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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2005/02/28APPRpirw;, • PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL ~ CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW "/~~~s RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting February 28, 2005 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:00 P.M. • 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGL~NCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cub Scout Pack 3b7, Den 6, 2°d Year Webelos, who are crossing over to Boy Scouts this evening, and all members have earned their Arrow of Light, which is the highest award for Cub Scouts. 3. ROLL CALL: Marty, Stigney, Gunn, Flaherty, and Thomas. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, February 28, 2005 City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Flaherty. To Approve the Monday, February 28, 2005 Agenda as presented. Ayes -5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT Barb Haake, 3024 County Road I, stated she did not have an opinion on the Bridges Golf course sale to Medtronics but is interested in gathering information. She passed out some calculations she had done to the Council members. She commented that the property is going to be even more valuable in 25 years, and she wanted to be sure that this was going to be a win-win situation for Mounds View. Mayor Marty stated that all the figures have not arrived yet, so the Council cannot make an informed decision until all the numbers are in. Mayor Marty announced that the golf course will still be open this summer, and that the earliest any sale of the property would take place is in September. r] Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 2 . David Jahnke, 4820 Eastwood Road, stated that one cannot predict how well the golf course is going to do in years to come, and that he had previously informed the Council how many other golf courses have closed recently. Bill Siercks, 2210 Pinewood Drive, stated that this morning the City was out spreading chemicals when there was only a trace of snow, and he has a problem with his tax dollars being wasted. He commented that he would also like the City to enforce all ordinances. Mayor Marty informed Mr. Siercks that the Community Development Director would be giving a report at the end of the meeting, and that the report included ordinance issues. Public Works Director Lee stated that only certain intersections had been done this morning, but others reported that their whole streets had been done. Public Works Director Lee stated that he would check into it. Bill Werner, 2765 Sherwood Road, stated he would like information regarding how much revenue would be brought in by the billboards at the Bridges Golf Course. He asked when the public was going to be provided with some numbers regarding the possible sale to Medtronic. Mayor Marty stated that eventually all the information becomes public for anything done within city government. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS None. 7. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS Council Member Gunn asked what the item at page 11, second from the bottom, was for the City of White Bear Lake. Director Ericson advised it is the fee paid for participation in the Ramsey County GIS user's group that provides access to all the Ramsey County data. Council Member Flaherty asked what the $2,500 was for to Hard Drives, Inc. on page 1, fourth item down. Public Works Director Lee advised it was for work associated with providing the second access to the Mounds View Manufactured Home Community. It was for acceptance of final payment that was approved by the City Council at the last meeting. MOTION/SECOND. Gunn/Thomas. To approve the Just and Correct Claims as presented. • Ayes-5 Nays-0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 3 • 8. .CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Stigney requested Item A to be pulled. Council Member Flaherty requested Item B to be pulled. A. Resolution 6468 Approving Change Orders to the Mounds View Community Center Carpet Project. B. Resolution 6466 Approving a Contract to Replace the Media Filters at Water Treatment Plant No. 1. C. Resolution 6471 Setting an Assessment Hearing for Monday, March 28, 2005 at 7:20pm for the Hidden Hollow Street and Utility Project and the Mounds View Manufactured Home Community Second Access Project. D. Resolution 6467 Acceptance and Final Payment Approval for the County Road H Sidewalk Improvement Project. E. Licenses for Approval. F. Set a Public Hearing for 7:25pm on Monday, March 14, 2005, to Consider a Variance Request for a Reduced Number of Covered Parking Spaces at Greenfield Estates located at 7635 Greenfield Avenue. MOTION/SECOND. Thomas/Gunn. To approve Consent Agenda Items C, D, E, and F as presented. • A es-5 Na s-0 Motion carried. Y y A. Resolution 6468 Approving Change Orders to the Mounds View Community Center Carpet Project. Council Member Stigney stated he does not support the change order because it's an unnecessary expense, and he also didn't support the $74,500 for the carpet either. Council Member Gunn reminded that the City is proposing to provide labor to the project in the amount of $975. Council Member Stigney stated that the City workers wouldn't be able to work someplace else if they were providing labor for the carpet installation, and he felt this was an unneeded expense. Mayor Marty stated the Public Works Department isn't real busy this time of year. Council Member Flaherty stated that this recommendation should have been given at the time of the original bid, so this was selling up the contract, which he doesn't agree with. He said he would like to have the items looked at that might offset the cost. Mayor Marty stated that the City Attorney had said they already awarded the bid, so it would be going back and making a change to it. Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 4 • Mr. Jahnke stated that carpet companies have a reputation of changing orders after the bid. He stated that this whole thing was handled wrong, and the City should have gone out for other bids. City Attorney Riggs stated that the contractor could modify it downward to benefit the City. Mayor Marty asked about the date of installation, and City Clerk/Administrator Ulrich stated that it was set to be installed this week. City Clerk/Administrator Ulrich advised that there has been discussions with Public Works about them doing part of the work, and the specific hours still had to be worked out with the contractor. MOTION/SECOND. Stigney/Flaherty. To deny Resolution 6468, Approving Change Order No. 1 to the Mounds View Community Center Carpet Project. Ayes-3 Nays-2 Motion carried. (Nay-Marty/Gunny B. Resolution 6466 Approving a Contract to Replace the Media Filters at Water Treatment Plant No. 1. Council Member Flaherty asked if there was a chart they were working off of that determined the • necessity of changing the media filters, and he was concerned about a monopoly. Public Works Director Lee advised it was checked by staff on a quarterly basis, and that nothing had been added to it in 13 years. He stated that it hadn't been graphed or charted, but it had steadily been going down over the last 13 years. Council Member Flaherty asked how they knew when to add to it. Public Works Director Lee stated that a consultant comes to the site to look at it, and they also rely on the water quality data. There was a discussion regarding concerns over a monopoly on this issue, and the Public Works Director indicated that it would cost over $5 million to change it. He stated that this $33,000 represents approximately $2,000 per year, and they sell 500,000,000 gallons of water, so it's fairly inexpensive. MOTION/SECOND. Gunn/Marty. To approve Resolution 6466 Approving a Contract to Replace the Media Filters at Water Treatment Plant No. 1. Ayes-5 Nays-0 Motion carried. • Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 5 9. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Consideration of Resolution 6464 Approving a Minor Subdivision for 3008 County Road J. Associate Planner Prososki advised the applicant has applied for a lot line adjustment at 3008 and 3016 County Road J. She stated that the owner of 3008 would like to sell the property and wants to add property so that the driveway is located on 3008 County Road J. She stated that both lots would still meet the minimum code standard for interior lots for frontage and square footage. She advised that as presented, the existing driveway would still be noncompliant because it wouldn't meet the setback and would be just partially located on 3016, so Staff and the Planning Commission were recommending that it be made compliant by May 15~` and that money be placed in escrow in case the new owner of 3008 County Road J doesn't follow through. She stated that Staff is recommended that the amount of $650 be held in escrow, which would adequately cover the cost if the City needed to replace that. She stated it is currently a dirt driveway, so basically what it would entail is planting grass or laying sod in the setback area. Mayor Marty stated he thought driveways were supposed to be improved surfaces. Associate Planner Prososki stated that new homes require a permanent improved surface, but existing driveways don't require it until they become improved. She stated that the Planning Commission said they would prefer it, but chose not to require it. • Ma or M asked whether the drivewa was oin to be moved. Y ~Y Y g g Associate Planner Prososki stated it was basically just planting grass in the setback area to insure that eventually that area doesn't get tarred or concrete placed over it. Linda Wallin, the listing agent for the property, gave a history of the driveway, and stated that in order to sell the property, this needs to be cleared up in this fashion; otherwise, a driveway would need to be put on the other side of the house, which would ruin the lot. MOTION/SECOND. Stigney/Gunn. To waive the reading and approve Resolution 6464, Approving a Minor Subdivision for 3008 County Road J. Ayes-5 Nays-0 Motion carried. B. Consideration of Resolution 6465 Reapproving a Minor Subdivision (Lot Line Adjustment) between 7630 Woodlawn Drive and 7618 Edgewood Drive. Director Ericson advised that this is a reapproval of a minor subdivision that had been presented to the Council a few years back. He stated that there had been some issues with the easement and the title work, and the minor subdivision had expired. He stated that the Planning Commission • had approved this unanimously. Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 6 U There was a short discussion regarding the property having two zoning designations, and Director Ericson stated that this was not critical, and it could get changed when it was gotten around to in the future. MOTION/SECOND. Thomas/Flaherty. To waive the reading and approve Resolution 6465, Reapproving a Minor Subdivision (Lot Line Adjustment) between 7630 Woodlawn Drive and 7618 Edgewood Drive. Ayes-5 Nays-0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 6470 Setting a Public Hearing for Monday, March 14, 2005 at 7:20 p.m. for the 2005 Street Improvement Project. • Public Works Director Lee announced there would be a public hearing on the 2005 Street Improvement Project, which included upgrading the streets and utilities in the southwest corner of the city, south of County Road H2 and west of Silver Lake Road, on Monday, March 14, 2005 at 7:20pm. He stated that if this resolution is approved, Public Works would be sending out information packets to residents tomorrow, which were also handed out at a neighborhood meeting held on February 17~'. He stated a deadline of March 9~' has been placed on the residents mailing back a feedback form to the City. Council Member Thomas informed the Council that the issue of switching everything to curbs and gutter would be discussed at the public hearing. Mayor Marty stated a concern over the lateness of going out for bids. Public Works Director Lee stated they wouldn't be going out for bids until probably early summer, and the City's Charter calls fora 60-day period to allow for petitions to appeal this project. He stated that they would probably start initiating the 2006 Street Improvement Project in June or July. MOTION/SECOND. Gunn/Marty. To waive the reading and approve Resolution 6470, Setting a Public Hearing for Monday, March 14, 2005 at 7:20pm for the 2005 Street Improvement Project. Ayes-5 Nays-0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 6422 Approving the Purchase of a Replacement Pick Up Truck. • Public Works Director Lee explained that the vehicle that was used by the golf course was seven years old and in poor mechanical condition and would not be a vehicle that Public Works would typically use in their fleet. He stated that Staff is recommending that the Council take advantage of the state bid and go for the three-quarter ton four-wheel drive pickup. He stated that the vehicle would still be in their fleet in 2020 based on their current practice of keeping vehicles for 15 years. He stated that the truck could be used for plowing. Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 7 • Mayor Marty stated it was interesting that the three-quarter ton pickup cost less than ahalf--ton pickup. He asked why the golf course couldn't use Public Works for maintenance on their vehicles. Public Works Director Lee stated that they have their own maintenance person. Mayor Marty suggested that all city vehicles should be maintained by the Public Works Department, given their track record. Council Member Thomas stated her concern that the body and tailgate damage hadn't been reported to the city's insurance for repair. Council Member Flaherty asked if the truck would be used every day. Public Works Director Lee advised that the truck would be used every day, and it would be assigned to the Parks Division. There was a discussion surrounding the necessity of a light bar for $1800 to be on the truck, and Public Works Director Lee advised it was necessary for emergency situations. There was further discussion regarding the radio being necessary, and perhaps radios from the police department could be used. • Public Works Director Lee stated that the truck offer would be honored until tomorrow morning. Mayor Marty asked if the truck would be used to plow trails. Public Works Director Lee advised the six and a half foot sidewalks would be plowed with bobcats, and the eight-foot and ten-foot wide bituminous trails would be plowed by the truck, as well as parking lots. Council Member Stigney asked whether the new truck would be used by employees for personal use. Public Works Director Lee stated that the Public Works policy had changed, and that was no longer allowed, but it was acase-by-case basis. Mayor Marty asked why they couldn't use the old police radios rather than installing radios in the trucks. Mr. Dazenski from the Public Works Department stated that those don't work as well as a radio in the truck. MOTION/SECOND. Flaherty/Stigney. To approve Resolution 6422 Approving the Purchase of • a Replacement Pick Up Truck, and to research the idea of using the police radios from the police department that were just changed out. Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 8 • Ayes-5 Nays-0 Motion carried. E. Review and Approve Community Survey Questionnaire. City Clerk/Administrator Ulrich advised that it's recommended that the questions be dropped down to the budgeted amount since each question costs $135. He stated that the results of the survey would be presented to the Council on April 11th and distributed to the public at about that same time. There was a consensus to remove Question No. 51. There was a discussion regarding whether they would be billed for Questions 52 and 52, and City Clerk/Administrator Ulrich stated he would check with Decision Resources about that. Council Member Thomas stated she would like to limit Ramsey County's questions to three. Mayor Marty concurred. Council Member Gunn brought up the fact that the Park and Recreation Department had $10,000 set aside for a survey such as this. Public Works Director Lee stated that the money is there, but it hasn't been allocated. There was a consensus to have the Parks and Recreation Department pay for their proportionate share of the questions. There was a consensus to ask Questions 21 and 23, following by a combination question of 22 and 24, since they were redundant. Council Member Flaherty stated that Question No. 52 regarding gender is strictly a subjective opinion by the person doing the calling, and Council Member Gunn agreed. Council Member Thomas suggested using Question 40, and eliminating Question 39, but adding an additional answer to Question 40 that they don't have Internet access. There was a discussion regarding Question 17, and it was the consensus to change the wording to reflect, "were about the same". Council Member Stigney suggested changing Question 25 to say, "The proposal was recently made to require a referendum whenever Mounds View intended to raise the city portion of the yearly property tax by five percent or more." He suggested changing the second part of the question also, and it was decided to change it to, "A special election, if necessary, in a . nonelection year costs the City of Mounds View about $6,000 to conduct." Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 9 • MOTION/SECOND. Gunn/Thomas. To approve the Community Survey Questionnaire as amended. Ayes-4 Nays-0 Motion carried. (Council Member Stigney abstained because he didn't support the questionnaire.) F. Resolution 6469 Approving a Contract with RecNet to Provide Recreation Softwear. City Clerk/Administrator Ulrich announced that this program would be used for the Park and Recreation Program administered by the YMCA, and it allowed Internet access for customers to view recreational programs and availability on line. He stated it will cut down transaction time, allow people to register on line, and allows cash, credit card, or check payments. He stated there will be a $2,400 initial two-day training fee. Council Member Thomas voiced a concern regarding Mounds View being liable for a security break on credit card numbers on Line. City Attorney Riggs advised that the reality was that they would be liable anyway under the Data Practices Act; however, if they are negligent and do something erroneously, they are required to indemnify the City, so it puts the City in the best position possible. • Ma or M asked if the on final stickin oints had been worked out. Y ~Y g gp City Attorney Riggs explained how the problems had been worked within the contract, and that everything had been taken care of. Council Member Flaherty asked how big of a need there was for this program. Jeanette Stevens, who will be running the software, stated that everything is currently being done by hand, and this would be really huge for them marketing-wise. Council Member Flaherty asked if this is in the 2005 budget. Finance Director Hanson informed that what happens is at the end of each year there is a transfer from the General Fund to the Community Center Fund, and it may be more or less than what was budgeted. Council Member Stigney asked whether receipts would be generated by the program. Ms. Stevens stated that it would generate a receipt. • Council Member Stigney asked whether it would make refunds on credit card payments, and Ms. Stevens stated that it would. Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 10 • MOTION/SECOND. Gunn/Marty. To waive the reading and approve Resolution 6469 Approving a Contract with RecNet to Provide Recreation Softwear. Ayes-5 Nays-0 Motion carried. 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 14, 2005, City Council Meeting Minutes. Council Member Gunn made a correction to page 1, line 16. It should be "Webelos". Council Member Gunn made a correction to page 2, line 20. It should be, "He stated that Merrick, Inc. provides services..." Council Member Gunn made a correction to page 10, line 11. It should be, "Mayor Marty asked City Clerk/Administrator Ulrich..." Council Member Gunn made a correction to page 16, line 4. It should be, "Burg." Council Member Thomas asked for more clarification of what Mr. Jahnke had stated in his comments during Public Input. The Recording Secretary checked the records and suggests that the following sentence replace the first sentence of what he stated as follows: "Mr. Jahnke stated • that he felt a costly mistake had been made by not accepting more bids for the carpet." Mayor Marty made a correction to page 8, line 32. It should be "City Clerk/Administrator Ulrich", and change "county" to "Ramsey County". Mayor Marty made a correction to page 17, line 13. It should be, "Mayor Marty adjourned the City Council meeting at 10:03 p.m." MOTION/SECOND. Flaherty/Thomas. To approve the Minutes of February 14, 2005 as amended. Ayes-5 Nays-0 Motion carried. B. January 31, 2005 Special City Council Meeting Minutes. Council Member Gunn made a correction to page 2, line 38, to change the spelling of "Geoff Holliman". MOTION/SECOND. Gunn/Flaherty. To approve the January 31, 2005 Minutes as amended. Ayes-5 Nays-0 Motion carried. C7 Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 11 • 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Stigney suggested that plowing and sanding be discussed at a Work Session and notify the residents in Mounds View Matters. Council Member Thomas advised the public that her comments in the St. Paul Pioneer Press a week ago Thursday were not reported accurately and that the reporter had never spoke to her. Mayor Marty advised they were going to go talk to the House at 2:30 tomorrow regarding the reverter clause legislation. B. Reports of Staff L Community Development Quarterly Report Director Ericson reported that the permit value was not what it had been expected to be in 2003, and they were short about $3 million. He stated that they had been just as busy, but the projects had a lesser value. He stated they had closely watched expenditures to make up the difference. He reported that they had lost Greg Johnson on the Planning Commission, who had been a very valued member. He stated that the Planning Commission had done a lot of projects, including Code Amendments. He advised that they try to respond to complaints regarding housing code i violations in a timely manner, although they do not go out looking for them. He reported that in 2004 the Medtronics projects has kept three or four of the staff busy. He stated that there had been a comprehensive review of the properties within the city, and a list of 200 properties had been made that could be purchased by the city in the future. He added that it is not the City's intention to purchase the 200 properties, but it is simply an available alternative to a property owner if they wish to sell. He stated that if the Medtronic project moves forward, they will need to hire afull-time building inspector to handle the additional work load. Mayor Marty commented that the two employees who work on nuisance and housing code violations are very busy and simply don't have time to address all the issues present in the community. He thanked Director Ericson for the good report. Finance Director Hanson reported a check had been received last week from Bethlehem Baptist Church for $12,750, which was their annual contribution to the service fund. Mayor Marty directed him to notify the Parks and Recreation Commission that it had been received. Council Member Stigney suggested they discuss where to allocate the funds at a Work Session also, r~ Mounds View City Council February 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 12 • C. Reports of City Attorney None. 12. Nezt Council Work Session: CounciUStaff Retreat: Nezt Council Meeting: 13. ADJOURNMENT Monday, March 1, 2005 March 7 and 8, 2005 Monday, March 14, 2005, 7pm Mayor Marty adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m. Transcribed and recorded by: Sheree Theobald Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.