HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-2011 CCMMINUTES APRROVED: March 1, 2011
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 15, 2011 1
City of Lake Elmo
City Council Minutes
February 15, 2011
Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:24 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Johnston and Council Members Emmons, Park, Pearson, Smith.
Also Present: Administrator Messelt, City Engineer Griffin, Attorney Snyder, Planners
Klatt and Matzek, Finance Director Bouthilet and Recording Secretary Luczak
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Council
Member Pearson seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
ACCEPTED MINUTES:
The January 25, 2011, City Council minutes were accepted as amended by the City
Council by consensus.
PUBLIC COMMENTS/INQUIRIES: NONE.
CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION: Council Member Park moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Council
Member Pearson seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
Approve payment of disbursements and payroll in the amount of $167,657.90.
Authorize TKDA to prepare Plans and Specifications and provide Construction
Phase Services for the 2011 Seal Coat Project in the amount of $12,500.
REGULAR AGENDA:
PUBLIC HEARING: Rezoning Map Amendment: Rezoning of two properties off of
27th Street from Rural Residential to R-1.
City Planner Matzek reviewed the details of the application for the Zoning Map
Amendment to the Council along with the Planning Commission’s recommendation to
approve the application with modified conditions from the staff report. She stated that
rezoning would be in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and would be in
character for the adjacent neighborhoods.
The City Council discussed rezoning the lots otherwise considered unbuildable due to
minimum lot size requirements. They further discussed accessing the potential new
homes from either the existing driveway off of 28th Street or creating a new joint
MINUTES APRROVED: March 1, 2011
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 15, 2011 2
driveway to access from 28th Street, the potential building site on the northern property,
the Valley Branch Watershed District maintenance of the culvert and flooding concerns
Public Hearing opened at 8:16 p.m.
Amanda Klecker, 8920 27th St. N., Lake Elmo, does not support the rezoning as her
property value will decrease by the construction of a new home directly to the east.
She said they will lose their scenic views and backyard privacy. When she
purchased her home, she was told the abutting property was not buildable.
Terry Arends, 8815 27th St. N., Lake Elmo, attended the February 8, 2011, Planning
Commission meeting and questioned why the City was pushing to build, and said the
culvert always floods.
Bob Clark, representing potential landowners, stated they have met with the Planning
Commission and provided the necessary information to support the request for rezoning
of the two properties.
Jon Duerscherl, 1017 Charlton St., West St. Paul, potential owner of the properties, stated
he does not want to spend additional money to put in a new driveway as the existing
slopes off of 27th Street would make it more difficult and expensive.
Public Hearing closed at 8:32 p.m.
The City Council discussed the separation between the existing home and potential future
home on the northern lot and flooding concerns associated with Raleigh Creek at the
culvert located under the existing driveway.
MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to table the application until the March 1,
2011, City Council meeting. Council Member Park seconded the Motion. Motion
passed 5-0.
Update on Discussions Regarding Location of the ECFC in Lake Elmo
City Administrator Messelt was given direction in August 2010 to engage the City in
discussions with the Early Childhood Education Family Center (ECFC), which
originally began in 2006. Potential sites were offered in November 2010, December
2010 and January 2011 for the District to build upon.
Options were a possible dual use Joint Power Agreement with extending sewer to
the area, the City to purchase the land to be leased to the District, or assist the
District with purchasing of the land. A possible purchase option of the identified
properties, and bonding considerations for the addition of sewer was also discussed.
MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to direct the City Administrator to proceed
with the Joint Powers Agreements and Purchase Option in preparation for the Special
MINUTES APRROVED: March 1, 2011
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 15, 2011 3
City Council Meeting scheduled for February 17, 2011. Mayor Johnston seconded the
motion. Motion passed 5-0.
Approve Budget Adjustment/Designation and Donation for Maintenance of Historic
District 12 School House
City Administrator Messelt informed City Council the 2010 contribution was $500,
and recommended the Council be consistent.
The District 12 School House is located in Oakdale, of which the City of Lake Elmo
was once part.
City Council stated it is a worthy enterprise, but should not be perceived as an
ongoing charity with taxpayers money. While the project does preserve the history
City Council cannot guarantee future funding.
Attorney Snyder recommended project fundraising as an option.
MOTION: Council Member Park moved to approve Budget Adjustment 2011-001 in the
amount of $500.00 from Mayor and Council Discretionary to Oakdale Lake Elmo
Historical Society. Council Member Emmons seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-1:
(Council Member Pearson recommended more conservative use with Discretionary
Funds)
City Council Reports
Council Member Emmons attended the Gateway Corridor meeting which discussed the
alternate transportation options of bus, light rail down the middle of I-94, or commuter
rail utilizing the Union Pacific right-of way.
Council Member Smith informed the community that District 834 had selected the “red
option” for the changed school boundaries. For more information, please check the
District’s website.
Mayor Johnston attended the Regional Mayor’s meeting. A careful approach is being
taken as to the strengths of regional recovery; economy is optimistic. Legislature is
currently reviewing variances in cities.
City Engineer Griffin reported that residents of Kirkwood Avenue have been noticed
about an upcoming neighborhood meeting discussing options of street maintenance on
Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 5:30 pm, at City Hall.
Planning Director Klatt stated the exterior storage and exterior buildings ordinance would
be addressed this spring. Also available for new Planning Commission members are
classes through Government Training Services (GTS).
MINUTES APRROVED: March 1, 2011
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 15, 2011 4
Administrator Messelt thanked the City’s ECFC Subcommittee of Council Member
Pearson, Council Member Smith, Attorney Snyder and Engineer Griffin for participating
in the technical discussions.
An Executive Session had been held immediately after the City Council Workshop
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, to discuss finance options and negotiations for possible
purchase of land by the City.
No legislative agenda to pursue.
An Open House was scheduled for Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
for the proposed ECFC in Lake Elmo.
Local Board of Review April 27, 2011, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Meeting adjourned 9:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Carole Luczak, Recording Secretary