HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-12 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
• THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
I. Call to Order: Mayor Beaudet called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present:
Councilmembers Abrahamson, McComber, Runk, and Swenson. Staff present:
City Administrator Johnson and City Engineer Long. Absent: City Attorney
Vierling and City Planner Richards.
II. St. Croix River Crossing:
Mayor Beaudet reported that he wanted to verify that it was the consensus of the
City Council that the City did not commit to anything and that MnDOT did not
commit to anything at the previous three joint meetings. City Administrator
Johnson stated the City could send a letter stating that the meetings were
informational and that the City did not make any commitments. Councilmember
Abrahamson stated that MnDOT did make some commitments. He stated that he
was amenable to the City Administrator drafting a letter and bringing it back to
the City Council.
Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to have staff
develop an understanding of what the three meetings were about and City
• Attorney Vierling can describe any legal implications of it. Carried 5 -0.
Councilmember Abrahamson stated he would like the letter to come back to the
City Council before being sent out.
Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved
to direct staff to work with City Attorney Vierling to enter into an engineering
agreement with MnDOT not to exceed $6,000 on the City's end which would be a
$30,000 engineering budget. Carried 5 -0.
Councilmember Abrahamson reported that it was his understanding that despite
what happens with the HPP funds, the study was to be conducted anyway.
Mayor Beaudet suggested a worksession prior to the next City Council meeting
with City Engineer Long to go over the scope and policy. Councilmember Runk
suggested adding this to the February 28, 2012 worksession agenda.
City Engineer Long stated that he would attend meetings with MnDOT indicating
that the main issue was whether lines between Osgood and Oakgreen should be
moved out of the right -of -way.
Councilmember Runk stated that he wanted City Engineer Long to protect and
• advocate the City's position. Councilmember Swenson stated he wanted City
Special City Council Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2012
Page 2 of 2
Engineer Lon'
ong to go to the meetings and come back to the City Council with an
honest opinion. Councilmember Abrahamson questioned whether the City could
pull out of the meetings if that was City Engineer Long's recommendation. City
Administrator Johnson stated that language could be drafted as such.
Councilmember Swenson questioned County Commissioner Kriesel, who was
present at the meeting, if a County Engineer could attend the meetings as well.
Commissioner Kriesel stated he would look into it. City Engineer Long stated
they had a lot of resources at Stantec also who could attend the meetings.
Councilmember Abrahamson suggested Long bring along anyone who he thought
might be a resource.
Councilmember Runk reported that the lift bridge was scheduled to undergo $3.3
million in repairs during the fall. He stated he was concerned that the bridge
would be closed during September through December which was peak time for
local businesses. He stated the State needed to do everything possible to have it
open by Black Friday.
Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to
direct the City Administrator to prepare a letter for the public meeting scheduled
for the following Tuesday at the Stillwater City Hall expressing the City's
concern. Carried 5 -0.
• Councilmember Runk questioned whether the City Council wanted to issue
another press release as to its position on the bridge. Councilmember Swenson
suggested that a press release wait until after the study was conducted.
III. Adiourn•
Adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
Respectfully u itted, Oavi-Beaudet
Content a orm,
Je er Pinski
Administrative Secretary/Deputy Clerk Mayor
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