09/08/2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 APPROVED 48 John DeHaven, 1612 Birch Street, stated he was at a Council meeting a month ago and had asked the • 49 City to send a letter to MnDOT regarding Birch Street. However, he was just informed that the letter 50 will be drafted now and sent to the County. He stated he had explained a month ago that a letter 51 could be sent directly to MnDOT and does not need to be sent to the County, except as a courtesy. 52 Mr. DeHaven expressed his concern that this procedure stalls everything. He explained that every 15 53 minutes there are over 200 cars in the afternoon and it is the same in the morning. He stated he is 54 sure MnDOT staff is smart enough to understand that the addition of another 150 homes and 200 cars 55 will be crazy and invited the Mayor and Council to visit his neighborhood to see it for themselves. 56 57 Mr. DeHaven stated that at some point he would like to discuss with the City what the procedures are 58 for reducing the building moratorium because they have been approached by builders to construct 59 townhomes for empty -nesters. However, currently they cannot benefit from development because of 60 the moratorium. Mr. DeHaven stated the sewer is located 30 feet, running north and south, from his 61 property so it would not be difficult to access. He asked the Council for guidance on what that 62 procedure would involve. 63 64 Mayor Bergeson suggested Mr. DeHaven meet with staff to have a conversation about what the 65 development process would involve and, perhaps, attend a work session to discuss it with the 66 Council. 67 68 Bill Gawthorp, 6491 Birch Court, reiterated the need for speed control on Birch Street. He estimated 69 cars are traveling over 50 m.p.h. Mr. Gother stated that the roadway includes a curve so drivers are 70 almost "blind" to cars turning left onto Birch Street. When turning left onto Birch Court, cars have 71 very little time to respond. He suggested the Council consider placing a center turn lane all the way up72 down Birch Street. Mr. Gother stated he would appreciate expediency. 73 74 FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT, AL ROLEK 75 76 A. Consideration of Resolution No. 03-145, Adopting Proposed Budget 77 78 Finance Director Rolek presented the staff report, indicating it is Staff's recommendation the 79 Resolution be approved to adopt the proposed 2004 operating budget. 80 81 Councilmember Carlson noted this is the maximum budget and asked if categories can be changed if 82 the Council finds they need more money in one category and less in another. Finance Director Rolek 83 answered in the affirmative. 84 85 Councilmember Dahl moved to adopt Resolution No. 03-145, Adopting Proposed Budget. 86 Councilmember Carlson seconded the motion. 87 88 Motion carried unanimously. 89 90 Resolution No. 03-145 can be found in the City Clerk's office. 91 92 B. Consideration of Resolution No. 03-146, Adopting Preliminary Levy 93 94 Finance Director Rolek presented the staff report, indicating it is Staff's recommendation the • 95 Resolution be approved to certify a preliminary tax levy for the coming year. 2