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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 031220241 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 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MARCH 12, 2024 CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Webster called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Mayor Webster invited the Council and audience to join in the Pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence was held for the Burnsville First Responders who lost their lives in the line of duty. ROLL CALL. Present: Mayor Webster, Councilmembers Doolan, Jenson, Randle and Stephens. Absent: None Also Present: City Manager Charlie Yunker, Police Chief Jeffrey Spiess, Police Captain Michael Huddle, Police Sergeant Brandon Hess, City Planner Steve Grittman, and Public Works Director Jeremy Gumke. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. I. APPROVAL OF MARCH 12, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA. Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Doolan, to approve the City Council Meeting Agenda of March 12, 2024 as presented. Motion carried 5-0. II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITION. A. Swearing in of Police Captain — Mike Huddle Police Chief Spiess stated some background information and administered the Oath of Office to Police Captain Michael Huddle. B. Swearing in of Police Sergeant — Brandon Hess Police Chief Spiess stated some background information and administered the Oath of Office to Police Sergeant Brandon Hess. Photographs were taken. The Councilmembers and Mayor congratulated Captain Mike Huddle and Sergeant Brandon Hess. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 12, 2024 Page 2 2 III. CONSENT AGENDA. 3 4 A. Approval of February 26, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes. 5 B. License and Permits 6 C. Claims. 8 Motion by Councilmember Stephens, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the 9 Consent Agenda items. 10 11 Motion carried 5-0. 12 13 IV. PUBLIC HEARING — NONE. 14 15 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF. 16 17 A. Ordinance 2024-01 — Amending the St. Anthony City Code, by Amending Sections of the 18 City Code Relating to Nuisance, Signnage, Permitting, Performance Standards and Land Use. 19 20 City Planner Grittman reviewed the ordinance before Council this evening is a series of proposed 21 code amendments for first reading. These have been generated primarily through a review of the 22 existing City Code in preparation for the upcoming recodification through American Legal. Most 23 of these are believed to be clerical, but some policy issues are raised. The code sections are 24 summarized to assist in the Council's discussion and review. 25 26 This is the first of three readings of the proposed ordinance. Council is asked to comment on any 27 elements of the language and move the ordinance to its second reading. 28 29 Mr. Grittman stated the Planning Commission considered the proposed elements of the 30 Ordinance at a public hearing during its regular meeting on February 20, 2024. They discussed 31 the various sections and noted that there was no one from the public to comment on the 32 amendments. Their discussion included comments in the staff report noting potential policy or 33 technical issues for review. 34 35 The primary discussion related to the hours during which additional noise regulations were to be 36 enforced (Section 1). The current ordinance has a variety of start and/or end times for a night- 37 time quiet period. The draft ordinance proposed consolidating those times, regardless of noise 38 source. The Commission's discussion (and recommendation) altered the draft ordinance to retain 39 the current 10:00 p.m. deadline for music -related sound, and also to retain the current distinction 40 between weekday and weekend morning quiet times (retaining the current 9:00 a.m. rather than 41 modify it). The changes and/or discussion notes are added to the draft ordinance and highlighted 42 for ease of interpretation. 43 44 There were a few other clerical changes that were recommended, but which did not involve 45 substantive language. The Planning Commission unanimously passed a recommendation to send 10 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 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 12, 2024 Page 3 the proposed ordinance to the City Council with changes to the proposed text as noted in the redline draft. Mr. Grittman summarized the Proposed Ordinance Sections: Section 1 — Consolidates a variety of limits for outdoor noise generation to a consistent time, requiring no excessive noise creation between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Section 2 — Establishes a more quantifiable definition for landscape screening when it is required by either the Code or by Council action. Section 3 — Deletes parking references from the Nuisance section (these parking requirements were updated and established as a separate section in a prior amendment, not codified as Section 152.179). Section 4 — Creates a definition for "rodents", which are then regulated in the subsequent sections. NOTE: the language was taken from other code examples — the Commission discusse3d the inclusion of chipmunks and squirrels in the list and recommended no change. Section 5 — Adds a prohibition on rodent harborage for Owner/Landlords. Section 6 — Adds a prohibition on rodent harborage for renter/occupants. Section 7 — Moves Nuisance Automobile language into a related public health nuisance section. Section 8 — Adds a process requirement for Abandoned Sign removal (currently there is a definition and prohibition, but no specific consequence). Section 9 — Adds a specific allowance for refuse container screening structures — not allowed in the front yard — to be constructed of prefabricated materials, rather than the prior inference that they be custom-built. Section 10 and 11 — Consolidates adult- and child-care centers a Conditional Use in the C, Commercial and LI, Light Industrial Districts — current language is inconsistent. Sections 12 and 13 — Adoption/Admin language. Councilmember Jenson read through the changes and asked if all was reviewed by the Planning Commission and Mr. Grittman stated the Planning Commission did review all. Councilmember Stephens asked what portion are changes from the residents and Mr. Grittman stated there were no public comments received. Councilmember Doolan referred to Section 1 on the noise ordinance and there was discussion at the Planning Commission Meeting for changing the time from 10:00 p.m. Mr. Grittman stated City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 12, 2024 Page 4 Staff had recommended 9:00 p.m. and the Planning Commission recommendation was to maintain the 10:00 p.m. deadline. 4 Councilmember Jenson asked what drove the rationale to changing it to 9:00 p.m. and Mr. 5 Grittman responded it was an attempt to sync the noise related times in the Ordinance. Those 6 responding to noise complaints would have one time to consider. The Planning Commission 7 suggested distinguishing between the different types of noises. Event permits are necessary for 8 noises going beyond the time specified in the Ordinance. 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 Mayor Webster asked for Council comments regarding 9:00 p.m. versus 10:00 p.m. Councilmember Randle stated he would be inclined to go with Staff s recommendation. Councilmember Doolan stated at the Planning Commission there were comments about 9:00 p.m. still being light out in the summer months. Councilmember Jenson stated this is related to boom boxes or smart speakers being played loudly. Councilmember Stephens asked about VillageFest and Mayor Webster stated a special event permit is used. Mayor Webster stated parks close at 10:00 p.m. Councilmember Stephens asked what the harm would be putting it at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Grittman stated this was more a convenience approach to having one time. Councilmember Jenson asked Mr. Yunker how many complaints are received. Mr. Yunker stated he is not aware of every complaint that goes to Code. It is important to keep in mind that the intent is for consistency in the Code. Councilmember Doolan asked if park rentals would need to be reminded that noise could not occur after 9:00 p.m. Mr. Grittman stated the measurement is if it is plainly audible at the property line. Mayor Webster stated she can see the value of consistency from staff s perspective. Mayor Webster suggested a guideline of 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. for quiet time. The consensus was to be consistent in the Code and keep the time at 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. seven days a week. Mr. Grittman stated other Planning Commission discussions were related to weekends and lawn mowing. The Planning Commission left the threshold for noise up at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Grittman referred to Section 2 which defines what landscape screening means. This explains the minimum standard expectation to clarify a baseline. Councilmember Stephens stated she likes the additional information. Councilmember Stephens suggested regarding fencing between neighbors and who maintains the weeds. Mr. Grittman stated this would be considered a civil matter between neighbors. Councilmember Jenson stated he is fairly comfortable with the wording. Mr. Grittman stated in Section 3 this is a cleaning up of the wording. The Parking language was moved to another portion of the Code. This amendment was done a year ago. Councilmember Doolan asked about the storage of pipe, lumber or steel and suggested screening be allowed instead of fence. Mr. Grittman stated landscape screening could be added to that section as an option. Councilmember Stephens asked if the parking section wording was changed. Mr. Grittman stated it has changed quite a bit. Councilmember Stephens asked how many cars can be parked and Mr. Grittman believes it is four but is not certain. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 12, 2024 Page 5 1 Mr. Grittman stated Sections 4,5, and 6 address the same issue with a prohibition of attracting 2 rodents. Section 4e adds to the definition and sections 5 and 6 impose a duty to owners or renters 3 to keep property free of rodent inhabitation. Councilmember Doolan asked if compost bins are 4 allowed in this section which could be considered to attract rodents. Mr. Grittman stated there is 5 language specific in the Code to allow for composting. Councilmember Doolan stated piling up 6 piles of twigs is a good practice making small piles to encourage insects to habitat there. There 7 is no other food source for mice or shrews. Mr. Grittman stated if it is not attracting rodents it is 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 not subject to this Section. Mr. Grittman stated Section 7 renumbers an existing section. No language change is proposed. Mayor Webster stated when she read Section 8 she thought about the large sign for the big box store. Mr. Grittman stated this creates a practice if a sign is found. Section 9 is specific allowance for refuse container screening which allows containers to be moved to the front yard and screening requirements. The screening requirements was modified to include a prefabricated structure if desired by residents. Mr. Grittman reviewed Section 10 and 11 are amendments to the commercial and industrial districts to allow child and adult daycare centers within the districts. Sections 12 and 13 are language modifications. All edits will be implemented prior to Second Reading of Ordinance 2024-01. Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Jenson for approval of First Reading of Ordinance 2024-01 — Amending the St. Anthony City Code, by Amending Sections of the City Code Relating to Nuisance, Signage, Permitting, Performance Standards and Land Use with edits specified. Motion carried 5-0. VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL. A. Public Works Annual Report Public Works Director Jeremy Gumke provided a 2023 Public Works Annual Report in Power Point format including Public Works Mission Statement, Public Works Department Staff, Street Maintenance Division, Salt & Salt Brine Usage 2013 — 2024, Parks Maintenance Division, Ice Skaters Attendance 2013 — 2024, Utilities Division, Watermain Breaks and Service Leaks 2015 — 2023, Vehicle Maintenance Division, Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan, Inflow and Infiltration, Engineering Division Projects 2023, Engineering Division Projects 2024, Street & Utility Improvements and Mill& Overlay Projects 2024-2040, 2023 Sustainability Initiatives, 2024 Upcoming Events, and Website Information for the entire report. 10 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 12, 2024 Page 6 Mayor Webster thanked Mr. Gumke for his annual report review and the importance of infrastructure within St. Anthony. Councilmember Jenson thanked Mr. Gumke for the level of detail provided. Councilmember Stephens thanked Mr. Gumke and asked about the 1/I project. A sump pump was installed in her yard and asked about the pipe video. Mr. Gumke stated the video inspection is separate. He would be happy to provide a list of contractors that have served in St. Anthony. Councilmember Stephens asked if there is any grant money available and Mr. Yunker stated that is on the next agenda item. Councilmember Doolan stated she appreciates all the work the public works department does. She said it is nice to see the infrastructure projects are having a positive impact. The clean-up days are well received. Mayor Webster referred to the amount of drinking water and sewer. The mission statement has an emphasis on service. Street sweeping also improves water quality. B. Resolution 24-022 — Accepting and Approving the Grant Agreement Between the City of St. Anthony Village and the Metropolitan Council of Environmental Services for the Improvement of Publicly Owned Infrastructure. City Manager Charlie Yunker reviewed in early 2016, the Metropolitan Council appointed a Task Force of local community representatives to discuss and identify areas of improvement for the existing Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) Ongoing Inflow and Infiltration (1/I) program and the potential for future inflow and infiltration mitigation strategies for both public and private infrastructure. This Task Force, representing public works directors, city engineers, utility managers, finance directors (including former Finance Director Shelly Rueckert) and city managers, met during the 2016 calendar year. From that work, the MCES is implementing a pilot private property inflow and infiltration grant program beginning in 2024. The goal of the program is to assist private property owners with financial assistance to remove 1/1 from the regional interceptor system through repairs of the sewer lateral or foundation drain on the property. The task force in 2016 identified a typical cost range of $5,000 to $7,000 for repair or replacement. MCES staff provided details on the pilot program to eligible cities on November 9, 2023. The eligible work was summarized: Grants to private property owners shall be for a percentage of actual, reasonable, and verifiable 1/I mitigation costs. No costs of studies, engineering, or planning shall be eligible. Grant reimbursement shall be 50% of eligible costs, up to $5,000 for applicants not meeting equity criteria set by the participating municipalities. Eligible work includes: o Private lateral repair and/or replacement. o Foundation drain disconnections and new sump pump, if associated with the foundation drain disconnect. o Lateral televising and cleaning costs if: ■ Applicant meets the equity criteria or • Televising and cleaning result in repair or replacement of sewer lateral. • Grants of up to $10,000 maybe given to private property owners meeting the municipality's equity criterion. • The private service line or foundation drain must be active and serving an occupied building. 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 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 12, 2024 Page 7 All repairs and replacements must be made with materials and methods consistent with local codes and permit requirements. Qualified spending on eligible work must occur between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. The program will be administered by eligible cities, which are those have had a measurable flow rate within 20 percent of the permitted flow limit, and which St. Anthony is one of those cities. Cities can apply for a block of funding and determine eligibility within the city for those funds. If a city included an equity component, additional funding per repair can be made available. Application for the funding had to be made by Friday, December 15, 2023. Guidance by MCES was a reasonable application would be for $25,000 - $50,000 per city. Mr. Yunker reviewed the St. Anthony Program parameters. The guidelines were included in the grant application and St. Anthony was ultimately approved for $40,000 in funding for 2024 following these parameters: • City will accept applications for 30 days May 1-31, 2024. • Owner Occupied properties are eligible. • Prioritize applications meeting equity criteria verifying income with 2023 Federal Tax Return. To include an equity criteria for the program, staff used the income limits utilized by the Metropolitan Council, which are base4d on the Federal Housing of Urban Development (HHUD) limits. The FY2023 Income Limits Summary Charts were provided for Council consideration. Staff recommends approval of the grant agreement to participate in the pilot program. Councilmember Randle left the meeting. Councilmember Jenson asked if the Income is Gross or Net and Mr. Yunker stated it is taxable income. Mayor Webster asked about the communication plan to inform residents about the application process. Mr. Yunker stated it would be communicated through the normal communication social media channels. Councilmember Doolan asked if this is for the cost of repairs and not the inspection and Mr. Yunker stated that is correct. Councilmember Doolan asked if street repairs would correct any pipe leakage and Mr. Yunker stated the City does the pipes in the streets. Councilmember Stephens asked if the Met Council would be reviewing the videos. Mr. Yunker stated there is a chunk of monies for Cities to divide up. Mr. Yunker stated this is Year 1 and would grow over time. Mayor Webster stated with the newsletter coming out April 1", that would give residents time to have the video and decide if they need to proceed. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 12, 2024 Page 8 Councilmember Doolan stated if there is an inspection done and there is no more grant money left is she obligated to fix it. Mr. Yunker stated not unless you were selling. 4 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Doolan, to approve Resolution 5 24-022 — Accepting and Approving the Grant Agreement Between the City of St. Anthony 6 Village and the Metropolitan Council of Environmental Services for the Improvement of 7 Publicly Owned Infrastructure. 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 Motion carried 4-0. VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. City Manager Yunker had no report. Councilmember Doolan stated she attended an Environmental Futures Class at University of Minnesota. On February 29, she attended the Lowry Bus Rapid Transit Discussion. On March 7, she attended the League of MN Cities at the Capital. On March 8, she attended Ramsey County League of Local Governments and March 11 she attended the Chamber of Commerce. On March 23 is the wine tasting at the Marketplace Liquor Store from 2-5pm. On March I 1 the Chamber of Commerce is having their Annual Meeting at Jax Cafe. Councilmember Jenson stated he also attended the Lowry Bus Rapid Transit Discussion on February 29. On March 7 he attended City on the Hill. On March 8 he attended the Ramsey County Local League of Governments Meeting and the Board of Directors Meeting. He attended the Open House Discussion earlier today. Councilmember Stephens stated she attended the Parks and Environmental Commission Meeting on March 4. She attended the City on the Hill on March 7. She sat in on Mayor Carter's State of the City Address on March 11. Mayor Webster stated on March 1 she mailed a letter to a resident about train regulations and train safety. The Emergency Manager for the City is the Fire Chief. On March 7 she attended the League of MN Cities Meeting. Earlier this evening the first Open House Meeting was held regarding servicing the community of Falcon Heights. There will be another community engagement held in Falcon Heights. VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM. Ms. Ann Trench, 3429 Skycroft Circle, thanked Council for adopting the Climate Plan. She made suggestions on the duties of the Sustainability Coordinator and the hiring process. The right candidate will have a demonstrated passion for sustainability, a strong interest in combating climate change, background in writing grants, and would work to implement the Climate Plan. For hiring, she suggested a community member be included in hiring committee. She would like the coordinator to join the Citizens for Sustainability Committee Meetings. 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 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 12, 2024 Page 9 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. Councilmember Doolan reminded residents of the Three Rivers Park District Board meeting on March 21 at 5:00 p.m. in Plymouth. Mayor Webster stated this Friday the City of New Brighton is partnering an event at St. Anthony High School. The goal is to bring together Muslim and non -Muslim citizens together. Councilmember Stephens asked if there could be a work session to discuss the recent Northeaster article on Councilmembers. X. ADJOURNMENT. Motion by Councilmember Stephens, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Debbie Wolfe Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ATTEST: Ci y Clerk Gu-�•�,rti � v-� Mayor Motion carried 4-0.