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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 03272007CITY OF ST. ANTHONY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 27, 2007 CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 9 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 10 Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. 11 12 ROLL CALL. 13 Present: Mayor Faust; Council Members Horst, Stille, and Thuesen 14 Absent: Council Member Gray 15 Also Present: City Manager Mike Morrison, City Attorney Jerry Gilligan, and Planning 16 Commission Chair Joel Stromgren 17 18 19 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING 20 ITEMS. 21 22 I. APPROVAL OF MARCH 27, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA 23 24 Mayor Faust added item 5B - Chief John Ohl to speak on recent homicide. 25 26 Motion by Councilmember Horst, Seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the City 27 Council Meeting Agenda of March 27, 2007. 28 29 Motion carried unanimously. 30 31 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS. 32 33 A. Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Meritorious Service Award 34 35 Police Chief John Ohl presented a brief background on Officer Jeff Spiess. He reported the 36 amazing arrests and traffic citation statistics written by Office Spiess. He mentioned Officer 37 Spiess is a Drug Recognition Expert, a DARE officer, and the Crime Prevention Officer for the 38 department. Chief Ohl reported Officer Spiess was recently recognized by Mothers Against 39 Drunk Drivers (MADD) at an award ceremony in Bloomington. He stated Officer Spiess 40 received the Outstanding Service Certificate for his efforts in keeping traffic and citizens safe. 41 42 Chief Ohl explained the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Awards Program has been a 43 way to recognize police officers in Minnesota who best exemplify the highest ideals of 44 professionalism since 1971. 45 46 Chief Ohl stated the award is presented for an act well above the expected in the performance of 47 duty and the act should be an exceptional accomplishment that is usually distinguished by a 48 succession of outstanding acts of achievement over a sustained period of time. 49 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 27, 2007 Page 2 Chief Ohl proudly introduced Officer Jeff Spiess as the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award. He indicated that Officer Spiess and the St. Anthony Police Department would be noted at the Executive Training Institute Annual Awards Ceremony on April 18, 2007. 111. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of March 13, 2007 Council Meeting Minutes B. Consider Licenses and Permits C. Consider Payment of Claims. Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, Seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried unanimously. IV. PUBLIC HEARING None. V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF A. Resolution 07 -032 Approval of Amendment to the Parking Plan of the Kenzington Development Plan. Planning Commission Chair Joel Stromgren reported the Planning Commission held a public hearing for 2601 Kenzie Terrace NE to amend their parking plan. He stated the driving force is that when the Kenzington was constructed there was a 1:1 parking space to unit ratio, which has proven to be not enough for the current mix of residents and the number of vehicles they have. He stated most similar units in St. Anthony have a 1:1.5 or 1:2 ratio. Chair Stromgren displayed the proposed parking plan and pointed out the locations for the additional parking spaces. He indicated the proposal is to add parking along the alley in conjunction with the City's alley improvement project schedule for summer 2007. He pointed out some additional spaces would also be created in the front of the building and along Kenzie Terrace. Chair Stromgren reported the Planning Commission recommends approval of the Kenzington's request for an amendment to the Parking Plan of the original Development Plan to allow for up to an additional 30 parking spaces. He indicated the recommendation includes the condition that the City Engineer, the Public Works Director, and the County approve the final plans. Mayor Faust clarified the conditions indicating the 24 parking spaces could be installed without additional approvals as long as they do not require any additional curb cuts. He stated the six parking spaces that are planned for the south portion of the site might require a curb cut installation and will require approvals and permits from the City of St. Anthony and Hennepin County as Kenzie Terrace NE is County Road 153. Councilmember Stille asked what the parking ratio would be with the additional 30 spaces. 0 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 27, 2007 Page 3 Mr. Ranallo replied the ratio would be about 1:1.5 or 1:2. Motion by Councilmember Stille, Seconded by Councilmember Horst, to Approve Resolution 07 -032, a Resolution for Approval of an Amendment to the Parking Plan of the Kenzington Development Plan. Motion carried unanimously. B. Report on Recent Homicide in St. Anthony — Chief John Ohl. Mayor Faust explained the recent homicide in St. Anthony is an on -going investigation; therefore, Police Chief Ohl is not at liberty to discuss specific items. He asked Chief Ohl not to speak on these items so as not to jeopardize either party or the City's position. City Attorney Gilligan restated that this is an on -going investigation. Chief Ohl reported much of the information was disseminated by the news media. He stated much of this would not have been at liberty to discuss. Chief Ohl reported that just before midnight on March 21, 2007, a 911 call was received and police responded to a residence where a 17 year old male was found deceased from a gunshot wound. He stated a 16- year -old suspect was taken into custody approximately nine hours later and booked into the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center awaiting criminal charges. Chief Ohl reported that as of March 26, 2007, the individual was released as the County Attorney's office was not comfortable with the potential criminal charge because not enough of the investigation was completed. He reported the suspect is still under investigation. He reported the police department has a long list of items to be accomplished for the Hennepin County Attorney and this takes time. Mayor Faust stated part of the process is to get this out to the public to waylay the fears of residents. He indicated the incident was not random and the process would be followed to the letter of the law and to the best of their ability. Mr. and Mrs. Todd Studer, 3631 Harding Street, thanked Mayor Faust, City Council, and Police Chief Ohl for addressing the incident. He stated they live directly south and adjacent to the duplex where the incident occurred. Mr. Studer reported the housing area has seen numerous domestic assistance calls, underage drinking, and other dangerous activities. Mr. Studer stated these activities endanger everyone living in the area and asked the City Council to take action. Mrs. Studer commented now is the time to address the problem and come up with a solution so St. Anthony is a progressive a walkable community, as stated in the mission statement. She emphasized they do not feel safe or secure. She reported they moved to their home ten years ago commented the duplex was previously owner occupied and there were no problems. Mrs. Studer stated over the past five years there have been over 30 police calls to the duplex involving City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 27, 2007 Page 4 I several different occupants. She reported they talked to the owner who is very open to their 2 questions. She explained they constructed a privacy fence to eliminate trespassing issues and 3 damage from previous occupants of the duplex. She stated, as residents of St. Anthony, they 4 value their quality of life and actively pursue projects that maintain the village feeling. Mrs. 5 Studer stated they take responsibility for their home and property and view St. Anthony as a 6 wonderful place to live and raise a family, however, they can no longer sit by while the duplex 7 brings down the value of their property of which they invested ten years of improvements that 8 exemplify the mission of St. Anthony. 9 10 Mr. Studer stated they would like to regain their confidence in letting their children play outside 11 without the fear of illegal activity and the safety of St. Anthony. He asked the Council to step in 12 to investigate the options open to the City to deal with the property and develop a timeline for 13 resolution. Mr. Studer indicated he would like to be kept informed and to obtain a report at the 14 next meeting. 15 16 Mayor Faust replied the Council shares their concern and understands their uneasiness. He 17 stated the Council would do what it could legally to ensure the continued safety of the 18 community. He indicated the Fire Department would check for any ordinance violations. Mayor 19 Faust stressed the City would not single out any one class or property. He stated Council and 20 City staff work closely on these items so they do not fall through the cracks. Mayor Faust 21 pointed out the police responded quickly to this situation. He reiterated the incident was not 22 random; however, it did not mitigate the seriousness of the situation. He thanked Mr. and Mrs. 23 Studer for coming to the City Council and for their commitment to the City. 24 25 Mayor Faust asked Chief Ohl who the point of contact would be for Mr. and Mrs. Studer. 26 27 Chief Ohl encouraged the Mr. and Mrs. Studer to contact him directly. 28 29 Mayor Faust indicated they could also contact City Council members or City Hall. 30 31 Councilmember Stille stressed that if a code violation exists, residents could call the hotline or 32 City Hall. 33 34 Chief Ohl reported on an incident that occurred on March 26, 2007 involving three young 35 females walking along Skycroft Lane were approached by an individual in a midsized white 36 station wagon and wearing an orange tee -shirt. He reported this was acted upon quickly by the 37 St. Anthony Police Department and the information was dispatch to surrounding County and 38 City law enforcement agencies, posted to the crime alert website, the school system and the 39 email alert system. He commented Rose Fitzjerrells, Vital Aging Council, coordinated the 40 circulation of leaflets to the community. Chief Ohl explained the leaflets were concentrated in 41 the area where the incident occurred. He stated there is a rational reason for targeting a specific 42 area. He explained additional patrol activity was posted at the school and the routes to school. 43 He stated this event was taken very seriously. He encouraged anyone with any information 44 concerning this case, to please call 911 or the Police Department. 45 4 6 in 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 27, 2007 Page 5 Mayor Faust explained he asked Chief Ohl to speak on the aforementioned incidences not to alarm people but to encourage residents to be proactive. He encouraged residents to be alert to increased criminal activity as summer approaches. He stated everyone is the eyes and ears to help the Police Department keep the city safe. He reported St. Anthony exists between two large cities and as they put the squeeze on criminal activity, criminals go to another area. He indicted St. Anthony would also keep the pressure on. Mayor Faust asked residents to rest assured this is not the easiest thing to say to the public, but an informed citizen is a better prepared citizen. VI. GENERAL POLICY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL A. Resolution 07 -033; Sale of General Obligation Improvement Bonds Series 2007A Ms. Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers and Associates, reported on the sale of general obligation improvement bonds. She indicated that on February 14, 2007, Council authorized the process to issue $2,050,000 in general obligation improvement bonds for the 2007 road reconstruction project. She pointed out the official statement was prepare explaining sale details and mailed to members of Council. Ms. Kvilvang reported a rating agency call meeting was held with Moody Investor Services and Mr. Roger Larson, Finance Director. She stated they went through the details of the financials, contracts, expected improvements, major capital expenditures in future years, and debt levels. She reported Moody upheld the Al bond rating for this issue. Ms. Kvilvang reported Moody's indicated the economic prognosis for St. Anthony is strong as the community is mature and experiencing redevelopment. She mentioned Moody's stated Silver Lake Village is a positive for the community and the city is taking the initiative to grow and expand its tax base. She stated Moody's highlighted that the city had satisfactory reserves and a manageable debt burden due to tax base growth, support from non levy sources and a rapid principle amortization. She mentioned Moody's was happy to see the financial management planning process for the city. Ms. Kvilvang presented the bid tabulation and stated the sale was held in her office on March 27, 2007. She reported seven bids were received with United Bankers Bank of Bloomington bidding the lowest with a 3.9 percent true interest cost. Ms. Kvilvang recommends awarding the bid to United Bankers Bank. Councilmember Stille asked about the rating and if the new accounting firm used had any impact on the rating they received and towards understand how the City is taking the correct steps to manage city finances. Ms. Kvilvang replied Moody's looked at the city's financial policies relative to debt to capital reserves and how the City is managed. She stated Moody's pointed out the strong management team in place and the annual goal setting was viewed as favorable for the community. Mayor Faust commented on the great 3.9 percent rate. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 27, 2007 Page 6 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, Seconded by Councilmember Stille, to Approve Resolution 07 -033, A Resolution Relating to $2,050,00 General Obligation Improvement Bonds, Series 2007A; Awarding the Sale, Fixing the Form and Details, and Providing for the Execution and Delivery Thereof and Security Therefore and Levying Ad Valorem Taxes for the Payment Thereof to United Bankers Bank of Bloomington. Councilmember Thuesen asked if the number of bids received were about average. 9 Ms. Kvilvang replied St. Anthony is average to above average. 10 1 I Motion carried unanimously. 12 13 B. Resolution 07 -034; Livable Communities Sidewalk Grant for Stinson Boulevard. 14 15 City Manager Morrison summarized Resolutions 07 -034 and 07 -035 requesting funding for the 16 costs for construction of Stinson Boulevard and Silver Lake Road sidewalks. He stated the 17 request for funding is $286,000 for each sidewalk and these funds come from the Federal 18 Government through the city of Minneapolis. He indicated the program is called Transit for 19 Livable Communities Non - Motorized Transportation Pilot Program. 20 21 City Manager Morrison reported Minneapolis was one of four communities chosen for the 22 program. He explained some of the funds must be spent in surrounding communities. He stated 23 Assistant City Administrator Moore -Sykes and Public Works Director Jay Hartman attended 24 training sessions. 25 26 City Manager Morrison stated both resolutions are in the first step of the process. He stated the 27 second step is to acquire a letter from Hennepin County and the final step is the submitting the 28 application packet by April 10, 2007. 29 30 Councilmember Stille recommended indicating the Stinson Boulevard sidewalk connects directly 31 to the Grand Rounds Bike Trail, a 60 mile bike trail that runs through Columbia Heights, Weber 32 Parkway, Theodore Wirth Park, through the lakes, Minnehaha Parkway, and back up along the 33 river. He stated he would think the city of Minneapolis would want to connect its trails to St. 34 Anthony's. 35 36 Councilmember Thuesen asked if the other sidewalk grant would be pursued. 37 38 Councilmember Momson replied the Safe Routes to School is a different funding source. He 39 stated staff is awaiting news on its approval. 40 41 Councilmember Stille asked if the northeast diagonal is slated for development in 2007. 42 43 City Manager Morrison stated he would follow up on this. 44 45 Mayor Faust stated this would be a good connection that he feels would be supported by Mr. 46 Paul Ostrow from Minneapolis. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 27, 2007 Page 7 Motion by Councilmember Horst, Seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to Approve Resolution 07 -034, a Resolution Providing City Council Approval for the Submittal of the Transit for Livable Communities Non - Motorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTP) for Stinson Avenue NE. Motion carried unanimously. C. Resolution 07 -035, Livable Communities Sidewalk Grant for Silver Lake Road. Motion by Councilmember Horst, Seconded by Councilmember Stille, to Approve Resolution 07 -035, a Resolution Providing City Council Approval for the Submittal of the Transit for Livable Communities Non - Motorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTP) for Silver Lake Road. Motion carried unanimously. D. City Ouarterly Goals Update. City Manager Momson provided a first quarter goals progress update report. He stated it is important to focus on what has taken place concerning the five goals and a report would be provided quarterly to the Council. City Manager Morrison stated good progress on the goals has taken place since the goal strategy session in January 2007. He indicated the goals are posted on the web as well as CTV and an article in the upcoming newsletter. Mayor Faust stated this is a good initial progress. He stated he likes the quarterly presentation. VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. City Manager Morrison stated the ad is out for participation on the Road Reconstruction Task Force with a deadline of April 16, 2007 to apply. He stated one candidate has applied. Mayor Faust reported attending the League of Minnesota Cities Board meeting on March 15, 2007. Mayor Faust reported presenting the 2006 goals accomplishments and the 2007 goals at Faith Methodist Church on March 18, 2007. Mayor Faust mentioned Councilmember Horst reported to the Planning Commission on March 20, 2007 and City Manager Morrison presented to the Chamber of Commerce in his absence. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 27, 2007 Page 8 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM. Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items not on the regular agenda. Hearing none, Mayor Faust moved forward with the agenda. IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. City Manager Morrison reported the Safety Expo would be held at City Hall on April 28, 2007, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. City Manager Morrison reported the newsletter would go out early to let people know about the Safety Expo. City Manager Morrison reported the City Clean -Up Day is May 5, 2007, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. X. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENTS. None. XI. ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dianna Wise Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ATTEST: City Clerk