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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 09252012I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 I I 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 25 , 2012 CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLLCALL. Present: Absent: Also Present: Guests: Mayor Faust ; Councilmembers Gray, Jenson, Stille, and Roth. None. City Manager Mark Casey, City Engineer Todd Hubmer, and Administrative Intern Bob Matthews. Planning Commissioner Don Jensen, University of Minnesota Adjunct Professor Dave Wanberg and University of Minnesota Sustainability Studies Minor Students. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. 25 I. 26 APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2012, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA. 27 28 29 30 31 32 II. 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City Council Meeting Agenda of September 25 , 2012. Motion carried unanimously. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS. A. Kiwanis Peanut Day Proclamation. Councilmember Jenson recited the Kiwanis Peanut Day Proclamation designating Friday, September 28, 2012, as St. Anthony Kiwanis Peanut Day. Mr. John Dierbeck, President of the St. Anthony Kiwanis Club , appeared before the City Council and introduced Mr. Tim Mezzenga, President-elect of the St. Anthony Kiwanis Club. He reported the St. Anthony Kiwanis Club achieved "Distinguished Club" status for the third year in a row and advised that the St. Anthony Kiwanis Club currently supports three clubs in the school as well as the Aktion Club for youth with disabilities and a new club was recently chartered called the Circle K Club at Hamline University. He thanked the community for its support. Mayor Faust expressed the City Council's thanks to Mr. Dierbeck and the St. Anthony Kiwanis Club for everything they do in the community and congratulated the St. Anthony Kiwanis Club . 50th • on Its anmversary. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 25, 2012 Page 2 B. University of Minnesota Sustainability Students. City Manager Casey introduced Mr. Dave Wanberg, University of Minnesota adjunct professor of sustainability studies minor. Mr. Wanberg stated he pleased to announce the City has agreed to work on a project with several students from the sustainable community's class, which will incorporate real world type projects. He indicated this project is a great opportunity for the students to apply their knowledge and will include working with the cities of Lauderdale and Falcon Heights as well as St. Anthony and the students are looking forward to working with each community. Mr. Ben Zientara appeared before the City Council and explained that two workshops have been scheduled at Silverwood on Thursday, October 11th, and Thursday, November 1 st, from 6:00- 9:00 p.m. and extended an invitation to all residents of St. Anthony, Lauderdale and Falcon Heights to attend. He stated the meetings are intended to develop ideas that the cities can use to implement strategies for sustainability in their community . Ms. Libby Norris appeared before the City Council and explained that the first workshop will include a "State of the City" presentation by each of the Mayors to provide an understanding of each City and its goals, followed by small group discussions. She stated the students are preparing s ustainability guidelines that layout principles of sustainable city planning to get citizens thinking about what sustainability actions they would like to see. She indicated the residents will brainstorm ideas about what they want to focus on and she stressed that this is a grassroots-led movement and they want active engagement with the citizens. Mr. Ben Biancini appeared before the City Council and explained that the second workshop will build on the first meeting and will include sharing ideas on how to create a more sustainable community. He indicated the second workshop will take the ideas generated at the first meeting and turn them into concrete goals with deadlines for meeting those goals. He added the plan for the workshops is to spark ideas and assist each community in raising awareness and propel each community's sustainability goals into the future months and years. Mr. Wanberg stated the workshops are not intended to suggest in any way that communities should add more City staff or programs; rather, the workshops will generate ideas about what residents can do to create a more sustainable community into the future . He expressed thanks to City Manager Casey and Public Works Director Hartman for their leadership and stated that invitations to the workshop will be sent to a number of elected officials, the Watershed District, as well as repre sentatives from the faith community and School District. He added that everyone is welcome to attend the workshops. Councilmember Stille stated that the workshops will provide a springboard for the City Council's goal setting in January for implementation into the City's 2013 strategic plan. He asked if the University of Minnesota students envision continued involvement with the City on this project. Mr. Wanberg stated the University would like to continue working with the City and indicated there will be opportunities for other sustainability students to work with the City in the future. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 25 , 2012 I 2 3 4 5 6 Page 3 7 III. 8 9 10 II 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 IV. 19 20 2 1 22 V. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 Mayor Faust stated the City worked with sustainability studies students earlier this year on becoming a Step Three GreenStep City. He thanked the University of Minnesota students for working with the City and felt this project would reach well into the community. He stated the City wants residents involved and encouraged them to attend the workshops. CONSENT AGENDA. A. Consider September II, 2012, Council meeting minutes; B. Consider licenses and permits; and C. Consider payment of claims. Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the Consent Agenda items. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING. None. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF. A. Resolution 12-079; Approving a Variance to Allow an Accessory Structure in the Front Yard tor the Property Located at 2653 Stinson Boulevard. Don Jensen, Planning Commissioner, presenting. Planning Commissioner Jensen presented the variance request to allow a 10' x 20' shed in the front yard and explained that the Code requires accessory structures to be placed in the rear yard but the shed cannot be placed in the year yard because of the way the house is oriented toward Stinson Boulevard. He advised the shed would be used for storage of items currently stored in the garage, thus freeing up space for parking a vehicle in the garage. He presented a sketch plan and several photos of the property, noting that the shed would be constructed using cedar shake siding to replicate the garage/art studio. He reviewed the variance criteria, stating that the property owners propose to use the property in a reasonable manner, the circumstances are unique to the property, the variance will not alter the character of the locality, economic considerations are not the basis of the practical difficulties , the variance is consistent with the City'S Comprehensive Plan, and the variance is in harmony with the intent of the Zoning Code. Councilmember Roth requested information about the accessory structure's foundation. Ms. Nina Guertin and Ms. Patty LaBossiere appeared before the City Council and Ms. LaBossiere sta ted the shed will not sit on a concrete slab because of the footprint limitations on the property and the shed will have a green treated floor similar to a pallet that will allow air to go underneath the shed. She indicated the equipment currently being stored outside and in the garage will be moved into the shed. I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 II 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 25,2012 Page 4 Councilmember Jenson asked if there was some reason why the proposed shed could not be located in the side yard. Ms. Guertin explained they felt if they put the shed against the back fence there would be more exposure of the shed versus placing the shed in the front yard with the shorter 10' side facing Stinson. She indicated the proposed shed will be hidden somewhat by the large pine tree adding that aesthetics was their main concern and they want the shed to look smaller rather than larger. Mayor Faust stated that the City Council's concern is aesthetics given the uniqueness of the lot and to make sure the shed is pleasing to the eye and enhances the property. Motion by Councilmember Roth , seconded by Cotmcilmember Gray , to approve Resolution 12- 079 ; Approving a Variance to Allow an Acces sory Structure in the Front Yard for the Property Located at 2653 Stinson Boulevard. Councilmember Stille stated he appreciated that the property owners intend to tie in the shed and garage with the use of cedar shakes and did not think the proposed shed would impact the community or be too close to the neighbors. He urged the property owners to do what they could to keep the shed hidden as much as possible, adding that this is not a perfect variance . Councilmember Jen son asked if this variance would put the City at risk of setting a precedent for allowing buildings in the front yard. City Manager Casey stated that from a land use perspective, no precedent would be set because each variance request is looked at individually and in this case, the circumstances are unique to the property. Motion carried unanimously. 31 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL. 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 A. Ordinance 2012-06: Amending Chapter 32.07(A) of the City Code, Being the Planning Commission Bylaws (Final Reading). Mark Casey, City Manager, presenting. City Manager Casey presented the final reading of the Ordinance to reschedule the Planning Commission meetings from the third Tuesday of the month to the fourth Monday of the month beginning in October. Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve Ordinance 2012-06 ; Amending Chapter 32.07(A) of the City Code, Being the Planning Commission Bylaws Motion carried unanimously. I 2 3 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 II 12 13 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2S 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 3S 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 2S , 2012 Page S VII. B. Ordinance 2012-08: Ordinance Amending Criminal History Background for Applicants for City Employment and City Licenses (First Reading). Mark Casey. City Manager. presenting. City Manager Casey explained that the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has changed the rules by which police departments can access computerized criminal history data for background checks. He stated the Ordinance incorporates those changes and brings the current Code into compliance and will enable the Police Department to continue with background checks as done in the past. Mayor Faust noted that the last sentence of § 32.S0(A)(3) [is this what he was referring to?] states that a summary of results of computerized criminal history data may be released to the hiring authority, including the City Council, which implies that the City Council is involved in the hiring process. He stated this should be a function of the City Manager and department heads and asked that this section be revised prior to second reading. Motion by Councilmember Roth, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve First Reading of Ordinance 2012-08; Ordinance Amending Criminal History Background for Applicants for City Employment and City Licenses. Motion carried unanimously. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. City Manager Casey -No report. Councilmember Roth -No report. Council member Stille reported on his attendance at the following: • September 12th inauguration of the new pedestrian crosswalk in front of City Hall. • September 13 th presentation about local government to Mrs. Huninghake's 4th grade class. He thanked the 4th graders for allowing him to talk to their class. • September 14th attendance at the groundbreakinglribbon cutting ceremony at Wilshire Park followed by the turning on of the new lights at the football stadium. He stated the City received three different grants from Hennepin Coul)ty and the Twins Community Fund for the new lights at the stadium, the soccer fields, Wilshire Park, the ball field lights at Central Park, and the new grand stands. He expressed the City's thanks to Hennepin County and the Twins Community Fund for the grants. Councilmember Gray -No report. Councilmember Jenson reported on his attendance at the September 14th events at Wilshire Park and the high school. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 25, 20 12 Page 6 1 Mayor Faust reported on the following: 2 • He stated the new crosswalk will make the community a lot safer and reminded drivers 3 that if the lights in the crosswalk are flashing and someone is in the crosswalk, State law 4 requires that drivers stop. 5 • He thanked Mr. Troy Urdahl for assisting the City in securing the Hennepin Youth Sports 6 Program grant. 7 • Attendance at the September 18 th Chamber of Commerce meeting. He stated Mr. Bob 8 Laney gave an informative briefing on "Building Assets; Reducing Risks." 9 10 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM. II 12 13 14 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that are not on the regular agenda. Hearing none, Mayor Faust moved forward with the agenda. 15 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. 16 17 18 19 20 2 1 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 None. Mayor Faust recessed the regular meeting of the City Council at 7:44 p.m. to convene a Closed Meeting of the City Council to discuss litigation matters pursuant to attorney-client privilege. Mayor Faust reconvened the regular meeting of the C ity Council at 8:34 p.m. X. ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Hughes TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, In c. ~ ( ATTEST: ~ City Clerk J2~':7~ Mayor