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2007-06-29 Friday NewsCITY OWNS PAR 3 This Thursday was the day we "closed" on the Par 3. All went well with the closing and the City now owns the Par 3. Dave Bergen, the Par 3's manager saved the first dollar made so that we can put it on the wall somewhere. Sandra, Sally, Sue, Jake and I were there for the City; Mike Cashill, Al Spaulding, Paul Lyons the current owners were there, two attorneys representing the previous owners, two title company employees, Tami and a couple legal aides from her office an attorney for the owner and an aid for the owner were all there. It was a very full room. Today is the first event at the Course since the City took over. The Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Association is having a qualifying event there for their beginning players. Over sixty players will be teeing off in a shot gun start beginning at 1 p.m. This Thursday Great River Greening, the City's contractor in charge of restoring Pilot Knob back to being an Oak Savannah, burned the existing vegetation. The first step in restoring the site is to remove all the existing non-native vegetation by spraying and burning it. Seeds can last I or up to three years, so this will be a three year process of burning and spraying before the site will be re -vegetated with the native plants. Council Member Jack Vitelli informed us at City Hall that he became a Grampa again on Wednesday morning at 6:30 a.m. when his daughter Amy and her husband Jim Liberty of Oak Park Heights became proud parents of a baby girl named Abby Rose Liberty. Baby Liberty was 81b hoz. All is wonderful with both Abby and Amy. Congratulations Grampa Jack!! What a great name for this 4th of July week. 4" OF JULY Next Wednesday is the 4th of July, which is a Federal Holiday and means that City offices will be closed. The City Council once again agreed to cooperate with Mendakota Country Club and sponsor a fireworks display for the Community. Besides providing some of the funding for the fireworks, the City also provides extra police and fire protection for the event. The fireworks will be launched from Mendakota Country Club beginning at about 10:00 p.m. The fireworks are visible from many locations in the City: Mendakota Park, Rogers Lake Park, Mendota Plaza Shopping Center, The Village at Mendota Heights, City Hall, St. Thomas Academy, and Sibley High School to name some locations. Remember, Mendakota Country Club is private property and should not be used as a viewing location. LILYDALE ROAD CLOSED Reminder to all that Lilydale Road is closed starting today until after the Fourth for the Taste of Minnesota at Harriet Island in St. Paul HAPPY 35TH Congratulations go out to Council Member Ultan Duggan and his wife Terry. They recently celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary. Respectfully submitted, Jim Danielson City Administrator Attachments: Pipeline, City Council Meeting Agenda, Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis (June 11 & June 25) Sun Current Article "Mendota Heights wraps up loose ends with Par 3 operation", Pioneer Press Article "Mendota Heights/City expects to close deal on golf course today", "The city of Sunfish Lake" and Villager Article "School District 197 proceeds with $1.6 million in cuts for '07-08. Public Works `T Engineering Code Enforcemen Public Works June 30, 2007 The Parks Crew pulled weeds around the park signs throughout the parks. A bad sprinkler head was replaced at Mendakota and Kensington Parks. Basketball courts were washed down and prepared for line painting. Rich cleaned sanitary sewer lines at Mendakota Park, Warrior Drive easement, Dodd Road easement, Park Drive, Hampshire Drive and Hampshire Court. The sanitary sewer line was visually inspected from the Mendakota Golf Course down to Wagon Wheel Trail. There was a lot of grease built up. The grease build up will be reported to Mendakota Golf Course. Rich did a sewer inspection on Centre Pointe Drive. Rich attempted to plug a five gallon a minute leak of ground water into the manhole on Hampshire Drive. The attempt didn't work. Visu-Sewer is coming out to look at the leak and provide a bid. The Street Crew patched Ellen, Chippewa, John, and Junction Lane. The pedway and bridge were blacktopped behind Somerset School. A dead tree was removed on city property at Pagel Road and Havenview Court. The final lift of bituminous pavement was installed on Delaware Avenue on Wednesday. Crack filling and court surface repairs were completed this week at the tennis courts in Ivy Hill, Marie, Wentworth and Friendly Hills Parks. Valley Park courts will be resurfaced using a sports -tile system installed on/over the existing court surface in mid-July. Great River Green conducted a controlled burn of the Pilot Knob site on Thursday morning. Originally scheduled for Wednesday, the burn was delayed until Thursday when wind conditions would be better. On Wednesday, the GRG crews watered and soaked areas adjacent to the site, especially the large stockpile of trees and debris Acacia Cemetery has accumulated west of Pilot Knob Road. The first light -up began at 9:30 and was basically completed around 11:30. Wetting down and control of smoldering wood embers to prevent a possible re -start of a fire, once the crew had left the site, continued until around 1:30 pm. Gail Lewellan and Deborah Karasov, GRG Director, were on site and Guy captured a number of photos of the burn operation. The next step of the restoration plan will be to prepare the site for physical improvements (walking trail, overlook, parking, etc) followed by restoration of native plants and grasses. Another clean up of the site by staff to remove debris left from prior uses (old bottles, metals, wood, etc), that is now visible thanks to the burn will be done early next week. On Friday night, June 29th, the Skate Shop (located on Ford Parkway in St. Paul) is holding a FREE barbeque (hot dogs, brats, etc) at the Skate Park in Roger's Lake Park beginning at 5:00 pm until sundown. The event is named "Familia" (Family in Spanish) and the sponsors hold a similar event each week at various skate parks throughout the area during the summer. Tomorrow night is Mendota Heights turn. Last years event was well attended with the upper parking lot completely filled with cars. Please see attached thank you letter from a happy resident in Mendota Heights. - 0.&, L r-,,) A a y�,� U--n fy6c- �� a . Call to Order 2, Roll C0 Pledge of Allegiancm 4. Agenda Adoption 5. Approval of Minutes from the June 199 2007 City Council Meeting. 6. Consent Calendar a. Acknowledgement of the Minutes from the June 26, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting. b. Acknowledgement of the Table Top Exercise Continuity of Government for Pandemic Flu. c. Authorization for Purchase of Equipment at Par 3. d. Approval for Annual N.0.1.S.E Conference. e. Approval for Hiring of Temporary Par 3 Staff. (Available Monday) f. Approval of 2"d Amendment to Development Agreement for Town Center g. Adoption of Resolution No. 07©590 "A RESOLUTION ffkUTHOWING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO ENTER INTO A MAINTENANCE AGREE-Kvl ENT WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE DITCH AND DRAINAGE STRUCTURE AT TN 13 AND WACHTLER ROAD." h. Adoption of ResoCuffen 8700. 2071-60:1"A RESOLUTION APOPPI �OVINO A � LINO PUD AMENDMENT FOR MENDOoTA PLAZA". (Royal Star Furniture) is Adoption of Qrd§narnce Mm 4140 66AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 242". (For Special Fire Suppression Chapter) g. Approval of the List of Contractors. k. Approval of the List of Claims. c. Case No. 07-21: Robert d a• • ;iib2075 Mendakota Permit. Resolution No. q4 RESOLUTION APPROVING A WETLANDS PERMIT FOR MENDAKOTA COUNTRY d. Case No. 07®22: Brian Farley, 771 Pondhaven Lane ® Sideyard Setback Variance. Resolution No. 07-64e "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A 3' VARIANCE TO THE SIDE YARD SETBACK FOR AN ADDITION AT 771 PONHAVEN LANE"o e. Case No. 07-23. Theodore Benz, 1853 Victoria Road ® Wetlands Permit. Resolution No. 0765: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A WETLANDS PERMIT AT 1853 VICTORIA ROAD". f. Discussion of Paster Enterprise Workshop. g. Discussion of 2nd Amendment to Development Agreement at Town Center. Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at Beast 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hogs is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids, however, this may not be possiible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at 452-1850 with requests. `i'his meeting is being taped by NDC4 (651=450-9891) and will replay an Friday at 1000 porno and 7.,00 p.m. on the N'DC4 Government Channel 18 x. CITY OF MENDOTA MEMO DATE: June 25, 2007 TO: City Council, Commission Members, and City Administrator FROM: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administrator?,26,--,� SUBJECT: Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis Staff met with three potential applicants on Monday, June 11, 2007. Steve Grittman, Carrie Furman, Sue McDermott, Paul Berg and Jake Sedlacek were present. James Hanson, Gordon Glendenning, 796 Sibley Memorial Highway Mr. Hanson and his attorney were in to discuss the general repair of his property. He is also interested in installing a fence which has been stored on the property for some time. Staff discussed previous issues on the site, and provided Mr. Hanson with information on the City Code as it pertains to fences. Mr. Hanson was provided with applications for a Critical Area Permit. While the applicant stressed his intent to move forward with the project, no timeline for submitting a planning application was provided. Mark Cemensky, 2250 Lexington Ave Mr. Cemensky has been in the process of cleaning up the multiple code violations at 2250 Lexington Ave, and would like to construct a new garage on the site. Staff provided information on the City Code as it pertains to attached and detached garages, and discussed how the garage may be attached to the existing home, in order to allow for a larger garage. Mr. Cemensky intends to attach the garage, so