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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2008/04/28 (2)PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOT Regular Meeting April 28, 2008 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:03 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Marty, Stigney, Hull, Flaherty, and Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, Apri128, 2008, City Council Agenda MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Flaherty. To Approve the Monday, April 28, 2008 Agenda as presented. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT Alice Fritz, 8072 Long Lake Road, addressed Council, and said that she is wondering if there is an explanation as to why the City is improving roads, sidewalks, and curbing, but the houses and yards are littered with clutter and cars on the grass. She then said that there is a home with 33 cars on the grass. She then said that she wants the laws on the books enforced. Mayor Marty explained that the City started last year with stepped up enforcement. The City has a new employee that does code enforcement half time, and works for the police department part time. He then said that there are habitual violators that are occupying staff time. Ms. Fritz asked about whether it is legal to conduct business on the property. Ms. Fritz said that she objects to a former Mayor calling her to tell her that Long Lake Road has become a sewer. She then said that the City needs to get after residents to get them to maintain their properties the way they are supposed to. Mayor Marty indicated that the family referred to had been before Council, and an abatement was ordered. Mounds View City Council Apri128, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 2 • 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Oath of Office -James Ericson -City Clerk/Administrator Mayor Marty administered the Oath of Office to James Ericson, City Clerk/Administrator. B. Proclamation -May 8, 2008 Arbor Day Mayor Marty read the Proclamation proclaiming May 8, 2008 Arbor Day. Mayor Marty indicated he is proud to say that Mounds View has had the distinction of being a Tree City USA. C. Resolution 7268, A Resolution of Appreciation to Edward J. Lance, SBM Fire Department MOTION/SECOND: Many/Mueller. To Approve Resolution 7268, A Resolution of Appreciation to Edward J. Lanz, SBM Fire Department. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Mayor Many read Resolution 7268. Mayor Marty pointed out that Mr. Lance was the Citizen of the Year last year. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Consideration of Resolution 7264 Adopting Special Assessments for Delinquent False Alarm Fees and Abatement Charges. Mayor Marty opened the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. Finance Director Beer explained that this hearing is to receive comments regarding assessments for abatement charges, diseased tree removal, or false alarm fees. The property owners had until 4:30 p.m. today to pay the full amount to avoid interest and the $35 fee. Hearing no public comment, Mayor Marty closed the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. Finance Director Beer explained that the reason Staff is doing this now, is that with so many foreclosures, Staff wants to ensure that any potential new owners would be aware of any potential assessments. Mayor Marty noted that six of these are for nuisance abatement. Mounds View City Council Apri128, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 3 • Council Member Mueller indicated that there were letters received about licensing rental properties and how that was interfering. She then said that she feels it was a huge step to ensuring the right people are contacted when there are issues on a property. Council Member Mueller thanked Marilyn for coming this evening, and invited any resident with information on a property that the City should be made aware, of to contact the City. Administrator Ericson explained the ordinance requirements regarding false alarms noting that the resident or business is allowed a "free" false alarm before being charged. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7264 Adopting Special Assessments for Delinquent False Alarm Fees and Abatement Charges. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 7262 Authorizing Abatement of Remaining Nuisance Code Violations at 2318 Knoll Drive. Housing Inspector Anderson reviewed the abatement necessary at 2318 Knoll Drive due to scrap metal and automotive parts and components. This property owner has been issued an abatement order before, and he is aware of the requirements. Mayor Marty noted that the history on this property began in 2003, and there were other violations in 2004, 2006 and September of 2007. He further commented that this is a habitual property. Mayor Marty indicated that he would like to amend the Ordinance to allow repeat offenders within a 24-month period to be handled differently than first time offenders. Council Member Flaherty agreed that there have been multiple violations at this property over the years. He then said that this is the last step in a long process, and residents know about this for weeks before it comes to the Council. He further said that neighbors are calling to say that they are tired of looking at this stuff. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Marty. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7262, Authorizing Abatement of Remaining Nuisance Code Violations at 2318 Knoll Drive. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 7263 Authorizing Abatement of Remaining Nuisance Code Violations at 8425 Spring Lake Road . Housing Inspector Anderson reviewed the needed abatement at 8425 Spring Lake Road. Most recently in 2007 Staff inspected the property and ordered the abatement of inoperable vehicles Mounds View City Council Apri128, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 4 . and automotive items. He then said that there is a Conditional Use Permit fora 24 x 48 oversized garage, but that does not seem to be large enough to hold the accumulation of junk. Housing Inspector Anderson indicated that whatever is taken off the property needs to be inventoried and carefully stored. Staff outlined the process that would need to be undertaken and recommended approval. There is a bench warrant out for this properly owner issued by Ramsey County for failure to appear at the court hearing. Pat Rooney, of 8430 Knollwood Drive, which is directly behind, and one house south of this property said she lived, for 28 years, right behind this house. For most of the 28 years the yard was very nice but this family moved in, and he got this other garage built on the back of the original garage, and then started filling up the yard with old snowmobiles, and she has counted 27. There are 17 automobiles in his front yard, and they have been living this way since 1998 with this stuff. Ms. Rooney asked who wants to move into a house next to this junkyard, and said that affects property values. She then asked Council to get the stuff out of the yard. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7263, Authorizing Abatement of Remaining Nuisance Code Violations at 8425 Spring Lake Road. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. D. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 805, an Ordinance Authorizing Disposal of Land and Quit Claim Deed Conveyance to Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. Administrator Ericson explained that this is necessary to cure a break in the chain of title that occurred in the documentation for the property title. This action would reaffirm action taken by Council back in 1970. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Flaherty. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Ordinance 805, an Ordinance Authorizing Disposal of Land and Quit Claim Deed Conveyance to Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, and to Authorize Publication of a Summary Ordinance. ROLL CALL: Stigney/Hull/Flaherty/Mueller/Marry Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 7267, Adopting the City Outdoor Event Policy. Assistant Administrator Crane reviewed the proposed Outdoor Event Policy. Council Member Flaherty indicated he spoke to Staff about the policy. He then said that he is not sure he likes how the Resolution is worded because this is for all outdoor events that occur. Mounds View City Council Apri128, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 5 L Council Member Flaherty said that he is not sure that church groups or other nonprofit groups should be required to provide security for their events. He then suggested requiring only those groups that are licensed to sell alcohol. Council Member Flaherty indicated he would like to review the $150 fee to see if it covers costs once this has been in place for a while. Council Member Mueller said that she would like to table this to a work session to allow discussion on different levels of events that are held in the City. Mayor Marty suggested amending the Resolution to just those that have a liquor license and/or those that would be applying for a liquor license for the event. Administrator Ericson suggested tabling to allow further research on this policy and how events open to the public may be adversely impacted. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Postpone to the May 5, 2008 Work Session. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 7266 Adopting City Vision, Mission Statement, Goals Program and Value Statement Administrator Ericson explained that adopted goals assist Staff with direction on how to move forward to accomplish the goals. Administrator Ericson reviewed the mission and vision of the City with Council and those in attendance. Council asked that Staff read the values statement. Administrator Ericson read the values statement. Mayor Marty indicated that he has received positive response and appreciation of a receptionist answering the phone rather than having to use voice mail. Council reviewed the listed goals. Mayor Marty suggested partnering with the Chamber to draft a marketing plan and adding it as a goal of the City. Council Member Mueller indicated that there are some large businesses in the City of Brooklyn Park that are encouraging Mn/DOT to complete the rest of Highway 10 out to Brooklyn Park to move traffic over to them. Mounds View City Council April 28, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 6 MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Stigney. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7266, Adopting City Vision, Mission Statement, Goals Program and Value Statement as amended. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 7265 Authorizing Interim Compensation for Certain Individuals within the Public Works Department Administrator Ericson explained that the City is without a Public Works Director at this time leaving other members of the Public Works Department to pick up those duties. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Flaherty. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7265 Authorizing Interim Compensation for Certain Individuals within the Public Works Department. Council Member Mueller indicated that she thinks that the Parks Supervisor should be included as well. Council Member Flaherty said he would like to look at that as a separate issue. Council added the discussion to the next work session. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. H. 2008 Street Maintenance Project: Consideration of Modifications to the Improvements Identified in the Feasibility Report Joe Rhein, consulting engineer from Bonestroo, reviewed the Street Maintenance Project report. There is $215,000 for this project in the budget and an additional $2,000 for maintenance. The cost estimate is approximately $177,675 after removal of parking lots and addition of seal cracks. Mr. Rhein requested direction from the Council as to how to proceed in order to stay on track to begin the project. Joe Rhein indicated that they are recommending the less expensive repair and monitoring of the "rippliny" County Road H2 to see if this reoccurs, if it does, then the recommendation would be a more extensive and expensive repair. Mr. Rhein recommended that the police parking lot and sally port parking lot be deleted, crack sealing be included in the base bid for the project, crack seal for the parking lot would not be done, and to authorize Staff to set up the bituminous version of the repair on H2. Council Member Flaherty said that the police parking lot and the sally port are fine for removal and including crack sealing makes sense in the base bid. Mayor Marty asked about the different elevation on H2. Joe RHEIN indicated that he believes that there may have been an issue with the temperature of the asphalt and compaction when the street was done that is causing truck traffic to actually shove the material forward. Mounds View City Council Apri128, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 7 Council Member Mueller asked if County Road H2 is now the responsibility of the City. Mayor Marty indicated that it is. Council Member Mueller asked how long the surfaces will last if the recommendation is not to seal coat. Joe Rhein indicated that it is about a 5 to 6 year window of pavement life left. Mayor Many noted that Mr. Lee noted that it was new technology to make cuts across the road to allow for expansion. He then asked if that is helping. Joe indicated that it seems to be. Mayor Marty agreed not to do the police parking lot and the sally port, include seal coating, and look into the pavement rippling on H2. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Marty. To Approve the 2008 Street Maintenance Project as Discussed and Recommended by Staff. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA None. .9. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS Council Member Flaherty said he had asked for a breakdown on the tools invoice and received it from Staff. Council Member Flaherty asked what was done by Pearson Brothers. Administrator Ericson explained that this was the retainage on the 2007 seal coat project. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Mueller. To Approve Just and Correct Claims as Presented. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 24, 2008, City Council Minutes Mayor Marty noted he had a few commas that he added. Council Member Mueller indicated she had submitted a change to staff. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the March 24, 2008, City Council Minutes as Amended. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council Apri128, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 8 • 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council Mayor Marty thanked everyone who attended the Fourth Annual Town Hall Meeting. He also said that he felt the presentations by Staff were done very well. The Town Hall meeting is being replayed on Channel 16. Council Member Mueller mentioned the Scouting for Food project that occurred last weekend, and said that Cub Scouts Pack 167 and 367 were gathering food for the food shelf. She then thanked everyone who participated in the project. Council Member Mueller explained that Cub Scout Pack 167 wanted to thank Mayor Marty for previous opportunities to do the flag ceremony and wanted to present him with a brand new t-shirt and make him an honorary cub scout. She then gave the t-shirt to Mayor Marty. Mayor Marty thanked the scouts for the recognition. Council Member Mueller noted that on May 17 and 18 there is an aviation celebration at the Anoka airport. This is a free event to attend but there is a parking donation. There is a dinner and a hangar dance with a fee of $10 per person. B. Reports of Staff 1. Police Department Quarterly Report Chief Sommer appeared before Council and provided a quarterly report. Council Member Flaherty said that he is a firm believer in the DARE program and he is wondering what the backup plan would be if the DARE officer would be out for an extended period of time. Chief Sommer explained that if there were an officer out someone else would be assigned to cover the program during that leave. Council Member Stigney asked where the speeding information would be located in the report. Chief Sommer indicated that it would be listed under traffic. Council Member Stigney asked whether the Chief could look into separating out the speed report. Chief Sommer agreed to do so. Council Member Mueller said that she has noticed an enhanced police presence on Groveland and they are thankful for that. 2. Reminder -Employee Appreciation Lunch -May 21, 2008 Mayor Marty noted that the Employee Appreciation Lunch will be held at the Community Center. Mounds View City Council Apri128, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 9 • Administrator Ericson reminded everyone of Spring Clean Up Day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on May 3, 2008. Administrator Ericson noted he attended the Ramsey County Library's Master Facility Planning meeting and it looks like the Mounds View library is safe for now, but there are plans to add a larger library to the system. Administrator Ericson noted that there is plenty of room on the Mounds View library site to expand the building or add something. Administrator Ericson reminded Council that the ribbon cutting for Totino's is May 9, 2008. He then asked that Council Members attend, if possible, as he is not available to do so. Administrator Ericson said that Heidi Steinmetz and he attended the Rotary dinner and it was a great opportunity for Heidi to meet a lot of the local business owners. Administrator Ericson indicated that the Streets and Utilities Task Force met and the meeting was productive. Council Member Stigney indicated that he had asked Staff to look into how New Brighton charges for clean up day and what it actually costs the City for clean up day. He then said he had received a call regarding the $25 fee for a trunk load, and the resident felt that was excessive and may prevent people from cleaning up. C. Reports of City Attorney Attorney Riggs indicated that a memo was provided listing the legal items his office is handling. He then reviewed the listed legal matters with the Council. Council Member Stigney asked how the bankruptcy affects the City. Attorney Riggs indicated he thought it was a utility fee for water. Council Member Flaherty asked if there is an end date on the billboards. Attorney Riggs said that the only thing outstanding is some clean up of the Ordinance. Council Member Mueller thanked the City Attorney for preparing the report to keep Council informed. Mayor Marty commended Jim Ericson and Mark Beer for the letter to residents on the 2003 and 2004 street project areas. He then said he felt the letter was concise and informative. Council recessed to closed session to discuss contract negotiations at 9:30 p.m. 12. Next Council Work Session: Monday, May 5, 2008, at 6 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, May 12, 2008, at 7 p.m. Mounds View City Council Apri128, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 10 • 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. •