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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-12-08 Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2008 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledge of Allegiance /ADnroval of Agenda: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Beaudet. Present: Councilmembers Abrahamson, Doerr, McComber and Swenson. Staff present: Administrator Johnson, City Attorney Vierling and City Planner Richards. Absent: City Engineer Postler. Mayor Beaudet added "Building Committee Update" as Old Business Item B. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 5 -0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: City Planner Richards reported that the next meeting of the Planning Commission is August 14. He stated that three public hearings were on that agenda: Xcel Energy Fly Ash Site, Oakgreen • Village reconfiguration, and Oakgreen Village Carriage House Cooperative plan. He reported that the Xcel Energy Fly Ash Site public hearing was continued to September 11. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the next meeting of the Parks Commission is on August 18 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the next meeting of the Cable Commission is on August 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Access Center. D. Water Management Organizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the next meeting of the Middle St. Croix Water Management Organization is on August 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District Office. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Councilmember McComber reported that she attended the Convention and Visitor's Bureau meeting and they discussed promoting and advertising for "STAY- cations." Councilmember Abrahamson complimented city staff on the 2008 Party in the Park. Mayor Beaudet thanked all the 2008 Party in the Park sponsors • and city staff. City Council Meeting Minutes August 12, 2008 Page 2 of 4 • III. Visitors/Public Comment: Recycling- Award: Administrative Secretary Pinski reported that Jerry and Wendy Wiese of 14873 57 Street N. were chosen as the recycling award winners. IV. Consent Auenda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — July 22, 2008 C. Award Tree Planting Bid to St. Croix Tree Service D. Approve Miller Excavating 3` Payment for 2008 Trail & Park Improvements E. Approve Resolution Recognizing the Contributions of Police Chief Lindy Swanson F. Approve Donations to OPH P.D. for Party in the Park G. Approve Resolution Accepting Donations for Party in the Park H. Authorize Staff to Notify Xcel Energy of Sinkholes — Village Area Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Consent agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. • V. Public Hearings: None VI. Old Business: A. Accessory Building Studv Estimate: City Planner Richards reported that he submitted an estimate not to exceed $1,750.00 to research other ordinances from cities that have addressed this particular issue. Councilmember McComber stated that she was concerned about the expense that residents with nonconforming lots incur through the variance process or conditional use process. Mayor Beaudet stated the City could review changing the fees for variance or conditional use permit applications. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to refer this item to the Planning Commission's next meeting for their feedback and bring it back to the next council meeting. Carried 5 -0. B. Buildinp, Committee Update: Mayor Beaudet requested the council's position on whether the architect should prepare an additional set of plans for City Hall which would include a relocation of the Public Works building. Mayor Beaudet also questioned whether the storage yard should • be right up to the property line, or should city code be followed. I City Council Meeting Minutes August 12, 2008 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Abrahamson stated that code should be followed relating to placement near a property line. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to have Randy Engel prepare a second plan. Carried 5 -0. VII. New Business: A. Xcel Enemy — Amended Conditional Use Permit — Moelter Fly Ash Site — Request for Additional Time — Timeline Extension 120 Days: Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to allow the extension to December 31. Carried 5 -0. Councilmember McComber stated that she attended the Xcel Energy neighborhood meeting on July 31. She stated that there were concerns that certain conditions of the current conditional use permit requiring Xcel Energy to keep the dust down and water and sweep the street were not being followed. City Administrator Johnson stated that the condition requiring sprinkling to control dust was for Saturdays, and since 2006 Xcel Energy has not used the site on a Saturday. He stated that the current conditional use permit could be amended to require watering everyday, as • opposed to just Saturdays. Mayor Beaudet stated that it would be helpflul to schedule a worksession to discuss concerns. Chuck Donkers of Xcel Energy came forward and explained the steps that Xcel Energy has taken to reduce dust and keep the streets clean. VIII. Closed Session: A. Annual Performance Review — City Administrator: Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to go into closed session at 7:48 p.m. Carried 5 -0. City Attorney Vierling reported that the council will go into closed session pursuant to State Statute 13.D.05(3) and that the meeting will be tape recorded, and the tape recording will be maintained for two years. Open session recalled at 8:10 p.m. by Mayor Beaudet. Mayor Beaudet reported that council reviewed the City Administrator, and that they felt that Eric does an outstanding job in working with the public, developers, and city staff. City Attorney Vierling reported that, with the consent of the City Administrator, the council did have a brief meeting with council and the City Attorney without the City Administrator present. He reported that the City Administrator then joined in for the review. Vierling stated that no particular action was taken during the course of the closed session, . and that the City Administrator's position will continue under the current contract. City Council Meeting Minutes August 12, 2008 Page 4 of 4 IX. Adiournment: Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to adjourn at 8:11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, VDavieaudet 0 tontent and F , Jennifer Pinski Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk Mayor