Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-21 CC MIN illwater TNF 1INTNOLA CE OF MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES October 21, 2014 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Mayor Harycki called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Harycki Staff present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Community Development Director Turnblad Police Chief Gannaway Fire Chief Glaser Public Works Director Sanders Finance Director Harrison City Clerk Ward 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 Menikheim, to approve the October 7, 2014 regular and recessed meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. STAFF REPORTS Police Chief Gannaway advised the Council that telephone scams have been targeting the elderly, falsely claiming to represent the Police Department. City Clerk Ward reminded the Council there is a meeting Tuesday, October 28 at 4:30 in lieu of the November 4 meeting (Election Day). There also is a 4:30 meeting this Thursday, October 23. Community Development Director Turnblad stated that the RFP for the Bergstein reuse study has been completed and will be distributed. Proposals will be due November 19. Public Works Director Sanders informed the Council that a. sewer maintenance person has resigned and the Department will advertise for the position. There is a shortage of cement and fly ash, so parking lot construction has stopped. Hopefully the curb and gutter may be done next City Council Meeting October 21, 2014 week. The flooring of the restroom is in place and workers are awaiting delivery of the brick to complete the work. CONSENT AGENDA Resolution 2014-170, directing payment of bills Resolution 2014-171, approving Joint Powers Agreement for development of optical fiber network with Washington County Resolution 2014-172, approval of personnel policy for wellness pilot program (outcome based) Resolution 2014-173, accepting cash donations Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Weidner, to adopt the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Harycki Nays: None PUBLIC HEARINGS A public hearing to adopt the proposed assessment for demolition and cleanup of garage area at 903 2nd Street S (PIN 33.030.20.11.0126). Finance Director Harrison reviewed the assessment, which is to demolish a dilapidated garage. The total, $1,858.74, is proposed to be assessed over five years. Mayor Harycki opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Mayor Harycki closed the public hearing. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Weidner, to adopt Resolution 2014-174, resolution adopting assessments for demolition and cleanup of garage area. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Harycki Nays: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS Possible approval of a resolution approving the Findings of Fact for Case No. V/2014-29, approving the appeal to the Planning Commission's denial for a fence variance located at 200 Edgewood Ave, located in the RA: One-Family Residential Zoning District. City Attorney Magnuson stated that the resolution is a formality. Motion by Councilmember Kozlowski, seconded by Councilmember Weidner, to adopt Resolution 2014-175, resolution approving a variance for a fence at 200 Edgewood Avenue, Case No. 2014-29. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Harycki Nays: None Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting October 21, 2014 NEW BUSINESS Discussion on proposed parking ban Public Works Director Sanders explained that in response to a directive to look into possible ways to decrease the "buildup" of snow and ice in the parking lanes in the downtown area,staff proposes to eliminate the odd-even parking restriction downtown. Instead, staff recommends an on-street parking restriction from the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. from November to March in the Central Business District. This should include all of Third Street from Pine to Mulberry, Fourth Street from Myrtle to Mulberry and Myrtle Street from Third to Fourth Street. This option would be clear and concise for the residents,patrons, and merchants, easy for police to enforce and allow for better snowplowing and removal for Public Works. With this change in parking,persons who previously used on-street parking during the winter months would have to use nearby parking lots during the restricted parking hours. It is debatable whether Water Street should be included; staff prefers it be included as it would make plowing easier. Councilmember Menikheim stated it is a good step in the right direction. He asked if vehicles in violation will be towed, and Police Chief Gannaway replied that if the plows cannot do their job, the vehicles would have to be towed. The City is pretty lenient in its towing, compared to other municipalities. Councilmember Kozlowski expressed concern that cars could be towed even if there is no snow, and Police Chief Gannaway responded that vehicles would only be towed if they are hindering plowing - they would not be towed if there is no snow. Councilmember Menikheim suggested tabling the issue and getting input from downtown business owners. Councilmember Kozlowski stated he would like to hear from the Chamber and IBA. He asked if a lot could be designated as "safe" for those who do need to park overnight, and Public Works Director Sanders replied that all the parking lots would be available for residents to park overnight. Mayor Harycki recalled struggling with the issue of resident parking permits for the ramp. Community Development Director Turnblad stated that up to 10% of the total spaces in the ramp may be used for non-commercial purposes-the City sells those passes to anyone who wants them. There still are several left. Councilmember Polehna remarked the Council has been criticized for not handling snow. Now that staff has drafted a plan to handle it, the Council needs to make a definitive decision and support the staff recommendation.He agreed with Councilmember Menikheim that the City needs to inform downtown business owners about the proposal. Councilmember Weidner stated he agrees with the staff proposal, but wants to set a specific date to take action as opposed to tabling it indefinitely. Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Polehna,to table the issue until the second meeting in November. All in favor. Page 3 of 5 City Council Meeting October 21, 2014 Possible approval of Fire Hall redesign bids for value engineering Community Development Director Turnblad explained that the design firm for the Fire Station, BWBR, is asking for an increase of$34,500 in design compensation due to the Council direction to redesign some elements of the project to bring it back under budget. The number of hours that went into the redesign work had a value of about $50,000, but the firm has reduced it to $34,500. Contingency funds are available to cover this extra amount. Staff recommends approval. John Huenink, Kraus-Anderson, updated the Council on Fire Station construction. When construction bids came in high, about 20 items were eliminated from the project, requiring design changes. This saved the City $550,000 in costs. The project is on budget. The goal is to have the building enclosed by Thanksgiving. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Menikheim, to adopt Resolution 2014-176, approval of the request to increase the design fee by $34,500 Fire Hall redesign bids for value engineering. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Harycki Nays: None COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS Councilmember Polehna noted that the Pheasant Hunt for the troops is set for November 1 and 100 troops are signed up. Councilmember Weidner asked for an update on the removal of the trains, and City Attorney Magnuson reported that the purchasers are now arranging to have a Houston firm move the trains by heavy hauler to the siding in Lake Elmo. They are working on another project and will not be ready to do this job until November 10. The City will be ready to respond if this does not happen. City Attorney Magnuson also stated there has been no word from developers of Stillwater Caves. ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. to executive session for labor relations. All in favor. Mic ael Polehna, Vice Mayor ATTEST: Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2014-170, Directing the Payment of Bills Resolution 2014-171, approving Joint Powers Agreement for development of optical fiber network with Washington County Page 4 of 5 City Council Meeting October 21, 2014 Resolution 2014-172, approval of personnel policy for wellness pilot program (outcome based) Resolution 2014-173, resolution accepting cash donations Resolution 2014-174, Resolution adopting assessments for demolition and cleanup of garage area Resolution 2014-175, Resolution approving a variance for a fence at 200 Edgewood Avenue, Case No. 2014-29 Resolution 2014-176, approval of the request to increase the design fee by $34,500 Fire Hall redesign bids for value engineering Page 5 of 5