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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-12-05 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, JULY 12 2005 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledge of Allegiance /Approval of Agenda: Mayor Beaudet called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Abrahamson, Doerr, McComber and Swenson. Staff present: City Administrator Johnson and City Attorney Vierling, Absent: City Engineer Postler and City Planner Richards. City Administrator Johnson requested Item C. under New Business be deleted and Mayor Beaudet requested the addition Item B. `Environmental Impact Study" and Item C. "MNDOT Milling and Overlay of Frontage Road" to Old Business. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 5 — 0. II. Department/Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the Planning Commission will meet July 14 at 7:00 p.m. and that there are • four public hearings scheduled. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the Parks Commission will meet July 18 at 6:30 p.m. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the next meeting is scheduled to be held at the Access Center on August 16 at 7:00 p.m. Doerr reported that the Commission is considering M.A.C.T.A. membership, after not having been a member for several years, to work with their lobbying efforts as they relate to cable industry issues. Doerr also reported that the Access Center has purchased an enclosed utility trailer for hauling equipment to off -site shoots, noting that Don Fixmer's father has graciously been hauling the equipment in his truck for the Access Center. It is anticipated that the trailer will be well utilized. D. Water Management Organizations/Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix will meet July 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Conservation District office. City Council Meeting Minutes July 12, 2005 Page 2 of 6 E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Councilmember McComber reported that the Stakeholders group has a 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. meeting scheduled for July 19 at the Stillwater City Hall. McComber also reported that due to the State shutdown, the Visual Quality Committee meeting has been rescheduled to August 2 at the Stillwater City Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mayor Beaudet thanked Oak Park Heights' residents for following odd -even watering regulations, which reduces demand on the City well and encouraged them to continue following the odd -even watering schedule. Mayor Beaudet discussed recent solid waste fee billed through Onyx Waste, noting that the City establishes a contract with its waste hauler so as to set fees for the community. Mayor Beaudet explained the nature of the fee being billed, noting payment or non - payment of the fee will not affect trash collection in Oak Park Heights. Councilmember Doerr noted his observation of trash being placed in a residential container, by parties who are not the resident, and clarified with Police Chief Lindy Swanson that there is a regulation which prohibits this practice. • III. Visitors/Public Comment: Recvclin2 Award. Administrative Secretary Johnson reported that Tim Hendrickson of 13961 56 St. N. was selected to receive the recycling award. IV. Consent A e� nda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — June 28, 2005 C. Approve Nuisance Tree Removal Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 — 0. V. Public Hearin None. City Council Meeting Minutes July 12, 2005 Page 3 of 6 • VI. New Business: A. Sale of Police Department 1995 Chevrolet Caprice Police Chief Swanson informed the City Council the vehicle is now a surplus vehicle, noting that the vehicle has previously been used as a squad car for four years and for the past six years to display mobile radar display. The Police Department recently built a trailer to display the mobile radar unit and no longer has a need for the vehicle. Police Chief Swanson requested approval to sell the 10 year old vehicle, with over 110,000 miles on it, at auction. There was some discussion as to alternate methods of selling such items. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve request. Carried 5 -0. B. Purchase of Bodv Armor for Police Department Police Chief Swanson discussed his request for purchase of nine pieces of body armor to replace the vests, which were originally purchased approximately two years ago, with City Council authorization. Swanson • noted that 90% of the costs of the original purchase was covered by Federal and State grants and that his request is due to a long line of manufacturing deficiencies to the vests construction that undermine their protection capability and the manufacturers subsequent filing for bankruptcy. Swanson noted that he has responded to requests for information on the product from the Attorney General, who he understood, was also working with several other states on a similar situation. Additionally, Swanson noted that the manufacturer has expressed its hopes to be able to make good some of the financial loss due to the deficiency in the future. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the request for $6,000 from the Police Forfeiture fund for the purchase of the body armor. Carried 5 -0. Mayor Beaudet thanked Police Chief Swanson and his Officers for their continued efforts in pursuing tobacco and alcohol compliance in the community and for working with business owners in keeping them compliant. City Council Meeting Minutes July 12, 2005 Page 4 of 6 VII. Old Business. A. Washington County Detachment and Annexation City Administrator Johnson reported on the status of the negotiations and reviewed the agreement draft between the City of Oak Park Heights, Washington County and the City of Stillwater. Johnson noted that both he and City Attorney Vierling have been involved extensively with this process over the past 8 -10 weeks and asked the City Council to consider approval of the agreement, subject to minor amendment by the City Attorney's office. Mayor Beaudet questioned process for keeping residents involved and moved that the City Council discuss the information and postpone an approval decision to their next meeting and invite the neighborhood to comment. Motion died for lack of a second. The City Council discussed the summation and agreement document provided by Administrator Johnson. City Attorney Vierling pointed out that the matter is a jurisdictional transfer and cautioned giving the idea that future use and planning of the Washington County Government Center is . on the table for review by the neighborhood. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Agreement for Development on the Campus of the Washington County Government Center, subject to minor amendment by the City Attorney as discussed. City Council discussion ensued as to notification of residents, setbacks proposed at 62 Street and Paris Avenue, public hearing process, and previous City Council action on the matter, including the 120 day deadline established. Mayor Beaudet moved that a decision be postponed to the next meeting, directing staff to mail agreement to adjacent and affected property owners for their review and comment. Motion died for lack of a second. Mayor Beaudet moved to amend setbacks be 30 -feet for both 62' Street and Paris Avenue. Motion died for lack of a second. Mayor Beaudet moved to clarify sections c and d on page 5 of the agreement so that it is understood that perpetual reconstruction of 62 Street and Paris Avenue will be done by Washington County. Motion died for lack of a second. City Council Meeting Minutes July 12, 2005 Page 5 of 6 City Council discussion was had as to responsibilities and process for any future assessments to any roadwork done. Mayor Beaudet moved that the County include an analysis for storm water management at Osgood Avenue and one block north so that water running from the Washington County Government Center campus to the North and onto the school property could be resolved. Motion died for lack of a second. The primary motion of Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, was brought back and a roll call vote was taken to approve the Agreement, subject to minor amendment by the City Attorney. Carried 4 -1, Beaudet opposed. B. Environmental Impact Studv Mayor Beaudet and the City Council discussed whether or not a workshop was needed to discuss the recently received draft of the Environmental Impact Study for the St. Croix River Crossing and its request for comment by August 5th • Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved that the City Council provide their comments to City Administrator Johnson no later than August 2nd for response preparation to MNDOT. Carried 5 -0. C. MNDOT MillinLy and Overlav of Frontaee Roads Mayor Beaudet reported on the milling and overlay of the frontage road that had been done up to Lake Elmo and that under the same agreement the frontage roads in Oak Park Heights should also have been done. Discussion was had as to the contract for the frontage road work and what steps should be taken. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to direct City Administrator Johnson contact the appropriate party at MNDOT, to determine the status of the roadwork contract, and to prepare a stern letter to them if it is found that the contract has been cancelled. Carried 5 -0. • City Council Meeting Minutes July 12, 2005 Page 6 of 6 VIII. Adiournment. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to adjourn at 7:51 p.m. Carried 5 — 0. Respectfully submitted, MvIdBeau ontent and Fo , j JuHultman Code Enforcement & Planning Officer Mayor •