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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-20 MINUTES COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Regular Meeting April 20, 2011 OPEN FORUM Mayor Myron Bailey opened Open Forum at 7:15 p.m., and stated that during Open Forum person may address the City Council on subjects that are not a part of the regular meeting agenda, but must limit remarks to two (2) minutes. The purpose of open forum is to provide the public the opportunity to provide information to or request action by the City Council. It may not be used to make personal attacks, to air personality grievances, to make political endorsements, or for political campaign purposes. Open Forum will adjourn to the regular meeting promptly at 7:30 p.m. The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Dave Thiede, Council member Derrick Lehrke, Council member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Justin Olsen. The following were absent: None. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; John McCool, Senior Planner; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Corrine Heine, City Attorney-Kennedy & Graven; 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. Jim Steinhauer and Lee Ann Ryan, 7744 Janero Court South, Cottage Grove, addressed the City Council regarding a new program called “Kidz Nite Out” for 8-14 year olds within the School District. It is a supervised activity program held on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the school year and monthly during the summer. They will be providing a variety of activities taking place within a facility within the City with games, contests, mini-tournaments, basketball, baseball, floor hockey, mini-hockey, dodge ball, soccer, a dance, dance contest, an inflatable bounce house, face painting, nail painting, and a concession. The program would be staffed at 20:1 ratio of kids to counselors and security personnel would be on duty at all times. The grand opening is May 20 at the Cottage Grove Middle School. Robert Sirr, 7301 Hydram Avenue South, Cottage Grove, encouraged the City Council to take global warming and climate change seriously. He stated he was disappointed when the City Council decided to place the new Public Safety/City Hall facility out on the fringe of the City limits and suggested locating the new Community Center/YMCA in the center of the community. Rick Munoz, 6828 Idsen Avenue South, Cottage Grove, stated that he would like to applaud a majority of the City Council members for doing an upstanding job carrying out their responsibilities. He asked Council Member Lehrke what gives you the right to blow off your civic responsibilities and not participate in a hiring board in lieu of your personal agenda Cottage Grove City Council 2 April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting knowing that the others on the City Council had to amend their schedules to accommodate yours and then you did not show up. Linda Lehrke, 8186 Hemingway Avenue South, Cottage Grove, expressed concern over the fact that she recently submitted an article in the Bulletin Newspaper and the Editor refused to print the website called www.cottagegrovecityhall.com in her article claiming that information on the website was not factual. Dale Andrews, 8430 Keats Avenue South, Cottage Grove, stated that they would be meeting with the Editor of the Bulletin in hopes that they will write a retraction. Mayor Bailey noted that the City of Cottage Grove does not control what is or is not printed in the Bulletin. There being no further comments from anyone in the audience, 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 Regular th Meeting on April 20, 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 Derrick Lehrke, Council member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Justin Olsen. The following were absent: None. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; John McCool, Senior Planner; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Corrine Heine, City Attorney-Kennedy & Graven; 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 PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER Cottage Grove City Council 3 April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting THIEDE, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. 2. PRESENTATIONS A. Reserve Officers Graduation Matt Foucault, Police Officer, introduced the newest graduates of the Cottage Grove Reserve Officer Academy and the City Council presented each Reserve Officer graduate with a Certificate of Achievement. The graduates were Jeff Rossow, Scott Shaver, Jonny Strehlo, and Jake Vorhies. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 30, 2011 Special Meeting There being no amendments to the meeting, Mayor Bailey stated the minutes of the March 30, 2011 Special Meeting stand approved as presented. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR The Council pulled items H and P for discussion. Senior Planner John McCool highlighted the contents of the proposed ordinance (Item H) related to campaign signs. Council Member Lehrke stated that he would be comfortable with a one (1) foot setback from the sidewalk because sidewalks are usually right on an easement or within a foot of an easement. Public Works Director Burshten stated that the reason for the two (2) foot setback from a sidewalk was to provide a buffer between the pedestrians on the sidewalk and the campaign signs. Senior Planner McCool stated that the Planning Department initiated the proposed ordinance because the City ordinance was inconsistent with the State Statutes. He stated that the Planning Commission members were in general consensus of the setback dimension or distance recommended from a curb or sidewalk. Mayor Bailey asked whether the City Council would like to pull this item from the consent calendar for a separate vote. He stated he did not have a problem with the two-foot setback from a sidewalk distance. Council Member Thiede stated he did not have an issue with the two-foot setback requirement from a sidewalk. Cottage Grove City Council 4 April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting Council Member Lehrke suggested amending the ordinance to allow the placement of campaign signs on a fence where the fence is within the two (2) foot setback. Mayor Bailey asked Senior Planner McCool to amend the proposed ordinance to allow the posting of signs on fences located within two (2) feet of a sidewalk. Mayor Bailey then acknowledged the appointment of Danette Parr to the position of Economic Development Director. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEHRKE, TO AMEND ITEM H ALLOWING THE POSTING OF CAMPAIGN SIGNS ON FENCES LOCATED WITHIN TWO (2) FEET OF A SIDEWALK AND TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING: A. ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE FOLLOWING MINUTES: i. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 9, 2011. B. AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY ON-SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSE TO THE ST. PAUL PARK/NEWPORT LIONS CLUB AT KINGSTON PARK ON JUNE 17 AND 18, 2011, AND AT LAMAR PARK ON JUNE 17, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COTTAGE GROVE STRAWBERRY FEST. C. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-042, A RESOLUTION DECLARING APRIL 29, 2011 AS “ARBOR DAY” IN THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE. D. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-043, A RESOLUTION AMENDING SECTION 18 OF THE CITY’S PERSONNEL POLICY RELATING TO TRAVEL AND TRAINING. E. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-044, A RESOLUTION AWARDING QUOTE FOR THE 2011 MICRO SURFACING BITUMINOUS TRAILS TO FAHRNER ASPHALT, INC., FOR $32,780.00. F. AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO DISPOSE OF A 1995 FORD TAURUS (UNIT 13-5011) AND A JACOBSEN MOWER (UNIT 41-8506) ON EBAY. G. AUTHORIZE THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO DISPOSE OF A DESIGNJET 755C, LARGE FORMAT COLOR MAP PRINTER, ON EBAY. Cottage Grove City Council 5 April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting H. PASS ORDINANCE NO. 888, AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA, AMENDING TITLE 9, CHAPTER 8, SECTION 5 OF THE CITY CODE, PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL ZONING DISTRICTS; AND TITLE 11, CHAPTER 1, SECTION 3 OF THE CITY CODE ON RULES OF WORD CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS, AS AMENDED. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-045, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 888 BY TITLE AND SUMMARY. I. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-046, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TH FINAL PLAT NAMED PINECLIFF 4 ADDITION AND TO APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH U.S. HOME CORPORATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. J. APPROVE THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COOPERATIVE LANDSCAPING AGREEMENT FOR STATE PROJECT NUMBER 8205-969E FOR LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS ON T.H. 61 AT TH 80 STREET SOUTH. K. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-047, A RESOLUTION AWARDING QUOTE FOR THE 2011 SANITARY SEWER TELEVISING PROGRAM TO HYDRO- VAC, INC., TOTALING $15,878.53. L. AUTHORIZE STAFF TO SEND THE LETTER TO THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE REGARDING THE PROPOSED RELOCATION. M. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-048, A RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS TH AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE RAVINE PARKWAY AND 85 STREET SOUTH PROJECT AND TO SET A BID DATE FOR MAY 19, 2011 AT 11:00 A.M. N. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-049, A RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE THOMPSON GROVE ESTATES STORM SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT AND TO SET A BID DATE FOR JUNE 2, 2011 AT 10:00 A.M. O. APPROVE THE GRANT APPLICATION FROM CENTERPOINT ENERGY THROUGH THEIR 2011 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) PROTECTIVE BUNKER GEARS TOTALING $1,863.00, A 50/50 CITY MATCH. P. APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL APPOINTMENT OF DANETTE PAR TO THE POSITION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR EFFECTIVE MAY 31, 2011. Cottage Grove City Council 6 April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. 5. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES – None. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None. 7. BID AWARDS A. Consider Awarding the Contract for the 2011 Pavement Management Project MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-050, A RESOLUTION AWARDING BID FOR THE 2011 PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROJECT TO HARDRIVES, INC., FOR $986,588.53. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. 8. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving Actions of the Economic Development Authority regarding the Second Amended and Restated Contract for Private Development – PHS/Cottage Grove, Inc. (Presbyterian Homes/Norris Square Project) MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-051, A RESOLUTION APPROVING CERTAIN ACTIONS BY THE COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGARDING THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CONTRACT FOR PRIVATE REDEVELOPMENT BY AND AMONG THE COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND PHS/COTTAGE GROVE, INC. AND PHS/CG CENTER, LLC. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. B. Consider Accepting the Splash Pad Planning Study Report; Authorize Staff to Prepare Plans/Specifications; Authorize Staff to Hire Architectural Services; and Prepare Plans and Specifications to Remodel the Highlands Park Building. Recreation and Ice Arena Manager Dockter presented information on the splash pad study, noting that the City hired Bonestroo to study the aquatics facility needs of the City. The study included market areas, site selection, site planning, a mechanical system analysis, project conceptual design for the preferred site, a project budget estimate, a presentation of findings, and the final recommendation. Cottage Grove City Council 7 April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting Recreation and Ice Arena Manager Dockter stated the consultant recommends that the City construct a no-fee flow-through splash pad at Highlands Park in Phase I with future phases to master plan at Woodridge, Kingston, and Hamlet Parks. He stated that the next phase of this project would be to authorize staff to begin preparing plans and specifications. Prior to doing so, he requested that City Council provide directive to Staff on the following: i. Approval of the study and its recommendation of: 1. Site: Highlands Park 2. Size: Community 3. System: Flow-thru ii. Approval of a project budget totaling $500,000 iii. Authorize staff to hire consultant services to prepare plans and specifications iv. Authorize staff to hire architectural services to remodel the Highlands Park recreational building estimated at $150,000. Council Member Lehrke and Council Member Thiede expressed an interest in holding a workshop session during the next regular meeting to discuss this matter further. Council Member Olsen stated he would like Bonestroo to attend the workshop session to respond to City Council questions/concerns. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEHRKE, TO TABLE THIS MATTER TO A WORKSHOP SESSION AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. C. Consider Placing on File the Community Center Task Force Final Report; Authorize Staff to Commence Negotiations with the YMCA in Preparing a Letter of Intent; and Consider Establishing a Committee to Make a Recommendation on a Referendum Senior Planner McCool provided background information on the purpose of a community center, recreation facilities needs study, market studies, the key components of a center, the location, estimated construction and maintenance and operation costs, development options, and he highlighted the Community Center Task Force recommendations, which included:  A community center should be developed.  Cottage Grove should partner with the YMCA to construct the center, with the YMCA responsible for operating the facility. Cottage Grove City Council 8 April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting  The community center should include the following elements: aquatics facility, teen and senior center, fitness center, indoor playground, gymnasium, multi-function space, and outdoor splash pad.  The community center should be built at the site of the new Public th Safety/City Hall facility on Keats Avenue South and 85 Street South. McCool stated that based on the Community Center Task Force recommendation, staff recommends that the City Council:  Receive and place on file the Community Center Task Force Final Report.  Authorize City staff to commence negotiations with the YMCA of Greater St. Paul/Metropolitan Minneapolis officials in preparing a letter of intent.  Establish a committee of Community Center Task Force members and others to come back with a recommendation on a referendum. Since it is presumed that a referendum would include money for park improvements, members of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission should also be included. The City Council thanked the members of the Task Force for serving on the Task Force. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, TO RECEIVE AND PLACE ON FILE THE COMMUNITY CENTER TASK FORCE FINAL REPORT. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO COMMENCE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE YMCA IN PREPARING A LETTER OF INTENT. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE OF COMMUNITY CENTER TASK FORCE MEMBERS AND OTHERS TO COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION ON A REFERENDUM AND SINCE IT IS PRESUMED THAT A REFERENDUM WOULD INCLUDE MONEY FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS, THAT MEMBERS OF THE PARKS COMMISSION ALSO BE APPOINTED TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE. For the record, Council Member Olsen stated that he would prefer to see those who have served on the Community Center Task Force to become members of this committee and to appoint members as needed. Cottage Grove City Council 9 April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting UPON VOTE BEING TAKEN, MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. D. Consider Awarding Contract for the 2011 Lighting Upgrade for Public Works and Fire Station No. 2 MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-052, A RESOLUTION AWARDING BID FOR THE 2011 LIGHTING UPGRADE FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FIRE STATION NO. 2 TO PREMIUM ELECTRICAL TOTALING $25,211.75. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. 9. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS – None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Mayor Bailey highlighted the following upcoming events: Arbor Day on Saturday, April 30 and Spring Clean-Up Day on Saturday, May 7. Council Member Peterson highlighted the following events: Souper-Bowl event on Saturday, April 30 at the Park Grove Bowl in St. Paul Park; April is Volunteer Appreciation Month; the next Beyond the Yellow Ribbon meeting is Tuesday, May 17 at the Armory, with a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Saturday, May 21 at the Cottage Grove VFW; and the Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest June 16 through 19. Council Member Lehrke stated he was still interested in the City Council holding a workshop session to discuss the financing options for the new Public Safety/City Hall facility. Council Member Olsen stated that National Public Works week is May 15 through 21. 11. PAY BILLS MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEHRKE, TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 171483 THROUGH 171700 FOR $742,904.17. (CHECK NUMBERS 171483 THROUGH 171522 FOR $165,086.61 ISSUED PRIOR TO COUNCIL APPROVAL). MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. 12. WORKSHOP SESSION-OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – None. 13. WORKSHOP SESSION-CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC Cottage Grove City Council 10 April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting The City Council temporarily adjourned the regular meeting to the administrative conference room for a closed session to discuss a personnel matter. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, TO CLOSE THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Dave Thiede, Council member Derrick Lehrke, Council member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Justin Olsen. Pursuant to the open meeting law, the City Council met in closed session to conduct a performance evaluation on the City Administrator, Ryan Schroeder. A complete tape recording of the closed session is on file in the office of the City Clerk. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADJOURN THE CLOSED MEETING AND RECONVENE THE REGULAR MEETING AT 9:50 P.M. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING AT 9:50 P.M. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. Prepared by, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk