HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 08232011I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 AUGUST 23, 2011
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5 CALL TO ORDER.
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7 Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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9 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
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11 Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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13 ROLL CALL.
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15 Present: Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Gray, Jenson, and Roth.
16 Absent: Councilmember Stille.
17 Also Present: Interim City Manager Jay Hartman, Police Chief John Ohl, and Police Officer Jim
18 South.
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21 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
22 ITEMS.
23
24 1. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 23, 2011, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
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26 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City
27 Council Meeting Agenda of August 23, 2011.
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29 Motion carried 4 -0.
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31 H. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
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33 None.
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35 III. CONSENT AGENDA.
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37 A. Consider August 9, 2011, Council meeting minutes;
38 B. Consider licenses and permits;
39 C. Consider payment of claims; and
40 D. Consider Resolution 11 -050• Approving HLB Tautges Redpath, Ltd. As the City Auditor
41 for Auditing Years 2011, 2012, and 2013.
42
43 Councilmember Roth mentioned that HLB Tautges Redpath agreed to a three year contract with
44 no increase for the next three years which will help the City with its budget.
45
46 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the Consent
47 Agenda items.
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49 Motion carried 4 -0.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 23, 2011
Page 2
IV. PUBLIC BEARING.
None.
V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
8 A. Resolution 11 -051 • Approval of a Garage Setback Permit to Encroach into the Side Yard
9 Setback and Rear Setback at 2609 Pahl Avenue.
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11 Mr. Don Jensen, Planning Commission Chair, explained that the applicants have requested
12 approval of a garage setback permit for a new garage at 2609 Pahl Avenue. He stated that the
13 Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a 1.2 foot variance to the side yard setback
14 and a 1.4 foot variance to the rear yard setback. He cited the applicant's reasons for the
15 requested variance as being their desire to preserve a mature cherry tree and the new garage
16 location is consistent with the placement of their neighbor's garages. He indicated that the new
17 garage will allow for adequate snow storage space with no change in the distance from the
18 pavement to the garage for snow stacking. He presented the site survey map and stated that
19 granting the variance is in harmony with the general purpose of the area, noting that the new
20 garage will be aligned to be parallel to the property line of the alley and will allow simpler
21 turning movements, while staying out of the canopy of the existing cherry tree. He also
22 presented a drawing of the proposed garage and stated the style of the garage would match the
23 house and the applicants are looking to improve the size and functionality of their garage.
24
25 Motion by Councilmember Roth, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve Resolution 11-
26 051; Approval of a Garage Setback Permit to Encroach into the Side Yard Setback and Rear
27 Setback at 2609 Pahl Avenue.
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29 Motion carried 4 -0.
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31 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
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33 A. Update from Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom.
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35 Mayor Faust introduced Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom.
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37 Ramsey County Sheriff Bostrom expressed thanks for the opportunity to speak to the City and
38 suggested that he provide periodic updates to the City going forward. He discussed his
39 education, background in law enforcement, and the role of the Sheriff s office. He outlined his
40 vision for the Ramsey County Sheriff s office, which is first and foremost focused on its mission
41 as laid out in the State Statute, including managing all detention services for Ramsey County,
42 providing Court services, e.g., bailiffs, civil processes, patrol services for communities that do
43 not have a Police Department, as well as providing water patrol services. He discussed the
44 importance of being able to move across boundaries and work alongside other agencies and to
45 add value and consistency of service throughout the communities served. He indicated that the
46 Sheriff s office is focused on developing its staff and looks for opportunities to recognize
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 23, 2011
Page 3
1 positive behavior in the community. He added that the Sheriff s office is excited to work with
2 the St. Anthony Police Department and they enjoy a positive working relationship with the City.
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4 Councilmember Roth thanked Sheriff Bostrom and the Sheriffs Office for their public service.
5 He asked how many people work in the Sheriffs office.
7 Sheriff Bostrom replied that the Sheriff s office has approximately 400 employees consisting of
8 180 -200 sworn officers, 125 corrections officers, three dozen CSO's, and support staff. He
9 stated that Ramsey County residents demonstrate a commitment to their community and the
10 Sheriff s office has approximately 400 people who volunteer in various capacities.
11
12 Mayor Faust expressed the City Council's thanks to Sheriff Bostrom for taking the time to come
13 to the City Council. He stated that he was heartened to hear the message about the importance of
14 working together and added that the City enjoys a great relationship with the Ramsey County
15 Sheriff s office as well as the Hennepin County Sheriffs office.
16
17 B. Update on Summer Survival School. Police Chief John Ohl and Officer Jim South
18 presenting.
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20 Police Chief Ohl advised that Officer Jim South came up with the idea for a new program for
21 third graders called "Summer Survival School" and the results were outstanding. He stated that
22 he was proud of the work done by Officer South and the amount of effort and energy he put into
23 the new program.
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25 Police Officer South stated that his daughters have gone to a safety camp for several years and he
26 adapted their safety camp schedule to create the City's first Summer Survival School. He
27 explained that the program included thirty children from Wilshire Elementary and St. Charles
28 and was held on June 15 and 16 at Central Park Pavilion. He expressed appreciation to Wendy
29 and Linda from Community Services for their valuable assistance. He stated that the total cost
30 for the program was $15 and he was able to subsidize the cost of lunches by a generous donation
31 from the Kiwanis, as well as discounted lunches from Culver's and Subway. He presented a
32 slide show of the Summer Survival School program, which included internet safety, appropriate
33 use of 911, dangerous drugs, and firearms awareness. He stated that the first day included a
34 demonstration by the East Metro SWAT team, a DWI demonstration, canine demonstration, a
35 discussion regarding physical fitness awareness, Chris Shaffer from Channel 4 came in and
36 talked about severe weather safety, chemical safety awareness /poison control, and each child had
37 their picture taken sitting in a police car. He stated that one of the employees at Fitness
38 Crossroads volunteered and helped him with the children both days and he expressed thanks to
39 everyone who volunteered their time in making the program a success. He indicated that on the
40 second day, the children's bikes and helmets were checked and they discussed the rules of the
41 road. He stated they also had a demonstration by paramedics, a tour of the Fire Department, a
42 demonstration by Xcel Energy on electrical safety, and the State Patrol helicopter landed in
43 Central Park. He stated that the Crime Lab also performed a case of "Who Stole the Cookies
44 from the Cookie Jar ?" which showed how a scene gets processed and the tools used in
45 processing a scene. He stated that the program was concluded with a graduation ceremony and
46 each of the participants received certificates of completion, the photo taken while sitting in the
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 23, 2011
Page 4
police car, and t- shirts. He felt that the Summer Survival School was an overall great success
and he would like to grow the program if resources and additional volunteers are available.
Councilmember Gray congratulated Officer South for doing a great job and expressed thanks to
Chief Ohl and everyone involved in the program.
Councilmember Jenson stated he was very impressed with Officer South's initiative in putting
together this program and hoped that it could be continued next year.
Mayor Faust encouraged Officer South to come up with suggestions for future programs and the
City will see if resources can be made available. He expressed thanks to Chief Ohl and Officer
South for their efforts as well as the various governmental agencies and private businesses for
their generosity. He also congratulated Officer Jeff Spiess who was recently named Metro State
Student of the Year, as well as Kim Dulz who recently won an Excellence in Service award by
the Professional Law Enforcement Association. He asked Chief Ohl to express the City
Council's thanks to everyone in the Police Department for their dedicated service.
VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
Interim City Manager Hartman reported on the following:
• The mill and overlay project on Stinson Boulevard from 37th Avenue to St. Anthony
Boulevard began on Monday, August 1$'h, and should be completed by Thursday.
• The 2011 allocation of sealcoating includes 33,000 square yards in the southeast quadrant
of the City from Ridgeway to Highway 88 and was completed on Monday.
Councilmember Jenson - No report.
Councilmember Roth reported on his attendance at the following:
• August 18th and August 20th Cable Commission open house
Councilmember Gray reported on is attendance at the following:
• August 18`h Cable Commission open house
Mayor Faust reported on the following:
• August 18th Cable Commission open house
• August 23`d meeting with Interim City Manager Hartman, Three Rivers Park District
Superintendent Cris Gears and Three Rivers Park District Commissioner John Gibbs
VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM.
Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that
are not on the regular agenda.
Mr. Tom Roepke, 3901 Foss Road, appeared before the City Council and stated he approached
the City Council four weeks ago regarding flooding concerns at his building. He advised that he
met with Interim City Manager Hartman and City Engineer Hubmer two weeks ago and
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 23, 2011
Page 5
1 expressed disappointment that he has not received the information he requested and asked the
2 Mayor and City Council for assistance in obtaining the requested information. He explained that
3 he requested information pertaining to permits that were pulled related to his property's storm
4 sewer connection, as well as a copy of a memorandum from City Engineer Hubmer dating back
5 to approximately 2003 concerning a flooding event as well as a memorandum which may
6 reference the need for a plumbing inspector to find out if his storm sewer is compliant. He noted
7 that he was informed by an associate that his connection to the City's storm sewer was not done
8 correctly and he needs to know if it is Code - compliant. He advised that he has paperwork from
9 2001 concerning work done on the storm sewer and that a permit should have been pulled for
10 this work; if a permit was pulled, he or the property owner should have been made aware of the
1 I illicit connection. He added he has no way of knowing if he has any leaks and until he gets some
12 cooperation from the City concerning his request for information, he has nothing to go on.
13
14 Project Manager Messner stated that he is in the process of gathering additional information and
15 reported that the survey of the property was completed today. He advised that they will be
16 televising the storm sewer and talking with New Brighton regarding the issue and once all the
17 information is complete, a memo will be provided to the City Council and to Mr. Roepke. He
18 indicated that the connection to this building was made at the time the building was constructed
19 in the 1970's and it is unclear whether a permit was pulled at that time.
20
21 Interim City Manager Hartman advised that he has reviewed the commercial file and found no
22 permit in the file. He stated he is in the process of looking through other files as well as the
23 building drawings from the initial build -out.
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25 Mayor Faust stated that the City is taking a regional approach to what happened in the Minor
26 Lake area and it will take time to come up with a solution. He pointed out that no one has told
27 anybody not to cooperate with Mr. Roepke and the City continues to work with New Brighton
28 and Fridley to come up with a remedy.
29
30 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
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32 Mayor Faust announced that the City Manager position was sent out on Monday, August 22nd,
33 and applicants can apply for the position online with Springsted, Inc. He stated that the City is
34 looking to fill the position on November 1".
35
36 X. ADJOURNMENT.
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38 Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
39
40 Respectfully submitted,
41 Barbara Hughes
42 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
43
44 IMayor
45 ATTEST:
46 City Clerk