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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-18 MINUTESREGULAR MEETING COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL May 18, 2005 OPEN FORUM — 7:15 p.m. Open forum provides a person an opportunity to inform the Council of a problem or to request information related to City business not scheduled for Council action and on the Agenda. Mayor Shiely encouraged persons to limit their remarks to two (2) minutes per issue. Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Council Member Myron Bailey Council Member Karla Bigham Council Member Mark Grossklaus Council Member Pat Rice Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Ron Hedberg, Finance and Administrative Services Director Howard Blin, Community Development Director Mike Zurbey, Deputy Public Safety Director Les Burshten, Public Works Director Corrine Thomson, City Attorney Not Present: None. Katie Seiben, State Representative, provided the Council with a Legislative update on two items of concern for the City of Cottage Grove. She stated that both items were addressed during the most recent Legislative session. The first item is the House Tax Bill that passed last week. She explained that the new formula that was passed includes dramatic cuts to local governments. She stated that she moved for an amendment to revert back to the oid formula but it did not pass. She stated that the Tax Bill is currently in the Conference Committee now noting that the Senate has a different mind set and things could change. Ms. Seiben stated that the second item is the Transportation Bill. She stated that both she and Representative McNamara supported the Transportation Bill, which included major investments in the transportation structure. She stated that the bill passed in both the Legislative session and in the Senate adding that if the Governor passes the Bill some of the bus routes for Cottage Grove would be eliminated. She stated that she wanted to bring this to the attention of the public because if this were allowed to become law the $60 million shortfall for MTC would not go through. She urged the residents to contact the Capitol and ask that the Governor not veto the bill. She stated that session opens again this Monday adding that she would be happy to come back with another update after the session is done. Regular Meeting — May 18, 2005 Cottage Grove City Council Merle Laumeyer, Cottage Grove, stated that the reason he is here this evening is because of the situation with the Police Chief. He stated that he has been following the story and is very surprised that the City Council is not doing anything about it. He asked about the standards for the Police Chief and asked for an explanation as to what is going on. Mayor Shiely stated that Council couldn't comment on the current situation because it is still under investigation. She stated that the City Council is not able to comment either and asked the City Attorney to clarify. City Attorney Thomson explained that the City Council has been advised not to comment on the matter regarding Police Chief Mickelson. She stated that there would be an investigation and discipline, depending on the findings. She stated that in the meantime, during the investigation, City Council should not make any comments until the investigation is completed and all of the facts have been determined. Mr. Laumeyer acknowledged stating that many of the residents in Cottage Grove are very concerned. He expressed concerns stating that his faith in the Council would be lost if there is no discipline for this incident. Council Member Rice reiterated that the Council is waiting for the results of the investigation before making any comments. CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota held a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Sandy Shiely called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Council Member Myron Bailey Council Member Karla Bigham Council Member Mark Grossklaus Council Member Pat Rice Also Present:Ryan Schroeder, CityAdministrator Ron Hedberg, Finance and Administrative Services Director Howard Blin, Community Development Director Mike Zurbey, Deputy Public Safety Director Les Burshten, Public Works Director Corrine Thomson, City Attorney Not Present: None. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Regula� Meeting — May 18, 2005 Cottage Grove City Council MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY BIGHAM, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. PRESENTATIONS NONE APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 6, 2005 Regular Meeting Mayor Shiely stated that the minutes stand approved as presented. B. April 20, 2005 Regular Meeting Mayor Shiely stated that the minutes stand approved as presented. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Bigham asked to pull Items 4B and 4K. She stated that Item 4B is for the acceptance of donations from several local businesses for the 12 Annual Youth Safety Camp. She read the names of the donors and thanked them for their donation. She stated that Item 4K is a donation from Cheryl Kohls for protection equipment in the Public Safety Department. She thanked Ms. Kohls for her donation. Council Member Bailey asked to pull Item 4C. He stated that he would like to thank Jeanne Kreuser for the donation of 12 to 15 board games for use in the playground programs of the Recreation Department. MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY BIGHAM, TO: A. ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE FOLLOWING MINUTES: i. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF APRIL 12, 2005. ii. PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION OF APRIL 11, 2005. B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 05-074 ACCEPTING DONATIONS FROM DAKOTA- WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAPTER OF THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS ($500); COTTAGE GROVE LIONS ($500); EXCEL ENERGY ($250); WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A. ($100); ADVANCED SPORTSWEAR, INC. ($75). C. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 05-075 ACCEPTING DONATION FROM JEANNE KREUSER FOR COTTAGE GROVE'S RECREATION DEPARTMENT. D. APPROVE AMERICAN ACCOUNTS AND ADVISERS (AAA) TO PROVIDE COLLECTION ACTIVITIES. E. AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF A TOBACCO LICENSE TO LINN RETAIL CENTERS, INC./DBA HOLIDAY STATION STORE #3512, 6921 PINE ARBOR DRIVE. F. ADOPT 2006 BUDGET CALENDAR. G. AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF ONE NEW CRYSTEEL DUMP BOX FROM CRYSTEEL TRUCK EQUIPMENT FOR A TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE OF $7,517.23. Regular Meeting — May 18, 2005 Cottage Grove City Council H. I. J. K. L. M. AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF ONE NEW DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CAB PICKUP TRUCK FROM DODGE OF BURNSVILLE FOR A TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE OF $15, 091.80. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 05-076 APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT NAMED PRAIRIE OAKS ADDITION. ADOPT RESOLUT/ON NO. OS-077APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHING A BID DATE FOR THE 2005 TRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. ADOPT RESOLUT/ON NO. 05-078 ACCEPTING DONATION OF MONEY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. ADOPT RESOLUT/ON NO. 05-079 APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF A WIRELESS FACILITY ON THE CITY'S WATER TOWER AT 6700 INWOOD AVENUE SOUTH. ADOPT RESOLUT/ON NO. 05-080 APPROVING A RURAL SUBDIVISION TO SUBDIVIDE A 34-ACRE PARCEL OF LAND INTO TWO PARCELS ON LAMAR AVENUE SOUTH IN SECTION 13 AND A VARIANCE TO TITLE 11-8A-2(6)D, LOCATION OF NON-FARM STRUCTURES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Hold Public Hearinq and Consider Approvinq a Variance from Title 11-6-3. Solid Community Development Director Blin provided the Council with a brief update stating that the project has been completed. He stated that it would be difficult to expand the area at this point in order to meet the standard, which is the reason for the variance request. Mayor Shiely opened the Public Hearing at 7:36 p.m. Mayor Shiely closed the Public Hearing at 7:37 p.m. Council Member Grossklaus asked if this was an item that Staff missed on the plan. Community Development Director Blin explained that it was kept inside the curb area, which is why it was missed. MOTION BY BAILEY, SECOND BY RICE, TO ADOPT RESOLUT/ON NO. 05-081 GRANTING A VARIANCE FROM TITLE 11-6-3, SOLID WASTE STORAGE, TO ALLOW THE TRASH ENCLOSURE DOOR AT COLDWELL BANKER BURNET. 7350-80 STREET SOUTH, TO HAVE A WIDTH OF 101-INCHES WHEN 108-INCHES IS REQUIRED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. BID AWARDS Regular Meeting — May 18, 2005 Cottage Grove City Council A. Consider Awardinq the Contract for the 95� Street Autobodv Plastic Resources and ICC Utilitv and Trail Improvement Proiect to Danner Inc. in the Amount of $104,214.05. Public Works Director Burshten stated that they received five bids and Danner, Inc. was the lowest. He confirmed that all is in order and Staff is recommending approval. MOTION BY RICE, SECOND BY BAILEY, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 05-082 AWARDING BID FOR THE 95 STREET AUTOBODY, PLASTIC RESOURCES AND ICC UTILITY AND TRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO DANNER, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $104,214.05. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. B. Consider Awardinq the Contract for the 2005A Street Improvement Proiect to Tower Asphalt, Inc., in the Amount $787,807.00. MOTION BY BAILEY, SECOND BY BIGHAM, TO ADOPT RESOLUT/ON NO. 05-083 AWARDING BID FOR THE 2005A STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO TOWER ASPHALT, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $787,807.00. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Consider Participation in the Twin Cities Capital Communitv Fund (TCCCFI based on Discussion with the EDA at the Joint Meetinq held Mav 18, 2005. City Administrator Schroeder explained that this is the gap financing for small businesses. He further explained that this would be for businesses that are looking for capital equipment and financing for construction projects. He stated that as long as they have a lender on the first mortgage this investment pool would then allow for a second mortgage and it would allow small businesses to be eligible for the financing. He stated that a$100,000 investment stake is the amount needed as an investment in order to be able to provide the opportunity for loans to be made with 10-percent at risk for operating investments. He stated that both the EDA and Council discussed this earlier and the recommendation from that discussion is to submit for the $100,000.00 investment contingent upon a policy being drafted and adopted that specifies the policies for the loan consideration. MOTION BY RICE, SECOND BY GROSSKLAUS, TO AUTHORIZE PARTICIPATION IN THE TWIN CITIES CAPITAL COMMUNITY FUND (TCCCF) CONTINGENT UPON A POLICY BEING DRAFTED THAT SPECIFIES THE POLICIES FOR THE LOAN CONSIDERATION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. B. Consider Directinq Staff to Provide for Additional Analvsis of Police/Fire/General Government Facilities Needs bv Allocatinq $20 000.00 from the Buildinq Replacement Fund for that purpose and also to Provide Direction on an Oversiqht Committee. City Administrator Schroeder stated that at the April 20, 2005 workshop the City Council reviewed various materials relating to potential City facilities for a general government Regular Meeting — May 18, 2005 Cottage Grove City Council building that could include City Hall, Police and Fire uses, an ice arena expansion, and a community center. He stated that it was indicated at the workshop that the higher priority project would be a public safety facility building with some general government uses as well. He explained that this allocation request for $20,000 would be used to determine and verify the scope for the larger project. He stated that currently this building is providing space for 79 Staff persons noting that the population in Cottage Grove is expected to double by 2040 and with that our staffing within general government and public safety is projected to rise with the population. He provided the Council with a brief background noting that as Council has identified it should not be expected that the present City Hall facility could provide for that level of staffing. City Administrator Schroeder stated that the Council has a couple options, expand the current building or acquire land elsewhere in the community and move a portion of the operation to the new location. He noted that both of these options are temporary solutions and would only delay, not resolve, what ultimately has to happen, as neither option would provide the necessary operating efficiencies. He stated that a third option to consider would be to combine the Police, Fire and general Government building. He noted that the Public Safety department alone is projected to grow, with the population, by 65 full time positions and 68 on call fire fighters. He reviewed the square footage requirements noting that they do not expect this to be substantially different in composition than what existed in 1988. He stated that as the Community grows the tax base created by the growth is projected to be sufficient enough to cover the debt. He acknowledged that the cost for a building is significant, however it is relevant to weigh the needs against the payroll and costs. He indicated that the savings would exceed the projected annual debt. He stated that Staff is not proposing to proceed with the project at this point, but Staff is requesting the ability to contract with an outside agency to determine the actual needs for a future project. He stated that this request is for the funding to determine and verify the project projections, costs and scope. Council Member Bailey clarified that the $20,000 would be used specifically for a needs analysis not building design. City Administrator Schroeder confirmed stating that Staff would ask the consultant to review the current site to determine if it would fit their space needs and they would also do a space needs assessment and a cost analysis for construction of a new building. Council Member Bigham asked if a timeline has been established yet. City Administrator Schroeder stated that a specific timeline has not been developed yet. He stated that they would begin to work on a timeline when Staff completes their initial in-house work on the project. He explained that they plan to complete the analysis in-house and have the consultant verify the information and numbers. MOTION BY BIGHAM, SECOND BY BAILEY, TO DIRECT STAFF TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS OF POLICE/FIRE/GENERAL GOVERNMENT FACILITIES NEEDS AND TO AUTHORIZE ALLOCATION OF $20,000.00 FROM THE BUILDING REPLACEMENT FUND FOR THAT PURPOSE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Regular Meeting — May 18, 2005 Cottage Grove City Council Council Member Bailey stated that since this is still in the very early stages he did not believe it was necessary to have a lot of people involved in the initial analysis process noting that there would be key opportunities in the future to include various Commission representatives. Council Member Bigham agreed stating that it is too early in the process to start identifying all who should be involved. She suggested that they wait until Staff completes the analysis. She agreed stating that the process should include input from all Commissions, Committees and the Community. Mayor Shiely stated that she would like to see an Oversight Committee comprised of representatives from each Commission versus each Commission meeting separately on the issues. City Administrator Schroeder stated that if the project should proceed Staff is looking at 2007/2008 as the timeframe for the construction process. C. Presentation on Joint Planninq Effort between the Citv of Cottaqe Grove and the Citv of Woodburv. Community Development Director Blin stated that the development in Cottage Grove, both in the West Draw area and the East Ravine, is beginning to approach the common boundary with Woodbury. He stated that to ensure coordination of development on both sides of the boundary, Cottage Grove and Woodbury have begun an ongoing process to discuss planning efforts in each City. He explained that the process began with a meeting in late 2004 between the Mayors and Staffs of the two Cities and following that meeting, the City Staffs have worked on preparing common maps that show land use and utility plans for each City. He provided Council with an overview of the map noting that Cottage Grove is beginning to think about re-guiding the properties for more urban developed areas with sewer and water. He stated that they are currently developing Pinecroft on either side of Hinton and to the north, in Woodbury, they are planning the Ravenwood development and looking to serve that development with sanitary sewer that would come from Cottage Grove. He stated that if they decide to move forward Staff would work out an agreement to provide water service to Woodbury for that subdivision. He stated that Staff would continue, on an ongoing basis, to have discussions with Woodbury on these issues. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS NONE COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS NONE PAY BILLS MOTION BY BAILEY, SECONDED BY RICE, TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 139860 THROUGH 140101 TOTALING $581,256.75. (CHECKS 139860 — Regular Meeting — May 18, 2005 Cottage Grove Ciry Council 139899 IN THE AMOUNT OF $220,284.90 ISSUED PRIOR TO COUNCIL APPROVAL.) MOTION CARRIED 5-0. WORKSHOP SESSION — OPEN NONE WORKSHOP SESSION — CLOSED NONE ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY BIGHAM, SECONDED BY RICE, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:03 P.M. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Bonita Sullivan TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.