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Home My WebLink About02-27-07 Minutes I CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledge of Allegiance /Approval of Agenda:, The meeting was called to order at 7:00 Mayor Beaudet. Present: Councilmembers .m. b a p Y Y Abrahamson, Doerr and McComber. Staff present: Administrator Johnson, Police Chief Swanson, City Attorney Kelly and City Engineer Postler. Absent: Councilmember Swenson. Mayor Beaudet added "Approve Request from VAA — Use of Brekke Park Athletic Fields" as item H on the Consent Agenda and "Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk Resignation" as item C under New Business. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 4 — 0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the Planning Commission will hold its next meeting on March 8 th at 7:00 p.m. • B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the Parks Commission met on February 26 ". Park trails, VAA use of Brekke Park and Swager Park improvements were among the items on the agenda. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the Cable Commission held its annual meeting on February 21 St. A representative from Comcast was in attendance discussing the anticipated Qwest legislation. D. Water Manaaement Organizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix will meeting on March 3` at 7:00 p.m. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Councilmember McComber reported that the League of MN Cities will hold the annual Legislative Conference on March 28 and 29 in at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in St. Paul. III. Visitors/Public Comment: Recycling Award. Administrative Secretary Johnson reported that John Auer of 1393856 th Street North was selected to receive the recycling award. IV. Consent Agenda: City Council Meeting Minutes February 27, 2007 Page 2 of 4 A. Approval of Bills &Investments B. Approval of City Council Minutes — February 6, 2007 C. Adopt Resolution Granting the Application of Whitetails Unlimited Chapter Metro Area to Conduct a One -Day Raffle at the VFW Club #323 on March 24, 2007 D. Approve Change Order #6 for Burschville Construction, Inc. for Nova Scotia Avenue and Norwich Avenue Street and Utility Improvements E. Approve Change Order #7 for Burschville Construction, Inc. for Nova Scotia Ave. and Norwich Ave. Street and Utility Improvements F. Approve Payment Request #6 Novak Ave. N. and Norwich Ave. N. Utility and Street Improvements G. Approve Blazin Wings, Inc. dba Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar On -Sale & Sunday On -Sale Liquor License with Contingencies H. Approve VAA Use of Brekke Park Ball Fields Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote taken. Carried 4 — 0. V. Public Hearines: None. VL Old Business: A. Hi2hwav 36 Traffic Sianal Discussion Nick Thompson, MnDOT East Metro Area Manager, explained that the traffic signals on Highway 36 were retimed in September of 2006 as part of a routine assessment that is done periodically as traffic patterns change. Discussion was held concerning traffic flow on Highway 36 and inattentive drivers who are not accustomed to changes in the traffic signals. Mr. Thompson explained that the system is working better as a result of the changes and there have been no safety issues. Intersections on 58 Street at County Road 5 and Neal Avenue were also discussed. Mayor Beaudet requested changes to the left turn/straight ahead southbound lane at the intersection of 58 Street and Neal Avenue. B. 2007 Trail & Parking Lot Improvements Plans & Specifications City Engineer Postler requested authorization to receive bids for the various components of the project. Engineer Postler agreed to add to the specifications for bids on round and square light fixtures. r City Council Meeting Minutes February 27, 2007 Page 3 of 4 Discussion was held concerning the linear park trail and the trail proposed for Oakgreen Avenue between the linear park and 55 Street. Mayor Beaudet expressed concern over the location of the trail and asked the City Engineer to consider alternatives such as locating the trail where the ditch is currently and dealing with the storm water some other way. Councilmember Abrahamson discussed preferences for the Oakgreen Trail expressed by the neighbors and the possibility of terminating the trail at 55 Street. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the 2007 trail & parking lot improvements plans and specifications and authorize advertising for bids. Carried 4 — 0. C. City Hall Improvements City Administrator Johnson reviewed the materials submitted by the three top firms identified by the City Council. Administrator Johnson stated that Buetow appears to have worked on similar projects and added that they are highly regarded by the cities that were contacted for references. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to • award the City Hall improvement assessment project to Buetow & Associates at a cost of up to $9,600 with funds from the budgeted projects fund and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the contract. Carried 4 — 0. D. 250,000 Gallon Elevated Water Tank Repaint /Rehabilitation City Administrator Johnson reported that additional information is being provided to the Council as an update on the project. Mayor Beaudet requested that staff obtain costs for painting the City logo on the tank versus the City name. VII. New Business. A. Police Department Vacancies — Schedule Worksession Police Chief Swanson reported that he will be retiring in 2008 and an officer may be retiring in 2007. City Administrator Johnson suggested that the Council hold a worksession to discuss future Police Department staffing. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to schedule a worksession at 5:45 p.m. on March 13 2007 in the back conference room to discuss Police Department staffing. Carried 4 — 0. J City Council Meeting Minutes February 27, 2007 Page 4 of 4 B. Aptly to MN DNR Trail Connections Grant Proaram City Administrator Johnson explained that it is unlikely that the City would receive a grant, there is no cost to apply. Administrator Johnson added that Xcel Energy is preparing a letter of support for the grant application. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to authorize the City Administrator to apply for the DNR trail connections grant. Carried 4 — 0. C. Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk Resignation City Administrator Johnson reported that the Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk had submitted her letter of resignation. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to accept the Administrative Secretary/Deputy Clerk's resignation. Carried 4 — 0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to direct the City Administrator to initiate the hiring process. Carried 4 — 0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to appoint Councilmember Abrahamson and Mayor Beaudet to a subcommittee to review applications and conduct interviews. Carried 4 — 0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to schedule an open house on Friday, March 9 1h from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers with funds for refreshments to come from the Council Contingency fund. Carried 4 — 0. VIII. Adiournment. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Carried 4 — 0. Respectfully submitted, Xavideau Fet ontent and rm, J e Johnson Administrative Secretary Mayor