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1980-04-01 Council minutesPage 1244 April 1, 1980 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, April 1, 1980 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, Councilmen Hartmann, Losleben, Mertensotto and Councilwoman Witt. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Lockwood moved approval of the minutes of the March 18th meeting as corrected. Ayes: 5 Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. Nays: 0 LICENSES Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 LIST OF CLAIMS Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 GAS INSPECTION Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 T.H. 55 OVERLAY Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Lockwood moved approval of.the list of licenses, granting an excavation license to Northwest Service Station Equipment Co. Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. Councilwoman Witt moved approval of the list of claims submitted for payment on April 1, 1980. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged and discussed a memo relative to gas heating inspections and gas line inspections. After discussion, Councilman Losleben moved that the Code Enforcement Officer.be designated as City Gas Inspector. Councilman Mertensotto seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged and discussed a memo from the Public Works Director regarding Mn/DOT construction plans for the overlaying of T.H. 55, a 600 foot extension of the right turn lane at T.H. 110, and a bypass at its future intersection with 1-494. Mr. Danielson recommended approval of the plans. Councilman Mertensotto moved the adoption of Resolution No. 80- 32, "RESOLUTION APPROVING MN/DOT PLANS, SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF T.H. 55 AND T.H. 494." Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. IVY FALLS FIRST ADDITION Page 1245 April 1, 1980 The Council discussed the lack of response from Mn/DOT relative to the City's recommendation on alternate routing of traffic from Pilot Knob Road to T.H. 55 right-of-way after completion of the 1-494 bridge structure. The Council directed that staff again request a response from Mn/DOT. The Council acknowledged receipt of a feasibility study for proposed Ivy Falls First Addition street and storm sewer improvements. It was noted that the report had initially been received by the Council on October 16, 1979, but no action had been taken. After discussion, Mayor Lockwood moved the adoption of Resolution No. 80-33, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING REPORT AND CALLING FOR HEARING ON PROPOSED IVY FALLS FIRST ADDITION. STREET - AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS," the hearing to be conducted on June 3rd.. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 EAGLE RIDGE The Council acknowledged receipt of a feasibility study for DRAINAGE proposed drainage improvements to serve the Eagle Ridge area. It was noted that the report had originally been submitted to the Council on November 6, 1979. Councilman Hartmann moved the adoption of Resolution No. 80-34, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING REPORT AND CALLING FOR HEARING ON PROPOSED EAGLE RIDGE AREA DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS," the hearing to be conducted on May 6th. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Ayes:5 Nays: 0 COMMUNICATIONS The Council acknowledged and briefly discussed"Action Alerts" regarding proposed collective bargaining legislation and municipal bond interest legislation. The Council acknowledged a bulletin from the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities regarding the Association's annual meeting to be held on May 22nd. CABLE T.V. The Council acknowledged Mr. Ward Johnson's resignation from the Cable T.V. Advisory Committee. Mayor Lockwood asked that the Council members contact him with recommendations for a replacement for Mr. Johnson. WORKMEN'S On the recommendation of the City Administrator, Councilman COMPENSATION Losleben moved that the City's Workmen's Compensation policy be changed from the current carrier to the League of Minnesota Cities/Empoyee Benefit Administration. Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 NEWSLETTER Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 RADAR SURVEY MISCELLANEOUS FIRE FACILITIES ANNUAL REPORTS Page 1246 April 1, 1980 The Council acknowledged a memo from the City Administrator relative to initiation of a City newsletter. Councilwoman Witt felt that if the concept is approved, the Park Department budget should not be charged for 50% of the cost. There were additional comments from other members. After discussion, Councilman Losleben moved to approve the preparation of a City newsletter . Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged and discussed a memo from the Police Chief relating to •a radar survey conducted in the Sylvandale Road area. The Council acknowledged that the report had been prepared at the direction of the Council and in response to a letter from Burton G. Ross. The Council directed that a copy of the report be submitted to Mr. Ross. Administrator Johnson advised the Council that he is preparing a schedule for a City tour for the Council, department heads and the Park and Planning Commissions, tentatively set for April 26th. The Council discussed recent School Board discussions relative to the disposition of school properties, including the property south of Friendly Hills. There was considerable discussion relative to the need and desirability of City acquisition of a portion of the site for park purposes. Councilman Mertensotto reported on Fire Facility Committee activities. The Council acknowledged a letter from Mr. Robert Burow relative to preparation of a report defining City fire facility needs and cost estimates for renovation of the existing structure and construction of a new structure. Councilman Mertensotto recommended that the Council approve of the preparation of the report, the costs to be finan.ced through the Fire Facilities Fund. The Council concurred in the recommendation. Public Works Supervisor Ploumen, Street Department Leadman John Neska, and Park Department Leadman Rudy Literski were present to review and answer Council questions on the annual departmental reports. There were several Council questions relating to street maintenance material costs, mud tracking on City streets park maintenance activities and equipment. The Council discussed a memo from the Public Works Supervisor recommending that the City purchase a street sweeper. The Council also discussed sweeping costs and establishing an earlier sweeping date than has been experienced in past years. PARK MATTERS Page 1247 April 1, 1980 The Council acknowledged and briefly discussed the Public Works Director's annual report for 1979. Mr. Tom Bayless, a member of the Park and Recreation. Commission, was present to request Council action on two matters. Mr. Bayless requested that the Council direct staff to provide the Commission with a quarterly balance sheet on the status of the Special Park Fund. Mr. Bayless also recommended, on behalf of the Commission, that the City take the necessary action to lower the water level in the Lexington /Marie Park pond. The Council acknowledged a memo from the Public Works Director regarding the Commission recommendation and proposing that the level be lowered by lowering the outlet pipe elevation, and that this work be accomplished by the Public Works staff. Mayor Lockwood moved that the Public Works Director be authorized and directed to proceed with the corrective work on the pond level control at the storm water retention pond at Lexington and Marie Avenues. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PLANNING COMMISSION The Council acknowledged receipt of the minutes of the March 25th Planning Commission meeting. CASE NO. 80 -04, Mr. George Noack was present to request approval of side and NOACK VARIANCE rear yard setback variances to construct a 26 by 36 foot garage at 606 Valley Lane. Mayor Lockwood reviewed the Planning Commission action and advised the Council of City Ordinance provisions that do not allow the storing of vehicles over 12 tons in a residential district. Mayor Lockwood stated that he could consider the granting of a variance to this ordinance provision if some compromise on size of the structure can be reached. Mr. Noack submitted to the Council a letter signed by five adjoining property owners approving of the garage structure. He also submitted revised drawings and proposed that the structure be reduced to 24 by 36 feet with a single 10 by 18 foot overhead garage door.He also submitted a second proposal indicating two garage:doors of 10 by 10 feet and 7 by 7 feet. He did, however indicate his preference for the single door. Several members of the Council expressed concern that if the variances are granted there would be no way of guaranteeing or enforcing ordinance requirements that disallow a residential business operation. Mr. Noack advised the Council that he would not have any intention of operating a business out of his home. After considerable discussion, Mr. Noack was requested to meet with the City Planner and staff to reach a compromise on size of the structure. Further discussion on the matter was tabled to April 15th. Page 1248 April 1, 1980 Mayor Lockwood was excused from the meeting at 9:35 P.M. LABOR Administrator Johnson advised the Council on the status of the NEGOTIATIONS Public Works labor agreement negotiations. INFILTRATION/ Councilman Hartmann moved that the Mayor and City Clerk be INFLOW authorized to execute a contract with Short-Elliott-Hendrickson for preparation of an infiltration/inflow study subject to review and approval of the agreement by the City Attorney. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Losleben moved that the meeting be adjourned. Acting Mayor Mertensotto seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:58 o'clock P.M. hleen M. Swanson City Clerk ATTEST: Robert G. Lockwood Mayor