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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 08101976COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ST. ANTHONY August 10,1976 The meeting was called to order at 7:32 P.M. by Mayor Pro Tem Stauffer. Present at roll call: Sundland, Iiaik, Stauffer, Sauer. Absent: Miedtke Also present: Jerry Dulgar, City Manager Larry Vickrey, City Attorney Jim Fornell, Adm. Asst. ?lotion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Sundland to approve the July 27th, 1976 Council minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. The following points were raised during the discussion of the commercial parking lot ordinance: Councilman Sauer questioned the necessity of removing snow from the lot perimeters, feeling that snow could be stored on the perimeters without difficulties. City Manager Dulgar said the only problems he is aware of with snow storage is the lot between G & G Body Shop and American Legion where water sometimes runs into the basement of the body shop and around the Apache Medical Building. He felt there is no major proble,.. with snow storage on private property. Councilman Sundland felt that the word "beneficial" should be deleted in Section 340:20 because it may be difficult to legally establish who is a benefitting owner in comoly_ing with the ordinance. Councilman Haik wanted to make sure that the ordiance xezuizes proper surfacing and grading for water drainage. "otion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilr:�an Sundland to ..table action on the parking ordinance and instruct the city attorney to work on the suggested language changes. Motion carried unanimously. The Council discussed the memo from F'r: Soth, City Attorney, regard -ng _''_e proposed .Iurray Heights Third Add', tion slat and the following notion was made: `,o -.ion by Councilman Haik, seconded by Councilman Sundland to adopt Pc Sciution No. 76-036. RESOLUTION 76- 036 A RESOLUTION APPROVIiNIG THE FINAL PLP_T OF MURRAY HEIGHTS 3RD ADDITION ?-`otion carried unanimously. COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ST. ANTHONY August 10,1976 The meeting was called to order at 7:32 P.M. by Mayor Pro Tem Stauffer. Present at roll call: Sundland, Haik, Stauffer, Sauer. Absent: Miedtke Also present: Jerry Dulgar, City Manager Larry Vickrey, City Attorney Jim Fornell, Adm. Asst. Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Sundland to approve the July 27th, 1976 Council minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. following points were raised during the discussion of the commercial parking lot ordinance: Councilman Sauer questioned the necessity of removing snow from the lot perimeters, feeling that snow could be stored on the perimeters without difficulties. City Manager Dulgar said the only problems he is aware of with snow storage is the lot between G & G Body Shop and American Legion where water sometimes runs into the basement of the body shop and around the Apache Medical Building. He felt there is no major problem with snow storage on private property. Councilman Sundland felt that the word "beneficial" should be deleted in Section 340:20 because it may be difficult to legally establish who is a benefitting owner in complying with the ordinance. Councilman Haik wanted to make sure that the ordiance reau;Tes proper surfacing and grading for water drainage. :otion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Sundland to .table action on the parking ordinance and instruct the city attorr_ev to work on the suggested language changes. Motion carried unanimously. The Council discussed the memo from ^:r: Soth, City Attorney, regard ^g the proposed :Murray Heights Third Add -.'=ion plat and the follc:ina motion was made: io-ion by Councilman Haik, seconded by Councilman Sundland to at'olt Pesolution No. 76-036. RESOLUTION 76- 036 A RESOLUTION APPRO ING THE FINAL PLAT OF MURRAY HEIGHTS 3RD ADDITION i�'.otion carried unanimously. Page 2 Motion carried unanimously. The City Manager and Mayor Pro Tem Stauffer briefed residents in attendance and the Council on the City's discussions and negotiations with the Ramsey County Highway Department and Wilshire Park P.T.A. concerning the county's road improvement program for County Road "D" and associated pedestrian safety plans. Councilman Haik was concerned whether the County intended to preserve the trees on the Fosston Townhouse land and was informed that the County wanted to remove the trees but that the City wanted the walkway constructed between the rows of trees. Many residents of the townhouses were present to speak on the proposed road improvement and the pedestrian safety plans. Margaret Michaels, 3505 37th Avenue N.E., was the spokeswoman for the group and stated she represented nineteen homeowners and taxpayers who are concerned about the improvement plans. She felt there was a lack of consensus at the Wilshire Park informational meeting, didn't want to grant the easement and didn't care for the County's plans. She cited the detrimental impact of the improvement on the townhouses and felt that the residents were inadequately informed and that the County Highway Department was trying to force the project. She summed up the group's position thus: they did not want a four lane road, sidewalks installed on their property, any trees cut down, median barriers; they wanted the speed limit reduced, a crossing at Foss Road, the paving repaired rather than a new project, and more time to explore the proposed project to seek modifications. They felt the project was a "railroad" job and would decrease property values. Mayor Pro Tem Stauffer said the proposal agreed to by Ramsey County concerning pedestrian safety was hopefully a temporary proposal and that the "warrant" standards were such that the crossing did not warrant a traffic control semaphore at this time. Hopefully, in the near future it would. Jim Erickson, 3537 37th Avenue N.E., wondered if the walkway was really temporary and cited problems with lack of privacy, additional noise, and snow storage when the roadway/walkway project is completed. Mr. Erickson wondered if the easement was voluntary and Councilman Sundland said it was at this point but that Ramsey County could condemn the property and then issue the City a permit to construct the sidewalk on the acquired right-of-way. Marsha Erickson questioned why the walkway was to be constructed on the north side of 37th Avenue N.E. and was informed that school children safety north of 37th was of critical importance. Mrs. Erickson then asked how many school children live north of 37th Avenue N.E. Harry Hoff, principal at Wilshire Park Elementary School, said about 75 of which about 15 are bussed. Carmen Dobrzynski, 3529 37th Avenue N.E., cited problems with the general layout, adequate space for the walkway, and poor access from Page 3 Foss Road to eastbound on 37th Avenue N.E. She questioned the cost of curb and gutter, the reimbursement and wanted to see traffic control lights at Foss Road. Hillie Getman, Betty Moore and Avis Lawrence, all residents of Fosston Townhouses all stated that they agreed to what had been stated previously and didn't want to speak. Marion Post, administrator of the St. Anthony Nursing Home, was concerned about the impact of potential increased traffic on the elderly residents of her nursing home. She was concerned about the four lane design, and wanted consideration for the safety of elderly pedestrians, some of whom are not mentally alert or are quite slow. Councilman Haik and City Manager Dulgar said the improvement should not necessarily attract new traffic, arguing that people use the road only because it's convenient for their destination and that people will not go out of their way to use the road. A few other residents of the townhouses declined to make statements. Mary Michaels, 3505 37th Avenue N.E., expressed concern about pedestrian safety at other than during school hours and days, citing heavy use of Wilshire Park and favored a traffic semaphore at Foss Road. She questioned the warrant standards and wanted the possibility of a modification in them pursued. Harold Partridge, 3503 37th Avenue N.E., felt the use of school patrols was sufficient and did not want a crossing in front of the townhouses, feeling it unnecessary. Dennis Engle, 4081 Foss Road, a board member of Mirror Lake Manor and Wilshire Park P.T.A., briefed residents on the pedestrian safety concerns of parents and educators and the difficulty in getting an acceptable crossing. Originally his group wanted a foot bridge, then a traffic semaphore. The warrants didn't justify either, hence the temporary proposal. Several members of the Council suggested that the townhouse residents contact the County about their concerns with the warrant standards and design details. Wesley Robertson, owner of Highcrest Manor, wanted to know where he could store his snow if the walkway was, constructed close to his property. Dennis Engle wanted to know who would pay for the temporary improvements and wanted to see more police patrolling in the area as a deterrent to speeders. Page 4 The Council directed the City Manager to contact Ramsey County regarding when the warning signs will be placed and if the City can put up flashers. The Council set August 31, September 7th and September 21st as dates for hearings on the 1977 budget. Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Stauffer,to approve George M. Hansen Company for the 1976 audit. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sundland, seconded by Councilman Haik to approve the list of election judges as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. The Council expressed appreciation to Larry Hamer, Supt. of Public Works, and the Public Works Department for the extensive amount of sealcoating done this summer. The Council suggested that the City coordinate the volunteer effort in regard to North Memorial Medical Center's vaccination clinics and Hennepin County's Swine Flu Innoculation Clinic, to be held in the Civic Center. Councilman Sundland announced that he has appointed Jim Gahagan, 3923 Foss Road, to the Human Relations Committee. Bill Sauer announced that the American Legion District Convention will be in St. Anthony in 1977 and that they may require some assistance from the city, especially police services. He also gave a status report on thisyear's Wrangler Days celebration, to be held September 11th and 12th. The Council then discussed the 37th Avenue N.E. Improvement Project and the following motion was made and seconded: Motion by Councilman Haik, seconded by Councilman Sundland to direct the City Manager to send a letter to Wilshire Park School, the Wilshire Park P.T.A., and to the Fosston Townhouse owners' association indicating that if a cooperative alternative to the proposed plans can be reached, the Council would be receptive to a review of the alternative plan. Motion carried unanimously. It was mentioned that the City could lose approximately $900.00 by withdrawing from the Suburban Rate Authority but that the Council thought all the assets would probably be liquidated by the time the S.R.A. is formally disbanded anyway and that the City would save future dues by withdrawing now. Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Haik to approve the licenses, as presented. Page 5 Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Sundland to approve payment for the sum of $21,467.65 to Dunkley Surfacing for services rendered on Street Improvement Project 1976-1. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Haik to approve payment for the sum of $405.50 to Twin City Testing and Engineering Laboratory, Inc. for soil compaction tests on Street Improvement Project 1976-1. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Haik to approve payment for the sum of $3,569.84 to Comstock & Davis for engineering services on Street Improvement Project 1976-1. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sundland, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stauffer to approve payment for the sum of $2,461.33 to Dorsey Firm for legal services rendered during June, 1976. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Stauffer to approve payment for the sum of $1,566.00 to the League of Minnesota Cities for fiscal year 1977 dues. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sundland, seconded by Councilman Sauer to approve the verified claims as listed in the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sundland, seconded by Councilman Haik to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:03 P.M. ATTEST: ( -14U'6"9 Clerk