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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2011/11/28 • PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY,MINNESOTA OV AP°R Regular Meeting November 28,2011 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10,Mounds View,MN 55112 7:02 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Flaherty, Stigney,Hull,Mueller, Gunn. NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday,November 28,2011, City Council Agenda. • MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Stigney. To Approve the Monday, November 28, 2011, agenda as presented. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT Beth Rogers, 8405 Red Oak Drive, spoke to the Council regarding the property at 8379 Red Oak Drive. She presented the Council with pictures of the site noting the yard was in great need of cleanup. Ms. Rogers indicated she had been working with Code Enforcement Officer Jeremiah Anderson to bring the property into compliance. She explained the home on this site was condemned and had no electricity or running water. Ms. Rogers requested the City take further action to remediate the site. Mayor Flaherty recommended staff prepare the necessary abatement paperwork to assure this property will be improved. 6. SPECIE,.-.,ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Fi ,,.::kitati_.,.... :y,!-s- _y Hromatl, a CEO of Nc._ ,__. est Family Services Jerry Hromatka, Northwest`youth ?, Family Services (NYFS), updated the Council on the events that took place in 2011. He encouraged those unfamiliar with NYS to review the organization's s website at www.nyfs.org. Mr. Hromatka reviewed the three main areas of focus for Northwest 1111 Mounds View City Council November 28,2011 Regular Meeting Page 2 Youth and Family Services being mental health, youth development and day treatment programs • for those ages 5-21. He noted 4,000 youth,families and individuals were helped in 2011. Mr. Hromatka reviewed the benefits received by Mounds View residents based on the support given by the City. He indicated the work done in junior high and high school allows youth to begin thinking long term and assist them in planning for the future. A summary of services provided in 2010 and 2011 was discussed. He noted after much discussion, Penny Pinchers was closed. Instead, his staff was now working to coach youth to assist them in finding jobs. He further discussed the trends in the area and thanked the Council for their continued support. Council Member Gunn questioned if the level of homeless youth in Mounds View was known. Mr. Hromatka stated the Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative deals with this issue. He indicated the faith community was also working on homelessness issues. Mayor Flaherty thanked Mr. Hromatka for the update and for the work done to better this community. He felt Northwest Youth was working diligently to break cycles and provide people the help they need. He encouraged Mr. Hromatka to speak at the Mounds View Business Council to bring about further awareness of the programs offered by Northwest Youth and Family Services. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. 7:05 p.m. Public Hearing, Resolution 7857, Approving a Conditional Use Permit for Outside Storage at the Tyson Companies,4825 Mustang Circle. • Planning Associate Heller stated Tyson Companies was requesting a conditional use permit to allow for outside storage in an industrial zoning district. The location of the property was reviewed. She noted the outdoor storage would allow for additional business opportunities for Tyson Companies. Staff had no objections to the outdoor storage and recommended approval of the conditional use permit. Mayor Flaherty opened the public hearing at 7:39 p.m. Hearing no public input,Mayor Flaherty closed the public hearing at 7:39 p.m. Council Member Gunn asked if the outdoor storage area would be on the west end of the property. Associate Heller stated this was correct but noted it would vary depending on the amount of space that was available. Council Member Gunn aslo questioned if there would be hazardous material stored at this location. Mayor Flaherty questioned if any hazardous materials would be stored outdoors. Dale Tellers, Tyson Companies, indicated this was not the intent behind the request. He noted he does not store hazardous materials inside his building either. Associate Heller noted the fire code would apply to these types of materials and all City regulations would have to be followed. Mayor Flaherty inquired if the height of the materials being stored outside would be higher than the trailers. Mr. Tellers stated he was uncertain at this time, but did not feel the storage would be • Mounds View City Council November 28,2011 • Regular Meeting Page 3 higher than the trailers. He indicated the Planning Commission discussed limiting the height to ensure the outdoor storage height did not exceed the building height. Associate Heller did not feel height would be a concern as items could not be stacked too high for safety reasons. Mayor Flaherty questioned if the Council could set a height restriction within the Resolution. Associate Heller explained the Council could make this a part of the motion. Mayor Flaherty was in favor of adding this guideline to assure the neighboring properties were not adversely affected. He suggested a 20 foot height be placed on outdoor materials stored on the property. Council Member Mueller supported the 20 foot height restriction. She then asked if empty pallets would be stored outdoors. Mr. Tellers commented this was not his intent. He explained that empty pallets were currently stored within trailers. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7857, Approving a Conditional Use Permit for Outside Storage at the Tyson Companies,4825 Mustang Circle, with a 20 foot height restriction on all stacked outdoor storage items. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. B. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 866, an Ordinance Amending • Title 900 by Deleting Chapter 901 of the City Code Pertaining to the Snow and Ice Control Policy. Public Works Director DeBar stated that in 1988 the City took over snow and ice removal from the County. A policy was added to the City's Code prior to this time, which now needed to be eliminated since a new policy was approved. Staff recommended the Council adopt Ordinance 866 amending Title 900 by deleting Chapter 901 of the City Code. Mayor Flaherty clarified this was the second reading, not the first reading as was noted within the staff report. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Stigney. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 866, an Ordinance Amending Title 900 by Deleting Chapter 901 of the City Code Pertaining to the Snow and Ice Control Policy. ROLL CALL: Hull/StigneylMueller/Gunn/Flaherty. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion(=jai. C. Sc:. rid Readins and Adoption of Ordinance C55, an Ordin .r.i,ec Regulati: . tl Fcasesc ion Cale aril Coian 2ptfon 7cbacc7i mid TOI T.CC D Cilyo • City Administrator Ericson stated this item was before the Council for a second reading. He Mounds View City Council November 28,2011 Regular Meeting Page 4 indicated in May of 2011, the Council issued a moratorium regarding the P ossession, sale and • consumption of tobacco and tobacco related products to allow Staff time to revise the City's Code. He noted the City has been working with the Ramsey Tobacco Coalition to draft an Ordinance, which was first reviewed on November 14, 2011. City Administrator Ericson reviewed the text changes to the Ordinance in detail. He clarified the 1,000 foot stipulation would apply to new tobacco establishments in the City and not existing. Based on the revisions and updates, Staff recommended the Council adopt Ordinance 865. Council Member Mueller requested the sentence regarding the reports and effects of tobacco use be removed from the Ordinance. City Administrator Ericson stated this was a recommendation by the Ramsey Tobacco Coalition but could be removed. The Council was in agreement with removing this sentence. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 865, an Ordinance Regulating the Possession, Sale and Consumption of Tobacco and Tobacco Related Devices and Products within the City of Mounds View removing the sentence as stated above. ROLL CALL: Hull/Stigney/Mueller/Gunn/Flaherty. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. • D. Resolution 7859, Approving a Cost of Living Adjustment/Insurance Contribution Adjustment for Non-Union Employees, and Approving the Health Insurance Opt-Out Program. City Administrator Ericson indicated this request was brought to the Council on an annual basis. He noted the cost of living adjustment being requested for 2012 was 11/2%. The insurance contribution adjustment was $917.33 which was $50 higher than in 2011 rates. City Administrator Ericson requested the Council also adopt a the health insurance opt-out program to allow employees who receive insurance from other family members to opt-out of the City's benefits and receive a$200 monthly stipend. This would be a cost savings program to the City. Council Member Mueller questioned if an employee were to opt-out of the City's health insurance, if the employee could return in the future. City Administrator Ericson stated this would',,,an option. Council Member Mueller asked if the League of Minnesota Cities has reviewed the information. City A±.._,inistratcr Ericson indicated the League does not have such an opt-out policy and the information could be fciviarcie6 to the L,eaee Le assist other comment !es wiLh the new cost saving measure. • Mounds View City Council November 28,2011 • Regular Meeting Page 5 Council Member Mueller indicated she originally was not in favor of paying a stipend to those who opt-out of the health benefits. However, after discussing it further, she was pleased with the program. Finance Director Beer explained the City would see a$419 savings per month for each employee that opted-out of the program. Mayor Flaherty questioned if the City was still in negotiations with the City's bargaining units. He asked if this Resolution should hold off until negotiations were complete. City Administrator Ericson stated that negotiations were underway and felt that the Resolution should proceed as it set a standard for discussions.• He noted the cost of living adjustment has been approved in the past before documents were signed with the bargaining groups. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7859, Approving a Cost of Living Adjustment/Insurance Contribution Adjustment for Non-Union Employees, and Approving the Health Insurance Opt-Out Program. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 7860, Committing Community Center Special Revenue Fund Balance for Future Maintenance. Finance Director Beer stated this item was a continuation of the implementation of recent governmental accounting standards. He indicated several City funds have been closed and • reclassified through these changes. He explained the City would like to have a Community Center Special Revenue Fund to assist the City in tracking the operations of the Community Center. In order to keep this fund, the City needs to commit the fund balance. This fulfills the special revenue fund requirements along with the commitments made to the YMCA. Mayor Flaherty asked if the separation was necessary. Finance Director Beer stated in order for this to remain a Special Revenue Fund, the commitment had to be made to the Community Center with the funds allotted for future maintenance. Otherwise, the funds would roll into the City's general fund. This would remove the ability to track the operations at the Community Center. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7860, Committing Community Center Special Revenue Fund Balance for Future Maintenance. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 7861, Authorizing Stork Twin City Testing Corporation to 77e7.-form n rr,.,4 7711 ary Geoc,-777,ical art!7 1 T7,'T'cnmento.r 7 rrY iatior.fe:77 A.? of the EL(: 7 Utility] i s°over ._c _ .'"._ . Public Works Director• DeBar indicated Are `i of tlx:. Street and Utility In _ovement Program has begun the design i . ..,,. Ho noted in S<o C__ : _, S t_ .,.. o_ _ rtr _.-o y _e::_. engineering, while also preparing plans and specifications. Part of this process would require IPsome geotechnical and environmental evaluations. Mounds View City Council November 28,2011 Regular Meeting Page 6 • Public Works Director DeBar explained the City requested proposals from several providers and two companies responded to the City's request. Stork Twin City Testing Corporation was the low bidder coming in at $5,882. Staff recommended Stork be authorized to perform the preliminary geotechnical and Environmental for Area E. He requested a 10% contingency be written into the contract with the expense not to exceed$6,500. Council Member Mueller questioned the meaning of several acronyms. Public Works Director DeBar clarified the definitions with the Council. Council Member Mueller asked if the 10% contingency was necessary. Public Works Director DeBar felt this was as it allowed for additional borings to be taken if the engineers felt it was necessary. Mayor Flaherty inquired if the City has used Stork Twin City Testing in the past. Public Works Director DeBar noted the City of Mounds View has not but this was a reputable company in the Twin Cities. Mayor Flaherty questioned why the third company did not respond. Public Works Director DeBar explained it was his understanding the company was too busy at this time to respond or take on the additional work. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Stigney. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7861, 410 Authorizing Stork Twin City Testing Corporation to Perform a Preliminary Geotechnical and Environmental Evaluation for Area E of the Street and Utility Improvement Program. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 7862, Authorizing Badger State Coating Specialists to Remove Abandoned Telecom Equipment from the Elevated Water Tower. Public Works Director DeBar explained the water tower was scheduled to be reconditioned in the spring of 2012. He noted several improvements would be made to bring the tower into compliance. He stated the City had several contracts with telecom companies. Each company would be responsible for removing and replacing the equipment through this reconditioning process. Public Works Director DeBar commented there were several pieces of equipment on the water tower that had been abandoned and Staff recommended the Council authorize Badger State Coating to remove these pieces of equipment from the water tower. The cost for this work was estimated to be $9,500 plus a 10% contingency. This was a budgeted expense and would come out of the City's water fund. He explained the worh would have to be completed before the water tower could be reconditioned. Council Member Mueller asked if there would be any salvage value from the items that were going to be removed from the water tower. Public Works Director DeBar did not feel there • Mounds View City Council November 28,2011 Regular Meeting Page 7 • would be any value as the equipment was 8-9 years old. He noted this project would allow the City to take inventory of the equipment that is on the tower. Council Member Stigney requested clarification on the bid pricing and questioned if the pieces of equipment had to be removed. He felt the expense was quite high. Public Works Director DeBar reviewed the contract costs in further detail. He stated the clean up would beneficial as the tower was rusting and deteriorating. In addition the removal of the old equipment would make room for new and improved technology. Finance Director Beer explained that AT&T was interested in locating in the City. Mayor Flaherty questioned if the City could recover any other expenses from previous renters. City Attorney Riggs indicated the City does try to protect against this, however, Metricom went out of business and failed to remove their equipment. Mayor Flaherty requested Staff seek to recycle or sell as much of the material as possible. Public Works Director DeBar stated if any material has value, this may have been factored into Badger State's quote. Council Member Stigney questioned if Verizon has been contacted to see how the vendor will reconfigure their equipment on the tower. Public Works Director DeBar stated all of the vendors have been made aware of the reconditioning. • MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7862, Authorizing Badger State Coating Specialists to Remove Abandoned Telecom Equipment from the Elevated Water Tower. Council Member Stigney questioned what fund would cover this expense. Finance Director Beer stated the water fund would be used for this budgeted expense. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Resolution 7858,Electing to Retain the Statutory Tort Limit on Liability for the 2012 Insurance Policies. B. Set a Public Hearing for Monday,December 12, 2011 at 7:10 p.m.,to Review Possible Amendments to the Conditional Use Permit Approved for Outdoor Seasonal Sales at Robert's Sports Bar and Entertainment, located at 2400 County Road H2. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Stigney. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. AND CC's T D ' ]r: Finance Director Beer answered the Council's questions related to claims. • Mounds View City Council November 28,2011 Regular Meeting Page 8 • MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Approve the Just and Correct Claims as presented. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. November 7,2011,Executive Session Minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Approve the November 7, 2011, Executive Session meeting minutes as presented. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Mayor Flaherty indicated he received his estimated taxes for 2012; however, the break down did not reflect a zero tax increase. Finance Director Beer explained the State eliminated the market value homestead credit program which assisted with property taxes. The loss of this credit reduced the overall funds available for the City by approximately$400,000. B. Reports of Staff. 1. Public Works Quarterly Report • Public Works Director DeBar reviewed his third quarter report with the Council. He indicated the City hired Neil Hiatt in the sanitary sewer division and he was working well for the City. The projects completed this quarter included: completion of Area A, Areas B and C were close to completion. He stated Area D was substantially complete and should be closed out next spring. Public Works Director DeBar noted Area E was beginning and engineering services have been ordered. He stated Well 2 was being redesigned to convert it from natural gas to an electrical variable frequency drive. The well would be operational soon and the City would receive a rebate of$7,000-10,000 from Xcel Energy for this piece of equipment. Public Works Director DeBar explained that the reroofing of City Hall, along with Well Houses 5 and 6 were completed. He reviewed that trail segments 1-5 were in the process of being completed and currently being reviewed by MnDOT. The progress of Lambert Park was discussed. He noted the shingles would be complete this fall and the building would be used this winter as a shelter for the skating rink. Public Works Director DeBar indicated Mustang J)rive solicitrtions would be sent out to assist tile City with improving this roadways so-face , commentciii. the City ;-could nieecl to do a Eli de;th r::recimnation of the street. Pub__,. ,;der_ s } -_:( o;:' IDCT.3aZ explained the City ILaci a stage rough draft of the Well Head Protection Program completed. This document was now being reviewed by the State. Stage II was being worked on by City Staff at this time. • Mounds View City Council November 28,2011 • Regular