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1997-03-18 Council minutesPage No. 1 March 18, 1997 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, March 18, 1997 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of 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 Huber, Koch and Smith. Councilmember Krebsbach had notified the Council that she would be absent. INTRODUCTIONS Mayor Mertensotto introduced Acting City Attorney Jeff Leclerc. AIRPORT NOISE Mayor Mertensotto informed Council and the audience on a letter received from the FAA notifying the city that the FAA has completed its environmental assessment of the non - simultaneous departure headings which the city has requested and found no significant impact, so the local FAA will be in the position to implement the non - simultaneous take -off procedures. He informed the audience thatAhis is a significant factor for Mendota Heights in reducing aircraft noise, and will be particularly important when MSP begins construction on Runway 111. AGENDA ADOPTION Councilmember Huber moved adoption of the agenda for the meeting. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Smith moved approval of the minutes of the March 4, 1997 regular meeting. Councilmember Huber seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Abstain: 1 Koch CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Koch 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 March 11, 1997 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Page No. 2 March 18, 1997 b. Acknowledgment of the Treasurer's monthly report for February. c. Acknowledgment of the Fire Department monthly report for February. d. Acknowledgment of a legislative bill tracking report from the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities e. Acknowledgment of a letter from Continental Cablevision regarding the installation of fiber optic technology in northern Dakota County. f. Acknowledgment of the CDBG Committee District 2 meeting minutes. g. Acknowledgment of a letter from Fort Dodge Animal Hospital notifying the city that it is closing the Solvay Animal Health facility. h. Acknowledgment of a summary of "It Takes a Region to Build Livable Neighborhoods" from the Citizens League. i. Acknowledgment of a memo from Treasurer Shaughnessy giving comparisons of the 1996 and 1997 Tax Capacity Rates and comparisons with other Dakota County communities. j. Authorization to issue a purchase order to Bear Communications for the purchase of two Motorola Spectra A -5 mobile radios and one HT -1000 Motorola portable radio for the police department under the state contract, for a total cost of $4,700.91 including tax and installation. k. Approval of the issuance of sign permits for three signs for the State of Minnesota Administrative Truck Center at the GMB building, in accordance with a memo from Code Enforcement Officer Berg and plans submitted with the sign application. 1. Authorization for an expenditure of up to $600 by the Public Works Department for materials to construct 20 wood duck houses to be installed in city ponds. m. Ratification of Resolution No. 97 -23, "RESOLUTION REQUESTING REPRESENTATION FROM THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES INSURANCE TRUST FOR APPEAL." Page No. 3 March 18, 1997 n. Acceptance of the resignation of Police Sergeant Dorance Wicks with regret, and authorization for the Police Department to begin the appropriate recruitment search for a new patrol officer. o. Approval of the issuance of an on -sale non - intoxicating malt liquor license to Mendota Golf, LLP and 3.2 off -sale non- intoxicating malt liquor licenses to Tom Thumb Food Market #264 and SuperAmerica Group #4516. p. Approval of the issuance of cigarette licenses to Snyders Drug Store #42, Somerset Country Club, SuperAmerica Group, Inc., Tom Thumb #264 and Twin Cities Stores, Inc /Oasis Market, on the condition that they put procedures in place so that no tobacco sales are made to anyone under age 18. q. Approval of the list of contractor licenses dated March 18, 1997 and attached hereto. r. Approval of the list of claims dated March 18, 1997 and totaling $125,647.49. s. Acknowledgment of a memo from Treasurer Shaughnessy regarding potential amendments to the TIF laws, and authorization for staff to advertise for a public hearing on May 6 for consideration of an amendment to the city's tax increment district. Councilmember Huber seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. John Fahey,979 Caren Road, submitted a letter signed by several neighbors who are proposing a realignment of the Caren Road curve as part of the city's street improvement project. Mr. Fahey stated that he and his neighbors are concerned over the speed on Caren at the curve and propose to decrease the radius of the curb in order to reduce speed. He stated that the residents want to make it a sharper curve. Mayor Mertensotto responded that building in a hazardous condition could lead to a lawsuit. He pointed out that the roadway must be within the right —of -way and there must be sufficient boulevard area. He informed Mr. Fahey that he would not personally want the curve to be made more acute than it is, but that Mr. Fahey is welcome to continue to work with the city's engineering staff. He directed Page No. 4 March 18, 1997 ! Public Works Director Danielson to ask the police chief to address the speeding problem, and if speed is a factor it should be addressed now rather than after the project plans are out for bid. Councilmember Huber stated that he could not support building in a I ight curve in order to reduce speeds. Mr. Fahey responded that he is concerned about the safety of pedestrians and children playing on the streets and the situation is hazardous. Councilmember Huber stated that Council must be concerned about the safety of everyone. Mayor Mertensotto stated that street design should not be a political decision and building in sharp curves is not good design criteria. Councilmember Smith stated that if the neighbors are primarily concerned about pedestrian safety, perhaps this an area where Council should consider installing a pedway if it is too hazardous for residents to walk along the street. She pointed out that a pedway or sidewalk would not interfere with safe traffic design and would accommodate pedestrians. RECREATION FACILITATOR Council acknowledged a memo from Administrative Assistant Hollister regarding creation of a full -time Recreation Facilitator position. Park Commissioner Steve Kleinglass was present for the discussion. Mayor Mertensotto stated that a full -time position was discussed both at budget discussions and in workshop, but it was not included in the 1997 budget. He explained that creating the position is a policy decision that must be made by Council on behalf of the entire community, and as a level of service is expanded city costs increase because of manpower needs. He stated that every increment that is produced grows exponentially. He stated that the city is nearly fully developed from a residential standpoint and Council must find out from the city departments what their manpower and other needs are for the future. He informed Mr. Kleinglass that Council meets annually in a goal setting workshop and that he would like each of the departments to prepare a report on what their needs will be for the next five years in terms of overall management of the city. He stated that he would like to see the recreation facilitator matter set j over until Council can spend time on it from a policy standpoint. He explained that Council knows what the Parks Commission wishes Page No. 5 March 18, 1997 and will look at the matter in the goal setting session which he hopes will occur in May. Councilmember Huber stated that he supports the position. He further stated that when Council originally discussed the issue there were questions raised about exactly what the position would entail and what the Park Commission goals are. He asked, regardless of how Council feels about the full -time position, whether the position description addresses the Council questions and concerns that were raised. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the part-time recreation programmer has done a very commendable job, but that he does not want any duplication of community education programs. Mr. Kleinglass responded that the commission's frustration is that the city does not offer anything for the "other" population of the city. He stated that he would like to see an expansion of activities for all of the rest of the city, since the recreation programmer spends all of his time working with the MHAA and softball groups, and the expansion of half time would be for the rest of the residents of the j city. He further stated that the city does not offer anything for the - majority of the adults who do not play softball. Councilmember Huber agreed, and added that the city does not offer anything for children who do not wish to pursue athletics. Mayor Mertensotto stated that Council must be concerned about where the city is going, and that creation of a full -time position would grow into a department in time. He again stated that Council must decide from a policy standpoint whether this is the direction Council wants the city to take. Councilmember Smith thanked the Parks and Recreation Commission for its efforts, stating that the information presented provides a very good starting point. PAGEL POND Council acknowledged a letter from Mr. Scott Beatty, representing the Pagel Pond homeowners requesting that the Upper Bridgeview Pond be renamed to Pagel Pond. Council also acknowledged a memo from Public Works Director Danielson and a Lake Status Report provided by the home owners. Administrator Batchelder informed Council that the home owners along the pond have plans for doing more to protect their pond. He Page No. 6 March 18, 1997 stated that this is a great case study for the city to