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1977-02-15 Council minutesPage 787 February 15, 1977 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, February 15, 1977 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, was held at 8:00 o'clock P.M. at City Hall, 750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Lockwood called the meeting to order at 8:00 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Lockwood, Councilmen Losleben, Mertensotto, Schaberg and Wahl. APPROVE Councilman Losleben moved approval of the minutes of the MINUTES February 1 meeting with corrections. Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 SQUAD CAR BIDS Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CASE NO. 77-1, KASSAN Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Administrator Johnson advised the Council that no bids were received on the-purbhase of two squad cars. He requested authorization to again request bids on Marcni3 for awarding on March 14. Councilman Wahl moved that the Police Chief and City Administrator be authorized to advertise for and accept bids for two police squad cars, the bids to be opened on March 3 with awax on March 14. Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion. Mayor Lockwood noted that the application for variance to build on an undersized lot, Lot 31, Block 2, J.H. Morrison's Addition, had been continued from the February 1 meeting. Neither Mr. Kassan nor a representative were present for the continued discussion. The Council acknowledged and discussed a memo from the City Administrator regarding surrounding property ownerships, past policy on similar requests and assessment history on the subject property. The Council concurred that prior to consideration of approval of the variance the matter of payment for residual assessments should be resolved. The property was purchased tax forfeit in 1968, and the County (in 1971) submitted $516.51 to the City for application on the sewer and water assessment for the property. It was-the concensus that the City is entitled to payment of the original assessment plus interest, less the County's payment, prior to granting any variance for the lot. After a brief discussion, Councilman Wahl moved that the matter be tabled until March 1 and that the staff be directed to advise Mr. Kassan that approval of the variance would be subject to cooperation on the residual assessment. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. PARK COMMISSION APPOINTMENT Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page 788 February 15, 1977 Mayor Lockwood recommended that Mr. Gary Gustafson, 1423 Cherry Hill Road, be appointed to the Park and Recreation Commission, to replace Mrs. Madelyn Shipman. After a brief discussion, Councilman Mertensotto moved that Gary Gustafson be appointed to serve a three-year term on the Park and Recreation Commission, the term to commence immediately and to expire on January 31, 1980. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. COMMUNICATIONS The Council acknowledged anslbriefly discussed a questionnaire from Representative Raymond Kempe. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 SONS OF JACOB Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS As a result of the discussion, Councilman Mertensotto moved the adoption of Resolution No. 77-11, "RESOLUTION URGING ADOPTION OF STATE PROGRAM FOR CONTROL OF DUTCH ELM DISEASE." Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. Councilman Mertensotto moved the adoption of Resolution No. 77-12 "RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING POSITION SUPPORTING CONSTRUCTION OF FREEWAY FACILITIES." Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. Councilman Mertensotto moved that the Council acknowledge receipt of a letter from Mr. Saul Fidelman and Mr. Ed Fink, President and Vice President of the Congregation of the Sons of Jacob, advising the Council of the Sons of Jacob Board of Directors' approval of the purchase of the William Mulvihill property and dedication of any land necessary for the construction of the TH 110 frontage road. Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. Administrator Johnson advised the Council that Curt Gobeli, of the Department of Transportation, and the D.O.T. right-of-way people are planning to go over the preliminary design plans for the TH 110 frontage road in the near future. They will then advise the City as to what right-of-way acquisition will be needed from the Sons of Jacob. The Council recieved and briefly discussed a letter and proposed legislative-bill submitted by Senator Robert Benedict regarding taxing of vacant land and home improvements. COMMISSION REPORTS The Council acknowledged receipt of the minutes of the January 26 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. PUBLIC WORKS Public Works Inspector Pearson outlined his Public Works DEPARTMENT ANNUAL Engineering annual report. Mr. Pearson expanded mainly on the REPORTS portions of his report dealing with equipment needs and 1976 street and utility construction. He responded to questions Page 789 February 15, 1977 from the Council including questions on estimated life of bituminous mats, storage space for additional equipment and responding to the Utility Department report, what the definition of "flat lines" is. Rudy Literski, Park Department Leadman, was present to expand on his annual Park Department report. The Council asked several questions regarding incidence of vandalism on barbecue grills, problems associated with Rogers Lake beach, and equipment requests. The Council members also congratulated the Park Department on the transplanting of trees from the M.A.C. area into the park areas. John Neska, Tree Inspector, was present to discuss the annual report on Dutch Elm activities. Mr. Neska responded to question regarding the proposed County sawmill operation, effectiveftess of chemical treatment and what is being done to control spread of the disease. The Council also asked John what his recommendation on subsidy and reforestation is. The Council acknowledged reciept of the Weed Inspector's Annual report. DEPARTMENT REPORTS The Council acknowledged receipt of the Police and Fire Department monthly reports for January. TRAPPING Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 The Council acknowledged and discussed a letter and sample ordinance from Councilman Losleben regarding trapping prohibitions. There was some question as to whether hunting is prohibited now, City Administrator Johnson advi sed the Council that current ordinances do not reflect prohibition on hunting, but do prohibit the use of firearms within the City. After a lengthy discussion, the Coundil directed:the Administrator to contact Golden Valley to see how effective their trapping ordinance is and what changes, if any, they would make in their ordinance. Councilman Wahl moved that the City Administrator contact Golden Valley regarding their ordinance and report back to the Council on March 1. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. MISCELLANEOUS The Council briefly discussed the upcoming feasibility hearing for the Mayfield Heights area, and requested that the City Administrator prepare a slide and graphic presentation for use at the hearing. Administrator Johnson reminded the Council of the February 22 League of Minnesota Cities Legislative Conference and the League Convention to be held in June. MISCELLANEOUS Page 790 February 15, 1977 Administrator Johnson advised the Council that the Department of Transportation plans to conduct a hearing in the bank lobby at 6:30 P.M. on March 1 to consider bridge improvements in Happy Hollow and Lilydale. LIST OF CLAIMS Mayor Lockwood 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, February 15, 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 payment of said claims. Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 LICENSES Councilman Wahl moved that a heating contractor license be granted to Rouse Mechanical, Inc. Councilman Schaberg seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ADJOURN Mayor Lockwood moved that the meeting be adjourned to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, Februart_16 in the City Hall to complete discussions on the Dutch Elm program, equipment needs and additional municipal matters of concern. Councilman Mertensotto seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ATTEST: Pt. 1145 o'clock P.M., the meeting was adjourned to 8:00 o'clock P.M., Wednesday, February 16. / • 9 • • r . I 041 i0f 41411111 'A: dabaugh Clerk Treasure Robert G. Lockwood Mayor