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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-06 Minutes • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2006 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 Vierling. Absent: None. Mayor Beaudet added "Visual Quality Manual — Request for Additional Information "as item C under New Business. Mayor Beaudet also added "Order to Show Cause" and "Approve Archnet for Architectural Services for Autumn Hill Park Shelter" as items A and B under Old Business. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 5 — 0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the Planning Commission met on January 12 The sign ordinance section on flags and • banners was reviewed and discussion was held concerning updates for the Comprehensive Plan. The next meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2006. B. Parks Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the Parks Commission met on January 23 for a worksession to discuss the Autumn Hills Park Shelter and a regular meeting. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that Comcast's customer service phone line was accidentally put out of service and gave an alternate phone number for use until the line could be repaired. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 15 at 7:00 p.m. D. Water Management Organizations/Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix will meet on February 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: Mayor Beaudet reported on a meeting he attended at the Minnesota Department of Revenue concerning personal property tax on the King Plant. III. Visitors /Public Comment: • City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 • Recvclina Award. Administrative Secretary Johnson reported that Cory and Janet Vadner of 15063 Upper 63 Street North were chosen to receive the recycling award. IV. Consent Ag enda. A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — January 10, 2006 C. Approve Winter Pruning of Boulevard Trees D. Accept Forestry Program Final Report for 2005 and Adopt Work Plan for 2006 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. New Business: • A. Comments from Central St. Croix Valley Cable Commission on Prop_ osed FCC Franchising Rules Councilmember Doerr reviewed the Commission's response to the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, noting that cities do not have to endorse the comments. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to direct the City Administrator to send a letter in support of the Cable Commission's memo. Carried 5 — 0. B. National League of Cities Conference Councilmember McComber requested authorization to attend the National League of Cities Conference in 2006 and stated that the Transportation Committee that she serves on meets during the conference. Discussion was held concerning the cost of attending the conference and its value to the City. Councilmember Abrahamson stated that he would not support the request in order to be consistent with his previous votes against participation in the National League of Cities. • Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to postpone further discussion until more information is available on the City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 location and cost of attending the conference. Carried 4 —1, Councilmember Abrahamson opposed. C. Visual Oualitv Manual — ReQuest for Additional Information, Mayor Beaudet stated that there are many exhibits in the document that are not complete. Councilmember McComber noted that the exhibits will be available in February online and copies will be provided to the City by MnDOT. Mayor Beaudet added that he would like MnDOT to also provide an overhead view showing the location of proposed bridge and a viewpoint from Sunnyside and the Lookout. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to direct staff to send a letter to MnDOT requesting drawings of the area from Wisconsin Highway 35 to Club Tara, engineer's drawings showing bridge pier shapes and dimensional analysis. Carried 5 — 0. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to set a joint worksession with the Planning Commission one hour before the February 9 th Planning Commission meeting. Carried 5 — 0. • VII. Old Business. A. Order to Show Cause Police Chief Swanson reviewed the Cellars Wine & Spirits' tobacco compliance check failure in November of 2005. Chief Swanson noted that the City had not received payment of the $500 fine from the violation. Theodore Reeck, a partner in the Cellars store, apologized for the infraction and reported that the employee who committed the violation has been fired in accordance with company policy. Mr. Reeck also stated that tobacco sales have declined in the past five years and is no longer a profit center. Mr. Reeck offered to voluntarily surrender his tobacco license in lieu of paying the fine. Discussion was held with Councilmembers expressing concern over adhering to the Council's policy on compliance check failures being consistent. Police Chief Swanson recommended that the Council impose the $500 penalty for this violation. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to impose a $500 civil penalty as recommended by the Police Chief. Carried • 5 -0. City ouncil Meeting Minutes Y g Page 4 of 4 B. Approve Archnet for Architectural Services for Autumn Hills Park Shelter City Administrator Johnson reported that four responses to the RFP for architectural services have been received. The Parks Commission recommended awarding the project to Archnet. Although Archnet was not the lowest bidder, the Parks Commission has experience working with that firm. Councilmember Abrahamson added that Archnet is a local firm so the City would have lest cost for reimbursables such as mileage by using a local firm. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to authorize Archnet for Architectural Services for the Autumn Hills Park Shelter. Carried 5 — 0. VIII. Adiournment. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to adjourn at 7:59 p.m. Carried 5 — 0. Respectfully submitted, Ap o ontent d F rm, e Jo son David Beaudet Administrative Secretary Mayor