08-21-07 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes Approved: September 4, 2007 Motion: Mayor Johnston moved approval of'Ordinance 97-198, an ordinance controlling sexually oriented uses. Council Member Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Council Member Johnson moved to approve Resolution no. 2007-058, approving the summary publication of Ordinance No. 97-198. Council Member Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Process for developing a public and private fee policy for existing street lights Administrator Hoyt explained that the City Council had directed the staff to explore developing a policy to determine what existing street lights should be paid through public funds and which should be charged to private property owners because the street lights did not benefit the public. She reported that cost of electricity for its street lights and City share of traffic signals was $22,000 out of the 2006 general operating budget. She said the first step in this work is to accept a process for developing this policy and she laid out a possible process to follow and direction was being requested. Council Member Smith pointed out that street lights, even in residential neighborhoods, provide for the public safety for all people driving on these public streets and that she would not support spending time and money on this. Mayor Johnston concurred with this comment. Council Member DeLapp reminded the City Council that it was critical that the City control street lights so that the City is not overly lit up. He also provided the history of why this policy came up because the City had accepted paying for the Fields of St. Croix street light operations some years ago with the expectation that this be studied in the future. Council Member Johnson clarified that developer's pay for the street lights and the City could determine when the street light operations should be privately funded in future developments. Council Member DeLapp explained the he would not support the motion not to proceed with this policy because of the intent of the City Council action on the Fields of St. Croix and because of the importance that street lights be minimized in the City to maintain a dark sky whenever possible. Council Member Johnson moved to take no further action on this street light item. Council Member Park seconded the motion. Mayor Johnston and Council Members Johnson, Park and Smith voted for the motion with Council Member DeLapp voting against. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2007