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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2001/04/23PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA ~ ~ ~ „~ ~ Regular Meeting '~; ~~ ~ Apri123, 2001 ~ ~ Mounds View City Hall ----- =~-- 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:05 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: Sonterre, Quick, Marty, Stigney, and Thomas. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, Apri123, 2001 City Council Agenda. Council Member Thomas requested that Item E be removed from the Consent Agenda and be added as Item l0E under Council Business. Mayor Sonterre requested that the Special Order of Business be heard before the Resident Comment section of the meeting. City Administrator Miller requested that a Public Hearing for May 14, 2001 at 7:10 p.m. for the Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 680, an Ordinance Vacating an Unused Section of Public Right of Way Associated with the Minor Subdivision of 8360 Pleasant View Drive and 8360 Spring Lake Road, Planning Case MI01-001 be added as Consent Agenda Item E. City Administrator Miller asked that MNDOT Transportation Revolving Loan Fund for the Highway 10 Soundwall be added as Item 7F under Council Business. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Thomas. To Approve the Apri123, 2001, City Council Agenda as amended. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 4. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Fire Chief Zikmund presented a commemorative axe to retired firefighter Tom Skeate who served from 1971 through 1991. Mr. Skeate thanked Fire Chief Zikmund and the City for the award and stated it was a privilege . to serve in Mounds View. Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 2 5. RESIDENTS REQUESTS AND COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR Rhonda Smieja of 5298 St. Stephens Street asked for a status update on the child care vacancy and inquired as to whether any progress was being made on bringing a new child care facility to Mounds View. City Administrator Miller indicated she had received five proposals from interested parties and Council had directed her to review those for childcare providers. She then indicated interviews have been scheduled for May 2, 2001 and information from those interviews will be discussed at the Council Work Session on May 7, 2001. Michelle Sanbeck of 2356 Sherwood Road told Council there is significant flooding in the Greenfield Park area and indicated Council might be able to see where the flows in the area are coming from if they were to go and look. She then provided pictures of the area to Council for review. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Council Member Marty noted that during the Greenfield ponding discussion at a previous Council meeting Council Member Stigney had inquired as to whether an environmental impact study would be conducted. Council Member Marty then stated he felt it would be appropriate to request that an environmental impact study be conducted. • MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Sonterre To Request that Rice Creek Watershed District Conduct an Environmental Impact Study at the Greenfield Ponding Area. Ayes - 4 Nays - 1(Quick) Motion carried. 7. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve Just and Correct Claims B. Licenses for Approval C. Set a Public Hearing for the Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 679, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1008 of the Municipal Code entitled "Signs and Billboards" for Monday, May 14, 2001 at 7:05 p.m. D. Receive first quarter 2001 revenues and expense report E. Set a Public Hearing for the Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 680, an Ordinance Vacating an Unused Section of Public Right of Way Associated with the Minor Subdivision of 8360 Pleasant View Drive and 8360 Spring Lake Road for Monday, May 14, 2001 at 7:10 p.m. Council Member Marty requested that Consent Agenda Item A be removed for discussion. Council Member Marty expressed concern with reimbursement check number 105459 which is an expense reimbursement to Mayor Sonterre in the amount of $396.83. Council Member Marty Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 3 . explained he had contacted both the Finance Director and the City Administrator and had been told that part of the reimbursement amount was for a TV/VCR. He then questioned who authorized the purchase of the TV/VCR. Mayor Sonterre indicated that City Administrator Miller had authorized the purchase because he had wanted to provide the City Council office with a television set where meetings and tapes could be reviewed. Council Member Marty stated he did not feel there was a need for the TV/VCR in the Council office as he feels it could be put to better use somewhere else. He then stated he feels there is a need for televisions at the banquet center that are not budgeted for and that he feels the television should be used at the banquet center. Mayor Sonterre indicated the television was the City's television and that he had no problem with it being removed from the Council office if that was the wish of the rest of Council. Council Member Thomas stated she did not feel this was a Council business issue. It is a staff supply item under the administrator's control. Council Member Stigney stated he has a strong objection to buying something if there are other ways available to watch the meeting. He then stated he feels purchases such as this should go before Council for discussion and approval. • MOTION/SECOND: Thomas/Marty. To Approve Consent Agenda Items A through E as Presented. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Continuation of Public Hearing, Discussion and Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit and Development Review Request for Pinewood Elementary School, 5500 Quincy Drive. Mayor Sonterre reopened the public hearing at 7:31 p.m. Community Development Director Ericson explained this is a request from ISD 621 to expand the Pinewood Elementary School by adding approximately 10,000 square feet of building space and 42 parking stalls. He noted this matter was before the Planning Commission four times and the Planning Commission adopted a Resolution recommending Council approval. Director Ericson explained that there is no longer a request for a variance before Council as the parking was reconfigured to stay within the required setbacks. • Mounds View City Council Regular Meeting April 23, 2001 Page 4 Director Ericson noted there is still an issue with the parking lot along Quincy Street encroaching into the City right of way and legal counsel has advised of the need for a limited use agreement to protect the City from any issues arising from the use of the property. Director Ericson briefly outlined the issues involved with the expansion and explained that the school district has agreed to work with the City and neighborhood residents to resolve some of the existing parking and safety issues as the expansion proceeds. Council Member Marty indicated that the request of residents on Quincy Street for additional screening was not addressed in the Resolution. Director Ericson explained Staff and the Planning Commission felt that the City should not dictate what sort of screening would be required but allow the residents and the school district through the committee to be formed to decide what type of screening would be appropriate. Council Member Marty asked if there needed to be language in the Resolution stating that any continued issues will be addressed at the Council level. Director Ericson explained that through the conditional use permit process the City has the ability to review the permit if a problem exists. Council Member Marty stated he would like to request that the City Forester review the area • along Quincy to be screened and make a recommendation. Council Member Thomas asked where the residents wanted screening. Director Ericson explained the location for the screening is between the existing asphalt play area and Quincy Street. He then noted residents had indicated a desire to screen that area as it will be a parking lot instead of a play area. Council Member Stigney questioned whether Staff anticipated any traffic problems due to the rerouting of the pick up and drop off traffic to the north. Director Ericson indicated the Ramsey County Traffic Engineer had reviewed the plan and did not feel it would pose a problem. He then explained the only change is that the two parking areas will be connected so he does not think it will cause a significant congestion issue. Council Member Marty requested the Resolution be amended to require the City Forester to report back to Council on resident concerns for screening. Director Ericson asked for clarification as to what Council Member Marty was looking for. He then noted the City Forester is not in a position to address screening except to say how many trees or shrubs per square foot are needed to provide a screen. • Council Member Marty stated he would like to have resident concerns for screening addressed. Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 5 Director Ericson indicated the committee being formed has residents from the neighborhood, some of who live directly across from the school, and stated he felt the residents and school district should be able to determine the proper type of screening. Council Member Thomas clarified that one of the main things the committee will address is the screening. Mr. Good, the principal of Pinewood Elementary, apologized for not having a representative at the Planning Commission meetings but indicated he was not aware of the meetings. Mr. Good then indicated Pinewood Elementary and the school district is committed to working with the City and residents to address the safety and traffic concerns as well as any other resident concerns that should arise. Sandie Gay of Perkins and Will presented an amended drawing of the site showing the location of the berming or screening. Council Member Thomas indicated she had a resident express concern to her for the big trees to the north which maybe too large to transplant. Ms. Gay indicated the trees would not be harmed during the construction. Diane Wieinmann of 2209 Bronson Drive indicated she has four kids at Pinewood Elementary . and is concerned for the crosswalk on Quincy Street. She noted that one of her issues for the safety committee will be how to get students across the parking lot between the buses safely. S then noted she thinks parents will still be parking on Quincy Street to pick up their kids rather than going all the way around. Mayor Sonterre asked if Ms. Weinmann had voiced her concerns to the committee. he Ms. Weinmann stated there has not been an official meeting but stated she intended to make her concerns known. She then expressed a concern for the a-turns on Quincy Street and suggested posting a no u-turn sign in the area. Council Member Thomas explained that there is a crosswalk all the way across the new section of parking to get students safely to the other side of the buses. Ms. Weinmann stated she felt the crosswalk on Quincy needed to be a little more visible. Council Member Marty stated he has not been in the area during school release time and then asked if there are crossing guards at the crosswalks. Ms. Weinmann indicated there are crossing guards but stated they are not always available. Ms. Weinmann then questioned why the school district never considered putting all the buses • together and the parking separate. Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 6 Mayox Sonterre asked Mr. Good if safety patrol is an issue at the school. Mr. Good indicated fourth and fifth grade students are used as crossing guards. He stated there are occasions when the kids do not show up and when made aware of it staff attempts to get someone to cover the crosswalk. Mr. Good explained that when he came to Pinewood he felt it was too dangerous to have children crossing County Road I using children as crossing guards. To remedy the situation he contacted Ramsey County who did amini-study and determined it would be safer to begin busing the children who live north of County I. He then stated it maybe time to consider having adults in the crosswalks on Quincy Street rather than children. Council Member Quick asked Mr. Good if he was satisfied with the plan. Mr. Good stated he felt the plan was good but indicated it may need to be modified as the process goes along. Dennis Hammes of 5511 Quincy indicated he had been asked to be on the committee and has agreed to do so. He then stated he felt that fold down stop signs at the crosswalks would help as all cars would have to stop. Council Member Quick stated he felt most of the remaining issues would be addressed by the committee: He then indicated that the fold down stop signs are illegal so that is not an option. Steve Bakke of 8261 Sunnyside Road indicated he did not think anyone would say they are not concerned for the safety of the children in and around the Pinewood area. He stated the committee should discuss requesting no u-turn signs and possibly no parking signs for peak school times in order to solve some of the issues. Mr. Begge then expressed concern that the City not limit parking in the area too much or it will negatively impact the neighbors in the area as well as those residents who come to the school for other activities. Mayor Sonterre suggested that if Mr. Begge was interested in serving on the committee he should let the school principal know. Council Member Marty noted Mr. Begge seems to follow the events of the City and told him there was an opening on the Planning Commission that he may want to consider. Jack Lasota of 5467 Quincy Street stated he thought the City should consider a permanent stop sign at the crosswalk. Council Member Thomas indicated she felt there is an enforcement issue and adding a stop sign would not help if the City did not intend to enforce the laws it currently has that are being S broken. Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 7 • Mr. Lasota stated he felt the stop sign would help. Council Member Marty agreed with Council Member Thomas on the enforcement issue. He then asked City Administrator Miller to forward the enforcement concern to the Police Chief and ask that he look into it and report back to Council. Council Member Stigney suggested considering a speed bump rather than a stop sign as he feels the speed bump would definitely get their attention. Duane Nelson of 5459 Quincy Street questioned whether there would be a permanent yellow line along the curb where the buses will park. Mr. Good explained the buses will not be parking along Quincy Street but will be parking parallel with the building in the parking lot. Mr. Nelson thanked the City for its efforts to appease residents and then asked that the City treat the residents on Quincy Street as other residents near developments have been treated. He then noted he would rather look at kids then cars. Mayor Sonterre closed the public hearing at 8:20 p.m. • MOTION/SECOND: Thomas/Quick. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 5540, a Resolution Approving the Conditional Use Permit and Development Review Request for Pinewood Elementary School. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Council Member Marty asked City Administrator Miller to report back to Council with a report from the Police Chief. B. Discussion and Consideration of Resolution 5556, a Resolution Authorizing the Abatement of 2229 Kingsway Lane in Townsedge Manufactured Home Park Jeremiah Anderson explained legal counsel had made a change to the Resolution to include a section from the City Housing Code. He then reviewed the situation for Council indicating that he had conducted an investigation as the property was to be sold and the interested parties wanted to have it checked. He informed the potential buyers of the safety hazards, scheduled a follow up and did not hear back. He stated he then did another follow up and found another party wanted to purchase the home and those buyers were brought up to date on the conditions at the property. He then asked that Council approve the Resolution that would formally address the issue due to the fact the building is in a hazardous condition and should not be inhabited. • Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 8 • Council Member Marty complimented Mr. Anderson on his thorough report and stated he felt the action was warranted. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 5556, a Resolution Authorizing the Abatement of 2229 Kingsway Lane in Townsedge Manufactured Home Park. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 5557, a Resolution Requiring Cable Broadcasting of City Business Conducted at Open Public Meetings at Mounds View City Hall ~J `.._J City Administrator Miller noted this item is before Council at Council request as it was noted at a previous meeting there were complications as the City Council assumed that the Resolution passed only addressed meetings at City Hall. The Resolution that was drafted would have resulted in all open meetings being cable broadcast. This Resolution will amend the previous Resolution to allow for only those meetings that require public notice held at City Hall be cable broadcasted. It also allows Council the discretion not to telecast a meeting if it chooses. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Sonterre. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 5557, a Resolution Requiring Cable Broadcasting of City Business Conducted at Open Public Meetings at Mounds View City Hall. Council Member Stigney expressed concern for the language in the Resolution that would allow Council to determine what meetings will be exempt from broadcast. He then noted he feels strongly about openness in city government and would prefer striking that sentence. City Administrator Miller explained that the City Attorney had suggested the language to allow the discretion not to televise some meetings rather than having to amend the Resolution each time the situation arises. Council Member Stigney stated he felt that public meetings should be broadcast. Council Member Marty noted the language leaves a special exemption if needed indicating that it is the policy of Council to televise everything. City Attorney Riggs explained it is discretionary language to allow for a special circumstance but noted the norm is to telecast all meetings. He further explained Council would need to discuss and vote on whether to not telecast a specific meeting. Council Member Stigney stated he was concerned that Council could vote three votes to two votes not to broadcast a meeting and he feels that all meetings should be televised. Council Member Marty explained that this special exception would mean that Council would not have to go through the entire process when deciding not to telecast a meeting. Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 9 . Council Member Thomas stated she had similar concerns to Council Member Stigney indicating she is very much in favor of open meetings. She then stated she feels Council needs to publicly discuss and decide what, if any, meetings are not telecast. Council Member Marty stated he was willing to entertain a friendly amendment to his motion. Council Member Stigney requested a friendly amendment to take the phrase "meetings determined to be exempt by city council" out of the Resolution. Mayor Sonterre questioned whether it would be simpler to require that any meetings held at City Hall in Council Chambers be broadcast. Council Member Quick explained there is already a process Council must go through in order not to televise a meeting. He noted the Resolution allows Council the opportunity to make a decision not to televise a meeting. He stated he felt that residents have a responsibility to stay informed and the City cannot do everything for them. He then asked if a birthday party attended by three Council members would need to be taped and televised noting he thought that was a bit extreme. Council Member Marty accepted the friendly amendment to his motion. City Attorney Riggs noted Paragraphs 3, 6, and the last clause would need to be changed as they S all contain the same phrase. Mayor Sonterre accepted the friendly amendment. Council Member Quick asked if the Resolution would work as proposed. City Attorney Riggs explained the change to the Resolution means Council will have to go back and amend the Resolution each time. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 5558 Approving Golf Course Temporary Positions Assistant to the City Administrator Reed noted the golf course manager has asked for three additional temporary positions to cover for the seasonal employees when they are not available. Council Member Stigney pointed out the range pickerlflower garden position was not in the previous Resolution. He then asked if there would be a problem adding an additional range picker as the original Resolution specified three range pickers. Ms. Reed explained this Resolution would be adding additional workers to the pool to choose • from but no additional hours would be added. Mounds View City Council Apri123, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 10 • MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Thomas. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 5558 as Amended, a Resolution Approving Golf Course Temporary Positions. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 5559, a Resolution Approving the Purchase of Computer Software for the Banquet Center Assistant to the Administrator Reed explained that the City Administrator had recently met with Elegant Tymes Catering to discuss several issues. One of those issues concerned a software program for accounting and scheduling which Elegant Tymes Catering has indicated is essential to run the banquet center efficiently. Ms. Reed explained Elegant Tymes Catering is currently looking at two software packages and would select one of the two based on City Hall computer capability. Ms. Reed then indicated Elegant Tymes Catering has asked for authorization to spend not more than $1,200 for the software program. Council Member Stigney asked what type of software Elegant Tymes has been using. Ms. Reed indicated that Elegant Tymes does not currently have software they are using for accounting and scheduling. • MOTION/SECOND: Thomas/Stigney. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 5559, a Resolution Approving the Purchase of Computer Software for the Banquet Center. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. F. MNDOT Revolving Loan Fund/Highway 10 soundwall Funding Public Works Director Ulrich reported he had received a call from MNDOT this afternoon indicating the bill to fund the soundwall was defeated. He told Council that he was asked to notify them of a source for funding for the soundwall loan. He told Council he was told there is a meeting scheduled for April 25, 2001 to discuss the matter. He then asked Council for direction as to how to proceed. Mayor Sonterre explained that he had indicated to the Senator that a transportation loan would be a last resort for the City as the City feels it was entitled to the soundwall and did not receive it. He explained that the City has asked MNDOT to research the definition of the implementation of the original project and report back. He then noted until other avenues are explored the City does not want to invest any money. Council Member Thomas noted it would be several months before the City has an idea where • MNDOT stands on the issue. She then stated she did not feel the City needed to consider a transportation loan unless it is the only option. Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 11 Council Member Quick questioned whether Council needed to direct Staff to attend the meeting on Apri125, 2001. Public Works Director Ulrich stated he was concerned for the timing of this matter as the Senator seemed to be under time constraints. Council Member Thomas explained the Senator has a schedule to keep as the legislative session ends in a few weeks. She noted MNDOT will always be there and does not follow the Senator's schedule. She then noted she appreciated the Senator's efforts but noted the City's schedule does not match his and the City does not have to worry about session ending May 21, 2001. City Administrator Miller asked whether Council was interested in a loan for the soundwall if the other option does not happen. It was the consent of Council not to spend any time on this matter until it is determined that there is no other option available to the City. Council Member Thomas suggested it might be a good idea to have a representative from the City attend the meeting on Apri125, 2001. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To Direct Public Works Director Ulrich to Attend the MNDOT soundwall Meeting on Apri125, 2001. Council Member Quick questioned whether it would be in the best interest of the City to have the City Attorney research the existing laws at the time when the soundwall should have been created and get an opinion from the Attorney as to whether he feels MNDOT was in error when it made the statement that Mounds View was not entitled to a soundwall. Council Member Stigney stated he thought Council should wait for the outcome of the meeting Wednesday before directing the City Attorney to conduct research. Mayor Sonterre suggested waiting until the City finds out if MNDOT finds the City to be deserving of a soundwall before asking the Attorney to spend time on the matter. Council Member Marty asked City Attorney Riggs his opinion on the matter. City Attorney Riggs indicated it was a question of whether the City wanted to follow MNDOT's decision or if the City wanted an independent investigation into the matter. Council Member Thomas stated she felt the City should have the attorney draft an opinion on the matter. • .MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Thomas. To Direct the City Attorney to Investigate the City's Right to a Soundwall. Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 12 • Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 10. REPORTS MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Sonterre. To Remove Golf Course Proposals by Tourmaster from the Work Session Agenda. Council Member Stigney stated he agreed that unless Tourmaster provides a proposal to City Administrator Miller that she feels Council needs to see the item should be removed from the agenda. Mayor Sonterre noted the City is presently under contractual obligation to provide 44% of revenues back to the facility for payroll and employees noting if the City were to outsource the costs would have to be taken out of the City's portion and that financially does not work. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Council Member Marty questioned who has the authority to post advertisements seeking candidates for positions on commissions or committees within the city. He noted he had received a letter from the chairperson of the Park and Recreation Committee taking issue with another committee in the city stating that postings had to come from the direction of council. He then noted he did not recall this matter coming before Council and asked how the position was posted. City Attorney Riggs indicated that, if Council Member Marty was talking about the Mounds View Festivities Commission, the appointment is from the Mayor with the approval of Council which means the Mayor can seek appointments. Council Member Quick stated he thought the City had made the decision not to staff that commission due to the changes in state law which did not allow the City to receive any donations or money from individuals or companies. He then questioned whether the committee should be eliminated and remove that language from the Code. Council Member Marty stated he had researched this matter and the committee was created in 1997 to provide a separate nonprofit committee to deal with the festival in the park with a budget of $25,000 to $30,000 which the committee is able to raise through donations and solicitations. If the City were to plan the event those funds would have to come from the general fund. MOTIONISECOND: Marty/Quick. To Direct Staff to Begin the Process of Eliminating Chapter 406 from the Code. • Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 13 Council Member Marty stated he would be contacting the president of the Festival in the Park Committee and asking the Committee to start reporting to Council as to the actions of the Committee. City Attorney Riggs explained that if the City is making contributions to the entity he would caution against removing Chapter 406 from the Code as the City may need to have that language to provide a relationship between the City and the Committee to have the authority for the group to expend City funds. He then stated it would be fine to start the process but not remove the Chapter until the matter is researched. Council Member Quick stated he thought the reason the Committee was formed is because the City no longer supplied any funds to the group. City Administrator Miller indicated the City budgets $4,000 annually to the group. Council Member Thomas suggested a friendly amendment to the motion to allow for investigation into the process before removing the Chapter from the Code. Council Member Marty withdrew his previous motion. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Quick. To Direct Staff to Research this Matter and Provide Information for Discussion at the Next Council Work Session. Council Member Stigney stated he thought it was the intent of Council to make the Festivities Commission stand on its own rather than receiving funding through the City. Council Member Quick agreed with Council Member Stigney that Council's intent was to have the Festivities Commission stand on its own without contribution from the City and that has not happened. Mayor Sonterre stated he was amenable to having the process looked at. He stated the Chairman of the Park and Recreation Committee believed the formation of an outside program director at the YMCA was not appropriate and was seeking direction as to whether they should move to Council in resolution form that the City recognize and utilize the programming committee. Council Member Thomas stated she did not feel this was the time to argue for or against the issue as Council needs more information before discussing it. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. City Administrator Miller indicated she had received a call from a resident regarding the status of the lease for Children's Home Society. This person had indicated they had spoken to someone from the YMCA who said the YMCA was interested in leasing the space. She then asked Council if she should be entertaining new proposals or if she should evaluate the applications she • currently has. Mounds View City Council April 23, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 14 Council Member Marty stated he felt the City should accept more proposals to see what options it could get. Council Member Thomas clarified the direction of Council was to proceed with a new lease situation not a sublease and to proceed with a childcare facility. She then asked if the YMCA was interested in providing childcare. City Administrator Miller indicated the YMCA had told her they were no longer interested in providing childcare. Council Member Quick stated he was satisfied with the proposals before Council. Mayor Sonterre stated he was fine with the proposals before Council and stated he felt City Administrator Miller should proceed with the proposals already received in an effort to expedite the matter. Council Member Marty stated that due to time constraints for families in need of childcare he was satisfied with the options before Council for consideration. Council Member Stigney stated he felt the City should confirm that the YMCA is not interested in providing childcare before ruling it out as an option. • It was the consent of Council to direct Staff to proceed with the applications currently before Council. Mayor Sonterre indicated he had the opportunity to speak before the Senate Environmental Resource Finance Committee concerning the connecting of the trailways. Community Development Director Ericson told Council the City is now the owner of the Midland Videen property. He indicated there is a billboard on the property under contract through Eller Media and Midland Videen. He explained that it is not clear whether the easement for that billboard was conveyed to the City during the purchase of the property. He then asked for authorization to direct the City Attorney to investigate the chain of ownership to determine whether the City is the owner of that easement as the City wishes to enter into contract negotiations with Eller Media concerning the sign. Council Member Marty questioned whether this matter was on the agenda for the EDA meeting. Director Ericson indicated the sign easement on the EDA agenda was the easement for the Be1Rae Ballroom Sign. Council Member Thomas stated that the Planning Commission discussed this matter and it was the intention of the City to acquire the property and the easement. She then stated she felt it was appropriate to seek legal interpretation on the matter. Mounds View City Council Apri123, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 15 MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Thomas. To Direct the City Attorney to Investigate the Chain of Title for the Billboard Easement on the Midland Videen Property. Council Member Stigney stated there is a push to remove billboards as residents do not seem interested in them. He then stated the state is trying to push a bill to not allow billboards. Mayor Sonterre indicated that the bill was defeated. Director Ericson explained the sign is a legal non-conforming use and could stay there forever. He then noted if the City can get Eller Media to agree to a new contract the City could receive revenue and eventually the sign would go away with a sunset clause. Council Member Stigney stated he felt the billboard should go away. He then stated he was against making it a revenue source for the City. Director Ericson explained the only way the sign would go away is if Eller Media agreed to it. He then stated he thought they maybe willing to renegotiate a contract to have the sign disappear at a point in the future but not right away. Council Member Marty stated he saw a need to determine who owns the billboard easement. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Public Works Director Ulrich reported that Public Works had recently completed the spring street sweeping and is in the process of conducting spring flushing. Public Works Director Ulrich reported that early last week he received notice from Rice Creek that the application for grant funds for the community center pond was approved. Council Member Marty thanked Mr. Ulrich and the Public Works Staff for all the work they are doing. Public Works Director Ulrich credited Council Member Stigney for suggesting Staff apply for the grant. 11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Monday, Apri19, 2001 City Council Minutes. Council Member Thomas requested the following changes: Change the wording on Page 12 in the motion to amend Resolution 5542 to specify that the City of Mounds View approves Option 2 as specified. In the middle paragraph insert the word "ponding." . Council Member Marty requested that "Cassell" be changed to "Kosel". Mounds View City Council Apri123, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 16 MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Sonterre. To Approve the Monday, Apri19, 2001, City Council Minutes with the Requested Changes. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 12. Next Council Work Session: Next Council Meeting: 13. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Sonterre adjourned the meeting at 9:37 p.m. Transcribed and recorded by: Joan Lenzmeier Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. u Motion carried. Monday, May 7, 2001 Monday, May 14, 2001 • MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 23, 2001 Please sign in N VtiIF, ~1DDRESS ~. ~ - ~ ~... ~ C:Admin.resolution.sign-in sheet