HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-2010 CCMLAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 16, 2010 1
MINUTES APPROVED: April 20, 2010
City of Lake Elmo
City Council Minutes
February 16, 2010
Mayor Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Johnston and Council Members DeLapp, Emmons, Park (arrived at
7:15 p.m.), and Smith.
Also present: Administrator Messelt, Attorney Snyder, City Engineer Griffin, Finance
Director Bouthilet, Fire Chief Malmquist and City Clerk Lumby.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION: Council Member Emmons moved to approve the February 16, 2010 City
Council agenda as amended, Move Item #3 off Consent Agenda, Add Item #9 Update on
I-94 Corridor. Council Member Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.
GROUND RULES:
APPROVED MINUTES:
The February 3, 2010, City Council minutes were approved by consensus.
PUBLIC COMMENTS/INQUIRIES:
The City Council recognized Carole Luczak in obtaining her Municipal Certified Clerk
certificate and Carole will be recognized at the Annual Municipal Finance and Clerks
Conference in St. Cloud, MN for this outstanding achievement.
CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to approve Item #2 on the Consent Agenda as
presented. Council Member Emmons seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.
Approve payment of disbursements and payroll in the amount of $132,273.54
Approve budget adjustment/designation and donation of $1,100 for maintenance of
historic District 12 school house
The City Council was being asked to approve a Budget Adjustment and disbursements in
the amount of $1,100 as a donation to the Oakdale Lake Elmo Historical Society for
annual maintenance of the Historical District 12 School House. The Council has
allocated certain monies in its approved 2010 Annual Budget for discretionary spending.
Support for the Oakdale lake Elmo Historical Society and maintenance of the Historic
District 12 School House has been supported by the City on an annual basis.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 16, 2010 2
Duane Ellertson, Oakdale/Lake Elmo Historical Society rep., stated the City of Oakdale
furnishes the heat, electricity, and exterior maintenance to the building which is
equivalent to a $2,000 donation a year.
MOTION: Mayor Johnston moved to contribute $500 for maintenance of the historic
District 12 school house because of state budget shortfalls and direct staff to advertise
the Oakdale/Lake Elmo Historical Society website in the City newsletter and Lake Elmo
website. Council Member DeLapp seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.
Approval of Sunfish Lake Park Area 2 Concept Plan
Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant, reported the City Council is being requested to approve
a Concept Plan for Area Two of Sunfish Lake Park. The plan is intended to complement
the Conservation Easement with the Minnesota Land Trust by further defining the
permitted and planned improvements for this area of the park. Area Two is intended to
be largely designated as a restored prairie/oak savanna area by restoring the vegetation to
pre settlement times. This portion of the park is a predominantly open area consisting of
approximately 20 rolling acres, is located in the southern part of the park. It has been
used for agricultural purposes for the past several years.
Council Member Smith asked if the vision of using this area for a family ice skating rink
and warming house/interpretative center has been taken off the table for consideration.
Carol Kriegler responded that the Park Commission had a very thoughtful discussion of
locating an ice rink in Area Two, but because of the elevations, land is rolling not flat,
sighting, construction and maintaining an ice rink would be challenging. Sunfish Lake
Park West, the area to be turned back to the City following the MPCA remediation
project, might possibly offer a more conducive area for a skating rink.
Council Member Smith, with the support of other members, expressed a strong desire for
staff and commission members to continue to explore opportunities for locating other
year-round amenities, such as a non-competitive ice rink and related facilities, consistent
with the natural ethic and theme of the park.
Members of the Council also expressed the desire for effective screening along the park’s
boundaries, and for thoughtful trail planning for enhanced views and park experiences.
Staff will work with the Parks and Planning Commissions on future additional screening
consideration on the Southside for Highway 5
MOTION: Council Member DeLapp moved to approve the Sunfish Lake Park Area Two
Concept Plan prepared and approved by the Lake Elmo Park Commission on November
16, 200, as understood by the City Council. Council Member Emmons seconded the
motion. The motion passed 5-0.
Approve 2010 Planning Commission Work Plan
Bruce Messelt, City Administrator, reported the City Council is being asked to review
and accept the revised Planning Commission’s annual work plan the Commission has
prepared for 2010. The primary intent of the work plan is to help prioritize the projects
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 16, 2010 3
the Planning Commission will be reviewing in the next several months, and to help keep
the Commission informed about the internal planning related activities and projects that
will be undertaken by the staff over the coming year.
MOTION: Council Member Park moved to accept the 2010 Planning Commission Work
Plan handout as revised, including economic development initiatives, submitted at the
meeting. Council Member DeLapp seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
Consider amendments to the Accessory Buildings Section of the zoning ordinance
Bruce Messelt, City Administrator, reported the City Council was asked to consider
amendments to the accessory building provisions of the zoning ordinance. These
changes represent minor modifications to specific sections of the ordinance and have
been proposed: 1) to improve the consistency between various sections of the current
code and 2) to clarify the intent and interpretation of various sections of the code dealing
with accessory uses.
City Attorney Dave Snyder reported that an Interim Use permit is possible for identified
structures or components of a structure and provides additional flexibility limited in time.
Council Member Smith stated the Public Hearing for accessory structures was held on
July 14, 2008 and only now this item is coming to the Council. Smith said she had
concerns and questions on inconsistencies with limiting the number of Ag buildings on
larger parcels in Rural Residential and in Agricultural zonings.
Joan Ziertman, 5761 Keats Avenue N., stated, in her opinion, that an Interim Use Permit
is a difficult proposition because of the cost involved for only 1-2 years and the permit
could not be renewed by the Council. Since the public hearing was held in 2008, there
are planning commission members that were not on the Commission at that time and
should be invited to attend the workshop. A previous planner defined accessory
structures as a building with a roof regardless of size. Small bus shelters, play structures,
should be excluded as an accessory structure. Joan provided code on accessory structures
from surrounding communities and these communities showed aggregate sq.ft. for Ag
buildings to accommodate animals.
MOTION: Council Member DeLapp moved to continue discussion on this agenda item
at a workshop with the idea of incorporating Interim Use Permit concept and Sections 4,
5, and 6 and direct staff to prepare an ordinance, including input from the Planning
Commission, with the capability for clarification of inconsistencies. Mayor Johnston
seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
Consideration of CodeRED Emergency Notification System
Bruce Messelt. City Administrator reported the City Council is being requested to further
consider potential purchase and utilization of an emergency and time-sensitive official
community communication and notification system. The Council had received an on-line
and telephone demonstration of the CodeRED Emergency Notification System. The
Council reviewed the proposal based on population from CodeRED. The City would seek
to include at no additional cost summer 2010 testing of the Weather Warning System and
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 16, 2010 4
develop for Council consideration appropriate policies and procedures for utilization of
the system. Staff recommended that the $5,250 be allocated from the City’s
Communications budget.
MOTION: Council Member DeLapp moved to direct the City Administrator to negotiate
and the City to execute a contract for utilization of the CodeRED Emergency Notification
System, to include demonstration of the National Weather Service Weather Warning
System, not to exceed $5,250 and to approve t he Budget adjustment. Council Member
Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
Resolution supporting emergency plan for Stillwater School District
Bruce Messelt, City Administrator, reported the Stillwater Area Public School District is
working to enhance and improve their School Emergency Management program. One
key aspect of this project is to secure funding through the U.S. Department of
Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools by applying for Readiness and
Emergency Management (REMS) of Schools Grant. Lake Elmo has been requested to
support this endeavor.
MOTION: Council Member DeLapp moved to accept Resolution No. 2010-009
Supporting Stillwater Area School District Emergency Management Program and REMS
Grant Application. Council Member Park seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
Update on I-94 Corridor
The City policy for travelling outside the state has to be approved by the Council. Mayor
Johnston requested authorization to travel to Washington D.C. as one of six members of
the I-94 corridor commission to participate in an initial fact finding mission in the
planning study of three options for high speed passenger rail for the I-94 corridor
MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to authorize Mayor Johnston to attend a
meeting in Washington D.C., one day, one nigh, not to exceed $1,000, on an initial fact
finding mission for the three proposed options for a route for high speed passenger rail
for the I-94 Corridor and to come back with information to formulate views. Council
Member Park seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-1 (Council Member DeLapp
would approve the authorization with the assurance he has support of Woodbury for a
route through downtown Lake Elmo and a feasible route across the river way to Eau
Claire, WI that can be documented.).
The Council adjourned the meeting at 9:37 p.m.
____________________________________
Submitted by Sharon Lumby, City Clerk