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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-2005 CCMLAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 1 MINUTES APPROVED: March 1, 2005 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 1. AGENDA 2. MINUTES: February 1, 2005 3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL: A. Susan Kane – Housing for Disabled 4. CONSENT AGENDA: A. Resolution No. 2005-016 and Resolution No. 2005-017: Approve Claims B. Lease Agreement with Washington County Fairgrounds for Clean Up Day C. Escrow Reduction Prairie Ridge Office Park 5. FINANCE: A. Monthly Operating Report 6. OLD BUSINESS: (Moved to Item 11) A. Planning Commission (1) Vacancies (2) 60-day Appointments B. Fire Study Status C. Library Tax 7. MAINTENANCE/PARK/FIRE/BUILDING: A. Update on Building Dept. 8. CITY ENGIEER’S REPORT: A. Approve Design for Water Tower B. Public Works Building 9. PLANNING, LAND USE & ZONING: A. Letter of Credit – Fields II and Little Bluestem B. Resolution 2005-018, Met Council Draft Water Resources Plan C. Street Naming Ordinance D. Resolution Nos. 2005-012, 013, 014:Preliminary/Final Plan, Section 520 Site Plan and PUD Amendment – City, County Credit Union, Eagle Point E. Contract Planning Services – Comp Plan Modifications 10. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: 11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: A. Ordinance No. 97-147:Planning Commission Composition B. Ordinance No. 97-148:Parks Commission Composition C. Council Committee Appointments – Council member Conlin 12. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS: A. Council Input on Comprehensive Plan 13. ADJOURN Council Meeting 14. Finance, Legal, Legislative, Personnel Council Workshop (a) Council input to the Planning Commission on the Comprehensive Pan (b) Guidelines for Council Meetings (Postponed to Council Committee Meeting (c) Discussion with Developers (Postponed to Council Committee Meeting LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 2 Mayor Johnston called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council chambers. PRESENT: Conlin, Smith, Johnston, Johnson, DeLapp, City Engineer Prew, City Attorney Filla, Maintenance Supervisor Mike Bouthilet, City Planner Dillerud, Finance Director Tom Bouthilet and Administrator Rafferty. 1. AGENDA ADD: Discussion with developers, 8B. Public Works Building, 9F. Calendar for Planning Commission meetings on the Comprehensive Plan, Library Tax Move 11B, M/S/P Johnson/Smith - to approve the February 15, 2005 City Council agenda, as amended. (Motion passed 5-0). 2. MINUTES: February 1, 2005 M/S/P Johnson/Smith - to approve the February 1, 2005 City Council Minutes, as amended. (Motion passed 5-0). 3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL: A. Susan Kane – Housing for Disabled Lake Elmo residents, Susan and Dennis Kane, explained they are parents of a child with special needs and wished to call the Council’s attention to the lack of homes for adults with special needs or developmental disorders in Lake Elmo. Ms. Kane stated this is the Council’s opportunity as they work on the Comprehensive Plan to make possible such housing in the Old Village that would meet their children’s needs. She noted as children with developmental delays grow into adults, parents would like to have them live in the community they have grown up in. 4. CONSENT AGENDA: A. Resolution No. 2005-016 and Resolution No. 2005-017: Approve Claims M/S/P Johnson/Conlin - to adopt Resolution No. 2005-016 approving claim numbers 240, 241, DD339 through DD349, 26863 through 26869 that were used for staff payroll dated February 3, 2005, claim numbers 242, 26871 through 26922, in the total amount of $133,330.43. (Motion passed 5-0). M/S/P DeLapp/Smith – to adopt Resolution No. 2005-017 approving claim number 26870 in the total amount of $180.00. (Motion passed 4-0-1:Abstain:Johnson recluse herself from the vote because she had a personal interest in Johnson Construction.). B. Lease Agreement with Washington County Fairgrounds for Clean Up Day Clean Up Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 8 a.m. until Noon, at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Staff requested approval of the lease agreement with the Washington County Ag Society in the rent amount of $103 and a $50 damage deposit. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 3 M/S/P Johnson/Conlin – to authorize the Mayor to sign the Lease Agreement with Washington County Ag Society for use of the Washington County Fairgrounds for Clean Up Day and approve the rental fee of $153.00. (Motion passed 5-0.) C. Escrow Reduction Prairie Ridge Office Park The City Engineer recommended a reduction in the escrow placed with the City for grading and landscaping improvements at the Prairie Ridge Office Park. The engineer certified reduction of the Letter of Credit from $190,000 to $20,000 to cover the landscaping improvements that remain to be completed. The City Planner advised that the Letter of Credit expires on April 30, 2005 and should be extended to at least October, 2006 to cover two full growing seasons on the landscaping yet to be installed on the site. Council member DeLapp pointed out that lighting has been an issue. Planner Dillerud reported he wrote a letter to the developer asking him to get the lights turned off at an earlier hour and to take care of the two lights at each exits points. The planner has not seen a response to that letter. M/S/P DeLapp/Johnson – to approve reduction of the Site Plan escrow for the Prairie Ridge Office Park (Bremer Bank Letter of Credit #S120010221) from $190,000 to $25,000 until the lighting issue is corrected and on the condition that said Letter of Credit be renewed to a date no earlier than October 31, 2006. (Motion passed 5-0). 5. FINANCE: A. Monthly Operating Report - Informational 6. OLD BUSINESS: (Item moved to 11) A. Planning Commission (1)Vacancies (2)60-day Appointments 7. MAINTENANCE/PARK/FIRE/BUILDING: A. Update on Building Dept. The Summary Building Report provided for January, 2005 reported one new residential building permit issued and no new commercial building permits. Council member DeLapp commented that the building permit detail summary provided each month does not state where the permit is located. He would prefer being alerted on areas of septic problems, etc. This will be a topic for a Public Safety Council Committee Meeting. The City Planner reported code enforcement began semi-monthly meetings to review complaints, and they have picked out four complaints to follow through legally. Attorney Filla is preparing an update for the next council committee meeting. A systematic code enforcement program for 2006 budget should be considered because there will be a cost involved and probably not covered by penalties. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 4 8. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT: A. Approve Design for Water Tower The City Council agreed to place a new water storage tank in Sunfish Lake Park. The two questions needed to be addressed was what will be the design of the tower and exactly where it will be sited in the park. A few residents, whose properties abut the park area, expressed concern that the water tank would be an eyesore within the park and have potential impact on their property values. The cost to move it as far west as possible would cost the city $30,000-$40,000. This water tower would serve not only the new Tapestry development, but also serves future neighborhoods. M/S/P DeLapp/Johnson - to advise the property owners, located one half mile radius from the location of the storage tank in Sunfish Lake Park, of an informational meeting to discuss the design of the tower at the March 1st Council meeting. (Motion passed 5-0.) B. Public Works Building. Terry Olsen, TKDA architect, presented a drawing of the public works building resembling a barn and showing the pitch roof was eliminated and an updated floor plan. Council member DeLapp asked that the barn door and the cupola be made a little larger. The Public Works Supervisor stated he has been involved in the planning stage and approved the design proposal. M/S/P Johnson/DeLapp - to authorize TKDA to create plans and specifications for the Public Works building, as presented. (Motion passed 5-0.) 9. PLANNING, LAND USE & ZONING: A. Letter of Credit – Fields II and Little Bluestem The Planner advised the Council that the City Park improvements required to be constructed by Robert Engstrom Companies as a condition of approval for the Fields of St. Croix II and Tana Ridge plats have not been completed as of this date. The most significant improvement incomplete is the City Park that lies between Fields II and Tana Ridge. That park was to have been constructed by the developer per plans approved by the Park Commission as satisfaction of the Park Dedication requirements for Fields II, Little Bluestem and Tana Ridge. In addition, the developer-installed landscaping within the plat remains short of that of the approved landscape plan, and there may be infrastructure “punch list” items to be completed as well. The Planner requested direction from the Council whether the City should present a sight draft in the full amount of Letter of Credit #1804 (on or before February 27, 2005) and utilize the funds to complete the required improvements within the plat, or approve renewal of the Letter of Credit. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 5 The most recent Letter of Credit renewal/extension expire on February 27, 2005. The development agreement between Robert Engstrom Companies and the City specifies that all public infrastructure and landscape improvements within the Fields of St. Croix 2nd Addition were to be completed by September, 2000. M/S/P Johnson/DeLapp - to notify Robert Engstrom Companies that it may renew the subject Letter of Credit in the full amount for not more than 30 days (i.e. to March 27, 2005.) During that 30 day period Robert Engstrom Companies must present to the Council both complete plans for project improvements that remain incomplete (primarily the park and project landscaping), and a detailed schedule for the completion of those improvements. A council decision regarding further extension of the Letter of Credit will be based on their approval of the plans and schedule presented. Any plans/schedules presented by the developer must be on one of the March 1st or March 15 city council agendas. (Motion passed 5-0). If the lender does not approve a 30-day extension of Letter of Credit #1804 at the close of business on February 25, 2005, the City will present the lender with a Sight Draft for the full amount of the Letter of Credit. B. Resolution 2005-018, Met Council Draft Water Resources Plan The City Planner reported the Metropolitan Council is considering a draft of their Water Resources Policy Plan as is required every 10 years by State Statute. The draft plan covers Regional Policy regarding Waste Water (Sewers), Storm/Surface Water and Water Supply. On February 8, the Public Works Council Committee reviewed the proposed City comments on the draft plan that had been prepared by staff and directed that those comments be incorporated into a resolution for City Council consideration. A draft Resolution was submitted for approval. M/S/P Johnson/Smith - to adopt Resolution No. 2005-018 offering City Council comments on the Metropolitan Council Draft Water Resources Plan. (Motion passed 5- 0). C. Street Naming Ordinance At their February 8 meeting, the Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee directed staff to draft Council action that would reintroduce a uniform street naming system within the City that follows the general pattern (Alphabetical west-to-east) of the 1971 Agreement, but which also allows some street naming latitude as long as the alphabetical range is adhered to. This reintroduction of the uniform street naming system was brought to the City’s attention by the Lake Elmo Fire Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. M/S/P DeLapp/Smith – to adopt Ordinance No 97-149, A Uniform Street Naming And Numbering System. (Motion passed 5-0.) LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 6 D. Resolution Nos. 2005-012, 013, 014:Preliminary/Final Plan, Section 520 Site Plan and PUD Amendment – City, County Credit Union, Eagle Point On February 8, the Finance, Legal Council Committee reviewed the subject package of applications with the applicant. The committee directed that this application be placed back on the Council agenda to decide if it wants to reverse the Planning Commission recommendation regarding denial of asphalt shingle substitute. M/S/P Johnson/DeLapp – to approve Resolution No. 2005-012, A Resolution Approving the Preliminary Plat and Final Pat of Eagle Point 4th Addition. (Motion passed 5-0). M/S/P Johnson/Conlin – to approve Resolution No. 2005-013, A Resolution Approving the PUD Plan Amendment for Eagle Point Business Park 4th Addition, Lot 1, Block 1 to allow the use of asphalt shingles of a grade similar to that used on the Prairie Ridge Office Park. (Motion passed 4-1DeLapp) M/S/P Johnson/Johnston – to adopt Resolution No. 2005-014, A Resolution Approving the Section 520 Site Plan for City and County Credit Union. (Motion passed 3-2:DeLapp, Smith) E. Contract Planning Services – Comp Plan Modifications The City Planner reported the Finance, Legal, Legislative, Personnel Council Committee recommended the City retain TKDA planning and engineering assistance as is required to complete the 2005 Comprehensive Plan modifications. Based on the time element, the Planner believed the strategy would be expedient and in the best interests of the City rather than the alternative of going through a lengthy RFP process to secure such assistance. M/S/P DeLapp/Johnson - to approve the use of the planning and engineering contract services of TKDA for the 2005 modifications to the comprehensive plan, not to exceed the $9,000 in the existing planning budget as reported in the Monthly Operating Report. The planner will bring in a new proposal if the cost exceeds the $9,000. (Motion passed 5-0). Planning Commission Comprehensive Plan Meeting Schedule The City Planner provided a schedule of meetings for the Planning Commission and Council to work on the Comprehensive Plan. M/S/P Johnson/DeLapp - that all the Planning Commission and/or City Council meetings as scheduled, or any future meetings, related to the Comprehensive Plan be televised. (Motion passed 5-0). 10. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 7 11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Mayor Johnston requested that the Planning Commission appointments be moved to the Planning Commission section of the meeting following a decision regarding the appointment process. Council member Johnson made the following motion because she wanted to make sure that the Council didn’t delay appointments. She said the Planning Commission has a rigorous schedule and voiced her concern on losing the experience members. M/S/F Johnson/DeLapp – to amend the Council agenda to address Item 6A. Planning Commission Appointments. (Motion failed 2-3:Johnston, Smith, Conlin) A. Ordinance No. 97-147:Planning Commission Composition The City Administrator reported the Council asked the Finance, Legislative Council Committee to review the code relating to Planning Commission appointments, terms and limits. He recommended that the appointment process for parks or any commission should be consistent. The committee agreed with this proposed practice change. The final changes pertaining to the appointment process have been incorporated in Ordinance No. 97-147. M/S/P Johnson/DeLapp – to adopt Ordinance No. 97-147, amending Section 210.03 relating to Planning Commission Composition, as amended (change term to terms). (Motion passed 5-0.) B. Ordinance No. 97-148:Parks Commission Composition M/S/P Johnson/DeLapp – to adopt Ordinance No. 97-148, amending Section 225.03 relating to Parks Commission Composition, as amended (change term to terms). (Motion passed 5-0). C. Council Committee Appointments – Council Member Conlin At an earlier Council meeting, the Council approved Mayor Johnston’s recommendation for Council Committees be organized for 2005 as follows: Finance, Human Resources, Legislative Policy, Personnel: Liz Johnson, Chair, Anne Smith, Member Public Health and Safety: Anne Smith: Chair, Member to be determined after filling Council vacancy Public Facilities: Steve DeLapp, Chair, Member to be determined after filling Council vacancy M/S/P Smith/DeLapp – to approve Rita Conlin as a member of the Public Health and Public Facilities Council Committees. (Motion passed 5-0.) LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 8 6. OLD BUSINESS: A. Planning Commission (1) Vacancies (2) 60-day Appointments The City had received the resignation from Jennifer Pelletier from the Planning Commission. With this resignation, there are three vacancies on the Commission. Council Member Smith indicated she talked to Ms. Pelletier, who would like an extension of a leave of absence for six months. M/S/P Smith/DeLapp – to approve Jennifer Pelletier’s request for an extension of a leave of absence for six months from the Planning Commission. (Motion passed 5-0). There are six applications on file: Jule Fliflet, Gloria Knoblauch, Tom Kreimer, Deborah Lyzenga, Leroy Rossow and Mark Sandstrom. At its January 4th 2005 meeting, the Council adopted a policy procedure for filling commission vacancies. (2) 60-day Appointments At its January 4th meeting, the Council appointed Todd Ptacek, Rodney Sessing, and Charlie Schneider to the Planning Commission for 60 days. M/S/P Smith/DeLapp – to appoint Charlie Schneider to his first three year term on the Planning Commission. (Motion passed 5-0). M/S/P Johnson/DeLapp – to approve the 60-day extension of the Planning Commission appointments of Todd Ptacek and Rod Sessing. (Motion passed 5-0). The City Administrator advised that it was not appropriate to reinterview, but consider the appointments of Todd Ptacek and Rod Sessing. M/S/P Johnson/DeLapp - to advertise the Planning Commission vacancies with an application deadline of February 25th, 4:30 p.m. and schedule interviews for March 1st starting at 5:30 based on the number of applications. (Motion passed 5-0.) B. Fire Study Status Mayor Johnston asked when the Council will have the opportunity to submit input on the Final Fire Study report. The administrator responded that he, Planner Dillerud and the Fire Chief have reviewed the study which reviews projected needs, services and considers locations of neighboring fire services as an informational item. This is a professional study and will be presented to the Council in 30 days. C. Library Tax Mayor Johnston believes that Washington County should be spending the local tax money of a Lake Elmo branch rather than using it to fund libraries in other parts of the county. Washington County receives about $215,000 per year from Lake Elmo taxpayers in the form of a library tax. He said the County is taking Lake Elmo’s money with no LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 9 incentive to spend it here. Johnston suggested the City investigate the process by which the City could remove itself from the library system and how quickly money would become available. He requested council support for a procedure of requesting tax money for a dedicated library account used by the City. M/S/P DeLapp/Smith – to direct staff to define process by which the City could remove itself from the Washington County Library system and request the tax money from Lake Elmo taxpayers to be used for a dedicated library account used by the City. (Motion passed 5-0.) Council member Smith said she read the article in the Pioneer Press stating Washington County Library System was looking at a kiosk for the City. Smith said she was not in favor of a kiosk, but wanted a library for the good of the entire community. 12. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS: Council Input on Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Johnston and Council members Johnson, Conlin submitted individual statements of input to the Planning Commission as to the key elements they would like to have considered during the planning process. Council members DeLapp requested that the Planning Commissioners remember the difference between planning and implementation. He gave his verbal comments detailing his proposal for comprehensive plan revision and will submit those comments in writing. These written comments have been made part of these minutes. Council member Smith noted that her top priority was protecting the residents south of 10th street. She added that with two residents that live south of 10th Street, Commissioners Ben Roth and Todd Ptacek, she felt the City had a very capable Planning Commission.. Council member Smith’s verbal comments are in written form and made part of these minutes. Discussion was continued to the Council Committee workshop. 13. Adjourn Council Meeting at 10:23 p.m. 14. Finance, Legal, Legislative, Personnel Council Workshop Attendees: Chair Liz Johnson, Council member Anne Smith, Mayor Dean Johnson, Council Members Rita Conlin and Steve DeLapp, Planner Dillerud, Administrator Rafferty and Finance Director Bouthilet. (1) Council Input to the Planning Commission on Comprehensive Plan: There was a short discussion on the key elements submitted by the Council on what they would like to have considered during the planning process. Planner Dillerud responded there was a consensus on items from the Council and that the Planning Commission would not have any difficulty considering the issues the Council members submitted. He believed those items of input were already addressed in the existing comprehensive plan. Dillerud noted there was not any great dispute among the Council members regarding policy. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2005 10 (2) Guidelines for Council Meetings: (Postponed to next Council Committee workshop) (3) Discussion with Developers: (Postponed to next Council Committee workshop) (4) Adjourn workshop at 11:15 p.m. -------------------------------------- Respectfully submitted by Sharon Lumby, City Clerk Resolution No. 2005-012 Approving the Preliminary Plat and Final Plat of Eagle Point 4th Addition Resolution No. 2005-013 Approving the PUD Plan Amendment for Eagle Point Business Park 4th Addition to allow the use of asphalt shingles Resolution No. 2005-014 Approving the Section 520 Site Plan for City and County Credit Union Resolution No. 2005-016, 2005-017 Approve Claims Resolution No. 2005-018 Met Council Draft Water Resources Plan Ordinance No. 97-147:Planning Commission Composition Ordinance No. 97-148:Parks Commission Composition