HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 10232001 Meeting Sheet
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Box: 36
Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 2001
Document: CC MINUTES 10232001
I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
413 October 23, 2001
4 I. CALL TO ORDER.
5 Mayor Pro Tem Horst called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
6
7 Mayor Pro Tem Horst explained that the elected Mayor Cavanaugh resigned. Mayor Pro
8 Tem Horst stated that Cavanaugh noted the desire to spend more time with family as his
9 primary reason for resigning. Mayor Pro Tem Horst stated that he would take over the
10 duties of mayor, until the Council appoints a permanent replacement to fulfill the
11 remaining two years of Cavanaugh's term.
12 Mayor Pro Tem Horst acknowledged Cavanaugh's dedication to the improvement of the
13 City of St. Anthony and stated that he would be missed.
14 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen to accept the Mayor Cavanaugh's resignation.
15 Motion carried 3-1. Councilmember Sparks voted no.
16 II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
17 Mayor Pro Tem Horst invited the Council and the audience to join in the Pledge of
0 Allegiance.
19 III. ROLL CALL.
20 Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tem Horst; Councilmembers Sparks,
21 Thuesen, and Hodson.
22 Councilmembers absent: None.
23 Also present: City Manager Mike Mornson.
24 IV. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 23,2001 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
25 AGENDA.
26 Motion by Councilmember Hodson to approve the October 23, 2001 City Council
27 Regular Meeting Agenda.
28 Motion carried unanimously.
29 V. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
30 None.
31 VI. COMMUNITY FORUM.
32 Mayor Pro-temp Horst invited residents in the audience to speak to the Council on items
33 that are not on the regular agenda.
Resident Chris Schober, 2902 Crestview Drive, came forward to address the Council
regarding the Silver Point Park Project. She stated, originally, the city had decided to
36 make a holding pond in the park. Ms. Schober's desire was that the recreational skating
37 and hockey rink back at both Silver Point and Central Parks.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2001
Page 2
Ms. Schober referred to a petition that was signed by one hundred and seventy-five
2 students in the Middle School that requested that the skating return to both parks.
3 Ms. Schober continued with a background on the rinks and various situations with the
4 parks. She continued that promises were made last February to re-level the park, provide
5 a warming house, and make skating good for this winter. She indicated that the Parks
6 Commission recently had to make a decision to take out another season of one of the
7 sports; hockey was the chosen sport to eliminate this year.
8 Ms. Schober stated that she wanted it in the minutes that the City Council wants hockey
9 at all three parks, so that it does not become a debate in the future.
10 Ms. Schober stated that they needed the skating for the winter because it is the only
11 recreational outdoor activity for the City of St. Anthony. She added that traveling the
12 distance to another park takes away the independence that children have to go to the park
13 and play with their neighborhood friends.
14 Ms. Schober concluded that the issue at hand was that if the City could offer all of the
15 sports than they should. She added that the City desires skating at all three parks.
16 Councilmember Sparks thanked Ms. Schober for her persistence in the issue. She added
that she wanted to go on record that the City Council supports skating in the recreational
parks, and that they will offer skating at all three parks in the future.
19 Councilmember Thuesen stated he was in support of them to offer skating at this time,
20 but said he could not promise that it would never be taken away due to financial issues.
21 Mayor Pro Tem Horst stated that it was in the plan to have skating and hockey at Central
22 and Silver Point Parks. He added that she could feel comfortable that this Council does
23 support youth hockey.
24 Councilmember Thuesen asked if Todd Hubmer, WSB, could come forward and address
25 the issue from an engineering perspective.
26 Hubmer indicated that last year was the first year that the park was back in full use. He
27 stated that they discovered that the slopes out near the ice at Silver Point Park made for
28 poor ice conditions. He added that they wanted to wait until the summer sports were
29 over before they began correcting the problem.
30 Hubmer reviewed the areas that would be corrected and stated that next spring will,
31 hopefully, help the grass growth and make for better conditions for the ice, as well as the
32 other sports.
Councilmember Thuesen asked why it was not done correctly the first time. Hubmer
stated that there were a number of things that happened the first time,the mis-grading of
35 the slopes being the main problem.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2001
Page 3
Councilmember Hodson thanked Ms. Schober for her attention to the matter, as he feels
2 it is important, as well.
3 Councilmember Sparks suggested that, given the financial realities, they pass a resolution
4 supporting the continuation of the skating program.
5 Motion by Councilmember Sparks to approve a resolution in support of continuing the
6 ice-skating and hockey rinks in the City parks from 2002 and on.
7 Motion carried unanimously.
8 Resident Jim Weihoff came forward and stated that he has lived in the City of St.
9 Anthony for forty years. He addressed Councilmembers Thuesen and Hodson and began
10 asking them about the forum that took place last week. He asked what they were going
11 to do to start economizing, and how they would make City workers more efficient.
12 Councilmember Thuesen interjected and stated that he thought Mr. Weihoff's questions
13 were highly inappropriate and would not respond to Mr. Wehoff's questions.
14 Councilmember Hodson indicated that he would be happy to sit down and have coffee
15 with Mr. Weihoff regarding his questions at another time.
aVII. CONSENT AGENDA.
17 A. Approve September 25, 2001 Regular Council Meeting Minutes.
18 Councilmember Sparks corrected Page 2; the spelling of Barb Kay to read, "Barb
19 Kiernoziak."
20 B. Licenses/Permits.
21 C. Claims.
22 D. Ordinance 2001-003, re: Water rates(2"d reading).
23 E. Wirth Companies request for a preliminaryplat approval (Resolution 01-081).
24 Motion by Councilmember Sparks to approve the Consent Agenda, as corrected above
25 Motion carried unanimously.
26 VIII. PUBLIC HEARING.
27 None.
28 IX. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
A. General engineering_report from Todd Hubmer, WSB.
Todd Hubmer, WSB, came forward to provide an update on the current status of
31 projects that are ongoing within the City of St. Anthony:
32 1. 29'h Avenue Street Reconstruction.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2001
Page 4
9
1 Hubmer stated that the 29`h Avenue Reconstruction is substantially
2 complete. He added that there may be some sod and warrantee issues that
3 will be addressed next spring.
4 Mayor Pro Tem Horst asked about 88`h and 29`h, and if it was intended to
5 be a cross-walk in red brick, or painted. Hubmer indicated that he was
6 uncertain, and indicated that he would look into the area and the concern.
7 Councilmember Sparks asked if Hubmer would review the funding of 29'
8 Avenue. Hubmer indicated that there were two sources of funding, both
9 of which were state funding. He explained that there was a$400.00
10 assessment for the residents of 29' which paid for the stop-box and curve-
11 box at the end of the street.
12 Hubmer added that the City's Beautification Fund paid for some of the
13 street lighting improvements as well.
14
15 2. 2001 Street Reconstruction.
16 Hubmer indicated that the new storm sewer, watermain and sanitary sewer
17 repairs have been completed. He stated that the curb installation on 30'
18 Avenue will begin during the week of October 22' and asphalt will follow
0 during the week of October 29`x.
20 Hubmer stated that the driveways on Wilson Street and West Armour
21 Terrace are complete. He indicated that driveway work on 30th Avenue
22 would begin during the week of October 29`''. He added that sod and
23 restoration work would begin during the week of October 22nd
24 3. Harding Street Pond.
25 Hubmer indicated that construction on the pond was complete. He stated
26 that plantings in the pond and seeding of the pond slopes is also complete.
27 He indicated that the maintenance period for the plantings would begin
28 next spring.
29 4. 2002 Street Reconstruction and Feasibility Study.
30 Hubmer stated that a neighborhood meeting to discuss the 2002 street
31 reconstruction final design, construction schedule, and that the City's
32 Assessment Policy is scheduled for the week of November 5, 2001.
33 Hubmer added that final plans would be presented to the City Council at
34 the November 13' Council meeting. He stated that authorization to order
35 bids would be requested from the Council with an anticipated December
36 bid opening.
0 5. Wellhead Protection Plan.
38 Hubmer stated that Phase I of the Wellhead Protection Plan was ongoing.
39 He stated that the initial process of collecting data has included meetings
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2001
Page 5
with the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant, City of New Brighton, and
2 the Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation District.
3 Hubmer stated that Phase I is anticipated to be completed during the
4 summer of 2002 and the entire Wellhead Protection Plan completed in
5 2003.
6 6. Sanitary Sewer I&I Education Program.
7
8 Hubmer stated that the foundation draintile and sump pump removal
9 program letter and brochure have been revised, and said they would be
10 sent to City Council and staff for their review and comments during the
11 week of October 22"d. He indicated that the next mailing and public
12 meeting would occur in November.
13
14 7. Silver Point Park.
15 Hubmer stated that, in order to prepare the park for the future Silver Point
16 Park building, and to address some issues within the baseball,hockey, and
17 skating areas, it was proposed that grading of Silver Point Park be
18 completed this fall.
19 Hubmer stated that the proposed grading improvements were presented to
the Parks Commission at their October meeting. He indicated that they
have also met with the park building designer to incorporate the building
22 location, utility needs and building pad elevations into the proposed
23 grading improvements. He added that, to minimize the time needed to
24 establish turf within the Silver Point Park, it was recommended that
25 skating not be provided in Silver Point Park this winter.
26 Hubmer indicated that alternative skating facilities are located at Emerald
27 Park and Sandcastle Park in Roseville.
28 H. Change Order#1 relating to 2001 Street Improvements.
29 Motion by Councilmember Hodson to approve Change Order#1 relating to Street
30 Improvements.
31 Motion carried unanimously.
32
33
34 I. Review communily survey questions with Decision Resources (Resolution 01-
35 0
36 Mornson stated that the community survey was a proposal that the City Council
37 has been discussing for the past year. He stated it would be a city survey only,
38 last done in 1998. A City survey had also been done in 1993.
Morrison stated that the estimated cost to complete the survey was $10,000 would
4V be paid for by the Cable Communication budget.
41 Jim Prosser, Ehlers and Associates, was present to answer any necessary
42 questions that may arise this evening surrounding the survey.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2001
Page 6
Mayor Pro Tem Horst asked how the survey went from being seventy questions
2 to over one hundred questions. Prosser indicated that the additional questions
3 were mentioned by members of the Council. He added that Decision Resources
4 was more than comfortable to strike any questions that they did not want to be on
5 the survey.
6 Councilmember Thuesen asked if there were any risks involved with having
7 additional questions. Prosser stated that there is an attempt to limit questions in
8 order to not exceed the period of comfort. He indicated that the survey for the
9 City of St. Anthony was well within the comfort zone.
10 Councilmember Thuesen asked if Prosser was comfortable that the City has
11 covered their bases with the questions contained in the survey. Prosser stated
12 that, generally,there was plenty of material in the survey. He added that they
13 might want to add a few more questions that will indicate how the residents feel
14 about re-development.
15 Prosser added that it was better to focus in on several key issues when doing these
16 surveys and to do them more frequently.
17 Councilmember Hodson asked if surveying four hundred residents was sufficient.
Prosser indicated that surveying four hundred residents gives them a margin of
error that is comfortable with those types of surveys.
20 Councilmember Thuesen asked about questions 39-43, wondering with the drastic
21 changes that are taking place. Prosser stated that if the Council does not feel the
22 information is useful at this time,then do not include it.
23 Councilmember Sparks agreed that questions 39-42 could be either eliminated, or
24 condensed into one question. The Council agreed to strike questions 39-42 from
25 the survey.
26 Councilmember Sparks stated they could strike questions 48-63 because the
27 liquor stores are not an issue for the City at this time.
28 Councilmember Thuesen stated that he thought the results would be helpful for
29 Mike Larson, Liquor Manager, to help him with his decisions that will result in
30 the highest possible profits.
31 Councilmember Sparks stated she thought it was still excessive. Councilmember
32 Hodson stated that they could remove a few questions, but agreed with
33 Councilmember Thuesen that the information could be valuable.
The Council concluded that questions 48-63, regarding liquor could be
condensed.
36 Mayor Pro Tem Horst expressed concern with questions 64-75 regarding the
37 Stonehouse. Prosser suggested that they drop 64-75. The Council agreed.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2001
Page 7
•1 Councilmember Sparks referred to the wording of 45 and 46. She suggested that
2 they read"replacement of the Fire Station and Public Works facility," instead of
3 new. Prosser indicated that the introduction to the question could be added to
4 read"...age and adequacy of the current Fire Station and Public Works facility."
5 Councilmember Thuesen suggested that question number 46 add office work
6 area, as well.
7 Council concluded that they liked the wording of replacement better than new.
8 Mayor Pro Tem Horst referred to question 20. The Council discussed the options.
9 They concluded that the question needed to be prefaced with a statement
10 regarding recreational programs.
11 Councilmember Sparks indicated that questions 10-12 could be combined into
12 one.
13 Mayor Pro Tem Horst asked about questions 34-35, and what they are looking
14 for. Prosser indicated that they do want to see how much contact they have,as
15 well as the level of satisfaction.
16 Councilmember Thuesen referred to question 36.
0 Councilmember Sparks 31 and 32. She suggested that they drop Mayor from the
18 questions and make it read City Council only.
19 Councilmember Sparks asked about question 21, and if it was referring to code
20 enforcement. Prosser stated that they needed to think about how the residents
21 would view the question.
22 Mayor Pro Tem Horst asked the Council if they wanted to view the completed
23 Community Survey before they approve it. Councilmember Hodson suggested
24 that they entrust the professionals to make the requested changes. Council
25 agreed.
26 Motion by Councilmember Hodson to approve Resolution 01-082, with changes
27 to the proposal as amended.
28
29 Motion carried unanimously.
30 Councilmember Sparks and the rest of the Council thanked Prosser for his work
31 and input.
32 X. GENERAL POLICY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL.
0 None.
34 XI. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBERS.
35 Mornson indicated that there was a break-in last night at Liquor Store number two, as well as
36 other buildings. He indicated that an individual was apprehended at around 4:00 a.m.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2001
Page 8
Mornson reminded the Council that there was a joint meeting with the School Board next
2 Monday evening, October 29, at 7:00 p.m. He stated that they would be updating the School
3 Board on various city projects, as well as discussing future capital needs of both the School
4 Board and the City Council.
5 Mornson indicated that on November 13',they would be receiving a report from Springsted
6 Associates, as well as the City's Finance Department discussing the impacts that the property tax
7 laws will have on the tax increment districts. He indicated that they do have some tax increment
8 funds left. He encouraged the Council to give some thought to the subject.
9 Councilmember Thuesen asked if they should be looking at funding from some of the other
10 sources that they have considered. Morrison stated that was a possibility, tax increment funds
11 would be expiring soon.
12 Mornson stated that they have received several phone calls from people interested in the details
13 of the Mayors resignation. He indicated that they would be putting a press release together and
14 would inform the Council of their options for the process to select a new Mayor. The options for
15 the City Council to consider will be discussed at the next City Council meeting on November 13,
16 2001.
17 XII. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Councilmember Hodson stated that he would like to be aware of the City of St. Anthony's
policies on bio-contamination. He indicated that the City had some things that were in place of
20 which residents should be aware.
21 Mayor Pro Tem Horst thanked the Chamber of Commerce for having the Candidates Forum last
22 week. Lastly, Mayor Pro Tem Horst encouraged everyone to get out and vote.
23 XIII. ADJOURNMENT.
24 Motion by Councilmember Hodson to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
25 Motion carried unanimously.
26 Respectfully submitted,
27 Courtney Seesz
28 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
29
30 Pro
31 ATTEST:
32 City Clerk
0