HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-02 PACKET 03.B.COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL
City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Special •
October • 2010 R
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a
Special Meeting on October 6, 2010 at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street
South. Mayor Myron Bailey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Justin Olsen,
Council Member Mark Grossklaus, and Council Member Pat Rice.
The following were absent: Council Member Jen Peterson.
Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk;
Howard Blin, Community Development Director; and John Burbank, Senior Planner.
Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation Members Present: Herb Japs, Judy
Spooner, Leon Peterson, Frankie Ratzlaff, Beverly Gross, and Jan Japs.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Mayor Bailey stated that the purpose of this meeting was to open the line of
communication with the Committee and to share the City Council goals for 2010.
REVIEW COUNCIL GOALS
Mayor Bailey stated that in January 2010, the City Council met to review the vision
statement and prepared the goals for the upcoming year.
Governance
Mayor Bailey stated that in 2007, the City completed a citywide survey and received
feedback from the citizens.
Mayor Bailey stated that it is their goal to continue to participate in community events,
such as the Strawberry Fest, the Fourth of July Fireworks Display, and the Night to
Unite.
Mayor Bailey stated that the City Council now receives monthly updates from each
Department to give the City Council an idea on what is going on in their department.
Cottage Grove City Council 2
October 6, 2010 Special Meeting
Mayor Bailey stated that the City Council surveyed staff to get a better understanding on
issues related to health insurance and medical benefits.
Mayor Bailey stated that the Third Thursday is an event held on a monthly basis to bring
all of the employees together.
Commercial and Industrial Development
Mayor Bailey stated that there are new opportunities on our website with links to local
businesses. He stated that they have attended a Regional and International Shopping
Center Convention and will be attending a Medical Device Conference. The City has
received leads and has had visits to the City by a number of businesses and
developers.
There was discussion pertaining to the vacant Home Depot building, Majestic Ballroom
building, the Cottage Grove Drive -In property, and the infrastructure in the Langdon
area.
Housing Development
Mayor Bailey reviewed the goals and noted that the federally funded Neighborhood
Stabilization program ceased as of July 2010. He stated there is a high demand for
`empty nester' type housing such as those in the Auburn Woods development, high -
density townhomes, apartments, and condominium projects. In addition, City Staff will
continue to monitor the 150 homes in foreclosure and deal with nuisance issues.
Fiscal Stability
Mayor Bailey highlighted the fiscal goals and noted that the taxes on a $200,000 valued
home will pay less in 2011 than they did in 2005, and the tax dollar includes the Public
Safety /City Hall facility. The City Staff has done a great job managing the budget and
we have not had today off employees or raise the tax rates as other cities have.
Transportation and Transit
Mayor Bailey highlighted the transportation and transit goals noting that the City is
working with Washington County on the following:
(a) Completed overlay of 65 Street South;
(b) Reconstruction of 70 Street South from TH 61 to Hinton Avenue South to
include widening the road, adding turn lanes, retaining walls, etc.;
(c) Extend 70 Street South to Old Cottage Grove and close Military Road;
(d) Red Rock Corridor Station proposed at the Langdon site; and
(e) Completed the River Acres and Hadley Avenue /Belden 'Quiet Zone' railroad
crossings.
Cottage Grove City Council 3
October 6, 2010 Special Meeting
Public Facilities
Mayor Bailey highlighted some of the public facilities that the City has been or will be
working on:
(a) Install a boat launch or access to the Mississippi River;
(b) Public Safety /City Hall facility;
(c) Pursue an opportunity to proceed with a public /private partnership with the
YMCA;
(d) Completely refurbished the Pine Tree Valley Park building and the City will be
refurbishing the Hamlet Park building; and
(e) Installed a second sheet of ice at the Ice Arena, additional locker rooms for the
East Ridge High School, installed a mezzanine, and bleacher heat.
Mayor Bailey stated that as we develop the new Public Safety /City Hall complex, he
would like to incorporate some history, whether it is through displays, artwork, etc., or
within the interior or exterior of the building, and would like to incorporate some of the
Committee's thoughts.
Senior Planner Burbank asked the City Council what they envision as far as `historical
property' which is currently 50 years of age and older.
Council Member Grossklaus stated that even though some of the homes in the
Thompson Grove area may hit that 50 -year threshold, he does not personally see them
as historic, noting that there may be items, such as old pictures or a clock from that era.
Council Member Rice stated that the first few houses in the Panoramic City subdivision
that would be important.
Commissioner Spooner suggested developing some driving tour of the City that people
can pick up at City Hall.
Mayor Bailey agreed with Council Member Rice on including the first, second, and third
home style, but we need to be careful on declaring them as a historical place.
Mayor Bailey thanked the Commission for meeting with the City Council.
The Special Meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
Caron M. Stransky
City Clerk