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1974-03-05 Council minutesPage 340 March 5, 1974 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, March 5, 1974 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 Hal1,750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Acting Mayor Lockwood called the meeting to order at 8:07 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Acting Mayor Lockwood, Councilmen Losleben, Wahl and Gutzmer. Mayor Huber had notified the Council that he would be out of town. APPROVE MINUTES Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION CASE NO. 73-23, MACRORIE Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Councilman Wahl moved approval of the minutes of the February 19 meeting. Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion. The Council acknowledged receipt of a letter from Dakota County Administrator Andy Anderson regarding restoration of the 1973 road and bridge allocation. Acting Mayor Lockwood acknowledged receipt of a petition from Marie Avenue residents in opposition to inclusion of provisions for a pedestrian way in the Marie Avenue construction plans, letters of objection from John Nafus, 666 W. Marie Avenue, Marjorie D. Cheesebrow, 594 W. Marie Avenue, and Mrs. Elizabeth Witt, 605 W. Marie Avenue. The Council acknowledged receipt of a letter from Senator Baldy Hansen regarding utility rate regulation, a letter from Representative Raymond Kempe regarding county road bonding, and a study report from School District 197 regarding utilization of elementary classroom facilities. The Council acknowledged receipt of the February 27 Planning Commission minutes. Mr. Neil Macrorie, 2381 Pagel Road, was present to request a ten foot sideyard variance to enable him to construct a detached garage which would be adjacent to Raymond Street (as it is platted). Acting Mayor Lockwood moved approval of the ten foot sideyard variance with the condition that the _entrance to the garage be on the east side of the garage. Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. Page 341 March 5, 1974 PLANNING COMMISSION On the recommendation of the Planning Commission, CASE NO. 74-1, SCHAAK Councilman Losleben moved the approval of Schaak ELECTRONICS Electronics application for a 3 by 4 foot illuminated sign to be placed on the south side of the Schaak Electronics Building. Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 MENDOTA PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 The Council discussed an item in the Planning Commission minutes relating to conditions at the Mendota Plaza Shopping Center. Chairwoman Ridder stated that the Planning Commission contacted Mr. Sheehy last summer, requesting that the shopping center area be cleaned up. Several members of the Council noted that the Plaza property has not been maintained properly, nor has the original landscaping plan been completed. The Council concurred with the Planning Commission statement that the owner should be contacted to upgrade the entire site and facility. Councilman Losleben moved that the Administrator be directed to contact Mr. Sheehy, requesting that he submit a plan for site updating, including landscaping, and a program of policing and maintaining the shopping center area. Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. PARKS AND RECREATION The Council acknowledged receipt of the January 24 COMMISSION MINUTES Parks and Recreation Commission minutes. PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS MISCELLANEOUS Administrator Johnson stated that the following members of the Commission were elected officers for 1974 at the January 24 meeting: Kevin Howe, Chairperson, Gerald Finn, Vice-Chairperson, Maddy Shipman, Secretary. Acting Mayor Lockwood stated that prior to appointing persons to serve on the Planning Commission, he would like to contact the two members of the Commission whose terms are expiring. The following names were submitted by Council members for consideration for appointment to the Commission: Joseph Stefani, David Cox and William Allen. The matter of Planning Commission appointments was tabled until March 19. Mr. Joseph Kulhanek, 953 Wagon Wheel Trail, appeared before the Council to request that the Council consider the deferment of the sewer assessment for Lot 14, stating that the DNR has denied his request for permission to fill the lot. Page 342 March 5, 1974 MARIE AVENUE The Council discussed a letter from Mayor Huber CONSTRUCTION regarding the inclusion of provisions for a future pedestrian way in the Marie Avenue construction plans for the east segment of Marie Avenue, listing the Mayor's reasons for being in favor of such provisions. Acting Mayor Lockwood stated that he concurs with the Mayor's reasons, and stated that he also is in favor of making provisions for a future pedestrian way because he feels that it is most likely that some day in the future pedestrian ways along the Mendota Heights thoroughfares will be forced on the City. He stated that it would be terrible at some future date to be forced into putting in a walkway where none had been planned for. Councilman Losleben stated that he supports the plan for a pedestrian way system, since planning now can alleviate many problems of construction and acquisition of property in the future. Councilman Wahl stated that he is not concerned about providing a pedway for Marie Avenue -- he is concerned about planning for pedways where they are needed urgently for the safety of small children, such as along Dodd Road, Councilman Gutzmer stated that he is concerned about the construction problems that a fifteen foot boulevard would create, such as additional slope easements and retaining walls. He stated that if provisions were made for a future pedway adjacent to the curb he would support that proposal. Administrator Johnson stated that if the Council decides to align the roadway on the center of the right-of-way the Council would be committed to placing a future pedway adjacent to the curb. He further stated that in 1973 the State Legislature adopted Chapter 620, appropriating $25,000 for the study of this type of problem by the State Planning Agency, and that the Planning Agency is working with the Minnesota Highway Department in the hope of compiling a set of guidelines by July, 1974. Councilman Gutzmer stated that if the roadway is aligned on the center of the right-of-way, this would allow six-foot boulevards on each side of the road and suggested that one of the boulevards be dedicated as a pedway in the future. Several members of the audience stated their favor or objection to the proposal to provide for a future pedway. Administrator Johnson stated that the proposal for pedway provisions in simply good planning for the future, so that at some future time if the need, desire and demand for a pedway is expressed by the community, this could be accommodated. He further stated that if and when such facility is demanded, a public hearing will be held. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 RECESS Page 343 March 5, 1974 Councilman Gutzmer moved that the City Engineer be instructed to proceed with final plans and specifications for the improvement of the eastern section of Marie Avenue, allowing for a north/south movement of the center line of the road to include an 8 foot boulevard on the south side, aligning the roadway as best possible to avoid retaining walls and slope easements. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. Acting Mayor Lockwood called a recess at 10:35 o'clock P.M. The meeting was readjourned at 10:50 o'clock P.M. LEE'S FLOOR AND Administrator Johnson stated that the Lee's Floor and JANITOR SERVICE SITE Janitor Service building floor level is approximately PLAN three feet below the floor level shown in the original site plan. He stated that according to the original plan drainage would have been to the parking lot, but that the water willImot drain this way as the building has been constructed. At the Administrator's request, Mr. Tuminelly submitted a revised site plan (on February 14) to alter the drainage to the south and west by sloping the driveway to bring the runoff out to the roadway ditch and a roof drain which will drain the water from the roof into the parking lot at the front of the building. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 DIAMOND JIM'S SEWER CONNECTION CHARGE Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 SPACE STUDY Acting Mayor Lockwood moved approval of the revised site plan subject to the stipulation that all roof drains be placed in such a manner that all runoff water from the roof will drain into the parking lot at the front of the building. Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion. Administrator Johnson outlined his memo on the Diamond Jim's Supper Club connection to the sanitary sewer system, stating that anew agreement should be drawn up (with Diamond Jim's) to include the additional 250 feet on which the supper club is located. The connection charge for this sewer connection, computed by the City Engineer, is $4,125.00. Councilman Gutzmer moved that the Diamond Jim's Supper Club be allowed to connect to the sanitary sewer system at a connection charge of $4,125.00. Acting Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. Administrator Johnson stated that BTS&C has submitted a proposal to do a space study involving future municipal facilities and needs. He further stated that APPOINTMENT OF VOLUNTEER FIREMAN Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 1974 SALARY, POLICE SERGEANT Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 COUNTY ROAD BONDING Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 MENDAKOTA COUNTRY CLUB Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Page 344 March 5, 1974 the study could be financed with Federal Revenue Sharing funds and recommended that Mr. Gordon Comb be invited to meet with the Council to discuss the proposal. The Council indicated their favor of such a study and directed the Administrator to relay their approval to Mr. Comb and to work out more details with him. Upon the recommendation of the City Administrator, Acting Mayor Lockwood moved that Bernard Kalkbrenner, 704 Woodridge Drive, be appointed to the Volunteer Fire Department. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. Councilman Gutzmer moved that the 1974 salary for the Police Sergeant be set at $1,160 per month, retroactive to January 1, 1974. Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. Administrator Johnson stated that Rep. Ray Kempe and Rep. Robert Pavlak have requested that the Council submit another resolution to the Dakota County Legislators stating the Council's position on the Dakota County road bonding legislation. Councilman Wahl moved the adoption of Resolution No. 74-24, "RESOLUTION URGING LEGISLATORS TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD BONDING." Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion. The Council directed the Administrator to contact the Dakota County Board of Commissioners and Administrator, inviting them to attend a special meeting on March 12 to discuss Dakota County highway plans. Administrator Johnson stated that he has received an application from Perkegwin Investment Co. for authorization to sell one acre of unplatted property to Mendakota Country Club. After a brief discussion, Councilman Gutzmer moved the adoption of Resolution No. 74-25, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY TO MENDAKOTA COUNTRY CLUB." Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. ENGINEERING STATUS The Council acknowledged receipt of the Engineering REPORT Status Report for February, 1974. HUNTER LANE FEASIBILITY STUDY Page 345 March 5, 1974 The Council acknowledged receipt of an updated feasibility report for proposed Orchard Place, Hunter Lane, Culligan Lane area improvements. FINANCIAL STATEMENT The Council acknowledged receipt of the January, 1974 financial statement. LIST OF CLAIMS Councilman Losleben moved the Council to adopt 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 5, 1974, 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. Acting Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 LICENSES Councilman Wahl moved approval of the list of licenses, with the exception of Home Heating and Air Conditioning, granting licenses to: Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 ADJOURN Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 J&D Builders, Inc. General Contractor License Geni Enterprises, Inc. House Moving License Berghorst Plumbing & Heating Plumbing License Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Losleben moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 11:59 o'clock P.M. arlgdabuagh Clerk- reasurer ATTEST: Robert G. Lockwood Acting Mayor