no planning application is expected at this time. Jim Fuller, Sign -A -Rama, re Royal Star Furniture @ Mendota Plaza Mr. Fuller and the owner of Royal Star Furniture came in to discuss a sign permit for Mendota Plaza. The application includes utilizing all the same sign spaces as Do It Best Hardware had used. Staff provided information on the City Code as it pertains to signs, which effectively limited what the business would be able to use. Staff felt that the previous tenant must have received a variance to have more signage than Code allowed for. Since this discussion, staff has found the rules for signs which are a part of the Planned Unit Development, which clearly allow for a larger sign than the Zoning Code for "anchor" tenants at Mendota Plaza, which is guided as a Mixed -Use PUD. Sign -A -Rama intends to make an application for a Minor PUD amendment for the next Council meeting. Planning Meeting 6111/2007 Page 1 of 1 DATE: June 25, 2007 TO: City Council, Commission Members, and City Administra FROM: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administratop SUBJECT: Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis Staff met with four individuals on Monday, June 25, 2007. Steve Grittman, Sue McDermott, Paul Berg and Jake Sedlacek were present. Neighbor to 1773 Victoria Rd S A neighbor to 1773 Victoria Rd S wanted to speak with staff regarding code violations on at this property. The resident at 1773 Victoria Rd S had been given notice of code violation in the fall of 2006 regarding the screening of their RV.. The understanding had been to place arborvitae at least 4' tall at a distance of no less than 3' apart. The resident at 1773 Victoria Rd S had planted 18" arborvitae at a distance greater than 3'. Paul Berg will follow up with a notice of violation asking that the screening be compliant with the previous agreement. Deborah Eckert, 560 Miriam Mrs. Eckert had received a notice of violation regarding an extension they had built to their fence above the 6' allowed maximum height for a fence. Mrs. Eckert and her grown son expressed their frustration with the ongoing dispute with their neighbor. The Eckerts would like to screen their back yard from the neighbor, who has signs (one stating "Smile, you're on camera") posted on her deck. The Eckerts detailed other complaints. Staff explained that the extension to the fence was illegal, even if there is a neighborhood dispute. Staff described the variance process, and alternative methods to provide screening, including landscaping. No planning action is anticipated at this time. 3 :��•. `iiJ, €'s UJB -`i4 C.. _ Leslie and Jim Strohm are looking for some input regarding the 3 parcels known as the old fire hall site. They are a local business, looking to expand their office and are considering submitting a proposal to purchase the property from the City. Staff discussed setbacks, storm water issues, potential uses, land use designation and more. The Strohms expressed interest in the history of the site, as they would like to consider something that fits with the history of the community. ProTech will continue to develop their proposal. Mike Kampmeyer, re. 1165 Medallion Dr Mr. Kampmeyer attended the planning meeting on behalf of the owner 1165 Medallion Dr in order to find out the city code as it would pertain to a potential addition to the building. Staff discussed setbacks, fire suppression, signage, access, building materials and the planning process. This was an exploratory meeting, no planning action is anticipated at this time. Planning Meeting 6/25/2007 Page I of I Sun Newspapers - MNSUN.com - Mendota Heights wraps up loose ends with Par 3 opera... Page 1 of 2 5i ^LT E. UN Print Page Mendota Heights wraps up loose ends with Par 3 operation BY MEGAN ANDERSON - SUN NEWSPAPERS Mendota Heights is taking care of business now that ownership of the Par 3 Golf Course is almost official. The sale of the golf course will be final June 28. At its meeting June 19, the council considered staffing options at the course. Jake Sedlacek, assistant to the city administrator, said staff recommends hiring members of the Par 3 staff for the remainder of the season. The Par 3 task force would continue to solve staffing concerns for next year. "The idea is to keep things running just to as close as they are right now as possible," Sedlacek said. "The best option is to keep the golf course operation and the city operations separate for right now." The council also approved the city staffs recommendation to start the hiring process for two part- time positions, for a golf course manager and a golf course maintenance and clubhouse worker. Both positions would report to Sedlacek. The council also considered a liquor license at the course, discussing whether or not golfers should be allowed to tailgate in the course parking lot or bring their own alcohol onto the course. Sedlacek recommended allowing both practices under the current liquor license to continue. "There hasn't been any alcohol issues related to the Par 3 in the past," Mayor John Huber said. "We have three