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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 02142006I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY 2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 14, 2006 5 CALL TO ORDER 6 Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 7 8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 9 Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. 10 11 ROLL CALL. 12 Present: Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Horst, Gray, and Stille. 13 Absent: Councilmember Thuesen. 14 Also Present: City Manager Mike Mornson and City Attorney Jerome Gilligan. 15 16 17 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING 18 ITEMS. 19 20 L APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 14, 2006 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA. 21 Motion by Councihnember Horst, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the City 22 Council Meeting Agenda of February 14, 2006. 23 24 Motion carried unanimously. 25 26 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS. 27 None. 28 29 III. CONSENT AGENDA. 30 A. Consider January 24, 2006 Council meeting minutes. 31 B. Consider licenses and permits. 32 C. Consider payment of claims. 33 34 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the Consent 35 Agenda items. 36 37 Councilmember Stille stated the minutes should be changed on page 5, line 21, from Jeff 38 Reynolds to Jeff Farenholtz. 39 40 Motion carried unanimously. 41 42 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS. 43 Mayor Faust opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. for Items IV. A., B. and C. 44 45 A. Resolution 06 -017: Ordering 2006 Street Improvements Todd Hubmer, WSB presenting 46 Mr. Hubmer explained the project managers, city engineers, he and others have recommended 47 awarding the contract for the 2006 street reconstruction project to the low bidder of Northdale 48 Construction Inc. with a bid amount of $1,473,035.77. The information and contact numbers for 49 residents to call if there are issues with the reconstruction will appear in the next newsletter. The City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 2 project is proposed for the east area. It will consist of street reconstruction and replacement of water main, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer on the following streets: 4 1. 30th Avenue NE from Stinson Boulevard to Wilson Street 5 2. Murray Avenue 6 3. Roosevelt Street from St. Anthony Boulevard to 306' Avenue NE 7 4. Coolidge Street from St. Anthony Boulevard to 29th Avenue NE 8 5. Alley south of Murray from Wilson Street to Roosevelt. 10 Mr. Hubmer noted that driveway placement issues are consistent in each of the projects. They 11 are reviewing the process and will send out information on the process that is chosen. They try 12 to improve the process each year. There are always issues with contractors on private driveways. 13 He stated they will do their best to keep construction issues to a minimum. If there are any 14 special needs or events, he asked that the residents call Jay Hartmann at the City Hall. In 15 addition, he asked that if residents have sprinkler systems, they make the engineers aware so that 16 any potential repair needs are lessened. 17 18 Mr. Hubmer explained that Centerpoint and Minnegasco will be on site annually, and they have 19 asked them to come before construction begins. Project completion is anticipated to be the end 20 of October. Street assessments for the street portion are assessed at 35% to residents along 21 project, and 65% to the city. Assessments are calculated on lineal street footage. There are no 22 assessments for 29`h Avenue. Lots with curbs are similar to comer lot calculations. Please call 23 city hall if there are issues. There are a number off odd- shaped lots in this improvement series. 24 He fiuther explained that if two formulas are possible for an odd - shaped lot, they will run both 25 analyses, and choose the one that assesses the least to the resident. 26 27 Mr. Hubmer listed the payment due dates. Deferred payments are possible according to income 28 qualifications. He advised the residents talk to Roger Larson at City Hall if they would like more 29 information. He noted the average payment in the first year 2007 is $508. The last payment will 30 be in 2021. 31 32 Mayor Faust asked if any residents wished to speak. 33 34 Mayor Faust closed the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. 35 36 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to adopt Resolution 06- 37 017 re: A Resolution Ordering Improvements. 38 39 Motion carried unanimously. 40 41 B. Resolution 06 -018: Adopt and Confirm Assessments for 2006 Street Improvements 42 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to adopt Resolution 06- 43 018 re: A Resolution Adopting and Confirming Assessments for 2006 Street and Utility 44 Improvements. 45 46 Motion carried unanimously. 47 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 3 1 C. Resolution 06 -019• Award bid for 2006 Street hn rovements to Contractor 2 Motion by Councilmember Horst, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to adopt Resolution 06- 3 019 re: to Award Bid for 2006 Street Improvements to Contractor. 4 5 Motion carried unanimously. 6 7 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF. 8 A. Resolution 06 -020; State Aid Street 9 Mr. Hubmer explained that the resolution redesignates Municipal State Aid streets in the City of 10 St. Anthony Village. He said the proposal is to remove 27h Avenue NE from the system and add 11 Rankin Road from 33d Avenue to Old Highway 8 as well as Old Highway 8 from Rankin Road 12 to the access road 188 feet west of CSAH 88. 13 14 Councilmember Stille clarified that we are adding .52 miles. Mr. Hubmer answered this is 15 correct. 16 17 Councilmember Stille asked if this would be easy to change in the future. Mr. Hubmer said it 18 would be. 19 20 Councilmember Stille inquired whether there are advantages or disadvantages to living on a state 21 aid street. Mr. Hubmer said in St. Anthony, there are no assessments for living on a state aid 22 street. 23 24 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Horst to adopt Resolution 06 -020 25 re: A Resolution Updating the Municipal State Aid Street System. 26 27 Ayes — 3. Abstain —1 tStillel Motion carried 28 29 B. Resolution 06 -021; Adopting Wellhead Protection Plan 30 Mr. Hubmer explained as reported, St. Anthony has completed all phases and requirements for 31 this plan as required by the Minnesota Department of Health. He requested the Council adopt 32 this plan which requires implementation in the near future. St. Anthony will need to work with 33 the surrounding communities in some aspects of the plan. 34 35 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Horst to adopt Resolution 06- 36 021 re: Adopting St. Anthony Village Wellhead Protection Plan. 37 38 Motion carried unanimously, 39 40 C. Resolution 06 -022• Authorizing a Task Force for Comprehensive Plan 41 Mr. Morrison stated the Comp Plan was last updated in 1998 and under state statute. All cities in 42 the metro area are required to complete an update to their Comp Plan every 10 years. He noted 43 we will be advertising for task force members with appointments of members to take place 44 approximately April 11. This task force will be asked to look at sidewalks and street lights. 45 46 Councilmember Horst asked if this is premature. It seems we are two years ahead of schedule. 47 Mr. Momson answered the plan must be submitted to the Met Council by January 1, 2008. The City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 4 1 earlier a plan is submitted, the better chance there is of getting the Plan approved. He pointed 2 out that this is not only the Comp Plan, but there are several more components that make up the 3 Comp Plan. 4 5 Councilmember Horst asked if he is envisioning the task force to be over the summer months. 6 Mr. Momson replied the task force will meet every other month between May and fall. 8 Mayor Faust encouraged two Councilmembers to attend this task force. 9 10 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Stille to adopt Resolution 06 -022 11 re: A Resolution Authorizing the Establishment of a Task Force to Prepare an Update to the City 12 of St. Anthony's Comprehensive Land Use Plan as Required by the State of Minnesota. 13 14 Discussion: 15 Councilmember Stille commented that he read Lake Elmo is just getting their 1998 Comp Plan 16 approved now. He said there is a lot of important work to be done, and he encouraged the 17 residents to volunteer for the Comp Plan Task Force. He added that many of the goals in the 18 1998 Comp Plan have been accomplished. 19 20 Motion carried unanimously. 21 22 D. Resolution 06 -023: Authorization for Request for Proposals from Planning Finns for the 23 Comprehensive Plan. 24 Mr. Morrison explained this is the second component for the Comp Plan. This resolution will 25 give Staff the authority to develop an RFP for planning consultants and to distribute the RFP to 26 qualified firms. He said they will compile a list of Planning Consultants who have responded to 27 the City's RFP for Council review and approval at the April 11 meeting. 28 29 Councilmember Horst asked if this will follow the low bid process. Mr. Morrison explained that 30 this will not. Because it is a service, no low bid is required. We can recommend who we believe 31 will do the best job for the community. 32 33 Motion by Councilmember Horst, seconded by Councilmember Stille to adopt Resolution 06- 34 023; re Authorization for Request for Proposals from Planning Firms for the Comprehensive 35 Plan. 36 37 Motion carried unanimously. 38 39 VI. GENERAL, POLICY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL. 40 A. Resolution 06 -024: Calling for Bond Sale 41 Ms. Kvilvang stated the bond issues consist of several purposes which are: an improvement 42 portion to finance the 2006 road reconstruction projects, and a current refunding of the 2004B 43 GO Temporary Improvement Bonds, and the 1998A GO Improvement Bonds. This bond will be 44 for a 15 year tern. She pointed out there is a copy of a spreadsheet in the packet that explains 45 the cashflow schedule. 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 5 1 Ms. Kvilvang explained the second portion of the bond is the 2004 issuance. She noted they 2 were three -year temporaries. This will be a 15 -year bond as well. 3 4 Ms. Kvilvang said the 1998 GO Improvement Bond is something that is looked at annually. 5 They were originally issued in the amount of $725,000 and are callable in the amount of 6 $460,000 which matures on February 1 in the years 2007 through 2014. Current coupon rates 7 are 4.50% to 5.00 %. 9 Councilmember Stille asked whether the interest rates are built in. He said the refinancing of the 10 $475,000 saves $14,000. Ms. Kvilvang stated it is in our best interest to sell these. She said they 11 do try to have cost savings on the closing costs. She added that there will not be re- amortizing 12 and the length is kept the same. 13 14 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Stille to adopt Resolution 06 -024 15 re: Resolution Providing for the Sale of $3,190,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds 16 Series 2006A. 17 18 Motion carried unanimously. 19 20 B. Resolution 06 -025: Authorize an increase in the principal amount of interfund loans for 21 Tax Increment Financing District No 3 -5 22 Ms. Kvilvang explained that on June 14, 2005, the HRA approved an interfund loan in an 23 amount up to $200,000 for various administrative and capital expenditures in TIF District 3 -5, in 24 connection with the Northwest Quadrant Redevelopment Project. The reason for the 25 advancement to this District is that the first increments generated in the District will not occur 26 until 2006 and may not be sufficient to pay for advancements to the District by the HRA and 27 other third party obligations. 28 29 She noted that to date, the HRA has not advanced any funds to the TIF District under the Prior 30 Loan Resolution. However, the HRA anticipates it will now need to advance funds to the 31 District to pay for various project costs in excess of the $200,000. In order to accommodate this 32 expenditure and future unforeseen expenditures, the interfimd loan cap is being raised to 33 $500,000. 34 35 Ms. Kvilvang indicated that the "blanket' resolution is so the HRA will not have to complete an 36 interfimd loan every time it is going to expend administrative costs in this district. 37 38 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Horst to adopt Resolution 06- 39 025 re: Authorizing an Increase in the Principal Amount of Interfund Loans for Tax Increment 40 Financing District No. 3 -5. 41 42 Motion carried unanimously. 43 44 C. Resolution 06 -026. Approve preliminary lay -out for Silver Lake Road Hennepin County 45 Representatives presenting, 46 Craig Twinem, Hennepin County Transportation Department, along with Commissioner 47 Stenglein presented. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 6 2 Commissioner Stenglein thanked the Council and the task force for their personal time into this 3 project. He said the County is doing large things on Lowry Avenue as well. He said potentially 4 there will be a new bridge over the river. 6 Mr. Twinem stated this Resolution seeks preliminary layout approval from St. Anthony 7 Boulevard to 37a' Avenue NE. He noted he met about five times with the task force. The 8 preliminary design evolved through the meetings. The task force was comprised of 25 residents. 9 The plan we will present is a plan that takes into consideration all of the stakeholder ideas and as 10 well as a road that will swerve the community for 50 years. 11 12 Mr. Hubmer said a set of values was developed with the task force. There were a number of 13 categories that were important to the task force. The biggest priority was sidewalks on both 14 sides. Followed by utilities, then lighting along the corridor, and then preserving the Village 15 identity and character. The value that received the largest point total by far was sidewalks on 16 both sides. This lines up with the Village statement to create a walkable environment. He said 17 in one of the first meetings with task force they tried to identify the existing concerns today and 18 what will they be in the future. 19 20 Mr. Twinem said they gave the task force the assignment to look at other roads with similar 21 characteristics to Silver Lake Road. Out of this came design alternatives. Knowing this would 22 be a two -lane road, we recognized there would be a need to have shoulders. Shoulders need to 23 be 8 feet so it is safe. As the discussion evolved, more of the people living on the roadway, 24 chose to go for parking versus an 8 foot shoulder. There are areas at key intersections where we 25 have developed bump outs. They have been placed at intersections to shorten the path for people 26 to cross the street. This will also prevent passing on the right. He said they have heard 27 comments from the open house and on comment cards that some people do not like the impact 28 the sidewalk will have. There will be no green space between the curb and sidewalk. There will 29 be a space for utility equipment, snow storage, etc. The sidewalks do not create an additional 30 footprint in terms of the project. 31 32 Mr. Twinem explained as we move down the road from Hilldale to the north fire station 33 entrance, we have developed a lot of right turn lanes. The two lane approach at intersections is 34 safer. 35 36 He went over the project schedule. They will begin the final design in March. A cost sharing 37 agreement will be developed in the fall of 2006. Construction will begin in 2007. Some 38 easement permissions are needed for this project. There will be retaining walls as part of the 39 project to minimize property impact. He noted an initial assessment has been done. He stated 40 they will work closely with power companies to try to bury the lines. There may be a small cost 41 associated with this. 42 43 Mr. Twinem invited questions from the audience. 