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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-2012 CCMMINUTES APPROVED JANUARY 17, 2012 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 3, 2012 1 City of Lake Elmo City Council Meeting Minutes January 3, 2012 Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Johnston and Council Members Emmons, Park, Pearson, and Smith Also Present: Interim Administrator Dawson, Attorney Snyder, City Engineer Griffin, Planning Director Klatt, Interim City Clerk Luczak APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: Council Member Pearson moved to approve the January 3, 2012, City Council Agenda. Council Member Park seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. ACCEPTED MINUTES: The December 6, 2011, City Council minutes were accepted by consensus of the City Council. The December 14, 2011, City Council minutes were accepted by consensus of the City Council. The December 20 2011, City Council minutes were accepted by consensus of the City Council as amended. The December 29, 2011, City Council minutes were accepted by consensus of the City Council. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Steve DeLapp, Library Board President, 8468 Lake Jane Tr., thanked Council Member Pearson for his work on a lease for the library. He also stated that time was of the essence in considering purchase of an existing building as the current library building was out of Code compliance, and the proposed location to purchase would be an asset to the Downtown. Sarah Linder, Library Board Member, 11108 12th St. N., expressed concern about the large financial commitment but owed it to residents to consider the constituents to purchase of a building and to proceed with negotiations. MINUTES APPROVED JANUARY 17, 2012 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 3, 2012 2 Kimberly Ommerborn, 3511 Lake Elmo Ave. N., commented that the downtown Library location would be in the best interests of the downtown business owners, and would add vibrancy to the main street. Justin Bloyer, 8881 Jane Road N., commented that City should use the existing building for a year and then reassess the situation. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: Council Member Emmons moved to the Consent Agenda. Council Member Pearson seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Mayor Johnston stated that the Council had requested the contract services be reviewed yearly. Approved disbursements in the amount of $112,444.28 Adopted 2012 Calendar for City Council Meetings and Workshops Appointed Official Depositories for 2012 Designated Official Newspaper Reviewed Contracted Services REGULAR AGENDA: Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment-5577 Lake Elmo Avenue Planning Director Klatt presented a request the City Council to change the zoning of property at 5577 Lake Elmo Avenue North from RR-Rural Residential to R-1 Single Family Residential, and to amend the future land map designation from RAD-Rural Agricultural Density to NC-Neighborhood Conservation for this property. Planning Director Klatt also reported that neighboring property owners Michael and Mary Jo Newman discussed with him their concerns and were now against the rezoning, the amount of fill that would be needed for the proposed driveway, and the poor sight lines on Lake Elmo Avenue at the driveway access point. City Council discussed the City’s Comp. Plan regarding future development plans, the surrounding property owners’ potential development, current ordinances, issue of precedence. Mayor Johnston requested the City Attorney clarify the rules regarding variances. Robert Thiel, 5599 Lake Elmo Ave. N., spoke in favor and expressed no concerns. Keith Bergmann, 5833 Lake Elmo Ave. N., was opposed to the proposed lot split. MINUTES APPROVED JANUARY 17, 2012 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 3, 2012 3 Applicant Steve Weber, 5577 Lake Elmo Ave. N., stated the current home on this property does not have direct access to County Road 17 and instead utilizes a right-of- way easement on an adjacent parcel. Attorney James Alpine, representing the applicant, stated Weber is withdrawing his application, and will follow-up this action in writing and would submit to the Planning Commission a variance request. Appointment of Acting Mayor Interim City Administrator Dawson reported to the Council that State Statute requires an Acting Mayor be appointed yearly. MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to approve Council Member Emmons as Acting Mayor for 2012, to comply with and fulfill all duties enumerated in Minn. State Statue §412.121 relating to selection of an Acting Mayor. Council Member Park seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Appointment to Lake Elmo Firefighters Relief Association Interim City Administrator Dawson reported to the City Council that by Minnesota Statute and By-Laws, the Fire Relief Association must have an elected official on the Board. The City Council discussed the option of designating the Finance Director, or his/her designee, to the Board of Trustees. MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to appoint Pearson and the Finance Director/designee to the Firefighters Relief Association Board of Trustees. Council Member Park seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Appointments to City Council (Sub) Committees Interim City Administrator Dawson related that the City Council had designated subcommittees in the past few years and appointed Council Members to serve on them, and may wish to review them for 2012. He also reminded the Council that all meetings are subject to the Open Meeting Laws. Mayor Johnston requested that the City Council consider disbanding the Subcommittees and that ad-hoc committees meet only on as-needed basis, as the activities may be necessary. The City Council discussed keeping the committees in place and convening them only to address the issues when necessary. MINUTES APPROVED JANUARY 17, 2012 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 3, 2012 4 Council Member Park requested that the I-94 Corridor Committee remain and requested they update the City Council at the February Council Workshop. Mayor Johnston suggested that Council members report on their committees and activities at the start of the Council meetings, as it will provide the residents the knowledge of what their Council Members are working on and discussing. MOTION: Mayor Johnston moved to disband the (Sub)Committees and to meet on pertinent issues on an as-needed basis. Council Member Pearson seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Planning Commission Appointments: Planning Director Klatt stated that two of the Planning Commissioners’ terms had expired, and that both Todd Williams and Julie Fliflet had indicated their interest in reappointment to the Commission.. The Council was in agreement with re-appointing Todd Williams as it will provide continuity of knowledge to the Planning Commission and it would be his second term. The tenure of Planning Commissioner Julie Fliflet was discussed. It was determined that the First Alternate should move up and to have Julie be appointed as Second Alternate at this time. MOTION: Council Member Pearson moved to re-appoint Todd Williams to a 3-year term as a Voting Member on the Lake Elmo Planning Commission. Council Member Park seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. MOTION: Mayor Johnston moved to appoint Nadine Obermueller to a 3-year term as a Voting Member on the Lake Elmo Planning Commission, Kathy Haggard as First Alternate and Julie Fliflet as Second Alternate. Council Member Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Potential Additional Funding for Targeted Pay Adjustments Interim City Administrator Dawson presented to the Council information regarding the use of funds within the Compensation Adjustment Account and whether Council wished to use the balance in the General Fund for what would be on-going expenses. Similar adjustments mat be needed for the next few years to make the City’s pay levels competitive for more effective retention and recruitment of Staff. MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to spend $3,114.00 out of the General Fund and make the suggested pay adjustments. Council Member Park seconded the motion. Motion failed 3-2, with Mayor Johnston and Council Members Emmons and Pearson voting against. MINUTES APPROVED JANUARY 17, 2012 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 3, 2012 5 City Council Reports: Council Member Smith thanked the Public Works Staff for a fabulous job of clearing snow over the holidays, and realized the weather has kept the ice rink from remaining open due to the weather. Council Member Park reported progress on the I-94 Corridor densities options South of 10th Street, and suggested that they present at a future Council Workshop. Planning Director Klatt reported that the City will be working with MnDOT on a Spring 2012 Landscaping Grant. Interim City Administrator Dawson stated that Library Consultant Mary Cummings started work today (Tuesday); approximately 40 residents had requested Library card reimbursements; and reminded Council to review the Fire Consolidation Study dvd prior to the Council Workshop next week. The City Council recessed the Open meeting at 9:23 p.m., and reconvened as a Closed Meeting at 9:28 p.m. regarding City Administrator terms of employment. PRESENT: Mayor Johnston and Council Members Emmons, Park, Pearson, and Smith Also Present: Interim Administrator Dawson, Attorney Snyder MOTION: Mayor Johnston moved to end this Closed Meeting at 9:55 p.m. Council Member Park seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. City Council reconvened the Open meeting at 9:56 p.m. The City Council recessed the Open meeting at 9:57 p.m. and convened to a Closed meeting at 9:58 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Johnston and Council Members Emmons, Park, Pearson, and Smith Also Present: Interim Administrator Dawson, Attorney Snyder Real estate negotiations were discussed. MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to end the Closed meeting at 10:51 p.m. Council Member Park seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. The meeting reconvened and was adjourned at 10:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Carole Luczak, Interim City Clerk