05-11-2020 CC (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council May 11, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 7 Mayor Mueller reported the Minnesota Women in Government held a meeting on Friday, May Stn She noted the women's suffrage 100 year celebration has been postponed to next spring. Council Member Meehlhause commented on the NYFS Leadership Luncheon and noted Lori Sturdevant was a great guest speaker. Mayor Mueller encouraged all residents in Mounds View to fill out their 2020 census information. She discussed the importance of being counted and thanked all of the residents who had already filled out their census. B. Reports of Staff. Community Development Director Sevald commented on a code violation that occurred in the City. He reported the violation had to do with a resident that had a fence that was taller than 48" in the front yard. He noted the fence was placed in the front yard around a vegetable garden. He stated after talking with the City Council it was recommended staff encourage the resident to remove the fence in lieu of having it look more like a trellis. He reported the resident is requesting the fence be allowed to remain as is. Staff requested direction from the Council on how to proceed. Nate Blinn explained he did a sun study in order to find the best location for a garden. He reported he was looking for a location that got eight to ten hours of sun in his yard in order to have a productive garden. Kelsie Blinn commented further on the garden location noting it was 16 feet from the curb. She questioned how the City defined a fence stating this was a gray area within City Code. She reported her intention was for the fence to serve as a trellis for the vegetables to grew on. She expressed concern that a citation was issued from the City prior to the project being completed. She noted the garden would have landscaping around it to help blend into the surrounding area. She commented that one of her neighbors who was very skeptical about the garden originally approved of the final plans. She requested comment from the City Council how the City defined a fence and questioned why this qualified as a fence when her intention was for it to be used as a trellis. Mr. Blinn indicated the trellis has been removed but noted the metal portion was still in place. He stated the garden does not look that much different, but it would hurt given the fact the trellis function had been lost. Mayor Mueller thanked Nate and Kelsie for their input. She stated she was in favor of referring this matter back to staff in order to resolve the matter. City Administrator Zikmund commented staff would like to hear from the Council on how to modify City Code. Council Member Bergeron indicated the fence was clearly a part of the garden and was not being used to separate property. He supported the fencing being allowed and recommended the City make a clarification in City Code.