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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 02271979 Meeting Sheet IIIIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII IIII IIII iosaas Box: 36 Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1979 Document: CC MINUTES 02271979 • CITY OF ST. ANTHONY COUNCIL MINUTES February 27, 1979 The meeting was called to order at 7 : 35 p.m. by Mayor Haik. Present for roll call: Sauer, Sundland, Haik, Ranallo and Letourneau. Also present: Jim Fornell, City Manager Bill Soth, City Attorney Ron Berg, Administrative Assistant Carol Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer Larry Hamer, Public Works Director The minutes for the Council 's February 13th meeting were corrected as follows: Page 7, Paragraph 2 : Reference to the President's guidelines should have been for "7%" rather than "6%" Motion by Councilman Ranallo and seconded by Councilman Letourneau to ap- prove the minutes for the February 13, 1979 Council meeting as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. • Dick Klick appeared to discuss actions taken and recommendations to the Council made by the Planning Board during their February 20 , 1979 meeting as reflected in the minutes of that meeting. He reported the major action taken was regarding the expansion plans for American Monarch, 2801 37th Avenue N.E. A recommendation of Council ap- proval of all variances necessary to the proposed 80 ' x 265 ' plant expan- sion to the west was made subject to conditions set by the Board to assure adequate parking and landscaping. The Board representative said because the new survey of the property had not indicated utility easement locations, one of the conditions was the investigation by staff of the reference in the legal description to such an easement. Mr. Fornell reported there is a 45 foot wide easement for a 33 inch storm sewer line which abuts the building on the east and which might prove a hindrance to the firm's future expansion plans in that direction as detail- ed in the application for the variances from American Monarch . Duane Duerre, 2606 37th Avenue N.E. , was the only resident present to speak for or against the proposal . He said he had been unable to attend the public hearing on the expansion but his daughter had been in attendance and reported she understood that the parking on 37th Avenue would increase and the street would be posted for only American Monarch employees . Edward J. Fiore, American Monarch Manager, explained to him that the firm was only proposing employee parking on specified side streets under strict management supervision for only the period when the new parking lots are • being constructed. Mr. Fiore assured Mr. Duerre that he could expect a response within hours of any complaint about employees parking, since re- sidents will be requested to direct any reports of annoyance to him per- sonally. He said he has been especially vigilant regarding his employees ' parking and doubted the two parked cars Mr. Duerre complained about be- longed to his employees . The plant manager said his firm now has adequate parking spaces for its employees and there will be 250 parking spaces provided to accomodate the increase in personnel with the expansion. However, since a major number of the new parking locations will be on the land to the rear of the building American Monarch has leased from Soo Line, the City Attorney cautioned the Council that the leased strip "cannot be counted as part of the site and there has to be land available for adequate parking at all times even if additional land is leased for that purpose" . Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Sauer to grant (as recommended by the Planning Board) a seven foot front yard parking setback variance to provide two additional parking spaces and a 17 foot front yard building setback variance to allow the proposed expansion to be compatible with the symmetry of the existing building, a 15 foot rear yard setback variance as well as a parking setback variance of 10 feet a- long the entire rear lot line , and finally, a one foot variance to the parking space size requirements which will allow nine instead of 10 foot wide parking spaces as well as the variance necessary for 30 more parking spaces than permitted by the Zoning Ordinance for the proposed 80 ' x 265 ' expansion of the American Monarch plant to the west, finding that: (a) . granting these variances will relieve the undue hardship caused by the pie shape of this parcel and its particular physical surroundings and topo- graphy (b) the purpose for these variances is not based exclusively upon a desire to increase the value or income potential of the parcel but is unique to the existing tenant and (c) great difficulties and hardships for the tenant might result if variances are not granted. The granting of the variances is however subject to the following conditions : 1. Further expansion than is presently proposed will not be permitted without the insurance that adequate off street parking is provided on property that is owned by American Monarch. 2 . Landscaping shall be provided as per the plans presented from Freeburg Nurseries and shall be subject to review by the City Manager. 3. The sanctity of the storm sewer easement to the east of the ex- isting building is to be preserved. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Klick concluded his presentation by reporting the balance of the Board's meeting was devoted to consideration of proposed changes in the City's Sign Ordinance which had been provided by Mr. Berg, for which he commended the Administrative Assistant, and the continuing education of the • Board in the planning processes . The meeting was recessed from 7: 55 p.m. to 8 :00 p.m. when the Mayor opened the Public Hearing on Street Improvement Project 1979-001 , the rebuilding of Highcrest Road from 37th Avenue N.E. to the intersection of Old Highway (2) • 8 and 33rd Avenue N.E. She explained the project had first been consider- ed in 1970 and brought up for reconsideration when the City of Roseville requested City participation in rebuilding the street which is owned by both cities. The Council was receptive to the proposal because there is now Municipal State Aid funding available to both cities for the project and Highcrest is the last street in the City to be completed. She said the sanitary sewer backup problems experienced by property owners on Highcrest during recent heavy rainfall seemed to indicate the need for replacement of sanitary sewer lines in the street which could be undertaken at the same time and there was also a possibility that an access into Rose- ville for excess flood waters could also be provided by building a meter station on Highcrest. Mr. Soth read the Notice of the Hearing which had gone out to all affected property owners and Mr. Fornell reported he had received no written state- ments regarding the proposal from any residents . The project engineer, Rodger Short of Short-Elliott-Hendrickson, Inc. , ex- plained to about 25 residents present that before the City may utilize the MSA fuds available for the project the street must be constructed to standards set by the Department of Transportation for such an improvement which in this case calls for a 36 foot wide 9 ton street. His firm had made the preliminary studies of the project for both cities and St. Anthony had • entered into a nonbinding joint powers agreement with Roseville to con- sider, but not necessarily complete, the project. A slide presentation of the roadway conditions was given by Mr. Fornell . Another member of the same firm, Steve Campbell, gave a presentation of the deteriorating condition of the Highcrest roadway as well as an estimate of costs of building the road based on anticipated 1979 construction costs . He explained the 9 ton designation is based on a Department of Transporta- tion formula for such a MSA funded road. Soil borings in the roadway, the engineer said, indicate possible replacement of two to three feet of poor soil in some areas. Determination of how much of the sanitary sewer line will have to be replaced will be based on televising of the lines by the Public Works Department this spring. Driveways to the property line will be replaced with matching materials and Mr. Campbell assured Brian Amund- son, 3424 Highcrest, if any damage should occur to trees or shrubbery on the boulevards through the construction, they will be replaced. Mr. For- nell said if replaced they would be located out of the right-of-way. Mr. Fornell told the property owners present that, although the purpose of the hearing that evening was not to determine how the costs of the con- struction would be assessed to benefiting properties the question of how the City 's 1976 assessment policy would be applied to the project was cer- tainly germane to the consideration of the proposal. He read the portions of the policy applicable to the project and discussed the alternatives • open to the Council under No. 5 of the policy as he had perceived them in his February 7, 1979 memorandum to the Council . Costs of the sanitary sewer replacements will be paid out of the Sewer Fund and not assessed to abutting properties, the Manager said. He differentiated the assessments (3) • as they would apply to corner, interior lots and 720 feet of property owned by District #282. Larry Hamer told of the cooperative maintenance agreement he anticipates making with Roseville and the residents were told the City would try to formalize a street lighting plan with Roseville which will provide uniformity of lighting for both sides of the street. No opposition to the improvement itself was voiced by the residents who were present who rather were adamant in their insistence that the improve- ment should eliminate the sewer backup into homes along Highcrest. Among those who spoke were Dave Jacobson, 3336 Highcrest; John LaMere, Roger Salsbury, T.W. Lindsey and Ralph Amundsen who live in the 3400 block, Michael Eggert, 3608 36th Avenue N.E. and Albert Branger of 3608 Maplewood Drive. Mr. Short told them the storm sewers in the street were adequate and the sanitary sewer lines if operating adequately should be able to handle even heavy downpours. Improvements to the drainage in the area should be pro- vided by new curbs and gutter and catch basins , as well. His firm has been retained by the City to investigate the feasibility of diverting storm waters from excessive rainfall from the Wilshire Park district into the Metropolitan Waste Commissions lines through Roseville. Mr. Jacobson was concerned that if Highcrest is improved the residents will see more and heavier traffic than when the roadway was in such a poor con- dition and drivers were discouraged from using the road for a shortcut to County Road D. He was concerned about a rumor that traffic was going to be • diverted down Highcrest by a divider on County Road D but the Mayor as- sured him she could recall seeing no such divider in the plans for improv- ing D. Mr. Jacobson mentioned the Berger Transfer trucks which are now parking on Medtronic property which he feared might use Highcrest as a shortcut to their home base on County Road D but was told both Medtronics and Berger are companies who have been very cooperative with the City in the past. Councilman Sundland pointed out the similarities in traffic patterns on 29th Avenue N.E. , the last MSA funded street in the City, with those to be anticipated on Highcrest and told of the cooperation which the City had attained from the truck companies to lessen truck travel down 29th Avenue. Replying to questions of whether the street could be posted, Mayor Haik told the residents MSA roads cannot be posted and stop signs are often a mixed blessing since residents find the sounds of vehicles stopping and starting more annoying than their passing on the streets . Councilman Letourneau suggested that as was done on 29th Avenue, Highcrest could be posted with No Truck signs even though the Police Department is not allowed to tag if such signage is ignored. Mr. Fornell told how proposed additional police radar could improve the Police Department's enforcement of speeding restrictions on this and other streets. Concern about the school children who use Highcrest to walk to Wilshire Park School were expressed by Mike Sullivan of District #282 and Marjorie Ostebee, 3406 Highcrest, who thought this should be an important consideration in determining which side of Highcrest should be posted for No Parking. Mrs . Ostebee said she would also like to see the speed limits (4) • near the school lowered as they are in front of the school on County Road D. Mayor Haik said she anticipated no battle with Roseville over the decision of on which side of the street there should be no parking and felt the safety of the children approaching Wilshire might be a deciding factor since the Roseville children on that block are all bused to school. Conferences with County and State officials regarding a possible change in traffic flow at the five street intersection near 33rd Avenue had re- sulted in the conclusion that all way stops on that complicated corner should be continued, Mr. Short told the residents and he answered a ques- tion from Mr. Eggerts by saying there is little likelihood Roseville would reconstruct only its half of Highcrest since there would be no MSA funds available for such a project. Mayor Haik replied to questions regarding Roseville 's plans not to assess single family dwellings for the improvement by saying Roseville has ac- cumulated more MSA funds than St. Anthony has and a recent ruling requires use of all such funds within the next five years . All of St. Anthony 's available funds have been designated as required by the State for differ- ent projects including the City's share of the upgrading County Roads C and D, repair of the railroad bridge on St. Anthony Boulevard and resur- facing of some of the City' s oldest streets and it would seem to be more equitable for Highcrest property owners to bear a share of the costs of rebuilding their street in the same proportion as the residents on 29th • Avenue. The Public Hearing was closed at 9 : 30 p.m. Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Letourneau to adopt the resolution which orders the reconstruction of Highcrest Road. RESOLUTION 79-020 A RESOLUTION ORDERING STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 1979-001 Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was recessed following this action and resumed at 9 : 47 p.m. for a second reading of Ordinance 1979-001, relating to City Personnel Policies. The February 16th reaction of the non-union employees to the Ordinance changes and the Manager's February 20th response to their memorandum were considered. The three employees present were invited to speak and Mrs . Johnson said her group' s reaction was a result of their not being notified of anticipated changes before they were formalized. The Manager ackow- ledged he had been unintentionally remiss in this regard and thought a meeting between himself and the employees or their representatives might clear up any misunderstandings and differences might be negotiated or at least better understood before the next reading of the Ordinance. • Motion by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Letourneau to ap- prove the second reading of Ordinance 1979-001 . (5) ORDINANCE 1979-001 • AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO CITY PERSONNEL AND ESTABLISHING A BASIC PERSONNEL POLICY, REPEALING SECTION 135 OF THE 1973 CODE OF ORDINANCES Motion carried unanimously. The change in title of "Public Works Superintendent" as per the adopted job classification/salary administration program to "Public Works Director" as contained in the revised Water Department Ordinance was noted. Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Sauer to adopt Ordinance 1979-002 with the suggested changes as to the title for the Public Works Director. ORDINANCE 1979-002 AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO WATER DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS AND WATER CHARGES AND RATES, AMENDING PORTIONS OF SECTIONS 245 AND 550 OF THE 1973 CODE OF ORDINANCES Motion carried unanimously. The total budget for the City's Comprehensive Plan is now $18 ,900 includ- ing the cost of staff' s work on the plan and Mr. Fornell recommended adop- tion of the resolution which will authorize a request to the Metropolitan Council for additional 1978-79 grant funds for the required Comprehensive Plan. • Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Mayor Haik to adopt Resolu- tion 79-018. RESOLUTION 79-018 A RESOLUTION REQUESTING 1978-79 LOCAL PLANNING ASSISTANCE GRANT FUNDS FROM THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Motion carried unanimously. The Manager said he thought it would not be equitable to subsidize the assessments for low income property owners along Highcrest from C.D.B .G. funds since this was not the practice followed when 29th Avenue N.E. was rebuilt and he recommended such a proposal not be included with the City 's application for these funds . Motion by Mayor Haik and seconded by Councilman Sundland to adopt Resolu- tion 79-019 . RESOLUTION 79-019 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ST. ANTHONY C.D.B.G. APPLICATION, YEAR V Motion carried unanimously. • Larry Hamer responded to questions raised by the Keys Well Drilling Company at the last Council meeting regarding his recommendation that the contract for repairing Well No. 3 be awarded to Layne Minnesota by telling the (6) Council that the decision of which company should do the work came down to the cost of pulling and replacing the pump and since the spread between the bids was so small, he thought Layne's bid should be accepted because they have worked on the well twice. Since the parts are all Layne there would also be assurance of the quality of the parts . Mr. Soth confirmed that the Layne bid could be accepted. The City is not legally required to bid out any project which is under $10 ,000 . Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Ranallo to follow the recommendations of the Public Works Director to accept the bid and award the contract for the repair of Well, No. 3 to Layne Minnesota. Motion carried unanimously. Donna Stauffer, Chairman of the Chemical Abuse Information Committee , was present to request the City's initial grant of $500 .00 to her Committee be repeated in 1979 . She presented copies of the Committee 's original pro- posal which she said assumed the City would budget $500 .00 annually for the Committee's continuance. She gave a progress report of her group 's activities and told of plans for increased activities through the Police Department and school district as well as the Committee' s search for a person with the necessary expertise to handle crisis calls which may come through the resource center. Mayor Haik suggested using the Community Services Officer on a part-time • basis until funding for that position is terminated. Possibility of the Committee's seeking some funding from the school district was also sug- gested by Councilmen Sundland and Letourneau. Councilman Ranallo felt since the Committee is authorized by the Council there should be Committee representation from that body and Mrs . Stauffer said she would welcome his membership on the committee. Feeling the City had made a commitment to the Committee and should give it another opportunity to "get off the ground" , Councilman Sundland made the following: Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Letourneau to authorize the payment of $500 .00 from the Council 's Contingency Fund for the continuance of the Chemical Abuse Information Committee activities . Motion carried unanimously. The Council next considered suggestions and recommendations from Police Chief Hickerson from his February 22nd memorandum and the Police Reserve By-Laws. Councilman Ranallo felt a work session with the Police Department was essential to the success of the program especially since he foresaw the department as providing part of the training of the reserves as is the practice in other municipalities- who have reserves. The Council agreed with the Manager that there might be a necessity for paying some overtime to assure attendance at the work session. Following a discussion of the • need for a special vehicle for the reserves the date of the work session was set for March 15th. (7) The HUD workshop on March 14th and the LMC Legislative Action Conference • on March lst were noted. The progress report from the Needs Assessment Sub-Committee of the Commu- nity Services Advisory Committee was discussed with Councilman Sauer. The January Police Department report was ordered filed. Motion by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Mayor Haik to grant all licenses listed in the February 27, 1979 agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Letourneau to approve payment of all Verified Claims listed in the February 27 , 1979 agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Ranallo to approve payment of $1, 339 . 37 to the Dorsey Firm for services during December, 1978 . Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Ranallo and seconded by Mayor Raik to adjourn the meeting at 10 : 55 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor ATTEST: / City Clerk (8)