Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-20 CC MINCITY COUNCIL MEETING NO. 07-05 February 20, 2007 REGULAR MEETING Mayor Harycki called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 7:00 P.M. Present: Councilmembers Gag, Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Staff present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Community Development Director Turnblad Director of Administration Knauss Finance Director Harrison Fire Chief Glaser Public Works Director Sanders City Clerk Ward APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Gag to approve the February 6, 2007 regular and recessed meeting minutes. All in favor. PETITIONS, INDIVIDUALS, DELEGATIONS & COMMENDATIONS Colleen Danford, Director of Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields Colleen Danford, director of the Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields, gave a brief report on the history and mission of the Lucy Winton Bell complex. She thanked the City for its past support and provided a report on improvements made with the City's contribution. She also spoke of goals for future improvements and completion of the complex as originally envisioned. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. STAFF REPORTS Fire Chief Glaser presented the Fire Department's 2006 annual report. He reviewed the demographics of the department's service area, which includes the City of Stillwater, all of Stillwater Township, and portions of the City of Grant and May Township, a total of 61 square miles and a population of about 22,500. The report highlighted the range of services provided to the community; personnel changes and recognition; upgrades and improvements; staff training activities; code enforcement activities; "memorable" events of 2006; and the response summary. The report also summarized the department's City Council Meeting - 07-05 February 20, 2007 budget, as well as time spent on Lumberjack Days, fire prevention activities, as well as other community events. Chief Glaser noted that in 2007, the department is looking at the fire station/public safety site feasibility study, and he noted the RFPs for the feasibility study closed earlier in the day of the Council meeting. Also in 2007, the department will begin the implementation of the new 800-megahertz public safety radio system, as well as pursing grant monies. Public Works Director Sanders provided information on other communities' experience with trees planted in roadway medians, as requested during the previous discussion of Washington County's upcoming Manning Avenue improvement project. He stated he had contacted Vadnais Heights and Shoreview. Those communities indicated there is not a whole lot of maintenance with trees when the trees are initially planted. However, he stated in future years, there may be maintenance associated with the vertical height requirement, but that might be dependent on the species of trees selected. Mr. Sanders also pointed out that if the trees are planted in conjunction with the County's road improvement project; there would be at least cone-year warranty on the trees. Mayor Harycki asked whether the County would require a resolution from the Council in support of trees in the Manning Avenue project median. City Attorney Magnuson suggested that the Council could direct City Administrator Hansen to communicate the Council's support to the County. Councilmember Polehna stated he favored planting the trees, but wondered if the City should indicate a cost maximum or type of tree species it would support. At the suggestion of Councilmember Milbrandt, Councilmember Polehna moved to indicate the City supports the planting of trees and requesting the County to come back with a tree planting proposal and budget. Councilmember Nyberg seconded the motion. All in favor. Public Works Director Sanders also reported that at 6 p.m. March 1, an open house/neighborhood information meeting regarding the Eagle Ridge Drive Road Improvement Project will take place at City Hall. City Administrator Hansen noted that Friday, March 30, or Friday, April 13, had been selected as tentative dates for the Council retreat. He asked Councilmembers to get back to him regarding whether those dates are workable. Councilmember Gag stated he would be out of town on March 30, and Mayor Harycki stated April 13 was not a good date for him. City Administrator Hansen stated he would check with the retreat facilitator to see if there are other available dates. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Milbrandt, to approve the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Councilmembers Gag, Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None Resolution 2007-44, directing payment of bills Page 2 of 6 City Council Meeting - 07-05 February 20, 2007 Possible approval of Annual Bed & Breakfast SUP reviews Resolution 2007-45, accepting work and ordering final payment for Boutwell Road Project. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Possible second reading of Ordinance No. 982, an Ordinance Eliminating Term Limits for Members on the Human Rights Commission Mayor Harycki reviewed the reason for the recommendation that term limits be eliminated for the Human Rights Commission. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Milbrandt to adopt Ordinance No. 982, An Ordinance Eliminating Term Limits for Members on the Human Rights Commission. Ayes: Councilmembers Gag, Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None NEW BUSINESS Possible selection of Comprehensive Plan Consultant Community Development Director stated it would be good if the Council made a decision on the preferred consultant as soon as possible. Councilmember Milbrandt spoke in favor of DSU/Bonestroo and the mixture of old and new team members; he also spoke of a perceived possible negative with the Hosington group's previous work with the Boutwell South Area traffic study. Councilmember Polehna spoke in favor of the Hoisington Koegler Group, speaking of past favorable experience with that group. Mayor Harycki said he liked the approach of Bonestroo in the proposed public input process. Councilmember Nyberg and Councilmember Gag both spoke of positive experiences with the Bonestroo group. Motion by Councilmember Gag, seconded by Councilmember Milbrandt to adopt Resolution 2007-46, accepting proposal for Comprehensive Plan, selecting Bonestroo/DSU as the preferred consulting firm for the Comprehensive Plan update. Ayes: Councilmembers Gag, Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None Page 3 of 6 City Council Meeting - 07-05 February 20, 2007 Possible authorization to re are lans ands ecifications for Phase III Utilities Trunk Watermain Public Works Director Sanders explained that it appears the Millbrook development will begin in 2007. Currently, there are no City utilities available to serve that area of the City. Last fall, the Council approved plans and specs for the extension of sewer services. Now, approval is being asked for plans and specs for the extension of the trunk Watermain to the site. The sewer services will be extended along Neal Avenue; the extension of water services would come through the Settler's Glen development, along Mary Lane to the northwest corner of the site, he noted. Motion by Councilmember Milbrandt, seconded by Councilmember Polehna to adopt Resolution 2007-47, ordering improvement and preparation of plans & specifications for the Phase III Trunk Utilities -Trunk Watermain Project (Project 2006-09B). Ayes: Councilmembers Gag, Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None Discussion on legislative proposals Mayor Harycki noted that for the past several years, the City has retained the services of Ed Cain for legislative lobbying. Mayor Harycki stated he had contacted Mike Campbell, who had been successful at obtaining funding for the Brown's Creek Water Protection project and who is associated with the Conach Group, and asked him to put together a proposal for the Council's consideration. Councilmember Milbrandt said the issue of revisiting alternatives for legislative services has come up several times in the past. He stated he was somewhat concerned about the timing, given the start of the state legislative session and the status of many of the bills the City is interested in seeing enacted. Asking a new group to attempt to get up to speed before the end of the session was not feasible. Councilmember Milbrandt stated he was not opposed to opening up the discussion regarding legislative services, but suggested that be done after the Council's workshop to discuss goals and priorities. Councilmember Polehna concurred with the concern about timing and said he would prefer to take a look at the whole approach to setting the City's legislative agenda. Mayor Harycki said his concern was with burning time in regard to efforts to secure funding for the new bridge. Councilmember Gag said he was not comfortable with the timing or the process; he suggested the appropriate time to consider this matter is at budget time and setting goals for the next year. Councilmember Gag said he would like to see a process in place to evaluate services. Councilmember Nyberg agreed that it would be important to set goals and priorities and revisit this issue after the Council workshop. It was consensus to have the issue of legislative priorities and services on the upcoming Council retreat agenda. Councilmember Milbrandt asked whether the current arrangement with Mr. Cain, amonth-to-month agreement, could be continued. City Administrator Hansen will contact Mr. Cain to see if the arrangement can be Page4of6 City Council Meeting - 07-05 February 20, 2007 continued; if an agreement cannot be reached, the issue will be brought back to the Council. Discussion on communication opportunity for Chamber and B & B Association at 4:30 meetings Mayor Harycki asked if the Council would be interested in having an update on Chamber activities as a regular agenda item at 4:30 meetings, perhaps on a monthly basis. The update, he suggested, could be like a staff report item. Also, he stated the B&B Association had contacted him regarding a number of issues the Association would like to discuss with the Council. Mayor Harycki suggested that perhaps every two or three months, a member of the Association could be invited to talk with the Council about issues of interest/concern. It was consensus that it would be acceptable to invite the Chamber to provide an update on a regular basis and the B&B Association once or twice a year. Discussion on web casting Mayor Harycki noted that the City recently increased its schedule of broadcasting meetings to include the Council's 4:30 p.m. workshops and Planning Commission meetings. His concern is the number of residents who do not have cable service and can't watch the proceedings. He stated an opportunity has arisen for web casting of Council meetings and suggested web casting is a way to reach more residents. Mayor Harycki noted that one quote has been received and said he would like to see additional quotes for consideration at budget time. Councilmember Polehna said he would be interested in information regarding use of the service, as well as competitive bids. Councilmember Milbrandt noted that in the recent community survey, the City's web site was a low priority, and he questioned the cost involved in web casting given the low priority. Councilmember Gag suggested that it is just a matter of time until providing such a service will likely be a mandate. Councilmember Nyberg also referred to the low priority given to such a service and suggested other issues need to be addressed before the back-burner items. Councilmember Gag pointed out that the quote received is a realistic cost at this time. Councilmember Milbrandt suggested bringing up the issue during the next budget cycle. COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS Councilmember Polehna noted that the Washington County Historic Courthouse Advisory Committee had passed a resolution asking that the City enforce noise regulations regarding motorcycles and cars with non-compliant exhaust systems. Mayor Harycki pointed out that once a new chief of police is on board, the chief and city Attorney can hopefully work together and look at the best way to address the issue. Page 5 of 6 City Council Meeting - 07-05 ADJOURNMENT February 20, 2007 Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Nyberg to adjourn at 8:14 p.m. All in favor. ~~ i, Mayor ATTEST: ~~ Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2007-44, directing payment of bills Possible approval of Annual Bed & Breakfast SUP reviews Resolution 2007-45, accepting work and ordering final payment for Boutwell Road Project. Resolution 2007-46, Accepting Proposal for Comprehensive Plan, Resolution 2007-47, ordering improvement and preparation of plans & specifications for the Phase III Trunk Utilities - Trunk Watermain Project (Project 2006-09B) Ordinance No. 982, An Ordinance Eliminating Term Limits for Members of the Human Rights Commission Page 6 of 6