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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-07 MINUTESREGULAR MEETING COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL February 7, 2007 OPEN FORUM — 7:15 p.m. Open forum provides a person an opportunity to inform the Council of a problem or to request information related to City business not scheduled for Council action and on the Agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Bailey encouraged persons to limit their remarks to two minutes per issue. Present: Council Member Myron Bailey, Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Mark Grossklaus Council Member Fred Luden Council Member Pat Rice Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Howard Blin, Community Development Director Les Burshten, Public Works Director Ron Hedberg, Finance Director Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Corrine Thomson, City Attorney Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director Not Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Mayor Pro Tem Myron Bailey opened Open Forum at 7:15 p.m. Bonnie McHattie, 9119 Military Road S, stated that she and her husband were concerned about the Council's prolonged delay to vote on the bidding for the sewer and water of the East Ravine Project, citing loss of developer interest and requested that Council commence with construction as soon as possible. Pat Kotnour, 9770 Military Road S, expressed distress with the status of the East Ravine Project and Council's apparent inability to make decisions. She said the project had been portrayed as a $500,000 grand plan, with sewer and water to be completed in 2005, and that it would be in the best interest of everyone, but the lack of progress since that time had caused financial and undue stress for all involved. Ms. Kotnour stated it was her understanding Council would not vote on the project this evening because Mayor Shiely could not be present and questioned why there was need for a Council if it couldn't vote without the Mayor. She said she would just be grateful if work on the project would begin. Ruby Reed, 8837 90 Street S, introduced herself as a resident of Cottage Grove since 1978 and then directed the podium to Tracy Goodrich of the Home Line nonprofit advocacy group, representing Anna Klemmensen, another Woodmount Townhomes resident. She explained that Ms. Klemmensen had addressed Council last September to request assistance from the City to support residents in attempting to lock their low-income housing into Section 8. Ms. Goodrich stated that Mayor Shiely offered at that time to facilitate between Washington County HRA and Woodmount Townhomes but Ms. Reed and Ms. Klemmensen had not been able to reach Mayor for an update since then, noting Regular Meeting — February 7, 2007 Cottage Grove City Counci! Page 2 their calls have not been returned. She expressed continued desire to have a meeting with residents and Washington County HRA, to find a positive way to support the residents and Section 8 contract long term, and said they would appreciate the City's support. The City Administrator responded that Mayor Shiely had met, as a facilitator, with Commissioner Peterson and the HRA to talk about opportunities that might exist with the HRA facilitating. He added that the City would be hesitant to get in the middle of private real estate decisions, but he agreed to speak with those concerned after the Council's Open Forum portion of this evening's meeting. Amy Kaiser, 9880 Military Road S, expressed concern about the East Ravine Project's lack of progress and said she was tired of living in limbo, citing Catch-22 examples, while waiting for the City to begin work. She requested that the City begin work on bids for the project as soon as possible. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Pro Tem Bailey closed Open Forum at 7:28 p.m. CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 7, 2007, at the Cotfage Grove City Hall, 7516 80�' Street South. Mayor Pro Tem Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Boy Scouts of America Troop 237 Color Guard administered the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Myron Bailey, Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Mark Grossklaus Council Member Fred Luden Council Member Pat Rice Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Howard Blin, Community Development Director Les Burshten, Public Works Director Ron Hedberg, Finance Director Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Corrine Thomson, City Attorney Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director Not Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Mayor Pro Tem Bailey presided over the meeting. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY LUDEN, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. PRESENTATIONS A. Bov Scouts of America Troop 237 Color Guard - Pledqe of Alleqiance Regular Meeting — February 7, 2007 Cottage Grove City Council Page 3 B. Eacale Scout Award — Brian Caswell Mayor Pro Tem Bailey congratulated Brian Caswell, Troop 237, on his achievement of the Eagle Scout Award and said his name had been added to a plaque at City Hall. Mr. Caswell then described his Eagle Scout project. C. Recoqnition of Seraeant Michael Coffev's Service on the Washington Countv Special Response Team from 2001 to 2006. The Public Safety Director presented a recognition plaque to Sergeant Michael Coffey for his five-year service on the Washington County Special Response Team. He described the background of Sergeant Coffey since 1994, which included experience as a paramedic, police officer, DARE officer, school resource officer, narcotics, merit citations, and unit citations, and said the City was lucky to have him. Sergeant Coffey expressed thanks to the Public Safety Director and the City for their support. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Januarv 17, 2007, Reqular Meetinq Mayor Pro Tem Bailey stated that the minutes stand approved as presented. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Rice pulled item E and asked whether residents of the Highlands Park Trailway project area had been notified or seen plans as to where the trails would be located. The City Engineer responded that City staff had met with residents to describe the plan. MOTION BY GROSSKLAUS, SECONDED BY RICE, TO: A. ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE FOLLOWING MINUTES: I. PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 19, 2006; NOVEMBER 21, 2006; AND DECEMBER 19, 2006. II. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 27, 2006. III. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 9, 2006. B. APPROVE CITY COUNCIL GOALS FOR 2007. C. APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ICMA CITY ADMINISTRATOR PENSION PLAN. D. SCHEDULE THE 2007 OPEN BOOK MEETINGS AS FOLLOWS: COTTAGE GROVE CITY HALL ON THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 5:00-7:00 P.M.; OAKDALE CITY HALL ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 5:00-7:00 P.M.; AND WASHINGTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1:00-7:00 P.M. E. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 07-015, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STAFF TO APPLY FOR THE MN DNR LOCAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS GRANT TO BE USED TOWARDS THE 2007 HIGHLANDS PARK TRAILWAY PROJECT. F. APPROVE THE 2007-2008 FIREFIGHTERS LABOR CONRACT. G. ACCEPT THE PAY EQUITY REPORT. H. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 07-016, A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING Regular Meeting — February 7, 2007 Cottage Grove City Council Page 4 ON FEBRUARY 21, 2007 FOR THE TH61/JAMAICA AVENUE ROUNDABOUT PROJECT. I. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 07-017, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE SUMMARY FOR THE MORATORIUM ON ELECTRONIC SIGNS. J. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 07-018, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND SET A MARCH 1, 2007 BID DATE AT 10:30 A.M., FOR THE BOOSTER STATION ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION. K. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 07-019, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHING A MARCH 15, 2007 BID DATE AT 10:00 A.M., FOR THE WEST POINT DOUGLAS WATER MAIN EXTENSION PROJECT. L. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 07-020, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE CITY FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HAMLET PARK POND IMPROVEMENTS AS PROPOSED IN THE COOPERATIVE CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT NO. 89813. M. REJECT QUOTES RECEIVED FOR THE 2007 TREE TRIMMING CONTRACT AND ESTABLISH A NEW QUOTE DATE OF FEBRUARY 23, 2007. N. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 07-021, A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE ABATEMENT OF UNSAFE PROPERTY AT 8414 66 " STREET SOUTH. O. APPOINT JAN JAPS TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2007, ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION. P. APPOINT WILLIAM SCHUMAL TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2007, ON THE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES None. PUBLIC HEARING A. The roundabout public hearing originally scheduled for this date has been rescheduled for February 21, 2007. BID AWARDS None. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS None. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None. Regular Meeting — February 7, 2007 Cottage Grove City Council Page 5 PAY BILLS MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY LUDEN, TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 148636 TO 148909 FOR $478,294.86. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. WORKSHOP SESSfON - OPEN None. WORKSHOP SESSION - CLOSED None. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY GROSSKLAUS, SECONDED BY LUDEN, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:42 P.M. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Mary Heintz TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.