1976-03-16 Council minutesPage 644
March 16, 1976
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, March 16, 1976
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 the City Hall,
750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Acting Mayor Lockwood called the meeting to order at 8:00 o'clock P.M. The
following members were present: Acting Mayor Lockwood, Councilmen Gutzmer,
Losleben and Wahl. Mayor Huber had notified the Council that he would be late.
APPROVE MINUTES
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
MISCELLANEOUS
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Acting Mayor Lockwood moved approval of the minutes of the
March 2 meeting.
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
The Council acknowledged receipt of a resolution from Inver
Grove Heights in opposition to Dakota County Board resolution
number 10 regarding special assessments. The Council
discussed the matter briefly.
Councilman Wahl moved the adoption of Resolution No. 76-14,
"RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO DAKOTA COUNTY BOARD
RESOLUTION NO. 10."
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
COMMUNICATIONS The Council acknowledged receipt of letters from the following
residents in opposition to proposed northeast area improvements:
DEPARTMENT
REPORTS
Mr. & Mrs. O.N. Simmons, 987 Chippewa Avenue
Mrs. Ceil O'Donnell, 545 Miriam Avenue
Mrs Margaret C. Nelson, 1177 Delaware Avenue
Mr. & Mrs. R. Cich, 592 Spring Street
The Council also acknowledged receipt of a letter from
Attorney General Warren Spannaus regarding distribution of the
settlement on the Cast Iron Pipe Antitrust Litigation.
The Council acknowledged receipt of the Police Department
monthly report for February, 1976.
COMMISSION REPORTS The Council acknowledged receipt of the Park and Recreation
Commission minutes for February 25, 1976.
Page 645
March 16, 1976
MISCELLANEOUS The Council acknowledged receipt of a letter from
Mr. Ed Stringer regarding stop signs.
Mayor Huber arrived at 8:18 o'clock P.M. Acting Mayor Lockwood
turned the meeting over to Mayor Huber.
PROPOSED NORTHEAST Mayor Huber informed the audience that as a result of the
AREA IMPROVEMENTS feasibility hearing on the proposed northeast area
improvement project, a supplement to the feasibility study
was prepared in response to some of the concerns and comments
stated by residents at the hearing.
Administrator Johnson reviewed the supplemental report for
the audience and explained the several changes. Some of the
changes are: machine-laid bituminous surface, 30 foot width
(without curb and gutters) on Simard Street and the west
two-thirds of Miriam, on John Street, the west two-thirds
of Esther Lane from Butler to Kirchner, View Lane, Valley
Lane and Spring Street. The following streets are proposed
to be constructed thirty feet wide with a bituminous mat
and concrete curb and gutters: Winston Court, Diego Lane,
the east one-third of Miriam, Junction, Kirchner and Butler.
The street cost averaged to an estimated $18.00 per assessable
foot, however, it is suggested that the average cost (estimated)
be $20 per foot for streets with curb and gutters and $16 for
streets without curb and gutters. It was pointed out that if
the project is ordered in, the per foot assessment costs will
not be established until the assessment roll has been prepared
and the assessment hearing is held. Mr. Johnson also outlined
the storm sewer area, and stated that the estimated square
foot cost is $0.06 per square foot.
Mr. Johnson pointed out that the estimated street construction
costs in the original feasibility report, included complete
restoration of the boulevard areas, from the street to the
property line. However, in an attempt to reduce costs, the
estimated street costs in the supplemental feasibility study
include only minimal boulevard restoration.
Several of the Council members expressed concern and interest
in the extension of John Street and it was the general concensus
that if the project is ordered in, the extension of John Street
to ChippeTka Avenue should be seriously discussed during final
plan consideration. There was some concern also regarding
whether or not provisions should be made in the final plans and
specifications for an extension of Kirchner between Butler and
Valley Lane. The Council also discussed the drafting of
legislation to provide for deferments for senior citizens.
The Council received comments and responded to several questions
from the audience.
After a lengthy discussion, Councilman Losleben moved the
adoption of Resolution No. 76-15, "RESOLUTION ORDERING
CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVE THE NORTHEAST AREA OF THE
CITY AND ORDERING FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS THEREFORE
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
RECESS
Page 646
March 16, 1976
(IMPROVEMENT NO. 75, PROJECT NO. 8)."
Mayor Huber seconded the motion.
