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1977-11-01 Council minutesPage 887 November 1, 1977 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, November 1, 1977 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, Councilmen Losleben, Mertensotto, Schaberg and Wahl. APPROVAL OF Councilman Losleben moved approval of the minutes of the MINUTES October 18 meeting. Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 FINAL PAYMENT Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PLANNING COMMISSION CASE NO. 77-24, NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY After a brief discussion, Councilman Wahl moved the adoption of Resolution No. 77-99, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING WORK AND APPROVING FINAL PAYMENT, IMPROVEMENT NO. 77, PROJECT NO. 2," authorizing the final payment of $19,115.11 to the McNamara- Vivant Contracting Company for work completed on the construction of street improvements on Emerson Avenue and a portion of Coleshire Lane and Somerset Road. Councilman Mertensotto seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged receipt of the minutes of the October 25 Planning Commission meeting. Mayor Lockwood opened the meeting for the purpose of a hearing on a conditional use permit application submitted by the Northern States Power Company. Mr. Nick Dries and several representatives of N.S.P. were present to request approval of a conditional use permit to rebuild an existing 69 KV Electric Transmission Line from the Rogers Lake Substation to Blue Gentian Road. Mr. Dries explained the application, stating that NSP proposed to rebuild approximately 51/2 miles of existing line, approximately 11/2 miles c which is located in Mendota Heights. The purpose of the rebuilding is to provide for the upgrading of the capacity of the line. It is proposed that 11 laminated wood structures approximately 60 to 65 feet in height, replace the 8 existing strucutres. NSP does not plan to acquire any additional right-of-way through the residential area, however they plan to acquire 25 additional feet of right-of-way width outside of the residential area. It is also proposed that the structures be constructed on the property lines to reduce their visual impact. Mr. George Warner, of NSP, explained the routing and structtre locations. He explained that NSP proposes to increase the number of structures because they will be installins a heavier conductor in the residential area and in order to Page 888 November 1, 1977 reduce the amount of sway in the line, thereby eliminating the necessity for additional right-of-way, the additional structures must be installed. He further stated that NSP plans to increase the capacity from 69KV to 115KV in the mid-1980's. Mr. Warner pointed out, on a routing map, homes which have either been constructed on or close to the existing right- of-way, and noted that NSP is not desirous of acquiring any additional right-of-way because of these encroachments. Councilman Mertensotto expressed concern over the increase in structures and their need for relocation. He suggested that NSP should acquire any additional right-of-way necessary in order to retain the current number and location of poles. He also suggested that NSP install steel poles in place of the existing structures, regardless of the difference in cost between the steel poles and the proposed structures, if the installation of steel poles would eliminate the necessity for more than the existing number of strucutres. There were several other questions and comments from the Council members. The Council expressed their desire that NSP meet with the affected property owners to explain their plans on the line rebuilding. There being no questions or comments from the audience, Councilman Wahl moved that the hearing be closed. Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 1 Mertensotto Mayor Lockwood asked the City Attorney whether or not an Environmental Impact Statement would be required or necessary prior to a final decision on the permit issuance. After a brief discussion, the Council directed Attorney Winthrop to research the matter to determine whether an impact statement is mandatory or discretionary and to report to the Council on November 15th. Councilman Wahl moved that thematter be tabled to November 15 to await receipt of a legal opinion on the environmental impact statement necessity. Councilman Mertensotto seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PETITION FOR The Council acknowledged receipt of a petition for public IMPROVEMENTS improvements to serve the Crown Point Addition. The Council briefly discussed the matter, and several members expressed concern over authorizing preparation of a study prior to final plat approval. It was the Council concensus that an escrow should be required of developers as a condition of approval of feasibility study preparation. The Council discussed the advisability of instituting a policy whereby all developers of new plats would be required to submit escrow deposits prior to feasibility study preparation. As a result of the discussion, Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COMMUNICATIONS FIRE RATING COMMUNICATIONS Page 889 November 1, 1977 the Council directed the City Administrator to prepare suggested guidelines on when escrow deposits should be required and when they should not. Councilman Losleben moved the adoption of Resolution No 77-100, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING PETITION AND AUTHORIZING PREPARATION OF REPORT ON IMPROVEMENTS," on the condition that an escrow deposit, in an amount to be determined by staff, be submitted by the developers prior to initiation of the report preparation. Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged receipt of a storm damage claim letter from Mr. & Mrs. M.S. Weiner, 1700 Lilac Lane, and directed that the claim be submitted to the City's insurance carrier for processing. The Council acknowledged receipt of a letter from the Minnesota Insurance Services Office, advising the Council that effective September 1, 1977, the City's fire rating was reduced from Class 7 to Class 6. The Council acknowledged receipt of a letter from Mr. David Bongiorno, President of "Mama Rosa, Inc.", indicating that he would like to locate a Mama Rosa Restaurant at 1944 Dodd Road and that he would like to be on the November 15 Council agenda to request approval of wine and beer (on-sale) licenses for the restaurant. Mayor Lockwood questioned whether the City can issue licenses such as those requested, without violating provisions of the municipal liquor ordinance. Attorney Winthrop stated that there are actually two questions involved: the liquor sale question and whether the