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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-18-2012 CCM LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 Page 1 of 6 CITY OF LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Johnston, Council Members, Smith, Pearson [Council Member Emmons arrived at 7:03 P.M.; Council Member Park arrived at 7:15 P.M.] Also Present: City Administrator Zuleger, City Attorney Snyder, City Engineer Griffin, Finance Director Bendel, Planning Director Klatt and City Clerk Thone. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Pearson moved to approve the September 18, 2012 City Council Agenda as presented. Council Member Smith seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Council Member Emmons arrived at 7:03 P.M. ACCEPTED MINUTES ITEM 1: THE SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS AMENDED (PAGES 3, 6 AND 6) BY CONSENSUS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. PUBLIC COMMENTS/INQUIRIES: Charlie Stockwell, representing the Minnesota Boat Club, announced that his organization along with the Minneapolis Rowing Club and several other Twin Cities rowing clubs will be submitting a proposal for a rowing competition on Lake Elmo to be held on August 3 and 4, 2013. The group is seeking support of residents living on the lake; if they receive unanimous support they will bring forth a formal request for approval for the event. Past similar events were held in 1976 and 2009. The group is working with the Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Washington County, and the local Lake Elmo business community. PRESENTATIONS: No presentations. CONSENT AGENDA 2. Accept Financial Report dated August 31, 2012 3. Accept Building Permit Report dated August 31, 2012 4. Approve Payment of Disbursements and Payroll of $254,454.60 5. 2012 Crack Seal Project - Receive Contractor Quotes and Award Contract 6. 2012 Street and Water Quality Improvements - Pay Request No. 1 7. Approve Resolution 2012-44 to Set Hearing for 2013 Budget and Levy Discussion MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Council Member Emmons seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 4-0. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 Page 2 of 6 REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 8: 2011 STREET AND WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS – FINAL ASSESSMENT HEARING City Engineer Jack Griffin presented information on the 2011 Street and Water Quality Improvements. The three project areas were Tartan Meadows, David Nelson Estates, and the 50th Street and Kimbro Avenue area. He provided an overview of the costs of the projects stating the final project costs came in at $604,000 with savings due to favorable construction bids. The final proposed assessments for included properties are as follows: Tartan Meadows: $2,700. David Nelson Estates: $3,200; 50th Street/Kimbro Avenue: $5,400. The city’s share of the cost dropped from $578,000 to $453,000. All figures are lower than expected. Mr. Griffin also provided an overview of the financing terms.. OPEN PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:11 P.M. No public comments. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:12 P.M. Council member Smith commented on how pleased she was about the savings and expressed her appreciation for the work of staff. MOTION: Council Member Pearson moved to approve RESOLUTION 2012-45 ADOPTING THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLLFOR THE 2011 STREET AND WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS. Council Member Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 4-0. ITEM 9: ORDINANCE 2012-62 ZONING AMENDMENT CODIFICATION; APPROVE RESOLUTION 2012-46 AUTHORIZATION OF SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE 2012-62 Planning Director Kyle Klatt explained this amendment is the same as presented at the August 21, 2012 meeting. The purpose for bringing the item back to council is to approve the ordinance codification and summary publication. MOTION: Council Member Pearson moved to adopt ORDINANCE 2012-62 APPROVING ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT AND RESOLUTION 2012-46 AUTHORIZING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE 2012-62. Council Member Emmons seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED PASS 5-0. Council Member Park arrived at 7:15 P.M. ITEM 10: APPROVE PROPOSED GENERAL LEVY AND PROPOSED 2013 BUDGET; RESOLUTION 2012-47 The Council was asked to reconfirm the council action taken on September 11, 2012 by resolution. MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to approve RESOLUTION 2012-47. Council Member Park seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 Page 3 of 6 ITEM 11: (Taken up later in meeting to accommodate additional public comments) ITEM 12: LEGION AVENUE SEWER SURVEY RESULTS City Administrator Zuleger explained the survey process and results (nine YES responses, six NO responses) and provided the current status of the project. Many of the respondents inquired about the cost. He expressed that the costs will be estimated by staff and should be completed in October. Staff is planning on extending the survey south to include additional properties on Lake Elmo Avenue. Council Member Emmons inquired about specific sections (specifically south of 30th Street) of the area and whether they would or should be included in the survey. He expressed his interest to keep the area in consideration going forward. Mayor Johnston inquired whether the survey is necessary for the properties across the street if state law required connection regardless. City Attorney Snyder explained that the Council has discretion in conducting a survey. He explained the options of neighborhood meetings, workshops, and surveys and the respective pros and cons of each. Ultimately, terms of hook-up and timing are up to the City’s discretion. City Administrator Zuleger recommended continuing with the survey for consistency and data integrity. Council Member Park inquired how the south side of the area would hook up to the sewer line. City Engineer Griffin stated if the sewer is made available a service stub would be available and property outside of the area would not receive a stub so the value of the survey is to determine the interest and to determine if the MUSA needs amending. The specific design of the project has not been done yet, so specifics such as pipe location are undetermined. Council Member Smith reminded the Council that staff was previously directed to consider this area. Justin Bloyer, 8881 Jane Road North, approached the council and asked whether these units would count towards the rec units, to which Mayor Johnston replied in the affirmative. SUMMARY REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Council Member Pearson reported meeting with the City of Oakdale to discussed truck sharing. He asked for the Council’s support of the program, and all members confirmed their support. Mr. Pearson also reported the library board had a meeting and was discussing hiring a fulltime librarian. He asked whether there would be council support for this action. Council Member Emmons inquired how this would fit in the previous plans. Mr. Pearson responded that the Board would best be able to answer that question, but previous plans included paying off the existing debt. City Attorney Snyder asked that council put this on as an agenda item for a future meeting. Mr. Pearson just asked that council be aware of the discussion. Mayor Johnston asked that the library board present the item at a later meeting. City Administrator Zuleger added that he met with Judy Gibson of the library board, and they are working on 2013 objectives and goals, which includes staffing needs. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 Page 4 of 6 Council Member Smith reported she would like to see a list of expenditures for the library to date. She thanked all volunteers at Lake Elmo Days and stated the event was very successful and expressed her appreciation for the sporting events and especially thanked staff who helped make the event such a great success. Council Member Emmons also thanked the many volunteers at Lake Elmo Days. Council Member Park expressed her excitement for all of the new staff: Deputy Clerk Adam Bell, Taxpayer Services and Communications Coordinator Alyssa MacLeod and Building Official Rick Chase. Mayor Johnston reported participating in a meeting at Cimarron with residents and Washington County. That meeting also included a discussion about a book exchange with the library. The Mayor also reported working at Lake Elmo Days for the Rotary, touring with the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, attending a Metropolitan Council meeting and appointed chair of the Parks and Open Space Commission. He also gave a brief update on the gateway corridor stating the transportation was mainly proposed in Woodbury. City Administrator Zuleger reported he and Finance Director met with Northland Securities. Staff will be submitting a Utilities Pro Forma that does not include any legal settlement in order to provide a baseline. Along with Public Works Director Bouthilet, he met with the Parks Commission. The Commission has developed a plan of work for 2013. Mr. Zuleger reported the new weekly newsletter called “Fresh” will begin being published soon. He reported that he had a discussion with the Oakdale City Administrator about providing water service to the Keats Avenue/Eagle Point area of Lake Elmo as well as public works and safety collaboration. Mr. Zuleger provided a recap of the 9/12 staff retreat. Staff is addressing train whistle issues that have emerged. City Attorney Snyder reported the detachment hearing had been sustained by the Washington County District Court, and an appeal may be necessary. He proposed a closed/executive meeting on the ongoing litigation. City Engineer Griffin had no additional report other than his written reported previously provided to council. Planning Director Klatt reported scheduling a town hall meeting regarding the Village Land Use Plan. Staff has also been working with the Minnesota Land Trust to identify options for open space preservation. A Village work group meeting is also scheduled before the town hall meeting. Finance Director Bendel reported she has primarily been wrapping up budget items. October will entail storm water assessments, street assessments in November, and regular water assessments in December. She also notified the Council that she will be attending a Government Finance Officers Association conference. City Administrator Zuleger noted that Planning Director Klatt will be attending the upcoming American Planning Association conference. Mr. Zuleger also will be attending and lecturing at a lean government conference in Steven’s Point, WI. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 Page 5 of 6 [Council called a five minute recess at 7:48 P.M. Council returned from recess at 7:56 P.M.] ITEM 11: LAKE ELMO TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UPDATE (Item moved to accommodate additional public wishing to comment) City Administrator Zuleger presented information on the current concerns of the city’s traffic enforcement and highlighted the red zone traffic policing in the community in the past six months. He expressed the practice has produced data from 11 different sites in the city on speed, time of day, and number of vehicles. He stated staff has been working closely with MnDOT, Washington County and the Safe Route to School program regarding traffic concerns on Lake Elmo Avenue and Highway 5. He stated they have specifically requested traffic calming efforts in these areas and reported the speed trailer will be on Highway 5 beginning on September 19, 2012. Recommendations and requests include the following: 1) Speed limit reduction on Lake Elmo Avenue from 40mph to 30mph from 20th Street to Highway 5. 2) Zero tolerance for speeding (writing citations at the lowest possible speed over the limit). 3) Speed limit reduction on Highway 5 from Jamaca Avenue (the roundabout) to Klondike Avenue from 55mph to 45mph. In addition, a reduction to 30mph from Klondike Avenue to Manning Avenue is requested. 4) Perform Road Safety Audit on Highway 5. Mayor Johnston inquired whether the Parks Commission had discussed a trail or sidewalk on either stretch of road, and City Administrator Zuleger replied in the affirmative and those discussions are beginning. Council Member Smith recalled a project discussion involving Lake Elmo Avenue in the past and asked City Engineer Griffin if he recalled the property owners were opposed to the trail on Lake Elmo Avenue to which Mr. Griffin replied he did recall the discussion similarly. Discussion was had regarding staff’s work on the traffic enforcement overtime approved at the last council meeting but the additional officers have yet to begin the increased traffic enforcement for the approved 30 day period of extra patrol. Mayor Johnston explained that adding an officer fulltime would cost the city approximately $120,000 annually and approximately $40 per household in taxes annually to put it in to perspective for residents. Council Member Park supported the speed limit reduction on Highway 5 and stated how difficult the traffic has become in this area. Mayor Johnston suggested a parked squad car as a traffic calming advice. City Administrator Zuleger reiterated how the zero-tolerance enforcement policy works. Mayor Johnston noted that the code-red enforcement has been mildly successful with non-residents, but fairly successful with residents. PUBLIC COMMENTS: LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 Page 6 of 6 Tammy Saeger, 2813 Lake Elmo Avenue, expressed her concerns about the speeding on Lake Elmo Avenue and explained her dog was killed by a car on the road in front of their house. She also noted a woman was killed many years ago riding her bike on the road. Teresa Schmidt, 3240 Lake Elmo Avenue, expressed her concerns over the speeding near downtown. John Butenhoff, 2976 Lake Elmo Avenue, commended and supported what the city was doing to rectify the situation. Paul Larson, 2041 Lake Elmo Avenue, expressed his concern that 30 mph from 20th Street was not far enough and recommended it begin at the bottom of the hill and maybe add a flasher – it is forty five in front of his house where his grandchildren cross to the lake. Donald Durand, 2901 Lake Elmo Avenue, expressed his concern of the out of control speed of the vehicles on Lake Elmo Avenue and cited the 29 tickets over the past three weeks. He cited the volume of human traffic crossing, walking, jogging, biking along and to the lake and he personally has been almost hit several times. He stated there are 36 residents who need to cross road to access the lake He stated the worst times are in the morning and early evening work-drive times. Stephen Johnson, 2915 Lake Elmo Avenue, expressed his thanks for the council addressing the resident’s concerns regarding this issue and supported all of the previous public comments. City Administrator Zuleger stated staff will work to implement the increased enforcement and expects a report from Washington County Sheriff’s office after the 30-day increased enforcement and calming efforts. Staff is continuing to work with MnDOT and Washington County Transportation and will bring the issue back to council after that study is concluded. The Mayor expressed concern that the affected residents receive notice of the issue back on the agenda. Mr. Zuleger confirmed that notice will be provided through all the regular channels. Council Member Park asked City Engineer Griffin if the City can independently implement the proposed traffic calming measures or if it would need to work with the county. Mr. Griffin confirmed that the county would need to be involved. A brief discussion was had regarding the source of the traffic. MOTION: Council Member Park moved to adopt the four traffic management recommendations presented by staff. Mayor Johnston seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0. ADJOURN: The meeting adjourned at 8:48 P.M. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL _______________________________________ Dean A. Johnston, Mayor ______________________________________ Sandie Thone, City Clerk