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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1974/12/23A regular meeting of the Mounds View City Council was called to order by Mayor Neisen at 8:03 p.m. on December 23, 1974 at the Mounds View City Hall, 2401 Highway #10, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112 Present: Mayor Neisen Councilman Hodges Councilman Baumgartner Councilman Johnson Councilman Pickar PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Also Present: Clerk- Administrator Achen Attorney Meyers Engineer Bearden MSP (Hodges Pickar) To accept the minutes of December 9, 19. Mayor Neisen stated that the minutes were confused regarding the police chief's salary and that the meaning of the council resolution is that the police chief's salary shall be at least $150.00 higher than the salary of the police captain, ($1469 and $1319). Administrator Achen's Report MSP (Neisen Johnson) To approve the bills, General account checks #9507, 9514 -9570, Payroll account checks 1136 -1138, Payroll checks 1552 -1587. Mayor Neisen commented that the payment to Attorney Meyers is for work on the various projects funded by the 1974 bond issue. MSP (Neisen Hodges) To approve Transfer check #9571 transferring $12,688.40 (from general $10,926.38, sewer $822.00, water $940.02) to Payroll account to pay gross pay of December 30, 1974; transfer check 9572 transferring $900.00 from building fund to sewer utility fund to pay SAC charges for city hall addition. MSP (Pickar- Hodges) To approve the ljcenses: Heating Englund Heating, D D Anderson Heating Plumbing, Inc., Atom Plumbing Heating, Inc.; Cigarette License Launching Pad Supper Club. Mounds View 76 Service Station, Mermaid Cocktail Lounge, Inc., Bel Rae ballroom, Donateile's Supper Club, Tom Thumb, Simon's Liquor Store, Simon's Food Market, Long Lake 66 Service Station, Country Kitchen Restaurant, A A Standard Station; Intoxicating On Sale Liquor License Mermaid Cocktail Lounge, Inc., Launching Pad Supper Club; Non- Intox- icating Malt Liquors Bel Rae Ballroom, Convenience Grocery Store, Simon's Grocery, A A Standard; Used Car Sales Bill Ed's Auto, Mid American Auto; Retail Gasoline Dealer Long Lake 66, Phillips 66, A A Standard Service, Kunz Oil Co., Me —Ids View 76. MSP (Hodges Baumgartner) To appoint Larry Decheine full time public works superintendent thereby removing him from Local No. 49. MSP (Baumgartner- Johnson) To adopt Resolution No. 653 making certain declar- ations in conformance with Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 as amended. 5 Ayes 5 Ayes 5 Ayes 5 Ayes 5 Ayes 5 Ayes Page 2 December 23, 1974 Administrator Achen noted that the Council had been asked to join the Suburban Rate Authority and that there is no initial membership fee if the city joins prior to January 1, 1975. Attorney Meyers stated that the additional cost for joining after January 1, would be about $1,300.00. He stated that the Authority presently has some money available for contesting rate increases, but that additional contributions from members will probably be necessary. In response to Mayor Neisen's question on how the city could withdraw from the Authority, Attorney Meyers stated that the city must give notice by June 15,of the year in order to withdraw December 31, that calendar year. Mayor Neisen stated that this means the city would be financially responsible to contribute to the Authority for the entire year should we jo'.n now. Councilman Pickar stated that there were numerous unknowns, specifically how much the city would have to contribute to support the Authority. Thus he feels that the city should not join until there is further information available. Councilman Baumgartner stated that the staff should investigate the budgetary expectations of the Authority. Councilman Hodges stated that he could see the advantage of saving the initial membership cost by joining now. MSP (Neisen- Johnson) To hold a decision on joining the Authority and to direct the staff and city attorney to write the SRA requesting further information and possibly a representative of the Authority to address the Council at its next regular meeting. The letter is to convey the Council's intention to join the Authority so that it avoids the additional membership cost to be assessed after January 1, 1975. Mayor Neisen stated that he had attended council meetings in other munici- palities and noted that some were appointing bi- centenniai celebration committees. He stated that funds were available from the state an:i federal government for this purpose and that the Ramsey County chairman, Lois Pollari, is available to provide council information regarding the celebration. He suggeszed the cnimcil consider inviting her to make a presentation. Ma ;or Neisen asked for residents comments and there were none. MSP (Hodges- Johnson) To recess the regular meeting at 8:30 p.m., and call the special hearing to order. In response to Mayor Neisen's question whether the adjoining property owners of the Christian Compassion Center had received legal notices, the admini- strator stated, "no Attorney Meyers stated that the city code requires such notice be mailed. He recommended that the hearing be continued to a later date to assure full legal conformance with the code. MSP (Neisen Pickar) To recess the hearing until January 13, at 8:30 p.m. and to allow the Christian Compassion Center to continue to operate until that time with the conditions previously set forth by the council. 5 Ayes 5 Ayes Page 3 December 23, 1974 Mayor Neisen directed the administrator to properly notify property owners within 250 feet of the Center, to publish legal notice of the hearing in the New Brighton Bulletin, and to request the presence of a representative from both the fire and police departments at the hearing. The regular meeting was called back to order at 8:49 p.m. Councilman Hodges' Report Councilman Hodges stated that he had learned that the council could appoint a new civil defense director at any time. Councilman Johnson's Report Councilman Johnson stated he attended the December Ramsey County League meeting on mass transportation in the Twin Cities. Councilman Baumgartner's Report Councilman Baumgartner read the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of December 18, 1974. Attorney Meyers stated the Payne and Schroeder properties on Eastwood had been subdivided by the city with only a verbal agreement from Mr. Payne that he would remove the structure standing on the new property line. Mr. Doug Schroeder, 8051 Eastwood stated that at the time of closing the pur- chase of his property, Mr. Payne promised to remove the structure to conform to city code. He stated that his attorney told him he had no legal grounds to seek redress from Mr. Payne and that he could only seek redress from the city for allowing the subdivision. He stated that the structure on the Payne property has a slab foundation which extends six inches onto his property and that the gas meter for that structure is also on his property. Attorney Meyers stated that if the city were sued by Mr. Schroeder, Mr. Payne would be pulled in as a pa.rt,:er by the city in the city the suit. Mayor Neisen directed the administrator to have the building inspector investi- gate the property and to detail any and all. ordinance violations. Attorney Meyers stated that this was probably the best course of action. A thorough investigation should be made and Mr. Payne notified. Councilman Baumgartner asked that the building inspector make this investigation as soon as possible. Mayor Neisen stated that he had to leave for another meeting and turned the meeting over to acting mayor Hodges at 9:00 p.m. Councilman Johnson stated that this problem illustrates that the city needs some administrative procedure to prevent such problems in the future. Attorney Meyers stated that a possible way to prevent it might be to issue preliminary approval of the subdivision or variance, then require a legal survey be made before the Planning Commission grants final approval. Barbara Haake suggested that a check list of requirements to be followed in these situations would be helpful to the Planning Commission. Engineer Bearden stated that now would be a good time to insert any precautions in the zoning ordinance while it is being revised. Page 4 December 23, 1974 Attorney Meyers stated that the city might want to go as far as executing a legal agreement with the applicants to assure that all conditions are met. Councilman Baumgartner presented the Planning Commission recommendation on the request of John Juntunen to subdivide. Councilman Pickar asked Mrs. Haake what the Planning Commission's policy on sub standard lot splits is. Mrs. Haake responded that where there is an economic hardship a narrow lot is sometimes allowed if there is adequate square footage for the subdivision. In these cases the Planning Commission has been willing to compromise the frontage requirement. MSP (Pickar- Johnson) To approve the subdivision request of Mr. Juntunen recommended by the Planning Commission. The south (B) lot will have 73 foot frontage and the north (A) lot will have 80 feet frontage and a five foot utility easement will be provided on each side of the north /south lot lines and a dedication will be made to the park fund. D'arcy Bosell, 2601 Ridge Lane, stated'.that neither her home nor her neighbor's has the required side yard s` et back. Councilman Baumgartner presented the Planning Commission recommendation on Mr. Sohm's subdivision request. Mr. Sohm stated that he has no objection to a 30 foot street easement and a five foot utility easement as requested by the Planning Commission. Attorney Meyers stated that the deed must show a 15 foot access easement on the east lot also and that the council should require an agreemnt with the owner that relieves the city of responsibility for providing service on the newly developed street. He recommended against approving the subdivision because it is a bad precedent. Motion (Johnson) To deny the request for subdivision. Motion died for lack of second. Attorney Meyers states that the subdivision request posed a number of compli- cations and that council should be sure, if they approve the subdivision, to provide adequate stipulations to cover all these. He stated that an assess- ment should be required for the new lot also. MS (Johnson-Hedges) To deny the subdivision request of Mr. Sohm. MSP (Johnson Baumgartner) To amend the motion to state the reasons for this denial that the property is land locked; there is inadequate provision for utility service; and a decision has not been made to extend Knollwood south of Ardan Avenue. Original motion passed. MSP (Baumgartner Pickar) To direct the city engineer to conduct i feasi- bility study for extending Knollwood Drive south of Ardan Avenue. MSP (Baumgartner- Johnson) To establish a moratorium on lot splits in this area until this feasibility study is completed. 3 Ayes 4 Ayes 4 Ayes Page 5 Councilman Baumgartner announced that the Planning Commission will conduct a work session on the revised zoning ordinance January 8th and that the request of Paster Enterprises for a sattelite building at Mounds View Square may also be considered. Councilman Baumgartner read the Park Commission minutes of December 5, 1974. He announced that a Park Commission meeting will be held January 9, 1975 and that the next regular meeting will be January 23. MSP (Baumgartner-Pickar) To accept the Park Commission's recommendation that the subdivision of the property owned by Lamont Bolduc requires a park fund dedication. 4 Ayes Councilman Picker's Report Councilman Pickar reported on the December 12, 1974 meeting of the Lakeside Park Commission. He stated that vandalism at the park continues and requests that the administrator direct the police department to keep an eye on the park property to prevent vandalism. The next meeting of the Lakeside Park Commission will be January 9, 1975. Councilman Pickar recommended that the council invite Lois Pollari to make a presentation at the January 13 council meeting regarding the bi- centennial celebration. Attorney Meyers' Report Attorney Meyers stated that he is still negotiating with NSP about the easement through Groveland Park. He stated that the county court system will go into effect January 2, 1975, and the city attorney will be required to be present at all arraignments. Engineer Bearden's Report Engineer Bearden stated that the pluF, ty acquired b the city Road J has been cleared of all buildings, and that the holding Ardan Park will be completed next week. In response to a question from Councilman Pickar, Engineer Bearden discussed the problems resulting from the fill being deposited at Greenfield Park. He stated that the drainage ditch may have to be cleaned oLt. Administrator Achen stated that the park divPrtnr had suggested depositing some of the fill from Project 1973 -4 at Wayside Park for landscaping. Councilman Baumgartner stated that it would be better to use the fill at Greenfield Park first and wait until the spring to see whether there is enough fill to warrant landscaping Wayside. Engineer Bearden commented on the Polution Control Agency permit requirements and the city's iron removal plants. He stated that plants No. 2 and 3 appear to meet requirements and that the only problem which might arise would occur during heavy summer discharges. Plant No. 1 will require alterations to meet the effluent standards of the Polution Control Agency. He stated that the simplest alteration would be to connect the backwash sanitary sewer. This will cost about $1_500_OO. at 7Agel County ponds at Page 6 December 23, 1974 Acting Mayor Hodges stated that the city should respond to the Polution Control Agency and note our financial problem with complying to the time table set forth in the permit. In response to the question from Councilman Baumgartner, Engineer Bearden stated that the federal legislation providing for polution control made provi- sion for 75% federal funding of projects to upgrade discharge systems such as our own, but the past Administration froze most of these funds. Councilman Johnson stated that the Polution Control Agency should be given notice that Mounds View will have financial difficulty meeting the requi::.e- ments in this fiscal year. Acting Mayor Hodges directed the administrator to write the Polution Control Agency expressing these concerns. Councilman Baumgartner asked the administrator to read the names of applicants for the mayor and council positions. Councilman Pickar suggested that the applications be reviewed and inter- views arranged. Mike Lonergan, 7852 Long Lake Road, stated that he is interested in the council position rather than the mayor position. Councilman Baumgartner suggested that each applicant be asked which of the two positions he is most interested in. Councilman Johnson suggested that interviews be scheduled for the January 6th agenda meeting, open to the public, at 6:30 p.m., and that the staff phone each applicant to arrange interviews. MSP (Baumgartner Pickar) To adjourn at 11:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted 117cokad,t t Mark Achen Clerk- Administrator 4 Ayes