make the neighborhood's protection efforts visible, and that staff is very pleased that the neighborhood has taken the initiative to protect the pond. Councilmember Smith moved to direct staff to prepare a resolution for adoption on April 1 to formally designate the Upper Bridgeview Pond as Pagel Pond. Councilmember Huber seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 DODD ROAD TRAIL Council acknowledged a memo from Public Works Director Danielson regarding construction plans and needed easements for the Dodd Road trail improvements. Public Works Director Danielson informed Council on the needed easements and easement negotiations which have occurred. He explained that Paster Enterprises and Dr. Koepke have indicated that they would grant the easements free of charge to the city and Mendakota Country Club will execute its easement if the city agrees to replace any trees that need to be removed. McDonald's and Oasis Markets have also indicated that they would sign easements but have not yet done so. He informed Council that Amoco had indicated that it desires payment for the easement at $10.00 per square foot but has agreed, after negotiation, to accept the Dakota County appraisal rate of $4.33 per square foot. He stated that Tom Thumb refuses to grant an easement. Mayor Mertensotto suggested that the $4.33 per square foot be offered to all of the property owners except those who have offered free easements. He was concerned that the easements are needed right now, because the improvement must be made immediately in order to provide protection between the vehicular traffic lanes and the pedway. He also stated that he feels the pedway should be extended, as proposed, from Mendakota Drive all the way to Freeway Road. Councilmember Smith moved adoption of Resolution No. 97 -13, "RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE ACQUISITION BY CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN STREEET EASEMENTS IN THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS, DAKOTA OCUNTY, MINNESOTA," and authorization for staff to proceed with the Dodd Page No. 7 March 18, 1997 Road trail improvements. Councilmember Huber seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 STREET SWEEPINGS Council acknowledged a memo from Public Works Director Danielson regarding city options for the disposal of street sweepings. Mayor Mertensotto stated that Council has made a decision not to use the Freeway Road site and the McNeill property is not yet available. He suggested that Mr. Danielson contact Mn/DOT to see if the sweepings can be stored at the Mn/DOT construction storage area at Dodd and T.H. 110. He also suggested that staff advertise for street sweeping with separate bids for disposal. Administrator Batchelder reported on progress made on the McNeill site, explaining that he anticipates that the Barr Engineering environmental assessment should be ready for the April 1 Council meeting. Staff was directed to contact Blake Davis to perform an appraisal on the property. AIRPORT RELATIONS Council acknowledged a memo from Airport Relations Commission COMMISSION Chair Scott Beatty regarding applications which were received and interviews which have been conducted by the Commission with candidates for appointment to two vacancies on the Commission. Councilmember Koch moved that Ms. Mary DesRoches be appointed to the vacant three year term on the Airport Relations Commission and that George May be appointed to fill the unexpired term of Cynthia Surrisi. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 WORKSHOP Council acknowledged a reminder of the April 19 workshop on the proposed communication tower ordinance. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Huber informed Council on new camera equipment which the NDC -4 plans to purchase and in the Council Chambers. Mayor Mertensotto informed Council on a letter he has received from Independent School District 197 Superintendent Munson regarding the district's Strategic Planning Task Force meeting. He Page No. 8 March 18, 1997 also acknowledged a letter from NDC-4 regarding its upcoming awards banquet. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Smith moved that the meeting be adjourned to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1 for the purpose of conducting the annual Board of Review. Councilmember Koch seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 TEWE OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:25 o'clock P.M. ATTEST: Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor Kathleen M. Swanson City Clerk LIST OF CONTRACTORS TO BE APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL Gas Piping Contractor Lice*+se Airtemp Heating & Cooling Inc. Harris Contracting Company HVAC Contractor License Airtemp Heating & Cooling Inc. Harris Contracting Company Riccar Corp. General Contractor License Bradrich Homes Peterson Bros. Roofing & Const. Inc. Sicm Contractor Lice* Serigraphics Sign Systems, Inc.