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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_75Sep111~ 9 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FALCON HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER 11, 1975 A regular meeting of the Falcon Heights City Council was called to order by Mayor Warkentien at 8:00 p.m. Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Ecklund, Black, Steele, and PRESENT Labalestra. Also present were Clerk Administrator Barnes, Engineer Lemberg, and Attorney Kenefick. None. ABSENT Councilman Ecklund moved, seconded by Councilman Steele, to MINUTES OF approve the minutes of August 28, 1975, as corrected. Upon AUGUST 28, a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor 1975 Warkentien, Councilmen Ecklund, Black, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. Councilman Black reviewed the request of Terry F. Nelson, VARIANCE 1375 West Iowa Avenue, for a variance allowing him to con- REQUEST struct a garage within the 5 foot required setback. The TERRY F. Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance NELSON at their meeting of September 10, 1975. Councilman Black 1375 WEST IOWA read the minutes of that meeting. Bruce Seebeck, 810 South Lexington Parkway, Saint Paul, representing his mother, Mrs. Mildred Seebeck, 1381 West Iowa Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed variance stating his mother felt the reasons presented for the variance were not adequate or necessary and that the garage should be built with a 5 foot sideyard setback. Councilman B1.ack read letters received froar~ Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Seebeck directed to the Council concerning their views and concerns regarding the proposed variance. After further discussion during which Councilman Black stated he felt the zoning code was intended to protect neighbors rather than builders, the following motion was made. Moved by Councilman Black, seconded by Councilman Ecklund to deny the variance request to construct a garage within the 5 foot setback at a distance of 3 feet from the property line at 1375 West Iowa Avenue for Terry F. Nelson. 1 ~5 2 Mayor Warkentien asked if there was anyone else present who NELSON wished to be heard on this matter. The applicant, Mr. Nelson, VARIANCE asked what the reason was for denial. Councilman Steel REQUEST replied that the Council had to decide what was in the best CONTINUED interest for all residents of the community. Mayor Warkentien noted that Mrs. Seebeck also had the right to object to the variance. Bruce Seebeck suggested a compromise by making the variance 4 feet. Discussion was held as to the possiblity of sharing driveways. Councilman Black withdrew the above motion to deny. Councilman Ecklund withdrew his second to the motion. In order that Mr. Nelson and Mr. Seebeck could discuss the matter further, action was deferred until later. in the meeting. Mayor Warkentien opened the public hearing to consider the PUBLIC vacation of the alley located in Block 10, Northome 2nd HEARING Addition between West Idaho Avenue and West Iowa Avenue. VACATION OF Jim McGuire, 1529 Iowa Avenue spoke in favor of the vacation. ALLEY WEST Attorney Kenefick advised that a 10 foot utility easement be OF ARONA retained by the City. BETWEEN IOWA AND IDAHO Councilman Steele introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION N0. 75-25 RESOLUTION N0. 75-25 A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE VACATION OF THE ALLEY ORDERING LOCATED IN BLOCK 10, NORTHOME 2ND ADDITION BETWEEN VACATION OF WEST IDAHO AVENUE AND WEST IOWA AVENUE, WITH THE AN ALLEY RESERVATION OF A TEN (10) FOOT EASEMENT FOR UTILITIES Councilman Labalestra seconded the foregoing Resolution, and upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. ~` 9 6 3 Moved by Mayor Warkentien, seconded by Councilman Ecklund, AUTHORIZATION to approve the hiring of Eleanore Leiser as Secretary at a TO HIRE salary of $600 per month effective September 1, 1975. Upon SECRETARY a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. Councilman Black reviewed the request for a variance for FARIANCE construction of a garage 2 feet from the west side yard line REQUEST and 3 feet from the rear lot line by Joseph W. Barrett, JOSEPH W. 1437 Hoyt, which was approved by the Planning Commission at BARRETT: the meeting of September 10, 1975. There were no ob3ections 1.!}3? HOYT by ad3acent neighbors. Moved by Councilman Black, seconded by Mayor Warkentien, to approve the variance as requested by Joseph W. Barrett, 1437 Hoyt, for construction of a garage. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Wark®ntien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. Moved by Councilman Ecklund, seconded b9 Councilman Labalestra GENERAL to app rove the General Payroll of September 1-15 in the PAYROLL amount of $3,465.70. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. Moved by Councilman Steele, seconded by Councilman Black, to GENERAL approve the general disbursements, August 2$ and 29, in the DISBURSII+~NTS amount of $12,313.16, and September 1-15 in the amount of $13,337.44• Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. Moved by Councilman Labalestra, seconded by Councilman Black, LIQUOR to approve the liquor payroll of Septeaab®r 1-15 in the PAYROLL amount of $1,642.99. .Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, CounciLnen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. Moved by Councilman Black, seconded by Councilman Labalestra, LIQUOR to approve the liquor disbursements, August 28 and 29, in the DISBURSEMENTS amount of $2,453.52, and September 1-15 in the amount of $3,374.97. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. u 9 ~ ,r After discussing the variance request, Mr. Nelson, address VARIANCE previously noted, and Mr. Seebeck, address previously noted, REQUEST have agreed to a compromise of l~feet for the setback for TERRY F. Mr. Nelson's garage. NELSON Moved by Councilman Black, seconded by Councilman Ecklund, to approve a !~ foot variance from the west property line for the construction of a garage at 1375 West Iowa Avenue as requested by Terry F. Nelson. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. Mayor Warkentien opened the public hearing to consider the PUBLIC construction of a storm sewer on Arona StrAet from West HEARING Hoyt Avenue to West California Avenue. The Mayor read the AROMA STREET notice of public hearing. Engineer Lee-berg reviewed th• STORM SEWER proposed storm sewer location and costs, which do not include construction of a street, only pipe excavation and installa- tion. The total estimated cost of the improveunent is $13,598, of which $1, 709 is estimated to be paid from state aid funds and the remainder assessed. The storm sewer is to be constructed on Arona Street from West Hoyt Avenue to West California Avenue. David Anderson, 1512 West Idaho, asked for a clarification of catch basin locations. Engineer Lemberg described these locations. Mr. Anderson asked if the street was put in later ~ would the cost be more than if both sewer and street were con- structed at the same time. Engineer Lemberg said it would cost more later to construct the street and that if the street were constructed now, the cost for sewer would be $q, 200. Attorney Kenefick stated the public hearing this evening was X for storm sewer only. David Anderson said he was in favor of both the street and the storm sewer construction at this time. Mayor Warkentien asked if it was necessary to place the catch basins at the edge of the current street or if they could be placed outside the street width to allow for future widening. Engineer Leanberg replied "Yes, they could be placed outside the width of the street" and that he would prefer a 36 foot wide street in the future. west side of Arona also. Engineer Leunberg replied there was a possibility of intangible benefits to those people. Mr. Mooney stated he was against a 36 foot wide street with no parking on one aide and the additional traffic i~olved. Thomas Mooney, 1l~.98 West Iowa, asked if the storm sewer would benefit not only the people proposed to be assessed, bwt the 9~ 1 5 Engineer Leanberg explained the City assessment policy. M. J. Sheehan, 1503 Hoyt Avenue West, stated he felt the Council had every intent to improve the street if the catch basins were put in outside of the street lines. The Mayor said this was not the intent of the Council, but a future Council could change this and put in a street at some time which would mean more trouble and cost if they were not placed that way now. Engineer Lemberg agreed. ARONA STREET STORM SEWER CONTINUED C 1 There were no further comments. Moved by Mayor Warkentien, seconded by Councilman Labalestra, to rescind previous Council action on this matter at the meeting of July 29, 1975. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "ay®": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Hlack, Ecklund, Steele, and Labaleatra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried . Attorney K enefick noted the only issue tonight was the storm sewer and that state aid funds could be used at arty time for street improveanents. Councilman Black introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION N0. 75-26 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONSTRUCTION OF A STORM SEWER ON ARONA STREET FROM WEST HOYT AVENUE TO WEST CALIFORNIA AVENUE AS INDICATED SY PLANS AND SPECS AND ESTIMATES AS PREPARED BY ~ ENGINEER AND AUTHOR- IZING PREPARATION OF FINAL PLANS AND SPECS. Mayor Warkentien seconded the foregoing Resolution, and upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Haack, Eclund, and Steele, and the following voted "nay": Councilman Labalestra. Motion carried. RESOLUTION No. 75-2b AUTHORIZING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECS ARONA STREET STORM SEWER Ron Guttormson, Yellen & Associates, explained the State- LIQUOR STORE ment of Income and Expense for the month of Jun®, 1975, INCOME AND prepared for the liquor store, which had been revised. EXPENSE STATE- These figures were discussed and noted by Council. The MENT statement for July, 1975, was also noted. ~~~ f~ 6 Councilman Black presented the request for a variance to erect a fence !~2 inches high 80 feet along the north property line within the front yard setback on property owned by Stanley Schultz, 1725 North Fry Street. The variance had bean recommended for approval by the Planning Commission at their meeting of September 10, 1975, according to the minutes of that meeting. VARIANCE REQUEST STANLEY SCHULTZ 1725 N. FRY ST. i_ 1 Stanley Schultz stated his reason for the 42 inch fence was to control people walking through his yard and felt that a 30 inch fence would not solve this problem. After discussion of the proposed fence variance, the follow- ing motion was made. Moved by Councilman Black that the fence variance request for Stanley Schultz, 1725 North Fry Street, be denied because of lack of neighbor's approval. The motion died for lack of a second. Moved by Councilman Steele, seconded by Councilman Labalestra, to approve the variance to construct a fence !~2 inches high 80 feet along the north property line within the front yard setback as request®d by Stanley Schultz, 1725 North Fry Street. Upon a vote being taken, the folldwing voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Ecklund, Steele, axed Labalestra, and the following voted "nay's: Councilman Black. Motion carried. Bob Ritchie, 1767 Fry, stated he had heard that only three FIRE fireanen had answered a recent fire call and wondered if this LEPARTMENT was true. Councilman Steele answered that reports submitted from the Fire Department had never indicated this happening Mr. Ritchie asked if there was a regulation requiring firemen to reside in Falcon Heights. Councilman Steele replied they could r®side elsewhere as long as they could respond to calls and training sessions as necessary. Councilman Black presented a review of the variance request VARIANCE from Mando Photo Compat~, 1790 West Larpenteur, in order to REQUEST expAnd their building. Council afireed there was a lack of MANDO PHOTO CO. supportive details for the request. Motion by Councilman 1790 W LARFENTEUR Black, seconded by Councilman Ecklund to table action on the Mando Photo Compangr variance request until more detailed information was submitted. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted s'nay+': None. Motion carried. 7 ®Q A request from the Lido Caf®, 1611 West Larpent®ur, for VARIANCE a variance in order to replace an existing sign with a REQUEST new sign at the same location was discussed. The Planning LIDO CAFE Commission at their meeting of September Z0, 1975, had 1611 W. LARPENTEtkt recommended approval. Moved by Councilman Black, seconded by Mayor Warkentien, to approve a variance for the replaceeaent of an existing sign with a new sign at the Lido Cafe, 1611 West Larpenteur. tTpon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Eclund, and Steele, and the following abstained: Councilman Labalestra. Motion carried. Councilman Black reviewed the request for a variance to VARIANCE construct a garage 3 feet from the side yard lot line, REQUEST 11 feet from the rear yard lot tin®, from John Labalestra, JOHN LABALESTRA 133 California Street. The variance was approved by the 1133 CALIFORNIA Planning Coyomission on September 10, 1975. Writtea STREET approval was given by the two adjacent neighbors. Moved by Councilman Black, seconded by Mayor Warkentien, to approve the variance for garage construction as sub- mitted for John Lalaalestra, 11133 California Street. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, and Steele, and the following abstained: Councilman Labalestra. Motion carxa.ed. Fire report #56 was noted. FIRE REPORT Mayor Warkentien noted letters from the Bicentennial BICENTENNIAL Committee requesting permission to place a sign on City COMMITTEE Ha11 property and also designation of October as "Know REQUESTS Your Community Month". He also noted that the application designating Falcon Heights as an official Bicentennial Community had been approved. Moved by Mayor Warkentien, seconded by Councilman Steele to designate G ctober, 1975, as "Know Your Community Month" and to authorize the Bicentennial Committee to place a ~ x 6 foot sign on City Ha11 property for publicity purposes. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Blaek, end, Steele, and Labaleatra, and the following voted "na3r": None. Motion carried. Following discussion concerning joining the Association MENIDERSHIP: of Metropolitan Municipalities, the following motion was ASSOCIATION made: OF METROPOLITAN MITNICIPALITIES Moved bq Councilman Steele, seconded by Councilman Labalestra to table action on membership in the Association of Metro- politan Municipalities for further consideration. xo1 8 Upon a vote being taken, the following voted "aye": Mayor MEMBERSHIP Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalest- METRO MUNICIPALI- ra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. TIES ASSOCIATIG N CONTINUED Mayor Warkentien noted the following correspondence: MAYOR'S REPORT (a) A letter and magazine from Warren Johnson, 11180 West Iowa explaining the origination of the word, "fire- P1~" 3 (b) A letter from Rudy Perpich with regard to application as a Bicentennial Community; (c) Announcement of a Metropolitan Transit meeting on September 19, 1975; (d) Correspondence from Northern States Power Compar~r with regard to building a coal terminal at the Pigts Eye area; (e) Announcement of a tour and discussion of the Minnesota Highway Department Action Plan to take place on September 2!~ in Oakdale; (f) An imritation from Tad Freeman, Mayor of Chisago City to attend the regional meeting of the League of Minnesota Municipalities in Chisago City on October 9, 1975; (g) A letter from Bruce Nawrocki, Mayor of Columbia Heights, urging attendance at Minnesota League meetings; (h) A memorandum from Deane Anklan, County Engineer, regarding maintenance service agreements with the County; (i) A complimentary letter from Johanna Schmitt, 1725 Asbury; North, regarding parking during the Fair; (~) The Sheriff's monthly report was noted; (k) A report from the Bicentennial Committee of their meeting of August 29, 1975, was noted. Councilman Black stated that the Planning Commission had PLANNING noted September 10 to set a definite meeting date each COMMISSION month . MEETINGS Moved by Councilman Black, seconded by Councilman Steele that the Planning Commission will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the City Ha11, as recommended by the Planning Commission. Upon a vote being taken, the 9 following voted -'a~-°A": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. A meeting of the Ramsey County League for discussion of the Open Meeting Law was announced for September 17, 1975, at 6:00 p.m. Councilman Steele noted that complaints from a citizen concerning calls of harrassment from the City with regard to uncut grass on Arona had been received and asked that these be investigated. 1 Councilman Labalestra asked that the height of a fence be determined at a residence located on the northwest corner of Larpenteur and Tatum, Administrator Barnes noted a letter from Esther Trammell, 2256 Carter Avenue, offering several saplings to the City for transplanting. He also noted two letters from the League of Municipalities, announcing a Miami meeting, November 30 to December 1~, and the formation of legislative action committees. Mayor Warkentien introduced the following. Resolution and urged its adoption: RESOLUTION N0. 75-27 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZIldG FINAL PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,908.75 TO ROBERT 0. WESTLUND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR THE COMMiJATITY PARK IMPRAPEMENT PROJECT Councilman Black seconded the foregoing Resolution, and upon a vote being taken, the following voted "ays": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted "nay": Councilman Ecklund. Motion carried. 1 p~ PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS CONTINUED OPEN MEETING LAW DISCUSSION COUNCIL REPORTS ADMINISTRATORS REPORT RESOLUTION N0. 75-2? FINAL PAYMENT COMMUNITY PARi~ Mayor Warkentien announced a meeting September 22 with the MEETING Ramsey County League regarding past legislation and the way DATES in which it affects the comomunity. A meeting for consideration and review of the proposed budget for 1976 was scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 1975, at 7:30 p.m. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of air AIR CONDITIONING conditioning for the Council Chambers and 200 amp. service COUNCIL CHAMBERS for the City Hall. Action was deferred pending further information . 103 10 Mayor Warkentien moved, seconded by Councilman Steele ADJOURIJMENT to ad3ourn the meeting at 11:50 p.m. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted ~~aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele, and Labalestra, and the following voted ~~nayi': None. Motion carried. IS C. A. WARBENTIEN, Mayor ATTEST: r Dewan B. Barnes, Clerk-Administrator Regular Meeting of September 11, 1975• 1