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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-84 CCMLAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 1984 Mayor Eder called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers. COUNCILLORS PRESENT: Dunn, Mazzara and Morgan. Also City Administrator IClaers. 1. AGENDA - M/S/P Morgan/Mazzara to adopt the agenda as amended: 9-B. Dunn - Parking on 36th Street 10-F. Dismissal of Hutchinson Suit 10-G. Variance, Green Acre Lot 9 - Public Hearing (Carried 4-0) 2. MINUTES - M/S/P Morgan/Mazzara to approve the 1/3/84 Council minutes as written. (Carried 4-0) 3. CLAIMS - M/S/P Morgan/Dunn to approve Claims 84479 thru 84524 with the addition of Claim 84525 for $2,303.08 for continuation of public-official/fire- fighter liability insurance. (Carried 4-0) 4. LANDFILL, MICHAEL AYERS - Mr. Ayers explained (a) gradient control system, how it is operational, and preliminary findings; and (b) landfill advisory committee being proposed to look into supplying an alternate water system to the adversely affected residents of the Lake Elmo area as a result of the landfill. A. Gradient Control System - Pumping has been operational since 12 November 1983 and has run consistently since that date - has been tested under some of the most adverse winter conditions. Testing done so far shows that system is changing gradients of the ground water in that area; as a result of measuring elevations in the local residential and monitoring wells, we're seeing an actual reversal of ground water movement to the southwest. It is pumping at a capacity of 260 gallons per minute (actual capacity 500 g.p.m.). It pulls to the furthest impacted well (Huseman well) and there's an actual decrease in elevation, about 1 to 1.5 feet where it will be stabilized (residents' ability to use thier wells has not been impacted). Next we propose to do some testing of those contaminated wells to see if we're actually beginning to see a decrease. This will be preliminary only to see if concentration levels are being reduced. Aeration is a pivot gun on a turret that sprays under high pressure to volitalize off organic compounds found in the ground water. Three tests done to date have shown a marked decrease, if not a total absence, of the contamination from the the time water is sprayed to the time it lands on the, ground. Initial testing shows all the organic contaminants were removed, but recent testing in severe cold does not show volatilization expected. Minnesota Department of Health has agreed to extend permit to end of June 1.984, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued permit for continuous pumping, and Watershed District is monitoring and has been requested to extend permit. We hope in near future that consultant will come in with final report on the effectiveness of this system. It appears, at this time, the system is effective in its intended purpose and will not have to be expanded. ♦ Mazzara - Will runoff from ice build-up be a problem? (Ayers - No, it runs underneath the ice pack in the snow; also ground area is terraced.) • Morgan - How deep is the well? (Ayers - Around 120 feet, to bedrock.) • Morgan - What chemicals are you stripping? (Ayers - Basically, the chlorinated organic compounds, the prime contaminants we've seen out there.) LAKE ELMO COUNCIL MTG - 1/17/84 Page Two Eder - Has there been any change in the concentration in the test wells? (Ayers - We'll be testing next week, since system has to be running and operational before results can be accurate.) • Morgan - How far is the nearest well being drawn down? (Ayers - Jeff Downs which is within around 300 feet, plus closer test well.) 9 Ayers - We expect a preliminary report from the consultant (Hickock Engineer- ing); February 6 we're proposing a meeting at the Lake Elmo Elementary School to go through findings of Phase -IV report and discuss findings to present date; and I'll report back to the City Council on these findings. • Ayers (in answer to Morgan's question) - There are other reports on pump -out gradient systems, such as the Woodbury 3M site (operating since 1969), however not based on contaminants as intended but currently on their water needs. We're also trying to get data from Spring Valley site regarding effectiveness of their system. B. Advisory Committee - To resolve how we'll address the residents and area that's been affected, we're proposing (resolution to go to County Board next Tuesday) establishment of an advisory committee --composed of two members each from Ramsey County, Washington County, Cities of Lake Elmo and Oakdale, and citizens that have been affected by the landfill --to make determination as to what would be the most cost effective way of providing a safe, permanent drinking water supply to residents. We're looking to cities for technical and administrative advice, and Oakdale is included since it's installing a new water system and there has been thought of Lake Elmo tying into that system and we'd like to evaluate that approach. This input will establish a line of communication and aid the County Board in making a decision. • Eder - The County Board is not expediting a solution by appointing an advisory committee; the County has to solve revenue ramifications and then two communities can find a solution. Committee will only drag solution out. County can find out which option in Phase III report they want to finance and support and give Lake Elmo the money to do the project as needed. (Ayers - If County makes their determination independent of the citizens and communities, they'll be in a position to be scrutinized for their position.) e Larry Bohrer, City Engineer - I agree with Mayor Eder. Also only citizens of Lake Elmo are affected and only involvement of Oakdale is possibly selling water to Lake Elmo. Is it more economical to purchase water or to produce water? • 4lwm�Gle-ud, leader of HELP - What if County Board says Lake Elmo's report is not acceptable? If you're going to go to a full-scale engineering report before a decision is made, are we then looking at 6-18 months before a recommendation is made by the City? We would like to see a commitment from the County Board, and one of our problems as citizens has been a complete lack of communication and a negativism between governing bodies so nothing happens. HELP is interested in line of communications between involved governments and also getting a decision made in a short period of time as to water supply and area to be served; then a full engineering study could be made. �Q o Bohrer - Buying water or supplying water is strictly an economic calculation, but determining the service area will be the hardest decision. -o-McGeuld-- Phase III report gives costs for supplying water, and only change is if well in Oakdale was used. Hickock Engineering said there would be a savings of approximately $250,000 if Lake Elmo didn't have to drill a well and build a water tower. Offsetting that would be an additional cost of $50-65,000 to lay a waterline from the well to affected area, bypassing those who don't want it. I think the County Board can easily determine if they want to spend $1 million or $280,000 so it's a political and a legal decision because of the potential LAKE ELMO COUNCIL MTG - 1/17/84 Page three l lawsuits, more than an engineering decision. (Eder - But I don't think the committee is going to solve that; the County has to say how many dollars they're going to put up and then we can find the solution to any of the problems.) e Ayers - Ramsey County has indicated to us they will not pay two-thirds of the cost of the system since it affects and benefits Washington County residents only, so we want to open up the lines of negotiation and communication which this committee would do and that would be on record since very little is officially on record at present. • Bohrer - My advice would be that Lake Elmo, in conjunction with Lake Elmo residents, define what we feel is the extent of the problem. • Eder - Lake Elmo ought to make a recommendation on how to solve this by itself and take it to the County Board. M/S/P Morgan/Eder that Lake Elmo ask the County Board not to appoint an advisory committee, but that Lake Elmo take it upon itself to develop such a committee, meet with the residents, and make a recommendation to the County Board within the next month. (Carried 4-0) 5. RESIGNING COMMISSION MEMBERS - M/S/P Mazzara/Dunn to adopt RESOLUTIONS R-84-16, R-84-17, and R-84-18 offering appreciation and thanks to William Peterson, Ed Nielsen, and Dave Morgan for their contribution to the Lake Elmo Planning Commission, Lake Elmo Park Advisory Commission and Lake Elmo Park Advisory Commission, respectively, for their respective terms. (Carried 3-0; Morgan abstain) 6. COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS - M/S/P Morgan/Mazzara to appoint alternate Charles Graves to a regular position on the Lake Elmo Planning Commission and to appoint alternate Ed Stevens to a regular position on the Lake Elmo Park Advisory Commission. (Carried 4-0) 7. ENGINEER'S REPORT - A. 201 State Grant Offer - (Ref: TKDA, Larry Bohrer letter dated 1/10/84.) M/S/P Morgan/Mazzara to adopt RESOLUTION R-84-20, accepting the State grant offer of $48,429.00. (Carried 4-0) B. VBWD 509 Report - Klaers reviewed the Park Commission's motion made at their 1/16/84 meeting which reluctantly recommended Alternate -II and noted their concerns as to (a) what is going to happen in two-year time span before implementation and (b) the increasing water level in Sunfish Park which is taking up more and more parkland. They recommended piping/ditching up to Sunfish Lake and then making study to see if pumping Lake Jane water is more economically feasible than the completion of a piping system from Lake Jane to Sunfish Lake.' • Bohrer - The West Lakeland Town Board reluntantly chose Alternate -II at a meeting last week since it was a more permanent solution but encouraged the managers to look at a more permanent solution, i.e., moving the water all the way to the St. Croix River. Alternate -II would make all seepage disposal in West Lakeland Township. • Morgan - Only concern is if route through Eagle Point had been thoroughly explored and would it be less costly. (Klaers - Dick Murray indicated this option was dropped because it cost more than Alternate -II and a Metro Council report said Lake Elmo could become contaminated.) (Bohrer - More costly because total length of pipe is less in Alternate -II.) LAKE ELMO COUNCIL MTG - 1/17/84 Page four ` e Eder - Think we should continue to evaluate Eagle Point with Metro staff. 6 Morgan - Argument of the water quality of Eagle Point seems ridiculous because it now overflows into Lake Elmo. (Bohrer - Metro Council proposes a water -level control structure on Eagle Point to prevent most of the occurring overflow. Phosphorous is the critical nutrient.) • Morgan - Have all other avenues been significantly explored? (Bohrer - Report only explains two alternatives. Either project is paid by ad valorem tax.) • Morgan - Have seen so much damage done to Sunfish Park the way it is now with flooding so would not be opposed to Alternative -II since less permanent damage. M/S/P Mazzara/Morgan that we support Alternative -II including the following reservations and concerns: (a) two-year span before plan is implemented and its consequences, (b) controlling present flood levels of Sunfish Lake, (c) further evaluation of Eagle Point route with Metro Council and further study as to why the water quality of Eagle Point has deteriorated so rapidly, (d) alternate solutions be further evaluated and considered, such as Park Advisory Commission recommendation that piping/ditching be done up to Sunfish Lake and then making a study to see if pumping water from Lake Jane is more economically feasible than the completion of piping system from Sunfish Lake to Lake Jane, and (e) 1% rule not be waived whatsoever, such as in Oakdale or Woodbury, since it helps Lake Elmo with its water storage and is better than running it to the river and since final disposal in Alternate -II is still by seepage and only changes the location to West Lakeland Township. (Carried 4-0) 8. RACETRACK, WOODBURY - Klaers said Planning Commission could not arrive at a consensus; and (logically) the Lake Elmo Business Association unanimously supported Woodbury's effort. Report from Metro Council has not been received as yet, and consensus was to delay this item until report has been looked at by Councillors and perhaps by Planning Commissioners. 9. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS A. Waste -To -Energy Project - Mazzara reported that at last meeting, committee asked for clarification from all people who sent in their Request for Qualification and it appears Ramsey County is pushing toward NSP being a part of this since they have a vested interest in losing a $5 million/year customer. Plant being proposed in west Lake Elmo is a mass -burn plant and plant in Red Wing will be a refuse -derive fuel. Five companies would qualify financially and technically, another six would qualify either financially or technically, and other category consists of plants that don't qualify. When NSP sent in their application, they didn't come up with any technical or financial information; therefore, clarification is being sought from everybody again. If we start delaying this, top five companies that qualify may take their business elsewhere B. Parking on 36th Street - Dunn said people taking bus are parking on 36th Street which creates problems for people driving through, and our stand should be to ensure that firetrucks can get through. M/S/P Morgan/Dunn to adopt RESOLUTION R-84-19 designating temporary paper parking signs while snow conditions exist stating that parking be banned on north side of 36th Street, both east and west of County 17. (Carried 4-0) LAKE ELMO COUNCIL MTG - 1/17/84 Page five C. Illegal Parking - Gary Swanson was present, and Dunn requested that police start ticketing illegal parking in front of fire hydrants since this is one traffic law that should be enforced vigorously. D. Snowmobiles - Gary Swanson mentioned that main problem with snowmobiles is operating them on RR right-of-way and state and county highways, which problem the police officer on snowmobile will be pursuing. 10. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT A. Water Meter Estimating - M/S/P Morgan/Dunn that water meter readings be estimated for January. (Carried 4-0) B. Self -Reading Meter Cards - Klaers said this system could be used with computer and is offered through the ISAC program - would be a time and cost saver - meters would still be read once a year. Dunn suggested billing three times a year on past usage and then billing once a year on meter readings, thereby eliminating computer cards. Eder suggested at least distinguishing between commercial and residential since commercial would have most variability - and suggested examining 90% of customers, excluding commercial, to see if readings can be estimated three times a year. C. Animal Control Contract - M/S/P Morgan/Dunn to approve the animal control contract as written. (Carried 4-0) D. CIP Committee Meeting Dates - Consensus was to meet before Council meetings at 6:15 p.m., starting February 21. Yearly work program for Parks Commission is of primary importance, along with perhaps the Planning Commission, for presentation to the Council in March. E. MUSA Line Proposed Change - M/S/P Morgan/Mazzara to accept the Administrator's and Planning Commission recommendation that the northern part of the MUSA line be moved west to its original location (running between Sections 32 and 33) and that all of Section 32 remain in the MUSA line; that the MUSA line would remain extended on the southern part to the east because of the request from residents and because of the potential commercial use on Intersection 13; and that DeCoster's property on the northwest corner remain within the MUSA line. (Carried 4-0) F. Hutchinson Suit - M/S/P Dunn/Morgan to permit Ray Marshall to sign and file the stipulation and order dismissing the Hutchinson suit. (Carried 4-0) G. Variance/Public Hearing - Klaers said a public hearing would be L���.N required for a variance (each lot would be 1.38 acres) required for simple lot �►N A subdivision, Green Acres Lot 9, as proposed by Mr. Springborne-. Consensus of SQ ,� gEp Councillors was that information should be brought before the Council/legal �NQ counsel in order to determine feasibility of a variance before engineering (� costs, etc. are expended. Administrator should get some background information, i.e., obtain records, talk to planner and/or attorney, so that Council can review and advise developer before public hearing is scheduled. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Submitted by: Ilene Johnson, Acting Secretary PAGE 6 RESOLUTIONS: ( R-84-16 - Appreciation to Resigning Park Commission Member Dave Morgan R-84-17 - Appreciation to Resigning Park Commission Member Ed Nielsen R-84-18 - Appreciation to Resigning Planning Commission Member Bill Peterson R-84-19 - Temporary No Parking Sings on North Side of 36th St. East & West of County 17 During Snow Season. $-84-2.0 - Grant Offer Accecptance for Steps 2&3 From State Background information is provided to the City Council on agenda items in advance by City Staff and appointed Commissions. In addition, some items may also have been discussed at previous Council meetings. If you are aware of information that hasn't been presented, please fill out a "Request to Appear Before the City Council " slip; or, if you came late, raise your hand to be recognized. Comments that are pertinent are appreciated.. Items requiring excessive time may be continued to another meeting. AGENDA LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 17, 1984 7:00 P.M. Meeting Convenes 1. Agenda 2. Minutes: January 3, 1984 3• Claims 7:15 P.M. 4. Michael Ayers, Washington County Environmental Health Program Supervisor - Update On Landfill Situation 7:45 P.M. 5. Resolutions of Appreciation to Resigning Commission Members: A. Dave Morgan B. Ed Nielsen C. Bill Peterson 7:50 P.M. 6. Appointment of Alternates to Regular Positions on City Commissions: A. Parks - Ed Stevens B. Planning - Charles Graves 8:OOP.M.------------------ BREAK --------------------------- 8:10 P.M. 7. Engineer's Report A. 201 State Grant Offer (Step 2 & 3) B. VBWD 509 Report 8:45 P.M. 8. Request to Support Woodbury's Efforts To Secure the Racetrack Site City Council Agenda - January 17, 1984 Page 2 9:00 P.M. ----------------- BREAK --------------------------- 9:10 P.M. 9• City Council Reports A. Mike Mazzara - Waste to Energy Project Update B. Other 9:20 P.M. 10. Administrator's Report A. Request to Estimate Water Meter Readings for January, 1984 B. Request to Examine Self -Reading Meter Cards C. Animal Control Contract D. Request to Establish Regular Meeting Dates and Times for the Council Capital Improvement Committee E. MUSA line proposed change CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED AT JANUARY 17, 1984 LAKE ELMO COUNCIL MEETING 84479 David Eder - Park Shelter worker $ 107.10 84480 Shelley Weeks IT 11 If88.78 84481 ItIT Jill Eder IT 107.20 84482 It11 Al Delander 11 26.80 84483 Commissioner of Revenue - Annual Sales Tax -Water Dept. 121.22 84484 State Treasurer - 4th. quarter Building Surcharge 251.66 84465 ICBO - Filed Inspection Manual - Building Dept. 16.00 84486 American Typewriter - Fireproof File 575.00 84487 Stillwater Book & Stationery - office supplies 69.37 84488 City of North St. Paul - Animal Control Vehicle 125.00 84489 Mary Meyer - 1/10/84 newsletter 84490 Voto, Reardon, Tautges - Interim audit billing 1,815.00 84491 Laurie Waterman - newspaper 5.20 84492 Junker Sanitation 42.00 84493 Loonam Computer Products - Computer maintenance contract 300.00 84494 Computerland - new Apple computer - per bid 2,352.78 84495 First Nat'l Bk. of St. Paul - IIelmo interest on Bond 625.00 94496 Satellite Industries - Parks 114.13 84497 Lawson, Raleigh & Marshall - General $ 324.00 Hutchinson 330.00 Prosecutions 480.00 Pass Thru 66.00 1,200.00 84498 Roettger Welding - mount for V plow & install under carriage on Int'1 Trk. 1,226.50 94499 Vern's GTC - Maint. Dept. truck parts 122.66 84500 Int'1 Hough - Maint. Dept. parts 2.29 84501 Clutch & U-Joint - Grader repair 61.55 84502 Yocum Oil - Maint. Dept. - grease 24.50 84503 Lake Elmo Oil - Maint. Dept. $ 1,504.12 Fire Dept. 134.34 17638.46 84504 Meyer Hardware Maint. Dept. 90.68 Fire Dept. 42.98 133.66 84505 Kunz Oil Co. - Fire Dept, gas 58.27 84506 Road Rescue - Fire Dept. supplies 6.94 84507 Montgomery Ward - Fire Dept. - VCR 399.99 84508 Prentice -Hall - Fire Dept. textbooks 321.72 84509 Capitol Citv Mutual Aid Assn. - Fire Dept. dues 20.00 84510 MN State Fire Chiefs' Assn. - Fire dept. dues 60.00 84511 MN State Fire Dept. Assn. - Fire dept. dues 30.00 84512 thru 84524 January 20th payroll 5,500.00 (overtime on 1/6/84 payroll - $416.84)_ $ 17,548.78 CITY OF LAKE ELMO City of Lake Elmo 777-5510 3880 Laverne Avenue North / Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042 January 12, 1984 TO: Mayor & City Council Members FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator RE: Agenda Memo for January 17, 1984 City Council Meeting Item 4. MICHAEL AYERS, WASHINGTON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM SUPERVISOR will be attending this meeting to provide the City Council with a brief update as to what progress is taking place with the landfill problems. This will be a good opportunity for the City to again express its concerns and position on this entire situation. Mike and County Commissioner, A.B. Schaefer, Jr., attended the 1-9-84 HELP meeting last Monday. I expect some HELP residents to also be present for this discussion. Item 5. RESOLUTIONS OF APPRECIATION FOR RESIGNING COMMISSION MEMBERS. Attached are three resolutions expressing Council and Commission appreciation for the services of the Commission members who chose to resign this year. Dave Morgan and Ed Nielsen have resigned from the Park Commission and Bill Peterson has resigned from the Planning Commission. Item 6. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES TO REGULAR POSITIONS ON CITY COMMISSIONS. At the last Council meeting some commission members were reappointed to another three year term and several vacancies occured because of member resignations. It has been the past practice to appoint alternate members to full members as vacancies occur. At this point, we should appoint Ed Stevens to a full commission member on the Park Commission, and Charles Graves to a full commission member on the Planning Commission. If these two appointments are approved by the Council the Com- missions will have the following vacancies: 1 Full Member and 2 Alternate Positions on the Park Commission; and, 2 Alternate Positions on the Planning Commission A notice was placed in the most recent City Newsletter indicating that the City is looking for Commission members for both the Park and Planning Commissions. AGENDA MEMO FOR JANUARY 17, 1984 COUNCIL MEETING PAGE 2 Item 6. APPOINTMENTS ( Continued ) We expect moreapplications to be received within the next few weeks. Therefore, I am planning to place this appointment to vacant commission positions on the 2/7/84 agenda, Hopefully, by February we will have enough applications so that the Council will have some choice in making appointments. Interviews with perspective commission members may be desired which.would delay official appointments until the end of February (2/21/84 meeting), Item 7, ENGINEER'S REPORT: A, 201 STATE 'GRANT OFFER (STEP :2 & 3) The City Engineer Larry Bohrer will be present for this Council, meeting to discuss this item, Attached is a letter from Engineer Bohrer briefly explaining the grant offer and indicating the necessary City Council action necessary to accept the grant, The resolution is also attached for this information. The City has already signed the Federal counter -part of this grant and the State offer, as anticipated, has arrived a few months later than the the Federal grant offer. We have been expecting this offer and Council approval is a required formality in order to submit the reimbursement request, Larry Bohrer will be present to answer any technicalities about the grant, B. VBWD 509 REPORT Everyone should have this 509 Preliminary Report; but, if anyone desires an additional copy, please contact me, Two reports from Larry Bohrer are attached. The first report was handed out at the 1/9/84 Planning Commission meeting and the second report is a follow-up on the initial report, The Planning Commission discussed this at their 1/9 meeting, but could not arrive at any con- sensus, Therefore, they will not be making any recom- mendation to the City Council on which alternate presented would be best for Lake Elmo, The Park Com- mission will be meeting on Monday, 1-16 and will also be discussing this preliminary report, I expect that they will be making a recommendation to the City Council, If a recommendation is made I will relayy this to you at the Council table, Additionally, I might add that I concur with Larry Bohrer's recommendation that alternate B appears to be the best long-term solution for Lake Elmo, Obviously the major disadvantage of this proposal is financial AGENDA MEMO FOR JANUARY 17, 1984 CITY COUNCIL MEETING PAGE 3 Item 8. REQUEST TO SUPPORT WOODBURV SEFFORTS TO` SECURE THE RACETRACK SITE Attached is a pac et o material relating to t e Woodbury racetrack site. The City of Woodbury is requesting our support in its efforts to obtain this metropolitan racetrack site, The Planning Commission discussed this topic at its last meeting and could not arrive at a consensus. Therefore, no formal recommendation is being made to the City Council from the Planning Commission, The Lake Elmo Business Association met last Monday and they unanimously supported Woodbury's efforts at their General Meeting, I had recommended to the Planning Commission support of this proposal for a variety of reasons. These in- cluded - bringing people into our City for shopping and eating (the tourist trade); possible highway develop- ment along I-94 to serve the needs of people attending the races; and possible development of racing spin-off and accessory uses (i.e. storage of equipment or animals, training facilities, etc,), All these elements could increase and develop the tax base in Lake Elmo along with helping our existing businesses, This recommendation was unrelated to the moral issue of gambling, as this has already been determined by the voters of Minnesota. The Met Council has prepared a report on racetrack sites around the state and I have requested this report. I expect that this will be available to be handed out at the Council table, Item 9. CITY COUNCIL REPORT A. MIKE MKZZVP-A p WASTE -TO -ENERGY 'PROJECT UPDATE I have talked with Doug Wood, Waste -to -Energy Project Manager, about making a presentation to our Council on the status of this project, He indicated to me that nothing significant has taken place in the last few months or is expected to take place in immediate future as they are currently dealing with request proposals. This is a long process and requires a great deal of technical review. Doug indicated that he would be Happy to attend a future Council meeting and provide an update on this project when it starts progressing, Council member Mike Mazzara, who is on one of the._TATaste-to-Energy Committees will provide us with a brief up-dae on the project, Item 10. JANUARY, 19 Our Meter Rea er, Marcie Eichen, has a bro en lea and cannot read the water meters this January. Therefore, we are requesting Council approval to estimate the water bills for January. I understand this has been done in the past and no problems have resulted from this procedure, CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMO FOR JANUARY 17, 1984 14EETING PAGE 4 Item 10. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT (Continued) B. REQUEST TO EXAMINE SELF -READING METER CARDS The staff woulpqiTte Council permission to start examining self - reading meter cards for Lake Elmo. This is a part of the computer package that is offered through IISAC, The City of Mahtomedi already has this program operating, The staff feels that this could be an economic and time saving improvement for the City, Many cities already have this type of operation and have found no significant problems. The City would have to check the meter readings at least once a year anyway, as they must examine the meters both inside and outside, This once a year check would be our opportunity to verify the accuracy of the self -reading meter cards, The staff would like to examine this program and, if feasible, put this type of program into operation in Lake Elmo, C. ANIMAL CONTROL CONTRACT Attached is the Animal Control Officer's Contract for 1984, This contract is identical to the previous contract signed last year, North St. Paul has already entered into its contract with Gerry Dahlberg for animal control service, The staff recommends approving and renewing this contract for 1984, and I think it is important that this committee start meeting as soon as possible, This committee needs to begin meeting in order to consider items that need to be ordered in the spring, Therefore, I would like to suggest that this committee meet approximately 45 min, prior to each Council meeting, The first meeting or two should provide us with some structure as to what we hope to obtain and also who we desire to have as a citizen representative on this committee, After the initial couple of meetings we can then get to the meat of the matter and start analyzing and reviewing our Capital Improvement needs for 1984, E, MUSA TINE PROPOSED CHANGE This item was tabled from the ast meeting order to obtain additional information from the Metropolitan Council on its 90-day review process-, Attached is a map of the southwest area of the City. The MUSA line shown by the dotted line is the one recently approved by the Council and is the line which the Met Council. requests the City to change. The solid black line is where the Planning Commission recommended the MUSA line be adjusted, AGENDA MEMO FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - JANUARY 17, 1984 PAGE 5 D. MUSA LINE (Continued) The concern of the Met Council is t_e to aacres within the MUSA line in Lake Elmo. The Comprehensive Plan indicated approximately 415 acres within the MUSA line. When the Council recently changed the MUSA line to the east, the total area within the MUSA line exceded 600 acres, The reason the City passed this change to the east was based on land ownership of continous parcels. The Planning Commission recommended moving the northern part of this MUSA line back to the west to run on the section line between Sections 32 and 33. The Planning Commission felt that this line could not go further west into Section 32 as all of the land owners in Section 32 have been paying for the availability of sewer. This compromise by the Planning Commission reduces the area within the MUSA line by about 120 acres; bringing the total area within the MUSA line to under 500 acres, They hope that this change will be acceptable to the Met Council, The Met Council is already in its 90-day review process because the submitted MUSA line was determined to have "metropolitan, significance". I have asked for a short time extension in this review in the hope that a revised MUSA will gain approval by the City and be acceptable to the Met Council, In this 90-day review process, the Met Council is only looking at the MUSA lane, not the entire Comprehensive Plan. If the Met Council finds our presented MUSA to be unacceptable, they could require Take Elmo to alter this line, The purpose of the Planning Commission recommendation to now adjust the MUSA line is to avoid a "required" change and to hopefully find a. compromse'acceptable to all parties, Again, if,thi:s appears confusing, it is because it is! I believe, I' will be better prepared to address this issue at the Council table than I was last meeting after talking with the Met Council. staff, I agree with the Planning Commission recommendation to move the MUSA line west (the solid black line) and hope that the Met Council will Accept this change and the slight increase of area inside the MUSA line (from the planned 415 acres to the proposed approximately 495 acres), DI E DI O TO: Mayor & Council Members FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator DATE: January 12, 19811 RE: Informational Material for the City Council 1. Attached is the most recent 1-10-84 City Newsletter. 2. In the Fall of 1983, Lake Elmo formally requested that Washington County reimburse the City for expenses in installing a water spigot at the Fire Hall for the HELP residents. This request, the bill, an unsigned responsefrom the County (from October 1983) and a letter from Bob Lockyear are attached for your information. 3. Attached is the Law Enforcement monthly report for December, 1983, from the Sheriff's office. 4. I wish to inform you that Dan Olinger has consented to clear snow from the ice skating rink in Lions Park. The estimated cost is appriximately $35/hr snow clearing. 5. Attached is some information on a workshop/seminar to be held on Friday, February 3, 1984, in Bloomington. The topics are: "Me Make Policy?" and "New Ways to Deliver Municipal Services". If anyone is interested in attending, please let me know so that the registration forms can be submitted. 6. The Planning Commission has started to review the 1 1/2 acre size lot requirement in business zones. Further study and discussion of the issue will take place at the next few meetings as additional information on sewer systems, sewer size requirements for different use, etc. are presented. The initial reaction of the Planning Commission was in favor of some type of reduction in the business zones lot size requirement. 7. Attached is a more detailed description of what happened on the false 12-24-83 water main call -out from Maintenance Foreman, Dave Wisdorf. Dave is not pressing this issue of reimbursement as I have informed him that the City has not requested reimbursement on these types of cases in the past. At my request, he is simply providing more information to you on what happened from his perspective. If anyone still wants a further explanation of what happened on Christmas Eve, please feel free to contact and talk with Dave. Informational Memo for January 17, 1984 Council Meeting Page 2 8. Last week the Washington County Board held a public hearing on the proposed expansion of the Minnesota Pipeline in Washington County. Part of this pipeline runs through Lake Elmo near the proposed Waste -to -Energy stie. Doug Wood, Waste -to -Energy Project Manager, was present and spoke at this hearing. (No negative impact) After talking with the County Planner, Bob Lockyear, I understand that: Minnesota Pipeline has existing easements; they will be installing a 2nd pipe in this easement; they must follow state and federal regultions; the County Public Works Department will be inspecting the project; and no approval from the affected cities is required. Attached is the School District 622 Newsletter.