HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 05132014I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 MAY 13, 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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Present:
Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Gray, Jenson, Roth and Stille.
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Absent:
None.
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Also Present:
City Manager Mark Casey, Police Chief John Ohl, Police Sergeant Jeff Spiess, and
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City Engineer Todd Hubmer (WSB & Associates).
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Guests:
Planning Commissioner Brian Heinis and Chamber of Commerce Board Member
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Wendy Webster.
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CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
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ITEMS.
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25 I. APPROVAL OF MAY 13, 2014, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
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27 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City
28 Council Meeting Agenda of May 13, 2014.
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30 Motion carried unanimoushv.
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32 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
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34 A. Resolution 14-029; Accepting a Donation from Mr. Roy Quady to the St. Anthony Police
35 Department. John Ohl, Police Chief, presenting.
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37 Police Chief Ohl stated he met Mr. Quady in the Citizens Police Academy and Mr. Quady
38 informed him that he wanted to give a donation to the Police Department.
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40 Mr. Roy Quady, 2713 33`d Avenue NE, stated that the Police Chiefs 2013 annual report
41 included a discussion about what it means to be a good citizen, how good citizens have a
42 profound effect on crime, and that good citizens are engaged in mutual collaboration with the
43 police. He stated he was honored to represent his mother and two aunts, three good citizens who
44 have passed on after living in St. Anthony for many years. He stated his mother and aunts loved
45 St. Anthony and supported the St. Anthony Police and as their only survivor, he wanted to
46 express their love and support for the City and Police Department by donating $10,000 to the
47 Police Department and stated it was his hope that this donation would inspire others to leave a
48 legacy for the people of St. Anthony by partnering with the Police Department. He then
49 presented a check to Mayor Faust and Police Chief Ohl for $10,000.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2014
Page 2
Police Chief Ohl expressed the Police Department's thanks to Mr. Quady and stated the donation
would be used for the bike patrol, AED's, Summer Survival School, Citizens Academy, and
ballistic shields.
Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Roth, to approve Resolution 14-
029; a Resolution Accepting a Donation from Mr. Quady to the St. Anthony Police Department.
8 Motion carried unanimously.
10 Mayor Faust expressed the City Council's thanks and appreciation to Mr. Quady.
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III.
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47 V.
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B. Announcement of the Chamber's Villager of the Year and Business of the Year. Wendy
Webster presenting.
Ms. Webster explained that the Villager of the Year award was created in 1991 to recognize a
resident who has made outstanding contributions to the quality of life in St. Anthony and the
Chamber is proud to recognize Ms. Julianne Hunter as this year's Villager of the Year. She
stated that Ms. Hunter has served as chair of VillageFest for a number of years and serves on the
Community Services Advisory Council and Family Services Collaborative Board; she also
volunteers at Wilshire Park Elementary and volunteers with her daughter's Girl Scout Troop.
She stated the Chamber also recognizes an outstanding business and the Chamber is proud to
honor Architect Mechanical as the 2014 Business of the Year. She stated that Architect
Mechanical has been located in St. Anthony since 2008 and has emerged as a generous business
committed to making St. Anthony a stronger community. She stated that Architect Mechanical
has made generous donations to the Adopt a Family program that allowed the program to double
the number of recipients in the program as a result of their contribution.
Mayor Faust stated it was humbling to see these types of individuals doing this type of service
very quietly and giving back and creating a sense of community. He expressed the City
Council's thanks and congratulations to Ms. Hunter and Architect Mechanical.
.1115.3 `LT1[:T"Wim-
A. Consider April 22, 2014, Council meeting minutes;
B. Consider licenses and permits;
C. Consider payment of claims; and
D. Consider Resolution 14-030: Amendine the reeularly scheduled Citv Council meetine on
November 11, 2014, to November 10, 2014, in observance of the Veteran's Day Holiday.
Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the Consent
Agenda items.
PUBLIC HEARING - NONE.
REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
Motion carried unanimously.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2014
Page 3
A. Resolution 14-031: Approving a variance from the required corner side yard (front yard)
setback in order to construct a partial second story addition and front stoop 15 feet from
theproperty line along= the north side of the property located at 3111 Wilson Street.
Brian Heinis, Planning Commissioner, presenting.
6 Planning Commissioner Heinis presented the variance request for property located at 3111
7 Wilson Street and presented a diagram of the proposed second story addition as well as a
8 diagram showing the setbacks. He explained the home is 15' from the property line on the north
9 and City Code requires a 30' setback and pointed out that the existing home is a nonconforming
10 structure so any expansion requires the issuance of a variance. He stated the variance request is
11 within the scope of the variance process and the property owners propose to use the property in a
12 reasonable manner. He stated that allowing the second story addition will not alter the essential
13 character of the neighborhood, economic considerations are not the sole basis for the variance,
14 the variance is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, granting of the variance is in harmony
15 with the intent of the zoning code, the proposal will not impact adequate light, air, and access to
16 the property, the proposal will have no impact on the amount of congestion in the street, the
17 proposal will not result in overcrowding of the land and will not conflict with adjacent land uses.
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19 Councilmember Stille stated that one of the criteria for approval indicates that strict enforcement
20 would cause practical difficulties and the rationale is that this property was platted decades
21 before the current owners purchased the property, therefore, the plight of the property owner is
22 due to circumstances not created by the property owner. He stated he does not agree with that
23 rationale because most properties were purchased after the code was codified and he urged the
24 Planning Commission to strive away from that criteria.
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26 Mr. John Frigstad, 3111 Wilson Street, stated he and his family have been residents since 2003
27 and the proposed addition represents an opportunity for them to revitalize their home.
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29 Mr. Jeremiah Battles, Acacia Architects, clarified that the stoop on the west side will not
30 encroach further into the north setback. He pointed out that the north property line is 6' farther
31 south than the properties to the east of this home and is an unusual setback.
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33 Motion by Councilmember Roth, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve Resolution 14-
34 031; a Resolution Approving a Variance from the Required Comer Side Yard (Front Yard)
35 Setback in Order to Construct a Partial Second Story Addition and Front Stoop 15 Feet from the
36 Property Line Along the North Side of the Property Located at 3111 Wilson Street.
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38 Motion carried unanimously.
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40 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
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42 A. St. Charles 75`h Anniversary Celebration 5K Run/Walk. Louise Louiselle, St. Anthony
43 resident, presenting.
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45 Ms. Louise Louiselle requested the City Council's approval on behalf of St. Charles Borromeo
46 School for an upcoming 5K run on Saturday, September 27, 2014, as part of St. Charles
47 Borromeo's School's 75 year celebration and all school reunion. She stated they plan to have the
48 5K run at 1:00 p.m. and will consist of a loop starting on 27`" Avenue that will repeat four times.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2014
Page 4
1 She requested roadblocks on St. Anthony Boulevard at Roosevelt and Wilson, adding that
2 because the run is held on Saturday there should be minimal traffic impacts. She stated
3 registration has been posted online and they anticipate no more than 100 runners.
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Mayor Faust stated the City has done this sort of thing in the past for special events, adding that
the City should put some time parameters on the event.
City Manager Casey suggested that a two-hour timeframe should be adequate.
Motion by Councilmember Roth, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the St.
Charles Borromeo School proposed 5K run within the City of St. Anthony on Saturday,
September 27, 2014, for no longer than two hours and to direct the City Manager and Police
Chief to work with the race organizers on logistics for the event.
Motion carried unanimously.
B. Resolution 14-032; a Resolution Accepting and approving the funds from Hennepin
County Transportation Department for the In Pavement LED Pedestrian Crossing at
Kenzie Terrace. Todd Hubmer, WSB & Associates, presenting.
Mr. Hubmer stated the City received a Cooperative Agreement from Hennepin County to help
finance installation of the in pavement LED pedestrian crossing. He explained there is an
existing crossing at Kenzie and Pentagon and the new LED crossing will add pedestrian ramps
and make the crossing safer by the addition of pedestrian lighting with push button features so
that the lights flash only when pedestrians are present.
Councilmember Roth asked about the life expectancy of the pedestrian crossing equipment.
Mr. Hubmer stated the life expectancy of the equipment is approximately 20-40 years and will
require minimal maintenance, e.g., replacement of bulbs and canisters. He added if Hennepin
County were to replace the road in the future, it is expected that Hennepin County would replace
the LED system in kind as part of any replacement project.
Councilmember Roth asked if the flashing lights would be a different color than the yellow
flashing lights currently used on the Silver Lake Road pedestrian crossing.
Mr. Hubmer stated it was his understanding the uniform traffic code requires yellow flashing
lights and agreed to provide further information in response to Councilmember's Roth's
question.
Motion by Councilmember Roth, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve Resolution 14-
032; a Resolution Accepting and Approving the Funds from Hennepin County Transportation
Department for the In Pavement LED Pedestrian Crossing at Kenzie Terrace.
Motion carried unanimously.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2014
Page 5
C. Resolution 14-033; Accepting the Kenzie Terrace In Pavement LED Pedestrian Crossing
Project Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Solicitation of Quotes. Todd Hubmer,
WSB & Associates, presenting.
Mr. Hubmer explained that this project is anticipated to be less than $100,000 in value and
therefore is not required to go through a formal bid process and requested that the City Council
use a solicitation of quote process.
9 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve Resolution
10 14-033; a Resolution Accepting the Kenzie Terrace In Pavement LED Pedestrian Crossing
11 Project Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Solicitation of Quotes.
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13 Mayor Faust expressed the City Council's thanks to Hennepin County for their participation in
14 covering over half the cost of the in pavement LED pedestrian crossing.
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16 Motion carried unanimously.
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18 D. St. Anthony Police Reserves Program Overview. Sergeant Jeff Spiess presenting.
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20 Police Chief Ohl introduced Sergeant Jeff Spiess and stated Sergeant Spiess was recently
21 promoted to Sergeant and took over the Reserve program.
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23 Sergeant Spiess stated the reserve officer program consists of a great group of volunteers and
24 each reserve officer goes through an extensive interview process and once they pass, they are
25 outfitted with uniforms and they patrol in a reserve marked car and are required to work 150
26 hours per year, adding that most of the reserve officers work many more hours than the required
27 150 hours. He stated the reserve officers perform a lot of activities that do not require a licensed
28 police officer, including park patrol, courtesy transports, parking enforcement, vehicle lockouts,
29 and help with animal control issues. He stated the reserve officers also help with community
30 events such as VillageFest, high school football games, and movie nights at Wilshire Park. He
31 stated they currently have eight reserve officers and three additional reserve officers will be
32 joining the City in the near future. He stated the reserve officers are easily accepted and trusted
33 by the officers and they are given the option of attending the Hennepin County Reserve School
34 where they learn different areas such as search and rescue and traffic control; in addition, the
35 reserve officers work in Ramsey and Hennepin Counties so they gain experience working in both
36 counties. He then introduced Reserve Officers John Nordine, Anja Eichinger, and Dane
37 Lazenberry.
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39 Reserve Officer Anja Eichinger stated she is a student at the University of Minnesota and will be
40 graduating in December and hopes to enter the fall skills program at Hennepin Technical
41 College. She stated she has loved her experience working with the Police Department.
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43 Reserve Officer Dane Lazenberry stated he recently received his degree in criminal law
44 enforcement and hopes to do his skills training this fall. He stated he enjoys spending time with
45 the officers and feels fortunate to have been able to serve the community of St. Anthony.
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47 Reserve Officer John Nordine stated the Police Department officers trust and value the Reserve
48 Officers and it is an honor to be a part of the Reserve Officer program.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2014
Page 6
Mayor Faust expressed the City Council's appreciation to all of the Reserve Officers for their
service and stated it is an honor to have them serve in this capacity.
VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
7 City Manager Casey reported that the City's annual cleanup day was held on Saturday, May 3`a
8 and there were 192 vehicles that participated in the cleanup day. He also reported on the large
9 rock crushing operation currently taking place next to Industrial Custom Products that crushes
10 the concrete removed from the street project for reuse. He stated the rock crushing will continue
11 for two or three more days and apologized for any inconvenience.
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13 Councilmember Gray reported on his attendance at the May 3`a cleanup day. He also reported on
14 his attendance at the May I" North Suburban Communications Commission meeting where the
15 Comcast proposed franchise agreement was discussed and stated the Communications
16 Commission would be voting on May 15`h whether to approve or preliminarily deny the
17 proposal. He stated the Communications Commission also awarded seven scholarships from
18 Comcast and one of the scholarships was awarded to a former St. Anthony high school student.
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20 Councilmember Jenson reported on his attendance at the May 3`a cleanup day. He also reported
21 on his attendance at the May 5`h joint meeting with the School Board and the City Council work
22 session. He also reported on his attendance at the May 12`h tour of the City with the City
23 Council and department heads and Chairs of the Parks Commission and Planning Commission.
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25 Councilmember Roth reported on his attendance at the May 3`a cleanup day. He also reported on
26 his attendance at the May 5a' joint meeting with the School Board and the City Council work
27 session. He also reported on his attendance at the May 12`h tour of the City.
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29 Councilmember Stille reported on his attendance at the April 30`h Family Services Collaborative
30 meeting. He also reported on his attendance at the May 3'd cleanup day, May 5`h joint meeting
31 with the School Board and the City Council work session, and May 12`h tour of the City.
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33 Mayor Faust reported on his attendance at the following:
34 • April 24`h annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce.
35 • April 29`h meeting with the School District.
36 • May 12`h Regional Council of Mayors meeting. He stated that Mr. Phil Hansen, CEO of
37 the Northern Minnesota Region of the Red Cross, provided a checklist of emergency
38 items that everyone should have and this information will be included in the City's
39 newsletter. He stated that Mr. Mark Ritchie also presented information about a push to
40 bring the World's Fair to Minnesota in 2023.
41 • May 13`h MWMO board meeting.
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43 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM.
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45 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that
46 are not on the regular agenda.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2014
Page 7
Ms. Lona Doolan, 3511 Harding Street, approached the City Council and wished to express
concern about the direction the City is taking in not allowing beekeepers. She stated she has
appreciated the progressive position taken by the City on environmental stewardship but felt the
City was taking a step in the wrong direction as it relates to this issue. She indicated that since
2006 the Federal government has studied colony collapse and last year, State legislation was
introduced that speaks to properly labeling insecticides. She stated that last week, the Shoreview
City Council voted to publicly support this legislation. She urged the City to take a leading role
on this issue and engage in a public discussion about the value of pollinators in the community
and bring a resolution forward to look at the City's practices regarding this issue. She indicated
that last year, when the City applied fertilizer and insecticide, it killed all the vegetables planted
in an adjacent property owner's garden.
Mayor Faust stated he appreciated her comments and the City Manager would be in contact with
her. He stated that beekeeping is on the Planning Commission's agenda this year and the City is
sensitive to this issue and will follow a process to make sure it is done right the first time, adding
that the City did not intend to spray someone's garden and kill all the vegetables.
IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Councilmember Stille presented a flyer for a seminar entitled "Avoiding Financial Scams and
Identity Theft," a free workshop made possible by a grant from Allianz Life Insurance being held
at the Community Center on Monday June 91h, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. He stated that space is
limited and residents should call (612) 706-1166 by June 4th to register.
X. ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Hughes (TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial,
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Inc.)
Mayor