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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/22/2002 Council MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 22, 2002 DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES : May 22, 2002 . 5:32 p.m. . 9:42 p.m. : Council Member Dahl, Carlson, Reinert O'Donnell and Mayor Bergeson None Staff members present: City Administrator, Linda Waite Smi Studenski; City Planner, Jeff Smyser; Finance Director, Al Bennett; Police Sergeant Kurt Roush (part); Chief of Poli. Services Director, Rick DeGardner; and City Clerk, ity Engineer, Jim ); Fire Chief, Milo ecchia; Public SENATOR MADY REITER, CURRENT ISSUES i ' DATE Senator Mady Reiter stated she represents Lin border. She indicated she was on the Shorevi want to disrupt city business. Any issues jurisdiction will be referred to the City. this year that did not help cities. She south of 35W to the Centerville Council for five years and does not oters that are in the City's d there were many bills in the legislature issues are of current concern to the City. City Administrator Waite Smith ®u d reviewed a memo that outlined the issues that are very important to the ing e following: Residential Deve . Commercial/industrial Development Transportation Mass Transit Public Safety Reporting development related fees Library Taxes Comprehensive Plan Environment Senator Reiter stated code enforcement relating to the environment is an issue for all cities. Councilmember Carlson stated an issue was presented last month regarding phosphorus runoff into Hardwood Creek/Lake Peltier. She stated this is a huge issue and the City will need financal assistance to deal with it. Senator Reiter noted what was discussed this year by the legislature in relation to each of the City's issues. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 22, 2002 Regarding transportation planning, Councilmember Carlson asked why the emphasis has moved off of the freeways and gone to local streets. Senator Reiter stated Governor Ventura and other lawmakers really want to see light rail in the Twin Cities so the emphasis has changed to local streets. The emphasis has to change back to freeways and she indicated she believes it will. She stated there is a huge concern regarding the funding formula and dedication of roadway funds. Senator Reiter advised there will not be a tax increase in relation to public safety but there will be an increase in 911 fees that will benefit the 800 -megahertz system. She advised she would check into the mandate to report development related fees. The library is a County issue. She stated she would give the City information as soon as possible regarding how the state budget will be balanced after 2003. She stated she is concerned that the Met Council has not yet approved the City's Comp nsive Plan. City staff should let them know about the upcoming deadline with the = Group. City Planner Smyser stated the Metropolitan Council is Comprehensive Plan. They needed more information fr review the complete Plan. chedule on the -City before they could Senator Reiter thanked the Council for their tid way she can. FIREWORKS LEGISLATION UP d she would help them in any DAVE BENNETT Fire Chief Bennett stated some low - expects that all fireworks may be 1 to determine who will be sellin safety concerns relating to fire storage in unsprinklere rks were legalized this year. Everyone the next legislative session. The City needs k' where they will be sold. There are several clu s' ng proximity to smoking, and sales or City Clerk Blair advised a aft ordinance was distributed to the Council. Fire Chief Bennett stated the City needs to do something as soon as possible, since the new legislation went into effect so quickly. Staff needs direction and the draft ordinance will be considered by the other two cities in the Centennial Fire District also. City Clerk Blair stated because of the July 4th holiday approaching, an emergency ordinance is one possible way for the City to proceed. Another option is to have a permit process for sellers of fireworks. An emergency ordinance would allow the Council to put something into effect right away. These are seldom used but this is a public safety matter. It was the consensus of Council to add the fireworks ordinance to the regular agenda Tuesday, May 28, 2002, and to consider making the ordinance effective immediately. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 22, 2002 City Clerk Blair stated a final draft of the ordinance will be distributed as soon as possible. Chief Pecchia noted compliance checks similar to tobacco checks will be conducted on those who sell fireworks. This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Tuesday, May 28, 2002, 6:30 p.m. BEHM'S CENTURY FARM 6TH AND 7TH ADDITIONS, CARL STREET EXTENSION, JEFF SMYSER/GARY UHDE City Planner Smyser stated information regarding this issue was distributed last week. He noted that staff has been reviewing with Gary Uhde the next phases of the Behm's Century Farms development area. One of the most import. 'ssues is road access. The City's plan is for Carl Street to serve as the collector street co w ion to 4th Avenue. Mr. Uhde does not want to make the Carl Street connection for vm ouasons. Staff supports the Carl Street collector indicated in the City's d ion plan. Mr. Uhde does not want to construct the Carl Street connection an ef= s that the City allow the development of his area without it. He anticipates th E.e residents on Carl Street will object to collector traffic. Mr. Uhde would p -r'' avoid that controversy and delay. City Planner Smyser stated Mr. John John options for the roadway from a technical deviate from its transportation plan. response to Mr. Johnson's alternativ eer for Behm's, has provided neering aspect as to why the City should city planning consultant, provided a information was previously distributed. Councilmember Carlson asked aw_ treet currently is. City Planner Smyser stated Carl Street is %2 mile lon. Griew` d the City's ordinance regarding cul-de-sacs. Mayor Bergeson inquire . ti '=line regarding this issue. City Planner Smyser stated staff is currently revi wing the application. There is not a timeline because the application is not yet complex--'°. However, Mr. Uhde would like to move forward as soon as possible. Mayor Bergeson stated changing the City's transportation plan would take formal Council action. Councilmember Carlson stated it may also require a Comprehensive Plan amendment. Mr. Uhde thanked City Planner Smyser for the accurate background information. He stated he is not against a minor arterial collector street but is concerned about neighborhood opposition. The Lino Air Park has requested that the connection not be made. He stated he would like to resolve the issues of the residents and noted he does not CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 22, 2002 need to have direction tonight. However, the street issue must be solved before the project can move forward. Mr. Johnson stated he believes a connection was shown on previous plans but the location was not determined. The nature of the roadway has also changed. He stated Mr. Uhde would like to know if the Council wants to change the general alignment of the collector roadway. The connection will be made no matter where the exact location is. He stated he also feels that the dead end in the area was meant to stay a dead end. He reviewed the maps that were provided noting the location of the runways in the Air Park. Two alternative options for the roadway are shown on exhibit 4 and exhibit 5. He stated Mr. Uhde is prepared to make Carl Street a collector as staff has recommended. There will be a lot of strong neighborhood opposition to that plan. Mr. Uhde will work with staff to move the connection if the Council gives that direction. Mayor Bergeson asked who controls the property to the east development. Mr. Johnson advised the Robinson's own 40 acres and sa rty owners own the next 40 acres. Mayor Bergeson asked if a road can be built on t Smyser stated Hutchinson Utilities own the po to develop a road in that easement. He noted east will develop but it is scheduled for aft2 line easement. City Planner ement. The City has no right not know when the property to the Councilmember Reinert expressed co t r. Uhde does not control the land to the east. The plan for the north/south rowou ouble front all the lots in that area. City Planner Smyser advised a a d 1 ` necessarily double front the lots. There is no road there now so there is a o =xibi ity. Councilmember Carlson i Planner Smyser stated the r feet of pavement. Currently, developed. ou " the minor collector roadway requirements. City dway does not necessarily have to be 80 feet wide with 42 e City has 60 feet of right of way and a road could be Councilmember O'Donnell inquired about the trigger for putting the connection in. City Planner Smyser stated there is nothing in the transportation plan that indicates when the connection will be made. Councilmember O'Donnell asked if it is feasible to put a road in the west half with a plan to connect when development occurs. City Planner Smyser stated the City does have discretion over when the connection will be made. However, staff feels that if the connection is not made now it will never happen due to resident opposition. 4 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 22, 2002 Mr. Tom Shmelzer, Air Park Officer, stated the officers of the Air Park met with Mr. Uhde and Mr. Johnson to discuss this issue. Everyone at the Air Park is opposed to Carl Street going through. There are also concerns about funding and assessments. The Air Park is also against the connection because it would limit any additional Air Park lots. There is no reason to waste City resources. Carl Street residents are opposed to another connection but the Air Park is not. Another resident stated he has talked to many residents in the area and they are all very opposed to the connection and it is a waste of resources. Councilmember Carlson inquired about the Comprehensive Plan and additional Air Park lots. City Planner Smyser stated the Comprehensive Plan does not say anything about additional lots. The Plan shows the area as low density unsewered residential. A portion of the Air Park is in the sewered area. Councilmember Carlson stated she is concerned about 170 h access. She suggested keeping the roadway smaller to b homes. ng in without an sive to the existing Mr. Uhde stated there are two accesses into the de t ° ent with the possibility of two additional accesses. The subdivision will have It was the consensus of the Council to cont. June 5,2002, Council work session. 2001 AUDIT REPORT, DARWI , LAW Mr. Darwin Viker distributed t and a booklet containin: Other Council it is the respons statements of the City. It tely 160 homes. scussion regarding this issue at the five Annual Financial Report for Year 2001 Reports from Larson Allen. He advised the itor to express opinions on the financial esponsibility to provide the financial statements. Mr. Viker reviewed the Com fined Balance Sheet from the report noting the City's total assets and liabilities. He stated the City's assets went down approximately $3 million last year, mainly because several debts were paid. He commented on the revenues, expenditures and General Fund Balance. He added that typically a city needs six months of expenditures in reserves. Mr. Viker also reviewed the booklet that included Other Auditor Reports noting the management letter from the auditor that suggests ways to more efficiently run the City's operations or improve its internal controls. He indicated the management letter is very similar to last year's letter. This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, May 28, 2002, 6:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 22, 2002 EAGLE BROOK CHURCH UPDATE, BWBR ARCHITECTS, JEFF SMYSER City Planner Smyser stated Eagle Brook Church is interested in building a church on 20th Avenue. He referred to a map pointing out the exact location of the site. The area is zoned rural guided for long term single family homes and divided by stage 1 and stage 2 growth. The church is compatible with the zoning because churches are conditional uses. Staff has not yet received a formal application. The neighbors in the area have clearly stated they are opposed to the church and have submitted a petition for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). Staff can not determine if an EAW is necessary and can not make a recommendation because an application has not been submitted. The church has determined they will voluntarily do an EAW. Ms. Kathryn Leonidas, BWBR Architects, stated the goal this evening is to let the Council know where the church is in the process, provide i ation and hear the City's concerns. Mr. Scott Anderson, Eagle Brook Church, gave the back e church noting they have been around for 50 years. Eagle Brook has been a c ent location in White Bear Lake since 1972 and has expanded five times.'e nig approximately 4,000 members that attend the church on a weekend. P . f e dilemma is the church is currently on a limited site and traffic is a proble urch started to look at relocating two years ago and want at least 60 a the new location. The site was finally narrowed down to the site in Lino L J r plans do not include a school or low income housing. Ms. Leonidas stated they are in the s ®hems s esign phase at this time and would like to begin construction next spring. S - . ®Pout the property on a map, noting the most appropriate building site. She r rre o plan pointing out the area for parking and the opportunities for future gro T e>- c ent plan calls for a 2,100 worship place plus classrooms with the pos of 7 r fore seats within the original building. She stated they are asking for limite . ` eca se traffic is a huge problem and the plan will control traffic by including'` rculation on the property, traffic control devices and a left turn lane on Hwy. 21. She n ed the parking to building ratio is much larger than what is required. Mr. Anderson stated the church currently has Saturday service at 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday services are at 9:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The church is adding a Sunday evening service but will likely go down to three services in the new location. Traffic back up is usually for about a ten minute period between services. Councilmember Reinert stated the key to neutralizing neighborhood opposition might be education. Councilmember Carlson stated she is concerned about what might be added to the property at some time in the future. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 22, 2002 Mr. Anderson stated the goal of the church is to be a church and currently there are no plans for anything other than a church. Councilmember Reinert asked how much of the 92 acres is buildable. Mr. Anderson indicated a lot of the 92 acres is buildable land. Ms. Leonidas stated they have met with the County regarding traffic and drainage issues. An archeological study has been completed and the Rice Creek Watershed District is also involved. The DNR is coming out to define the ordinary high water line. The Minnesota Department of Health has also been contacted regarding the well. The Fire Chief has also been contacted about the sprinklering of the building. A neighborhood meeting was held in April 2002. The St. Paul Regional Water Utility has als •&:en contacted along with Joan Galley regarding environmental issues. Mayor Bergeson suggested they also contact the City of Ms. Leonidas stated the City of Centerville was invit more formal meeting will be scheduled. She read that outlined their concerns regarding ecologic and noise, lights and the lack of information r Councilmember O'Donnell asked how m property. City Planner Smyser advise the property. eighborhood meeting but a er received from the neighbors ues'` "• oding, water run-off, traffic future growth. homes border the southern side of the six lots that border the southern side of Councilmember Dahl inquired Bout pe``tl `g timeline in relation to future expansions. Mr. Anderson stated the • f urch shows an expansion every 4-5 years but there are issues with fund ng. he' ast expansion was 18,000 square feet and that was the largest expansion. e church feels that it will take 8-10 years to financially be able to do any major expansi ` s at the new site. City Planner Smyser advised this issue will be discussed further at a future meeting after the City has received a formal application. Mayor Bergeson called for a short recess at 8:45 p.m. Mayor Bergeson reconvened the meeting at 8:53 p.m. City Administrator Waite Smith advised a special half day meeting will be scheduled to discuss the Five Year Plan and other City issues. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 22, 2002 PUBLIC SAFETY — SPENDING OF DRUG FORFEITURE FUNDS, ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE UPDATE, COPS GRANT APPLICATION, DAVE PECCHIA Chief Pecchia stated the Police Department would like to purchase weight equipment with $1,500 of drug forfeiture funds. He noted there is an excess of drug forfeiture funds and those funds are not included in the budget. Chief Pecchia stated a neighborhood watch newsletter is going out to residents that indicates there were five highway fatalities in the City recently. Councilmember Carlson requested a copy of the newsletter. Chief Pecchia updated the Council regarding several issues. An intern from the university will begin working in the Police Department. T epartment will have access to an on-line automated pawn system. The Departme finishing up with the paperwork for a new school liaison. School staff will intervi w ° candidates for that position. The deadline on the COPS Grant application is. 002. Formal Council action would be required to accept the grant. Chief Pecchia distributed information on the Dep and a memo relating to a focus group to develo Liquor License renewals will be in June. Me holders. A hearing will be held to review vel 's per capita cost for 2002-2006 ent's Five Year Plan. ve been held with the liquor license City Administrator Waite Smith advis review liquor license violations. Sh change the ordinance to allow for g will be held on June 10, 2002, to at the 49 Club called and requested the City ruing alcohol consumption. Chief Pecchia asked Councilm • contact him regarding any questions about the draft Five Year Plan. Mayor Bergeson requested arification regarding liquor license violations for on -sale and off -sale establishments with 4e same owner. Chief Pecchia stated he will confer with the City Attorney regarding that issue. CSAH 49 UPDATE, LINDA WAITE SMITH City Administrator Waite Smith stated the City received a copy of the letter from the County regarding the plan that was submitted to them. The City forwarded the leeter letter to 300 residents. The County indicated the design that was submitted is not safe or acceptable. The Council needs to decide how and when to respond to the County. The County is aware that the City just received the letter. Councilmember O'Donnell requested a copy of the County's current plan for the roadway design, alignment, and impact on homes and businesses. /CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 22, 2002 The Council directed staff to contact the County and request information regarding the County's current plan for the roadway and advise them the City will respond to that information in 30 days. Mayor Bergeson stated he believes the current plan from the County is the last plan the City will see. The City will either have to accept that plan or the dollars will be used on another project. REGULAR AGENDA, MAY 28, 2002 The draft fireworks ordinance was added to the regular agenda. Item 7B, Consideration of Resolution No. 02 - 45, Approving Minor Subdivision and Variance Request, 901 Oak Lane — Councilmember Carlso . uested copies of the Planning and Zoning Board minutes regarding this issue. There were no other changes to the regular Council agend" City Administrator Waite Smith advised Councilmen er `'= c to register for the LMC Conference by May 30, 2002. Councilmember Reinert stated a discussion the attendance of Board Members at Board e held at a future meeting regarding City Engineer Studenski advised staff out letters to developers regarding outstanding escrow issues. The meeting was adjourned at These minutes were con" m R eco d and approved at the regular Council meeting held on June 10, 2002. Ann Blfi#, City Clerk Transcribed by: Kim Points TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Bet eson, Mayor