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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-15 CC MIN . &yater THE III"..PLACE OF .UNElalA CITY COUNCil MEETING April 15, 2008 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Mayor Harycki called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Absent: Councilmember Gag Staff present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Community Development Director Turnblad Finance Director Harrison Police Chief Gannaway Public Works Director Sanders City Clerk Ward PLEDGE OF AllEGIANCE Mayor Harycki led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Nyberg, seconded by Councilmember Polehna to approve the minutes of the April 1, 2008, regular and recessed meeting. All in favor. PETITIONS, INDIVIDUALS, DELEGATIONS & COMMENDATIONS Bob Pierce - Toastmasters Bob Pierce of the Stillwater Toastmasters Club talked about the mission of the organization and invited interested people to attend the local club's meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Coldwell Banker Burnett Realty office in Stillwater. Proclamation: Comcast Cares Davs Mayor Harycki read a proclamation designating May 3, 2008, as Comcast Cares Day in the City of Stillwater. Mayor Harycki recognized Stillwater Area High School students in attendance. City Council Meeting April 15, 2008 OPEN FORUM Brent Peterson, Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society, invited the Council and the community to attend the many events the Historical Society will be holding in honor of Minnesota's Sesquicentennial beginning April 27 with an open house at the Warden's House Museum in Stillwater, Chautauqua performance at Stillwater Junior High on May 3 and May 10, a fund-raiser for the Historical Society, and events continuing throughout the summer. STAFF REPORTS Public Works Director Sanders stated that quotes had been received for the electrical work to install the scoreboard at the Public Works field. He said one of the quotes was from an electrician who volunteered his time, with the City responsible only for the cost of materials, estimated at $1,600. He said the City would purchase the necessary materials, rent the trenching machine and reimburse the volunteer for the cost of the necessary state permit. Mr. Sanders noted there is $500 remaining in the donation that enabled the purchase of the scoreboard, so the overall cost to the City is estimated at $1,100. He said that the Park and Recreation Commission recommended loaning the Stillwater Baseball Association up to $1,500 for the installation of the scoreboard. Finance Director Harrison stated a proposed calendar for the 2009 budget process was included in the agenda packet. She stated she had moved the process up about a month and asked the Council to decide on some of the budget workshop dates and a date when the proposed budget can be adopted. It was agreed to discuss this again at the next Council meeting. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Milbrandt, seconded by Councilmember Polehna to adopt the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Councilmembers Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None Resolution 2008-42, directing payment of bills Resolution 2008-43, approving Direct Deposit Policy Resolution 2008-44, approving Election Judge Policy Possible approval to purchase laptop computer for citywide use Possible approval of utility bill adjustments PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. Page 2 of7 City Council Meeting April 15, 2008 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Possible second readinQ of Ordinance No. 993. an ordinance amendinQ the Stillwater City Code. Chapter 31. Entitled ZoninQ Ordinance by addinQ an allowed use in the PA, Public Administration ZoninQ District Community Development Director Turnblad noted this is the second reading of the proposed ordinance. He stated Art Reach Alliance would like to purchase the property next to City Hall contingent on having their use permitted in the PA zoning district with a special use permit, which is what the proposed ordinance does. Motion by Councilmember Milbrandt, seconded by Councilmember Polehna to adopt Ordinance No. 993, an ordinance amending the Stillwater City Code, Chapter 31, Entitled Zoning Ordinance by adding an allowed use in the PA, Public Administration Zoning District. Ayes: Councilmembers Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None Discussion on advertisinQ at Public Works Baseball Field Community Development Director Turnblad noted the subject of advertising at ballfields has come up several times and the Council directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to look at that issue. The Parks Commission, on a 5-1 vote, is recommending that the City establish a policy that would allow an advertising program this year, on a trial basis. The suggested policy would require that the Parks Commission approve the association/group's request, with the association responsible for soliciting advertising, buying and installing the advertising signage; the signage would have to be approved by staff, especially for location and uniformity of size/type of advertising. The Parks Commission also suggested that on a first-come, first-served basis, groups would be allowed to have one sponsor on the scoreboard. One of the conditions of the proposed policy/program is that any revenues generated by the sale of advertising be used for capital improvements, with the first capital improvement being the possible wiring of the scoreboard. Mayor Harycki asked if this was to be for the Public Works field only. Councilmember Nyberg, a member of the Parks Board, stated the discussion there was to start at the Public Works field, with other requests considered on a case-by-case basis. Councilmember Nyberg stated the majority of the Parks Board felt this was a funding mechanism to help keep the parks in good shape and recommended approval on a trial basis due to a concern about appearance of the advertising on the fences and other issues. Councilmember Polehna suggested that perhaps the City contribute the $1,100 in cost of materials to wire the scoreboard at the Public Works field, given the fact that the baseball association raised $5,000 to purchase the scoreboard and found an electrician to volunteer to do the work. Mayor Harycki noted the City will be contributing towards the installation in the form of staff time. Councilmember Nyberg said the Park Board favored loaning the money to the association as the City had already provided funding Page 3 of 7 City Council Meeting April 15, 2008 for some of the association's requested improvements at the field. Mayor Harycki asked who would be holding the advertising revenue - the City or the association. Mr. Turnblad responded that the association would be holding the money; the only administrative function the City would be responsible for is approving the placement and size of the signage. There was discussion about formally limiting the advertising to the Public Works field for this year. It was noted that due to the timing, it is not likely other requests will be made for this season. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Nyberg to adopt Resolution 2008-45, resolution approving a policy for advertising signs at City Athletic Fields. Ayes: Councilmembers Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None City Administrator Hansen noted there are several scriveners' errors in the policy that could be changed if staff is given that latitude, which the Council agreed to. Councilmember Nyberg asked if the resolution allowed the Park Board to approve other requests this year, should any be made. Councilmember Polehna said his motion was to limit the advertising to the Public Works field for this year Motion by Councilmember Nyberg, seconded by Councilmember Polehna to loan the Stillwater Baseball Association $1,100 for installation of the scoreboard at the Public Works field to be repaid with future advertising revenues. All in favor. NEW BUSINESS Possible orderinQ feasibility report for 2008 Sidewalk Proiect Public Works Director Sanders said $50,000 has been budgeted for this year's sidewalk rehabilitation project. He said the proposal is to continue on the sections in need of rehabilitation identified in the inspection program that was done several years ago. He said the project will focus primarily on the neighborhoods north of Myrtle Street, but requests to replace other badly damaged sections will be considered. Motion by Councilmember Milbrandt, seconded by Councilmember Nyberg to adopt Resolution 2008-46, resolution ordering preparation of report for the 2008 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project (Project 2008-05). Ayes: Councilmembers Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None Possible first readina of the Administrative Citation ordinance City Attorney Magnuson noted the possibility of instituting an administrative citation program has been under consideration since the last budget discussions. Since that Page 4 of 7 City Council Meeting April 15, 2008 time his office and the Police Chief have researched other communities' experience with such a program. He said they discovered that a surprising number of cities have implemented similar programs. He noted this would be the first reading and the ordinance will not become effective until after the second reading. He explained there are two parts to the ordinance, the enabling portion that allows the program to be implemented and a description of the offenses that will be covered by the program and suggested fines. He noted the Council is free to add to or reduce the offenses/fines. He suggested the administrative citation is a "kinder, gentler" way of handling minor offenses, because it doesn't involve a court appearance and gives a person the option of paying the administrative fine and the fines are not so high as to be a financial hardship. He said the advantage to the City is that the program may provide additional revenue; however, that this is not seen as a revenue-generating enterprise. He said the program is seen as simpler to administer and may involve less prosecution time and court time for the officers. Police Chief Gannaway said all of the offenses proposed to be covered by the administrative citation program are geared toward public safety and public nuisance type offenses. He said the program would provide another enforcement tool, and these citations are not quite the financial hardship that regular citations are. He noted the proposed program stays away from areas where the citation directly affects the State and the more serious offenses. Mayor Harycki reiterated that this is not being proposed as a revenue-generating mechanism; Chief Gannaway noted that citations are issued for public safety reasons, not to generate revenue. Councilmember Polehna asked how this would affect the winter parking/snow emergency routes, noting that now there is a graduated fine system; Chief Gannaway said the current parking violations will stay the same under this proposal. Mayor Harycki asked if the City has a tracking system for unpaid citations; Chief Gannaway said the City does have a system in place. City Attorney Magnuson said for the second reading the exhibit will include fines with reference to State Statutes or the City Ordinance. He also indicated that staff would look at the winter parking section before the second reading. Motion by Councilmember Milbrandt, seconded by Councilmember Nyberg to approve the first reading of the administrative citation ordinance. Ayes: Councilmember Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None Possible reappointment of Library Board Members City Clerk Ward said the request is for reappointment of two current members. Councilmember Milbrandt, seconded by Councilmember Polehna to adopt Resolution 2008- 47, appointment to the Library Board, reappointing Julia Sandstrom and Ruth Ranum. Ayes: Councilmembers Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None Page 5 of 7 City Council Meeting April 15, 2008 Possible approval of SweepinQ Policy Public Works Director Sanders said staff has been working on developing a street sweeping policy. He said the proposed policy is basically a boiler plate policy from the League of Minnesota Cities that outlines when and how sweeping is conducted in the City. The policy talks about priority areas, environmental areas and the downtown area as to when and how often sweeping is done. He referred to a map of the environmental areas which includes areas that drain directly to McKusick and Lily lakes, an area along the east edge of Long Lake and the downtown area. He noted the downtown area is swept twice weekly during the spring, summer and fall and the environmental areas are done every two weeks, with all other streets swept four times a year. Mayor Harycki asked if the watershed districts had reviewed the proposed policy; Mr. Sanders said the districts had not seen this particular policy, but their recommendations are to sweep about 10 times a year, which is not feasible for the City. Mayor Harycki suggested at least copying the districts on the policy to let them know the City is taking action. Councilmember Milbrandt asked if there would be situations where on-demand service would be available; Mr. Sanders said such situations are accommodated in as reasonable a fashion as possible. Councilmember Polehna expressed a concern that trails are only swept once a year, according to the policy, suggesting that trails should be swept at least once a month. Mr. Sanders said staff could look at that issue. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Nyberg to adopt Resolution 2008-48, resolution adopting street sweeping policy, with the change that trails are swept once a month. Ayes: Councilmembers Milbrandt, Nyberg, Polehna and Mayor Harycki Nays: None ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Nyberg, seconded by Councilmember Pol p.m. All in favor. ATTEST: j}LcI~~ cd, ~~ Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2008-42, directing payment of bills Resolution 2008-43, approving Direct Deposit Policy Resolution 2008-44, approving Election Judge Policy Page 6 of 7 City Council Meeting April 15, 2008 Resolution 2008-45, resolution approving a policy for advertising signs at City Athletic Fields Resolution 2008-46, resolution ordering preparation of report for the 2008 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project (Project 2008-05) Resolution 2008-47, appointment to the Library Board, reappointing Julia Sandstrom and Ruth Ranum Resolution 2008-48, resolution adopting street sweeping policy Page 7 of 7