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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1995/02/27~~ kC~+s PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Hwy. 10, Mounds View, MN SS 112 CALL TO ORDER The Mounds View City Council was called to order by Mayor Linke at 7:00 p.m. on February 27, 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; Tim Cruikshank, Assistant to the City Administrator; Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator; Mary Saarion, Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry; Tim Ramacher, Folice Chief ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: There were no additions to the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION/SECOND: Trude/Quick to Approve Regular Council Meeting Minutes from February 13, 1995, as Submitted VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried ACCEPTANCE OF ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES: There were no Advisory Commission minutes presented. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Mayor Linke introduced Senator Steven Novak and welcomed him to the Council meeting. Mounds View City Council Page 2 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 Senator Novak offered an update on the early stages of the Legislative Session regarding the issues that could affect Mounds View; the dominating issue being the budget. Mr. Novak chairs the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee, which has jurisdiction in the areas of housing, community finance, redevelopment finance, utility issues, and labor management issues. Senator Novak explained the Metropolitan Area Fair Tax Base Act which he authored along with Representative Myron Orfield. This Act would take into account the tax base of the metropolitan area, the causes of specific needs of that area, and would propose changes to the current structure. This Act would be very advantageous to a city such as Mounds View, along with most of the north suburban area. The Metropolitan Area Fair Tax Base Act would acknowledge the role that cities like Mounds View and many others have played over the last two decades in terms of providing equality of access to the communities to people of all incomes, and would suggest that some of the resources of the newer, more wealthy communities be shared. As additional evidence that the sharing of resources would be warranted, those wealthier communities, such as Apple Valley and Eden Prairie, have benefited from the metropolitan tax base. Those communities have received the vast majority of new revenues for highways, sewers, and other services to build their infrastructure. Unfortunately, those communities have superimposed local ordinances that have prevented low income people from living there, while at the same time, offering local economic development packages to attract businesses. Councilmember Hankner requested clarification regarding the revenues to build the infrastructures of the more wealthy suburban communities. Senator Novak explained that over the last six or seven years, the vast majority of the highway dollars have gone to the southern suburbs along with a variety of financial support systems for the development of sewers and other services. Those suburbs have made it impossible for private housing to be developed in an affordable way for middle-income people. Senator Novak reported that he has also been working on state-wide proposals to radically change the property tax structure in the State to achieve a property tax that would be more suitable, easy to understand, and would deliver a property tax cut. Linke commented that there were several bills regarding tax • increment financing, one of which would have the potential to derail several of the initiatives that the City Council had started • • Mounds View City Council Page 3 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 through the FOCUS 2000 program. It was proposed that tax increment finances would be used to rehabilitate some of the existing homes and businesses. Senator Novak remarked that the bill had been introduced but would probably not become law during this Session. An issue that would adversely affect Mounds View would be the Governor's budget which currently called for a significant cut in State Government Local Aid. Linke advised that he would like to have consideration given to freeing up the options of cities to use their gas tax money toward improving city streets. The Councilmembers joined Mayor Linke in expressing their appreciation to Senator Novak for offering his update. CONSENT AGENDA Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, read the Consent Agenda as follows: A. Adopt Resolution No. 4716 Approving Just and Correct Claims Against City Funds. B. Licenses for Approval HVAC - Expires 6f 30/95 Del-Air, Inc. - New MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Hankner 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: Consideration of Resolution No. 4719 Request for Conditional Us_e Permit for William Liclaett to Allow Display and Sale of Model Homes at Colonial Village Manufactured Home Park Mayor Linke opened the public hearing at 7:22 p.m. Mounds View City Council Page 4 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, reported that William Liggett would like to be allowed to sell model homes within his manufactured home park. Municipal Code allows for this type of activity with the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit, which would guarantee that certain conditions would be adhered to, such as traffic and parking patterns within the manufactured home park, the number of homes that could be displayed, and the hours that homes can be displayed. The purpose of this application was. to systematically upgrade this park as lots become available, thereby bringing up the overall quality of the manufactured home park. This item was reviewed by the Planning Commission and they recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit. This item was also discussed at a Council Work Session earlier in the month. Mayor Linke offered a clarification of the type of homes that would be sold from Colonial Village Manufactured Home Park. In reality, they are not model homes that would be sold, but rather spec homes . Harrington affirmed that the homes would be fully connected to water and sewer and would be ready to live in. Councilmember Trude remarked that this Conditional Use Permit would encourage updating the stock within the Colonial Village Manufactured Home Park. Mayor Linke closed the public hearing at 7:.26 p.m. MOTION1SECOND: Quick/Trude to Adopt Resolution No. 4719 Approving Conditional Use Permit far William Liggett to Allow Display and Sale of Model Homes at Colonial Village Manufactured Home Park Councilmember Quick stated that he viewed this action as a step toward improving the overall appearance of the manufactured housing park. VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Consideration of Introduction of Ordinance No. 556 Repealing Chapter 604 of the Mounds View Municipal Code Entitled, "Nuisances'! and Amendincs Title 600 By Establishing a New Chapter 607, Entitled "Nuisances" Mayor Linke opened the public hearing at 7:26 p.m. Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, advised that in the summer of 1993, the City held a community-wide vision process referred to as FOCUS 2000, at which time it allowed the citizens of Mounds View an opportunity to meet with elected officials and City Mounds View City Council Page 5 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 Staff. In order to establish a direction for the City, it was felt that a very comprehensive Nuisance Ordinance should be introduced. The Nuisance Ordinance was to include many different items relating to upkeep and maintenance of residential neighborhoods. There was a strong feeling among participants of those forums that the residential areas of the City were very susceptible to decay and to becoming visually run-down. Based on that, the City Council directed the Planning Commission to look into the Nuisance Ordinance to see which areas need to be updated and strengthened in order to accomplish that goal. This Ordinance No. 556 is the direct result of that direction. The City Council has considered this item at two previous meetings and it is now being presented in Public Hearing form to allow the residents of Mounds View an opportunity for comment and consideration. Councilmember Trude commented that this Ordinance has been in progress for nearly a year and came directly from the community to the FOCUS 2000 program. Bruce Brasaemle, 5127 Long Lake Road, referred to Section 607.03, Subdivision 1-a, and inquired regarding how wetlands would be effected by this Ordinance.. He also inquired whether tall grasses and noxious weeds would be addressed in the Ordinance. Mayor Linke explained that wetlands would be covered under a different Ordinance. Trude stated that Minnetonka had an Ordinance that clearly defined prairie lands and, if the need ever arose, that Ordinance could be used as an example. Dan Larson, 5381 Jackson Drive, said that the house next to his had been vacant for several years and was unsightly and in desperate need of repair. He had considered making improvements to his own home but. felt it would be futile due to the poor condition of the neighboring property. Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, assured Mr. Larson that the City Code Enforcement Officer had been in contact with the owner of the property next to his and the legal process had been started to improve the appearance of the property. Orduno thanked Mr. Larson for bringing this matter to the attention of City officials. Linke stressed the importance of residents informing the City of such matters, adding that action cannot be taken if the City is unaware that problems exist. Mounds View City Council Page 6 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 Trude commented that it has been difficult in the past to follow through with the desired changes because there was no Ordinance to address the necessary changes. Mayor Linke closed the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Blanchard to Introduce Ordinance No. 556 Repealing Chapter 604 of the Mounds View Municipal Code Entitled, "Nuisances" and Amending Title 600 By Establishing a New Chapter 607, Entitled, "Nuisances," and to Waive the Reading Councilmember Quick remarked that if anyone has input on this matter, they would be welcome to come forward with it since this is only the introduction of this Ordinance and would not be considered for adoption for three weeks. Quick joined Mayor Linke in thanking the Staff for the time and effort they have put into drafting this Ordinance. VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Consideration of Introduction of Ordinance No. 557 Repealing Chapter 905 of the Mounds View Municipal Code Entitled, "Parks, Playgrounds and Recreation" and Amending Chapter 900 of the Mounds View Municipal Code By Establishing a New Chapter 910, Entitled, "Parks and Recreation" Mayor Linke opened the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. Mary Saarion, Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, reported that there was a lot of park usage that wasn't covered in the Parks and Recreation Ordinance. This was brought to light when there were problems with rollerblading in tennis court areas. The Ordinance was extensively reviewed and is much more comprehensive than before. Councilmember Trude provided revisions to the Ordinance. Mayor Linke closed the public hearing at 7:44 p.m. MOTIONLSECOND: Quick/Trude to Introduce Ordinance No. 557 Repealing Chapter 905 of the Mounds View Municipal Code Entitled, "Parks, Playgrounds, and Recreation" and Amending Chapter 900 of the Mounds View Municipal Code By Establishing a New Chapter 910, Entitled, "Parks and Recreation" VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Consideration of Introduction of Ordinance No. 553 Establishing Chapter 512, Entitled "Cigarettes and Tobacco Products" Mounds View City Council Page 7 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 Mayor Linke opened the public hearing at 7:44 p.m. Councilmember Trude explained that she had worked with Tim Ramacher, Police Chief, to establish this Ordinance which is intended to decrease the number of young people who smoke. People who begin smoking at a young age will usually develop public health problems, which in turn, will cost taxpayers many dollars. Another purpose of this Ordinance is to make City policy consistent with the D.A.R.E. program in attempting to keep children off alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Linke explained that he would be making a motion to table this issue at the end of this Public Hearing to afford an opportunity for businesses and concerned citizens to discuss this Ordinance before introduction by the City Council. Linke said that he had received a suggestion that the fees to be imposed should go directly to the D.A.R.E. program, which he felt was an excellent idea. Trude remarked that she was distressed to learn that a person 16 years old could legally sell cigarettes. Christina Thill, 5255 Sunnyside Road, related her background as a teen in Mounds View and her present occupation as a public health educator, working with teens on this very issue. Through compliance checks, it was found that a third of the stores which were checked did, in fact, sell tobacco products to minors who offered no license. There is a very high peer pressure among teens to sell to their friends. Ms. Thill remarked that she formerly worked at SuperAmerica, where there was a very good store policy to encourage their employees to check the identification of anyone purchasing tobacco products who looked under the age of 25. She felt the stores which sell these substances should be held responsible and penalized if they sell to minors. Linke said that he had discussed the matter of educating businesses and their personnel on the sale of tobacco products with Samantha Orduno, City Administrator. Together, they felt that having the City conduct the training was a possibility that should be considered. Ms. Thill said that, perhaps, training should be conducted several times throughout the year--not just at the time of renewing licenses to sell tobacco products. Bob Hardman, Regional Manager of SuperAmerica, reported that the key to preventing the sale of cigarettes to minors is education and Mounds View City Council Page 8 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 training. SuperAmerica has a very comprehensive training program which they would be willing to share with the Council and other retailers. This training program consists of a video tape that offers tips on how to tell a person's age. Mr. Hardman explained that the proposed Ordinance contains an 18- year-old restriction for the sale of tobacco products. This restriction would have an adverse affect on the business of SuperAmerica because, during busy times, all of their employees must work at the checkouts. This Ordinance would prohibit them from hiring anyone younger than 18 years of age. Linke expressed his appreciation to Mr. Hardman for extending the offer to help educate the other retailers in the City. Jay Klaphake, addressed the Council on behalf of the St. Paul- Ramsey County ASSIST Coalition (American Stop Smoking Intervention Study Project) which is made up of a number of groups in the community that are concerned about public health, including the Lung Association, Cancer Society, and the Urban League. The average age of a person starting to smoke is 13. By the age of 18, 80% of people who are going to smoke have started. At the age of 19, 90% have already started to smoke. When it comes to the question of compliance checks and whether or not we should allow someone under the age of 18 to sell, minors find it more difficult to say "no." It becomes a question of pressure and judgment. Mr. Klaphake commended SuperAmerica on their store policy of preventing the sale of tobacco products to minors. Unfortunately, there is a problem with other retailers selling to minors. He urged the Council to consider the worth of the lives of children when considering this Ordinance. Mayor Linke closed the public hearing at 8:04 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Linke/Blanchard to Table the Introduction of Ordinance No. 553 Establishing Chapter 512, Entitled, "Cigarettes and Tobacco Products" Until the April 10 Regular Council Meeting VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried COUNCIL BUSINESS: A. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 554 Vacating Publicly Dedicated Easements, Mounds View Business Park East, 2nd Addition Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, explained that in the fall of 1994, the City Council approved the pl Mounds View City Council Page 9 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 known as Mounds View Business Park East 2nd Addition for Everest Development. At the time those plats were approved, certain easements were taken by the City to provide for utilities and drainage on the parcels. Since the Mounds View Business Park East 2nd Addition is a reconfiguration of those original parcels, certain portions of those easements are no longer necessary. This Ordinance would vacate those portions of the easements from the previous plats that are no longer necessary. MOTION/SECOND: Hankner/Trude to Adopt Ordinance No. 554 Vacating Publicly Dedicated Easements, Mounds View Business Park East, 2nd Addition ROLL CALL VOTE• Mayor Linke - Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember VOTE • 5 a: yes Blanchard - yes Quick - yes Trude - yes Hankner - yes des 0 nays Motion Carried B. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 555 Vacatin Publicly Dedicated Easements, Sherwood Estates Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, explained that this situation was very similar to the one the Council considered previously. At the February 13, 1995 meeting, the City Council formally introduced this Ordinance vacating publicly held easements included in the Sherwood Estates Plat. In the fall of 1994, the City Council approved the plat of Sherwood Estates for Citywide Developers. Certain easements were taken by the City to provide for utilities and drainage on the property. Since the Sherwood Estates plat is a reconfiguration of that property, certain portions of those easements are no longer necessary. This Ordinance would formally vacate the appropriate sections of the .easements on the property which are no longer necessary. MOTION/SECOND: Blanchard/Hankner to Adopt Ordinance No. 555 Vacating Publicly Dedicated Easements, Sherwood Estates Mounds View City Council Page 10 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 ROLL CALL VOTE• Mayor Linke - yes Councilmember Trude - yes Councilmember Hankner - yes Councilmember Quick - yes Councilmember Blanchard - yes VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried ~J C. Consideration of Resolution No. 4718 Resolution of Intent to Explore a Partnership with Independent School District 621 for Educational and Recreational Facilities Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, reported that this endeavor would explore the possibilities of having a joint partnership to alleviate the overcrowding that currently exists at Sunnyside and Pinewood Elementary Schools. The Council was approached by the entire School Board to form a Task Force composed of representatives from the community, the School Board and the City Council charged with looking into the options that may be available to help fund additional classroom space and recreational space for the school children that are attending Pinewood and Sunnyside. In meeting with the School District representatives, the following make-up of the Task Force has been recommended: 1 School Board member 1 Elementary school principal (either Pinewood or Sunnyside) Director of Community Education 1 Member of Early Family Childhood Education Committee 1 Parent (from Pinewood or Sunnyside) 1 City Council member 1 Economic Development Authority Commissioner 1 Economic Development Commission member The City Administrator Orduno said that Nick Tamali, the School Board's designated representative, had suggested the Task Force also have a senior member and a representative from Ramsey County. This Task Force would be charged with identifying the educational and recreational space needs at both Sunnyside and Pinewood, exploring the feasibility of providing additional educational and recreational facilities at Edgewood Middle School and identifying the size, scope and cost associated with those needs, explore funding opportunities and present the findings to the School Board and City Council for recommendation. Mounds View City Council Page 11 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 Orduno explained that the proposed Resolution would approve the forming of the task force, but would not specify the members at this time. Councilmember Trude inquired as to why a representative from the Economic Development Commission was chosen rather than from a different Commission. Mary Saarion explained that the EDC was the advisory commission to the Economic Development Authority and one of the things that was discussed was the possibility of using tax increment finance money. Both the Economic Development Commission and the Economic Development Authority are closely associated with that fund. MOTION,[SECOND: Hankner/Quick to Adopt Resolution No. 4718, Resolution of Intent to Explore a Partnership with Independent School District 621 for Educational and Recreational Facilities, as Amended to Include a Senior Member and a Representative of Ramsey County Councilmember Trude commented that this project was a result of the FOCUS 2000 program. VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried D. Consideration of Resolution No. 4717, Hiring of Golf Course Club House Manager/Instructor Tim Cruikshank, Assistant to the City Administrator, reported that six well-qualified candidates for the position of Clubhouse Manager/InstructorjDriving Range Manager were interviewed by a panel consisting of himself; Mary Saarion, Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry; and Kurt Johnson, Golf Course Superintendent. This would be a 9-month position from approximately March 1 through November 1, with a salary of $12, 000 annually plus teaching pay earned from a portion of the fees charged for lessons. The job advertisement stated that the successful candidate must have a minimum of two years of post-secondary education in the area of golf course management or some related field, as well as at least three years of golf course clubhouse operations .and golf instruction experience. As a result of those interviews, it was recommended that Brus von Ende be hired for this position. Mr. von Ende has a bachelor's degree in marketing and communications from St. Cloud State University and has worked for Centerbrook Golf Course for the City of Brooklyn Center as a Clubhouse • Mounds View City Council Regular Meeting Page 12 February 27, 1995 Assistant/Teaching Pro for the past six years. He also has related experience with the New Hope Village Golf Course as a Teaching Pro and with the Woodbury Golf and Fitness Club. References have been checked and .were found to be satisfactory. It is recommended that the hire of Brus von Ende be contingent upon successful completion of a physical examination and the standard drug and alcohol test. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Trude to Adopt Resolution No. 4717, Hiring of Golf Course Club House ManagerjInstructor Councilmember Trude was impressed by the fact that Mr. von Ende has never received a negative letter during his career of teaching golf. Tom Garside, Shoreview, advised that he was one of the unsuccessful candidates for this position and the reason he attended this meeting was to make himself available for any questions from the Council. He felt the interviewing session only afforded him the opportunity to make a general impression of himself and did not enable him to show his expertise in the field of golf course management. Councilmember Hankner inquired as to the qualifications of the interviewing panel. Mary Saarion, Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, commented that she has worked in the field for many years and Kurt Johnson, Golf Course Superintendent, has been employed as a golf course manager as well as a golf course superintendent. The emphasis of this position was on the teaching professional aspect because the golf course has the potential to bring in not only beginners, but others interested in taking lessons. Hankner requested clarification as to who served on the interview panel. Cruikshank again reported that the panel consisted of himself, Mary Saarion, and Kurt Johnson. Hankner said she had genuine concerns regarding the overall management of the golf course and felt that a golf pro should have been included on the interview panel. Mayor Linke expressed his confidence in the choice of individuals that had been hired to date to manage the golf course. He also commented that marketing skills were a very important qualification for this position as well as teaching skills. Mounds View City Council Page 13 Regular Meeting February 27, 1995 Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, addressed the issue of the interview panel and expressed her confidence in their decision of a successful candidate. She was of the opinion that, had there been a golf pro on the interview panel, the outcome would have been the same. The interview panel was. given the directive to hire the best possible candidate in terms of personality, background and credentials, to assure the success of the golf course. VOTE: 3 ayes 0 nays 2 Didn't Vote Motion Carried 1. Report of Councilmembers: REPORTS Councilmember Quick: No report. Councilmember Trude: No report. • Councilmember Blanchard: Councilmember Hankner: No report. • Report of Mayor Linke: No report. Report of Administrator: No report. Report of Staff: No report. No report. Mayor Linke announced that the next Council Meeting will be March 20, 1995. The next Council Work Session will be March 6, 1995, and there will be a Special Work Session March 8, 1995 at 6:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before this Council, Mayor Linke adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m. spectfully submitted, ~~~~ dy ider r~ ecording Secretary Timesaver Off Site Secretarial