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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1995/06/12• PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Hwy. 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 CALL TO ORDER The Mounds View City Council was called to order by Mayor Linke at 7:00 p.m. on June 12, 1995. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Linke, Councilmembers Trude, Blanchard, Quick, and Hankner • MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Samantha Orduno, City Administrator; Mike Ulrich, Director of Public Works; Tim Ramacher, Police Chief; Nyle Zikmund, Fire Chief; Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator; Jim Thomson, City Attorney; and David Brick, Police Lieutenant ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: Mayor Linke indicated that two items would be added to the Council Business: 1) Consider authorization to solicit quotes for replacement of well pump motor starters, and 2) Consider Resolution No. 4783 to support the nomination of City Administrator Samantha Orduno as League of Minnesota Cities' Second Vice President. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Linke noted a correction to the Regular Council Meeting Minutes from May 22, 1995: page 12, Item D., "Motion Carried" should be Motion Failed. MOTION~,SECOND: Quick/Trude to Approve Regular Council Meeting Minutes from May 22, 1995, as Amended VOTE: 4 ayes 0 nays 1 abstention Motion Carried • (Blanchard) Mounds View City Council Page 2 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 MOTION/SECOND: Hankner/Quick to Approve Special Council Meeting Minutes from June 5, 1995, as Submitted VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried ACCEPTANCE OF ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION/SECOND: Hankner/Quick to Accept Economic Development Commission Minutes from March 23, 1995, as Submitted VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: There was no special order of business scheduled for this meeting. CONSENT AGENDA Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, read the Consent Agenda as follows: A. Adopt Resolution No. 4775 Approving a Wage Adjustment for Joyce Pruitt, Code Enforcement Officer • B. ec u for Sale D lare S rplus Items and D~.rect Staff to Arrange with Federal Surplus C. Adopt Resolution No. 4777 Authorizing a Transfer from the Tax Increment Financing Project 1988A Fund to the MSA Project Fund D. Set Public Hearing for 7:12 p.m., Monday, June 26, 1995, to Consider Request for Conditional Use Permit, U.S. West Communications E. Adopt Resolution No. 4776 Approving Just and Correct Claims Against City Funds F. Licenses for Apgroval Restaurants - Expires June 30J 1995 McDonalds - Renewal Hardees - Renewal Taco Bell - Renewal Garbage Haulers - Expires June 30, 1995 Twin City Refuse - Renewal Keith Krupenny and Son - Renewal Ace Solid Waste - Renewal • Mounds View City Council Page 3 Regular Meeting June 12,,1995 Mayor Linke asked if there were any items the Council desired removed from the Consent Agenda; there were none. MOTIONfSECOND: Trude/Quick to Adopt the Consent Agenda as Presented VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried RESIDENTS REQUESTS AND COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR: Mayor Linke explained that this portion of the meeting was designated for anyone who wished to speak to the Council on items that were not on the Agenda. There were no comments or requests from the floor. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Continue Public Hearing to Consider the Formal Adoption of Ordinance No. 561 Amending Appendix A "Specific Rezoninc~s," of_ the_ Mounds View Municipal Code Mayor Linke opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. • Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, reported that Larry Beach had made application for the rezoning of the former Tom Thumb property at 7305 Knollwood Drive. The property is currently zoned B-1 which is a Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District. Mr. Beach would like the property rezoned to R-2 which is Single and Two-family Resident_Lal. The applicant wishes to construct two twin homes on the property to be sold as owner-occupied units at some time in the future. a. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 561_Amendin the Municipal Code of Mounds View by Amending Appendix_A_ Entitled, "Sppecific Rezonin~s" At the May 8, 1995 City Council Meeting this Ordinance was introduced; it does require two readings. Mr. Harrington clarified that Mounds View City Code states that all Ordinances must be adopted with three affirmative votes of the Council; however, State Law requires that a two-thirds vote be secured for any rezonings. In reviewing the matter with City Attorney Thomson, it was determined that State Law overrules the City Charter in this particular instance. This Ordinance would require four affirmative votes. • Mounds View City Council Page 4 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 Councilmember Quick stated that he would be opposing the Adoption of Ordinance No. 561 because he felt that it was just another R-2. Mayor Linke closed the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Trude/Blanchard to Adopt Ordinance No. 561 Amending Appendix A, "Specific Rezonings," of the Mounds View Municipal Code Councilmember Trude said that she concurred with the Planning Commission's recommendation that side-by-side twin homes would be an enhancement over the present property. ROLL CALL VOTE: Mayor Linke - yes Councilmember Blanchard - yes Councilmember Trude - yes Councilmember Quick - no Councilmember Hankner - yes C~ J VOTE: 4 ayes 1 nay (Quick) Motion Carried b. Consideration of Adoption of Resolution No. 4772 RecLardinq Zero Lot Line Subdivision Request, Larry Beach, 7305 Knollwood Drive MOTION/SECOND: Trude/Blanchard to Remove Consideration of Adoption of Resolution No. 4772 Regarding Zero Lot Line Subdivision Request, Larry Beach, 7305 Knollwood Drive, from Table VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Mr. Harri.ngtan stated that the reason the applicant requested a zero lot line subdivision was to construct duplexes to be sold as owner-occupied units. The existing structure located on the property would be removed in the event the rezoning is approved. MOTION~SECOND: Blanchard/Quick to Adopt Resolution No. 4772 Approving a Zero Lot Line Minor Subdivision, Larry Beach, 7305 Knollwood Drive Councilmember Quick commented that he would be voting in favor of this Resolution because he felt it was better than R-2. Mounds View City Council Page 5 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Continuation of Public Hearing on Public Improvement Assessment PoliCy Mayor Linke reopened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. Mayor Linke offered comments on a letter which was distributed to residents on Red Oak Drive by an anonymous person. Mr. Linke pointed out the blatant discrepancies contained in that letter regarding the establishment of street width standards. He also requested the author of the letter to come before the Council to state their opinions; however, there was no response. Mr. Linke clarified that the starting point for discussions on the street width was set at 32 feet by a majority vote of the City Council--not the City Staff. The purpose of the public hearing was to obtain the opinions of residents in order to establish an assessment policy to be used in the future. Mr. Linke also referred to the petitioning process allowed in the City Charter for street reconstruction projects. Councilmember Trude commented that there was not a large project • planned; the purpose of establishing an assessment policy is to have one in place when a project is necessary. This item is simply a matter of planning for the future. She invited residents to voice their opinions regarding the percentage of assessment. Councilmember Hankner stated that she had not taken a firm position on the assessment policy and was eager to receive comments on the issue. Councilmember Quick remarked that he also had not formed an opinion regarding the assessment policy. Mayor Linke set forth the procedures to be adhered to by anyone desiring to speak to the Council. Mike Ulrich, Director of Public Works, presented a brief video which demonstrated the potential difficulty of emergency vehicles maneuvering around parked vehicles on residential streets. Nyle Zikmund, Fire Chief, reported that he recently attended the National Fire Academy in Maryland where he had the opportunity to research street width standards of other communities. In discussing the issue with his peers, Mr. Zikmund found that street widths ranged from 16 feet in El Paso, Texas, to 33 feet in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He noted that neither of those communities was • affected by snow conditions. r~ ~J Mounds View City Council Page 6 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 Mr. Zikmund advised that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which is the recognized standard in the United States, has two standards that address road widths. Standard 299 requires 30 feet if parking is permitted on one side of the street, and 36 feet if parking is permitted on both sides. Minnesota is not an NFPA state. Mounds View is not an NFPA city. NFPA does carry the weight of the law because their standards are the national standards in court cases. Mr. Zikmund stated that, as Fire Chief, although he would promote and support a street width of 32 feet, it is a community decision. He stressed the importance of considering snow conditions as well as considering if parking should be allowed on one side or two sides of the street. Tim Ramacher, Police Chief, offered comments from the viewpoint of the Police Department. He advised that wider streets were safer for police responding to emergencies. Mark Allen, a Health Span representative, said that many times when they respond to an emergency, they are the second or third vehicle at the scene. He stressed the importance of having adequate room to be mobile getting to the scene of the emergency and being able to get out quickly with the patient. Mr. Allen said that wider street widths were better for health care emergency vehicles, particularly in the winter months because the snow piles do encroach upon the roadway. Mayor Linke expressed his appreciation to the officials who had offered their opinions from the standpoint of their professions. Mr. Linke summarized those opinions in saying that emergency personnel would prefer wider streets, but would be able to continue working with the streets as they presently are. They would prefer to have parking on one side of the street rather than on both sides. Duane McCarty, 3060 Long Lake Road, said that he was pleased that the Council was considering the removal of Section G pertaining to street design standards from the assessment policy. Mr. McCarty felt there was much confusion regarding the assessment policy because of the issue of street widths. Bevery, 2550 Ridge Lane, offered his comments regarding asphalt that had been thrown onto his property by passing traffic. Joy Dick, 8059 Red Oak Drive, commented that she felt the video offered an inaccurate depiction of emergency vehicles maneuvering around parked vehicles. • • • Mounds View City Council Page 7 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 Pat Novak, 8371 Knollwood Drive, said that he had taken a poll of some of the residents on Knollwood Drive to get their opinions on the issue of street widths; all residents he had polled were opposed to widening Knollwood Drive. Mr. Novac stated that if it takes emergency vehicles two minutes longer to negotiate a narrow area, that is a risk we all need to take. He felt that setting a street standard should not be part of an assessment policy. Mr. Novac urged the Council to be certain they were using tax money as efficiently as possible. David Janke, 8428 Eastwood Road, offered his comments regarding street widths and fE=_lt they should remain as they are. He quoted material from a book about common sense. Barry Tannenbaum, 8060 Red Oak Drive, said he would not be in favor of widening the streets. The fact that Red Oak Drive was not a wide street was a desirable feature when he chose his house. He would like to see the street design standards issue separated from the assessment policy. William Werner, 2765 Sherwood Road, said that he would be opposed to widening the streets and desired more research before forming an opinion regarding the assessment policy. Steve Larson, 2917 County Road H, indicated he would prefer to see the streets remain narrow and would like to see the Council spend less money. Councilmember Hankner replied that there are some hard decisions to be made in reducing the budget. Every constituent has their own opinion about which programs should funded and which programs should be cut. She indicated that budget meetings had begun and that ways to cut spending were being addressed. Ms. Hankner also explained that City governments were experiencing more financial burdens because monies at the State level were being shifted to Human Services and Educational programs. Barbara Haake, 3024 County Road I, explained that she had recently attended a subcommittee meeting of the Rice Creek Watershed District. She urged the Council to make the street width standards 28 feet or less, and felt the assessment policy should be a 25 percent assessment. Judy Rygh, 8368 Red Oak Drive, said she would prefer to see the streets remain narrow and that making the streets wider would be an unnecessary financial burden. In order to form an opinion regarding the assessment policy, she felt she needed to study the issues. • Mounds View City Council Page 8 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 Cameron Obert, 8315 Greenwood Drive, asked for an explanation as to how the assessment policy became an issue. Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, explained that, in the past, the City had a special fund known as the Silver Lake Woods Fund which was created by a development project. Over the years, that was a dedicated source of funding from which money would be drawn annually for street maintenance projects. Therefore, it was unnecessary to fund street maintenance from tax dollars. Over the years, the Silver Lake Woods Fund has dwindled with no money being put back into it. Ms. Orduno advised that approximately four years ago the Council began to consider alternative funding mechanisms for future maintenance projects and possible street reconstruction. It is now before the residents in the form of a Public Hearing. The amount remaining in the Silver Lake Woods Fund for 1996 is $110,000. Mr. Obert felt that the issues of street design standards and assessment policy should be considered as separate issues. He said that street design standards should apply to new developments but not to existing roads. Harold Vierkant, 80'71 Red Oak Drive, said that traffic moved very fast on his street at the present width and he would be opposed to making it any wider. Preston Shipe, 8287 Red Oak Drive, felt there was a need for the residents to place their trust in the process by which this assessment policy was being determined. Rhonda Smieja, 5298 St. Stephen Street, said that she would not like to see the streets made wider. She felt that a small property tax increase could be implemented with the money being placed in a dedicated fund for street maintenance. Steve Amunrud, 8415 Red Oak Drive, was not in favor of widening the streets. Barry Tannenbaum, 8060 Red Oak Drive, suggested presenting the assessment policy and the street width standards in the form of a ballot to be sent out to all residents of Mounds View. Resident at 2390 Pinewood Circle, said that he would like the roads to be kept narrow for the safety of the children. Gaius Vainikka, 8364 Red Oak Drive, felt that, rather than constructing wider streets, perhaps parking should be prohibited. • Mounds View City Council Page 9 • Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 Cameron Obert, 8315 Greenwood Drive, stated that he had seen much progress made in the five years he has lived in Mounds View and expressed confidence in the judgment of the City Council. Virgil Peterson, 2152 Oakwood Drive, commented that he felt it was unnecessary to make the streets wider. He urged the Councilmembers to base their decision on the wishes of the residents. Mayor Linke called a short recess at 9:45 p.m. The City Council was called back to order at 9:50 p.m. Councilmember Blanchard read a letter from a resident of Red Oak Drive who was opposed to making the streets wider, Mayor Linke mentioned that he had also received letters from two residents of Eastwood Road who expressed strong opposition to widening the streets. Mayor Linke closed the public hearing at 10:05 p.m. Jim Thomson, City Attorney, specified that the proposed assessment policy appeared to be consistent with City Charter and Minnesota Statute. Mr. Thomson said it was not unusual for a City to adopt an assessment policy to supplement their City Charter. Councilmember Trude expressed her concern regarding a 66 percent assessment rate because of the potential for legal proceediNgs being initiated by residents. Ms. Blanchard remarked that most of the comments from residents were related to street widths, and very few comments concerned the assessment policy. She suggested that, perhaps the public has not been well informed of the assessment policy issue. Ms. Trude asked for clarification of the public hearing process for public improvements. City Attorney Thomson explained that a hearing would be done to determine if, in fact, a specific public improvement should be done. After that, a hearing would be done to determine if an assessment should be done. At that hearing, each individual property owner that was being assessed would have the opportunity to come before the Council to express their opinions. MOTION,[,SECOND: Blanchard/ to Table the Introduction of the Public Improvement Assessment Policy to the June 26, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting Motion Failed for Lack of Second Mounds View City Council Page 10 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 MOTION/SECOND: Hankner/Quick to Approve the Introduction of the Public Improvement Assessment Policy, Without Item G Pertaining to Street Standards, and the Inclusion of Reference to Pavement Improvement Study as a Guide VOTE: 4 ayes 1 nay (Blanchard) Motion Carried COUNCIL BUSINESS: A. Consideration of Resolution No. 4780 Amending Resolution No. 4731 Establishing a Uniform Schedule of Fees and Charges Councilmember Blanchard felt that the three items contained in this Resolution should be considered individually. MOTION[SECOND: Blanchard/Trude to Separate the Items Into Three Individual Resolutions VOTE: 3 ayes 2 nays (Hankner, Quick} Motion Carried Consideration of Resolution No. 4780 Increas_ing_Water Hydrant Deposit to $300 Mike Ulrich, Director of Public Works, explained that under certain circumstances contractors will be allowed to use water hydrants. There have been instances in the past where the hydrants were damaged and the $100 deposit, which was presently required, was not adequate to cover repairs to the hydrants. Mr. Ulrich felt that a larger deposit would encourage contractors to be more careful with the hydrants. If there was no damage to the hydrant, the contractor would receive the entire deposit back. MOTION~SECOND: Blanchard/Hankner Adopt Resolution No. 4780 Increasing Water Hydrant Deposit to $300 VOTE: 5 aye=_s 0 nays Motion Carried Consideration of Resolution No. 4784 Establishing Licensing Fee for Cigarettes and Tobacco Products of $150 per Year MOTION_f SECOND: Trude/Quick to Adopt Resolution No. 4784 Establishing Licensing Fee for Cigarettes and Tobacco Products of $150 per Ye;~r . VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Mounds View City Council Page 11 Regular Meeting .June 12, 1995 Consideration of Resolution No. 4785, Candidacv Filing Fee Mayor Linke explained that he was in favor of raising the filing fee to run for public office from $5 to $35. He felt that it was not fair for the taxpayers to have to pay for the expense of furnishing the necessary paperwork to candidates. Councilmember Trude felt the $35 fee was excessive. Councilmember Blanchard expressed concern that a $35 could possibly deter some people from running for public office. MOTIONLSECOND: Hankner/Blanchard to Adopt Resolution No. 4785 Raising the Candidacy Filing Fee to $20 VOTE: 4 ayes 1 nay (Trude) Motion Carried B. Consideration of Resolution No. 4782 to Formally Accept the Emergency Plans for Colonial Village and Mounds View Manufactured Home Parks and to Extend the Pre-existing Emergency Plan for Towns Edge Terrace Manufactured Home Park for Sixty Days From This Siq_ning Lieutenant Dave Brick explained that the City Council had approved the emergency plans for Mounds View, Colonial Village and Towns Edge Terrace on June 13, 1994, so that those three manufactured home parks would be able to construct storm shelters. Mounds View and Colonial Village completed their storm shelters and Towns Edge Terrace is in the process of construction. It is recommended the plans for Mounds View and Colonial Village Parks be approved and the existing plan for Towns Edge Park be extended for 60 days. MOTION/SECOND: Hankner/Blanchard to Adopt Resolution No. 4782 to Formally Accept the Emergency Plans for Colonial Village and Mounds View Manufactured Home Parks, and to Extend the Pre Existing Emergency Plan for Towns Edge Terrace Manufactured Home Park for Sixty Days From This Signing VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried C. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 563 Amending the Municipal Code of Mounds View by Amending Chagter 105, Section 105.04, Subd. 3 Entitled, "Agenda Meetings" Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, stated that this Ordinance would enable the Council to set the time of all Agenda Meetings by Resolution. The Ordinance also provides Mounds View City Council Page 12 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 • D. E. F. for only four, rather than five, Councilmembers to be present at an Agenda Meeting to call the meeting to order. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Hankner to Adopt Ordinance No. 563 Amending the Municipal Code of Mounds View by Amending Chapter 105, Section 105.04, Subd. 3 Entitled, "Agenda Meetings" ROLL CALL VOTE: Mayor Linke - yes Councilmember Blanchard - yes Councilmember Trude - yes Councilmember Quick - yes Councilmember Hankner - yes VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Consideration of Resolution No. 4778 Setting the Time for Regularly Scheduled Agenda Meetings Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, said this Resolution would provide for the change of regularly scheduled Agenda Meetings to commence at 6:00 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Hankner/Blanchard to Adopt Resolution No. 4778 Setting the Time for Regularly Scheduled Agenda Meetings VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Consideration of Resolution No. 4779 Amending Resolution No. 4688 Rescheduling City Council Meetings Falling on Legal Holidays Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, advised that many people would be out of town during the week of July 4, therefore, it was requested to reschedule the Council Work Session of July 3, 1995. The July 3, 1995 Work Session would be rescheduled to July 10, 1995. MOTION/SECOND: Hankner/Trude to Adopt Resolution No. 4779 Amending Resolution No. 4688 Rescheduling City Council Meetings Falling on Legal Holidays VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Consideration of Resolution No. 4781 Amending Resolution No. 4741, A Resolution Adopting the 1995 Loner Term Financial Plan and 1996 Budget Calendars Mounds View City Council Page 13 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, said that Council had directed the 1995 Long Term Financial Plan and the 1996 Budget Calendar to be revised. MOTION~SECOND: Hankner/Quick to Adopt Resolution No. 4781 Amending Resolution No. 4741, a Resolution Adopting the 1995 Long Term Financial Plan and 1996 Budget Calendars VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried G. Consideration of Authorizing Staff to Solicit Quotes for Replacement of Well Pump Motor Starters Mike Ulrich, Director of Public Works, explained that the well pump motor starters for Wells 5 and 6 were worn and needed to be replaced. MOTIONjSECOND: Hankner/Blanchard to Authorize Staff to Solicit Quotes for Replacement of Well Pump Motor Starters • VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried H. Consideration of Resolution No. 4783, Resolution of Support for the Nomination of City Administrator Samantha Orduno as League of Minnesota Cities's Second Vice President Mayor Linke read Resolution No. 4783 supporting the nomination of Samantha Orduno as League of Minnesota Cities' Second Vice President. He asked Ms. Orduno if she anticipated this position would require a substantial amount of her time. She replied that she was already on the Board and felt the position of Second Vice President would not require more of her time. MOTIONjSECOND: Linke/Quick to Adopt Resolution No. 4783, Resolution of Support for the Nomination of City Administrator Samantha Orduno as League of Minnesota Cities's Second Vice President VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried REPORTS 1. Report of Councilmembers: Councilmember Quick: No report. Councilmember Blanchard: No report. Councilmember Hankner: No report. Mounds View City Council Page 14 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 Councilmember Trude reported that she has been attending meetings at the Arsenal and had been informed that tours will be given in the future. The Northwest Board of Youth and Family Services was successful in obtaining funds from the Contingency Account to be applied toward their building if they survive a HUD audit which has now been required of them. Report of Mayor Linke: a. Reported that the July 9 Festival In The Park would start at 10:00 a.m, to dusk. There will be parking at various locations, but not at City Hall. Ryder Bus Company will be providing free shuttle bus service back and forth from the parking locations. There will be various activities throughout the week and information can be obtained from the Parks and Recreation Department. b. Mayor Linke read a letter of appreciation which had been ' sent to Police Chief Ramacher. c. Reported that information on policy committees would be • available at City Hall for anyone interested. Report of Administrator: Samantha Orduno reported that the St. Paul Pioneer Press had published a special report on the TCAAP site and furnished the City of Mounds View with 200 copies for distribution to residents. Anyone who would like a copy can pick one up at the front counter at City Hall. Report of Staff: No report. Mayor Linke announced that the next Council Meeting will be June 26, 1995, at 7:00 p.m. The next Council Work Session will be June 10, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. There will be a special Long Term Financial Planning Work Session on June 19, 1995, at 6:00 p.m. Special Budget Work Sessions will be 6:00 p.m.: June 26, 1995 July 10, 1995 July 17, 1995 Regular Council Meetings are scheduled for July 17, 1995, at 7:00 p.m., and July 24, 1995, at 7:00 p.m. • Mounds View City Council Page 15 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before this Council, Mayor Linke adjourned the meeting at 11:05 p.m. espectfully submitted, V d ider ecording Secr tart' Timesaver Off Site Secretarial