HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-97 CCMMINUTES APPROVED: APRIL 15, 1997
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 1,1997
1. AGENDA
2. MINUTES: March 18, 1997
3. CLAIMS:Handed out at meeting.
4. PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL/INQUIRIES:
A. Public Inquiries
B. Request to use Sunfish Park: U.S. Air Force Auxiliary
C. Lake Elmo Video Production
D. Letter from MnDot regarding TH5 Bridge Replacement
E. Update on ISD #834 Boundary Changes
5. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Non -Intoxicating Liquor License: Cimarron Golf Course
6. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT:
A. Memo on Ideal Reconstruction
7. PARKS/MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT/FIRE DEPARTMENT:
A. Request from MAC
B. Summer Workers
C. MAC Application
8. PLANNING, LAND USE & ZONING:
A. Open Space Concept Plan for PRAIRIE HAMLET; Applicant: Robert White
B. Case No. SUB/97-2 Preliminary Plat and Plan, PRAIRIE HAMLET; Applicant:Robert White
C. Case No. SUB/97-22 Preliminary Plat and Plan, HERITAGE FARM, Heritage Farm Inc.
D. Final Plat, THE HOMESTEAD; Applicant:Jack Buxell, Blaine Edmundson
E. Proposal for Facilities Planning/Management:Lee Hunt
F. Merging of Baytown and West Lakeland Township
9. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:None
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. Results from CSAH 13 and CSAH 6 Speed Study
B. Parking in Old Village:Susan Dunn
11. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
A. Handout on Suggested Future Subjects: Wyn John
B. Legislation disbanding Metropolitan Council:Rita Conlin
12. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
A. Lake Elmo Clean -Up Day
B. League Conference
Mayor John called the council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers. PRESENT: Hunt,
Dunn, John, Conlin, DeLapp, City Engineer Tom Prew, City Attorney John Miller, City Planner Terwedo
and Administrator Kueffner.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 1,1997
1. AGENDA:
M/S/P Hunt/Dunn - to approve the April 1, 1997 City Council agenda as amended. (Motion passed 5-0).
2. MINUTES:March 18,1997
M/S/P DeLapp/Hum - to approve the March 18, 1997 City Council minutes as amended. (Motion passed
4-0-1:Abstain:John)
3. Claims
M/S/P Hunt/Conlin - to approve the April 1, 1997 Claims #5702 through #5777 as presented. (Motion
passed 5-0).
4. PUBLIC INQUIRIES:
Gary Perrault and a Beam Crest resident informed the Council that the neighborhood of Beaut Crest will
be planting trees (approx 300 trees) as a visual barrier and a habitat development along Highway 5.
There are continuing funds available from MoDOT for plantings along the highway. They invited the
Council to participate in fixture discussions on how to best develop screening in the future. The Council
commended them in bringing this issue forward..
M/S/P Hunt/DeLapp - to direct Parks Supervisor, Mike Bouthilet, to work with the Beaut Crest
Neighborhood organization to develop a landscape plan along Highway 5 and to discuss with the City
Planner long term aspects. (Motion passed 5-0).
B. Request to use Sunfish Park:U.S. Air Force Auxiliary
Captain Scott C. Sinks, of the Minnesota Wing Headquarters Civil Air Patrol/United States Air Force
Auxiliary, is requesting approval of the City to use Sunfish Park for a "search and rescue" training
exercise on April 26-27, 1997. Signs will be provided notifying the public of the exercise in progress.
The Fire Department and Sheriffs Department is invited to observe or participate in the event. Mike
Bouthilet and the Council had a concern about vehicles parking in the parking lot before the frost is
completely out of the ground.
M/S/P Conlin/John - to approve the Civil Air Patrol's request to train on April 26-27 in Sunfish Park
conditioned upon that they will be sensitive to the parking lot conditions and if it is too wet park on
frontage road. (Motion passed 5-0).
C. Lake Elmo Video Production - Update
The Council received a letter from Ginny Holder to Dave Currence, the staff member we are working with
at GTN, In the next two to three broadcasts GTN will make do with what is available, but then the newly
purchased set design will be for use by White Bear Lake, Oakdale and Lake Elmo and stored on their
premises. Councilor Dunn questioned where the $750 would come from and would it be split between the
three cities. Mayor John responded that the set would be paid for from the cable franchise fees.
D. Letter from MwDOT regarding T-15 Bridge Replacement - Update
Mn/Dot has entered into a contract to replace the TH 5 bridge over TH 36 and reconstruct the highways,
ramps and frontage roads. TH 5 traffic will detour via Washington Avenue and construction will start
April 15th and finish by late fall. A meeting will be held on the project's construction and staging April
3, 1997, 7:00, at Mn/DOT's Oakdale Headquarters in the lunchroom. Councilor Dunn will attend the
April 3rd meeting.
M/S/P Hunt/Dunn - that the first meeting in May under "Unfinished Business" add the proposed road and
bridge construction, specifically the County Road 15 Update, County Road 13, status of Stillwater Bridge
(TH5 and Hwy 36), and Highway 5 and discuss how these issues will impact the City and schedule a
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 1,1997 2
workshop of the Council, Planning Commission or any other organization to determine the impact of
these improvements on Lake Elmo. (Motion passed 5-0).
E. Update on ISD#834 Boundary Changes
Mayor John gave an update on the meeting, which he, Councilors Dunn and DeLapp attended, with the
ISD #834 regarding boundary changes affecting Lake Elmo Elementary School. A decision by the #834
School Board was postpone until April 24th.
5. CONSENT AGENDA:
- - - A. Non -Intoxicating liquor License:Cimarron Golf Course
M/S/P Hunt/Dunn - to grant an On -Sale Non -Intoxicating Liquor License to G.C. Properties, Inc., for
Cimarron Golf Course conditioned upon approval by the Washington County Sheriff's Department.
(Motion passed 5-0).
6. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT:
A. Memo on Ideal Reconstruction
The Council received a memo, dated March 26, 1997, from Paul Danielson, BRW, to Tom Prew
regarding the Imation Corporate Center -Joint Powers Drainage Agreement. City Engineer Prow reported
that the City of Oakdale and Imation are working on plans to rebuild a section of CSAH 13, and he asked
that Lake Elmo be involved in the design. Planner Terwedo received a call from Paul Danielson, BRW,
who would be willing to meet with the Council and discuss the project.
M/S/P Hunt/Dunn - to set up a Council workshop to discuss the CSAH 13/Imation project with BRW on
April 7 or 8, 7 p.m., Council chambers, whichever date is convenient with BRW. (Motion passed 5-0).
7. PARKS/MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT/FIRE DEPARTMENT:
A. Request from MAC
The Maintenance Advisory Committee has requested that an alternative liaison be appointed to the
committee to fill-in if the regular liaison is unable to attend. The Council felt they should probably
appoint alternates to the Planning Commission, Parks Commission, Fire Department and any other City
committees.
M/S/P Hunt/DeLapp - to prepare a policy for an alternative Council liaison be appointed to each
commission to fill-in if the regular liaison is unable to attend these meetings. (Motion passed 5-0).
B. Summer Parks Worker
The Parks Department would like to start the summer Parks Worker on April 2nd. The Parks Supervisor
recommended hiring back William Leary who has worked in the parks the past three consecutive
summers. Mr. Leary has worked the last two years for $6.00/yr., but the Parks Supervisor would like to
raise his rate to $7/hr. which is a budgeted item.
M/S/P Hunt/Dunn - to hire William Leary as a summer Parks Worker starting April 2, 1997 at a rate of
$7.00/hr. recognizing this is a budgeted item. (Motion passed 5-0),
C. MAC Application
The Council received an application from George Dege, 5193 Keats Avenue, indicating his interest to
serve as a volunteer member on the MAC.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 1,1997
M/S/P Dunn/Conlin - to accept the application of George Dege, 5193 Keats Avenue, to serve on MAC and
the City will send him a confirmation. (Motion passed 5-0).
8. PLANNING, LAND USE & ZONING:
A. Open Space Concept Plan:PRAERIE HAMLET; Applicant:Robert White
City Planner Terwedo gave her Planning Review on the Open Space Concept Plan, Prairie Hamlet,
located in the Southwest Comer of State Highway 36 and Keats Avenue. The Parks Commission has
requested an in -lieu park fee. The Planning Commission recommended approval at its March 10, 1997
meeting
Roger Tomten presented an Open Space Development Concept Plan for the development of a 46.15 acre
parcel of land consisting of 23.28 acres of open space and 16 dwelling units on 14 acres of land along
with an existing home. Four of the dwelling units will be duplexes which are placed on the first two lots
on the northeast and southeast entrance to the property. These duplexes would be allowed by Conditional
Use Permit. The plan will be developed in one stage. The village green will serve as a recreational area
for the development, but should not be considered a public park since the proposal indicates this area for
drainfields. The pathways should be developed as part of the park dedication and be extended.
Rod Sessing and Mr. Egersdorf questioned the legality of the process. City Planner Terwedo addressed
this question and provided public hearing notices and minutes indicating the process was followed.
M/S/F Conlin/John - to approve the concept plan for Prairie Hamlet based on the recommendation of the
staff and Planning Commission conditioned upon the wetland wastewater treatment system being placed
outside of the Village Green Area and that a shorter connection for the driveway to the existing residence
be found rather than going through the Open Space and dividing it. (Motion failed 2-3:Hunt:would like
to see a shorter driveway, but felt the developer was exercising care for the environment by not going
through the wetland, never intended the Village Green was going to be a park and mowed; Dunn:difficult
area to work with because of the topography, DeLapp:Going through a wetland would be the last thing
we want to do, sees the wetland treatment system as an amenity and not as a liability).
M/S/P Hunt/DeLapp - to approve the concept plan for Prairie Hamlet, as presented, providing the owner
has to work with the Minnesota Land Trust on an agreement with regard to the future driveway based on
staff recommendation and consistency and goals of the comprehensive plan. (Motion passed 4-1:Conlin).
B. Case No. SUB/97-2 Preliminary Plat and Plan, PRAIRIE HAMLET; Applicant:Robert White
City Planner Terwedo presented her planner's review on the preliminary plat and plan, Prairie Hamlet,
The Preliminary Plat is consistent with the approved concept plan and recommended this proposal be
approved. Terwedo provided 10 conditions of approval stated in her planning review.
Roger Tomten presented the preliminary plat and plan for the Prairie Hamlet which consists of 23.28
acres of dedicated open space which will be preserved with a conservation easement and 16 dwelling units
on 14 acres of land along with an existing home. The units include eight single family homes and four
duplex units. The preliminary landscape plan indicates street trees along the street boulevards and a
buffer area along the south property line. Mr. White has agreed to a landscape plan along the south
property line to buffer the adjacent properties. Since the existing home has direct access to Highway 36, a
driveway easement will need to be dedicated in order to allow access to Outlet C which will provide a
safer access to the existing home in the future. A Wetland Treatment System will be developed on Outlet
H to service the entire development.
Tom Prew pointed out the elevation needs to be checked out for a walk -out on Lot 2, Block 3. Prew
presented his letter, dated January 14, 1997, with his comments on the applicants request for a variance
for a large collector system and the proposal for a wetland treatment system. Prew recommends the
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 1,1997 4
11. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
Mayor John prepared a list for consideration of future subjects for the monthly cable program.
Councilor Conlin provided a copy of a memo from her to Sally Evert regarding not supporting legislation
that would disband the Metropolitan Council. She believes the concept of having a regional planning
body is on the right track but it should consist of elected members.
Councilor DeLapp met with State Senators Gary Laidig, Len Price and Jane Krenz, Joyce Corruthers, the
new co-chairs of the legislative advisory board for the Minnesota -Wisconsin Boundary Commission.
Regarding a questionnaire that was put out by the Boundary Commission, a significant majority of those
100 surveyed indicated that they see their quality of life deteriorating seriously over the last 10 years. The
#1 issue was the population increase.
Councilor Dunn had calls voicing concern over losing Residential Estates areas and would like to have
that as an option to the Open Space Ordinance.
12. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
A. Lake Elmo Clean -Up Day
The City has reserved, free of charge, the Washington County Fairgrounds for Lake Elmo's Annual
Clean -Up Days. This event is scheduled for May 10th subject to Council approval. A copy of the charges
for clean-up days was enclosed. Dan Olinger and the City Administrator are working with Vasko as well
as the appliance and tire recyclers. When the costs are received, a recommendation on rates will be
submitted.
WS/P DeLapp/Dunn - to approve May 10, 1997 as Lake Elmo Clean -Up Day at the Washington County
Fairgrounds. (Motion passed 5-0).
B. League Conference
The League of Minnesota 1997 Annual Conference will be held on June 10-13,1997 in St. Cloud. The
Council was asked to let the City Administrator know if they plan on attending.
The Council adjourned the meeting at 11:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Sharon Lumby, Deputy City Clerk
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 1,1997
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
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children wtw a«�.,—
they have proposed a viable alternative, and would suYYvi. < <..-
wishes to send a letter to the School Board supporting their position.
8883, Lake Jane Trail
Lake Elmo
Minnesota 55042
March 13, 1997
To; Lake Elmo City Council
cc Lake Elmo City Administrator
Lake Elmo City MAC
Mr. R.E. Johnson
I was sorry to see Dick Johnson's resignation letter, but not surprised. Dick has expressed his
concern at the apparent lack of support by the Council for his voluntary services before. I assume
that the recent problems over the fire truck procurement culminated in his decision. But Dick
has been a keen representative and volunteer for the City over a number of years, and his
insight and comment has been invaluable. His challenges to basic assumptions will be missed.
I am pleased that Lake Elmo generates a strong commitment from residents in being involved in
voluntary activities which help frame Lake Elmo's past and future as well as making
recommendations which improve efficiency, safety and welfare. At the same time, the
Council, as the decision making elected body, has to make timely decisions whi with the more leisurely approach of a voluntary committee which has no ch may conflict
t been given a
completion expectation time.
Dick, I feel, considers my action in pushing ahead with the fire truck procurement unwarranted
and high handed. He could not see what had suddenly created the urgency. On my part,
having seen the condition of the fire truck, and being aware of the imminent need to place an
order to gain access to a demonstrator vehicle before anyone else, so as to gain a potential saving
to the City of $50,000 or so, the time was now. I was not aware that the subject had not been
discussed by the MAC for since October or so. I was aware that the MAC had reviewed the
proposed new truck for some time - it had figured in the CIP for a number of years, but
procurement had been deferred.
The following actions were taken by the MAC and City Council in 1996 and 1997:
April 22:
The inclusion of the pumper on the CIP was questioned, the Fire Chief was
not present.
May 20:
The Fire Department requested clarification of the intent to replace the
pumper, MAC and Council concept approval was sought.
July 1:
The use of pumper 31.84 was reviewed.
July 2:
The City Council approved the purchase of a Kabota mower for the Parks
Department, based on a MAC
recommendation.
July 16:
The Council accepted the CIP report of the MAC. This included the
purchase, in 1996, of a new pumper unit at $225,000
August27:
At the Council budget workshop for 1997, $250,000 was allocated for a new
pumper to be bought in 1997.
September 30: The MAC agreed to recommend the purchase of a new pumper unit if funds
were available.
October 1: The Council agreed to the insulation and heating of the cold storage
building for housing snow plows on a short term basis, on the
recommendation of the MAC.
October 15: The Council agreed to the fire department preparing specifications and bids
for a new fire truck based on the September 30 MAC recommendation. The
Council was also made aware of the possible availability of a demo unit at
approximately $50,000 savings over the cost of a new unit.
Though not recorded in the minutes, it is my recollection that the Fire
Chief was instructed to check on the specification, price and availability
of this demo unit, with a view to its purchase following a favorable report.
November/ December: No MAC meetings were held.
January 21: The Council instructed the City Administrator to prepare a Request for
Proposal for a new fire truck, in the knowledge that the demo truck had
been lost to the City of Lindstrom which had been able to respond more
quickly to the opportunity.
February 7: The Council approved the purchase of a Maintenance trailer based on the
recommendation of the MAC.
In reviewing the record, I feel that Dick Johnson's criticism that the Council does not follow
MAC recommendations is not substantiated. On the other hand I admit that I pushed hard to
get the MAC to quickly assess the specifications for a new fire truck when I realized that they
had not done so. I was concerned that we would again lose an opportunity through inertia. That
could be construed as ignoring MAC recommendations. The MAC Chair admitted that there was
probably insufficient expertise on the MAC to properly specify a new fire truck and that they
would go along with the Fire Department's review.
I don't appreciate that my attempt to get things moving is now viewed as a wish to bypass the
MAC. Far from it - where they have the expertise their help is really welcome. Equally, as a
Council we should be establishing time lines for completion of procurement studies so that we do
not stumble at the starting gate, and lose out to another more nimble City. I make no apology for
acting quickly - we now have the opportunity to buy a two month old demonstration model for
approximately $204,000 with a November delivery.
'L�
o un
Mayor, City of Lake Elmo