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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-11 MINUTESPUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING February 11, 2003 Pursuant to due notice, a meeting of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission was held at the City Hall Council Chambers and was telecast on local Government Cable Channel 12. CALL TO ORDER: The February 11, 2003 meeting of the Cottage Grove Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Kyle Lindquist, Karla Bigham, Bill Schmidt, Jennifer Osborne, Bruce Gengnagel STAFF PRESENT: Captain Craig Woolery, Council Person Cheryl Kohls Aqproval of minutes: Vice Chairperson Bruce Gengnagel presenteu the January 14, 2003 minutes for review. He commented that he was absent from the January meeting yet the January minutes reflect he made comments in the Planning Commission portion. He would like these minutes corrected and amend the minutes to reflect that he was not there and that his comments be removed from this section as it is a duplicate of the December minutes. On a motion by Bill Schmidt, seconded by Jennifer Osborne, the minutes were approved with the amendments to be made. Motion carried. Approval of agenda: Vice Chairperson Bruce Gengnagel presented the February 11, 2003 agenda of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission for review. On a motion by Karla Bigham, seconded by Bill Schmidt, the February 11, 2003 agenda was accepted and approved by the Commission. Motion carried. OPENFORUM Vice Chairperson Gengnagel invited citizens present to address the Commission regarding any matters that were not on the approved agenda. There being no presentations, Vice Chairperson Gengnagel closed the Open Forum segment of the meeting. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The Commission was provided a copy of the Planning Commission's agenda for the February 24, 2003 meeting. Commission member Bill Schmidt commented on the plans for the new Subway and inquired about the 1,200 foot rental space and what would be going in there. Captain Woolery would contact the Planning Department for a response. Page 2 PSHWC Meeting Minutes February 11, 2003 Commission member Jennifer Osborne was concerned about the access to the location from Pt. Douglas and had concerns about the parking area. Some discussion regarding the feeder streets into the area where Block Buster Video, Burger King and KFC are located and felt there already is some confusion with parking throughout this area. Captain Woolery stated he would forward their concerns to the Planning Commission for a response. OLD BUSINESS None at this time. NEW BUSINESS Case 03-01-01 Multiple Animal Licenses Review City Clerk Caron Stransky provided the Commission with three applications for multiple licenses. After general discussion, the Commission voted on the following: On a motion by Bill Schmidt, seconded by Kyle Lindquist, the Kindem application was approved as submitted with one opposed. Motion carried. On a motion by Bill Schmidt, seconded by Karla Bigham, the Lowery application was approved as submitted with one opposed. Motion carried. On a motion by Bill Schmidt, seconded by Karla Bigham, the Nugent applicant was approved as submitted. Motion carried. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS 1) Applicants for Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission Vice Chairperson Bruce Gengnagel stated that he agreed to fulfill another 2 year term on the Commission. Captain Woolery advised the Commission that nominations for the Chair and Vice Chair need to be done at this meeting so that he can advise the City Council of the new officials. After several nominations, the new Chairperson will be Karla Bigham, and Vice Chairperson will be Bruce Gengnagel. Captain Woolery then informed the Commission that notice will need be sent to those applicants who have shown an interest in serving on the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission and that a meeting needs to be set up for an interview with them and that their recommendation will need to go before Council at their March meeting. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS 1) Commission member Karla Bigham wanted to congratulate the appointments of Deputy Fire Chief Redenius and Fire Captain Bigham and also the say thank you to Fire Marshal Ron Wasilk, who retired the end of January. Page 3 PSHWC Meeting Minutes February 11, 2003 2) Commission member Karla Bigham expressed concern over the possible closing of the express bus service from Cottage Grove to the Twin Cities and feels this will cause more traffic congestion with the revamping of Hwy 61 and is concerned for the public safety of motorists. Councilperson Kohl's stated that the City Council strongly recommended to the Met Council to keep the bus service for that same reason and any recommendations to the City Council supporting this service would be welcomed. On a motion by Karla Bigham, seconded by Bill Schmidt, the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission recommends keeping the express bus service as a matter of public safety. Motion carried. STAFF REPORTS POLICE - Captain Woolery informed the Commission that two backgrounds for CSO are currently underway. FIRE - Captain Woolery advised the Commission that Dennis Leonard is in the planning stages for this year's Disaster Drill that will be held at 3M Chemolite. He also advised that newly appointed Fire Marshal P.J. McMahon also serves as a Paramedic/Fire Fighter. Councilperson Kohls asked Captain Woolery if he would explain what it means when the President puts the country on "High Alert". Captain Woolery said that law enforcement agencies receive a teletype which is not specific in details that the country is on "High Alert" and that police and fire are to keep a heightened awareness of possible attack. Agencies don't change the way of doing day to day business, just are more aware to possible attack on "soft" targets, ie. schools, hospitals. No extra assignments are given, unless specific intelligence information is given. COUNCIL- Council Person Kohls advised the Commission that residents who had safety concerns contacted her. One area of concern - vehicles passing on the shoulder going northbound on County 19 (Keats Avenue) from Hwy 61while vehicles make left turns onto 90' Street. Another was vehicles leaving the parking lot of the Ice Arena entering onto 80 Street. Shrubs and trees were overgrown and limited/blocked the view of vehicles leaving the parking lot. There was some discussion of possibly cutting down or cutting back the trees and shrubs. Commission member Osborne requested not to cut down the trees, but possibly only trim them back. Captain Woolery stated he would look into these concerns and report back at the March meeting. Page 4 PSHWC Meeting Minutes February 11, 2003 Councilperson Kohls also advised the Commission of the City Council Goals and requested that a copy be provided to them at their next meeting for review and to schedule a future meeting with her or the City Council to discuss them. Councilperson Kohls wished to apologize to the Commission for not being at the City Council meeting on February 19` She was unable to attend due to a family emergency. ADJOURN Motion by Vice Chairperson Bruce Gengnagel, seconded by Commission member Bill Schmidt to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Cyndee Engfer—Administrative Secretary