Loading...
2000-08-15 City Council minutesPage No. I August 15, 2000 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, August 15, 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. PRESENTATIONS The City Council received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Metropolitan Council for the city's four years of participation in the Livable Communities Act. Administrative Assistant Patrick Hollister made the presentation on behalf of Metropolitan Council District 15 Representative Carolyn Rodriguez who was unable to attend the meeting. AGENDA ADOPTION Councilmember Schneeman moved adoption of the revised agenda for the meeting. Councilmember Krebsbach seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Council acknowledged the minutes of the August 1 meeting and tabled approval to September 3. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Krebsbach 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 July 25, 2000 Planning Commission meeting. b. Acknowledgment of the Treasurer's monthly report for July. Acknowledgment of the Fire Department monthly report for July. d. Authorization for the issuance of a sign permits to Nordquist Sign Company for the installation of a 25 square foot wall sign Page No. 2 August 15, 2000 and a four square foot addition to the monument sign for Associated Bureaus. Authorization for the promotion of Patrol Officer Neil Garlock to the rank of sergeant, effective August 15, 2000, with compensation to be at Step C, Grade XXXI of the city's pay matrix. f. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -66, "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SPECIAL PERMIT TO TURNERS GYMNASTICS CENTER FOR A TEMPORARY SIGN." g. Authorization to solicit bids for the resurfacing of the double tennis court at Valley Park and authorization for the issuance of a purchase order to the contractor submitting the lowest qualified bid within the $4,000 budget limit. h. Approval of the probationary appointment of John Tran to the Civil Engineer I position, with a starting annual salary of $38,163 (Step C, Grade XVII of the city's pay matrix) and progression to Step D after successful completion of the one year probationary period. i. Council approved the "Council Adopted Policy on Council Elections" for distribution to candidates for city offices in 2000, with the understanding that information on applicants for the City Administrator position will not be distributed until the final candidates are selected. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -67, "A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF ASSESSMENT ROLLS FOR STREET RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVE DELAWARE CROSSING, IVY FALLS, ROGERS LAKE AND SURROUNDING AREAS (JOB NOS. 20001 & 20002, IMPROVEMENT NO. 2000, PROJECT NO. 1)." k. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -68, "A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF THE ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR SITE IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVE THE AREA REFERRED TO AS ALICE LANE SUBDIVISION TWO (IMPROVEMENT NO. 2000, PROJECT NO. 3)." 1. Adoption of Resolution No. 00 -69, "A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF THE ASSESSMENT Page No. 3 ) August 15, 2000 ROLL FOR SITE IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVE THE AREA REFERRED TO AS AUGUSTA SHORES (IMPROVEMENT NO. 2000, PROJECT NO. 4)." m. Approval of the list of contractors licenses. n. Approval of the List of Claims dated August 15, 2000 and totaling $516,583.18. Councilmember Dwyer seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 AUDIT PRESENTATION Mr. Steve Laible, from KPMG Peat Marwick, reviewed the 1999 Audit report for Council and the audience and responded to Council questions. PARK FUNDING Mayor Mertensotto informed the audience that Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Spicer appeared at Council's workshop on August 15 to state that there are a number of items of playground equipment that must be replaced and to request funding outside of the Special Park Fund to accomplish the replacement of unsafe play equipment and other structures in the parks. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the city currently receives about $60,000 annually from water tower antenna leases. He suggested that Council authorizing transferring the antenna lease revenues to the Special Park fund for three years to provide for the replacement of playground equipment. Councilmember Schneeman moved to authorize an annual of the water tank antenna lease revenue to the Special Park Fund for three years, beginning in 2000. Councilmember Huber seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 SLURRY SEAL Council acknowledged a memo from Civil Engineer Mogan regarding the slurry seal project bidding process. It was noted that only one bid was received for the project. Public Works Director Danielson informed Council that Struck & Irwin Paving has done the slurry seal project for the city for several years and does a very good job. The bid submitted by Struck & Irwin is also under the engineer's estimate. Page No. 4 August 15, 2000 Councilmember Krebsbach moved to accept the bid and award the contract for the 2000 Slurry Seal project to Struck & Irwin Paving, Inc., for its bid of $46,770. Councilmember Dwyer seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CASE NO. 00-02, KIPP Council acknowledged a revised preliminary plat for the Kipp Addition along with an associated memo from Interim City Administrator Danielson. Mr. Kipp, Mr. Peter Coyle, Mr. Tim Pabst and Mr. Boyd Ratchye were present for the discussion. Mr. Coyle informed Council that the changes directed by Council on August 1. have been made and the preliminary plat that was submitted to Council reflects the August I discussion. There are some additional changes that have been suggested by the adjoining property owners, and he has spoken to Mr. Pabst and a representative for Mr. Ratchye. Mr. Pabst stated that the only suggestion he made was that perhaps the loop could be moved ten to fifteen feet farther to the north because by bringing in as proposed three spruce trees would be lost. Mayor Mertensotto responded that if it makes sense for street alignment purposes he would not object but that the city can move the trees. He further stated that the city would relocate the spruce trees as requested by Mrs. Pabst for screening purposes. Mr. Pabst stated that the driveway that is being used by both the Pabsts and Mr. Ratchye is listed as right-of-way. He asked if the city will maintain the driveway or if there should be an easement. Mayor Mertensotto responded that if it is dedicated right-of-way the city has an interest but city maintenance is a different issue. The city does not maintain all of the right-of-way in the city. He felt that in this case, the reason the city is acquiring the right-of-way is to give Mr. Ratchye access to public right-of-way. He stated that the city would only maintain the improved portion of the right-of-way. Mr. Pabst stated that the only other possibility is to give Mr. Ratchye and the Pabsts a variance from the requirement for fronting on right- of-way or to grant an easement. Page No. 5 August 15, 2000 Mayor Mertensotto stated that it is appropriate that every house have frontage on public right-of-way and granting a variance would not be appropriate. Mr. Ratchye stated that the preliminary plat is generally very acceptable as long as the loop does not give his home visual pollution. Mr. Pabst asked why the roadway is proposed to be 22 feet wide when he understood it would be 24 feet wide. Interim Administrator Danielson stated that the roadway could be 22 feet of bituminous with two foot gravel shoulders if Council desires. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the road is designed for two way travel and should be 24 feet wide. Mr. Coyle responded that there is sufficient right-of-way dedicated on the plat and Mr. Kipp would have no problem with expanding the road. Councilmember Krebsbach asked who maintains the grove. She stated that she hopes maintenance will not be a problem once the plat is accomplished. Mayor Mertensotto responded that the three property owners have always maintained it and will need to continue the maintenance. He felt that the preliminary plat is good and stated that the extra service connection should be installed for the Ratchye property during the improvement project so that the street does not need to be cut in the future. Mr. Ratchye stated that he will need an easement through the outlot for the connection. He expressed appreciation to the Council for its efforts on the plat. Councilmember Krebsbach moved to grant preliminary plat approval for the Kipp Addition with the condition that the serving the subdivision be 24 feet in width and that the final plat reflect that street width. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 6 August 15, 2000 AUGUSTA SHORES Mayor Mertensotto stated that he has received a letter from the Metropolitan Airports Commission regarding the Augusta Shores development. He confirmed with Mr. Coyle that the requirement for notification to prospective buyers regarding air noise is being met. He also suggested to Mr. Coyle that Hoffman Homes should get a waiver as to any claims for air noise because the purchasers are being advised before purchase that they are under a fly zone. He informed Council that he has directed Code Enforcement Officer Berg to acquire a copy of the latest Metropolitan Council noise attenuation ordinance. Staff was directed to respond to the letter from the Metropolitan Airports Commission. ECOLAB TESTING POOL Council acknowledged a memo from Assistant Hollister relative to a request from Ecolab for authorization to install a temporary above- ground pool next to its building on Highway 13 for the testing of swimming pool chemicals. Ecolab also requested authorization to install an eight foot chain link fence around the pool. Mr. Paul Theisen, Facility Manager for Ecolab, was present on behalf of Ecolab. Mr. Theisen stated that Ecolab proposes to add a water reservoir for testing pool chemicals. There will be a fence all around the reservoir, which is basically a swimming pool. There will be no swimming and no ladders to access the pool. Councilmember Krebsbach stated that the city limits fences to 6 feet in height but that she strongly recommended approving an eight foot fence because children often collect nearby in the evening. Mr. Theisen stated that the pool site is fairly well hidden by vegetation. Councilmember Huber suggested that there should be a sign to indicate that the pool is for a chemical testing process and no swimming is allowed. Mayor Mertensotto stated that perhaps the sign should say that this is a research project and not a swimming pool facility. He agreed that as long as the area is well screened, an eight foot fence would be more appropriate. Mr. Theisen informed Council that Ecolab proposes an eight foot tall chain link fence with fabric screening to shield the pool as much as Page No. 7 August 15, 2000 possible. He also stated that the facility is temporary and would be removed in November, 2001. Councilmember Huber stated that sometimes people sometimes cut through the Ecolab property on their bicycles at night and anything that can be done to deter people from trying to get into the pool would be a very good idea. Mr. Theisen responded that perhaps Ecolab could install a dangerous chemical testing sign. Mayor Mertensotto suggested that Council grant a special use permit, running until November 1, 2001, and authorize issuance of a building permit. That will give Ecolab the ability to install an eight foot fence with fabric screening. Councilmember Dwyer moved to grant a special use permit to Ecolab at 820 Sibley Memorial Highway, to construct a testing facility consistent with its application, including a chain link fence not to exceed eight feet, and that the special use permit be effective until November 1, 2001 with a thirty day removal period after that date. Councilmember Huber seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 WORKSHOP UPDATE Mayor Mertensotto informed the audience that Council conducted a very productive workshop on August 15 that was attended by many residents from the Mendota Heights Neighbors organization. He stated that Ms. Carolyn Krall reviewed the history of the Town Center project and the neighborhood concerns. She will carry the project through the public process and Mr. John Herrman, from Faegre and Benson will cover all of the tax increment financing requirements. There is no question the project must include a senior housing facility because that was one of the bases for the TIF legislation. Council also discussed the St. Thomas Academy offer for land for a community center/hockey arena site. Council generally felt that a community center would be costly and would require bond approval. The discussion was that Mr. Lang should see if St. Thomas would like to donate the land to the city for hockey. Mayor Mertensotto stated that Council also had a brief discussion on the preliminary 2001 budget at the workshop. Page No. 8 August 15, 2000 Treasurer Shaughnessy informed Council that he will prepare resolutions for adoption of the preliminary budget and levy for consideration on September 3 . He also informed Council that he has received notice that the city can hold its Truth in Taxation hearing on December 4. Mayor Mertensotto stated that at the September 3 meeting, Council will set a date for a budget workshop in October. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Huber informed Council that it is likely that later this year NDC4 will be looking at negotiating agreements for cable services with two additional cable providers. Councilmember Krebsbach stated that she has received a request from a resident for street lighting at Douglas and Victoria, street signage on both sides of Douglas at Lexington and pedestrian crossing markings at Marie and Victoria. Mayor Mertensotto stated that Council has talked about pedestrian crossings where it is natural for people to cross to Decorah at Ocala to get to the park. Staff will come back in 90 days to see what can be done near that intersection. He suggested that the city should develop a policy regarding crosswalks near parks. Councilmember Dwyer stated that Marie and Victoria is a very dangerous intersection. The city requested the County to install stop signs on Victoria but the County has rejected the request. Interim Administrator Danielson stated that the County did an overlay on Victoria this summer and has not painted the crosswalk. He will contact the county. Councilmember Krebsbach stated that there is no street signage for Victoria Curve at T.H. 13 and asked that signs be installed. There was discussion over the condition of the city's entrance monument and who is responsible for cutting the weeds. Interim Administrator Danielson stated that there is still some outstanding work to be done by the contractor and that the public works staff did some maintenance work on the site within the past few days. Page No. 9 August 15, 2000 ADJOURN There being no further business to come before Council, Councilmember moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:42 p.m. Kathleen M. Swanson City Clerk ATTEST: Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor