HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 28, 2015 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance/Approval of Agenda: Mayor McComber
called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Dougherty,
Liljegren, Runk, and Swenson. Staff present: City Administrator Johnson, City
Attorney Pratt, Police Chief DeRosier, Public Works Director Kegley, Finance
Director Caruso, City PIanner Richards, and City Engineer Mlejnek. Absent:
None.
Mayor McComber added "Authorize Placement of Soda Vending Machines at
Certain City Parks" as Consent Agenda Item J.
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Runk, moved to approve
the Agenda as amended. Carried 5-0.
IL Council/Staff Reports:
A. Mayor McComber: She reported she attended the Minnesota Mayor's
Conference and would be attending the National League of Cities WIMG
Conference. She also reported the Parks Commission's next meeting was
May 18 with a worksession at 6:00 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7:00
p.m., there was a PowerUp for Kids presentation set for May 13 at the
Public Works Garage, the Fury Motors Grand Opening was set for May 6,
the St. Croix Prayer Breakfast was set for May 7, the Law Enforcement
Memorial Ceremony was set for May 15, and Spring Clean-up was set for
May 2.
B. Councilmember Dou herty: No report.
C. Councilmember Life en: No report.
D. Councilmember Runk: No report..
E. Councilmember Swenson: He reported that City Administrator Johnson
sent an update on the Comcast—Time Warner merger. He said the merger
was no longer going to happen.
F. Staff.. Deputy Clerk Pinski reported that Mark and Diana Pohl of 13990
56`h Street North were chosen as the recycling award winners.
III. Visitors/Public Comment:
A. 2014—City Annual Financial Statement—Review bv Auditor David Mol:
Mol showed a PowerPoint presentation and noted no items of non-
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April 28, 2015
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compliance, no items of internal control, and a clean opinion on the 2014
financial statements.
B. Presentation bv the Youth Service Bureau--Executive Director:::M
Planten-Krell: Planten-Krell outlined the services provided by the Youth
Service Bureau and thanked the City of Oak Park Heights for its support.
IV. Consent Agenda:
A. Approve Bills & Investments
B. Approve City Council Worksession Notes—April 7, 2015
C. Approve City Council Minutes—April 7, 2015
D. Approve City Council Worksession Notes—April 20, 2015
E. Appoint Robin Anthony and Jennifer Bye to Planning Commission for
Recommended Terms
F. Consider Position Resolution on SF 1656 (Skoe)
G. Authorize Addition of Service Entrance to Trail Leading to Well House 2
H. Authorize Staff to Contract with St. Croix SavATree to Remove Risk
Trees
1. Authorize Staff to Purchase an Underground Utility Line Locator
J. Authorize Placement of Soda Vending Machines at Certain City Parks
Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Liljegren, moved to approve
the Consent Agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5-0.
IV. Public Hearings:
A. Heald Assessment Hearin —2015 Street and Utility Improvements: City
Engineer Mlejnek and Finance Director Caruso showed PowerPoint
presentations. Mayor McComber opened the Public Hearing.
Robert Innis of 15191 641h Street North stated he was on a fixed income,
and the assessment was a hardship on his family. He was also concerned.
about the City widening his street. Mayor McComber informed him that
they would not be widening the streets.
Larry McGee of 15082 62" Street North asked whether the assessment
would be placed on property taxes. Mayor McComber stated it would be,
but it could also be paid up front.
Craig Thoreson of 111 East Orleans Street, St. Peter's United Church of
Christ, stated they objected to the reconstruction of Osman Avenue
because of the hardship to the church. He stated the reconstruction would
not benefit the church directly. He read a letter to the City Council,
Mayor McComber informed him that the letter was received into record.
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April 28, 2015
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Morey Senerson of 6061 Paris Avenue, St. Croix Villas Association,
wanted the assessments separated and placed on individual condo owners'
properties. Finance Director Caruso informed him that each property
owner must sign a petition for that.
Hugh Burhans of 6286 Lookout Trail stated he had a driveway to the back
of his property off of an impacted street. He stated he was willing to close
that driveway. Mayor McComber suggested he communicate with
Finance Director Caruso and City Engineer Mlejnek.
Marc Palmer of 6438 Osman Avenue questioned what the alternate to the
bid meant. Mayor McComber responded that part of Osman Avenue was
in Stillwater, and Stillwater was planning on putting off their project until
possibly the following year. She stated the City was discussing doing just
the City's portion of the road. Councilmember Runk stated they were
putting it in the City's bid as an add-on to get it done for less cost.
Corine Crea of 6450 Osman Avenue questioned if the City redid the road,
could Stillwater come tear it up. Councilmember Runk stated they would
have to restore it to the same quality. Crea was concerned that the City of
Stillwater would assess the property owners if that happened. City
Administrator Johnson responded that they cannot do that. Crea also
asked how she would work out a concrete driveway. Mayor McComber
stated she would work that out with the contractor. City Administrator
Johnson stated any upcharge from asphalt to concrete would be billed to
the property owner by the contractor.
City Attorney Pratt stated the City received a letter from Salem Lutheran
Church which was received into record.
Nancy Swanson, Pastor at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, asked if the
church would receive a response to their letter in writing. City Attorney
Pratt informed her that if the City Council adopted the Assessment
Resolution, they had 30 days to appeal it to the District Court.
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Liljegren, moved
to close the Public Hearing. Carried 5-0.
VI. Old Business:
A. St. Croix River Crossing Project U date: Mayor McComber reported that
press releases have gone out from MNDOT. City Administrator Johnson
stated they were still working on punch-list items. No action was taken.
B. Street Reconstruction Update: Mayor McComber reported that punch list
items were being worked on. No action was taken.
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C. Resolution Adopting Special Assessments—2015 Street and.Utilit
Improvements: Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember
Swenson, moved to approve the Resolution. Roll call vote taken. Carried
5-0.
D. Consider Award of 2015 Street Construction and Utility Contract:
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Dougherty,
moved to approve the Engineer's recommendation. Carried 5-0.
E. Consider the Initiation of Signage Stud — STH 36 Corridor:
Councilmember Dougherty, seconded by Councilmember Liljegren,
moved to approve the initiation of the signage study. Carried 5-0.
F. Signage Options--- STH 36 Corridor: Councilmember Runk, seconded by
Councilmember Liljegren, moved to approve the Resolution approving the
change to the temporary signage ordnance through December 31, 2015,
Carried 5-0.
G. City Finance Department Employee: Attorney Mike McCain reported that
he wrote a letter to the employee's counsel for a graduated return to work.
He stated he received a response disputing the return to the new position
and requesting a meeting with certain councilmembers and staff. McCain
stated it was denied because it was not appropriate. He provided the City
Council with options.
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Liljegren, moved
to discontinue employment. Carried 5-0.
VII. New Business:
A. Oak Park Heights Senior Living—Phase IV Planned Unit Develo went
and Bond Issuance Assistance: City Planner Richards reviewed his
planning report which was included in the meeting packet. City
Administrator Johnson reviewed a memo on a finance request.
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Dougherty,
moved to approve the Resolution for the bond issuance. Roll call vote
taken. Carried 5-0.
Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Liljegren, moved to
approve the Resolution for PUD. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5-0.
B. Oak Ridge Memory Care and Assisted Living— 6060 Oxboro Ave—
Variance for Setbacks and Building Height: City Planner Richards
reviewed his planning report which was included in the meeting packet.
Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Dougherty, moved to
approve the Resolution. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5-0.
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C. Metropolitan Council —,.Upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment Plant—
6163 St. Croix Trail N. —Conditional Use Permit: City Planner Richards
reviewed his planning report which was included in the meeting packet.
Councilmember Liljegren, seconded by Councilmember Runk, moved to
approve the Resolution for CUP. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5-0.
D. Use of Escrowed Funds to Canopy Demolition at 14738 60t€' Street:
Councilmember Dougherty, seconded by Councilmember Swenson,
moved to approve the use of the escrowed funds for the canopy
demolition. Carried 5-0.
E. Consider Change to Planning Commission By-Laws--Meeting Date:
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Dougherty,
moved to approve the change to the By-Laws on the meeting date. Roll
call vote taken. Carried 5-0.
F. Spring Antenna--4G Modifications Tower#2 — Settlement of Penalties:
Councilmember Dougherty, seconded by Councilmember Swenson,
moved to authorize the City to negotiate a penalty of$10,000. Carried 5-
0.
G. Consider Closed Session—Pursuant to MN STAT. 13D.05 Sub. 3(b):
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Dougherty,
moved to have a closed session at the end of the meeting. Carried 5-0.
H. Authorize Temporary Public Works Position Hire: Councilmember Runk,
seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to authorize the offer of the
position to Mike Coleman. Carried 5-0.
I. 2014 Street Reconstruction_.. Liquidated Damages Amounts:
Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Dougherty, moved to
approve the recommendation of the City Engineer. Carried 5-0.
J. Approve Pay Request#8 —Hardrives—in the Amount of$178,804.86:
Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to
approve the pay request. Carried 5-0.
VIII. Other Council Items or Announcements:
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Liljegren, moved to set a
teambuilding session for June 9, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. Carried 5-0.
IX. Closed Session
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The City Council adjourned into a closed session regarding matters of potential
litigation versus MNDOT regarding billing matters. Discussion took place. No
formal action taken.
X. Adjournment
Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Liljegren, moved to adjourn
the meeting at 9:45 p.m. Carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted, A oved as to Content and Fonn,
Jennifer Pinski Ma Comb r
Deputy Clerk Mayo`