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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_98Dec16CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 16, 1998 Mayor Gehrz convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Hustad, Jacobs, and Kuettel. Also present was Hoyt, Asleson, Maurer, and Uban. COMMUNITY FORUM There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum. MINUTES OF DECEMBER 7, 1998 Minutes were approved by unanimous consent. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Hustad moved approval of the following consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously. 1. Disbursements 2. Licenses 3. Approval of Resolution 98-38, authorizing the administrator to award a standard compensation increase for 1999 to regular employees at 3% 4. Approval of city's continuation as fiscal agent for the Mayor's Commission Against Drugs (MCAD) grant and approval of the agreement between the city and the MCAD consultant 5. Approval of Change Order #3 regarding Fire Truck refurbishing PUBLIC HEARING PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 1999 STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN THE NORTHEAST QUADRANT Engineer Maurer gave background on the proposed project, including the history of the city's pavement management program, the type of improvements proposed, and the anticipated construction schedule if the project is approved. He explained that the estimated cost of the project is 51.4 million, with approximately 5558,000 coming from special assessments and the remainder from city funds. The proposed assessment rate is 526.50 per front foot for residential properties and 552.50 for tax exempt properties. Maurer explained that several informational hearings on the project had already been held and that one of the concerns brought up at that meeting was how the city planned to replace driveway sections between the property line and the new curb. The city's past practice has been to replace those sections with whatever material existed prior to construction. Several homeowners noted that there are properties in the project area that have concrete driveways with asphalt between the property line and the street. It may make more sense in these situations to replace the section with concrete to match the driveway. 4~g City Council minutes December 16, 1998 Page 2 • Mayor Gehrz opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. ., ~~ . ti 9 Mr. Tim Wehmann, 862 Arlington Avenue, St. Paul, stated that he was representing Falcon Heights United Church of Christ at 1795 Holton Street. Mr. Wehmann noted that the church has two properties that each abut more than one street and asked about how assessments would be calculated. Administrator Hoyt replied that the church would be assessed for each side abutting a street in the project. She explained that tax exempt properties are assessed for the full cost of street improvement projects because they do not contribute to the city's infrastructure fund through property taxes. Hoyt noted that tax exempt properties may pay off their assessment over time like taxpaying properties are permitted to do. Mr. Don Mead, 1863 Sheldon Street, asked if it would be possible for his property to not have a flared curb. Engineer Maurer replied that the curb can be designed so that it is almost square, but there needs to be a bit of flare. Mr. Mead then asked about how the construction would affect his sprinkler system. Engineer Maurer answered that some grass in the right of way would have to be disturbed and if sprinkler heads are in the right of way they might be disturbed as well. Maurer noted that residents would be given sufficient notice of when this would happen. Mr. Tom McClellan, 1865 Pascal Street, inquired about the repayment schedule for • assessments. He was informed that residents are typically given 10 years to repay a street assessment. They also have the option of paying the assessment up front without interest. Mr. Tom Kellogg, 1808 Asbury Street, asked how long he would have to pay off the assessment without interest. Engineer Maurer answered that he would have at least 30 days after the assessment hearing to do this and that the time frame would be clearly spelled out in the assessment notice to be mailed before the hearing. Mr. Kellogg then inquired about whether pathways were going to be installed on Garden Avenue. Mr. Kellogg wanted it noted that he was not in favor of pathways. Engineer Maurer answered that pathways are not proposed to be assessed to abutting property owners at this time, but that the city council can proceed independently with installation if they desire. Mr. David Fuith, 1765 Holton Street, asked if there were any way to shorten the proposed construction schedule. Engineer Maurer replied that city will work with the contractor to expedite the process as much as possible. He noted that it would be prohibitively expensive to require the contractor to complete one street at a time. Mr. Bob Bentson, 1701 Holton Street, stated that he and a number of his neighbors have lead pipes that they wish to replace during construction. He asked if there was a way that a contractor could replace everyone's pipes at the same time and whether the city could suggest a contractor. Administrator Hoyt replied that the city cannot recommend • a contractor but can direct people to contractors who are licensed. There will be an on- site inspector who will be available to coordinate the details of property owners' work with the street work. City Council minutes December 16, 1998 Page 3 .~ x, v'C~ • Mr. AI Sabean, 1897 Holton Street, noted that he has seventeen feet between his front property line and the street and wanted to know if it could all be replaced with concrete. Engineer Maurer explained that the council would likely be giving the staff direction on this matter following the hearing. Mr. Tom Kellogg, 1808 Asbury Street, asked if he could assume that his house does not have lead pipes since it's not listed in the feasibility study as having them. Engineer Maurer replied that the listing was obtained from the St. Paul Water Utility, which has had provided the city with accurate records in the past. There being no one else wishing to comment, Mayor Gehrz closed the public hearing at 7:34 p.m. POLICY AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 98-32, ORDERING IMPROVEMENT AND THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 1999 NORTHEAST STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Prior to considering the resolution, the city council discussed how to proceed with driveway apron replacement and construction of pathways. Following discussion, the city council agreed to 1) replace asphalt driveway aprons with concrete when the • existing driveway is made of concrete and 2) to have the city engineer study the feasibility of a pathway along Garden Avenue and report the results back to the city council. Councilmember Jacobs moved approval of Resolution 98-32, ordering the improvement and the preparation of plans and specifications for the 1999 Northeast Street Improvement project. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 98-37, APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PUD PLAN FOR THE QUESTWOOD DEVELOPMENT Administrator Hoyt briefly explained that the Questwood development was a private development plan brought forward by a private developer. The city has met with the developer to ensure that his plans meet city requirements. Consulting Planner Uban explained that the proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) is both a re-zoning and a development plan. The property is currently zoned R-1 single family residential and could conceivably be subdivided into single family home lots. Property owners in R-1 zones are free to design their homes in any manner that meets the city's zoning and building codes. A PUD, on the other hand, allows the city council to approve all major design elements of the project, including buildings, landscaping, and streets. Approval of the PUD and any later, major changes to the design requires a 4/5 • vote of the city council. A PUD allows the city council the flexibility to deviate from the city's usual zoning code requirements to create a project that best meets the needs of the neighborhood. City Council minutes December 16, 1998 L~ °~ -" ~~ Page 4 • Uban then described the proposed development. The 4.79 acre parcel would be developed with a private road and five twinhomes (ten units total.) The existing single family home at 1859 N. Snelling Drive would be a part of the PUD. The design allows for maximum open space between the existing homes to the south and for on-site ponding of surface water. A homeowner's association will be established to maintain the landscaping, the private road, and other common elements. Uban noted that the private road will be built to city standards but will not be maintained by the city. The developer proposed to save or relocate a number of the trees already on the site. Planner Uban noted that two aspects of the plan require flexibility from usual city zoning standards. The private road is a 706 foot cul-de-sac and the city normally would allow only a 400 foot cul-de-sac. In order to properly access the entire site, a longer street length is required and there is no place to build an outlet street. In addition, 706 feet is not an unusually long cul-de-sac in a suburban city. The homes also have screen porches that are closer than 30 feet to the rear property line, although the buildings themselves are 30 feet away. Uban stated that the storm drainage pond on the south end of the property prohibits the road and the units from moving any further to the south to meet the setback requirement. Finally, Planner Uban reported that traffic is anticipated to increase by 60 to 90 additional vehicle trips per day. This is about 50% of the trips that would be expected from the property if it were instead developed as single family homes. • Administrator Hoyt summarized the commends that had been received from neighbors of the project prior to the meeting and at the planning commission's public hearing. Several residents of the area had raised issues about enforcement of stop signs and speed limits on Snelling Avenue and Snelling Drive. Since that hearing, the police have been paying close attention to the area and have ticketed several people on Snelling Avenue. Another concern was the confusing intersection at Roselawn and Snelling, which is an issue that the city will be raising with Ramsey County and the State of Minnesota, who have jurisdiction over those roads. A neighbor to the south of the proposed development wanted to be sure that the green space between the Garden Avenue properties and the townhomes remain open space and no be taken up by structures. The neighbor to the noth of 1859 N. Snelling wished to have the city place maximum control in restricting the existing single family home from changing to a townhome use. Officials from the University of Minnesota requested that buyers of the homes understand that the adjacent University agricultural fields are sprayed several times a year. The developer will be disclosing this information to buyers. Mr. Gordy Howe, Masterpiece Homes, described the various design elements of the Questwood Development. Mr. Rob Morris, also of Masterpiece Homes, explained the landscape plan and the proposal to save or transplant a number of the existing trees. Mayor Gehrz inquired as to the formality of the homeowner's association. Mr. Howe • explained that buyers are legally required to be part of the association when they purchase a home and are notified of this before a purchase agreement is finalized. City Council minutes December 16, 1998 Page 5 • ~4'.C Jim Smith, 1609 Garden Avenue, noted that he was pleased with Mr. Howe's interest in the neighborhood's concerns with the project. The neighbors are most concerned that the landscape buffer be maintained. He also suggested that a speed limit of 15 miles per hour be established along the new road. Mr. Howe suggested that this could be placed in the homeowner association documents. Administrator Hoyt concurred but noted that the association would be responsible for enforcement of a speed limit on the private road. Mayor Gehrz noted that the planning commission unanimously approved recommendation of the project following the December 8, 1998 public hearing. Councilmember Gibson Talbot moved approval of Resolution 98-37, approving the preliminary PUD plan for the auestwood Development, with the addition of the following addition into the list of conditions: "...that a speed limit of 15 mph be included in the homeowner association documents." The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 98-33, CERTIFYING THE 1999 TAX LEVY Councilmember Hustad moved approval of Resolution 98-33, certifying the 1999 property tax levy of 5597,078. The motion passed unanimously. • CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 98-34, ADOPTING THE 1999 BUDGET Councilmember Kuettel moved approval of Resolution 98-34, adopting the 1999 general fund budget of 51,235,773. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 98-35, REMOVING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FROM THE TAX LEVY Councilmember Hustad moved approval of Resolution 98-35, removing the general obligation bonds from the tax levy. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 98-36, APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF TAX FORFEITED LAND Administrator Hoyt reported that a parcel of tax forfeit land is available for purchase by the city. It is a one foot wide strip located on Lindig Street on what would normally be city right of way. The original developer of the property reserved the strip in order to ensure repayment for sewer/water assessments when the property was developed. The city has the opportunity to acquire the property from the county because it is tax exempt. This will guarantee it as part of the city right of way. If and when the lot is developed, these purchase costs can be passed along to the property owner. Councilmember Jacobs moved approval of Resolution 98-36, approving the purchase of • tax forfeited land. The motion passed unanimously. • City Council minutes December 16, 1998 Page 6 UPDATE ON THE 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY DANCE AND SCARECROW AUCTION Mayor Gehrz reported that plans are moving forward for a Sunday evening street dance and scarecrow auction sponsored by the city's businesses in celebration of the city's 50th birthday. Mayor Gehrz suggested that the proceeds from the scarecrow auction be directed to Northwest Youth and Family Services for the Teen Court program. The city council agreed with the Mayor's suggestion. Proceeds will go to the Teen Court program, or to Northwest Youth and Family Services if the Teen Court is not in operation at the time of the auction. REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE CITY'S Y2K EFFORTS • Kris Grangaard, the city's volunteer Y2K compliance coordinator, updated the city council on efforts done to date and proposed action items for the next several months. Following discussion, the city council agreed on the following action items: 1) a mayoral proclamation on Y2K will be announced 2) Susan Hoyt is to be the city's Y2K staff coordinator; 3) Sam Jacobs is to be the council liaison to the citizen Y2K task force; and 4) an intergenerational discussion on emergency preparedness will be held on Thursday, February 18, 1999. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m. _Q/~'~. Carla Asleson Recording Secretary ~-o~~ Susan L. Gehrz, Mayor •