HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-09 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2009
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
I. Call to Order/Pledie of Allegiance /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, City Planner Richards and City Engineer
Postler. Absent: None.
Mayor Beaudet added "Appoint Parks Commissioners to Fill Vacancies and
Renew Planning Commission Terms" as New Business Item D, and "Request for
Staff Help from Flooding Communities" as New Business Item E.
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 Planning
Commission met on March 12 which was an organizational meeting to
elect officers. He reported that the next meeting is April 9 at 7:00 p.m. at
• City Hall.
B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the next
meeting of the Parks Commission is scheduled for April 20 at 6:30 p.m.
with a Park walkthrough scheduled for 5:00 p.m. commencing at Cover
Park.
C. Cable Commission: Nothing to report.
D. Water Management Organizations/Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet
reported that the next meeting of the Middle St. Croix Water Management
Organization is set for April 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington
Conservation District Office.
E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Councilmember McComber reported the
Metro Cities annual meeting is set for April 16.
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 Dale and Linda Quast of 14664 57
Street North were chosen as the recycling award winners.
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March 24, 2009
• Page 2 of 5
IV. Consent Aeenda:
A. Approve Bills & Investments
B. Approve City Council Minutes — March 10, 2009
C. Adopt Proclamation — April 24, 2009 as Arbor Day and May 2009 as
Arbor Month
D. Accept Donation to Oak Park Heights Police Department of $25.00
Recycling Award from DeWayne Stafne
E. Approve Resolution Allowing the Accumulation and Use of Stormwater
Credits for Municipal Projects
Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved
to approve the Consent agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0.
V. Public Hearines:
None
VI. Old Business:
• A. City Hall Facility — General Update: Randy Engel from Buetow and
Associates reported that a section of the council dais that the council
wanted lowered cannot be because of the accessibility ramp. He
questioned whether the council would want the entire dais the same level.
Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved that
the council dais be the same level for all seats. Carried 5 -0.
Randy Engel reviewed the bid alternates with the council and reported that
they will have 60 days from bid opening to make a decision on those
alternates, with the exception of the bid alternate for the public works
building. Engel stated the council will have 120 days to make a decision
on that alternate.
Engel also discussed the construction phasing and the project timeline.
Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to
direct City Engineer Postler to develop a plan to relocate the existing on-
site light poles and provide a recommendation on whether to use the metal
bases or use concrete bases, and come back to the council within one
month. Carried 5 -0.
• Mayor Beaudet reported that Public Works Director Ozzello suggested to
keep the generator, but the City does not have the answers on whether to
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March 24, 2009
• Page 3 of 5
use the generator to hook up to the new well. Beaudet suggested that the
architect make a clarification in the bid documents that the transfer switch
for the existing generator and the heavy copper wires be salvaged by the
City. Architect Randy Engel stated he will look into that.
Councilmember Runk, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to set a
worksession for 7:00 p.m. on March 31 to discuss bids and alternates for
the City Hall Project. Carried 5 -0.
B. Consider Amendiniz Citv Ord. 401.15 D — RelatinQ to Accessory
Structures and the Use of a Conditional Use Permitting Process: City
Planner Richards reported that a draft ordinance was included in the
council packet. He suggested one change to the draft ordinance. He
suggested that number 131. be amended to add the following language:
"unless approved in writing by the easement holder."
Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved
to approve amending the ordinance with the amendment to 13.f. suggested
by City Planner Richards. Carried 5 -0.
C. Outdoor Wood Boiler Systems: City Planner Richards reported that the
• council requested information about the EPA's Phase II Program. City
Planner Richards reported that the Program was a voluntary program for
manufacturers of the outdoor wood burning furnaces. He reported that the
qualified heaters cost about 15 percent more than the non - qualified
heaters. Richards stated that the council also questioned location
requirements. He stated that it is common that they are located 50 to 100
feet from the home being served.
Richards reported that it was discussed at a City staff meeting whether
there should be a limit on the number of cords allowed to be stored on a
property. A draft ordinance included in that evening's council packet
suggested that no more than two cords of wood shall be stored on the
property where the outdoor wood burning furnace is located. Greg
Freeman, a resident of Oak Park Heights, came forward and stated that he
burns a lot more than two cords of wood. Don McComber, a resident of
Oak Park Heights, came forward and questioned whether the rules would
apply to stoves that are currently installed. City Planner Richards reported
that the rules would not apply to indoor stoves. Mayor Beaudet reported
that the ordinance would only apply to new installations and replacements
of outdoor wood burning furnaces.
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber,
• moved to direct this matter to the Planning Commission for Public
Hearing. Carried 5 -0.
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March 24, 2009
Page 4 of 5
D. Adopt City Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan — 2008: Councilmember
McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to approve
the Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan. Carried 5 -0.
E. Stillwater Marathon — Agreement with St. Croix Events: Dave Eckberg of
St. Croix Events came forward and provided an update on what the impact
of the marathon would be in the City of Oak Park Heights. City
Administrator Johnson reported that a draft agreement was included in that
evening's council packet. He suggested the council consider whether an
impact fee should be imposed. Dave Eckberg suggested a flat fee of $500
for the first year to be donated for the parks.
Mayor Beaudet suggested that a note be sent to residents in the village
area and those who reside west of 62 Street. Pam Patrick, a resident of
Oak Park Heights, came forward and stated she was concerned about
waiting traffic in the area. She stated that those in a race do not stop to
allow traffic to move through when they are running. Councilmember
McComber suggested that there be at least one way for traffic to move out
of the neighborhood.
• Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson,
moved to approve the agreement with the suggestions mentioned. Carried
5 -0.
VII. New Business:
A. Approve Resolution Supporting Legislation to Eliminate the Pollution
Control Exemption: Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember
McComber, moved to approve the Resolution. Roll call vote taken.
Carried 5 -0.
B. City Meeting with MNDOT Commission — Appoint City
Member: Councilmember Abrahamson stated he would like to attend.
Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to appoint
Les Abrahamson to attend with the alternate being Mark Swenson.
Carried 5 -0.
C. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon City: Lieutenant Colonel Barb O'Reilly
explained what being a Yellow Ribbon City is about. Mayor Beaudet,
seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to create a citizens
committee for Yellow Ribbon Communities and appoint Councilmember
McComber as the lead. Carried 5 -0.
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March 24, 2009
Page 5 of 5
is D. Appoint Parks Commissioners to Fill Vacancies and Renew Planning
Commission Terms: Councilmember McComber, seconded by
Councilmember Runk, moved to appoint Larry Viers and Timothy Krieger
to the Parks Commission and re- appoint Mark Powell and Chuck LeRoux
to the Planning Commission. Carried 5 -0.
E. Request for Staff Help from Flooding Communities: Councilmember
Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to authorize
staff to send whatever resources to aid other communities. Carried 5 -0.
VIII. Adiournment:
Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved
to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Carried 5 -0.
Respectfully submitted, ApZBeaudet o Conte d Form,
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Jennifer Pinski avid
Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk Mayor