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1988-11-01 Council minutesPage No. 2415 November 1, 1988 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, November 1, 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 the Fire Station, 2121 Dodd Road, 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 CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Hartmann moved adoption of the revised agenda for the meeting, removing items g though j from the consent calendar. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Councilmember Cummins moved approval of the consent calendar for the meeting, including authorization for execution of all necessary documents contained therein. a. Acknowledgment of the Code Enforcement monthly report for October. b. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the October 25th Planning Commission meeting. c. Approval of the issuance of a temporary on-sale 3.2 malt beverage license to St. Peter's Church in connection with its winter party on January 21, 1989 from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. d. Approval of a request from Police Chief Delmont for authorization to apply for a State matching grant for Crime Prevention. e. Approval of the list of contractor licenses dated November 1, 1988 and attached hereto. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 STOP SIGN REQUEST WAGON WHEEL TRAIL REQUEST Page No. 2416 November 1, 1988 f. Approval of the List of Claims dated November 1, 1988 and totalling $254,971.66. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Council acknowledged a request from Mr. Vern Gunderson, 1916 Walsh Lane, for stop or yield signs on Walsh Lane, along with an associated memo from Public Works Director Danielson. Councilmember Cummins felt that the request is similar to the Copperfield area request, and that if stop signs were placed as requested, it would make Walsh Lane more of a through street. He stated that unless the Police Department gives some indication that the current conditions are unsafe, he believes the intersections with Walsh would be better off un-signed. Councilmember Blesener felt that if any signage should occur, it should be a four way stop at Stratford and Walsh. The matter was referred to the Police Department for report and recommendation, especially relating the 4-way stop suggestion. Council acknowledged a report from Public Works Director Danielson regarding the requests for a trail along Wagon Wheel Trail which had been referred to him on October 18th. In the report, Mr. Danielson suggested three options: to wait until MSA construction of Wagon Wheel occurs, as this upgrading includes a trail; to wait until after the park referendum has been held; and to widen the shoulder in 1989, using Special Park Fund monies. Mayor Mertensotto felt that the trail construction should wait until the MSA project, and that the project should be advanced on the MSA project schedule. He did not feel it would be appropriate to expend Park Fund monies when MSA will finance the construction as part of the upgrade project. LIQUOR STORE HOURS Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 2417 November 1, 1988 Councilmember Cummins felt that in any event it should be laid over until the park study group has a chance to comment and make a recommendation on the matter. Councilmember Hartmann agreed, and also suggested that the project be advanced in the MSA schedule. Public Works Director Danielson informed Council that it would be two or three years minimum before the project could be completed via MSA but that it would be possible to bond for the project and do it earlier. Treasurer Shaughnessy concurred that the City could bond for the project because the City's MSA bonds are nearly paid off and the City has a considerable amount of bonding authority. Mayor Mertensotto suggested that Council review the MSA program to determine where this project would fit in the priorities and try to get the Wagon Wheel reconstruction done within the next two years. Councilmembers Blesener and Witt felt that Wagon Wheel must be a part of the City's trails program. Council directed that Public Works Director Danielson prepare a follow-up report on the options for consideration just after the first of the year. Council acknowledged a memo from the City Clerk regarding a request from MGM Liquors for an ordinance amendment to allow their facility to remain open until 10:00 P.M. on the day before Thanksgiving, as is permissible under state statute. Councilmember Blesener moved adoption of Ordinance No. 259, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 209 (Codified as Ordinance No. 1403)," as amended to clarify the titles of each category of license. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. EQUIPMENT PURCHASE Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 RUBBISH SERVICE Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 JANITORIAL SERVICE Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CASE NO. 88-43, THOMEY VARIANCE Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 2418 November 1, 1988 Councilmember Blesener moved to authorize issuance of a purchase order to Dodd Technical for $2,616 for a Hewlett Packard Series II laser printer and 2 megabyte expansion board. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Council acknowledged a report from the City Administrator regarding rubbish service for new City Hall along with proposals from Knutson Rubbish Service, Inc., Mendota Heights Rubbish, B.F.I., and Roadway/Eagan Sanitation. After discussion, Councilmember Cummins moved that the contract for rubbish service for new City Hall be awarded to Knutson Rubbish Service, Inc., for $24.62 per month, in accordance with their proposal dated October 18, 1988. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Council accepted proposals for City Hall janitorial service from Lee's Janitorial Service, for $760.50 per month for 3 days per week and $1170 per month for 5 days per week, and from C-Tak for $880/ month for three days per week and $1,295 for 5 day per week service. Councilmember Witt moved to accept the proposal of Lee's Janitorial Service for 3- day per week service for new City Hall. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Councilmember Cummins moved to approve a five foot front yard setback variance for 2030 Dodd Road (Amoco Station) to allow construction of a gas pump canopy fifteen feet from the front property line along with approval of the associated building permit. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. CASE NO. 88-44, MARVIN ANDERSON Page No. 2419 November 1, 1988 Mr. Fred Haas, from Marvin Anderson Construction, was present to request approval of variances to allow entrance monuments for the Bridgeview Shores Development. Mr. Haas informed Council that the Planning Commission had recommended denial of their original plan, which has since been modified. Mr. Haas stated that the application before the Planning Commission was for an elaborate sign at Bridgeview Court, the main entrance to the Bridgeview Shores subdivision, and a pillar at every other intersection. After reading the recommendation that pillars at the intersections would segment the community, his firm decided to only request approval of the one 23 1/2 square foot sign supported by 5 foot tall posts to serve as an entrance monument at Bridgeview Court and Mendota Heights Road, without the originally proposed fences. He stated that the monument would be maintenance-proof masonry and concrete, and would not be lighted. He stated that this one structure at the main entrance to the Addition would identify the area and be something permanent. Mayor Mertensotto raised the Planning Commission concern that the monument's purpose is for advertising. Mr. Haas responded that the 8 by 16 foot monument at Victoria Highlands is masonry and is permanent and the Park Place monuments, 5 foot high posts with 5 by 2 signs, are also permanent. He stated that it is true that the monument is a marketing item but that this is also true of the Victoria Highlands and Park Place monuments. He informed Council that the sign would be at placed at a 45 degree angle to the intersection and will be set back far enough that there will be no visibility problem on the corner. He further stated that evergreens and shrubs will be planted around the monument and that the owner of the adjoining lot will maintain the shrubs. The, structure will be off of Mendota Heights Road, in front of Page No. 2420 November 1, 1988 the berm and about a foot above the curb, 24 feet from the curb. Councilmember Cummins stated that he has no problem with the request, and that if one were to drive around the community you would see distinguishing signs in many of the neighborhoods. He felt that it is a well-designed sign. Councilmember Blesener agreed, pointing out that the precedent for such signage has been set all over the City. She expressed concern over the scale of the sign, and that the mass of it might cause visibility problems. Mr. Haas suggested that the site distance could be checked by the Public Works Director prior to installation so that there is no conflict of site distance. He informed Council that the monument will be on private property and there will be a covenant on that lot stipulating that the homeowners must maintain the monument. Councilmember Hartmann asked what would happen if the property owner does not take care of it. Mr. Haas responded that given the price of these homes there should be no problem: people will take care of their properties. He further stated that if that ever happened and it became a problem for the City, his firm will remove the monument. Mayor Mertensotto asked Mr. Haas if he will give the City a letter guaranteeing that his firm will covenant that the monument will be on private property, that the homeowners will take care of it, and that if it is not maintained and ever becomes a problem or a safety hazard his firm will remove it. Mr. Haas responded that he will provide the guarantee. He asked that the City Engineer check the proposed location of the monument to be sure it is placed for adequate sight distance. Attorney Tom Hart stated that the guarantee letter should stipulate that the City Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CASE NO. 88-45 PARTRIDGE Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 2421 November 1, 1988 should be the party to decide whether the monument has become a safety hazard. Councilmember Cummins moved to approve the requested variance for the placement of a 23 1/2 square foot sign supported by two 5 foot tall posts, to be placed two feet from the property line at the corner of Bridgeview Court and Mendota Heights Road, subject to receipt of a letter of undertaking from Marvin Anderson Homes (to be approved by staff prior to permit issuance) stipulating that if the monument becomes a safety hazard as determined by Council or if it is not properly maintained by the property owner Marvin Anderson Homes will remove it within 30 days. Councilmember Biesener seconded the motion. Mr. Chuck Partridge and his surveyor, Mr. Paul McGinley, were present to request approval of a 16 foot front yard setback variance and wetlands permit to allow construction of a home at 709 Wentworth. After brief discussion, Councilmember Witt moved approval of a 16 foot front yard setback variance, along with waiver of the wetlands permit public hearing requirement and approval of a five foot variance from the wetlands setback requirement, to allow construction of a home at 709 Wentworth Avenue in accordance with the site plan dated October 14, 1988. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. CURLEY ADDITION TOT LOT Mr. Dave Ayers and Dr. Frank Pilney were present regarding play structures for the Curley Addition tot lot. Mr. Ayers requested Council to approve one of two playground structures. The first proposal would be for a very high quality redwood 6 by 6 construction at a cost of $6,700. The second proposal would be four by four treated pine construction at a cost of $4,055. Mr. Ayers stated that the second structure is not as high quality as the first and is not as attractive. He informed Council of the differences between Ayes: 4 Nays: 1 Witt PARK REVIEW COMMITTEE Page No. 2422 November 1, 1988 the structures and stated that the second structure would be adequate for the area's needs, as it is typically constructed in a campground or daycare area but not in a public park. He recommended the $6,700 single-unit structure rather than the two- piece $4,000 structure. Mr. Ayers asked for approval of an additional $2,700 in funding from the City, and pointed out that the initial Park Commission recommendation was $14,000 for the project. Responding to a question from Councilmember Blesener, Mr. Ayers stated that the structure proposed is very similar to that in Rogers Lake Park. Mayor Mertensotto felt that redwood construction is definitely better than treated pine and pointed out that no quotes were available to Council at the time it established the $4,000 funding figure. Mr. Ayers stated that the quotation is from Rainbow and is a very good price. Adminis- trator Frazell stated that written quotations from the vendors are necessary. After additional discussion, Councilmember Blesener moved to amend the original budget for the Curley tot lot play structure from $4,000 to $6,700 to provide for the purchase of a Rainbow play structure as requested. Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion. Mr. Ayers was directed to get written quotations from the vendors who had given him proposals. Council discussed the size and composition of the proposed Parks Review Committee. It was the consensus that it should be a twelve member committee consisting of two Councilmembers, 2 Planning Commission and 3 Park Commission members, to be nominated by the Commissions, and five at-large members. It was also the consensus that each Councilmember should nominate one at-large representative, with the appointment of the Committee to occur at the December 6th Council meeting. CANVASSING BOARD LEXINGTON /110 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COUNCIL COMMENTS ADJOURN Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 2423 November 1, 1988 It was the consensus of Council that the Election Canvassing Board convene at 5:00 P.M. on November 9th at the Fire Station. Councilmember Cummins informed Council that he will be out of town and unable to attend. Councilmember Blesener moved to schedule a joint Council /Planning Commission workshop on November 29th at 7:00 P.M. to review planning and finance issues relating to the proposed development of the Curley /SOS properties. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Council acknowledged a letter from William Mulvihill relative to sale of the Mulvihill family property to the City. Administrator Frazell was directed to respond. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Hartmann moved to adjourn the meeting to the November 9th Canvassing Board meeting. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 10:16 O'Clock P.M. Kathleen M. Swanson City Clerk ATTEST: Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor LIST OF CONTRACTORS TO BE APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 1, 1988 Concrete Licenses: Serice, Inc. Steenberg-Watrud Construction Excavating License: American Excavating, Inc. Gas Piping License: Thompson Plumbing, Inc. General Contractor Licenses: Creative Spaces Linrod Custom Homes, Inc. Theis Construction Company Heating & Air Conditioning License: GenErik Heating & Cooling, Inc.