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1974-02-19 Council minutesPage 334 February 19, 1974 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, February 19, 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 Hall, 750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Huber called the meeting to order at 8:00 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Huber, Councilmen Wahl, Gutzmer and Losleben. Councilman Lockwood had notified the Council that he would be late. APPROVE Councilman Wahl moved approval of the minutes of the MINUTES February 5 meeting. Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 The Council acknowledged receipt of a letter from Mr. Wilfred Dehrer, 1824 So. Victoria, in objection to proposed sewer and water improvements between Dodd Road and Victoria Avenue (as part of the Marie Avenue construction project). Mayor Huber acknowledged receipt of letters from the following legislators with regard to gas and electric utility rate regulation: Rep. Harry Sieben, Jr.; Senator Tony Perpich; Rep. Ray Kempe; and Senator Baldy Hansen. The Council acknowledged receipt of the Dakota County schedule of tax rates for 1974 and a report from the Minnesota Department of Health on the investigation of the Mendota Heights municipal water supply. The Council acknowledged receipt of a memo from the Minnesota American Revolution Bicentennial Commission regarding designation as a Bicentennial Community. Mayor Huber directed that the official newspaper be notified that Mendota Heights is soliciting interested residents to form a Bicentennial Planning and Coordinating Committee. Councilman Losleben moved that Mrs. Peg Fogelson, 1800 Valley Curve Road, be appointed to a three year term on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mayor Huber seconded the motion. No action was taken on Planning Commission appointments. Page 335 February 19, 1974 DEPARTMENT The Council acknowledged receipt of the Police REPORTS Department monthly report for January, 1974 and the Fire Department monthly report for January, 1974. MENDOTA PLAZA DRAINAGE Mr. Dick Sheehy was present to discuss a solution to the problem of drainage from the Mendota Plaza Shopping Center. City Administrator Johnson stated that he has discussed with Mr. Sheehy some of the standards the City may want as far as surface treating the water and screening floating debris, sand and heavy debris from the drainage. Mr. Johnson stated that he had not yet seen the proposed plans, but that the proposal would at least be a start towards making improvements on one of the City's major waterways. Mr. Sheehy stated that he would propose installing 500 feet of 72" pipe in the creek bed to carry the creek's water. He proposes to grade at the existing parking lot grade and then go up to meet the read, placing catch basins to catch the runoff. He stated that this type of system could create a problem if sedimentation and debris from the lot flow into the pipe, causing a hazard to the normal flow of the water. Mr. Sheehy proposed that a screening device be placed on the catch basin to catch debris so that it does not flow into the stream. Engineer Kishel suggested that a small settling pond with an overflow structure and a culvert structure of some type to catch any paper be constructed on the Plaza property. He strongly felt that the Minnesota Highway Department should become involved in reviewing any proposal for this area. Mayor Huber directed that Administrator Johnson and Engineer Kishel work with Mr. Sheehy in the preparation of a proposed drainage plan. Councilman Lockwood arrived at 8:35 P.M. NSP RATE On the invitation of the Council, Mr. Tom Connolly INCREASE of NSP was present to explain the proposed 15% electric and 6% gas rate increase, which will become effective on March 19. He listed the three major reasons for the increase as: inflation; expenditures necessary for pollution control equipment; and the energy crisis. MARIE AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS Administrator Johnson stated that at the Trails Committee meeting held on February 11, the committee discussed, among other items, the feasibility of making provisions on the Marie Avenue construction plans to allow for a larger boulevard on one side of the street than the other -- to accommodate the possibility of a pedestrian way at some future time if a demand arises. At that meeting Park Planner Lee Starr presented his thoughts on how trails should be placed in the Interstate area. Members of the Parks Page 336 February 19, 1974 and Recreation Commission, several Marie Avenue residents, Ed Kishel, Lee Starr and Administrator Orvil Johnson were present at the Trails Committee meeting, and it was the concensus of most of those in attendance that one boulevard should be widened to allow space for a pedestrian way at some future time. Mr. Johnson stated that whatever the Council decides, the City Engineer will direct his efforts in such a way, and he would then prepare the construction plans for both segments of Marie Avenue. Mayor Huber stated that regardless of whatever decision is made, the road will still be built and graded (east segment) within the 66 foot right-of-way. City Engineer Kishel answered several questions from the Mayor regarding engineering details involved in placing the driving surface off the center of the 66 foot right-of-way. He stated that although the Council is discussing widening the boulevard on one side of the street, no decision has been made regarding which side of the street will be proposed to have the widened boulevard. He suggested that the segment between Dodd and Delaware could be shifted from the center of the right-of-way and this would ease some of the potential construction problems. Mr. Joseph Stefani, Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman, stated that the Park Commission has stated that a pedestrian way along Marie Avenue would be acceptable and would fit in with the Park Commission concept of trail systems in Mendota Heights. Councilman Losleben stated that a discussion of a pedway provision for Marie Avenue began at a public hearing on the middle section when residents in that area requested that some type of pedestrian access be provided. The Council is at this meeting discussing the location of the road from Dodd to Delaware, off-center, and providing a widened boulevard on one side to allow for the possibility of a pedway if and when it is demanded by the public. Several residents from the east segment of Marie Avenue raised questions and objections on any pedway planning for this section of Marie Avenue. Councilman Losleben moved that provisions be made in construction plans to provide a pedestrian way in the center section of Marie Avenue, from Dodd Road to Victoria Avenue. Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion. The Council delayed any decision on making provisions for a future pedway on the east segment of Marie Avenue. RECESS MAC REPRESENTATION 1974 SQUAD CAR Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 IDEA SURVEY/NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD BONDING Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 EAGAN LAND USE DEVELOPMENT GUIDE Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page 337 February 19, 1974 The Council recessed at 10:55 o'clock P.M. and readjourned at 11:07 o'clock P.M. The Council discussed a letter from Mr. Lawrence Shaughnessy, Jr. regarding representation on the Metropolitan Airports Commission. Administrator Johnson stated that the 1974 budget allows for the purchase of two squad cars. The first car, a 1974 Plymouth Satellite, was ordered in November and should arrive within about ten days. He stated that Chief Baldwin has requested that a second identical Satellite be purchased at this time, and that he concurs with Chief Baldwin's request. Mayor Huber moved that the City Administrator be authorized to purchase a 1974 Plymouth Satellite squad car from Fury Motors, Inc. for the purchase price of $3,781.40. Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion. The Council briefly discussed a memo from City Administrator Johnson regarding the Idea Survey/Needs Assessment Study recently conducted for Mendota Heights by the League of Minnesota Municipalities. The Council discussed an excerpt from the League of Minnesota Municipalities Legislative Bulletin regarding proposed legislation to authorize the requested Dakota County road bonding program. It was the concensus that the City officials should voice objection to any such authorization until after Dakota County highway plans have been reviewed and adopted. Councilman Losleben moved adoption of Resolution No. 74-21, "RESOLUTION URGING LEGISLATORS TO WITHHOLD SUPPORT OF DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD BONDING PROGRAM," and that copies of the resolution be submitted to all Dakota County legislators. Councilman Wahl seconded the motion. Administrator Johnson outlined effects of the proposed Eagan Land Use Development Guide on Mendota Heights and suggested that the Council request a Metropolitan Council hearing on the Plan. Mayor Huber moved the adoption of Resolution Number 74-20, "RESOLUTION REQUESTING METROPOLITAN COUNCIL HEARING ON CITY OF EAGAN LAND USE DEVELOPMENT GUIDE." Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. INLAND INDUSTRIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS, IMPROVEMENT NO. 74, PROJECT NO. 1 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MENDOTA HEIGHTS INDUSTRIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS, IMPROVEMENT NO. 73, PROJECT NO. 3 Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 LIST OF CLAIMS Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 LICENSES Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page 338 February 19, 1974 Mayor Huber moved adoption of Resolution Number 74 -22, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING ENGINEER'S REPORT AND CALLING FOR HEARING ON PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, SANITARY AND STORM SEWER SYSTEMS, AND OF STREET, CURB AND GUTTER IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVE PART OF THE INLAND INDUSTRIAL PARK," the hearing to be held on March 19, 1974. Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion. Engineer Kishel stated that the MHD has approved the plans and specifications for Mendota Heights Industrial Park improvements and recommended that the Council set a date for advertising and opening bids. He requested authorization to set an advertising date for March 6 and 7 with bid opening on March 26 at 2:00 P.M. Councilman Gutzmer moved the adoption of Resolution No. 74 -23, "RESOLUTION ORDERING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR MENDOTA HEIGHTS INDUSTRIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS (IMPROVEMENT NO. 73, PROJECT NO. 3). Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. Mayor Huber 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, February 19, 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. Councilman Losleben seconded the motion. Councilman Wahl moved approval of the list of licenses, with the exception of Home Heating and Air Conditioning, granting licenses to: Builders & Remodelers General Contractor License Sun Plumbing Plumbing License Councilman Gutzmer seconded the motion. ADJOURN Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page 339 February 19, 1974 There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Wahl moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 11:58 o'clock P.M. ATTEST: Donald L. Huber Mayor