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1994-02-15 Council minutesPage No. 3928 February 15, 1994 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, February 15, 1994 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, 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 Huber, Koch, Krebsbach and Smith. AGENDA ADOPTION Councilmember Smith moved adoption of the agenda for the meeting. Councilmember Koch seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Krebsbach moved approval of the minutes of the February 1, 1994 regular meeting with corrections. Councilmember Huber seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 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 Fire Department monthly report for January. b. Acknowledgment of the Public Works monthly report for January. C. Acknowledgment of the Treasurer's monthly report for January. d. Acknowledgment of a memo regarding the February 24 North Kensington Park neighborhood meeting. e. Adoption of Resolution No. 94-10, "RESOLUTION REQUESTING SPECIAL AGREEMENT FUNDS FOR A DRAINAGE PROJECT ON TRUNK HIGHWAY 13 WEST OF LEXINGTON AVENUE IN LILYDALE, MINNESOTA." Page No. 3929 February 15, 1994 f. Acceptance of a resignation from Police Officer David Olson, effective February 18, and authorization for staff to begin the recruitment process necessary to fill the vacancy. g. Adoption of Resolution No. 94-11, "RESOLUTION APPROVING FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVE PILOT KNOB ROAD AND ADJACENT AREAS (IMPROVEMENT NO. 84, PROJECT NO. 2A).-- h. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the February 8 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. i. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the February 9 Airport Relations Commission meeting. j. Acknowledgment of the ANOMS reports for November and December. k. Adoption of Resolution No. 94-12, "RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A 144 SQUARE FOOT SHED AT 1289 LAKEVIEW," with amendments. 1. Approval of the list of contractor licenses dated February 15, 1994 and attached hereto. M. Approval of the list of claims dated February 15, 1994 and totaling $277,507.89. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ST. THOMAS ACADEMY, Representatives of the St. Thomas Academy LAKE QUALITY STUDY Environmental Studies class were present to review the results of their lake study. Mr. Joe Raymond, class instructor, introduced Cadets Tom Quirk and Tom McNearny. Mr. Quirk distributed copies of information gathered as the result of the study of water quality in Rogers Lake, the Lilly pond and the Dodge pond in West St. Paul and reviewed the information for Council and the audience. Page No. 3930 February 15, 1994 Mr. McNearny briefly reviewed recommendations prepared as the result of the study, and stated that the Environmental Studies class would like to request permission to continue the study. The cadets then responded to Council questions. HEARING, HUDSON Mayor Mertensotto opened the meeting for the COMPANY EASEMENT purpose of a public hearing on an application VACATION from the Hudson Company for vacation of a drainage and utility easement located on its property on T.H. 13. Council acknowledged a memo from Public Works Director Danielson regarding the request. Mayor Mertensotto asked for questions and comments from the audience. Mr. Jim Hudson stated that the easement, in which a water main and hydrant are located, runs between his two lots on T.H. 13. Mayor Mertensotto asked if the Fire Marshal has made a determination on where the water main and hydrant should be relocated. Public Works Director Danielson explained that the hydrant and water main were installed when improvements were installed to serve the MAC property. He stated that the line and hydrant must be moved because Mr. Hudson wishes to construct an addition to his building, and that the Fire Marshal had not defined a location yet. Mr. Hudson stated that he has spoken to the Fire Marshal today and was told that he will find an appropriate location after the addition is constructed. He informed Council that he will move the line and hydrant to whatever location the city requires and that it will be accessible to the parking lot. Mayor Mertensotto cautioned Mr. Hudson that he is responsible for being sure that the easement description is correct and further stated that Mr. Hudson must record the document with the County. There being no further questions or comments, Councilmember Krebsbach moved that the hearing be closed. Councilmember Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Councilmember Resolution No VACATION OF A Councilmember Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 3931 February 15, 1994 Smith seconded the motion. Smith moved adoption of 94-13, "RESOLUTION APPROVING DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT." Koch seconded the motion. CELEBRATE MENDOTA Council acknowledged a memo from Administrative HEIGHTS PARKS Assistant Batchelder regarding recruitment of the Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks 1994 steering committee. Assistant Batchelder gave an overview on the recruitment process, stating that the first step is to invite Council and commission members to participate in the steering committee. The next step is to contact members of past steering committees and to advertise for participants in the local papers. Council directed Assistant Batchelder to announce the recruitment drive and to solicit individuals to serve on the committee. REQUEST FOR TENNIS Council acknowledged a memo from Assistant COURT RESERVATION Batchelder regarding a request from St. Thomas Academy for reservation of the Rogers Lake Park tennis courts and the courts in either Marie Park or Wentworth Park, Monday through Friday, from April 1 through June 1, 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the Park Commission had recommended approval of the use of the Rogers Lake courts and either of the other two parks. He asked how a decision will be made on which of the other courts to reserve. He suggested spreading the time between the Wentworth and Marie parks. Assistant Batchelder responded that he will ask the St. Thomas Athletic Director what his preference is and that distributing time between the Marie and Wentworth courts is a possibility. Mayor Mertensotto stated that he has been supportive of similar requests from St. Thomas in the past because the school allowed the public at large to use its tennis courts when the city needed them. Page No. 3932 February 15, 1994 Assistant Batchelder stated that it is his understanding that the St. Thomas courts have been removed and that the school is going through a long term plan for its campus. He was not sure whether the courts would be relocated to a different site on the campus or if they would be built in their original location. Councilmember Krebsbach moved to grant St Thomas Academy's request to reserve Roger's Lake Park tennis courts and either Marie Park or Wentworth Park's tennis courts from April 1 to June 1, from 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MENDAKOTA PARK Council acknowledged a memo from Assistant NETTING Batchelder regarding overhead netting for the Mendakota Park center spectator area. Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander informed Council that the Park Commission began looking into extending the ball field back stops or adding netting after foul balls came into the upper deck area and hit people. After reviewing several alternatives to prevent this from happening, the Commission felt that the best solution was to extend netting from the facia of the building to the backstops. Mayor Mertensotto asked if the Commission had explored the possibility of limiting baseball to two fields, thereby limiting the amount of netting. Mr. Kullander responded that if baseball is played on field one a foul ball could hit a spectator watching on field two or four. He felt that the entire area must be protected. He explained that the initial cost of the netting and installation is anticipated to be $10,400, including the cost of replacement panels, and that the original netting would need to be replaced in five to eight years. Assistant Batchelder stated that the City of Edina uses some netting at one of its ball complexes, Bloomington has two complexes where some overhead netting is used, and Minnetonka has a system similar to what is being proposed. He further stated that some members of the Park Mankato uses ball field. Page No. 3933 February 15, 1994 Commission have indicated that the same system for a pinwheel Mayor Mertensotto stated that staff should check with some of those cities to get more information on their experience and a recommendation, to determine whether netting is advisable. Assistant Batchelder stated that he has spoken to Edina's staff and they are very pleased with the system. He stated that Edina has invited him to look at its system but the netting is not up during the winter. Mr. Kullander informed Council that putting the netting up and taking it down will be very time consuming for city staff. Councilmember Krebsbach felt that storage of the netting would be a key issue. She asked if the ball fields were designed for baseball. Mr. Kullander responded that the fields were designed for adult softball, and that the only time a problem has occurred has been during baseball tournaments. with respect to storage, he stated that the netting rolls up and could be stored in the water tower. Councilmember Krebsbach asked if the netting would reduce the appeal of the complex, stating that it was designed for spectators and for softball. She felt that the netting would negate the aesthetics of the building and pointed out that the netted area would be very large. She asked if any other changes need to be made to accommodate baseball. Mr. Kullander responded that if the complex had been designed for baseball, the back stops would have been much farther apart. He stated that no other changes are needed because the only baseball being played is youth baseball. Councilmember Smith accommodated at any Assistant Batchelde: accommodated at the two softball fields Sibley. asked other r respi Civic and a if baseball is city fields. Dnded baseball is Center field and at baseball field at Page No. 3934 February 15, 1994 Councilmember Krebsbach asked how high the back stops are. Mr. Kullander stated that the park planner recommends 16 foot back stops for softball and 20 foot back stops for baseball. There was a question over whether the city would have a bigger burden if it takes on the responsibility to protect spectators and does it negligently. Attorney Hart responded that there has been notice of exposure to risk but if Council undertakes to protect against the risk it is reasonable for people to assume that a reasonable job has been done. Mayor Mertensotto stated that young people in the area of the fields could get hurt and that he would be more interested in raising the back stop so that the experience of people using the building will not be changed negatively. He was also concerned about the need for people to take the netting down and put it up again. Councilmember Smith asked about installation and removal of the netting. Mr. Kullander responded that it will initially be installed by a contractor. After that, it will need to be done by the city park department or a hired contractor. With respect to backstops, he stated that even if they were extended netting would be needed - even if extending them 50 feet would not stop all of the balls. Councilmember Krebsbach suggested looking for more solutions and their costs besides the option of installing 11,000 square feet of netting. Staff was directed to get specific information from specialists in the field. COUNCIL WORKSHOP Council acknowledged a memo from Administrator Lawell regarding the rescheduling of the February 23 Council workshop due to conflicts. Mayor Mertensotto informed the audience that the workshop purpose is to discuss policy matters including engineering staffing, redevelopment options for the Curley/SOS site and potential city involvement in the Burows Page No. 3935 February 15, 1994 farm issue. He stated that the workshop is a public meeting, open to anyone who would like to attend. After discussion, Councilmember Krebsbach moved to conduct a Council workshop on February 28, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for discussion of a number of pending city issues. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Krebsbach expressed concern over truck traffic on Mendota Heights Road, particularly the intersection of Dodd and Mendota Heights Road, from the Batesville site from 7:40 to 8:10 every morning. She asked staff to contact Batesville to ask them if they would use a different route during those hours because there are many students who use Mendota Heights Road to get to Visitation and St. Thomas at that time of the morning. Mayor Mertensotto stated that he has received much correspondence about the NSP above ground nuclear storage issue (at its Prairie Island plant). He felt that the issue should be taken out of the political arena and asked Administrator Lawell to contact the League of Minnesota Cities to see what it is doing on the issue. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Koch moved that the meeting be adjourned to closed session for discussion of the Rottlund lawsuit. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:58 o'clock P.M. Kathleen M. Swanson City Clerk ATTEST: Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor LIST OF CONTRACTORS TO BE APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL February 15, 1994 Asphalt License Northwest Asphalt, Inc. Concrete License Wayne Concrete Excavating License Scherff Inc. Pete Smith Excavating Gas Piping License Janecky Plumbing Schulties Plumbing Inc. General Contractors License Kurth Construction Tevy's Remodeling HVAC License Cedar Valley Heating & Air Home Energy Center Northwest Sheetmetal Co. of St. Paul Drywall License K & P Drywall Pro Drywall Inc.