Mayor Huber called a recess at 9:47 o'clock P.M. The meeting
was readjourned at 10:30 o'clock P.M.
MCGOUGH PRELIMINARY Mr. Jerry McGough was present to request approval of his
PLAT revised preliminary plat. Mr. McGough stated that his original
preliminary plat had been approved by the Planning and Park
Commissions, however, the City has since purchased a portion
of his property for park purposes. That portion of property
has now been eliminated from the plat.
Mayor Huber recommended that Mr. McGough submit a petition for
public improvements to serve the plat prior to final plat
consideration. The Council also briefly discussed provisions
for a park contribution for the plat. It was noted that it is
the Council's practice to request either 10% of the raw land
value of plats as a park contribution or 10% of the land,
whichever is deemed more appropriate. Mr. McGough stated that
he would like to be treated as any other developer in the City.
It was also noted that Mr. McGough should work with the City
Administrator on a grading plan and developers agreement in
addition to negotiating on the park contribution.
Councilman Lockwood moved approval of the preliminary plat for
the McGough Addition conditioned upon the74pproval of the
engineer on the drainage plan; on receipt of a petition for
public improvements, a completed developer's agreement and
resolution on the park contribution.
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
DAKOTA COUNTY Mrs. Evelyn Fischer, representative of the League of Women
GOVERNMENT Voters, Mr. Ray Wheeler, Chairman of the Dakota County
Government Study Committee, and Mr. Steve Loeding, of the
Steering Committee, were present to discuss the Dakota County
Government Study Committee report. Mrs. Fischer presented a
proposed resolution to the Council, supporting the recommendatio
of the Study Committee, and requested the Council to adopt a
similar resolution. Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Loeding briefly
outlined the Study Committee recommendations.
Councilman Wahl moved the adoption of Resolution No. 76-16,
"RESOLUTION ENDORSING DAKOTA COUNTY STUDY COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATIONS."
Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
TRAILS
AMBULANCE SERVICE
MISCELLANEOUS
LIST OF CLAIMS
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
LICENSES
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
March 16, 1976
Page 647
Councilman Gutzmer left the meeting at 11:23 o'clock P.M.
The Council briefly discussed the proposed trail system.
Mayor Huber cautioned that the development of a trails system
would necessitate a bond issue referendum and that the Task
Force Committee recommendations could also possibly necessitate
a bond referendum. He further cautioned that the probability
for citizen approval of two concurrent bond issues would be
extremely slight. Councilman Losleben recommended that the
City apply for federal funding for trails and that the trail
committee be reactivated to compile additional information
and formulate plans for a trail sys tem with the understanding
that there can be no referendum at this time. The matter was
tabled to April 6.
The Council briefly discussed the Divine Redeemer Ambulance
service subsidy proposal and tabled the matter pending a
decision by South St. Paul and West St. Paul on the subsidy.
Administrator Johnson noted that Richard Bjorklund has been
the City's building inspector for twenty-three years. The
Council directed that a letter of appreciation be sent to
Mr. Bjorklund.
Administrator Johnson stated that Labor Relations Associates
had submitted a bill for $750 as a retainer fee for services
in connection with labor contracts for the period from
March 5, 1976 through March 15, 1977. It was the Council
concensus that the fee be approved and that it be placed on
the April 6 list of claims.
Councilman Losleben briefly discussed his sign negotiations
with Country Club Markets. It was the concensus of :opinion
that Councilman Losleben continue the negotiations and report
back to the Council.
Mayor Huber 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,
March 16, 1976, having been audited by the City Council be
and are hereby allowed and the Mayor and Clerk-Treasurer are
hereby authorized and directed to issue City checks in
payment of said claims.
Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion.
Councilman Wahl moved approval of the list of licenses,
granting licenses to:
Lawrence Signs, Inc.
Dependable Excavating Company,
Minnesota Exteriors, Inc.
Inland Construction Company
General Contractor License
Inc. Excavating License
General Contractor License
General Contractor License
Mayor Huber seconded the motion.
ADJOURN
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Page 648
March 16, 1976
There being no further business to come before the Council,
Councilman Losieben moved that the meting be adjourned.
Councilman Wahl seconded the motion.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 12:12 o'clock A.M.
AtitdAtAali
Clerk
ATTEST:
Donald L. Huber
Mayor
dabaugh
Treasurer