HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 06092015I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 JUNE 9, 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 and City Planner Breanne Rothstein.
18 Guest: Planning Commissioner Jim Gondorchin.
19
20 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
21 ITEMS.
22
23 1. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 9, 2015, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
24
25 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City
26 Council Meeting Agenda of June 9, 2015.
27
28 Motion carried unanimously.
29
30 11. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS - NONE.
31
32 III. CONSENT AGENDA.
33
34 A. Consider May 26, 2015, City Council meeting minutes:
35 B. Consider licenses and permits; and
36 C. Consider payment of claims.
37
38 Councilmember Stille requested that line 35 on page 4 of the May 26, 2015, City Council
39 meeting minutes be revised to state "... They toured 6 24 sites related to re- development, water
40 and transportation and roads including..."
41
42 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Brever, to approve the Consent
43 Agenda items.
44
45 Motion carried unanimously.
46
47 IV. PUBLIC HEARING.
48
49 A. Liquor License for 3701 Stinson Boulevard.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2015
Page 2
1 Mayor Faust opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.
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3 City Manager Casey stated this public hearing is for an on -sale intoxicating liquor license and
4 Sunday on -sale license for the former I -Hop restaurant. He advised that staff reviewed
5 background information along with the applicant's credit and financial history and calls for
6 service to the applicant's existing bar and staff recommends approval of the liquor license. He
7 explained that in addition to the public hearing the City Council would consider an amendment
8 to the City Code to increase the number of on -sale liquor licenses from three to four as well as a
9 Conditional Use Permit that will be considered at a Planning Commission public hearing on June
10 22, 2015. He then introduced the applicant, Mr. Chris Christopherson.
11
12 Councilmember Stille requested further information about the 60 -40 rule.
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14 City Manager Casey explained that the City Code requires all liquor establishments to have 60%
15 of its gross receipts related to food and 40% or less related to liquor sales.
16
17 Councilmember Gray asked about the history of the City's limit on liquor licenses.
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19 City Manager Casey stated that the City Code limit is a local condition and the State regulates
20 how many liquor licenses are allowed in cities based on its population, adding there are also
21 exemptions for restaurants, bowling alleys, or hotels and a city can impose an overall limit and
22 St. Anthony chose to limit the number of liquor licenses.
23
24 Mayor Faust stated the City went to a referendum in 2003 and at that time there were only three
25 potential applicants that wanted a liquor license. He stated the City Council found it prudent at
26 that time to limit the number of liquor licenses to three, knowing that the City could increase the
27 number and still retain control over the number of liquor licenses issued.
28
29 Councilmember Gray stated the City Council approves all liquor licenses anyway so that control
30 is already in place and felt this seemed like an extra step that might not be necessary.
31
32 Ms. Joan Menken, 1067 14th Avenue SE, stated she lives in the neighborhood near Sporty's and
33 Mr. Christopherson has been focused on the neighborhood and families and has been incredibly
34 responsive to the neighborhood, including participating in neighborhood events. She stated Mr.
35 Christopherson met all their expectations and there has never been an issue with his
36 establishment on Como Avenue, adding he runs a very responsible business and she supported
37 his plan to revitalize the former I -Hop property.
38
39 Mr. Chris Christopherson stated he has lived in the Twin Cities all his life and has worked in the
40 restaurant business since the age of 13 and spent the last ten years at restaurants like Pittsburgh
41 Blue. He stated he would like to expand his business and feels that the former I -Hop property
42 would be a great opportunity. He stated they have a strong focus on service, atmosphere, and
43 providing a strong community gathering place and the restaurant supports local charities.
44
45 Councilmember Stille asked Mr. Christopherson if he would have any problem complying with
46 the 60 -40 rule.
47
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2015
Page 3
1 Mr. Christopherson replied he did not believe he would have a problem complying with the rule,
2 adding that they were required to comply with this in the City of Minneapolis. He stated they
3 serve a lot of premium beer and premium cocktails and a lot of their food menu is low priced
4 with happy hour focused on food rather than alcohol.
5
6 Mayor Faust closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m.
8 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
9
10 A. Resolution 15 -039 Approving Variance at 2832 Coolidge St NE. Jim Gondorchin
11 Planning Commissioner. presenting.
12
13 Planning Commissioner Gondorchin explained the applicant plans to demolish and replace the
14 existing garage that does not meet the required 5' setback. He presented an aerial view of the
15 site showing the proposed garage and the existing garage and stated the variance would allow the
16 new garage to be constructed in line with the rest of the garages in the neighborhood. He
17 reviewed the criteria for variance approval and advised that the applicant is proposing to expand
18 the garage, which is necessitating the need for a variance; however, all other variance criteria
19 have been met and the Planning Commission recommends approval of the variance.
20
21 Councilmember Stille asked about lot coverage.
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23 City Planner Rothstein advised that this lot is approximately 7,800 square feet and is at 39% lot
24 coverage so the variance keeps lot coverage under 40 %, adding that if the applicant met the 5'
25 setback with a 5' concrete apron, their lot coverage would exceed the Code and the variance
26 allows the applicant to construct the garage closer to the alley with a smaller concrete apron.
