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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-05 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 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, City Attorney Vierling, City Engineer Postler, and City Planner Richards. Absent: None. Mayor Beaudet added "Schedule Budget Worksession" as item A under Old Business and moved Consent item C to Old 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 met on October 13 and held two public hearings at that meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for November 10, 2005. • B. Parks Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the next Parks Commission meeting is scheduled for November 21S at 6:30 p.m. with a joint worksession at 5:30 to discuss the Autumn Hills Park Shelter with the City Council. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the Cable Commission held a regular meeting on October 19 Councilmember Doerr noted that Channel 14 will air a Halloween movie marathon beginning on October 29 and the Access Center will host its annual holiday party on December 10 D. Water Management Or2anizations/Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix will meet on November 10 7:00 p.m. at the Washington County Conservation District office. The Middle St. Croix may ratify the Joint Powers Agreement at the November meeting. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Councilmember McComber reported that the Visual Quality subcommittee will meet at Stillwater City Hall on October 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a review of the preferred design alternative for the bridge. • City Council Meeting Minutes October 25, 2005 Page 2 of 4 Councilmember Swenson invited the community to attend an open house for kids on Halloween at the Bayport Fire Department beginning at 6:00 p.m. III. Visitors /Public Comment: Recvclinjz Award. Administrative Secretary Johnson reported that Chuck & Deborah Leroux of 13140 50 Street North were chosen to receive the recycling award. IV. Consent A genda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — October 11, 2005 Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 — 0. V. Public Hearings: None. • VI. New Business: A. National Adoption Month Proclamation Mayor Beaudet read the Proclamation designating November as National Adoption Month in Oak Park Heights. Mayor Beaudet presented the Proclamation to an adopted child who accepted it on behalf of Hope Adoption. B. Oak Park Ponds, Kowalski's Market Sian Variance City Planner Richards reviewed the request from the property owner for a variance to allow an increase in overall sign area for the Oak Park Ponds pylon sign and monument sign. A variance was approved in 2002 for the same request but had expired. The requested total square feet of signage is 520; 500 square feet is allowed under the Zoning Ordinance. Planner Richards noted that a hardship exists for the shopping center due to lack of visibility from Highway 36. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance with conditions. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Resolution granting a variance. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 — 0. City Council Meeting Minutes October 25, 2005 Page 3 of 4 C. Oakgreen Avenue Improvements — (Utilities for Pine Grove Gardens) City Administrator Johnson reported on the estimated costs for the project and source of funding. City Engineer Postler reported on the location of existing and proposed utilities, noting that some street reconstruction would be necessary at the conclusion of the utility project. Discussion was held concerning future utility hookup for properties on the west side of Oakgreen. City Engineer Postler stated that the utility improvements would include an oversized water main and other improvements to service future development in the Oakgreen/58 Street area. Mayor Beaudet suggested that the Council consider an assessment for the property owners that would benefit from future connection to city utilities. City Attorney Vierling provided a brief review of the process for establishing assessments and connection charges. Mayor Beaudet also suggested that city staff contact MnDOT staff to discuss reconstruction and realignment of Oakgreen Avenue in conjunction with the city's utility project. Discussion was held concerning the potential timeline for such a project. Councilmembers expressed concern that the Pine Grove Gardens project not be delayed by MnDOT unless there is a firm commitment for a road project. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the project as outlined in the October 21, 2005 correspondence from the City Engineer, subject to execution of a Development Agreement and receipt of securities from the developer. Roll call vote taken. Carried 4 —1, Beaudet opposed. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to direct the City Administrator to contact Rick Arnebeck at MnDOT to regarding possible reconstruction of Oakgreen Avenue in conjunction with the city's utility project. Carried 5 — 0. VII. Old Business. A. Schedule Worksession Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to schedule a budget worksession for 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2005. Carried 5 — 0. City Council Meeting Minutes October 25, 2005 Page 4 of 4 B. ADDrove Resolution in Sunnort of Preservation of the Shoddv Mill Mayor Beaudet suggested adding language that would allow the city to reconsider acquisition of the Shoddy Mill facilities if funds become available in the bridge project to cover the city's costs. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Resolution as presented. Mayor Beaudet moved to add that if no parties are interested in the buildings, Oak Park Heights will have the opportunity to revisit the issue. Motion died for lack of a second. Mayor Beaudet moved to amend the primary motion to add that if transportation funds become available for restoration/rehabilitation of the buildings under the transportation plan, Oak Park Heights will have an opportunity to retain the buildings. Motion died for lack of a second. Roll call vote taken on primary motion. Carried 4 — 1, Beaudet opposed. VIII. Adiournment. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to adjourn at 7:44 p.m. Carried 5 — 0. Respectfully submitted, Approved a ntent and Fo Ju ' JohnsoA David Administrative Secretary Mayor