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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1995/04/24' APPROVED • PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Hwy. 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 CALL TO ORDER The Mounds View City Council was called to order by Mayor Linke at 7:00 p.m. on April 24, 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; Tim Ramacher, Police Chief; Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator; Mary Saarion, Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry; Mike Ulrich, Director of Public Works; Don Brager, Finance Director; Brus Von Ende, Golf Course Manager; Kurt Johnson, Golf Course Superintendent; Mike Mueller, the new Golf Course Grounds Superintendent ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: There were no additions to the agenda for this meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION/SECOND: Hankner/Quick to Approve Regular Council Meeting Minutes from April 10, 1995, as Submitted VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried MOTION,JSECOND: Hankner/Quick to Approve Special Council Meeting Minutes from April 13, 1995, as Submitted VOTE: 4 ayes 1 abstention 0 nays Motion Carried • Mounds View City Council Page 2 Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 ACCEPTANCE OF ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION/SECOND: Trude/Hankner to Approve Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes from January 19, 1995, and February 16, 1995, as Presented VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: A. Adoption and Presentation of Resolution No. 4752 Commending Firefighter Kevin Vito for Twenty Years of Service with the Spring Lake Park/Blaine/Mounds View Fire Department Mayor Linke read Resolution No. 4752 and presented it to Kevin Vito. MOTION/SECOND: Linke/Blanchard to Adopt Resolution No. 4752 Commending Firefighter Kevin Vito for Twenty Years of Service with the Spring Lake Park/Blaine/Mounds View Fire Department VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried • B. Proclamation Declaring the Week of May 1, 1995 through May 7, 1995 as Police Reserve Officer Week in Mounds View Mayor Linke read the Proclamation declaring Police Reserve Officer Week in Mounds View and presented Police Chief Tim Ramacher with the Proclamation. Officer Jack Chambers came before the Council and Chief Ramacher introduced the following Police Reserve Officers: Mark Yates, Jason Meron, Anita Sorter, Jeff Ramacher, Brandon Thyen, Rick Schmidlin. Mary Saarion introduced the new Golf Course Grounds Superintendent, Mike Mueller, and explained that his first week would be spent with Golf Course Superintendent Kurt Johnson, after which Mr. Johnson would be leaving for his new position out of town. Brus Von Ende, Manager of The Bridges Golf Course, gave an overview of the activities at the Golf Course during the first day it was open. He expressed his appreciation to the staff and Councilmembers for all of their support. CONSENT AGENDA Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, read the Consent Agenda as follows: A. Adopt Resolution No. 4751 Approving Just and Correct Claims Against City Funds Mounds View City Council Page 3 Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 B. Licenses for Approval Sewer/Water - Expires 6/30195 Sandd Excavating, Inc. -New Window Installation - Expires 6/30/95 Twin Cities Glass Blocking - New MOTION/SECOND: Trude/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. Barbara Matelsky, 4949 Old Highway 8, explained that she had just purchased her home two months ago and was now concerned about the Ordinance regarding City sewer and water. Her lines for City sewer and water are located in the area of a proposed storm shelter for Mayor Linke explained that Ramsey County should be made aware of the condition of the street since Long Lake Road is a County road. a trailer court. Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, answered that he was in the process of working with Ramsey County to determine the easements on the property. Bill Frits, 8072 Long Lake Road, offered his comments regarding the need for repairs to Long Lake Road. Joan Sandidge, 7817 Bona Road, came before the Council requesting that the charges against her in connection with the waterline break be abated and that Ordinance No. 906.04, Subdivision 4, be changed to protect the residents. Ms. Sandidge said the break was within the public right-of-way on City installed, owned and maintained property. She felt that the Public Works Department assumed that the break was on the City watermain and proceeded to destroy her neighbor's three-car driveway. She has been charged approximately $2,000 for repairs. Ms. Sandidge cited the Cities of Shoreview, Blaine, Fridley and New Brighton and said that those Cities protect their homeowners by stating that the homeowner is only liable for service lines on their own property, from their house to their curb stop. • Mounds View City Council Page 4 Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 Mike Ulrich, Director of Public Works, used a drawing board to illustrate the position of the waterline break and specified the procedures that took place to repair the break. Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, furnished the background of the policy regarding the property owner's responsibility in connection with waterline repairs. Duane McCarty, 8060 Long Lake Road, said that he thought the City should be responsible and care for those things that the City builds. He remarked that all of the structures that are located within the right-of-way are impacted by a broad range of public uses. Mr. McCarty asked a direct question: Does the Council feel that individual home owners should be responsible for failures of City property? Councilmember Trude proposed that Council review the Ordinance at the next Work Session and at that time address the issue of additional costs which would be incurred by the City if the Ordinance is changed. Councilmember Hankner concurred with Councilmember Trude that the Ordinance should be discussed at the upcoming Work Session along with the City's liability in the event the Ordinance would be changed. Mike Ulrich stated that not all water and sewer service is City installed. He cited projects where private contractors were used to install the services. Bruce Ritter, 5240 Greenfield Avenue, requested clarification of the procedures used to repair the waterline break. An explanation was offered by Mr. Ulrich. Mayor Linke advised that the Ordinance would be reviewed by Council and no payment would be expected from Ms. Sandidge until a decision had been reached regarding the Ordinance. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Consideration of Resolution No. 4760 Approving a Conditional Use Permit to Allow an Oversized Garage for Anthony Honkomp, 2908 Ardan Avenue Mayor Linke opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m. Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, reported that Anthony Honkomp had applied for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the construction of a 940 square foot attached garage to his proposed single family home at 2908 Ardan Avenue. Municipal Code Mounds View City Council Page 5 • Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 allows for garages in excess of 864 square feet, up to 1,264 square feet, with the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit. Application and plans have been submitted by the applicant and the request is in compliance with Municipal Code. The Planning Commission has reviewed this item and has recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit. Councilmember Blanchard asked if this garage was to be attached to a new home being built and Mr. Harrington replied that it was. Cameron Obert, 8315 Greenwood Drive, expressed concern that there could be a future request to operate a business out of the garage. Mayor Linke closed the public hearing at 8:06 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Trude/Linke to Adopt Resolution No. 4760 Approving a Conditional Use Permit to Allow an Oversized Garage for Anthony Honkomp, 2908 Ardan Avenue Councilmember Trude said that the neighbors in the area of the proposed home are very happy to see the improvements to this property. VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Consideration of Resolution No. 4759 Approving the Grant Application for Redevelop ment of Woodcrest Park Mayor Linke opened the public hearing at 8:07 p.m. Mary Saarion, Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, advised that she was preparing an Outdoor Recreation Grant for improvements to Woodcrest Park. The park is located in the southwestern section of the City and, because of the storm water management issues, this has been a difficult park to maintain. Repairs are needed on the park building and, if the parking lot were to be paved, it could be used for rollerblading, basketball, and other hard court play activities. The grant proposal would include storm water management details. The City Consulting Engineer suggested that the ditches could be culverted and filled in. This would create more parkland area and take away any safety concern because of the open ditch. To solve the storm water drainage problem, a small holding pond would be built which would drain into the abutting wetland area. The grant would provide 50 percent funding for the project. The City's portion could come from Park Improvement funds and Storm Water Management funds. The grant is due May 1, 1995 and awards will be announced in August, 1995. Mounds View City Council Page 6 Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 Ray Schelonka, 5139 Red Oak Drive, said that there was always standing water on the north end of the park when it rains. He was concerned about fencing the property. Ms. Saarion explained that, if the grant is awarded, the neighborhood residents will be invited to express their desires and ideas for developing the park. Mayor Linke closed the public hearing at 8:14 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Trude/Quick to Adopt Resolution No. 4759 Approving the Grant Application for Redevelopment of Woodcrest Park VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried In response to an earlier request, Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, reported on the status of the Nuisance Code. Because of the concerns of residents involved with the FOCUS 2000 project, the Nuisance Code has been revised. The problem with the Nuisance Code in its former state, was that there was no enforcement mechanism to follow through on the properties cited for necessary cleanup. On the advice of the City Attorney and after approximately 10 months of work by the Planning Commission and the City Council, the Nuisance Ordinance had been put into final draft form. The Ordinance was approved by the City Council last month; however, City Charter requires that Ordinances be published 30 days prior to their enactment. The Nuisance Ordinance falls within that 30-day period at the present time. Mr. Harrington cited properties which have been improved by the City and provided detailed plans for the upcoming Clean-Up Day. COUNCIL BUSINESS: A. Consideration of Action on Ordinance No. 558 Amending the Municipal Code of Mounds View by Amending Chapter 1001 Entitled, "Building Code" Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, explained that at the March 27, 1995 City Council Meeting, Ordinance No. 558 was introduced. The licensing of tree trimming businesses would allow the City to apply certain requirements to their operation, specifically regarding problems with noise levels and blocking of streets. All such licenses would be $40 per year, the same as construction licenses. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Trude to Adopt Ordinance No. 558 Amending the Municipal Code of Mounds View by Amending Chapter 1001 Entitled, "Building Code" Mounds View City Council Page 7 Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 ROLL CALL VOTE: Mayor Linke - yes Councilmember Quick - yes Councilmember Hankner - yes Councilmember Blanchard - yes Councilmember Trude - yes VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried B. Consideration of Resolution No. 4756 Reaardina Reauest for Planned Unit Development AmendmentJDevelopment Review of Dynex Industries, 4751 Mustang Circle Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, reported that the request for a planned unit development/development review of Dynex Industries had been discussed at the April 3, 1995 Work Session. He offered background information regarding the approval for a planned unit development to Dynex. The current expansion plans include leasing portions of the expansion areas to outside tenants until such time as Dynex has a need for those areas. This practice would be similar to the Mounds View Business Park. Staff has reviewed the plans submitted and found them to be in conformance with applicable sections of the Municipal Code. The issue of storm water runoff which would result from the project has been discussed with the City Engineer. Based on information provided by the applicant, the City Engineer feels the proposed on-site facilities would be adequate to handle the anticipated runoff levels. Mr. Harrington said that he would be meeting with City Administrator Orduno, Fire Chief Zikmund, and the applicant to discuss fire suppression devices that would be needed on the property. Mr. Harrington noted that any action by the Council on this matter should be contingent upon the approval of Rice Creek Watershed District. Councilmember Blanchard asked if the Rice Creek Watershed District had approved this project. Mr. Harrington affirmed that he had received notification from Rice Creek Watershed District. Brian Sjoberg, from Dynex Industries, stated that he would be meeting with the Rice Creek Watershed District on April 26 and expected to receive their approval. CJ Mounds View City Council Regular Meeting Page 8 April 24, 1995 MOTIONjSECOND: Hankner/Blanchard to Adopt Resolution No. 4756 Approving a Development Review/Planned Unit Development Amendment for Dynex Industries, 4751 Mustang Circle, Contingent Upon Approval of Rice Creek Watershed District VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried • Mayor Linke expressed his appreciation to Dynex Industries for everything they have done for the community. C. Consideration of Resolution No. 4757 Reaarding Zero Lot Line Subdivision Request of Larrv Beach, 7540 Silver Lake Road D. Consideration of Resolution No. 4758 Regarding Zero Lot Line Subdivision Request of Larry Beach, 7550 Silver Lake Road Paul Harrington, Community Development Coordinator, explained that he would be combining Items C. and D. as they go together. Larry Beach had made application for zero lot line subdivisions for the properties located at both 7540 and 7550 Silver Lake Road. The zero lot line subdivision request is to allow Mr. Beach to owner-occupy sell some twin homes that are currently being built on the property. The twin homes are an allowed use, so he was able to proceed with the construction. The request meets the intent of Municipal Code. The lots are short by one one-hundredth of a foot, which amounts to less than an eighth of an inch. Mounds View Planning Commissioners reviewed the situation and felt that they were comfortable with recommending approval of the zero lot line subdivision. M_OTIONjSECOND: Trude/Hankner to Adopt Resolution No. 4757 and Resolution No. 4758 Approving a Zero Lot Line Minor Subdivision, Larry Beach, 7540 and 7550 Silver Lake Road VOTE:. 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Larry Beach, 6951 Knollwood Drive, said that when he made application for the twin home permits, he was charged a set amount per side because each unit has a different address. He plans to build eight more identical units using the same plans, and was informed that he would be charged that amount for each unit. Mayor Linke felt that the matter warranted review since the plans to be used are identical. Mr. Harrington suggested that the policy for permits for identical structures be discussed at the May 1, 1995 Work Session. Mounds View City Council Page 9 Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 E. Consideration of Resolution No. 4750 Proclaiming May 3, 1995 as "Arbor Day" and the Month of May, as "Arbor Month" Mary Saarion, Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, advised that Arbor Day and Arbor Month are annual activities in-the community. Mayor Linke read Resolution No. 4750. MOTION/SECOND: Linke/Trude to Adopt Resolution No. 4750 Proclaiming May 3, 1995 as "Arbor Day" and the Month of May as "Arbor Month" Councilmember Trude remarked that she was at Pinewood School recently and noticed the trees which were planted by students in prior years. She felt that when children are involved with taking pride in their community, they will be more likely to carry that pride wherever they ga. This is an opportunity for children to do something positive for the City. VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried F. Consideration of Contracting with Tautaes, Redpath and Co., Ltd. to Conduct a Single Audit at a Cost Not to Exceed $2,500 Don Brager, Finance Director, stated that the Single Audit Act of 1984 requires a single compliance audit to be conducted whenever more than $25,000 of federal assistance has been received by a governmental unit. The purpose of this audit is to ensure compliance with the grant agreements and applicable laws and regulations. The City of Mounds View did, in fact, receive more than $25,000 in federal grants during 1994, making the single audit necessary. Since the amount of grants to be awarded to the City was not known at the time the budget was prepared, this item was not budgeted for. It is now proposed that the City contract with Tautges, Redpath & Co., Ltd. to conduct a single audit for a cost not to exceed $2,500 and that the funds be transferred from the Contingency Account to cover the cost. Councilmember Trude asked if Tautges, Redpath & Co., Ltd. was the most economical company to use to conduct this audit. Mr. Brager stated that, because Tautges, Redpath & Co. was also contracted to do the City audit, they were more economical than a different audit company would be. Councilmember Hankner suggested that funds for the audit be budgeted for next year. Mounds View City Council Page 10 Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Trude to Approve Contracting with Tautges, Redpath and Co., Ltd. to Conduct a Single Audit at a Cost Not to Exceed $2,500 with Funds to be Transferred from Contingency Account VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried G. Consideration of Resolution No. 4746 Approving the Union Contract and the 1995 Compensation Schedule and Insurance Contribution Schedule for Police Union Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, reported that this labor agreement had been put together per the arbitration award and she summarized the 1994 and 1995 increases. Ms. Orduno explained that, since this was an arbitration award, the Council is bound by State Law to approve. MOTION~SECOND: Hankner/Trude to Adopt Resolution No. 4746 Approving the Union Contract and the 1995 Compensation Schedule and Insurance Contribution Schedule for Police Union VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried • H. Consideration of Resolution No. 4753 Approving the Baraaininq Unit Contract and the 1995 Compensation Schedule and Insurance Contribution Schedule for the Public Works and Parks Maintenance Bargaining Unit Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, read the provisions of the labor agreement and noted the changes from the previous agreement. MOTION1 SECOND: Trude/Hankner to Adopt Resolution No. 4753 Approving the Bargaining Unit Contract and the 1995 Compensation Schedule and Insurance Contribution Schedule for the Public Works and Parks Maintenance Bargaining Unit Tim Cruikshank, Assistant to the City Administrator, presented information to the City Council which was a requirement of a State Law passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1993. The law requires public employers to furnish the information to the public as well as the City Council upon ratifying a collective bargaining agreement. The intent of the law is to provide a standard basis to compare total compensation settlements from year to year. Ms. Orduno stressed that this requirement was a costly, time consuming and irrelevant document. It is the epitome of an unfunded mandate. Mounds View City Council Page 11 Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried I. Consideration of Resolution No. 4754 Approving the 1995 Non- Union Personnel Compensation Scheduler Insurance Contribution Schedule and Position Reclassifications Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, explained that non-union employees waited until the arbitration award was settled before the issue of 1995 compensation was brought before the Council. This Resolution is furnished in two forms: one indicating a 3 percent increase and one indicating a 2.95 percent increase. Ms. Orduno explained the reclassifications of the positions for Engineering Aide, Housing Intern, Division Secretary and the Golf Course Club House Manager which are also included in this Resolution. Mayor Linke furnished background information for which he would base his vote in favor of the 3 percent increase. He felt that the City of Mounds View has many quality employees and that, because of their degree of knowledge and skill, the City has been able to attain the same level of services with fewer employees. Councilmember Trude said that her decision would be based on the arbitration of the police as a bargaining unit. In order to keep internal harmony, the adjustments between the bargaining units and the non-bargaining units should be kept fairly similar. MOTION/SECOND: Trude/Blanchard to Adopt Resolution No. 4754 Approving the 1995 Non-Union Personnel Compensation Schedule Reflecting a 2.95% Annual Compensation Adjustment, Insurance Contribution Schedule and Position Reclassifications Tom Field, 8409 Knollwood Drive, felt that salaries make up a large portion of the City's budget. He wanted the Council to be aware that many people have had their salaries frozen or even cut. Councilmember Quick stated that when he first served on the Council, the City paid very lean wages. As a result, the City maintained a revolving-door system for employees. Inexperienced people would start out at Mounds View, get their training with the City, make their mistakes here, and then move on to another community that paid higher wages. Those mistakes have been very costly to the City. Eventually, the City of Mounds View adopted the policy of competitive wages in order to keep their skilled employees. The City now has a very competent staff which do a multitude of different tasks. Mr. Quick felt that those employees should be compensated Mounds View City Council Page 12 Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 accordingly. He concluded that he would be voting against the 2.95 percent increase simply because he believed they deserve a 3 percent increase. Councilmember Blanchard voiced her concern regarding the uncertainty of funds from the State and Federal government. She related that she would be voting in favor of the 2.95 percent increase. Jim Jorissen, 8368 Knollwood Drive, concurred with Councilmember Quick that it is important to maintain a competent staff, however, he addressed the fact that many people have experienced reductions in their salaries. Councilmember Hankner addressed the issue of budgeting for salary increases for the coming year. Mayor Linke noted that ,the budgeted amount for salary increases this year was 4 percent. Councilmember Quick explained that the City has been very frugal with the budget and will continue to be frugal. He stressed the difficulty in setting priorities to be budgeted and mentioned that there are 25 budget meetings scheduled for 1995. Mayor Linke offered a brief summary of the tax bills in the Legislature. He advised that over the last four years, the tax capacity value of Mounds View has gone down requiring the City to raise taxes just to break even--to provide the same services that were provided the year before. The only increase in services were the result of the FOCUS 2000 program, which were requested by the residents of Mounds View. Councilmember Hankner urged residents to offer their suggestions early in the budgeting process. Cameron Obert, 8315 Greenwood Drive, concurred with Mayor Linke and Councilmember Quick regarding the importance of proper compensation for quality employees. He stated that he has had many people working for his business over the years and felt that with people, you get what you pay for. Quality employees will not stay if they aren't properly rewarded. Ms. Orduno addressed the issue of the State Pay Equity Law which requires the City to look internally to compare female dominated classes with male dominated classes. The purpose of u Mounds View City Council Page 13 Regular Meeting April 24, 1995 the 1985 Pay Equity Law was to make it possible for female dominated classes to be elevated. VOTE: 3 ayes 2 nays (Linke and Quick) Motion Carried REPORTS 1. Report of Councilmembers: Councilmember Quick reported that the Ramsey County Board Meetings would now be televised on cable. Councilmember Blanchard: No report. Councilmember Hankner: No report. Councilmember Trude reported that she had attended the Metropolitan Airports Commission hearing at Blaine City Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to present and accept comment on the construction of the air traffic control tower on the airport grounds of the Anoka County/Blame Airport. The issues that were presented concerned the amount of air traffic that would be created by the control tower, along with safety issues. It was felt that the direct contact between the FAA Controller and the aircraft should improve the issue of low-flying aircraft. There is a meeting scheduled for May 2 with the Mounds View Airport Task Force to meet with many of the same MAC officials that were at the Blaine City Hall hearing. Mayor Linke requested clarification regarding the use of FAA Controllers versus contract controllers. Councilmember Trude explained that the use of contract controllers would present another issue because she had asked for assurance from the MAC officials that having someone in the control tower would help eliminate low- flying aircraft in residential areas. The MAC officials said that only FAA has authority to pull licenses and to have penalties brought against people. The Airport Task Force meeting scheduled for May 2 will be a study session for those task force members, although residents are welcome. Report of Mayor Linke: No report. • Mounds View City Council Regular Meeting Page 14 April 24, 1995 Report of Administrator: a. Samantha Orduno read an article that had been sent to her regarding the importance of a good receptionist. Ms. Orduno praised Audrey Almendinger for the wonderful job she has done as Mounds View's receptionist. Report of Staff• a. Tim Cruikshank, Assistant to the City Administrator, reported that the uniform settlement forms which were presented to Council would be available for public viewing at City Hall. b. Mike Ulrich, Director of Public Works, reported that the Public Works Department would be flushing watermains next week. Mayor Linke announced that there would be a Special Council Work Session on April 25, 1995 at 6:00 p.m. The next Council Work Session will be May 1, 1995. The next Council Meeting will be May 8, 1995. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before this Council, Mayor Linke adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Respectful su~b~m'itted, J dy' Ri er cordi g Secretary __, imeS~av r Off Site Secretarial •