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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1997/12/15• Page 1 December 15, 1997 Mounds mew City Council ~CEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA • • Regular Meeting December 15,1997 Mounds View City Ha11 2401 Hwy. 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 **********************************************************************s*******s*** CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The Mounds View City Council was called to order by Mayor McCarty at 7:00 p.m. on December 15, 1997. BOLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT : Mayor McCarty, Council members Koopmeiners, Quick and Stigney MEMBERS ABSENT: Council member Gunn ALSO PRESENT: Chuck Whiting, Clerk Administrator Bruce Kessel, Finance Director Jim Ericson, Planning Assistant Cathy Bennett, Economic Development Director Bob Long, City Attorney One addition to the Agenda was noted, under Council Business, F. (9) Consideration of Resolution No. 5173, Resolution Approving the Wetland Alteration Permit for Lots 17 and 18, Edgewood Square, Requested by Good Value Homes. 1iti eLPPROUAL OFMINUTES: None. None. Page 2 December 15, 1997 Mounds View City Council APPROVED MOTION/SECOND: Koopmeiners/Stigney to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. VOTE: 4 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried E RESIDENTS REOUESTSAND COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR: Mayor McCarty explained that this is the time for residents to address the council with concerns on items that are not on the Agenda. Mr. Chad Harris, 2085 Terrace Drive, explained that he has been experiencing moisture build-up in his attic. It is his understanding that the problem stems from the fact that the under-attic bypasses were not sealed. The home was remodeled in 1996 and inspected by Mr. Rick Jerson, City Building Inspector. He has requested Mr. Jarson's interpretation of the Minnesota Energy Code 7670 which has exclusive language regarding attic bypasses and vapor seals, and/or a re-inspection of the property. The purpose of this request was to make sure that the work was done in accordance with building codes. Mr. Jerson responded in a letter dated December 1, 1997 and indicated that a re-inspection of the properly or an explanation of the building code was • being denied. A discussion followed in regard to the City's role in this matter. Mr. Long, City Attorney, had advised Mr. Jerson that it would not be the city's responsibility to perform a second inspection. The inspection completed by a City Inspector prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy is simply a general inspection and does not involve in-depth examination of the attic, etc. If there is a contractor problem, there is a liability against the contractor or the private inspector who was hired to do a thorough inspection of the house. Mr. Harris explained that he would like to get an interpretation of the building code to see if the contractor can beheld liable for necessary repairs. Mayor McCarty asked Mr. Harris to give the City two more weeks to look into the matter and respond to Mr. Hams' request. Mayor McCarty asked that the Council consider Item F(5) at this time. 5. Consideration of Resolution No. 5199, a Resolution Re-approving a Wetland Alteration Permit for Lot 2, Block 1, Downing Addition, (2760 Woodale Drive). Mr. Ericson, Planning Associate, explained that this request is to re-approve a wetland alteration permit to allow for the construction of a home at 2760 Woodale Drive. In order to allow for the construction, soil corrections and modifications to the lot will need to be completed, including filling a portion of the wetland area. Rice Creek Watershed has reviewed the application and has approved the plan, subject to their mitigation requirements. This case came before the Council in 1995, at which time they approved the Wetland Alteration Permit, per Resolution No. 4852. He noted that the requirements have changed since that time, and the property owner is no longer required to go in and disturb the wetlands in order to create more • wetlands. Mr. Ericson noted that Resolution No. 5199 would re-approve the Wetland Alteration Permit subject to a few contingencies. (The legal description in Resolution 5199 will be changed to Lot 2, Bock 1, Downmg Addition, Ramsey County, Minnesota.) Mr. Ericson briefly went through the contingencies. It • Page 3 December 15, 1997 Mounds View City Council APPROVE was noted that a change needed to be made to Page 3 of Resolution No. 5199 as well. The first paragraph should be changed from Good Value Homes to Sherri Ruf. Changes also needed to be made to the address in Paragraphs 2 and 3 of page 1 from 2730 to 2760 Woodate, and on Page 4, (9) The foundations of the home shall not eacced 1,600 square feet ... . Council member Stigney stated he is not in favor of mitigating wetlands, however it was already approved once by the Council in 1995. Ms. Ruf provided the council with a brief summary of the reason for the delays in getting these improvements done. She stated the lot is basically unbuildable without the Council's approval of this Wetland Alteration Permit. Barbara Haake, 3024 County Road I, asked when Ms. Ruf brought this before the Rice Creek Watershed for approval. Ms. Ruf noted that this was approved on October 24, 1997. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Koopmeiners to Approve Resolution No. 5199, Resolution Re-Approving the Wetland Alteration Permit for Lot 2, Block 1, Downing Addition (2760 Woodale Drive), Requested by Sherri Ruf. VOTE: 3 ayes 1 nay (Sfigney) Motion Carried • 1. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 609, Authorizing the City Council of the City of Mounds View to set water rates and surcharges effective with the January 1998 biWngs. Mr. Whiting noted that the Council inadvertently set a Public Hearing on this matter for January 12, 1998, not lmowing that a hearing had already been scheduled for this meeting. Therefore, he asked that the council continue the hearing on January 12th. 2. Consideration of Resolution Na 5196 Adopting the 1998 Property Taa Levy and General Itind Budget. Mr. Kesel, Finance Director, noted changes which were made to the original draft. The budget is approximately a 1.56% increase in the general fund budget, a 2.7% increase in tax levy and a 2.8% increase in tax rate. Mayor McCarty wondered why the Franchise Fee is not included in the appropriations under Resolution No. 5196. Mr. Kesel noted that a document can be attached which summarizes all of the revenues and expenses. Mr. Long noted that a reference to the attached document needs to be added to the Resolution. Mr. Kessel noted that the Ordinance adopting the Long Term Financial Plan will be before the council for consideration in January. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Stigney to Amend Resolution No. 5196, to include a reference to attached documents. VOTE: 4 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried • MOTION/SECOND: Koopmeiners/Stigney to approve Resolution No. 5196, As Amended. VOTE: 4 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried • Page 4 December 15, 1997 Mounds View City Council APPROVED 3. Consideration of Resolution No. 5197, Adopting the 1998 Budgets for Funds other than the General Fund. Mr. Kesel noted that this Resolution should also be amended to include a reference to the actual budget documents. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Koopmeiners to approve Resolution No. 5197, AS AMENDED, to include a reference to budget documents. Mayor McCarty stated he would not support the Resolution as it includes a Street Light fund of $63,803 on top of a fund balance for 1996 of $58,371. At the end of 1998, there will be $122,174 in the Street Lighting fund. The expected expenditures for this fund for 1998 are only $7,200. He does not feel the City should collect money from the residents and not deliver on the services. In order to obtain his support of this resolution, he would request that the Street Lighting appropriations of $63,803 be struck and to delete those fees from the utility bills of the residents of Mounds View in 1998 and to use the existing fund balance for any construction in 1998. MOTION by McCarty to strike the Street Lighting appropriations of $63,803 and to delete those funds from the utility bills of the residents of Mounds View in 1998 and to use the existing fund balance for any • construction in 1998. MOTION FAILS FOR LACK OF SECOND. Council member Quick stated he feels there is adequate time to review this. Mr. Kesel gave a brief summary of the fund balance and budget appropriations. He noted that he considered decreasing the street lighting fee by 10% which would result in a savings of approximately $.25/quarter per household, however it would likely require an increase in three to four years. VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION: 3 ayes 1 nay (McCarty) Motion Carved 4. Consideration of Approval of Deaiga Devebpment Documeata for construction of the Community Center, Phase II. Ms. Cathy Bennett, Economic Development Director, explained that the design development documents were delivered to the Council last week for review and Mr. Dean Olson of WAI Continuum was in attendance to present updated renderings of the interior and exterior of the building and provide samples of the brick and proposed colors. If the documents are approved, the final plans and specifications can be prepared for the competitive bid process in January and February. The final plans and specifications will come back to the Council in January prior to the bid process. Mr. Dean Olson of WAI Continuum noted that the total estimated project cost is $4,000,000 with $900,000 spent in Phase I, and the remaining $3.1 million budgeted for Phase II of the project. Mr. Olson noted there are two possible additions to that cost -the re-roof of the building at an estimated cost of $105,000 and a heated sidewalk estimated at $25,000 (depending upon the extent of work in the entryway). At this time, Flannery Construction is getting price quotations for the project so that they can review and compare those with the estimated costs to be sure that they are on budget. • Page 5 December 15, 1997 Mounds View City Council APPROVED Council member Koopmeiners asked why a new roof is necessary when the original inspection of the building indicated that the roof was in satisfactory condition. Mr. Olson explained that WAI did an assessment report in April of 149? and at that time they did a visual inspection of the roof which indicated that the roof was in relatively good shape -the membrane and fleshings appeared good. The report did note water damage in the interior of the building, but they were not able to determine when that damage occurred. Mr. Olson noted that during the construction of Phase I, there was some roof traffic and it was noted that there was a lot of glass on the roof between the rocks. It is possible that there was damage which occurred during that traffic -however it cannot be proved or disproved. There have been some leaks in the roof since Phase I was completed. The contractor has looked at repairing some of the leaking areas, and has repaired some but there still appears to be some leakage. Therefore, the recommendation was made to replace the roof. Council member Stigney stated at the last Council meeting, he asked Attorney Long to contact WAI to check on the contractors insurance to cover the roof problem. This matter will be checked into by Mr. Long. Mayor McCarty stated he would like to have an options list to look at if the roof is necessary to allow the city to stay within the project budget. If the roof needs to be done, then the Council should consider dropping some other items so that they can stay within budget. . A discussion followed in regard to whether the roof and sidewallc should be bid out as alternates or as a part of the entire project bid. Furthermore, it was felt that a list of options totaling the estimated roof and sidewallc improvements should be put together. Mayor McCarty stated he would like to involve the Community Center Committee on some of these decisions as well. Mike Coon, 7851 Eastwood Road, asked if a heated sidewalk is really necessary at the Community Center. Mayor McCarty noted that this is only a suggestion and that no decisions will be made on this until a price has been obtained on the necessary improvements. Mr. Olson stated he would nevi to have some direction from the council inmid-January so that the bid specifications can, if necessary, reflect the roof replacement and heated sidewalk. Mr. Olson proceeded to present samples of the proposed brick and color samples of the interior/exterior. MOTION/SECOND: Koopmeiners/Quick to approve the Design Development Documents for Phase II of the Community Center. VOTE: 4 ayes 0 nays Motion Carved 6. Consideration of Resolution No. 5203, Re-scheduling City Council Meetings Falling on Legal Holidays. MOTIONISECOND: Koopmeiners/Stigney to approve Resolution No. 5203, Re-scheduling City Council Meetings Falling on Legal Holidays. • VOTE: 4 ayes 0 nays Motion Carved 7. Consideration and Selection of City Council Team Building/Retreat Facilitation and Meeting Date. • Page 6 December 15, 1997 Mounds View City Council APPROVED Mr. Whiting noted that he had collected information as requested by the Council at their last meeting in regard to other options for the Council Retreat. He noted that it will be necessary to get input from the Council as to what they want to achieve at this retreat. Council member Stigney stated he felt the estimate from Carl Neu was rather high. Many of the things have already been accomplished -goal settings, mission statements, etc. -and he feels the city should continue where they left off last year. If the Council sets the agenda, perhaps they could conduct it themselves. Mr. Whiting stated he feels that last year's session helped get the Council and staff familiar with each other as individuals and the types of leadership styles of each. The Council should perhaps consider what went. well and what did not go well in 1997 and tailor some type of program towards that. He thinks the difficulty is in completing the mission statements when facing reality. Council member Quick felt it would be beneficial to have the same facilitator as the city used last year. Mayor McCarty stated team building requires an outside interest. He is in favor of utilizing the same facilitator but would encourage him to be more forceful in terms of team building. MOTION/SECOND: Koopmeiners/Quick to direct staff to approach Mr. Salverda on a team building session and report back on prices for both one day and 1-1/2 day sessions. i VOTE: 4 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried It was recommended that the session should get away from the general presentations and have the council provide input on what they want covered so that those issues can be addressed. 8. Staff Briefing on Administration Efforts for Evaluating Assessment Policy Options and Engineering Policy Option regarding Street Construction Project. Mr. Whiting noted that he had met with Bruce Kessel and Mike Ulrich in regard to how to outline the various aspects of a project. Additionally, Steve Campbell from SEH was present for input. He noted that Mr. Kesel is currently working on some of the long-teen fiscal implications of various options. Mike Ulrich was able to evaluate some of the road conditions in the city regarding long-term capital improvements. It is his desire to get this item on the agenda for further discussion at the January 5th work session. Council member Stigney asked if the city has ever looked at Assessment Policies of other comparable municipalities. Mr. Whiting noted that this is something that could be done. Barbara Haake, 3024 County Road I, asked if residents would have the opportunity to give input at the January 5th meeting. Residents would like to hear all of the facts and information. Perhaps it would be beneficial to schedule an additional work session to address the residents concerns. Mayor McCarty noted that there are many issues which will need to be resolved before a decision can be made as to the street improvement project on County Road USpring Lake Road. A discussion followed in regard to the possibility of obtaining a MSA variance. Ms. Haake noted that the residents really do not want the MSA standards applied to the street. 9. Consideration of Resolution No. 5173, Resolution Approving the Wetland Alteration Permit for • Lots 17 and 18, Edgewood Square, Requested by Good Value Homes. • Page 7 December 15, 1997 Mounds View City Council APPROVED Mr. Long explained that this resolution was on the agenda at the last council meeting. At that time, it was his recommendation to table this item. The easement request which accompanied this request was denied, and this request cannot go forward without the easement. He noted that the application materials which the city had in considering the request were not complete as the applicant did not have interest in the property at the time the application was made. Therefore, the 60 daytime limit would not apply. However, it is his recommendation that the resolution formally be acted on. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/McCarty to deny approval of Resolution No. 5173, Approving the Wetland Alteration Permit for Lots 17 and 18, Edgewood Square, Requested by Good Value Homes. VOTE: 4 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried G. REPORTS: Resort of Mavor: Mayor McCarty noted that the city currently has two vacancies on the Park and Recreation Commission. If anyone is interested in applying for one of these positions, they should contact City hall. Report of Council members: i Koopmeiners: No report. 5tigney: No report. Quick: No report. Report of Clerk Administrator. Mr. Whiting noted that he will be meeting with residents of the Silver Lake Woods Townhomes project regarding traffic resulting from the proposed theater project. Mr. Whiting noted that he has received a Letter of Resignation from Cathy Bennett. She has taken a position with the City of Roseville. Her final day at Mounds View will be January 12, 1998. Mr. Whiting noted that he will be discussing this matter with the Council more thoroughly at their January 5, 1998 work session. He noted that he has enjoyed working with Cathy and she will be greatly missed. MOTION/SECOND: Quiclc/Koopmeiners to reluctantly accept the resignation of Cathy Bennett from her position as Economic Development Director, effective January 12, 1998. VOTE: 4 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Mayor McCarty thanked Ms. Bennett for her service at the City of Mounds View and noted his sincere appreciation for all that she has done for the City. Mr. Whiting took this opportunity to introduce Steve Dorsan, Housing Inspector and welcomed him. Report of Attorney No report. • ~I NEXT COUNCIL WORgSESSION• January 5.1997- 6:00 n.n-. NFXT COUNCIL MEETING• January 121998 - 7:00 n.m. • Page 8 December 15, 1997 Mounds View City Council APPROVED Mayor McCarty adjourned the December 15, 1997 City Council Meeting at 9:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tamara D. Saefke Recording Secretary • •