09-15-2015 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 Page 3 of 8 Susan Kane, 4372 Little Bluestem, Lake Elmo, spoke on behalf of the Valley Friendship Club that has been meeting at the Arts Center and storing supplies there since 2010. The group provides activities for kids and young adults with disabilities. Councilmembers discussed the condition of the property with no support for demolish the building at the present time. Consensus was to obtain costs for repairing the building and assessing the current uses. Interim Administrator Schroeder noted that if the building is retained for public use it should be updated to ensure safety. Bill Walker, 3603 Laverne Avenue N., stated he lives across from the Arts Center and expressed concern over the exterior condition of the house and property. He encouraged the Council to tour the property and consider demolishing it. Councilmember Fliflet, seconded by Councilmember Lundgren, moved TO NOT DEMOLISH THE ARTS CENTER AND TO ALLOW ART GROUPS TO CONTINUE TO USE THE BUILDING AS THEY HAVE BEEN. MOTION PASSED 3 – 2. (Pearson, Bloyer – nay) Mayor Pearson stated that the City has a liability with public use of the building, a neighbor objection and the City is setting a bad example by allowing the property to fall into disrepair. Pearson suggested that the building should be winterized and investigated. Councilmember Bloyer stated that the City has an obligation to make sure the building is safe before people use it any longer. Finance Director Bendel noted that the Arts Center is currently insured as a vacant building and coverage will need to be added if it will continue to host the public. Councilmember Bloyer, seconded by Councilmember Fliflet, moved TO INSTRUCT THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO IMMEDIATELY PLACE INSURANCE COVERAGE ON THE BUILDING AND INSTRUCT THE BUILDING INSPECTOR TO INSPECT THE BUILDING. MOTION PASSED 5 – 0. ITEM 15. DOWNTOWN PHASE 1 AND PHASE 2 STREETSCAPE AND LANDSCAPE PLANS – APPROVE ALLEY CONCEPT PLAN CHANGES City Engineer Griffin reviewed the features of the proposed plan changes and noted that curbs will be installed on Laverne Avenue in the next week so decisions need to be made on where curb cuts will go. Library Director Deprey thanked the engineering department for their work on the alley design. Deprey reported that the Library Board heard concerns from residents and neighboring businesses at a board meeting and felt this was the best compromise after weighing all the input. Councilmember Bloyer, seconded by Councilmember Smith, moved TO APPROVE THE REVISED ALLEY PLAN FOR THE PHASE 1 DOWNTOWN STREET, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS. MOTION PASSED 5 – 0. Mayor Pearson, seconded by Councilmember Bloyer, moved TO ASK THE LIBRARY BOARD TO COVER ADDITIONAL COST OF THE REVISED ALLEY PLAN FROM LIBRARY FUNDS. MOTION FAILED 1 – 4. (Bloyer, Fliflet, Lundgren, Smith – Nay)