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1984-04-03 Council minutesPage No. 1996 April 3, 1984 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, April 3, 1984 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 Hartmann, Mertensotto and Witt. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Hartmann moved the adoption of the amended agenda for the meeting. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Councilman Mertensotto moved approval of the Minutes of the March 19th meeting. Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. Councilman Hartmann moved approval of the consent calendar, with the exception of Item 6d, Memo on Mendakota Sound wall, 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 Code Enforcement Officer's for March. and the NDC-4 March 21st minutes. b. Acknowledgement of the minutes of the March Recreation Commission meeting. c. Acknowledgement of a letter from Mn/DOT regarding Mendota Interchange project. monthly report 13th Park and the status of the d. Acknowledgement of the Engineering Status Report for March. e. Approval of the $113,446.00. f. Approval of the Range. g. Approval of the list of Contractor Licenses, granting licenses to: Ory Bakke Insulation, Inc. General Contractor License List of Claims dated April 3, 1984 and totalling issuance of a Cigarette License to George's Golf Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS EVERGREEN KNOLLS FEASIBILITY STUDY Page No. 1997 April 3, 1984 Kuehn Excavating Rohl and Timm Excavating Sherman Energy Contracting Patio Enclosures, Inc. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Excavating License Excavating License General Contractor License General Contractor License Mr. Vince Anderson, 1062 Cullen Avenue, asked for information on the status of the bicycle trail proposed a number of years ago to connect the Curley Addition to the Rogers Lake Park. Staff was directed to prepare a report for the April 17th Council meeting. Mayor Lockwood opened the meeting for the purpose of the continuation of the March 6th public hearing on proposed improvements to serve the Evergreen Knolls Addition and adjacent areas. Mayor Lockwood turned the meeting over to Public Works Director Danielson for a review of the proposed improvements. Public Works Director Danielson reviewed the March 6th Council discussion. He stated that at that meeting, staff had notified the Council of the concerns expressed by the owners of property along Wachtler Avenue (extended) relative to the potential assessments for the proposed improvements and the possibility that substantial deferments might be requested. At the March 6th meeting, staff had recommended that Scheme A, Phase I of the proposed project be modified to delete the portion of Wachtler Avenue extended which would serve the Slowinski and Par 3 properties. At that meeting, the Council expressed concern that Phase I construction did not include completion of Evergreen Knoll to Dodd Road and directed that staff study the possibility of rough-grading Evergreen Knoll from the proposed termination point in Phase I to Dodd. Mr. Danielson stated that it has been determined that it would be feasible to construct the phasing without extending Wachtler to Trail Road under Phase I. He informed the Council that the only affected property owner who is opposed to the project is Virgil Christoffersen. Staff has met with the Christoffersens, explained the project in detail, and suggested that they request assessment deferment at the time the assessment hearing is conducted, if the project is approved. He stated that staff has studied the possibility of staged construction of Evergreen Knoll and continues to recommend that construction be as recommended in Scheme A of the feasibility study. He stated that because of drainage and utility installation problems it would not be feasible to extend utilities to Dodd at this time and that rough grade construction of Evergreen Knoll to Dodd Road would not be cost effective at this time. Councilman Mertensotto expressed concern that property owners on Wentworth Avenue immediately north of the plat had not been notified of the hearing. He was particularly concerned that access to the south half of those properties would be limited if the project is completed as proposed and if the property owners become desirous of subdividing their properties in the future. Page No. 1998 April 3, 1984 Public Works Director Danielson stated that staff had been in contact with the property owners during the platting process and none of them expressed interest in future subdivision, in fact, several were adamently opposed to providing east-west access at the south end of their properties. He advised the Council that some of the properties could be served from the cul-de-sac in the future. Councilwoman Witt was concerned about the lack of east-west access to Dodd and also that all of the proposed street names begin with "Evergreen." Public Works Director Danielson stated that Mr. Gryc, the plat developer, has petitioned for construction of the east-west access to Dodd, and that it will be completed under Phase II. He stated that he will work with the developer on changing the name of the cul-de-sac. Mayor Lockwood asked for questions and comments from the audience. Mr. Lyle Lewis, 760 W. Wentworth, stated that there were several meetings held during the platting process which the majority of the property owners attended and had an opportunity to voice their opposition or approval of the planning proposals. The plan proposed by staff is the one the majority of the owners agreed to. He stated that the Wentworth Avenue property owners are aware of what is proposed in terms of access. Mr. Virgil Christoffersen asked for an explanation of the City policy of assessing corner lots. In response to a Council question, Mr. Gryc stated that someone is interested in acquiring almost all of the lots in Phase I. He further stated that he will most probably petition for the balance of the public improvements (Phase II) to be completed in 1986. There being no further questions or comments, Councilman Mertensotto moved that the hearing be continued to April 17th and that staff be directed to notify the property owners adjacent to Wentworth Avenue, east of the Lyle Lewis property, of the hearing continuation. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 LEGISLATIVE State Representative Art Seaberg was present to discuss legislative ISSUES matters, in particular, the Local Government Aid, pay equity and Industrial Revenue Financing issues. ( AWARD On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Lockwood presented a plaque of PRESENTATION appreciation to retired Councilman James P. Losleben for his eleven years of service on the City Council and three years of service on the Park and Recreation Commission. COUNCIL Mayor Lockwood informed the audience that ten eligible residents had APPOINTMENT submitted letters expressing interest in appointment to the City Council. He informed the audience that two of the candidates had advised him of their inability to attend the meeting: Mr. Carl Cummins could not attend because of illness; Mr. Richard Spicer is vacationing in Europe. The remaining eight candidates were each invited to make Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Page NO. 1999 April 3, 1984 brief oral presentations. Mrs. Janet Blesener, Mrs. Dorothy McMonigal, Mr. John Roszak, Mr. Robert Leffert, Mr. Stuart Henning,Dr. Robert Altman, Mr. Russell Wahl and Mrs. Jeannette Rivers each spoke briefly. Mayor Lockwood stated that selecting one person out of ten excellent candidates is extremely difficult. He stated that he beleives that the person appointed should have sufficient residency and be experienced in matters of governance in Mendota Heights, and above a11, should be someone who can take hold of the work which must be done week in and week out, work with staff and be someone the balance of the Council would be comfortable with. He also felt that the nomination should have unanimous Council support. After additional comments, Mayor Lockwood nominated Janet Blesener for appointment to the Council seat vacated by James P. Losleben. He felt that Mrs. Blesener could become quickly acclimated to Council procedures because of her experience on the Planning Commission. Councilwoman Witt supported the nomination, noting Mrs. Blesener's experience on the Planning Commission and her employment as an architect. Council Members Hartmann and Mertensotto both indicated that while they could support the appointment of several of the candidates, they would support Janet Blesener's appointment. Mayor Lockwood moved the adoption of Resolution No. 84 -17, "RESOLUTION OF APPOINTMENT TO CITY COUNCIL POSITION," appointing Janet Blesener to immediately begin serving the balance of the unexpired Council term vacated by James P. Losleben. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Janet Blesener. Mayor Lockwood directed that the letters from the remaining candidates be placed in the Commission application files, and asked that the nine candidates consider accepting future Commission appointments. JOINT MEETING The Council acknowledged a memo from the City Administrator recommending that the date for the joint Council /Park Commission meeting be changed from April 17th to April 10th. The Council concurred in the recommendation. RIVERWOOD PLACE Councilman Hartmann moved the adoption of Resolution No. 84 -18, "RESOLUTION APPROVING FINAL PLAT FOR RIVERWOOD PLACE." Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Abstain: 1 Blesener WILLOW SPRINGS Councilman Mertensotto moved the adoption of Resolution No. 84 -19, DRAINAGE "RESOLUTION APPROVING FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDERING WORK IMPROVEMENTS DONE BY DAY LABOR TO SERVE LOT 2, WILLOW SPRINGS ADDITION (JOHN CALLAHAN) (IMPROVEMENT NO. 83, PROJECT NO. 6)." Page No. 2000 April 3, 1984 Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Abstain: 1 Blesener LEXINGTON The Council acknowledged a letter from the Dakota County Highway HEIGHTS Engineer confirming that the County would be satisfied with a APARTMENTS dedication of 50 feet of right-of-way (Lexington Avenue) on the Lexington Heights Apartment plat, along with a memo from the Public Works Director indicating that previous plats contiguous to Lexington Avenue have dedicated 50 feet of right-of-way. Mr. James Riley, the plat developer, stated that a 50 foot dedication is agreeable to him if the ten foot trail dedication is included within the 50 feet. Mayor Lockwood stated that if the trail can be worked into the right- of-way, Mr. Riley's proposal would be fine. He pointed out, however, that if it appears more prudent to place a trail outside of the right- of-way, a trail easement will be required. In response, Mr. Riley stated that he would give the City an easement in the future if a trail cannot be placed within the right-of-way. It was the concensus of the Council that a 50-foot right-of-way dedication on the final plat would be acceptable on the basis that Mr. Riley will give a future trail easement if it is needed by the City. JOINT Councilman Mertensotto moved approval of a Joint Purchasing Agreement PURCHASING with the City of Saint Paul, authorizing execution of the agreement by the appropriate City officials. Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Abstain: 1 Blesener EQUIPMENT Councilwoman Witt moved approval of the purchase of a tandem trailer for the Public Works Department from Carlson Equipment for the pur- chase price of S3,247.00. Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Abstain: 1 Blesener SUMMER HELP The Council acknowledged and discussed a memo from the Public Works Superintendent recommending that three youths employed as summer help in 1983 be rehired for the 1984 summer season. Mayor Lockwood felt that the City should provide an opportunity for work experience for City youth and should hire new people each year. Councilman Mertensotto agreed that it would be unfair to rehire the same people when many City youths are desirous of work experience. Mayor Lockwood moved that a summer youth work program be established Page No. 2001 April 3, 1984 and that one of the objectives of the program be to provide work experience to City youths, with a further determination that there be no repetition of employment in future years. Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 1 Witt Abstain: 1 Blesener ( ) PUBLIC ADDRESS The Council acknowledged and discussed a memo from the City Clerk relative to the acquisition of a public address system for the Council Chambers. It was the concensus of the Council that while there is a problem when the Chambers are crowded, utilization of the system would be minimal for the cost involved, and therefore acquisition of a system is not warranted at this time. SOUND/SAFETY Councilman Mertensotto and Public Works Director Danielson reviewed a WALL drawing and reported on the conclusion of negotiations with Mn/DOT on construction of a sound/safety wall and berming along the 4th tee at Mendakota Country Club adjacent to I-35E. ECONOMIC Mayor Lockwood acknowledged a letter from Mr. Bill Escher, Chamber of DEVELOPMENT Commerce Executive Director, expressing his appreciation for City participation in financing for the National Development Council economic development training seminar and suggesting formation of a Mendota Heights Economic Development Committee. Councilman Hartmann and Administrator Frazell were appointed to serve as a steering committee to determine the need and objectives for such a committee. MISCELLANEOUS Councilwoman Witt reported on NDC-4 activities. Mayor Lockwood reported on a meeting with School District 197 and City of West St. Paul representatives relative to school board concerns over the disposition of the Grass Jr. High School sports complex. In response to a question from Councilman Hartmann, Public Works Director Danielson reported that a policy recommendation on load limits is being prepared for future Council consideration. CLOSED SESSION The Council acknowledged and concurred in a recommendation from Administrator Frazell that a Closed Session of the City Council be conducted immediately after adjournment for discussion of Public Works labor negotiations and a report from the City Attorney on the Krajniak easement matter. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Lockwood moved that the regular meeting be adjourned to 8:00 P.M., April 10th for a Joint Council/Park Commission meeting, and that in accordance with the provisions of the Open Meeting Law, the Council meet in a closed session immediately following the vote on the adjournment motion to discuss Public Works labor negotiations and the Krajniak easement matter. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ATTEST; Page NO. 2002 April 3, 1984 Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 10:21 O'Clock P.M. tthazze.„-) ofo-th,3-4, Robert G. Lockwood Mayor K leen M. Swanson City Clerk