HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 10102000 1 - - --
•2 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
3 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
4 October 10; 2000
5 I. CALL TO ORDER.
6 Mayor Cavanaugh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
7 II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
8 Mayor Cavanaugh invited the Council and the audience to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9
10 III. ROLL CALL.
11 Councilmembers present: Mayor Cavanaugh; Councilmembers Sparks, Thuesen, Horst and
12 Hodson
13 Councilmembers absent: None.
14 Also present: City Manager Michael Mornson.
15 IV. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 10, 2000 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
16 AGENDA.
17 Motion by Hodson to approve the October 10,2000 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda as
18. presented.
19 Motion carried'unanimously.
20 V. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
21 None.
22 V1.' COMMUNITY FORUM.
23 Mayor Cavanaugh asked for input from the audience on any issue that is not on the regular
24 Council agenda. Hearing no response, Cavanaugh moved forward with the agenda.
25 VII. CONSENT AGENDA.
26 Motion by Thuesen to approve the Consent Agenda, with the noted changes. Said Consent
27 Agenda consisted of:
28 1. City Council Meeting Minutes of September 26, 2000.
29 Page 13, Line 25, change "that crosswalk" to "crosswalks in New Brighton and it gave Thuesen+
30 the idea to address potential crosswalk issues in St. Anthony,"
31 Page 13, Line 30, change "Apache Plaza" to "St. Anthony Shopping Center"
32 2. Licenses and Permits, and
•33 3. Claims.
T
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
• October 10, 2000
Page 2
1 Motion carried unanimously.
2 VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
3 None.
4 IX. GENERAL POLICY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL.
5 A. Appoint Election Judges for the November 7, 2000 General Election.
6 Motion by Sparks to approve the Election Judges for the November 7, 2000 General Election,
7 and as noted on pages 21 and 22 of.the Council agenda packets for the October 10, 2000
8 meeting.
9 Motion carried unanimously.
10 B. Ordinance 2000-011 re: Amendment to Moratorium Ordinance Relating to City's
11 Northwest Quadrant 0 st reading).
12 City Manager Michael Mornson stated that, upon review of the moratorium passed at the
13 September 26, 2000 City Council meeting, it:was determined that the moratorium had a negative
14 effect on the single family residents on Silver Lake that was not intended. Judy Monson, the
15 City's License Clerk, had informed Mornson that several homeowners were considering permits
0 for roof, remodeling, decks, etc.
17 Mornson continued by stating that, as.,adopted, the moratorium would.not allow the City to issue
18 permits for those circumstances. Because of this, Mornson took the initiative to direct the
19 Building Inspector to issue permits because it was determined that the moratorium was not
20 intended to stop homeowners from improving their properties. In that respect, an Ordinance has
21 been drafted to make the moratorium guidelines more clear, and such Ordinance is enclosed in
22 the Council's agenda packets.
23 Motion by Sparks to waive the first and second,readings of Ordinance 2000-011, as well as
24 approve Ordinance 2000-011, an Ordinance Relating to a Moratorium Amending Section
25 1330.04, Subd. 1 of the 1993 St. Anthony Code of Ordinances.
26 Motion carried unanimously.
27 C. Ordinance 2000-012 re: Amendment to Moratorium Ordinance Relating to Antennas and
28 Towers Q st Reading).
29 City Manager Michael Mornson reviewed for the Council that during the July and August
30 Planning Commission meetings, the Commission had discussed passage of a moratorium on any
31 new construction of antennas and towers.
32 Additionally, on September 19, 2000, the Commission established a subcommittee (consisting of
Commissioners Melsha, Hatch, and Stille) to study the existing ordinance and a proposed draft
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 10, 2000
• Page 3
1 antenna ordinance submitted by Staff. The Commission also voted unanimously to recommend
2 that the Council pass an interim ordinance (moratorium), pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section
3 462.355, Subd.4. prohibiting the issuance and consideration of new permits for antennas and/or
4 towers for a period of one (1) year. Said interim'ordinance will afford the Commission an
5 opportunity to adequately study and review the existing ordinance and replace or amend as
6 deemed necessary.
7 Motion by Thuesen to waive the first and second readings of Ordinance 2000-012, and to
8 approve Ordinance 2000-012, an Ordinance Relating to a Moratorium on Construction or
9 Erection of Antennas and Communication Towers, and on the Issuance of any Permits for Same;
10 Amending Section 1330 of the St.Anthony City Code by Adding New Sections 1330.05 and
11 .1330.06.
12 Motion carried unanimously.
13 Cavanaugh noted that there seems to be many areas within St. Anthony where cellular phones
14 have difficulty receiving a signal. Discussion ensued amongst the Councilmembers about the
15 reasons for this problem. Hodson noted that the span of coverage depends on the type of
16 antennas installed. Hodson explained further that part of the problem is the terrain of the St.
Anthony area, thus creating gray areas of satellite coverage.
18 Sparks inquired if this issue would be an appropriate discussion for the Planning Commission
19 Task Force. Hodson noted that idea.is,an excellent one. Cavanaugh asked City Manager
20 Michael Mornson to bring this issue up with the Planning Commission.
21 D. Resolution 00-081 re: Ramsey County SCORE Grant Application.
22 Motion by Horst to approve Resolution 00-081, a Resolution Approving Submittal of the 2001
23 Ramsey County Score Funding Grant Application and Entering into a Contract for this Program,
24 whereas it is resolved that the City Council of the City of St. Anthony hereby approves the
25 submittal of the 2001 Ramsey County SCORE Funding Grant Application and enter into a
26 contract for this program.
27 Motion carried unanimously.
28 Sparks noted that she would like;to;see more information going to the residents regarding
29 recycling opportunities.
30 X. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND STAFF.
31 A. Presentation on Cable Franchises.
32 Mayor Cavanaugh invited Ms. Cor Wilson, Executive Director of the North Suburban Cable
33 Commission, to address the Council.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 10, 2000
• Page 4
1 Ms. Wilson stated that several companies that would like for cable franchises to encourage cable
2 competition have approached the cities in the metro area. She continued by stating that cities
3 have long been granting permission to cable companies to have a franchise. The rules were
4 established by the FCC and they have been modified over the past 30 years. There is a section of
5 the State Code that also governs some of the cable regulation.
6 Most of the metropolitan area was franchised in the early 1980's and at that time. Generally
7 speaking, competition was such then that once a cable company was selected, the other potential
8 companies moved on. This is because it was not economic feasible for more than one company
9 to compete for business.
10 The change now is that more companies are approaching the North Suburban Cable Commission
11 to have a franchise. This is due, in part, to the Internet connections, better phone lines, among
12 other things. Ms. Wilson stated that typically cable companies have always felt more a part of
13 the entertainment business as opposed to the.communication business. But that vision is
14 changing.
15 Ms. Wilson continued by explaining that federal and state policy typically has been to foster
16 competition so that prices will stabilize. Ms. Wilson believes that competition may encourage
better customer service and better connections. The downside is that there will be more right of
way clutter and construction. Additional green boxes would be installed
19 Ms. Wilson stated it would probably be two to five years before the competition actually
20 materializes. Ms. Wilson reviewed for the Council the qualifications and requirements for
21 potential cable companies submitting an application for a franchise.
22 Ms. Wilson reviewed for the Council the backgrounds of the two companies that have
23 approached the North Suburban Cable Commission and then recommended that the City approve
24 the franchises for both companies. In this respect, competition would be encouraged and the
25 residents and economy will determine if one or both companies survive in the competition.
26 Various questions from the Councilmembers to Ms. Wilson were fielded. Ms. Wilson noted that
27 many complaints are coming from residents to the North Suburban Cable Commission that there
28 are not enough choices for cable companies.
29 XI. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBERS.
30 City Manager Michael Morrison reported on the following:
31 1. Morrison stated that, several months ago, the City asked Dick Krier, Midwest Planning &
32 Design, to discuss The Hitching Post. Morrison explained that the City needs to finish 26,000 of
33 open space that the City purchased last year. Mr. Krier prepared a cost estimate, which totaled
4 about $85,000. This did not include NSP's estimates of$45,000.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
• October 10, 2000
Page 5
1 Additionally, the City wanted to get an opinion from the City Attorney regarding the City's
2 obligation. The City Attorney's letter of July 19 stated that the easement agreement contains no
3 obligations on the part of either the City or the HRA to construct any improvements.
4 Discussion ensued amongst the Councilmembers regarding the green space and easement at the
5 St. Anthony Shopping Center.
6 Cavanaugh asked that Mornson talk with The Hitching Post owners and Custom Liquidators to
7 find out where their plans are regarding the green space for the St. Anthony Shopping Center,
8 and in addition to place this issue on the HRA agenda.
9 2. Mornson reported that a suggestion had been made by Horst for the Council to consider
10 asking the City to sponsor an additional recognition gathering for members of the Parks
11 Commission, Planning Commission, Police,Volunteers and Fire Department Reserves. This
12 would be similar to what was done in the past, with the exception of the Fire Reserves who are
13 paid, part-time employees and have not been included in the Volunteer Dinners of the present or
14 past.
Mornson directed the Council's attention to his memo of October 4, 2000 wherein this issue was
It discussed and four options and alternatives were presented.
17 Horst clarified that the reason that this issue was brought up was because he remembered being
18 involved on the Planning Commission and felt that this would be an excellent opportunity to
19 express the City's appreciation for the long hours and volunteer work that the Commission puts
20 forth. The same reasons would apply for the Parks Commission being recognized for their
21 tremendous achievements.
22 Horst further explained that he felt that the Planning and Parks Commission deserved a different
23 type of appreciation for the long hours and tremendous volunteer work that is set forth.
24 The Councilmembers reviewed the options and alternatives presented in Mornson's
25 memorandum.
26 Thuesen wondered about expanding the role of the Planning and Parks Commissioners in the
27 annual volunteer recognition dinner.
28 Cavanaugh believed that compensation should be considered for both the Parks and Planning
29 Commissioners.
30 Sparks felt concern about adding another lunch or dinner for Parks and Planning Commissioners
1 because their time is already stretched with attendance at meetings. She supported the concept
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 10, 2000
Page 6
1 of compensation for the Commissioners' service.
2 In addition, Cavanaugh suggested that the Council consider ways to extend the recognition for
3 the Parks and Planning Commissioners at the Volunteer Dinner.
4 3. Morrison reported that there was a meeting last week and the school approved the tax
5 abatement for Central Park. This gives the City some cushion for the Park funding. This week,
6 more groundwork will be laid for the tax abatement. A possible joint hearing will be held. Once
7 this is approved by both the City and the school, the bid process will begin.. Meetings with BRW
8 will be held soon to lay out a schedule, and the Park is moving along with good progress.
9 4. Morrison noted that October 18 is the deadline for applicants to apply to serve on the
10 Steering Committee.
11 Sparks suggested that the "Steering Committee"'members name the Committee another name for
12 clarification purposes.
13 5. Morrison noted that there have been 42 applicants for the Assistant City Manager
14 position, and those applicants have been narrowed down to four.
6. Morrison noted that there:is some benefit to a decertification of the Apache Plaza Project.
16 This issue is in City Attorney's hands.
17 7. Additionally, City Attorney-Bill Soth has resigned from his position at Dorsey &
18 Whitney and also as the City's attorney. Jerry Gilligan, an attorney with Dorsey & Whitney, will
19 assume the position of City Attorney until further notice.
20 8. Morrison stated that the minutes and agendas have been posted on the City's Web page.
21 There has been a lot of positive feedback. He requested that the Councilmembers review the
22 Web page and give suggestions to Connie Kroeplin (City Clerk) or him.
23 9. Morrison directed the Council's,attention to a letter from the MMBA in the agenda
24 packets regarding a resolution opposing the concept of allowing wine to be sold in grocery
25 stores.
26 10. Recently, there was a meeting with the Metropolitan Council. There has been a problem
27 with the lift station and the Metropolitan Council did not approve the City's renovation of the lift
28 station. It was agreed that the City would update the education process for the residents.
29 Morrison said it is vital to receive approval for the lift station, and approval is hoped to be
30 achieved by the end of October.
1 11. Morrison reported that it is anticipated that the Planning Commission will begin putting
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 10, 2000
Page 7
1 the meetings on Cable.
2 Hodson inquired if there has been any progress on having a teen night. Morrison stated that this
3 issue is being researched and Morrison gave a short report on the status of the research. He is
4 anticipating that a full report will be-forthcoming to the Council within a month or so.
5 Horst did not have a report.
6 Thuesen wanted to clear up that at last Council meeting (September 26, 2000), there was a vote
7 by the Council regarding Central Park. He wished to clarify that his concern was not if the Park
8 should be renovated--because he has always been in favor of that--but there was some confusion
9 regarding his discussion regarding the financing of the renovation of the Park. He reiterated that
10 he is very much in support of the renovation of Central Park, but he had some reservations with
11 the financing route that the Council had considered.
12 Sparks did not have a report.
13 Cavanaugh reported that the Community Concert was a success. The House Jazz Band from
14 Disneyland in California was on a two-week road trip and this was the band that performed. He
noted that a resident commented that they were unaware of the great auditorium that the school
has for concerts and other events.
17 Cavanaugh further reported that these concerts require a lot of volunteers, but the organizers of
18 the event were elated at the turnout.
19 Hodson agreed that the concert was an excellent experience and hoped that those who did not
20 have an opportunity to attend, would be able.to:attend the next community concert. All in all, he
21 stated that it was a fun and social event.
22 Cavanaugh further reported that he made presentations at Wilshire and talked with four first
23 grade classes. He thought it was very interesting to hear all of the variety of questions that the
24 first graders had and he encouraged,Council participation in this type of speaking event if the
25 opportunity arises.
26 Cavanaugh suggested that the other Councilmembers discuss worksession topics at the City
27 Council meetings when the agendas are light. In other words, he offered his opinion that the
28 Council meetings should be a minimum of two hours, and that could mean filling the time with
29 worksession topics if the agenda is easily managed before the two hours are done.
30 Cavanaugh mentioned the City's investment,policies. He noted to City Manager Morrison that
31 the City's investors made a presentation a couple of years ago to the Council. He would like to
have a similar presentation again so that the City can review how the funds are invested and to
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 10, 2000
Page 8
1 review the'portfolio.
2 XII. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
3 None.
4 XIII. ADJOURNMENT.
5 Motion by Hodson to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m.
6 Motion carried unanimously.
7 Respectfully submitted,
8 Sue Selseth
9 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
10
11 r
12 ATTEST:
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City Clerk