HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 04082014I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 APRIL 8, 2014
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5 CALL TO ORDER.
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7 Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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9 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
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11 Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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13 ROLL CALL.
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15 Present: Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Gray, Jenson, Roth and Stille.
16 Absent: None.
17 Also Present: City Manager Mark Casey and Finance Director Shelly Rueckert.
18 Guests: Parks Commission Chair Elissa Schloesser, Planning Commissioner Brian Heinis,
19 and St. Anthony Historical Society President Barry Tedlund.
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21 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
22 ITEMS.
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24 I. APPROVAL OF APRIL 8, 2014, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
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26 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City
27 Council Meeting Agenda of April 8, 2014.
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29 Motion carried unanimously.
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31 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS - NONE.
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33 III. CONSENT AGENDA.
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35 A. Consider March 25, 2014, Council meeting minutes;
36 B. Consider licenses and permits;
37 C. Consider payment of claims;
38 D. Consider Resolution 14-027; a Resolution Accepting Grants as Received in the First
39 Quarter of 2014; and
40 E. Consider Resolution 14-028; a Resolution Approving the 2014 Contract with Greater
41 Metropolitan Housing Corporation.
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43 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the Consent
44 Agenda items.
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46 Motion carried unanimously.
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48 IV. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE.
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50 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2014
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46 VI.
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A. Presentation of the 2014 Parks Commission Work Plan. Elissa Schloesser, Parks
Commission Chair, Rresenting.
Parks Commission Chair Schloesser presented the proposed Parks Commission 2014 Work Plan
and advised that the Parks Commission proposes to focus on reviewing and making
recommendations on parks, trails, and open green space as well as reviewing and making
recommendations on proposed City Code amendments, Comprehensive Plan amendments, and
other long range planning documents related to parks, trails, and open space. She stated that the
Parks Commission has prioritized its 2014 projects to include exploring pedestrian and bike
friendly routes including sidewalks, exploring a dog park, and looking at new "SAV" signs on
secondary City access routes.
Motion by Councilmember Roth, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the 2014 Parks
Commission Work Plan as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
B. Ordinance 2014-01: an Ordinance amending Chapters § 152.008, & 152.225-152.227,
& 152.039, § 152.054, § 152.069, § 152.089. & 152.104, & 152.124, and § 152.144 of the St.
Anthony illage City Code Relating to Nonconforming Lots. Brian Heinis, Plannine
Commissioner, presenting.
Planning Commissioner Heinis explained that the City Code addresses nonconforming uses and
nonconforming buildings or structures but does not currently address nonconforming lots and
staff suggested incorporating language into the Code that allows opportunities to improve,
rebuild, or remodel buildings on lots that do not meet the minimum dimensional standards of the
applicable zoning, adding that improvements must adhere to the ordinance provisions related to
setbacks, maximum impervious surface coverage, etc., unless a variance is requested and issued.
He advised that the major intent of the amendments is to clarify that a nonconforming lot shall be
deemed buildable without a variance, as long as the building meets all provisions related to
setbacks, etc.
Councilmember Stille pointed out § 152.227 regarding contiguous lots and requested
confirmation that the Code requires that two contiguous lots be combined in order to build on
them and a property owner cannot make use of the nonconforming lots individually.
Mr. Heinis stated that this was correct.
Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Roth, to approve Ordinance
2014-01; an Ordinance amending Chapters § 152.008, § 152.225-152.227, § 152.039, § 152.054,
§ 152.069, § 152.089, § 152.104, § 152.124, and § 152.144 of the St. Anthony Village City Code
Relating to Nonconforming Lots.
GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
Motion carried unanimously.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2014
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A. St. Anthony Historical Society._Barry Tedlund, President, presenting.
Mayor Faust introduced Barry Tedlund, President of the St. Anthony Historical Society.
5 Mr. Tedlund stated that the Historical Society has sold nearly all of the printed copies of "A
6 Village in the City" and advised that this past year the Historical Society finished its project of
7 transcribing the birth and death records dating back to the Civil War along with township
8 meeting minutes dating back to 1858. He stated that Candice Quinn wrote the grant request and
9 coordinated all activities resulting in an online version of these records on the Historical
10 Society's website. He stated that the Historical Society's second book, "World War II Courage
11 and Survival," is currently available at City Hall and contains stories from local people about
12 World War II. He indicated the Historical Society has been continuously collecting items and
13 taken strides to archive these items and is looking for an intern to assist with the archiving. He
14 stated that the Historical Society has been discussing the April 26, 1984, tornado and the 30 -year
15 anniversary of this event and he asked residents to contact him if they are interested in sharing
16 their memories of this event. He expressed appreciation to the City and residents for supporting
17 the efforts of the Historical Society and stated that residents can help by volunteering or by
18 providing funding support to the Historical Society.
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20 Mayor Faust stated the Historical Society has done a great job and expressed appreciation to all
21 the volunteers.
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23 Mr. Tedlund thanked Mayor Faust for his military service. He stated that the Historical Society
24 needs volunteers and encouraged anyone interested in getting involved to attend their meetings
25 on the third Wednesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall.
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27 B. 2013 Finance Department Annual Report. Shelly Rueckert, Finance Director, presenting.
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29 Finance Director Rueckert presented the 2013 Finance Department Annual Report and discussed
30 the core accounting functions and stated the Finance Department processed 9,000 utility billing
31 accounts in 2013, helped 140 new residents set up accounts, and tracked 300 million gallons of
32 water pumped by the Public Works department through the utility billing process in 2013. She
33 stated that other Finance Department functions are highlighted in the annual report including the
34 annual budget process and presented a graph showing quarterly milestones and how the City's
35 receipt of LGA in 2014 was distributed. She advised that the City has a storied history of
36 receiving grants and since 1999 the City has received approximately $17,500,000 in grants with
37 the most recent grant of $75,000 from FEMA for cleanup costs incurred by the City following
38 the June 2013 storm event. She stated that the Finance Department developed a cash flow
39 modeling tool for the liquor fund to meet the needs of the City's liquor operations; in addition,
40 the Finance Department worked with a liquor store point of sale vendor to upload data for
41 payable purposes and was able to reduce the processing of liquor store payments from 6-7 hours
42 per check run period to a ten minute upload. She stated the Finance Department also focused on
43 long term financial planning and "Peak to Plateau," which is intended to mitigate road levy
44 increases over the next ten years while the City completes its road reconstruction process. She
45 explained the Finance Department reviewed the City's debt service funds, recalculated the future
46 cost of road reconstruction, evaluated timing of projects, and identified additional funding
47 resources as a means to plateau the levy until completion of all road reconstruction. She
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2014
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expressed thanks to the Mayor and City Council for its ongoing support and noted that the
Finance Department's annual report is available on the City's website.
4 Councilmember Jenson complimented Finance Director Rueckert and her staff for developing
5 models that help the City Council ask better strategic questions as it makes plans for the City and
6 thanked Finance Director Rueckert for her contributions.
8 Councilmember Stille commended Finance Director Rueckert for the great job she has done in
9 repositioning the Finance Department and for making the Finance Department more efficient.
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11 Councilmember Gray thanked Finance Director Rueckert for her efforts and expressed
12 appreciation for the overall improvements she has made in the Finance Department.
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14 Councilmember Roth thanked Finance Director Rueckert and her staff for being willing to accept
15 change and for their hard work.
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17 Mayor Faust expressed appreciation to Finance Director Rueckert for her efforts and stated that
18 the "Peak to Plateau" represents an important tool that the City Council can use for moving
19 forward on capital projects and will limit peaks and valleys so residents know where they stand
20 from year to year. He expressed the City Council's thanks to the Finance Department staff for
21 their ongoing help and willingness to change with the times.
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23 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
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25 City Manager Casey reported that Hennepin County is planning a mill and overlay on Kenzie
26 Terrace from Stinson to 88 and Ramsey County is planning a mill and overlay on County Road
27 C from Long Lake Road to 88. He stated both projects would take place over the summer
28 months at no cost to the City. He noted that the County Road C road reconstruction project will
29 take place in a couple of years and the City will discuss the coordination of the drainage project
30 and other issues with the County Commissioners prior to reconstruction.
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32 Councilmember Roth — no report.
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34 Councilmember Stille — no report.
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36 Councilmember Gray reported on his attendance at the April P North Suburban
37 Communications Commission meeting and reminded residents that the deadline for submitting
38 applications to the Comcast scholarship program is Friday, April 11th, at 4:00 p.m. He stated the
39 scholarship program is open to residents of the ten member cities and is available for students
40 who have completed one year of post secondary education. He stated that information is
41 available at www.ctvl5.org as well as on the City's website. He also advised that a public
42 hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 17th, at 6:30 p.m. at Shoreview City Hall to consider the
43 franchise agreement proposal by Comcast.
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45 Councilmember Jenson reported on his attendance at the March 27th strategic planning session
46 with District 4282 and stated the next planning session is scheduled for April 10th at 6:00 p.m.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2014
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1 Mayor Faust — no report.
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3 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM.
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5 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that
6 are not on the regular agenda.
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33 IX.
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38 X.
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42 Respectfully submitted,
43 Barbara Hughes (TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.)
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45 ATTEST:
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Mr. Ken Brown, 3422 Silver Lane NE, approached the City Council on behalf of the Evergreen
Townhome Association to express concern about the dramatic increase in the number and length
of trains on the Canadian National rail line. He stated they have seen trains stop just before
Stinson by 371h and this is an issue because of the clanging when the trains stop and start; in
addition, the duration of time that the trains are stopped has increased and this has negated their
use of the foot crosswalk so residents cannot get to the bus stops on Foss Road. He also
expressed concern about vibration from the trains and the impact to their foundations. He asked
what City department is responsible for overseeing the trains and stated they would like to know
what is happening with the increased train activity. He stated that approximately one month ago
one of their residents with limited vision was struck by a vehicle on 391h and Silver Lake Road
while trying to cross the road and asked why the City does not have an auditory signal at this
crossing, adding that the City Engineer pointed out that Silver Lake Road is a County road and
the City Engineer indicated these intersections are being looked at for flow and safety. He also
expressed concern about the Silver Lane and Silver Lake Road intersection and stated that
pedestrians only have six seconds to cross seven lanes of traffic. He then presented several
photographs to the City Council showing the condition of the railroad tracks and reiterated his
concern about increased train traffic and safety issues.
Mayor Faust noted that the City Council's 2014 goals include finding ways to get funding for
auditory pedestrian crossings and the City Council is committed to working with Ramsey and
Hennepin Counties on this issue. He stated he was not sure if the crossing at 391h and Silver
Lake Road was a legal crossing but agreed to have the City Manager look into that. He advised
that the City is closely monitoring train traffic and stated that City Manager Casey or someone
from City staff will contact Mr. Brown regarding his concerns.
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Mayor Faust stated that the Village Notes newsletter has been published and he encouraged
residents to read the article about Wal-Mart.
ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.
Mayor