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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_88Jan27MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 27, 1988 Mayor Baldwin opened the meeting at 7:00 P.M. ALL MEMBERS PRESENT Wallin, Ciernia, P. Chenoweth, Bush, and Baldwin. Also present were Wiessner, Gedde, and S. Chenoweth. MINUTES OF JANUARY 13, 1988 APPROVED Council approved the Minutes of January 13, 1988 as corrected. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Council approved the following Consent Agenda: 1. Fire and Ambulance Reports 2. Disbursements through January 27, 1988 $ 65,224.44 Sinking Fund $211,025.50 3. Payroll 1/14/88 - 1/27/88 $ 9,986.49 4. Statement from Jensen, Hieken, Gedde & Soucie -Legal Services fbr December, 1987, $1,964.40 5. Final Billing from Briggs & Morgan, $5,296.51 6. Statement from Maier Stewart for Engineering through December 26, 1987, $323.02 PRESENTATION BY DR. MIKE VALENTINE, DIRECTOR OF AIR QUALITY, POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION -CARBON MONOXIDE MONITORING AT LARPENTEUR/SNELLING Dr. Valentine explained that Larpenteur/Snelling was selected to be monitored due to the high traffic volume and that the carbon monoxide concentration at the intersection was fourth highest among those monitored. He indicated that this volume is well below the alert level and should not require susceptible persons to stay indoors. Dr. Valentine mentioned some possible remedies for lowering carbon monoxide such as requiring vehicles be tested for emissions (many vehicle owners tamper with catalytic converters, etc.), alternative fuels - alcohol blends, and mandatory mass transit. RAMSEY COUNTY REQUESTED TO PREPARE FEASIBILITY STUDY ON TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT LARPTENTEUR/PRIOR AND CLOSING MEDIAN AT GORTNER Baldwin explained that over the years several meetings have been held with representatives of Hewlett Packard, University of Minnesota, Ramsey County and the City, and at the most recent meeting held January 20th, no agreement could be reached on a solution to the traffic hazard at the intersection of Gortner/Larpenteur/Prior. He felt that the situation has gone unresolved for too long and the hazard is bound to grow as traffic increases. Based on options prepared by Ramsey County, the city has only one option which can be implemented without University participation, i.e. close the median at Gortner and placement of a traffic signal at Prior and Larpenteur. ORLYN MILLER, PLANNER, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, stressed that closing the median will create a greater hazard on Cleveland and cause considerable risk for their farm machinery getting access to the test plots; however, the University does have strong objections to giving up a portion of the ~~ MINUTES JANUARY 27, 1988 PAGE 2 research fields to allow aligning Gortner with Prior which was the option preferred by the engineers and Council. He suggested that Council begin the planning process by having a feasibility study started which would allow the University time to study the matter further. DAVE ROESER, FINANCE MANAGER, HEWLETT PACKARD, commented on the meetings held over the past three years and the large number of accidents in the area. He stated closing the median at Gortner would also affect access to their building; however, they are in favor of going ahead with the plan to signal Prior and close the Gortner median to limit further accidents. Council discussed issues such as requesting the County to include signals at Prior in their feasibility for upgrading Larpenteur, closing of the Gortner median, possible date of signal installation, and the advisability of informing the County that the decision to proceed with the Prior signal might change based on the outcome of future University discussions. After further discussion, Chenoweth moved that Ramsey County be requested to prepare a feasibility study for the traffic signal at Prior and closing of the median at Gortner. Motion carried unanimously. Wiessner was directed to draft a letter to Ramsey County requesting the feasibility study based on items discussed at this meeting, such study to be completed in time for the 1989 construction season. ATTORNEY & FISCAL CONSULTANT TO PREPARE RESOLUTION COMBINING DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS - TO BE REVIEWID AT 2/10/88 MEETING Council discussed the possibility of combining the two existing development districts and possibly expanding the district to include areas where there might be future development or, perhaps, the entire city. Following the discussion, Chenoweth moved that the Attorney and Fiscal Consultant be directed to develop a resolution combining the existing two development districts with expansion of the district as deemed appropriate. Motion carried unanimously. The resolution will be reviewed at the February 10th meeting. ROC-A-FELLAS IN COMPLIANCE ON CONDITIONAL USE - NO ACTION NECESSARY AT THIS TIME Wiessner presented to Council the letter previously requested by Council regarding Roc-A-Fellas' compliance with stipulations in the original conditional use, and explained the letter had been delivered January 26, 1988. Council agreed that the letter (a copy of which is on file in the Clerk's Office) indicated a showing of a good faith effort in solving the problems, however, requested the matter be discussed again in June when business license renewals are due. PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 7:15 P.M., 2/2/88 TO CONSIDER AMENDING ZONING CODE TO ALLOW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RETAIL LIQUOR STORE IN A B-2 BUSINESS DISTRICT. Wiessner explained the City has received an inquiry from individuals interested in applying for a license for a liquor store and the present Zoning Code does not list a retail liquor store as a permitted use even though the liquor section of the code does provide for one "off sale" retail liquor license. Council referred the item to the Planning Commission and scheduled a public hearing for 7:15 P.M., February 24, 1988. ~~ MINUTES JANUARY 27, 1988 PAGE 3 TUITION POLICY ADOPTED Following a short discussion and some wording changes, Ciernia moved adoption of the latest draft of the Tuition Reimbursement Policy. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT POLICY FOR RETIRED CITY EMPLOYEES Following a discussion and an amendment to the proposed policy, Chenoweth moved adoption of the policy as recommended by Wiessner. Motion carried unanimously. STRATFORD OFFICE PARK UPDATE Baldwin commented on the fact that Stratford has not as yet presented a status report as agreed upon at the November 18, 1987 meeting. Gedde assured Council that Stratford will continue to be responsible for a shortfall as stipulated in the development agreement even though funds may be transferred from one tax increment district to another. He also informed Council he had met with representatives of Stratford and their attorney and felt it would be advisable to discuss the matter in detail in an executive session since they have not closed on the existing buildings, have started no new construction, and the city is likely to become involved in litigation. MEETING RECESSED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION ON STRATFORD OFFICE PARK Council agreed an executive session was necessary and recessed the council meeting at 9:25 P.M. to hold such a session. ADJOURNMENT Following the executive session the regular council meeting was adjourned at 10:15 P.M. ~~ /om ~r~, , Tom Baldwin, Mayor ATTEST: J t R. Wiessner, Clerk Administrator V!