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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-05 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2005 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledge of Allegiance /Approval 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, Finance Director Holst, City Attorney Vierling and City Engineer Erickson. Absent: None. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 5 — 0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the September 8 Planning Commission meeting was not held due to a lack of quorum. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the Parks • Commission will meet on September 19 at 6:30 p.m. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the Cable Commission approved its budgets at a special meeting on September 7th and has forwarded them to the City for approval. D. Water Manaizement Or2anizations/Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix has scheduled a special meeting at 5:00 p.m. on September 29, 2005 to approve the Joint Powers Agreement. The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 13, 2005, 7:00 p.m. at the Soil and Water Conservation District office. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Councilmember McComber reported that MnDOT will hold public meetings for input on the St. Croix River Crossing bridge designs on September 14 and 15 III. Visitors /Public Comment: Recvclin2 Award. Administrative Secretary Johnson reported that Mr. Allan Stevens of 14300 57 Street North was selected to receive the recycling award. IV. Consent A eg nda: • A. Approve Bills & Investments City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2005 Page 2 of 5 • B. Approve City Council Minutes — August 23, 2005 C. Endorse Street Sign Option D. McKean Square Utility & Street Improvements Payment Request #9 from Burschville Construction Inc. E. Set a Council Workshop for October 11, 2005 to Discuss Water /Sewer Comprehensive Plans F. Accept Donation by Harold and Arlene Brown G. Approve Central St. Croix Valley Joint Cable Commission FY 2006 Budgets for the Cable Commission and the Valley Access Channel H. Adopt Zoning and Land Use Map Updates I. Direct Staff to Prepare and Send Letters of Support for Central St. Croix Valley Joint Cable Commission's Resolutions Opposing Senate Bill 1505 J. Approve Xcel Energy Wetland Replacement Plan Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 — 0. V. Public Hearings: None. VI. New Business: • A. Adopt Resolution Abp_ rovinu_ 2005 Proposed Budget and Proposed Tax Levies 1. Approve General Fund Proposed Budget and Prop_ osed General Fund Tax Levv /Adopt Resolution Finance Director Holst provided a brief overview of the proposed budget and levy, noting that the budget increases are mainly due to salaries, insurance and transfers out for projects. Councilmember Doerr stated that the proposed tax increase is too high. Doerr suggested reinstating administrative fees on the utility funds and reducing the transfers out to park buildings and trails by $50,000 and $10,000 respectively. Discussion was held concerning the administrative fee with Finance Director Holst explaining the purpose of the fee. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Resolution as presented. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to amend the primary motion to reduce the transfer out to park building by $50,000, reduce the transfer out to park trails by $10,000 and communicate to the Parks Commission that the park dedication fund may be used for the Autumn Hills Park shelter. Carried 4 — 1, Mayor Beaudet opposed. Roll call vote taken. Primary • motion failed 2 — 3; Mayor Beaudet, Councilmember Doerr and Councilmember McComber opposed. City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2005 Page 3 of 5 • Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to adopt the levy as presented. Roll call vote taken. Carried 3 — 2, Councilmembers Abrahamson and McComber opposed. 2. Schedule Budget /Capital Improvements Program Workshop Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to schedule non - televised worksessions for October 25, 2005 and November 9, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. Carried 5 — 0. B. Set Date and Time of Truth in Taxation Hearings Finance Director Holst reported on dates reserved for other governmental entities and suggested dates for the initial and continuation hearings. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to schedule the initial Truth in Taxation Hearing for December 5, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. and the continuation hearing for December 13, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. Carried 5 — 0. C. Boulevard Tree Removal Reauest — Gillen. 14935 56 Street • Tom Gillen of 14935 56 Street presented his request for permission to remove a boulevard tree. Mr. Gillen stated that the tree is blocking access to a parking pad that was installed to store a travel trailer and requested permission to remove the tree and plant a new tree at his expense. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to authorize the resident to remove the tree and plant another tree, subject to the approval of the City Arborist and the execution of an indemnification agreement drafted by the City Attorney and City Administrator. Carried 5 — 0. D. Correspondence to Lt. Gov. Molnau — Transportation Bill Funding Allocation and Grant Process Mayor Beaudet explained that the funding process for the Transportation Bill will be conducted through grants and suggested that the City should ask to be involved in the grant writing process. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the draft letter with the addition of a paragraph stating that if a response is not received by November 1 St the City will not be part of the consensus. Carried 5 — 0. City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2005 Page 4 of 5 • E. Shoddv Mill Update Councilmember McComber reported that the Historic Preservation office and MnDOT have responded that Cover Park does not meet guidelines to serve as a location for the Shoddy Mill buildings. Discussion was held concerning alternative sites. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to direct the City Administrator to request a letter from Jackie Sluss of MnDOT stating that the Cover Park site is unacceptable, outlining MnDOT's current recommendation and listing improvements to the structures that the City would be required to complete. Carried 5 — 0. F. Send "Thank You" Letter to Congressman Kennedv and Senator Coleman for Assistance with the Recent Transportation Bill Mayor Beaudet suggested sending the letter to Senator Dayton also. Councilmember McComber added that the Minnesota legislators and Wisconsin Representative Kind were very helpful to her when she was in Washington D.C. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to send thank you letters to Congressman Kennedy, Senator Coleman, Senator Dayton and Representative Kind. Carried 5 — 0. G. Safe & Sober Grant Police Chief Swanson requested Council authorization to accept Safe & Sober Grant funds in conjunction with Stillwater and Bayport. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to adopt the Resolution accepting Safe & Sober Grant funds. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 — 0. VII. Old Business. A. Street Reconstruction City Administrator Johnson provided an overview and distributed a time line prepared by Karen Erickson of Bonestroo. Discussion was held concerning decisions that need to me made before holding neighborhood meetings. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to authorize the preliminary survey. Mayor Beaudet raised concerns about is the age of water and sewer lines in the street reconstruction areas, noting City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2005 Page 5 of 5 • that some will be fifty years old in twelve years. Mayor Beaudet suggested that the Council consider postponing reconstruction of some streets until the water and sewer lines are ready for replacement. Engineer Erickson stated that the City should televise the sewer lines and conduct a pressure test on the water lines to obtain more information on the condition of the lines. Erickson provided a rough estimate of $25,000 for televising the sewer lines in the street reconstruction area. Councilmember Doerr withdrew his motion. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to authorize up to $50,000 for a preliminary survey. Carried 4 — 1, Mayor Beaudet opposed. VIII. Adiournment. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to adjourn at 6:27 p.m. Carried 5 — 0. Respectfully submitted, Approved as t tent and Fo , • i s � )Zie ohn n David eau et nistrative Secretary Mayor i