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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-15 MINUTESREGULAR MEETING COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL November 15, 2006 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 Shiely encouraged persons to limit their remarks to two minutes per issue. Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Council Member Myron Bailey Council Member Karla Bigham Council Member Mark Grossklaus Council Member Pat Rice Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Howard Blin, Community Development Director Ron Hedberg, Admin/Finance Director Corrine Thomson, City Attorney Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director Les Burshten, Public Works Director There being no speakers, Mayor Shiely closed Open Forum at 7:16 p.m. CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a regular meeting on Wednesday, November 15, 2006, at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Sandy Shiely called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Council Member Myron Bailey Council Member Karla Bigham Council Member Mark Grossklaus Council Member Pat Rice Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Howard Blin, Community Development Director Ron Hedberg, Finance Director Corrine Thomson, City Attorney Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director Regular Meeting — November 15, 2006 Cottage Grove City Council Page 2 Les Burshten, Public Works Director John McCool, Senior Planner Mayor Shiely presided over the meeting. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY BAILEY, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. PRESENTATIONS A. Firefiahter Swearina-In Presentation: Cassandra Donaldson, Ryan Speiss and Paramedic/EMS Coordinator Jeffrey Sedlacek. Mayor Shiely announced the swearing in of two (2) new Firefighters and the Paramedic/EMS Coordinator and then asked Council Members to join in the presentation. The City Administrator described the backgrounds of Jeffrey Sedlacek, Cassandra Donaldson, and Ryan Speiss, and then administered their oaths of office. The Public Safety Director and Fire Chief then expressed their personal congratulations. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Bigham pulled Item F to thank Target for their generosity of a grant for the purchase of a bicycle for the Police Division. Council Member Bailey pulled items J and L to alert the public regarding the installation of a Welcome to Cottage Grove entrance sign on the east side of T.H. 61 and park lights and a security camera at Kingston Park. MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY GROSSKLAUS, TO: A. ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE FOLLOWING MINUTES: NONE SUBMITTED. B. AUTHORIZE PLACEMENT OF A 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4, RECEIVED THROUGH THE DWI FORFEITURE PROCESS, INTO OUR CURRENT POLICE DEPARTMENT FLEET AS A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE FOR USE BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. C. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 06-229, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE INTERIM CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT ALLOWING THE 3M RADIO CONTROL MODEL AIRPLANE CLUB TO CONTINUE FLYING RADIO-CONTROLLED AIRPLANES AT 6219 KEATS AVENUE SOUTH. D. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 06-230, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SIMPLE LOT DIVISION TO SUBDIVIDE A 7.93 ACRE PARCEL OF LAND AT 10276 EAST POINT Regular Meeting — November 15, 2006 Cottage Grove City Council Page 3 DOUGLAS ROAD INTO TWO PARCELS AND VARIANCES TO ALLOW A 2.93 ACRE LOT IN THE RURAL RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT AND TO REDUCE THE REQUIRED LOT FRONTAGE FROM 180 FEET TO 140 FEET. E. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 06-231, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SIMPLE LOT DIVISION TO SUBDIVIDE A 6.07 ACRE PARCEL AT 11726 POINT DOUGLAS ROAD INTO PARCELS OF 4.45 ACRES AND 1.62 ACRES; AN AMENDMENT TO A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW EXPANSION OF A BUSINESS, 61 MARINE & SPORTS AT 11730 POINT DOUGLAS ROAD, ONTO THE 1.62 ACRE PARCEL; AND A VARIANCE FROM THE REQUIREMENT FOR A PAVED SURFACE FOR THE BOAT STORAGE AREA. F. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 06-232, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT AWARD FROM THE TARGET COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM FOR $500.00 TO PURCHASE A BICYCLE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY POLICE DIVISION. G. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 06-233, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHING A JANUARY 18, 2007 BID DATE FOR THE HAMLET POND EXPANSION PROJECT. H. APPROVE THE 2006-2007 SERGEANTS LABOR CONTRACT. I. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 06-234, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION OF A FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR THE RAVINE PARKWAY FROM JAMAICA AVENUE TO CSAH 19. J. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 06-235, A RESOLUTION AWARDING QUOTE FOR THE "WELCOME TO COTTAGE GROVE" ENTRANCE MONUMENT PROJECT TO PRESCRIPTION LANDSCAPE FOR $19,584.00. K. APPROVE THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF PRECAST CONCRETE VAULTS WITH THE OPTION TO INSTALL A 3'X3' ALUMINUM ACCESS HATCH WITH CONCRETE RISER AT WELLS NO. 4 AND 5 TO HYDROCON, INC., FOR $30,560.00. L. AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF FIVE PARKING AREA LIGHTS, A BI-LEVEL CONTROL SHELTER SECURITY LIHGT, AND SECURITY CAMERA FOR KINGSTON PARK BY LPD ELECTRIC, INC., AND ELECTROWATCHMAN, INC., FOR $22,476.75. M. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO SEND THE LETTER TO WASHINGTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT DRAFTED BY STAFF IN REGARDS TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY 2007-2011 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. N. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 06-236, RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON DECEMBER 6, 2006 AND TO DIRECT STAFF TO PUBLISH THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT A CAPITAL IMRPOVEMENT PLAN FOR 2007 TO 2011. O. APPROVE THE BONESTROO, ROSENE, ANDERLIK AND ASSOCIATES, INC. 2007 RATE SCHEDULE FOR MINICIPAL SERVICES. P. ADOPT THE COTTAGE GROVE RIGHT-OF-WAY MANAGEMENT CONTROL POLICY. Q. RECEIVE INFORMATION ON THE HILLSIDE/ARMSTRONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TOURS. R. APPROVE THE 2007 CURRENCY EXCHANGE LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION THROUGH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR TINA LUYMES/DBA IN CONCERT LOCATED AT 7280 EAST POINT DOUGLAS ROAD. Regular Meeting — November 15, 2006 Cottage Grove City Council Page 4 S. APPROVE THE ANNUAL LEAVE DONATION POLICY PILOT PROGRAM. T. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 06-237, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF EASEMENTS FROM CHRIST THE LORD EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, JAMES AND HELEN HANSEN, AND REBECCA JENSEN, ET AL., FOR THE RAVINE PARKWAY PROJECT AT 90 STREETSOUTH AND KEATS AVENUE SOUTH. U. PASS ORDINANCE NO. 806, AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE IMPLEMENTING A GAS FRANCHISE FEE ON CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP., DBA CENTERPOINT ENERGY MINNESOTA GAS, FOR GAS SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY, AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 06-238, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 806 BY TITLE AND SUMMARY. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES None. PUBLIC HEARING John McCool, Senior Planner, highlighted the proposal to amend Resolution No. 00-94, which identifies properties located in the rural taxing district. He indicated that City staff reviewed the Washington County property tax records and City records and found nine (9) parcels that should be removed and 20 parcels that should be added to the rural taxing district. The Senior Planner stated that property owners in the rural taxing district pay 70% of the urban rate for the City's portion of their property tax. McCool then displayed a map, which identified the parcels, or about 6,200 acres. Mayor Shiely opened the public hearing at 7:50 p.m. Kimberly Goebel, 10251 70` Street South, explained that she and her husband, John, own parcel #2 on the map and asked that their two acres not be removed from the rural taxing district because they farm (or have it farmed for them) the land behind them on the north and east. Mayor Shiely noted that there was reason for removal if separate lots were on record. John Goebel stated that Tom Goebel farmed the agricultural land adjacent to them but that, because they were part owners of that land, he and his wife felt their land should remain in the rural taxing district. Council Member Bigham stated it would not be an issue for her exempting the Goebel parcel as the whole family owned the rest of the land. Mayor Shiely expressed caution in not setting a precedent for the City if a parcel was recorded as not being farmed. Council Member Rice inquired as to when the original parcel had been split. Ms. Goebel responded that it had been 20 years. Regular Meeting — November 15, 2006 Coftage Grove City Council Page 5 Mr. Goebel added that, when the land split was made, his father did not want the land behind it, just sold the house and two acres, and kept the farmland of the main farm. Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator, stated that ownership was not the issue, rather whether the land had agricultural character. He stated the ordinance was not established to provide subsidy from other subsidies, rather subsidy for agricultural use. The City Administrator added that the Goebel parcel was a homestead, not unique, and, under the ordinance, should not receive subsidy from other taxpayers. Mayor Shiely commented that if a parent split property to create homesteads for children, one thing to take into consideration is that it would pull that homestead out of the rural taxing district. She said the intent was not to cause agricultural property to be unduly coerced to convert the land to some other use. Council Member Rice referred to the aerial photograph and stated he did not see any agricultural areas on the Goebel property that would identify it as farmstead. Council Member Bailey stated his understanding of the Goebels' predicament but that he would have thought differently if the property encompassed a machinery building. He said, with it being a homestead, he would not wish to set a precedent by excluding their parcel. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Shiely closed the public hearing at 8:09 p.m. Council Member Bigham moved to adopt a resolution amending City Resolution No. 00-94 with the exception of the John Goebel parcel. There being no second, the resolution was void, after which Council Member Bigham said she would support staff's original recommended motion, if moved by CounciL MOTION BY MAYOR SHIELY, SECONDED BY RICE, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. _ 06-239, A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 00-94 TO DELETE NINE (9) PARCELS AND ADD 20 PARCELS TO THE RURAL TAXING DISTRICT. MOTION CARRIED 5- 0. BID AWARDS None. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Ratify the Economic Development Authority (EDA) Action of Enterinq into an Amended and Restated Contract for Private Redevelopment with PHS/Cottaae Grove, Inc. Toward Redevelopment of the Cottaae Sauare Redevelopment Site Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator, reported that the Economic Development Authority (EDA) ratified the amendment and approved the development agreement on November 14, 2006. He stated the entire project area was now a 14.4-acre site and included the former Goodyear store Regular Meeting — November 15, 2006 Cottage Grove City Council Page 6 and BP Amoco sites but the EDA investment was limited to the senior housing portion of the project or about one-half of the sites. He indicated the entire development parcel was within the tax increment district and would include 146 units of senior housing. The City Administrator stated that it was estimated to be $13 million in taxable market value, with $8.7 million in commercial, and that this compared to a$1.9 million taxable market value only a few years ago. Schroeder reported that participation would come in finro forms: return of a portion of the tax revenue stream and the EDA trust fund, an investment of EDA in that the investment granted to the project would be paid back from future revenue stream of tax increments at 6% interest, and the development would receive tax increments generated from the site over ten years towards land acquisition of cost, demolition, and lease improvements. The City Administrator noted that contributions towards those costs would be $2.4 million, similar to the investment contemplated in the original development agreement. He said staff's recommendation was for Council to ratify the EDA action. MOTION BY BIGHAM, SECONDED BY GROSSKLAUS, TO RATIFY THE EDA ACTION OF ENTERING INTO AN AMENDED AND RESTATED CONTRACT FOR PRIVATE REDEVELOPMENT WITH PHS/COTTAGE GROVE, INC., TOWARD REDEVELOPMENT OF THE COTTAGE SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT SITE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Mayor Shiely congratulated Council Members Grossklaus and Rice on their re-elections to the City Council and Council Member Bigham on her election as a State representative, indicating she would be missed, noting her tendered resignation date of December 31, 2006. She then reported that Council would be accepting applications for her replacement and they could be obtained at City Hall or on the website. Mayor Shiely also congratulated re-elected Council Members Grossklaus and Rice. Mayor Shiely then offered a reminder about the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train on December 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Belden Avenue Railroad Crossing and stated $5 tickets for the December 2 Pancake Food Shelf Breakfast at Applebee's would be placed in a drawing for two seats on the train ride from Hastings to Cottage Grove. Shiely also announced a second benefit pancake breakfast would be held on December 9 at St. Rita's Church. Council Member Grossklaus asked for clarification from the City Administrator regarding the City Council Member replacement process. The City Administrator responded that the intent was for Council to receive and review applications, hear three-minute presentations by applicants at the December 13 special meeting, narrow the list to a few finalists, gain consensus from three council members on the individual, and the individual would be appointed effective January 1. He said Mayor Shiely would provide the deciding vote in the event of a tie. Regular Meeting — November 15, 2006 Cottage Grove City Council Page 7 Council Member Rice said he wished to thank all who supported his re-election, which he felt was an expression of confidence in the direction Council had taken. PAY BILLS MOTION BY BAILEY, SECONDED BY GROSSKLAUS, TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 147637 to 147840 FOR $1,735,046.75. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. WORKSHOP SESSION — OPEN A. Street LiQht Utilitv Fees Ron Hedberg, Finance Director, reported that, during the 2007 budget process, it was suggested that all properties within the City pay fees towards the operation of the street light utility, since there is some community-wide benefit received even if there is not a street light in each neighborhood. He said the current 775 rural customers who receive storm water utility bills would be the same group to be added to the street light utility (currently billed to city owned residential, city owned commercial, and Xcel owned residential classes), and their calculated quarterly bill would include an additional $1.25 fee, if Council approved the proposal. Mayor Shiely stated that she would not object to the proposal, in spite of the fact that she lived on a street without lights and would like to have them, and accepted the rationale for community dependence on street lighting and traffic signal benefit to all. Council Members Grossklaus and Bailey also expressed their support. ► � i � [ � 7 : � :�y C [ �] : �� ��y [ � ] � Q i ] � i Z ►y : I �� None. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY BIGHAM, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:37 P.M. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. RespectFully submitted, Mary Heintz TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.