HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/26/2007MINUTES OF THE LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2007
7:30 p.m. Lauderdale City Hall, 1891 Walnut Street
Mayor Dains called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and asked Administrator Heck to take the
roil. Members present: Council members Karen Gill -Gerbig, Denise Hawkinson, Karen
Doherty, Clay Christensen, and Jeff Dains.
Also present were staff members Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City Administrator and Heather
Butkowski, Deputy Clerk.
Mayor Dains asked if there were any additions or deletions to the agenda. Mayor Dains
requested addition of an update on the arson events of the previous evening and a council update.
There being no further additions or deletions from the agenda, council member Hawkinson
moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion seconded by council member Christensen
and carried.
Mayor Dains asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the June 6, 2007,
City Council minutes. There being no amendments to the minutes, council member Doherty
moved approval. Council member Gill -Gerbig seconded the motion and it carried.
Mayor Dains asked if there were any questions on the claims. Council member Doherty asked
about the payment to Patio Town. Heck said this was for the purchase of replacement blocks for
the retaining wall in the park along Roselawn Ave. Mayor Dains asked about the fuel costs.
Butkowski said one of the bills is fuel for the tractors and the other is for the trucks. There being
no further questions, council member Gill -Gerbig moved to approve the claims in the amount of
$85,023.82. Council member Hawkinson seconded the motion and it carried.
Mayor Dains asked if anyone present wished to address the Council on issues not on the agenda.
There being none, the Council took up consideration of the consent agenda.
Mayor Dains asked if the Council wised to add or remove anything from the consent agenda.
There being no such motion, council member Gill -Gerbig moved approval of the consent agenda
approving rental housing license applications and the park use application. Council member
Doherty seconded the motion and it carried.
Mayor Dains asked Heck to provide the council with an update and information on the arson
events of early Tuesday morning. Heck reported the police responded to calls around 1:15 a.m.
of cars set on fire. They responded and acquired evidence and a description of the individuals
involved. Heck said the case is under investigation and if anyone has information regarding the
arson to contact the St. Anthony Police Department.
Katrina Joseph and Tori Stewart, prosecuting attorneys for Lauderdale, were present to provide
the council with an update on their activities and outlined the civil and criminal procedures for
ordinance enforcement.
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There being no questions following the presentation, the council thanked them for their
presentation and good work on behalf of Lauderdale.
Heck outlined the request by Crossroads Apartments to waive the $407.00 false fire alarm
charge.
Ms. Dana Johnson and Mr. Bob Schweich, building managers, were present to discuss their case.
Ms. Johnson said her understanding is a passerby heard a smoke alarm chirp and proceeded to
call 911. The fire department arrived and an officer climbed through the window and pulled out
a battery and left. She said she was never contacted and felt that the charge for the alarm should
be waived.
Mayor Dains stated the false alarm issue goes back 20 years when there were many false alarm
calls to these buildings. He thanked Ms. Johnson and Mr. Schweich for the work done to
improve the buildings but felt the bill still needs to be paid.
Christensen asked what the normal process is when a fire call is made. Ms. Johnson said that
generally in the past when the police arrive, they contact her. She added they don't have a
problem paying a bill; it's just that this one was a complete surprise and she questioned the
process used in this case as she was not notified of the call.
Christensen requested staff make a formal request to the fire department to review and possibly
alter their call response procedures for multi -family buildings. He also requested we ask the
chief to contact Ms. Johnson to explain what happened in this case.
The Council did not act to waive the fee.
Bownik provided information on the variance request submitted by Mr. Chuck Stewart and Ms.
Nikki Annoni of 1772 Lake Street. Bownik said the applicants are planning to construct a two
story addition with a three season porch and they miss the side yard setback by 4.5". Bownik
said the Council needs to hold a public hearing and then make a decision on the request.
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. No one was present to comment on the
request. Bownik read an e-mail submitted in support of the variance.
There being no other input from the public on the issue, Mayor Dains closed the hearing at 8:06
p.m.
Council member Hawkinson moved to approve the variance as presented. Motion seconded by
council member Christensen and carried on a roll call vote with members Christensen, Doherty,
Hawkinson, Gill -Gerbig, and Mayor Dains all voting yes.
Butkowski presented the Council with an update on the progress of the comprehensive plan task
force. Mayor Dains indicated he is concerned about the impression residents may have that the
city has more control over what type of development will occur along Larpenteur Avenue. He
didn't want residents to develop any false impressions about the potential for redevelopment.
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The council thanked Butkowski and the task force for the excellent work they are doing on the
plan.
Heck presented three proposals for work from Bonestroo. The proposals are for an update to
Lauderdale's Surface Water Management Plan, mapping data for the utilities and additional
engineering assistance on the comprehensive plan. Heck said all these items are needed to
complete Lauderdale's comprehensive plan. He said the surface water management plan was
completed in 1997 and several requirements have changed and this plan needs updating as well.
Council member Gill -Gerbig moved approval of the proposals submitted by Bonestroo at a cost
not to exceed $24,800. Motion seconded by council member Christensen and carried on a roll
call vote with members Hawkinson, Doherty, Christensen, Gill -Gerbig, and Mayor Dains all
voting yes.
Bownik presented the council with a report on the progress of the tennis and basketball court
project as well as events that are planned for the park in the next few months. He said the new
courts should be ready for play July 6"'. The color coat and lines will be laid the last week of
June at which time the gates will be locked for, three days.
Bownik then provided an update on "Music under the Trees" and the plans for Day in the Park.
The last item discussed was the time and date for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new
facility. After discussion, the Council set the date for Tuesday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m.
The Council moved into the work session part of the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Heck presented the first draft of a proposed nuisance ordinance and asked staff to help elaborate.
Heck said staff worked on this using the LMC model ordinance as a template. He said staff
wants to know if they are on the right track.
The Council listened as staff outlined some specific changes in various sections and the rational
staff used in developing the language. Afterwards, the council asked staff to work on each
section of the ordinance and bring them back to the Council for more detailed discussions.
Heck presented the first draft of the 2008 proposed budget. He said the budget includes the park
priorities the council identified and provides the full complement of services with a 1.5%
increase in the levy.
After a few general questions were answered, the council asked that the budget be brought back
on July 10 when there would be more time to examine the document.
There being no further items to discuss, Council member Christensen moved to adjourn the
meeting. Council member Hawkinson seconded the motion and the Council adjourned the
meeting at 10:12 p.m.
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