Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-14-06 Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 5:00 P.M. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2006 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledge of Allegiance /Approval of Agenda: The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Beaudet. Present: Councilmembers Abrahamson, Doerr, McComber and Swenson. Staff present: Administrator Johnson, Police Chief Swanson, City Attorney Domagala and City Engineer Postler. Absent: None. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 5 — 0. II. Devartment/Council Liaison Reports: A. Planniniz Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the Planning Commission has not forwarded any items for Council review but will have applications to consider at the next Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission has also scheduled a worksession to hold a discussion with businesses concerning the sign ordinance. • B. Parks Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the Parks Commission will meet on February 27, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. and may hold a worksession before or after the meeting. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the Cable Commission will meet on February 15 at 7:00 p.m. beginning with the annual meeting followed by a regular meeting. D. Water Manaeement Orzanizations/Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix will hold its next meeting on March 30, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. The April meeting will be cancelled and a worksession will be held to discuss rules under the new plan. All participating communities have signed off on the new joint plan and it is anticipated that BWSR will consider approval of the plan at its March meeting. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: None. III. Visitors/Public Comment: Recvclin2 Award. Administrative Secretary Johnson reported that Robert Wolff of 14581 Upper 56 Street North was chosen to receive the recycling award. City Council Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 2 of 4 • IV. Consent A genda: A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — January 24, 2006 C. Approve 2006 Clean -up Dates D. Adopt Resolution Granting the Application of the American Cancer Society to Conduct a One Day Raffle at the Stillwater Area High School on August 5, 2006 E. Adopt Resolution Granting the Application of Ducks Unlimited to Conduct a One -Day Raffle at the VFW Club on May 4, 2006 F. Approve Resolution for Abatement of Special Assessment G. Authorize Squad Car Purchase H. Set Date and Time for Board of Appeal and Equalization Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 — 0. V. Public Hearings.. Proposed Acauisition of Real Estate Interest Owned by the Citv of Oak Park Heights as Reauested by CSM. Inc. • Mayor Beaudet opened the Public Hearing to consider a request from CSM to acquire two easements owned by the city to allow for development of the property previously approved for a Lowes store. City Administrator Johnson reviewed the appraisals secured by the City and CSM, noting that staff recommended the City use the appraisal prepared by Mr. Kirchner on behalf of the City to determine the value of the easements. Shawn Butts (SP ?), a financial analyst for CSM, explained CSM's position that Mr. Kirchner's value was based on unencumbered land. Scott Tubman of CSM stated that $7 per square foot is a fair value of the land if it was unencumbered. By paying $7 per square foot to acquire the land and an additional $7 per square foot to acquire the easement it doubles the cost to $14 per square foot which is much more than the land is worth. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 — 0. VI. New Business: A. Disposal of Citv Owned Pronertv Reauested by CSM, Inc. • City Council Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 3 of 4 • City Attorney Domagala advised the Council that the City hired an appraiser to value the easement and the City should use that value if the Council feels the appraisal was done properly. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to accept the Kirchner appraisal of December 1, 2005 with a value of $248,000. Carried 5 — 0. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve a Resolution authorizing a transfer for the property described in the Kirchner appraisal, subject to a Developer's Agreement, final review and approval of the City Attorney and final approval of the parties. Carried 5 — 0. B. Copier Replacement City Administrator Johnson explained that staff has explored options for upgrading the copy machine to a machine that could scan, store and email documents. Administrator Johnson noted staff time that could be saved by emailing documents to the Council rather than delivering them every week. Lease and purchase terms were also discussed. • Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve up to $16,000 for a new copy machine from the Budgeted Projects Fund as recommended by the Finance Director. Carried 5 — 0. VII. Old Business. A. St. Croix River Crossing — Section 106 Amended MOA Councilmember McComber reported that she has forwarded MOA additions to the Council and asked for comments on the document. City Attorney Domagala stated that her office would collect comments and draft a letter including all comments and concerns to be forwarded to MnDOT. Attorney Domagala asked that comments be submitted to her office by noon on Thursday. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to direct the City Administrator to send a letter to MnDOT asking if the alignment for the bridge has changed and noting that MnDOT refers to the bridge as being located in Stillwater. Carried 5 — 0. i City Council Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 4 of 4 • Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to direct staff to draft responses to the various MOU documents as needed. Carried 5 -0. B. Novak Avenue N. & Norwich Avenue N. Plans & Svecifications City Engineer Postler reviewed the plans for street and utility improvements for Novak Avenue and Norwich Avenue necessitated by development in the area, noting that all costs will be paid by the developers. Discussion was held concerning street light, trail and sidewalk locations. Engineer Postler noted that the plans include conduit along the entire street to allow for future expansion of street lighting. The current plans call for one light at each end of the street to light the intersections. Mayor Beaudet suggested including an addendum in the bid package for the installation of a streetlight where Norwich meets the frontage road if the developer and Applebee's would agree to split the cost. Mayor Beaudet also suggested another addendum for a streetlight at the intersection of 58 Street and Norwich Avenue so the cost would be identified and VSSA could determine whether or not they would be interested in paying for the • installation of that light. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the plans and specifications with the addition of two alternates for optional street lights as discussed. Carried 5 — 0. VIII. Adiournment. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to adjourn at 5:53 p.m. Carried 5 — 0. Respectfully submitted, A owed Content eFFo , � .1 Ji�l'e Johnso David Beaudet A inistrative Secretary Mayor •