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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2016/01/25PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting January 25, 2016 Mounds View City Hall 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:00 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Gunn, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: Flaherty. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, January 25, 2016, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Approve the Monday, January 25, 2016, agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT Harold Baty, 7760 Greenwood Drive, read a letter to the Council regarding organized garbage collection in the City of Mounds View. He did not understand why the City was pursuing organized collection and recommended the City allow for a free market. He explained his mother has had Ace since the 1960’s and was extremely happy with their service. He noted he and his wife use Walter’s. He believed that a monopoly would lead to higher pricing for Mounds View residents. It was his opinion that a single hauler was a solution to a problem the City did not have. He encouraged the City to not take away the individual rights of its residents. Jim Perkins, 2559 Wooddale Drive, stated he was opposed to organized garbage collection. He feared how the haulers would be impacted if the City selected a single provider. He did not believe it was the City’s right to dictate which garbage hauler residents should have. He believed that if this were to move forward that the sitting Council members would be removed. He reminded the Council that this was America and encouraged the City not to support a monopoly. Mounds View City Council January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 2 Stephen Sandquist, 2343 Hillview Road, also opposed organized trash collection in the City of Mounds View. He suggested a vote be taken this fall in order for the City to clearly hear the voice of the public regarding this matter. Judy Leverty, 8375 Sunnyside Road, reported she had gone through this process in other cities and indicated it does not work. She feared how the smaller refuse companies would be impacted by Mounds View going with a single hauler. She believed that prices would increase and jobs would be lost. She stated that Mounds View was not a planned community and for this reason, refuse collection decisions should rest with residents. Adam Larson, 8371 Knollwood Drive, understood the reasons behind the City pursuing a single trash hauler. He indicated a single hauler would assist in preserving the City’s new streets and roadways. He discussed how numerous garbage trucks adversely impacted the streets. He stated he could support a single hauler so long as prices remained low and the residents had some say in the process. Timothy Holm, 2200 Lois Drive, reported he lives on a cul-de-sac. He reported he did not have a strong opinion one way or the other regarding trash collection. However, he did understand the amount of money that has been invested in the City’s streets and wanted to see them well maintained. He stated he had nine garbage trucks that came down his street every Thursday. For this reason, he believed the Council could look into other ways to collect garbage to reduce the wear and tear on the City’s streets. He suggested the haulers break up the City into segments to reduce the number of trips being made through the neighborhoods. It was his hope that if the Council pursued a single hauler that the current contracts residents have with their refuse hauler be honored. Steven Fuller, 8370 Pleasant View Drive, stated he has been in big government for over 30 years. He did not believe the City had any business being in the garbage business. It was his professional opinion that the streets were not being adversely impacted by numerous truck trips. He encouraged the Council not to waste further public tax dollars pursuing this item further. He suggested the misuse of public vehicles be investigated by the City instead. Michael Robinson, 8360 Pleasant View Drive, indicated he and his wife have lived on his street for the past 28 years. He understood that the recent survey results showed that residents were against organized collection. For this reason, he encouraged the Council to go with the majority on this issue. Edith Johnson, 7580 Knollwood Drive, opposed organized collection in the City of Mounds View. She asked why the Council would pursue a single hauler when the results from the recent survey clearly stated the public was not interested. She understood the City wanted to maintain its pristine streets and questioned if a study had been conducted on the impact numerous refuse haulers had on City streets. She stated garbage trucks weigh 37,000 pounds when empty and up to 50,000 pounds when full. She inquired if City staff had taken this into consideration when engineering the streets. She indicated the City of Bloomington was trying to navigate through this same issue and has already spent $500,000 to date. She encouraged the City of Mounds Mounds View City Council January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 3 View not to head down this same path. She feared that with the City intervening the free market would be interrupted. She encouraged the City Council to take a step back and allow residents the opportunity to guard this freedom because one size did not fit all. Lance King, 7751 Greenwood Drive, stated he has lived at his home for 25 years. He explained the population of Mounds View did not support organized trash collection. He stated this went against the grain of free enterprise and would cause a monopoly. He opposed organized collection and wanted to have a choice. He encouraged the Council to provide residents with proof that the garbage trucks were damaging the roadways. He believed that residents will always want the option to change vendors in order to keep costs low and service high. He encouraged the Council to focus on City functions and not residential services. Terry Wiley, 2279 Oakwood Drive, understood the new roads in the City were a concern. He discussed the patches that have already been placed on Bronson. He explained the roadway was either poorly designed or the contractor used sub-standard materials. He then provided comment on the state of disrepair of Quincy Street. He believed that school buses and semi-trucks were more of a concern on the City’s streets than refuse haulers. He stated it appeared the Council was being strong-armed by a large corporate garbage company and explained that this reflected poorly on the City of Mounds View. Art Fudenberg, 7325 Parkview Drive, stated he has lived at his residence for the past 30 years. He opposed the City pursuing a single trash hauler. He resented the fact that he had to leave the comforts of his home in order to voice his opinion on regarding this matter. He believed the City should not overstep its bounds and would be opening a can of worms by entering into the refuse hauling business. He recommended residents be allowed to select their own refuse hauler that best meets their needs without government interference. He believed the people of Mounds View have already spoken regarding this matter given the recent results of the survey. He discussed the cost of implementing a single hauler and provided comment on the City of Maplewood’s recent decision to pursue organized collection. He recommended Mounds View not grow the size of its local government. Victoria Odeson-Kenz, 6928 Pleasant View Drive, stated she has been a resident in Mounds View for 31 years. She strongly opposed organized collection in the City and asked who brought this issue forward. She feared how residents would be impacted when they breached their current refuse contracts. She explained that she would be suing the City if she were forced to pay fines for breach of contract. She encouraged the Council to hear the voices this evening and to not move forward with this matter until the public could vote on the item this fall. Mike Read, 2208 Lois Drive, indicated he and his wife opposed a single contract hauler. He understood the roads were a concern and encouraged the City to use high quality contractors on the roadways. Vern Rice, 7412 Parkview Drive, asked if any of the questions being raised this evening would be addressed by the City Council. Mounds View City Council January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 4 Acting Mayor Mueller explained the Council was gathering public input at this time. She indicated the Council has been discussing this topic for over a year. She stated a few weeks ago, after the survey was conducted the Council further considered its next steps. She commented the Council would continue to gather public input and a public hearing may be held in the future. Mr. Rice stated he was very happy with his current garbage hauler. However, he noted 16 trucks drove past his home on Thursdays. He believed this was a safety concern for his grandchildren. He was also concerned with the environmental impact these trucks were having on the community. It was his hope that the Council would investigate if residents would receive a cost savings if a single hauler were pursued. Don Johnson, 7580 Knollwood Drive, stated if he was not pleased with his current hauler, he could fire him. He feared how residents would deal with an organized hauler if this service was taken over by the City of Mounds View. He encouraged the Council to listen to the people. Terry Leverty, 8375 Sunnyside Road, stated he currently pays $15.30 per month for refuse services. He questioned if the City could match this rate. Bill Doty, 3049 Bronson Drive, discussed the fight residents had with the City in 1978 regarding organized storm sewer collection. He explained, for this reason, a City Charter was formed. He understood the Council could pursue organized collection. However, this would force a vote by the public on the Council to do away with their Resolution. He did not believe it was the City’s business to regulate residential garbage collection. He recommended that if any of the new streets were failing in any location in the City that the contractor be contacted and be held accountable. He encouraged the Council to listen to the public as well as the results of the survey. Acting Mayor Mueller noted Mr. Doty was one of the founding members of the Charter Commission. She thanked him for his service to the community and indicated the Charter Commission was in need of additional members. Those willing and interested in serving were encouraged to contact City Hall for further information. She reported the City’s Charter was available on the City’s website. Jim Sikorski, 8340 Sunnyside Road, stated he has been a resident of Mounds View for over 30 years. He opposed organized collection and did not believe this was a problem the City needed to fix. He commented he has only two or three garbage trucks moving down his street on a weekly basis. He questioned if the City currently limited the number of refuse haulers. He believed in the spirit of competition in order to keep costs low for Mounds View residents. Carrie Gulikson, 8267 Red Oak Drive, was concerned about choice. She encouraged the City not to take away the residents right to a choice regarding their refuse hauler. However, she also understood that there may be a cost savings to families if a single hauler were selected. Steven Fuller, 8370 Pleasant View Drive, explained he had a contractor approach the City for a permit to install a new furnace in his home. He reported the furnace was installed incorrectly and Mounds View City Council January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 5 the permit was closed out by the City. He encouraged the City to more closely monitor these permits to ensure that contractors were conducting good business in the City of Mounds View. Jim Perkins, 2559 Wooddale Drive, expressed concern with the new streets in Mounds View. He stated Long Lake Road was under construction several years ago. He questioned why each manhole was dug up, lowered and patched. He reported this work made the road extremely bumpy. Council Member Gunn clarified Long Lake Road was a County road and encouraged Mr. Perkins to bring his concerns to the County. Mr. Perkins believed that County Road H2 was too narrow and the current road width posed a safety concern for vehicles that need to pull off to the side for emergency purposes. Council Member Gunn thanked all of the residents in attendance and for offering their opinion. She explained why the Council was looking further into organized collection stating the next steps would offer the City more answers to the growing number of questions being raised. She reported the next step was consortium, which would be a sit down between the City and the four current refuse haulers. Council Member Meehlhause stated the refuse haulers would now have to consider working together in a consortium manner. If this were to proceed, it would mean the City would be broken up into segments and only one hauler would be traveling the City streets. In addition, a single refuse rate would be offered to all residents for three years. He commented organized collection would not move forward until a discussion was held between the haulers and the City. He explained that no decisions have been made by the City to date, but rather, the City was working to gather additional information. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Update from the YMCA Nate Danielson, YMCA, provided the Council with an update on the numerous activities and programs being held in the community by the YMCA. He was pleased to report that 2015 was a great year for his organization. He appreciated the partnership between the City and the YMCA. He commented over 105 events were held at the Community Center last year. He provided comment on updates that were made to the kitchen and noted they have been really well received. He invited the Council to stop in any time and take advantage of YMCA programming. He discussed an equipment purchase that would be made to enhance the sports programming at the YMCA and encouraged the City to assist with this purchase. Acting Mayor Mueller clarified that the equipment purchase expense would be split between the YMCA and the City of Mounds View. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve a Cost Sharing Equipment Purchase with the YMCA for an amount not to exceed $5,000. Mounds View City Council January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 6 Council Member Meehlhause reported the YMCA Advisory Committee reviewed and supported the proposed equipment purchase. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Public Hearing 7:00 p.m.: Resolution 8510, a Resolution to Consider a Honeybee Keeping License for Isabel Hansen Located at 2200 Lambert Avenue. Acting Mayor Mueller explained Ms. Hansen was in attendance, but was excused by the Council earlier in the meeting due to the amount of Public Input that took place. Assistant City Administrator Crane requested the Council consider a honeybee keeping license for Isabel Hansen located at 2200 Lambert Avenue. She reported Ms. Hansen was interested in having two beehives on her property. Proper notice was sent to neighboring properties of the public hearing. The City received no comments from the public. Staff requested the Council hold a public hearing and approve the beekeeping license. Acting Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 8:13 p.m. Hearing no public input, Acting Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 8:14 p.m. Council Member Meehlhause understood the applicant has a certificate of training. Assistant City Administrator Crane stated this was the case. She noted Ms. Hansen has just received a certificate for an eight-hour training course through the University of Minnesota. Acting Mayor Mueller questioned how many beekeeping licenses the City had at this time. Assistant City Administrator Crane explained this was the City’s third request. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8510, a Resolution to Consider a Honeybee Keeping License for Isabel Hansen Located at 2200 Lambert Avenue. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 8511, Approving the Hire of Jonathan Sevald to the Position of Planner. Assistant City Administrator Crane requested the Council approve the hire of Jonathan Sevald to the position of Planner. She recalled City’s former Associate Planner, Heidi Heller resigned her position with the City on October 25, 2015. At that time, staff was directed to revise the job description and advertise for the position. It was noted the City received 31 applications and seven interviews were held. It was the consensus of staff to recommend the City Council hire Mounds View City Council January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 7 Jonathan Sevald as Planner. Acting Mayor Member Mueller asked who Mr. Sevald was currently employed with. Assistant City Administrator Crane stated he was not presently employed. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8511, Approving the Hire of Jonathan Sevald to the Position of Planner. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 912, an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of the property at 2408 County Road I from B-1, Neighborhood Business, to B-2 Limited Business (ROLL CALL VOTE). City Administrator Ericson explained this was the Second Reading of Ordinance 912. The First Reading was held by the Council at their January 11th meeting. He indicated the request was reviewed by the Planning Commission and the group made a recommendation for approval. He discussed the characteristics of a B-1 zoned property in comparison to a B-2 Limited Business. It was noted the applicant requested the zoning change due to the fact the property has been vacant on and off for over a year. The applicant believed the rezoning would provide greater flexibility in uses, which would assist him in finding a long-term tenant for the property. Staff recommended the Council waive the Second Reading and adopt Ordinance 912. Council Member Gunn clarified the Council was simply approving the rezoning of the site at this time. If the applicant wished to have a liquor store at this location, he would have to go through another round of approvals with the City. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 912, an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of the property at 2408 County Road I from B-1, Neighborhood Business, to B-2 Limited Business. Acting Mayor Mueller reported a Public Hearing for this matter was held at the January 11, 2016 City Council meeting. ROLL CALL: Gunn/Hull/Meehlhause/Mueller. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 8505, Accepting Miscellaneous Cash Donations for 2015. Finance Director Beer requested the Council adopt a Resolution accepting miscellaneous cash donations for 2015. The donations were explained in further detail and staff recommended acceptance of the donations. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8505, Mounds View City Council January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 8 Accepting Miscellaneous Cash Donations for 2015. Council Member Meehlhause thanked the public for their generous donations made to the City each year both Shop with a Cop and for the Police Department’s K-9. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 8508, a Resolution to Approval to Hire Daniel Stone to the Position of Police Officer. Police Chief Kinney requested the Council approve the hire of Daniel Stone to the position of Police Officer. He explained Daniel Stone would replace the officer lost in 2015. He indicated the Police Civil Service Commission met on January 15 th and certified a new eligibility list. The top candidate from this list was Mr. Stone. He provided further comment on the Police Department’s screening and hiring process. He believed Mr. Stone would be an excellent addition to the Mounds View Police Department and recommended he be hired with a start date of February 1 st . Council Member Meehlhause asked what experience Mr. Stone had in law enforcement. Police Chief Kinney reported Mr. Stone had a Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement from Metropolitan State University. He discussed his employment background noting he has worked for 15 years in the service industry, but has also worked as a reserve officer for the City of Columbia Heights for the past two years. Acting Mayor Mueller questioned when the City established the number of officers that should be hired by the Police Department. Police Chief Kinney reported this was established in 2004 and noted the department would be at full strength with 19 sworn officers, if this candidate is approved. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8508, a Resolution to Approval to Hire Daniel Stone to the Position of Police Officer. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 8507, Approving Transfers Between Funds for 2015. Finance Director Beer requested the Council approve transfers between funds for 2015. He explained as part of the annual budgeting process transfers between funds was completed on an annual basis. He discussed the proposed transfers in further detail with the Council and recommended approval. Acting Mayor Mueller questioned the benefit of moving funds from the General Fund into the Special Projects Fund. Finance Director Beer explained the Special Projects Fund works as a savings program based on the City’s CIP. The transfers made into this fund assist with the purchase of police vehicles or public works equipment. He indicated this fund assists with large Mounds View City Council January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 9 ebbs and flows in the General Fund. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8507, Approving Transfers Between Funds for 2015. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Set a Public Hearing for 7:00 p.m., February 8, 2016, to Consider Resolution 8506 Reapproving a Conditional Use Permit for DellComm, located at 4860 Mustang Circle, to Erect a 150-Foot Cell Tower. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS Finance Director Beer answered the Council's questions related to claims. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve the Just and Correct Claims as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. December 7, 2015, Truth in Taxation Meeting Minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the December 7, 2015, Truth in Taxation meeting minutes as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Gunn explained she attended the League of Minnesota Cities Conference last week and stated the theme was Loveable Cities. She indicated she would be condensing her notes and passing them along to the City Council. It was her hope that the ideas from these sessions would increase community engagement and suggested this item being discussed at a future work session meeting. Council Member Meehlhause supported this matter being placed on an upcoming work session agenda. Mounds View City Council January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 10 Council Member Meehlhause provided a recap from a recent Twin Cities Gateway Board meeting. He was pleased by the increased revenues in 2015 and noted sales were $90,000 higher than projected. He provided further information on the purpose and goals of Twin Cities Gateway. He stated hotels in Mounds View were up 8% over 2014. He then discussed how the number of page views and internet searches had increased over the past year. Council Member Meehlhause explained he attended a Festival in the Park meeting last week where Steve Markuson from Twin Cities Gateway was in attendance. Discussion at this meeting centered around additional ways to advertise and promote Festival in the Park. The group was encouraged to create a website for the event and to consider promoting the event via email. Council Member Meehlhause indicated a County Road 10 name change meeting was to be held this week between staff from Mounds View and the County. However, this meeting was canceled. He would update the Council with more information on this topic after another meeting was scheduled. Council Member Meehlhause stated he would be addressing three items with the Park Commission this week. He commented the Random Park building would be discussed and he would encourage the group to begin planning to renovate this building prior to May. Another item that would be considered would be the City’s Park Dedication Fund balance. Lastly, he wanted to discuss the hockey rink at Hillview. Mr. Perkins asked if the Park Commission was considering to place an ice rink at Silver Lake Road and H2. Council Member Meehlhause stated this was not the case. The rink under consideration was at Hillview Park. Mr. Perkins then questioned what the plans were for TCAAP. Council Member Meehlhause indicated this property was within the City of Arden Hills. Acting Mayor Mueller encouraged Mr. Perkins to review the City of Arden Hills’ website for further information on the proposed plans for TCAAP. Mr. Perkins inquired if there would be a park on the Harstad property. City Administrator Ericson stated this parcel would not become a park. However, he anticipated the City would see development on this parcel in the coming year. Acting Mayor Mueller provided the Council with an update from the League of Minnesota Cities. She anticipated there would be a short legislative session in 2016. The issues that would be focused on by the League in 2016 were detailed at length. She commented on the importance of work force housing and was pleased by the diverse housing available in the City of Mounds View. B. Reports of Staff. Mounds View City Council January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 11 Finance Director Beer indicated he and Council Member Meehlhause attended a quarterly meeting with CenturyLink. Discussion at the meeting centered around the future roll out of the PRISM TV product. He was pleased to report that once the product was rolled out it would be available to approximately 90% of Mounds View residents. City Administrator Ericson stated he would be attending a quarterly meeting with the Fire Director’s on Wednesday. This would be one of the last meetings with Fire Chief Nyle Zikmund before he retires. He provided comment on the upcoming interview process for the Fire Chief. City Administrator Ericson indicated Bethlehem Baptist Church reached out to the City asking if there were any programs or items they could provide assistance with. He noted the Parks Commission would be addressing this matter at their meeting on Thursday, January 28 th . C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney had nothing additional to report. 12. Next Council Work Session: Monday, February 1, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, February 8, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.