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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 10132015CITY OF ST. ANTHONY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 2015 CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 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, Planning Commissioner Jim Gondorchin 18 19 20 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING 21 ITEMS. 22 23 1. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 13, 2015, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA. 24 25 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson to approve the City 26 Council Meeting Agenda of October 13, 2015. 27 28 Motion carried unanimously. 29 30 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS 31 32 A. Presentation from the University of Minnesota Sustainable Communities Class 33 34 Four representatives from the University of Minnesota Sustainable Communities Class provided 35 a review of their projects in St. Anthony, Lauderdale and Falcon Heights. A Sustainability Fair 36 will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2015, 5:30 — 8:00 p.m., at Silverwood Park, 2500 37 County Road E W, St. Anthony, MN 55421. The event is free and open to the public. For more 38 information check website http: / /tinyurl.com /sustfair. This is an opportunity for attendees to 39 learn about current efforts and find out what can be done to help. 40 41 Mayor Faust thanked the students for their presentation. 42 43 Councilmember Stille asked on the home energy audits how the reports to the City will become a 44 resource for the City. The students responded this will be covered at the Sustainability Fair and 45 also will be included in the City's local newsletter along with a website. 46 47 Councilmember Jenson asked about the net zero program and completion date for the program. 48 The students responded it needs to be completed by the end of the course, which is December 17, 49 2015. A full report will be written by that time. 50 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 13, 2015 Page 2 Mayor Faust asked if any of the energy house items will be available on You Tube, which seems to be a hands -on, how to do things. The students responded they hadn't thought of that but will take that into consideration. Mayor Faust noted to the residents this energy efficiency house is not a `pie in the sky' and it's a way to give back to the community in both a learning and teaching method of students in the real world. Mayor Faust stated the City is grateful for the students doing this and thanked Mark Casey for his leadership, noting the City benefits from this too because staff needs to articulate a position on what is expected. 9 IIl. CONSENT AGENDA. 10 11 A. Consider September 8, 2015, City Council meeting minutes 12 B. Consider September 22, 2015, City Council meeting minutes 13 C. Licenses and Permits 14 D. Claims 15 E. Resolution 15 -057 Accepting Donations and Grants Received in the P Quarter of 2015 — 16 Mayor Faust acknowledged the following grants and donations: 17 MWMO Infrastructure - $400,000 18 Audrey Wagner (Police and Fire Departments) - $5,000 19 Judy Lindsay (Crime Prevention/DARE) - $30 20 Ramsey County — HI VIZ P Quarter - $5,258.85 21 Ramsey County — Fire Department Flammable Liquids Training - $1,210.24 22 Total- $411,499.09 23 F. Resolution 15 -058 Certifying Special Assessments for Delinquent Public Utility Service 24 Accounts to the 2016 Hennepin County Tax Rolls 25 G. Resolution 15 -059 Certifying Special Assessments for Delinquent Public Utility Service 26 Accounts to the 2016 Ramsey County Tax Rolls 27 28 Mayor Faust asked that the City Manager look at some sort of an administrative fee for the 29 residents that don't make utility payments to cover administrative costs. Mayor Faust requested 30 the City Manager report back to Council at a future date on a plan for charging administrative 31 costs. 32 33 Motion by Councilmember Brever seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the Consent 34 Agenda items as presented. 35 36 Motion carried unanimously. 37 38 IV. PUBLIC HEARING- NONE. 39 40 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF 41 42 A. Resolution 15 -060 Approving a Variance from the Required Front Yard Setback in 43 Order to Construct a Covered Front Porch at 3323 Skvcroft Drive 44 45 Planning Commissioner Jim Gondorchin reviewed that Patrick and Patricia Niccum are 46 requesting a variance for a porch to the front of their home. The Front Yard Setback requirement 47 is 35 feet (based on the average of two adjacent homes). Porches are permitted to encroach up to 48 5 feet and the request is for a 2.36 -foot variance to construct the porch at 27.64 feet. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 13, 2015 Page 3 1 Commissioner Gondorchin showed pictures and drawings of the project. The Planning 2 Commission determined the variance criteria was met regarding the subject matter of the 3 application; is within the scope of this section; and, the property owner proposes to use the 4 property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning code. The variance, if granted, will 5 not alter the essential character of the locality; economic considerations alone are not the basis of 6 practical difficulties; the variance, if granted, would be consistent with the City's comprehensive 7 land use plan; and, the granting of the variance is in harmony with the general purposes and 8 intent of the zoning code. 9 10 The only criterion not met was that the plight of the property owner is due to circumstances 11 unique to the property not created by the property owner because a porch is not a necessary 12 addition to a home. 13 14 The Planning Commission met on September 28, 2015, held a public hearing (no one appeared), 15 and recommended approval of the request on a 6 to 0 vote. The Applicant's request for a 16 variance from the front yard setback to allow for the construction of a porch is reasonable, per 17 the findings listed in City Code. Staff recommends approval of the variance to encroach into the 18 front yard setback. 19 20 Motion by Councilmember Jenson seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve Resolution 15- 21 060 A Resolution approving a variance from the required front yard setback in order to construct 22 a covered front porch at the property located at 3323 Skycroft Drive 23 24 Motion carried unanimously. 25 26 Mayor Faust noted there was a similar porch request seven years ago, it adds a lot to the 27 community when they are done well, and this depiction looks like it will be done well. Mayor 28 Faust stated as he drives past the one done seven years ago, he admires it. 29 30 Councilmember Stille stated he agreed, noting this project will not have any visual impact to the 31 surrounding neighborhood and it does conform to the harmony of the residential area. He noted 32 other porches have been approved in the past where the harmony is not consistent. It will be a 33 nice addition to the community. 34 35 B. Resolution 15 -061 a resolution Approving a Variance from the Required Yard Setback 36 in Order to Construct a Two Story Addition at 3425 Skycroft Circle 37 38 Planning Commissioner Jim Gondorchin reviewed the applicants Gordon and Becky 39 Januszewski are at 3425 Skycroft Circle. He reviewed the front yard setback requirement is 40 34.87 feet (based on the average of two adjacent homes and the proposal is to construct an 41 addition to the front of the home (entry way and landing for a remodel). The request is for a 42 6.87 -foot variance to construct at 28 feet. 43 44 Commissioner Gondorchin showed drawings of the proposed project. All variance criteria was 45 met with the exception of the plight of the property owner is due to circumstances unique to the 46 property not created by the property owner in that it is not essential to the home. 47 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 13, 2015 Page 4 I The Planning Commission met on September 28, 2015, held a public hearing (no residents were 2 in opposition) and recommended approval of the variance on a 6 to 0 vote. The Applicant's 3 request for a variance from the front yard setback to allow for the construction the two -story 4 addition is reasonable, per the findings listed in City Code and staff recommends approval of the 5 variance to encroach into the front yard setback. 6 7 Mayor Faust asked Mr. Januszewski if there still will be a concrete driveway to the garage and 8 Mr. Januszewski responded there will be and he does not know why that was left off the 9 rendering. The garage and driveway will stay as they currently are. 10 I 1 Councilmember Stille noted this is a split level home and can be awkward to remodel. This is a 12 unique floor plan. He asked Mr. Januszewski for a description of the floor plan. Mr. 13 Januszewski stated currently the entry is alongside the garage on one level and the entry way is 14 4%2 - 5 feet wide and 6' 8" tall so it is like walking into a tunnel and not a good way to enter the 15 house. The entry in the center part of the house will solve this issue. It will open up the floor plan 16 of the house and allow for more natural light. Mr. Januszewski stated he has shown the plan to 17 all of his neighbors and no one indicated an issue with the plan. 18 19 Councilmember Gray stated this is another example of a project that will fit with the character of 20 the neighborhood and really enhances it. 21 22 Motion by Councilmember Stille seconded by Councilmember Brever, to approve Resolution 23 15 -061 A Resolution approving a variance from the required front yard setback in order to 24 construct a two story addition at the property located at 3425 Skycroft Circle 25 26 _Motion carried unanimously. 27 28 Mayor Faust thanked the Januszewskis and the Niccums for investing in the community and 29 doing quality work, which shows we enjoy our community, and it's good to have residents 30 willing to put money where their desires are. 31 32 C. Resolution 15 -062 a Resolution Approving a Variance from the Wireless 33 Telecommunication Tower Height Requirement at 2801 37s' Avenue NE 34 35 Planning Commissioner Jim Gondorchin reviewed the applicant Verizon Wireless (2801 Coho, 36 LLC) desires to increase the height of the existing telecommunications tower located on the 37 subject property currently a height of 75 feet (maximum allowed per code) proposed to increase 38 height to 87 feet. 39 40 Commissioner Gondorchin stated all variance criterion has been met. The Planning Commission 41 met on September 28, 2015, held a public hearing (no one appeared) and recommended approval 42 of the variance. The purpose statement of the Wireless Telecommunication Towers Chapter of 43 the City Code (City Code Section 90.02 (B) (4)) promotes and encourages shared co- location of 44 towers and antennas rather than construction of additional single -use towers. Staff recommends 45 approval of a variance to exceed the wireless telecommunication tower height to a maximum 46 tower height of 85 feet and a maximum antenna height of 87 feet. He noted the need is due to 47 very large tall trees interfering with the signal. 48 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 13, 2015 Page 5 1 Councilmember Jenson read the problem statement regarding the coverage gaps and asked if the 2 signals have a harder time penetrating leaves on the trees rather than buildings or vehicles. 3 Commissioner Gondorchin stated he understands those people on Silver Lake at 31" would 4 experience difficulties if the tower is not expanded. The applicant mentioned the trees are a 5 barrier to future service in the area. No additional guide wires are needed. 6 7 Rob Viera, consultant working with Verizon, stated he is not an engineer but the main purpose is 8 to shoot over the trees. The trees do impede the signal but they need to reach the parking lots. 10 Mayor Faust stated in looking at the overheads, one is at 59 feet and one will be available at 87 11 feet. Verizon needs to go above AT &T for better coverage. Mayor Faust stated the tower was 12 first constructed in 2001 and the trees have grown in the last 14 years. The buildings may have a 13 negative impact to the West. 14 15 Councilmember Stille asked if it is possible to camouflage towers. Mr. Viera stated this tower 16 cannot be converted to a stealth type tower. 17 18 Motion by Councilmember Gray seconded by Councilmember Brever to approve Resolution 15- 19 062 A Resolution approving a variance from the wireless telecommunication tower height 20 requirement at the property located at 2801 37`" Avenue NE 21 22 Motion carried unanimously. 23 24 Councilmember Stille stated if a new tower is done in the future, a stealth -type tower would be 25 more desirable. The technology is there and it should be taken advantage of 26 27 Mayor Faust stated the economic considerations alone are not the basis, and better coverage is 28 being provided to residents so it not purely for the company's revenue. 29 30 Councilmember Stille stated the other option would be to put up another pole but then there 31 would be two of them so from a practical perspective, this makes sense. 32 33 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL 34 35 A. Ordinance 2015 -05 an Ordinance Amending Mayor and City Councilmembers Salaries 36 (Final Reading and Adoption) 37 38 Mayor Faust reviewed this ordinance amendment would increase the monthly salary for the 39 Mayor and Councilmembers by $50.00 per month. To comply with Minnesota State Law, this 40 ordinance will take effect January 1, 2016. The Mayor's salary will be increased from $675 to 41 $725 /month, the Mayor Pro tem's salary will be increased from $613 to $663 /month and the 42 Councilmembers salary will be increased from $550 to $600 per month. For historical purposes, 43 the last time this ordinance was amended was three years ago in 2012. if approved, this would 44 be effective January 1, 2016. 45 46 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Jenson to approve Third and 47 Final Reading of Ordinance 2015 -05 an Ordinance Amending Mayor and City Councilmembers 48 Salaries. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 13, 2015 Page 6 Motion carried unanimously 4 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. 6 City Manager Casey reviewed in the past, when a project was undertaken within the City, a 7 project information sheet was created and put on the City's website. There is information about 8 the Mirror Lake project on the website, which will be starting in the spring and through 2016. 9 10 There is a survey on the website from CTV regarding Comcast services and CTV programming. 1 I The survey ends at the end of the month. Residents are encouraged to participate in the survey. 12 13 City Manager Casey thanked the Fire Department for the outstanding job they did on the Open 14 House. There were approximately 700 people attending. 15 16 October 17, 2015 is Tech Dump, which is an opportunity for residents to get rid of anything with 17 a cord on it. It will be held on the south side of City Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are 18 minimal charges for some items. 19 20 Councilmember Gray stated last Wednesday, October 7, he attended a meeting of the North 21 Suburban Communications Commission and they recommended approval of the franchise 22 agreement for CenturyLink Communications. He stated this is a great step forward and the first 23 time there has been cable provider competition within St. Anthony. Currently it is Comcast. 24 25 Councilmember Brever stated this past Sunday she attended the Sister City Meeting. The Annual 26 Meeting will be held Sunday, November 22, at 7 p.m., at St. Anthony Council Chambers and 27 everyone is invited to attend. 28 29 Councilmember Jenson stated on September 28, 2015 he attended the St. Anthony Fire 30 Department Relief Association Meeting. Much of the discussion was regarding completing a 31 plan to deal with Youth Enhancement. On September 29, 2015 he participated in a joint meeting 32 with the School Board. On October 3, 2015 he attended the Fire Department's Open House and 33 was approached by several people who said how well organized that Open House was and how 34 courteous and professional the Fire Department personnel were. 35 36 Councilmember Stille stated he also attended the September 29, 2015 School Board Meeting. 37 38 Mayor Faust stated on September 29, 2015 he attended a roundtable discussion regarding Roles 39 of City's on Energy and Climate. It was a conversation with Dr. Jonahan Pershing, Federal 40 Government, who was there along with Rolf Nordstrom, President, CEO Great Plains Institute. 41 Discussion was held regarding some of the different things happening with energy and cities and 42 how can the Department of Energy assist cities. Mayor Faust shared with them about Clinton's 43 for Cops Program back in 1996 -1997 with Federal Government funding that allowed cities to 44 increase police protection over a three year period. He suggested some similar initiatives may be 45 looked at when it comes to energy and sustainability. He came away thinking that maybe the 46 State isn't the right group for them to talk to. Rather, it may be the Universities and Institutes 47 where new technology is developed and practiced. There were approximately 12 people in 48 attendance, including Ellen Anderson from the University of Minnesota, and it was a great City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 13, 2015 Page 7 opportunity for him to showcase St. Anthony, give some ideas on how things can work better, and how we can have an impact. Mayor Faust stated it was interesting to have an audience with someone from the Federal Government. 5 On September 29, 2015 Mayor Faust attended the School Board meeting and on October 3, 2015 6 he attended the Fire Department Open House and Big Rig Event. He stated this is a classic 7 example of how we show residents our equipment. The equipment is well maintained so it 8 always looks new and employees are respectful of the equipment. He commended the personnel 9 for being fiscally responsible. 10 11 On October 10, 2015 Mayor Faust attended the fix -it clinic hosted by Hennepin County. He was 12 curious as he likes to fix things but is not of the caliber of those at the event to fix items. He 13 stated there were 15 -20 tables set up and 41 items were fixed, which is empowering to the 14 individual as they watch it get fixed. He commended the event and encouraged the City Manager 15 to have this event again next year. Mayor Faust explained they weigh the items fixed to 16 determine how many pounds have not gone into the landfill. 17 18 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 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. IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. None X. ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Debbie Wolfe Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ATTEST: C t Clerk Mayor