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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1977/11/28Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Mayor Pickar PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA A regular meeting of the Mounds View City Council was called to order by Mayor Pickar at 7:30 PM on November 28, 1977 at the Mounds View City Hall, 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112. Members Present: Also Present: Rowley Ziebarth Hodges Baumgartner Clerk- Administrator Achen Attorney Meyers Engineer Hubbard MSP (Hodges Baumgartner) to approve the minutes of the November 14, 1977 minutes as presented. 4 ayes 1 abstainl Councilmember Ziebarth explained that he was abstaining from the vote as he had not been at the November 14 meeting. CITIZEN COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Ken Beech, 7041 Pleasantview Drive stated that he was having a problem with fox killing the ducks and pheasant on his property. He explained that he owned 3/4 acre on which the ducks and pheasant roamed, and that he had called the Police Department, who told him they could not shoot the fox and referred to the no fire arms law of the City. Mr. Beech also stated that he had contacted the DNR, which said they would shoot the fox if it weren't for the City law. Mayor Pickar replied that Mounds View's law regarding tle firing of guns within the City was the same as any other city and that the law was made to protect the people. He recommended that Mr. Beech contact City Hall during working hours and discuss the details of his problem with the proper officials. Russell Paul, 7940 Greenfield stated that he felt guns should be allowed to some extent in order to allow for the control of animals such as fox. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA MSP (Rowley Ziebarth) to approve the consent agenda as follows: 5 ayes November 28, 1977 Page 2 ITEM A. Set public hearing for 7:40 PM, December 12, 1977, on Dailey Homes preliminary plat of property generally located at 7555 Groveland Road and on the rezoning of that property for duplex development. ITEM B. Set public hearing for 8:00 PM, December 12, 1977, on Eugene Tomas single family preliminary plat of property generally located at 5065 Bona Road. ITEM C. Set public hearing for 8:15 PM, December 12, 1977, on Cedar Bay Builders single family preliminary plat of property generally located at 8465 Fairchild Avenue. ITEM D. Set public hearing for 7:40 PM January 9, 1978 on Crown Auto Conditional Use permit request for the addition of two vehicle repair bays at 2701 Highway 10. ITEM E. Designate George M. Hansen Company to perform the 1977 audit of city finances. Estimated fee for audit services is $3,250 to $3,850, not to exceed the latter. ITEM F. Cancel the scheduled City Council regular meeting on December 26, 1977, and agenda session on January 2, 1978. These dates are legal holidays, Christmas and New Year's respectively. ITEM G. Receive the August, 1977, activity reports of the police, fire, legal and nuisance abatement departments. ITEM H. Approve November 28, 1977, bills for payment. ITEM I. Approve the following licenses: Contractors expire 6/30/78 GENERAL new Big Bear Construction 775 Colorado Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55416 Stu Rothgeber 5200 Greenfield Ave. Mounds View, MN 55112 GENERAL B K Builders 5727 Knox Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN HTG AIR COND. renewal Hovaldt Mobile Home Service 126 No. Greeley St. Stillwater, MN 55082 Vern's Service Supply Inc. 15605 Highway 65 N.E. Anoka, MN 55303 SEWER WATER EXCAV, „L.,�,.. renewal Ray Perron 177 Cleveland Ave. S.E. New Brighton, MN 55112 November 28, 1977 Page 3 PROPOSED METROPOLITAN REGIONAL AVIATION PLAN RESOLUTION OF CITY COUNCIL POLICY Mayor Pickar reported that he and Councilmember Baumgartner had attended the New Brighton City Council meeting and had been successful in per- suading them to take a stand opposing adoption of the proposed Aviation Plan by the Metropolitan Council. The New Brighton Council's resolution strongly urges that an environmental assessment be made before the Plan is adopted. Mayor Pickar read the proposed resolution that Mounds View plans to present. Councilmember Baumgartner requested that the wording "effective input" be changed to "sufficient input He also stated that he would like the requirement of an environmental impact study to be added. Administrator Achen recommended that a good place to request the environ- mental impact study would be at the end of the first paragraph on the second page. He also recommended that whoever attends the November 30 Metropolitan Council meeting have a statement prepared. Councilmember Rowley stated that the number of schools and churches in the area should be mentioned in the statement. Councilmember Ziebarth stated that there would be another presentation that evening by a concerned citizens group and that they would be Presenting a petition with some 500 signatures opposing the expansion of the airport. MSP (Baumgartner Rowley) to approve Resolution No. 874 as amended. 5 ayes Mayor Pickar stated that he would be attending the meeting, and Council members Rowley and Ziebarth stated that they would also be attending. Administrator Achen recommended that there be only one speaker from the group and that he or she alter the statement to be presented dependent upon what the previous speakers had said, in order to avoid duplication and possible loss of attention from the Metropolitan Council. HOME OCCUPATION REGULATIONS Administrator Achen explained that the issue cf home occupations arose several months ago with a complaint from a neighbor. The Council at that time asked the Planning Commission to review the ordinance and give its input to the Council. The Planning Commission held a public hearing and took the basic position that the ordinance should remain as is, except that such activities should not be allowed in garages and should not create a neighborhood nuisance. Administrator Achen stated that even with these changes, there are problems with the enforcement of the ordinance. There seems to be some home occupations that the Council and Planning Commission don't find objectionable. If so, the ordinance should he changed to allow these. November 28, 1977 Page 4 Councilmember Baumgartner stated that he had sat through part of the Planning Commission meeting when they discussed the ordinance and that he was surprised that the phrase 'equipment not customarily found in the home' was left in. He recommended that that statement be eliminated to .void problems in determining what is customary and what is not. Councilmember Baumgartner also recommended that the word 'objectionable' be eliminated as it would be hard to determine what is objectionable. Councilmember Rowley questioned how immediate an immediate neighbor is. She also stated that she would prefer saying 'a room within the home' rather than specifying what square feet the room can be, as people would be coming in asking for variances. She also asked if it would be possible to allow home occupations unless there were complaints. Attorney Meyers replied that any decision would be left up to a judge. Councilmember Rowley suggested that anyone running a home occupation be required to register with the City and that if a complaint is filed, the records could be checked and if they are not registered, they could then be prosecuted. Administrator Achen questioned if there were other sections of the zoning code that would cover home occupations. Attorney Meyers said yes. MSP (Pickar Ziebarth) to table the amendment to the chapter on home occupations and direct the clerk- administrator to get together with the city attorney to work out the proper wording. Jim Allen, 7943 Greenfield, stated that he felt if the City was going to prohibit home occupations, they should do it straight down the line and not allow some while disallowing others. Russell Pahl stated that he did not feel the City should be bothering the people and that they should leave them alone and allow them to do as they please. ON -SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSES FIRE PREVENTION IMPROVEMENTS Administrator Achen stated that the Fire Chief had made a list of recommendations of improvements that should be made to establishments having on -sale liquor licenses before their licenses are renewed, to bring them all up to standard. Administrator Achen stated that this action was the result of requirements being placed upon one establish- ment during the past summer before their license was renewed. Administrator Achen reported that according to the Fire Chief, no improvements would be required at the Anchor Inn and that between $5,000 and $15,000 of improvements would be required at both Donatelle's and the Mermaid in order to bring them up to standarJ. Administrator Achen recommended that the Bel Rae be checked also so as not to discriminate between establishments. MSP (Pickar Hodges) to direct the City Administrator to send a letter to the businesses asking them when they would expect the improvements Lo be made and that the Council does not intend to renew the licenses without the improvements. 5 ayes November 28, 1977 Page 5 STORM DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS ENGINEER'S FEASIBILITY REPORT Roger Short, of Short Elliott- Hendrickson, referred to the feasibility report he had sent the City and stated that it provided the same financial information that had been submitted previously. He stated that the cost of the total project would amount to $4,496,810, and if approved, would hopefully start in 1978. Mr. Short displayed two maps of the City showing the three phases of the project and the areas they would benefit. Councilmember Rowley stated that she would like the public to be aware that this was just a feasibility report and that the City has not approved or accepted it yet. This is just one in a series of steps of working procedures to making a decision on the project. Seegar Swanson of Ehlers and Associates presented a financial report he had prepared for the project and gave the breakdown of what the City could expect. MSP (Pickar- Baumgartner) to formally receive the feasibility report and take it under consideration and set a public hearing for Tuesday, February 28, 1978, at 7:30 PM. 5 ayes ORGANIZATIONAL TEAM BUILDING REPORT ON COUNCIL /STAFF RETREATS Mayor Pickar stated that the written reports on the retreats were not yet completed and asked each councilmember to give a statement on their impression of the retreat. Mayor Pickar explained that on the weekend of November 3 and 4, the Council had met with a government training executive at 7 Pines Lodge to work out problems together, and to learn to identify crucial problems of the City and decide the best possible approach to them. The staff held a retreat on the following weekend for the same purpose, and then a joint retreat was held last weekend. Mayor Pickar stated that overall it was a much needed meeting and accomplished a great deal. Councilmember Rowley stated that she agreed that a great deal had been accomplished. She felt the trainer had been able to keep them on a specific track in order to accomplish their goals, and that they had learned to set priorities. Councilmember Ziebarth stated that he agreed with Councilmember Rowley and that he felt that Peter Gregg, the trainer, did a very good job. He stated that as a result of the retreats, hopefully the City will be able to plan more in advance and let the people know what is happen- ing. Councilmember Ziebarth also stated that he would be more than willing to sit down with anyone and talk to them in detail about what they accomplished. Councilmember Hodges stated that he had had doubts about the retreats at the beginning but that he now felt he had learned a great deal and that it was a worthwhile experience. November 28, 1977 Page 6 Councilmember Baumgartner stated that he agreed with everything that had been said and that while he, too, was skeptical at first, he believes the trainer did an excellent job and that better communication between the Councilmembers and department heads was established. Administrator Achen stated that the trainer helped guide them in setting priorities and learning how to work with people and how to set goals. Councilmember Rowley added that if anyone wondered why they went to Wisconsin for the retreat, that it was at the recommendation of the trainer in order to avoid the day -to -day distraction of city hall. Russell Pahl questioned why the citizens had to pay for the retreat. He wanted to have a say in the matter before the decision was made to go, rather than after. He also stated that he would like to see written reports. Councilmember Ziebarth replied that a written report is being prepared and will be completed December 2nd. He also stated that after the first session, he had met with Councilmember Baumgartner and together they wrote up a report, which anyone was welcome to look at. He also pointed out that the retreat had cost him more as an individual than it had any taxpayer. Councilmember Baumgartner pointed out that the retreat had been dis- cussed at several Council meetings before it was approved. The public is welcome to attend any meeting. If Mr. Pahl had been present at those meetings, he could have given his input before the fact, rather than after. Dan Snare, Long Lake Road, stated that he had attended such a seminar five years ago for his company and that he was still seeing the benefit of it now. ADMINISTRATOR. ACHENS REPORT Administrator Achen reported that at the November 19 primary election, there were only 20 voters. Six people were employed to cover the election, which worked out to about $21 per ballot. He also reported that the general election would be held on Saturday, December 3,and asked that Judy Peterson be appointed to serve as a counter. MSP (Pickar- Ziebarth) to appoint Judy Peterson, 2145 Dickens Lane, an election official for the December 3 election. ATTORNEY MEYERS REPORT Attorney Meyers reported that he had a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 93, which he would like the Council to review. He also stated that the Mounds View Square assessment appeal hearing would be heard on January 9, 1978. 5 ayes November 28, 1977 Page 7 ENGINEER HUBBARD had no report. COUNCILMEMBER ROWLEY'S REPORT Councilmember Rowley reported that she had gone before the Spring Lake Park City Council the previous Monday and presented the concerns of the Lakeside Park Commission that she previously presented to the Mounds View Council. She stated that the Spring Lake Park Council would be at the December 8 Lakeside Park Commission meeting. She asked that any Councilmembers who would be available try to attend the meeting. COUNCILMEMBER ZIEBARTH'S REPORT Councilmember Ziebarth reminded everyone of the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 30, at 7:30 PM at the Metro Square Building in St. Paul with the Metropolitan Council concerning the Anoka County Airport. He also stated that a bus would be available at City Hall, on a first come, first served basis to go to the meeting. COUNCILMEMBER HODGES' REPORT Councilmember Hodges reported that he had received a letter from the Youth Service Bureau and that they had formed a financial committee and that he would be attending their meeting at the beginning of December. He also pointed out that the Youth Service Bureau meetings were Monday nights, so that he would have a conflict between them and the Council meetings. COUNCILMEMBER BAUMGARTNER had no report. MAYOR PICKAR'S REPORT Mayor Pickar stated that both he and the attorney would be out of town on February 28 1978, which was the date set for the public hearing on the drainage project and asked that the date be changed. MSP Pickar- Ziebarth) to change the public hearing date for the storm water drainage project to February 21, 1978, rather than February 28, 1978, at 7:30 PM. 5 ayes MSP (Baumgartner Rowley) to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 PM. 5 ayes Respectfully submitted, Mark Achen Clerk- Administrator