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Home My WebLink About11-05-2014 CCMLAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 05, 2014 Page 1 of 3 CITY OF LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 05, 2014 Mayor Pearson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Mayor Mike Pearson and Council Members Wally Nelson, Anne Smith, Justin Bloyer, and Mike Reeves. Staff present: City Administrator Zuleger, City Attorney Snyder, Community Development Director Klatt, Finance Director Bendel, and City Clerk Bell. PLEDGE OF ALLIGENCE APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Nelson moved TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 05, 2014 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA AS AMENDED. Council Member Reeves seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0. ITEM 1: ACCEPT MINUTES THE OCTOBER 21, 2014 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS PRESENTED BY CONSENSUS. COUNCIL REPORTS: Mayor Pearson: Attended HR Committee meeting; held Meet the Mayor event at Twin Point. The Mayor has asked staffed to try and determine more specific assessment costs for Village work; It was noted that the previous discussion of residential design standards was brought to the Planning Commission and no further action is required at this time; The Mayor offered his congratulations to Council Members-elect Fliflet and Lundgren on election victories and commended Council Members Nelson and Reeves for their well-run campaigns. Council Member Bloyer: congratulated Council Members-elect Lundgren and Fliflet on election victories and thanked Council Members Nelson and Reeves for their service. He is looking forward to working with the new Council Members to move city forward. Council Member Reeves: congratulated Council Members-elect Fliflet and Lundgren election victories. He stated that it has been a privilege to serve; attended HR Committee meeting; met with residents from 36th and 37th St.; attended Meet the Mayor event at Twin Point. Council Member Smith: congratulated Council Members-elect Lundgren and Fliflet on election victories. Thanked residents for kind words and encouragement she received during her campaigning for candidate Fliflet. Council Member Nelson: congratulated Council Members-elect Fliflet and Lundgren on election victories and wished them luck. Thanked residents for allowing him to serve the city; he suggested forming an assessment task force for Old Village SAC costs; attended milfoil meeting with lakes representatives. City and groups will be trying to obtain grants and collaborate to eradicate the problem. PUBLIC COMMENTS/INQUIRIES Judy Gibson spoke about the library and upcoming events; Halloween candy can be traded for books and will be given to troops; reminded public that Library offers e-books; library also offers other electronic resources. Knit night on 11/20 and tai chi on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00 am. PRESENTATIONS ITEM 2: PARK COMMISSION CHAIR SHANE WEIS Park Commission Chair Shane Weis presented the 2015 Parks plan of work. For specifics, please see the plan document. He provided an overview of the 2014 accomplishments and park audit. Mr. Weis summarized the recent commission retreat. The largest priority for 2015 is trails. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 05, 2014 Page 2 of 3 Council Member Smith noted the Oak-Land JPA was $64K, not $80K. Mayor Pearson asked about the Lake Elmo baseball improvements. Mr. Weis said that the organization is expected to make their annual request for additional improvements soon. Council Member Bloyer asked about the dog park and the Sunfish Lake Task force. Mr. Weis responded that they are still on the radar. Council Member Reeves thanked Mr. Weis and the commission for all their hard work. Mr. Weis in turn thanked Mr. Reeves for his service help with the commission. No Action Requested ITEM 3: RURAL AREA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION Community Development Director Klatt presented the Rural Area Analysis conducted by staff. For specifics, please see the analysis document. The analysis showed that lower density developments have an increased cost to maintain. Council Member Bloyer left the room at 7:28 pm. Council Member Smith questioned the data because of its age. She asked that future data be more current when actual decisions would have to be made. Mayor Pearson noted that the data could be extrapolated to provide a better estimate of current costs/revenue. Mr. Klatt noted that all future developed properties in rural areas must front a public road. Council Member Bloyer asked why this rule exists. Klatt explained that shared accesses can create practical issues for the city and property owners. Mr. Klatt gave an overview of the options for future development of the rural areas. Mr. Bloyer asked that the future proposals provide the net fiscal impact for the various options. It was further explained that open space developments that include clustering of homes would probably have a lower maintenance cost. Ms. Smith gave the reasons past councils did the open space preservation developments. She asked if the cluster communities could do individual septics and wells. They can if they meet the space requirements. The Council discussed the difference between providing the various public services (i.e., roads, water and sewer). The minimum square footage required for individual septic was explained. The County requires 10,000, but the city requires 20,000. Mr. Klatt noted that there are issues unique to Lake Elmo, such as the groundwater, that justify the larger requirement. It was explained that there have only been a few proposals that staff is aware of for OP developments on parcels less than 40 acres. Mayor Pearson said he initially does not see the benefit of the larger lots in regards to the resulting increased costs to the City. He thinks that the OP developments may make more sense financially. He also noted that the large lots may actually create a higher number of lots being developed. Ms. Smith again asked that more current data be provided before making any decisions. Mr. Klatt noted that Lake Elmo is not subject to the same rules as many of the other urban communities. The City has a bit more autonomy because not all areas are planned for urban services, which allows some more flexibility in determining how to develop. Council Member Reeves thought that the neighborhood summaries was very helpful. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 05, 2014 Page 3 of 3 It was explained that the future analysis and formal proposals will be brought to the Planning Commission and the brought back to Council for a decision. No Action Requested FINANCE CONSENT AGENDA 4. Approve Payment of Disbursements and Payroll MOTION: Council Member Smith moved TO APPROVE THE FINANCE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Council Member Bloyer seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0. OTHER CONSENT AGENDA 5. Approve Ski Trail Grooming Agreement MOTION: Council Member Smith moved TO APPROVE THE OTHER CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Mayor Pearson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0. REGULAR AGENDA No Regular Agenda Items STAFF REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Zuleger: commended Planning Intern Reilly’s work on the analysis; last week Lake Elmo Fire Department dealt with a potential natural gas pipeline explosion. He commended Fire Department, Oakdale Incident Command, Washington County Sheriff’s office, and those who helped. The entire event costs are reimbursable from the pipeline owner; projected residential building number is 40 for this year; Washington County Board of Commissioners reappointed Dave Bucheck to the Valley Branch Watershed District; announced RFP for lawn maintenance in parks; working process improvement plans in the Public Works Department.; working on repairing past street projects that are now out of warranty. Staff is creating a punch list to better track warranty issues for final approval; staff reviews are coming up in November; staff retreat will be on 11/20. City Attorney Snyder: no report. Community Development Director Klatt: Washington County is planning neighborhood meetings on December 15, 16, and 18 for Manning Ave. project. Finance Director Bendel: no report. City Clerk Bell: reported the 2014 general election held yesterday was successful with no issues. The Council now needs to canvass the election results. Council Member Smith reminded everyone that it is time for the annual performance review of the City Administrator. City Canvassing Board will meet at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 in the Chambers. Mayor Pearson Adjourned the meeting at 7:58 pm. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: ______________________________ Mike Pearson, Mayor _______________________________ Adam R. Bell, City Clerk