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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-19 MINUTES COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Regular Meeting November 19, 2014 OPEN FORUM At 7:15 p.m., Mayor Myron Bailey opened Open Forum and stated that during Open Forum a person may address the City Council on any subject not on the regular meeting agenda, but must limit their remarks to three minutes per person. The purpose of Open Forum is to give the public an opportunity to present 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 at 7:30 p.m. The following were present: Council Member Derrick Lehrke, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, Council Member Dave Thiede, and Mayor Myron Bailey. The following were absent: None. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Korine Land, City Attorney-LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; and Les Burshten, Public Works Director. Mayor Bailey asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the City Council on any topic not on the agenda. There being none, 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 November 19, 2014 at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 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: Council Member Derrick Lehrke, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, Council Member Dave Thiede, and Mayor Myron Bailey. The following were absent: None. Cottage Grove City Council 2 November 19, 2014 Regular Meeting Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Korine Land, City Attorney-LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; and Les Burshten, Public Works Director. Mayor Bailey presided over the meeting. 1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion by Council Member Olsen, seconded by Council Member Thiede, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 5-0. 2. PRESENTATIONS – None. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – None. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR The Council pulled and briefly discussed items C and F. Council Member Olsen complimented staff on their review of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the Riverstone Residential Development (Item C). The Council then reviewed the letter to Washington County on the County’s Capital Improvements Program (Item F). Council Member Olsen commented that traffic continues to grow at the intersection of Co. Rd. 19 and East Point Douglas in front of Walmart. There are traffic stacking problems at Jamaica Avenue and East Point Douglas Road. The City needs help from the County to make sure that we get the Co. Rd. 19 and East Point Douglas intersection up to grade. There is accident data that was pulled that shows that we have had an increasing number of issues at that intersection. There are some sight line concerns that need to be addressed. To him that is a very key intersection. Council Member Olsen stated that he would ask that we work closely with the County to try to get that Co. Rd. 19/East Point Douglas intersection up to standards. Council Member Thiede agreed with Council Member Olsen. He stated that he has had some discussions with staff about this and the fact that they are looking at changing the Ravine Park entrance in 2016 and then the intersection in 2017. City Administrator Schroeder stated that the County has always had an interest in working collaboratively with the City on projects that we have a mutual interest. On this particular intersection (the on and off ramps and the frontage road), they are currently working on an interim solution. Perhaps the City Engineer can comment on the date but he believes that it is 2017. That is when the County will have the capacity in their budget. If the Council wants us to put it in 2016, that is an easy fix. He would be happy to do that if that is the Council’s direction. Council Member Olsen stated that it was a little disappointing that there were no road projects until 2017. Cottage Grove City Council 3 November 19, 2014 Regular Meeting Mayor Bailey stated that he knows when we met a few weeks ago, one of the things th discussed was 65 Street but it is not mentioned anywhere in the letter. He was wondering if it is important that we at least put them on notice about the Jamaica transformation. He would feel better if there was something in writing what our future expectations are with that road. He stated that he had the opportunity to talk with the Mayor of Woodbury and they are also concerned about the 55/45 financial split. City Administrator Schroeder noted that the City did receive a copy of the letter that the City of Woodbury is sending to Washington County and they also mention the 55/45 split as something that should be discussed. Council Member Peterson asked whether we need to comment on increasing safety th on 70 Street near Highlands Park for pedestrians crossing to the park and splash pad. City Engineer Levitt stated that the County anticipates that as part of the safety enhancement evaluation for that project they would be looking at it from Highway 61 to Co. Rd. 19. There is a kickoff meeting scheduled with the County and their consultant the first week in December. She stated that she does not believe that we have to be specific about every intersection that we have concerns and issues about, because as we note in our letter, the County is anticipating a large public involvement process to address concerns. The County is moving forward, they have hired a consultant and she would anticipate in early spring that they would start to unroll some plans and have some dialogue with the public with regards to safety. th Mayor Bailey asked if the 70 Street improvements would include turn lanes into the future Dodge Nature Center. City Engineer Levitt stated that the project is already under design as a 2016 project. th We are looking to enhance the intersection of 70 Street and Jamaica Avenue. Right now we expect that it will occur in 2016. Council Member Thiede asked who was responsible for clearing the trail or sidewalk th along 70 Street. City Administrator Schroeder stated that in the past the County position has been that it is a local responsibility but they are changing that position. th City Engineer Levitt stated that 70 Street is the snowmobile trail route so that section doesn’t get plowed. We have been sensitive to coordinating those efforts with the snowmobile club. Motion by Council Member Olsen, seconded by Council Member Thiede, to amend the letter to send to Washington County on their CIP by changing the date for the County Road 19/Highway 61 interchange to 2016 and to include additional language th in the letter regarding the 55/45 financial split, 65 Street, and concern about the turn back. Motion carried. 4-1 with Council Member Lehrke voting nay. Motion by Council Member Olsen, seconded by Council Member Peterson, to: Cottage Grove City Council 4 November 19, 2014 Regular Meeting A. Accept and place on file the following minutes: None. B. Adopt Resolution No. 2014-105, a resolution certifying delinquent utility bills. C. Adopt Resolution No. 2014-106, a resolution approving the Riverstone Residential Development Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) finding no need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). D. Pass Ordinance No. 936, an ordinance for the City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, amending Title 9, Chapter 3, Section 2(A)(2), issuance of certificate; and Title 11, Chapter 2, Section 2(B); application for permit of the City Codes. E. Adopt Resolution no. 2014-107, a resolution approving final payment in the amount of $33,004.38 to Redstone Construction, Inc., for the East Point Douglas Road Utility and Street Improvements Project. F. Action previously taken. G. Approve the 2015-2017 49er Labor Contract. Motion carried.4-1 with Council Member Lehrke voting nay. 5. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES – None. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Hold Public Hearing and Consider Authorizing Land Conveyance from the EDA to the City. Economic Development Director Parr advised the Council that the purpose of the public hearing was to consider the conveyance of land from the EDA to th the City. The property is located at 7000 70 Street South and is approximately 2.0 acres in size. Mayor Bailey opened the public hearing to hear comments from the public. Michelle Warner, 7031 Timber Trail Lane South, spoke in opposition to the proposal to convey the property to the City for park purposes. They have enough park property in their neighborhood. Mayor Bailey clarified that we don’t know whether or not it will be a park with equipment, it might remain as open space. As Ms. Parr stated earlier, she will turn it over to the Parks Department to decide whether it is something they want to incorporate into the park system or not. It could be housing or something else. Ms. Warner stated that keeping the land as open space would be fine. Angela Deboer, 6858 Meadow Grass Lane South, stated that if the City is Cottage Grove City Council 5 November 19, 2014 Regular Meeting acquiring the property to save money on taxes how is that going to affect residents who live in a single-family home who cannot afford additional taxes. th Jayme Sanders, 6690 70 Street South, expressed concern about the use of the driveway. He stated that he would rather see it maintained as an open walkway, or park. He stated he does not want to see a house built on it. Daniela Gheorghe, 6997 Timber Trail Lane South, spoke in opposition to conveying the property for park purposes. Suzanne Snyder, 6782 Meadow Grass Lane South, asked that residents be notified when this will be considered by the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. Mary Gustafson, 6824 Timber Ridge Drive South, agreed with everything mentioned by others. Mayor Bailey closed the public hearing. Motion by Council Member Thiede, seconded by Council Member Peterson th to approve the conveyance of the property located at 7000 70 Street from the EDA to the City of Cottage Grove. Motion carried. 4-1 with Council Member Lehrke voting nay. 7. BID AWARDS – None. 8. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Consider Adopting the 2015 – 2019 Capital Improvement Program City Engineer Levitt highlighted upcoming projects in the Capital Improvements Program. Council Member Thiede expressed concern that the CIP includes the total amount to be funded each year. He stated that in the planning document he would like to see how each project is funded. Council Member Lehrke asked whether we have funding included for the boat launch/park in Grey Cloud Island and that the projects included in Washington County’s CIP be added. Motion by Council Member Olsen, seconded by Council Member Peterson, to approve the 2015-2019 Capital Improvements Plan and adopt Resolution No. 2014-108, a resolution adopting an amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan 2030, with the expectation that the other $13 million is going to be broken down to show more accurately the expected funding. Motion carried. 5-0. 9. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS – None. Cottage Grove City Council 6 November 19, 2014 Regular Meeting 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Council Member Peterson stated the next Fare for All will be December 4 and the Lion’s Santa Breakfast is December 7. Council Member Thiede noted that the deadline for the Strawberry Fest theme contest is December 15. Mayor Bailey announced that the Council will be bagging groceries at Cub Foods on November 23; Hale to the Bird 5K is on November 27; Black Friday Shop Local is November 28; Christmas Tree Lighting Event is on December 3; December 8 is the deadline for Christmas Light Contest; and the Holiday Train is December 10. 11. PAY BILLS Motion by Council Member Olsen, seconded by Council Member Thiede, to approve payment of check numbers 188619 through 188813 in the amount of $524,031.51 and EFT payment of $42,571.09. Motion carried. 5-0. 12. WORKSHOP SESSION – OPEN TO PUBLIC – None. 13. WORKSHOP SESSION – CLOSED TO PUBLIC - None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council Member Peterson, seconded by Council Member Olsen, to adjourn the Regular meeting. Motion carried. 5-0. Prepared by, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk