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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-12 MINUTES MINUTES COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL CHAMBER 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY SOUTH August 12, 2015 OPEN FORUM – 7:15 P.M. The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Steve Dennis, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, Council Member Dave Thiede. Also present were: Craig Woolery, Interim City Administrator; Korine Land, City Attorney-LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; Les Burshten, Public Works Director; Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director; Joe Fischbach, HR Manager/City Clerk; Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer; Robin Roland, Finance Director; John Burbank, Senior Planner; Brenda Malinowski, Assistant Finance Director; Brian Bluhm, MIS Coordinator; Sharon Madsen, Communications Coordinator; Pete Koerner, Deputy Public Safety Director. Mayor Bailey asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the City Council on any item not on the agenda; as there were none, Mayor Bailey closed the Open Forum. 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 August 12, 2015, at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience, staff, and Mayor and City Council Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 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  August 12, 2015 Cottage Grove City Council Page 2 ROLL CALL – City Clerk The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Steve Dennis, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, Council Member Dave Thiede. Also present were: Craig Woolery, Interim City Administrator; Korine Land, City Attorney-LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; Les Burshten, Public Works Director; Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director; Joe Fischbach, HR Manager/City Clerk; Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer; Robin Roland, Finance Director; John Burbank, Senior Planner; Brenda Malinowski, Assistant Finance Director; Brian Bluhm, MIS Coordinator; Sharon Madsen, Communications Coordinator; Pete Koerner, Deputy Public Safety Director. Mayor Bailey presided over the meeting. 1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Thiede, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. 2. PRESENTATIONS A. 2015 Green Garden Awards Presented by Landscape Interns Caitlyn Johnson and Kevin Link. Kevin Link identified various projects/plantings and landscape renovations he and Caitlyn Johnson had done throughout the City in 2015. Caitlyn stated there were four nominees for the residential Green Garden Award and the winner was Lou Bourasa. She accepted the award and was congratulated by the Mayor and City Council Members. There were two nominees for the commercial Green Garden Award: White Pine Senior Living and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. The winner was St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. St. Luke’s Pastor Amanda Olson de Castillo accepted the award, along with the church’s Garden Committee, and they were congratulated by the Mayor and City Council Members. The Mayor and Council Members thanked Mr. Link and Ms. Johnson for the work they had done throughout their internship to beautify the City. August 12, 2015 Cottage Grove City Council Page 3 B. Swearing in Ceremony – Police Officers Brianna Lutz, Michael Tadych, and Patrick Young. Administrator Woolery introduced the officers and indicated they had just finished their probationary status. He summarized each officer’s education and work history. They were sworn in by Administrator Woolery and presented with their badges. Deputy Director Koerner spoke to the officers about the honor associated with their position as well as the associated expectations. Mayor Bailey congratulated the officers and welcomed them to the City. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. July 15, 2015 Regular Meeting Mayor Bailey and members of the City Council approved the minutes as presented. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Olsen pulled Item K and stated some concerns were raised by neighbors regarding the construction taking place at St. Rita’s Church, and he hoped those concerns would be alleviated when the construction was completed. He said if neighbors had concerns or questions, they could contact City Hall staff members to get updates and answers to their questions. Mayor Bailey pulled Item O and said the City had concerns regarding the safety and operations at the intersection of CSAH 19 and East Point Douglas Road due to the increased volume of traffic resulting from commercial growth in the area. The City urged the County to expedite the project from the proposed 2019 Capital Improvements Plan to the 2017 Capital Improvements Plan and supported a roundabout at that location as well relocating the Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park entrance. Council Member Thiede pulled Item P and asked if there had ever been complaints regarding noise from the 3M Trap and Skeet Club, whether the noise level had ever been measured and, if not, what it would take to do that. Director Levitt stated that City staff had not conducted noise level testing. She referred to Minnesota Statute 87A.05, which has specific noise standards, and said the noise level at the property could be monitored to ensure compliance. Administrator Woolery noted that the City does not receive many complaints about the range. Council Member Thiede asked if there were safety issues associated with the location and Administrator Woolery replied that the birdshot used at the range does not carry beyond the location. Council Member Thiede requested that a condition be added to ensure noise compliance. Director Levitt stated such a condition could be added to the resolution. August 12, 2015 Cottage Grove City Council Page 4 Mayor Bailey asked for a motion to approve the Consent Calendar and pull Item P for a separate vote. Motion by Council Member Thiede, second by Council Member Olsen, to pull Item P for a separate vote. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Peterson, to approve the consent calendar as amended: A. Accept and Place on File the Following Minutes: i. Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission Meeting Minutes from 4/28/2015. ii. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from 6/22/2015. B. Authorize issuance of a single-occasion gambling permit to Cottage Grove Elementary PTO Inc. to conduct a raffle on October 23, 2015 at Cottage Grove Elementary School. C. Approve the donation of used/out-of-service uniform jackets to the Boy Scouts of America for use during their winter camp. D. Approve the sale by Public Auction of one 2007 Ford Expedition fire response vehicle by Cranky Ape Auctions. E. Authorize issuance of a single-occasion gambling permit to the East Ridge Diamond Club to conduct a raffle and bingo at River Oaks Golf Course on October 24, 2015. F. Approve Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $11,450 for the Woodridge Park Activity Building Project. G. Adopt Resolution No. 2015-082 approving final payment in the amount of $21,891.30 to Valley Paving, Inc. for the 2014 Pavement Management Project. H. Adopt Resolution No. 2015-083 approving final payment in the amount of $276,085.80 to Pearson Brothers, Inc. for the 2015 Seal Coating Project. I. Approve Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $98,319.99 for the 2015 Pavement Management Project. J. Approve the Agreement Between Washington County Conservation District and Members of the 2016 – 2018 East Metro Water Resource Education Program. K. Approve the Stormwater Management Agreement with the Church of St. Rita. L. Authorize the issuance of a single-occasion gambling permit to Zion Lutheran Church, 8500 Hillside Trail South, to conduct a raffle on September 26, 2015. M. Authorize Amendment No. 1 to the Land Transfer and Replacement Agreement with Washington County. N. Approve the Building Inspection Service Agreement that includes fee increases with the City of Newport and the City of St. Paul Park. O. Authorize a letter of support to Washington County to expedite the improvement project at the CSAH 19 and East Point Douglas Road intersection to the County’s Capital Improvement Plan, which would include relocation of the access to Ravine Regional Park. P. Removed for separate vote. August 12, 2015 Cottage Grove City Council Page 5 Q. Adopt Resolution No. 2015-085 approving a conditional use permit for the expansion of a legal nonconforming use to allow exterior storage, delivery, return, and service of mobile office trailers at 10870 Ideal Avenue South, commonly known as Rogers Automotive. R. Adopt Resolution No. 2015-086 approving a conditional use permit to allow a sign up to 126 square feet to be mounted on the southeast side of Crossroads Church, 7655 Ivystone Avenue South. Motion carried 5-0. P. Adopt a resolution approving a conditional use permit for the expansion of a nonconforming use to allow the construction of a 24-foot by 36-foot detached accessory structure and a picnic shelter at the 3M Trap and Skeet Club, 9600 105th Street Court South. Motion by Council Member Thiede, second by Council Member Dennis, to adopt Resolution No. 2015-084 approving a conditional use permit for the expansion of a nonconforming use to allow the construction of a 24-foot by 36-foot detached accessory structure and a picnic shelter at the 3M Trap and Skeet Club, 9600 105th Street Court South, adding a condition ensuring that the noise levels conform to State Statute. Council Member Olsen asked who would be monitoring the noise levels. Director Levitt replied that the applicant would be requested to measure noise levels by industry standards. Upon vote being taken, motion carried 5-0. 5. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES – None. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None. 7. BID AWARDS – None. 8. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Consider naming finalists in the recruitment process for the City of Cottage Grove City Administrator position. Mayor Bailey reviewed the recruitment process to date and said there would be an open house at River Oaks Golf Course for elected officials and City staff to meet and greet the finalists. Council interviews of the finalists would take place on August 19. Mayor Bailey requested a motion to approve the finalists. Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Dennis, to approve the finalists. Motion carried 5-0. August 12, 2015 Cottage Grove City Council Page 6 The two finalists were Jeffrey Dahl and Charlene Stevens. Mayor Bailey requested a motion to approve the acceptance of the named candidates and the timeframes. Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Peterson, to accept the candidates and approve the hiring process. Motion carried 5-0. 9. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Mayor Bailey stated the Council had received the requested information regarding the Ice Arena concession purchasing. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Council Members Dennis and Olsen thanked staff and residents who worked on Night to Unite. Council Member Olsen encouraged residents to support the local business community. Council Member Olsen said there was an upcoming event for school-aged children at City Hall on August 20 called “Backing the Blue Line” and it would include tours of the Public Safety Department. Administrator Woolery added that it was an opportunity for the public to thank officers for the work they do. Council Member Peterson said the Fare for All would be held on August 13 at All Saints Lutheran Church. Council Member Peterson said Stone Soup Thrift Shop in St. Paul Park was going to have a community gathering on August 25 at the City Hall Training Room to talk about Stone Shop’s future as their lease will end on December 31. Council Member Peterson announced a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Park High School girls’ soccer on August 30 at the VFW. Mayor Bailey stated he had received an email from some citizens who had concerns about drones and the legal ramifications as it relates to privacy, flying drones above homes, etc. Mayor Bailey said he would forward the email to the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission to have them take a look at it and report back to the Council. Mayor Bailey said earlier in the week there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Keller Williams Realty and he welcomed them to the community. August 12, 2015 Cottage Grove City Council Page 7 Mayor Bailey stated that on September 9 there would be an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ashland Credit Union at 8711 East Point Douglas Road. Mayor Bailey commented that on August 19 a City Commission Town Hall Budget Meeting would take place, which would be an opportunity for the public to ask questions about the budget. 11. PAY BILLS A. Motion by Council Member Thiede, second by Council Member Peterson, to approve payment of check numbers 192155 to 192558 in the amount of $2,918,927.41 and EFT Payment of $178,354.62. Motion carried 5-0. 12. WORKSHOP SESSION – OPEN TO PUBLIC A. 2016 Budget Director Roland presented levy alternatives of 4%, 5%, and 6% increases to the Council. She cautioned that the 2017 budget will be that much harder, as there are a significant amount of expenditures for 2017 and the challenge will be to bring that to a comfortable levy for the Council. She requested guidance to staff as to where they’d like to have the levy set. Mayor Bailey and each of the Council Members agreed that the levy increase should be 5%. Mayor Bailey asked about the proposed storm water fee increase of 4.5% and Council Member Thiede asked if it could just be raised for 2016 and not any further. Director Roland replied that the problem was due to expenditures for pavement management and other projects and the future of the MS4, and that these requirements were drawing down the reserves in the storm water fund. She added that Cottage Grove is one of the lowest storm water utility fee communities in the metropolitan area. Director Levitt said for major road projects there are hardly any assessable properties and the fund has to bear nearly 100% of the cost for storm water, whereas it’s only 55% of the funding source for residential areas. Director Roland said they’d like to do a workshop on September 16 on the Capital Improvement Program, the Economic Development fund, and the Golf Course fund. Director Levitt requested some feedback and guidance on future pavement management projects. Council Member Olsen asked if some less- traveled residential streets could be delayed. Mayor Bailey asked whether the space needs study for the Fire Department would be available by the end of September. Administrator Woolery replied it would be later, possibly by October. August 12, 2015 Cottage Grove City Council Page 8 Mayor Bailey asked whether other cities are still seal-coating streets and said he’d like to see data supporting the practice. Council Member Thiede stated an RFP would be reviewing how to cost out some of the services of the Cable Commission and how that spreads out to the different cities. Council Member Dennis asked about getting a consultant who specializes in golf course operations to review the City’s golf course. Director Roland replied that she had a report for Edinborough Golf Course and had some resources available that could be contacted. 13. WORKSHOP SESSION – CLOSED TO PUBLIC – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Thiede, to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:21 P.M. Motion carried 5-0. Minutes prepared by Judy Graf and reviewed by Deputy City Clerk Neil Belscamper.