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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-07 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledge of Allegiance /Approval 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, Police Chief Swanson, and City Attorney Kelly. Absent: City Engineer Postler and City Planner Richards. Mayor Beaudet added "Accept Resolution Recognizing the Contributions of Julie Johnson" as item E on the Consent Agenda and "City of Oak Park Heights History — 150 years" as item E under New Business. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 5 - 0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the • Planning Commission held one public hearing at their March 8° 2007 meeting for a development situated at the front of Wal -Mart, next to Jerry's Auto Body. Their recommendation should come to the City Council at the March 27 meeting. Abrahamson reported that upcoming meetings on April 12° 2007, include a 6:30 p.m. meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee, followed by the regular Planning Commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the Parks Commission will hold it next meeting on March 19, 2007. Park Improvements will be an Agenda item for discussion. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the next meeting of the Cable Commission will be April 18, 2007. Doerr reported that the FCC Rules have been published and that he anticipates that they will be challenged. Brief discussion ensued as to the published rules effect upon current franchise fees and operation. D. Water Management Organizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix will be meeting on April 12, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Water Conservation District office. l City Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2007 Page 2 of 4 • E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Mayor Beaudet reported that Spring Clean up is scheduled for April 28, 2007 and that notices will be mailed to the community announcing the event. Councilmember McComber reported that the League of MN Cities is holding their annual Legislative Conference on March 28 and 29, 2007 and that Governor Pawlenty will be speaking. McComber also reported that the League of MN Cities Board of Directors will be meeting Thursday, March 15, 2007. III. Visitors/Public Comment: Recycling Award City Administrator Johnson reported that Ron & Jean Schad of 14843 57 Street, N. were selected to receive the recycling award. IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approval of Bills & Investments B. Approval of City Council Minutes — February 20, 2007 C. Approval of City Council Minutes — February 27, 2007 D. Reappoint Planning Commissioners Liljegren and Wasescha E. Accept Resolution Recognizing the Contributions of Julie Johnson • Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. V. Public Hearings: None. VI. Old Business: A. Police Department Staffing Mayor Beaudet relayed Police Chief Lindy Swanson's announcement of intention to retire in 2008 and discussed 10 — 12 month transition plan of Deputy Police Chief working with current Police Chief. Beaudet noted process allowing an internal opportunity for qualified applicants to make application first and that it would be his recommendation to allow Police Chief Swanson and City Administrator Johnson to post the opening with applications due Friday, March 23, 2007. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swanson, moved to direct Police Chief Swanson and City Administrator Johnson to post the opening with an application deadline of March 23, 2007. Carried 5 -0. City Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2007 Page 3 of 4 VII. New Business. A. Authorization to Renew Lawn Care Contract Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to approve renew existing contract with Green Touch Lawn Care for 2007 with no increase in price from 2006. Carried 5 — 0. B. Communication from Survevor Barry Stack Mayor Beaudet noted communication received from Barry Stack and that there was some question as to whether or not the sale of the property in question was going to go through. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved that, in the event that the sale goes through, Mr. Stack's communication be directed to the City Attorney for review and comment. Councilmember Doerr offered an amendment to the motion that if the communication is forwarded to the City Attorney, that all future communications be made directly to the City Attorney. • Motion and amendment carried 5 — 0. C. Citv Accountant Position Mayor Beaudet reported that Accountant, Roxann Mendoza has submitted her letter of resignation. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to accept the resignation of Roxann Mendoza. Carried 5 — 0. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson moved to direct City Administrator Johnson and Finance Director Holst to initiate the hiring process. Carried 5 — 0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to appoint Councilmember Doerr and Councilmember McComber to a subcommittee to review applications and conduct interviews. Carried 5 — 0. Mayor Beaudet noted that Roxann has declined a send off celebration. City Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2007 Page 4 of 4 D. City Police Department — Retirement of Stan Buckley Mayor Beaudet reported that Police Officer Stan Buckley has announced his retirement and that prior to the meeting the City Council had a worksession regarding the hiring process of a new Police Officer Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to accept the resignation of Officer Stan Buckley. Carried 5 — 0. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to direct Police Chief Swanson to initiate the hiring process for a Patrol Officer. Carried 5 — 0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to authorize Police Chief Swanson to convene a hiring sub - committee for the hiring of a Patrol Officer, with Mayor Beaudet representing the City Council on the sub - committee. Carried 5 — 0. E. City of Oak Park Heiahts History — 150 years Councilmember McComber reported that noting the historical references in Barry Stack's communication, she did a bit of research and it appears that Oak Park Heights is celebrating a 150 year landmark this year. She would like to have the history researched for dates and if 2007 is a 150 year landmark, some type of celebration or acknowledgement planned. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to direct City staff to research the historical dates for reporting at the next City Council meeting. Carried 5 — 0. VIII. Adiournment. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to adjourn at 8:04 p.m. Carried 5 — 0. Respectfully submitted, t and Form, z Ju ie Hultman uet Planning & Code Enforcement Officer Mayor r ,