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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2017/09/25PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting September 25, 2017 Mounds View City Hall 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:00 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Bergeron, Gunn, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, September 25, 2017, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve the Monday, September 25, 2017, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 6. CONSENT AGENDA A. Just and Correct Claims. B. Set a Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m., October 9, 2017 to Consider Adopting a Special Assessment Levy for Delinquent Public Utility Accounts. C. Set a Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m., October 9, 2017 to Consider Adopting a Special Assessment Levy for Unpaid Diseased Tree Charges. D. Resolution 8829, Approving Severance for James Ericson, City Administrator. E. Resolution 8831, Approving an Agreement for Building Official Services. F. Resolution 8830, Approving a Loan Servicing Agreement with Community Reinvestment Fund. G. Resolution 8832, Authorizing a Budget Adjustment for Executive Search Consulting Services. Mounds View City Council September 25, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 2 MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 8. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Presentation from Ramsey Council Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire. Ramsey County Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire was unable to attend the City Council meeting. 9. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. 6:00 p.m. Public Hearing: Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 937, an Ordinance Granting a Cable Franchise to Comcast of Minnesota, Inc. Finance Director Beer requested the Council hold a Public Hearing and introduce an Ordinance that would grant a Cable Franchise to Comcast of Minnesota. He explained a Second Reading would be held on October 9th where the Ordinance granting the Cable Franchise would be approved. Cor Wilson, Executive Director for CTV, provided the Council with a detailed summary of the formal and informal negotiation efforts that occurred between CTV and Comcast. She stated she was pleased to see that both parties had reached an agreement. She noted the term of this franchise was 10 years and indicated franchise fees would continue at 5%. She explained CTV would be paid through PEG fees by Comcast, but noted this amount was slated to be cut by 40%. She reported the City of Mounds View would continue to receive complimentary cable services from Comcast. Further discussion ensued regarding the changes that would occur through the new franchise. Council Member Bergeron asked what percentage of users had the universal services. Ms. Wilson explained this was a very small percentage and noted only 400 users throughout the franchise opted to have the universal services. Council Member Bergeron understood that residents of Mounds View took advantage of the local cable channels in order to view City Council meetings. Council Member Meehlhause questioned if the universal services were free for one year and then came at a cost after that time period. Ms. Wilson stated the universal channels were supposed to be free indefinitely for cable subscribers. Council Member Meehlhause asked how the new equipment would benefit the City of Mounds View. Finance Director Beer explained the additional equipment would benefit City Hall and the Community Center. Ms. Wilson discussed how the new Hi-Def channels could be utilized by the Mounds View City Council September 25, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 3 City. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 6:28 p.m. David Piskorski, 7878 Woodlawn Drive, stated he was completely ignorant on this topic and requested further information as to the benefits of the proposed cable franchise. Ms. Wilson explained the cable franchise was in place because Comcast used public right-of-way in order to provide their services. She discussed the history of cable commissions and how each has negotiated a franchise with Comcast. She indicated Mounds View was part of a nine-member city commission. Council Member Gunn explained how the City collected and used PEG fees. Hearing no further public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 6:33 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 937, an Ordinance Granting a Cable Franchise to Comcast of Minnesota, Inc. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 938, an Ordinance amending Municipal Code, Section 502 regarding On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor Licenses for Movie Theaters (ROLL CALL VOTE). City Planner/Supervisor Sevald explained New Vision Theaters was planning to renovate their Mounds View theater and one of the new amenities being proposed was a bar. In order to have a bar, the movie theater would have to secure a liquor license. He noted there were a number of theaters in the metro area that operated with a bar. Staff reviewed the City’s liquor license requirements, noting the proposed Ordinance language amendments and recommended approval. Mayor Mueller asked how the theater would ensure alcohol sales did not occur to minors. Brandt Erwin, attorney for the applicant, explained protocols would be in place and employees would be trained to ensure alcohol sales were not made to minors. In addition, the theater would be hiring new employees to walk through the theaters. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 938, an Ordinance amending Municipal Code, Section 502 regarding On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor Licenses for Movie Theaters. ROLL CALL: Bergeron/Gunn/Hull/Meehlhause/Mueller. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 8825, Approving a Marketing Agreement with Utility Service Partners. Finance Director Beer requested the Council approve a marketing agreement with Utility Service Mounds View City Council September 25, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 4 Partners. He explained this was a three-year agreement and noted the marketing agreement was reviewed by Kennedy & Graven. Council Member Bergeron requested further information on how disputes would be handled. City Attorney Biggerstaff described how disputes would be managed per the agreement. Council Member Meehlhause explained the City was considering this agreement because it would assist residents with very expensive sewer lining repairs. Council Member Bergeron questioned if the City has had any complaints from residents regarding line replacements in the past. Finance Director Beer stated the only complaints he recalled the City receiving was because landscaping had been disturbed and not replaced, which was part of the agreement. Mayor Mueller stated she preferred to keep the Resolution as written with the knowledge that the City will listen closely for any concerns or complaints raised by the public. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8825, Approving a Marketing Agreement with Utility Service Partners. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 8828, Accepting a Donation from Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Amount of $16,170.50 and Approving Distribution of Funds as Specified. Finance Director Beer requested the Council accept a donation from Bethlehem Baptist Church and approve the distribution of funds. He commented on the list of donation recommendations from Pastor Vince Johnson and recommended approval of the request. Mayor Mueller read the full list of donations for the record. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8828, Accepting a Donation from Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Amount of $16,170.50 and Approving Distribution of Funds as Specified. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Bethlehem Baptist for their generous donations to the City and noted this was the church’s second donation of the year. Council Member Bergeron appreciated the great partnership Bethlehem Baptist had with the community. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 10. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Mounds View City Council September 25, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 5 Council Member Gunn stated the 25th Annual Music of the Night Band Competition would be held on Saturday, September 30th at Irondale High School at 4:00 p.m. She reported 15 bands would be featured at this event. Council Member Gunn explained the SBM Fire Station No. 1 Open House would be held on Saturday, September 30th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. She noted there would be a number of demonstrations. Council Member Gunn commented the Mounds View Lions would be holding their Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday, October 19th at the VFW in Spring Lake Park. Council Member Meehlhause reported he and the Mayor received an email from a resident related to a child on his street (Hillview) that has a hearing disability. This resident was requesting a sign be posted on his street to alert drivers. He explained he forward this concern to staff and a determination was needed from the Council on this matter. Mayor Mueller thanked Council Member Meehlhause for taking the initiative on this matter. She questioned if the family with the hearing disabled child would like the sign posted. If this was the case, she would support the City purchasing and erecting the sign. The Council requested staff follow up with the family and report back to the Council. Council Member Meehlhause stated the Twin Cities Gateway Board met last Tuesday. He provided the Council with an update on the matters discussed by this group. Council Member Meehlhause indicated he would be attending a Northeast Youth and Family Services board meeting on Thursday, September 28th. He encouraged the public to consider attending Taste of Northeast a fundraiser for Northeast Youth and Family Services on Thursday, October 5th at 5:30 p.m. at Vadnais Heights Commons. Mayor Mueller reported she attended a Ramsey County Mayor’s meeting on Monday, September 18th where each mayor provided an update on their community. She stated a great deal of their conversations hinged on transportation. Mayor Mueller explained she attended the North Metro Mayor’s Association Dinner on Wednesday, September 20th. Mayor Mueller indicated she had the privilege of attending the neighborhood meeting at the Community Center on Thursday, September 21st where Crossroad Pointe was discussed. She encouraged the public to continue to provide feedback on this development in order to assist the Council in making an informed decision. Mayor Mueller noted the City would be hosting a Work Loss Safety Seminar being sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities on Tuesday, September 26th at 8:00 a.m. Mounds View City Council September 25, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 6 B. Reports of Staff. 1. Crossroad Pointe (Verbal). City Planner/Supervisor provided the Council with a verbal update on Crossroad Pointe. He explained on Thursday, September 21st staff held a neighborhood meeting to discuss potential development options for Crossroad Pointe. He stated 60 residents were in attendance and some of the common themes were with the close proximity of the proposed indoor shooting range to the adjacent residential neighborhood. He requested the Council discuss the proposed development and provide staff with feedback on the proposed indoor shooting range. Mayor Mueller opened this portion of the meeting up to public comment at 7:23 p.m. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Mueller asked for comments from the Council regarding the Crossroad Pointe redevelopment. Mayor Mueller stated she would like to see the developer move forward with the three-story market rate apartment building and underground parking with the gun club and with another option other than the 16,000 s.f. indoor shooting range. She discussed the history of sporting goods stores in Mounds View and explained that having gun sales in the community was not new to the City. She stated in the end she would like to see the project moving forward. Council Member Hull explained he supported the project as well. He indicated he visited a local gun club in Chanhassen and found it to have a social atmosphere that was family friendly. He believed that the gun club would draw people into the community. Council Member Gunn agreed and stated she was in favor of the development project with the gun club. She anticipated the proposed use would stand the test of time. Council Member Meehlhause commented he has completely changed his stance on this project since first hearing from the developer. He appreciated the fact that the developer talked to the Mounds View Police Chief and noted Police Chief Harder offered his full support to the indoor shooting range. He understood that the indoor range would greatly benefit the Police Department. He explained he visited the gun club in Chanhassen and discussed the decibel requirements for these establishments. He appreciated the fact that alcohol was not allowed in these facilities. He noted he also visited the gun clubs in Robbinsdale and Osseo. He reported Osseo and Robbinsdale have had no issues with their gun clubs. He explained he would now be willing to offer his support to the project with an indoor shooting range. Council Member Bergeron thanked staff for providing a very informative neighborhood meeting last Thursday. He commented on how the development has changed each time he has heard from the developer. He supported the developer pursuing other options for the specialty retail space, other than the indoor gun range. Interim City Administrator Zikmund updated the Council on the City Administrator search. He asked if the Council had any feedback on this process. The Council had no additional feedback. Mounds View City Council September 25, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 7 Interim City Administrator Zikmund stated the market rate study was complete and reference checks would be conducted by staff. He anticipated staff would be making a recommendation to City Council at their next meeting. Interim City Administrator Zikmund explained the Personnel Committee would be meeting to discuss several matters after this meeting. Mayor Mueller reported the 60th Anniversary Committee would be meeting next on Tuesday, October 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Theresa Cermak, president of Festival in the Park Committee, noted a wrap up meeting was held by the committee and plans were being made for the 2018 Festival. She explained an indoor Festival Craft Show was being planned for Saturday, November 11th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Community Center. She then discussed the fundraising efforts taking place for the Mounds View Police Federation. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Biggerstaff had nothing additional to report. 11. Next Council Work Session: Monday, October 2, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, October 9, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. 12. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.