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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-07 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance /Approval of Agenda: The meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m. by Mayor Beaudet. Present: Councilmembers Abrahamson, Doerr, McComber and Swenson. Staff present: City Administrator Johnson, City Attorney Kelly, and Finance Director Holst. Absent: City Planner Richards and City Engineer Postler. Mayor Beaudet added "New Building Update" to Old Business as Item A, "Water Tower Color" to Old Business as Item B, and "Resolution Authorizing Receipt of a Donation of Trees from Don and Mary McComber" as New Business Item E. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve Agenda as amended. Carried 5 -0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the next • meeting of the Planning Commission is September 13, 2007. He stated that there is one public hearing on the agenda which is the Denny Hecker final plat. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the next meeting of the Parks Commission is September 17, 2007. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the next meeting of the Cable Commission is September 19, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at the Access Center. He stated that there is nothing yet to report on the task force because there has only been one meeting so far. D. Water Management Organizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix WMO's next meeting is September 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District Office. E. Other Liaison/Staff Retorts: Mayor Beaudet reported that the fall clean -up is scheduled for October 13, 2007. Councilmember McComber reported that she attended the NLC Transportation Meetings in Dallas -Fort Worth last week. McComber reported that they worked on quite a few policies to be adopted in • November by the general membership. City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2007 Page 2 of 5 • III. Visitors/Public Comment: Recycling Award: Administrative Secretary Thoen reported that Chuck and Susanne Hedlund of 13991 56 St N. were selected as the recycling award winners. IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — August 28, 2007 C. Water Tower Work Addition Request D. Authorization to Solicit Emergency Generator Bids E. Police Vehicle Purchase F. Payment Request #9 Novak Ave. N. and Norwich Ave. N. Utility and Street Improvements G. Approve Change Order #9 for Burschville Construction, Inc. for Nova Scotia Ave. and Norwich Ave. Street and Utility Improvements Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. • V. Public Hearings: None VI. Old Business: A. New Building Update: Mayor Beaudet reported that the council held a worksession prior to the council meeting to discuss the architect's report that was received at the last council meeting. He reported that the City received several options on how to address the city hall facility needs. Beaudet reported that if the council decides to do bonding for a new building, it is anticipated that the maximum yearly property tax increase for a home valued at $200,000 would be approximately $121.00. Mayor Beaudet informed residents that the architect's report is available at city hall for public viewing. He informed residents that a new or updated city hall is only a discussion at this point and that no action has been taken. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to direct the City Administrator to set a public hearing for the second meeting in October and to update the Capital Improvements Plan for the city hall building and • any other city buildings that may be necessary. Carried 5 -0. City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2007 Page 3 of 5 • City Administrator Johnson reported that the council had discussed putting an informational notice in the upcoming newsletter. Mayor Beaudet suggested the City Administrator ask the architect to provide what a rendering of a new building might cost for the next council meeting. B. Water Tower Color: Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to have the water tower painted Balsam Green with White lettering. Councilmember Abrahamson stated that it was staff's recommendation that the water tower be painted a lighter color. City Administrator Johnson reported that the lighter colors will not show fading and the darker colors will not show the accumulated dirt and dust. Mayor Beaudet made a substitute motion to paint the water tower and the lettering the same colors as the water tower on 58`" Street. Substitute motion failed for lack of a second. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, made a substitute motion to paint the water tower the color Twine with Balsam Green lettering. Carried 4 -1, Mayor Beaudet opposed. VII. New Business: A. Adopt Resolution Annrovina 2008 Proposed Budget and Proposed Tax • Levies Finance Director Holst reported that the proposed budget is $4,017,336 in revenues and $4,017,140 in expenditures. She reported that the budget is approximately 22 percent higher than last year. Holst reported that the increase includes the levy increase of 22.3 percent. She stated that the tax rate will increase by 3.2 percent based on the numbers she received from Washington County. Mayor Beaudet reported that the reason the levy can increase so much when many property values in the City have decreased is because the rehabilitation of the Xcel Energy King Plant has increased the value of that property. Mayor Beaudet reported that the City will be covering the cost of trash removal fees in 2008 that the residents have been paying. He reported that would be about a $120 savings for a resident who has the middle -sized trash container. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Resolution for the 2008 budget and general fund levy. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. B. Set Date and Time of Truth in Taxation Hearings: Finance Director Holst • reported that the Truth in Taxation hearings cannot be held on the same date as the School District, Washington County, or other taxing districts. City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2007 Page 4 of 5 • Holst also stated that the hearings cannot be held before November 29, 2007 or after December 20, 2007 and cannot be held before 5:00 p.m. Holst suggested that the initial hearing be held on Monday, December 3, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. and the continuation hearing, if necessary, be held Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 6:45 p.m. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to set the initial Truth in Taxation hearing for Monday, December 3, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. and the continuation hearing, if necessary, for Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 6:45 p.m. Carried 5 -0. C. Park Vandalism — Reward for Information: City Administrator Johnson reported that the City has experienced vandalism in the City parks, such as graffiti and property damage. Johnson suggested that a sign be posted and a reward offered to individuals who are able to provide anonymous information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or people involved in the vandalism. Johnson stated he spoke with the Police Chief who thought this would be a reasonable approach. Johnson stated the signs could be made by the county and posted fairly quickly. Councilmember Doerr questioned where the reward money could come from. City Administrator Johnson stated that there is money in the council contingency fund as well as the parks budget. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to approve the reward program for vandalism to City parks. Carried 5 -0. D. Trailer Installation — Washington Countv Gov. Center: Mayor Beaudet reported that the county has placed a trailer adjacent to a single family home in Oak Park Heights. Beaudet stated that placing business in a temporary trailer with port-o -pots for up to four years is not typically allowed in any zoning district within the City of Stillwater. Beaudet reported that the variance was allowed by the City of Stillwater and now two port-o -pots are located within 25 feet of an Oak Park Heights resident, a renter on the west side of the site. Councilmember McComber reported that the City has a port-o -pot in Cover Park and one in Swager Park that she believes are within 25 feet to the closest residents. Mayor Beaudet responded that the street width is not less than 25 feet, so the port-o -pots at the Washington County site are much closer. Mayor Beaudet stated that there should be a higher standard when making these decisions. Councilmember Abrahamson stated that it is his understanding, based on the memo from City Attorney Vierling, that the City of Oak Park Heights Council has no say on this issue because the trailer is in the City of Stillwater. Abrahamson asked Mayor Beaudet if he is seeking input or action on this matter. Mayor Beaudet moved to direct the City Administrator write a letter to the City of Stillwater expressing I City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2007 Page 5 of 5 disappointment with the outcome of placing the port-o -pots next to the resident. Motion failed for lack of a second. Gary Kriesel, Washington County Commissioner, came forward. He questioned which resident Mayor Beaudet was referring to. Kriesel stated that he spoke with the resident, and the resident did not voice a problem with the placement of the trailer and port-o -pots. Commissioner Kriesel stated that the trailer is placed for the sentence -to -serve crews and that they will be there in the morning and in the evening under supervision. Mayor Beaudet stated that the port-o -pots and trailer would be utilized by the workers seven days a week except holidays. Commissioner Kriesel stated that it is typical that there is disruption during construction. He stated that Washington County realizes that there will be impacts and they will do whatever they can to minimize that. Mayor Beaudet stated that he is an advocate for the residents of the City of Oak Park Heights and that the standards on this issue have been set too low. Councilmember Doerr asked Commissioner Kriesel if it would be possible to move the trailer and port-o -pots to the west side of the building. Commissioner Kriesel responded that they are looking into that. Councilmember Doerr requested Commissioner Kriesel come back to the council in two weeks to let them know if it is possible to move the trailer and port-o -pots to the west side of the site. E. Resolution Authorizinia Receipt of a Donation of Trees from Don and Mary McComber: Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to approve the Resolution. Roll call vote taken. Carried 4 -0 -1, Councilmember McComber abstained. VIII. Adiournment. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, Appro s to ontent and , fifer Thoen David Beaudet Administrative Secretary/Deputy Clerk Mayor