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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-16 MINUTES COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Regular Meeting February 16, 2011 OPEN FORUM Mayor Myron Bailey opened Open Forum at 7:15 p.m., and stated Open Forum provides a person the opportunity to inform the Council of a problem or to request information related to City business not scheduled for Council action and not on the agenda. Mayor Bailey warned those who speak to limit their remarks to two (2) minutes or less. The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Dave Thiede, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Derrick Lehrke. The following were absent: None. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Howard Blin, Community Development Director; Melissa Manderschied, City Attorney-Kennedy & Graven; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director, and Les Burshten, Public Works Director. Mayor Bailey asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the City Council on any topic not on the agenda. There being none, Mayor Bailey closed Open Forum to the Regular Meeting. CALL TO ORDER – Regular Meeting The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a th Regular Meeting on February 16, 2011, at the Cottage Grove City Hall located at 7516 80 Street South, Cottage Grove. Mayor Myron Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Bailey led the audience, staff, and City Council Members in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. ROLL CALL The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Dave Thiede, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Derrick Lehrke. The following were absent: None. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Howard Blin, Community Development Director; Melissa Cottage Grove City Council 2 February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting Manderschied, City Attorney-Kennedy & Graven; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director, and Les Burshten, Public Works Director. Mayor Bailey presided over the meeting. 1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. 2. PRESENTATION A. Public Safety/City Hall Project. John McNamara of Wold Architect and Engineering provided an update on the Public Safety/City Hall facility and presented the following: i. Site Master Plan includes the future phases for a community center, library, and a fire station. ii. Site plan for the Public Safety/City Hall facility and incorporates the main campus entry. The plan includes: 1. A drop-off/turnaround driveway at the entrance to the building; 2. Approximately 133 parking stalls on the upper lot and approximately 30 parking spaces for staff on the south side of the site; 3. Handicap parking located directly adjacent to the main entry off the parking area; and an 4. Informal central lawn area with a flag and a memorial feature. iii. Main Level and lower level floor plans that include the meeting room suite, main entry/lobby, and the City Hall and Public Safety offices. iv. Schematic views from the various sides of the building. Council Member Olsen complimented Wold Architect and Engineering for the time energy and effort they have put into this project and for incorporating a veteran’s memorial in the central lawn area. Mayor Bailey stated that the City Council has decided to remove the gun firing range from the Public Safety/City Hall facility. Mayor Bailey stated that there is a community open house on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at City Hall, at 6:00 p.m., with a presentation by Wold Architect and Engineering at 7:00 p.m. Cottage Grove City Council 3 February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting Mayor Bailey stated that he would allot 15-minutes for Dale Andrews to give her presentation and once she is completed, he would give others an opportunity to speak, limiting their time to a maximum of two (2) minutes per person. Dale Andrews, 8430 Keats Avenue South, Cottage Grove, reviewed a power point presentation she prepared addressing the space needs assessment, location/site, project estimates, and proposed financing. City Administrator Schroeder responded to Ms. Andrews’s questions on the 2005 space needs assessment , the Public Safety Department’s needs, Cottage Grove’s foreclosure rate, vacant retail space in the City, the no-cost option for land swap, the mention that the YMCA and a library have dropped out of the process, redeveloping the Armory would requires a congressional action; mention that the Library location would be vacated and the implication that that decision had already been made, which was not true. City Administrator Schroeder then responded to Ms. Andrew’s statement on the cost of the project, he provided a breakdown of the costs for the building, and for the Ravine Parkway. Public Safety Director Woolery commented that relocating the police from the existing City Hall to the Ravine site would not affect police response time. Mayor Bailey asked if anyone else wished to speak on this item was welcome to do so, but requested that they please go up to the podium and state their name and address for the record. Dale Andrews, 8430 Keats Avenue South, Cottage Grove, commented that everything in her presentation was found in documents she obtained from City Hall or from the City’s website. Jonathan Jordan, 9651 Hamlet Avenue South, Cottage Grove, requested that the City listen to what the citizens have been saying since September 2010. Jim Pierce, 8065 Jeffery Avenue South, Cottage Grove, asked whether there would be a referendum and if so, when would it be, and if not, why. Mayor Bailey stated he could not respond to that question until we know what the final estimates are and that is when the City Council would have that conversation. David Lutchen, 8078 Ideal Avenue South, Cottage Grove, stated that you do not have to be a police officer to see that there is a need. He also stated that information on the project has been unorganized and questioned why the bridge was a separate project and not a part of the building project. Cottage Grove City Council 4 February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting Brian Treber, 7250 Hidden Valley Terrace South, Cottage Grove, stated he has been a real estate development construction for over 30. He stated he is here not only to express support for the construction of the Public Safety/City Hall facility but insists that the City Council do the right thing for our community and move forward on this project. Leon Moe, 8660 Grospoint Avenue South, Cottage Grove, stated that he supported having a referendum on the project. Leland Mann, 8888 Greene Avenue South, Cottage Grove, stated that he would like to see full public disclosure on the project and the right to vote on the issue. th Ken Brittain, 9630 78 Street South, Cottage Grove, thanked the City Council for their efforts and diligence in bringing this project to fruition and commented that the existing facility is woefully inadequate for the current needs of our police officers and our City staff. He stated that the Cottage Grove Ravine Parkway was a part of the community development plans for the Ravine development area, and not a part of the Public Safety/City Hall project. Todd Chambliss, 6184 Summit Curve South, Cottage Grove, stated that this is emotional for all of us. He stated he is on the City’s Public Safety, Health, and Welfare Commission and works in the City so he is actually embarrassed that people are laughing at each other. He stated he is in favor of the project. Kip Sundgaard, 8348 Keats Avenue South, Cottage Grove, stated that he was opposed to the project being built across the street from his home and would like the City to hold a referendum. He expressed concern about the Ravine Lake, which is overflowing and the City’s communication methods. th Pat Mosites, 9742 85 Street South, Cottage Grove, stated that he was a construction engineer and it was true that construction prices right now are rock bottom. He stated that now is the time to proceed with this project. th Kathy Lewandoski, 9043 75 Street South, Cottage Grove, stated that everybody in the City gets a Cottage Grove Reports mailed to them and commented that the residents do not get information until after the fact. She stated that the citizens submitted a petition asking the City Council for a referendum. She asked if the City to explain why it is not going to cost them anything. Finance Director Roland explained that the total amount of the levy is what determines your taxes, and that there are two (2) components in the levy amount. One is the general operating money that helps run the City and the Cottage Grove City Council 5 February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting other pays for debt. She stated that the City paid off two (2) large bond issues and removed roughly $600,000 of the $1.2 million of the debt service payment in anticipation that we would issue new debt/bonds for this project. Lewandoski stated that she was not opposed to the proposed facility, she was opposed to the process, and how it was handled. Finance Director Roland advised Council Member Lehrke that the funds in the Building Replacement Fund are for municipal building expenses. Council Member Lehrke stated he was concerned about removing $4.3 million from the Fund when we know there are things that we may need to fund in the future. Council Member Lehrke commented on the statement made that the project would not raise taxes, the land swap, and separating the Ravine Parkway project from the Public Safety/City Hall building project. He stated that he previously submitted a petition signed by 1,400 people requesting a referendum and that he would like to move forward, put it to a referendum, and let the citizens’ vote on it. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEHRKE TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE SAME MOTION CONSIDERED BY CITY COUNCIL AT THE SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 MEETING. THERE WAS NO SECOND. MOTION FAILED. Council Member Lehrke asked his fellow Council Members what their plan was, were they going to move forward with the CIP bond or the lease revenue option. He stated he would support the CIP bonds. Council Member Olsen stated that with respect to financing, it was his opinion that we do not want to jump into any plan too soon, whether it was through CIP bonds or anything else. He stated that we should wait until we have better data on the overall cost of the project and the various financing options available. He stated he believes there may be more than two (2) options. Council Member Peterson stated that she would like to receive all the different financing options available and then make a decision. She stated she totally supports moving forward on this facility because it is definitely a necessity. Mayor Bailey shared the amount of information published on this project over the last 10 years. He stated that the East Ravine would be developed and there would be construction occurring on the east side of Keats Avenue. Cottage Grove City Council 6 February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting Council Member Thiede stated that he was a very cost-conscience, unemotional decision-maker, and looks at all the facts before he make his decisions. He pointed out that we have very professional employees who help the City Council run the City. If they say that this project will not directly increase existing City taxes, at some point we have to believe them, even though we do not like what we hear. Council Member Lehrke stated that there is a need and most people have said that. Because there is a need, does not mean this is the only option. There are many other options, such as short-term options and long-term options. He stated that he does not want the citizens to walk away from the fact that something needs to be done. He stated that absolutely believes that there should be a referendum. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. November 8, 2010 Special Meeting. There being no amendments to the minutes, Mayor Bailey stated the minutes of the November 8, 2010 Special meeting stand approved as presented. B. November 17, 2010 Regular Meeting. There being no amendments to the minutes, Mayor Bailey stated the minutes of the November 17, 2010 Regular meeting stand approved as presented. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR The City Council pulled and briefly discussed items D, E, J., and I Council Member Thiede stated he is the Council liaison to the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission and requested that Paul Poncin and Keith Kleinsasser be removed from item J. Council Member Lehrke requested that item J be removed from the consent calendar and acted on separately. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO: A. ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE FOLLOWING MINUTES: i. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 12, 2011. B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-018, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE STATE OF MINNESOTA JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY Cottage Grove City Council 7 February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting OF COTTAGE GROVE ON BEHALF OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY. C. APPROVE THE LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE AND THE COTTAGE GROVE POLICE OFFICERS FEDERATION, INC., FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2011. D. APPROVE THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE AND THE CITY OF ST. PAUL PARK; CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE AND THE CITY OF NEWPORT; CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE AND THE CITY OF AFTON; AND THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE AND DENMARK TOWNSHIP FOR STREET SEALCOATING FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 2011 THROUGH APRIL 1, 2013. E. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-019, A RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND SETTING A BID DATE OF MARCH 24, 2011 AT 11:00 A.M. FOR THE 2011 SEAL COAT PROJECT. F. APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF FOUR (4) NEW REPLACEMENT POLICE SQUAD CARS FROM ELK RIVER FORD DODGE JEEP TOTALING $90,042.56. G. APPROVE THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GRANT AGREEMENT FOR THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE UNDERGROUND FUEL TANK AT FIRE STATION NO. 2, FOR $10,000. H. AUTHORIZE THE RIVER OAKS GOLF COURSE TO DISPOSE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY ON EBAY. I. AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF A SINGLE-OCCASION GAMBLING PERMIT TO WAG FARMS DOG PARK ASSOCIATION FOR A RAFFLE AT THE VFW RED BARN ON MARCH 26, 2011. J. PULLED FOR SEPARATE ACTION. K. APPROVE THE LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE AND INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL NO. 49 FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2011 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2011. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. Council Member Lehrke stated he would like to give other applicants an opportunity to interview for the vacancies on the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources. Cottage Grove City Council 8 February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, TO APPROVE THE REAPPOINTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING COMMISSIONERS TO THE VARIOUS ADVISORY COMMISSIONS:  TANWEER JANJUA, FRANCISCO GONZALEZ, AND RICHARD JOHNSON TO THE HUMAN SERVICES/RIGHTS COMMISSION FOR TWO (2) YEAR TERMS COMMENCING MARCH 1, 2011 AND EXPIRING FEBRUARY 28, 2013;  DOUGLAS BUTLER AND WILLIAM SCHUMAN TO THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION FOR TWO (2) YEAR TERMS COMMENCING MARCH 1, 2011 AND EXPIRING FEBRUARY 28, 2013;  BRIAN HAGEN, LORI BELLOWS, AND JIM NEUENFELDT TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMISSION FOR TWO (2) YEAR TERMS COMMENCING MARCH 1, 2011 AND EXPIRING FEBRUARY 28, 2013;  PAT MCLOUGHLIN TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION FOR TWO (2) YEAR TERMS COMMENCING MARCH 1, 2011 AND EXPIRING FEBRUARY 28, 2013; AND  MICHAEL LINSE, RYAN RAMBACHER, AND JIM ROSTAD TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THREE (3) YEAR TERMS COMMENCING MARCH 1, 2011 AND EXPIRING FEBRUARY 28, 2014. Council Member Lehrke stated he was opposed to the reappointment of Brian Hagen to the Public Safety, Health, and Welfare Commission since he has already served three (3) consecutive, two (2) year terms. MOTION CARRIED. 4-1. COUNCIL MEMBER LEHRKE VOTED NAY. 5. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES – None. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None. 7. BID AWARDS A. Consider Awarding the Bid for the Innsdale Ground Storage Tank Rehabilitation Project. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-020, TO AWARD BID FOR THE INNSDALE GROUND STORAGE TANK Cottage Grove City Council 9 February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting REHABILITATION TO TMI COATINGS, INC., FOR $454,400.00. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. 8. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Consider Approving a Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Allow for Limited Use Dog Training Facilities as a Conditional Use within Certain Residential Zoning Districts; Consider Approving a Conditional Use Permit to Allow for a Dog th Training Facility at 7624 110 Street South; and Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the Publication of the Ordinance Amendment by Title and Summary. Community Development Director Blin stated that Stephen and Amy Allwine submitted an application for a zoning amendment to allow, as a conditional use, limited use dog training facilities within residentially zoned districts on properties that are greater than 10-acres in size. He stated that in conjunction with the zoning request, the applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to th allow for a dog training facility at 7624 110 Street South, Cottage Grove. The Planning Commission unanimously recommends approval of the application, subject to compliance with the performance conditions outlined in the proposed resolution. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 887, AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA, AMENDING TITLE 11, CHAPTER 9 OF THE COTTAGE G ROVE CITY CODE, TO ALLOW DOG TRAINING FACILITIES AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEHRKE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-021, A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION OF STEPHEN AND AMY ALLWINE TO ALLOW A LIMITED USE DOG TH TRAINING FACILITY AT 7624 110 STREET SOUTH, COTTAGE GROVE. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-022, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 887 BY TITLE AND SUMMARY. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. 9. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS - None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Cottage Grove City Council 10 February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting Council Member Peterson announced that the Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest is sponsoring a pancake fundraiser at Applebee’s on February 26 and information on the Ambassador Program is on their website. The next Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network meeting is February 22 and the Stone Souper Bowling event is on April 30. Council Member Olson announced that the River Oaks Golf Course is offering their annual fish fry every Friday commencing February 4 thru April 1, 2011. Mayor Bailey stated the Cottage Grove Royalty disbanded and are holding a Mardi Gras Masquerade Party on March 12, 2011 at the River Oaks Golf Course to raise money for scholarships. He also announced that he would be participating in the Tour de Grove event, March is Food Shelf Month, and the Annual Relay for Life is June 3. 11. PAY BILLS MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 170695 TO 170865 TOTALING $620,826.85. CHECK NUMBERS 170724 THROUGH 170865 TOTALING $284,034.12 ISSUED PRIOR TO COUNCIL APPROVAL. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. 12. WORKSHOP SESSION – OPEN TO PUBLIC A. Subdivision Ordinance Improvements Community Development Director Blin stated that public improvements in Cottage Grove have traditionally been completed under the Minnesota Statutes Chapter 429 process. Community Development Director Blin stated that staff has received requests from developers to allow them to construct private improvements. Mr. Blin outlined the advantages and disadvantages of following the Chapter 429 process versus private improvements. He recommended that the City Council allow the City or its consulting engineers to prepare all plans for street and utility improvements, which would avoid the sometimes costly and time- consuming practice of developers submitting plans to the City for review for multiple revisions. Developers would be allowed to privately contract and pay for the improvements, and during the construction phase, the City inspectors would regularly be on site to ensure all improvements conform to the approved plans. Community Development Director Blin stated that this was presented to City Council for informational purposes only. Cottage Grove City Council 11 February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting 13. WORKSHOP SESSION – CLOSED TO PUBLIC – None. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING AT 10:08 P.M. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. Prepared by, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk