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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-19 MINUTES. ,� • � �• • April 19; 2000 OPEN FORUM — 7:15 p.m. Open forum provides a person a� opportunity to inform the Council of a problem or to request i�formation related to City business not scheduled for Councii action and on the Agenda. Mayor Denzer encouraged persons to limit their remarks to two (2) minutes per issue, Present: Mayor John Denzer Gouncil Member Pat Rice Council Member Cheryl Kohis Council Member Sandy Shiely Council Member Jim Wolcott Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Mike Zurbey, Deputy Director of Public Safety - -- Bob Long, City Attorney, Kennedy & Graven Jerry Bourdon, City Engineer, BRAA Elizabeth Johnson, Finance Director Les Burshten, Public Works Director Michelle Wolfe, Asst. City Administrator John McGool, Senior Planner There were no open forum items. CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota heid a regular meeting on Wednesday, Aprit 19, 2000, at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Denzer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor John Denzer Council Member Pat Rice Councii Member Cheryl Kohls Council Member Sandy Shiely Council Member Jim Wolcott Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Mike Zurbey, Deputy Director of Public Safety Bob �ong, City Attomey, Kennedy & Graven Jerry Bourdon, City E�gineer, BRAA Les Butshten, Public Works Director Micheile Wolfe Asst. City Administrator John McCool, Senior Pianner Elizabeth Johnson, Finance Director Regular Meeting — April 19, 2000 Cottage Grove City Council Page 2 Mayor Denzer presided over the meeting. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOTION BY SHIELY, SECONDED BY WOLCOTT, TO APPROVE THE FINAL AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. PRESENTATIONS A. Professional Secretaries Day Proclamation Council Member Shiely read the proclamation before Council, declaring April 26 2000 to be Professiona� Secretaries Day. City Administrator Schroeder introduced the following administrative support employees to Council and thanked them for their significant contributions toward the success of the City of Cottage Grove operations: Cindy Engfers, Public Safety Secretary Ruth Foster, Finance Clerk Neil Belscamper, Admi�istration Secretary - B. Certificate of Achievement from Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA} City Administrator Schroeder explained the meaning behind the Certificate of Achievement. He explained that the Finance Department has been awarded the certificate every year since 1990. He described the function of the GFOA and the requirements for achieving the certificate. He recognized Finance Director Elizabeth Johnson as the Ieader in the effort toward achieving this honor. Councii offered their congratuiations. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councii accepted the minutes of the March 15 regular meeting as presented. CONSENT CALENDAR Council discussed items H, I, �, Q and R. Item � was tabled until the next meeting. MOTION BY WOI.COTf, SECONDED BY RICE, TO: A. ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE FOLLOWWG MINUTES: i. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION OF MARCH 13, 2000. ii. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF MARGH 14 AND APRIL 4, 2000. iii. PUBLIG WORKS COMMISSION OF MARCH T3, 2000. B. AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF A SINGLE-OCCASION GAMBLING PERMIT TO THE GREY CLOUD ELEMENTARY PTA FOR A RAFFLE TO BE HELD ON APRIL 28, 2000. Regu/ar Meetrng — April 19, 2000 Cottage Grove City Council Page 3 C. ADOPT RESOLUT/ON NO. 00-58 AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF A CLASS'B" PREMISE PERMIT FOR THE VFW RED BARN, LOCATED AT 9260 POINT DOUGIAS ROAD. D. ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 677, AMENDING CHAPTER 17A OF THE CITY CODE RELATING TO PARKS. E. ADOPT RESOLUTtON NO. 00-59, APPROVING P�ANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND SET THE BID DATE FOR REPAINTING THE PINE HI�L SCHOOL 0.5 MILLION GALLON ELEVATED WATER TANK. F. ADOPT RESOLUT/ON NO. 00-60, ACCEPTING DONATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,160 ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRE AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS FOR THE 7 ANNUAL YOUTH SAFETY CAMP. Mayor Denzer encouraged citizens to enro�l their children in the Youth Safety Camp, as if is a worthwhile endeavor. G. AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF A 2%2-TON ASPHALT ROLLER FOR THE STREETS DIVISION. H. ADOPT RE50LUT/ON NO. 00-61, APPROVING THE APPLICATION BY KRISONDRA MIENERT FOR A SIMPLE LOTDIVISION OF A 6.63-ACREPARCEL OF LAND INTO 3.62- ACRE AND 3.01-ACRE PARCELS AT 6130 LAMAR AVENUE SOUTH. Council Member Shiely cailed attention to the fi�al sentence on the planhing report for the simple lot division. She reiterated that Council discussio� is necessary to resolve a discrepancy in the wording before the item is finalized. I. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 00-62, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FILED BY LADY & THE TRAMP ANTIQUES TO CONDUCT INDOOR AUCTIONS NO MORE THAN TWICE PER MONTH, GENERALLY ON A WEEKDAY EVENING BETWEEN 5:00 PM AND 11:00 PM AT 8118 HADLEY AVENUE SOUTH. Council Member Shiely cailed attention to Item 3 of the reso�ution. She inquired whetherthe stipulation regarding signs applied to the smail signs placed by the business on auction days. Senior Planner John McCooi verified that indeed those small signs are iilegal and wili not be aliowed. J. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 00-63, APPROVING FINAL PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $94,868.79 TO NIELSEN'S EQUIPMENT & DESIGN, INC., ON THE RIVER OAKS GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE EXPANSION. K. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 00-64, AUTHORIZWG VACATION OF THE DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENTS IN SECTIONS 20 AND 21, GLENGROVE INDUSTRIAL PARK. L. REMOVED FROM AGENDA AND TABLED UNTIL NEXT MEETING. M. 1. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 00-65 ORDERING PREPARATION OF A FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR THE HINTON-TOWER PROJECT; 2. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 00-66; ORDERING PREPARATION OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE HINTON- TOWER PROJECT. Regular Meeting — April 19, 2000 Cottage Grove City Council Page 4 N. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 00-67, AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS DIREGTOR TO SERVE AS THE CITY'S CONTACT PERSON TO APPLY FOR A MCES INFILTRATION AND INFIOW MATCHING LOAN. O. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 00-68, ESTABLISHING NEW FEES AND CHARGES FOR SERVICES PROVIDED AT THE COTTAGE GROVE ICE ARENA. P. AUTHORIZE TINUCCPS RESTAURANT TO TEMPORARILY DISPENSE INTOXICATING LIQUOR AT THE RIVER OAKS CLUBHOUSE FOR BANQUETS AND SOCIAL EVENTS. Q. ADOPT RESOLUTtON NO. 00-69, APPROVING AN APPLICATION FILED BY FLOYD OTi' AND TIM THONE FOR A SITE PLAN REVIEW OF A PROPOSED GRADING PROJECT THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR EXTENSIVE GRADING OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST AND NORTHEAST CORNERS OF COUNTY ROAD 19 AND STATE HIGHWAY 61. Council Member Kohls described the item and asked that it be pulled from the agenda as this project is substantial and the pubiic will react strongiy if staff does not explain the project more thorough�y. Senior Planner Joh� McCooi gave a more detailed expianation of the background on the project and the goals of the Planning Gommission with the project: He described howthe property iszoned and how eventuaily it wili be rezoned to fit in with the Comprehe�sive Plan. Council Member Kohis directed her questions to Mr. Floyd Ott, who heads the project. She asked about storm water issues and whether concems had been resolved with the Engineering Departme�t. Mr. Ott verified that both parties were in agreement about how storm water concerns will be handled. City Engineer Jerry Bourdon verified that the issues were being addressed. Council Member Kohls commented that, as the grading progresses, staff needs to monitor the project very carefully to prevent erosion problems. She also mentioned the tree preservation ordinance and pointed out that several trees had been removed in conjunction with this project. R. ADOPT RESOtUTtON NO. 00-70, ACCEPTING DONATIONS OF CASH IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,285 TOWARD THE PURCHASE OP A THERMAL IMAGE MASK FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. Council Member Kohls described the item at hand. She took the opportunity to thank businesses and citizens who have contributed toward this goal and commented that donations are stili welcome.. S. AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE AND THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFPS NARCOTICS UNIT. T. WAIVE THE MUNICIPAL TORT LIABILITY LIMITS FOR WSURANCE COVERAGE THROUGH THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES INSURANCE TRUST (LMCIT). U. ADOPT RESQLUTION Nd. 00-71, ACCEPTING A DONATION FROM LSP COTTAGE GROVE LIMiTED PARTNERSHIP FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. Regular Meeting — April 19, 2000 Cotfage Grove City Council Page 5 RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES None. PUBLIC HEARINGS A public hearing was heid on proposed liquor licenses at River Oaks Golf Course for the City of Cottage Grove Economic Deveiopment Authority and D& B River Oaks, Inc. City Administrator Schroeder explained that two public hearings are before Council with this item. MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY SHIELY TO AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE QF AN "ON SALE" LIQUOR LICENSE TO THE COTTAGE GROUE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOTION BY WOLCOTT, SECONDED BY RICE TO TABLE THE ISSUANCE OF AN °ON SALE" LIQUOR �ICENSE TO D& B RIVER OAKS, INC. UNTIL THE MAY 3 COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. BID AWARDS Giengrove Industriai Park Drainage Fiume Utility Improvement Proiect City Administrator Schroeder provided a brief history of the process leading to this bid award. MOTION BY WOLCOI SECONDED BY KOHLS TO ADOPT RESOLUTION ND: 00-72 AWARDING BID TO DLR EXCAVATWG IN THE AMOUNT OF $249,28t.25 FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE GLENGROVE INDUSTRIAL PARK DRAINAGE FLUME UTILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 2000 Pavement Manaqement Proiect jHighlands) Public Works Director Les Burshten provided a brief description of the project. MOTION BY SHIE�Y, SECONDED BY RICE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 00-73 AWARDING BID TO DANNER, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $684,330.50 FOR CONSTRUGTION OF THE 2000 PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROJECT (HIGHLANDS). MOTION CARRIED 5-0: UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS Amendment to existing Gonditional Use Permit to allow for expansion of Heschke Gardens Senior Planner John McCool presented a history of this project. He stated that the purpose of the amendment is to revise the current Conditional Use Permit to allow for construction of additional greenhouses with a total of 32,000 square feet to be compieted in three phases. He added that the petitioner is aiso requesting that he not be required to pave the parking lot: He stated that the Planning Commission had reviewed and approved the amendment, but agreed to require that the parking lot be paved by September 2000. He said that the Planning Commission had recommended the amendment unanimously. Regu/ar Meeting — Apri! 19, 2000 Cottage Grove City Counci! Page 6 Council Member Shieiy expressed her concern about the required parking lot pavement. She said that it was her understanding that when plants are set on blacktop in the summer, heat is reflected on them and they can incur damage. Mr. McCool explained that the property is zoned for commerciaF use and that the City has required all other commercial properties to pave their parking areas. He mentioned that a high volume of heavy vehicle traffic contributes to the reasoning behind the requirement. Dave Heschke of Heschke Gardens addressed Council, expiaining that because his business is primariiy wholesale, there is not a high volume of heavy trucks tra�cking to and from his property. Council Member Shiely stated that Mr. Heschke's business may be defined as semi-agricultural, and that blacktop in this rurai area seems inappropriate. She pointed out that 77` Street, which fronts Mr. Heschke's property, is only seal-coated, and not hard-surfaced. She said that it makes sense to wait until 77�' Street is paved before the City requires Mr. Heschke to pave. Council Member Rice pointed out that the City required a similar business, Whispering Gardens on 70` Street, to have a hard surfaced parking lot. He said that Whispering Gardens has not met this requirement yet. Mc Heschke pointed out that his business is mostly wholesaie, while Whispering Gardens is predominantly retail, and that this contributes to the difference. Mr. McCool stated that Berryland wiil also be required to put in a hard surface parking area, and that this requirement musf be met before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Council MemberKohis stated that in this instance, whete the location is so rural and the business is not commerciallretail, she couldn'tjustifythe costs involvetl in surfacing the parking area. She noted that the street gets more traffic than the parking lot, and the City hasn't requited that it be paved. Council Member Wolcott pointed out that if two similar businesses are required to pave their parking lots, then the City must remain consistent and require the same ofiHeschke's business. Council Member Shiely stated that she would vote against this resolution as she had in the past against similar resolutions. She reiterated that she feels that it makes no sense to pave in such a rural area. Gouncil Member Kohis suggested seal coating the parking lot as opposed to hard surfacing it. Public Works Director Burshten expiained that it has been his experience that in parking areas, seal coating doesn't work very well. Council Member Rice stated that if this issue comes up every time a similar resolution is presented to Councii, then Council should revisit the ordinance that requires hard surfacing of parking areas, and that until then, Council's hands are tied. Council Member Kohis agreed that it has been an issue every time, and stated her position of voting against the resolutio�. MOTION BY WOLCOTT, SECONDED BY RICE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 00-74, AMENDING AN EXISTING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR THE EXPANSION OF A COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE OPERATION W THE RURAL RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT AT NESCHKE GARDENS, 11503 — 77 STREET SOUTH. 3 AYES (WOLCOTf, RICE, DENZER). 2 NAYS (SHIELY, KOHLS). MOTION CARRIED 3-2. Regu/ar Meefing — April 19, 2000 Cottage Grove Crty Council Page 7 Adoption of the Economic Development Authoritv Stratepic Plan Assistant City Administrator Michelle Woife provided Council with a detailed description of the Economic Development Authority Strategic Plan, inciuding the mission, goals, and strategies. She noted that the mission statement hasn't changed since the last EDA Strategic Pian was adopted in 1996, but the goals have changed slightly. She noted that the established goals would guide the work direction of staff for the next five years. She explained that from the goals, strategies are developed, a�d from the strategies, work pians are developed toward achieving the goals. She directed Councii's attention toward a Iist of priorities and directives that lends focus to tlie pian. She said that while the defined objectives are ambitious, they are not unrealistic. She noted that deadlines have been estabiishetl towatd accomplishing the stated goals. Council discussed the order of priorities and the significance of priority placement. MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY SHIELY TO ADOPT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY STRATEGIC PLAN. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS�Y RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Council Member Kohls noted a new sign that has been placed at River Oaks and commented o� how attractive it is. Council Member Wolcott mentioned the sign on 80 Street and stated that it may be the style and size that would be appropriate for entrance to the City. He suggested that the theme of oak leaves could be applied throughout the City. Mayor Denzer invited residents visit the River Oaks Golf Club, noting that it is open to the public for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Council Member Kohis stated that she had received a call from citizen living near Highway 61 and Kimbro Street, complaining about a noise disturbance from the 3M shooting range. She inquired about the times of operation of the range and wondered if the new homes in the Eagle Ridge development would create new issues with the hours of the range. Mayor Denzer referred her inquiry to the Public Safety Department, as it is a noise issue. He stated that the ra�ge noise is not outside the established ordinance in decibeis. City Administrator Schroeder stated that Chief Kinsey had talked with the new safety director at 3M and was familiar with the issue and knew the appropriate person to look into it. He noted that State law states thaT City may have little impact on the issue, as the business is gra�dfathered in. He said that he would research the law. Council Member Shiely inquired about the resuit of Tornado Awareness Day and whether warning systems were in worki�g order. Captain Zurbey verified a positive resuit. PAY BILLS MOTION BY WOLCOTf, SECONDED BY KOHLS, TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 112535 TO 112746 TOTALING $554,790.51. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. Regular Meeting — April 19, 2000 CoBage Grove City Council Page 8 WORKSHOP SESSION A. River Oaks Ciubhouse Rental Policy Bruce Anderson described the rate structure of room rental for Councii's benefit. He stated that only three Saturdays are open for the remainder of the year, as rentals have been' brisk. He asked that Councii ciarify their stance, as many organizations have been inquiring about use of the facility. He asked that Council make a recommendation regarding policyfor City functions such as retirement dinners, employee recognition, etc. Mr. Anderson stafed that he had polled other cities regarding the use of'their facilities and found that situations varied and rate structures were all over the board. He said that he could make the policy as structured as Council would like, and although some choices would be cumbersome to accomplish, he just wanted to be consistent with Council's wishes. Council Member Wolcott stated his concern for the business pian. He stated that if Council made use of the facility free for City functions the business plan wouid "go out the window°. Cou�cil discussed potential expenses for the facility, including dean-up charges and staffing. They differentiated between different types of ineetings with different levels of necessary service. Council Member Shiely stated that she was concerned about Cottage Grove employees receiving preferenfiai treatment over Got#age Grove residents: She stated that taxpayers have an interest in the financial outcome of the River Oaks projects. She also stated her concerns about River Oaks competing with other facilities in Cottage Grove. She said that the cost for use of the facility should be the same for everybody, regardless of their connectio� to the City offices. City Administrator Schroeder clarified thatthe issue was not use of the facility by individual Cottage Grove employees, but use for o�ciai City functions. He stated that he was comfortable charging the same rates for ail potential users. Park and Recreation Director John Fredrickson stated that City empioyees need a place to gather for informational meetings, and that currently, meetings are held in the Pub�ic Works garage because there is no other place to go. Some discussion ensued regarding estabiishing leuels of service and how those Ievels would be applied to Cityfunctions and non-ptofit agencies. The definition of non-profit was discussed. Council Member Shiely stated that the clubhouse shouid be viewed as samething more than a golf course addition. She stated that she hoped a sense of community ownetship would be established, and that citizens should have a sense of entitlement since they live in Cottage Grove. Council Member WolcoYt reiterated his concern about the impact on the business pian. He stated that he would rather go through the first year with a simple procedure. Discussion ensued regarding the fees of other facilities within the City. Mr. Anderson stated that 50 rentals per year meet the goal of the business plan, 40 during prime time, and 10 during non-prime time. He stated that this goal was very nearly met with current bookings. Mayor De�zer stated his support for a 10°/o discount for City functions and non-profit agencies in order to encourage usage and fill up the facility during siower time periods. Regular Meeting — April 19, 2000 Cottage Grove City Council Page 9 Mr. Anderson clarified that Mo�day-Thursday bookings only were being discussed. He emphasized that weekend rates for any function would be the same as ge�eral public rates. He said that he hoped to provide incentive to fill up time periods, as these are so-cailed "slow times". He noted that weekends are neariy completely booked. Mayor Denzer noted that after a year of operation, the financiai position of the facility could be accounted for, and perhaps a discou�t could go higher than 10% at that time. Council Member Kohis wondered if it was worth the run-around for 10%. Council Member Rice suggested trying the rate structure the way it is now and revisiting it in a year. Mayor Denzer noted that the rates must be fair if the facility is booked almost completeiy already. Council reached consensus on leaving rates as they are stated in the current plan, which specifies that the City pay the same as everybody else. Mr. Anderson inquired about the City's stance on the policy regarding liquor. He stated that River Oaks would require an ID regardless of age. He asked Council whether they would like to see a grand opening celebration or not. Council consensus was to bring in contractors, residents, and employees for an open house with a ceremony thanking participants. They estabiished a time some time after May 5` as the facility wouid be complete by then. CLOSED SESSION None. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY WOLCOTT, SECONDED BY KOHLS, TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING AT 9:51 P.M. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. Respectfuliy submitted, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk CMC Lori Amundson TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.