1977-10-04 Council minutesPage 887
October 4, 1977
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS •
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, October 4, 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 Losieben, Mertensotto and Wahl.
Clerk Radabaugh noted that Councilman Schaberg would be late.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilman Losieben moved approval of the minutes of the
September 20 meeting with corrections.
Councilman Wahl seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Councilman Wahl moved approval of the minutes of the
September 26 meeting.
Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion.
Councilman Schaberg arrived at 7:40 o'clock P.M.
FINAL PLAT, Mr. Harold Nielsen was present to request final plat approval
SNELLING VIEW for the Snelling View Replat. Administrator Johnson gave a
REPLAT brief history of the platting, including the delays because of
review by the Metropolitan Council since the plat is within
the Critical Areas Corridor, and review by the County Engineer.
The Council also acknowledged receipt of a letter from
Mr. Nielsen's attorney indicating that Mr. Nielsen does not
wish to petition for public improvements at this time since
he does not intend to develop the plat in the near guture.
Mr. Nielsen asked several questions relating to public
improvements and indicated that he would contact the City
Administrator in this regard.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
TAX LEVY
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
After a brief discussion, Councilman Wahl moved the adoption
of Resolution No. 77-89, "RESOLUTION APPROVING FINAL PLAT
FOR SNELLING VIEW REPLAT," acknowledging receipt of a portion
of the park contribution and noting that the balance of the
contribution would be due by July 1, 1978.
Councilman Losieben seconded the motion.
Mayor Lockwood moved the adoptiomLof Resolution No. 77-90,
"RESOLUTION APPROVING 1977 LEVY COLLECTIBUI IN 1978."
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion,
Page 888
October 4, 19 77
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Mayor Lockwood reviewed the discussions between the Planning
Commission and Council members at the September 27 Planning
Commission relative to updating the Comprehensive Plan.
Several members of the Council felt that period reports from
the Planner should be submitted to the Council so that the
Council will be apprised of the Plan progress and so that the
Council can more closely exercise control over any possible
costs in excess of the contract amount.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
LAND PLANNING
GRANT APPLICATION
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
After a brief discussion, Councilman Schaberg moved approval
of the contract from Howard Dahlgren Associates for
Comprehensive Plan updating, directing that quarterly progress
reports be submitted to the Council.
Councilman Wahl seconded the motion.
After a brief discussion, Mayor Lockwood moved the adoption of
Resolution No. 77-91, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF
COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION," authorizing and directing staff
to submit the application to the MOtropolitan Council,
including a copy of the work program contained in the
Comprehensive Plan contract.
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
STORM DAMAGE CLAIMS The Council received letters from the following residents as
claims for damages incurred as a result of the August 30 storm:
Dr. Leonard Levitan, 699 Sylvandale Court; Robert Ilstrup,
1268 Wachtler Avenue; Paul Bollmeier, 300 E. 4th Street;
Richard M. Carbone, 1300 Wachtler; H.R. Hanson, 796 Sibley
Memorial Highway. Administrator Johnson advised the Council
that copies of the letters had been submitted to the insurance
carrier for the City.
PLANNING COMMISSION The Council acknowledged receipt of the minutes of the
September 27 Planning Commission meeting.
CASE NO. 77-21,
MENDOTA COMPANY
Mr. William Strub and Mr. Aslandis were present to explain the
preliminary plat for the Crown Point Addition. They stated
that they proposed to subdivide 32.2,acres of property located
north of T.H. 110 and east of I-35E into 35 single family
residential lots. They also stated that they propose to
dedicate 11.6 acres to the City as the park contribution for the
plat. Mr. Strub also gave a brief history of his past
proposals for development of the property.
Councilman Mertensotto expressed concern over a small piece of
property owned by Dr. Darrell Westover adjacent to the plat,
and Mr. Strub indicated that he would contact Dr. Westover in
this regard. Councilman Wahl expressed concern over run-off
and silt and the associated affect on area wildlife.
Administrator Johnson advised that this would be addressed in
the feasibility study for the plat.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
CASE NO. 77-31,
BYSTROM
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
CASE NO. 77-29,
RILEY
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Page 899
October 4, 1977
Councilman Losleben moved approval of the preliminary plat for
the Crown Point Addition, including the concept of accepting
11.5 acres of open space as the park contribution for the plat.
Councilman Wahl seconded the motion.
The Council advised Mr. Strub that he may be asked to submit
an escrow deposit for feasibility study preparation when the
study is requested. The Council directed that the Administrator
prepare a recommendation on whether such deposits should be
required.
Mr. Donald Bystrom was present to request approval of a
three-foot variance from the sideyard setback requirement at
557 Simard Avenue so that he can construct an addition onto his
existing garage seven feet from the property line.
After a brief discussion, Councilman Wahl moved that the
three-foot sideyard setback variance be approved.
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
Mr. James Riley was present to request approval of his
applicationfor variance for apartments from 10-12 units per
acre to 17 units per acre for property he owns on Lexington
Avenue. He stated that when he purchased the property in 1965
the zoning was R-3A and would have allowed the 17 units per acre,
however, when the current Zoning Ordinance was adopted, the
property was rezoned R-3 and the density was reduced.
Mr. Riley explained his development proposal, parking, open
space and other details, noting that the apartments would be
financed through the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. He
outlined several reasons he felt would justify approval of the
variance, including application of the Section 8 program,
previous Zoning Ordinance den sity, decrease in property value
as a result of the "down-zoning" of the land an d various other
comments.
Members of the Council pointed out several concerns, including
the potential drastic increase in traffic on Lexington Avenue,
lack of fire fighting equipment to service a three story
structure in case of fire, the request is for a drastic
variance from the Ordinance, lack of input from residents of
the Curley's Valley View Addition and other residents, as well
as recommendations of denial from the City Planner and
Planning Commission. There was also some discussion on the
past sanitary sewer assessment against the property.
After a lengthy discussion, Councilman Mertensotto moved that the
variance be denied based on the concerns expressed by the City
Council during this meeting as well as the recommendation of the
Planning Commission and City Planner.
Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion.
Page 890
October 4, 1977
PARK AND RECREATION The Council acknowledged receipt of the minutes of the Park
COMMISSION and Recreation Commission meetings held on September 1 and
September 29. The Council noted the discussion on September 29
regarding landscaping within the parks and an associated
recommendation of approval for the expenditure, and concurred
with the Park Commission recommendation.
BACHELOR AVENUE
ALIGNMENT
WATER SURCHARGE
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Mr. John Langenbrunner was present to discuss with the Council
various alternatives available relative to the alignment of
Bachelor Avenue contiguous to the Somerset Park No. 3 plat
and Mr. Langenbrunner's property. Mr. Langenbrunner stated
that he has considered the possibility of accepting any fair
offer for his property from either Mr. Bream or the City,
however he has since decided he would not be willing to move-.
Mayor Lockwood noted three alternatives on street alignment:
acquire the necessary property from Mr. Langenbrunner via
condemnation; acquire the necessary property from Par 3
Golf Course through negotiation or condemnation; construct
a normal street on both sides of Langenbrunner's property and
scale the street down (narrower) in front of his property.
The Council expressed sympathy with Mr. Langenbrunner's
situation but felt that the street should be constructed in a
proper manner, without scaling it down. The Council suggested
that perhaps Mr. Langenbrunner could consider selling the
necessary right-of-way to the City and building a new home
behind his existing residence; in which case his family could
live in the existing residence during construction of a new
home, after which the City would tear down the exsiting
structure. Mr. Langenbrunner indicated that he would seriously
consider this proposal.
After a lengthy discussion, the Council requested Mr. Langen-
brunner to discuss with his family the advisability of
agreeing to sell the City the necessary right-of-way, and if
the suggestion is agreeable, to retain an appraiser to appraise
an appropriate price for the property. The Council indicated
that the City would allow up to $150 for such an appraisal.
Administrator Johnson advised the Council that Attorney Winthrop
is preparing a revision in the proposed water surcharge
ordinance to more closely meet the desires of the St. Pahl
Water Department officials. Engineer Kishel advised the
Council on the status of the water tank feasibility study.
After a brief discussion, Councilman Losleben moved that
the surcharge concept be approved and that the Attorney be
directed to prepare a final draft of the proposed ordinance,
the effective date for billings to be January 1, 1978.
Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion.
MISCELLANEOUS
DELINQUENT SEWER
RENTALS
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
LIST OF CLAIMS
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
LICENSES
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
ADJOURN
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
ATTEST:
Page 891
October 4, 1977
The Council acknowledged receipt of a copy of the League
of Minnesota Cities Survey of municipal elected officials'
salaries.
The Council acknowledged receipt of a proposed press release
relative to Local 320 demands on behalf of the Police
Department for 1978-79 salaries and benefits. After a
brief discussion, it was the concensus of the Council that the
release should be submitted to the legal newspaper and
St. Paul Dispatch for publication.
Mayor Lockwood moved the adoption of Resolution No. 77-92,
"RESOLUTION CERTIFYING DELINQUENT SANITARY SEWER RENTAL
CHARGES TO THE DAKOTA COUNTY AUDITOR FOR COLLECTION WITH
REAL ESTATE TAXES."
Councilman Wahl seconded the motion.
Councilman Schaberg 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,
October 4, 1977, having been audited by the City Council, be
and are hereby allowed and the Mayor and Clerk-Treasurer of the
City of Mendota Heights are hereby authorized and directed
to issue City checks in pagment of said claims.
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
Mayor Lockwood moved approval of the list of licenses,
granting licenses to:
Wiegner Construction Company
Bey-Roc Company
Keith H. Ackerman Construction
Merlin Larson Construction Co.
General Contractor License
Excavating License
General Contractor License
Concrete & Masonry License
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
There being no fruther business to come before the Council,
Councilman Mertensotto moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Councilman Wahl seconded the motion.
Time of Adjournment: 10j58
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arr- I Radabaugh
Cleik-Treasu -
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Robert G. Lockwood
Mayor