44 45 Elise Woodhall, 3500 Silver Lake Road, said she does not see the need for an extra turn lane 46 there. As this project is proposed, she will lose all the trees in her front yard. 47 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 7 1 Mr. Twinem responded this is a request for an approval of the footprint only. There are number 2 of private driveways in that location. We did get positive feedback from the Fire Department 3 that applauded the left turn lane. This will help the fire department get their vehicles in the 4 station safely. 5 6 Commissioner Stenglein asked if the apparatus are on the road often. Mayor Faust responded 7 there is a two- minute response time throughout the city. He added that they also go out and to 8 conduct inspections, likely with smaller vehicles, and there are trainings. 10 Councilmember Horst said this area in front of City Hall is active as far as turning traffic. The 11 turn lane was developed for that part of the road only. The initial thought was to have this kind 12 of turn lane up and down the entire corridor, but that was rejected. He added that by 13 consolidating some of the accesses, there will be an increase in the number of parking stalls off 14 the roadway. 15 16 Chris Swanson, 3027 Silver Lake Road, asked if bus stops will be moved. He has trouble getting 17 out of his driveway in the morning since the busses hold up traffic. He said bumpouts may make 18 traffic back up. He also mentioned that at the public hearing, it looked as though the sidewalks 19 would be 6 feet. 20 21 Mr. Twinem said the comments reflect some of the give and take by the people at the meeting. 22 He stated the bumpouts could impede traffic. They felt the bumpouts were a way to make a safe 23 road and prevent from passing on the right. In respect to the 6 foot sidewalk, we are going to 24 grade and flatten out the area anyway. We feel is the appropriate width according to a street like 25 this. 26 27 Mayor Faust mentioned that we found children walk three abreast, not two, when walking down 28 the sidewalk. The wider the sidewalk, the safer for the children. 29 30 Councilmember Horst said there was a lot of discussion on the width of sidewalks at the 31 meetings. Five -foot sidewalks were discussed, but found to be too intrusive. They felt the best 32 prospect was to have 6 foot sidewalks. This provides safety and a place for snow to stack. 33 34 Mr. Hubmer pointed out that by widening the sidewalk area, there is a greater chance of getting 35 onto Silver Lake Road. 36 37 Mayor Faust said he has issues with 37th coming south. He said he didn't like two lanes, but 38 thought the right turn lane would be appropriate. He said he is overall very pleased with what 39 the task force has done. We get one chance to do this every 50 years and would like us to put 40 100% into it. He said he would be open to considering whether this is needed in front of the fire 41 station. He said we should take a look at it as a courtesy.. He added that this was a good design, 42 created in a short amount of time. 43 44 Councilmember Stille mentioned this is a short time line. 45 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 8 1 Mr. Twinem said we are behind the 8 -ball. In order to determine the construction limits, we 2 have to get going on a detailed design. A 3 -D model must be generated. We are looking at trying 3 to get this under construction in April of next year. 4 5 Commissioner Stenglein explained the last block of road between 36`h and St. Anthony 6 Boulevard can be left to look at later. This layout can be approved now in order to get a detailed 7 design going. He stated we must talk with Ramsey County regarding that portion anyway. 8 9 Mr. Twinem added that they can come back to the Council after further discussion with Ramsey 10 County with the final proposal. 11 12 Mayor Faust said he is not concerned to approve the resolution with caveats. We want to see this 13 go forward. We may put caveats on this. We want to do it right the first time. 14 15 Councilmember Horst commented that he feels the engineers will look at this and the Mayor 16 may not speak for the entire Council in regards to the turn lane. He said he is interested in 17 moving traffic along this road. We expect more traffic in the future. He has seen the backups 18 and is bad many times during the day. 19 20 Councilmember Gray clarified he was on the task force and this was a concern brought up by 21 people on the task force. He has the concern as well. We will encroach further on the houses on 22 the west side in order to keep the two lanes. The other thing is when we saw the model, traffic 23 was being backed up to 39`h. Silver Lane is quite a bit further. Initially it was 1,000 feet and it 24 brought it to 39`h. 25 26 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Horst to adopt Resolution 06- 27 026 re: Approve Preliminary Layout No. 3 for the Improvement of Silver Lake Road (CSAH 28 136) from St. Anthony Blvd. to 37h Avenue NE. 29 30 Councilmember Gray thanked Commissioner Stenglein and County and City Staff, as well as the 31 task force for their work. He said this is a great plan. He noted his concern is with 37`h Avenue 32 and that is a small part of the project. He offered an amendment to the motion to include the 33 reduction of lanes south bound to one. 34 35 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded bey Mayor Faust, to amend the motion to add: to 36 include the reduction of lanes southbound 37 Avenue to one, thereby necessitating a right turn 37 only lane on Silver Lake Road. 38 39 Councilmember Horst stated if this Council is indicating that without a right turn only lane, this 40 is a deal buster and we don't want Silver Lake Road finished, he would vote against the 41 amendment. He said this question has been looked at. To put this in the Resolution forces them 42 to create a turn lane, and they are saying that cannot be done. 43 44 Councilmember Stille commented there are a lot of rewards that we can acquire by going 45 forward such as sidewalks, street lights, corridor connecting the north to the south, bumpouts 46 allowing safer commuting or walkers, burying underground power lines. He said he agrees with 47 Councilmember Horst in that he is willing to ask engineers to look at that again, but not at the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 9 2 0 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 VII. 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 risk of jeopardizing the project. If it is a deal breaker, he stated he will not vote for it. If it is a message that says look at this again, he will vote for it. Mayor Faust said this is a way for us to get them to look at this. Mr. Twinem explained that if the amendment passes, it is a one -lane southbound approach and he cannot speak on behalf of Ramsey County. He proposed to look at the layout as shown today. Then it can be determined what the impacts are and it can be brought back to the Council. Commissioner Stenglein commented that this issue will come back to the Council, so the amendment is not necessary at this time. Mayor Faust stated he does not want this issue to be lost. He said if he can be assured that this will be looked at, he would withdraw his second. Mr. Twinem assured Mayor Faust that they will look at it. Commissioner Stenglein said he would give the commitment that it will be looked at. Motion by Councilmember Gray to withdraw his amendment to the motion regarding Resolution 06 -026 re: Approve Preliminary Layout No. 3 for the Improvement of Silver Lake Road (CSAH 136) from St. Anthony Blvd. to 37h Avenue NE. Motion carried unanimously. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBERS. City Manager Morrison reported the following: • A wireless workshop was held with the Consultant. The School staff and business from the Chamber of Commerce were invited. A feasibility report will be presented at a Council meeting in April. • Reports on I and I will be presented in April. • Updates on the new water meter reading will be presented in April. • There will be two public hearings at the March Planning Commission meeting including one for a variance for parking, and another for a Conditional Use Permit for a hair salon. • Ehlers will present an update on the Silver Lake Village project in March. • As there are no items on the agenda for the February 28 Council Meeting, consideration should be given to cancel the meeting. • An appointment to the North Suburban Cable Commission needs to be made along with an alternate appointment. The next meeting is March 2. Motion by Mayor Faust, seconded by Councilmember Horst to appoint Councibnember Hal Gray as the North Suburban Cable Commissioner, and Kim Moore -Sykes as alternate Cable Commissioner. Councilmember Stille had no report. Motion carried unanimously. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 10 2 Councilmember Gray reported that the final summary report from Northwest Youth and Family 3 Services is received. He is on the board. The total amount of services was $9,024. We paid 4 $2,600. At the last meeting, the By -Laws were changed to meet every other month from now on. 5 The fast meeting this year will be this coming Thursday. 7 Councilmember Horst reported that at the end of January, the final meeting with the Silver Lake 8 Task Force was held. He thanked the members for their work. 9 10 Mayor Faust indicated that on 28`h of January, the City welcomed a new business in the place of 11 the former Hitching Post. On the 30`h of January, he was invited by the Mayor of the City of 12 Columbia Heights to meet with the senator on the subject of Eminent Domain. The Mayors of 13 Fridley, Arden Hills, Columbia Heights and a representative from New Brighton were there. 14 This will be an issue on the fast track at the legislature. In 6 years, only 15 cities have used 15 Eminent Domain. Our position is that we have to go after those abusing the system. He also 16 reported that there was a meeting on January 31 with the School Board. He attended a public 17 finance seminar on the 2 "d and 3d of February. He encouraged anyone to attend this seminar 18 next year. 19 20 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM. 21 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that 22 are not on the regular agenda. 23 24 Hearing none, Mayor Faust moved forward with the agenda. 25 26 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. 27 Mayor Faust noted there is nothing on the agenda for the February 28 Council meeting and he 28 recommended this meeting be canceled. The Councilmember unanimously agreed to cancel the 29 February 28 Council meeting. 30 31 X. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENTS. 32 None. 33 34 XI. ADJOURNMENT. 35 Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m. 36 37 Respectfully submitted, 38 39 40 Chris Moksnes 41 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 42 43 44 M or 45 ATTEST: 46 City Clerk 47