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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2020/01/13PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting January 13, 2020 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:30 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Bergeron, Gunn, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, January 13, 2020, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Approve the Monday, January 13, 2020, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: January 6, 2020 Special City Council Meeting. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9216 NYFS 2020 Partnership Agreement. D. Resolution 9217, Vacation Carryover Authorization. E. Resolution 9223, Authorizing Aggie Quasabart to Attend the INCODE Conference. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Bergeron. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT None. Mounds View City Council January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 2 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Resolution 9209, Appreciation to Dale Aukee for his Service on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Mayor Mueller read a Resolution of Appreciation in full for the record thanking Dale Aukee for his 16 years of dedicated service on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Dale Aukee thanked the Council for this recognition. He encouraged residents of the community to get involved and to speak up about what they want to see in the City’s parks. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Adopt Resolution 9209, Appreciation to Dale Aukee for his Service on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Dale Aukee for his dedicated service to the City and for giving up the remainder of his term to allow a new resident to serve on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 9211, Appreciation to Jerome Kunz for his Service on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Mayor Mueller read a Resolution of Appreciation in full for the record thanking Jerome Kunz for his 18 year of dedicated service on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Bergeron. To Adopt Resolution 9211, Appreciation to Jerome Kunz for his Service on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Public Hearing: Resolution 9212, Approving a Conditional Use Permit and Development Review for Tommy Car Wash at 2525 Mounds View Boulevard. Community Development Director Sevald requested the Council approve a Conditional Use Permit and Development Review for Tommy Car Wash. He explained Paces Lodging Corporation is proposing to build a Tommy Car Wash at 2525 Mounds View Boulevard (former Snyder’s), located on the northeast corner of Mounds View Boulevard and Long Lake Road. He added that the property is zoned B-3, Highway Business, and is within the County Road 10 overlay district. He added that the overlay district does have increased requirements for architectural materials for the outside of the building. Director Sevald explained the development and its operation using diagrams. He noted that the car wash will be automated, Mounds View City Council January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 3 although an attendant may provide a pre-wash prior to vehicles entering the wash tunnel. He also noted that the car wash is fairly fast compared to other car washes taking approximately 90 seconds. He added that the Planning Commission discussed the materials used for the building and found it to be acceptable according to requirements of the City Code. Staff reported the Planning Commission requested shrubs along the south boundary of the drive lane with staff requesting a privacy fence along the east property line both to help disguise vehicle headlights. He added that the Planning Commission recommended approval of this request at its December 18th meeting. Mayor Mueller commented on the report that was provided to the City Council. She requested further information regarding how operations would work. Joe Christensen, Tommy Car Wash, discussed how vehicles would flow in and out of the site and noted the hours of operations noting the car wash will be open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Mayor Mueller inquired about traffic concerns with backup of cars on Long Lake Road. Director Sevald indicated that he did not anticipate that happening. Mayor Mueller also asked if the entire Snyder’s building would be demolished. Mr. Christensen reported this was the case. Mayor Mueller asked Mr. Christensen to describe other locations of this car wash in the Twin Cities. Mr. Christensen reported that Tommy Car Wash is a national franchise and within Minnesota, there is one under construction in Rochester (2020) and that there is a similar facility in New Hope that was constructed in 2019. Mayor Mueller questioned if Tommy Car Wash had conducted a market study. Mr. Christensen commented a market study had been completed and he understands there were four other car washes in the area. Mayor Mueller inquired if the water was recycled. Mr. Christensen reported a water reclamation system would be in place. Mayor Mueller also asked if the detergents and waxes used in the car wash were environmentally safe. Mr. Christensen indicated that they only use environmentally safe products. Council Member Bergeron feared that the new car wash would take away from the existing car wash businesses. Community Development Director Sevald stated this was out of the City’s control. Mayor Mueller also volunteered that she had spoken with another car wash owner in the City who was not concerned about the competition as his car wash was a coin-operated manual type facility. Council Member Meehlhause asked how many cars could be stacked on the property. Mr. Christensen estimated the site would hold 30 cars and noted the City required stacking for 20 cars. Council Member Meehlhause added that back up on Long Lake Road would not be likely with this type of overflow on site. Mayor Mueller inquired if there had been any feedback from the residents and Director Sevald Mounds View City Council January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 4 explained there had been no response from the public regarding this request. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 6:59 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9212, Approving a Conditional Use Permit and Development Review for Tommy Car Wash located at 2525 Mounds View Boulevard. Council Member Bergeron stated he believed this was a poor choice for this location and that the market is showing that there are better options. Council Member Gunn stated that the property is private and the City Council cannot stop them from developing the property as a car wash. Council Member Meehlhause added that there have been other parties interested in the property but have backed away after discovering that the property was a former gas station site. He added that he would love to see a restaurant on the site, but it is too small. He explained the City Council could not be selective with what can locate on this site. It was noted that this application had been reviewed and unanimously approved by the Planning Commission. MOTION: Bergeron. To Table Action on Resolution 9212, Approving a Conditional Use Permit and Development Review for Tommy Car Wash located at 2525 Mounds View Boulevard to allow staff to gather additional information on how existing businesses would be impacted by the proposed car wash. Community Development Director Sevald reported the City Council has 60 days to take action on this item. He noted the 60 day timeline would expire on February 11th. He noted this timeline could be extended from 60 days to 120 days with cause. Ayes – 1 (Bergeron) Nays – 4 Motion failed. Mayor Mueller referred to the original motion on the floor to adopt Resolution 9212. Ayes – 4 Nays – 1 (Bergeron) Motion carried. B. Public Hearing and Second Reading and Summary Publication of Ordinance 970 Title 1100, Zoning Code. ROLL CALL VOTE City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council hold a public hearing and approve Ordinance 971 regarding Title 1100 of the Zoning Code. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. Mounds View City Council January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 5 Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 970, Amending Title 1100 of the Zoning Code and Approving the Summary Publication. ROLL CALL: Bergeron/Gunn/Hull/Meehlhause/Mueller. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 9213, Acceptance and Approving MPCA Zero Interest Loan Fund Agreement for HOPP Program. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council accept and approve an MPCA zero interest loan fund agreement for the HOPP program. It was noted this was a housekeeping matter. Council Member Gunn questioned who could utilize the loan funding. City Administrator Zikmund stated these dollars would be available to any resident or commercial property owner that wants to rehabilitate a lateral sewer line. Council Member Meehlhause asked how long the loans would be for. City Administrator Zikmund reported the City was proposing to have the loans be interest free for five years. Mayor Mueller questioned if the City had a way to recapture the fee being charged by CEE. City Administrator Zikmund explained at this time the City did not have a means to recapture the fees that would be charged by CEE. He noted the City was hoping to make gains be reducing the fees that would be charged by Met Council every month as the City’s sewer lines are improved. Mayor Mueller inquired if the City had staff capacity to handle the incoming calls and administration of future loan applications. City Administrator Zikmund reported staff could handle the calls and CEE would be managing the loans. He explained CTV would be assisting the City with marketing the volunteer televising of sewer lines. Mayor Mueller questioned how the City was marketing this new program. City Administrator Zikmund reported staff has information on the City’s webpage and articles would be included in the Mounds View Matters. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9213, Acceptance and Approving MPCA Zero Interest Loan Fund Agreement for HOPP Program. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9202, Appointing Representatives for City Commissions and Other Organizations. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt a Resolution that would appoint Mounds View City Council January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 6 representatives for City Commissions and other organizations. He reviewed the proposed representatives in detail with the Council and recommended approval. Council Member Bergeron requested that he be removed as the representative to Commissions and Committees. He noted he had too many weeknight engagements and this was not working with his present work schedule. He explained he could continue serving as the representative to the Cable Commission. Council Member Meehlhause reported the Ramsey County League of Local Government meets on the second Friday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at CTV. He noted any number of City Council Members could attend. Mayor Mueller stated she could also attend these meetings and that a quorum be posted if necessary. She recommended the representatives for the Ramsey County League of Local Government be stated as the Mayor and Council. Council Member Meehlhause recommended a representative be established for the North Suburban Business Council. City Administrator Zikmund stated this group would allow for any number of staff and City Council Members to attend. City Administrator Zikmund questioned who would serve as the Planning Commission and Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission representatives. Council Member Meehlhause indicated he could serve in this capacity. Mayor Mueller further reviewed the list of representatives for the City Commissions and other organizations. She thanked Council Member Gunn for her dedicated service to the community on the I-35W Coalition. It was noted Council Member Gunn would serve as a liaison to the Charter Commission. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9202, Appointing Representatives for City Commissions and Other Organizations. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Ordinance 972, First Reading, Amending Title 1200, Chapters 1201, 1202, 1203 and 1205 of the Mounds View Code. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council introduce Ordinance 972 which would amend Title 1200 of City Code. He discussed the changes that were made to Chapters 1201, 1202, 1203 and 1205 and recommended the Ordinance be introduced. Mayor Mueller stated for the record, as noted within the Ordinance, the City Attorney was a member of City staff. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Gunn. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 972, Amending Title 1200, Chapters 1201, 1202, 1203 and 1205 of the Mounds View Code. Mounds View City Council January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 7 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 9219, Approving Labor Agreement with Public Works for Calendar Years 2020-2022. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve the labor agreement with Public Works for years 2020 through 2022. He described the negotiations staff held with the Public Works staff on the labor agreement and discussed the three changes that were being proposed. Staff commented further on the labor agreement and recommended approval. It was noted staff would continue to work on the Sergeant and Police Patrol Officers labor agreements. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9219, Approving Labor Agreement with Public Works for Calendar Years 2020-2022. Council Member Hull thanked the Public Works Department for working amicably with staff each and every year on the labor agreement. He stated he appreciated all of the hard work they complete on behalf of the City. Mayor Mueller also thanked the Public Works Department for all of their great efforts on behalf of the City. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 9222, Promotion of Sergeant Ben Zender to Deputy Police Chief. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve the promotion of Sergeant Ben Zender to Deputy Police Chief. He explained the retirement of Deputy Chief Menard created a vacancy within the Police Department. He stated the department had three applicants for this position and interviews were held. The final decision was made to recommend Sergeant Ben Zender be promoted to the Deputy Police Chief position. Mayor Mueller praised Sergeant Zender and questioned how long he has been with the City of Mounds View Police Department. City Administrator Zikmund indicated Sergeant Zender has served the City for almost 15 years. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9222, Promotion of Sergeant Ben Zender to Deputy Police Chief. Council Member Meehlhause congratulated Sergeant Zender on his promotion to Deputy Chief and wished him all the best in his new position. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mayor Mueller congratulated new Deputy Chief Zender and also took a moment to congratulate Mounds View City Council January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 8 Officer Schultes on his promotion to Sergeant within the Mounds View Police Department. She requested staff place all future job promotions on the agenda under Council Business and not on the Consent Agenda. H. Resolution 9224, Hour Threshold and Pay Adjustments for Barb Benesch. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve an hour threshold and pay adjustments for Barb Benesch. He commented on the original agreement that was reached with Ms. Benesch and noted she has returned to work in more than a part-time nature. For this reason, an adjustment was necessary to her hourly pay and hour threshold. He discussed how skilled Ms. Benesch was in digital filing and thanked Ms. Benesch for her assistance with this task. Council Member Bergeron stated he was very pleased with the excellent team the City had at City Hall. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9224, Hour Threshold and Pay Adjustments for Barb Benesch. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. I. Resolution 9225, Approving Revised Job Description for Public Works Arborist – Forestry and Parks Maintenance. Public Works Director Peterson requested the Council approve a revised job description for the Public Works Arborist-Forestry and Parks Maintenance position. He explained staff posted for this position last fall and only received one qualified candidate for the position. Staff recommended the title and job description be amended to clarify the requirements within this position. Mayor Mueller questioned how the job would be posted. Public Works Director Peterson reported the job would be posted on the League of Minnesota Cities site and the City’s website. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9225, Approving Revised Job Description for Public Works Arborist – Forestry and Parks Maintenance. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Gunn reported the Third Annual Daddy/Daughter Dance would be held on Saturday, February 8th at the Community Center at 5:30 p.m. She noted tickets were now on sale. Mounds View City Council January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 9 Council Member Gunn stated the Festival in the Park Committee would be meeting on Tuesday, January 21st at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Council Member Meehlhause explained he would be attending three different NYFS meetings on Thursday, January 16th. He indicated NYFS was currently undergoing an executive search process in order to replace Jerry Hromatka when he retires. Council Member Meehlhause stated he would be attending a Twin Cities Gateway Board meeting on Tuesday, January 21 st. Council Member Meehlhause noted he would be attending the NYFS Board meeting on Thursday, January 23rd. He encouraged the Council to consider attending the NYFS Service to Youth Awards Ceremony which would be held on Thursday, February 13th at 5:30 p.m. as Mounds View Police Chief Nate Harder will be one of the honorees. Council Member Bergeron stated he would be attending a North Suburban Cable Commission meeting on Thursday, January 16th. Mayor Mueller noted she would be attending the Festival in the Park Committee meeting on Tuesday, January 21st. Mayor Mueller reported she would be attending the League of Minnesota Cities Experienced Leader Training Conference on January 24th and 25th in Plymouth. Mayor Mueller reported she would not be attending the Monday, February 3rd Council work session meeting and that Acting Mayor Hull would preside. Mayor Mueller commented on the City’s snow plowing policy and encouraged residents to be patient with plow drivers as they were working diligently to keep the community free and clear of snow. B. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Beer reported the 2019 audit would begin in the next week. He noted he has been working with the metro INET group. He explained the long time manager of this group retired and noted a joint powers board was being considered to manage this group. City Administrator Zikmund brought the Council’s attention to a memo regarding the rental license renewal process received from Community Development Director Sevald. He stated staff has gotten a small number of complaints regarding the process that was being followed, one in particular from Curt Olson. He requested the Council provide staff with direction on how to respond to Mr. Olson. Mayor Mueller commented on the discussion the Council held regarding the rental license renewal process and noted the Council decided email was the best method to contact rental Mounds View City Council January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 10 license holders. She did not understand why it was a surprise that people were receiving the information via email. She believed the information sent from the City was very clearly stated and asked if the Council wanted to consider the appeal from Mr. Olson. The consensus of the Council was to not consider an appeal. City Administrator Zikmund reported he would be on vacation next week. City Administrator Zikmund explained a joint meeting between Blaine, Spring Lake Park and Mounds View City Council’s was being planned to allow the SBM Fire Department to present a 15 year capital plan. He commented Blaine was interested in having the three cities consider having a set formula. City Administrator Zikmund discussed a worker’s compensation settlement that was reached by the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust and noted staff was very pleased with the settlement amount. C. Reports of City Attorney. There was nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, February 3, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, January 27, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial