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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-18-23CITY OF LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 18, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Cadenhead called the meeting to order at 7. 00 pm. PRESENT: Mayor Charles Cadenhead and Councilmembers Katrina Beckstrom, Matt Him and Lisa McGinn. ABSENT: Councilmember Jeff Holtz. Staff present: Administrator Handt, City Attorney Sonsalla, City Engineer Griffin, Public Works Director Powers, Fire Chief Kalis, Administrative Services Director Karissa Goers, Finance Director Clarissa Hadler and City Clerk Johnson APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember McGinn, moved TO REMOVE ITEM 8 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, "APPROVE CITY CENTERIPUBLIC WORKS PAY REQUEST #18. " Motion passed 4 — 0. Councilmember McGinn, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. Motion passed 4 — 0. ACCEPT MINUTES Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 20, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND JULY 11, 2023 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOPAS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 — 0. PUBLIC COMMENTSANQUIRIES Jeff Drogseth, 9015 7th Street N., Boulder Ponds HOA Board member, asked for help with irrigation issues in the villa home area. Mr. Drogseth stated that there are four irrigation systems in that area and akded for a waiver to revert to the odd/even watering schedule for the villa home systems. PRESENTATIONS None CONSENT AGENDA 2. Approve Payments of Disbursements 3. Approve Huff N Puff Days Special Event Permit LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES July 18, 2023 4. Approve Geotechnical Services for 2024 CIP Infrastructure Projects 5. Approve Pay Request No. 9 for Parkview-Cardinal Neighborhood Street and Utility Improvements 6. Approve Pay Request No. 1 for Old Village Phase 7 Street and Utility Improvements 7. Approve Pay Request No. 1 for 2023 Street Improvements 9. Declare Costs to be Assessed and Call for Hearing on 2022 Street Improvements lo. Approve Pay Request No. 17 for Old Village Phase 5 and 6 Street and Utility Improvements Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 - 0. ITEM 11: Sunfish Lake Park Buckthorn Update Public Works Director Powers reviewed the plan for buckthorn removal at Sunfish Lake Park and reported that he halted work on the project due to the intensity of the work in the park. Director Powers recommended lower intensity work with no widespread clearing of land. Director Powers also expressed concern regarding vegetation barriers that were moved during the buckthorn removal work and are needed to provide safety separations between mountain bike trails and other areas of the park. George Johnson, Friends of Lake Elmo's Sunfish Lake Park, reviewed the grant information and work performed so far and asked the Council to accept the plan presented to the Parks Commission. Larissa Mottl, a restoration ecologist with Stantec, reviewed her report on the current state of the vegetation at the park. Mottl also discussed restoration with removal of invasive species. Tony Manzara, 5050 Kirkwood Avenue N., reviewed the process used for removing invasive plant species from the park and the need to restore the park. Ellen Esch, 2916 Legion Avenue N., spoke in support of the management plan and the importance of removing invasive species from the park. Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO DIRECT THE CONTINUANCE OF REMOVAL OF B UCKTHORNAND NATIVE SPECIES AND NONNATIVE SPECIES USING HIGH INTENSITY METHOD, WORK WITH STANTEC TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE NATIVE SPECIES, IDENTIFIED IN THE FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANAS CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENT AND SPARE THOSE TREES IN AREAS OF THE PARK WHERE FEASIBLE AND APPROPRIATE. USE MEDIUM INTENSITYMETHODS, ADJUST TRAIL SIGNS AND/OR LA YO UT IN AREAS A T TRAIL INTERSECTIONS WHERE THERE ARE Page 2 of 4 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES July 18, 2023 IDENTIFIED SAFETY CONCERNS, BUT DO NOT KEEP INVASIVE SPECIES AS TRAIL BARRIERS. Motion passed 4 — 0. ITEM 12: Approve Draw on Letter of Credit from Chase Development, Inc. for the Easton Village 2nd� 3rd, 4th and 5th Additions City Engineer Griffin reviewed difficulties closing out the Easton Village development and noted that the City has not received replies from the developer regarding outstanding issues. Andy Chase, Chase Development, stated he has hired a new team and asked for more time to address the outstanding issues. John Anderson, a consultant for Chase Development, provided an update on some of the outstanding issues that have been addressed and plans in place to rectify other issues. Discussion held regarding the lack of communication from Chase Development. Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TOAUTUORIZE THE CITYADMINISTRA TOR TO DRAW ON THE LETTER OF CREDIT FOR CHASE DEVELOPMENT, INC. FOR THE EASTON VILLAGE 2ND, 3RD, 41HAND 5TH ADDITIONS, WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE TO THE DEVELOPER, AND TO BE DRAWN IN THE AMOUNTS AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR, AND THAT ONE OR MORE DRAWS MAYBE MADE WITHOUT FURTHER COUNCIL ACTION OR APPROVAL, FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPLETING THE SUBDIVISION IMPRO VEMENTS. Motion passed 4 — 0. COUNCIL REPORTS Mayor Cadenhead: Reported on the 4th of July parade and thanked staff and the Lake Elmo Rotary for their assistance. Councilmember Beckstrom: Thanked City Administrator Handt and city staff for the move to the new building. Attended the Jesuit Retreat 75th Anniversary open house and attended Manning Avenue project open house. STAFF REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Administrator Handt: Noted the next Council meeting will be on Wednesday August 2nd due to National Night Out on August 1st City Clerk Johnson: Thanked cable commission staff for assisting with broadcasts while equipment is still being installed in the new chambers. Public Works Director Powers: Noted that other neighborhoods in addition to Boulder Ponds have asked for permission to water on days other than their designated days. Fire Chief Kalis: Reported fire department staff are enjoying the new space. Page 3 of 4 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES July 18, 2023 Finance Director Hadler: Noted 2nd quarter financials are in the packet and offered to answer questions. City Engineer Griffin: Reported on a meeting with the rail road to discuss a new crossing in the old village and Valley Branch watershed district inspections on the storm water system. Closed Session Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSIONpursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05, subdivision 3 (b), attorney -client privilege to review litigation with Steven D. Dahlblom AND pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05, subdivision 3 (c)(3) — to consider offers for the sale of the former 3M property on Ideal Avenue, PIDs 16 029.21.24.0002 and 16.029.21.23.0003. Motion passed 4 — 0. Closed session held. Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION. Motion passed 4 — 0. Meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m. ATTEST: akqw-\- Julie V son, Cty lerk LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL C arles Cadenhead, Mayor Page 4 of 4