HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-2011 CCMLAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 3, 2011 1
MINUTES APPROVED: May 17, 2011
City of Lake Elmo
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2011
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: Administrator Messelt, Attorney Snyder, and City Engineer Griffin,
Planning Director Klatt, Fire Chief Malmquist, Finance Director Bouthilet and City Clerk
Lumby.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to approve the May 3, 2011 City Council
agenda, as amended. Moved Agenda Items Nos. 8, 9 and 10 to the Consent Agenda; Add:
Discussion on Fence Ordinance. Council Member Park seconded the motion. The
motion passed 5-0.
ACCEPTED MINUTES:
The April 19, 2011 City Council minutes were accepted by consensus of the City
Council.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to approve agenda items, as presented on the
Consent Agenda. Council Member Pearson seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-
0.
Approve Payment of Disbursements and Payroll in the amount of $146,057.08
Approve Animal Control Services Request for Proposal
First Quarter 2011 Financial Report
Adopt Resolution No. 2011-018 approving a Conditional Use Permit amendment
for the Jesuit Retreat House at 8243 DeMontreville Trail to allow the construction
of an earth-sheltered maintenance shop and greenhouse.
Adopt Ordinance No 08-042 exempting land acquired for a municipal purpose
from the lot size requirements for the zoning ordinance.
Adopt Ordinance 08-043 revising Section 150.283 and Section 150.287 of the
City Code governing storm water and erosion and sediment control in the City
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 3, 2011 2
REGULAR AGENDA:
Update from Washington County Re: Library Service Consideration
There was discussion on the possible closure of the Lake Elmo Branch Library and
having an independent library.
The Mayor wanted the library immediately removed as part of the Washington County
system where Council Member Pearson believed the City should stay out of the library
business and not cut ties with the county in fear that any future relationships with the
library system would be damaged. Mayor Johnston noted in his opinion if the county
closed the library there is little chance it will be reopened if started as a new library when
Lake Elmo achieves its future growth.
Council Member Park, Emmons and Smith wanted a more detailed plan from City staff
as to how such a City operated library would function. Council Smith added that the City
did not have enough time before June 30th to come up with a plan to run the library
separate from the county.
MOTION: Council Member Emmons moved to direct staff, (comprised of Administrator
Messelt, Council Member Emmons, Attorney Snyder) to come back to the May 17th
meeting with various options including fiscal ramifications, timeline and general
feasibility of operating the library. Mayor Johnston seconded the motion. The motion
passed 3-2 (Council Members Pearson and Smith voting against).
Fence Code Issue:
Council Member Smith received an inquiry from a Carriage Station resident at 12418
Marquess Way about a possible oversight in the fence code. The resident’s concern is for
safety of his family because the front of his house faces a street and his rear yard abuts
commercial property.
MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to request the Planning Commission
specifically address the fence code regarding double frontage lots and lots abutting
commercial property. Council Member Park seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-
0.
Authorize Contract for Cleaning Services
The City is seeking weekly cleaning services and specific monthly or quarterly cleaning
services for the City Council chambers, City Hall entrance, lobby restrooms, offices and
support areas. The City received three bids for cleaning services for City Hall and the
City Hall Annex. All were deemed as responsible bids, though some specific
requirements remain to be verified for some of the bidders (bonding and insured).
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 3, 2011 3
MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to delay decision on the cleaning contract until
the May 17th meeting in order for staff to verify insurance and background checks on the
top two bidders. Council Member Park seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-1
(Mayor Johnston voting against.)
Review Forestry Consulting Contract/Consider RFP
The City Council was asked to review the current Forestry Consulting Contract and
determine if solicitation for future services is warranted via the proposed RFP for
Forestry Consulting Services.
In reviewing the contract, no significant issues with the service provider were noted. To
the contrary, both the services provided and the service provider had received positive
comments from residents and staff.
MOTION: Council Member Park moved to renew the 3-year contract with Forestry
Consulting Services, capping the service amount at $10,000 to work only on public land
and land used for public purposes. Council Member Emmons seconded the motion. The
motion passed 5-0.
Out-of-State Travel Request – Fire Department
The Council considered a request for out-of-state travel for the Fire Chief and District
Chief to attend the IAFC Conference in Florida in November 2011 for Volunteer and
Combination Officers. The Council will review this request when it comes to them in
2012.
MOTION: Mayor Johnston moved to approve Out-of-State Travel for two Fire Chiefs to
attend the IAFC Conference in Florida in November 2011 for Volunteer and
Combination Officers at a cost of $2,976. Council Member Park seconded the motion.
The motion passed 3-2 (Council Members Emmons and Pearson voting against.)
Lake Elmo Avenue Infrastructure Project I-94 to 30th Street – Resolution Accepting Bids
and Awarding a Contract
The City Engineer presented the results of bidding for construction of the Lake Elmo
Avenue Infrastructure Project, I-94 to 30th Street, including ongoing efforts to acquire
necessary easements.
The Council discussed the City receiving assurance that permanent and temporary utility
easements can be successfully acquired in a timely manner such that contractors’ delays
are not included. Permanent and temporary utility easements are required form nine
separate parcels under the ownership of six property owners. If any of these easements
are not acquired amicably, the legal process would take 6-7 months to obtain these
easements.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 3, 2011 4
The Council was asked to submit their specific questions to be addressed at the May 10th
City Council Workshop.
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Sharon Lumby, City Clerk
Resolution No. 2011-018 Approve CUP amendment for the Jesuit Retreat House at 8243
DeMontreville Trail to allow construction of earth-sheltered maintenance shop &
greenhouse
Ordinance No. 08-042 exempting land acquired for municipal purpose from lot size
requirements for the zoning ordinance
Ordinance No. 08-043 Revise Section 150.283 and Section 150.287 governing storm
water and erosion and sediment control