property is properly zoned to accommodate such a facility. Several members of the audience objected to:the possibility of liquor license issuance and to the proposed use since the location is so close to a residential area. The audience members asked several questions, including the possibility of rezoning the subject property ("down-zonIng"), whether or not the business will include "take-out" service, and whether a neighborhood petition against the proposal would result in negative Council action. After a brief discussion, the Council directed the City Attorney to prepare an opinion on the liquor license question, the report to be discussed at the November 15 meeting. STADIUM SITE The Council acknowledged receipt of a notice of a hearing on the proposed Eagan stadium site. EQUIPMENT Financial Advisor Shaughnessy advised the Council that informal CERTIFICATES bids have been solicited and received preparatory to sale of the $100,000 equipment certificates. Mr. Shaughnessy stated that Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 FINAL PAYMENTS Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 SOMERSET PARK NO. 3 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page 890 November 1, 1977 four bids were received, and that the lowest bid was submitted by the Drovers State Bank of South St. Paul at an interest rate of 4.46%. Mr. Shaughnessy reviewed the bids received and recommended that the Drovers State Bank bid be accepted. After a brief discussion, Councilman Mertensotto moved the adoption of Resolution No. 77-101, "RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF $100,000 GE NERAL OBLIGATION EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS OF 1977 AND LEVYING A TAX FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF," awarding the bid to the Drovers State Bank. Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. After a brief discussion, Councilman Wahl moved the adoption of Resolution No. 77-102, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING WORK AND APPROVING FINAL PAYMENT, IMPROVEMENT NO. 77, PROJECT NO. 7," authorizing the final payment of $2,060 to the Robert W. Moore Company for work completed on the installation of water service connections to serve Lots 16, 17, 18 and a portion of Lot 19, Caroline's Lakeview Addition (Pabst -Lovegren). Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. MayOr Lockwood moved the adoption of Resolution No. 77-103, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING WORK AND APPROVING FINAL PAYMENT, IMPROVEMENT NO. 77, PROJECT NO. 7A," authorizing the final payment of $4,000 for work completed on the installation of watermains to serve the Pabst-Lovegren properties. Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion. Engineer Kishel requested Council authorization to advertize for bids for the construction of the Somerset Park No. 3 public improvements prior to the hearing scheduled for November 15. Mr. Kishel stated that as part of the project the contractor will be required to construct a drain line from a holding pond on the Par 3 golf course and that it would be beneficial to the City to have this portion of the project completed prior to commencement of the golfing season next year. In order to complete this construction this year, the City would have to advertise for bids on December 2 and award the bid on December 6. After a brief discussion, Councilman Losleben moved the adoption of Resolution No. 77-104, "RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDERING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR SOMERSET PARK NO. 3 IMPROVEMENTS (IMPROVEMENT NO. 77, PROJECT NO. 6)." Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. REGULATORY SIGNS. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MISCELLANEOUS Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 STORM DAMAGE REPAIRS Page 891 November 1, 1977 The Council acknowledged and briefly discussed a proposed ordinance to amend the current ordinance establishing stop and yield intersection ordinance to include additional signs-on Medora Road and Emerson Avenue. Councilman Losleben moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 150, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1113." Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion. Public Works Inspector Pearson stated that Richard Sheehy has requested that the City release all or a portion of the bond he submitted to insure completion of various site improvements within the Mendota Plaza in connection with the improvement of the McDonald's site. Mr. Pearson stated that most of the improvements have been completed, and recommended that Mr. Sheehy be allowed to reduce the bond amount from $51,524.00 to $3,000. After a brief discussion, Councilman Mertensotto moved that a reduction in the bond amount from $51,524.00 to $5,000 be approved. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. Public Works Inspector Pearson gave the Council a verbal report on the progress of repairs of damages caused by the August ,30 storm. LIST OF CLAIMS Councilman Mertensotto moved the adoption of the following motion: RESOLVED, that the claims submitted to the City Council for payment, a summary of which is set forth on the list attached hereto and identified as List of Claims submitted for payment, November 1, 1977, be and are hereby allowed and the Mayor and Clerk-Treasurer of the City of Mendota Heights are hereby authorzed and directed to issue City checks in payment of said claims. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MALT LIQUOR LICENSE Councilman Losleben moved that an off-sale 3.2 non-intoxicating malt liquor license be granted to Mendota Heights Country Buy. Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion, Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CIGARETTE LICENSE Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Lockwood moved that a cigarette license be granted to Mendota Heights Country Boy. Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. C LICENSES Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ADJOURN Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ATTEST: • Page 892 November 1, 1977 Councilman Wahl moved approval of the list of licenses, granting licenses to: F.G. Wagner Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Envirocon, Inc. Patio Village Red Rock Heating & Sheet Metal, Inc. Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. Plumbing License General Contractor License General Contractor License Gas Heating License There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Mertensotto moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 10:18 o'clock P.M. Robert G. Lockwood Mayor 11/;61i ) "(ath een M. Swanson Deputy Clerk /