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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1977/06/13ek A regular meeting of the Mounds View City Council was called to order by Mayor Pickar at 7:30 PM on June 13, 1977 at the Mounds View City Hall, 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112. Members Present: Also Present: Mayor Pickar Councilmember Rowley Councilmember Ziebarth Councilmember Hodges PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Clerk Administrator Achen Attorney Meyers Engineer Hubbard Mayor Pickar mentioned that Councilmember Baumgartner was absent on vacation. MSP (Hodges Ziebarth) to approve the minutes of the May 23, 19'7 regular meeting. CITIZEN COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Rachel Bardwell, 2932 County Road J, presented a letter she had received from the Minnesota Department of Transportation in reply to her request for cutting off the new TH 10 access between 35W and County Road J. Mrs. Bardwell reported that she had spoken to the Governor concerning the heavy traffic on County Road J, and that he was not aware of the situation and would be getting back to her on it. Mn /DOT told Mrs. Bardwell the new TH 10 sour is a state aid route in Ramsey County and Anoka County, as well as a federal aid urban route on the federal system. Both of the county boards would have to concur in closing the access, as well as the affected cities, which are Blaine, Spring Lake Park and Mounds View. Mrs. Bardwell made requests to the councils of bla''e and Spring Lake Park, but neither took action. Spring Lake Park is waiting to see what action Mounds View and Blaine take hefore an on tho refTlest Jackie Willprecht, 8398 Groveland Road, expressed concern over the heavy traffic on County Road J, stating it had taken her 10 minutes to get onto J that evening. Dell Ford, 8378 Groveland,also expressed concern over the heavy traffic and won- dered how long the road would hold up. Mayor Pickar cxpressed his c on ce rn ov the t heavy raffic flow on County Road J b but questioned where -le traffic would go if it were kept off J. He felt that it would just filter down through the residential streets, and therefore just move the problem from one street to another. Councilmember Rowley stated that she would be comfortable with stop signs on J 4 ayes 2 but did not feel that the new TH 10 access should be cut off to the road. Councilmember Ziebarth stated that he would like to talk to the City of Blaine to get their input into the situation, and that he did not feel that closing the TH 10 spur would solve the problem. He felt that stop signs would slow the traffic down and help to alleviate the problems, but that no solution would actually occur until the new TH 10 freeway was completed to TH 47. Councilmember Ziebarth stated that old Highway 10 already is getting overcrowded and that closing off J would just move the traffic problem from one road to another. However, if stop signs were put up on County Road J, that should eliminate the heavy truck traffic as the drivers would not want to stop and they could go down old Hwy 10 and time the lights. Councilmember Hodges also agreed that stop signs would be beneficial and the best solution to the present problem. Mayor Pickar stated he felt the request for closing the new TH 10 spur was premature, but that he would agree with stop signs. MSP Pickar- Ziebarth) to direct the City Clerk to compose a letter to Ramsey County asking for temporary stop signs to be installed on County Road J at its intersections with Red Oak Drive and Spring Lake Road, with citizen input to follow on the success of the stop signs. 4 Ayes APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA MSP (Ziebarth Rowley) to approve the consent agenda as follows: 4 Ayes ITEM A. Approve the following licenses: CONTRACTORS expire 6/30/77 Sign renewal Nordquist Sign Company 312 Lake Street W Minneapolis, MN 55408 Asphalt new C W Holm Company 814 North 62nd Avenue Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 General new Greenkeeper Lawn Co (sprinklers) 11 South 18th Avenue Hopkins, MN 55343 Quality Builders (remodeling) 8774 Jef ersun Street NE Blaine, MN 55343 Solmica Midwest, Inc 1053 N Dale Street St Paul, MN 55113 Masonry new G C Avery Construction 1120 California Avenue W St Paul, MN 55108 Waterproofing new General Basement Waterproofing 44 South Seventh Street X1421 Minneapolis, MN 55402 Excavating_ new Hayes Contractors, Inc Metro Sewer Water Division 1010 Currie Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 Miller Excavating 14027 Crosstown Blvd NW Andover, MN 55303 RESTAURANTS renewals expire 6/30/77 Anchor Inn 2400 County Rd H -2 Mounds View, MN 55112 Country Kitchen 2145 Highway Ave. Mounds View, MN 55112 McDonald's 2201 Highway 10 Mounds View, MN 55112 Perkins Cake Steak 2214 Highway 10 Mounds View, MN 55112 -3- Bridgemans 2535 Highway 10 Mounds View, MN 55432 Donatelle's Inc. 2400 Highway 10 Mounds View, MN 55112 Mermaid Cocktail Lounge, Inc. 2200 Highway 10 Mounds View, MN 55112 SUNDAY ON -SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR renewals expire 6/30/77 Anchor Inn 2400 County Rd. H -2 Mounds View, MN 55112 Mermaid Cocktail Lounge 2200 Highway 10 Mounds View, MN 55112 Donatelle's Inc. 2400 Highway 10 Mounds View, MN 55112 ITEM B. Set public hearing for 7:40 PI, June 27, 1977, on Albert J. Hartinger (dba Launching Pad Supper Club) application to renew on -sale intoxicating liquor license. ITEM C. Set public hearing for 8:30 PM, June 27, 1977, on plans and specifications for noise barriers along Interstate Highway 35 -w. ITEM D. Appoint the following summer personnel: Parks Dept. Tom' OrcEdlrl ScoLi Ricicart Phillip Marincell Forestry maintenance CrowtuskeepeL Groundskeeper Administration Dept. Renae Fodness Clerk- typist Tim Walters Administrative Aide *$2.30 /hr. Ceta funding, $.30 /hr. City funding) $3.00 /hr. 2.30 /ht. (CETA) 2.30 /hr. (CETA) 2.30 /hr. (CETA) 2.60 /hr. *(CETA) TTEM E. Appoint Police Chief Ernest Grabowski as the City of Mounds View's official reimbursement applicant for the Minnesota Police Officers Training Board. ITEM F. Adopt Resolution No. 835 approving the Rindahl Addition final plat which meets thr terms and conditions Pstahlished April 11, 1977, by the City Council in approval of the preliminary plat. ITEM G. Authorize the following budgeted pay increases for part time/ temporary personnel: date current new effective Bill Jenson Engineering Aide 10/4/76 $2.50 $2.75 6/14/77 Lauren Maker Housing Inspector 7/28/76 3.50 3.75 7/1/77 ITEM H. Adopt Resolution Nos. 836 -837 reapportioning assessmenLb for the following subdivisions respectively: Moe Homestead Addition, major subdivision request of Norbert D. Moe; Harvey W. Melby minor subdivision of 8371 Eastwood Drive. ITEM I. Approve June 13, 1977, bills for payment. RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS position hired rate rate date Mayor Picker opened the public hearing on the Groveland Terrace preliminary plat. Mr. K. Harstad has submitted a preliminary plat for approval of 14 lots fronting both Groveland Street and Fairchild Avenue with a cul -de -sac entering the property from the west off Groveland. All lots conform to code area requirements, but two of the lots are 2 to 3 feet short of frontage requirements, which would require a variance. Services for the lots fronting Groveland and Fairchild are available and the service improvements for the five interior lots for the cul -de -sac need to be petitioned for. The Planning Commission voted 6 to 2 to approve the request of Mr. Harstad for a major subdivision as presented in his plat, allowing a variance on lots 3 and 12. Mr. Harstad reported that the smallest lot in the development would be 11,000 square feet, while the largest would be 17,200 feet. He also stated that all utilities would be put underground for the cul -de -sac and that he had checked with NSP and Northwestern Bell to confirm this. Dell Ford, 3378 Groveland, ixpr essad concern th t Lh_ re would b a great '!'3,!.'r ^-r traffic coming from the five homes on the cul -de -sac, which is directly in front of his home. Bruce Zakseski, 8425 Fairchild, asked Mr. Harstad what type of homes he intended to put in the area. Mr. Harstad replied that they would all be single family homes, in the $60,000 and up price range Jackie Willprecht expressed concern that there would be a heavy increase in traffic and that she did not want the cul -de -sac because of the traffic hazard to her children. Dell Ford stated that he had approached the City Council approximately a year earlier regarding subdividing his lot, but was told everything had to stay in a straight line. -5- Mayor Pickar pointed out that the lots are within the square footage limits and the City cannot dictate how a property owner should use his property. Attorney Meyer stated that the Council must find an undue hardship to the property owner in order to grant a variance. Councilmember Rowley stated that she did not feel the issue presented an undue hard- ship to Mr Harstad, and that she would like to have letters from NSP and Northwestern Bell stating that they did intend to put in underground utilities. Mr Harstad stated that he was applying for the variance on the two lots so that he could develop 14 lots, rather than 13 larger lots, due to the economics of the situation. He stated that the cost of the cul -de -sac could not be justified with only 13 lots. Councilmember Ziebarth questioned Lot #10, regarding the size and if it would need a variance also. Administrator Achen explained that a staff error had been made earlier in measuring the depth of Lot 10, and thatit did fit the requirements. Engineer Hubbard pointed out that the plat he was looking at did not seem to be accurate in it's scale versus indicated lot measurements. However, in checking further, the lots appear to be bigger than what is indicated, rather than smaller. Mr Harstad pointed out that the plat was a preliminary one and therefore was not 100% accurate and the surveyor normally draws the lots smaller on the preliminary than they actually are. Councilmember Hodges stated that he had looked at a development Mr Harstad had built previously, on a cul -de -sac, and he felt the homes were very attractive and an asset to the neighborhood. Mr Harstad stated that the cul -de -sac was planned to come out on Groveland rather than Fairchild because more trees could be saved that way. Mayor Pickar closed the public hearing. MSP (Hodges Ziebarth) to approve request of Mr Harstad, 8400 Groveland, for a major subdivision as presented on the April 14, 1977 plat allowing for variances on Lots 3 and 12, Lot 3 requiring a 5' variance and Lot 12 a 5' frontage variance; and that Mr Harstad get in writing the agreement with NSP and Northwestern Bell that all utilities will be underground. A rollcall vote was taken: Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Mayo(' Pickar Rowley nay Ziebarth aye Hodges aye aye 3 ayes 1 nay Councilmember Rowley stated her nay was based on the fact that she felt there was no undue hardship to the property and therefore no reason to grant any variances. SUBDIVISION /PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT ALTERNATIVES KNOLLWOOD PARK ADDITION Administrator Achen reported that this item was placed on the agenda due to a previous request from a citizen that he be allowed to subdivide his property in the area in question. The Council denied his subdivision request at that time and recommended polling the residents of the area to get their feelings on subdividing their property and putting in further roadways, and to determine whether there is sufficient interest for Council to pursue the matter further. t -6- Administrator Achen presented four possibilities that the Staff had drawn up for subdividing the area and putting roads through. The proposals varied from providing 26 lots to 45 lots in the area, taking into consideration a holding pond and park area, and assessments ranged from $8,665 to $9,870 per lot. Ted Martin, 3000 County Road H2, asked if there had been any feasibility studies done on developing the area as he felt there was too much peat in the area to build on. Administrator Achen replied that there had not, that this meeting was being held to first determine if there was any interest in the development, before going into it further. Engineer Hubbard stated that the assessment figure was a rough figure, but that the Engineering Department felt that the assessment figures were high, so as not to provide any surprises if the development were to occur and problems were run into. Earl Staurseth, 2908 County Road H2, stated that he had been assessed at one time for his water and sewer and did not want to face another assessment again on the same property. At Councilmember Rowley's request a poll was taken of the residents present at the Council meeting and 11 were against any development in the area, 2 were interested and 2 were indifferent, with 10 families not represented. Mayor Pickar stated since the majority of the residents were not interested in a:iy development, the issue would be tabled. He alsi, reminded the citizens that they did not have to worry about the City deciding at a later date to go in and develop the area, since that area was their's and the decision to develop would have to be their's. COMMERCIAL /MIXED DEVELOPMENTS ST. PAUL RENT -ALL MSP (Hodges Rowley) adopt Resolution No 838 authorizing Mayor Pickar and Adm Achen to enter into the contract with St Paul Rent -All, Inc upon receipt of the corrected contract from Rent -All, or any other conditions that the City Attorney deemed necessary. 4 ayes COMMERCIAL /MIXED DEVELOPMENTS GUSTAFSON OFFICE BUILDING Mr. Gustafson has requested approval of a plot plan and development proposal for an office building development (B -1) at 7664 Greenfield Avenue. The proposal as presented would require vcr ac ^.f parking an'l setback rciuir Mr. Gustafson has requested Council's reaction to the sketch plan concept before proceeding with detailed drawings. He indicated that the building would be similar to the real estate office located at the southwest corner of 85th Avenue NE and Old Central Avenue in Fridley. The Planning Commission gave variance of required parking in order to obtain wider "green" space between parking lot and street. The change effectively increases the "green" space between the street and parking lots by the width of the boulevard. -7- The proposed office building could be used as a sales office for the neighboring townhouse development under consideration. It could include barber and beauty shops, dental office, laundromat, numerous types of retail stores, etc. It will contain approximately 3,712 square feet of floor space. The Staff has recommended that particular attention be given to parking provisions to avoid excessive street parking. Councilmember Ziebarth stated that he was uncomfortable with the number of parking places planned, 16 rather than the required 22. However, he did not see any pro- blem in the zoning change, from B -4 to B -1. Councilmember Hodges suggested that Mr. Gustafson check into the possibility of using some of the parking spaces in the lot next door to his proposed office building, thus avoiding parking on the street. Mayor Pickar stated that the Council should address themselves to rezoning the area from B -4 to B -1 and take into consideration the Comprehensive Plan, which has pro- posed a residential medium density use, R -3. Councilmember Rowley stated that she felt there was no problem in rezoning the area B -1 but that she was concerned with the parking situation, and that she would pre- fer foregoing the 15 foot green space and having 20 parking spaces. MSP Pickar- Ziebarth) to grant a variance to Mr. Gustafson for the property at 7664 Greenfield for 20 parking spaces rather than 22, and approve in principle the preliminary plot plan and set a public hearing for July 11, 1977 at 8:00 PM for rezoning the property from B -4 to B -1, with a conditional use permit for the office building. 4 ayes COMMERCIAL /MIXED DEVELOPMENTS NORTHCREST PARK PUD Administrator Achen read the letter he had received from Mn /DOT in reply to his letter requesting a signalized interchange on TH 10 between County Road H and County Road H2. The letter stated that the median opening and signal were not possible under present conditions, and informal discussions with Mn /DOT have indicated they will strongly resist such an intersection until new TH 10 is completed in 1983. Adm Achen S tated the technical problems of synchronizing traffic signals on TH 10 is the real problem. Mn /DOT strongly feels traffic must be able to flow smoothly as long as the vehicle load is so heavy. Their experience indicates an increased risk of accidents when adequate synrhroni7a ion is nnt, nrnvided nn cgrh hea use roadways. The Staff has recommended that full development of the Northcrest Park plan should include the intersection. However, it may be possible to stage development using only right turn access to TH 10 until new TH 10 is completed. The Staff has also recommended that Council at least insist upon Mn /DOT's commit- ment to the signallized intersection upon completion of new TH 10. It appears that the old TH 10 overlay project may not be the right lever to use with Mn /DOT. -8- Administrator Achen reported that the Council had three options open to them, to stick to their guns and not approve the overlay until the interchange is okayed, or to drop the issue of approving the overlay but continue to discuss the inter- change with Mn /DOT, or approve the overlay project with a compromise condition, to get Mn /DOT to approve the interchange when new TH 10 is put in. Mn /DOT will be opening the bids for the overlay project on June 24, and Administrator Achen suggested that the Council could hold a special meeting the night of June 22 and request the State send a representative to the meeting to discuss the interchange and work out an agreement. Attorney Meyers stated he felt the City had a good lever to use with Mn /DOT and that he did not feel Mn /DOT could bypass the City without it's approval of the overlay project. MSP (Rowley Ziebarth) to hold a special meeting the night of June 22 at 7:00 PM and that Mn /DOT be directed to study the issue and have the results of that study presented to the Council that evening. 4 ayes CONTRACTORS LICENSE BONDS ORDINANCE Administ. Achen. presented a survey of other cities' licensing and bonding requirements. Mounds View's current bonding requirement creates two problems in that the admini- stration and enforcement are very time consuming and the costs to contractors are greater than in most communities. The bonding requirement serves as an enforcement threat but the City has actually never collected on a bond. The City Attorney has advised that for smaller bonds the cost of collecting may exceed the amount collected and that the collection process can be lengthy. He indicated that a cash deposit is much more effective because the City holds the money. Complete elimination of the bonding requirement seems to be the best solution. The legal costs required to enforce code or ordinance requirements is probably less than the combined costs of contractor bond costs which are undoubtedly passed on to the consumer, the City's cost to annually administer the bonding provisions, and the City's costs to collect on such bonds. In addition, the City's rather comprehensive licensing requirements provides an enforcement tool. Adm Achen stated if complete elimination seems too extreme, a standard contractor's bond of $2,000 could be maintained as a nominal enforcement tool. Such a bond will cost most contractors only $40 -50 and does not require elaborate financial statements. Mr. Harstad stated that as a contractor he was well aware uF the bonding oeghlerc and that while they serve as a nuisance to large contractors, the bond often pre- vents the smaller contractors from working. They cannot get bonded, or afford to meet the bonding requirements. MSP (Ziebarth- Rowley) to adopt Ordinance #265, repealing Chapter 60.02 of the Mounds View Municipal Code, Subdivision 10, requiring bonding. 4 ayes -9- BONA ROAD DEVELOPMENT Mr Harstad requested the Council again look into the issue of development of Bona Rd between County Road I and Hillview, specifically Greenfield Plat 3. He stated that it is his intention to build only split entries in the area, which would not experience any water problems. All basement elevations would be higher than the existing house on Lot 5, which is the lowest on Bona Road. Mayor Pickar stated that development would increase drainage problems for the other residents already located in the area. Mr Harstad replied that it was his experience that the more buildings that were put on property, the more the water table drops, not rises. He stated that if there would be a problem then storm sewers should be put in. Mr Harstad reminded the Council that he is paying taxes on improved lots, but he cannot build on them, and that he has been waiting for two years for the approval to build. Councilmember Rowley recommended that Mr Harstad be put on the agenda of a future Council meeting, allowing the Staff time to gather information of this issue. Mr Harstad stated he would like to sit down with Bannister -Short and a representative from the City of Mounds View to work out the problem. MSP (Rowley Ziebarth) to table discussion on the Bona Road development until the June 27 Council meeting, and the Staff and Mr Harstad prepare the necessary information before that meeting. 4 Ayes SALE OF POP BY MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH SOFTBALL TEAM TRANSIENT MERCHANT LICENSE Administrator Achen reported that he had received a request from Lyle Groth of the Messiah Lutheran softball team for removal of the fee of $25 for selling soft drinks at their softball games. He stated that they did not believe the proceeds from the sale would amount to $25, that the pop would be sold for the players convenience, and that any proceeds would be donated to a ladies softball team for next year. MSP (Pickar Ziebarth) to issue a transient merchants license and waive the fee of $25 for the Messiah Lutheran Church softball team for selling soft drinks on June 25 26, 1977. COMSTOCK AND DAVIS CONSULTANTS ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT Engineer Hubbard reported that he has reached agreement with Comstock and Davis on a contract for engineering services. The contract is identical to that made with Banister- Short except Comstock and Davis does not want payment for projects under $40,000 to be based upon a percentage of the project cost. Engineer Hubbard recommended that the contract be signed with the stipulation that the fee for jobs under $40,000 be negotiated. MSP (Ziebarth- Pickar) to authorize execution of a contract with Comstock and Davis for their engineering services, with the details to be worked out by the City Admini- strator and Engineer concerning negotiatingthe fee for jobs under $40,000. 10 ADMINISTRATOR ACHEN'S REPORT Administrator Achen recommended the Council authorize City participation in 1978 joint police contract negotiations, represented by the Metropolitan Area Manage- ment Association (MAMA), with Teamsters Local No 320. MSP Pickar- Rowley) to authorize City participation in 1978 joint police contract negotiations, represented by the Metropolitan Area Management Association. Administrator Achen reported that copies of the United States Jaycees handbook on parliamentary procedures was issued to City Council members and Planning Commission members. MSP (Ziebarth- Hodges) to schedule hearing for July 11, 1977 rezoning and conditional use permit for a recuperative home Administrator Achen reported that one additional recreation Randy Perralt. at 8:20 PM on the Singer 4 Ayes person was being hired, MSP (Hodges Ziebarth) to approve hiring of Randy Perralt as a Rec Attendant II at $2.30 per hour effective June 6, 1977. 4 Ayes ATTORNEY MEYERS' REPORT Attorney Meyers had no report. ENGINEER HUBBARD'S REPORT Engineer Hubbard reported that $2,260 was netted from the surplus equipment sale on June 11, 1977. COUNCILMEMBER ROWLEY'S REPORT Councilmember Rowley had no report. COUNCILMEMBER ZIEBARTH'S REPORT Councilmember Ziebarth stated he felt meal costs were rather high at the Rochester League of Minnesota Cities convention, and that he thought that feeling should be conveyed to the LMC Board of Directors. COUNCILMEMBER HODGES' REPORT Councilmember Hodges had no report. MAYOR PICKAR'S REPORT Mayor Pickar reported that Mounds View is eligible to apply for a 10 percent budget levy limitation base extension. MSP (Ziebarth Rowley) to adjourn the meeting at 12:20 AM. ectfully„ssibmitted, jet cite& Mark Achen Clerk- Administrator 4 Ayes