HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2008/09/08PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOT
Regular Meeting
September 8, 2008
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
7:00 P.M.
1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL: Marty, Stigney, Hull, Flaherty, and Mueller
NOT PRESENT: None.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A. Monday, September 8, 2008, City Council Agenda
MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the Monday, September 8, 2008 Agenda as
Amended.
Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
5. PUBLIC INPUT
None.
6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
None.
7. COUNCIL BUSINESS
A. Continued: Select Senior Living Development
1. First Reading of Ordinance 813 to Rezone the Properties at 2865
County Highway 10 and 7980 & 8020 Groveland Road from R-O,
Residential-Office and R-1, Single Family Residential to R-4, High
Density Residential.
Mounds View City Council September 8, 2008
Regular Meeting Page 2
Planner Heller reviewed the update sheet including information from Ramsey County. Staff
discussed this with the Public Works Director at Ramsey County and they are not concerned with
the location of the driveway. The driveway has been moved south about 70 feet to allow for
more pine trees as a buffer between this project and the neighbors to the north.
Mayor Marty asked for any public comments at this point.
Kathy Guck of 8045 Groveland Road addressed the Council and said that the neighbors are still
against the height of the building and how far it encroaches into their neighborhood. She then
said that it would have been nice to have involved the neighbors at the start of the project rather
than after it is planned, because a lot of the frustrations could have been minimized.
Jean Miller of 2291 Hillview Road said that she has been excited about this senior housing being
proposed as she feels it is good for the community. She then said that there were people that
came to express their wishes to the Planning Commission and some changes were made before it
was sent on to Council for consideration. She further said that this builder is excellent and he
wants to bring a beautiful project to Mounds View.
Linda Benson of 8025 Groveland Road appeared before Council and said that they understand
that senior housing is not an issue. However, they need to fight for their right to have and
maintain their quality of life, and the right to enjoy their property.
• Ms. Benson said that they have said that they would like the driveway as far away from their
home as possible. She then said that she would like all of the agreed to conditions listed in
writing in order to ensure that they are completed. Ms. Benson said she would like to only have
this as senior housing, and not allow it to be changed into an apartment home.
Ms. Benson said that she would like to ensure that the sign the developer agreed to install, stating
that the drive is for fire and emergency vehicles only is required in writing. She then thanked the
developer for his willingness to work with them.
Mike Guck of 8045 Groveland Road said that they were treated rudely by the members of the
Planning Commission when they attended their meeting. He then said that if they had met with
the developer earlier on, a lot of the frustration and concerns could have been reduced. He
further said that they met with the developer and, after doing so, a lot of conflict was resolved.
Mr. Randy Heltzer of 8180 Eastwood Road said that this seems like a big building going onto a
small piece of property. He then said that his major concern is that the Streets Task Force is
taking away his route from Fairchild and there will be more vehicles coming out of this complex
than turn right onto Fairchild now. He further said that he does not "buy" the safety reason for
shutting down the route and would like Council to look at that further.
Hearing no further comments, Mayor Marty closed the public hearing at 7:20 p.m.
Mounds View City Council September 8, 2008
Regular Meeting Page 3
Council Member Flaherty noted that this is the first reading on this matter. He then asked if the
trees proposed would be large enough to add to privacy and to screen the neighbors.
Joel Larson, developer, indicated they can move a 6 to 7 inch diameter tree with their tree spade,
so they are planning to put in some pretty good sized trees. He then said that he offered some
trees to the neighbors to block any potential headlights.
Council member Mueller said that she has had upwards of 30 phone calls on this project and the
count is about 27 to 3 in favor of this project. She then said that the developer has worked with
the neighbors and the City to minimize the impact of this project on the neighborhood.
Planner Heller indicated that the developer had to apply for a conditional use permit for the
senior housing and, if an owner wanted to change it to a regular apartment building, they would
need to apply for a conditional use permit and go through this entire process for approval.
MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Marty. To Waive the Reading and Introduce the First Reading of
Ordinance 813 to Rezone the Properties at 2865 County Highway 10 and 7980 & 8020
Groveland Road from R-O, Residential-Office and R-1, Single Family Residential to R-4, High
Density Residential.
Council Member Stigney indicated that it concerns him that this seems to be a big building
squeezed onto a small property. He then said that he has not heard any mention of what the
highest and best use of this property would be. He also wondered whether a mixed usage of
commercial and residential would actually bring more money in taxes to the City.
Council Member Stigney said that this is sitting in a TIF district and he would like to see it
closed out as a TIF parcel if this development is approved.
Mayor Marty indicated that he would agree that the parcels should be removed from the TIF
district as the revenue would come into the general fund of the City.
Council Member Mueller said that when the City goes from three parcels to one improved parcel
the taxes will be greatly increased.
Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
Council Member Stigney indicated he abstained from voting as his questions have not been
answered.
Z. Consider Resolution 7321, a Conditional Use Permit, Development
Review, and Preliminary Plat for a Senior Housing Development on
Properties located at 2865 County Highway 10 and 7980 & 8020
Groveland Road.
Mounds View City Council September 8, 2008
Regular Meeting Page 4
MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Marty. To Approve Resolution 7321, a Conditional Use Permit,
Development Review, and Preliminary Plat for a Senior Housing Development on Properties
located at 2865 County Highway 10 and 7980 & 8020 Groveland Road.
Clerk Administrator Ericson noted that the developer would be put on notice that the 60 days
would be extended on the rezoning portion of this project.
Council Member Stigney indicated that he would like to know if the residents would have
recourse against the City if it can be shown that the value of their homes is negatively affected by
this development. He then said that he could not support the project until this information is
provided to him along with clarification on the other items.
Council Member Flaherty said that he thought that delivery hours were discussed and were not to
happen before 8:00 a.m.
Planner Heller indicated that the noise ordinance begins at 7:00 a.m. so that was the time that
was indicated.
The motion and second agreed to the time amendment to 7:00 a.rn.
Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
Council Member Stigney abstained from voting.
B. Public Hearing, First Reading of Ordinance 814 to Amend Zoning Code
Chapter 1120, adding a Section for Senior Housing Developments.
Mayor Marty opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m.
Planner Heller explained that as Staff's was working with the previously discussed development
it was brought to Staff attention that there were some amendments needed to allow for senior
housing developments.
Hearing no public comments, Mayor Marty closed the public hearing at 8:03P.M.
Council Member Flaherty said that he feels going to two acres is too small.
Council Member Mueller asked if there was a reason for the two acre recommendation.
Planner Heller indicated that the two acres makes the entire planning process more streamlined
and would eliminate the need for a variance by using the PUD process.
MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Marty. To Waive the Reading and Introduce Ordinance 814 to
Amend Zoning Code Chapter 1120, adding a Section for Senior Housing Developments.
Mounds View City Council September 8, 2008
Regular Meeting Page 5
Due to the confusion on allowable residents, the motioner and the seconder the reference to
parent in the language.
Council Member Stigney said that Section 1 G states that it must have at least 60% of the units
for any of the types. He then said that he would like to have it broken down as to what
percentage is required for each type of housing.
Council Member Stigney said that he would like to consider leaving the properly requirements at
three acres. He then said that the standard should be set at what the City wants so that it is
adequate for parking. He then said that he cannot support the ordinance as it is.
Council Member Hull asked what other cities do for parking.
Planner Heller indicated that the parking standards came from other cities.
Council Member Stigney asked how many parking spaces it provides and, despite what other
cities do, parking for the previously discussed senior development is inadequate in his opinion.
He then said that he would like to include parking for residents and visitors as well as staff.
Ayes - 3 Nays - 2(Stigney/Flaherty) Motion carried.
•
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C. Resolution 7329 Authorizing Certification of the Proposed General Fund
Budget and Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2009.
Finance Director Beer presented the preliminary properly tax levy and budget for 2009 to the
Council for consideration. The total levy including debt service for the 2004 street projects will
decrease by about $39,000. The total amount is $6,064,000 and staff recommends approval.
MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Marty. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7329,
Authorizing Certification of the Proposed General Fund Budget and Property Tax Levy for Fiscal
Year 2009.
Council Member Stigney indicated that Council would need to reduce the budget by $39,000 to
account for the previously approved decrease in franchise fees.
Council Member Hull asked whether the City is in danger of one year with a huge increase to
account for the fact that 2009 would be the fourth year in a row with no increase.
Finance Director Beer indicated that it is possible that could happen, however, the big increase in
local government aid made it not necessary to increase this year. He then said that, if the local
government aid were taken away, that would have an impact on the budget.
Council Member Flaherty said that his theory is that Council set the levy reduction fund with the
idea that TIF districts will begin coming on the tax rolls in 2014.
Mounds View City Council September 8, 2008
Regular Meeting Page 6
• Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
D. Resolution 7331, Resolution Establishing Public Hearing Dates for the
Proposed General Fund Budget and Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2009
Finance Director Beer indicated that state statute requires public hearings on the tax levy and
budget and this Resolution would set atruth-in-taxation hearing for December 1, 2008 with a
continuation date of December 8, 2008.
MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7331,
Resolution Establishing Public Hearing Dates for the Proposed General Fund Budget and
Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2009.
Ayes - 5
Finance Director Beer noted that CTV is experiencing technical difficulties and there is no sound
for this meeting going out over the cable channel.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Licenses for Approval
B. Resolution 7330, Authorizing License Fee(s) for Family Rental Housing
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D. Setting a Public Hearing for 7:05 p.m. on September 22, 2008 to Consider a
Major Subdivision and PUD Amendment to Have Retail as An Allowed Use
at the Mermaid
Council Member Stigney requested that Item C be removed for discussion.
MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Flaherty. To Approve Consent Agenda Items A, B, and D as
Presented.
Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
C. Resolution 7332, Approving the Non-Union Retirement Health Savings Plan
•
Council Member Stigney asked why the Union and Non-Union are different for the plan.
Clerk Administrator Ericson indicated that this is the contribution of the employee to this account
and it does not affect the City. This allows employees, based on union or non-union, to
contribute different amounts.
Nays - 0
Motion carried.
MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7332,
Approving the Non-Union Retirement Health Savings Plan.
Ayes - 4
Nays - 0
Motion carried.
Mounds View City Council September 8, 2008
Regular Meeting Page 7
•
Council Member Flaherty was not present for the vote.
9. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS
Council Member Mueller indicated that she had a few questions that she addressed earlier with
Staff. She then reviewed the answers to the questions as Finance Director Beer had to leave the
meeting.
Council Member Stigney asked what radio ear muffs are for.
Clerk Administrator Ericson indicated that the ear muffs are for park personnel that are using
equipment and these contained a radio and were returned.
MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve Just and Correct Claims as presented.
Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. July 28, 2008 City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member Stigney indicated that he provided changes to these at a previous meeting but
they are not reflected in the Minutes presented.
Council realized that these Minutes were already reviewed and amended.
MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the Minutes of July 28, 2008, as Previously
Amended.
Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried.
11. REPORTS
A. Reports of Mayor and Council
Mayor Marty said that he was approached today by a developer who asked him for his opinion of
having a church come in across the street from City Hall in the Belting buidling. He then said
that he voiced some concerns regarding the remodeling that would be necessary, parking issues,
the fact that the Church could mean that the property could come off the tax rolls.
Clerk Administrator Ericson said that staff would refer them over to Silver View Plaza to see if
they have an ability to accommodate them.
Mounds View City Council September 8, 2008
Regular Meeting Page 8
Mayor Marty reminded everyone that the primary election is tomorrow, September 9, 2008 from
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Council Member Mueller indicated that she was privileged to attend the neighborhood meeting
for the concerned Irondale Road residents. There was a great turn out and great discussion and
she looks forward to continuing to work with this group as they form their neighborhood watch
association.
Council Member Mueller noted that Irondale High School played Spring Lake Park and Irondale
won 21 to 14 in a great football game. She then said that Tyler Abrahamson completed his Eagle
Scout project by building a rain garden at Silver View Park. The rain garden that he and his
scout volunteers constructed planted two types of native grasses and she was not able to take
pictures of the project but it was completed successfully and she looks forward to being invited
to his court of honor award as Eagle Scout.
B. Reports of Staff
Clerk Administrator Ericson updated Council on the Xcel pipeline project and the shutoff valve.
A response was received and they are indicating that they will put in the automatic shut off valve
at City expense but it may not function as the City envisions.
Council Member Mueller said that she is concerned that a year ago in July or August none of this
was brought up, and it has taken this long to come up with this answer and it concerns her that it
took them a year to "craft" this story and wonders whether this is the real story. She then said
that the $50.00 Xcel offered for the easement is a slap in the face.
Council Member Stigney indicated that stating that they will not shut off the automatic safety
valve until someone goes out to review the situation and the $50.00 is ridiculous.
Council agreed that $50.00 is not a fair market valuation of the easement property and asked
Staff to request that Xcel attend an upcoming worksession to discuss the matter.
Clerk Administrator Ericson said that if the City would not oppose expansion of the east/west
runway the MAC would be willing to put a conservation easement on the 27 acres of adjacent to
Mounds View rather than developing it.
Mayor Marry said that if you give the MAC an inch they go a mile, so he would not support
expanding the east/west runway.
Council Member Stigney indicated that he would like to leave this as a minor airport.
Council agreed they were not willing to deal on any expansion to the airport.
. Clerk Administrator Ericson indicated that Roberts is hoping to finish everything by September
15, 2008.
Mounds View City Council September 8, 2008
Regular Meeting Page 9
~J
Clerk Administrator Ericson indicated that the Chamber would like two designated parking spots
and a sign or two to announce their location.
Council Member Mueller said that there is an office building next door that they could move into
and she would like to keep them in the Community Center, so a sign or two would be fine with
her to maintain the tenant.
Council agreed.
Clerk Administrator Ericson indicated that the Deputy Chief did an excellent job at the Irondale
community meeting discussing how to make properties less vulnerable to burglary.
Clerk Administrator Ericson explained that the City is going to put a plan for storm water
ponding for Rice Creek to consider.
Clerk Administrator Ericson indicated that a six month review is due for him and he would like
to get that scheduled.
Council set the review for September 22, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.
• Council Member Stigney said that there has never been an initial review and what Council
wanted to do has not been done, and that means he has not had direction on what Council wanted
him to do so this is a review on how he is doing on what he thinks needed to be done.
Regarding the scheduled "Mini retreat" scheduled for September 29~' at the new Fire Station in
Blaine, Council Member Stigney indicated that he would not go up to Blaine for this type of
meeting as that prevents residents from attending.
Council Member Mueller said that she would like to have the meeting within Mounds View.
Mayor Marty said that he would like to review the goals and see how the Council is progressing
on its goals.
Council Member Stigney indicated that he would also like to have the meeting broadcast.
Mayor Marty indicated that he enjoys the give and take conversation between Council and Staff
that can happen when the meeting is not broadcast, but that it is a public meeting and open to
anyone who would like to attend.
Council agreed to hold the meeting on City property with no television and no goal discussion.
• C. Reports of City Attorney
None.
Mounds View City Council September 8, 2008
Regular Meeting Page 10
12. Next Council Work Session:
Next Council Meeting:
Monday, October 6, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, September 22, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
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13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was recessed at 9:57 p.m. to executive session to discuss union contract
negotiations.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Transcribed by:
Joan Lenzmeier
Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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