Loading...
1983-11-15 Council minutesPage No. 1921 November 15, 1983 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, November 15, 1983 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 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 Hartmann, Mertensotto, and Witt. Councilman Losleben had notified the Council that he would be late. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilman Hartmann moved approval of the minutes of the November 1st meeting with correction. Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Councilwoman Witt moved approval of the consent calendar as sub- mitted and recommended for approval as part of the regular agenda, along with authorization for execution of all necessary documents contained therein. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 HEARING, DODD CONSTRUCTION CO. EASFNENT VACATION 1. Acknowledgement of the Fire Department monthly report for October. 2. Acknowledgement of a report from Administrator Designee Frazell relative to the ICAA annual conference. 3. Acknowledgement of the Treasurer's monthly report and Engineering Status Report for October. 4. Approval of the List of Claims dated November 15, and totalling $177,398.92. 5. Approval of the List of Licenses, granting licenses to: C.O. Field Company Centraire, Inc. Centraire, Inc. H.J. Pool Properties J.P. Homes, Inc. Sorenson Construction II Taping, Inc. Walter's Construction Co., Inc. Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. General Contractor Gas Piping License Heating & A/C License General Contractor General Contractor General Contractor Plastering/Stucco General Contractor Mayor Lockwood opened the meeting for the purpose of a public hearing on an application from Dodd Construction Company for vacation of a drainage easement in the Snelling View Replat. ABATEMENT Ayes : 5 Nays: 0 MENDOTA HEIGHTS BUSINESS CENTER Ayes : 5 Nays: 0 FIRE STATION Page No. 1922 November 15, 1983 There being no one present for the discussion the hearing was continued until later in the meeting. County Assessor Peterson was present to request approval of an abatement for property located at 2294 Dodd Road. Mr. Peterson explained that the original two acres of land area was not reduced for valuation purposes after Mn/DOT right-of-way acquisition, and that since the City has restricted the use of the second residential structure on the property, an economic disadvantage should be applied to the property. Councilman Losleben arrived at 7:45 o'clock P.M. After additional discussion, Councilwoman Witt moved to grant an abatement to Mrs. Brunhild Kirchert for Parcel No. 27-03600-020-26, reducing the assessed value from 23,107 to 18,744, for taxes payable in 1983. Councilman Mertensotto seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged a letter from Mr. Marc Cella, requesting approval of the issuance of building permits for Phases II and III of the Mendota Heights Business Center, along with a memo from the Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Cella was also present for the discussion. Councilman Losleben moved that building permits for Phases II and III of the Mendota Heights Business Center be approved as requested. Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. Mr. Jim Jordan and Mr. Bruce Caulfield, from Trossen-Wright Architects were present to review the project schedule, preliminary drawings and design concept for the fire station. Mr- Jordan stated that the anticipated schedule entails advertising for bids on January 6th, acceptance of bids on January 26, award of contracts on February 8 and construction commencement on May 1st. He stated that construc- tion should then be completed within nine to ten months. Mr. Caulfield reviewed the preliminary site plan and design concept. He indicated that the preliminary plan proposes to locate the structure on the site so as to allow addition to the 76 foot length of the apparatus bays in four foot increments, up to 24 additional feet, as an add-alternate depending upon the result of the bid process and available funding. He described the proposed interior design of the structure and stated that the exterior will be finished with burnished concrete block. After review, Mr. Jordan requested Council approval of the prelim- inary plans and authority to proceed with preparation of final documents. There was considerable Council discussion over the proposed size of the structure, particularly the size of the apparatus bays. In Page No. 1923 November 15, 1983 response to a Council question, Assistant Fire Chief Lange noted that Chief Noack could not be present because of a conflicting meeting. However, at a Fire Department meeting on Sunday evening, he had expressed satisfaction with the plans insofar as the administration area, but was not satisfied with the 76 foot apparatus bays. Assistant Chief Lange stated however, that it is felt that because of the potential bidding climate, it should be possible to increase the bay size within the budget. Councilman Losleben noted that the architectural contract is tied to the size of the originally proposed 9,000 square foot structure, and that any deviation of size by more than 10% would require a proportionate adjustment in the fee. He pointed out that the size now proposed is 1,600 square feet greater than the original, and bay extensions will increase the square footage. Councilman Mertensotto suggested that it would be better to reduce the administration areas and plan for a 100 foot apparatus area. He stated that the intent in building the structure was to provide sufficient room for apparatus, the other rooms are extras. He felt that the apparatus room is the real priority and that by constructing the facility as proposed would be building in obsoles- cence. He suggested that the plan call for a 100 foot apparatus area and shelled-in administration areas with alternates for various levels of finishing. Mr. Jordan stated that the direction to his firm was to design a finished building within the $825,000 budget, and this is what the preliminary plan reflects, with the bid alternates for bay area size increases. After considerable discussion, Councilman Losleben moved approval of the preliminary plan as presented with the addition of options for shelling some amount of finishing in the administration areas, shelling to be determined by the architects and Fire Department. Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 2, Mertensotto Hartmann EASEMENT Mayor Lockwood opened the meeting for the purpose of a public VACATION hearing on an application from Dodd Construction Company for the vacation of drainage easements within the Snelling View Replat. Administrator Johnson explained that when the hearing for vacation of street rights-of-way within the plat was held, the drainage easements were inadvertently omitted from the hearing notice and process. The easement vacation is a technicality required by the County before Dodd Construction will be allowed to file the Kingsley Estates plat. There being no questions or comments from the audience, Mayor Lockwood moved that the hearing be closed at 9:35 o'clock P.M. Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. Ayes : 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 1924 November 15, 1983 Councilman Losleben moved the adoption of Resolution No. 83-99, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING VACATION OF DRAINAGE EASEMENT IN THE SNELLING VIEW REPLAT", as amended to recognize that consideration of the easement vacation had been inadvertently omitted from consideration at the August 2, 1983 public hearing on the vacation of rights-of- way. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 TAX INCREMENT Administrator Johnson distributed and reviewed a proposed resolution' DISTRICT to clarify and correct certain provisions in the resolution estab- lishing the Tax Increment District. Councilman Hartmann moved the adoption of Resolution No. 83-100, "RESOLUTION RATIFYING FINDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL MADE IN RESOLUTION NO. 81-28, AND MAKING CERTAIN ADDITIONAL FINDINGS IN CONNECTION WITH TAX INCREMENT DISTRICTS A, B, AND C PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED BY THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS." Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. Ayes 5 Nays: 0 PERSONNEL The Council acknowledged a report from Administrator Designee Frazell on his progress in preparation of a proposed compensation plan for non-union personnel. Mr. Frazell recommended that the Council conduct a workshop on November 29th to consider the proposal and to review the preliminary Capital Improvements Program. The Council concurred in the recommendation. AMBULANCE SERVICE Administrator Johnson reported briefly on his research on emergency medical service. It was the concensus of the Council that Councilman Hartmann be authorized to continue researching the matter by contact- ing Divine Redeemer Hospital Administrator Curt Wassberg, for answers to questions such as: what would happen if the City chose not to continue its Divine Redeemer ambulance subsidy? PARK AND RECREA- Mayor Lockwood stated that he has received the name of a candidate TION COMMISSION for appointment to the Park and Recreation CommisSion to fill the unexpired term vacated by Tom Bayless. He recommended that Mr. Al Singer, 656. Highway 110, a naturalist at the Dodge Nature Center, be appointed to the Commission. Councilman Losleben moved that Alan Singer be appointed to the Park Commission for a term to expire on January 31, 1985. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MISCELLANEOUS Councilwoman Witt informed the Council that she has received several complaints regarding a home occupation being conducted at 680 South Freeway Road. The Council acknowledged the complaint and directed that the Police Chief research the matter and refer it to the City Attorney, if necessary. Page No. 1925 November 15, 1983 KRAJNIAK City Attorney Winthrop informed the Council that Mr. Krajniak has EASEMENT agreed to grant the City the drainage easement which was required as part of the wetlands approval several years ago, however he is not willing to reimburse the City costs incurred during the process of easement acquisition. Attorney Winthrop recommended acceptance of the easement and waiver of the required repayment. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD WIDENING Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 I-35E PLANS Ayes: 4 Nays: 1, Losleben ORDINANCES Mayor Lockwood moved to accept the Krajniak easement, on the basis of no cost if the easement is received within ten days. Councilman Mertensotto seconded the motion. Public Works Director Danielson reviewed plans and specifications for the widening of Mendota Heights Road east of TH 149. He stated that both the widening and sidewalk construction will be accomplished by Mn/DOT in 1984 in conjunction with construction of the 1-494 bridge. Councilman Losleben moved to authorize Mayor Lockwood to execute the plans for Mendota Heights Road widening east of TH 149. Councilman Mertensotto seconded the motion. Public Works Director Danielson stated that at the October 18th meeting, the Council considered a request from Mn/DOT for approval of plans for I-35E. At that meeting the Council expressed concern that there has been no commitment to a direct connection. The Council was also extremely concerned about the safety of motorists travelling northbound on I-35E because the tee for the fourth green was adjacent to and parallel with the proposed highway. Relative elevations of the tee and the highway are equal and the distance such that balls could easily be driven into oncoming vehicles. Mr. Danielson informed that Council that he,Mayor Lockwood and Council- Man Mertensotto had recently met with Mn/DOT officials-to discuss these-concerns. He pointed out that there will,be on-going dis- cussions with Mn/DOT officials on this- concern and-some form of-a safetTwall-will be designed to alleviate this problem. Councilman Mertensotto stated that Mn/DOT has given its assurance on a direct connection and that a 45 mile per hour speed limit is the principal feature of the parkway. Councilman Losleben expressed concern over truck traffic and suggest- ed that Mn/DOT be requested to do everything in its power to dis- courage truck traffic on TH 110 after freeway construction. Councilman Hartmann moved the adoption of Resolution No. 83-101, "RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR I-35E". Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. On the recommendation of the City Clerk, Mayor Lockwood moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 203, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1109," relative to vehicular parking during snowfalls. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Ayes : 5 Nays : 0 Page No. 1926 November 15, 1983 Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Mayor Lockwood moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 204, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 901", to prohibit depositing of removed snow onto public streets. Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. SEWER USE CHARGE Councilman Losleben moved the adoption of Resolution No. 83-102, "RESOLUTION SETTING SEWER RENTAL CHARGES FOR SINGLE FAMILY DWELL- INGS, MULTIPLE DWELLINGS, AMENITY STRUCTURES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, PUBLI BUILDINGS, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USES", to increase the minimum quarterly rates and the volume rates for 1984. Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 DELINQUENT USER Mayor Lockwood moved the adoption of Resolution No. 83-103, CHARGES "RESOLUTION CERTIFYING DELINQUENT. SANITARY SEWER RENTAL CHARGES TO THE DAKOTA COUNTY AUDITOR FOR COLLECTION WITH REAL ESTATE TAXES". Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Ayes : 5 Nays : 0 ADJOURN Ayes : 5 Nays : 0 ATTEST: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council- man Hartmann moved that the meeting be adjourned to 7:30 P.M. on November 29th. Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 11:25 o'clock P.M. Robert G. Lockwood Mayor da-Z4ft) hleen M. Swanson City Clerk