HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2004/03/081
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Regular Meeting
March 8, 2004
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
7:00 P.M.
1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL: Linke, Quick, Marty, Stigney, and Gunn
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A. Monday, March 8, 2004 City Council Agenda.
MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Gunn. To Approve the Monday, March 8, 2004 Agenda as
Amended.
Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
5. PUBLIC INPUT
Bob Edmond of 7835 Groveland Road asked Council what happened to Liberty Check Printers.
Mayor Linke indicated they built a building down in Blaine and consolidated all of their facilities
into it.
Dan Mueller of 8343 Groveland Road addressed Council to ask that the City do something about
the speeding on Groveland Road before someone gets hurt. He then said that the speed trailer
does not work because they just drive by faster to see their speed on it.
Mr. Mueller invited the Mayor and anyone else interested to come to his house at rush hour in the
evening to watch the traffic and said he would provide refreshments.
Mr. Mueller indicated there are only two speed limit signs on that road and he feels that more
speed limit signs may help. He then said there is a nice park in the area and he is afraid that
someone will get hurt.
U
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 2
• 1 Mayor Linke indicated that research has shown that stop lights create more issues than they
2 resolve and then suggested putting the speed trailer in that location one day and the police squads
3 the next. He then asked Mr. Mueller if the police could park in his driveway.
4
5 Mr. Mueller said that the City could use his driveway and bring as many officers as possible.
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7 Mr. Mueller clarified that he feels the police department is doing its job and that they are very
8 responsive to the needs of the City but he is concerned about this traffic issue. He then suggested
9 that the City concentrate its enforcement within the neighborhoods rather than out on Highway
l0 10.
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12 Council Member Marty indicated that he used to see Mr. Mueller some years ago at Council
13 meetings speaking about this issue. He then said that he came up Groveland on the way to the
14 meeting and the police had someone stopped on the north side.
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16 Mr. Mueller suggested two solid lines of yellow paint might help.
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18 Council Member Marty asked the Chief for a report on the stop tonight on Groveland.
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20 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
21
22 A. Resolution 6202, a Resolution of Appreciation to Dana Mandoza for Service
• 23 on the Parks and Recreation Commission
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25 Mayor Linke read the Resolution of Appreciation.
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27 Council Member Marty indicated Mr. Mandoza is ill or would have been at the Council Meeting.
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29 MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Gunn. To Approve Resolution 6202, a Resolution of Appreciation
30 to Dana Mandoza for Service on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
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32 Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
33
34 7. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS
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36 A. Just and Correct Claims
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38 Council Member Stigney requested information on the garage door repair on Page 7.
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4o Public Works Director Lee indicated it was the door at the public works building.
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42 Council Member Stigney indicated that Council has paid to fix that door a number of times since
43 he has been on the Council and it bothers him to pay almost $1,000 again to fix it.
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.45 Council Member Stigney asked for clarification on the $3,000 subscription to Labor Relations.
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 3
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City Administrator Ulrich indicated that the City is part of a multi-City group that subscribes to
the service that helps with human resource issues, hiring and labor negotiations.
Council Member Stigney asked for information on the services they provide to the City.
Council Member Stigney asked what the card scanner was for.
Finance Director Hansen explained that it is a piece of equipment attached to the cash register
system out at the golf course for scanning information into the cash register.
Council Member Stigney asked for further information on the roof repair of $626.00.
Finance Director Hansen indicated that two weeks ago there was a leak in the Community Center
roof over the area where the Chamber of Commerce is.
Council Member Quick asked if the roof is under warranty.
City Administrator Ulrich indicated that Staff is looking into it.
MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To Approve Just and Correct Claims as Presented.
Ayes - 5
Nays - 0 Motion carried.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Licenses for Approval
B. Approval to Amend Resolution 6173 for the Purchase of Four Automatic
External Defibrillators (AED's)
MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Approve the Consent Agenda as Presented.
Ayes - 5
Nays - 0 Motion carried.
9. COUNCIL BUSINESS
A. Silver Lake Woods Condominiums -Dedication of Private Streets
Public Works Director Lee indicated the issue of dedicating the streets within Silver Lake Woods
Condominiums has been discussed for several years and the last time was on May 6, 2002 at a
work session. At that time, Staff presented a proposed private street maintenance policy that
dictates how streets are to be dedicated to the City. Council agreed with the policy but did not
adopt it and with the 2003 street improvement project being ordered there is the opportunity to
upgrade the streets within Silver Lake Woods so that they can then be transferred to the City.
Mounds View City Council March S, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 4
1 Public Works Director Lee indicated that the Homeowner's Association has asked the City to use
• 2 the policy of assessing at 50% as residents on public streets are.
3
4 Council Member Many indicated he would like all of the streets brought up to City standards as
5 the policy indicates and then have the City accept the streets.
6
7 Mayor Linke agreed and commented that the developer had the option at the time of construction
8 to build them to City standards and that was not done. He then said he understands the position
9 of stating that they pay taxes too but the costs of the buildings would have been more if the
to streets would have been built to the City's standard at the time.
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12 Council Member Gunn asked what was being done about the storm sewer.
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14 Public Works Director Lee indicated that the storm sewer is included with the street upgrade.
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16 Mike Berke of 2683 Lakecourt Circle indicated that when the streets were built they were built to
17 City specifications with the agreement of the City at the time and five years ago, prior to this
18 administration, it was agreed the streets were to be dedicated and the streets were inspected and
19 the storm sewer reviewed at that time. He then said that the streets have deteriorated over the last
20 two years but they have been willing to dedicate them for years but Council has taken a long time
21 to get the ball rolling on this.
22
• 23 Mayor Linke explained that the dollar amount is the same whether it is 100% through the
24 association or 50% through the City.
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26 Mr. Berke indicated they are asking that they be treated like other citizens that pay taxes. He
27 then said that other residents are getting a lot more work for the money.
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29 Public Works Director Lee indicated it is the exact same work but the difference is that the
3o density is higher.
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32 Mr. Berke indicated that they want to be treated like other citizens and pay the 50% contribution.
33 He then explained that they would have to go through a vote of the residents to pay 100% and
34 that takes almost four months and then it would be beyond when the City wants to do the streets.
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36 Council Member Marty agreed that this has been an ongoing issue but clarified that the City has
37 not done any street refurbishing during that time.
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39 Mr. Berke indicated he had been before Council for the dedication of streets not for paving.
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41 Council Member Marty indicated that the streets have to be brought up to City standards before
42 they can be dedicated.
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44 Mr. Berke indicated the only thing they asked for were the catch basins and nothing was said
.45 about the road condition at the time.
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 5
2 Council Member Marty indicated he had looked at the streets and he would not say that they
1
3 were adequate or in good condition at that time.
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5 Mr. Berke indicated that nobody said anything in the meetings to them about the condition of the
6 streets.
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8 Cliff said he has been there for a little over 16 years and way back when the developer
9 had an agreement that the City was going to take the streets but that did not happen. He then said
1 o he was before the City 8 or 9 years ago to have the streets taken over but it did not happen. He
11 further commented that the streets are built to City standard but the developer told him that he
12 hired the City's contractor and he paid the bill. He also commented that the streets are more up
13 to date other than condition than any other streets in the City.
14
15 Cliff said that he is not sure the City has the easements for the storm sewer through the
16 property. He then commented that they may have to consider sending a bill to the City for 16
17 years of use of the storm sewer.
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19 Public Works Director Lee indicated that all of the easements are in place and that has been
20 verified.
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22 Council Member Stigney said he feels that the policy should be followed.
• 23
24 Council Member Marty agreed.
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26 Council Member Quick agreed.
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28 Council Member Gunn agreed that the streets need to be brought up to standard before the City
29 takes them over.
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31 Linda Buckhart of 2658 Lakecourt Drive said it sounds to her that people have come to this
32 board many times and the City keeps changing the story and asking for more and more and it
33 seems that the inaction of Council has caused this issue. She then said that there are a lot of
34 people on fixed incomes that cannot afford this especially since the way they are taxed has
35 changed.
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37 Mayor Linke indicated that they could only deal with what is now and could not fix issues from
38 previous Council. He then said that he wishes his income were fixed as he is unemployed right
39 now and a person can plan if they know what their income will be and know that it is consistent.
4o He further commented that the legislature sets the way people are taxed not the City.
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42 Ms. Buckhart indicated she would like fair treatment like other residents.
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44 Mayor Linke clarified that Council consent is to assess at 100%.
• 45
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 6
• 1 Mayor Linke asked what kind of street lights are in the development.
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3 Public Works Director Lee indicated they are privately owned but similar to the City's. He then
4 said that one has rusted and fallen over and explained that the City itself is getting rid of City-
5 owned lights and the question is whether the City wants to take on more lights only to have to
6 exchange them with Xcel or if the City requires that the Association pay to switch them over to
7 Xcel before the City accepts them.
8
9 Council Member Marty indicated he would like to follow the policy on the lights as well.
to
11 Public Works Director Lee recommended that the Homeowners' Association contract with Xcel.
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13 Council Member Gunn said she feels that the City should pay for the lights because the City is
14 not doing all of its lights at the same time and it may be possible to add them to the plan for
15 replacement rather than forcing them to pay.
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17 Mayor Linke suggested a 50/50 split on the lights.
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19 Council Member Quick said the rules have been that they have to bring them up to the working
20 standard and he feels they need to pay to bring them up to standard and replace the one that is
21 broken.
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• 23 Council Member Stigney said they are private lights and they should be brought up to date before
24 the City assumes responsibility for them.
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26 Council Member Gunn indicated she would go 50!50.
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28 Mayor Linke indicated that Council consensus was to go 50/50 on the lights.
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3o Cliff Hash of 2664 Lakecourt Drive asked whether the City agrees to take over the street as
31 public if they make the upgrades.
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33 Mayor Linke indicated that it would become a public street.
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35 Public Works Director Lee indicated that a contract would be needed with the Homeowners'
36 Association one month from this meeting.
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38 Council Member Quick cautioned that there has been no vote so it could not be said for sure.
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4o Mr. Hash indicated they need an agreement with the City to go to their membership for the vote.
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42 Mayor Linke indicated the entity that the City would be dealing with is the Association board
43 rather than homeowners individually.
• 44
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 7
1 Mr. Berke indicated the Board would give approval through the Association but when
. 2 assessments are done they need to be assessed individually.
3
4 Public Works Director Lee indicated the City Attorney has contrary opinions and he says Outlot
5 A is owned by the Homeowners' Association and the City can assign the assessment to them and
6 they can decide how to divvy it up and that is his recommendation.
7
8 Mr. Berke indicated that unless the assessment is assigned to the individual PIN number for the
9 property there is no way to keep track of who paid or who did not and that could hold up the sale
to of individual units.
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12 Council agreed that the City Attorney would work out the specifics with the Association.
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14 Public Works Director Lee indicated that he would get the City Attorney and the Attorney for the
15 Association working on this because the contract needs to be in place one month from this
16 meeting.
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18 Mr. Hash indicated the City Attorney has never been responsive to them at all.
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20 Council recommended that the Association contact Mr. Ulrich.
21
22 B. 2003 Street Improvement Project -Design Issues to Resolve
• 23
24 Public Works Director Lee indicated that Staff would bring forward plans and specifications on
25 March 22, 2004 and has been working with the consultant on them. He then said that it is going
26 to be fairly expensive to address some of the issues raised by Rice Creek Watershed District
27 including some storm scepters being added as a part of the project that are not treating water
28 from this project.
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3o Public Works Director Lee indicated that rain gardens were proposed but it does not look like it
31 will work as proposed so Staff will work with Rice Creek on that.
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33 Council Member Quick asked where the water was coming from.
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35 Public Works Director Lee indicated it is coming from Spring Lake Road and that is not part of
36 the project but they are looking at it from a regional area and adding it to this project.
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38 Mayor Linke commented that Rice Creek had the opportunity to do what was needed when
39 Spring Lake Road was redone.
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41 Council Member Quick commented that they were against storm scepters and the alternative was
42 rain gardens and there were none done.
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Mounds View City Council March S, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 8
1 Mayor Linke indicated he would like Staff to work with Rice Creek and tell them that the City
• 2 does not feel it is fair to require them to expend funds to treat water that is not part of this
3 project.
4
5 Council Member Stigney asked if Rice Creek would be providing any funding for the suggested
6 water treatment in the plans.
7
8 Public Works Director Lee indicated the costs are approximately $110,000 and Rice Creek has
9 not offered to assist with the costs.
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11 Council Member Stigney asked Staff to ask Rice Creek for a contribution.
12
13 Public Works Director Lee indicated he could discuss it with them but does not think they would
14 be willing to offer any funding assistance. He then said that he is working with the DNR to see if
15 there is any DNR funding available because it discharges to a DNR protected water body.
16
17 Public Works Director Lee indicated that a small section of Spring Lake Road would need to be
18 dug up to install the storm scepter and that will increase the costs.
19
20 Mayor Linke asked Staff to tell Rice Creek that he would like to see some cost benefit analysis
21 done on this because he is not sure that treating a small amount of water is worth the costs.
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• 23 Council Member Gunn asked where the rain gardens were to be located.
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25 Public Works Director Lee indicated they were scattered in side yards and front yards throughout
26 the project west of Silver Lake Road. He then said that most of them will not work due to
27 utilities and other obstacles such as a hill that they want to remove to put in a rain garden.
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29 Mayor Linke indicated that he finds it unacceptable to dump water around someone's home that
3o will increase the water table and cause water issues.
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32 Council Member Quick indicated there was discussion of a sediment pond next to the lake shore.
33 He then suggested that Rice Creek could condemn the house in that location and put in their own
34 pond.
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36 Council Member Stigney commented that there was a question of the effectiveness of storm
37 scepters at one point.
38
39 Public Works Director Lee indicated they are effective and have been in use for a number of
40 years but they are more maintenance for the City because they have to be periodically cleaned
41 out.
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43 Council Member Stigney indicated he would like information on the cost of maintaining them as
44 well as whether Rice Creek intends to participate in funding them and their ongoing
• 45 maintenance.
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 9
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• 2 Council Member Gunn asked if the water is being handled efficiently now.
3
4 Public Works Director Lee indicated it is not but it is part of the City's local water management
5 plan to have the water flow down through the storm sewer and the plan calls for a large pond in
6 the area to treat the water.
7
8 Public Works Director Lee indicated that the City's Comprehensive Plan calls for sidewalks on
9 Groveland Road and Staff recommends that with any of these street reconstructions the sidewalk
l0 be constructed at the time the street is upgraded. He then said that Staff recommends that the
11 sidewalk be placed directly behind the curb to limit the impact to the residents whose homes are
12 on the sidewalk.
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14 Mayor Linke indicated the costs for the sidewalk were included in the proposed assessment
15 figures.
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17 Council Member Stigney indicated that there were residents that spoke on the question of
18 whether there is a benefit of having the sidewalk at all and the residents have said they do not
19 want it so he votes no.
20
21 Tammy Abelseth addressed the Council and provided a petition with signatures from the
22 residents on Groveland Road that do not want the sidewalk.
• 23
24 Council Member Marty indicated he drove up to check it out and he would like to have this put
25 in as an alternate bid which means that the City can act on it but does not have to. He then said
26 that he is in favor of getting sidewalks and trailways wherever it is prudent and this stretch of
27 pathway or sidewalk has been planned for years.
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29 Council Member Quick indicated he would like the sidewalk.
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31 Council Member Gunn indicated that she would like the sidewalk.
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33 Mayor Linke indicated he is in favor of the park and traalway system and he is in favor of the
34 sidewalk in this location.
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36 Bob Edmond of 7835 Groveland Road indicated the sidewalk looks good on paper and he would
37 like to see a sidewalk but this sidewalk leads to a crossing at Highway 10. He then reminded
38 Council that there was a child killed at a controlled intersection on Highway 10 a few years ago
39 and he would recommend that Council carefully consider a way to control Highway 10 before
40 bringing people there on a sidewalk.
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42 Council Member Stigney commented that he heard nothing about costs from residents it was that
43 they live there and do not want it and he does not feel the City should force a sidewalk on them.
• 44
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 10
• 1 Council Member Marry indicated that the City is in the process of redesigning County Highway
2 10 and safety is a major concern with that redesign. He then said the preliminary plans are to
3 have trailways on the north and south bound sides of County Highway 10 to channel people up to
4 the trailway and down to a controlled intersection that has been redesigned for safety.
5
6 Mr. Edmond commented that they could be designed however you want to but he sees the kids
7 crossing at Jakes in the middle of the street where there is no crosswalk. He then said that he has
8 no answer for the problem but he would recommend that the sidewalk not bring them to County
9 Highway 10.
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11 Council Member Quick indicated that people will cross if they want to regardless of whether
12 there is a sidewalk. He then said that every time the City puts in a sidewalk there are those that
13 do not want it but this is something for the good of the City overall and sidewalks get people out
14 of the street for walking and he sees no negative to providing a safe place for residents to walk.
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16 Mr. Edmond said that he is not trying to discredit the police force but if there is someway of
17 controlling the drivers on Highway 10 that would be helpful.
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19 Mayor Linke agreed but said the person crossing the street has a responsibility to do so safely.
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21 Council Member Many indicated that a sidewalk or trailway gives residents an opportunity to
22 walk and not be in the street and that is safer.
• 23
24 Council Member Gunn commented that for a short time after Brandon was killed the schools
25 worked hard on educating the kids on where and how to cross but as time goes on they focus less
26 on it and she sees the kids again crossing with the quickest route.
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28 Heidi Neumann of 7770 Groveland Road asked when the trailway is planned to go along
29 Highway 10.
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31 Mayor Linke indicated it started at one end and the rest is coming as a part of the reconstruction.
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33 Ms. Neumann asked when it would be in front of Groveland Road.
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3s Public Works Director Lee indicated that discussion of implementation of the sidewalk is set for
36 discussion at the Apri15, 2004 meeting.
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38 Mayor Linke indicated there is not a date set but it is on the agenda.
39
4o Ms. Neumann indicated she has an issue with directing pedestrian traffic to an uncontrolled busy
41 highway with no crossing. She also asked what she is supposed to do with 6.5 feet of sidewalk in
42 front of their home.
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44 Mayor Linke indicated the City pays for maintenance.
45
Mounds View City Council March S, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 11
• 1 Laura Schommer of 3032 Bronson Drive asked if the City could prove that people would use the
2 sidewalk and who those people would be and whether it justifies what the neighbors lose.
3
4 Mayor Linke said he has lived in Mounds View for 54 years and he feels that when sidewalks
5 have been put in people use them.
6
7 Ms. Schommer asked if a study was done to prove the numbers.
8
9 Mayor Linke said there has been no study but there is a resident's group that worked on the
to sidewalk plan.
11
12 Ms. Schommer expressed concern that kids from blocks around would gather to use the sidewalk
13 in front of her house.
14
15 Mayor Linke indicated that part of the plan is to add sidewalks so that the kids do not have to
16 gather for blocks before they get to a sidewalk.
17
18 Council Member Quick indicated that he and his wife use the sidewalks a lot for walking and he
19 sees a lot of people his age using them.
20
21 Council Member Many commented that the road safety and how to cross needs to be brought
22 back to the forefront at the schools. He then said that as soon as the City paved the trailway
• 23 around Silver View Pond the use greatly increased and residents really use that trail. He further
24 commented that the trail was met with resistance in the beginning but now residents are really
25 using and enjoying the trail.
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27 Ms. Abelseth indicated they had provided a petition from the neighborhood that they do not want
28 the sidewalk. She then said that cost is the biggest issue for them because a lot of them are first
29 time homeowners and just cannot afford it. She further commented that nane of the Council
30 Members have to pay for the sidewalk and they cannot afford this.
31
32 Ms. Neumann asked whether bikes are allowed on City sidewalks and how many trees will be
33 lost for the sidewalk.
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35 Mayor Linke indicated there is no ordinance that says bikes are not allowed. He then said that
36 the sidewalk would be in the City right-of--way. He further commented, after reviewing the plan,
37 that he does not see any trees within the seven foot range to the street that would need to be
38 removed.
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40 Tom Bitz of 7729 Groveland Road asked what happens with the trees if they have to move the
41 mailboxes. He then said that any trees located at the 10 feet from the street mark would need to
42 be removed.
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44 Mayor Linke indicated there were a few trees at the 10 foot mark but none more than three inches
• 45 in diameter.
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 12
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Mr. Bitz asked whether citizens voted on this trail at one time.
Mayor Linke indicated the City had a trailway committee of residents that reviewed the plan for
sidewalks within the City.
Mr. Bitz asked the City to go to the people that live there now because now there is a petition on
Groveland Road that the residents do not want a sidewalk.
Mayor Linke indicated that sidewalks are for the betterment of the entire community. He then
said that the trailway plan was reviewed recently.
Public Works Director Lee indicated that the trailway plan was reviewed in 2000.
Doris Hammond of 3034 Ardmore Avenue indicated she is the stepmother of Brandon that was
killed four years ago. She then said that the laws as to who has the right of way are different
between controlled and non-controlled intersections. She further commented that it is one thing
to come up to a pedestrian crossing at 20 m.p.h. or 30 m.p.h. but it is entirely different for
someone at 50 mph to see the pedestrian and get the car stopped.
Ms. Hammond said that this is not the average crosswalk where someone can actually safely get
across the highway.
Chuck Mocker of 7723 Groveland Road asked why the push for the sidewalk here when there are
not any other streets in the area with sidewalks but there are sidewalks on the busy streets.
Mayor Linke provided a map of the sidewalks within the City.
Mr. Mocker asked whether the sidewalk would continue down Groveland after crossing Highway
10.
Mayor Linke indicated it would go all the way down Groveland in the future.
Catherine Bleck of 7920 Groveland Road asked whether the $2,499.57 included the street and
the sidewalk.
Mayor Linke indicated the estimated amount is $2,800 due to increased costs with Rice Creek
Watershed District but that does include the sidewalk.
Harvey Ford of 7780 Groveland Road asked who assumes the assessments off the property that is
owned by the City.
Public Works Director Lee indicated that the City would pay its assessment for that parcel.
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 13
1 Mr. Ford asked what the setback for the sidewalk is because it looks close to the road when it
• 2 gets past Groveland. He then asked when the next meeting on this item would be.
3
4 Public Works Director Lee indicated that the assessment hearing and contract award would be
5 held on May 24, 2004.
6
7 Council discussed the cul-de-sac on Oakwood and agreed that if the property owners wished to
8 pay for the $96,000 that would be fine but the City will not contribute.
9
l0 Public Works Director Lee indicated he would be meeting with the property owner within the
11 next week or so to see if they are interested in developing.
12
13 Public Works Director Lee indicated the City has the opportunity to include the parking lot and
14 realize a cost reduction by including it in the amount of $23,000. He then asked Council to
15 consider the two proposed options for paving and striping the parking lot and noted the Park and
16 Recreation Committee recommends the option with more parking spaces.
17
18 Public Works Director Lee indicated that the cost of the reconstruction of the Lions Park parking
19 lot would be split between Mounds View and Spring Lake Park.
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21 Council Member Gunn indicated that when she drives by the park the parking lot is not full.
22
• 23 Public Works Director Lee indicated that this is before the Spring Lake Park Council next week.
24
25 Council Member Quick indicated he would like to hold off on the parking lot decision and see
26 what Spring Lake Park does and see if the Lions have an interest in providing funds.
27
28 Mayor Linke indicated the Spring Lake Park Lions do not have funds available due to the
29 dramatic changes in charitable gambling in the last few years.
30
31 Council Member Stigney said he prefers Option A because he does not think the five additional
32 stalls is worth the additional dollars.
33
34 Council Member Gunn asked why the parking is encroaching on trees and the park.
35
36 Public Works Director Lee indicated there will be other improvements occurring in this park in
37 2004 such as the gazebo and fishing pier and it is anticipated that the use will increase with the
38 improvements to the park.
39
4o The consent of Council is option one.
41
42 Council Member Quick asked whether the City will have to put in a pond for the park.
43
C7
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 14
1 Public Works Director Lee indicated that with Option 1 the parking area or impervious area is
• 2 19% smaller than what it is today so Staff feels that is a good enough concession that impervious
3 surface is not being added.
4
5 C. 2003 Street Improvement Project - Setting a Start Date for Phase II
6
7 Council agreed to change the name of the project.
8
9 D. First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance 731-Amending Chapter 1005
10 of the City Code and Adopting the International Maintenance Code with
11 Amendments
12
13 Jeremiah Anderson presented the ordinance amendment indicating that Staff reviewed
14 amendments to the International Property Maintenance Code and made other recommended
15 changes to delete the current maintenance provisions and adopt the International Maintenance
16 Code as well as add a section on multiple housing licensing. He then said that this amendment
17 would make the Code easier to administer.
18
19 Council Member Gunn asked what happens to the licensee if the license is taken away and what
20 happens to the tenants if the license is taken away.
21
22 Mr. Anderson indicated that there is language in place currently that any units that become
• 23 vacant would not be re-let so the City is not looking at forcing anyone out.
24
25 Council Member Marty suggested some changes to the Ordinance and indicated that he would
26 discuss those with Mr. Anderson and have them added to the document for second reading and
27 Council consideration.
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29 Mayor Linke asked Council Member Marty to provide changes to Staff and Council for review
30 for the second reading.
31
32 Council Member Marty indicated he had talked to Chief Sommer about the background checks
33 and he talked to Mr. Anderson and wanted to see if this is doable and both the Chief and Staff
34 feel it is doable and it would behoove the properly owners and the City.
35
36 MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To Waive the Reading, Introduce the First Reading and
37 Approve Ordinance 731, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1005 of the City Code and Adopting
3s the International Property Maintenance Code with Amendments.
39
4o Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
41
•
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 15
• i E. Resolution 6205 Hiring Police Officer Ben Zender
2
3 Chief Sommer addressed Council and asked for consideration of the hiring of Police Officer Ben
4 Zender. He then explained the process was followed and said that Mr. Zender is one of the top
5 three candidates and all of the required pre-employment investigations have been completed.
6
7 MOTION/SECOND: MariylGunn. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 6205, a
8 Resolution Hiring Police Officer Ben Zender.
9
10 Council Member Quick pointed out that the Police Civil Service Commission is required by its
11 own rules to provide a list of three candidates to Council for consideration and that has not been
12 done. He then said that there has been a lot of past disagreement about this procedure and he
13 would like the Commission to follow the established procedure in the future.
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Chief Sommer indicated he would be fine with abiding by that but does not have the psychiatric
or other background investigations done on the other candidates and, in order to be available,
they would need to have those things completed. He then asked if Council wants those things
completed before candidates are presented for consideration.
Council Member Quick suggested rewriting the rules if they do not work but said, as written, the
rules were not followed with this process.
Council Member Marty asked whether there is still another officer out.
Chief Sommer indicated the City has not replaced the opening created by Sergeant Krogh retiring
and has two officers out with injuries. He then said there are still two more officers to hire.
City Administrator Ulrich indicated he did not understand the issue fully as Council has three
candidates certified that the Commission wishes to hire. He then asked if the Commission needs
to have three candidates for each position.
Council Member Quick indicated he would go over the guidelines with Staff.
Council Member Stigney agreed that the process should be looked into so that it is smooth and so
that the City gets the top candidates.
Ayes - 5
Nays - 0 Motion carried.
10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. City Council Minutes February 23, 2004
On Page 9, Line 16, insert a comma after the word set.
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 16
. 1 MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To Approve the City Council Minutes for February 23,
2 2004 as Amended.
3
4 Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
5
6 11. REPORTS
7
8 A. Reports of Mayor and Council.
9
1 o Council Member Marty asked Staff to look into whether the appropriate amount of charitable
11 gambling funds were returned to the City from the organization mentioned at the last meeting.
12
13 Council Member Marry asked Staff to keep on top of the stoplight at Silver Lake Road and
14 County Road H.
15
16 MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Direct Staff to Investigate the Possibility of Installing a
17 Semaphore at Silver Lake Road and County Road H and to Direct Staff to ask the County for a
18 Signal Justification Report.
19
20 Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
21
22 Council Member Marty asked for an update on a possible pathway along Silver Lake Road up to
• 23 County Road H.
24
25 Public Works Director Lee indicated that a late summer project gives time for adding a sidewalk
26 and the ideal situation would be to do the pathway and overlay after all the truck hauling is done.
27 He then said that at the next meeting Staff would be presenting the feasibility study for that
28 project.
29
3o Council Member Gunn commented that with all of her travels with drum line she sees towns
31 with signs that state vehicle noise laws enforced. She then asked if the City could look into those
32 types of signs at the edge of the City.
33
34 Public Works Director Lee indicated that it is the policy of the City that the Police Chief
35 determines where those signs are located. He then said that he would work with the Police Chief
36 on the matter.
37
38 Mayor Linke expressed congratulations and a thank you for a job well done to Officer Meyer and
39 Officer Leich for receiving an award for life saving efforts on an employee at the Mermaid.
40
41 Mayor Linke indicated that the City has received notification of a level III sex offender moving
42 to the community and there will be a community notification meeting on March 15, 2004 at 6:30
43 p.m. at the Community Center.
• 44
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 17
. 1 Mayor Linke indicated that there have been parking issues at the Wynnsong due to the movie
2 Passion of the Christ. Community Development has sent a letter to them informing them that
3 they must clear the snow from all of the parking stalls to make sure that all the parking is
4 available.
5
6 Mayor Linke indicated that he received notice from Comcast that Mr. Pohlad wants to charge an
7 additional $2.00 to receive Twins games and a few gopher events on a cable channel. He ten said
8 that he was able to watch the Twins for free on Fox Sports Net for free and has no intention of
9 paying an additional $2.00.
l0
11 Mayor Linke asked Staff to add the Charter Commission Resolution to the next agenda.
12
13 Council Member Marty indicated that the Home and Garden show went well and he thanked
14 Staff for their efforts.
15
16 Community Development Director Ericson said he gives the credit to Jeremiah Anderson who
17 put it together and worked with other communities. He then said that there was a good mix of
18 vendors and the event was well attended.
19
20 Council recessed at 9:25 p.m.
21 Council reconvened at 9:33 p.m.
22
• 23 B. Staff
24 (1) Fire Chief Presentation -Long Range Capital Plan
25
26 Fire Chief Zikmund indicated his presentation focuses on the replacement of equipment and
27 station needs. He then reviewed the equipment the department has.
28
29 Chief Zikmund reviewed the future equipment needs of the department.
30
31 Chief Zikmund indicated command is the weakest area and the decisions make or break that
32 incident so they need to upgrade the command office and need more resources for the decision
33 making. He then said that a joint vehicle is proposed for police and fire.
34
35 Chief Zikmund indicated the latest round of weapons of mass destruction federal funds has this
36 on the approved list for law enforcement and the City of Blaine has written a grant for funds on
37 behalf of southern Anoka County and northwest Ramsey County.
38
39 Chief Zikmund indicated the department needs to upgrade its water rescue equipment and
40 explained that if they are unable to get there within two or three minutes it becomes a recovery
41 and they already have recovery resources.
42
43 Chief Zikmund indicated they need to replace the mini-pumper at an approximate cost of
44 $200,000. He then said that amini-pumper can service all calls other than working structure
• 45 fires.
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 18
. 2 Chief Zikmund reviewed the station location map.
3
4 Chief Zikmund indicated he is proposing to combine Stations 3 and 5 because they are
5 landlocked at both stations and he feels it has always been inefficient to have them that close
6 together and it is time to consolidate in light of the upgrade to 65 and the closing of the access off
7 of Paul Parkway.
9 Chief Zikmund indicated the call volume at Station 2 justifies placing the rescue fire pumper
to because 98% of calls are crash rescues, car fires, wild land fires, and mobile homes. That rig
11 could service all calls and start on working structure fires and that station has the best access into
12 the biggest area of the fire district.
13
14 Chief Zikmund indicated he would like to secure three to five acres in northern Blaine for future
15 needs due to the housing expansion in the area. He then said that the City of Blaine has indicated
16 a willingness to acquire and hold the property until it is needed.
17
18 Chief Zikmund indicated that Allina may be interested in using more of Station 2 and that would
19 defray the costs of that station.
20
21 Mayor Linke asked if any space for the department was added at the Blaine City Hall.
22
.23 Chief Zikmund indicated that in one of the two heated police garages they have the mini-pumper
29
30 Mayor Linke suggested moving Station 2 to near the new City Hall to cover that area.
31
32 Chief Zikmund said he was not sure that the Council would close that station but he has always
33 believed he could operate this fire district with three stations. He then said there is not a real
34 good buyer for the property but he envisions that they do not recruit for that station over time so
35 he will be reducing the role of that station but, politically, it cannot be closed at this time.
36
37 Chief Zikmund showed a picture of the hazmat response vehicle and indicated that it goes out 16
38 to 20 times per year on calls such as meth labs.
39
40 Chief Zikmund indicated they need more space for training rooms as well as an incident
41 command room and then said that if they were able to construct an incident command stimulator
42 there would be income potential through rentals to other departments.
43
44 Chief Zikmund reviewed the long term savings of reducing stations. Chief Zikmund then
• 45 reviewed the costs if the City replaced existing equipment and did not reduce stations.
24 and there are seven employees on the fire department and they respond in that mini-pumper and
25 they are becoming 85 percent of the day crew north of 85~' with the mini-pumper. He then
26 explained that when there is a structure fire two are assigned to Station 3 or 4 and they go get the
27 full blown engine and additional water and hose. There would also be two other stations
28 responding on a working structure fire.
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 19
• 2 Chief Zikmund reviewed the replacement schedule with Council.
3
4 Chief Zikmund provided an overview of the benefit of the relationship among the residents of the
5 three cities indicating that Blaine pays 72% of the costs and Mounds View pays 16%.
6
~ Chief Zikmund indicated the presentation has been presented to all cities and the next step is to
8 meet with the finance directors and then with the three councils and the fireboard at a joint
9 meeting.
10
11 Council Member Marty said that he was pleased to see the equipment purchases spread out over
12 a longer period of time with this presentation.
13
14 Mayor Linke thanked the Chief for the presentation.
15
16 (2) Finance Director -Long Range Financial Plan
17
18 Finance Director Hansen indicated that Council first looked at capital improvement during the
19 summer of 2002 and it has been presented two or three other times since then. In 2002 when it
20 was looked at it appeared there was about five years of adequate resources for the project but it
21 has come to light that the plan runs out of funds in 2006. If the City changes the interfund loan
22 to a community fund and pays it back from the golf course the fund would make it to 2007.
• 23
24 Finance Director Hansen indicated that the general fund has a surplus from 2002 that needs to be
25 moved out because the state is criticizing them for having the money and, in two weeks, he will
26 come to Council with Resolutions for transfers. He then said that there is $700,000 that could be
27 transferred to the special projects fund to get through 2008 with the plan.
28
29 Finance Director Hansen indicated that Council needs to take a more proactive role in the capital
3o improvement projects and that is difficult to do because there are a lot of different choices. He
31 then said that it will be necessary for Council to prioritize the projects.
32
33 Mayor Linke suggested setting a work session for March 29, 2004 to discuss the capital
34 improvement plan and asked that all the department heads be at the meeting to defend the
35 projects they feel need to be done.
36
37 Council agreed to set a work session for March 29, 2004 at 5:00 p.m.
38
39 Mayor Linke commented that the top three items have to do with the City Hall and Council has
4o already directed Staff to look at repairs to the existing building only.
41
42 Finance Director Hansen explained that the $627,000 was for things like fixing the roof, fixing
43 the mold and code violations for things that the City would tag any other building owner in the
44 City for if they allowed these types of conditions to exist.
. 45
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 20
• 1 City Administrator Ulrich asked whether Council wanted SEH at the meeting.
2
3 Mayor Linke indicated he would like the meeting to be just Staff and Council.
4
5 Council Member Stigney asked if the graphs project the reduction in local government aid.
6
7 Finance Director Hansen indicated that LGA does not affect this budget. The tax that appears on
8 the page is %Z of the franchise fee that the City has been putting into the street improvement fund.
9
to Council Member Gunn commented that there was no revenue listed under Rice Creek for 2004
11 and stone water expenditures went way up for 2004.
12
13 Finance Director Hansen indicated that in 2003 there was a grant received for the H2 project and
14 in 2004 and beyond the City does not anticipate getting any money from Rice Creek. General
15 government building went to $1,000,000 if all the phases of City Hall are done.
16
17 Finance Director Hansen indicated that capital improvement plans contain all capital projects that
18 can be thought of and then the list is pared back from there.
19
20 (3) Surplus Equipment Policy
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22 City Administrator Ulrich asked Council to provide comments to him on the surplus equipment
• 23 policy and he will incorporate them into the next report.
24
25 Council Member Marty asked Staff to contact New Brighton to see if they would work with the
26 City on the stoplight possibility on County Road H and Silver Lake Road because the City may
27 get a better response with two communities working on it.
28
29 (4) Community Survey Update
30
31 This was moved to the next meeting agenda due to time.
32
33 C. City Attorney
34
35 No attorney report was given.
36
37 12. Next Council Work Session: Monday, Apri15, 2004
38 Next Council Meeting: Monday, March 22, 2004
•
Mounds View City Council March 8, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 21
2 13. ADJOURNMENT
• '
4 Mayor Linke adjourned the meeting at 10:20 p.m.
5
6 Transcribed and recorded by:
7
9 Joan Lenzmeier
1o Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
•
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