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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-05 CC MINQg* a e, .M! �......... Bf ■....... CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 5, 2013 REGULAR MEETING 4:30 P.M. Mayor Harycki called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Memkheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, and Mayor Harycki Staff present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Fire Chief Glaser Police Chief Gannaway Public Works Director Sanders Community Development Director Turnblad City Clerk Ward OTHER BUSINESS Police Station study and preliminary cost estimate Police Chief Gannaway informed the Council that the concept plan has been completed for a new law enforcement facility using the existing fire station. Joel Dunning, Wold Architects and Engineers, summarized the process used for the study, which included touring police facilities in other communities, meeting with staff, an inventory of existing space and space needed, and establishment of core design principles. An audit of the existing building indicated the mechanical systems are in great condition, though some roof repairs may be needed. The space needs analysis concluded that space available is adequate to meet the needs. He presented a site plan and explained recommendations for reconfiguration. The concept plan provides a secure area, vehicle parking, a more secure evidence area, an adequately sized patrol area, and a welcoming lobby for the public. Mr. Dunning presented cost estimates which total $1.65 million. With fees, testing, equipment, furniture and other miscellaneous costs, the estimate totals $1.95 million. Mayor Harycki asked how construction will be phased, and Mr. Dunning responded that a preliminary phasing plan has been developed with a schedule based on the new fire station being available for occupancy in December 2015. Phase one will be basement expansion of locker rooms; phase two will be infilling of the two buildings, phase three will be fire station remodeling, and phase four will be police station remodeling. Occupancy is expected near the end of 2016. Councilmember Kozlowski inquired about the competitive bidding process, and Mr. Dunning replied that his firm does not construct projects, but has spent over four decades working in the public sector, designing about 200 projects a year, so they know the competitive bid market. City Council Meeting March 5, 2013 Councilmember Kozlowski wanted to know if $150,000 for technology is enough, for instance, for equipping squad cars, and Chief Gannaway answered that the squads are in a different budget cycle. The technology in this proposal relates to evidence processing, fingerprinting, potentially a card reader system for entry, and so on. City Administrator Hansen added that the City budgets for technology in the operating budget; technology is a huge portion of the operating budget. Chief Gannaway explained how the public will access the department. There will be reasonably secure rooms where a citizen can explain something to police staff without being in the public hallway as it is now. Councilmember Menikheim asked if the plans allow for expansion if necessary, and Chief Gannaway replied there is some room to expand and the space can be configured to fit those needs. STAFF REPORTS Fire Chief Glaser noted that with the recent significant snowfall, citizens should clear about three feet around fire hydrants and the area around furnace outlets. He informed the Council the funeral for New Scandia Firefighter Captain John Larson is this Thursday. Community Development Director Turnblad stated that 120 applications were received for the Planner position. There are 24 prime candidates. He hopes to interview around six people the last week of March. The interim planner has been doing a great job. Public Works Director Sanders stated that next Tuesday a neighborhood meeting will be held on the two street reconstruction projects. City Attorney Magnuson explained the ordinance on tonight's agenda, which would annex the Greeley Street /Highway 36 intersection. After the bridge is constructed, the sewage will flow to the north, allowing the abandonment of the utilities under the intersection, so MnDOT has asked the City to annex this intersection. No objection has been received. The meeting was recessed at 5:26 p.m. RECESSED MEETING 7:00 P.M. Mayor Harycki called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, and Mayor Harycki Staff present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Fire Chief Glaser Police Chief Gannaway Public Works Director Sanders Community Development Director Turnblad City Clerk Ward Page 2 of 6 City Council Meeting March 5, 2013 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Harycki led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Kozlowski, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to approve the February 19, 2013 special and regular meeting minutes. All in favor. PETITIONS, INDIVIDUALS, DELEGATIONS & COMMENDATIONS Resolution and Retirement Plaque - Leo Miller Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Weidner, to adopt Resolution 2013 -029, Certificate of Appreciation — Leo Miller. Ayes: Councilmembers Polehna, Weidner, Kozlowski, Menikheim, and Mayor Harycki Nays: None OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Resolution 2013 -030, directing payment of bills Resolution 2013 -031, approving license to use real property Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Weidner, to adopt the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, and Mayor Harycki Nays: None PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS First reading of an ordinance extending the corporate limits of Stillwater into certain unincorporated territory that is less than 40 acres in area and more than 60% surrounded by the City of Stillwater. Community Development Director Turnblad explained that a very small parcel of property in the center of an intersection is to be annexed to clean up the boundary. Motion by Councilmember Weidner, seconded by Councilmember Menikheim, to approve the first reading of an ordinance extending the corporate limits of Stillwater. Ayes: Councilmembers Polehna, Weidner, Kozlowski, Menikheim, and Mayor Harycki Nays: None Page 3 of 6 City Council Meeting NEW BUSINESS March 5, 2013 Case No. 2013 -04, a resubdivision of Lot 2 Block 1 Jackson Estates to create a 21,152 square foot lot located at 234 Rutherford Road in the LR Lakeshore Residential District. Cates Fine Homes Jennifer Cates Peterson applicant. Community Development Director Turnblad reported that Jennifer Cates has submitted a request to subdivide the lot into two parcels. Parcel A would be 2.01 acres and would remain vacant. Parcel B would be .49 acres (21,152 square feet) and be the site of a new house. The proposed parcels satisfy all dimensional requirements except that Parcel B lacks about two feet of required depth. So, the applicant will need to add a bit more depth or apply for a variance. Improvements supporting urban density already surround the property. However, the existing sewer and water stubs are not conveniently located for the proposed new home site. Consequently, plans for new service connections will have to be submitted and approved by the Public Works Director before the City can sign off on the deeds for the two resulting parcels. Escrow in an amount determined by the Public Works Director to be sufficient to guarantee restoration of any work in Melville Court will need to be deposited prior to commencing any utility connection work within the City's road right -of -way. The president of the master association of Liberty has asked to have an opportunity to review and comment, so staff recommends approval with an added condition that before the building permit is issued, the master Homeowners Association of Liberty have a chance to review and comment. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Kozlowski, to adopt Resolution 2013 -032, approving a resubdivision of property located at 234 Rutherford Road, Case No. 2013- 04. Ayes: Councilmembers Polehna, Weidner, Kozlowski, Menikheim, and Mayor Harycki Nays: None Possible approval of first reading of an ordinance to establish propertv maintenance standards. Community Development Director Turnblad stated that the Council directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance that would address some of the maintenance issues associated with residential building stock. The ordinance would be an amendment to the City's Nuisance Code. The first reading of the proposed ordinance took place before the Council on December 4, 2012. Upon closing the public hearing, the Council tabled the first reading and referred it to the Planning Commission for comments. The Planning Commission discussed the ordinance on February 11, 2013. They recommended: wordsmithing the definition of vacant; extending the length of the vacancy or abandonment period beyond six months; and waiving the registration fee if an owner plans to return when weather is warmer, or in other similar circumstances. Councilmember Weidner asked what problem the City is trying to solve with the ordinance, and Community Development Director Turnblad responded that the ordinance is meant to address two things: abandoned properties and exterior maintenance standards for homes which have become dilapidated. Councilmember Menikheim added that the problem is not necessarily the nuisance houses themselves, but the bigger issue of Stillwater's historic character. The City is losing its historic housing stock and it should be cared for. He feels there is still tweaking to be done on the ordinance. Page 4 of 6 City Council Meeting March 5, 2013 Councilmember Kozlowski asked how the ordinance differs from the existing nuisance ordinance. If it is not a public nuisance, he questioned what control the City should have for solely beautification purposes. He feels it is more of a nuisance issue; it would be good to give the existing nuisance ordinance some teeth. Councilmember Polehna noted some homeowners do not want to fix their property and create a public nuisance for neighbors. He believes the City should focus on the nuisance aspects of the ordinance rather than just the upkeep. Councilmember Weidner asked what enforcement mechanism there is for the ordinance, for instance if someone does not pay the $1,000, and Community Development Director Turnblad replied that it would be enforced as a civil misdemeanor. He explained the difference between a public health nuisance and an irritation. The nuisance ordinance does not currently give the City the tool to take care of irritations. City Attorney Magnuson agreed the ordinance needs more work. He stated staff was trying to find a way to motivate the turnover of abandoned houses into an asset to the community rather than a detriment. There has to be a way of exempting people who have vacant houses but take care of them. In addition, with nuisance and housing violations cases, you need investigatory people to do reports. The City has no one who can do such reports. The brief exterior structure references in the ordinance define things that City planners can do with a drive -by so they do not need a warrant to enter a home. The City does not want to target citizens who cannot afford it or who have family circumstances where the house is vacant for a period of time. That is not the intent whatsoever. Mayor Harycki wondered if there are any programs whereby assessments can be deferred, for instance for elderly people living on a fixed income. Community Development Director Turnblad answered that Washington County HRA partners with several other groups to offer a deferred loan for repairs if a home is owner - occupied, which is not due until the house is sold. Chief Gannaway commented that periodically, calls come in on vacant homes, but it is not a big problem. Councilmember Weidner stated he agrees with the spirit of the ordinance, but it seems over- reaching and to have property owners register for $1,000 seems a bit punitive. Councilmember Kozlowski agreed. He would like to see that the ordinance does not burden many of the historic homes with restrictive covenants. Councilmember Menikheim asked how the City can make subjective decisions about what is and is not a nuisance? City Administrator Hansen added that the City has been working on this for quite a while. Staff agrees that the ordinance presented tonight is not final, but needs input. He suggested that the Council table it and send it back to staff. Community Development Director Turnblad suggested staff try to clarify the difference between temporarily vacant and abandoned with no intention of returning, and bring the ordinance back to the Council. COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS Councilmember Polehna informed the Council that last week, he, Mayor Harycki, Washington County Commissioner Gary Kriesel, and Washington County Public Works Director Don Theissen met with the DNR Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, and Director of State Page 5 of 6 City Council Meeting March 5, 2013 Parks and Trails to discuss possible funding options for the bridge across Manning Avenue for the Brown's Creek Trail. Also, last Tuesday, he and Commissioner Kriesel testified in the Senate committees for the bonding bill. He wants the Council to thank Senator Housely, Senator Kent from Woodbury and Senator Sieben from the south end of the County for their support. Mayor Harycki noted Representative Lohmer is working on a TIF extension bill to allow the City more flexibility in using tax increment funds for items like the fagade program. Councilmember Polehna thanked Public Works Director Sanders for a great job snow plowing ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Kozlowski, to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m. All in favor. Kenrycki, Mayor ATTEST: iane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2013 -029, Certificate of Appreciation — Leo Miller Resolution 2013 -030, directing payment of bills Resolution 2013 -031, approving license to use real property Resolution 2013 -032, approving a resubdivision of property located at 234 Rutherford Road, Case No. 2013 -04 Page 6 of 6