HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/12/2021LAUDERDALE; CITY COUNCIL
Mh,HTING MINUTES
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Page 1 of 3 October 12, 2021
Call to Order
Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Councilors present: Roxanne Grove, Andi Moffatt, Duane Pulford, Jeff Dains, 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 or corrections to the meeting agenda. Mayor
Gaasch added a Halloween update by Josh Dirksen to the Informational Presentations section.
There being nothing else, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve
the agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any corrections to the September 28, 2021 City Council
meeting minutes. There being none, Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Grove
to approve the minutes of the September 28, 2021 City Council meeting. Motion carried
unanimously on a roll call vote.
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 $85,104.68.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Informational Presentations/Reports
A. Crime I Jpdate by St. Anthony Police Captain Jeff Spiess
Captain Spiess updated the community on two recent crime that happened in the City. The first
was an assault of an employee of Midland Hills walking along Fulham Street to Laipenteur
Avenue. The second was an illegal party hosted at 2520 Larpenteur Avenue that resulted in an
attendee being shot in the leg by an unknown third party. Residents are encouraged to watch the
replay of the meeting on cable TV channel 16 or at www.ninenorth.org for more details.
B. Development Update by Steve Schwanke of Inland Development Group Regarding Luther
Seminary's Property
Steve Schwanke of Inland Development Partners provided an update on the redevelopment of
Luther Seminary's property and answered questions from the City Council.
C. Halloween Update from Josh Dirksen
Josh Dirksen addressed the community about the upcoming Halloween event. He said the
organizing group needs more volunteers, candy, and gHost sites. Additionally, he shared that
LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL
MF, li TING MINUTES
H1,LD REMOTELY VIA TIHILFCONFERENCF.
P age 2 of 3 October 12, 2021
Saturday's activities including the pumpkin patch will be held at Lauderdale Community Park
from 1-3 p.rn. Tiick or treating and the gHost sites would happen on Sunday night from 5-8 p.m.
D. City Council Updates
Councilor Grove shared that she attended a Ramsey County League of Local Governments
meeting on the topic of homelessness and housing.
Discussion/Action Item
A. Waiver Request and Encroachment Agreement for a Retaining Wall at 1791 Malvern Street
Andrew and Monika Davis recently built a garage and expanded their driveway to match the new
garage at 1791 Malvern Street. They want to restore their yard and include a short retaining wall
to create a manageable grade. The retaining wall would extend into the City right-of-way.
The boulevard tree in the fiont yard close to their driveway that makes grading difficult and a
retaining wall necessary. The waiver process was designed for unique situations like this. If
approved, conditions can still be placed on the approval, such as requiring an encroachment
agreement with the City.
Councilor Dains made a motion to approve the encroachment agreement and the retaining wall
waiver request for 1791 Malvern Street. This was seconded by Councilor Pulford and carried
unanimously on a roll call vote.
B . Waiver Request for a Fence at 1050 33rd Avenue Southeast
B olger Family LLP, 1050 33rd Ave Sh, applied to construct a ten -foot -tall chain-link fence on
part of their property. City code allows for fences up to eight feet in height for security purposes
in commercial and industrial zones, which is two feet less than the request.
The previous fence was removed due to maintenance needs and inadequate height. BMX bike
enthusiasts have been attracted to the roof of their building, which could mean future roof repairs
and safety concerns. The ten -foot -tall fence would solve those concerns. The waiver process was
designed for unique situations like this.
Since the property is a business, Duane Grace, the City's commercial building official, visited
the site and discussed the fence with Travis Lienemann, who is a service technician for Bolger.
The proposed fence is chain link so there is no concern about wind shear and no engineered
plans are needed due to the height. Duane stated that he does not see any concerns with approval
of the waiver. If approved, staff will work with Bolger on a building permit for the fence.
Councilor Pulford made a motion to approve the fence waiver request for 1050 33rd Ave SE
This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
LAUDERDALE, CITY COUNCIL
Ml ,1,TING MINUThS
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Page 3 of 3 October 12, 2021
C. Public Works Job Description and Hiring
With Dave Hinrichs upcoming retirement, the City needs someone to do all the other non -
building official work Dave did. Ideally, this includes hiring someone with a MPCA wastewater
license. The other important aspects of the job are the jack-of-all-trades type work that happens
daily around the City
Councilor Moffatt made a motion to approve the Public Works Sewer Utilities and Maintenance
position and post the position for hire. This was seconded by Councilor Grove and carried
unanimously on a roll call vote.
D . Proposed 2022 Capital Impiovement Plan
Staff shared the proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) with the City Council. Butkowski
mentioned that a number of projects were moved up to be completed before Dave retires, leaving
a sparse CIP. The budgeted storm sewei costs pay for our share of the work done on Seminary
Pond. The debt levy amounts for the 2019 Improvement Project are tracked in the CIP as a
reminder to budget transfers from Fund 414 each year.
Set Agenda for Next Meeting
The next Council meeting may include a contract for building official services, a contract with
Northeast Youth and Family Services, the September financial report, and the quarterly
investment report.
Work Session
A. Community Development Update
B utkowski said there were no additional updates.
B Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council
Mayor Gaasch opened up the floor to anyone in attendance interested in addressing the Council.
There being no people interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor.
Adjournment
Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Miles Cline
D eputy City Clerk