Loading...
1981-05-19 Council minutesPage 1470 May 19,1981 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, May 19, 1981 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 7:35 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Lockwood, Council Members Hartmann, Losleben, Mertensotto and Witt. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 DEPARTMENT REPORTS PARK COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS MISCELLANEOUS Councilwoman Witt moved approval of the minutes of the May 5th meeting with corrections. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged receipt of the Fire Department monthly report and Treasurer's monthly report for April. The Council acknowledged receipt of the minutes of the April 28th Park Commission minutes. Councilwoman Witt expressed concern over a portion of the minutes . relating to the planting of trees around Marie pond. She asked for a clarification on whether the subject pond is that located in Marie Park or the pond on the corner of Lexington and Marie Avenues, and felt that if the trees are proposed to be.planted at the Lexington/Marie location, staff should monitor the activities. Commission member Schneeman was present and stated that the owner of property abutting the Lexington/ Marie pond has asked for permission to plant trees around the pond. Public Works Director Danielson stated that he will contact ComMission Chairman Bayless with reference to monitoring any planting activity. Mrs. Schneeman gave the Council a brief report on the recent park clean-up day. The Council acknowledged receipt of two letters from Representative Rodriguez regarding I-494 and a memo from the Suburban Rate Authority regarding an NSP petition for electric rate increase. The Council acknowledged receipt of the Hearing Examiner's report on proposed 1-494 from Delaware Avenue to the Inver Grove Heights east boundary. The Council acknowledged receipt of a memo from Planner Dahlgren in response to .a request from Parranto Realty for a determination on the interpretation of the City's CASE NO. 81-04, FEDERAL LAND COMPANY Page 1471 May 19, 1981 Zoning Ordinance requirement for 100 feet of lot frontage on a public street. The request was specifically made as the requirement might relate to a lot located east of Wachtler at Wentworth. City Administrator Johnson stated that there is private access to the property from Wachtler adjacent to a City water easement. He stated that there is no public access to the land and pointed out that the City Planner's memo concludes that since the structure priginally built on the property, now abandoned and substantially damaged, was not a non-conforming use, a variance to allow construction of a residence on the lot could be -7) considered. There was some discussion over availability of utilities, the possibility of City acquisition of the property for park purposes, the question of whether the City will ever construct a street to serve this and other properties, and a question over how wide the private right-of-way is. After discussion, the matter was referred to staff for further study and report. Mr. Vern Colon and Mr. Tim Murnane of Federal Land Company were present to request approval of the preliminary plat for the proposed North Ivy Hills Second Addition. Mayor Lockwood noted that discussion on the matter had been continued from the May 5th meeting to allow further discussion on the desireability and feasibility of extending Miriam Street to T.H. 13 through the plat area. Mayor Lockwood stated that he believes the extension is desireable, if it is technically possible, .because there would be better access for public safety and snow removal activities, better access from Chippewa to T.H. 13, and because it would be better from a planning standpoint than a cul-de-sac. Councilman Mertensotto stated that the Council needs to look at the matter from all standpoints, and that engineering details relating to grade elevations and other details should be available. Public Works Director Danielson stated that even though existing grades would be a problem, the extension to T.H. 13 could be made and that there is no reason from an engineering standpoint why the street could not be extended. Mr. Colon stated that his understanding from past meetings over development of the property was that the area residents do not want Miriam extended and noted that there are several reasons why the cul-de-sac would be better. Councilman Losleben stated that the Council must look at creating smooth traffic flows, and pointed out that there are no technical reasons why the extension could not or should not be made. Page 1472 May 19, 1981 Councilman Hartmann advised the Council that he has received several calls from residents on Miriam Avenue who oppose the possible extension, and stated that he believes that everyon west of where Simard meets Miriam is opposed to it because of the additional traffic which would be generated by the extension. Administrator Johnson advised the Council that phone calls had been received by the office staff from the following owners of property on Miriam who expressed their opposition to the proposed extension: Mrs. Frieda Higgs, Mrs. Myrtle Fischer, Mrs. Ceil O'Donnell, Mr. Stanley Dupre, Mr. Murl Crum, Mr. Orlow Simmons, Mr. Albert Ahlquist, Mr. & Mrs. Russell Ward. City Engineer Kishel stated, in response to a question from Councilman Mertensotto, that the sanitary sewer could be extended from T.H. 13 to serve the plat and that a minimal amount of storm sewer and catch basin construction would also be necessary. Mayor Lockwood expressed concern over drainage deficiencies in the area of Chippewa and Hiawatha that should be corrected as part of the-utility construction for the proposed plat. He stated that he would be opposed to approving any plat . that does not include provisions for correcting drainage problems to the east. Engineer Kishel stated that the drainage problems can be handled under either street plan, but the details will not-be.known until a feasibility study is prepared. The-following members of the audience expressed their opposition to the possible Miriam Street extension: Mrs. Maxine Wilfahrt, 568 Miriam Street, Mr. Murl Crum, 556 Miriam, Mr. Lyal Hefflefinger, 569 Miriam, and Mr. Gordon Diedrich, 573 Hiawatha. Councilman Losleben stated that if the neighborhood opposition to the Miriam Street extension is based on increased traffic through the area, it should be pointed out that other streets in the area will carry the traffic from the plat area if the cul-de-sac is approved. He wondered how owners of property along those streets would react to this traffic increase. Mayor Lockwood stated he could not support approval of the preliminary plat as presented unless there are technical reasons why the Miriam Street extension is not possible. There was considerable discussion among the Council and audience relative to drainage problems east of the plat area and the potential of assessing properties outside of the plat for drainage improvements. Ayes: 3 Nays: 2 Lockwood Losleben JUNK CARS M. A. C FIRE DEPARTMENT. MISCELLANEOUS PUBLIC WORKS RADIO Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page 1473 May 19, 1981 After discussion, Councilman the preliminary plat for the as presented. Councilman Hartmann seconded Mertensotto moved approval .of North Ivy Hills Second Addition the motion. The Council acknowledged and discussed a memo from the Police Chief regarding the issuance of citations for junk cars. The Council acknowledged and briefly discussed a copy of a resolution adopted by the Metropolitan Airports Commission regarding the disposition of the MAC property on Pilot Knob Road. Administrator Johnson advised the Council that pictures of a recent fire training exercise will be available for viewing after the meeting. While commending the department on the exercise, members of the Council brought up the .problem- of.' apparent cases of excessive use of alcoholic beverages in conjunction with 'fire fighting activities. The Council members were extremely concerned that abusive use of alcohol in conjunction with fire related activities could result in potential dangers to the health and safety of the residents, create dangers for the travelling public,jeopardize the welfare of fellow fire fighters, and cause increased insurance costs. • It was the unanimous concensus of the Council that the City Administrator be directed to send a letter to the Fire Chief, with copies to the department members, advising the Chief that the Council will not tolerate excessive use of alcoholic beverages in conjunction with fire related activities. The Council 'further directed that the Chief be advised that the Council will support him in any disciplinary action related to alcohol abuse. Administrator Johnson advised the Council that the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities annual meeting will be held on May 28th and the League of Minnesota Cities annual conference will be held on June 10, 11 and 12th. Administrator Johnson read a memo from Public Works Supervisor Ploumen advising that the Public Works base station radio is in need of replacement and quotations have been received from AirComm for a new unitcosting $2,050 or a used unit for $1,295. In his memo, Mr. Ploumen recommended that the used unit, with a six month warranty, be purchased. Mayor Lockwood moved to approve an expenditure of $1,295 from the equipment certificate fund for the purchase of a used Public Works base station radio. Councilman Mertensotto seconded the motion. TAX INCREMENT FINANCING Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PILOT KNOB ROAD UPGRADING Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page 1474 May 19, 1981 Councilman Mertensotto moved the adoption of Resolution No. 81-33., "RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO CERTIFY THE ORIGINAL ASSESSED VALUE OF THE REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF THE MENDOTA HEIGHTS TAX INCREMENT FINANCING REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT." Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged memos from the Public Works Director regarding the .feasibility, and possible assessment for, the upgrading of Pilot Knob Road to four fluid lanes from 1-494 to Mendota Heights Road. Mr. Danielson advised the Council that in January of 1980 the Council adopted a resolution requesting the Council to upgrade Pilot Knobn:March,.,theountyaccepted_theCity's resolution and budgeted the.work for 1981. He stated that the City has now'received an agreement from the County, for execution by City officials, relative to the upgrading. He asked that the Council accept his memo on the upgrading as the project feasibility report. Mr. Danielson reviewed his-second memo relating to possible assessment calculations for the project. He suggested that less than 100% of the City': project cost be assessed .against abutting properties since the unit costs would be extremely high and most of the properties.have already paid assessments for other street projects. He suggested that the'iate of $30.00 per front foot (the median rate for street assessments for five recently completed projects) be applied. The total assessment roll would amount to $63,540, leaving approximately $59,300 to be financed by other means. He recommended that this deficit be financed by the Industrial Revenue Financing Fund and Tax-Increment Fund. He pointed out that the portion of Pilot Knob proposed to be upgraded is located within the Tax Increment Financing District and is addressed in the Plan. It was the concensus of the Council that a portion of the project costs should be financed by Tax Increment Financing funds but that the proposed $30 rate should be reduced due to the fact that the majority of the properties have frontage on two streets. It was also noted that whatever rate is applied to properties under this project should also be the uniform rate applied to future upgrading of Pilot Knob to the north. Staff was directed to give additional study to proposed assessing and report to the Council at a date closer to the assessing process. Councilman Hartmann moved the adoption of Resolution No. 81-34, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING REPORT AND CALLING FOR HEARING ON PILOT KNOB ROAD UPGRADING," accepting the Public Works Director's memo and the County plans as the feasibility study and calling for a hearing on June 16th. Councilwoman Vitt seconded the motion. LIST OF CLAIMS Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 LICENSES Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 BEER AND CLUB LIQUOR LICENSES Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ADJOURN Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page 1475 May 19, 1981 Mayor Lockwood moved approval of the list of claims dated May 19, 1981 and totalling $220,381.20. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. • Councilman Hartmann moved approval of the list of licenses, granting licenses to: Kel-Ran Masonry Riverview Cement Co., Inc. U.S. Steel Corp. - Cyclone Fence Champion Construction of St. Paul Designcraft Construction Bergwald Roofing Co., Inc. Donaho Roofing Lawrence Signs, Inc. Concrete Contractor License Concrete Contractor License Fence Contractor License General Contractor License General Contractor License Roofing Contractor License Roofing Contractor License Sign Contractor License CotncilwOman Witt seconded the motion. MayoriLockwood moved that 3.2 "off-sale" malt beverage licenses be granted to Country Boy Store and Snyder's Drug Stores, Inc. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. Councilman Losleben moved that a Club Liquor License be granted. to Mendakota Country Club. Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Losleben Moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 10:24 o'clock P.M. a27,661-) . hleen M. Swanson City Clerk ATTEST: Robert G. Lockwood Mayor