1975-11-18 Council minutesPage 604
November 18, 1975
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, November 18, 1975
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.
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 out
of town.
APPROVE Acting Mayor Lockwood moved approval of the minutes of the
MINUTES November 4 meeting with correction.
Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
COMMUNICATIONS
PETITION
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
The Council acknowledged receipt of a memo from the
Suburban Rate Authority regarding the rate increase case
against the Northern States Power Company and the Minnesota
Gas Company.
The Council acknowledged receipt of a letter requesting water as
street improvements on Spring Street submitted by Mr. & Mrs.
M.M. Evanoff.
After a brief discussion, Councilman Losleben moved that
street and water improvements on Spring Street be included
in the feasibility study being prepared for the northeast
area of the City.
Councilman Wahl seconded the motion.
POLICE CHIEF The Council acknowledged receipt of a letter of resignation
RESIGNATION from Police Chief Martin Baldwin. Acting Mayor Lockwood
read the letter for the benefit of the audience, and acknowledg
that Chief Baldwin is also resigning from his duties as Civil
Defense Director and Fuel Coordinator.
Administrator Johnson stated that preliminary discussion will
be held in the near future towards the planning of some type
of community recognition for Chief Baldwin's service to the
City. Mr. Johnson requested authorization to submit an
employment advertisement for the Police Chief position in
several national and state magazines and local papers. The
Council concurred in the request.
Councilman Wahl moved that Police Chief Baldwin's resignation
be accepted.
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
COMMUNICATIONS
BREAM, EAGLE
RIDGE PLAT 4
Page 605
November 18, 1975
The Council acknowledged receipt of a letter and resolution •
from the City of Eagan, which requested the M.H.D. to separate
the Environmental Impact Statement being prepared by the
Highway Department covering I-35E in St. Paul from the portion
of 1-35 E in Dakota County. The resolution also requested
completion of the Environmental Impact Statement on I-35E and
1-494 by January 31, 1976. Discussion on the matter was
tabled until December 2, 1975.
Mr. Harvey Bream was present to request approval of the
preliminary plat and building permits for Eagle Ridge Plat 4.
Mr. Bream described the plat and stated that he proposes
to construct two townhouse buildings consisting of three units
each. City Administrator Johnson pointed out that no special
assessments are being collected for this property and other
undeveloped property in the northeast corner, formerly to be
developed by Carmen Tuminelly. The original assessments against
the unplatted property have not been collected because there
has been no authority given to the staff to split the
assessments. Mr. Bream indicated that he would file the final
plat immediately after the foundations for the buildings are
in, and Mr. Johnson pointed out that the assessments should
be split when the request for final plat approval is made.
The Council expressed concern over the fact that the
assessments are not being collected, and pointed out that the
piling of assessments on the unplatted property would not be
permitted.
Acting Mayor Lockwood moved approval of the preliminary plat
for Eagle Ridge 4,_consideration of final plat approval to
be contingent upon the splittingof assessments and totals
formulation of assessments for the property, and authorized
issuance of the building permits.
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
WACHTT.1R PROPERTY Mr. Will Wachtler was present to discuss easement considerations
Mr. Wachtler stated that the City Attorney has been negotiating
for an easement on the Wachtler property where it is adjacent
to the Cherry Hills Second Addition. He stated that although
the easement has not been acquired, the construction crew
working on the Cherry Hills Second Addition improvements ran
bulldozers on the Wachtler property in the easement area and
damaged an area used for alfalfa. Mr. Wachtler stated that
in his opinion the easement is unnecessary. Engineer Kishel
stated that the easement would be basically for access for
snow removal and emergency equipment. He also pointed out
that if the sewer and water utilities are extended beyond the
platted property (as is proposed), at the expense of the
development, it is not unreasonable to request the easement
for the cul-de-sac in return.
DEPARTMENT
REPORTS
WENTWORTH AVENUE
SPEED LIMIT
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
IVY FALLS WEST
ADDITION
IMPROVEMENTS
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
VERONICA LANE
FEASIBILITY REPORT
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
BUROW EASEMENT
Page 606
November 18, 1975
Administrator Johnson suggested that the previous plans, and
easement negotiation, be abandoned and that the City officials
express regret that the contractors got on the Wachtler
property. After the lengthy discussion, it was determined that
the easement negotiations should be dispensed with.
The Council acknowledged receipt of the Police and Fire
Department monthly reports for October, 1975.
The Council acknowledged receipt of a memo and proposed
resolution requesting that a speed study be made on Wentworth
Avenue.
After a brief discussion, Councilman Wahl moved the adoption
of Resolution No. 75-93, "RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY AND
SPEED LIMIT DETERMINATION FOR WENTWORTH AVENUE (COUNTY ROAD 8).'
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
Mr. James Riley was present to request additional excavation
and fill, particularly in the area near his home, to reduce
the grade on the newly graded street. He pointed out that the
present street grade and slopes could be extremely dangerous.
The City Engineer recommended that the request be approved.
Councilman Gutzmer moved that the request of Mr. Riley be
approved and that a reduction of the slopes and additional
excavation and fill.be authorized.
Councilman Wahl seconded the motion.
After a brief discussion, Acting Mayor Lockwood moved the
adoption of Resolution No.-75-92, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING
ENGINEER'S REPORT AND CALLING FOR HEARING ON PROPOSED
CONSTRUCTION OF STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND OF AN EXTENSION TO THE
CITY'S WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO SERVE VERONICA LANE,"
the hearing to be held on January 6, 1976.
Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion.
Engineer Kishel stated that the City Attorney has been
negotiating with Mr. Thomas Burow to acquire an easement
necessary for the construction of Marie Avenue in connection
with the Kopp-Gearman improvement project. Mr. Kishel pointed
out that during the negotiations Mr. Burow indicated that
the assessments for Marie Avenue would be a consideration
involved in the acquisition of the easement. Mr. Kishel
recommended that the City Council ignore any discussion of
assessments at this time and recommended that the City instead
go to condemnation for the easement.
After a brief discussion, Councilman Gutzmer moved that the
City Attorney be authorized to commence immediate negotiation
for the easement, and that if there are no immediate results
in the negotiation, the attorney be authorized to initiate
condemnation proceedings.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
MISCELLANEOUS
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
• Page 607
November 18, 1975
Acting Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion.
Councilman Losleben moved that the Acting Mayor be authorized
to execute the easement agreement with Northern States Power
Company for Cherry Hills utilities.
Acting Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion.
ORDINANCE ADOPTION Councilman Wahl moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 134,
"AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 401," to allow accessory
structures of 144 square feet without requiring a conditional
use permit.
Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
AIR TESTING
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
LIST OF CLAIMS
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
LICENSES
Ayes: 4
Nays:, 0
ADJOURN
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Public Works Inspector Pearson outlined his memo on air
testing of sanitary sewer lines.
After a brief discussion, Councilman Losleben moved that the
Engineer be directed to include the requirement for air
testing in future specifications for sanitary sewer improvementE
Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion.
Councilman Gutzmer 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 18, 1975, 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 Losleben seconded the motion.
Acting Mayor Lockwood moved approval of the list of licenses,..-_
granting licenses to:
Dick Roby Construction, Inc.
MFG Homes, Inc,
Conroy Construction Company
Jos. E. Johnson & Son, Inc.
Blaylock plumbing Company
Councilman Wahl seconded the motion.
• General ContractOr-Licens
General Contractor ens
.General Contractor -Licens
• General Contractor Licens
Plumbing License
There being no further business to come before the Council,
Councilman Gutzmer moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Councilman Wahl seconded the motion.
Page 608
November 18, 1975
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 11:08 o'clock P.M.
ATTEST:
Robert G. Lockwood
Acting Mayor