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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2022/03/14APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting March 14, 2022 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:51 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Bergeron, Cermak, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, March 14, 2022, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Approve the Monday, March 14, 2022, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Assistant City Administrator noted two minor changes to the February 18, 2022 Special meeting minutes. A. Approval of Minutes: February 18, 2022 (Special Meeting) and February 28, 2022. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Cermak. To Approve Minutes from February 18, 2022 (Special Meeting) as amended and the February 28, 2022 as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9558, Consenting to Assumption of Housing Development Agreement; Silver Lake Commons, 2637-2665 Mounds View Boulevard Mounds View City Council March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 2 MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Bergeron. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Rosemary Lensing, 8310 Pleasant View Drive, expressed concern about the agenda tonight, noting the City Administrator told her the street rehab item was going to be on the agenda. She reported she received a notification but her neighbors had not. She requested that she be allowed to speak under Item 8D, along with her neighbors. Mayor Mueller reported she would allow this under Item 8D. 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS None. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 9560, Reestablish Precincts and Polling Places. Human Resources Director Ewald requested the Council adopt a Resolution that would reestablish precincts and polling places in the City of Mounds View. She reviewed the redistricting information noting all four precincts would continue voting at the Community Center. She discussed how the House and Senate seats had changed within the community and noted this was due to the results of the Census 2020. Council Member Bergeron questioned if the County Commissioners seats would change. Human Resources Director Ewald reported she would investigate this further, but explained she had the understanding no changes were made by the County as of the report date. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9560, Reestablish Precincts and Polling Places. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Public Hearing: First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance 988, Amending City Code Chapter 161 related to Dynamic Displays. Assistant City Administrator Beeman requested the Council introduce an ordinance that would amend City Code Chapter 161 related to dynamic display signs. He explained the Council recently discussed this topic at a worksession meeting and the Planning Commission recommended the ordinance be amended. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Mounds View City Council March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 3 Council Member Bergeron asked if the proposed ordinance would now allow dynamic displays in the industrial zoning district. Assistant City Administrator Beeman reported this was the case. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 988, Amending City Code Chapter 161 related to Dynamic Displays. Council Member Meehlhause stated this code amendment was an example of the City trying to keep its ordinances up to date with changing technology. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Public Hearing: First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance 989, Amending City Code Chapter 160.167(F) related to Outdoor Vending Kiosks. Assistant City Administrator Beeman requested the Council introduce an ordinance that would amend City Code Chapter 160.167(F) related to outdoor vending kiosks. He explained a company requested a business-to-business kiosk be placed at a local gas station. He reported the kiosk would be locked, secure and would hold large parcels. He indicated the Planning Commission reviewed this matter and they recommended approval noting the kiosk should not impede pedestrian access. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. Mayor Mueller questioned how this matter came about. Assistant City Administrator Beeman stated staff received a phone call requesting the kiosk which led staff to draft the ordinance amendment. Mayor Mueller commented it was her understanding this was becoming quite popular given the number of porch pirates that were taking packages that do not belong to them. Council Member Bergeron noted Amazon has a kiosk at Holiday and asked if this ordinance amendment would bring this kiosk into conformance with City Code. Assistant City Administrator Beeman reported this was the case. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Hull. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 989, Amending City Code Chapter 160.167(F) related to Outdoor Vending Kiosks. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9561, Approving the 2022-2023 Street Project. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the 2022- 2023 street project. He explained staff has been working on this project for quite some time. He Mounds View City Council March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 4 noted the project was advertised for bid on January 9 and the bids were opened on March 9 by Stantec. He reported the City received eight bids for this project and T.A. Schifsky & Sons provided the low bid of $3,579,081.49. He indicated staff was pleased with the fact the bid came in favorably for this project. He reviewed the pricing for bid Alternates 1, 2, 3 and 4. It was noted bid Alternate 4 would only move forward after receiving approval from the City of Spring Lake Park. He discussed the work that would be done on the mailboxes. Staff commented further on the project and recommended approval of the Resolution awarding the project to T.A. Schifsky & Sons along with bid Alternates 1 through 4, mailboxes from Home Depot, a 10% contingency and engineering services from Stantec and American Engineering. Mayor Mueller opened the meeting for public comments. Rosemary Lensing, 8310 Pleasant View Drive, stated she has had discussions with the City Administrator regarding her mailbox and noted she would like to keep her own mailbox. She reported her late husband installed her mailbox before he died and she would like to keep this on her property. She explained all of the residents on her street would like to keep their mailboxes. She indicated her driveway was 30 feet wide and she understood the City would only provide an apron that was 24 feet wide. She stated she has been in her home since 1977 and she requested that the 30 foot apron be allowed to remain. Kim Oberg, 8340 Pleasant View Drive, expressed concern with the fact the City Council would be approving all of the trail segments, even though the neighbors adamantly opposed this. She asked if alternatives were discussed or addressed. She believed the issues with the neighbors have not been resolved and those neighbors were not invited to this meeting. She questioned what the Council would do when the public expresses a deep concern and there is no follow up and not all of the neighbors were invited to this meeting. She commented she was also concerned about her mailbox. She noted she was an engineer and she engineered her mailbox to last through Armageddon. She requested the City allow her to replace her mailbox with her own mailbox after the street was completed. Sabrina Martinez-Parias, 8380 Pleasant View Drive, explained she was a new homeowner in Mounds View and has not been notified once about the street improvement project. She stated this was very concerning to her. She reported she learned about the street project from her neighbors. She indicated she has one of the longest and widest driveways on the block. She requested her driveway be allowed to remain as is. Sarah Solbro, 8305 Pleasant View Drive, stated she was concerned with the mailboxes. She indicated she had three inflatables stolen last winter and she feared someone would begin taking her mail if it was located down the block. She commented she would like to have her own private mailbox on her property. She explained she was interested in replacing her driveway and would like the new apron to be 24 feet wide. Mayor Mueller closed the meeting for public comments. She stated for those new to the community the City sends out the Mounds View Matters which speaks to upcoming projects. She reported the Council went forward with this bid in order to not set it back another year. She explained the Council was looking to approve the project, with the alternates with the Mounds View City Council March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 5 understanding further discussion would be held with the neighbors regarding the alternates. She indicated she was concerned about traffic and pedestrian safety along Pleasant View Drive, especially once the project in Blaine was completed, as this would generate more traffic for this neighborhood. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reviewed the actions the Council had taken since this project began back in September of 2021. He reported the City had heard the voices of the public and the feedback that had been provided from the neighbors regarding the trail segments. He explained this led to the segments being bid out as four alternatives so the Council could see the cost and could make a decision on how to move forward with the alternates. Staff recommended the project be approved with all four alternates with the understanding any alternates can be adjusted in the future. Mayor Mueller commented on the process that was followed to develop design standards and a financial plan for the replacement of all City’s streets without assessments. She stated the City has been working for the past 10 years to consistently follow the design standards that were set up by the street committee. She requested staff provide further information regarding the driveway aprons. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported that any resident that has a non-conforming driveway width (over 24 feet) was sent a letter and was asked to work directly with the Community Development Director on this matter. He commented any driveway that was formally approved by the City Council would be grandfathered in. He encouraged the residents in attendance to speak with the Community Development Director regarding their driveway width. Finance Director Beer questioned how much time residents had to make a determination regarding their driveway width. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated a neighborhood meeting would be held in April and residents would be able to apply for driveway width variances at that time. Mayor Mueller asked if residents work with the City if they were interested in having their entire driveway replaced. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson encouraged residents to speak with the contractor as the City was not involved in this type of work. Mayor Mueller stated she understood there were some very unique circumstances regarding the mailboxes along Pleasant View Drive based on the comments that were made this evening. She questioned if the mailboxes in question could be placed on another post. It was noted these mailboxes could not be put onto another post. Mayor Mueller inquired if the City had ever changed direction from the design standards that were adopted by the City regarding mailboxes. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this has not occurred to date. Mayor Mueller asked what residents could do if they wanted to have a locking mailbox. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented after the street was complete, residents will have a post with a black mailbox. He indicated residents could then put their own mailbox on the post. Mounds View City Council March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 6 A resident asked how those residents, who had trouble getting around would be able to access their mailbox if it was located down the street. Mayor Mueller reported her husband was in a wheel chair and her mailbox was located across the street. She noted her husband watches for traffic, crosses the street and rolls back up the driveway. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented further on how the mailboxes would be grouped in the project area. Mayor Mueller spoke further to why the City follows the design standards that were approved by a committee 10+ years ago noting these standards have been followed all through the City to keep mailboxes standard in appearance throughout the community. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the base bid from T.A. Schifsky included the two trail segments along Mounds View Boulevard. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this was the case noting a trail would be completed all the way to Spring Lake Road. Council Member Meehlhause indicated in his neighborhood there were 45 homes and it was boxed in by Silver Lake Road, County Road H2 and Silver View Pond. He stated there were four mailbox locations for 45 homes in his neighborhood which meant neighbors walked to their mailboxes and opened them with a key. He explained he appreciated this type of mailbox because it eliminated mail theft. Council Member Bergeron questioned how many mailboxes were generally put together. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated there were typically four, sometimes five. Council Member Bergeron inquired if the two mini roundabouts were included in this project. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported the roundabouts were not included in this project, but would be completed in 2024 along with Pleasant View and Stinson Boulevard. He estimated the roundabouts would cost $1 million to complete. Council Member Bergeron stated he supported this project moving forward because there was work that needed to be done on these streets. However, he noted he did not want to see bid Alternate 3 moving forward. He recommended that Alternate 3 be removed from the project at this time. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9561, Approving the 2022-2023 Street Project, without bid Alternate 3. Mayor Mueller reported a revised Resolution was provided to the Council that includes the updated engineering numbers. Council Member Meehlhause asked if bid Alternate 3 was removed, would this create additional costs for the City in the future. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated he did not believe this would create additional costs, because the contractor has bid a specific amount for this alternate. However, he noted he would have to see if an inflator was written into the bid to cover the rising costs of asphalt. Mounds View City Council March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 7 Council Member Meehlhause requested comment from the City Attorney on this matter. City Attorney Riggs stated he understood Council Member Bergeron’s point, but he believed staff recommendation was the better option. He advised by not approving Bid Alternate 3 there was a potential for a cost raise in the future if this item were to move forward. Council Member Bergeron commented the work would not be done until 2023 regardless if bid Alternate 3 was approved. He questioned when the alternate would have to be put back in, in order to have the work completed. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported construction could not start until May 15, 2023, noting staff would bring the matter before the Council well before this time. Mayor Mueller noted she had a concern with how the project would be impacted if the bid alternate were removed and then added later. She feared the contractor could move onto another project and would then have to be called back to complete Alternate 3. She stated if the bid alternate were to remain in place, the contractor would have the equipment and manpower in place, and the Council could then remove it at a future date if desired. Council Member Bergeron commented he knows someone quite well that completes bids and determines the labor that is required for contracts. He indicated this was not determined until a project is started, which would be the May 15, 2023 date. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained he was recommending the Council award all bid alternates with the understanding further community engagement would occur between now and that time, and not price increases would occur if the bid alternate were to be approved at this time. Council Member Hull stated the reason the City wants this trail segment was because it would connect to other trail sections. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated this was correct. Council Member Meehlhause asked if this trail section would be coming back to the Council for final approval prior to May 15, 2023. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented this was his plan. Council Member Bergeron withdrew his motion from the floor. Council Member Meehlhause withdrew his second. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9561, Approving the 2022-2023 Street Project. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Abstain – 1 (Bergeron) Motion carried. E. Resolution 9562, Approving the Purchase of Pavilions for City Hall Park. Mounds View City Council March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 8 Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the purchase of pavilions for City Hall Park. He explained two pavilions were being proposed to be added near the splash pad. He commented on the price for the 20 foot by 20 foot pavilions and noted this project would be funded through the Park Dedication Fund. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9562, Approving the Purchase of Pavilions for City Hall Park. Council Member Meehlhause stated the new pavilions at the splash pad will be put to good use by families visiting this new amenity. Council Member Bergeron asked when the pavilions would be completed. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson anticipated the pavilions would be completed by August. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 9559, Authorize Recruitment Process for Public Works Maintenance Worker Position. Human Resources Director Ewald requested the Council authorize recruitment for a Public Works Maintenance worker. She stated the Public Works Department recently had a resignation which led staff to request for the posting of a Public Works Maintenance worker. She indicated this position will be first be posted internally and then externally. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9559, Authorize Recruitment Process for Public Works Maintenance Worker Position. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 9563, Obtain Easement from 2360 Hillview Road. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council obtain an easement from the property at 2360 Hillview Road. He explained staff was approached by the resident on this property requesting the City put an additional trail along their property from Oakwood Drive to Hillview Road. He indicated this trail would require an easement, which the property owner was willing to do. He stated the City Attorney drafted an easement for the property owner to sign and this has been completed. Mayor Mueller thanked this resident for their generosity and for making this contribution to the community. Council Member Bergeron concurred stating this resident was being very civic minded. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9563, Obtain Easement from 2360 Hillview Road. Mounds View City Council March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 9 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. H. Emergency Sewer Repair Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve emergency sewer repairs. He stated on Friday, March 4 Public Works received a call from Ramsey County Dispatch on a possible sewer backup on Ridge Lane. He reported staff investigated this and found a sewer main that was backed up. He explained the Vactor was called out and the line was jetted. He commented after several hours the line was opened and began flowing. He commented further on the work that was completed to clear the line, which included bypass pumping. He stated he has never seen a backup this extensive in his years with the City. He reported Perkins Contracting was called in to help with repairs to the sewer line given the amount of sand found in the line. He reported Perkins Contracting found a crack in a main line and with the groundwater being as high as it was, sand was brought into the line. He discussed the lining work that was needed to repair the pipe. He reviewed the costs that had been incurred to date and provided estimates for the work that would be necessary going forward. It was noted the City has been working with the County on this project because this was a County roadway. He explained all roadway repairs would be patched with a hot mix. Council Member Meehlhause asked if this was a portion of pipe that had not yet been slip lined. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this was the case. Council Member Bergeron thanked staff for their tremendous efforts to make this repair. He stated he was proud of the City for its efforts to maintain the City’s infrastructure through slip lining. Mayor Mueller thanked Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson for his wisdom and guidance on this emergency repair. She thanked Director Peterson for keeping the City Council and staff apprised on this situation. She appreciated how quickly staff took action in order to get this repair made. City Attorney Riggs discussed the items that were before the City Council for approval, noting the Mayor had signed an Emergency Declaration that allowed staff to take action to make the necessary sewer repairs. He requested the Council Adopt Resolution 9565 and 9564, in that order. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9565, Extending the Mayor Declared Local Emergency Declaration and Authorizing Staff to Complete Repairs on Long Lake Road. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9564, Approving Emergency Sewer Repairs. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson thanked his staff members for their efforts to open this line and for getting bids in a timely manner. He reported eight homes were impacted by the sewer backup and noted he reached out to the League of Minnesota Cities to contact these Mounds View City Council March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 10 homeowners. He stated the League of Minnesota Cities commented that the City was doing a good job with its maintenance because they don’t see any claims. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson and Assistant City Administrator Beeman for communicating so clearly with the Council during this emergency. He thanked all of the Public Works staff members for their efforts on behalf of the community. Mayor Mueller discussed the emergency scenarios the Council and department heads have run through in the past and noted a sewer line failure was not one of them. She commended Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson and his staff again for their tremendous efforts on behalf of the City of Mounds View. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Cermak reported the K9 Foundation would be holding a meeting on Saturday, April 9. Council Member Cermak explained CPY would be hosting a fundraiser at the New Brighton Community Center on Tuesday, April 5 at 12:00 p.m. Council Member Meehlhause reviewed the meetings he would be attending for NYFS over the next two weeks. He commented on Friday, March 18 the executive search committee would be interviewing four candidates for the next executive director. He reported final interviews would be held on Wednesday, March 23. Mayor Mueller stated the Ramsey County League of Local Government met on Friday, March 11 and discussed the value of imbedded social workers within public safety departments. She commented further on the work being done by these social workers in Maplewood and Roseville. She thanked NYFS for all of their great work on behalf of the City of Mounds View. Mayor Mueller reported the Minnesota Women in City Government would be meeting next on Friday, March 18. Mayor Mueller commented the Festival in the Park Committee would be meeting next on Tuesday, March 15 at the Public Works facility. B. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Beer reported the audit was still pending information from Ramsey County. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained yesterday he was told there was a leak in the Community Center catering kitchen. He reported upon visiting the site he learned a Mounds View City Council March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 11 fire line broke and there was three inches of water in the Community Center. He reported there was extensive damage to the ceiling and calls have been made to clean up the damage. He discussed the work that would be needed to the repair the catering kitchen estimating the cost will be $62,642.15. He noted he would be bringing this item back to the Council for approval, and noted the contractor would work to bring the number down. Mayor Mueller asked if the fire sprinkler lines were monitored. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported they were monitored and that was how the City was notified of the leak. Council Member Cermak questioned if the City had insurance in place to pay the City back for the extensive damage that occurred at the Community Center. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated the City might hit it’s deductible between the two emergencies. Human Resources Director Ewald reported the City would be holding a Town Hall meeting on Monday, April 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. She explained she had Citizen of the Year nomination forms for the Council to consider. Mayor Mueller reported the Mounds View Police Department had a new addition, K9 Officer Ace. He noted K9 Officer Ace would be attending training with Police Officer Aase. Human Resources Director Ewald explained Officer Nina Katzenmaier also started with the Police Department today which meant the Mounds View Police Department was fully staffed. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, April 4, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, March 28, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. Town Hall Meeting: Monday, April 18, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial