Loading...
1988-12-06 Council minutesPage No. 2431 December 6, 1988 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, December 6, 1988 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 Blesener, Cummins, Hartmann and Witt. AGENDA ADOPTION Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ayes: 5 Nays:0 CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Hartmann moved adoption of the revised agenda for the meeting. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Councilmember Cummins moved minutes of the October 18th correction. Councilmember Witt seconded approval of the meeting with the motion. Councilmember Cummins moved approval of the consent calendar for the meeting, as amended to remove City Hall contractor payments. a. Approval of the minutes of the October 11 Park Commission meeting. b. Adoption of Resolution No. 88 -91, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING WORK AND APPROVING FINAL PAYMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT NO. 86, PROJECT NO. 11," awarding payment of $3,405.88 to Collins Electric Construction Company for work completed on the commercial street lighting project. c. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the November 25th Planning Commission meeting. d. Authorization for staff to execute an agreement with the St. Paul Water Department for private watermains in the Kensington PUD. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 SCHOOL REFERENDUM Page No. 2432 December 6, 1988 e. Acknowledgment of the Code Enforcement monthly report for November. . Adoption of Resolution No. 88 -92, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING WORK AND APPROVING FINAL PAYMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT NO. 85, PROJECT NO. 3," awarding payment of $12,818.41 to Richard Knutson, Inc. for work completed on the Northland Plaza Project. g. Approval December h. Approval December $461,211. of the list 6, 1988 and of the List 6, 1988 and 72. of licenses dated attached hereto. of Claims dated totalling Adoption of Resolution No. 88 -93, "RESOLUTION CERTIFYING DELINQUENT SANITARY SEWER RENTAL CHARGES TO THE DAKOTA COUNTY AUDITOR FOR COLLECTION WITH REAL ESTATE TAXES." Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Mrs. Alice Bergquist, a member of the Save Our Schools Committee, was present to request Council support for the School District 197 referendum to be held on December 20th. Mrs. Bergquist stated that Mendota Heights has traditionally had a very strong school district and that this is a major factor in the strength of the City. She felt that many people have moved to Mendota Heights because of the strong school system, and that if the referendum fails it could have disastrous consequences for the school district and the City. Responding to questions from Council, Mrs. Bergquist stated that many people who opposed the October 20th referendum are actually campaigning for the new referendum and that a substantial amount of advertising has been done to promote the issue. Councilmember Cummins suggested that the proposed support resolution prepared by staff be revised to amend the last sentence Ayes: 3 Nays: 2 Mertensotto Hartmann Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 STOP SIGN REQUEST Page No. 2433 December 6, 1988 of the final paragraph to read "..and to cast positive votes on questions one and two," rather than "seriously consider casting a positive vote." Councilmember Blesener concurred and also suggested that the third paragraph be amended to state "successful passage of both questions of that referendum.." Mayor Mertensotto felt that Council should stay out of the specifics of the question, supporting the levy but not getting involved in specifying support for both issues. He felt that by voting for the resolution as amended, Council would be placed in the position of having to debate the issues. Councilmember Cummins moved adoption of the proposed resolution as amended. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Councilmember Hartmann stated that he would have supported the original resolution but cannot support the amending language. Councilmember the motion to as amended. Councilmember Cummins moved to reconsider adopt the proposed resolution Blesener seconded the motion. Councilmember Cummins moved to withdraw the motion to adopt the amended resolution and further moved adoption of Resolution No. 88 -94, "RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT #197 EXCESS LEVY REFERENDUM TO BE HELD DECEMBER 20, 1988," as originally presented. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Council acknowledged a memo from Police Chief Delmont regarding a request for stop signs on Walsh Lane. Councilmember Blesener stated that she questions whether yield signs should be installed, as suggested by Chief Delmont, because she feels yield intersections are confusing. She suggested that a better approach would SILK STREET VACATION Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 2434 December 6, 1988 be to install a stop sign on Stratford at Walsh Lane. She felt that a stop sign would be appropriate because this is a school crossing. The Council concurred that it would support a stop sign on Stratford at Walsh but would not support yield signs. The matter was referred back to Chief Delmont. Mayor Mertensotto opened the meeting for the purpose of a public hearing on an application from Mr. Art Kuross for the vacation of Silk Street. Mr. Kuross stated that when he submitted the preliminary plat for Val's Addition he assumed that Silk Street had been vacated, since all City maps show that it had been vacated in the past. He stated his abstract company has informed him that there is no record at the County which indicates that the vacation has occurred. Mayor Mertensotto asked for questions and comments from the audience. There being no questions or comments, Councilmember Cummins moved that the hearing be closed at 8:15 P.M. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Councilmember Hartmann moved adoption of Resolution No. 88-95, "RESOLUTION APPROVING VACATION OF STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY." Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. HEARING: CASE NO. 88- Mayor Mertensotto opened the meeting for 42, UNITED PROPERTIES the purpose of a public hearing on an application from United Properties for a conditional use permit for Planned Unit Development for the Southridge Business Center, Phases II and III, along with consideration of the preliminary plat and variances. Mr. Dale Glowa, from United Properties, reviewed the proposed plat for Council. He stated that the first phase of Southridge is completely filled, that Phase 2 will Page No. 2435 December 6, 1988 consist of 28,000 square feet of office/warehouse building and Phase 3 will consist of 21,000 square feet of office/warehouse building. He stated that his firm has about 60% of the proposed development pre-leased. Mr. Glowa stated that in addition to the preliminary plat and PUD, United Properties is requesting approval of a 20 foot sign setback, consistent with variances approved throughout the business park, and a parking variance to allow four parking spaces per 1,000 square foot of structure and 8'6" wide parking stalls. Mr. Glowa stated that these variance requests are also consistent with other variances granted in the park. Mr. Glowa also informed Council that the landscaping design will be consistent with that installed for the first phase of the development. Responding to a question from Mayor Mertensotto, Public Works Director Danielson stated that the developers have submitted grading and drainage plans. Mayor Mertensotto asked for questions and comments from the audience. There being no questions or comments, Councilmember Witt moved that the hearing be closed at 8:25 P.M. Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion. Councilmember Blesener moved adoption of Resolution No. 88-96, "RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AND PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR SOUTH- RIDGE BUSINESS CENTER PHASES II AND III." Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Councilmember Hartmann moved to authorize the issuance of building permits for Phases 2 and 3 of the Southridge Business Center subject to approval by staff of the building plans and specifications and landscaping plan. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Page No. 2436 December 6, 1988 HEARING: CASE NO. 88- Mayor Mertensotto opened the meeting for 47, U.S. WEST the purpose of a public hearing on an application from Northwestern Bell/U.S. West for a conditional use permit and a wetlands permit to allow an essential service structure on Outlot B of the Kensington development. Mr. Kenneth Dallman was present to represent U.S. West. Councilmember Blesener stated that she would like to see whether there is some other area in Kensington which would be a better, and less scenic location. She pointed out that this would be the only structure which would have a driveway onto Mendota Heights Road. Mr. Dallman stated that there is no other land available and that the facility will serve the Kensington development and the areas to the north and east of the development. After discussion, Councilmember Cummins moved to continue the hearing to the January 3rd meeting to allow the applicant to locate a different site for the facility in the Kensington area. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CASE NO. 88-46, HAIR Councilmember Cummins moved adoption of Resolution No. 88-97, "RESOLUTION APPROVING A LOT DIVISION IN THE LINDEN ADDITION PLAT," to allow for the division of a portion of Lot 18 Linden Addition and the addition of that portion of property to Lot 19, Linden Addition. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CASE NO. 88-40, COLON Mr. Vern Colon, from Federal Land Company, was present to request approval of the division of 5.6 acres of property located between T.H. 13 and Miriam into 10 residential lots ranging in size from 18,000 to 22,000 square feet. He informed Council that the Planning Commission discussed connecting Miriam and Hiawatha, and that the Public Works Director has Page No. 2437 December 6, 1988 requested that he dedicate right -of -way for the connection. He stated that one objection from the Planning Commission was that the proposed cul -de -sac was not connected to Hiawatha and Miriam, and pointed out that there is a 15 foot grade difference and the residents behind the property do not want the connection. Mr. Colon acknowledged that several residents have requested the vacation of the Eugenia Street right -of -way. He stated that depending on how drainage takes place, the Eugenia right -of -way could be used for storm water drainage or for a public path to T.H. 13. He stated that although his proposed plan shows a walkway area from the cul -de -sac to the Miriam /Hiawatha connection, he stated that he would not want a path to come between two homes when the Eugenia right -of -way is available for a path. Mayor Mertensotto noted that the plat proposes a 50 foot dedication area for the connection of Miriam and Hiawatha. He felt that the right -of -way should be 60 foot wide and was concerned that 10 feet on each side of the street surface, rather than the standard 15 feet, would not provide enough area for snow storage when the street is plowed. He was also concerned about the potential damage, from snow plowing, to future shrubs which might ultimately be planted close to the right -of -way. He asked whether there is any way 10 feet of additional right -of -way can be provided. Mr. Colon pointed out that the lots which would be affected are already impacted by the proposed pathway, and stated that one of the lots isn't very deep as it is and would be "crunched" if an additional 10' were taken. Mayor Mertensotto stated that he would prefer removing the path from the plat, locate it on the Eugenia right -of -way and provide the 60 foot right -of -way. Councilmember Blesener felt that the path should be located as proposed and that removal of the path from this location would isolate a small pocket of residences Ayes: 4 Nays: 1 Blesener STREET LIGHTS Page No. 2438 December 6, 1988 to use of a dangerous highway. She urged that the path be left as proposed, stating that there must be some way for hikers and bikers to get out of the area other than Highway 13. Councilmember Cummins disagreed, noting that there is no other egress from Downing, Brompton or London, and that even if the path were built where proposed there would still only be access to T.H. 13. Councilmember Hartmann stated that he believes that the path would be a big imposition on the future owners of Lots 4 and 5 and that other, similar paths have been more a source of irritation than a service. Mayor Mertensotto stated that he would support removing the path provided there is a 60 foot continuous right-of-way for the connection between Miriam and Hiawatha. Councilmember Blesener stated that she read the intent of the Planning Commission for the path is to connect the neighborhood to the neighborhood to the north. Councilmember Cummins stated that he would support the elimination of the path and felt that the path would destroy the privacy and utility of the affected lots. After discussion, Councilmember Hartmann moved approval of the preliminary plat with the elimination of the path between Lots 4 and 5 and a provision for 60 feet of continuous right-of-way for the connection between Miriam and Hiawatha along with a 20 foot utility easement between Lots 4 and 5. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Council acknowledged and discussed a memo from Public Works Director Danielson regarding a street lighting policy. Mayor Mertensotto stated that Council must decide how many types of lights there should be: whether there should be a standard for residential, one for industrial and one for arterials. He felt ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Page No. 2439 December 6, 1988 that Council must also decide how to go about getting the necessary information and recommendation; that is, should a Council subcommittee be established to make a recommendation on standards. He stated that it is very difficult to visually, from a photo, determine the affect any light would have, and suggested that to really make that determination Council should view the lights at night. He asked Public Works Director Danielson whether he would prefer Council to develop guidelines based on the information Council has already received, or if he would prefer a subcommittee approach. He volunteered to serve on a three-member subcommittee if this is the desired approach. Mr. Danielson responded that the process might be faster if some of the Council members would be interested in looking at the lights and choosing a fixture. Councilmember Blesener stated that Council needs to talk about how to set up the process before selecting fixtures. Councilmember Hartmann felt that one source of information would be to survey some of the surrounding communities to see what types of fixtures they use. Councilmember Cummins suggested that perhaps Council should just ask staff to prepare alternative recommendations and lay out the issues. Councilmember Blesener agreed, suggesting that the process should be to establish a policy position, write the policy, and then pick the design of the lights. Council responded to the seven questions posed in Mr. Danielson's memo and directed that he compile information and prepare a follow-up report including alternates on funding. Council received a memo from Administrator Frazell recommending the appointment of Kevin Batchelder to the Administrative Assistant position, at level A in Group 24 of the salary matrix. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CITIZENS' PARK COMMITTEE FURNITURE PURCHASE Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 2440 December 6, 1988 Councilmember Cummins moved to appoint Kevin Batchelder to the position of Administrative Assistant effective on January 4, 1989 and to direct staff to classify the position in Group 24 on the City's 1989 salary matrix. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Council acknowledged a memo from Adminis- trator Frazell regarding appointment of a citizens' park committee. It was the consensus if the goal is to appoint a committee that is balanced in terms of neighborhood representation and representing both sides of the issue, the appointment of one citizen representative by each Council member would be an unworkable approach. Councilmember Blesener volunteered to chair the committee and suggested that if the Mayor and Councilmembers suggest the names of candidates for appointment, she will contact the individuals to see if they are interested. The names of several potential committee members were suggested, and it was also suggested that a volunteer fireman should also serve on the committee. Council acknowledged and discussed a memo from the City Clerk recommending the purchase of a number of systems furniture items from Facility Systems to complete the systems stations in the administrative, police, code enforcement and engineering areas. Councilmember Blesener moved to authorize the issuance of a purchase order to Facility Systems, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $4,700 for the purchase of Herman Miller Action Office Encore products, the costs to be charged against the 1988 departmental budgets. Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion. CURLEY PROPERTY BLOCK GRANTS COUNCIL COMMENTS Page No. 2441 December 6, 1988 It was noted that Councilmember Blesener had asked that discussion of the Lexington/110 redevelopment project be placed on the agenda. Councilmember Blesener stated that the more she considers the idea of a gas station the size proposed by Super America for the site, the more opposed she is to the idea. She felt that the facility would have no value to the City, and that the purpose of a limited business area is to serve the neighborhood and not those passing through. She felt that a facility of the type and size proposed would make the intersection far busier than the Dodd/110 intersection. It was the consensus that Council will not consider approving a rezoning that would result in an 18 pump facility and that Council is interested only in a facility designed to serve the City neighborhoods. Administrator Frazell was directed to contact the SuperAmerica representative to inform him of Council's direction. Administrator Frazell informed Council of the need to solicit proposals for appraisals of the SOS/Curley site, and was given direction to do so. Administrator Frazell informed Council that the County HRA staff has informed him that the City should expect an allottment of $37,000 in CDBG funding in 1989. He recommended that the $37,000 be allocated for additional housing rehabilitation applications. Council concurred in the recommendation. Councilmember Witt stated that she has been informed that a time capsule was placed in the Mendakota monuments when they were installed many years ago. She asked that staff contact Mendakota to make them aware of the capsule before the monuments are destroyed. Mayor Mertensotto asked that the Public Works Department be directed to remove trees which have fallen in ditches, particularly at the TH 110/149 intersection. ADJOURN Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ATTEST: -rAts4441-et Page No. 2442 December 6, 1988 Council directed staff to invite Ms. Sharon Koll to the next meeting to discuss the City Hall open house. Councilmember Cummins asked for a status report on receipt and installation of animal waste removal signs for the parks. There being no further business to come before Council, Councilmember Hartmann moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 10:01 P.M. Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor K thleen M. Swanson City Clerk LIST OF CONTRACTORS TO BE APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 6, 1988 Concrete Licenses: Dwain Pomerleau Masonry, Inc. Simon Bros. Cement Co. Excavating Licenses: Duane Herman Jesse's Excavating Mega Company Ron Lahti Excavating Gas Piping License: Burnsville Heating & Air Conditioning General Contractor Licenses: B & B Builders C.R. Partridge Homes Condor Corporation Edward Callahan & Sons J.D.N. Builders, Inc. Karlen Construction North Valley Homes, Inc. Roncor Construction, Inc. Heating & Air Conditioning License: Burnsville Heating & Air Conditioning