27
28 Motion by Councilmember Brever, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to adopt Resolution 15-
29 039 Approving a Variance from the Required Rear and Side Yard Setbacks in Order to Construct
30 a New Garage 1 Foot from Side and Rear Property Line Along the Allley of the Property located
31 at 2832 Coolidge Street NE.
32
33 Councilmember Gray noted there are not that many alleys in the City and questioned whether the
34 City should amend its Ordinance to allow this without having to go through the variance process
35 and to come up with a reasonable standard for these situations. He stated all the garages in the
36 alleys are about 1' from the property line and it might make sense to amend the Ordinance to
37 make an exception for alleys like this.
38
39 Motion carried unanimously.
40
41 V1. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
42
43 A. Ordinance 2015 -03 an Ordinance Amending Chapter 112.15 to allow 4 On -Sale Liquor
44 Licenses Within the City. Mark Casey City Manager, presenting.
45
46 City Manager Casey presented the Ordinance to amend the City Code and stated the City
47 currently has three on -sale liquor licenses and the text amendment would bring the total number
48 of liquor licenses to four.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2015
Page 4
2 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve First Reading
3 of Ordinance No. 2015 -03 Amending Chapter 152 to Change the Number of On -Sale Liquor
4 Licenses Allowed in the City.
5
6 Motion carried unanimously.
7
8 B. Ordinance 2015 -04 an Ordinance Amending Chapter 152.008 and 152.187 pertaining to
9 Solar EnergySvstems. Breanne Rothstein, City Planner, presenting.
10
11 City Planner Rothstein presented the proposed Ordinance to allow a variety of changes to the
12 current solar ordinance related to solar energy systems in residential and commercial zoning
13 districts. She explained that the purpose of the amendment is to incorporate more detailed
14 standards governing solar installation, provide clarity for staff, solar energy installers, and
15 property owners, to set standards for building- mounted and freestanding systems, and to clarify
16 that solar access may be purchased from nearby property owners. She stated that the Planning
17 Commission and City Council discussed adding a definition for flush - mounted systems to clarify
18 that only flush- mounted systems may be installed on the front of homes to minimize visual
19 impacts to surrounding properties. She stated the Planning Commission and City Council also
20 determined that freestanding systems would be allowed as long as they follow the setback
21 requirements and are located in the rear yard and do not exceed 10' in height. She stated that a
22 CUP would be required for all commercial installations and light pole mounted solar installations
23 would be allowed through the issuance of a CUP and limited to 3 square feet. She advised that
24 the Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval of the Ordinance,
25 adding that the Ordinance is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the
26 City's goal of finding ways to be sustainable as a community.
27
28 Councilmember Stille felt the proposed Ordinance captures what the City is trying to accomplish
29 and protects the integrity of its neighborhoods, adding that it was important to recognize that this
30 Ordinance will be fluid given the rapid changes in technology.
31
32 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve First Reading
33 of Ordinance No. 2015 -04 Amending Section 152.008 Definitions and § 152.187 Solar Energy
34 Systems to Update Provisions Pertaining to Solar Energy Systems.
35
36 Motion carried unanimously.
37
38 C. Resolution 15 -040 Approval of Elections Services Agreement with Ramsey County
39 Elections Office for 2015 through 2016 Mark Casey City Manager, presenting.
40
41 City Manager Casey stated that Ramsey County currently provides election services to nine other
42 cities and is extremely efficient in providing these services. He stated if the agreement is
43 approved, the City would incur an additional $7,569 per year for Ramsey County to manage its
44 elections, adding that all three precincts are covered under the agreement.
45
46 Councilmember Stille noted that the Ramsey County Attorney's Office would advise and
47 represent the City on election - related issues with the exception of anything related to City Code.
48
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2015
Page 5
Mayor Faust stated Ramsey County would handle any recount as well.
Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to adopt Resolution 15-
040 Approving the Agreement with Ramsey County for Election Services 2015 -2016.
Motion carried unanimously.
8 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
9
10 City Manager Casey reported the City is now seeing the benefits of the Silver Lake carp removal
11 program and the water is clearer than in the past. He stated the City will continue monitoring
12 and studying the lake and the commercial fisherman involved in the carp removal will be making
13 a presentation to the homeowners association about the harvest.
14
15 Councilmember Stille — no report.
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17 Councilmember Gray reported on his attendance at the May 29th strategic planning committee
18 meeting for the North Suburban Communications Commission where three bids were reviewed
19 for the viewership survey being commissioned.
20
21 Councilmember Brever reported on her attendance at the June 1 s` City Council work session and
22 the June 8h Parks Commission meeting.
23
24 Councilmember Jenson reported on his attendance at the June 1' City Council work session.
25
26 Mayor Faust reported on his attendance at the May 27`h tour with MWMO including R.L.
27 Stevenson Elementary in Fridley, LaBelle Park in Columbia Heights, and Grace Lutheran
28 Church in Northeast Minneapolis. He also reported on his attendance at the June 1" City
29 Council work session and the June 8`h Regional Council of Mayors meeting.
30
31 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM.
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33 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that
34 are not on the regular agenda. Hearing none, Mayor Faust moved forward with the agenda.
35
36 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
37
38 None.
39
40 X. ADJOURNMENT.
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42 Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
43
44 Respectfully submitted,
45 Barbara Hughes (Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.)
46 /y� /
47 ATTEST: ' / /(dz Mayor
48 Cit Clerk