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2000-12-19 City Council minutesPage No. 1 December 19, 2000 C-M OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA: COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, December 19; 2000 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. Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order,at 7:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers Dwyer, Huber, Krebsbach and Schneeman. AGENDA ADOPTION Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 INTRODUCTIONS APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Councilmember Krebsbac.h moved adoption of the revised agenda for the meeting. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Mayor Mertensotto introduced Ms.. Cari Lindberg, who will begin her appointment as City Administrator on December 31. Councilmember Schneeman moved approval of the minutes of the Truth in Taxation hearing, held on December 4, 2000. Councilmember Huber seconded the motion. Councilmember Schneeman moved approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held on November 7, 2000. Councilmember Krebsbach seconded the motion. Councilmember Dwyer moved approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held on December 5, 2000 as amended. Councilmember Huber seconded the motion. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Krebsbach moved approval of the consent calendar for the meeting, revised to move items 5i, network software, 5k, Verizon lease extension, and 5p, fence ordinance amendment, to the regular agenda, along with authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein. Page No. 2 December 19, 2000 a. Acknowledgment of the December 7, 2000 Town Center Focus Meeting notes. b. Acknowledgment of the Treasurer's monthly report for November. c. Acknowledgment of the Fire Department monthly report for November. d. Authorization to request proposals for play equipment replacement. e. Authorization for city staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission to interview consultants with respect to preparation of a request for proposals for development of a Parks Natural Resource Inventory/Management Plan and preparation of grant applications. f. Acknowledgment of the temporary assignment of Patrol Officer Yvette Tillery as Investigator in the Police Department. g. Acknowledgment of the extension of the 120 day review period for AT &T's Conditional Use Permit application. h. Authorization for the execution of a Recording Secretary Service Agreement with Time Saver for 2001. i. Authorization for execution of a Water Service Agreement for the Stonebridge Townhome Development in Lilydale. j. Authorization for the issuance of a sign permit to Nordquist Sign Co., for the installation of a sign for Pay Chex at 1210 Northland Drive. k. Approval of revised drawings for the Par 3 Maintenance building to add an alcove for maintenance purposes. 1. Approval of the promotion of John Ambrose from Public Works Maintenance Worker II to Maintenance Worker III. m. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -102, "A RESOLUTION AMENDING PAY CLASSIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR NON ORGANIZED EMPLOYEES TO REFLECT A THREE ( ) PERCENT ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT FOR 2001," and Page No. 3 December 19, 2000 Resolution No. 00 -103, "A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A SCHEDULE OF COMPENSATION FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES FOR 2001 AND ESTABLISHING CERTAIN OTHER BENEFITS." n. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -104, "A RESOLUTION APPROVING APPLICATION OF THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001 DAKOTA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING." o. Approval of the list of tobacco licenses dated December 19, 2000. p. Approval of the List of Claims dated December 19, 2000 and totaling $864,239.62. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 NETWORK UPGRADE Council acknowledged a memo from the City Clerk recommending the purchase of an upgrade to the city's network operating system. Sgt. Jeff Piotraschke reviewed the memo for Council. He explained that the upgrade will allow the city's administration, police and engineering departments to communicate through internal email and to share data files. Sgt. Piotraschke responded to Council questions. He explained that once the transition is complete, it will also be possible for all of the city's computers to have internet access and the city employees can have external email. Before this occurs, it will be necessary to acquire and install a firewall and prepare a written policy. After discussion, Councilmember Schneeman moved to authorize the acquisition of Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Back Office Server upgrade, through the 1999 General Fund Contingency reserve, at a cost not to exceed $2,920 plus shipping and tax. Councilmember Krebsbach seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 4 December 19, 2000 VERIZON LEASE Council acknowledged a memo from Interim Administrator Danielson regarding a request from Verizon Wireless for an extension of its lease for antennas on the city water tower. Councilmember Dwyer asked whether the lease extension provides for an increase in the rent paid to the city. Mayor Mertensotto responded that the original agreement provides for annual 5% increases or the increases in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is greater. Councilmember Dwyer felt that the city should revisit the rental price issue now because the rental rate provision cannot be changed during the five year contract extension. Interim Administrator Danielson informed Council that the fee paid by Verizon, $1,536 per month, is comparable to the fees paid by Sprint ($1,800) and Voice Stream ($1,650) but that Metricom pays $2,000 per month. It was noted that Verizon's rate is less than the other vendors because the utility structure built by Verizon was constructed at twice the size they needed in order to provide space for city storage of materials. Councilmember Dwyer moved to authorize execution of the Verizon Wireless lease agreement extension. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 FENCE REGULATIONS Council acknowledged a memo and proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to revise fence opacity and height requirements. Councilmember Dwyer pointed out two typographical errors and recommended a revision to Section 2. Councilmember Dwyer moved adoption of Ordinance No. 355, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 401," with revisions. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 5 December 19, 2000 PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Sten Gerfast, 1802 Valley Curve, stated that he would like to "partner" with Council on the Town Center issue. Mayor Mertensotto responded that he would be happy to work with Mr. Gerfast. Mr. Robert Krueser, 963 South Freeway Road, expressed his disagreement with various Council decisions during the year and presented the members of Council with gag gifts. HEARING — TRUTH Mayor Mertensotto opened the meeting for the purpose of IN TAXATION continuation of the Truth In Taxation hearing. Council acknowledged the proposed budget for 2001 and a memo from Treasurer Shaughnessy. Mayor Mertensotto asked for questions and comments from the audience. There being no questions or comments, Councilmember Huber moved that the hearing be closed. Councilmember Dwyer seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Councilmember Krebsbach moved adoption of Resolution No. 00- 105, "RESOLUTION APPROVING FINAL 2000 TAX LEVY COLLECTIBLE IN 2001 AND ADOPTING PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2001." Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 NDC-4 APPOINTMENT Council acknowledged a memo from Interim Administrator Danielson regarding the appointment of a Council representative to replace Councilmember Huber on NDC4 and reappointment of the city's citizen representative to the commission. Mayor Mertensotto stated that Councilmember Elect Jack Vitelli has expressed an interest in being appointed as the Council representative. He recommended that Mr. Mike Sokol be reappointed as the citizen representative. Councilmember Huber moved that Councilmember-Elect Vitelli be appointed to serve as the Council representative on NDC4 and that Mr. Mike Sokol be reappointed as the citizen representative, both appointments to be for two-year terms. Page No. 6 December 19, 2000 Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. - Ayes:5 Nays:0 AFFORDABLE HOUSING Council acknowledged a memo from Interim Administrator MEETING Danielson regarding Council participation in a roundtable on affordable housing. Council also acknowledged letters from Mr. Cameron Kruse and Ms. Judy Rhein, Core Team Members for Workforce Housing, requesting Council participation in the roundtable. Interim Administrator Danielson stated that the meeting will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on February 15 at Peace Lutheran Church in Inver Grove Heights. Councilmember Krebsbach stated that the group sponsoring the roundtable, "Isiah," is a bi- partisan ecumenical group. Councilmembers Dwyer and Schneeman indicated that they would attend the meeting. SITE DISTANCE Council acknowledged a memo from Interim Administrator Danielson regarding restricted sight distances and the city's right to enter private property to trim trees or vegetation to abate a hazardous situation. Council also acknowledged an associated opinion from Assistant City Attorney Dan Schleck. Attorney Schleck informed Council that the city has the right to enter private property if there is a safety issue involved. The city has a duty to prevent unsafe conditions on rights -of -way. Mayor Mertensotto and Councilmember Dwyer pointed out that the permission of the property owner should be sought before city staff enter private property. TOWN CENTER TIF Council acknowledged a memo from Interim Administrator Danielson regarding a proposal from Mr. John Herman for modification of the city's existing TIF Development District to incorporate the changes authorized by state legislation adopted on behalf of the city. Council also acknowledged the proposal from Mr. Herman. After brief discussion, Councilmember Krebsbach moved to direct the Faegre & Benson and Carolyn Krall to prepare the amended j Development District Plan and Tax Increment Plan, consistent with Page No. 7 December 19, 2000 the results of the public workshops and Council workshop, for submission for Council review at the second Council meeting in January, 2001 and to authorize staff to request proposals from appraisal firms to update the appraisals on all properties in the Freeway Road (Town Center) Development District, with the exception of the veterinary hospital property. Councilmember Huber seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Huber expressed his appreciation to the Mendota Heights residents, to the city staff, Council members and commission members and to his wife and family for their support during his eight years on the City Council. Mayor Mertensotto expressed appreciation to Councilmember Huber for his years of service as a Councilmember, Parks and Recreation Commissioner and NDC4 representative. Councilmembers Krebsbach, Dwyer and Schneeman also expressed their appreciation to Councilmember Huber and commented on his integrity and dedication. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before Council, Councilmember Huber moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Dwyer seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:50 p.m. 16thleen M. Swanson City Clerk ATTEST: Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor