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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-09 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledee of Alleeiance /Approval of Agenda: The meeting was called to order at 7:01 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 "Set Date and Time for Park Commission Worksession" to Old Business as Item F. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to approve the Agenda. Carried 5 -0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: City Planner Richards reported that the last meeting of the Planning Commission was on February 12, 2009. He reported that there were two public hearings at that meeting: one for Jerry's Auto Body and one for Doug Corblick. He noted that Jerry's Auto • Body was on the council agenda for that evening. Richards reported that the next meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for March 12 at 7:00 p.m. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the last meeting of the Parks Commission was on February 23. She reported that there are still openings for Parks Commissioner vacancies and interested persons should contact City Administrator Johnson. McComber reported that the next meeting of the Parks Commission is scheduled for March 16 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Swenson reported that the last meeting of the Cable Commission was Wednesday, February 18. He stated that they held their annual meeting to elect commission officers. D. Water Management Oreanizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the next meeting of the Middle St. Croix Water Management Organization is set for March 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District Office. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Councilmember McComber reported that a NLC webcast is scheduled for February 25 from 2:00 — 3:00 regarding the • Federal Recovery Package. She also reported she recently had attended the Metro Cities Board of Directors meeting where they discussed a City Council Meeting Minutes February 24, 2009 Page 2 of 4 • possible wage freeze bill and a local government performance standards bill. She stated that it is being proposed that municipalities would need to amend their comp plan by 2013 to cut down on vehicle miles travelled, and it is being proposed to have market value homestead credit go directly to homeowners. III. Visitors/Public Comment: Administrative Secretary Pinski reported that Lawrence Fetter of 5640 Newberry Avenue North was chosen as the recycling award winner. IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — February 9, 2009 C. Approval of Grant Acceptance — PSIC Grant D. Acceptance of Grant from US Dept. Homeland Security Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Consent agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. • V. Public Hearings: None VI. Old Business: A. City Hall Facility — Approve Final Plans and Specifications and Proceed with the Bidding Process: Architect Randy Engel from Buetow and Associates reported that the prequalification process has already begun. He stated that the due date for prequalification submissions is scheduled for March 6 at 2:00 p.m. Engel reported that bids for general construction would be due March 31 at 2:00 p.m. Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the specifications and proceed with bidding. Carried 5 -0. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Runk, moved to approve a sanitary sewer easement and allow the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the documentation. Carried 5 -0. B. Consider Amending City Ord. 401.15 D — Relating to Accessory Structures and the Use of a Conditional Use Permitting Process: Mayor Beaudet reported that there should be some conditions for the Conditional City Council Meeting Minutes February 24, 2009 Page 3 of 4 • Use Permit, for example height, to make sure that the accessory fits in with the neighborhood. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to postpone and direct the City Planner to develop reasonable conditions. Carried 5 -0. C. Outdoor Wood Burning Furnaces: City Planner Richards reported that he reviewed different policies from different municipalities. He stated that the City could prohibit these types of furnaces or, alternatively, could prepare an ordinance allowing them with conditions. Mayor Beaudet stated he could support allowing more space but that the device should comply with EPA Level II standards. Councilmember Abrahamson questioned how many models do not comply with the EPA standards. He questioned how expensive it is to purchase a model that complies with the standards. Elise Clay, a resident of Oak Park Heights, came forward and reported that she conducted research and found that the newer versions of the furnace comply with EPA standards. • Councilmember Abrahamson stated he would like to know if adding a condition that the furnaces meet EPA standards would make it cost - prohibitive. He questioned how much it costs to obtain a model that meets the EPA standards. Councilmember Runk stated he would like to know how close a furnace needs to be to the building it is servicing. City Planner Richards stated he did not know that. Richards did report that most municipalities require a setback of at least 100 feet from property lines and a setback of at least 300 feet from the nearest residence not on the same lot. Bill Selb, a resident of Oak Park Heights, came forward and stated that Forest Lake allows the furnaces but that they have much larger lots in that City. He stated he thought it would be interesting to know how things are going there. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to table this item until the second meeting in March for more information. Carried 5 -0. Mayor Beaudet stated the information sought is on the catalytic converter, the prices of the units, and clarification on the distances. City Council Meeting Minutes February 24, 2009 Page 4 of 4 D. Mill and Overlav Analvsis: City Engineer Postler stated he still recommended complete replacement of the pavement in the Brekke Heights neighborhood. He also recommended doing all of Norell instead of just a portion. City Engineer Postler stated he discussed using recycled materials with Public Works Director Ozzello and he will research those alternatives a little further. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to include Norell into the work and bid it as an alternate. Carried 5 -0. E. Park Commission Vacancies: Councilmember McComber, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to extend the application deadline to March 12. Carried 5 -0. F. Set Date and Time for Park Commission Worksession: Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to set a joint worksession with the Parks Commission for March 16 at a time to be set by the City Administrator. Carried 5 -0. VII. New Business: A. Jerrv's Auto Bodv — Conditional Use Permit/Site Plan Review 1360160" Street N.: City Planner Richards reported that a storage addition request was made by Jerry's Auto Body. He stated that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request with certain conditions. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Runk, moved to approve the Resolution. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. VIII. Adiournment: Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, Veau ontent and rm, fifer Pinski Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk Mayor