Meeting Page 9 Public Works Director DeBar stated the City had 35 call back events and pumped 157 million gallons of water this past quarter. He discussed the water pumping activities in further detail. He noted the Gopher State One Calls averaged between 100-200 per month. Public Works Director DeBar commented water service repairs were budgeted for$50,000 for the year and the City was currently at $56,000 in Third Quarter. As the City continues to repair more and more water lines, the Council may have to consider a higher service repair fee. Council Member Stigney questioned what part of the water lines was covered by the City and which were covered by the homeowner. Public Works Director DeBar stated after reviewing the City Code it appears the water lines are covered from the street to the structure by the City. He stated the lines underneath the home and within the home are the responsibility of the homeowner. Council Member Stigney asked who had ownership over the meters. Finance Director Beer indicated new transfers in home ownership have the residents purchasing their own meter. In the past,residents leased a meter. Council Member Stigney requested further information on how to opt out provision of the City's water line protection program. Council Member Mueller recalled that the opt out provision referred to those residents with their own personal well. Public Works Director DeBar stated he would pass this information along to the Council after doing some research. • Public Works Director DeBar reported 43 miles of street were swept this fall and a great deal of sewer lines were cleaned this year. Council Member Gunn questioned if residents should be blowing leaves into the City streets. Public Works Director DeBar indicated City Code disallows this activity. He noted the leaves were harmful to the storm sewer system and its water quality. He encouraged the residents to bring their leaves to the compost site. Public Works Director DeBar commented his crew has been busy patching streets and trails throughout the City. He reviewed the road conditions in Area E were in poor condition and noted much of the sewer lines in this area would need replacement to assure that the lines did not back up. Public Works Director DeBar noted the Street and Utility Commission had a meeting last week. The group discussed Sunnyside Road. Several residents were interested in removing the Municipal State Aid classification for this roadway. He explained that the City was not interested in the reclassification at this time as it would delay Area E, and disrupt $400,000 in State Aid funds. He questioned if the Council wanted_to review this issue further. Mayor Flaherty suggested this issue bp added to the December 5th work session for further discussion. He encou eged the Staff to invite the interested residents to this meeting. City Administrator Ericson explained he would be meeting with Urban Land Institute on • November 29`h. The "new normal" workshop would be discussed. He noted he would also be Mounds View City Council November 28,2011 Regular Meeting Page 10 11111 meeting with the new YMCA director this week. The renewed interest in the Community Center from the YMCA should greatly benefit the community. City Administrator Ericson noted he would be meeting with Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation this week as well and reviewing the City's housing program. He stated the qualification criteria would be reviewed and may need to be reevaluated by the Council. He noted the Mounds View School Board was meeting on Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. at the Snail Lake building. City Administrator Ericson suggested the Council hold an Executive Session at 6:00 p.m. on December 12`h to review the City Administrator's performance evaluation. The Council agreed with this recommendation. 2. Discuss Cancellation of the December 27,2011, City Council Meeting City Administrator Ericson stated historically the Council cancels the second Council in December due to the holidays. He requested the Council discuss the matter further and make a motion if it was the consensus of the Council to cancel the meeting. The Council was in favor with the proposed meeting cancellation. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To cancel the regularly scheduled December 27, 2011 City Council meeting. • Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. Council Member Mueller questioned if City Attorney Riggs would be attending the December 12th meeting. She requested he be present for the planned public hearing. City Attorney Riggs noted he would be in attendance. 12. Truth in Taxation Meeting: Monday,December 5,2011,at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Work Session: Monday,December 5,2011,at 7:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday,December 12,2011,at 7:00 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting vr was adjourned at 9:3 p.m. Tram,cribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 411