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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-15-86 CCMSince we do not have time to discuss every point presented, it may seem that decisions are preconceived. However, background information is provided for the City Council on each agenda item in advance from City Staff and appointed Commissions; and decisions are based on this information and past experiences. In addition, some items may also have been discussed at previous Council meetings. If you are aware of information that hasn't been discussed, 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 APRIL 15, 1986 7:00 P.M. Meeting Convenes 1. Agenda 2. Minutes: April 1, 1986 3. Claims 4. Public Inquiries 5. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT A. Derrick Land Company Fill Permit: follow-up monitoring 7:30 p.m. B. Public Hearing : 1986 Street Sealcoating Program and Related Assessments C. Valley Branch Watershed "509" Management Plan: Environmental Assessment Worksheet D. Pumping on Lake Jane and Water Level on Sunfish Lake E. Consideration of New Water Supply System Option for Landfill Advisory Area ---------------------------- BREAK ------------------ 6. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS A. Update on City Hall Building Project 7. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT A. Update on 201 Program Appraisals Bid B. Spring Cleanup Day: Council set the date C. Summer Employment Needs D. Sale of Cross -Country Ski Licenses at City Hall E. Cable Commission Representation F. Authorization for Administrator to attend 1986 Minnesota City Management Association Conference G. Personnel: Performance Evaluation and Salary Increase 8. Adjourn r 4 P1 PROVED � i LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES,­.z APRIL 15, 1986 Mayor Morgan called the City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Present: Armstrong, Dunn, Mazzara, Christ, City Administrator Overby, City Engineer Bohrer and City Attorney Knaak. 1. Agenda Add: 6B. Stop Sign Request at Keats Avenue, 7H. Public Hearing for Conditional Use Permit M/S/P Dunn/Armstrng - to approve the agenda for the April 15, 1986 City Council Meeting. (Motion carried 5-0). 2. Minutes: April 1, 1986 M/S/P Christ/Dunn - to approve the April 1, 1986 City Council minutes as presented. (Motion carried 5-0). 3. Claims M/S/P Christ/Mazzara - to approve the April 15, 1986 claims #87240 thru #87278 as presented. (Motion carried 5-0). 4. Public Inquiries Ken Sovereign requested a reconsideration of his simple lot subdivision request. The subdivision was filed February 13, 1986 and went before the Planning Commission on March 10, 1986 where it was voted down. Mr. Sovereign was out-of-town when it was scheduled for the April 1, 1986 City Council meeting. In the meantime, the moratorium was passed and the Council ruled that this application would be subject to the moratorium which took effect on April 2, 1986. This request will be put on the May 6, 1986 City Council Agenda. Terry Needham from the Lake Elmo Jaycees would like to apply for a license to run charitable gambling out of the Twin Point Tavern. A public hearing for first reading of an Ordinance to allow charitable gambling in licensed liquor establishments will be scheduled for the Planning Commission on May 12, 1986. Roger Columbo presented a petition for placement of a street light at 21st Street and Manning Avenue. This will be placed on the City Council agenda for May 6, 1986. 5. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT A. Derrick Land Company Fill Permit: follow-up monitoring. Recently, the City Council has received letters from residents stating their concerns for the dirt fill placed on four lots in DeMontreville Highlands 6th Addition for the purpose of achieving LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 15, 1986 PAGE 2 separation from the water table for proposed septic systems. City Engineer Bohrer felt it was appropriate to update the Council on the progress of this project. Placing of the fill and installation of the water level observation wells was completed on January 15, 1986. Water level readings were begun on April 1, 1986 in accordance with the City Code. The water level readings are taken by Roger S. Johnson, a certified site evaluator hired by Derrick to monitor this project. The water level readings are also witnessed by the City Building Official to insure independent evaluation. At the time the lot filling was completed, Mr. Johnson submitted a schedule dated January 15, 1986 for completion of the project. The schedule was reviewed and felt reasonable. When City Engineer Bohrer looked at the site on April 11, 1986 he found the site was basically as he expected from looking at the plans that Derrick submitted late last Fall. Bohrer stated that it is a little premature to decide whether the lots are buildable or not buildable from the standpoint of soil acceptability. By the next City Council meeting there should be sufficient data to indicate whether these sites are going to be suitable for septic system purposes. Mayor Morgan responded that we have no intention of letting people build on lots that don't meet our ordinance for perculation and change the character of the neighborhood or to drain water on soils that are not in the drainage way at the present time. Gary Bance, 5771 HyTrail Avenue N., informed the Council that he tried to buy the lot adjacent to him, but found it wouldn't perk. The lots are not even close to resembling any of the landscaping around that area. Also, all the water runoff in the back is going to have to go down into the park area. Lew Schuweiller, (who is interested in buying lot 4) requested that Roger Machmeier of Resource Engineering make an evaluation of the soil conditions. His response was that if you have no where for the water to go at a certain point it is going to collect and no matter how much you put above it you are still going to end up with a swimming pool effect. He suggested that the City retain Mr. Machmeier and get a professional opinion. Donna Bance asked after this has been all approved by the Council and people build, who is responsible if problems should arise. Bohrer replied that if there are problems with septic systems that "meet the code" it would be treated the same as any septic system in any area of the town. It is not the responsibility of the City. Councilman Christ felt there is no other lot in that entire area that has 5 foot ditches on the corner of every lot. As far as he is concerned, it is a totally unacceptable grading plan from a perspective of the other lots in the area and, hence, it should be brought up to an existing level and other drainage provided. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 15, 1986 PAGE 3 Mayor Morgan suggested that the City Engineer and the Building Official go out and see if they can recommend something that would make those lots more compatible. On the other hand, if they don't meet the perculation requirements no building permits will be issued. City engineer Bohrer pointed out his concern that it seems there are many people checking the levels of the water here. We do have the Building Inspector to witness the test. Councilman Dunn commented with regard to the soil expert that the City has a building inspector and a City Engineer both of which are qualified to engineer, design and inspect septic system soils. He further stated that if anyone feels that the City's people are not qualified, then they should go out and hire their own because it is not the City's responsibility to go out and hire additional personnel. The people will get good respresentation from the City Engineer and Building Inspector. B. Public Hearing : 1986 Street Sealcoating Program and Related Assessments. Mayor Morgan opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. in the City Council chambers. City Engineer Bohrer explained that in 1983, a City-wide sealcoating program was developed to reduce deterioration and extend service life of bituminous streets. The program provided for one-third of the City streets to be sealed every other year. In this way, each street would be sealed once every six years. By scheduling the sealcoating projects for the even numbered years, the City program can be incorporated into the Washington County sealcoating program for a considerable cost savings. City Engineer Bohrer showed a City map with the streets proposed to be sealcoated as originally set forth in the 1983 sealcoating report. The engineer recommended that the following changes be made in the 1986 sealcoating program. a. Reid Park parking lot should be sealcoated this year since it was constructed in 1983. b. Lower 33rd Street and Klondike Avenue should be sealcoated if they cannot be reconstructed with MSA funds. c. Delete 15th Street due to severe breakup this spring. d. Delete Layton Avenue due to severe breakup this spring. e. Delete 34th Street, west of CSAH 17 because of conflicting 201 construction. f. Delete North Service Drive since it has been taken over by MnDOT for maintenance purposes. The financing plan adopted for this sealcoating program is 20% special assessment and 80% ad valorem tax. This formula was LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 15, 1986 PAGE 4 adopted for two reasons: under Minnesota law a minimum of 20% must be specially assessed when bonds are sold, and 80% of the project cost will be placed on the general tax levy because adequately maintained City streets are a benefit to the entire community. The bids for the work were received on April 14, 1986 by the Washington County Public Works Department and the bid prices are less than the cost as originally estimated. The total estimated cost for the program as originally presented was $47,800 of which 20% or $9,560 is to be assessed by the unit charge method. The proposed amount to be specially assessed at this time is from $34.35 to $42.26 per parcel. The above addition and deletions will change the final project. Mayor Morgan closed the public hearing at 8:10 p.m. M/S/P Morgan/Armstrong - to order the recommended sealcoat project with the stipulation that the City Engineer and Maintenance Foreman inspect each street proposed to be sealcoated in the 1986 program and to delete those streets that have deteriorated to the point where sealing would not be feasible. (Motion carried 5-0). C. Valley Branch Watershed "509" Management Plan: Environmental Assessment Worksheet City Engineer Bohrer advised the City Council that he has reviewed the Environmental Assessment Worksheet dated March 7, 1986 and the Engineer's Report dated February, 1986 for VBWD Project 1007. In Bohrer's opinion the proposed Project 1007 will have no adverse environmental impacts within the City, but further stated that there appears to be environmental benefits from the project such as improved surface water quality on a few of the lakes. The only comments regarding the EAW that he would recommend is that some trench dewatering may be necessary for the construction and he does feel that the more detailed step of an environmental impact statement would not be required. Project 1007 Report 1. The predicted normal and 100-year flood levels for Lake Jane are unchanged at 922.5 and 927, respectively. The outlet elevation for Lake Jane will be 922.5 2. About 80% of the overflow from Long Lake, Olson and DeMontreville will bypass Lake Jane. This should improve water quality in Lake Jane. During periods of dry weather, if Jane recedes too low, it may be possible to divert any overflow from Olson-DeMonteville into Jane to maintain a water level. 3. The report states that Sunfish Lake will be allowed to recede naturally. If this takes too long, temporary pumping to Eagle Point could be used to speed up the process. The report should address whose responsibility this pumping will be. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 15, 1986 PAGE 5 4. No improvements are being considered on Eagle Point Fork Creek between Stillwater Boulevard and Eagle Point Lake. 5. The sub-aquaeous pipe under the south end of Lake Elmo will bypass about 93% of the total water now entering Elmo from Eagle Point without raising water levels on Elmo. In the long term, this should alleviate the high water problems on Elmo even though Elmo's outlet is not being lowered. City Engineer Bohrer informed the Council that the Watershed District survey crews have located what appears to be a concrete bottom in the one arch outlet of Elmo that is about 1.5 feet lower than the existing outlet. This may be the historical evidence necessary to convince the DNR that Elmo's outlet should be lowered to 884. M/S/P Christ/Morgan - to communicate to VBWD that the City finds that there are no significant environmental impacts from this proposed project that an Environmental Impact Study is not required. (Motion carried 5-0). M/S/P Christ/Mazzara - to recommend that the City pass on any comments regarding the Engineer's Report to the Valley Branch Water District. (Motion carried 5-0). D. Pumping on Lake Jane and Water Level on Sunfish Lake Pat Riley, a resident on Sunfish Lake, explained that the continuing pumping of Lake Jane has caused Sunfish to rise to its all-time high. He also questioned the status of the DNR permits and what can we do about this rise of Sunfish Lake. Dick Murray of the VBWD reported that the pumping during the winter removed about 2 feet of water from Lake Jane and during the spring runoff and rainfall we have gained back one foot. They predict that without any more pumping Lake Jane would go to elevation 924.5 which would be one foot higher than the elevation on 4-15-86. About one year ago, the Council had considered pumping water out of Sunfish Lake and spray irrigating the water onto City owned land to the southwest. The VBWD had considered pumping Sunfish Lake back to City Park Pond in hopes that the majority of the water would infiltrate into the groundwater system. Mayor Morgan proposed that a minimum of 2 feet of water be removed from Sunfish and although Morgan acknowledged that it would not solve the problem entirely, it would hold Sunfish at its current level until the 509 plan is implemented. Councilman Dunn explained that Jim Weyer indicated that the Lake Jane Association is willing to donate the time to set the equipment and pipes in place, so the actual costs of setting up a system that would pump on top of the hill from Sunfish onto City property would be small. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 15, 1986 PAGE 6 M/S/P Morgan/Christ - to petition Valley Branch Watershed to pump off a minimum of 2 vertical feet of water off Sunfish Lake onto City owned property and to set the preliminary fund at an amount not to exceed $2,000. (Motion carried 4-1<Mazzara-wait until we meet with VBWD to discuss this issue>). E. Consideration of New Water Supply System Option for Landfill Advisory Area The City Council reviewed the latest proposal by the county to construct a water system with a 40 gallon per minute well to serve the ten properties which presently have or have had contaminants in their wells. There was some sentiment on the part of the City Council that this may be the best that we can do, and if this is not acceptable, then charcoal filters will be installed as originally proposed by the Counties. Much discussion centered on whether the City should be involved or not at this point. M/S/P Morgan/Armstrong - to instruct the City Attorney to write a letter to the Washington County Board stating the City's preference for a limited water supply over charcoal filters, however, not to concede any involvement or liability whatsoever in the actual cause or remedy of the problem. (Motion carried 5-0). 6. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS A. Update on City Hall Building Project Councilman Christ gave a report that there have been some volunteers for providing the building excavation and electrical work, and the number of volunteers committing to the project is increasing. In that regard, he would like to move up the groundbreaking to 6:00 p.m., May 6, 1986, in accordance with the request of the excavator. The City Administrator distributed information on the additional insurance which may be required for adequately insuring this project and the people working on it. The City Council will comment on the insurance information at the next City Council meeting. The City Attorney will send Administrator Overby a letter in regard to liabilities of the volunteer help. B. Stop Sign at Kelvin Avenue and Stillwater Lane The City Council instructed the staff to review the subject intersection and report back as to the adequacy of the traffic control signing at that intersection. 7. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT A. Update on 201 Program Appraisals Bid City Administrator Overby briefed the City Council that Frank Langer, the apparent low bidder for the appraisal work, has withdrawn his bid, and that it is recommended that the second low LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 15, 1986 PAGE 7 bidder, Penfield Inc. be accepted. M/S/P Christ/Armstrong - to award the bid for the "201" land and easement appraisals to William Schwab of Penfield Inc. (Motion carried 5-0). B. Spring Cleanup Day: Council set the date. A Spring Cleanup Day will be scheduled in Lake Elmo for Saturday, May 3, 1986 from 8 a.m. until 12 noon at the Old Landfill, 4059 Jamaca Ave. N. The following fees will be charged for city residents (non-residents will be charged double fees); $30 dump trucks; $12 pickup or large trailers, $6 station wagons or small trailers under six feet; $4 for cars. Any organizations who plan to haul material for others must make arrangements with the city crew before May 3rd. M/S/P Morgan/Armstrong - to set Saturday, May 3, 1986 as the Spring Cleanup Day for -the City of Lake Elmo and follow the same procedures and fees that we have followed in the past two years. (Motion carried 5-0). C. Summer Employment Needs The City Administrator requested permission to apply for 1 clerical and 2 maintenance positions through the County's summer job program. M/S/P Morgan/Christ - to authorize the City staff to hire 3 summer workers through the Washington County's Summer Youth Employment Program. (Motion carried 5-0). D. Sale of Cross -County Ski Licenses at City Hall The City Administrator was contacted recently by the Department of Natural Resources about our possible interest in allowing the sale of skiing permits at City hall for users of Sunfish Park and Lake Elmo Regional Park. Since state recreation/open space funds were used in the devlopment of Sunfish Park, the DNR can require skiers to have a permit when using those trails. Also, skiers in Sunfish Park without permits can receive a fine fom the DNR. If this is approved by the City Council and the County Auditor, the City could receive a portion of the fee monies collected on permit sales at the City hall. M/S/P Dunn/Morgan - to approve the sale of cross-country ski licenses at City hall on a one year trial basis. (Motion carried 5-0). E. Cable Commission Representation Laura Fraser has decided not to continue as Lake Elmo's alternate City Council delegate of the Ramsey/Washington Counties Suburban Cable Commission. The Cable Commission has requested that the City Council adopt a resolution which confirms Laura Fraser's LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 15, 1986 PAGE 8 intentions to resign as a delegate. This vacancy will be written up in the Newsletter. M/S/P Dunn/Armstrong - to adopt Resolution 86-32 which officially recognizes Laura Fraser's resignation as Lake Elmo's alternate City Council delegate to the Ramsey/Washington Counties Suburban Cable Commission. (Motion carried 5-0). F. Authorization for Administrator to attend 1986 Minnesota City Management Association Conference This conference is a program jointly sponsored by the MN City Management Association and the MN Association of County Administrators. It is scheduled for May 14, 15, 16 at Cragun's Resort near Brainerd. The theme of this years conference is "The manager As Person and Professional". The program is designed to help managers think about where you are in your career, how you got there, and where you want to head. The conference fee is $125.00 and the lodging and meals cost is $133.49• M/S/P Morgan/Mazzara - to authorize the City Administrator to attend the 1986 Minnesota City Management Association Conference in Brainerd, Minnesota. (Motion carried 5-0). G. Personnel: Performance Evaluation and Salary Increase A committee composed of Mayor Morgan and Councilperson Armstrong will get together within the next two weeks with City Administrator Overby and, after receiving input from the rest of the Councilmembers, they will give their recommendation to Administrator Overby at the May 6th City Council meeting at 6:45 p.m. H. Public Hearing Request City Administrator Overby proposed a public hearing be scheduled for the May 12th Planning Commission meeting to consider a CUP request from Northern States Power Company for the construction of a utility building in Section 3 (West of Lauseng Stone). M/S/P Morgan/Christ - to schedule a public hearing for the May 12th Planning Commission meeting to consider a CUP request from Northern States Power Company for the construction of a utility building in Section 3 (West of Lauseng Stone). (Motion carried 5-0). M/S/P Christ/Morgan - to adjourn the City Council meeting at 10:23 p.m. (Motion carried 5-0). CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED AT APRIL 15, 1986 LAKE ELMO COUNCIL MEETING 87240 State Treasurer - lst Quarter Bldg. Surcharge $ 251.74 87241 American Typewriter - office supplies 21.67 87242 MN City Management Assn - dues 35.00 87243 Hagberg's Country Market - Supplies - office $ 51.91 7.01 58.92 87244 A T & T - Long distance - office $ 3J21 Maint .57 3.78 87245 City of North St. Paul - animal control vehicle 150.00 87246 Rauenhorst & Carlson - retainer 300.00 Alford 30.00 330.00 87247 TKDA - General $ 1,426.02 Sec. 32 & 33 6,394.83 1985 MSA 199.08 201-Step 3 1,370.69 9,390.62 87248 Truck Utilities & Mfg. - Maint Dept. truck parts 191.06 87249 Weber Electric - Maint. Dept, building repair 272.28 87250 MCI Airsignal - Maint. dept radio 24.00 87251 T.J. Auto Parts - Maint. dept truck repair 77,44 87252 T. A. Schifsky & Sons - MC mix & Limerock 159.37 87253 Blind Custodial Products - Supplies Maint. 12.92 Parks 151.45 164.37 87254 ABM - Maint, truck parts _ 149.84 87255 Lakeland Ford Trucks - Maint. truck parts 28.69 87256 Bryan Rock Products 49.82 87257 Cemstone Products - Maint, dept 38.00 87258 Vern's GTC 9.76 87259 Ruffridge Johnson - Underbody snow blade 2,384.00 87260 Hardware Hank - Maint. dept supplies 86.86 87261 Lake Elmo Oil - Maint. $ 1,355.69 Fire 34.55 1,390.24 87262 Kunz Oil - Fire Dept 51.90 87263 Fire Chief Magazine - fire dept subscription 18.00 87264 Brookman Motor Sales - Fire Dept truck -repair 8.50 87265 Minn. Fire Agencies purchasing consortium - Fire membership 25.00 87266 Oxygen Service - Fire Dept 34.00 87267 Norwest Bank of Mpls. - 1972 Street & Sewer Bond pmt 5,270.00 87268 thru 87278 April 25th payroll 7,112.22 Total $ 27,887.08