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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-11 MINUTESPUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING March 11, 2003 PUBLIC HEARING Local Law Enforcement Community Block Grant A public hearing was held in regards to the application for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) distributed by the Bureau of Criminal Justice. The grant was requested in the amount of $10,880.00. There were no comments from the public regarding the application for the use of the funds from the grant. The Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission, which is an advisory commission to the Council, did have questions regarding the intended use for the funds that would assist in the Neighborhood Watch program in the city of Cottage Grove. That was the extent of the concerns and/or comments from the public and the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission. REGULAR MEETING Pursuant to due notice, a meeting of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission was held at the City Hall Administrative Conference Room. CALL TO ORDER: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT STAFFPRESENT: The March 11, 2003 meeting of the Cottage Grove Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Kyle Lindquist, Karla Bigham, Bill Schmidt, Jennifer Osborne Bruce Gengnagel Captain Craig Woolery, Deputy Fire Chief Dennis Leonard, City Engineer Nancy Hanzlik, Council Person Cheryl Kohls Approval of minutes: Chairperson Karla Bigham presented the February 11, 2003 minutes for review. On a motion by Bill Schmidt, seconded by Kyle Lindquist, the minutes were approved with the amendments to be made. Motion carried. Approval of agenda: Chairperson Karla Bigham presented the March 11, 2003 agenda of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission for review. On a motion by Kyle Lindquist, seconded by Jennifer Osborne, the March 11, 2003 agenda was accepted and approved by the Commission. Motion carried. OPENFORUM Chairperson Bigham invited citizens present to address the Commission regarding any matters that were not on the approved agenda. Page 2 PSHWC Meeting Minutes March 11, 2003 There being no presentations, Chairperson Bigham closed the Open Forum segment of the meeting. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - Response to Subway Comments from the February 11' meeting — Memo from Community Development Director Kim Lindquist Captain Woolery advised the Commission that he sent a letter to Planning regarding the number of parking spaces for that section and access to and from. The Commission felt she addressed the issue very well. There were no further comments from the Commission regarding this issue. - Planning Commission agenda for March 24, 2003 The Commission was provided a copy of the Planning Commission's agenda for the March 24, 2003 meeting. Captain Woolery provided the Commission with information regarding the new Veterinary Clinic advising them the move into the Clinic will happen by the end of this month. He also advised them of the new sign ordinance proposal and policy which is being presented to the Commission tonight and had gone before the Public Works Commission. There being no further discussion regarding the Planning Commission's agenda, this portion of the meeting was closed. OLD BUSINESS None at this time. NEW BUSINESS Case 03-03-01 Stop Sign request on Jorgensen Avenue, 82n Street and 84` Street — Lynn Dagenaar, 9759 84` Street South, 459-9891 Captain Woolery advised the Commission that this request has been addressed for the past year. This is a 3 way intersection and the resident was invited to attend tonighYs meeting if she wished, and explained to her that the request at that time, did not meet the State warrants required to place a stop sign at this location. Ms. Dagenaar was comfortable with this information. Commission member Kyle Lindquist talked with the COP Team leader Sergeant Wilson and has observed this location by driving the location on several occasions. There are no view obstructions and agrees that there is nothing to warrant the placement of stop signs in the area. Page 3 PSHWC Meeting Minutes March 11, 2003 After general discussion, on a motion by Commission member Kyle Lindquist, seconded by Commission member Bill Schmidt, to deny the request for the placement of a Stop Sign on Jorgensen Avenue, 82nd Street and 84�h Street. Motion carried. Case 03-03-02 Signage in the vicinity of Cottage Grove Elementary School — Tracy Klika, 8755 76` Street Court South, 459-4870 The Commission was provided a letter with pictures from Ms. Klika of the area. She was contacted and invited to attend tonighYs meeting. Captain Woolery reminded the Commission that this was addressed about 2 months ago when the Washington County Engineers attended the meeting. He went on to state that he contacted Mr. Wayne Sandberg, Transportation Engineer of Washington County and was copied the letter from Ms. Klika. He asked Mr. Sandberg to respond with a letter that is included in the Commission's packet. The County has made improvements to the area in question as far a reflecting and visibility of signs. Ms. Klika stated to Captain Woolery that she understand and was satisfied with the improvements included the Engir�eer's