HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 02242015I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 FEBRUARY 24, 2015
4
5 CALL TO ORDER.
6
7 Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
8
9 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
10
11 Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
12
13 ROLL CALL.
14
15 Present: Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Brever, Gray, Jenson, and Stille.
16 Absent: None.
17 Also Present: City Manager Mark Casey, Finance Director Shelly Rueckert, Public Works Director
18 Jay Hartman, and City Engineer Justin Messner (WSB & Associates).
19 Guest: Planning Commission Chair Erica Crone.
20
21
22 Resolution 15-021; a Resolution Appointing Bonnie Brever to Fill a Vacancy on the Saint Anthony
23 Village City Council. Mark Casey Manager, presenting.
24
25 City Manager Casey stated that on January 1, 2015, Councilmember Roth submitted his resignation
26 from the City Council and the City Council opted to fill the vacancy by appointment. He stated that a
27 notice of vacancy was published on January 21 and 28, 2015, and after a thorough interview process,
28 Bonnie Brever was chosen to fill the vacancy until the next City election on November 3, 2015.
29
30 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve Resolution 15-021; a
31 Resolution Appointing Bonnie Brever to Fill a Vacancy on the Saint Anthony Village City Council.
32
33 Motion carried 4-0.
34 Swearing -In City Council member Bonnie Brever.
35
36 Mayor Faust performed the swearing-in of City Council member Bonnie Brever.
37
38 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
39 ITEMS.
40
41 I. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 24, 2015, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
42
43 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City
44 Council Meeting Agenda of February 24, 2015.
45
46 Motion carried unanimously.
47
48 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS - NONE.
49
50 III. CONSENT AGENDA.
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February 24, 2015
Page 2
A. Consider February 10, 2015, City Council meeting minutes;
B. Consider licenses and permits;
C. Consider payment of claims,
D. Consider Resolution 15-022; a Resolution Designating Councilmember Brever as a
Participant in Outside Organizations for 2015, and
E. Consider Resolution 15-023; a Resolution Accepting a Grant that was received for 2014.
9 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the Consent
10 Agenda items.
11
12 Motion carried unanimously.
13
14 IV. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE.
15
16 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
17
18 A. Planning Commission 2015 Work Plan. Erica Crone, Planning Commission Chair,
19 presenting.
20
21 Planning Commission Chair Crone presented the Planning Commission 2015 Work Plan and
22 advised that the 2015 Work Plan has been prioritized to include continued review and updating
23 of the City's green/energy/reuse ordinances specifically related to solar energy, pervious
24 pavement systems, and urban farming/keeping of animals, as well as a review of the outdoor
25 wood burning standards, landscaping and planting requirements, and the home
26 occupation/interim use permit/special use permit ordinance.
27
28 Councilmember Stille noted that the Planning Commission Chair accompanies the City Council
29 on tours and attends the City Council goal setting sessions. He extended the City Council's
30 thanks and appreciation to the Planning Commission for their time and effort.
31
32 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the Planning
33 Commission 2015 Work Plan as presented.
34
35 Motion carried unanimously.
36
37 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
38
39 A. Resolution 15-024; a Resolution Authorizing Appraisals for Easement Acquisition for
40 2016 Highway Safety Improvement Program. Justin Messner. City Engineer (WSB &
41 Associates), presenting_
42
43 City Engineer Messner explained that the City received a Federal grant for signal improvements
44 throughout the City as well as to construct a sidewalk along the south side of 37`h Avenue from
45 Highcrest to Stinson and along the east side of Stinson from 37`h to Silver Lane. He stated this
46 project requires the City to obtain temporary easements even though all work is being done
47 within the right-of-way because the City received Federal money for the project and is required
48 by Federal law to obtain the easements and conduct appraisals.
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February 24, 2015
Page 3
Councilmember Jenson asked about the public input process. He also asked about any financial
impact to the City for the appraisals.
City Engineer Messner stated the City held open houses and the feedback was generally positive.
He stated that all appraisal costs are borne by the project itself and are included in the grant.
8 City Manager Casey advised that there was some concern about the sidewalk location and some
9 concern about mailboxes, but overall residents are happy they are not being assessed for the
10 sidewalk and appreciated the added walkability especially on the east side of Silver Lake Road.
11
12 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve Resolution 15-
13 024; a Resolution Authorizing Appraisals for Easement Acquisitions for 2016 Highway Safety
14 Improvement Program.
15
16 Motion carried unanimously.
17
18 B. Ordinance 2015-02; an Interim Ordinance Prohibiting Medical Cannabis Manufacturers
19 and Cannabis Facilities. Mark Casey, City Manager, presenting.
20
21 City Manager Casey explained that cities are allowed to adopt moratoriums for the purpose of
22 protecting the planning process and the health, safety and welfare of its citizens and given the
23 unique characteristics of this use it is recommend that the City Council adopt a moratorium so
24 the issue can be properly studied and determine if the ordinances need to be amended. He added
25 that during the moratorium, any applications related to medical marijuana manufacturing and
26 distribution facilities shall not be accepted.
27
28 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to adopt Ordinance
29 2015-02; an Interim Ordinance Prohibiting Medical Cannabis Manufacturers and Cannabis
30 Facilities.
31
32 Motion carried unanimously.
33
34 C. St. Anthony Finance Department Annual Report. Shelly Rueckert, Finance Director,
35 presenting.
36
37 Finance Director Rueckert presented the 2014 Finance Department annual report and reviewed
38 the Finance Department's mission statement and core accounting functions. She stated that in
39 2014 the Finance Department processed 9,400 utility bills, had 166 new residents added to the
40 system, and processed 1,500 utility bills for the City of Birchwood Village. She stated in 2014
41 the Finance Department reviewed the impact of tiered water rates that demonstrated average
42 water usage is down 15% since 2008. She stated the Finance Department also reviewed the
43 street reconstruction program and the impact on inflow and infiltration and this program has
44 helped reduce water infiltration and wastewater flows. She reported the City conducted a
45 comprehensive review of its capital funds in order to document all equipment used, estimated
46 useful life of the equipment, and subsequent replacement cost and this provided the City with a
47 clear picture of its short and long term capital equipment needs to ensure departments are
48 properly equipped to maintain City services. She stated the Finance Department provides
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 24, 2015
Page 4
accounting support to MWMO and expanded its services in 2014 to include staff time to assist
with tracking MWMO invoices and collection needs and in 2015 the Finance Department will be
assisting MWMO with its fund balance policies. She stated the Finance Department also
provides utility billing to the City of Birchwood Village and provided assistance with its tiered
water rate structure. She stated the Finance Department has realized a return on its investments
in technology to improve core functions, advance long term planning and expand its
collaborative efforts with other agencies, and thanked the City Council for its ongoing support.
9 Mayor Faust expressed the City Council's thanks and appreciation to Finance Director Rueckert
10 and her staff.
11
12 D. St. Anthony Public Works Department Annual Report. Jay Hartman, Public Works
13 Director, presenting.
14
15 Public Works Director Hartman presented the 2014 Public Works Department Annual Report
16 and recited the Public Works Department's mission statement. He stated the Street Division
17 conducted seven street sweepings during 2014, had 18 snow/ice events during the 2013-2014
18 season, and nine citywide plowing events. He stated the Parks Division maintains the City's
19 storm water retention ponds and ditch lines throughout the City and maintains all City -owned
20 properties. He stated the Water/Sewer Division repaired eight water main breaks and four
21 service leaks during the 2013-2014 season; in addition, there were 15 homes with water service
22 freeze -ups. He presented a graph showing water main breaks and service leaks since 1998
23 indicating an average of 8-10 leaks with the exception of 2007-2008 when the number of water
24 main breaks doubled due to several breaks in a section of Foss Road that has since been
25 reconstructed. He stated the Vehicle Maintenance Division certifies all vehicle equipment
26 purchases and it has always been the goal to provide necessary service and repair of all City -
27 owned equipment that is competitive with outside service alternatives. He discussed the
28 Engineering Division's 2014 projects including the Silver Lake carp removal project, regional
29 flooding projects, LED pedestrian crossing at Kenzie and 27`h, Central Park biofiltration system,
30 and the alum treatment at Salo Park. He stated the 2015 street and utility improvement project is
31 located on 36`' Avenue from Penrod Lane to Highcrest Road and Chelmsford Road from 36`h to
32 37`' Avenues along with mill and overlay projects on St. Anthony Boulevard and an alley west of
33 Silver Lake Road and south of 291h Avenue. He discussed the City's sustainability initiatives and
34 stated the City held a Tech Dump recycling event on November 1, 2014, where approximately
35 9,000 pounds of electronics were collected for recycling. He discussed the 2015 projects
36 including continued work on public building and energy improvements, Silver Lake carp
37 removal, Silver Lake TMDL phosphorus reduction, Mirror Lake dredging, and completion of the
38 fiber network. He reminded residents of the annual cleanup day on May 2, 2015, curbside
39 branch chipping May 11-13, 2015, citywide hydrant flushing May 18-22, 2015, and VillageFest
40 July 31 -August 2, 2015. He thanked the City Council for its ongoing support and stated it has
41 always been the mission of Public Works to be proactive in providing services that meet and
42 exceed the service level of other public works agencies.
43
44 Mayor Faust expressed the City Council's thanks and appreciation to Public Works Director
45 Hartman and his entire staff.
46
47 E. St. Anthonv 2015 Stratesic Plan. Mark Casev. Citv Manaeer, nresentin¢.
M.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 24, 2015
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City Manager Casey stated that the City Council held its annual strategic planning and goal
setting workshop in January and the workshop provided an opportunity to review goal setting,
work completed during 2014, strengths and weaknesses, long term vision and priorities, followed
by putting together the pyramid that created the structure for action steps. He advised the entire
report is available at City Hall and on the City's website.
Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the 2015
Strategic Plan as presented.
10 Motion carried unanimously.
11
12 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
13
14 City Manager Casey stated that residents should have received a mailer regarding organized
15 collection that includes a summary of information, FAQ and a zone map. He advised residents
16 that when their cart is brought down to the curb to be replaced, it can have garbage in it. He
17 stated further information is available online or residents may call City Hall with any questions.
18
19 Councilmember Gray — no report.
20
21 Councilmember Brever reported on her attendance last week at a forum for newly elected and
22 appointed city councilmembers in Alexandria.
23
24 Councilmember Jenson reported on his attendance at the February 13th interview process with
25 the Mayor and City Council. He also reported on his attendance at the February 23`d Fire
26 Department Relief Association meeting.
27
28 Councilmember Stille — no report.
29
30 Mayor Faust — no report.
31
32 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM.
33
34 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that
35 are not on the regular agenda. Hearing none, Mayor Faust moved forward with the agenda.
36
37 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS - NONE.
38
39 X. ADJOURNMENT.
40
41 Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
42
43 Respectfully submitted,
44 Barbara Hughes (TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.)
45
46
47 ATTEST: (�
48 City Clerk
ayor