Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 041120060 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 zo 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 RU 49 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES APRIL 11, 2006 CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL. Present: Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Gray, Horst, Stille, and Thuesen. Absent: None. Also Present: City Manager Mike Mornson. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. I. APPROVAL OF APRIL 11, 2006 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA. Motion by Councilmember Horst, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the City Council Meeting Agenda of April 11, 2006. H. III. u' Motion carried unanimously. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS. None. CONSENT AGENDA. A. Consider March 28, 2006 Council meeting minutes B. Consider licenses and permits C. Consider payment of claims. D. Resolution 06 -033• Accenting Monetary Donation from Wal-Mart to the St Anthony Police Denartment. E. Resolution 06 -034: Approving the Community Development Block Grant Program with Ramsey Count Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the Consent Agenda items A, B, C, D, and E. PUBLIC HEARINGS. None. Motion carried unanimously. V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF. A. Resolution 06 -035: Accepting the Foss Road Lift Station Feasibility Report and Ordering Plans, Specifications and Advertisement for Bids Todd Hubmer, WSB & Associates, presented the feasibility report, which addressed the reconstruction of the Foss Road lift station, sanitary sewer along 39th Avenue NE and Chandler Drive, and forcemain along Foss Road, 37t' Avenue NE, and Highcrest Road. He explained this City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2006 Page 2 project is needed based on the increase in sanitary sewer flow because of the Silver Lake Village 2 development. He presented several options and recommended utilizing pipe bursting for the 3 trunk sanitary sewer from Silver Lake Road to the Foss Road lift station, and a directional bore 4 forcemain from Foss Road to the Roseville system. It is also recommended to construct a lift 5 station. Mr. Hubmer used a map to note the location of the Foss Road lift station, which will be 6 a small sized building to house the generator, pumps, submerged wells 33 feet below ground, and 7 a hoist that can be used to lift out the pumps, if needed. 8 9 Mr. Hubmer also noted the location of a property owner to the east and advised that staff will 10 meet with them when the well house is being built to assure minimizing impact to the adjacent 11 landowner. 12 13 Mayor Faust asked about constructing the lift station so it appears to be a house. Mr. Hubmer 14 explained this is an industrial area with a framing shop to the back so he would recommend an 15 industrial themed lift station. 16 17 Mr. Hubmer presented the project costs and proposed financing, noting the total project cost is 18 $1,864,400. Proposed funding includes the Sewer and Water Utility Fund, Public Improvement 19 Bonds, and developer SAC and WAC fees. Mr. Hubmer then presented the project schedule. 20 21 Councilmember Stille requested the definition of the different types of boring. Mr. Hubmer 22 described pipe bursting and directional boring tunneling technologies. Councilmember Stille asked what is the advantage of either technology. Mr. Hubmer recommended pipe bursting in - . 39th Avenue because there is an existing pipe. On the force main there is no existing pipe so 25 directional boring is recommended. The advantage of both is that the streets do not have to be 26 torn up and restored. 27 28 Councilmember Stille stated that 39th and Chandler Streets could be redone now and asked if it is 29 a mistake to not do the whole project. He also asked how much life is left in those streets. Mr. 30 Hubmer stated 39th Street may be at the end of its life but if the land uses or development 31 changes, then there would have to be a change in the utilities. 32 33 Mayor Faust asked about the level of disruption this time versus waiting to do the entire street. 34 He noted residents cannot stand it when a street is dug up and then three to five years later it is 35 dug up again. Mr. Hubmer explained that with pipe bursting they will dig up where the services 36 are and it only involves about a week of work. 37 38 Councilmember Thuesen asked if this will provide capacity for what is needed today plus the 39 future. Mr. Hubmer stated they did add projections for future growth. He noted the City now 40 has to size the system to accommodate the I/I flows but once those flows are removed, it frees 41 capacity to handle future development. 42 43 Mayor Faust asked if the project takes into consideration the buildout of the yet to be built 44 homes, businesses, and teardown. Mr. Hubmer answered in the affirmative. A[ City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2006 Page 3 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to adopt Resolution 06- 035, Accepting the Foss Road Lift Station Feasibility Report and Ordering Plans, Specifications 3 and Advertisement for Bids. 4 5 Motion carried unanimously. 6 7 B. Resolution 06 -036: Ordering Preparation of Specifications and Solicitation of Bids for 8 Automatic Water Meters. 9 Todd Hubmer, WSB & Associates, explained that the existing water meters in the City are 10 approaching 20 to 30 years old and nearing the end of their life cycle. He explained the 11 significant benefits and time savings of an automated system where the water meters are read 12 automatically via radio and receiver and automatically put it into the system. Mr. Hubmer then 13 presented the anticipated schedule and cost estimates. 14 15 Councilmember Gray noted that many of the water meters need to be replaced because of their 16 age and asked what would be the cost difference between replacing them with traditional meters 17 or the new meters. Mr. Hubmer estimated $100,000 to $125,000 over replacing with the 18 traditional meter they have today. 19 20 Councilmember Gray asked about potential time savings. Mr. Hubmer estimated several days 21 per quarter plus the benefit of tracing accounts in a timely method and not having to make 22 numerous telephone calls for delinquent accounts. Councilmember Horst asked if specialized equipment is needed in the vehicle that is used to 25 obtain the reading. Mr. Hubmer explained it is just a small box that can be put into any vehicle 26 and the entire City readings can be completed in about one hour. 27 28 Councilmember Horst asked if it would be monthly or quarterly billing. Mr. Hubmer stated that 29 is a decision of the Council but there is a cash flow benefit for the City to go to monthly billing. 30 Councilmember Horst asked about the benefit of not having to get into the house to do the 31 reading. Mr. Hubmer agreed it is a benefit if the person is not home for several months or not 32 providing readings. Councilmember Horst noted the equipment cannot turn off the meter. Mr. 33 Hubmer stated that is correct but it can be turned off at the curb. 34 35 Mayor Faust noted this is a similar system to that used by Connexus so the days of the meter 36 reader may be over. 37 38 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to adopt Resolution 06- 39 036, Ordering Preparation of Specifications and Solicitation of Bids for Automatic Water Meters 40 41 Motion carried unanimously. 42 43 C. Resolution 06-037, the Sanitary Sewer Infiltration &Inflow Reduction Plan 44 Todd Hubmer, WSB & Associates, presented the Sanitary Sewer Infiltration and Inflow (I/I) Reduction Plan. He explained that infiltration is the seepage of ground water into the City's system. Inflow is flow from a single point such as a sump pump or foundation drainage system. 47 He noted the Metropolitan Council adopted an Environmental Service Policy (MCES) to City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2006 Page 4 commence a 5 -year Surcharge Program starting in 2007. St. Anthony is to be charged for I/I in L excess of set MCES limits. That surcharge for St. Anthony is $1,197,000 or $119,700 annually 3 for ten years. Rebates and credits on surcharges will be given for City initiated I/I reduction 4 programs. He advised that an additional demand charge will begin in 2013 for future violations 5 of MCES limits. Mr. Hubmer listed St. Anthony's current 1/I reduction programs and presented 6 a graph that showed the occurrences of violation of the Metropolitan Council standard from 1995 7 to 2004, noting it is now less than five occurrences which is a significant reduction. 9 Mr. Hubmer explained how the pilot study identified non - compliant homes. Visual inspection 10 was done of 60 homes, 45 allowed inspection, and 17 noncompliant connections were found. 11 The inspections found 12 homes that already had corrected an improper connection. He stated 12 that there remains about 830 non - compliant connections and if the City can remove them, it 13 would come into compliance with the Metropolitan Council standards. He presented a picture 14 showing an incorrect sanitary sewer inflow connection and described how it can be corrected, at 15 a cost of $1,500 to $2,000. Mr. Hubmer explained how the proposed M Reduction Plan will 16 gain that level of compliance and the anticipated schedule. 17 18 Mr. Hubmer described financing and anticipated MCES costs as well as costs eligible for 19 surcharge credit. He stated the City will apply for credits against the 2007 surcharge for all 20 projects that have reduced UI since 2004. 21 22 Mayor Faust asked if St. Anthony has been part of the flow to Lake Pepin. He noted there have been newspaper articles about trying to construct a new system to stop flows into Lake Pepin, which is impaired waters. Mr. Hubmer stated that is one of the reasons for the surcharge 25 program from the Metropolitan Council. Now the focus is on the sanitary sewer systems; 26 however, in the next year or two, they will be talking about Lake Pepin and impact of stormwater 27 runoff from St. Anthony. 28 29 Councilmember Thuesen asked about an approximate time span of noncompliant houses with 30 passive drainage systems. Mr. Hubmer stated if the house was built before 1970, there is 31 potential that it has a passive system. Councilmember Thuesen stated that is a large percentage 32 of homes built in St. Anthony. Mr. Hubmer advised that about 65% of the homes in St. Anthony 33 have passive systems. 34 35 Councilmember Thuesen asked if the City will be in compliance upon completion of this 36 program. Mr. Hubmer stated that is the goal. 37 38 Councilmember Thuesen asked if they know which pipes have issue with infiltration. Mr. 39 Hubmer stated if the City gets 830 homes corrected, it will meet the goals of the Metropolitan 40 Council and the City will not to pay the surcharge. However, if St. Anthony has a large rainfall, 41 they will be fined for 1/I, as would many other cities. 42 43 Mayor Faust asked when the ordinance was instituted and how much the Metropolitan Council 44 fee could cost the City. Mr. Hubmer stated the ordinance was adopted in 1997 and it would have S cost the taxpayers $50,000 and 70,000 a year. Mayor Faust noted the investment being made would reduce that $50,000 to $70,000 per year cost. 47 0 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2006 Page 5 Councilmember Stille pointed out that in 2013, the surcharge will become a fee and the City does not want to pay those dollars. The other reason is that environmentally sound practices are the right thing to do. Mayor Faust agreed and stated that while this program may be considered intrusive and it is expensive, something must be done and this Council will not pass the problem on to a future Council. 9 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to adopt Resolution 06- 10 037, Adopting the Sanitary Sewer Infiltration & Inflow Reduction Plan. 11 12 Motion carried unanimously. 13 14 Mr. Morrison advised that about 45% of cities are in the same position as St. Anthony. He noted 15 the attendance of two Public Works employees, John Trombley and Tom Sullivan who are in 16 attendance as part of schooling to obtain a certificate. They decided to attend the St. Anthony 17 Council meeting because it is a well run meeting. 18 19 Mayor Faust thanked Mr. Trombley and Mr. Sullivan for their hard work on behalf of St. 20 Anthony. 21 22 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL. " A. Update on Financial Strategies Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associates, stated the Council will be discussing the City's Key 25 Financial Strategies, which is an interactive process between the Council and staff. She 26 explained the Strategies create a comprehensive financial management plan to meet goals 27 established by the Council. Currently, the Council has undertaken a process to look at existing 28 plans in place and stand alone documents like the operating budget, debt planning budget, capital 29 program needs, staff needs, and infrastructure needs. 30 31 Ms. Kvilvang reviewed how the Council first undertook this process in 2002, projects 32 considered, public participation, and the planning process. She listed the seven goals the Council 33 set as part of the 2006 goal setting session. These seven project total about $9.2 million and they 34 have determined financing for the top five goals that the City can complete in 2006 -2007, costing 35 about $7.1 million. 36 37 Ms. Kvilvang stated the Council has asked how these projects can be undertaken with the least 38 impact to taxpayers and residents of St. Anthony. She advised that only one of the top five 39 projects will have impact to residents through a levy position. The City can finance the other 40 four projects through internal borrowing and cash on hand. The TIF bond will be repaid from 41 the Chandler TIF District and levy. 42 43 Ms. Kvilvang presented each of the seven capital projects and explained the recommended 44 financing for each. She explained that it is recommended to levy $1.3 million of the costs for the J5 Silver Lake Road project. The City's average home value is $250,000 so the impact would be about a $42 dollar increase to take on the street improvement program. 47 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2006 Page 6 Ms. Kvilvang explained that the financing aspects of the other two priorities, Emerald Park and wireless internet, have not yet been resolved. She recommended that once the Council decides 3 what to do at Emerald Park, some cash on hand like profits from the liquor store can be 4 considered. However, most likely, there would be a tax impact through an abatement bond or 5 equipment certificates. The wireless internet service is estimated at $1 million and as it is further 6 discussed, staff will look at feasibility and funding sources. 7 8 Councilmember Stille stated this is an excellent job of framing goals and financial sources. He 9 asked if this program will impact the City's bond rating. Ms. Kvilvang explained that rating 10 agencies, such as Moody's, look not only at fund balances, but also planning into operations so 11 this will help to strengthen or maintain the bond rating of the City. 12 13 Councilmember Thuesen noted the cost estimate for the Silver Lake Road project is $3 million 14 and recalled that was a high -side estimate. Ms. Kvilvang explained it was the highest estimate 15 and if the project costs less, it would free up funds to be used elsewhere. 16 17 Mayor Faust noted some of the projects are interrelated and interconnected so the City cannot do 18 one without the other or the cost goes up. He stated that the Silver Lake Road, wireless water 19 meters, 1/I Program and Foss Road lift station projects are directly interrelated to each other. 20 Mayor Faust stated his support for doing those projects. 21 22 Mayor Faust stated the sidewalk, street lights, and Higherest projects are related and benefit both regular citizens and the School. He noted it has been stated all along that the wireless internet project would be self funding. He stated he supported the Emerald Park and wireless internet 25 projects, if the Council found a way to fund them that was not levy or bonding. He noted that a 26 lot of times and dollars look big but it goes back to the Key Financial Strategies, which put the 27 City in a position to do a number of projects that appear to be big to the community. He stated 28 he does not think the projects are excessive and pointed out the Council has spent four years 29 planning and now needs to do something. 30 31 Councilmember Thuesen stated when thinking about the sidewalks and looking at the long term, 32 St. Anthony is a Walkable Safe Community. Sidewalks are a long -term goal and also have 33 potential ramifications with the School District and bussing students. The sidewalks allow 34 people to go for walks as well as safely walk to school. 35 36 Mayor Faust stated the School District has an annual cost of $600,000 to bus students and if the 37 City can help them take a "bite" out of it, it will help the tax payer's burden. 38 39 Ms. Kvilvang stated St. Anthony is a City that stands apart from others and is held up by other 40 cities because while some may do annual goal setting, they do not make the connection of 41 financial planning for long -term impacts or try to limit impacts back to the taxpayers. She 42 advised that other cities refer to St. Anthony as the model of how things should be done and 43 planned for. Ms. Kvilvang stated St. Anthony should be proud of being able to take on projects 44 that cost millions of dollars with low impact to residents. 45 B. Resolution 06 -038• Appointing the Members to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan 47 Review Task Force. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2006 Page 7 Mr. Momson explained this resolution will appoint members to the Comprehensive Land Use c Plan Review Task Force. He advised that 13 responses were received from the community and 3 the names of those individuals are listed in the draft resolution. The Task Force would also 4 include four Planning Commissioners and two Councilmembers; Randy Stille and Brian 5 Thuesen. The staff representative will be Kim Moore - Sykes. The first meeting will be May 8, 6 2006 and total of six meetings are planned. The public hearing will be held by either the City 7 Council and Planning Commission or both. It is anticipated the updated Comprehensive Plan 8 will be submitted to the Metropolitan Council in January of 2007. 9 10 Motion by Councilmember Horst, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to adopt Resolution 06- 11 038, Appointing the Members to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Review Task Force. 12 13 Motion carried unanimously. 14 15 C. Resolution 06 -039: Awarding the Bid to assist the City to Prepare an Updated 16 Comprehensive Land Use Plan as Required by the State of Minnesota 17 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to adopt Resolution 06- 18 039, Awarding the Bid to McCombs Frank Roos Associates, Inc. to assist the City to Prepare an 19 Updated Comprehensive Land Use Plan as Required by the State of Minnesota. 20 21 Motion carried unanimously. . 22 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBERS. City Manager Momson reported the following: 25 • There may be 65 to 70 in attendance at the May 23, 2006 Council meeting when 26 certificates are presented to third graders involved in the Junior Achievement Program. 27 • Staff is working on the TIF policy, which will be presented at a May Council meeting. 28 • George Wagner, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, indicated that the City 29 was nominated which includes the five departments and staff have been designated 30 "Business of the Year," even though it is a city government. A plaque will be presented 31 on April 20, 2006 at the 49ers building. Mr. Momson stated this is a great honor, that the 32 Chamber would recognize a city and Councilmember Hal Gray as "Villager of the Year." 33 • Next week the Council will hold a joint meeting with the Planning Commission. 34 • The Council will hear from consultants on April 25 about the wireless internet. 35 • The City of Minneapolis is asking for a resolution supporting Northeast Diagonal Trail. 36 • Silverwood staff wants to know why support of their development is not on the agenda 37 and wants to be on the April 25 or May 9 meeting agenda. Staff is waiting for Council 38 direction. 39 • At the last meeting, the Council denied a variance on a 3:1 vote. The developer/builder 40 will now propose a plan that does not need a variance. 41 42 Mayor Faust congratulated Councilmember Hal Gray, who has 21 years of public service, for 43 being recognized as "Villager of the Year." He also congratulated City Manager Mornson, City 44 staff, and departments for being named "Business of the Year." Mayor Faust stated many people do not know how this City functions as a business or that what the City's departments and 4o employees do for the community is unbelievable. He stated that is where the credit belongs, with 47 the employees. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2006 Page 8 Councilmember Gray reported on his attendance at the North Suburban Communications 3 Commission meeting and announced that scholarship money is available this year. Comcast and 4 North Suburban Communication Commission funds about $60,000 and he encouraged those 5 interested to make application prior to the Friday, April 14, deadline. 7 Mayor Faust referenced a letter submitted by four young ladies who indicated they watch the 8 most popular television channel, Channel 16, which they find to be informative. However, they 9 recommend the City play a different type of music. Mayor Faust stated he is glad to receive this 10 letter and that they are watching to learn more about government. 11 12 Councilmember Horst stated he attended the Sister City meeting a week ago to discuss Finn Day 13 at the Minnesota Rock Symposium. Currently, the cost estimate is about $1,500, which will be 14 privately solicited. He encouraged all to attend Finn Day at Minnesota on Saturday, June 4, 15 noting it will include performances by folk dancers, folk bands, poem readings, and many other 16 events. 17 18 Councilmember Horst stated he attended the Community Services Board meeting last Thursday 19 where Dennis Cavanaugh made a presentation on significant survey findings from older adults. 20 He advised that 96% of those who responded to the survey rated the quality of life in St. 21 Anthony as excellent to good. They still enjoy a high level of community involvement and like 22 living in St. Anthony. However, people 55 to 60 years of age do not like to think of themselves "I as "senior citizens." 25 Councilmember Stille stated he is a member of the Family Services Collaborative who went 26 through an exercise orchestrated by Falcon Heights Mayor Sue Gehrz. Several focus groups of 27 parents and kids were formed and questions asked to get at the root of what can be done for kids 28 to make this a viable place for them to grow and prosper. Because of Hennepin County funding 29 cut backs, the Collaborative will be using their venue to communicate to residents on how they 30 will be helping. He announced that volunteers are needed. 31 32 Councilmember Stille stated that two weeks ago he attended Legislative Day at the capitol with 33 Councilmember Horst and Mayor Faust and learned a lot about how this legislative session could 34 impact St. Anthony. 35 36 Councilmember Thuesen thanked Mayor Faust and Councilmembers who attended the 37 Legislative Day to represent St. Anthony in front of elected officials. He stated he also attended 38 the presentation mentioned by Councilmember Stille and emphasized that no mater how small or 39 large a community, strong schools and healthy youth means a better chance to have a great city. 40 He explained that some of the things the Collaborative would like to do are capital related so 41 money would be needed but other things just require volunteers. He stated that all have many 42 demands on their time but encouraged them to consider this if they want to give back to the 43 community because the City's youth are not immune to issues facing society and the City needs 44 to listen to its youth. 115 Mayor Faust reported on his attendance at the Legislative Day at the capitol and discussions held 47 regarding the Impaired Waters Act. He mentioned that Representative Dennis Ozment from City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2006 Page 9 1 Rosemount is a true proponent and gone around the State to talk about this issue. They also 2 heard Senator Dean Johnson and Representative Steve Sviggum speak. Mayor Faust explained 3 that last year the State tried but failed to put a $36 tax on each house to generate money for this 4 use. Now they want $20 million to $30 million from general funds to start the process for clean 5 waters. Mayor Faust stated more will be seen about clean water and the City needs to be on top 6 of this issue. 7 8 Mayor Faust stated Senator Dean Johnson, who is a Chaplin in the National Guard, had indicated 9 that while Minnesota is 17s' in population.in the nation, it is 01 in deployment of National Guard 10 and resources, and 1" in recruiting and retention in the National Guard. He noted this is a very I 1 significant statement about patriotism and encouraged people to "give them a hand" if they know 12 someone serving. 13 14 Mayor Faust stated there was an elected officials briefing with staff, which is a way to keep them 15 informed about St. Anthony, its goals, and gives legislators an opportunity to ask questions. 16 17 Mayor Faust stated he attended the League of Minnesota Insurance Trust Loss Control 18 Workshop along with City Manager Mornson, Public Works Director Hartman, and staff. He 19 stated this was a worthwhile workshop, only cost $20, and encouraged other Councilmembers to 20 attend. 21 22 With regard to Silverwood, Mayor Faust stated the Council was not comfortable two weeks ago ''-A and is probably not comfortable today so more information is needed. 25 The Council concurred. 26 27 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM. 28 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that 29 are not on the regular agenda. 30 31 Hearing none, Mayor Faust moved forward with the agenda. 32 33 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. 34 None. 35 36 X. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENTS. 37 Councilmember Gray stated he attended the dedication of Gary Palm Field last Saturday and felt 38 it was a great way to recognize somebody who has meant a lot to St. Anthony as a teacher, 39 coach, and mentor of youth. He thanked Troy Urdabl for doing a great job of getting everything 40 prepared and noted the event was capped off with a varsity and junior varsity win against 41 Cannon Falls. 42 43 Councilmember Horst commented on the letter to the editor he wrote about VillageFest and the 44 need for volunteers. He sated they will be holding a meeting at City Hall next Wednesday, April 45 19, at 7:00 p.m. and encouraged people interested in volunteering to help with that event. 47 XI. ADJOURNMENT.