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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-12 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 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, McComber, Runk, and Swenson. Staff present: City Administrator Johnson, City Attorney Pratt, Finance Director Caruso, Police Chief DeRosier, City Planner Richards, and City Engineer Long. Absent: None. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Agenda. Carried 5 -0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: City Planner Richards reported that the next meeting of the Planning Commission was set for October 11 at 7:00 p.m. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the next meeting was scheduled for October 15, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. She stated that the City was conducting a park and trail survey which was on the City's website. • C. Water Management Organizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the next meeting of the Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization was scheduled for October 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District Office. D. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Mayor Beaudet thanked Bell's Trucking, Croix Oil, Cub Foods, Heritage Embroidery, Liquor Time, and Xcel Energy for the Moelter Site playground donations. III. Visitors/Public Comment: A. Update on Washington County Projects Corey Slagle of Washington County provided a presentation on current county engineering projects. No action was taken. B. Recycling Award Deputy Clerk Pinski reported that James Vidana was chosen as the recycling award winner. IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — September 11, 2012 • City Council Meeting Minutes September 25, 2012 Page 2 of 5 C. Approve Renewal of Blue Cross/Blue Shield Employee Health Insurance with the South Central Service Cooperative and the Dental Insurance Plan with Delta Dental D. Accept Donations for Moelter Site Playground Construction Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. V. Public Hearings: A. Increase in On -Sale and Off -Sale Liquor License Fees Mayor Beaudet opened the Public Hearing. No public comments were made. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to close the Public Hearing. Carried 5 -0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved approval of the Resolution. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. VI. Old Business: A. St. Croix River Crossing — Utility Designs and Update City Engineer Long indicated that the 40% design plans and specifications was included • in the City Council Packet for that evening's meeting. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved approval of the 40% study. Carried 5 -0. City Engineer Long stated that along with the Highway 36 project, the engineering firm found a couple of supplemental projects. He stated that one project was the Oakgreen Avenue North utility extensions. Long stated that in the 30% study, the extension ended at the Pine Grove Gardens area and now MnDOT was taking it to 58 Street. He stated they separated utilities into two parts: Part 1 was to extend the sanitary sewer to the south to 58 Street and was estimated at approximately $72,000. He believed that it should be done as part of the project. Part 2 was extension south of 58 Street North which could be done as part of an Oakgreen Avenue reconstruction in the future. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved approval of Part 1. Carried 5 -0. He confirmed with the City Engineer Long that it was his opinion that Part 2 should wait. City Engineer Long stated that during the 30% design phase, MnDOT discussed possibly doing the Lookout Trail reconstruction in exchange for • a turn -back of the road to the City. He stated he was aware the City had not made a decision on whether it would take ownership and maintenance City Council Meeting Minutes September 25, 2012 Page 3 of 5 • of the road. City Engineer Long stated that the City would have to relocate the first move area sanitary sewer in that area, so it might be the right timing to do the reconstruction and the sanitary sewer at the same time. Mayor Beaudet suggested postponing to the next meeting so City Engineer Long can look at the road cost for Lookout Trail. City Engineer Long stated that cost estimates for all the sanitary sewer in the Gray Zone were determined earlier in the year. He stated there was a segment from Oakgreen Avenue to the west. He stated the concrete pipe was in good condition. He stated that during discussions between the City and MnDOT, they left that segment out of the calculations. He stated the City could line that segment in the future, but that they were in good condition at this time. He estimated replacement of that segment at approximately $320,000. Mayor Beaudet questioned whether it could be added as an alternative. Jon Chiglo of MnDOT came forward and stated that a challenge with an alternate was that they talked about doing a lump -sum agreement. He stated there were some solutions that could be worked out with staff and council, and he would be willing to meet with the City Council prior to • their next meeting to discuss. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to set a worksession at 6:00 p.m. prior to the next council meeting, but could be rescheduled to 5 p.m. if the City Administrator thought necessary. Carried 5 -0. Councilmember Runk noted that he may not be able to attend the worksession due to a work conflict. VII. New Business: A. McDonald's — Conditional Use Permit/Variances /Site Plan Review City Planner Richards reviewed his memo which was included in the City Council Packet for that evening's meeting. Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved approval of the Resolution. Mayor Beaudet moved to amend the Resolution to require that the sign comply with the City's Ordinance. Motion failed per lack of a second. On main motion, roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. • B. Memorial Business Park Condominiums — Minor PUD Amendment, Minor Subdivision and Site Plan Review City Planner Richards reviewed �I City Council Meeting Minutes September 25, 2012 Page 4 of 5 his memo which was included in the City Council Packet for that evening's meeting. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the changes with the conditions and recommendations listed in the packet. Mayor Beaudet questioned the placement of the mechanical units on the exterior of the building. Don Harvieux of Thomas -Grace Construction Company was present at the meeting and indicated that they planned to place the rooftop unit on the roof with an approximate 20 foot setback. Motion carried 5 -0. C. Authorize Police Chief to Begin Hiring Process for New Officer Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to permit the Police Chief to begin the process of hiring an additional officer. Mayor Beaudet moved to amend the process to direct that Councilmember Abrahamson be involved in the hiring process. Motion failed per lack of a second. Councilmember McComber stated she thought the City Council • could talk about that when the Police Chief comes back to council. Main motion carried 5 -0. D. St. Croix River Crossing — Parking Lot Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember Runk, moved to eliminate the City's portion of the parking lot. Councilmember Swenson requested Phil Barbatsis come forward and give his comments on the parking lot issue since it affects his business the most. Phil Barbatsis of Phil's Tara Hideaway come forward and stated that the plan for the lot has changed several times of the past few months. City Administrator Johnson provided the City Council with a list of items that should be discussed if the City wishes to be an intermediary on the project. Councilmember Abrahamson, with agreement from the seconder of his motion, withdrew his motion. Jim Zyduck, Plant Director at the Allen S. King Plant, stated that Xcel Energy was interested in working with the parties on the issue. Jon Chiglo of MnDOT stated that they were willing to meet with parties to help reach • an agreement that was acceptable to all parties. City Council Meeting Minutes September 25, 2012 Page 5 of 5 Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to defer this item to the October 9 City Council meeting to allow time for staff to meet with Xcel Energy, MnDOT, and Phil's Tara Hideaway. Carried 5 -0. E. St. Croix River Crossing g = DNR and Army Corps Permits Councilmember McComber questioned whether the City wanted to make a formal comment on the DNR Waters permit since the deadline for comment was extended. She stated she felt the City needed to have a policy on how they will respond to the permits. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved that all further responses to permits come through the City Engineer to the City Council, and any recommendations be in a letter sent by the City Administrator, and if there were no recommendations a letter be sent stating that the City Council acknowledged that the comment period took place and there were no comments. Carried 5 -0. F. Consider Policy for Use of City Letterhead Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to have the legal take a look at whether there are policies in neighboring cities including the Twin Cities area. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to amend that the City Attorney come back with a sample policy at the next City Council meeting. Carried 5 -0. Main motion carried 5 -0. VIII. Adiournment Adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectful d1to d Form, ife Deputy Clerk Mayor