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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1978/03/13CONSENT AGENDA March 13, 1978 The consent agenda is a technique designed to expedite handling of routine and miscellaneous official business of the City Council. The entire agenda may be adopted by the Council in one motion. The motion for adoption is non debatable and must receive unanimous approval. By request of any individual ^ouncil member, any item can be removed from the consent agenda and placed upon the regular agenda for debate. ITEM A. Postpone public improvement hearing for streets, sewer, water and storm sewers in Planning District 2 (Improvement Project 1978-3) pending Council action on Project 1978 -1, citywide storm sewer. ITEM B. Accept resignation of Thomas Tveit as Finance Officer effective March 31, 1978 and direct City Administrator to recruit and recommend replacement. ITEM C. Reschedule Clean Up Day to Saturday, April 29th. May 6th will be the alternate date in case of inclement weather. ITEM D. Approve the March 13, 1978, bills for payment. ITEM E. Approve the following licenses: GENERAL new expire 6/30/78 All -Style Builders Remodelers Inc. 1384 109th Ave. N.E. Blaine, MN 55434 Certified Mobile Homes, Inc. 7625 Highway 65 N.E. Minneapolis, MN 55432 Lade Construction Co. 17720 Roanoke Blvd. N.W. Anoka, MN 55303 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 Acting Mayor Hodges at 7:30 PM on March 13, 1978 at the Mounds View City Hall, 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112. Members Present: Also Present: Acting Mayor Hodges Councilmember Ziebarth Councilmember Baumgartner Councilmember Rowley Clerk- Administrator Achen Attorney Meyers Engineer Hubbard Acting Mayor Hodges stated that Mayor Pickar was out of town. MSP (Baumgartner- Ziebarth) to approve the minutes of the special meeting February 21, 1978 and regular meting February 27, 1978. CITIZEN COMMENTS AND REQUESTS There were no citizen comments or requests. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA MSP (Baumgartner- Rowley) to approve the consent agenda as fol- lows: I A. Postpone public improvement hearing for streets, sewer, water and storm sewers in Planning District 2 :(Improvement Project 1978 -3) pending Council action on Project 1978 -1, citywide storm sewer. ITEM B. Accept resignation of Thomas Tveit as Finance Officer effective March 31, 1978 and direct City Administrator to recruit and recommend replacement. ITEM C. Reschedule Clean Up Day to Saturday, April 29th. May 6th will be the alternate date in case of inclement weather. ITEM D. Approve the March 13, 1978, bills for payment. March 13, 1978 Page 2 ITEM E. Approve the following licenses: GENERAL new expire 6/30/78 All -Style Builders Remodelers Inc. 1384 109th Ave. N.E. Blaine, MN 55434 Certified Mobile Homes, Inc. 7625 Highway 65 N.E. Minneapolis, MN 55432 Lade Construction Co. 17720 Roanoke Blvd. N.W. Anoka, MN 55303 CHAPTER 92 ORDINANCE Administrator Achen explained that the ordinance to amend Chapter 92, Tree Dieases, eliminates the option of sealing diseased tree wood in clear plastic. Adoption of the ordinance would allow diseased tree firewood to be kept between March 1 and July 1 only if it is debarked. During other months of the year, such wood can be kept with the bark intact because that is the period in which trees are least susceptible to infestation by the spores. Administrator Achen stated that the City Forester has indicated that he is aware of only three or four households in Mounds View that are presently wrapping their firewood piles in plastic. Acting Mayor Hodges asked how other cities handle the problem. Administrator Achen replied that Mounds View's ordinance is based on State regulations and that he assumed other cities follow the same regulations. MSP (Ziebarth- Rowley) to amend Chapter 92, Ordinance 275 to eliminate the option of sealing diseased trees in clear plastic. 4 ayes DISEASED TREE REMOVAL BIDS Administrator Achen stated that two bids were received by the City on diseased tree removal. He explained that fewer bids were received this year than last year due to changes in the regulations that the Metropolitan Area Tree Utilization System has imposed. He added that some of the contractors did not want to bid on the job since they did not know what the regulations were. The low bid the City received was from J B Tree Service, who did not know of the regulations at the time they placed their bid, but who assured the City after learning of the regulations that they would still be able to fulfill the contract. March 13, 1978 Page 3 Administrator Achen explained that the contract is used to remove diseased trees from public property within the City and on private property if the property owner should choose to use J B's services and pay for them. Councilmember Baumgartner asked what the total cost of the contract was. Administrator Achen replied that it would depend upon the number of diseased trees that were removed, and that that number would be determined after the tree inspector submits his report next month. He added that last year approximately $6,800 was spent on tree removal, of which $1,400 was the City's share, with the other $5,400 coming from private property owners who used the service. Attorney Meyers recommended that the City request the contractor to put in writing that he is aware of the disposal problems and new regulations. MSP (Ziebarth Baumgartner) to accept the low bid for tree removal from J B Tree Service, contingent upon the City receiving a letter from the contractor indicating that he is aware of the disposal problems. 4 ayes LAWN MOWER BIDS Administrator Achen reported that bids were received from five firms for the front mounted rotary mower. The low bid was received from Toro for $5,190. One bid was received on the trailer, for $750. The bid for the mower exceeds the budget of $4,200 but $1,800 was budgeted for the trailer, so the combined total still remains within budget. Councilmember Ziebarth questioned why the bid on the trailer was so much lower than what was budgeted for and questioned if the City was getting what they really wanted. Administrator Achen replied that the estimate on the cost of a trailer was made by the previous park director and that he was not sure what guidelines were used. He added that he believed the trailer was what the City wanted. Engineer Hubbard added that the City had specs written on the equip- ment and that the bids met the specs. MSP (Rowley Hodges) to accept the bid from Toro rotary mower at a purchase price of $5,190, and for $750, contingent upon a double check of the to make sure it is what the City really wants. for a front mounted trailer model GM 72 specs on the trailer 4 ayes ADMINISTRATOR ACHEN'S REPORT Administrator Achen reported that the Festivities Commission has sub- mitted a request for approval of expenditures. He added that the City Council had previously indicated tht they would allow the Festivities Commission to recommend the use of any supplemental funds. He reported that last year the Festivities Commission activities were virtually self- supporting. March 13, 1978 Page Councilmember Rowley asked if the items purchased by the Festivities Commission would be available to other City groups, such as the Park and Rec Department. Administrator Achen replied that they would be as long as someone accepted responsibility for them. Acting Mayor Hodges stated that he would like to see a light or electric outlet in the park shelter. Councilmember Ziebarth added that he would be in favor of trying to light and protect the lighting in the park shelter. Councilmember Baumgartner stated that Staff and the Park and Recrea- tion Department should be directed to look into outside lighting and make a recommendation to the Council. MSP (Ziebarth Rowley) to recommend the expenditure from the contin- gency fund as listed with the stipulation that Council approve $500 maximum on the cost of electric service to the park shelter, and that the Staff and Park and Recreation Deparment should look into light- ing for the park shelter. 4 ayes Administrator Achen reported that he has a proposal from the Park and Recreation Department to conduct a community gardening program at Silver View Park. The area would be 160 feet square, with the individual lots being 15'x15', with the land being rototilled. The charge would be $5 per lot per year to each person. Administrator Achen added that the gardening program would require the installation of a sand point well but that the type of pump needed had not yet been determined. Administrator Achen reported that the Park and Recreation Department plans to generate approximately $500 in income from the lots and that the cost of the well should be between $200 and $250, and the cost of signing should be about $50. He added that the tree inspec- tor has a background in gardening and intends to conduct some classes as part of the Park and Recreation programs. The Park and Recreation Department also intends to have some type of produce market to sell what is grown. Councilmember Baumgartner asked if the City had received requests for such a program and expressed concern that the cost of the well and signing might not be covered if all the lots are not leased out. Administrator Achen replied that if the costs were not covered, it would cause a deficit in the budget. He added that people would be able to lease more than one lot, only after all the single requests had been filled. Councilmember Ziebarth questioned how the $5 fee was determined and added that he did not feel the City should get rich over the program but that they should definitely protect their investment. Administrator Ashen replied that the Park and Recreation Department director most likely made estimate of $5 from his previous experience with the City of Maplewood, which had a similar program. He added that the program is not a money making venture but more of an opportunity for the citizens to learn gardening. MSP (Ziebarth Rowley) to accept the Park and Recreation Department guidelines for the gardening program. 4 ayes March 13, 1978 Administrator Achen reported that the City had received contract agreement forms from the Metropolitan Council on a planning assistance grant. The City will receive $3,753, 90% immediately and the remaining 10% upon completion of the Comprehensive Plan update. He added that the City has also applied for $4,000 in special planning funds. Councilmember Ziebarth stated that the indications he has received are that the Metropolitan Council is cutting the $4,000 special funding request by 25 so that the City most likely will be receiving $3,000 rather than $4,000. He added that to his knowledge all requests were being cut by 25 MSP (Baumgartner Ziebarth) to approve the contract and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk- Administrator to execute the agreement. 4 ayes ATTORNEY MEYERS REPORT Attorney Meyers reported that he had presented the deed from Park and Playground Inc. to Judy Rowley for Lakeside Park and that he felt there may be a legal problem in turning the park over to the County due to the wording of the deed. Councilmember Rowley explained that for the past two years there have been problems with the operation of the Park by the Lakeside Park Commission. One of the options that has been discussed is to turn over Lakeside Park to Ramsey County. She reported that she met with officials from Ramsey County who expressed interest in the Park. Anoka County has indicated they do not want to get involved. Councilmember Rowley added that the Lakeside Park Commission realizes that some sort of changes must be made. She will outline to the Commission what the restrictions on the deed are. She added that there will be minimal programs at the Park this summer. Council- member Rowley added that she would be happy to hear from anyone with questions or suggestions on the Park. She also added that one of the main problems with the Commission is that it cannot be both administrative and operational at the same time. Robert Helseth, group, Park and two cities. He citizens and to 7666 Knollwood, stated that he was with the original Playground Inc., that turned the land over to the stated that the group was made up of private his knowledge is still a corporation. Mrs. Helseth added that originally when the group was formed, Spring Lake was not being used. A group of citizens formed and dredged the lake and cleaned it up and set up a program for swimming lessons for all children, regardless of whether they could pay or not. She added that they turned the property over to the cities when they could no longer afford to keep it going themselves. Attorney Meyers stated that he believes one city could take over the property themselves but there is a legal problem in turning it over to the County. He plans to check further into it. Page 5 March 13, 1978 ENGINEER HUBBARD'S REPORT Engineer Hubbard reported that vehicle weight restrictions will go into effect March 20. The weight limits are 3 tons per axle. Permits may be issued for up to 5 tons per axle at $20 per trip. COUNCILMEMBER ROWLEY'S.REPORT CouriCilmember Rowley reported that she had attended a meeting last Friday regarding the relocation of the helicopter unit of the National Guard to the Anoka County Airport. She added that the request was made that the Airport master plan be done before any approval is given for the relocation. Bills have been filed in the Senate and House regarding this. Councilmember Rowley also stated that she had written several letters to a number of officials so that they might also get involved. She added that there will be a meeting of concerned citizens on March 16th at 7:30 at City Hall. COUNCILMEMBER ZIEBARTH'S REPORT Councilmember Ziebarth stated that the city's request for special planning funds will be acted upon at the third Wednesday meeting of the month of the Metropolitan Council. COUNCILMEMBER BAUMGARTNER'S REPORT Councilmember Baumgartner reported that at the Planning Commission meeting on March 8 there was quite a discussion on the storm sewer project and that the Commission had made two motions. The first, which was defeated, was to delay a decision on the project and get together task forces of citizens to study the project and answer questions. The motion which was passed was to recommend that the Council deny Project 1978 -1. ACTING MAYOR HODGES' REPORT Acting Mayor Hodges advised any citizens who had not written letters to the city yet on Project 1978 -1 to get their letters into the city by 4:30 p.m. on March 15. Acting Mayor Hodges recogniz ?d the group of citizens who entered the Council Chambers to discuss the storm sewer project. Peter Sargent, 2268 Knoll Drive, stated that he was the spokesman for 3,819 area voters. Dwayne McCarty, 8060 Long Lake Road, presented the Council with a petition of 3,820 signatures concerning Project 1978 -1. March 13, 1978 Page Mr. Sargent read a prepared statement from the group requesting that Project 1978 -1 be denied. He indicated that the group understands this petition carries no legal weight and that they should have followed this matter more closely as Council considered it during the past two, years. He stated that the city may eventually need storm sewers and that the citizen group might consider Project 1978 -1 if senior citizens and other hardship cases are exempt from the costs, a smaller, less expensive approach is taken, citizens participate in design of the Project, an environmental impact statement is prepared, and a vote of the public is taken. Ray Lang, 7435 Spring Lake Road, read a prepared statement requesting that Project 1978 -1 be denied and stated that he and the rest of the group he represented were totally committed to defeating the project. Neil Loeding, 5046 Longview Drive, stated that he would be presenting a statement to the Council on March 14. Mr. Sargent requested that the Councilmembers be present at the March 21 meeting which the citizens were conducting. Councilmember Rowley questioned if the Council could attend the meeting as it might be in violation of the open meeting law. Attorney Meyers stated that each Councilmember should put in the meeting minutes whether they planned to attend the March 21 meeting. Such a declaration in advance shows that the Council intends to comply with the spirit of the open meeting law. Mr. Sargent stated that he feels the Councilmembersowe it to the citizens to attend. Attorney Meyers again pointed out that it is illegal for the Council to meet as a group at a meeting outside the Council Chambers and one that is not a regularly scheduled Council meeting. Mr. Sargent replied that he did not care. Councilmembers Ziebarth, Rowley, Acting Mayor Hodges, and Councilmember Baumgartner stated that they plan to attend the March 21 meeting if possible. Councilmember Rowley asked if the citizens who had signed the petitions had read the statements which were presented to the Council. Mr. Sargent replied that they had only read the statement at the top of the page they signed. Councilmember Baumgartner asked if the 104 signatures on the petition that was submitted at the public hearing on February 21 were on the petition just handed in and thus would be duplications. Mr. Sargent replied that they were. Councilmember Baumgartner pointed out that there was quite a difference in the wording of the two petitions. MSP (Rowley- Baumgartner) to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 PM. R spect!ul sbmitted, Mafk Achen Clerk- Administrator 4 ayes