HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-15 MINUTES
MINUTES
COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBER
12800 RAVINE PARKWAY
April 15, 2015
SPECIAL MEETING – 6:30 P.M.
The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Steve Dennis, Council
Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, Council Member Thiede.
Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Korine Land, City Attorney-
LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City
Engineer.
CLOSED WORKSHOP REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION
Motion by Council Member Olsen, seconded by Council Member Thiede, to close the
meeting under MN Statute 13D.05 subdivision 3(b) (attorney-client privilege) to discuss
pending litigation.
Motion by Council Member Olsen, seconded by Council Member Theide, to conclude the
closed session and adjourn the special meeting. Motion Carried 5-0.
OPEN FORUM – 7:15 P.M.
During Open Forum, a person may address the City Council on any topic not on the regular
meeting agenda.
The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Steve Dennis, Council
Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson.
Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Korine Land, City Attorney-
LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City
Engineer; Rick Redenius, Deputy Public Safety Director/Fire Chief; Pete Koerner, Deputy
Public Safety Director/Captain; and Les Burshten, Public Works Director.
CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE 12800 Ravine Parkway Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016
www.cottage-grove.org 651-458-2800 Fax 651-458-2897 Equal Opportunity Employer
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Cottage Grove City Council
Page 2
Mayor Bailey asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the City Council on any
topic not on the agenda.
Al Stoskopf, 8162 Ideal Avenue South, addressed the Council about a boulevard ash tree at
his residence that was planted by the City in the spring of 1969. He stated it was planted in
the middle of his yard instead of on the boulevard; when he had asked why, he was told it
was an “experiment” or something to that effect. The City had subsequently trimmed the
other boulevard trees it had planted on the block but his was not trimmed, as he was told it
was not located on the City easement and was too far in (it’s actually 20 feet in from the
curb). Now, 47 years later, the City is replacing all ash boulevard trees due to the Emerald
Ash Borer disease. He’s requesting the City remove and replace the ash tree on his property.
He was advised by City Administrator Schroeder that the City would research the specifics of
the tree planting and get back to him.
As there was no one else who wished to speak, Mayor Bailey closed the Open Forum to the
Regular Meeting.
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor
The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a regular
meeting on April 15, 2015, at 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, Mayor and City Council members recited the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL – City Administrator
The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Steve Dennis, Council
Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, Council Member Thiede.
Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Korine Land, City Attorney-
LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Rick Redenius, Deputy Public
Safety Director/Fire Chief; Pete Koerner, Deputy Public Safety Director/Captain; and Les
Burshten, Public Works Director.
Mayor Bailey presided over the meeting.
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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
A. Severe Weather Awareness and Storm Clean Up Policy
Fire Chief Rick Redenius spoke about Severe Weather Awareness Week. Each
day focuses on a different topic: Monday-Weather Alerts and Warnings;
Tuesday-Lightning and Hail; Wednesday-Flooding and Flash Floods; Thursday-
Statewide Tornado Drill, where sirens will be activated twice, at 1:45 p.m. and
6:55 p.m.; Friday-Extreme Heat.
He also spoke about the City Storm Clean-Up Policy. Residents are responsible
for cleaning up their own property; however, the City will remove debris from
streets and parks. In the event of a major storm, the Mayor will determine if a
State of Emergency should be declared; if that’s the case, the City will help with
clean-up. He asked residents to contact Public Safety if there are trees or
power lines down after a storm.
Council Member Olsen requested Fire Chief Redenius to speak about the
procedures should severe weather occur during an outdoor public event (e.g.,
Strawberry Fest). The Chief indicated that they have planning meetings with the
event staff before the event occurs and come up with contingency plans for
police, fire, and EMS staff to deal with large numbers of people in the event of a
weather emergency and get them into the local schools until severe weather
passes.
Council Member Olsen also indicated that the Zion Church had Sky Warn
Training available on April 25, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. for people interested in
becoming storm spotters. Council Member Dennis commented that he had
taken this class in the past and it was worthwhile.
B. Social Host Ordinance
Captain Pete Koerner spoke about high school proms, graduations, and parties
that take place this time of year, which sometimes include incidents of underage
drinking. While it’s difficult to determine who provides the alcohol to underage
parties, Cottage Grove was the first to take the lead in Washington County in
2010 with a Social Host Ordinance, which gives law enforcement a tool to stop
the parties and make misdemeanor arrests in these situations. Unfortunately,
alcohol can lead to many other crimes, including damage to property, assaults,
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Cottage Grove City Council
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sexual assaults, indecent behaviors, etc. Simply said: Call 9-1-1 if you feel
something is going on in your neighborhood. Be a responsible host, and don’t
provide alcohol to underage parties.
Council Member Olsen asked about people who think that their children are
going to drink anyway so it’s safer to have their children drink at home because
they know where they are and that was better than having them out on the
road. Captain Koerner replied that it’s difficult to control a number of people who
have been drinking and you never know when someone is going to leave. It’s
not just about taking their keys; it’s about not providing any alcohol to minors.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. March 28, 2015 Special Meeting
Mayor Bailey and members of the City Council approved the minutes as
presented.
B. April 1, 2015 Regular Meeting
Mayor Bailey and members of the City Council approved the minutes as
presented.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Peterson pulled item B, and Council Member Olsen pulled item C
from the consent calendar for discussion.
Council Member Peterson spoke about the history of Arbor Day and read the
proclamation.
Council Member Olsen spoke about National Volunteer Week and the City of Cottage
Grove’s annual Volunteer Banquet on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at River Oaks. He
thanked all of the numerous volunteers who make the City of Cottage Grove and
South Washington County such a wonderful place to live.
Motion by Council Member Thiede, seconded by Council Member Peterson,
to:
A. Accept and Place on File the Following Minutes:
i. Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes from January 14, 2015.
B. Adopt Resolution No. 2015-038 proclaiming Arbor Day.
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C. Adopt Resolution No. 2015-039 proclaiming National Volunteer Week.
D. Authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to enter into the amended Property
Assessed Clean Energy Program Joint Powers Agreement with the Port
Authority of the City of St. Paul dated January 7, 2015.
E. Renew the insurance package policy with a $50,000/$100,000/$1,000
deductible for the April 3, 2015 to April 3, 2016 policy period, with a premium
totaling $217,065.
F. Adopt Resolution No. 2015-040 supporting the City of Cottage Grove’s
application to host a Minnesota GreenCorps Member for program year 2015 –
2016.
G. Adopt Resolution No. 2015-041 awarding the 2015 Joint City Wide Crack
Sealing project to the lowest accepted quote, supplied by Northwest Asphalt
Maintenance, for $80,195.00.
H. Adopt Resolution No. 2015-042 awarding the 2015 Joint City Wide Street
Striping project to the lowest accepted quote, supplied by AAA Striping Service
Co., for $52,878.01.
I. Approve an amendment to the Development Agreement with D.R. Horton for
the Eastridge Woods 3rd Addition project.
J. Adopt Resolution No. 2015-043 - a revised/updated purchasing policy.
K. 1. Approve the comment and responses document on the East Ravine 2015
Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) and mitigation plan update. 2.
Authorize the distribution of the City’s response to the public comments on the
2015 AUAR update. 3. Review the draft resolution approving the revised 2015
AUAR update as published and with the City’s response to comments. 4.
Schedule the final approval of the 2015 AUAR update for the May 6, 2015 City
Council Meeting.
Motion carried: 5-0.
5. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES
Mayor Bailey stated that a response to an Open Forum request regarding constrictor
snakes had been sent out.
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6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Hold the public hearing and consider adopting a resolution authorizing a
modification to the development program for development district number 1 and
establishing tax increment financing district 1-15, and adopting a tax increment
financing plan for that district; and consider adopting a resolution authorizing an
interfund loan for the advance payment of costs in connection with tax increment
financing district 1-15.
Finance Director Robin Roland stated there would be a Tax Increment Financing
(TIF) District created by the EDA and the City for the American Logistics Project
(also known as American AGCO), located at 7800-97th Street. The facility is being
expanded by approximately 100,000 square feet.
In February, the EDA processed a Resolution requesting that a Public Hearing be
held. The City Council also passed that Resolution in February, calling for tonight’s
Public Hearing. The EDA approved the Development Contract for American
Logistics in March, and the Planning Commission heard a presentation regarding
American Logistics, TIF 1-15, at their meeting on March 23, 2015. They found the
TIF plan for expansion of the project to be in conformance with the City’s
Comprehensive Plan and they recommended approval by the City Council this
evening. Finance Director Roland requested that, after the Public Hearing, the
Council approve both of the resolutions as outlined in the memo.
Mayor Bailey opened the Public Hearing and asked if anyone wanted to speak; no
one wished to speak so Mayor Bailey closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Council Member Olsen, seconded by Council Member Thiede, to adopt
Resolution No. 2015-044 modifying Development District #1, establishing TIF
District 1-15, and adopting the TIF plan from the District.
Motion carried: 5-0.
Motion by Council Member Olsen, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to adopt
Resolution No. 2015-045 to offer an Interfund Loan for the advance payment of
costs in connection with TIF District 1-15.
Motion carried: 5-0.
7. BID AWARDS – None.
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8. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
A. Consider adopting a resolution approving a variance to allow an accessory
apartment as part of a 5,760 square-foot detached accessory structure on the
residentially-zoned property at 10990 Manning Avenue South.
Senior Planner John Burbank stated the property is located west of Manning
Avenue, adjacent to 110th Street, which is a rural neighborhood and there are
surrounding properties, all of which have testified on this application at the
Planning Commission and previous applications. In 2014, case number 2014-029,
the applicants had applied for the variance to allow for a second residential
dwelling on the property; that request was denied by Resolution 2014-103, based
on a variety of findings stated in the Resolution.
This application differs in that they’re applying to a different section of the code; in
discussions with the City Attorney, she felt this was a better way to process the
new request. Also, it’s limited in scope and there are a couple different criteria that
would limit the duration of the accessory apartment in the detached accessory
structure. There would be recorded agreements stipulating the closure of that use
as an accessory apartment and those would be recorded with the County. Mr.
Burbank requested the Council approve the variance request.
Council Member Thiede had a question about requiring brick just on the front of the
structure. Burbank indicated the staff recommendation was just to continue it
adjacent to the accessory structure and it would be the Council’s decision should
that needed to be modified.
Council Member Thiede asked about the columns and if there were suggestions
about adding something else. Burbank stated it would be up to the applicant and
the current proposal was just to wrap the post with steel siding, as per the rest of
the balance of the building but he would let the applicant answer those questions.
The applicant, John Myers, 10990 Manning Avenue South, came forward. He
expressed frustration with the architectural style details that were being requested.
He stated the Council should keep in mind that one of the agreements was that this
was going to be temporary use for his family only; it would not be sold like this.
They would remove the living structures once the family use was done and revert it
back to just an accessory structure.
Council Member Olsen asked Mr. Myers if he was disputing all of the subtext under
Condition 13 or just the architectural treatments. Mr. Myers confirmed it was just
the architectural treatments on the porch support bases.
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Mayor Bailey asked what was meant by removal of the porch support conflict with
the garage. Mr. Myers explained that it was a software issue with the company’s
design ware and that the post would be constructed to the side of the door.
Council Member Olsen motioned to adopt Resolution No. 2015-046 as written by
staff with the exception of striking the architectural treatments on the porch support
post bases under #13 of the conditions; motion seconded by Council Member
Thiede.
Motion carried: 5-0.
B. Consider approving American AGCO’s site plan review application to allow the
construction of a 96,000 square-foot building addition and a 9.34-acre site
expansion as proposed on the development plans prepared by Vanguard
Construction-Rosa Architectural Group dated March 18, 2015.
