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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2015/11/09PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting November 9, 2015 Mounds View City Hall 2401 County Road 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, November 9, 2015, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the Monday, November 9, 2015, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT None. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS None. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing: Resolution 8465, Approving a Conditional Use Permit for an Oversize Garage at 2443 Hillview Road. City Administrator Ericson stated Steven Smith is requesting an oversize garage on his property at 2443 Hillview Road. The expansion was being proposed to the rear of the garage and would be an additional 22 feet in length. Staff reviewed the request in further detail and noted the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit with three conditions. Mounds View City Council November 9, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 2 Mayor Flaherty opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Flaherty closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8465, Approving a Conditional Use Permit for an Oversize Garage at 2443 Hillview Road. Council Member Meehlhause thanked the Planning Commission for their thorough review of this item. He indicated the Planning Commission recommended unanimous approval of the request. Council Member Mueller supported Mr. Smith’s garage addition. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing: Resolution 8475, Approval of the 2016 Fee Schedule. Assistant City Administrator Crane explained the preliminary 2016 Fee Schedule was reviewed by the Council at their November worksession meeting. Staff requested the Council hold a public hearing and approve the Fee Schedule. Mayor Flaherty opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Flaherty closed the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8475, Approval of the 2016 Fee Schedule. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 909, Amending Chapter 1103 of the Mounds View Zoning Code Pertaining to Fencing, Screening and Landscaping (ROLL CALL VOTE). City Administrator Ericson stated the Council introduced Ordinance 909 pertaining to fencing, screening and landscaping at their October 26 th meeting. He noted the proposed City Code amendment would allow fences on corner lots with two front yard areas to be up to six feet. He explained the Planning Commission has reviewed a number of variance requests for taller fences for corner lots and therefore recommended a City Code change. He reviewed the language changes further and requested the one foot setback be removed (Item 3D). Staff recommended adoption of Ordinance 909. Council Member Mueller asked what language should be removed from the Ordinance. City Administrator Ericson requested the Council remove Item 3D, the one-foot setback requirement from the Ordinance. Mounds View City Council November 9, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 3 Mayor Flaherty opened the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Flaherty closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 909, Amending Chapter 1103 of the Mounds View Zoning Code Pertaining to Fencing, Screening and Landscaping, removing Item 3D. Council Member Meehlhause thanked the Planning Commission for bringing this item forward. ROLL CALL: Gunn/Hull/Meehlhause/Mueller/ Flaherty. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing: Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 910, an Ordinance Approving a Cable Franchise Agreement with CenturyLink. City Administrator Ericson stated Cor Wilson with North Suburban Communications Commission (NSCC) was present to discuss this item with the City Council. Cor Wilson, NSCC, reviewed the proposed Cable Franchise Agreement with CenturyLink in detail with the Council. She indicated this franchise has taken almost a year to negotiate with the Cable Commission. It was noted CenturyLink would have five years to build out their franchise. The proposed PEG fees and public access channels were commented on. She further discussed the approval timeline and recommended the City Council adopt Ordinance 910 approving the CenturyLink Cable Franchise Agreement. Finance Director Beer asked how CenturyLink’s PEG fees would be impacted by Comcast. Ms. Wilson reported CenturyLink’s PEG fees would follow the same track as Comcast. If there was an increase, both would increase and likewise, if Comcast were to decrease, CenturyLink PEG fees would decrease. Mayor Flaherty opened the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Flaherty closed the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. Council Member Meehlhause asked how CenturyLink would address damage to a sprinkler system within the right-of-way. Ms. Wilson stated CenturyLink would repair damage to a sprinkler system. Council Member Mueller asked if CenturyLink would be placing lines underground whenever possible. Ms. Wilson believed this was the case. Tyler Middleton, CenturyLink’s Vice President of Operations for Minnesota, was aware of the challenges with underground and aerial lines. He commented that CenturyLink would be taking advantage of its existing infrastructure where Mounds View City Council November 9, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 4 possible. Council Member Mueller questioned if CenturyLink would continue to use its existing overhead lines. Mr. Middleton stated this was the case, stating these lines would allow CenturyLink to reach customers faster. He discussed how CenturyLink would utilize its capital to spread lines through the metro area in the most efficient manner. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 910, an Ordinance Approving a Cable Franchise Agreement with CenturyLink. Mayor Flaherty thanked CenturyLink for their patience and willingness to work with NSCC throughout the negotiations process. He questioned when the Council would be holding the Second Hearing for this Ordinance. City Administrator Ericson reported the Council would be holding the Public Hearing and Adoption of the Ordinance on November 23 rd . It was noted the Ordinance would be published on December 4 th . Ordinance 910 would then be effective on January 4 th . Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing: Resolution 8467, Amending and Restating Resolution 4532, an Enabling Resolution Establishing the Mounds View Economic Development Authority under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.090 through 469.108. City Administrator Ericson requested the Council open the Public Hearing for Resolution 8467 amending and restating Resolution 4532 regarding the Mounds View Economic Development Authority and take comments from the public. For publication reasons, he recommended the public hearing be continued to the Council’s next meeting. Mayor Flaherty opened the public hearing at 7:54 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Continue the Public Hearing to the November 23, 2015 City Council meeting. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 8476, Approving a Revised Job Description and Authorization to Advertise for the Public Works Maintenance Mechanic Position. Assistant City Administrator Crane reported Public Works Maintenance Mechanic Worker Steve Vacek has submitted his letter of resignation and would be retiring. She indicated his last day of work would be on November 30 th . It was noted the job description would be posted internally for five days prior to being posted externally. She requested the Council approve a revised job description and authorize staff to advertise for the Public Works Maintenance Mechanic Position. Mounds View City Council November 9, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 5 Mayor Flaherty questioned what changed within the job description. Public Works Director Erickson reviewed the changes in detail with the Council, noting callback duties were now included. Council Member Mueller inquired where the City would be posting the job position. Assistant City Administrator Crane reviewed the numerous locations the job description would be posted and advertised. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8476, Approving a Revised Job Description and Authorization to Advertise for the Public Works Maintenance Mechanic Position. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 8477, Authorize Stantec to Perform Construction Services for the Groveland Lift Station. Public Works Director Erickson requested the Council authorize Stantec to perform construction services for the Groveland Lift Station. He discussed the project in further detail with the Council and noted the lift station was in need of repair. He reported the expense was included and aligned with the budget. He apologized for the oversight and recommended approval of the contract with Stantec. Council Member Mueller asked if the item was left out of the initial contract because staff planned to complete the work. Public Works Director Erickson did not believe this to be the case. Rather, he thought a separate project manager was necessary from Stantec. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8477, Authorize Stantec to Perform Construction Services for the Groveland Lift Station. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Public Works Director Erickson for all of the information he provided to the Council regarding this item. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. H. Resolution 8478, Authorize Bolton & Menk to Proceed with Design for CSAH 10 Trail Segments 6 & 11. Public Works Director Erickson requested the Council authorize Bolton & Menk to proceed with design for CSAH 10 trail segments 6 and 11. He noted these segments were part of a larger program approved by the Council. The location of the proposed segments was reviewed and staff recommended approval of the trail designs. Council Member Mueller asked why the trail was extended 50 feet on Edgewood Drive. City Administrator Ericson commented the extension would allow for a link to the sidewalk. Mounds View City Council November 9, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 6 Mayor Flaherty questioned how the trail segments would be funded by the City. Finance Director Beer explained the project would be funded fully by the City’s Special Project Fund. Public Works Director Erickson noted a portion of the project would be cost shared with the County. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8478, Authorize Bolton & Menk to Proceed with Design for CSAH 10 Trail Segments 6 & 11. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Resolution 8474, Approving Cost of Living (COLA)/Insurance Adjustment Contribution for Non-Union Employees. B. Resolution 8473, Electing to Retain the Statutory Tort Limit on Liability for the 2016 Insurance Policies. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS Finance Director Beer answered the Council's questions related to claims. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. 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 Mounds View Police Department would be teaming up with Aldi and the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf for the Thanksgiving Food Drive. She discussed the ways in which residents could contribute to this event and encouraged all to get involved. Drop offs would be accepted at the Police Department November 9, 10, 12 and 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In addition, on Saturday, November 14 th from Noon until 3:00 p.m. K9 Officer Niko would be at Aldi. Council Member Mueller indicated on Thursday, November 19 th the League of Minnesota Cities Board would be making recommendations on the local economies policy adoption. Mounds View City Council November 9, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 7 Council Member Mueller stated the Ramsey County Dispatch systems were now all live and she was proud to report there was no interruption to services. Council Member Meehlhause congratulated Val Johnson on being elected Mayor of New Brighton. Council Member Meehlhause explained he would be attending a strategic planning session on Thursday, November 12 th for NYFS. He thanked the Council for their input at the recent worksession meeting. B. Reports of Staff. Public Works Director Erickson provided the Council with an update on the work taking place in Area H of the street improvement project. Council Member Mueller requested the bicycle lane on the frontage road adjacent to Groveland Road be painted and striped yet this fall for safety purposes. Public Works Director Erickson commented he would speak to the contractor regarding this matter. Council Member Mueller questioned when the Groveland playground would be open for children. Public Works Director Erickson anticipated that the playground would be open once the scrap materials were removed. Council Member Mueller suggested the City consider having a small ice skating rink at Groveland Park given the large number of families surrounding this park. Public Works Director Erickson stated he would look into the feasibility of this skating rink. Public Works Director Erickson provided the Council with an update on the North Area Interceptor project. He stated Lametti & Sons have begun work. Mayor Flaherty requested that the pumps be insulated as much as possible while working. Public Works Director Erickson stated he would pass this information along to the contractor. City Administrator Ericson discussed the City’s website and noted it has been in place since 2007. He reported the City spent $3,500 to convert the website and the City has been maintaining this cost effective model since that time. He reviewed the amount of money that some cities are spending to create new websites and anticipated it would cost the City $20,000 to $30,000 to upgrade the City’s website. He questioned how the Council wanted to proceed with the City’s website. Council Member Gunn wanted to see the City upgrade its website and made more user friendly. Council Member Mueller agreed. She thought the City’s website was in need of upgrades. Mounds View City Council November 9, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 8 Council Member Hull thought the existing site was fine. Council Member Meehlhause was in favor of the City pursuing a website update. Mayor Flaherty commented it was 2015 and he believed the website was in need of upgrades as it was an important tool for the City. City Administrator Ericson thanked the Council for their feedback. He indicated he would continue to work on this item and believed it would be included in the 2017 budget. City Administrator Ericson provided comment on the survey regarding Citywide organized collection services. He reviewed the questions within the survey and requested comment from the Council on how to proceed. Council Member Meehlhause did not believe the survey addressed the advantages and disadvantages of going to an organized collection system. He expressed concern with how the survey and its results would be perceived. Council Member Hull supported the survey as is. Council Member Mueller requested further information on questions 7 through 11. She did not understand the categories or how these questions related to the remainder of the survey. City Administrator Ericson reiterated that this would be a phone survey. He then discussed the categories in further detail with the Council. Council Member Mueller wondered if the survey should be left more neutral to allow for general feedback from the public on how to proceed with organized collection. City Administrator Ericson stated the intent of the survey was not to promote or create bias, but rather, to gather public perception on the topic. Council Member Gunn reviewed the questions within the survey and believed there was too much emphasis on residents’ current haulers. She suggested more questions be included in the survey to gauge how residents felt about a having a single hauler or creating zones within the City. She was in favor of the survey being tweaked further. City Administrator Ericson agreed that further revisions could be made to the questions to make the survey less confusing. He reported that the City’s intent was not to limit the haulers within Mounds View but rather to make a more efficient model for garbage removal within the City. He discussed the consortium approach that would have to be taken by the City and stated if an efficient model could not be found, the City would then pursue an RFP with a single hauler. Mayor Flaherty feared that residents would not take the time to complete a 20-question phone survey. He also questioned how homeowners would be selected. Council Member Gunn recommended that staff review the questions and create a more direct purpose or approach so residents understand the purpose of the survey more clearing. Mounds View City Council November 9, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 9 Council Member Meehlhause agreed that the survey needed clarification. City Administrator Ericson reported the survey length could be shortened. He explained the survey and its results were for the benefit of the Council. Mayor Flaherty suggested that the survey be streamlined down to 10 questions. City Administrator Ericson thanked the Council for their input and noted he would report back to the Council at a future meeting with a revised, more concise survey. C. Reports of City Attorney. There was nothing additional to report. 12. Truth in Taxation Hearing: Monday, December 7, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Work Session: Monday, December 7, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, November 23, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.