HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 08082022I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 AUGUST 8, 2022
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5 CALL TO ORDER.
6 Mayor Stille called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
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10 Mayor Stille invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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12 ROLL CALL.
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14 Present: Mayor Stille, Councilmembers Jenson, Randle, Walker (arrived at 7:18 p.m.), and
15 Webster
16 Absent: None
17 Also Present: City Manager Charlie Yunker, Beth Denzer, and Mary Piper.
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20 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
21 ITEMS.
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23 1. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
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25 Motion by Councilmember Randle, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City
26 Council Meeting Agenda of August 8, 2022 as presented.
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28 Motion carried 4-0.
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30 11. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITION.
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32 A. SPIRIT of St. Anthony Award Presentation.
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34 Mayor Stille reviewed the qualifications for receiving the award. Ms. Mary Piper, the 2020
35 award winner presented the 2021 SPIRIT of St. Anthony Award to Beth Denzer of the St.
36 Anthony Police Department. Ms. Piper read the nomination that was submitted.
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38 Ms. Denzer stated it is an honor to accept this award. She is anxious to see what the future holds
39 for her in the City of St. Anthony. Mayor Stille stated her family gave her this award. The City
40 Council appreciates her dedication to the community. A photograph was taken with Mayor Stille
41 and Beth and her family.
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43 I11. CONSENT AGENDA.
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45 A. Approval of July 26, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes.
46 B. Licenses and Permits.
47 C. Claims.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 8, 2022
Page 2
Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to approve the Consent
Agenda items.
Motion carried 4-0.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING— NONE.
V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
10 A. Ordinance 2022-05 — Amending the St. Anthony City Code, Section 150 Re arg din¢
1 I Fences.
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13 City Manager Yunker reviewed staff has reviewed for consistency with related codes, including
14 the building code, and practical issues related to construction styles, permitting, city review, and
15 common building practices, both in St. Anthony and nearby communities. The Planning
16 Commission considered the request during a public hearing on July 19, 2022. The applicant and
17 a resident commented during the hearing. The resident's comments included both written and
18 oral testimony at the hearing. Those comments related to concerns over public safety issues that
19 could be a concern with taller fences, and concerns over what may be described as
20 neighborliness issues that tall fences could create.
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22 During its deliberations, the Planning Commission discussed whether the proposed increase in
23 height would likely result in significant change in the height of many fences, and whether the
24 increased height (from six to seven feet) could have a significant impact over the current
25 allowance. Following the hearing, the Planning Commission voted 6 to 1 to recommend the
26 amendment, with the negative vote supported by an interest in waiting until the full fence
27 ordinance was being discussed to allow for additional context. As a part of its motion, the
28 Commission added a recommendation that the City initiate a review and inspection process for
29 fence permits. Because this is not a component of the ordinance itself, staff will consider that
30 aspect of the process on a separate track.
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32 The Planning Commission and staff recommends approval of the amendment increasing
33 maximum height of residential fences, and establishing clearer standards for measurement. Mr.
34 Grittman noted that most general City Code amendments require three readings by the Council
35 prior to formal adoption (unless this process is specifically waived by the City Council during its
36 review). Zoning Ordinances are an exception to this three -reading rule, which are to be
37 considered for adoption after a single reading by the Council. The fence amendment under
38 consideration is a zoning regulation (even though it is not numbered with the other Section 152
39 zoning section). As such, the Council may consider adoption as a part of this reading. The
40 Council discussed a series of code amendments that were being researched by the Code
41 Committee at a recent Work Session. These included changes to the Fence height section which
42 are being considered with the application. The resident bringing this proposed amendment was
43 made aware of the staff work on the larger ordinance, but made a separate application requesting
44 this regulation go forward on its own schedule to address potential code enforcement issues for
45 their recently constructed fence. The applicant is Mark Tomas of 3308 Skycroft Drive.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 8, 2022
Page 3
Staff recommends approval of an amendment to the fence regulations as identified in the report,
with the following findings:
4 A. The current fence regulations related to height are inconsistent with the regulations of the
5 Building Code.
6 B. The current fence permitting practices are not consistent with the procedures required by the
7 code.
8 C. The current height regulations for residential fences do not comport with common
9 construction practices, nor account for inconsistencies in grade or terrain.
10 D. The amendment would be consistent with current practice, with the language of the Building
11 Code, and the practices of many other nearby communities.
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13 Councilmember Webster asked with the amendment to 7 feet, it sounds like there was a change
14 made at the State level. Mr. Yunker stated it was changed at the State level.
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16 Councilmember Walker arrived at the meeting at 7:18 p.m.
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18 Mayor Stille asked if there was a flat level piece of ground there could be a 7 foot tall fence. Mr.
19 Yunker stated a 8 foot section could be purchased but it would be a custom build. Mayor Stille
20 stated he is not in favor of a 7 foot fence. He is fine if the topography of the area is not flat.
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22 Councilmember Jenson stated the fence could not go over 7 feet from the ground. Mayor Stille
23 stated if the ground was level a 7 foot fence could be constructed. Mayor Stille stated this could
24 be tabled and perhaps Mr. Grittman could propose other language. Mr. Yunker stated we are
25 within the time window for response.
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27 Councilmember Webster asked what concerns Mayor Stille has. Mayor Stille stated the
28 concerns were noted in the resident's letter. Mayor Stille stated if everyone had a 7 foot fence it
29 would not be good for the City. It creates better neighborhood space with a shorter fence.
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31 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to table consideration
32 for adoption of Ordinance 2022-05 — Amending the St. Anthony City Code, Section 150
33 regarding fences.
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35 Motion carried 4-1 (Webster).
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37 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
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39 A. Resolution 22-062 — Approving Summary Publication for Ordinance 2022-05.
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41 Since the ordinance was not adopted, this resolution will be considered at a later date.
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43 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
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45 City Manager Yunker had no report.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 8, 2022
Page 4
1 Councilmember Jenson stated on July 28, he attended the board meeting for the North Youth and
2 Family Services. On August 2, he participated in the Night to Unite event. On August 5, he
3 attended the Executive Board Meeting for the Ramsey County League of Governments in the
4 morning and in the evening he participated in the parade and some VillageFest events on August
5 6.
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7 Councilmember Randle stated on August 2, he participated in the Night to Unite event. He
8 participated in the parade on August 5 and on August 6 participated in some VillageFest events.
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10 Councilmember Walker stated he was out in the community for Night to Unite on August 2. He
11 participated in the VillageFest parade on August 5. On Saturday, August 6 he participated in
12 some VillageFest events.
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14 Councilmember Webster stated she was scheduled to attend 7 Night to Unite parties on August
15 2. She thanked those that hosted the parties she attended. She walked in the VillageFest parade
16 on August 5.
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18 Mayor Stille stated he and the City Manager attended a few parties for Night to Unite. He
19 attended the parade and VillageFest events. He thanked Julieann Hunter for all her work and the
20 Committee. He thanked staff, the Police Department, Fire Department and Public Works for
21 their work on VillageFest.
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23 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM — NONE.
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25 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS — NONE.
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X. ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Stille adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Wolfe
Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
ATTES
City Clerk