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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2001/01/08PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA ~~ ~, Regular Meeting ,' '`~ G` w~w~' ~ , ,~ January 8, 2001 ~ ~ `, ~' ' Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:00 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: Sonterre, Quick, Marty, Stigney, Thomas. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, January 8, 2001 City Council Agenda. Mayor Sonterre asked the Council if anyone would like to add items to the agenda. Council Member Marty requested Council and City Administrator retreat be added as item l OI. i Council Member Quick requested the Golf Course Committee meeting dates and starting t mes be added as item lOJ. The Agenda was approved by consent of Council. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Tuesday, January 2, 2001, City Council Minutes. The Minutes from January 2, 2001 will be available at the January 22, 2001 meeting for consideration. 5. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: A. Resolution 5503, Resolution of Appreciation for Rosemary Goff B. Resolution 5509, Resolution of Appreciation for Jerry Peterson C. Resolution 5510, Resolution of Appreciation for Michael Berke D. Resolution 5511, Resolution of Appreciation for Barbara Thomas E. Resolution 5512, Resolution of Appreciation for Dawn Little F. Resolution 5513, Resolution of Appreciation for Theresa Lexcen G. Resolution 5514, Resolution of Appreciation for Stan McDonald H. Resolution 5516, Resolution of Appreciation for Rich Sonterre Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 2 I. Presentation of plaque to Jerry Peterson MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 5503 and Resolutions 5509 through 5516, Resolutions of Appreciation. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Mayor Sonterre presented the Resolution of Appreciation to Rosemary Goff and thanked her for her six years of service on the Economic Development Commission. Mayor Sonterre noted Stan McDonald, Theresa Lexcen and Dawn Little were not in attendance to receive their Resolutions of Appreciation. Mayor Sonterre thanked Mr. McDonald, Ms. Lexcen and Ms. Little for their years of service to the City. Mayor Sonterre presented the Resolution of Appreciation to Michael Berke and thanked him for serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Sonterre presented the Resolution of Appreciation to Barbara Thomas and thanked her for serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Sonterre presented the Resolution of Appreciation to Jerry Peterson and thanked him for his 10 years of service to the City. Mayor Sonterre asked Community Development Director Ericson to present the plaque and say a few words on behalf of the City. Community Development Director Ericson read the inscription on the plaque and sincerely thanked Mr. Peterson for his years of service to the City. 6. REPORTS City Administrator Miller reported team building has been scheduled for April 6, 2001 and April 7, 2001. 7. CONSENT AGENDA • A. Approve Just and Correct Claims -None Submitted. B. Licenses for Approval. C. Set a Public Hearing for Monday, 7:05 p.m., January 22, 2001, for the Second Reading of Ordinance 672, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1106 of the Zoning Code Pertaining to Home Occupations. D. Set a Public Hearing for Monday, 7:10 p.m., January 22, 2001, for the Second Reading of Ordinance 674, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1005 of the Municipal Code Pertaining to the Housing Code. E. Resolution 5515, a Resolution Authorizing a Feasibility Study or the Reconstruction of County Road H2. Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 3 Mayor Sonterre asked the Council if anyone would like to remove items for discussion. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Thomas. To Approve the Consent Agenda for Items A through E as presented. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 9. RESIDENTS REQUESTS AND COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR David Jahnke of 8428 Eastwood Road stated he had watched the Golf Course Committee meeting on television and was shocked to hear committee members questioning the procedure and qualifications of Springsted as he believes them to be a reputable company. Mr. Jahnke questioned why committee members were doubting and questioning the company the City hired to do a feasibility study. Mr. Jahnke stated previous mayors had told residents the golf course would not cost residents any money. To date, the golf course has cost residents $200,000 and is expected to cost residents another $300,000. Mr. Jahnke stated he did not believe the City should be in the golf course business and does not believe residents should have to pay to keep the golf course running. Mr. Jahnke referred to a memo he had received indicating it was very unprofessional. Mr. Jahnke asked Mayor Sonterre if the Mayor believed residents should have to pay for the golf course. Mayor Sonterre indicated he did not believe residents should be required to pay for a business venture enterprise. The City is currently looking at ways to restructure the financials for the golf course to lessen the financial burden for the City and residents. Mr. Jahnke asked Mayor Sonterre if he believed in the Springsted Study. Mayor Sonterre indicated the City had received very few details on the study at this point. The Committee asked representatives from Springsted for an update because it was unclear whether the requirements of the City were being met. Council Member Marty stated it was hard to speculate on the results of the study at this time as the City does not have any information. The study numbers are supposed to be available for the February 2, 2001 work session. Cindy Carvelli-Yu of 5255 Irondale Road addressed Council and expressed concerns that the movie theater does not have enough parking to accommodate its patrons and those patrons are parking up and down Irondale Road causing a nuisance for the neighborhood. On December 30, Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 4 2000 there were 25 cars parked on Irondale Road and on January 1, 2001 there were 38 cars parked along Irondale Road. Ms. Carvelli-Yu drove over to the theater to investigate whether the parking was due to snow removal issues and determined it was not as cars were parked along the entrance to the theater and along curbs in the parking lot. Ms. Carvelli-Yu indicated she had spoken to two different managers at the theater, one who admitted the theater did not have enough parking and another who indicated overflow parking is only an issue on holidays. Mayor Sonterre thanked Ms. Carvelli-Yu for her comments and recommended she speak with Community Development Director Ericson to be added to the agenda for the next Planning and Zoning Commission. Ms. Carvelli-Yu provided fliers with a possible solution to the problem to Council for their review. She is suggesting the theater expand its parking to better accommodate its patrons. Council Member Marty thanked Ms. Carvelli-Yu for bringing this issue to the attention of Council. He indicated parking was a concern when the theater was before Council for approval and the developer had assured Council the movie schedule would be staggered enough that there should never be a problem with parking. Council Member Stigney requested Staff research the developer's agreement for the theater to determine whether there is something in the document that the City could use to help residents with the parking issue. • Ms. Werner of 2765 Sherwood Road requested Council provide her with the total income from the golf course before expenses for the year 2000. Mayor Sonterre indicated he did not have access to that information but said Ms. Werner could contact Mr. Kessel to obtain the information. Ms. Werner inquired as to whether Mr. Hammerschmidt received a percentage of the total income of the golf course before expenses are taken out. Mayor Sonterre stated he was not familiar with the specifics of Mr. Hammerschmidt's contract. Ms. Werner questioned if Mr. Hammerschmidt did not receive a percentage of the total income of the golf course before expenses what amount does he get a percentage of. Ms. Werner inquired as to whether the golf course was profitable and, if not, what the net loss was for the year 2000. Council Member Marty explained the golf course was operating at a loss due to the escalating bond payments. • Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 5 Council Member Quick reminded Mayor Sonterre citizens needed to direct their questions directly to the Mayor. Council Member Quick then stated some of Ms. Werner's requests were data privacy protected. Council Member Stigney stated he believed salary information was public information. Council Member Quick stated the information needs to be requested by position not by individual name or the information cannot be given out. Ms. Werner requested Council provide her with the amount of income reported on Mr. Hammerschmidt's W2 Form from the City. Mayor Sonterre stated he did not have Mr. Hammerschmidt's W2 Form information and questioned whether the City could legally provide the information to Ms. Werner. Mayor Sonterre indicated he would pass on Ms. Werner's request to Mr. Kesel. City Attorney Riggs indicated most of the information requested by Ms. Werner could be provided noting, however, the salary information would need to be requested by position not individual's name. Ms. Werner stated she would be coming to City Hall to request the information. Mr. Werner of 2765 Sherwood Road inquired as to why the City has not made further progress to install billboards at the golf course. Advertising had been mentioned as a way to bring in revenue for the golf course and he is wondering what the status of the billboards is. Mayor Sonterre explained the City is currently trying to obtain permission to install advertising billboards at the golf course. The Department of Transportation has expressed concern with a public entity hosting advertising signs versus a private entity hosting advertising signs. Mr. Jahnke stated he had spoken to the owner of the Sysco property and the owner had requested Mr. Jahnke let Council know he is concerned that the property he donated to the City for wetlands could be developed into the golf course. 10. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance 676, Approving the 2000 Long Term Financial Plan. Mayor Sonterre opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. David Jahnke 8428 Eastwood Road stated he believed the City should be required to go to each department and ask where cuts can be made. In any business there is always a requirement to cut the dollar amounts requested by department heads. In his opinion Council has simply accepted Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 6 the budget requests from each department and not made any real effort to attempt to lower the numbers. Mayor Sonterre closed the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 676, Approving the 2000 Long Term Financial Plan. ROLL CALL: Sonterre/Marty/QuicklThomas -Ayes; Stigney -Nay. B. Appeal of Tobacco License Suspension, Amoco and Snyder's. Police Chief Clark requested Council remove this item from the agenda until he, the City Attorney and the parties involved can further discuss and review this case. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Table the Appeal of Tobacco License Suspension for Amoco and Snyder's to allow the Police Chief, the City Attorney, and the Parties Involved to RESEARCH THE MATTER AND BRING IT BACK BEFORE COUNCIL. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. C. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 672, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1106 of the Mounds View Zoning Code Pertaining to Home Occupations. Community Development Director Ericson explained this Ordinance was before Council at a previous meeting but an issue was brought up concerning an individual in the City operating a business out of his home that had non-resident employees. Council sent the Ordinance back to the Planning Commission for further discussion and public input. The Planning Commission held a public hearing to obtain resident input and Staff solicited input concerning proposed changes to the Ordinance via email and received an overwhelming response from residents that residents did not want any change to the Ordinance that would allow non-resident employees at home-based businesses. The Planning Commission increased the size allowed for home-based businesses from one (1) square foot to four (4) square feet along with changing the location allowed for placement of the sign. After resident input and Commission discussion it was determined not to allow on street parking. The Ordinance does not limit the number of cars allowed for off street parking provided the cars are parked in accordance with City codes. Mayor Sonterre inquired as to whether there was any public input expressing concern for an increase in signage allowed for home-based businesses. Community Development Director Ericson stated he had not received any public input concerning the signage issue. Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 7 • Council Member Quick indicated he had received one telephone call from a resident who was concerned for the change in signage allowed for home-based businesses. Council Member Thomas indicated she had spoken to a few people concerning this change to the Ordinance and had worked with the Planning Commission on this Ordinance at the beginning of the discussion. In her opinion, there should not be a challenge to the size of the signs. Council Member Thomas stated a simple exercise to correct grammatical errors in the Ordinance has brought to light a seriously outdated Ordinance. In her opinion, the changes proposed to the Ordinance do not address the real problem which is the definition of home-based businesses. In this age of e-commerce the City needs to better address the issues e-commerce businesses will bring to the City. Community Development Director Ericson inquired if there was something specific concerning the Ordinance that Council Member Thomas felt the Planning Commission should consider. Council Member Thomas indicated the City needs to be concerned with the issue of "what is a home-based business" and "what should the City do to accommodate and regulate e-business." In her opinion, the issues of allowing employees and parking problems arose because the City does not have a good definition of what a home-based business is. Council Member Stigney stated he was present at the Planning Commission meeting for the discussion concerning the Ordinance and he believes the Planning Commission did an excellent job of addressing the issues. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Quick. To Waive the Reading and Approve Introduction of Ordinance 672, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1106 of the Mounds View Zoning Code Pertaining to Home Occupations. Council Member Stigney suggested Council Member Thomas should discuss her concerns regarding the Ordinance with Community Development Director Ericson. Council Member Quick stated he believed the Planning Commission had done an excellent job of responding to resident input requesting non-resident employees not be allowed and on street parking be discontinued. Council Member Thomas indicated the Planning Commission had done a good job of addressing the surface issues of the Ordinance but had not gotten to the root of the problem which she believes to be the fact the City does not have a good definition of what a home-based business is. Ayes - 4 Nays - 1 (Thomas) Motion carried. D. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 674, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1005 of the Municipal Code Pertaining to Housing. Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 8 MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Waive the Reading and Approve Introduction Ordinance 674, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1005 of the Municipal Code Pertaining to Housing. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. E. Adopting Resolution 5507, Appointing City Council Members and Clerk Administrator as Representatives for City Commissions and Other Organizations. Assistant to the Administrator Reed explained this Resolution was before Council at the work session on January 2, 2001 and has been revised to reflect the changes requested at that meeting. Assistant to the Administrator Reed inquired as to whether Mayor Sonterre had heard from Shannon Roepke as to whether he would like to serve on the Northwest Youth and Family Services Committee. Mayor Sonterre noted he had not yet heard from Shannon Roepke. Mayor Sonterre suggested Council approve Resolution 5507 removing Shannon Roepke's name as the Northwest Youth and Family Services appointee and replace it with the phrase "to be determined." Council Member Marty asked for a clarification on the League of Minnesota Cities. City Administrator Miller explained that Council had agreed to eliminate the national organization. MOTION/SECOND: Thomas/Stigney. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 5507 with the deletion of Shannon Roepke's name under Northwest Youth and Family Services. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. F. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinances 677 (EDC), and 678 (Planning and Zoning), Amending City Code Language Relating to Council Liaisons to Boards and Commissions. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Waive the Reading and Approve Introduction Ordinance 677 (EDC) and Ordinance 678 (Planning and Zoning), Ordinances Amending City Code Language Relating to Council Liaisons to Boards and Commissions. City Attorney Riggs asked that each Ordinance be voted on separately. • Council Member Quick withdrew his motion and Council Member Marty withdrew his second. Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 9 MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Waive the Reading and Approve Introduction Ordinance 677 (EDC), an Ordinance Amending City Code Language Relating to Council Liaisons to Boards and Commissions. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To Waive the Reading and Approve Introduction Ordinance 678 (Planning and Zoning), an Ordinance Amending City Code Language Relating to Council Liaisons to Boards and Commissions. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. G. Adopting Resolution 5518, Appointing Board and Commission Members. Assistant to the Administrator Reed explained Resolution 5518 appoints representatives to the various Commissions within the City. Council Member Marty indicated he had received several telephone calls concerning the appointments and suggested Council may need to look at the appointments a little more closely. Mayor Sonterre explained in December he had drafted letters to all the members of the Commissions to inquire as to whether they wished to continue service on the Commission they were serving on or, in the case of those commission members with expiring terms, the letter inquired as to whether the commission member would like to reapply. These letters were dropped off at City Hall to be mailed and for an unknown reason were never mailed nor has anyone at City Hall been able to determine the whereabouts of the letters. Due to the fact the letters were never mailed there was some confusion among commission members as to how to proceed. Mayor Sonterre has spoken to commission members who may have been adversely affected by the fact they were not aware of the need to reapply for their seat and apologized for the misunderstanding. Assistant to the Administrator Reed noted there was a notice in the Mounds View Matters notifying residents of the application deadline to serve on a commission. Council Member Stigney inquired as to whether it was a generic notice concerning commission application deadlines or if the notice specifically stated those with expiring terms needed to reapply. Assistant to the Administrator Reed indicated she was not sure but believed it was a generic notice concerning commission application deadlines. Council Member Stigney inquired as to whether Dawn Little was comfortable with not serving on the Commission due to missing the application deadline. • Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 10 Mayor Sonterre indicated he had spoken to Ms. Little who did not express a desire to be reappointed to the Commission. Council Member Marty stated Ms. Little did not want to make waves but when he spoke to her today she told him she was disappointed at having been mislead by being told at the December 13, 2000 meeting that Mr. Sonterre would be contacting her concerning reappointment. She was not contacted and was not reappointed to the commission. Council Member Marty told Council Ms. Little learned she had not been reappointed to the commission when she received notice of the Resolution of Appreciation for her time on the commission. Mayor Sonterre indicated Ms. Little was aware of the fact she had not been reappointed to the commission last week. Mayor Sonterre noted he had reviewed the tape from the Park and Recreation meeting in question and it appeared to him a generic statement was made indicating commission members would be contacted concerning reappointment. There was no specific direction made to either do or not to do something. Council Member Thomas asked for a clarification as to whether Council had already approved the appointments making this Resolution a housekeeping issue. Assistant to the Administrator Reed indicated Council Member Thomas was correct when she stated this Resolution was for housekeeping purposes. • Council Member Marty expressed his concern that there was now only one female member of the Park and Recreation Commission. In his opinion you receive a more well rounded opinion when both genders are more equally represented. Mayor Sonterre indicated there were no female applicants for the Park and Recreation Commission. He went on to say that gender would not have been a consideration when he made his decision as to whom to appoint to the commission. City Attorney Riggs explained Council appointed the members to the various commissions at the January 2, 2001 Council Meeting and approving the Resolution tonight affirms those appointments. The Council may, however, remove someone from a commission if it determines that it is necessary to do so. MOTION/SECOND: Thomas/Sonterre. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 5518, Appointing Board and Commission Members. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. H. Closed Session to Discuss Data Classified as "Not Public". This item will be heard in a closed session. I. City Administrator City Council Retreat Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 11 • Council Member Marty expressed a desire to set a aside a time for the City .Administrator and City Council to hold a retreat as has been done in the past. Council Member Stigney indicated he felt the retreat would be a good idea. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Quick. To Direct Staff to Schedule a City Administrator City Council Retreat. City Administrator Miller inquired as to whether Council wished to have a meeting facilitator at the retreat. It was the consent of Council that a meeting facilitator would not be needed for the retreat, that two or three hours should be set aside on a work day in the evening, and Staff should determine the location of the retreat. Ayes - 5 Nays -0 Motion carried. J. Golf Course Committee Meeting Dates and Times • Council Member Quick suggested the meeting time be changed from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to allow for a break between the work day and the meeting. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Change the Golf Course Committee Meeting time from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mayor Sonterre questioned whether the cable staff would have enough time to set up between the Golf Course Committee Meeting and the Council Meeting. City Administrator Miller suggested the meeting be held on Council Work Session meeting dates at 5:00 p.m. Assistant to the Administrator Reed indicated Council needed to set a schedule of dates for the meeting. Council Member Quick withdrew his motion and Council Member Marty withdrew his second. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Schedule the Golf Course Committee Meeting for the second Monday of the Month at 5:30 p.m. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Council Member Marty questioned whether the golf course committee should have been in Resolution 5507 and whether Council needed to appoint someone to the committee. Mounds View City Council January 8, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 12 City Administrator Miller indicated she thought Council had directed Staff to eliminate that committee from the Resolution. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Stigney. To Let the Current Representative Stand until the Contract is determined. City Attorney Riggs indicated there was no need for a motion on this issue as the current appointment would stand until Council changed it. Council Member Quick withdrew his motion and Council Member Stigney withdrew his second. MOTION/SECOND: Sonterre/Quick. To Recess the City Council Meeting to the EDA Meeting at 8:30 p.m. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. ~_J Mayor Sonterre reconvened the City Council Meeting at 8:43 p.m. The meeting moved directly into the executive session. 11. Next Council Work Session: Next Council Meeting: Monday, February 5, 2001 Monday, January 22, 2001 12. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Sonterre adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m. Transcribed and recorded by: Joan Lenzmeier Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ~J