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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1999/04/12CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 12,1999 t" ~ ~ <» 7:30 P.M. ~ ~ ~{ ~~ c 1 ~Y 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER - --- 2. ROLL CALL: Coughlin, Marty, Quick, Stigney, Thomason. NOT PRESENT: None. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, MONDAY, MARCH 22,1999 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Mayor Coughlin requested the following correction: Page 22, fifth paragraph, "Mayor Coughlin mentioned Council Member Ouick's `''rr~-CZri~r3 perspective was the 65 percent of the full 2700 hours of accrued time." Council Member Quick clarified that this is incorrect and he never made that statement. He clarified that he supports 50 percent of the accrued time. Council Member Stigney requested the following corrections: Page 2, last 2 paragraphs and Page 3, first paragraph, replace the words "Mr. Marty" with the words "Council Member Stigney." Page 3, last paragraph, fourth line: "...of the pieces of equipment we did not buy at that time was a pickup, which was authorized at the ..." Council Member Marty requested that the paragraph describing Jim Schmidt's statements (Page 7, fourth paragraph) be kept as an Old Business item so it can be periodically reviewed as the Highway 10 Turnback Project proceeds. Mayor Coughlin noted the purpose of Old Business is to track items weekly until it comes forward, which maybe too often in this case. Council Member Marty noted that a number of relevant things were said which he does not want forgotten and filed away. Unanimous consent was reached to direct staff to place a copy of that paragraph in the Highway 10 Turnback Project folder. Council Member Marty requested clarification of the sixteenth line of the first paragraph on Page 10. He stated he does not understand the phrase "along Silver Lake Road with a lap tOOn walking path throughout the entire area."Mayor Coughlin stated it should indicate "along Silver Lake Road with a bituminous walking path throughout the entire area." 1N:\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\1999\04-12-99.CC Council Member Marty requested clarification of the third paragraph of Page 13. He stated he does not understand the sentence "(Mike) stated none that he is aware of, I have the Columbus township from last week when we started this at the Community Center." Mayor Coughlin stated this pertained to wetland mitigation and suggested staff reword that paragraph to provide clarity. MOTION/SECOND: Coughlin/Thomason. Accepting the March 14, 1999 City Council minutes as amended. Ayes - 4. Nays-0. Abstain - 1 (Quick) Motion carried. 4. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Resolution 5332 Proclaiming April 28,1999 as "Arbor Day" City Administrator Whiting read the resolution in full which proclaimed April 28, 1999 as Arbor Day. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Thomason. To adopt Resolution 5332, a resolution proclaiming April 28, 1999 as "Arbor Day." Ayes - 5. Nays - 0. Motion carried. 5. REPORTS Council Member Quick had no report. Council Member Marty reported on Park and Recreation Commission action taken at their March 24, 1999 meeting. He advised the Mounds View Community Center is preparing a marketing plan at this time. Council Member Marty stated he is happy to announce that Steve's Appliance is donating a used refrigerator to the Senior Center. He reported the Commission approached Coca-Colas about assisting with an electronic scoreboard but they declined. Council Member Marty announced the April 17-18, 1999 Minnesota Sports Federation mens and womens masters volleyball tournament which will be held at the Community Center and is open to the public. He reviewed the Spring programs and reported that the Teen Night activity needs more parent involvement and parents to chaperone. He reviewed the status of the other recreational programs including swimming lessons, babysitting classes, recreational camps, etc. Council Member Marty encouraged parents and adults to contact the City if they are interested in chaperoning at the Teen Night activity. Mayor Coughlin noted that Michael Amundsen received his Eagle Scout award and had used the renovation of Groveland Park as his Eagle project. He stated that he and Council Member 2N:\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\1999\04-12-99.CC Thomason were present at the ceremony and publicly extended recognition of this award and work to upgrade the park. S Mayor Coughlin stated he had the opportunity to read to Ms. Anderson s third grade class from Pinewood School and hopes to be able to do that on a regular basis. Mayor Coughlin advised he testified once again before the Minnesota State Senate with Senator Novak. He reported that the airport legislation sponsored by Representative Haake and Senator Novak did pass and was referred to the Senate floor for discussion and, hopefully, approval. Mayor Coughlin advised that today he, Community Development Director Jopke, and City Administrator Whiting met with Mr. Hadley of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to discuss programs and opportunities Mounds View has to revitalize housing, both single and multi-family dwellings. He stated he will provide a short written synopsis of that meeting for Council review. Mayor Coughlin announced a town meeting to be held in the Council Chambers this Wednesday, April 14, 1999, 7 P.M. to 8:30 P.M., at which Speaker of the House of Representatives Steve Sviggum and Majority Leader of the House of Representatives Tim Paulenty will attend to provide an update and take questions and comments from the audience. He stated this will be a great opportunity for Mounds View residents to "touch base" with the leadership at the House of Representatives. Mayor Coughlin noted the attendance of Representative Barbara Haake at the meeting tonight. Council Member Thomason had no report. Council Member Stigney congratulated Eagle Scout Michael Amundsen and his mother. He advised that he was a First Class Eagle Scout and explained that the rank of Eagle Scout is very difficult to attain and a very small percentage gain that award. Council Member Stigney reported on the three public hearings which were held by the Planning Commission and advised that they recommended approval of all three without objection. He noted Golf Course Manager John Hammerschmidt also raised an item dealing with the possibility of billboards at the golf course and identified eleven potential sites. He advised this was discussed at great length including the merits and returned to Hammerschmidt to rank the sites in the order of priority meeting certain requirements. He advised that no other action was taken on that matter. Council Member Stigney reported on the Charter Commission meeting he attended which was also attended by a League of Minnesota Cities attorney who addressed a home rule charter and the Mounds View charter. Council Member Stigney stated the attorney provided a good 3N:\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\1999\04-12-99.CC overview and the Charter Commission decided to look into making revisions to strengthen the charter in view of resident's rights. City Administrator Whiting noted there was a discussion at the worksession last week which included a report of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding changes in acceptable levels in water systems for arsenic. The EPA level is 50 parts per billion. City Administrator Whiting reported that one of the City's wells passed the test at 29 parts per billion and Well #5 is at 14 parts per billion for arsenic. He reported that staff received a number of calls of concerns. Staff will monitor this situation and what the EPA does, even though the City's wells are within acceptable guidelines. City Attorney Long noted the indication on the Agenda that the Council will hold a closed session to discuss legislation and litigation. He clarified that the Council will only be discussing the litigation. With regard to legislation, he clarified the City is awaiting action on the Senate and House floor. He encouraged anyone interested to so advise City staff since they will be working closely with Representative Haake and Senator Novak. 6. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve Just and Correct Claims B. Set Public Hearing date for 7:05 PM, Monday, Apri126, 1999 for the Introduction (First Reading) of Ordinance 629, an Ordinance Amending • Chapter 401 of the Mounds View Municipal Code Pertaining to the Planning and Zoning Commission C. Set Public Hearing date for 7:10 PM, Monday, April 26, 1999, to consider Resolution 5297, Regarding a Conditional Use Permit for a residential dog kennel at 2841 Bronson Drive, requested by Andrea McRannolds Mayor Coughlin asked the Council if anyone would like to remove items for discussion. MOTION/SECOND: Thomason/Stigney. To approve the Consent Agenda for items A, B and C, as listed above. Ayes - 5. Nays-0. Motion carried. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Traffic Concerns on Groveland Avenue Mayor Coughlin reviewed that Don Mueller had expressed concerns about traffic enforcement at the March 22, 1999, Council meeting. He reported that after the meeting he talked to the Police Chief about these concerns and was informed in the coming weeks that an officer would be 4N:\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\1999\04-12-99.CC dedicated specifically to traffic control and concerns and they will make a point of patrolling this area of Groveland Avenue including periodic placing the radar trailer on that section of roadway. Mayor Coughlin reported that he sent a letter to Mr. Mueller advising of his follow-up on this concern and indication from the Police Chief about the additional patrolling efforts. 8. RESIDENTS REQUESTS AND COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR Valerie Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, stated she lives on the boundary of Mounds View and Fridley by Onan Corporation and this afternoon she received a telephone call from a neighbor saying bulldozers were removing trees on the Fridley side. She stated she has lived at this property for 21 years and, in the past, Onan has been very good about notifying neighbors about their plans or new projects. She advised there is a State requirement that when a change is being proposed all residents within 350 feet of the subject site must be given notice. However, they and their neighbors were not given notice. She stated she talked with Fridley staff members and asked if any of the Mounds View residents received notification. She reported that she found out that none of the Mounds View residents were made aware of this project. Ms. Amundsen stated Onan is proposing to construct a 400,000 square foot warehouse on this property along with a public right-of--way which would come from 69th Avenue, about 600 feet, and end with a cul-de-sac. The warehouse would provide storage for Onan. Ms. Amundsen stated her concern is that the rules in place have not been followed and they were not allowed the opportunity to review the plans and make comment. She stated her husband is attending the City of Fridley Council meeting tonight to express similar concerns. Ms. Amundsen stated Fridley staff did indicate that Mounds View was notified of this project in January. She asked the Council to work with the City of Fridley and Mounds View residents to address their concerns. Mayor Coughlin stated he also just learned of this project and advised that Community Development Director Jopke has some additional information. Community Development Director Jopke reported that he talked to the Fridley Planning Department late in the day to see what was being proposed and received a 40 page fax from them just minutes before the meeting. He noted the information includes notices ofpublic meetings and information about the project. He stated the project is as described by Ms. Amundsen and it appears a generic notice was sent to the City of Mounds View but to no person in particular so he is unsure where it went. Community Development Director Jopke stated he looked at the site and found trees are being removed to clear the roadway right-of--way. Community Development Director Jopke explained Fridley staff indicated the creation of the road was a technical ordinance requirement since they had to create frontage. He advised this roadway is an access street to meet the street frontage guidelines and will not handle any truck traffic. Community Development Director Jopke stated the project is a 400,000 square foot warehouse, about 800 feet from Mounds View residential property. SN:\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\1999\04-12-99.CC Ms. Amundsen stated the neighbor who called her indicated Fridley staff said it would be 800 feet away and there would be plenty of trees screening residents from this facility but her neighbor indicated those trees had been removed. Ms. Amundsen asked what can be done from here and if they should approach the City of Fridley to advise they feel Fridley has neglected the procedure for notification. She stated her support to provide public notification at this point so all are aware of the project. City Administrator Whiting stated it is possible Fridley sent notice to the City of Mounds View even though he is unsure who received it. He stated that it is common that cities will send 350 foot notification but that may not extend beyond the city's boundaries. Ms. Amundsen stated she was told it did not matter if it goes beyond the city's boundaries, notification was still to be provided. Whiting suggested staff talk with Ms. Amundsen to get the names of people she spoke with. He stated City staff can work with the Fridley staff to determine what the public input process will be. Ms. Amundsen stated Fridley may believe that process has been completed but she hopes the opportunity is provided since Mounds View residents will be greatly impacted. Community Development Director Jopke stated staff will communicate these concerns to the • Fridley staff and recommended the issues be identified so they can discuss alternatives such as additional trees, buffering, etc. Mayor Coughlin supported the City communicating what they learn with the impacted residents. Council Member Marty stated that he viewed the property and it seems as if they have taken what trees there were right up to the Mounds View property line and cleared the entire area. He noted the only homes that border this site are Mounds View residents. He stated this was not a heavily wooded area but he supports having City staff inquire of Fridley if a buffer zone can be provided. City Attorney Long stated he will meet with staff to review documentation and determine the type of project so it is know what type of notification should have been given. Mayor Coughlin recapped that the City will obtain as much information as possible and relay it to the residents. Barbara Haake, 3024 County Road I, stated she shares the resident's concern with this project. She stated it appears Fridley zones less desirable uses along the boundary line, abutting Mounds View's boundary, along County Road I. In this case, she suggested they would never have allowed industrial abutting residential without adequate berming. Ms. Haake suggested staff • 6N.\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\1999\04-12-99.CC request the City of Fridley to buffer the residential property. She commented on traffic circulation and suggested the City direct a letter clearly stating these concerns and suggestions. i Council Member Quick noted this property is m the Rice Creek Watershed Distract. Ms. Haake stated this is correct and that may raise additional questions. Jerry Linke, 2319 Knoll Drive, asked about the "tale of the 3/4 inch wrenches." Mayor Coughlin explained that it is a `joke gone awry." City Administrator Whiting stated it is a bit embarrassing and had to do with a recent discussion about Council requests for information which he is having difficulty keeping up with. He explained he drafted an information request form so Council could list their questions of staff. After putting that together, he explained he received three questions from Council Member Marty which he quickly reviewed and signed off to the appropriate staff to answer. One of those questions was what type of 3/4 inch wrenches the City has and where they are kept so staff responded but only later realized it was a joke. City Administrator Whiting stated he appreciates that Council Member Marty is comfortable enough with staff to pose such a joke and staff will learn more about Council Member Marty's sense of humor as they become more familiar with him. Mr. Linke asked how much this joke cost the City. City Administrator Whiting answered that it cost about $96 worth of time. He stated staff does not figure the cost with every request for information and the value of the request tends to lie in the "eye of the requestor." Mr. Linke stated he believes humor is good but he does not want it to go overboard. Council Member Marty explained he had two other requests for information but then City Administrator Whiting prepared the new form so he wrote those two prior requests on the form and then added a ridiculous request to the list. Council Member Marty stated he called the next day to review the answers for the first two requests and told City Administrator Whiting he had added the third request to lighten the atmosphere. At that time, Whiting indicated the third request was turned over to Public Works Director Ulrich so he assumed they understood it was a joke. It was only later in the day, when he received their prompt reply, that he found staff had inventoried all of the 3/4 inch wrenches. Council Member Marty apologized for this misunderstanding. There were no other requests or comments from the floor. 9. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 5330 Accepting Streets Committee Report 7N:\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\1999\04-12-99.CC Mayor Coughlin noted there will be a minimum of two public hearings to receive input on the Street Committee Report prior to any Council action. He noted the resolution accepts the report, thanks the Committee for their work, and dissolves the Committee. Council Member Marty stated he is impressed with the work the Committee did but his involvement was not close to their final report. Council Member Marty stated the Committee has come an extremely long way since he served on the Committee. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Thomason. To adopt Resolution 5330, a resolution accepting a report from the Mounds View Streets Policies Committee on recommended changes to existing streets policies and setting public notice and hearing dates for further community review and input for final policies consideration. Ayes - 5. Nays - 0. Motion carried. B. Resolution 5331 Building Inspection Agreement and 5329 Appointing Building Official City Administrator Whiting advised that the proposed building inspections contract with the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department was presented at the previous work session and Council meeting. It was noted there have been no substantive changes to this contract since the last draft was presented. He noted the proposed resolution names Constance • Forsythe as the City's Certified Building Official. It also outlines the City's responsibilities in the event of suit against the Building Official and authorizes the City to enter into this Agreement. City Administrator Whiting stated he received an amended agreement containing all of the changes which has been presented to the Council tonight. Mayor Coughlin stated he sees no reason why both resolutions cannot be adopted in one motion. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To adopt Resolution 5329, a resolution appointing Constance Forsythe as the Certified Building Official for the City of Mounds View and Resolution 5331, a resolution authorizing the City of Mounds View to enter into an agreement with the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department for Building Inspector Services. City Administrator Whiting extended his appreciation to former building inspector Rick Janson who has found employment with the City of Andover doing new home inspection. Ayes - 5. Nays-0. Motion carried. C. Set Schedule for Additional Work Sessions on Third Mondays of Each Month 8N:\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\1999\04-12-99.CC Mayor Coughlin noted the Council agreed to schedule additional work sessions on the third Monday of each month in an attempt to get ahead of the issues. He noted that the DARE graduation is scheduled for May 17, at 7:00 P.M. so he will be unable to attend that work session. Mayor Coughlin noted that Council Member 5tigney's grand daughter will also be in attendance at the DARE graduation. He suggested atwo-part work session be considered where the meeting could be adjourned to allow for attendance at the DARE graduation and then reconvened. Or, the worksession could be schedule earlier, relocated to the Pinewood School to save travel time, or that particular work session could be canceled. MOTIONISECOND: Stigney/Coughlin. To set schedule additional work sessions on the third Monday of each month with the May 17, 1999 work session to be considered separately. Mayor Coughlin suggested the DARE graduation be posted as a possible quorum and stated his support for Council Member attendance at this community event. Council Member Thomason stated she opposed additional work sessions and believes the Council could more efficiently handle items. She stated her support for a temporary two month work session schedule and then looking at it again at that time. Council Member Marty stated that may be a viable option. He stated he understands Spring and • Fall are busy Council times but often times the projects are underway in the Summer so it is not as busy. He suggested the work sessions be held in April and May and the third Monday in June, if needed. Council Member Stigney and Mayor Coughlin accepted this friendly amendment to their motion. Council Member Marty suggested a decision whether the work session is needed in June be made at the first meeting in June. Mayor Coughlin stated one of the reasons this was discussed was to provide time for the Council to address the "bigger picture" for Mounds View in the future and it was Council Member Quick's suggestion the Council barely has time to address items before them much less the "big picture" issues. He stated this schedule can be changed and a decision will need to be made after the two month trail to determine if it should continue. Council Member Stigney suggested the June 17 worksession be left open to staff in case it is needed. Ayes - 5. Nays - 0. Motion carried. 9N:\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\1999\04-12-99.CC D. Extension of Plat Approval for Mounds View Business Park East 2nd Addition • Mayor Coughlin stated that m view of previous EDA action tonight, rt is up to the applicant whether this item should be withdrawn from the agenda. Tim Nelson, representing Michael Investments, requested their request for an extension of plat approval for the Mounds View Business Park East 2nd Addition be acted on tonight since it is platting four existing parcels into one and has been extended several times. He stated nothing has changed from the previously approved plan and City Code allows an extension of another 120 days. MOTION/SECOND: Coughlin/Quick. Motion to approve a 120 day extension to allow the plat of the Mounds View Business Park East 2nd Addition to be filed no later than August 10, 1999.. Ayes - 5. Nays-0. Motion carried. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, April 19, 1999 at 6:00 PM Next Council Meeting: Monday, Apri126, 1999 at 7:00 PM No action required. • Mayor Coughlin reported the Council will now meet in closed executive session to discuss litigation and the City Administrator's review. He adjourned the meeting to a closed executive session at 9:38 P.M. 11. Closed Session A. Status of Airport Legislation and Litigation B. Review of City Administrator Chuck Whiting These items were addressed by the Council in a closed executive session which was not open to the public. Mayor Coughlin adjourned the meeting at P.M. Transcribed and recorded by: Carla Wirth Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. • lON:\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\1999\09-12-99.CC CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 26,1999 . 7:00 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: Coughlin, Marty, Quick, Stigney, Thomason. NOT PRESENT: None. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, MONDAY, APRIL 12,1999 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1~(ia;±l~aulin commented that he is pleased with the status of the meeting minutes, thanking the new recording secretary. He requested a correction on Page 3, fourth paragraph, to change the word "Mr." to "Ms." Council Men~ber,~y requested clarification of the statement on Page 4, second paragraph, regarding the well testing. City Administrator Whiting explained the well testing at 29 parts per billion referenced the report in the Star Tribune and the test at 14 parts per billion was the test the City took internally. Council Member Marty agreed with his suggestion that reference to the 29 parts per billion test be stricken or attributed to the newspaper article. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Marty. To accept the April 12, 1999 City Council minutes as corrected. Ayes - 5. Nays-0. Motion carried. 4. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS None. 5. REPORTS Mayor Coughlin reported that in the past two weeks he had the opportunity to have dinner with Speaker of the House of Representatives Steve Sviggum and State Representative Barbara Haake. In that meeting, they talked about a variety of things but the most germane to City business was Speaker Sviggum's question on whether there was anything he could do on behalf of Mounds View that would help. Mayor Coughlin stated he asked Speaker Sviggum to support 1 F:\DATA\USERS\JOANB\SHARE\COUNCIL MINUTES\CC\4-26-99.CC