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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-24-07 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 PM TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledee of Alleuiance /Approval of Agenda: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Beaudet. Present: Councilmembers Doerr, Abrahamson, McComber and Swenson. Staff Present: Administrator Johnson, Finance Director Holst, City Attorney Vierling and City Planner Richards. Mayor Beaudet added "Resolution Honoring the Work of Stan Buckley" as item F under Consent Agenda and "Approval of Raffle Permit for the American Cancer Society" as item G under Consent Agenda. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 5 -0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planninp- Commission: City Planner Richards reported that the Planning Commission had two public hearings at their April 12, 2007 meeting. One hearing was about the care center expansion which was on the agenda as item B under New Business. The other hearing was about the setback • which was on the agenda as item C under New Business. The Planning Commission also had a workshop with the Citizen's Advisory Committee on the Comprehensive Plan. Richards reported that the next scheduled meeting is May 10, 2007. Richards stated there are no public hearings for that date so they will continue to work on the Comprehensive Plan Update. They plan to put together a mission statement, a goals statement, and a policy statement. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the Parks Commission met on Monday, April 16, 2007 and did walkthroughs of Swager Park, Brekke Park, and Valley View Park. The next meeting will be May 21, 2007 starting with a walkthrough at 5:00 p.m. at Cover Park and continuing on. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the last meeting of the Cable Commission was April 18, 2007. Doerr reported that the Cable Commission finalized the 2006 budgets. The commission also approved funding to purchase new equipment for the city halls which will make it easier and quicker for titling. The next meeting will be June 20, 2007. • City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2007 • Page 2 of 7 D. Water Management Organizations: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix will be meeting on May 10, 2007 at the Washington Conservation District Office. E. Lower St. Croix River Advisory Committee: Mayor Beaudet stated there is nothing to report for the Lower St. Croix Advisory Committee. F. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Spring Clean -up is scheduled for Saturday April 28, 2007, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mayor Beaudet reported that the City of Oak Park Heights has received the Tree City USA Award. This is the 25 year that the city has received this award. Mayor Beaudet reported that many have received the new quarterly utility billing statements. He reminded residents that they may pay their utility bill monthly if they choose. Residents should write their account number on the memo line of their checks. III. Visitors/Public Comment: New Emplovees: Mayor Beaudet introduced Jennifer Thoen, who has been hired as the city's Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk, and Judy Tetzlaff who has been hired as the city's Accountant. • Recvclin2 Award: City Administrator Johnson reported that Michelle Jackson of 14033 53 Street N. was selected to receive the recycling award. IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — April 10, 2007 C. Approve Troy Jessers Andersen — TNT Fireworks — License to Sell Consumer Fireworks at Menards D. Adopt Proclamation — April 24, 2007 as Arbor Day & May 2007 as Arbor Month E. Accept Park Bench Donation — Mr. Mark Walker F. Adopt Resolution Honoring the Work of Stan Buckley G. Approve Raffle Permit for the American Cancer Society Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. V. Public Hearings: Presentation: David Mol of Tautges - Redpath, Ltd, Certified Public Accountants • reported on the audit. Mol stated that there were no compliance findings, and a clean opinion was issued on the financial statements. City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2007 Page 3 of 7 • VI. Old Business: A. Autumn Hills Park Shelter: Mayor Beaudet stated that this will be addressed after the closed session. B. STH 36 Frontage Roads: Councilmember McComber reported that she met with Senator Saltzman and Representative Bunn at Union Depot for an event last week. Councilmember McComber stated that she had mentioned to them the possibility of working with the City Council towards a solution in the interim. Mayor Beaudet suggested sending the legislators an invitation giving them the option to attend work session or one of the council meetings scheduled for June or July. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to send an invitation to legislators giving them the option of a work session or attending a council meeting. Carried 5 -0. C. Resolution to Washington County — Valuation of Xcel Energy Property: Mayor Beaudet stated that this matter will be moved to the next agenda. • D. 150 Anniversary of City of Oak Park Heights: Councilmember McComber reported that she checked with both the Teddy Bear Band and Artie Schaefer, and they are available for the event. McComber reported on the possible cost of having fireworks for the event. She reported that the City of St. Peter has a range of $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the size of the cans. St. Anthony, Cannon Falls, and Owatonna's fireworks displays run about $5,000. McComber would like to hand out a save -the- date for the celebration at the Spring Clean -Up on Saturday, April 28, 2007. Councilmember McComber also reported that she checked with the Parks Commission and they think the event is a good idea. McComber reported that Gina Zeuli, the chairperson, stated that she liked the idea of a dance and a parade, and Pat Estes suggested that the council research the history of the parks, who each park is named after and why. Discussion took place on the possible date or dates of the event and the possible activities. Councilmember Abrahamson stated that it might not be worth the money for the fireworks because of the timing of the event since the 150 anniversary celebration would take place sometime between the county fair and the state fair. 0 McComber reported that the cost of the Teddy Bear Band would be $465 for three musicians. Artie Schaefer, if he performs alone, would be $100. City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2007 Page 4 of 7 • For two musicians it would be $275 for two hours. McComber also checked with another musician to play along with the car show, and he would cost $200. City Administrator Johnson suggested Councilmember McComber check with Julie Hultman to see if Brekke Park has been reserved for the tentative date of the celebration. Discussion ensued regarding the possible fireworks display. Mayor Beaudet stated a possible venue for the fireworks to be launched would be the high school. Councilmember Swenson stated that Washington County cancelled their fireworks display due to the fire hazard. The council discussed the possibility of a car show and a pancake breakfast. The council discussed the possible cost of the event and funding. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to authorize up to $2,000 for musical entertainment. Carried 5 -0. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to consolidate Party in the Park with the 150 anniversary celebration. McComber stated that these will not be separate events. Carried 5 -0. E. Appoint Judy Tetzlaff to Accountant Position: Finance Director Holst reported that they received 29 applications. There were a couple of withdrawals. They tested ten applicants for education, background, and experience. Of those ten tested, one withdrew and one was unable to be contacted. Of the ten, they narrowed it down to five. The hiring committee, which consisted of Councilmember Doerr, Councilmember McComber, Finance Director Holst, Senior Accountant Brunckhorst, and City Auditor David Mol, recommended that Judy Tetzlaff be appointed to the Accountant position. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to hire Judy Tetzlaff as the city's Accountant. Carried 5 -0. VII. New Business: A. 2006 City of Oak Park Heights Annual Financial Report: Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the audit report. Carried 5 -0. City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2007 Page 5 of 7 B. Valley Senior Services Alliance (VSSA) — General Plan Review /Planned Unit Development for Skilled Care Center Addition: City Planner Richards reviewed the request for a general plan review of the planned new development of the 106 -bed skilled care addition at the Boutwells Landing campus. Richards discussed zoning, lot area, setbacks, and parking. Richards reported that there will be 370 parking stalls for the facility. Richards presented an overview of the facility's access, traffic flow, loading dock/trash handling, mechanical screening, landscaping, grading/drainage, sidewalks /trails, lighting, signage, and building design. Councilmember Swenson raised concern about emergency calls and emergency vehicle access to the facility. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Resolution with some changes. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to amend A.7. of the Resolution to add Brown's Creek Watershed District. City Planner Richards stated that it is not Brown's Creek District even though the water goes there. Mayor Beaudet suggested the Planning Commission submit to the Brown's Creek Watershed District out of courtesy because they will be dealing with the water. City Attorney Vierling informed the council that the Planning • Commission has to submit to Middle St. Croix Watershed District, and that district can then chose to defer to Brown's Creek Watershed District. There was discussion about a rainwater garden to divert the water. Motion carried 5 -0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to amend 14 of the Resolution to state that the city will conduct an annual review on the issue of 911 calls. Carried 5 -0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to add that the developer will provide information to secure the rooms of the skilled care room capacity. City Attorney Vierling stated that the building inspector would require that before the facility could open. Allen Black of Presbyterian Homes reported that they have secured 61 of the 106 beds. Motion carried 5 -0. Mayor Beaudet questioned Allen Black of Presbyterian Homes on whether the addition would have a separate address than the existing facility. Allen Black reported that it is their intent to have a separate address because it would greatly aide ambulance response. Allen Black also reported that they have discussed the possibility of building a tunnel under 58 `" Street to provide access to the lower level of City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2007 Page 6 of 7 the building and provide for additional parking possibilities. The council discussed the benefits of a tunnel. Roll call vote taken to approve the Resolution with amendments. Carried 5 -0. C. Variance to Allow 5' Setback for Parkinp- Lot — Swager Park: City Planner Richards reviewed the request for a 5' setback variance for a parking lot at Swager Park. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Resolution. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. D. Sunnort of the Establishment of a `NO -WAKE' zone on St. Croix River abutting Sunnyside Marina and Wastewater Treatment Facilitv: Mayor Beaudet reviewed the request by the Port of Sunnyside Club, Inc to establish a no wake zone to protect boaters while fueling. Mayor Beaudet stated that this Resolution may be merged with Stillwater in the future to create a no wake zone from the waste treatment plan to where the new dock is in Stillwater. Councilmember McComber stated she would like some input from the Department of Natural Resources on the issue. Councilmember Swenson would like to see a memo from DNR on the process. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to send a letter to DNR and table this discussion for the next meeting. Carried 5 -0. E. Approve Job Descriptions: Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the job descriptions. Carried 5- 0. VIII. Closed Session — Meeting with City Attorney Pending Litigation — DNR Construction: Mayor Beaudet announced that at this point in the meeting, they would recess to a closed session at the advice of the City Attorney Vierling to discuss items of pending litigation. City Attorney Vierling proposed a motion to direct and authorize the City Attorney and the City Administrator to negotiate with the performance bond issuer, Granite Ree, out of Oklahoma, for the authorization by them to substitute a contractor on the premises of the Autumn Hills Park Shelter as general contractor on the project. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the proposed motion. Carried 5 -0. City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2007 Page 7 of 7 City Attorney Vierling proposed a motion that in the alternative, if the City Attorney and the City Administrator are unable to successfully negotiate a contract with Granite Ree relative to substituting a contractor for the Autumn Hills Park Shelter project, the council will award the contract to the successful low bidder for the project. City Attorney Vierling reported that the low bidder was Specialty Construction of Stillwater. City Administrator Johnson stated that the low bid was $227,000, and City Attorney Vierling stated that there would be change orders on that bid. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the proposed motion. Carried 5 -0. IX. Adjournment: Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to adjourn the meeting. Carried 5 -0. )Respectfully bmitted, WrovedContent and o , Jennifer Thoen David Beaudet Administrative Secretary Mayor