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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-10 Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2010 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order/Pledize 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, Public Works Director Kegley, City Attorney Vierling, City Engineer Long, and City Planner Richards. Absent: None. Mayor Beaudet added "Pine Grove Gardens" as Old Business Item D. 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 last Planning Commission meeting was cancelled. He stated the next meeting was scheduled for February 11 with a continued discussion on design guidelines. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the last Parks Commission meeting was cancelled. She stated the next Parks Commission meeting was set for February 23 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Swenson reported that Comcast would be sending future correspondence regarding the digital conversion relative to the number of boxes allowed per household. D. Water Manaaement Organizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the next meeting of the Middle St. Croix Water Management Organization was set for February 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District Office. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Councilmember McComber reported that she attended the Red Bulls return to Stillwater. She reported there were three more groups coming in the near future. McComber also reported she attended the Transportation Reauthorization Outreach Tour and brought a book back for the council to review. III. Visitors/Public Comment: Administrative Secretary Pinski reported that Tim Brown of 5577 Oldfield Avenue North was chosen as the recycling award winner. City Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2010 Page 2of5 IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — January 12, 2010 C. Approve Spring and Fall Clean -up Dates D. Adopt Resolution Granting the Application of Ducks Unlimited — St. Croix Chapter to Conduct a One Day Raffle at the VFW Club on May 6, 2010 E. Jorgenson Construction, Inc. 7 th Payment for New City Hall Project F. Set Date and Time for Board of Appeal and Equalization — April 13, 2010 6pm -7pm Councilmember McComber seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Consent agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. V. Public Hearings: A. Model Floodplain Management Ordinance/NFIP: Mayor Beaudet stated that the City was involved in the National Flood Insurance Program a number of years ago but that the participation lapsed. He reported there were three properties in Oak Park Heights that lie in the floodplain: Xcel Energy King Plant, Sunnyside, and the wastewater treatment facility. City Administrator Johnson reported that the City was provided new maps as part of the update. He stated that if the City chose to participate, they must adopt an Ordinance and Resolution. Molly Shodeen from DNR Waters was present and stated there were a couple of properties in the City which have flood insurance, but that the coverage is only allowed if the City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Runk, moved to close the Public Hearing. Carried 5 -0. VI. Old Business: A. City Hall Facilitv — Award NEW LED Light Pole Installation Contract to Linner Electric: Randy Engel of Buetow and Associates provided an update on the City Hall Facility project. He stated the project was in its ninth month, that the windows have been installed, and that the rotunda brick was to be installed within the next two to three weeks. He stated that the contractor thought the project would be finished mid to late April. Engel reported that with acceleration of activities, the parking lot could be ready to drive on prior to September 1, 2010. i City Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2010 Page 3 of 5 Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to approve the relocation costs and new light poles by Linner Electric with work to be completed in the spring. Carried 4 -1, McComber opposed. Mayor Beaudet reported that the current plan was to move existing equipment for cable to the new building. He stated that Comcast would soon begin to transmit everything digitally. He suggested the format in the new building be what will be used in the future. He suggested obtaining cost estimates to use and install a high definition system in the new City Hall. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to direct staff to obtain an estimate to create a digital system within City Hall. Carried 5 -0. B. Consider Adoption of Floodplain Management Ordinance & Resolution to Apply to Participate in the National Flood Insurance Prop-ram: Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to adopt the Floodplain Management Ordinance. Carried 5 -0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Resolution. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. C. DNR Structural Load Testiniz Permit: Adam Josephson of MnDOT came forward and stated that the load testing project was being conducted to collect foundation soil testing information for the new river crossing project. He stated the information was needed to design the foundations for the new bridge. Josephson reported that bids were opened after all necessary permits were received. He stated the apparent low bidder was Carl Bolander & Sons out of St. Paul. Josephson reported there were two project development time periods that they were under for the St. Croix River Crossing Project: the TIGER grant application and their Chapter 152 time frame relating to transportation bond funds provided by legislature. He reported they were planning to start the load testing project mid -March after the ice is out. Rich Lamb of MnDOT provided a presentation on the foundation load test project. City Administrator Johnson questioned the noise level of the project and the testing hours. Lamb stated that the noise would be not more than 100 decibels within 50 feet and that the testing would most likely be done during daytime hours. Councilmember Swenson questioned whether the barges would affect river traffic. A representative from MnDOT stated it should not. It City Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2010 Page 4 of 5 Mayor Beaudet questioned the rationale on DNR waiver of the fish - spawning requirement. Molly Shodeen of DNR Waters came forward and stated it was not uncommon for the DNR to waive it. D. Pine Grove Gardens: Mayor Beaudet reported that the council held a worksession with Pine Grove Gardens residents regarding their concerns with the frontage road near their homes. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to direct staff to prepare a letter to Pine Grove Gardens informing them that the City is aware of the issue and will try to keep them apprised of resolution. Carried 5 -0. VII. New Business: A. Schedule Citv Council/Denartment Head Retreat: Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to set the retreat for February 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to amend that if the City Attorney cannot attend on that date, the City Administrator is to set a new date to which everyone can attend. Carried 5 -0. Main motion carried 5 -0. B. Storm Sewer Repair Proiects — Summer 2010: Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to allow staff to move forward and prepare plans and specifications, and go out to bid with the projects as proposed. Carried 5 -0. C. Anticipated Capital Improvements Plan for 2010 -2014: City Administrator Johnson reported that the Capital Improvements Plan was to be used as a planning tool and to let him know if anything should be added or deleted. Councilmember McComber reported that the plywood in the playground at Brekke Park had some sharp edges and requested that maintenance be done to smooth them out. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Capital Improvements Plan for 2010 -2014. Carried 5 -0. VIII. Closed Session: A. Washington Countv vs. Citv of Oak Park Heights: City Attorney Vierling reported that the City Council would go into a closed session pursuant to City Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2010 Page 5 of 5 Minnesota Statutes 13.D. He reported that the closed session would be tape recorded as required by Statute. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, called for a recess to the closed session at 8:12 p.m. Mayor Beaudet reconvened the regular session at 8:37 p.m. City Attorney Vierling reported there were no motions taken, and the City Attorney and council discussed strategy and direction. IX. Adiournment: Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Runk, moved to adjourn at 8:38 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, Approved as to Content and Form, 4 . ifer Pinski OaviXeaudet Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk Mayor