax. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. E-4 The Public Works Department requested that this item be withdrawn from the agenda at this time and brought back at a later date. E-5 Councilmember McConnell moved, Evans seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 16-96 receiving the feasibility report for Project No. 9602 J-9361 "Watermain Extension from South Pointe Second Subdivision to Machinery Hill Subdivision" and ordering a hearing to be held on February 5, 1996. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL 4592 CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Annual Meeting No. 1 - January 3, 1996 Agenda Item E-6 E-7 F-1 H-1 Councilmember Stobaugh moved, Hruska seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 17-96 adding Paragraph 29.3 to Section H of the Comprehensive Traffic and Parking book to read: "(29.3) Fourth Street S.E., on the south side of the street 60 feet, more or less, in front of the premise known at 826 Fourth Street S.E., 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday (Rochester Fire Extinguisher Company)." Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. Councilmember Evans moved, Stobaugh seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 18-96 authorizing the City Attorney to sign the Stipulation for Settlement of $40,000.00 to Mr. Richard Wilker on a full, final and complete basis for his workers compensation claim. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. An Ordinance Rezoning Certain Property to M-1 and Amending Ordinance No. 2785, Known as the Zoning Ordinance and Land Development Manual of the City of Rochester, Minnesota, was given a first reading. (Thomas Moore property at St. Bridget Road S.E.). Councilmember Senjem moved, Stobaugh seconded, to certifiy the names of the seven applicants for Second Ward Councilmember for interviews. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. Having no further business, Councilmember Stobaugh moved, Evans seconded, to adjourn the meeting. Lz�� A&I, X) . �J eputy City Clerk 1 11