Loading...
1986-01-07 Council minutesPage No. 2433 January 7, 1986 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, January 7, 1986 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. Mayor Lockwood called the meeting to order at 7:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Lockwood, 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 agenda for the meeting including additional items contained in the add -on agenda. Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion. Mayor Lockwood moved approval of the minutes of the December 17th meeting. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Councilmember Cummins moved approval of the consent calendar as submitted and recommended for approval as part of the regular agenda, along with authorization for execution of all necessary documents contained therein. a. Acknowledgement of the Fire Department monthly reports for November and December. b. Acknowledgement of the Code Enforcement monthly report for December. c. Adoption of Resolution No. 86 -01, "RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 1986 DEPOSITORIES OF FUNDS," with corrections. d. Approval of the list of pledged securities. e. Acknowledgement of a memo on commission terms of expiration along with a letter from Mr. Ultan Duggan expressing interest in appointment to the Planning Commission. f. Acknowlegement of a notice of Comprehensive Plan amendment from the City of Inver Grove Heights Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 INTRODUCTIONS HEALTH OFFICER Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ACTING MAYOR Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MENDOTA HEIGHTS ASSOCIATES Page No. 2434 January 7, 1986 along with a memo from the City Administrator. g. Acknowledgement of a memo from the Police Chief regarding the status of the police officer selection process. h. Approval of the List of Claims dated January 7, 1986 and totalling $123,346.92. 1. Acknowledgement of a notice of increase in water rates from the St. Paul Water Department. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. Acting City Attorney Dave Moran was introduced to the Council and audience. Mayor Lockwood moved to appoint Dr. Thaddeus Chao as City Health Officer for 1986. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Mayor Lockwood moved that Councilmember Witt be appointed as Acting Mayor for 1986. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Mayor Lockwood moved that the West St. Paul/Mendota Heights Sun Current be designated as official City Newspaper for 1986. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged a memo from the City Administrator regarding the Mendota Heights Associates request for multi-family housing bonds. The Council also acknowledged a letter from legal counsel for Mendota Heights Associates informing the Council that the bond underwriters have refused to proceed with the proposed financing because of legal action commenced against the City and the applicant is therefore withdrawing his application for bond approval. Councilmember Cummins pointed out that the letter from the Mendota Heights Associates legal counsel indicated that they will hold the plaintiffs in the litigation responsible for loss of the bond financing. He stated that Mr. Riley did not submit a plan Page No. 2435 January 7, 1986 consistent with the comprehensive plan changes adopted by the Council and that Mr. Riley's failure to get the bonding was the direct result of his inaction rather than the fault of the plaintiffs, and pointed out that he would have voted against the rezoning. Council - member Blesener expressed support for Councilmember Cummins' comments and stated that she was not in a position to support the development plan and would not have voted for a rezoning. METROPOLITAN DEVELOP- The Council acknowledged and discussed a memo from the MENT GUIDE, AVIATION City Administrator relative to a Metropolitan Council CHAPTER public hearing to receive comments on the proposed new aviation chapter of the Metropolitan Development Guide along with a letter the Administrator prepared expressing City concerns over the document. It was the concensus of the Council that the letter be submitted to the Metropolitan Council subject to review and comment by MASAC representative Friel. PERSONNEL Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 DISASTER PLAN LOT DIVISION The Council acknowledged a memo from the City Administrator regarding a request from Police Chief Delmont to attend the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia in June. After discussion, Councilmember Cummins moved to approve the Police Chief's attendance at the Academy along with funding of one round -trip airfare in the mid -point of the session subject to the Police Chief and City Administrator entering an agreement for a two year commitment for continued City employment by Chief Delmont. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. Administrator Frazell informed Council that Chief Delmont was unable to be in attendance at the meeting. Discussion on the City Disaster Plan was tabled to February 5th. Mr. Lou Brenner was present to discuss a request from the Mendakota Country Club for approval of the division of the Perkegwyn property adjacent to the Mendakota property. Public Works Director Danielson explained that Mendakota proposes to purchase 11.6 acres of the Perkegwyn property and that because both the proposed 11.6 parcel and the remaining 53.3 acre Perkegwyn property exceed 5 acres the property division can be exempted from complying with the requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance. Mr. Brenner informed the Council on proposed future Country Club development plans. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 STREET LIGHTING POLICY Page No. 2436 January 7, 1986 Councilmember Witt moved adoption of Resolution No. 86 -02, "RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LOT DIVISION OF PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 26, TOWNSHIP 28 NORTH, RANGE 23 WEST." Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. The Council reviewed a proposed street lighting policy prepared by the Public Works Director and discussed the alternative section of the policy which presented several questions for Council decision. Councilmember Hartmann stated that the City should not require residential lighting but felt that there should be an option for neighborhoods to request street lights if the lights comply with some type of City standard. He also felt that lights should be installed at major arterials where lights have not yet been installed. Councilmember Cummins stated that he finds the absence of street lighting attractive and would generally oppose a street lighting policy except in areas where for public safety purposes it is necessary to install lights. Councilmember Witt agreed, but asked what the City's response would be to neighborhoods requesting lights. She was concerned that the major intersections described in the proposed policy be lighted. Mayor Lockwood stated that he does not see the need for residential lighting and pointed out that lighting installation costs are insignificant compared to on- going power costs. He felt however that if there could be some arrangement where the neighborhoods are willing to pay for the lamps and the on -going costs he could approve of neighborhood lighting requests. Councilmember Blesener stated that she is opposed to residential lighting and felt that Council can react to requests as they come in. She asked staff who determines whether an intersection is safe or unsafe and which intersections should be lighted. She felt that it is important that there be some kind of policy which identifies which intersections should have lights, design of standards, commercial industrial needs and so forth. She also felt that there should be a statement made which stipulates that it is the policy of the City that residential areas will not have street lights. SIDEWALKS STREET NAME CHANGES MSA 5-YEAR PLAN Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 LOWER MISSISSIPI RIVER W.M.O. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COUNCIL SALARIES Page No. 2437 January 7, 1986 After discussion, the matter was referred back to staff. The Council acknowledged a report from Engineer Eckles in response to prior Council discussions on the proposed Copperfield Subdivision sidewalks, informing that the City currently has an ordinance in place which addresses sidewalk repair and snow removal. Mayor Lockwood stated that the City must make certain to get an agreement from Tandem on location of the sidewalks with respect to the curbiine. He also suggested that Tandem be strongly encouraged to abandon the sidewalk idea, but if that is not possible the City should insist on having sufficient space between the curbiine and sidewalk for snow storage. The Council acknowledged and discussed a proposed ordinance to rename Transport Drive and Carrier Drive. It was Council concensus that United Properties should be requested to suggest street names more appropriate than those proposed. Public Works Director Danielson reviewed the proposed Municipal State Aid five-year plan. There was also brief discussion over the prospects for improvements to T.H. 149 and Delaware Avenue between T.H. 110 and I-494. Councilmember Blesener moved to adopt the MSA 5-year construction schedule. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. Councilmember Cummins moved to designate Public Works Director Danielson as the City's representative to the Lower Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Board of Directors and Civil Engineer Eckles as alternate representative. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged a memo from the City Administrator and a copy of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities Elected Officials Salary Survey. Councilmember Cummins pointed out that there has been no increase in the Mayor and Council's salaries for five years and that if an increase is now approved there quite possibly would be no additional increase far another five years. He proposed that the Mayor's salary be increased to 03,600 per year and that the Councilmembers' salaries be increased to Ayes: 4 Nays: 1 Lockwood PARK PLAN Page No. 2438 January 7, 1986 $2,400 per year for 1987. Mayor Lockwood objected to the proposed increases and stated that he feels that the City spends considerable money on highly skilled personnel and that the job of the elected officials is therefore easier. He felt that it is appropriate to keep the elected officials' salaries as low as possible. Councilmember Cummins stated that the salaries proposed will keep the elected officials' compensation in line with other communities. Councilmember Cummins moved adoption of Ordinance No. 223, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE #107 IN ITS ENTIRETY AND ESTABLISHING SALARIES FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL," establishing monthly salaries of 0300 for the Mayor and $200 for the Councilmembers, effective January 1, 1987. Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion. It was Council concensus that a joint meeting be conducted with the Parks Commission at 8:00 P.M. on January 22nd for discussion of the Comprehensive Park Plan. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Blesener asked the status of the T.H. 13/Victoria Committee. She also asked that staff contact the owner of the service station at Lexington and T.H. 110 regarding vehicle parking. Councilmember Witt informed the Council that a meeting is scheduled for January 9th for discussion of a transfer of the cable franchise. She also stated that she has had a request for a traffic sign from a blind resident on Brookside Lane who must cross First Avenue to get his mail. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Hartmann moved that the meeting Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 2439 January 7, 1986 be adjourned to a closed session for discussion on Police contract negotiations. Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:30 o'clock P.M. K thleen M. Swanson City Clerk ATTEST: Robert G. G. Lockwood Mayor