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2000-11-07 City Council minutesPage No. 1 November 7, 2000 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, November 7, 2000 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 8:30 o'clock p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 8:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers Dwyer, Huber, Krebsbach and Schneeman. AGENDA ADOPTION Councilmember Krebsbach moved adoption of the revised agenda for the meeting. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Schneeman moved approval of the consent calendar for the meeting, along with authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein. a. Acknowledgment of the October 26, 2000 Town Center meeting notes. b. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the October 10, 2000 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. c. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the October 11, 2000 Airport Relations Commission meeting. d. Acknowledgment Fire Department monthly report for September. e. Acknowledgment of the Building Activity Report for October. f. Notice of the 2001 water rates from the St. Paul Water Department. g. Authorization for the issuance of a purchase order to IKON for a Cannon LC3170 Facsimile machine for $2,055.00 plus tax, and Page No. 2 November 7, 2000 also authorization for the cost to be charged to the General Fund Reserve. h. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -88, "A RESOLUTION ELECTING TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LOCAL HOUSING INCENTIVES ACCOUNT PROGRAM UNDER THE METROPOLITAN LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT." i. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -89, "RESOLUTION APPROVING FINAL PLAT FOR TUMINELLY' S CARMEN COURT 2ND ADDITION." j. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -90, "A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM ON THE INSTALLATION OF EXTERNAL MOUNTED ANTENNAS WITHOUT A PERMIT." k. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -91, "A RESOLUTION SEEKING FUNDING FROM DAKOTA COUNTY FOR CONTINUATION OF THE COMMUNITY LANDFILL ABATEMENT PROGRAM." 1. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -92, "RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED REDUCTION IN SIZE OF EXISTING TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 1 WITHIN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 AND THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF A MODIFICATION TO THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN RELATING THERETO, THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF A MODIFICATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 1, AND THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 2 THEREIN AND THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN RELATING THERETO.". m. Approval of the list of contractor licenses dated November 7, 2000. n. Approval of the List of Claims dated November 7, 2000 and totaling $235.373.01 Page No. 3 November 7, 2000 Councilmember Dwyer seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Jim Pranty, from Garvin Incorporated, 1450 Northland Drive, was present to voice his concerns over the Brown Institute parking issues. The entire street is packed with cars, which are parked in front of hydrants and across driveways of the area businesses. He stated that Garvin is a warehouse and the 53 foot trucks that come to his building daily are having difficulty getting into their parking lot. Econ Pacer has the same problem. The cars are there daily, all day and slows down about 2:00 p.m. The cars are definitely associated with Brown. Cars from Brown students are also being parked in Garvin's parking lot. Mayor Mertensotto stated that it is obvious Brown does not have sufficient parking. He asked Mr. Pranty if he had any suggestions. Mr. Pranty stated that perhaps there could be a park and ride or a satellite facility for the overflow of students. Signing one side of the street as no parking would help. Councilmember Dwyer recalled that Council felt that parking could be a potential problem when Brown's use was approved. He stated that Brown represented that if a parking problem were created, they would work with Council for a solution. Robert Tousignant, representing EconPlacer, stated that he has had the same problem. Big trucks move in and out of his parking lot on a regular basis, and he is concerned about the dangerous situation that is presented when students park on the street. Also, students have been parking in front of the fire hydrants. He suggested that Brown should perhaps look at the possibility of a parking ramp. Mr. John Sopsic, from Brown Institute, stated that at the start of the new quarter in October there was a new quarter starting and a number of new students who were not familiar with the parking regulations. Also, two new morning programs were initiated at that time. With the addition of these two programs there was an influx of 100 to 120 students, which caused confusion. We have been concerned over parking, and have met recently with St. Peter's Church representatives and proposed that Brown lease unused parking spaces on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the hours when the extra parking at Brown is a problem. The students would then be taken to Brown by shuttle. Brown is growing rapidly Page No. 4 November 7, 2000 in all of its programs and is attempting to manage the parking situation and asked the other business owners to be patient for a time. If Brown had the luxury of having an equal number of students morning, afternoon and evening, there would be no parking problems. Brown has requested all of the students to seek parking in the Brown lot and it has advised all of the students that if they park illegally they will be ticketed. Councilmember Krebsbach asked if Brown has parking permits for its students. Mr. Sopsic responded that Brown has a 100% parking program wherein if a student attends every class every day, that student gets to park closer to the door. There are no other parking programs. There are more students on Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. than Brown anticipated there would be. He stated that Brown Institute is open to any suggestions. Mayor Mertensotto suggested that Mr. Sopsic follow up immediately about the use of St. Peter's property. He also suggested that Mr. Sopsic contact Mr. Dale Glowa to find out if there is any parking available on a temporary basis. A permanent solution in the future might be through construction of a parking ramp with city financial assistance via revenue bonds. CASE NO. 00 -33, CASHILL Council acknowledged a memo regarding continued discussion on an application from Mike Cashill for a conditional use permit and wetlands permit to allow the replacement of the existing Par 3 maintenance shed with a new shed. Mr. Allan Spaulding was present for the discussion. Mayor Mertensotto stated that because the owners of Par 3 has actively promoted his opponent in the Mayoral race, he would recuse himself from the discussion. He turned the meeting over to Councilmember Krebsbach as Acting Mayor for the discussion. Mr. Allan Spaulding stated that he has incorporated into his plan most of the amendments recommended by Council at the last discussion. The only issue the plan does not comply with is blacktopping the total driveway up to the shed. Acting Mayor Krebsbach noted that the Planning Commission had recommended that 15 feet of the driveway be blacktopped, but Council felt the entire drive should be paved. Page No. 5 November 7, 2000 Councilmember Schneeman stated that she had felt that only a short distance of the driveway should be paved and the remainder should be gravel because it is more aesthetically pleasing. Councilmember Dwyer stated that it seems that the goal of paving the driveway is to address the concerns of the neighbors that loose gravel and dust are being picked up and carried to the street. He felt that the neighborhood problems are probably being addressed by the proposal by Par 3 for 20 feet of blacktop from the street. Acting Mayor Krebsbach asked if Mr. Spaulding is agreeable to all of the conditions in the proposed approving resolution. She read the conditions, noting that one condition was complete blacktopping of the driveway. Mr. Spaulding stated that he is aware of all of the conditions that are proposed and is agreeable to all of them except the driveway paving. He is proposing 20 feet of blacktop rather than blacktopping the entire driveway. Councilmember Huber stated that he would prefer that the entire driveway be paved. Traffic, which would include service vehicles, that will access the shed should be on paved surface rather than gravel. Councilmember Schneeman stated that she golfs at different clubs and most have gravel driveways which tend to blend in well. Mr. Spaulding stated that this is a small operation and paving the entire driveway would cost $10,000. There was discussion over the distance the structure is proposed to be set back from the high water mark of the wetlands. Councilmember Dwyer moved adoption of Resolution No. 00 -93, "A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN APPLICATION BY PAR 3 GOLF COURSE FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND A WETLANDS PERMIT FOR AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SHED AT THE CENTER OF THE GOLF COURSE WITH A LARGER SHED IN THE SAME LOCATION," revised to require that the first 20 feet of the driveway from the street into the golf course be paved, consistent with the plan submitted, and that there be an understanding that the nearest corner of the shed will be 28 feet from the high water mark of the wetlands. Ayes: 3 Nays: I Huber Page No. 6 November 7, 2000 Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Mayor Mertensotto returned to the Chair. 2001 STREET PROJECTS Council acknowledged a memo from Engineer Mogan regarding a request from a property owner on Spring Street that Spring Street be included into the 2001 Street Project Poll Survey. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the cottonwood trees on the city property on Spring Street are creating problems and should be removed or at least trimmed. Councilmember Krebsbach stated that the owner of adjoining property has expressed interest in purchasing the property. Also, when city staff cut some of the trees recently, property owners objected. She suggested that the city contact the adjoining property owner to determine his interest before removing any trees. Responding to a question from Councilmember Dwyer, Engineer Mogan stated that Spring Street could wait a little longer for reconstruction but it is in deteriorated condition. Councilmember Huber moved to include Spring Street in the street project survey for Year 2001 Street Projects. Councilmember Krebsbach seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COPPERFIELD DRAINAGE Council acknowledged a memo from Engineer Mogan regarding authorization for drainage improvements at 562 Stone Road. Councilmember Dwyer stated that the problem is the sidewalk that runs on the east side of Copperfield Drive. The topography of the area is such that surface water drains 1,500 feet, running through everyone's back yards and pooling at 562 Stone Road and then cascading over the sidewalk. The runoff freezes on the sidewalk in the winter and spring time and creates very slippery and unsafe conditions. Councilmember Dwyer moved to authorize the Engineering Department to advertise the bidding and award of a drainage improvement project in the Copperfield development at 562 Stone Road, by day labor, with project costs to be financed by the Storm Water Utility Fund. Page No. 7 November 7, 2000 Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CANVASSING BOARD Councilmember Krebsbach moved that the Election Canvassing Board be conducted at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2000. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 WORKSHOPS Council acknowledged a reminder that a budget workshop has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on November 14. Mayor Mertensotto stated that Council must also schedule a workshop to conduct a follow -up interview with the final City Administrator candidate. Councilmember Dwyer moved to schedule a workshop to conduct a follow -up interview with the City Administrator finalist at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15. Councilmember Krebsbach seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Mertensotto read a letter from Olympic Gold Medalist Tom Malchow in appreciation for the community reception that the city sponsored in his honor. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before Council, Councilmember Huber moved that the meeting be adjourned to the budget meeting scheduled for November 14 at 7:30 p.m. Ayes: 5 Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Nays: 0 TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:50 p.m. athleen M. Swanson City Clerk ATTEST: A'&"g Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor