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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2014/02/24PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting February 24, 2014 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:01 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Flaherty, Gunn, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, February 24, 2014, City Council Agenda. City Administrator Ericson requested the Council entertain Senator Scalze’s presence when she arrives at the meeting. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the Monday, February 24, 2014, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT None. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 8220, Approving Settlement Agreement and Release of Claims. City Administrator Ericson stated in November of 2013 the City was scheduled to assess for sanitary sewer repairs completed at Woodlawn Terrace located at 2508 County Road I. The property owner requested he be allowed to negotiate a more appropriate settlement. In order to avoid future litigation and court fees, Mayor Flaherty, Council Member Hull, City Attorney Riggs and City Administrator Ericson sat down with the property owner and reached a settlement that both parties found to be mutually agreeable. The settlement amount agreed upon was $30,000. Staff requested the Council accept the settlement agreement and release the property owner from any additional expense for the sewer repairs. Mounds View City Council February 24, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 2 Mayor Flaherty thanked Council Member Hull for sitting in on the negotiations with the property owner. He requested comment from the City Attorney on the matter. City Attorney Riggs believed the settlement was reasonable based on the discussion provided by the property owner. He stated the cost benefit analysis led him to recommend the Council pursue a settlement on the matter versus ensuing additional more costly expenses in court. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8220, Approving Settlement Agreement and Release of Claims. Council Member Meehlhause was pleased that the matter could be settled and did not have to go to court. He thanked Mayor Flaherty, Council Member Hull and staff for resolving the matter with the property owner. Council Member Mueller agreed, stating she was pleased a resolution for this matter could be found. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 8214, Accepting Donation from Bethlehem Baptist Church and Authorizing Redistribution of Funds as Directed. City Administrator Ericson requested the Council accept a donation from Bethlehem Baptist Church in the amount of $18,285 and authorize the redistribution of funds. He explained he met with the YMCA, Parks and Recreation and department heads to discuss the redistribution of these funds. The funding disbursement schedule was reviewed with the Council. He thanked Bethlehem Baptist for their continued support of the community. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8214, Accepting Donation from Bethlehem Baptist Church and Authorizing Redistribution of Funds as Directed. Council Member Meehlhause greatly appreciated the commitment Bethlehem Baptist Church has made to the City of Mounds View. Mayor Flaherty asked if the two AED’s being replaced were near the end of their life. City Administrator Ericson stated this was the case. Mayor Flaherty recommended staff reach out to Medtronic to see if additional AED’s could be donated to the City of Mounds View. City Administrator Ericson commented he would speak with Medtronic, but explained the Police Department’s current AED’s were still functioning. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 8218, Approving Bidding Documents and Authorizing Mounds View City Council February 24, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 3 Advertisement for Bids for 2014 Ground Reservoir Rehabilitation Project. Public Works Director DeBar stated in January the Council authorized KLM to prepare plans and specifications for rehabilitation of the City’s two million gallon water reservoir. He reported the deterioration of the reservoir’s masonry and roof was beyond repair. He estimated the rehabilitation would cost $407,000 noting $350,000 has been budgeted for the project in 2014. It was noted the project would extend the life of the reservoir another 30 to 40 years. Staff recommended the Council approve the bidding documents and authorize advertisement for bids for the ground reservoir rehabilitation project. Mayor Flaherty commented the reservoir was 46 years old. He believed that the proposed rehabilitation was well worth the expense as opposed to building a new structure. Council Member Mueller discussed the short timeline for the bidding process and inquired if this was typical. Public Works Director DeBar explained that this project did have a shorter time line but indicated this was a much more simple bidding process than the street improvement projects. Council Member Mueller was pleased that the work on the reservoir would be completed by June 1st. Council Member Meehlhause asked how the $50,000+ overage for this project would be funded by the City. Finance Director Beer stated the Water Fund would cover the extra expense for this project. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8218, Approving Bidding Documents and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids for 2014 Ground Reservoir Rehabilitation Project. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 8219, Approving the Addition of a Sidewalk to the Non-Standard Street Design for Ardan Avenue in Area G of the Street and Utility Improvement Program. Public Works Director DeBar stated that at the February 10th meeting the Council discussed the non-standard street design for Ardan Avenue in Area G of the Street and Utility Improvement program. At this meeting, staff suggested the addition of a sidewalk/bicycle lane along one side of Ardan Avenue as this roadway was a key corridor for bus routes and for general safety purposes. Public Works Director DeBar indicated the options for this corridor were mailed to residents living on Ardan Avenue from Spring Lake Road to Long Lake Road. He explained that a neighborhood meeting was held and 20 residents attended. Staff presented the different options for a trail and sidewalk along Ardan Avenue. He reported the Council supported parking along the south side of this roadway. Mounds View City Council February 24, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 4 Public Works Director DeBar recommended the Council approve a six foot sidewalk behind the curb on the north side of Ardan Avenue. The expense for this sidewalk would be $45,000- 50,000. If adopted, Stantec would create an addendum that would be sent to contractors prior to the March 12th bid opening. Council Member Mueller commented she reviewed the minutes from the Streets Committee from last October. She questioned if this matter had gone back before the Streets Committee for their consideration. Public Works Director DeBar apologized but there was not enough time for the matter to be reconsidered by the Streets Committee prior to the March 12th bid opening. He explained he reached out to each of the members on the Streets Committee to inform them of the Council’s previous discussion. Council Member Meehlhause recalled that the Parks Commission supported a sidewalk or trail in this location given the valuable connections it would provide. Public Works Director DeBar stated this was the case. Mayor Flaherty was confused as to why the recommendation on the sidewalk changed from October 2013 to February 2014. He inquired if the City wanted this sidewalk or if it was the residents. Ann Ackerman, 2673 Ardan Avenue, supported the sidewalk stating she attended the October Streets Committee meeting. She commented that last October only two plans were presented and the residents near Eastwood objected. The expressed objection led to a plan with parking on both sides with no sidewalk. She was pleased that the City was reconsidering this matter and that a six foot sidewalk would be added to Ardan Avenue. She then provided comment on the number of walkers and bikers along this roadway. Council Member Mueller commented that it took a great deal of courage for staff to come forward and request an addendum to the bidding documents before the Area G project began. She stated it would cost a great deal more money to add a sidewalk later. She supported the change to the project. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8219, Approving the Addition of a Sidewalk to the Non-Standard Street Design for Ardan Avenue in Area G of the Street and Utility Improvement Program. Council Member Meehlhause indicated there were other members of the community that supported the sidewalk, but chose not to speak at the neighborhood meeting. He added that this stretch of sidewalk was part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA Mounds View City Council February 24, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 5 Council Member Meehlhause asked to remove Items 8B and 8C for further discussion. A. Resolution 8215, Approving a Residential Kennel License for Joshua Wolpinsky located at 7940 Greenfield Avenue. B. Resolution 8216, Approving the 2014 Public Works and Parks Seasonal Positions. C. Resolution 8217, Approving the Hire of Christopher Atkinson to the Public Works Maintenance (Parks) Position in the Public Works Department. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Approve Consent Agenda Item 8A. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 8217, Approving the Hire of Christopher Atkinson to the Public Works Maintenance (Parks) Position in the Public Works Department. Council Member Meehlhause stated after reviewing the staff report he noted that Mr. Atkinson had worked for the City of Mounds View in the past. He questioned when Mr. Atkinson worked for the City. Public Works Director DeBar explained that Mr. Atkinson has worked for the City the past three summers as a seasonal worker. He indicated Mr. Atkinson was a hard worker and had great passion for the Public Works Department. In addition, Mr. Atkinson already had his commercial driver’s license. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8217, Approving the Hire of Christopher Atkinson to the Public Works Maintenance (Parks) Position in the Public Works Department. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 8216, Approving the 2014 Public Works and Parks Seasonal Positions. Council Member Meehlhause requested further information on why staff was requesting the hire of ten seasonal employees. Public Works Director DeBar explained the proposed 10 seasonal employees would provide the same staffing level as last summer. He discussed how the duties and responsibilities within the Public Works Department would be shifting after the hire of Chris Atkinson. He reported each seasonal employee could only work 119 days. It was noted the seasonals would assist with maintaining the City’s improved parks and trail landscaping. Council Member Mueller supported the 10 part time positions. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8216, Approving the 2014 Public Works and Parks Seasonal Positions. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council February 24, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 6 9. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS Finance Director Beer answered the Council's questions related to claims. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Approve the Just and Correct Claims as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Gunn reported the I-35W Coalition would be moving forward with a managed study. The work would begin May 1st. Council Member Gunn explained she and Council Member Meehlhause attended the Irondale Robotic reveal. She discussed the challenges that the team would have to tackle this year. She reported the first competition for the robotics team would be held in Duluth on March 8th. Council Member Meehlhause complemented the Irondale robotics team for the programming and engineering that went into designing their robot. He looked forward to seeing the robot in competition. He then discussed the recent success of Irondale Cross County Skier Mattie Watts, who took first place in the State Cross Country meet at Giants Ridge. Council Member Meehlhause noted he would be attending the legislative conference this Thursday. Council Member Mueller reported the Ramsey County Dispatch Policy Committee met in February and approved a CAD design for enhanced 911 capabilities. These improvements would occur this fall. She discussed Ramsey County’s response time noting dispatchers are responding in less than 12 seconds. Council Member Mueller noted the League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors would be holding a meeting this Wednesday. She indicated on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. the Ramsey County League of Local Government would be holding a conversation with Ramsey County legislators that will addresses the following question: How do we tackle continuing budget challenges as well as other pressing concerns? She invited the entire Council to attend this event or explained she would be happy to forward comments or concerns. Mounds View City Council February 24, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 7 Council Member Mueller explained the Festival in the Park Committee would meet again on March 18, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. She encouraged those interested in volunteering for this event to attend the next meeting. She discussed the events planned for this year’s celebration, which would be held on August 16, 2014. Parade and crafter registration information was located on the City’s website. Council Member Mueller stated Citizen of the Year nominations were being taken through Friday, February 28, 2014. She reported residents, community volunteers and business owners in Mounds View were eligible. Mayor Flaherty explained there would be several controlled burns in Arden Hills over the next three days. He discussed a recent article from the St. Paul Pioneer Press noting there was a growing need for day-time volunteer fire fighters. He encouraged those interested in learning more about the local fire department to visit the sbmfire.org. Mayor Flaherty commented the City’s Town Hall meeting would be held on Monday, March 31, 2014. He encouraged residents to read the recent edition of Mounds View Matters. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Dialogue with Senator Bev Scalze Senator Bev Scalze discussed the actions taking place at the State. She discussed the cities she represents noting her public service began as a councilmember for Little Canada. She explained the legislature would have a very compressed session this year. The data privacy bill was reviewed along with the passing of the municipal sales tax exemption. Senator Scalze reviewed the two bills she was working on for this year. These bills included the replacement of the Rice Street Bridge over I-694 and infrastructure improvements surrounding TCAAP. She reported she would also be working hard on water issues as the aquifers in the metro area were being affected. Senator Scalze believed there would be action on the minimum wage during this legislative session. She reported the February forecast would be available on Tuesday. After this information was available, further decisions could be made regarding infrastructure improvements. She thanked the Council for the information that has been provided to her regarding the need for sound walls in Mounds View. She discussed the difficulty of working with MnDOT on these issues and noted she would be introducing a bill on the Senate floor addressing the sound walls. Council Member Mueller thanked Senator Scalze for her work on the sales tax exemption bill. She recommended joint power agreement entities be considered for this same sales tax exemption. She discussed the popularity of e-cigarettes and asked if the State would be legislating these products. Senator Scalze did not anticipate the State would be passing legislation on e-cigarettes. She reported the legislature would be reviewing sales tax exemption status for joint power agreement entities. Mounds View City Council February 24, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 8 Mayor Flaherty was pleased that a bill would be introduced to the Senate for the sound walls. He questioned what this project would be attached to, to gain support. Senator Scalze recommended the sound walls be attached to the proposed infrastructure improvements for TCAAP. Finance Director Beer stated another alternative would be the completion of the TH610 project. Mayor Flaherty discussed the proposed managed lanes for I-35W. He requested comment on this situation. Senator Scalze stated she attended the recent I-35W coalition meeting and thanked Council Member Gunn and Council Member Meehlhause for their presence. Council Member Gunn reported the FHWA approved funding for the I-35W managed lane study and additional information on this project would be available after this study was complete. Mayor Flaherty explained Mounds View, Spring Lake Park and Blaine were interested in renaming County Road 10 to Northtown Boulevard. This was discussed with MnDOT and it was estimated this would cost approximately $50,000. He reported the three cities came together and agreed to this expense. However, after speaking with MnDOT again, the expense has now increased to $400,000. He requested help on this situation. Council Member Meehlhause stated that when County Road H was reconstructed there would be an opportunity for County Road 10 to be renamed. Senator Scalze agreed and understood that the renaming would reduce confusion. Mayor Flaherty recommended staff forward all correspondence regarding the renaming of County Road 10 be forwarded to Senator Scalze. He thanked Senator Scalze for her report. B. Reports of Staff. 1. Finance Department Quarterly Report Finance Director Beer reviewed the 2013 4th Quarter report with the Council. He explained the audit would culminate this information once completed. He indicated the General Fund took in more than was anticipated. Operations taking place at the Community Center were discussed and he hoped to see revenues even out in 2014. Finance Director Beer explained that TIF Districts 2 and 3 would be drawing down in 2014 and 2015. He provided comment on the utility fund balances noting rate increases may be proposed for next year. He discussed how interest rates fluctuated in 2013, and was pleased to report that the unemployment rate has continued to decline. Finance Director Beer anticipated that residents would be able to pay for their utility bills online in 2014 and software upgrades were being sought after for the City’s system. Mayor Flaherty thanked Finance Director Beer for the thorough report. Council Member Mueller and Council Member Meehlhause agreed. Mounds View City Council February 24, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 9 C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 12. Next Council Work Session: Monday, March 3, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, March 10, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.