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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_01152019CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING IONA COMMUNITY CENTER JANUARY 15, 2019 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gubler, Council President Rob Geray, Council Member Michael Thompson, Council Member Kathy McNamara, Council Member Peter Wadsworth, City Attorney Andrew Rawlings, Public Works Director Zech Prouse, Chief of Police Karl Bowcutt, Treasurer Amy Sullivan and City Clerk Keri West. ABSENT: None. VISITORS: Sadie Bailey and Greg Bailey. ITEMS OF BUSINESS: Discussion of Water Hook -Ups for Doris Ritchie — Mayor Gubler stated at last month's Work Meeting, they discussed the offer to grant Mrs. Ritchie one water hook-up if she allowed the City to go through her easement for the transmission line for the new water tank. Mrs. Ritchie has discussed this with her son, and is now requesting a second water hook-up on her property as part of this agreement. In addition, Mrs. Ritchie is also requesting a statement from the City Council that states the City will not charge her a premium water rate because she is outside the City limits. Council President Geray voiced his concern that if the City Council approves this, Mrs. Ritchie would come back to the City to negotiate more. Attorney Rawlings informed the Council the provision regarding the water rate for residents outside the City limits is as provided by law. Meaning, the current City Code does not allow the City to charge a premium water rate to residents outside the City limits. If a future City Council changes this in the City Code, this portion of the contract would be void. Attorney Rawlings also stated if the City Council does not want to approve the requested two water hook-ups, the only other option is Eminent Domain. Mayor Gubler stated that option would take months to complete and the transmission line construction needs to begin now. Council Member Wadsworth questioned whether this agreement would transfer upon death or sale of the property. Mayor Gubler confirmed the agreement is transferable if Mrs. Ritchie sells the specified property or passes it down to a relative. Mayor Gubler entertained a motion. Council Member Wadsworth made a motion to approve two water line hook-ups for Doris Ritchie, and that they maintain the City rate for each hook-up. Motion seconded by Council Member McNamara. All in favor. Motion carried. Thunder Ridge Key Club- Sadie Bailey — Sadie Bailey introduced herself as the Key Club President at Thunder Ridge High School. She informed the Council that Key Club is an international service organization. It is a student -led organization that is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. She stated her goal for tonight is to express interest in getting involved in the community of Iona. Council President Geray stated the Annual Easter Egg Hunt is coming up and the City is always looking for help to stuff and hide eggs. Mayor Gubler stated the City of Iona has a Mayor's Youth Advisory Council that also enlists high school youth to get involved and serve in the City of Iona. He suggested that Miss Bailey join the MYAC, along with other Key Club members to bridge the gap between the two programs and provide more help when service opportunities arise. Miss Bailey asked who the best person is to communicate with 1 regarding service opportunities. Mayor Gubler confirmed Clerk West as the person to which she should communicate. The Council thanked Miss Bailey for her time and consideration of Iona. Approval of Award for Water Line Project — Mayor Gubler stated the City received four bids for the construction of the water line project. Knife River is the lowest bidder and the only company that has the appropriate equipment to complete the project. The other companies that bid would need to rent the equipment from Knife River. He also stated at this point, we only have 25 days to get the contract awarded once the Quitclaim Deeds are signed. Council President Geray expressed concern for companies that bid low on a project, only to increase the cost as the project continues by issuing multiple change orders. Mayor Gubler stated Knife River does not have that type of reputation. Mayor Gubler continued by saying Knife River had all the line items met and bases covered on their bid. Mayor Gubler also stated the bids were much higher than we originally anticipated. He had Engineer Dave Noel go over the numbers and we are about $260,000 over what we had originally budgeted for construction of the project. However, Mayor Gubler anticipates a savings on the water tank, which will bring our overall expenses closer to the original budget. Council President Geray asked Director Prouse if he supported this process and agrees with Knife River as the top choice to be awarded this contract. Director Prouse confirmed his support for Knife River and commended Engineer Dave Noel on his thorough work on the matter. Mayor Gubler entertained a motion. Council President Geray made a motion to approve awarding of the water line project to Knife River Corporation for the amount of $1,137,880 pending resolution of the water hook-up easement with Doris Ritchie. Motion seconded by Council Member Thompson. A11 in favor. Motion carried. Discussion of Tropical Sno at City Park — Mayor Gubler stated the individual that operated the Tropical Sno business at the City Park last summer has requested to do business there again this summer. Director Prouse stated the garbage will always be an issue during baseball season, but he felt they did a better job in 2018 than in previous years. Director Prouse also suggested requiring Tropical Sno to provide additional garbage cans and making more of an effort to clean up during the day. Mayor Gubler agreed to request that from Tropical Sno. Council approved Tropical Sno to operate at the City Park during softball and baseball games. Discussion of Home Based Businesses — Mayor Gubler started the discussion asking if a resident sells their business, can the business still run out of their home or shop under another business owner's name? Council President Geray stated there has been confusion between the terms "home occupation" and "business licenses". He continued by explaining in Title 4 of the City Code there is a list of specific types of merchants. A "home occupation" requires a Conditional Use Permit for the home. Council President Geray also stated if the resident is in an R-1 zone, they are not authorized to have a business there without a Conditional Use Permit. Attorney Rawlings stated the Council may want to have a future discussion on the business license section of the City Code, because it only lists a handful of allowed businesses. Council President Geray stated that a lot of business license applications they have discussed and approved should have been treated as Conditional Use Permits, rather than a business license. General Water System Discussion — Mayor Gubler stated the City opened bids on Friday for the construction of the transmission line. Progressive Irrigation has given the City permission to work in the canal, prior to their season that begins in April. He also stated DN Tanks contacted him quite upset that the City doesn't want their Type 3 tank. Mayor Gubler told DN Tanks that 2 he would let the City Council know that DN Tanks is requesting to bid a Type 3 tank for our project. Mayor Gubler further explained a Type 3 tank has 5" thick concrete walls, with pre- formed panel walls that are poured on the ground and lifted up into place. Mayor Gubler further explained the Dome Technologies Tank is cast in place, post stressed concrete. The Council will discuss tank bids at a later time. Meeting Adjourned: 6:57 p.m. COUNCIL APPROVED: February 19`h, 2019 ��.�-.) 1 Dan Gubler, ayor ATTEST: eri West, City Clerk 3