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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-07 Minutes I I CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 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: City Administrator Johnson, City Attorney Vierling and Police Chief Swanson. Absent: City Planner Richards and City Engineer Postler. Mayor Beaudet added "STH 36 Frontage Roads" to Old Business as Item B and "Approve City Administrator Contract as Recommended by City Attorney" to Old Business as Item C. Councilmember McComber stated that the public hearing for Consent Agenda Item C will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2007. 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 Comprehensive Planning Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, • October 11, 2007 and the Planning Commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. on that date with one public hearing on the proposed B -3 zoning ordinance amendment. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the next meeting of the Parks Commission is October 15, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall with a park walkthrough commencing at 5:00 p.m. on that date. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the FCC wants to go retroactive on existing franchises. He stated that more lawsuits have been filed. He reported that the next task force meeting is set for Friday, October 12, 2007 regarding telecommunication issues within the State of Minnesota. D. Water Management Oreanizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix WMO's next meeting is October 11, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District Office. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Mayor Beaudet reported that the fall clean -up is scheduled for October 13, 2007. Councilmember Doerr reminded residents that the clean -up is for Oak Park Heights residents only. • Mayor Beaudet invited residents to attend the Autumn Hills Park Shelter Ribbon Cutting /Dedication Event scheduled for Monday, October 15, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. } City Council Meeting Minutes October 9, 2007 Page 2 of 4 • III. Visitors/Public Comment: Recycling Award: Administrative Secretary Thoen reported that Mrs. Evelyn Serier of 14823 57 Street North was selected as the recycling award winner. IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — September 25, 2007 C. Set Public Hearing for Increase in Off -Sale and On -Sale Liquor License Fees D. Award Tree Removal Bid to St. Croix Tree Service E. 2007 — 2008 Snow Plow Contract F. Ordinance Amending Section 1202.10.E.2 of Chapter 1202 of the Code of Ordinances G. Police Officer Hire 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. City Hall Facility: Mayor Beaudet reported that the City Council held a worksession prior to the City Council meeting and that the City Council will hold a public hearing on October 23, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the building and the possible issuance of bonds. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to direct the City Administrator to discuss with the architect a design similar to the Village Hall in Winneconne, Wisconsin, having an indoor impound lot, leaving the existing green space on the south side of the site, and the location of the building being as far north on the site as possible. Carried 5 -0. B. STH 36 Frontage Roads: Mayor Beaudet reported that the City Council held a worksession regarding a road maintenance agreement prior to the meeting. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to direct staff to prepare a preliminary cost estimate of maintenance and a • memo of recommendation. Carried 5 -0. C. Approve City Administrator Contract as Recommended by City Attorney: Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved City Council Meeting Minutes October 9, 2007 Page 3 of 4 to approve the City Administrator contract as recommended by the City Attorney and to direct the Mayor to sign it. Carried 5 -0. VII. New Business: A. Receive Donation to Police Dept.: Police Chief Swanson reported that the Police Department received a donation of $50.00 from RMG who sends donations on behalf of clients. He stated that John Lindahl of Oak Park Heights designated the Oak Park Heights Police Department as a recipient of the donation. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Resolution. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. B. Install Additional Liahtina in the City Parks: Councilmember McComber reported that lighting in the parks came up at her neighborhood crime meeting which was held recently. The members of the meeting suggested more lighting because the parks are very dark and there have been issues with vandalism occurring in the parks lately. McComber suggested lights be placed that will not be obtrusive to neighbors. She stated they could possibly be motion sensor lights. She suggested that Public Works use . their discretion on the location of the lights. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to have the Parks Commission look at the parks to come up with a recommendation on lighting. Carried 5 -0. C. Discuss Cc Ord. 601 — Reeulatin2 Does and Cats in the City: Councilmember McComber reported that this is another issue that came up at her neighborhood crime meeting. She stated that people have been attacked on City trails by dogs that were not leashed. She stated that there is a problem with enforcing these issues because usually by the time the police are called and appear the offender is no longer in the area. Councilmember Doerr stated that residents need to make police reports when attacks or ordinance violations occur. Police Chief Swanson requested that residents obtain license plate numbers if possible. Councilmember McComber stated she encourages residents to have block meetings or submit tips on the tip line. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to amend the ordinance to state that pets must be on a leash while on trails and in parks. Mayor Beaudet stated he was concerned about making that amendment because some residents bring their pets to the park and let them run in the enclosed hockey rink which seems harmless. City Attorney Vierling stated that the ordinance can be worded to say that pets must be leashed in parks and on trails except in designated areas. He stated that the City would then need to place signs in the designated areas City Council Meeting Minutes October 9, 2007 Page 4 of 4 where the pets do not need to be leashed. Motion withdrawn by Councilmember Swenson and Councilmember McComber. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson moved to direct the City Administrator to place this issue on the Parks Commission Agenda in order to obtain a recommendation. Carried 5 -0. D. CVB and Lodizins Tax: Mayor Beaudet stated that the City of Stillwater passed the CVB and lodging tax proposal by the Chamber of Commerce. He stated that the Chamber of Commerce may appear at the next council meeting. Councilmember McComber stated that she watched the Stillwater Council Meeting regarding this issue and it was unclear whether the Chamber of Commerce had 100 percent support from the hotels and B &Bs. Councilmember Swenson requested that the City obtain something in writing from the Oak Park Heights hotel and B &B informing whether they support or do not support the lodging tax. Mayor Beaudet questioned how much time the State needs in advance if this issue needs to be presented to them. VIII. Closed Session: A. City Administrator Contract: This item was removed from the Agenda. B. Labor Negotiations: City Attorney Vierling stated that at this point in the meeting the council would adjourn to a closed session at the advice of the City Attorney to discuss matters of labor negotiations. He stated that pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 13.1). the closed session would be tape recorded, and that the recording will be maintained for two years. City Attorney Vierling reported that during the closed session the council had a,discussion regarding matters of labor negotiations and that no action would be taken at this time. IX. Adiournment: Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully itted, Appr ed as t ntent a F Jennifer Tho eau et Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk Mayor