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Home My WebLink About2015-03-17 CC MIN • ater ENE IINTN►LACE O► MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 17, 2015 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Menikheim, Junker, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Kozlowski Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator McCarty 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 Kozlowski led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of March 3, 2015 regular and recessed meeting Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to approve the March 3, 2015 regular and recessed meeting minutes. All in favor. PETITIONS, INDIVIDUALS, DELEGATIONS & COMMENDATIONS St. Croix River Crossing Update Terry Zoller, MnDOT Project Engineer,presented information on progress of the St. Croix River Crossing project. This is the second bridge of this type in the U.S. Bridge completion is scheduled for the fall of 2016. Service Award - Sharon Harrison and Shawn Sanders Councilmember Weidner presented service awards to thank Finance Director Harrison and Public Works Director Sanders for their work as Interim Treasur and Interim City Administrator respectively before the new City Administrator was on board. City Council Meeting March 17, 2015 OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. STAFF REPORTS Fire Chief Glaser updated the Council on progress of the new fire station. It was an extremely busy weekend with wildfires. DNR burning restrictions will start March 25. Restrictions change daily; residents should check the DNR web site. Also, individuals should stay off the ice. There were ice rescues today on the St. Croix River and Long Lake. Community Development Director Turnblad informed the Council that staff is wrapping up the master trail plan. The next project will be the Downtown Plan Update. Public Works Director Sanders reported that bathrooms in City parks should be open by the end of the month starting with Teddy Bear Park. Lowell Park bathrooms should be done by mid-April. The Washington County Board has approved a plan for CR12 improvements to be constructed in 2016. The north end of the Brown's Creek Trail should be completed this year, leaving the remaining segment to be done after the lift bridge is closed in the fall of 2016. Finance Director Harrison stated the auditors will begin their work March 30. City Administrator McCarty noted he is glad to be on board. He thanked staff for the welcome he received. CONSENT AGENDA Resolution 2015-049, directing payment of bills Resolution 2015-050, a resolution adopting Bridgeview Park Master Plan Resolution 2015-051, a resolution in support of legislation establishing an early voting process for voters in Minnesota Resolution 2015-052, approval of Temporary Permit to Construct - MnDOT Resolution 2015-053, approving licensee name change to Meister's Bar and Grill of Stillwater, Inc. Possible approval of temporary liquor license for May 17, 2015 — Church of St. Michael Possible approval to purchase computer— MIS Possible approval to purchase Minitor VI radio pagers and associated accessories Resolution 2015-054, approval of Fiber Optic Cable Agreement between City of Stillwater and MP Nexievel, Inc. Resolution 2015-055, approval of technical services agreement with Washington County Conservation District Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Weidner,to adopt the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Junker, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Kozlowski Nays: None Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting March 17, 2015 PUBLIC HEARINGS A public hearing to consider the 2015 Street Improvement—Orleans Street (Project No. 2014-03a). Public Works Director Sanders explained the project,an add-on to a larger project,which involves Orleans Street between Fourth and Hillcrest Avenue. Oak Park Heights would design, construct and inspect the project, and would invoice the City of Stillwater for costs, which would be assessed to affected property owners. Bids came in $20,000 lower than anticipated in the feasibility study. Total project costs are estimated at $60,000, or $63,000 with water service replacement. Due to the unusually high assessments, the Council previously agreed that the four properties would be assessed 35%to property owners, rather than the City's standard assessment rate of 70%. At 35%, the proposed per-lot assessment for street improvements would be $5,250 rather than the $7,000 previously estimated under the higher feasibility report cost estimates. Construction would take place over the summer. Councilmember Weidner recused himself from the discussion and vote. Mayor Kozlowski opened the public hearing. Jan Merimonti, 1331 4th Avenue South, asked how the Council thinks residents will pay for their assessments. She also asked about the water service replacement charge. Public Works Director Sanders stated assessments could be paid in full after the assessment hearing, or be put on taxes over a ten year period. Because the galvanized water service from the main to the house is 70-80 years old, it will be replaced by a copper service as part of the street improvement. Paul Kleczka, 1330 3rd Avenue South, stated the new street is needed, but he expressed concern about the assessment costs. Kirk Ackerman, 1336 2nd Avenue South, asked about water service replacement and project timelines. Public Works Director Sanders responded that Oak Park Heights has not awarded the project to the contractor yet, but construction should be done during 2016. Roger Zolldan, speaking for Mabel Zolldan, 704 East Orleans Street, shared that the 35% rate would be better than 70%. He urged the Council to stay with the 35% assessment rate. Mayor Kozlowski closed the public hearing. Councilmember Polehna commented that the City's standard assessment rate is 70%. He understands using the 35% assessment rate to get costs down for homeowners, but noted that residents of other wards are picking up the other part of the tab. It should be consistent across the board. Councilmember Menikheim responded this is an unusual project. Those streets have been postponed due to bridge plans. He does not see this as setting precedent as much as dealing with the uniqueness of the area. Councilmember Junker stated that since the City of Stillwater's share of the costs will be more to do the project this year rather than next year, he would like to see Oak Park Heights shoulder at least $10,000 of the $18,000 City of Stillwater cost. This would mean a lower percentage for the rest of the community of Stillwater. Stillwater is trying to be a good neighbor in order to see the project completed. Mayor Kozlowski and Councilmember Polehna agreed. Page 3 of 5 City Council Meeting March 17, 2015 Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Junker,to table the ordering of the improvement and approving plans and specifications for the 2015 Street Improvement - Orleans Street (Project 2014-03a). Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Junker, Polehna, Mayor Kozlowski Nays: None Abstain: Councilmember Weidner UNFINISHED BUSINESS Possible approval of 2015 contract for Stillwater Log Jam Community Development Director Turnblad informed the Council that The Locals and City staff have come to an agreement on a contract for the 2015 Log Jam event. He outlined the primary contract changes. Staff recommends adoption of the contract. Councilmember Junker asked if there will be ticket fees, and Erin McQuay, The Locals, replied ticket fees will not be charged this year. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Weidner, to adopt Resolution 2015-056, a resolution approving 2015 Log Jam Agreement. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Junker, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Kozlowski Nays: None NEW BUSINESS Possible approval of beekeeping permit for Brian and Tracy Serres, 104 Poplar Street. Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed the request. The application meets the requirements of City Code Sec. 27-3, Keeping of Bees. Two colonies are proposed to be located on the top of the flat-roofed,partially subterranean garage. An objection was submitted by Mollie and Sean Kane, 18817 2nd Street North, whose son has a bee venom allergy. They are concerned with the number of bees that will be attracted to the area after the hives are installed. Staff additionally heard from Steven Keister, 1721 2nd Street North,who is in favor of the application. Staff recommends approval with conditions, including making the permit valid for one year, to be automatically renewed for a second year if there are no complaints. Councilmember Menikheim empathized with the concerns expressed by the Kanes, but he feels the risk is manageable. Tracy Serres, applicant, informed the Council they have been researching beekeeping for the past three years. They are very safety-conscious and feel confident the hives can co-exist without conflict in the neighborhood. Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to approve the beekeeping permit for Brian and Tracy Serres, 104 Poplar Street as conditioned. All in favor. Possible approval of cooperative agreement with Oak Park Heights for 2015 Street Improvement (Project 2014-03). City Attorney Magnuson reviewed the agreement concerning the street improvement project. It is necessary for the City of Oak Park Heights to award the contract. Page 4 of 5 City Council Meeting March 17, 2015 Councilmember Weidner recused himself from the discussion and vote. Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to approve Resolution 2015-057, Resolution 2015-057, approving the cooperative agreement with the City of Oak Park Heights (OPH 2015 Street Improvement Project) Ayes: Councilmember Menikheim, Junker, Polehna, Mayor Kozlowski Nays: None Abstain: Councilmember Weidner COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS Councilmember Polehna reported that servicemembers with the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon network are planning to lead the Log Jam Days parade. Councilmember Menikheim noted the Stillwater Public Library has a new web site and quarterly newsletter. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Junker,to adjourn at 8:32 p.m. All in favor. —‘40f lowski, P ATTEST: oiat;41 l(k4o Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2015-050, a resolution adopting Bridgeview Park Master Plan Resolution 2015-051, a resolution in support of legislation establishing an early voting process for voters in Minnesota Resolution 2015-052, approval of Temporary Permit to Construct - MnDOT Resolution 2015-053, approving licensee name change to Meister's Bar and Grill of Stillwater, Inc. Resolution 2015-054, approval of Fiber Optic Cable Agreement between City of Stillwater and MP Nexlevel, Inc. Resolution 2015-055, approval of technical services agreement with Washington County Conservation District Resolution 2015-056, a resolution approving 2015 Log Jam Agreement Resolution 2015-057,approving the cooperative agreement with the City of Oak Park Heights (OPH 2015 Street Improvement Project) Page 5 of 5