Senior Planner John McCool stated that American AGCO is proposing to expand
their facilities located at 7800 and 7900-97th Street. The exterior building materials
will match the architecture on their existing structures. Six 16-foot tall doorways will
be installed on the south side of the existing building at 7900 79th Street.
Sometime in the future, if additional parking is needed on site, they have the ability
to provide 45 additional spaces south of the proposed new building addition and 24
parking spaces south of the building at 7800-97th Street. There is green space on
their property which will be eliminated; however, the landscaping plan will provide
for additional landscaping along the west side of their property. The City is
continuing to work with them on this. The Planning Commission recommended to
the City Council approval of the site plan review application subject to the 37
conditions listed in the draft resolution.
Council Member Thiede had concerns about having the diesel tank close to the
storm water drainage area, but he saw that there was a spill-prevention plan. He
asked when that would actually get completed. He was advised that would be part
of the construction process of installing the tanks and grading the ponds.
Gary Duclos of River Falls, Wisconsin, introduced himself to the Council. Mayor
Bailey thanked him for continuing to invest in Cottage Grove and was happy that
his business continues to grow and is creating new jobs.
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2015-047 by Council Member Olsen, seconded by
Council Member Peterson.
Motion carried: 5-0.
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9. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS –
None.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Council Member Olsen took a moment to acknowledge it was the week when we
recognize Public Safety Communication Professionals and 9-1-1 Dispatchers.
Council Member Peterson announced the Stone Soup Gift Shop in St. Paul Park, a
non-profit thrift shop serving the South Washington County area, is going to have a
fundraiser, “Soup-er Bowl” on Saturday, April 18, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at
the Park Grove Bowl.
Council Member Peterson stated the Spring Business Showcase is put on by the
Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce and takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2015,
from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Cottage Grove Ice Arena.
Council Member Peterson noted the Newport Transit Station (located where Knox
Lumber was previously located) will be having a grand opening celebration on
Monday, April 27, 2015, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Council Member Thiede mentioned Strawberry Fest is looking for people to help; they
meet every other Monday and will be meeting next Monday, April 20, at 6:00 p.m. in
the City Hall conference room. He invited anyone who wants to help to stop by.
Mayor Bailey commented that the Economic Development Authority has put up a
survey on the City’s website about shopping habits. They will use that information
when they travel to the International Shopping Center Convention in mid-May. He
encourages everyone to share their thoughts and ideas on Cottage Grove shopping
habits; the survey is also on Facebook.
Mayor Bailey mentioned that Saturday, May 2, 2015 is Spring Clean-Up Day in
Cottage Grove at the Public Works garage, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and to bring
any household hazardous waste items and electronic items to drop off, free of charge.
There is more information available on the City’s website.
Mayor Bailey announced that Thursday, May 14, 2015 is the Night to Unite
Informational Picnic at the pavilion in Kingston Park, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Night
to Unite is in August, but anyone who wants to be part of that is encouraged to attend.
Council Member Peterson said there will be a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday,
May 25, 2015, at City Hall near the Veterans Memorial by the flagpoles, and she
invited everyone to attend.
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11. PAY BILLS
A. Motion by Council Member Thiede, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to
approve payment of check numbers 190593 to 190755 in the amount of
$351,834.55 and EFT Payment of $141,446.66. Motion carried 5-0.
12. WORKSHOP SESSION – OPEN TO PUBLIC
The Council discussed their desire to increase Cottage Grove’s market share and the
mindset related to citizens shopping at local establishments, versus outside the
community.
The Council also discussed the idea of engaging the chamber and city staff for ideas
to encourage citizens to shop local and bring businesses to town. A follow-up
workshop was scheduled for June 3, 2015 when brainstorming ideas will be
discussed.
13. WORKSHOP SESSION – CLOSED TO PUBLIC – None.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Council Member Olsen, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn the
regular meeting at 9:30 p.m. Motion carried. 5-0.
Minutes prepared by: Judy Graf
Reviewed by: Neil Belscamper