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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-08 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledee of Alleziance /Approval of Agenda: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Beaudet. Present: Councilmembers Abrahamson, Doerr, Swenson and McComber. Staff present: Administrator Johnson, City Attorney Vierling, City Planner Richards and City Engineer Postler. Mayor Beaudet added "Accept Withdrawal of Application and Close File" to the end of Consent Agenda Item G and added "Update on City Hall Citizen's Advisory Committee" as Old Business Item C. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, 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 21 along with an open house on the Comprehensive Plan with the Citizen's Advisory • Committee. Richards reported that the Planning Commission set a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan for the next meeting which is March 13. Mayor Beaudet questioned City Engineer Postler on when they will expect to see the surface water management plan. City Engineer Postler stated that as part of the Comprehensive Plan they will have an update on the three utilities and the emergency preparedness plan. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the Parks Commission met on February 25. She reported that the commission met with Alex Bildeaux regarding trimming out the trees on the Osgood Avenue property purchased by the City. McComber reported that the next meeting will be on March 10 beginning with an annual meeting at 6:00 p.m. and their regular meeting is at 6:30 p.m. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the next scheduled commission meeting is April 16 He stated that it will also be the night of the annual meeting. Doerr reported that Sheldon Johnson is still going to introduce a bill to the Senate to do state franchising of cable lines. He reported that the League of Minnesota Cities is opposing the bill. • City Council Meeting Minutes February 26, 2008 Page 2 of 4 • D. Water Management Organizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix WMO's next meeting is on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District Office. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: None III. Visitors/Public Comment: Recycling Award: Administrative Secretary Thoen reported that the occupants of 5827 Peller Avenue North were chosen as the recycling award winners. IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — February 11, 2008 C. Convert Part Time Officer to Full Time Status (Chris Vierling) D. Sewer Electrical Upgrades and Contractor E. 2008 Valley View Park — Approve Contract for Prairie Management — Controlled Burn F. Approve Resolution Authorizing the Call of the General Obligation • Improvement Bonds of 1998 G. WCL Associates Inc., Planned Unit Development, Concent and General Plan, Conditional Use Permit, Subdivision, Site Plan and Design Review, and Rezoning of the Subject Property from O — Open Space to B -2 General Business District to Conduct a Retail Development to Include Best Buy — Accept Withdrawal of Application and Close File Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. V. Public Hearings: None VI. Old Business: A. 5502 Osgood Ave. Propertv — Set Worksession: City Administrator Johnson suggested that if the council wanted to proceed with any other development of the property in 2008, they should set a worksession with the Parks Commission. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to • schedule a joint worksession with the Parks Commission for March 10 City Council Meeting Minutes February 26, 2008 Page 3 of 4 • immediately following the Parks Commission meeting but not earlier than 7:30 p.m. Carried 5 -0. B. City Franchise Agreement with Xcel Energy Update: City Administrator Johnson reported that the City has been having some discussion with Xcel Energy. City Attorney Vierling stated that the City has had franchise agreements for several years and that the primary benefit of a franchise agreement is to control the City's right -of -way. He reported that there is no need for a franchise agreement any longer for the right -of -way issue because of the City's comprehensive right -of -way ordinance. C. Update on Citv Hall Citizen's Advisory Committee: Mayor Beaudet reported that the committee has met over the last several weeks. He stated that a concern of the committee is the changing interest rates. Beaudet stated that the committee might be in a position to make a recommendation on financing. Beaudet stated that another issue coming up is the tax bill. He stated that if it is approved, it would add 10 percent tax capacity to the City which would help reduce costs to residents on a City Hall project. VII. New Business: A. Approve Agreement with Washinaton Countv for Public Health Emer2encv Preparedness Plannine and Outreach Grant - $10,000: City Administrator Johnson reported that Washington County put together a program through their Public Health and Environment Department to offer grants to communities for emergency preparedness planning. Johnson reported that the dollars would help subsidize cross - training and public outreach. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the agreement subject to review by the City Attorney. Carried 4 -0 -1, McComber abstained. B. Provide Responses to Bavport Comprehensive Plan: City Planner Richards stated that he reviewed the Bayport Comprehensive Plan and put together a letter to the Bayport City Administrator. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to authorize letter prepared by Scott Richards be sent with no further comment to City of Bayport. Carried 5 -0. C. Approve 2008 Park and Trails Map & Accept Sponsorship Funds: Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to accept donations, thank the sponsors and approve the trail guide. Councilmember Abrahamson provided two minor changes to the map. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. City Council Meeting Minutes February 26, 2008 Page 4 of 4 VIII. Closed Session: City Attorney Vierling stated that pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D and at the request of the City Attorney's office, the Mayor and council will be going into closed session to discuss two matters of litigations. He reported that record will be kept of the discussions therein and that any action taken will be announced when the council meeting reconvenes from the closed session. A. City of Oak Park Heights v. Lisa Taube: City Attorney Vierling stated that all members of the council except Councilmember Doerr participated in this closed session item. Vierling stated that the council reviewed the recommendation by the League of Minnesota Cities and that he has received direction from the council. He reported that no action was taken. B. City of Oak Park Heights v. Secure Mini- Storaize: City Attorney Vierling stated that all members of the council participated in this closed session item. Vierling stated that the council reviewed the court's decision. He reported that the council provided direction with how to proceed and that no other action was taken. IX. Adiournment: Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to adjourn at 7:22 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Respectfully submitted, A tBeaudet ontent and , 1 � �ifer Th Da ' Administrative Secretary/Deputy Clerk Mayor •