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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_98Sep23CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS ,. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ~ ~. Cy • MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 23, 1998 Mayor Gehrz convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT Gehrz, Hustad, Jacobs, and Kuettel. Also present was Hoyt, Asleson, Maurer, and Knutson. ABSENT Gibson Talbot. COMMUNITY FORUM There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum. MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 9, 1998 Minutes were approved by unanimous consent. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Jacobs moved approval of the following consent agenda. The motion passed • unanimously. 1. Disbursements 2. Licenses 3. Approval of step increase for City Hall Secretary POLICY AGENDA UPDATE ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WOMEN'S SOCCER STADIUM SITE Consulting Planner John Shardlow compared the land use planning criteria for the women's soccer stadium on Cleveland Avenue north of Gibbs Farm. Shardlow explained that this site was significantly more compatible for a stadium use over the previously proposed site south of Larpenteur Avenue because the new site is surrounded by seasonal institutional and recreational use, has adjacent parking, is currently used for active recreation sports, and provides reasonable expansion potential for the future. Ted Lau, representing Gibbs Farm, stated that his organization's primary concern with the new site is that Sunday afternoon games will conflict with museum events that require parking. The University has expressed a willingness to work with Gibbs when scheduling home games to avoid conflicts where possible. Larry Greenberg, 2129 Larpenteur Avenue, explained that he and his wife operate the Rose • Bed and Breakfast, located south of the proposed site. Dr. Greenberg expressed his concerns about the impact of lighting, noise and traffic associated that a stadium would have on the retreat facility they are developing. Mayor Gehrz replied that the city does not have a site plan from the University showing where the stadium will be built, so it's difficult to react specifically to these concerns. John Shardlow stated that there is substantial area City Council Minutes September 23, 1998 • Page 2 41 between the house and the likely location of the proposed stadium with room for buffering to be included in the initial landscaping plans. CONSIDERATION OF A TOLLING AGREEMENT EXTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S STATUTORY LIMITATION FOR FILING A CHALLENGE TO THE CITY'S DECISION TO REQUIRE AN EAW ON THE SOCCER STADIUM ON CLEVELAND AVENUE SOUTH OF LARPENTEUR AVENUE Attorney Knutson explained that the city has been designated as the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) for determining if an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) is necessary for the proposed soccer stadium on Cleveland Avenue south of Larpenteur. The city has already determined that an EAW is necessary for this project. However, since the University is seriously considering moving the soccer stadium to the site north of Gibbs Farm, the council is asked to approve a tolling agreement which would extend the deadline for the University of Minnesota to challenge the state's designation of the city as the RGU. The agreement does not release the University from doing an EAW; it only extends the deadline for appealing the council's decision that an EAW is necessary. The EAW will be required if the University does not remove the site south of Larpenteur from consideration for the stadium. Councilmember Jacobs moved approval of the tolling agreement between the city and the University of Minnesota, extending the statutory limitation for filing a challenge to the city's decision to require an EAW on the soccer stadium on Cleveland Avenue south of Larpenteur Avenue. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 98-26, APPROVING A SALES AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH THE ST. PAUL WATER UTILITY BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS Administrator Hoyt explained approval of the proposed resolution is the final action associated with the January 1998 agreement between the city and the St. Paul Water Utility's Board of Commissioners to take over the responsibility for the maintenance, replacement, and additions to the city's water system. In return for the property transfer, the St. Paul Water Utility will maintain and replace the system at its expense, guarantee Falcon Heights' water user rates to be the same as St. Paul's user rates by 2003, and to provide participating suburban cities with a representative on the Board of Commissioners. Councilmember Hustad moved approval of Resolution 98-26, approving a sales and purchase agreement with the St. Paul Water Utility Board of Commissioners. The motion passed unanimously. • " City Council Minutes September 23, 1998 • Page 3 CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS AT ARONA STREET AT THE INTERSECTION OF IOWA AVENUE Administrator Hoyt explained that a request had been made to install afour-way stop sign at Arona Street and Iowa Avenue. This intersection currently had atwo-way stop. The initiator of the request, Ms. Andrea Kernan Howell, 1472 W. Iowa Avenue, explained that the intersection is one block east of Curtiss Field and must be crossed in order for children to get to the park. Engineer Maurer recommended afour-way stop because of the location of the park and because of the potential for substantial by-pass traffic from Snelling and Hoyt through this intersection. ~~, 4:~ ~, Councilmember Hustad suggested that if a four-way stop is installed at Arona and Iowa, it might make sense to turn the four-way stop at Arona and Idaho into atwo-way stop to maintain traffic flow along Arona and to avoid increasing the number of cars that may roll through two city stop signs on Arona. Engineer Maurer said this would be a possible alternative to avoid these consequences. Councilmember Hustad suggested that the city try this alternative and revise it if necessary. After much discussion, Councilmember Hustad moved to install afour-way stop at Arona and Iowa and to make the intersection of Arona and Idaho atwo-way stop with stop • signs for east-west traffic. The motion passed with three ayes (Gehrz, Hustad, Jacobs) and one nay (Kuettel). UPDATE ON THE CITY'S Y2K COMPLIANCE ACTIVITIES Administrator Hoyt updated the city council on the city's preparations for year 2000 computer issues noting that a citizen, Kris Grangaard, had offered her services to assist. Specific information and updates will be provided as it becomes available. APPROVAL OF PROCLAMATION DECLARING OCTOBER 5 - 11, 1998 AS "CITIES WEEK" IN THE CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Councilmember Hustad read and moved approval of the proposed proclamation declaring October 5 - 11, 1998 as "Cities Week" in Falcon Heights. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. . J ' Susan L. Gehrz, Mayor • Carla Asleson Recording Secretary