HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-17-82 CCMLAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AUGUST 17, 1982
Mayor Eder convened the meeting at 5:05 p.m.
Councillors Present: Morgan, Fraser, Novak, Mottaz (5:17). Also
Administrator Whittaker
1. AGENDA: ADDITIONS - 4. Jeffrey M. Pate - General Contractor
J. P. Homes, Inc.
1511 N. Albert
St. Paul
12,.E. (2) - Assessment Challenges - Legion Pond
M/S/P Morgan/Novak to approve the Agenda, as amended. Carried 4-0.
2. MINUTES: August 3, 1982 - Corrections:
° Pg 2. 5. Add - Following a brief
discussion the Council agreed to.consider
designating Federal Revenue Sharing Funds for police
services in 1983.
° Pg 7. Par. 4 - draft several-d}€teL-ent
an approach....
M/S/P Fraser/Novak to accept the minutes of August 3, 1982, as
amended. Carried 3-0-1. Morgan abstained.
3. CLAIMS:
M/S/P Morgan/Novak to approve payment of Claims 82801 thru 82857.
j Carried 4-0.
FIRE DEPARTMENT PURCHASE ORDERS:
M/S/P Novak/Morgan to approve the following purchase ordersfor-- ---
the Fire Department: $1,305 - Turn -gut gear (helmets); $708 - 2
minitor pagers; and, $318.45 - pump lubricating oil. Carried 4-0,
All these items are within the Fire Department budget.
PARK COMMISSION - SIGN FOR TABLYN PARK:
The Park Commission has requested permission to purchase a sign
for Tablyn Park. This is included in their 5 yr. CIP for 1982.
Estimated cost is $462, budget is $500.
M/S/P Morgan/Fraser approving the purchase of a park sign for
Tablyn Park, at an estimated cost of $462. Carried 4-0.
Councillor Mottaz arrived at 5:17 p.m.
4. LICENSES:
M/S/P Morgan/Fraser approving the following General Contractor Licenses:
GP & Son Remodeling - Gary Plantenbury
12360 Goodview Avenue N.
White Bear Lake, Mn.
J. P. Homes, Inc. - Jeffrey M. Pate
1511 N. Albert
St. Paul, Mn.
Carried 5-0.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AUGUST 17, 1982
-2-
5. BUDGET CONSIDERATION:
A. Pay Plan - The Administrator .highlighted the proposed plan
and related comments, per Administrators Memo of Aug. 12, RE:
1983 Pav Plan.
Comments of the Council:
--Whittaker - explained the current Casty policy on employee insurance
coverage, which covers all employees snd pays a portion of
family coverage for salaried personnel, only. The proposed plan
calls for eliminating the $100/yr personal deductible and paying
a fixed dollar amount towards each employees family coverage.
--Morgan - why not pay total family coverage and adjust yearly pay
increases accordingly.
The Council agreed this would be a better approach and provide a
tax benefit to the employees.
--Whittaker would like to see it go to a fixed dollar amount for
all employees rather than paying a premium, as premiums are periodically
adjusted,and cannot be budgeted; then the person who does not want
family coverage could get this amount in deferred comp, making it
an equal benefit. The majority of the employees have indicated
they would prefer to have'the insurance ratheri,than a comparable
dollar increase in pay.
--Morgan - City should pay the insurance regarless of whether
employees have families or not. Amount for hourly employees would
be pro -rated.
--;Fraser - do not want to differentiate the dollar amounts for
the different catagories of employees (ie. salaried, hourly, adminis.)
--Whittaker - explained deferred comp.
--Council - did not favor this proposal.
--Mottaz - would like to see totals on the discussed options.
Employees should be aware they have the choice of carrying family
coverage or receiving comparable salary increase.
--Novak - should consider that if given a choice an employee may
take an increase in salary over family insurance coverage, thereby,
ending up with inadequate insurance coverage. Would rather not
give an individual a choice between salary or insurance - choice
should be 'between carrying family coverage or not.
--Whittaker will prepare figures on the two options:
1. City pay total family coverage, eliminating payment for deductible,
with :salary compensation for non -family coverage; and,
2. City pay total family coverage with no salary compensation -
fo non -family coverage.
Council con.ensus was to pay total family coverage and eliminate
payment of the $100/yr deductible.
B. CIP-Parks, Fire, Maintenance -
C. Preliminary Budget Questions -
Whittaker presented tl'� e P'reliminary,Budget'explained the Budget
Notes and highlighted each section of the budget. He also
explained the Ensuing Years Expense Reserve anal reserves for Fire,
Maintenance and Park Departments. Marilyn Banister was also
present to answer questions,
Mottaz - recommended that the 1983 Budget'Reserve Allocations
be itemized and included in the total expenses.
The Council will hold a special meeting(s) to work on preparing
the final 1983 Budget.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AUGUST 17, 1982
-3-
11. COUNCIL REPORTS:
A. Mayor Eder - Metro Council & Landfill Siting - Eder reported
t a-ii t tfe-Met Council, on the recommendation of the Physical
Development Committee, certified Lake Elmo Regional Park site
for a landfill. The vote was overwhelming for the Lake
Elmo site; with no discussion from the Council on any of
the other proposed sites. The Regional Park site was the
only site deemed suitable on the list of suitable sites from
Washington County. The County still has to come up with three
additional sites 'V7,ithin 60 days.
Whittaker reported on the options to challenge this decision.
The City Attorney advised the Administrator that the law
prohibits taking the decision to a hearing examiner and
contested case hearings. The only recourse is District
Court. He did not feel the City would be successful in
District Court as the siting process is not administratively
complete.. Whittaker then explained the remaining stages
in the process. Once the process is completed, and if the
Regional Park is selected as a landfill site, then the City
would be in a better •positions to challenge the Mbt Council' s
decision based -on their -violation of existing park covenants.
M/S/P Fraser/Novak requesting the City Attorney to defer
initiating legal action on enforcing the covenants and
challenging the Met Council decision, certifying the Lake
Elmo Regional Park as a candidate landfill site. Carried
4-1 Morgan opposed. Morgan was unsure about this action
as it may put the City in a position of 'being- unable to
take action by waiting too long.
B.
'Councillor
Fraser
- No
report
C.
Councillor
Morgan -
No
Report
D,
Councillor
Novak
- No
Report
E. Councillor Mottaz - Waste to Energy Plant - The Siting Task
Force took final actiononthe recommendation that Lake Elmo
be accepted as the plant site. The recommendation was sent
to both Ramsey and Washington Counties - Washington County
has accepted the recommendation. The Counties are setting
up a fund to do the preliminary studies and engineering work.
Ramsey County will pay 2/3 0£ the cost - Washington Co. 1/3.
If the project is approved (will know sometime in May), the
$3,000,000 grant will become part of the total cost, with
Washington County receiving $1,000,000.
Mottaz has talked with Rip Riebel, Assistant Co, Administrator,
and Art Schaefer, County Commissioner, about receiving a portion
of these funds ($50,000-,$75;0.00)to:cover the engineering_,costs
the City will incur during the planning process. Both Riebel
and Schaefer have indicated this, is a strong possibility
there was -the question bf==repaymeny should the plant not go
through. Mottaz suggested that there be no repayment as the
County will have to absorb the $1,000,000 regardless. Riebel
and Schaefer suggested 25% repayment - this could possibly be
negotiated. Mottaz felt that it is essential that the City
Engineer attend meetings with the consulting engineers and
the City should have some recommendations on sewer, water, roads,
drainage, ponding, etc. The time to ask for these funds is now
before all the funds are allocated.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AUGUST 17, 1982
-4-
11. COUNCIL REPORTS:
E. Councillor Mottaz - Asked the Council for thier opinion.
--Morgan - get a cost estimate from the City Engineer and his
opinion on what will need to be done.
--Eder - need a figure for the County meeting on Thursday -
should ask for the $50,000-$75,000 with the understanding
that a specific amount will be identified by the City Engineer
and that this'amount would he what the City would expect to receive.
�rhe..Council did not,feel $50,000-r$75,000,was unrealistic.
--Whittaker - this is not much different than how it would
be handled with a private developer who would pay for review
costs plus all pass -through costs.
--Mottaz - Funds for City expenses is a. key item. Need
a.financi,a! commitment before beginning: the process.
The Council agreed that Councillor Mottaz should request
$75,000, from the Washington -County Board, to cover the
engineering and=planning.expen-es the City will incur in
the development of the Waste/Energy Plant; and negotiate
that these funds will be absorbed by the County should the
project be discontinued after the May,l983, decision date.
The Administrator will forward the concerns and recommendations
to the appropriate agencies. Additional comments should be
in to the Administrator by Wednesday afternoon.
DINNER BREAK; The Council adjourned for dinner at 6:36.
Mayox Eder reconvened the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
6. PUBLIC HEARING - VERNON REICHOWy 8618 IRON14700D TR. N. -
Mayor Eder opened the public hearing.at 7:41 p.m.
Mr. R.eichow is requesting a variance from the 10' side yard
setback to 8' to construct an addition to his garage.
The Council reviewed the Building Inspectors recommendation
to grant the 2' variance based on the shape of the lot.
There was no public comments on the variance and a letter
from the adjacent property owner expressed no opposition.
M/S/P Fraser/Morgan to grant Vernon Reichow a 2' variance
from the 10' side yard setback requirement to construct
an addition to his garage, based on the recommendation of
the Building Inspector. Carried 5-0.
7. COUNTY ASSESSOR. - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ON 1.983 VALUES:
Fat Poshek, County Assessor for Lake Elmo, presented a list
of the plats a parcels that will be revalued 9.n 1983.
--Eder - requested a similar list for the last three years.
Poshek explained how the City is divided into four sections
with each section viewed onde every four years. Property
can be viewed each year at the discretion of the Assessor;
but once every four years is the norm unless new construction
takes place. He further explained market value assessed value
real estate tax, and homestead credit. Should be no drastic
jumps this year as all property was revalued last year. Do not
expect any change other than a minor blanket on the entire City.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AUGUST 17, 1982
-5-
7, COUNTY ASSESSOR - Continued
--Poshek - Market Value should be equitable between Cities- Mil
rates affect taxes. The assessed value is for tax purposes not
the Market Value.
The Assessors will start viewing property the end of August or
first part of September. Residents will be notifi.ed'th-rough the
Newsletter when the assessors will b� working in Lake Elmo.
12, ADMINISTRATOR"S_RE'PORT:
A. Election Judges'- Primary - The Council reviewed the list of
-. __�
elect�:on ju`�ges ante counters-., -Bruce Dunn and Judy -Morin agreed
to .serve as Head Judges.' -They were not incuded on the volunteers
list as Whittaker contacted them personally.
M/S/P Novak/Eder approving the appointment of Election Judges and
Vote Counters,,as listed,to serve in the Primary Election September 14,
Carried 5-0,
M/S'/ Novak/Morgan approving the appointment of Bruce Dunn and
Judy Moris as Head Judges for the Primary Election, September 14,
Discussion:
--Eder - would prefer to follow past policy and leave the selection
of Head Judges up to the discretion of the Administrator - no need
for the Council to move on their appointment - Council can give
the Administrator direction or set criteria, this would be preferable
to a motion.
Motion carried 3-1-1. Fraser opposed; Eder abstained,
8, PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:
A. Ron Smith -_,Perm t to move house
+�„T��..�.c.._.1, v.1, Vil1 n�a LA aliu A•. V I,:tl J l,i eE-`LS' The Council reviewed the Planning Commission's recommendation to
approve the moving permit, with stipulations.
--Ron Smith - :house is a 281 x 32' split level;. 15 years old; 760 sq.
Expect it will take 60 days to move the house & bring it up to code,
--Whittaker - no age limit on structures moved within the City.
Ordinance requires house moving permits be approved by'the Council,
--Eder - approval should include a -written agreement between the --City &
the home owner, outlining the stipulations and conditions of the
imprcvements and a bond posted to insure completion. Compatibility
with homes in the area, regardless of distance, should be taken
into consideration.
--Whittaker - Building Inspector has indicated that this house
can, with recommended improvements, meet all existing codes,
M/S/P Eder/Mottaz to approve a house moving permit for Ron Smith
with the following provisions:
1. There be a written agreement between the City and Ron Smith
outlining the code requirements, as determined by the
Building Inspector.
2, All improvement be completed by November 1 1982
3, A bond to be posted in an amount determined by the cost of
required improvements.
4. The structure, upon completion, will be compatible with
other development in the area.
Motion carried 5-0.
ft.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AUGUST 17, 1982 -6-
8. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:
B. Marlin Rygh - Variance & CUP to Constrrct Advertising Sign -
MIS/ Mottaz/Fraser denying the request of Marlin Rygh for a
a -CUP with variances to construct a 300_ sq. ft,, advertising sign
within 500 ft of other signs on Highway 12, based on the recom-
mendation of the Planning Commission.
Discussion:
--Marlin Rygh - reitterated his position as explained at the Planning
Commission meeting. In his business,.a sign is important. His sign
is not like the audio-visual "sign" used by the drive-in that is
within 120 ft. of his property. Property is zoned GB; sign is GB
just as the audio Visual sign (theatre screen):-120 ft, away, State
has approved a permit for the sign.-
--Eder - there is no business located or operated on this property.
--Mottaz - State has a different interpretation than the City on
sign pollution. Motion is based on compliance with the Ordinance.
Whittaker - within five years many of the present non -conforming
signs will have to be removed along the highway. Intent of the
Ordinance is that any remaining signs will be taken down.
Motion carried 5-0.
C. zoning Ordinance Amendment Sale of Recreational Vehicles
Including Hanq Gliders in Hig way Business Zone_ _
-
M/S/P Eder/Morgan amending the Zoning Ordinance to include the
sale of recreational vehicles, including hang gliders in HB.
t This amendment will be included in the zoning Ordinance codification.
9. BIDS:
A. Mower Tractor -
M/S/P Mottaz/Morgan accepting the low bid from Carlson Tractor &
Equipment in the amount of $17,990, for a mower -tractor.
Carried 4-0 Fraser was absent.
M/S/P Mottaz/Morgan authorizing the transfer of $17,990 from the
Equipment Reserve to the General Fund for purchase of a mower -
tractor. Carried 4-0. Fraser absent.
B. Dump Truck - The Council reviewed the bid tab sheet on the
Dump Truck.
--Whittaker - there are no monies in the reserves for this purchase
intent was to issue Equipment Certificates for the dump truck and
the grader.
The Council discussed need for replacement, trade-in and lease
options The Council -requested that the Maintenance Foreman
come in and explain the need for the new vehicle.
M/S/P Eder/Morgan to table decision on the dump truck and grader
until the September 7 meeting. Carried 5-0.
12. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
B. Summer Maintenance 'Help through Sept. 10 - The Maintenance
Foreman has astoTep ie summer map_ enance help through
September 10 to complete wor?- in the parks and complete shoulder
work on roads and brush clearing on roads.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AUGUST 17, 1982
-7-
12. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
B. SummerHelp - Continued - Their wages would run $1,074.
Whittaker reported that that there is sufficient monies in the
budget to cover this expense and recommended giving the Maintenance
Department the extra help,
M/S/P Morgan/Mottaz authorizing the expenditure of $1,074 for
additional Maintenance Department personnel - two employees @ $3.35/hr
for four weeks, August 16 thru September 10. Carried 5-0.
C, Auth'ority to Purchase' Computer Equipmesat - Whittaker updated
the Counci on the,recent-meetings'wit' the JISAC group. The
programs (software) for the computer system are completed and
working and the utility package is up and running in Wayazata.
He requested Council authority to get bids for the necessary
equipment (hardware) to use the programs (software).
--Fraser before making a decision on Apple's equipment, possibly
coni�ider_modi:fying the software and get_a better hardware base,
M/S/P Mottaz/Morgan authorizing the Administrator to solicit bids
for the necessary equipment to use the ISAC grant programs.
Carried 5-0.
D. Release of Impounded Dogs - Whittaker reviewed a request from
a citizen to p11`&R up p unwed dogs once the City has held them
for the required time and turn the animals over to the St. Paul
Animal Shelter. (Administrator's Memo of August 13, 1982 - pg. 4)
Council concerns. included release of unlicensed and non-iunoculated
.animals,, abuse of this policy by other individuals and determining
who should be the judge of what is best for the animal.
The Animal Control(o fficer should be the only one taking animals
to the pound -he should have the control and have the authority to
monitor the situation.
The Council decided to continue with present City policy which
permits-impoed' animalstob dew provided- mpoandment
fees are paid, the animal is licensed and innoculated.
E. Announcements -
l. Regional League Meeting - Eder will attend the Regional
League Meeting on September 16
2. Assessment Challenges - Legion Pond - Whittaker reported
that tie pending egal action on the Legion Pond Assessments
has been abated. The City Attorney negotiated a resolution
with the plaintiffs.
ADJOURNMENT: M/S/P Mottaz/Morgan to adjourn at'9:05 p.m.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED AT AUGUST 17, 1982 COUNCIL MEETING
82801
State Bank of Lake Elmo - Fed. Withholding $
1,561.30
82802
Commissioner of Revenue - State withholding
743.00
82803
St.Treas.-Soc.Sec.Gontr.Fd. -
1,532.82
82804
Volunteer Firemen's Benefit Assn. - Dues
81.00
82805
Postmaster - postage meter
200.00
82806
League of Mn. Cities - Handbook
75.00
82807
White Hat Restaurant - council box lunches
18.49
82808
Lawson, Raleigh & Marshall - General $ 360.00
Prosecutions 751.00
M.S.A. 450.00
Pass Thru 60.00
1,621.00
82809
Eckberg,Lammers,Brig,gs & Wolff - Prosecutions
2.16.00
82810
Washington County Sheriff's Department-3 Qts.police
4.3,003.50
82811
Mary Meyer - 10/10 newsletter
175.00
82812
Oakwood Animal Hospital
150.00
82813
City of North St. Paul
125.00
82814
Junker Sanitation
42.00
82815
Bruce Folz - revise 50th St. survey drawing
75.00
82816
Lillie Suburban Newspapers - legal publications
72.04
82817
Chapin Publishing - Watermain crossing
75.24
82818
Metro Waste Control Com. - Sewer Chg.
118.03
82819
Ace Blacktop - Tablyn Park Pafking Lot
7,500.00
82820
Wallraff Electric - Water Dept. - Well Pump starter
425.00
82821
Wallace & Tiernan - Water Dept. -Tank maint.
447.00
82822
First Bank St. Paul - Park Bonds
36,377.50
82.823
Capitol Electronics - Fire Dept. radio repair
67.70
82824
Brockman Motors - Fire Dept. - trk repair
7.20
82825
Spec.Int.School Dist. 916 - Firefighter Course
126.00
82826
Fran Pott - State Fire Convention
241.84
82827
Kunz Oil -Fire Department -Oil & Gas
68.30
8282.8
Lake Elmo Oil, Inc. Fire Department- $ 1,574.70
Maintenance 72.54
1,647.24
82829
Dependable Ford -Maintenance -Truck Repair
9.85
82830
Robert Wier-Hosp. Reimbursement $ 100.00
Clothing Allowance 29.99
129.99
82831
BBT Equipment, Inc. Maintenance -Truck Repair
7.95
82832
Fred's Tire -Maintenance -Truck Repair
12.50
82834
Bahls Motor -Maintenance -Truck Repair
83.83
82835
Clutch & U-Joint-Maintenance-Truck Repair
20.63
82836
G.A. Meyer_ Mercantile -Maintenance -Truck Repair
154.73
82837-82857
August 20 and September 3 Payroll
9 000.00
Total---------------------------------------------��6, 12 68