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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-07 Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order/Pledee 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, City Attorney Vierling, Finance Director Holst, and City Planner Richards. Absent: City Engineer Postler. Mayor Beaudet added "Approve Hiring of Rink Attendants" as Consent Agenda Item G and "Modification of Development Agreements per Attorney's Advice on Power Line Burial" as Consent Agenda Item H. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 5 -0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports; A. Planning Commission: City Planner Richards reported that the last • meeting of the Planning Commission was on November 8, 2007. He stated that there was one public hearing at that meeting regarding the WCL Associates /Brackey development. Richards reported that there will not be a Planning Commission meeting in December but that the Comprehensive Plan Committee will meet on December 13, 2007. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the next meeting of the Parks Commission is on December 17, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the next meeting of the Cable Commission is on December 12, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Access Center. D. Water Management Or2anizations/Middle St. Croix:, Mayor Beaudet reported that next meeting of the Middle St. Croix Water Management Organization is on December 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District Office. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: None III. Visitors/Public Comment: Visitor Allen Stevens of 14300 57 Street North came forward. He stated that he • toured Oak Park Heights City Hall on December 3, 2007 with City Administrator I City Council Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 2 of 5 • Johnson. He stated that he also toured Bayport City Hall and Stillwater City Hall. He noted his observations and comparisons of the facilities. He stated that it was his understanding that a reverse referendum could have been done on the issue of a new or rehabilitated City Hall but that the time has now expired. He reported that he spoke with Attorney Dave Magnuson and was informed that he could have a 150 signature petition to force a referendum. Stevens stated that he has prepared a petition stating that the City should cap their spending on the project at $2 million for renovations and he planned to canvass the community for signatures. He stated that he would like that a citizens committee be formed relating to the City Hall update issue. Councilmember Swenson thanked Mr. Stevens and the Simpsons for taking their time to work on the petition and for bringing their concerns to the council. He stated that he was disappointed about the lack of response by residents to the city mailings on the issue. Recvclina Award: Administrative Secretary Thoen reported that Mike Moller and Mary Kay Voight of 14316 56 Street Upper North were chosen as the recycling award winners. IV. Consent Agenda: • A. Approve of Bills & Investments B. Approve of City Council Minutes — November 27, 2007 C. Approve Truth in Taxation Hearing Minutes — December 3, 2007 D. 2008 Home Occupation License Renewals E. Approve Resolution for Renewal of 2008 Liquor, Tobacco, and Amusement Licenses F. Approve Purchase of Fireproof Security Cabinet G. Approve Hiring of Rink Attendants H. Modification of Development Agreements per Attorney's Advice on Power Line Burial Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. V. Public Hearings: A. Resolution Approving the 2008 Budget: Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the budget Resolution. Councilmember McComber stated she would like to see the Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Field grant removed from the budget. Councilmember • McComber moved to reduce the budget $5,032.00 but to leave that in the 2008 parks commission budget. Motion failed per lack of a second. City Council Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 3 of 5 Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to grant $5,032 to the Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields in 2008 but to review it again in 2009 budget discussions. Carried 4 -1, McComber opposed. On main motion, roll call vote taken. Carried 4 -1, McComber opposed. B. Resolution Amroviniz the 2008 Tax Levy: Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Resolution. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. VI. Old Business: A. Adoption of Local Lodffinv- Tax — Ordinance: Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the Ordinance. Carried 4 -1, Doerr opposed. Mayor Beaudet suggested the funds be administered by a joint powers agreement with the City of Stillwater. • Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to direct staff to see if the Stillwater City Council would entertain a joint powers agreement similar to the structure of the cable commission to oversee the administration of the tax by the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. Carried 5 -0. VII. New Business: A. Receive Donation to Police Department:, City Administrator Johnson reported that Mr. and Mrs. Crain have once again made a monetary donation to the City's Police Department. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to adopt a Resolution accepting the donation, to send a thank you to the Crains, and to direct that the funds be used to purchase bicycles for the City's National Night Out/Party in the Park event. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. B. WCL Associates, Inc.. Planned Unit Development, Concert and General: Conditional Use Permit: Subdivision: Site Plan and Design Review: and Rezoniniz of the Sub iect Prorertv from O, Open Space District to B -2. General Business District to Construct a Retail Development Including Best Buy: City Administrator Johnson reported that Mr. Brackey has submitted a letter to the City to request an extension on this agenda item. City Planner Richards reported that the 120 -day review time line ends on • i City Council Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 4 of 5 January 28 but that the City did receive a letter extending that time line 35 days. Mayor Beaudet stated that he is inclined to approve the Resolution and move on. Jim McGovern, project manager for Bob Brackey, the owner /developer of the site, came forward and stated that he would rather have the City Council postpone this item than just approve it at this time. He stated that there is significant doubt that the project will even go through. He stated that if it does go through, there will be a one -year timeline for permits to be obtained and the Best Buy store would likely open in 2009. He requested the matter be postponed to February 2008. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to continue this agenda item to the second meeting in February. Carried 5 -0. C. Additional Capital Proiects for 2008: Mayor Beaudet stated that he would like to authorize the engineer to go forward with some projects so that they ready for bids in early 2008. He suggested that the trail on 58 Street by Ramie Johnson Estates to Valley View Park be completed. He also stated that he would like to discuss adding concrete or some other surface to the rinks at Brekke Park and would like the tennis courts at Swager Park resurfaced. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to place this item on the Parks Commission Agenda for December 17 for recommendation and to bring this item back before the City Council at their next meeting. Carried 5 -0. D. Consider Documents for the St. Croix Transit Feasibility Study: Councilmember McComber reported that she attended the final meeting for the St. Croix Transit Feasibility Study. She stated that the documents that were provided for that meeting were in the City Council packet for that evening's meeting. She noted that the documents provided are incomplete. McComber stated that she would like the council to review the documents and submit comments to the City Administrator. She reported that comments are due by December 21. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to send a letter to the department thanking them for the opportunity to review the documents, but state that since the documents are incomplete the City is unable to make a comment at this time and that they should come back when the project has money and the City will review it again. He suggested the letter be reviewed by the attorney to ensure the City does not make any binding obligations. Motion carried 5 -0. City Council Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 5 of 5 VIII. Adiournment: Councilmember McComber, seconded by Council Abrahamson, moved to adjourn at 7:58 p.m. Carried 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, Ap o tent and F nn4Toen avi eaudet Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk Mayor •