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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-07 MINUTESOPEN FORUM COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Regular Meeting March 7, 2012 Mayor Myron Bailey opened Open Forum at 7:15 p.m. and stated that during Open Forum a person may address the City Council on subjects not a part of the regular meeting agenda, but must limit their remarks to two (2) minutes per person. The purpose of Open Forum is to provide the public an opportunity to provide information or to 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. to the regular meeting. The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Dave Thiede. The following were absent: Council Member Derrick Lehrke. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Corrine Heine, City Attorney- Kennedy & Graven; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; and Les Burshten, Public Works Director. Mayor Bailey opened Open Forum at 7:15 p.m., and asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the City Council on any topic not on the agenda. Kathy Lewandowski, 9043 75 Street South, Cottage Grove, stated that at the last meeting Council Member Olsen stated that he was not familiar with a number of individuals on the list of petitioners that were submitted for the Charter Commission and the Mayor had said that he had talked to some of the people that were on the list but it appeared he did not know many of the people either. Ms. Lewandowski stated that you know at least 15 out of the 17 people because five of those are on the EDA or were on the EDA, five currently attend your churches, three currently or have been on the Infrastructure Maintenance Task Force, three of those are or have been on the Environmental Commission, and all of them have been on your Face Books. Ms. Lewandowski then stated that she was still waiting to get an answer to a previous question she had asked. At the last meeting she asked City Administrator Schroeder for the number of written objections that he received after the 97 that she brought in on the road project. She then commented on a viewpoint in the Bulletin written by Mr. Ken Brittain. 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 meeting on March 7, 2012 at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Cottage Grove City Council March 7, 2012 Regular Meeting PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience, staff and the Mayor and Council Members pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. ROLL CALL The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Dave Thiede. The following were absent: Council Member Derrick Lehrke. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Corrine Heine, 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. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -0. 2. PRESENTATIONS A. Presentation by South Washington Watershed District Administrator Matt Moore Matt Moore, Administrator of the South Washington Watershed District, a brief update on some of their activities planned for the Lower St. Croix, East Mississippi and in the South Washington area for the upcoming year. With him were Board Manager Jack Lavold (Cottage Grove), Board Manager Brian Johnson (Woodbury), Board Manager Dennis Hanna (Grey Cloud), Board Manager Mike Madigan (Woodbury), and Board Manager Donald Pereira (Cottage Grove). B. 2011 Photo Contest Winners Joe Fischbach, Human Resources Coordinator, and the Mayor and City Council Members presented the 2011 Photo Contest Awards to: • Streetscapes — Katie Weiby • Parks /Trails — Hank Drabczak • People — Baily Taylor Bieniek • Celebrations /Events — Russell Stoeckel • Historical — Hank Drabczak • Black & White — Lori Larson Cottage Grove City Council March 7, 2012 Regular Meeting C. Reserve Officer Academy Graduates Presentation by Police Officer /Paramedic Matt Foucault Police Officer /Paramedic Matt Foucault introduced each of the newest Reserves, provided a brief overview of the training program they endured. Foucault and the Mayor and City Council Members presented a certificate of accomplishment to this year's reserves Kari Denzer, Kasey DeJonker, Andrew Lemay, Dale Garsteig, Billy Henk, and Jim Gorbunow. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 18, 2012 Regular Meeting There being no amendments to the minutes, Mayor Bailey declared the minutes of the January 18, 2012 Regular Meeting to stand approved as presented. B. February 1, 2012 Regular Meeting There being no amendments to the minutes, Mayor Bailey declared the minutes of the February 1, 2012 Regular Meeting to stand approved as presented. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR The City Council pulled and briefly highlighted items E, I, O and Q. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, TO: A. ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE MINUTES OF THE: i. PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 12,2011; ii. PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELFARE COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2011. iii. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 23, 2012 B. AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF CANDIDATES TO WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR CONSIDERATION FOR APPOINTMENT O THE SOUTH WASHINGTON WATERSHED DISTRICT. (DON PEREIRA AND ALTERNATE CHOICES JUSTIN OLSEN AND DAVE THIEDE) C. AUTHORIZE STAFF TO APPLY FOR THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES COMMUNITY FORESTRY BONDING GRANT TOTALING $25,000 FOR DIVERSIFICATION OF TREE STOCK IN THE PUBLIC PARKS IN DISTRICT III. D. APPROVE THE 2011 AND 2012 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE AND THE TOWNSHIP OF GREY CLOUD ISLAND AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT. Cottage Grove City Council March 7, 2012 Regular Meeting �+ E. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF BRIAN HAGEN AS CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELFARE COMMISSION FOR THE 2012 TERM. F. APPROVE THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE AND THE YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR THE PURCHASE OF SERVICES FOR 2012 IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,000, AND AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF THE AGREEMENT. G. AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF THREE TORO MOWERS TO REPLACE ONE ROUGH MOWER, ONE BANK MOWER AND ONE FAIRWAY MOWER FOR THE RIVER OAKS GOLF COURSE FROM MTI DISTRIBUTING FOR $112,217.77 INCLUDING TRADE -INS AND SALES TAX. H. AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF THE FOLLOWING LICENSES TO THE CHURCH OF ST. RITA: (1) APRIL 22, 2012 RAFFLE - SINGLE OCCASION GAMBLING AND TEMPORARY LIQUOR; (11) AUGUST 11, 2012 PIG ROAST - TEMPORARY LIQUOR; AND (111) SEPTEMBER 22 AND 23, 2012 FALL FESTIVAL - SINGLE OCCASION GAMBLING AND TEMPORARY LIQUOR. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF JIM ROSTAD AS CHAIR OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION. J. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -012 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO EXPAND A RESTAURANT WITH LIQUOR, AT THE AMERICAN MOTOR SPORTS BAR AND GRILL, AND A VARIANCE TO PARKING AMENDMENTS AT GROVE PLAZA, 7240 EAST POINT DOUGLAS ROAD SOUTH, COTTAGE GROVE. K. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -013 A RESOLUTION APPROVING FINAL PAYMENT TOTALING $8,448.79 TO HARDRIVES INC., FOR THE 2010 FINAL STREET CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR PINECLIFF 2 ADDITION. L. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -014 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISH A BID DATE OF APRIL 19, 2012 FOR THE 2012 SEAL COAT PROGRAM. M. APPROVE THE DECLARATION OF EASEMENT FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY /CITY HALL SITE FOR DRAINAGE AND UTILITY PURPOSES. N. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF GARY KJELLBERG AS CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28, 2013. O. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF PAUL PONCIN AS CHAIR OF THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28, 2013. P. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -015 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE SUBMITTAL OF A FY2012 TIGER (TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT GENERATING ECONOMIC RECOVERY) GRANT FOR THE EAST METRO RAIL Cottage Grove City Council I 5 March 7, 2012 Regular Meeting YARDS FLUIDITY PROJECT BY THE RAMSEY COUNTY REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -016 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING STATE BOND FUNDS FOR FREIGHT RAIL FLUIDITY AND CAPACITY IMPROVEMENTS FROM DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL TO HASTINGS. Q. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF NICK MACIEJEWSKI, JODI LEWIS, AND A.J. JANSSEN TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELFARE COMMISSION TO FILL TERMS TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28, 2014. R. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF JEFF PODOLL AND MATTHEW FORSHEE TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION TO FILL TERMS TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28, 2014. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -0. 5. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES — None. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None. 7. BID AWARDS — None. 8. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Consider Accepting the Gateway North Open Space Natural Resources Management Plan and Place on File Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director summarized the Gateway North Open Space Natural Resources Plan stating that the purpose of the Plan is to (1) Identify the existing ecological conditions on the property; (2) Identify best management practices to maximize wildlife values, and retain and improve water quality and increase community diversity; and (3) Document allowable uses and activities of the property. Dockter stated that considering the historical and biological significance of the area, the information presented in the Plan is extremely beneficial for planning future land management practices. Further, the document enables the City to prioritize work plans and aggressively pursue grant funding to restore, protect and preserve the integrity of the site. Some of the key management practices suggested in the document include: (1) Site -wide invasive woody plant removal /control (Buckthorn, Russian Olive, Sumac, etc.) and treatment/removal of diseased trees such as Oak Wilt, Bur Oak Blight, and Dutch Elm Disease. (2) Restore /protect bedrock bluff prairie. (3) Restore oak savanna. (4) Restore /protect dry-mesic oak forests and restore dry-mesic oak woodlands. (5) Develop long- term management practices for sustainability. Cottage Grove City Council G March 7, 2012 Regular Meeting V Dockter stated that he believes the Plan to be thorough, complete and a key step in preserving this valuable open space for future generations. He recommended that the City Council consider accepting the Gateway North Open Space Natural Resources Management Plan and placing it on file. Council Member Olsen suggested that Parks and Recreation Director Dockter attend and present some of this information at the Environmental Commission meeting because it appears that there might be an opportunity for volunteer activity to remove buckthorn with the Conservation Corp. He stated that he likes the idea of working with the DNR and County on grant opportunities and he knows that some of our surrounding communities do that same thing. One of the things that we take a great deal of pride here in Cottage Grove is our ability to be unique when it comes to having an urban vs. rural (country) feel. Council Member Thiede noted that this might be a great opportunity for an Eagle Scout project. 9. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS — None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Council Member Peterson announced that the next Beyond the Yellow meeting is Tuesday, March 20 at the Armory; the Stone Souper Bowl is May 5 at the Park Grove Bowl and a discount grocery buying program called "Fair for All" is coming to Cottage Grove. Council Member Olsen asked Staff what happens when we have a report of somebody who might be doing some remodeling work without a building permit. One of the things that probably could be a negative outcome around a situation like that is the property value is not assessed properly and of course we all benefit from an increase in property values Finance Director Roland stated that the Department is currently looking at this problem and she would return with a response. Council Member Olsen stated that he saw an interesting report about the City of White Bear Lake and the fact that the lake is continuing to decline and the individuals from the State who are on this report were saying that it was due in large part to overuse of the aquifer. It made him think about some of the remediation efforts that we continue to do or what new programs we could investigate that might help us mediate that concern. He stated that over the course of the last number of years we have done things like even /odd day watering bans and rainwater capture. Council Member Olsen suggested referring this topic to the Environmental Commission. Council Member Olsen commented that an interesting situation occurred the other day where our friends at Walgreen's had a theft and as part of their efforts in figuring out who might have been responsible our Police Department took a photo from their security camera, placed it on their Face Book page and asked for some help. He thanked all of the individuals who stepped forward to help. Cottage Grove City Council March 7, 2012 Regular Meeting Mayor Bailey stated that he met with a couple of Juniors from Park High School who are members of the IB and a part of their graduation requirements they have to come up with some type of project that gives back to the community or the world at large. What they have done and have talked to him about was to hold a walk or run fundraiser at the High School's track and field to raise awareness on child trafficking. It would be held on April 14. 11. PAY BILLS MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 175716 THROUGH 175954 TOTALING $589,114.69 AND EFT PAYMENT OF $938,008.63. CHECK NUMBERS 175716 THROUGH 175759 TOTALING $182,622.41 WERE ISSUED PRIOR TO COUNCIL APPROVAL. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -0. 12. WORKSHOP SESSION — OPEN TO PUBLIC — None. 13. WORKSHOP SESSION — CLOSED TO PUBLIC — None. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING AT 8:28 P.M. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -0. Prepared by, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk