Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2005/11/28PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL ~~ • CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW o , C~ RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA pPR , I ~ A ,~ Regular Meeting November 28, 2005 New Brighton City Hall 803 Old Highway 8, New Brighton, MN 55112 7:20 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Marty, Stigney, Gunn, and Flaherty. NOT PRESENT: Thomas. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, November 28, 2005 City Council Agenda Community Development Ericson requested the addition of Consent Agenda Item 8G, Set a public hearing for Monday, December 12, 2005 at 7:20 pm to consider abating nuisance conditions and non-compliant code items at 2390 County Road 10, property known and operated as the "Premium Stop" fuel station. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Flaherty. To Approve the Monday, November 28, 2005 agenda as revised. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT Stan Meyer, 2812 Sherwood Road, asked about the Ardan Park compost .site and potential development. Mayor Marty stated developers have come in several times to speak about their plans to the EDA and Council Community Development Director Ericson stated staff has been approached by developers over the last five years about potential development of vacant lots fronting on Long Lake Road that have access on Woodlawn and Laport. The last developer approached. the EDA about the • potential for development and what they would be willing to consider. At this point, no formal Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 2 requests for development have been submitted. The Council authorized a wetland delineation for the area as to where it is and how it will impact possible or future development. Director Ericson noted that some property owners in that area are interested in developing but nothing has been formally presented. Mr. Meyer asked what is the possible cost to Mounds View for removal of the billboards. Director Ericson stated the potential exposure to the City if there is no home for an additional billboard sign is $810,000 and the risk is for one sign. If one sign can be located elsewhere in Mounds View, then there is no risk for any additional relocation costs. He advised that Clear Channel is working on that process and has asked the City to not be involved until they have presented options. Mr. Meyer suggested that the best possible location with no cost to the City would be off Ardan Park, which has the same exposure across the street and can hold two to three signs without any trouble. However, if development is approved there first, it may be a problem. Director Ericson explained that land is zoned single family residential and Mn/DOT and the Federal Highway Beautification Act requires billboards to be located in commercial or industrially zoned property. Therefore billboards cannot be located along the majority of Highway 10 on the south side because it is zoned residential and not appropriate for a billboard. • Mr. Meyer suggested rezoning some property. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUISESS None. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. 7:05 p.m.: Continued Public Hearing to Consider the Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 766, An Ordinance Authorizing the Vacation of a Drainage and Utility Easement Associated with the Belting Office Development Mayor Marty noted this public hearing was opened at the .last meeting and remains open tonight for public input. Community Development Director Ericson explained the public hearing remained open for publication and notification purposes since it was not done as soon as it should have been. The public hearing was continued to assure all had an opportunity to provide input. Director Ericson advised that the request is for second reading of the ordinance to vacate an • easement granted when Walgreens was constructed. He explained the storm water drainage easement is located in the corner where Belting is proposing an 8,300 square foot office building. Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 3 • The little triangular piece of easement that is to be vacated will be replaced by an elongated easement area as identified in the staff report.. Director Ericson advised that the Rice Creek Watershed District reviewed this request and feel this provides better infiltration opportunity in using the best management practices so they are supportive. Director Ericson stated the easement is to be vacated because part of the footprint of the 8,300 square foot building would extend into the easement area. The site was not developed as originally intended so the vacation request has been made. Staff is requesting approval and if approved, authorization to publish a summary of the ordinance rather than the full ordinance. There being no public input, Mayor Marty closed the public hearing at 7:29 p.m. Mayor Marty stated this appears to be in order and is a housekeeping matter to relocate the easement to another location to accommodate the building. Motion/Second: Flaherty/Gunn. To waive the reading and adopt Ordinance 766, Vacating an Excess Drainage and Utility Easement Associated with the Belting Office Development and authorize the publication of a summary. ROLL CALL VOTE: Councilmember Flaherty Aye. Councilmember Gunn Councilmember Stigney Aye. Aye. Councilmember Thomas Absent. Mayor Marty: Aye. Ayes-4 Nays-0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 6680, Step Increases for Sergeant Bob Nelson and Officer Jeremy Hellpap City Administrator Ulrich stated this is a scheduled rate increase for Sergeant Nelson and Officer Hellpap and the resolution is recommended for the Council's approval. He advised that both officers have performed satisfactorily in the capacity of their position. Therefore, a step increase wage adjustment is consistent with the Personnel Manual and Labor Agreements. MOT10N/SECOND: Gunn/Flaherty. To adopt Resolution 6680, Approving Step/Longevity Adjustments for Sergeant Bob Nelson and Officer Jeremy Hellpap. Councilmember Gunn read the resolution in full. Ayes-4 Nays-0 Motion carried. • 8. CONSENT AGENDA Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 4 • Councilmember Flaherty requested the removal of Item F. Mayor Marty requested the removal of Items C and G. A. Set a Public Hearing for December 12, 2005 at 7:05 p.m. for Resolution 6682, Adopting the 2006 Fee Schedule B. Set a Public Hearing for December 5, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. for Resolution 6684, Establishing the Public Hearing dates for the Proposed General Fund Budget and Property Tag Levy for Fiscal Year 2006 D. Set a Public Hearing for December 12, 2005 at 7:15 p.m. to Consider a Rezoning of the Property Located at 2617 County Road I from R-1 to R-2 E. Licenses for Approval F. D..r..l..+;..,, ~~41 .~ D„c,.l,.t;.~.. !''1..~; .~ !'';+,.> T1.,11 .... Ti..;.l...> 710..0...1.0.. 72~-A$d >r,.;a.,.> 710,.0,.,1.0.. zn ~nnc > > ~Set~p~blie~ ~ ~ ,. ,~a,,,,,1~.>~ 71eee~bo.. ,~-~On~.c-~t~~0--p~m--te ee~sit~ler « » • MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Gurus. To Approve the Consent Agenda A, B, D and E. Ayes-4 Nays-0 Motion carried. C. Set a Public Hearing for December 12, 2005 at 7:10 p.m. to Consider a Resolution Amending the City's Wetland Zoning District Community Development Director Ericson stated this action ~~ould amend the Spring Creek wetland basin in the southwest portion of Mounds View. He explained that a delineation was done last year and the new delineation tells where the wetland is but does not amend the City's official wetland zoning district map. However, whenever the City considers a wetland alteration permit, the City Code indicates the City should also take the next step to amend the City's official zoning district maps relating to wetlands. He advised that the wetland zoning maps were prepared in the 1980s and are not in a form they can be easily changed. That is why they have not been changed and do not reflect the changes that have been made. If the zoning map is not amended, it requires applicants to get a wetland buffer permit or a wetland alteration permit. This action should have been done when the maps were originally created. Director Ericson explained the recommended action would establish a public hearing for the residents to attend and then the City's official zoning map would be changed to reflect that delineation. Mayor Marry stated the Ardan Park Laport Meadows delineation report was also just received. • He asked if staff should also schedule a public hearing on that delineation. Director Ericson explained that Staff just received the Ardan Park Laport Meadows delineation today and has not Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005. Regular Meeting Page 5 yet had time to react to it. To schedule a public hearing on December 12, 2005, the notice would have had to be submitted last week for publication this Wednesday. He noted the process being used will be the template for future processes. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Flaherty. To Approve Setting a Public Hearing for December 12, 2005 at 7:10 p.m. to Consider a Resolution Amending the City's Wetland Zoning District. Ayes-4 Nays-0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 6681 a Resolution Closing City Hall on Friday December 23ra and Friday, December 30, 2005 Councilmember Flaherty asked about the downside to closing the City Hall on December 23ra and 30~' related to services being provided to residents. He also asked if employees who do not typically get the day off will need to use accrued vacation. City Administrator Ulrich stated that is correct, they will need to use accrued vacation. He explained the downside is that there will be fewer hours available to the public on those days. Mayor Marty stated if City Hall was open, only a skeleton staff would be working so residents may come in but be unable to get something acted on. • MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Stigney. To waive the reading and adopt Resolution 6681, Closing City Hall on Friday, December 23 and Friday, December 30, 2005. Ayes-4 Nays-0 Motion carried. G. Set a public hearing for Monday, December 12, 2005 at 7:20 pm to consider abating nuisance conditions and non-compliant code items at 2390 County Road 10, property known and operated as the "Premium Stop" fuel station Mayor Marty requested a staff update. Community Development Director Ericson explained this property, Premium Stop, is adjacent to the former Donut Connection building. Staff has been working with the business owner to correct some deficiencies and issues with the building. The most glaring example of Code violation is the canopy that is set off to the side. Staff was told it would be reinstalled the following week and that was three weeks ago. Director Ericson advised that the windows to the carwash are still blown out with glass on the inside. The service doors are closed but if you actually get inside the car wash area, you would engage an infrared trigger and doors would lift up. Staff feels these issues create a safety hazard and that it will not be corrected. Director Ericson reported that one client of the business overheard the business owner saying he • has no intention of fixing it because the property is for sale. He stated the City needs to take Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 6 action to declare it a public nuisance and authorize abatement to remove the canopy, fix the window, or board it up to eliminate the safety hazard and Code violation. Mayor Marty noted the City even had to mow the grass this summer and then billed the owner. Director Ericson stated the business is for sale if the City is interested in making an offer. MOTION/SECOND: Many/Stigney. To Approve Setting a Public Hearing for Monday, December 12, 2005, at 7:20 p.m. to consider abating nuisance and noncompliant conditions at 2390 County Road 10, property known and operated as the Premium Stop Fuel Station Ayes-4 Nays-0 Motion carried. 9. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS Councilmember Flaherty questioned Page 6, Check # 117446, a windshield replacement and asked whether it is covered under comprehensive insurance. Finance Director Beer explained that the City has a $10,000 deductible so it is not covered. Councilmember Flaherty questioned Page 8, Check # 117468, to Quality Flow Systems and asked how often the City has to update software for the wells. Finance Director Beer explained this is a budgeted capital expense for 2005 and involves Phase 1 of the SKATA update. Phase 2 will • occur in 2006 which will allow the City to eliminate telephone service at the wells and lift stations, saving about $850/month. Mayor Marty stated he talked with Finance Director Beer earlier today about the questions he had. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Gunn. To approve the Just and Correct Claims as presented. Ayes-4 Nays-0 Motion carried. 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. November 14, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Flaherty. To Approve the November 14, 2005 City Council meeting minutes as corrected. Ayes-4 Nays-0 11. REPORTS Motion carried. • B. Reports of Mayor. and Council Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 7 • Mayor Marty reported that the Sunday Pioneer Press had an article about the City of Blaine acquiring parkland and green space through tax forfeiture and donations. Blaine is looking at how to preserve and protect green space for the future.. Also in the Wednesday newspaper after the November elections, one of the feature articles in the Metro section of the StarTribune was about the cities of Woodbury and Eden Prairie making large gains to protect and acquire parkland. Woodbury has set aside about $9 million to acquire parkland and .green space and Eden Prairie earmarked about $4.3 million to acquire green space. Mayor Marty commented that while these cities are making concerted efforts to acquire green space and parks, Mounds View seems to be getting rid of it. B. Reports of Staff 1. Budget Review Finance Director Beer presented the staff report indicating the changes made since the last budget discussion. He noted the reduction of the base levy by $307,000, which will result in a zero levy increase. Finance Director Beer explained the City will need to establish atransfer-in from the Levy Reduction Fund for $217,000 representing investment income on the net land proceeds. The City will also need to establish atransfer-in from the Levy Reduction Fund for $141,000 for to hire a temporary inspector for the Medtronic project. The City would be carrying the balance of the money in the Levy Reduction Fund to pay off future expenses related to that temporary inspector. • Finance Director Beer stated there are several items that established bud ets for that tem or g P ~' inspector. He noted he increased the transfer to the Community Center Fund, which had been reduced at one time, since that fund will be of primary concern. Finance Director Beer stated there will be a savings of $25,000 over the life of the bonds for the new Fire Department building. The first year there will be a savings of $219 because the City realized better interest rates than originally projected. Councilmember Stigney asked about the recommendation to establish a transfer in from the Levy Reduction Fund for $141,000 for the temporary inspector. Finance Director Beer explained the permit money will be put into the Levy Reduction Fund and as money is spent from the General Fund, the City will need to transfer money into the General Fund to cover those expenses. The transfer in will come from permit revenue. Councilmember Stigney asked why the money is not used from the TIF administrative fund. Community Development Director Ericson explained that the City is not going to realize TIF administrative increment gains for several years. However, the City will be needing and expending money on inspections immediately. He advised that permit revenue estimates are about $380,000 in 2006 but the increment is not available until 2007 or 2008. • Councilmember Stigney stated the money transfer will not be more than what is brought in from permit revenues. Finance Director Beer stated that is correct. Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 8 • Councilmember Stigney noted the expense for a laptop for the temporary inspector. Director Ericson stated that cost estimate would be for the top end and staff would not expect to spend $2,000 but this will not be a home use laptop. He explained that the $2,000 figure establishes a maximum budget threshold and would be considered a guideline. Councilmember Stigney asked if there is a separate rating of commercial for a laptop. Finance Director Beer stated the primary need is for memory and speed because of the graphics needed for the inspector's job. Those features will generate a higher cost. Councilmember Stigney asked what is required. Finance Director Beer stated most laptops come with a 1.3 Exceleron processor clock speed and 256K for memory. The building inspector will need a laptop with a 1.8 to 2.2 clock speed for the processor and at least 1 meg of RAM to run the graphic programs. Councilmember Flaherty stated he also thinks that $2,000 is excessive and that a laptop with the Windows XP business version would cost in the range of $1,300, including the RAM and clock speed that is needed. Councilmember Flaherty asked if the City doesn't already have additional laptops. Director Ericson stated there may be one spare laptop and it is being moved to one of the pump stations for a water employee to use. He stated he is not aware of a spare laptop sufficient to operate the • current programs since they were purchased in 1997 or 1998. He explained these are the same laptops used in the past by Councilmembers. City Administrator Ulrich stated there are several newer laptops from two years ago. One is available for administrative use and the other is used by the Utility Department. Finance Director Beer explained that the intent is that this person would not have a desktop computer and a laptop would be their fully assigned computer. Mayor Marty asked if other Councilmembers still have a City laptop. He stated he brought his in several times because it is quite slow. Councilmember Stigney stated he still has a City laptop. Mayor Marty asked what happened to the other laptops. City Administrator Ulrich stated he would have to check. Councilmember Flaherty asked about the vehicle for the temporary inspector and how many vehicles are available for employees. Finance Director Beer stated there are three vehicles. Councilmember Flaherty asked if there is a need to purchase a fourth vehicle for this position alone. Director Ericson stated staff believes it is needed since they are daily use vehicles and in use fifty percent of the time or more. He stated staff could use their personal vehicles and submit • .for mileage but sometimes it is good to have a marked vehicle out in the community. He noted that one car may not be in service in several years and at that point, this new vehicle will be Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 9 • needed. The three current vehicles are used by the Housing Inspector, Building Inspector, and. administrative staff. Councilmember Stigney asked about using retired police vehicles. City Administrator Ulrich advised that one of the three vehicles is a retired police vehicle. Councilmember Stigney asked when another police vehicle will be replaced. City Administrator Ulrich explained that two police vehicles will be replaced this year. Typically those vehicles have 80,000 to 100,000 miles on them and hard use. Councilmember Stigney suggested they be looked at to see if they should be kept for staff use. Mayor Marty noted that with City fleet prices, it seems the City should be able to spend less than $15,000 for a courier type of vehicle, such as a smaller and more gas efficient vehicle. Director Ericson stated staff is exploring those options and reviewing the State bid sheet. Staff needs flexibility for reviewing the options and will present them to the Council for consideration and authorization. Councilmember Gunn noted the vehicle will be at construction sites, which may be rugged. Mayor Marty commended the Council and staff for their work on the budget. He noted the City was lucky in not having street bonding projects for this year and being able to have a levy for 2006 at zero percent. He stated when he first got elected to the Council seven years ago, it was always his goal to do this and he has tried hard over the years but, because of cuts by the State to local government assistance and bonding for street projects, it has not worked out. Mayor Marty stated the last few levies have been relatively painful for him and the other Councilmembers so he is thrilled with the cooperation and work done at the Council and staff levels to finally "hammer out" a zero percent City tax levy for next year. Mayor Many noted that City Administrator Ulrich gave the Council a spreadsheet that shows a number of different cities in the Twin City metro area and Mounds View is the only city listed that has a zero percent general fund increase and zero percent total levy. Mayor Marty asked if this information could be included on the website to show Mounds View citizens there will be a zero percent levy increase. He again extended his thanks for the cooperation among the Council and staff who looked for areas to cut. 2. Discussion of Golf Course Auction Proceeds and Electricity Billing Councilmember Flaherty noted the net proceeds from the golf course auction equaled $123,204.04. He stated the Council has not yet decided where the proceeds should go. City Administrator Ulrich stated the immediate location for these proceeds would be the Golf Course Enterprise Fund. Then, at the end of year, staff will tally the remaining amount and Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 10 • probably recommend the Tax Levy Reduction Fund. He estimated that several hundred thousand dollars remain in the golf course fund. Finance Director Beer stated Council will consider that action at the December 12, 2005 meeting. Mayor Marty noted there was a cost of $684 for electricity at the golf course since the property was transferred to Medtronic. This occurred because the power was left on for various reasons but the cost will be billed to Medtronic so the City will be reimbursed. 3. Update on Fire Board Operations Meeting City Administrator Ulrich stated the Fire Board Operations meeting was held today and they talked about staff for the Fire Department. He reported that the levy will go down because they have decided not to hire in 2006. They will hire afull-time mechanic for Fire Department the latter part of 2006 and it is expected that the savings from mechanic work will pay for this position. City Administrator Ulrich stated the levy should go down an additional $8,000, which will reduce the amount taken from the Levy Reduction Fund. Mayor Marty stated the Fire Department is always looking for volunteers and encouraged anyone interested to contact the Fire Department. He noted that the more volunteers, the less Mounds View has to pay to hire employees. • 4. Santa Visit to Mounds View Councilmember Gunn asked about Santa's visit. Councilmember Flaherty stated that will be starting on December 5th and an article will be in this week's Focus. Community Development Director Ericson advised the Santa information is also on the City's website. 5. Discussion of Cable Television Budget Councilmember Stigney asked staff to provide information on items in the cable budget, Fund 210, Page 48, including $3,000 for a video dubbing machine, $6,000 for a video hard drive and switching system, and $6,500 for a nonlinear editing system. Mayor Marty suggested that the new cable operator have the final input on what is purchased and present a recommendation to the Council. Councilmember Stigney noted that is not the current policy if the expenditure. is in the budget. City Administrator Ulrich explained that staff would get three bids, depending on the dollar amount. The purchase would either be under claims or the Council will be asked to take action. C7 Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 11 City Administrator Ulrich stated these equipment items are largely carryovers. He stated it may be too early to specify the exact equipment but staff wanted money in the budget to .update the quality of the broadcast. To assure the proper equipment is purchased, he suggested the new cable coordinator review the needs. Councilmember Stigney stated if the request comes before the Council then they need to be aware of what is being purchased rather than retro actively seeing it in the Just and Correct Claims. He stated he supports that direction of the Council Finance Director Beer stated three items are listed but they will be aggregated so three quotes will be needed. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Marty. To require that cable purchases be considered by the City Council prior to purchase. Councilmember Gunn asked if this will set a precedence so now all department heads will need to come before the Council for purchases, even if it is in the budget. Councilmember Stigney stated he would support that occurring if the Council is not sure if the equipment is needed or what it is. Mayor Marty stated staff has been upfront with what they are requesting. • Ci Administrator Ulrich stated he will rovide a re ort back to the Council. ~' p p Councilmember Stigney and Mayor Marty withdrew the motion on the floor. 6. Update on Water Damage at Creative Kids Day Care Finance Director Beer advised that carpet will be installed tomorrow and the day care will be in by the end of the week. The insurance company was notified and the total damage is estimated to be about $30,000 with the City's share being the $10,000 deductible. He explained that about two weeks ago, a water pipe in the day care burst over the weekend and damaged the sheetrock and carpeting. City Administrator Ulrich explained the water supply pipe goes into a flexible pipe with a plastic nut. The plastic nut cracked and sprayed water the entire weekend over a large portion of the day care area. Because of mold issues, the carpet was removed and sprayed area with anti-fungicide. Extensive damage occurred that will exceed the City's deductible of $10,000. City Administrator Ulrich noted this is leased space to a private company as a tenant so they had to relocate the day care. He advised that the City will loose rental income for a good portion of this month in addition to expenses incurred by the day care. Those costs will be turned into the • insurance company. Mounds View City Council November 28, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 12 7. City Hall Rehabilitation Update City Administrator Ulrich advised that the City Hall rehabilitation project is moving along as scheduled. The last several weeks were spent in demolition and construction started today. The project is on target to finish by April 1, 2006. He advised that some asbestos was found so staff is doing a tally of those costs that would be from the contingency fund. City Administrator Ulrich stated he will provide the Council with that list by the next meeting. 8. Reports of City Attorney None. 12. Nezt Council Work Session: Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Negt Council Meeting: Monday, December 12, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Transcribed by: Carla Wirth Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. •