months to really get our own experience." "Does it work when we're managing it? That's what I would like to find out," he said. Councilmember Sandra Krebsbach agreed with keeping the same liquor license and taking a look at any issues that may come up. "We're basically going to approve business as usual, and then review it next year," she said. In other council news: Operations and projects coordinator Guy Kullander approached the council with improvements to landscaping around City Hall. When landscaping was done in 1989, shrubs were planted along the north, south and west sides of City Hall. Currently there are 90 shrubs that have died or are in poor condition. "I'm just trying to open it up and give City Hall a fresh face," Kullander said. Kullander asked local landscape contractor Damon Farber Inc. to give an estimate on costs to replace the shrubs, as well as install a storm drain on the west side of the building and a sidewalk on the lower level. The contractor estimated $5,400 for improvements. Councilmember Sandra Krebsbach said she would like for the look of the landscaping to be more official, but was concerned about costs. "I'm not for a lot of money being spent on a design," she said. Councilmember Ultan Duggan proposed spending $4,000 on improvements, which was approved by the council. The council welcomed and swore in new Mendota Heights Police Officer Peyton Fleming. Fleming was hired to the position to fill a vacancy after Sgt. Donn Anderson retired in May. htt-o://www.mnsun. com/articles/2007/06/29/news/c l 28mhcouncil.prt 6/29/2007 Sun Newspapers - MNSUN.com - Mendota Heights wraps up loose ends with par 3 opera... page 2 of 2 (You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.) This site and its contents Copyright © 2007. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: 952-829-0797 suninfo@acnpapers.com - �css,,h http://www.mnsun.coin/articles/2007/06/29/news/cl28mheouncil.prt 6/29/2007 Page 1 of 1 Mendota Heights / City expects to close deal on golf course today EBY L€ ..LA HELAL Fienper Press T s3~s ti .s.w i=Pi =ear Press The Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course's swing to a new owner will be final today. The sale of the course to Mendota Heights becomes official as the private owners sign the land over to the city. The city borrowed $2.6 million to purchase the golf course from three private owners who owned four golf courses and wanted to get out of the business, said city administrator Jim Danielson. For now, the city will keep operating the course. "People who use it shouldn't notice any difference," Danielson said. "Mendota Heights has been getting geared up to take it over and run it." The city is keeping the golf course's current employees. A task force will evaluate the operation of the golf course and recommend changes that could take effect next year, since this year's golf season is half over. Mendota Heights voters in April approved the golf course purchase rather than allowing the land to go to developers - though that meant raising taxes. Residents were divided on the issue, but in the end, supporters of the golf course purchase won by 254 votes. Taxpayers will be charged an average of $50 a year for the next 15 years to pay for the golf course. "It's as good a deal as you can get - letting the residents decide," Danielson said. Liala Helal can be reached at Ihelal@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-2173. { Close VVmndow Send ,To,Priq.t http://www.twincities. com/portletlarticlelhtml/fragmentslprint_article.j sp?articleld=62466... 6/29/2007 Page i oz f he city of BY JOHN MEMO Special to the Pioneer Press TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press Article Last updated -.06/21/2007 06:40:21 PM CDT The city of Sunfish Lake, with just 541 residents and 1.7 square miles of land, keeps things simple. No development is encouraged among the woods, wetlands and three lakes its residents appreciate. That could prove more difficult in coming years, however, when neighboring Inver Grove Heights is expected to pursue high-density housing on land it owns on the south shore of Hornbeam Lake, which sits on the border between the two cities. Sunfish Lake Mayor Molly Park said her city already has assembled a task force of citizens and council members to follow the issue in the coming months and years. The city also is going to hire a land -use attorney to help formulate a proactive plan that preserves Sunfish Lake's °' ethos and character" along the lake, she said - no matter what happens on Inver Grove Heights' end of things. SUNFISH LAKE Location: In Dakota County, about five miles south of St. Paul near the intersection of Interstate 494 and Minnesota 52. Population (2000 U.S. Census): 504 Population (2007 city estimate): 541 Ambience: A sleepy, well-to-do lake community whose residents like keeping things low-key, which means no commercial development. Local buzz: The gnome is home! A 5 -foot -tall gnome statue stolen from a Sunfish Lake family's yard in December was returned earlier this month when an Oakdale resident read a Pioneer Press article about the missing gnome and realized it was the one someone had dumped in his yard over the winter. The gnome, which wears a Santa Claus hat and has one arm extended as if waving to passers-by, is a neighborhood favorite. History: Sunfish Lake was incorporated in 1958. City planners have tried to maintain a rural atmosphere, with large lot sizes and as little disturbance as possible of the woods, wetlands and lakes. Where's city hall? Sunfish Lake has no city employees and provides no city services. The only city -owned properties are a parcel of donated land that can be used for constructing a city hall, if needed, and some undeveloped parkland donated by residents. Contractual agreements with neighboring cities including West St. Paul provide police and fire protection, while independent contractors are hired to maintain roads. Nature highlight: Musser Park, south of Salem Church Road, features 22 acres of donated land to be left in its natural state for perpetuity. Residents are able to observe wildlife, including deer and birds, in its natural habitat. The park has several nonpaved hiking trails, but no benches, tables, playground equipment or other structures. Median resident age: 43.0 years Distance from St. Paul: 5 miles. Average commute to work: 18.7 minutes Population ages 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher (2000): 62.5 percent (compared with the national average of 24.4 percent) School district: West St. Paul -Mendota Heights -Eagan, District 197 Estimated median household income in 2005: $159,500 Estimated median home value in 2005: $854,900 httTD://www.twincities.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print art... 6/28/20 Page 2 of 2 Real-estate snapshot: A 3,541 -square -feet, four-bedroom, four -bathroom home at 7 Sunfish Lane lists for $950,000. The home has first - floor and lower -level family rooms and was built in 1976. Racial breakdown (2000): White, 94 percent; Hispanic, 2.8 percent; Asian, 2.2 percent; two or more races, 0.6 percent. For more information: www_sunfishiake.org 1. Close Window Send To Printer �. http://www.twincities.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print art... 6/28/2007 VILLAGER WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2007 School District 197 proceeds With $1 • i by Kevin Driscoll Though state funding for School District 197 will increase by $200,000 for: the .2007- 08 school year, district officials are moving ahead with plans.to cut;_the. budget forthe coming school year by $1.6 million:. "We re loolcmg ata $1.4 milliondeficit for 2007-08, but were: still going to implement the original.$1 6 million in cuts to help mini- mize the effect on the 2008-09 school year;' said District 197 business manager Carl Col - mark "The 2008-09 school year looks a little better" said -District 197 superintendent Jay Haugen. "We'llhave another $600,000 then, but well still be facing an $800,000 deficit" School District 197s $2.8 inillion per year excess levy; first approved by voters eight years ago, is set to expire at the end of 2007. Last fall voters rejected a proposal to renew the $2.8 million levy, so district officials will be asking them this fall to. renew the levy and ap- prove an additional $2.1 million levy. "If this. levy referen- dum doesn't pass, we'll be facing a $3.8 mil- lion deficit in 2008-09;' Haugen said. District 197's funding from the state has been falling off in recent years due to a drop in enrollment. The district served 4,500 students in Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, West St. Paul," Eagan,, Inver Grove Heights and Lilydale this school year. However, that number is. expected to drop by about 1 percent in 2007-08, according to Colmark. Meanwhile, energy and employee health care, costs con- = tinue to rise, he said. About $1 million of the cuts for 2007- 08 willcome from the budgets of the district's one High school, two middle schools and five elementary schools, -according to Cohnark. The other $600,000 will be cut through a re- structuring of central office departments and "We'll befacing some uncertainty for at least the next six months,""Haugen said, `until we know what's going to happen with. the excess levy request..' $2.8iv askingdistrict officials will- be fall.ffiem ffi is liavv and -a' renew the s $2. minion levy. from building and grounds budgets, health services, co -curricular programs and student transportation, he said. Seventeen teachers, five school secretaries and three technology assistants—with sala- ries totaling just under $1 million—are ex- pected to lose their jobs as a result of the bud- get cuts, according to Colmark As a result of those job losses, class sizes are expected to grow even as the schools lose or scale back language, music and other programs. Only one school, Mendota Elementary, will keep all of its current programs. Summer school will be eliminated at Sibley High School "Well be facing some uncertainty for at least the next six months; Haugen said, "un- til we know what's going to happen with the excess levy request."