HomeMy WebLinkAboutmarch minutes LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 1, 2005
5:30 P.M. Interviews for Planning Commission Vacancies
1. AGENDA
2. MINUTES: February 15, 2005
3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL:
A. Public Inquirers
B. Public Informational:
(1) Water Ski Show:Joe Kiesling
(2) St. Croix Valley Family Center:Doris Karls
(3) Planning Commission Appointments
4. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Resolution No. 2005-019:Approving Claims
5. FINANCE:
6. NEW BUSINESS:
7. MAINTENANCE/PARK/FIRE/BUIDLING, ::
8. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT:
A. Water Tower Storage Tank Design
B. Resolution No. 2005-020:Appro.ve Plans and Authorize Advertisement for
Bids, Water System Interconnect; %.ase II - POSTPONED
9. PLANNING,LAND USE&ZONIN;
A. Septic and Shoreland Seib pk Variap J:P'054 Fake Jane Trail:Gibson
B. Comprehensive Plan__ d a 9:::.F oin February 28th Planning
Commission Me tis) On
10. CITY ATTORNEY EPQ "'
i::::.:::::.
11. CITY ADM INISTRA + `' tEPOR :
A. Report offd with Lugar,Washington County Park
12. CITY CO�t CIL
Mayor Johnston called the count l meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers.
PRESENT: Johnston n1in eLapp,Johnson, Smith, City Engineer Prew,City
Planner Dillerud,Finance Director Tom Bouthilet and Administrator Rafferty.
L AGENDA
ADD: 11A. Regional Park Comprehensive Plan, 12. Council Reports: Discuss how
public gets involved and how council talks to developers--.procedures need to be
developed.
M/S/P Johnson/Smith-to approve the March 1, 2005 City Council agenda, as amended.
(Motion passed 5-0).
2. MINUTES: February 15, 2005
M/S/P Johnson/Conlin-to approve the February 15, 2005 City Council minutes, as
amended. (Motion passed 5-0).
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 1, 2005 1
3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORAVIATIONAL:
A. Public Inquires
Wyn John,Friends of the Library, reported that at the February 280 meeting of the
Library Board, a motion to enter negotiations with the owner of the premises for leasing
space at 3479 Lake Elmo Avenue was unanimously approved. The aim is to complete
these negotiations by the next Library Board meeting on March 28. Library and County
staff are gathering data on facility costs to convert the space to a suitable library location.
When the upgrade costs are known,the Library Board Director is proposing to approach
the City Council with a cost sharing request. As Secretary of the Friends of Lake Elmo
Library, Wyn John asked that this request be treated sympathetically by the Council.
Paul Ryberg,Friends of the Library,reported they will host a boot drive at 3585 Laverne
Avenue N., from 6 to 8 p.m. until March 19a'. Items that can biased by the library will
be given to the library. A book sale will be held March 19,adAftover paperbacks will
be sent to military troops on active duty around the worlc . ''silerl,. tion maybe held.
Mr. Ryberg asked if the Friends of the Library meetingan be telev a
B. Public Informational:
(1)Water Ski Show:Joe Kieslin
Joe ICiesling,Tri Lakes Association,requested Council'` Koval of a Water Surface Use
Permit for the Annual Water Ski Show on alc ,t4 ne,Au st 13, 2005. Mr. Kiesling also
requested a waiver for this event from the Water Su£ ce Use Regulations,namely
Section 13$0.03, Subd. 2 Hours ofQperataoriadubd 5 Operation. The Tri-Lakes
Association has secured the appro�riato 'nsurart x coverage and the Sheriff's Department
will sign off on the permit ped0ding Cour l app oval. The Fire Department will provide
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an emergency permit. ke
Attorney Filla advise than e Water Surface Use regulations of the municipal code
would have to bey amended in order for the City to grant a special permit to waive these
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regulations. I ;
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M/S/P DeLapp/Johnson`= to; ove the permit request of Joe Kiesling, on behalf of the
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Tri-Lakes Association,to"lgi'd a Water Ski Show on Lake Jane,August 13, 2005,from 1-
5 p.m.based on the submittal of the appropriate information and on past favorable
requests. (Motion passed 5-0.)
M/S/P DeLapp/Johnson—to direct staff to amend the city code to grant a temporary
suspension of the rules for an event such as this Water Ski Show and to approve a"No
Parking"permit to park from Jamaca Avenue to Jane Road North for this event based on
past favorable requests. (Motion passed 5-0).
(2) St. Croix Valley Area Community Family Center,Doris Karls
Doris Karls and other representatives presented a proposal for a St.Croix Valley Area
Community Family Center Concept Plan which would meet the educational,recreational
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 1,2005 2
and wellness needs of families and individuals in the Greater Stillwater Area—serving
the whole child,whole family, and whole community. Ms. Karls encouraged the city to
have a person on the guidance team and would be requesting a small contribution for the
project coordinator position.
(3)Planning Commission Appointments
The Council interviewed seven applicants for the Planning Commission starting at 5:30
p.m. At the February 15t`meeting,the City Council appointed Todd Ptacek and Rod
Sessing to the Planning Commission for 60 days. The city currently has two vacancies,
First Alternate and Second Alternate.
M/S/P DeLapp/Johnson-to reappoint Todd Ptacek to a third term on the Planning
Commission. He is vital as a representative south of 10'h street and important to have a
good planning representative that is active in the process of workx -nn the within the
Met Council's Memo of Understanding. (Motion passed 5-0.)
M/S/P Johnson/DeLapp to appoint Deb Lyzenga,21 Ciron, a .e First Alternate to
the Planning Commission. Motion passed 5-0.
M/S/P Smith/Conlin—to appoint Julie Fliflet,45 1 Onue,as the Second Alternate
to the Planning Commission. (Motion passed 4-1:Jo
4. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Resolution No. 2005 019:An xov�ng CI
M/S/P Johnson/DeLapp-to adopt Resolut o S o j�005�9, approving claim numbers
243, 244,DD350 through DD36 ,2692 through 26954 which were used for staff
payroll dated February 17t�',2019. and ola.: 2605 through 26998 in the total amount of
$337,401.25. (Motion passed0).
5. FINANCE: "` N
6. NEW BUSINESS:
7. MAINTENANCE/PARK/ BUILDING:
8. CITY ENGINEER'`S'RE { RT:
A. Water Tower Sege Tank Design
The City Engineer reported that at the February 15'`meeting,the Council requested him
to review the tank location west from the public works site. The location would be
approximately 800 feet west of the public works building. This location is as far west as
it can be moved without placing it in the woods. Property owners,within a one-half mile
radius of the location of the water tower,were invited to offer their input on the water
tower design.
Ed Nielsen,a former Lake Elmo Parks commissioner, presented documentation fiom
1974 from three families who sold land to the city for park purposes only. He said that
this is the only reason that these property owners signed the contracts. Other former parks
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 1,2005 3
commission members,Dave Morgan and Susan Dunn,agreed with Mr. Nielsen,in that
placing a water tower near Sunfish Park would be a degradation of one of the city's most
popular parks.
Jim and Judy Blackford, who live near the land designated for a water tower, said he
could not think of another regional example where a city water tower was placed in a
public park in recent years. They emphasized there was a commitment made to the
landowners to use this land for parks...it was a covenant all for parks. Mr. Blackford
suggested Ideal Avenue which is high ground to build a tower.
Administrator Rafferty explained this tower is a vital component to a comprehensive
water system overhaul that the city will be implementing over the next two years. The
Council approved the early stages of the plan,which included the construction of a new
16-inch watermain that would supply the Tapestry subdivision wit 1water. He said that
the land at the entrance to the park is the specific property the ci,AN intended for the public
works facility and the water tower. He added that land has l : ' sed out by the city for
commercial farming for a number of years and is not act u ly park b unfish Park.
Sue Dunn suggested that the city investigate wheth could;_p ft artner w Washington
County and place a maintenance building near the ___ty's_ irks maintenance building
in Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
Council member Smith noted the council h, hd citizens dying you can't put a water
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tower in a park,but a suggestion was made to,place W in the Regional Park. Everybody
wants the water,but nobody wants tower riitheir backyard.
In response to the suggestioRg-' placn2, the puA works facility on the Lake Jane
Landfill property,the City Eineerlsponded;usng any property near the landfill would
run the risk of methane gas con aa# on.
Mayor Johnston elained desitzs of tie public works building and water tower were
taken to the Pubt rks Couri Committee. Commitments have been made because
we are along in the ess. Jo 1<ston said the city wasn't legally required to have a
public hearing on this i ,_ ' Council invited property owners to this meeting for their
input on water tower desi 'The staff needs to look at the issues raised and determine if
there are any legitimate legal issues.
John Lalonde, his backyard backs up to Sunfish Lake Park, said he moved here six
months ago, and he didn't understand,why the city would think of placing a water tower
and a maintenance building in a park.
M/SIP Johnson/Conlin--to table the water tower agenda item and direct the city attorney
to investigate the information presented at the Council meeting for possible legal
ramifications. (Motion passed 5-0.)
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 1, 2005 4
B. Resolution No. 2005-020:Approve Plans and Authorize Advertisement for
Bids Water System Interconnect—Phase H-POSTPONED
M/S/P Smith/Johnston—to postpone this agenda item per the request of the City
Engineer. (Motion passed 5-0).
9. PLANNING,LAND USE &ZONING:
A. Septic and Shoreland Setback Variance, 8784 Lake Jane Trail:Gibson
The City Planner reported that Bob Gibson, 8784 Lake Jane Trail, is requesting a
variance to construct a new septic drainfield that encroached a total of 75 square feet into
the OHW setback from Lake Jane. Since there are no other on-site options, the
encroachment is minimal, and both the City Engineer and DNR recommend approval.
The Planner advised at its February 28th meeting,the Planning Commission conducted a
public hearing and recommended approval of the septic and shorekd setback variance.
M/S/P Johnson/Conlin-to direct staff to draft a resolution fli #@t, val of a septic and
shoreland setback variance for Bob Gibson at 8784 Lake J&\ Trail per the
recommendation of the Planning Commission, City Engineer and the DNR. (Motion
passed 5-0.)
B. Comprehensive Plan Modifications (Fro&&28th Planning Commission
Meeting)
The City Planner reported the Planning Coissiop completing 6ompleting their initial work
on the Planning Policy modification ;;t: the C n ehensive- Plan that are responsive to
the Met Council Memo of Undefiandr g at its bruary 28 meeting. The Planner
provided the latest draft, along�vith lus cer memo to the Commission explaining the
changes from the February Z* draft :T he C fission will address any additional
guidance the Council MAY prover �the Cossion's March 7`h workshop,and then
begin work on the Land Use Plan rncsdfications responsive to the Policy.
Mayor Joluistonv_ided his convents in written form and is made part of these
minutes. 05f
Council member DeLapp�ained we have a Memo of Understanding with the Met
Council and we can choose to do this. If we don't,with all the government changeovers,
we would not have to put in 24,000 people. The City Planner responded this is a
discussion for the land use section. Mayor Johnston noted it was naive to say we would
be better if we delay the project. Council member DeLapp asked what about the schools.
Mayor Johnston said he talked to the 834 school district.
Council member Conlin asked to have the planner's draft in a soft copy form so the
Council members could make changes/additions and then the planner could merge all the
suggestions.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 1,2005 5
The Planner said he will integrate the Councils' comments and note who said what and
where in his draft.
10. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
The Administrator reported he met with Jim Lugar,Washington County Park,and found
that the County has not updated its comprehensive plan in 25 years. The County is
amenable to connect with our proposed trails. The County has requested two
representatives to sit on this committee to work on the new comprehensive plan. Sue
Dunn has expressed an interest to sit on this committee.
Council member Conlin said she would be interested and thought that Margaret Carlson
would also have an interest. Administrator Rafferty will contact t? Park Chair to find
out if he or a parks member maybe interested. Mayor Johnstot ggested waiting until
we find out who maybe interested to serve on this committ....,e11.1, that this item be
laced on the March 8'h Council Committee meeting.
12. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
Council member DeLapp indicated he was contacf .y a.l, resentative of the Lakewood
Evangelical Free Church, who worked for 3M,to see'xkl 'could get him to vote for
approval of the church proposed for Lake NWo. He ex ed his concern that this type
of communication is happening more and itre]��1�veen Cocil members and potential
W,.,
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developers since the Met Council's a meri :;.
p g
Administrator Rafferty responded,fba and P " er Dillerud have met with 3 or 4
developers and never had theee councxemberbecause of the local meeting law. He
said the proper contact is tooldmeengs at City Igall.
Attorney Filla advis hh ,�c0 could adopt a code of ethics to address these
specific concerns: he Court '': At ey Filla will provide a sample of a code of ethics
adopted by anotli91tv to be p nted at the March 8d' Council committee meeting.
Council member Liz Jasoniorted her and Council member Smith received training
on liability and managerri issues that dealt with the fire department. This will assist
them in working with fire dept in the future.
Council member Smith thanked the Planning Commission applicants and congratulated
the new appointees,Deb Lyzenga and Julie Fliflet.
Mayor Johnston volunteered to fill that role on the St. Croix community family center
guidance team. This item and request for financial support will be added to the Public
Health and Safety Council Committee meeting. Term.
Council adjourned the meeting at 10:13 p.m.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 1, 2005 6
Respectfully submitted by Sharon Lumby, City Cleric
Resolution No. 2005-019 Approve Claims
Resolution No. 2005-020 Approve septic and shoreland setback variance, Gibson, 8784
Lake Jane Trail
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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 1, 2005 7
Comprehensive Plan — Policy Draft
Dean Johnston comments
March 1 , 2005
1. Page 2 last half of URD section including PZ Commission discussion
on implementation.
The procedure which would leave zoning as is until sewer and water are in
place and only then initiate a Comprehensive Plan amendment to initiate
staging presents SERIOUS problems. This procedure would allow a two
vote minority to obstruct a well stage, carefully planned growth process. I
believe very strongly that this must be revised.
2. 1-94 Corridor planning policy— second line.
Stonegate, The Forest, Midland Meadows, and Crron are all deserving
of protection of their"rural character and livingxq. ment." Further
Cimarron deserves the ground rules for implerrentintletro Sewer as the
other neighborhoods.
3. Page 6-- 1-94 Freeway Corridor Plait ling Policy— paragraph 4
Non-residential development for the em f ment corridor will be 320
Acres. (1300 REC units divided y,4 REG units per acre = 325 Acres)
Eagle Point has not used its 100..REQ.Units. The jobs corridor needs to be
a specific area.
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4. Page 6 — 1-94 Freew.. yCo idor, O%nning Policy— paragraph 1
;.
2/3 is too high, 6 ,%al�vould ►:ore asonable.
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5. Page 6— 1-9.&Freeway ;oorrdor Planning Policy -- paragraph 5 — last
sentence,a.
A minimum of 300r EC r is must be reserved for residential
development south of Tenth Street and be subject to the Development
Staging Plan.
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