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1987-02-03 Council minutesPage No. 2373 February 3, 1987 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, February 3, 1987 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, 750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. ROLL CALL AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 7:35 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers Blesener, Cummins, Hartmann and Witt. Councilmember Cummins moved adoption of the agenda for the meeting, including items contained in the add -on agenda. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 APPROVAL OF Councilmember Cummins moved approval of the MINUTES minutes of the January 20 meeting as corrected. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Hartmann moved approval of the consent calendar as submitted and recommended for approval as part of the regular agenda, with the exception of Item e, approval of sign permit for SOS Convenience Mart, along with authorization for execution of all necessary documents contained therein. a. Acknowledgement of the 4th Quarter 1986 Goal Accomplishment. b. Acknowledgement of receipt of additional City slogans. c. Acknowledgement of the January 27 Planning Commission minutes. d. Acknowledgement of the January Code Enforcement Officer's report. f. Approval of the adoption of Table 3A, 1985 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PRESENTATION CAO Case #87-01, COCHRANE, Site Plan Approval & Variance Page No. 2374 February 3, 1987 UBC permit fee schedule. g. Acknowledgement of a memo on Metro East Economic Development effort. h. Acknowledgement of information on the CDBG Grant Award. i. Approval of the List of Claims dated February 3, 1987, and totaling $112,672.71. j. Approval of the Board of Review meeting on May 20, 1987. Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion. Mayor Charles Mertensotto presented Mr. John W. Frank with a Certificate of Appreciation for Mr. Frank's nine years of service on the Planning Commission. Mayor Mertensotto noted that Parks Commissioner Mary Jeanne Schneeman was unable to be present to receive her certificate but she would be in attendance at a future meeting. Mayor Mertensotto called the hearing to order for the purpose of a public hearing to consider an application from Mr. and Mrs. John Cochrane for a Critical Area variance and site plan approval for 1819 Hunter Lane. Mrs. Cochrane noted that portions of the house would be within 20 feet of the bluff line, but not the entire house. The exterior materials would probably be natural wood/stones, in earth-tone colors to blend in with the surrounding area. She also noted that at the Planning Commission meeting, her future neighbors were present and spoke in favor of the project. Mayor Mertensotto asked for questions or comments from the audience. Mr. Michael Kurtz noted that he was present to represent the neighborhood and that they were in favor of the proposal and that he will continue to live in the area and asked that the Council look with favor at the proposal. There being no further comments or questions from the audience, Councilmember Cummins moved Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 FIRE PUMPER BID AWARD Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 237:5 February 3, 1987 to close the public hearing at 7:50 P.M. Councilmember Biesener seconded the motion. Councilmember Cummins moved approval of the site plan as presented, and approval of the 20 foot setback variance for 1819 Hunter Lane as requested. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Fire Chief John Maczko was present with Firefighter Pat Knight to explain the bids submitted relative to a 1250 gpm pumper for the fire department. Councilmember Cummins asked why only one bid was received and Fire Chief Maczko responded that it was perhaps due to serviceability of the equipment. Chief Maczko noted that he had received no comments or questions from any of the eleven firms that had requested specifications. He also noted that Hastings has recently purchased a diesel truck for about $138,000 but that it was bid one to one and one-half years ago. Edina also purchased a truck for about $143,000. Mr. James Kirvida, owner of Custom Fire Apparatus, was present and advised the Council of recent truck purchases made by other fire departments. Mayor Mertensotto asked why there was a need for air conditioning in the pumper. Chief Maczko responded on the several reasons why air conditioning is a preferred alternate. He also noted that the bid price does not include hoses, Opticom, miscellaneous adapters and large diameter hoses, which will add about another $14,000 to the price. The total price will not exceed the budgeted $165,000, and delivery will be in a minimum of six months. Councilmember Witt moved to award the bid to Custom Fire Apparatus, of Osceola, Wisconsin, for a basic bid price of $147,635, and Alternate B, air conditioning, for a bid price of $1,300. Councilmember Biesener seconded the motion. Page No. 2376 February 3, 1987 FIRE DEPT. Fire Chief Maczko explained the department's MEDICAL RESPONSE policy and his reasonings for labeling various POLICY calls as either Medical or Rescue. Mayor Mertensotto expressed concern with the assumption that there were trained personnel available for medical responses. Chief Maczko noted that the firemen responding to medicals administer oxygen, administer CPR, drive the ambulance and act as general support for the paramedics on the scene. Mayor Mertensotto asked what the criteria is for calling out the fire department to various calls, and expressed concern for spending the taxpayers dollars on these calls. Chief Maczko noted that he would get a copy of the criteria and provide it to the Council. Mayor Mertensotto felt that the fire department should not hold themselves out as providing medical assistance. They should be for rescue only and in the future, they should look at the overall policy of their responses. SOS Convenience Councilmember Biesener expressed concern over Mart Sign Permit granting a sign permit for the SOS Convenience Mart, 2012 South Lexington. She thought there had been previous discussions concerning signs at the site when a previous application had been filed for a variance in 1981. Since the applicant was not present to answer questions, the matter was tabled to February 17, when the applicant should be present and staff was directed to compare the signage proposed with what is in place at the Texaco Station on Dodd Road. CASE NO. 86-25A, Mr. Terry Dobie, developer of the proposed DOBIE, SUBDIVISION plat of Stratford Woods was present to answer questions. Mayor Mertensotto reviewed the Planning Commission recommendations and asked Mr. Dobie if he would be capable of doing the Planning Commission's recommendations. Mr. Dobie responded that yes, he could develop his plat with their recommendations, and he showed new drawings with approximate new footages for Lot 1, Block 1, and Lot 1, Block 2, with their shifted lot lines. Mr. Dobie noted that he has a purchase option on the Klingel property if the plat is approved. He presented the Council with a petition of 17 neighbors in favor of the through street proposal, noting that two more were forthcoming. Page No. 2377 February 3, 1987 Councilmember Witt felt that all alternatives were not explored at the recent Planning Commission hearing, as had been directed by the City Council in December. /Th Councilmember Biesener reviewed the history of the proposal from the start last fall to the present time. After her history review, Councilmember Biesener moved that any developer of this property be required to provide a hammerhead or cul-de-sac directly adjacent to the southeast end of the existing Stratford Road, serving any adjacent new lots, with the remaining new lots served via a cul- de-sac off Victoria, with a pedestrian trail connecting the two. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Councilmember Cummins noted that the through street proposal fully complies with the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and he would vote against Councilmember Blesener's motion, and would vote in favor of one of the two plans proposed, preferring the cul-de-sac, but noting that he would vote for a through street if the cul-de-sac proposal fails. Mayor Mertensotto noted his attendance at the Planning Commission meeting and the excellent way the Commission conducted the meeting in considering the case. He noted that, as was pointed out at the Planning Commission meeting, the utilities have to come south across the lots and with a cul-de-sac proposal, wide trenches and easements would be required. Councilmember Hartmann agreed with Mayor Mertensotto's comments and also commended the Planning Commission on the very fine job they had done. He noted that the Council cannot force a developer to not abide by the City's Zoning Ordinance requirements. City Attorney Hart noted that aesthetics are not a good reason to deny a request, and that the Council can't force a developer to make a proposal. It was his opinion that the motion by Councilmember Biesener is not legal, and the basis of denial should be related to health, safety, and public welfare, etc. Mayor Mertensotto called for a vote on the Page No. 2378 February 3, 1987 motion on the floor by Councilmember Blesener to have the developer provide a cul-de-sac off Victoria, and a cul-de-sac or hammerhead directly adjacent to the southeast end of the existing Stratford Road, with a pedestrian trail connecting the two. Ayes: 2 Nays: 3, Mertensotto, Hartmann, and Cummins The motion failed to pass. Councilmember Cummins moved to approve the alternate cul-de-sac plan presented at the January 27 Planning Commission meeting by Terry Dobie. There was no second to the motion, therefore the motion failed for lack of a second. Ayes: Nays: RECESS Councilmember Hartmann moved approval of the preliminary plat of Stratford Woods as recommended by the Planning Commission on January 27, 1987, with a through street proposal, as modified by the Planning Commission. Mayor Mertensotto seconded the motion. 3 2, Blesener, Witt Mayor Mertensotto called for a five minute recess at 8:43 P.M. The meeting was reconvened at 8:48 P.M. SPRING CREEK ACRES The Council acknowledged a memo from Public PLANS & SPECS Works Director Danielson relative to hiring Suburban Engineering to complete plans and specifications for the Spring Creek Acres project, located at Dodd and Marie. Councilmember Cummins moved to hire Suburban Engineering to prepare plans and specifications for Spring Creek Acres, with the cost not to exceed $8,400, and the developer Carmen Swenson to escrow the necessary funds up front to cover the associated costs. CASE NO. 86-40 & CASE NO. 87-02, UNITED PROPERTIES, VARIANCES Mr. Dale Glowa from United Properties, was present to request Council approval of three variances for a proposed building to house the Northland Insurance Company at 1295 Northland Drive. Mr. Glowa noted that the Contel building is north of the proposed Northland Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 2379 February 3, 1987 building and will not be adversely impacted by the requested variances of a six inch parking space width variance, a one space per 1,000 parking stall ratio variance, and a 7'8" side yard setback variance, as well as building permit approval. After a brief discussion, Councilmember Hartmann moved approval of the variances as requested. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Councilmember Hartmann moved approval of a building permit for the Northland Insurance Company subject to staff review of the final plans. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COUNTRY CLUB Mr. Ronald Lagerquist, architect for Country WAREHOUSE Club, was present to seek Council approval of a building permit to reconstruct the warehouse that was destroyed by fire in November, 1986. He noted that the new building would be constructed on the existing footings, except for the south footing. He also noted that the existing CLT Flooring building will be removed from the site and the warehouse will expand on the existing 80 foot parking lot, and curbing will be installed along the front side of the site, with drainage going to the existing drain. Mayor Mertensotto felt the drainage situation should be looked at more closely. Councilmember Blesener expressed concern with all the blacktopped parking area, and asked why the paving couldn't be accomplished as the building is expanded. Mr. Lagerquist advised the Council that the exterior of the building will be a light off- white or light gray concrete or rock base painted block, and Country Club would like to start construction immediately so they could be back in business in May. He also noted that they had taken 20 feet out along the front of the site to comply with Zoning Ordinance requirements. Councilmember Blesener asked City Attorney Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 POLICE DEPT. PURCHASES Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR POLICE DEPT. Page No. 2380 February 3, 1987 Hart if the City is forced to live with all the proposed blacktop, rather than some green space. Mayor Mertensotto again felt the drainage plan should be reviewed. Councilmember Cummins felt the landscaping and parking area needs to be looked into. Councilmember Cummins moved to table the request for building permit approval to February 17, and directed staff to investigate the blacktop alternatives, review the drainage plan and consider additional landscaping. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Police Chief Delmont was present to explain his request for a Dictaphone MVPII for the police department, and noted that if the trial period is satisfactory, the department would like to purchase the equipment for $3,964. He noted that the department currently has two hand-held dictaphones which are not doing the job, and he would like to lease the new equipment for 60 days, give it a trial period of 30 days, and then, after a satisfactory trial period, purchase the equipment. Chief Delmont noted that this purchase was not in the budget. Councilmember Hartmann moved to approve the request to purchase a Dictaphone MVPII transcriber system, after satisfactory performance during a one month trial period, for $3,964. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Chief Delmont explained his reasons for asking for approval to purchase four Apple Macintosh Plus computer work stations, which would be twice as powerful as the current IBM system. Mayor Mertensotto suggested that the price of accident reports be raised from $3.00 to $5.00 to help defray costs of the new system. Councilmember Hartmann noted that he had researched the proposed system and that it seems like a reasonable system and is easier Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MENDAKOTA ESTATES PLANS & SPECS Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PARK PLACE Page No. 2381 February 3, 1987 to use. Councilmember Cummins moved approval to purchase the Apple MacIntosh Plus work stations as requested, with the purchase not to exceed $13,000. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Civil Engineer Klayton Eckles was present to review the plans and specifications for Mendakota Estates. Councilmember Blesener asked about the proposed easement between Lots 19 and 20, off Swan Court. She noted that she would like to see a trail connection there, but Mr. Eckles noted that the developer did not feel he should be required to pay for part of our trail system. Mayor Mertensotto suggested the City buy a lot from Eide Realty, owner of the lots in question, and use part of the lot as a trail easement, and selling the excess portion of the lot to the abutting property owners. He felt it would be less expensive to buy the lot than to have an easement for trail purposes, and felt this possibility should be explored. He suggested that the Park Commission look at this and include the cost of the lot in the park bond referendum. Mr. Eckles advised the Council that bids will be opened on February 27, with a bid award contemplated for March 3, with the project to be completed in September, 1987. Councilmember Cummins moved adoption of Resolution No. 87 -10, "RESOLUTION APPROVING FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVE MENDAKOTA ESTATES (IMPROVEMENT NO. 86, PROJECT NO. 8) ". Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Staff was directed to look at a possible trail easement and to consider the NSP property to the north also in conjunction with the easement. Engineer Eckles presented the feasibility Page No. 23$2 February 3, 1987 FEASIBILITY REPORT report for Park Place, the proposed development by Michael Halley on the Wachtler property. He noted that the average assessment for each of the 49 lots in the Park Place subdivision will be about $12,540, excluding street lighting costs. Mayor Mertensotto felt that a uniform street lighting plan should be established with a residential street light that is standard for the entire City. Councilmember Hartmann moved the adoption of Resolution No. 87-11, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING ENGINEER'S REPORT AND CALLING FOR HEARING ON PROPOSED SANITARY SEWER, WATER, STORM SEWER, AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVE PARK PLACE SUBDIVISION AND ADJACENT AREAS (IMPROVEMENT NO. 86, PROJECT NO. 12)". Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CABLE TV REPRESENTATIVE CONTRACT FOR ZONING ORDINANCE REVISIONS Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 The Council acknowledged receipt of a memo from City Administrator Frazell relative to the appointment of a representative to the Cable TV Commission to fill the vacancy of Dave Zemke, who had recently resigned. Administrator Frazell advised the Council of three potential replacements and Mayor Mertensotto suggested that the vacancy be publicized, while staff contacted the three possible replacements. The Council discussed a proposed contract with Dahlgren, Shardlow & Uban for zoning ordinance revisions. Mayor Mertensotto felt that the basic work talked about during the November 12, 1986 workshop should be done, with a cost of up to $4,800. He did not feel that the work should include a second stage, was not interested in involvement in the cost of the Comprehensive Plan brochure distribution, and felt the additional cost should be deleted from the proposed contract. Councilmember Hartmann moved approval of the letter of agreement with Planner Dahlgren for the initial phase of the ordinance revision as set forth, with a cost not to exceed $4,800, and deleting the Comprehensive Plan production proposal. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 TH 55 CORRIDOR STUDY Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 2383 February 3, 1987 Councilmember Blesener moved to appropriate $12, 000 from the General Fund balafic-&:Ttof t=r7ansf, et to the Planning cl.ybgdg-t'..t.!W Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion. City Administrator Frazell explained the proposal for the TH 55 corridor study for the audience. He noted that Planner Dahlgren should take a look at the Comprehensive Plan for the entire area, including the Furlong Addition area, and the City would retain Planner Dahlgren to study the area and derive alternate plans for development. Administrator Frazell noted that Tax Increment Finance funds could be used to pay for the study. Mr. Tom Swenson, 1294 Kendon Lane, Mr. Lavern Richgels, 1310 Kendon Lane, Mr. Doug Geier, 1309 Kendon Lane, Mr. Mel Koppen, 1294 Victory Avenue, and Mr. Bob Tousignant, 1300 Furlong Avenue, were present and spoke about the many problems in their neighborhood, ranging from poor street conditions, lack of lighting, excess aircraft noise, and the fact that their concerns are always being put off. They felt since their's was an old neighborhood, they never get any priority, and asked when their concerns would result in positive actions. They asked the City to install utilities to serve them, or else possibly buy them out. Mr. Tousignant noted that there are about 35 homes in the neighborhood, and felt that a big problem is the lack of communication between staff, the Council and the residents. Mr. Tom Swenson noted that he was the spokesperson for the group. After further discussion, Councilmember Cummins moved to authorize staff to solicit a study proposal from Planner Dahlgren relative to TH 55 from 35E to the Mendota Bridge in Mendota Heights, including a timeline on completion. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Mr. Bob Tousignant said he would be the contact person for the residents. ( MENDOTA INTER- CHANGE BARTON-ASHMAN CONTRACT Page No. 2384 February 3, 1987 The Council acknowledged receipt of a memo from City Administrator Frazell relative to the Mendota Interchange project. Mayor Mertensotto directed staff to invite Mn/DOT to a future Council meeting to update them on their current plans for the Mendota Interchange. The Council discussed a proposed contract with Barton-Ashman for preparation of parks referendum promotion materials. Councilmember Cummins wondered if the City really needs a slide show presentation, but it was pointed out that the cost for such would come from the Parks Fund. Councilmember Witt noted that when she served on the Parks Commission, there was very poor attendance at the neighborhood park meetings. It was the consensus of the Council to keep the neighborhood meetings to a minimum. Councilmember Witt moved to approve the contract with Barton-Ashman for informational preparation assistance in the parks bond issue referendum, with the cost not to exceed the $7,560 total maximum cost. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 SEWER RATE Councilmember Blesener moved adoption of INCREASE Resolution No. 87-12, "RESOLUTION SETTING SEWER RENTAL CHARGES FOR SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS, MULTIPLE DWELLINGS, AMENITY STRUCTURES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USERS". Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MISCELLANEOUS Dr. Thomas Koepke was present if Council wished to discuss with him the possibility of kenneling at the Mendota Heights Animal Hospital. Mayor Mertensotto advised Dr. Koepke to schedule a time to be on the agenda of a future meeting with City staff. MISCELLANEOUS Mrs. Diane katiftfere:ti from Marie Avenue, was LMC COUNCIL COMMENTS ADJOURN Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 2385 February 3, 1987 present and complained about the speed of traffic on Marie Avenue and asked what had happened to the patrolling of Marie. Staff was directed to refer the matter to the police department. Staff was directed to advise the League of Minnesota Cities that the City of Mendota Heights wishes to take no action on the legislation to raise the minimum wage from $3.35 to $4.25 per hour. Councilmember Cummins commended the staff on the goal accomplishments and felt that Council and staff should get together for another workshop this year, without Lyle Sumek. Councilmember Witt noted the joint meeting with the School Board on Thursday evening at 7:00 P.M., and advised that she would not be able to arrive before 8:00 P.M. Councilmember Hartmann asked what the Council's position was in regard to the southeast area study, so that there could be a response when Mr. Dick Putnam came in and asked the question at the February 17 meeting. The Council concurred that they would stick with their previous approval of the southeast area plan. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Hartmann moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 10:28 o'clock P.M. Mary nn DeLaRosa Depu City Clerk ATTEST: Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor