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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/22/2018LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 May 22, 2018 Roll Call Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilors present: Jeff Dains, Andi Moffatt, Roxanne Grove, Kelly Dolphin, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilors absent: None. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City Administrator; and Miles Cline, Deputy City Clerk. Approvals Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any additions to the meeting agenda. Butkowski stated that Kathy Lerfald would like to say a few words about the Lauderdale School tours during the Informational Presentations/Reports. There being nothing else, Councilor Grove moved and seconded by Councilor Dolphin to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any changes to the meeting minutes. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2018, city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Grove moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the claims totaling $19,433.38. Motion carried unanimously. Informational Presentations/Reports A. Fire Department Annual Report, Fire Chief Rich Hinrichs Fire Chief Hinrichs provided the Council a summary of the Falcon Heights Fire Department activities and incidents for the 2017 calendar year. He presented an overview of the budget, equipment needs, service calls, training, and events throughout the year, and answered questions from the Council at the conclusion of his presentation. B. City Council Updates Mayor Gaasch shared that she attended the Regional Council of Mayors meeting where affordable housing was the main topic of discussion. C. Recap of Lauderdale School Tour Kathy Lerfald, 1724 Carl Street, approached the Council. She discussed sharing memories and vintage memorabilia during the school tour and stated that the event was a great success. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 May 22, 2018 Public Hearings A. Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Jennifer Haskamp of Swanson Haskamp Consulting approached the Council to discuss the draft Comprehensive Plan. After the public hearing, the Plan will be distributed to Lauderdale's neighboring jurisdictions as they have six months to review the Plan. Thereafter, the Plan will be submitted to the Metropolitan Council for their review on its conformance with their Thrive MSP 2040 Plan. Finally, the Plan will come back to the City Council for adoption. Mayor Gaasch opened the floor at 8:43 p.m. to anyone in attendance who wanted to address the Council on this matter. Steve Ahlgren, 1563 Fulham Street, addressed the Council. He expressed his concern over the possible development of the land owned by Luther Seminary known as "Breck Woods." He said he felt the City should purchase a right of first refusal for the property from Luther Seminary. John Murray, 1855 Malvern Street, approached the Council. He stated that he has lived in Lauderdale for 11 years and plans to continue living in the community with his family. His expressed concerns over the land use designation for 1795 Eustis Street in the draft Comprehensive Plan.' He does not want to see that land turn into a high rise building. Cynthia Ahlgren, 1563 Fulham Street, addressed the Council regarding the Comprehensive Plan. She noted the significance of Luther Seminary's undeveloped land in Lauderdale as it was once part of the Mississippi River valley and has ecological value. She said she felt the need to be a voice for nature. Mayor Gaasch closed the floor at 8:53 p.m. The Council discussed the feedback and next steps in the process. Jennifer Haskamp said the plan would be distributed to neighboring jurisdictions shortly. Ideally, they will not take the entire six month review window they are allotted. Councilor Dolphin moved to direct staff to distribute the draft Comprehensive Plan to neighboring jurisdictions for their review. The motion was seconded by Councilor Grove. The motion carried unanimously. Discussion/Action Items A. Jurisdictional Transfer of Eustis Street and Roselawn Avenue Butkowski informed the Council that negotiations regarding the transfer of Eustis Street and Roselawn Avenue have resumed with the return of the Ramsey County Engineer working on the project. Kellie Schlegel of Stantec approached the Council to answer questions on the matter. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 May 22, 2018 Ramsey County has made some concessions to help the process along including not conditioning the agreement on the transfer of Eustis Street south of Larpenteur Avenue. Staff asked the City's financial advisor to run modeling based on the new financial offer. Those numbers are expected for the next meeting. Set Agenda for Next Meeting Administrator Butkowski stated that the June 12 council meeting may include the April Financial Report and a presentation from Metropolitan Council Member Marie McCarthy. Work Session A. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to anyone in attendance that wanted to address the Council. There being no interested parties to speak, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. B. George Stagg, Lead Pastor of Twin Cities Church, Regarding 2520 Larpenteur Avenue Pastor Stagg approached the Council to discuss his interest in purchasing the building at 2520 Larpenteur Avenue for use as a church. Stagg spoke to the Council at the previous meeting, but returned to speak at this meeting as not all of the council members were present at that time. The Council discussed whether they supported changing the zoning to allow churches in the industrial district. Ultimately, they concluded they did not support adding assembly type uses to the industrial district. C. Community Development Update Butkowski asked whether council members wanted staff to sign them up for the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference. She also noted that staff is still working on the insurance claim for the Service Station but hopes for a resolution soon. Adjournment Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to adjourn the meeting at 9:38 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, 4 Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk