HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-12-05 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2005
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
L Call to Order /Pledge of Allegiance /Aauroval of Agenda: The meeting was
called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Beaudet. Present: Councilmembers
Abrahamson, Doerr, McComber and Swenson. Staff present: Administrator
Johnson, Police Chief Swanson, City Attorney Vierling, City Engineer Postler,
and City Planner Richards. Absent: None.
City Administrator Johnson added "Appoint Council Representative to Xcel
Energy Advisory Committee" as item B under New Business. Mayor Beaudet
added "Street Repair" as item C under New Business. Councilmember
McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Agenda as
amended. Carried 5 — 0.
II. Department /Council Liaison Reports:
A. Planning Commission: City Planner Richards reported that the Planning
Commission will meet on April 14 The Commission will consider
• requests from Xcel Energy and Oakgreen Village.
B. Parks Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the Parks
Commission will meet on April 18 at 5:30 for the spring parks walk
through and hold the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr stated that there is nothing to
report.
D. Water Management Organizations/Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet
reported that the Middle St. Croix will meet on April 14 7:00 p.m. at the
Water and Soil Conservation District office.
E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Councilmember Doerr announced that he is
Chair of the League of Minnesota Cities Planning Committee and
reminded the Council that the annual Conference is scheduled for
December 1 through 3, 2005.
III. Visitors /Public Comment:
Recycling Award. Administrative Secretary Johnson reported that Amy
Mortenson of 15206 62" Street North was chosen to receive the recycling award.
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April 12, 2005
Page 2 of 4
• IV. Consent A e
A. Approve Bills & Investments
B. Approve City Council Minutes — March 29, 2005
C. Approve Purchase of Permit Works Upgrade, Contractor Licensing Module
and Upgrade of Two Building Inspection Department Computers
D. Approve 2005 Non -Union Salary Adjustments
Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to
approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 — 0.
V. Public Hearings:
None
VI. New Business:
A. Audit Review
City Auditor Dave Mol presented an overview of the Audit reported and noted
that a full report was presented to the Council at a worksession prior to the
• meeting. Mr. Mol reported that the City received a clean opinion of its financial
reports for 2004 and the management letter states that the General Fund balance is
sufficient to meet the City's needs.
Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to
accept the Audit Report. Carried 5 — 0.
B. Appoint Council Representative to Xcel Ener2v Advisory Committee
City Administrator Johnson reported on a request received from Xcel Energy for
the Council to appoint representatives to an advisory committee that will consider
sites for a new coal ash landfill. Mayor Beaudet and Councilmember McComber
both volunteered to participate.
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to
appoint Mayor Beaudet and Councilmember McComber to the landfill siting
advisory committee. Carried 5 — 0.
C. Street Repair
Mayor Beaudet stated that there is a need for street patching and pothole repair.
City Administrator Johnson noted that there is a small mill and overlay project
scheduled for the current year.
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April 12, 2005
Page 3 of 4
Councilmember Doerr, seconded by McComber, moved to direct the Public
Works Director to identify areas of need and prepare recommendations for street
repair. Carried 5 — 0.
VII. Old Business.
A. Andersen Comoration — Trail
City Administrator Johnson explained the proposal from Andersen
Corporation for a trail between their parking lot and Swager Park.
Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to refer
the proposal to the Parks Commission for comments. Carried 5 — 0.
B. Pine Grove Gardens — Findings of Fact and Resolution for Denial
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber,
moved to reconsider the Pine Grove Gardens request for rezoning and
comprehensive plan amendment. Carried 4 — 1, Mayor Beaudet opposed.
Councilmember Swenson suggested that Council direct staff to look at
options for addressing concerns over the rezoning. City Planner Richards
stated that the Planning Commission could review the proposal again and
reviewed the process, noting that restrictions could be put on what types of
uses would be allowed.
Discussion was held concerning the rezoning. Councilmember Doerr
commented on discussion previously held by the Planning Commission and
stated that residential use on the proposed site would generate less traffic
than commercial development. Mayor Beaudet stated that he would not
support reconsideration of the rezoning as the proposed site is not a good
location for housing.
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber,
moved to refer the application back to the Planning Commission for
reconsideration. Carried 4 — 1, Mayor Beaudet opposed.
C. Ston Signs at 58 Street and Norell Avenue Intersection
Councilmember McComber presented information from the City Engineer
regarding warrants for installation of stop signs that was prepared in 1998
and 2002. Councilmember McComber also reported on survival rates for
pedestrians hit by a care traveling at various speeds and stated that a stop
sign on 58 Street at Norell is a good idea for pedestrian safety. City
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April 12, 2005
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Engineer Postler commented on the reports, noting that stop signs are
installed for safety, not for traffic calming.
Mr. Wesley Soule of 5590 Norwich Parkway stated that he resides on the
fourth floor and observes cars going too fast on 58 street and making a lot
of noise.
Discussion was held concerning the speed limit on 58 Street. City
Engineer Postler stated that in order to obtain a reduction in the speed limit
the City would have to petition MnDOT and have a study done.
Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson,
moved to install an all way stop at 58 Street and Norell Avenue and to
petition MnDOT to conduct a speed study on 58 Street. Carried 4 —1,
Mayor Beaudet opposed.
VIII. Adiournment.
Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved
to adjourn at 7:59 p.m. Carried 5 — 0.
Respectfully submitted, Approved as Zont and Fo
E lie Johns' Da id eaudet
Administrative Secretary Mayor