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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/22/2019LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 October 22, 2019 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Roll Call Councilors present: Jeff Dains, Roxanne Grove, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilors absent: Kelly Dolphin and Andi Moffatt. 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. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the October 8, 2019 city council meeting. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2019 city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the claims totaling $61,368.84. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the Consent Agenda thereby approving Resolution No. 102219A Designating Polling Places for the 2020 Presidential Primary, State Primary, and State General Election; Resolution No. 102219B Authorizing Application for and Execution of the Municipal Infiltration and Inflow Grant; and Resolution 102219C Applying for SCORE Grant Funding, and acknowledging the September Financial Report. Informational Presentations/Reports A. Metropolitan Council Representative Peter Lindstrom Representative Lindstrom provided updates on goals and initiatives of the Metropolitan Council. B. 2019 Infrastructure Improvement Project Administrator Butkowski provided an overview of progress on the project. C. Halloween Party Planning Assistant to the City Administrator Bownik provided an update on the annual Halloween party. He stated that volunteers are needed as well as candy and monetary donations. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 October 22, 2019 D. City Council Updates Councilor Grove shared that she and Mayor Gaasch will be attending a Ramsey County League of Local Governments meeting on October 24 in association with Scott County. Mayor Gaasch stated that Metro Cities has a regional meeting upcoming on November 14 and that she attended a Regional Council of Mayors meeting on the topic of affordable housing. Discussion/Action Items A. Resolution Calling for Hearing on Proposed Assessment for the 2019 Infrastructure Improvement Project — Resolution No. 102219D Butkowski explained that the city attorney prepared the necessary documents to complete the special assessment process now that construction is winding down. For this meeting, the City Council must approve the resolution calling for a public hearing on the proposed special on November 12. After this meeting, staff will send notice to affected property owners of their proposed special assessment amount with information about the special assessment hearing. Councilor Grove made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 102219D A Resolution Calling for Hearing on Proposed Assessment. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously. B. Consideration of Nuisance Abatement at 1937 Pleasant Street For some time, the City Council and staff have received messages from residents concerned about the tarps in the yard at 1937 Pleasant Street. The concerns have been varied including that they are a breeding ground for mosquitos; house rodents; and are aesthetically unappealing as images show that some have been there as early at 2011. In discussing the matter with the City's legal counsel, they advised that the City Council can abate the nuisance as a violation of Title 4, Chapter 6: Public Nuisance based on the volume of complaints and the time these tarps have been there. The owner of the property received notice in regards to this meeting. Additionally, neighbors around the property were notified of the hearing on the matter. If the Council determines that a nuisance exists, it can direct staff to abate the nuisance by removing and disposing of the tarps. Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to anyone in attendance that wanted to address the Council. Hugh Currie, 1943 Pleasant Street, stated that the tarps at 1937 Pleasant Street were a problem but not his only concern. He was worried there may be diseased ash trees in the backyard as well. Ruth Knutson, 1929 Pleasant Street, stated that the tarps have mosquitos swarming around them after each rainfall for going on for five years. She recently saw rats living running around on the tarps. She continued to say that the tarps are an eyesore and that people passing by take pictures of them. She said the tarps have been present for at least five years. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 October 22, 2019 There being no additional parties interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. Councilor Dains said he was approached by other neighbors with complaints about the yard at 1937 Pleasant Street and felt something should be done. Mayor Gaasch noted that staff and neighbors have offered to help the owner but the assistance has been declined and for that reason expressed her support for abatement. Staff will mail notice of the date that the abatement would happen if not addressed by the owner of the property. Councilor Grove made a motion for City staff to complete the abatement process at 1937 Pleasant Street. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously. Set Agenda for Next Meeting Administrator Butkowski stated that the November 12 council meeting may include a special assessment hearing, the third quarter investment report, a presentation from St. Paul Fire Chief Butch Inks, and a Metropolitan Council resolution for the 2040 comprehensive plan. 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 parties interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. B. 2020 Fund Budgets Administrator Butkowski went through the preliminary fund budgets and capital improvement plan for 2020 with the Council. C. Community Development Updates Butkowski stated she attended multiple meetings with the developers of Luther Seminary. The focus of those meeting was access to the site through the City of St. Paul. Adjournment Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk