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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-14-09 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledee of Alleeiance /Approval of Agenda: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Beaudet. Present: Councilmembers Abrahamson, McComber, Runk and Swenson. Staff present: Administrator Johnson, City Attorney Vierling, Finance Director Holst, City Engineer Postler and Carie Fuhrman of Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. Absent: None. Mayor Beaudet added "Xcel Energy Tree Trimming" as New Business Item C, and "Set a Worksession with City Auditor" as New Business Item D. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Agenda. Carried 5 -0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planninii Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the next meeting of the Planning Commission was set for May 14 at 7:00 p.m. He stated that the last meeting was on April 9 and there will be two items, an accessory structure and wood burning furnaces, coming to the council • with recommendations. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the next meeting of the Parks Commission was scheduled for April 20 at 6:30 p.m. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Swenson reported that the next meeting was set for April 15 at 7:00 p.m. D. Water Management Orizanizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the next meeting of the Middle St. Croix Water Management Organization is set for May 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District Office. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Councilmember McComber reported the Metro Cities annual meeting was set for April 16 at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Beaudet announced that Spring Clean -Up is scheduled for April 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the former St. Croix Mall parking lot. III. Visitors/Public Comment: Administrative Secretary Pinski reported that Jon and Marsha Larson of 5795 • Newberry Avenue were chosen as the recycling award winners. d City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2009 Page 2 of 4 IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — March 24, 2009 C. Approve City Council Minutes — April 6, 2009 D. Accept and Adopt Final Report from March 2009 City Council Planning Retreat E. Water Usage /Rate Study Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to approve the Consent agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. V. Public Hearings: None VI. Old Business: A. Design Guidelines Ubdate: Carie Fuhrman of Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. outlined a proposal with a fee not to exceed $6,750 that calls for five meetings with the Planning Commission to review the • current design guidelines and proposing a new draft. Mayor Beaudet suggested the council postpone this item until budget discussions. Councilmember McComber noted that this item has already been postponed for over a year. Councilmember Runk agreed that this item has already postponed and would like to move forward with the review. Councilmember Abrahamson stated he understood the item has already been postponed but did not see a problem with waiting until July to discuss. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to postpone this item to the second meeting in July. Carried 3 -2, Runk and McComber opposed. B. City Hall Facility: City Administrator Johnson reported that a notice of award will be sent to Jorgenson Construction and the contracts will be signed. Mike Leuth of Buetow and Associates reported a preconstruction meeting will be held and noted that the building design committee had been discussing potential changes to save money. City Administrator Johnson stated the council may wish to disband the design committee at this time. He stated there may be color issues or minor change orders but suggested that the architect work directly with the • City Council from now on. City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2009 Page 3 of 4 • Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember Runk, moved to thank the building design committee and disband the committee. Carried 5 -0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to set a groundbreaking ceremony for May 12, 2009 between 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Carried 5 -0. VII. New Business: A. Vacant Buildings — Dennv Hecker Properties: Councilmember Swenson questioned whether the City needs to do anything with the vacant Denny Hecker sites. City Administrator Johnson reported there is an outstanding CUP for the Denny Hecker site on the north frontage road, and there are some requirements due at the end of the year. He reported there is a letter of credit on file, and a notice will be sent regarding that in May. Councilmember Swenson suggested that staff find out who the current owners are and have a discussion with them about their plans. Mayor Beaudet stated that property owners should be notified that sites will need to be maintained to comply with ordinances. Councilmember • Abrahamson requested the City Administrator provide the council with an update of who owns the properties, what funds are available in the EDA, and ideas from other areas in this situation. Councilmember McComber requested the City Administrator find out how much it would cost to partner in a community development project. Councilmember Swenson suggested the City Administrator correspond with the owner of the only dealership left in the City to see if there is any assistance the City can provide. B. Anchobavnro — TIF District #1 Proposal and Plan: Nick Skarich of Northland Securities appeared before the council to describe the TIF process, and he requested the adoption of a Resolution that would call for a Public Hearing on May 26. Councilmember Abrahamson questioned what would happen if the taxes decline over the period. Nick Skarich responded that a development agreement would be entered into between Nolde and the City. He stated there are three ways to finance a project, and the most common is a pay - as- you -go contract with the developer. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Runk, moved to approve the Resolution to set Public Hearing. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2009 Page 4 of 4 C. Xcel EnerRv Tree Trimming: Mayor Beaudet reported that Xcel Energy has a new policy on tree trimming which results in the pine trees on easements being taken down. He stated he would like Xcel Energy to hold a public hearing. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved that the City Administrator contact the appropriate people at Xcel Energy and let them know that the City Council has very serious concerns about their approach on tree trimming within the City and would like to have an opportunity for the public to meet with representatives of Xcel Energy at a meeting to be set and held by the City, and ask them to look for opportunities to save trees from clear - cutting, and try to clear cut some and plant some over a period of time so that trees can grow that won't affect the power line and that meet Xcel Energy's goal. Carried 5 -0. D. Set a Worksession with City Auditor: Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to schedule a meeting in the large conference room before the next City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Carried 5 -0. VIII. Adiournment: Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to adjourn at 7:58 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfullv sub itted, Approved ontent and F ennifer Pinski Mleau Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk Mayor