letter. Nancy Hanzlik, Cottage Grove City Engineer, advised the Commission that she is recommending to the City Council to authorize Washington County to perform a speed study on that stretch of 65' Street. On a motion by Jennifer Osborne, seconded by Bill Schmidt, the Commission recommended to accept the letter from the Washington County Engineer's office. Motion carried. Case 03-03-03 City Sign Policy Review Commission chair Bigham commented on how thorough the policy was and it answered a lot of questions. Captain Woolery requested that City Engineer Nancy Hanzlik to comment on the policy and explain its contents to the Commission. Ms. Hanzlik advised the Commission that research was done on many cities' sign policies and interviewed several other entities to come up with the policy provided. She went on to state that it does allow a citizen to present a request to anybody and all that is needed is that person needs to fill out the "Request Form", turn it into the Engineering Department and the Engineering Department is then responsible for processing it. Then it gets processed into one of six categories that is set up in the policy and then return a letter or call the requestor with their comments as to whether the sign will be installed or not installed within the city. If the sign is not installed in the city, the requestor then has a right to appear before the Public Works Commission and appeal their case. At that point the Engineer or their Page 4 PSHWC Meeting Minutes March 11. 2003 representative and the party will go before the commission and present their case. If the Commission agrees with the Engineer that the sign should not be installed at that point, the citizen is allowed in order to go forward to present their case to the City Council during the Open Forum portion of the meeting. At that point, the requestor would have to start paying for Engineering services or any other city services because they already have presented their case to the Engineer as well as to a Commission and could incur expenses if the Council warrants. If the Public Works Commission does not agree with the Engineer at the staff level, the dispute will be presented before the City Council who will have final say. At that point, I don't believe the requestor is going to be billed for any services whether the sign is installed or not. The City Council does have the final say on the sign installation policy. She went on to say that she presented it to the Public Works Commission last evening, they had the following comments they wanted to add in the Procedure for Sign Installation section, that before removing any signs, they wanted an article published in the Bulletin. In particular this refers to the Not Permitted Signs sections, ie Slow Children, there are approximately 55 signs now currently installed in the city which will be removed once the Sign Policy goes into effect. They were concerned about the fact that public reaction would be pretty strong and they would prefer to have some type of notice published in the Bulletin prior to removing any signs. They were also concerned on how the city was going to contact the original requestor. If it is after 12 years, the city will go back to the original address of the person who made the original request. If they are still living there, the city will talk to them, if not, the city will cease attempts. Commission Chair Bigham asked why the city is removing signs. Ms. Hanzlik advised her that after 12 years, the reflective life of a sign usually deteriorates based upon the different grades of sign materials used. It varies between 6 and 15 years. The City picked 12 years as a periodic inspection and replacement date. Also 12 years also gives enough time for any type of situation to change. Commission member Jennifer Osborne asked if they did any studies as to how effective these signs are? Do people really slow down when they see a Deaf Child sign? Ms. Hanzlik stated that no and that is why they should be removed and there has been numerous studies. Ms. Hanzlik went on to say that the Public Works Commission also suggested that someone should write a view point letter to the Bulletin once this sign policy is approved by Council to try to explain to citizens why it is occurring, the effect of sign pollution and how signs lose their effectiveness. It would be more beneficial to have someone other than City staff send the letter who could come Page 5 PSHWC Meeting Minutes March 11. 2003 at it from a different angle. On a motion by Commission member Jennifer Osborne, seconded by Commission member Kyle Lindquist, the Commission recommended the City of Cottage Grove Sign Policy be approved by the City Council. Motion carried. Case 03-03-04 Multiple Animal Licenses Review City Clerk Caron Stransky provided the Commission with one application for a multiple animal license. Also letters from neighbors were included for the Commission's review. Commission member Osborne commented that the applicant has had multiple complaints against the animals regarding their barking. Commission member Bill Schmidt inquired if the application was not approved what would happen. Captain Woolery stated that they could be cited for not having a license, they don't fall under the category for single animal license nor would they fall under the specs for a kennel operation based on where they live. It would eventually be left to the discretion of the owner of how they want to have their dogs. They will need to make choices on what animal they would need to remove. Gary Kjellberg approached the Commission and introduced himself as a citizen who served on the City's Nuisance Ordinance Committee. He advised the Commission that this ordinance went into effect after the fact that these people had their animals and they were in conformance prior to the new ordinance being approved. By denying the application, they will need to get rid of some of their animals. He would like to give the applicant some time to improve and turn things around and if they don't comply, then bring it back for consideration. Captain Woolery advised the Commission that in two years there have been two complaints — one was at large, no license and the other was for dog barking. After discussion, on a motion by Jennifer Osborne, seconded by Kyle Lindquist, recommended to deny the Brady application for a multiple animal license with Bill Schmidt opposing the denial. Motion carried. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS 1) Response memo from COP Team — traffic concerns exiting the ice arena at 8p` Street Page 6 PSHWC Meeting Minutes March 11. 2003 Captain Woolery advised that the COP team recommended that the trees and shrubs be trimmed to allow for better visibility when exiting the lot onto gp` Street. 2) Response memo from COP Team — passing on right shoulder area of 90' and County Road 19 (Keats Avenue) Captain Woolery advised that a recommendation to re-stripe the roadway to allow a passing lane like other intersections along County 19. 3) Visual interference — southbound Hwy 61 exit ramp to Innovation Blvd. Captain Woolery advised that MN DOT will cut down the tree. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS 1) Commission Chair Karla Bigham informed the Commission that interviews will be held next week with 5 applicants for the two vacancies on the Public Safety Commission. Those on the interview panel will consist of herself, Vice Chairperson Bruce Gegnagel and Council Person Cheryl Kohis. She went on to advise the Commission that if there is any contact information that needs to be updated, to give information to Captain Woolery. STAFF REPORTS POLICE - Captain Woolery informed the Commission the call load has kept us busy. School Resource Officer Mary McGuire at the Senior High, has cleared a case where the fire hydrants were opened. Charges are pending. He also advised that there will be two officers who will be retiring in the next couple of months. We are waiting on word regarding the budget for hiring ability. FIRE - Deputy Fire Chief Leonard advised the Part Time Fire Fighter class is fnishing up and five individuals will be coming onboard from that class. A second class from three weeks ago has provided three individuals who will be staffed when that class is over, probably by the end of May, which will give a compliment of 55 fire fighters. A full time EMS/Coordinator Fire Fighter/Paramedic has completed the hiring process and he should be on board within a couple of weeks. The Fire Division is awaiting Council approval on specs for a new 75 foot ladder truck which should be the next Council meeting and have the new ladder by June or July. Page 7 PSHWC Meeting Minutes March 11. 2003 We put in place the automatic mutual aid call out system in Dispatch for non- hydrogen areas within the city, �vith St. Paul Park and Hastings, which will help improve our ISO rating. He went on advised the Commission that he and Fire Fighter/EMT Donna Honeyman attended a one week class at the Emergency Management Institute on designing Emergency Preparedness Exercises. We plan on using the knowledge and materials in planning the spring exercise and next fall. He also applied for a training grant and a planning grant. He received the planning grant this date. He wanted to thank Donna Honeyman for attending the course. COUNCIL- Council Person Kohls advised the Commission that the Mississippi Dunes Estates development at 100` and Hadley was Council approved. Councilperson Kohls also advised the Commission that all City Commissions' agendas and minutes will now be on the City web page. This will go into effect as soon as money is available to purchase the program. Councilperson Kohls informed the Commission that the City Council requested the Public Safety Commission to review the snowmobile ordinance. Mr. Gene Smallidge has requested to the City Council that all snowmobiling in the city be banned. Captain Woolery stated he would be putting this item on the Commission's April 8'h agenda to revisit the entire ordinance and what parameters the Commission wants to see for snowmobiling in the city, whether it being a citizen task force and have a public hearing to get input from both sides of the issue. Councilperson Kohls requested that the snowmobile map and ordinance be provided to the Commission. Councilperson Kohls also advised the Commission of the intent to start the Hinton/Tower bidding project in a couple months to start construction. ADJOURN Motion by Bill Schmidt, seconded by Jennifer Osborne to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Cyndee Engfer—Administrative Secretary