12-02-03 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Acting Administrator stated the Council does all the hiring and appointing and the City Administrator does the recommendations. There is more accountability because these appointments will have annual reviews. Council member Dunn asked that the appropriate language be added; such as inserting the word "review" and replace "hired" with "appointed". M/S/ Johnston/DeLapp — to approve the Lake Elmo Fire Department Policy for Hiring of Officers with discussed rewritten wording. Attorney Filla indicated the Fire Department By -Laws would need to be changed if policy is changed. The amendment is approved by the City Council and 2/3rd majority of the Fire Department called for that purpose by 27 days notice. Filla will draft a written format for a bylaw change and bring to a future meeting for approval. M/S/P Johnston/DeLapp — to table the motion until the next Council meeting and the Acting Administrator will proceed ahead with the Fire Chief s assistance. (Motion passed 5-0). Council member Dunn added that it is important that everyone is in concert with this because it is a big change to a current structure. 8. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT: Update on Hill Trail Reconstruction. He is still working with the Acting Administrator on the drainage and will be getting a survey. Highlands Trail: The City is waiting until we get the speed trailer. 9. PLANNING, LAND USE & ZONING: A. PUBLIC Hearing: Resolution No. 2003-096: Section 520 Site Plan and Variance — River Valley Christian Church At its November 10, 2003 meeting, the Planning Commission adopted a recommendation for approval of this application to expand the existing church parking area by 30 stalls. The applicants testified that the expansion is primarily to accommodate parking for special events when parking along Lake Elmo Avenue otherwise results. Prior to the meeting, but late for legal notice, the City Attorney advised staff that a variance from the Public Facilities buffer standard would be necessary if the expanded parking area is to be constructed as applied for. Since this parcel is just over a 5 acre buffer size threshold, a 100 foot buffer is required by the PF standards. That standard is met to the west, but is not met to the south (nor does the current parking area). A Public Hearing notice was published on this matter before the City Council on December 2"d. While Staff did reference the buffer issue in the Planning Staff Report, he did not believe it to be a variance issue. The Commission made the observation that the power lines and towers passing through and south of this site tend to crate a buffer that is as effective as anything the City would require. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 2, 2003 4