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2001-01-16 City Council minutesPage No. 1 January 16, 2001 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, January 16, 2001 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 7:30 o'clock p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 7:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers Dwyer, Krebsbach, Schneeman and Vitelli. AGENDA ADOPTION Councilmember Krebsbach moved adoption of the revised agenda for the meeting. Councilmember Dwyer seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Dwyer moved approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 4, 2001 as amended. Councilmember Krebsbach seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Vitellli moved approval of the consent calendar for the meeting, along with authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein. a. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission meetings held on December 12,2000 and January 9, 2001. b. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the Airport Relations Commission meetings held on December 13, 2000 and January 10, 2001. c. Acknowledgment of the Treasurer's monthly report for December, 2000. d. Acknowledgment of the Fire Department monthly report for November, 2000. Page No. 2 January 16, 2001 e. Acknowledgment of a memo regarding revisions to the Tournament Reservation and Concession Stand Use Policy. f. Acknowledgment of a of $750 from Parks and Recreation Commissioner David Libra for the planting of additional spruce trees in South Kensington Park. g. Authorization to enter into an agreement with Vanco Services, Inc. for the provision of electronic fund transfer for utility bill payments. h. Authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a private watermain agreement with the St. Paul Board of Water Commissioners and United Properties to allow the installation of fire hydrants on land owned by United Properties along Northland Drive, east of T.H. 55. i. Approval of the promotion of Sgt. Jeff Piotraschke to the rank of Police Captain. j. Authorization for the issuance of a purchase order to Push Pedal Pull in the amount of $3,700.86 for the purchase of a treadmill for the fitness room at City Hall. k. Approval of the issuance of a sign permit to Nordquist Sign Company for the installation of a building - mounted sign at the Patterson Dental Company Training Center at 1031 Mendota Heights Road. 1. Adoption of Ordinance No. 356, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 803." m. Authorization for the execution of an agreement with Barr Engineering for preparation of a grant application at a cost not to exceed $2,000, and adoption of Resolution No. 01 -04, "A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT MADE AND ENTERED INTO WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR A METRO GREENWAYS PLANNING GRANT." n. Approval of the list of Rubbish Hauler licenses. o. Approval of the list of contractor licenses dated January 16, 2001. Page No. 3 January 16, 2001 p. Approval of the List of Claims dated January 16, 2001 and totaling $1,294,767.98. Ayes: 5 Councilmember Krebsbach seconded the motion. Nays: 0 TIF PLAN REVISION Council acknowledged a memo from Public Works Director Danielson regarding Modification 3 to the city's Tax Increment Financing Plan and Development District Plan, along with copies of the plans. Councilmember Krebsbach noted that the veterinary clinic is an exception and asked if the veterinarian can relocate should circumstances change. Mayor Mertensotto responded that he understands that the recommendation was to leave the clinic and that the clinic will be excluded from the condemnation procedures. The property is within the district but the city will not be acquiring it. Council can change that in the future if needed. Councilmember Dwyer stated that he feels the format of the development plan gives Council the best flexibility. Councilmember Krebsbach pointed out that Council does not have any authority to use the TIF resources in any area of the city other than the Town Center area. She stated that the community is well aware of Council's dedication to this area by Council's commitment to dedicate the entire $4.5 million in TIF to the project. Mayor Mertensotto stated that much of the site area has been owned by the state since the 1950's. More than likely nothing would happen to the property unless the city initiates a redevelopment program. By doing the project under the extension of the TIF district, within the next six years the TIF money will all be recouped because as the property develops it will be brought onto the tax rolls for the city and the school district. Councilmember Vitelli moved to schedule a public hearing for 8:00 p.m. on February 20 for consideration of amending the city's Tax Increment District #1 to include the legislative authority to expend the sum of $4.5 million on the Town Center Development. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 4 January 16, 2001 TOWN CENTER WORKSHOP Council acknowledged a memo from Public Works Director Danielson regarding scheduling a Town Center workshop. Mayor Mertensotto stated that Maxfield Research is completing its market study analyzing Town Center and will be prepared to present the results to Council at a workshop on February 8 or 13. Councilmember Dwyer stated that he will not be available on February 8 and may not be available on February 13. Mayor Mertensotto responded that Council could set the workshop for February 13 and asked Councilmember Dwyer to let the City Administrator know about his availability as soon as possible so that she can contact the consultants for an alternate date. Councilmember Vitelli moved to schedule a Town Center workshop on February 13 at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Krebsbach seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mr. Sten Gerfast asked what the format of the workshop will be and if it will be a public meeting. Mayor Mertensotto responded that all workshops are open to the public and that the dialogue will be between the consultants and Council. The consultants will make presentations and Council will ask them questions. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Mertensotto informed Council about a copy of a letter he had received from Mr. Thomas Tinkham, from Dorsey & Whitney, LLP as Attorney for Northwest Airlines to the Metropolitan Airports Commission regarding the Augusta Shores development. He stated that the letter impugns his character both as Mayor and as MASAC Chair. He stated that the letter speaks about members of the MASAC continuing to approve construction of new homes within areas defined as non-compatible for the use. He informed Council that he told the MAC to read the letter from Mr. Tinkham with the understanding that the city had been "at war" with Dorsey & Whitney over the Par 3 issue and he had recommended that the firm not be used as bond counsel. He felt that the letter was intended to get back at him. He stated that he has advised the MAC that Mendota Heights is the only one of the seven cities surrounding the airport that has adopted noise measures. At the time the city's ordinance was adopted, multiple family use was allowed in this noise Page No. 5 January 16, 2001 zone. The land owner made application for a conditional use permit, and the city had to apply to the Metropolitan Council for a change in the comprehensive plan from R-1 to multi-family. Council reduced the plan from sixty units to 46 units. It was up to the developer to convince the Metropolitan Council that the common entrance had nothing to do with the noise zone. Mr. David Braslau, who was the noise consultant for the state, agreed. Mr. Braslau also reviewed the plan and determined the noise attenuation far exceed what was required for the noise zone. Council also required that the property owner notify each prospective homeowner of the noise impact. He felt that Dorsey & Whitney have used this opportunity to get back at the city. He informed Council about the structure of MASAC, further informing Council that Northwest Airlines has withdrawn from the group and TWA has expressed that it is also withdrawing. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Krebsbach informed Council that local resident Mary Shaughnessy is going to be recognized as the WCCO Good Neighbor for her efforts on behalf of the Minnesota Orchestra. Councilmember Vitelli informed Council that he is continuing to work with city staff on computer issues. He also reported that he has started working with the Fire Chief and a presentation should be ready in a month on what the city's water rescue policy should be. Councilmember Schneeman informed the audience that the city is planning a party for January 18 at the Pool & Yacht Club to greet City Administrator Lindberg and Councilmember Vitelli and to recognize and say goodbye to former Councilmember John Huber. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before Council, Councilmember Vitelli moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:21 p.m. Kathleen M. Swanson City Clerk RNWIMN Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor