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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/10/2016LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 4 May 10, 2016 Mayor Dains called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Councilors present: Mayor Jeff Dains, Mary Gaasch, Roxanne Grove, Denise Hawkinson and Lara Mac Lean. Councilors absent: None. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator and Jim Bownik, Assistant City Administrator. Approvals Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. There being none, motion was made by Councilor Grove to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilor Mac Lean and carried unanimously. Councilor Gaasch moved to approve the City Council meeting minutes of April 26, 2016. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and carried unanimously. Councilor Grove moved and seconded by Councilor Hawkinson to approve the claims totaling $104,441.32. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Mayor Dains asked if any Councilors wished to remove items from the Consent Agenda. There being none, Councilor Mac Lean moved and seconded by Councilor Hawkinson to approve the Consent Agenda thereby approving Non-union Staff Compensation. Motion carried unanimously. Informational Presentations/Reports A. City-wide Garage Sale Assistant City Administrator Bownik reported the city-wide garage sale is Saturday, May 21 beginning at 8:00 a.m. The City is promoting the event at no charge to registrants. Advertisement includes Craig's List, City website, Facebook, mailed copies to participants, email to the City distribution list, and copies available at City Hall. Discussion / Action Items A. Resolution 051016A in Recognition of Peace Officers Week City Administrator Butkowski explained that National Peace Officers Week is May 15-21, 2016 with Suburban Ramsey County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on May 12, 2016. Councilor Gaasch read the resolution into record. Motion was made by Hawkinson and seconded by Grove to approve Resolution 051016A Recognizing National Police Week 2016 and to Honor the Sacrifice of Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty While Protecting our Communities and Safeguarding our Democracy. Motion carried unanimously. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 4 May 10, 2016 Administrator Butkowski noted the next meeting may include the Annual Storm Water Report, Comprehensive Plan Request for Proposal, Use of Chemicals Policy, Nuisance Ordinance Updates, and Benedictine Health System Conduit Debt project. Work Session A. Public Comment Matt Eisenschenk of 1903 Walnut addressed the Council on the newsletter article on Ash trees being removed in the parks and questioned if the City has a plan for removal and replacement. His second item was wood chips in the park could be volunteer opportunity for removal of weeds and placing wood chips. Lastly, his complaint was the poor condition of the city hall parking lot due to the recycling and refuse trucks. Dan Lange of 1725 Malvern Street addressed the City Council on behalf of the Friends of the Lauderdale Dog Park. They are a self-appointed committee that would like to assume responsibility for the dog park, physically and financially. Mr. Lange, as president, shared a plan from the committee for the dog park that included a rain garden around the dog park fence with other small projects. The committee is requesting permission to proceed with the projects and assume responsibility for its care. Other committee members introduced themselves: Monika Davis-Hagebak is treasurer, Andy Davis, committee member and Dan Powers -Johnson, participant. Council directed staff to work with the committee. B. Proposed Use of 2520 Lalpenteur Avenue by Chowgirls Killer Catering City Administrator Butkowski introduced Heidi Andermack and Amy Brown of the Chowgirls Killer Catering which have been in business for 12 years with 75 employees and need a larger facility. The facility will be used for catering and possibly a pop up restaurant. Of the 75 employees, 25 are full-time and 50 part-time for catering functions. Their purchase offer has been accepted with conditions that includes the liquor license, well water, and zoning. City Administrator Butkowski noted that she has been working on the liquor license question. City Attorney Batty has been assisting with the expectation that the ordinance may need to be revised. Todd Churchill, their Chief Financial Officer, addressed the council on the requirement for sprinkling the building with well water and the possibility of an exemption. Administrator Butkowski replied that Building Official Grace has researched the topic and wrote an email that will be forwarded. The second issue is the cold storage with two alternatives, either installing coolers or an insulated storage container that would be placed outside of the building and hidden from the streets. City will research the request. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 4 May 10, 2016 Outstanding issues to complete the purchase is liquor licensing, water source, sprinkling the building and cold storage. Administrator Butkowski noted that Building Official Duane Grace is available on Thursday, May 12 to meet. C. Storm Water Project Discussion with Capital Regions Watershed District Administrator Butkowski introduced Anna Eleria of Capital Regions Watershed District. Ms. Eleria is a program manager of the special unit of government who is responsible for protecting and improving the water quality within the district. City of Lauderdale is represented by three watershed districts. The reason for attendance is to discuss capital improvement projects with the focus being the Eustis Street Project. A feasibility study was completed for storm water improvements as part of the Ramsey County Eustis Street Improvement Project. The outcome of their efforts was presented to the City, County and Greenway Village owners. The design was focused on plantings, walls and rain gardens along Eustis Street with concrete swales to improve water quality and meter the flow of water. Greenway Village owners felt the improvements should be via underground pipes through their property or the storm water should be controlled up stream. A second study was completed involving 148 acres to minimize flooding in the parking lots of Greenway Village Apartments and improve water quality which would convert the City's dry storm water pond to a wet pond and install an iron enhanced sand filter around the pond that would remove phosphorus from water before it continues to the Mississippi River. Cost of the project is estimated at $500,000 with Capital Regions Watershed District budgeting $100,000 toward the project. Council consensus was the University of Minnesota golf course, Falcon Heights, and Ramsey County should contribute to the project; not only the City of Lauderdale. Ms. Eleria responded that additional work could be completed as to source and volume of storm water runoff. Councilor Gaasch stated that it's difficult to pledge city funds to make the improvements. Environmental concerns are valid but participation with the other entities is essential financially. In conclusion, Capital Regions Watershed District was willing to be a lead on the project but needed to know the interest of the City in the project. Council consensus is interest in the project but participation of other entities and finances are key. D. Community Update Administrator Butkowski reported that Ramsey County had sent letters to property owners along Laipenteur Avenue regarding an easement recording issue from a past project. Conducting interviews for the deputy city clerk -treasurer position and asked for volunteers to participate. Mayor Dains relayed complaints regarding trucks using Jake brakes within the community due to the Highway 280 construction project. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 4 of 4 May 10, 2016 There being no further business on the council agenda, motion was made by Councilor Hawkinson and seconded by Councilor Grove, carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 9:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, I Terry J. r Deputy City Clerk