HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 11252003 Meeting Sheet
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Box: 34
Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 2003
Document: CC MINUTES 11252003
1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
4
5 NOVEMBER 25, 2003
6
7 CALL TO ORDER
8 Mayor Hodson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
9
10 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
11 Mayor Hodson invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
12
13 ROLL CALL.
14 Present: Mayor Hodson; Councilmembers Sparks and Faust.
15 Absent: Councilmembers Horst and Thuesen.
16 Also Present: City Manager Mike Mornson.
17
18 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION,AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
19 ITEMS.
20
21 I. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 25, 2003,CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
22 Motion by Councilmember Sparks, seconded by Councilmember Faust, to approve the City
23 Council Meeting Agenda of November 25, 2003.
16 Motion carried unanimously.
26
27 H. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
28 None.
29
30 III. COMMUNITY FORUM.
31 Mayor Hodson invited residents to come forward at this time to address Council regarding items
32 that were not on the regular agenda.
33
34 David Spano, 3101 Edward Street, stated he wanted to address the issue of property taxes. He
35 noted he had lived in Northeast Minneapolis for 30 years and moved to St. Anthony Village five
36 years ago. He indicated taxes had increased between $600 and $700 during all the years he lived
37 in Northeast Minneapolis; however,his taxes had already increased $703 since he moved to St.
38 Anthony Village.
39
40 Mr. Spano stated he expected his property taxes to increase approximately$200 with the fire
41 station; however, they increased by$353, which did not include the school levy tax. He
42 indicated the amount of money taken for property taxes was hurting the middle class and people
43 were getting tired of this burden being placed upon them. He added many residents were retired
44 and would not receive income increases and if something was not done about property tax relief
45 people would not be able to afford to live in the City.
46
4Mr. Spano suggested St. Anthony Village covered a small area; therefore, a volunteer fire
40 department might be adequate. He also suggested the money being spent on a new fire station
49 might not be necessary, as Minneapolis continued to use its old fire stations. He felt the City
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 25, 2003
Page 2
experienced a small number of fires and a first-class station was being built "on the backs of the
2 residents."
3
4 Carol Patrek, 3633 Edward Street NE, stated she wanted to address the "fire station situation."
5 She asked if the City should rethink building the new station because of the need to send out for
6 new bids. She questioned the current response time and wondered if the building currently
7 housing the Fire Department could be used. She indicated she disagreed with the chosen
8 location and added she noticed homes across the street from the site were"up for sale."
9
10 Thomas Jaszewski, 3325 Croft Drive, indicated he agreed with Ms. Patrek and noted he had
11 lived in St. Anthony Village for 44 years. He stated he wanted to ask if all options were being
12 considered and cited the experience of driving by the Stonehouse and finding it had suddenly
13 been torn down and the employees no longer had their jobs. He questioned if the bidding system
14 should be reconsidered or scaled down and asked if a neighboring city could help cover fire
15 calls, as he felt most of the calls were for ambulances.
16
17 Mr. Jaszewski agreed taxes were a"situation"; however, he reminded the residents they had
18 voted for the increases to attract more people to St. Anthony Village. He added "we have to do it
19 smart,"however.
20
21 Chuck Haik, 2916 Hilldale Avenue, expressed concern regarding the additional new housing
units in the Northwest Quadrant Redevelopment. He indicated the new housing would generate
go a huge increase in traffic traveling on Silver Lake Road and Stinson Boulevard, which would
24 combine with traffic generated by"Big Box." He questioned if this had been studied by Council
25 or the developer, as he felt combining this new traffic with a fire station location would only add
26 to the confusion.
27
28 Mr. Haik indicated the urban-style townhomes and flats represented a stark difference in housing
29 and would not appeal to the broad range of residents in the Village. He stated he would like
30 feedback regarding his questions.
31
32 Barb Hickman, 3412—31"Avenue NE, stated she was a concerned parent regarding the
33 placement of the fire station and added she reiterated what had already been said. She noted the
34 firefighters appeared to like the temporary location and asked if the City should consider
35 remaining in the temporary location, considering the problems that were surfacing. She added
36 the response times from the temporary location were comparable to the new location.
37
38 Ms. Hickman also indicated the new station would be next to the community center, parks,
39 fields, tennis courts and schools, which would affect the safety of children. She added the new
40 station's location at the top of a hill would also cause safety issues on a busy street.
41
42 John Mondati, 3420 Highcrest Road, stated he had lived in St. Anthony Village for 14 years. He
43 explained he was an ex-pharmacist, cited his credentials and noted he had spent the last four
years investigating mercury poisoning. He offered information to Council regarding this issue
10 and stated the City was building a fire station that would jeopardize the health of the firemen.
46 He added he wanted this information to be available to those involved in the use of the building.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 25, 2003
• Page 3
1
2 Mr. Mondati noted he had worked with another individual while researching this issue and stated
3 both of them were available to discuss their findings. He stated the lighting in the old fire station
4 had been so bad that he bought three floor lamps to be used. He also indicated he had offered to
5 get carpet wholesale for the old fire station. He noted mercury poisoning would be the new issue
6 that would need to be handled at the fire station.
7
8 Leif Thorson, 3215 —32nd Avenue NE, stated he had been a St. Anthony homeowner since 1978
9 and expressed concern that the plans for the new fire station had developed very quickly. He
10 indicated he only knew of one house in the Village that had caught on fire and that house was
11 completely burned. He agreed most of the emergency calls were for medical conditions.
12
13 Mr. Thorson questioned the need to build a new fire station at the proposed cost. He also
14 indicated it would be dangerous to have traffic and fire trucks pulling out of the station driveway
15 because of its proposed location at the top of a hill. He suggested Silver Lake Road would need
16 a traffic light at the location to accommodate peak rush hours. He stated he wanted Council to
17 reconsider the location of the new fire station.
18
19 Tom Nelson, 2840 Silver Lake Road, stated he had lived in St. Anthony Village for 18 years. He
20 indicated he was upset how the fire station was"rammed down our throats" and felt there had
21 been no public input until it was too late. He added it appeared the only agenda was to get the
old fire station torn down and the land cleared before the election. He indicated the result was
the station was over budget and he was concerned about the success of the Apache Plaza project
24 if the City could not"do a simple thing like build a fire station."
25
26 Mr. Nelson indicated he lived on Silver Lake Road and felt the potential for traffic accidents was
27 "unbelievable"with the fire trucks using the roadway. He noted the approximate number of
28 emergency medical calls received per year and stated a large percentage of those calls resulted in
29 transport to a healthcare facility.
30
31 Mr. Nelson requested Council consider a way to redirect the fire vehicles off of Silver Lake
32 Road. He stated the current temporary location was an excellent place for the station if it worked
33 for the firemen and allowed for adequate response time. He asked Council to revisit the entire
34 fire station issue with an open meeting that readdressed all of the issues.
35
36 Joan Petersen, 3200 Hilldale Avenue NE, stated she agreed that Council should rethink the fire
37 station, as she also lived on a hill and there was no way to know if a car was coming over the
38 hill. She added she believed the location on Silver Lake Road could be very dangerous.
39
40 Ms. Petersen indicated a fire station did not have to be built on the site because the houses were
41 torn down, as she felt it could be left open until something more suitable surfaced.
42
43 IV. CONSENT AGENDA.
• A. Approve October 28, 2003, Council meeting minutes.
Approve November 4, 2003, Council meeting minutes.
46 Approve November 4, 2003, Election Results Canvass meeting minutes.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 25, 2003
Page 4
B. Consider licenses and permits.
2 C. Consider payment of claims.
3
4 Motion by Councilmember Faust, seconded by Councilmember Sparks, to approve the Consent
5 Agenda items.
6
7 Motion carried unanimously.
8
9 V. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
10 None.
11
12 VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND STAFF.
13 A. Parks Commission Update by Chair Carol Jindra.
14 Chair Jindra explained Central Park was essentially finished at this point, as the fields were
15 completed, the drainage issues had been addressed and things seemed to be working well. She
16 noted the netting for the batting cages would be going up in the spring and the new picnic
17 pavilion and shelter were complete and would be open for winter activities. She indicated
18 recreational skating and hockey would be available as soon as the ice was ready and the rinks
19 would be lit with an attendant on site.
20
21 Chair Jindra noted Council might be aware that the school had a project in process at Central
Park and would be building dugouts and a press box. She indicated the construction was
underway, the footings were already in and the plan was for the structures to be finished for the
24 high school baseball season in the spring. She explained any landscaping problems would be
25 addressed in the spring and any dead trees or plantings would be replaced according to the
26 guarantee with the contractor.
27
28 Chair Jindra noted a grand opening date had not been discussed and spring weather would have
29 to be taken into consideration. She asked if Council had a suggested date for the grand opening,
30 as the Parks Commission needed to begin the planning process. She noted the Commission
31 hoped to hold the grand opening before school ended so one of the school bands could be
32 present.
33
34 Chair Jindra stated both fields at Silver Lake Park looked fairly healthy in the fall, although the
35 ice rinks would take a heavy toll on the most western field. She noted that field would need to
36 be seeded virtually every spring. She indicated the warming house was postponed as it became
37 too expensive and it was decided to move the building to another location and put up a less
38 costly building, which was almost completed. She stated the new building would be available
39 for winter skating.
40
41 Chair Jindra indicated things were going well and the new parks should be open for summer
42 activities.
43
Councilmember Faust stated, when he was out"door knocking,"a resident asked if there was
only one convertible soccer field. Chair Jindra responded Central Park had five fields and
46 various sports would take place on all the fields. She explained schedules would be set up and
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 25, 2003
lip Page 5
the fields would experience a variety of uses to avoid damage. She added there were currently
P Y g
2 five fields with the potential for a sixth field.
3
4 Mayor Hodson and Councilmember Sparks thanked Chair Jindra and the Parks Commission for
5 the work they had done.
6
7 B. Planning_Commission meeting—November 18, 2003.
8 Planning Commissioner Kim Tillmann indicated the last Planning Commission meeting
9 consisted of only two items. She explained the first item was a request to change the City Code
10 to include adult daycare as a use in the industrial zoning areas. She noted the City amended its
11 Code not long ago to allow adult daycares as a conditional use in commercial areas; however, an
12 owner of a building in an industrial area had a tenant who was interested in beginning an adult
13 daycare and had put in the current request. She stated the adult daycare plans fell through and
14 the request was withdrawn; therefore, the Planning Commission decided not to pursue the matter
15 any further, as the City had just changed the Code for commercial areas. She added the
16 Commission felt it was better to first get some experience with the new daycares; therefore, the
17 Commission voted to recommend denial.
18
19 City Manager Mornson indicated no action was required on Council's part, as the request had
20 been withdrawn.
21
1. Resolution 03-100, re: Rezone request from Apache Plaza, LLP, for Apache Plaza
9 Redevelopment area from Commercial to Planned Unit Development.
24 Planning Commissioner Tillmann noted on September 16, 2003, the Planning Commission held
25 a public hearing to review an application for the Village at St. Anthony PUD and to consider
26 approval of the Preliminary Development Plan and Plat for the entire site and the Final
27 Development Plan and Plat for the retail portion of the property. She added the Planning
28 Commission voted to recommend Council approve the application at the conclusion of the public
29 hearing.
30
31 Commissioner Tillmann explained that Council adopted Resolution 03-81 approving the
32 Preliminary Development Plan and Preliminary Plat for the entire project area, the Final
33 Development Plan and Final Plat for the retail portion and adopted findings of fact and
34 conditions of approval on September 23, 2003.
35
36 Commissioner Tillmann stated the Planning Commission conducted another public hearing to
37 formally consider the rezoning of the property from Commercial to PUD on November 18, 2003,
38 which was simply a housekeeping matter to address the fact. She indicated neither the public
39 notice for the September 16 public hearing nor Resolution 03-81 definitively stated a rezoning
40 would occur through the action taken on the preliminary and final development plans and plats,
41 although approval of the PUD plan inherently included a rezoning of the subject property from
42 Commercial to PUD.
43
Commissioner Tillmann stated the Planning Commission, at a public hearing held November 18,
2003, recommended Council approval of the request from Apache Redevelopment, LLC, to
46 rezone said property from Commercial to Planned Unit Development.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 25, 2003
• Page 6
1
2 Commissioner Tillmann added information had been received from the railroad cautioning that
3 there were sometimes issues with having a train track so close to a residential area. She
4 indicated,when this issue was discussed with the developer, he noted he had quite a few
5 developments by railroad tracks, which was becoming more commonplace. She noted, in
6 addition, there was a hill between the buildings and track, along with quite a bit of distance;
7 therefore, the Planning Commission did not feel additional action was needed.
8
9 Motion by Councilmember Faust, seconded by Councilmember Sparks, to adopt Resolution 03-
10 100 relating to the Apache Plaza Redevelopment area, requesting to rezone the property from
11 Commercial to Planned Unit Development.
12
13 Motion carried unanimously.
14
15 2. Ordinance 2003-016, re: Amend Land Use, Chapter 16 of the City Code(1s`
16 reading, waive 2"a and 3'd readings and adopt).
17 It was requested Chapter 16 of the City of St. Anthony Village Code be amended to rezone to
18 Planned Unit Development, in accordance with the Planned Unit Development Agreement on
19 file in the City Clerk's office, the described property located within the City of St. Anthony
20 Village.
21
Motion by Councilmember Faust, seconded by Councilmember Sparks, to adopt Ordinance
2003-016 amending Chapter 16 of the City Code, the zoning and land use chapter of the City of
24 St. Anthony Village, with the ordinance becoming effective immediately upon its passage and
25 publication according to law.
26
27 Motion carried unanimously.
28
29 VII. GENERAL POLICY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL.
30 A. Resolution 03-099, re: Approve installation of a telecommunications facility at the site of
31 the City's water tank.
32 City Manager Morrison noted Sprint Spectrum L.P. desired to install a telecommunications
33 facility at the City's water tank,which would provide a source of rental income and improve
34 wireless communications and emergency communication services for the City. He explained the
35 initial lease term was for five years with a proposed rent of$1,350 per month and added the cost
36 of all utilities,phone lines,necessary improvements and planning and zoning expenses would be
37 paid by Spring Spectrum L.P.
38
39 Mr. Morrison noted it was recommended Council adopt Resolution 03-099 approving installation
40 of a telecommunications facility at the site of the City's water tank under the conditions and
41 proposed lease terms as stated in the October 30, 2003, letter submitted by LCC
42 International/Sprint PCS.
43
City Manager Mornson indicated Council had previously discussed this item and requested a
neighborhood meeting beheld. He noted the meeting was held approximately one month
46 previously and no one attended.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 25, 2003
Page 7
2 Mr. Morrison indicated the proposed lease terms included a 15% increase in the monthly rent
3 every five years.
4
5 David Fischer, Site Acquisition Specialist with LCC International/Sprint PCS, stated he was
6 present to ask approval to install antennas on the water tower, along with the BTS equipment
7 cabinets and platform at the base of the water tower. He presented photographs of the proposed
8 equipment and noted the antennas would be painted to match the tower. He added work was
9 currently being done on the lease and he hoped it would soon be completed.
10
11 Councilmember Faust asked if the cabinets and platform would be placed inside the existing
12 fence. Mr. Fischer responded they would be placed inside the existing fence.
13
14 Councilmember Faust asked what happened if another company also wanted to place equipment
15 on the water tower. Mr. Fischer responded coexistence took place and the only issue to consider
16 was adequate horizontal and vertical separation to eliminate interference.
17
18 Councilmember Sparks asked if residents who did not use Sprint would have improved
19 reception. Mr. Fischer responded they would not have improved reception.
20
21 Mayor Hodson asked if it would improve the reception of the Sprint users. Mr. Fischer
40 responded it would. He presented maps showing the areas that would realize improvement.
24 It was asked if the new antennas would interfere with radio and television reception. Mr. Fischer
25 responded it would not.
26
27 It was asked if the City had reserved the right to place its own equipment on the water tower.
28 Mr. Fischer responded that issue was addressed in the lease and care was being taken not to
29 interfere with the needs of the City.
30
31 Motion by Councilmember Faust, seconded by Councilmember Sparks, to adopt Resolution 03-
32 099 approving installation of a telecommunications facility at the site of the City's water tank.
33
34 Motion carried unanimously.
35
36 VIII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBERS.
37 City Manager Morrison reported the last meeting of the year would be Monday, December 8.
38
39 Mr. Mornson also reported the Livable Committee was going to recommend rejection of the
40 City's livable community grant for the open space provision at Apache; however, staff was still
41 trying to get some funding from the Committee. He noted other grants possibly were available
42 and he was in constant contact with Ehlers and Associates regarding phasing in the park and
43 additional funding. He indicated staff was disappointed; however, the overall intent of the
10 project would not be stopped and everything should be on schedule.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 25, 2003
• Page 8
1 Mr. Mornson indicated Monday, November 24, was the deadline for applications to fill the
2 Planning Commission and Park Commission vacancies. He noted there were four openings and
3 five applicants for the Planning Commission and three openings and two applicants for the Park
4 Commission. He added none of the current Park Commission members had reapplied. He
5 indicated all applicants, even the incumbents, had been interviewed in the past and two hours
6 would be needed if all seven were interviewed. He stated interviews typically would take place
7 before the December 8 Council meeting; however, problems had surfaced with applicant
8 availability. He asked if a different date in December should be chosen for the interviews, as his
9 preference was to complete the interview process in December.
10
11 Councilmember Faust indicated the interviews needed to take place as soon as possible, as they
12 were a good opportunity for Council to meet the applicants and the applicants to meet Council.
13 Councilmember Faust, Councilmember Sparks and Mayor Hodson each stated he/she was
14 flexible for another date and time and Mayor Hodson stated he preferred the interviews take
15 place at the same meeting with all councilmembers present.
16
17 Mr. Mornson suggested December 15 or December 16 with a starting time of late afternoon. He
18 added the meeting would probably be called a Special Council Meeting, the interviews would be
19 the only item on the agenda and a vote would be taken at that meeting. He indicated Council
20 could also officially approve the new members at a Council meeting in January.
21
Councilmember Sparks noted she had attended a Mississippi Watershed Management meeting
and indicated her replacement needed to be found. She recommended Councilmember Faust and
24 explained the meetings were held four times per year, were day meetings and there was "lots of
25 activity and money." She added she would be happy to work with the new member.
26
27 Councilmember Faust noted the Sister City had its annual meeting on November 9, 2003. He
28 stated there was an increase of one Board member for the next three years. He indicated
29 feedback from Finland had been received and it appeared plans were being made with the high
30 school to go to Finland, which might happen next year.
31
32 Councilmember Faust indicated he and Mr. Mornson had attended the Association of
33 Metropolitan Municipalities legislative annual meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2003, where
34 the legislative agenda was approved, along with discussion regarding how cities deal with the
35 legislature on issues that affect them. He stated two State senators and two State representatives
36 were present and very candid in their comments. He noted transportation seemed to be an issue
37 that had percolated through both parties and it was interesting to hear the views from both sides.
38
39 Mayor Hodson noted there would be new councilmembers the first of the year. Councilmember
40 Sparks stated she would miss working with the Council and it had been a pleasure to work with
41 them.
42
43 Mayor Hodson stated he had just returned from Madrid, Spain, where he had been speaking as
part of his work about traveler information and transit problems in the metropolitan area. He
noted Madrid had convenient transit systems available to its residents that were not available in
46 the metropolitan area. He indicated the aging of baby boomers, transportation issues generated
A?
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 25, 2003
Page 9
by Apache Plaza, along with issues brought up during the public comment time, needed to be
2 personally addressed within each household and decisions must be made regarding the types of
3 sacrifices each person was willing to make. He added the Apache Redevelopment would cure
4 some of the issues, as it would be designed as a livable community.
5
6 Mayor Hodson stated he was happy to see the number of residents attending the Council
7 meeting; however, he was a little surprised, as the public works building and fire station had
8 been addressed over a period of approximately 18 months. He noted another chance was made
9 available for review, as the bids had come in higher than expected.
10
11 Mayor Hodson indicated the task force had spent an inordinate amount of time discussing the
12 issues currently being brought forward. He added the majority of the feedback and comments
13 from open houses were for the City to "stay on course." He stated it was impossible to make
14 everyone happy and hoped this issue did not discourage those who disagreed from being a part of
15 the community. He requested residents continue to call and write notes and letters to City Hall,
16 as each resident should have an opportunity to voice his/her opinions.
17
18 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
19 None.
20
21 X. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENTS.
40 None.
24 XI. ADJOURNMENT.
25 Mayor Hodson adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
26
27
28
29 Respectfully submitted,
30
31
32 Marjorie R. Jenkins
33 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. \`
34
35
36 Mayor
37 ATTEST:
38 City Clerk
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