Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-16 MINUTES Cottage Grove �her� Pride ard ProsPerity Meet MINUTES COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL CHAMBER 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY SOUTH December 16, 2015 CALL TO ORDER — Mayor The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a regular meeting on December 16, 2015, at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience, staff, and Mayor and City Council Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 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: Charlene Stevens, City Administrator; Korine Land, City Attorney- LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; Steve Bowe- Forester; John Burbank, City Planner; 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; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director. OPEN FORUM Mayor Bailey asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the Council on any item that was not on the agenda. As no one wished to address the Council, Mayor Bailey closed the Open Forum. Mayor Bailey presided over the meeting. 1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA 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 ;Cottage Grove City Council Decernber=16, 2015 Page 2 Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Thiede, to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried: 5-0. 2. PRESENTATIONS A. Emerald Ash Borer Update. City Forester Steve Bowe gave an update on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), which was found in Washington County on October 8. It has not yet been located in Cottage Grove. They've been educating the public on EAB and have also reduced the ash tree population; in 2009 there were over 4,500 ash trees and there are now approximately 3,200-to-3,300 ash trees within the community. He stated the diversification of the forest and landscaping in Cottage Grove will make a healthier urban forest in the future. Council Member Dennis asked if a tree becomes infected if it's always fatal or if that is something that could be caught. Forester Bowe stated a homeowner would not be able to detect the decline in their ash tree and it could not be stopped before it actually killed the tree. Council Member Olsen asked about natural remedies that might be used when predators are introduced into the environment. Forester Bowe indicated some wasps are being used to specifically target EAB larvae with their eggs; their eggs feed on the EAB larvae and kill the EAB. They're not quite sure how effective that has been. Council Member Olsen asked if residents could volunteer to have their ash trees replaced and what process residents should follow. Forester Bowe stated residents could call Public Works to have him come out and do an evaluation. Council Member Olsen asked if there were any other trees he had his eye on; Forester Bowe stated Asian Long-horned Beetle is beginning to spread west and is in Chicago. It's a bit easier to control as it stays in the tree a little bit longer, but it's detrimental to a lot of maple trees and probably poses the biggest threat to the urban forest. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. December 2, 2015 City Council Meeting minutes. Mayor Bailey and the Council Members approved the minutes as presented. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Thiede wished to pull Item I for discussion. Council Member Olsen wished to pull Item E for discussion. Council Member Dennis wished to pull Item C6 for discussion. ;Cot#age Grove City Gouncil Decernber,16, 2015 Page 3 Council Member Thiede stated Jack Reimann wants to be on the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission; he's going to be an Eagle Scout and his project is to make benches for Oakwood Park. He seems like a perfect fit for the Commission and hopes he will be appointed. Council Member Olsen stated Draven Museus wants to take a youth seat to the Arts Commission. He stated he pulled this item to let the public know that the City offers youth seats on every Commission. He feels it's important for City Commissions to have a youth perspective, and asked that he be appointed. Council Member Dennis stated he wanted to recuse himself from voting on his business's own Liquor License, C6, and have the Council vote on that as a separate action. A. Accept and Place on File the Following Minutes: i. Public Safety, Health and Wellness Commission meeting minutes from August 25, 2015. ii. Environmental Commission meeting minutes from July 8, 2015. B. Authorize a prorated refund of the 2015 on-sale intoxicating liquor license fee in the amount of$500.00 to the American Motorsports Bar and Grill, Inc. C. Authorize renewal of the following liquor licenses for 2016 subject to compliance with State and local liquor laws and receipt of a Certificate of Liquor Liability insurance, or waiver, and payment of all outstanding financial debts to the City and County before license issuance: 1. Apple Minnesota LLC, DBA Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 8380 East Point Douglas Road South for an "On Sale" intoxicating and "On Sale" Special Sunday Liquor License. 2. Carbone's Pizza of Cottage Grove, Inc. DBA Carbone's Pizzeria, 7155 Jorgensen Lane South for an "On Sale" Wine License (with Strong Beer Authorization) and "On Sale" 3.2 Beer License. 3. A This Little Piggy Catering, Inc. DBA A This Little Piggy Catering, 6940 Keats Avenue South (Cedarhurst), for an "On Sale" Intoxicating and "On Sale" Special Sunday Liquor License. 4. Chipotle Mexican Grill of Colorado, LLC, DBA Chipotle Mexican Grill, 7180 East Point Douglas Road South, for an "On Sale" Intoxicating and "On Sale" Special Sunday Liquor License. 5. Supervalu, Inc. DBA Cub Foods, 8690 East Point Douglas Road South, for an "Off Sale" 3.2 Beer License. 6. Dennis Brothers Liquor, Inc., DBA Dennis Brother Liquor, 7155 Jorgensen Lane South, #150, for an "Off Sale" Intoxicating Liquor License. 7. Cherokee Liquors, Inc. DBA G-Will Liquors, 6999-80th Street South, for an "Off Sale" Intoxicating Liquor License. 8. Hope Glen Farm LLC DBA Hope Glen Farm, 10275 East Point Douglas Road South, for an "On Sale" 3.2 Beer License, and a Consumption and Display Permit. 9. MOPECA of Cottage Grove, Inc. DBA Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, 7750 Harkness Avenue South for an "On Sale" Intoxicating and ;Cottage Grove City Council December 16, 2015 Page 4 "On Sale" Special Sunday Liquor License. 10. Links on the Mississippi, Inc. DBA Mississippi Dunes Golf Links, 10351 Grey Cloud Trail, for an "On Sale" Intoxicating and "On Sale" Special Sunday Liquor License. 11 The Noodle Shop, Co — Colorado, Inc. DBA Noodles & Company, 7180 East Point Douglas Road, for an "On Sale" Wine License (with Strong Beer Authorization) and "On Sale" 3.2 Beer License. 12. Cottage Grove Economic Development Authority, DBA River Oaks Municipal Golf Course, 11099 US Hwy 61 S, for an "On Sale" Intoxicating and "On Sale" 3.2 Beer License. 13. RT Minneapolis Franchise, LLC, DBA Ruby Tuesday, 7350 Hardwood Court South, for an "On Sale" Intoxicating and "On Sale" Special Sunday Liquor License. 14. Mao Sao, Inc. DBA Shamrock Liquors, 9040 Inwood Avenue South, for an "Off Sale" Intoxicating Liquor License. 15. Northern Tier Retail, LLC, DBA SuperAmerica #4183, 7162 East Point Douglas Road South, for an "Off Sale" 3.2% Beer Liquor License. 16. Yavin Gadol, LLC DBA Top Ten Wine & Spirits, 8617 East Point Douglas Road South, for an "OfF Sale" Intoxicating Liquor License. 17. VFW Post#8752, DBA Cottage Grove VFW, 9260 East Point Douglas Road South, for an "On Sale" Club Intoxicating and "On Sale" Special Sunday Liquor License. 18. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. DBA Walmart#2448, 9300 East Point Douglas Road South, for an "Off Sale" Intoxicating Liquor License. D. Pass Ordinance 952 repealing Title 3, Chapter 1: Amusements of the Cottage Grove City Code in its entirety. E. Appoint Draven Museus to a youth seat on the Arts Commission effective December 17, 2015. F. Adopt Resolution 2015-130 approving final payment in the amount of $29,992.97 to Max Steininger, Inc. for the CSAH 22/70th Street & Meadow Grass Intersection Improvements Project. G. Adopt Resolution 2015-131 approving the feasibility report and calling for a public hearing for the 2016 Pavement Management Project. H. Approve the Amended Developers Agreement with Hy-Vee. I. Appoint Jack Reimann to the youth seat of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission effective January 1, 2016. Motion by Council Member Thiede, second by Council Member Peterson, to approve the Amended Consent Calendar. Motion carried: 5-0. Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Thiede, to approve C6, the Liquor License renewal for Dennis Brothers Liquors. Motion carried: 4-0. 5. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES — None. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS ;Cottage Grove City Council �Decernber����16, 2015 Page 5 A. Hold the public hearing for an ordinance amendment establishing a process to allow removal of properties from the City's Register of Historic Sites and Landmarks. 2. Consider passing the ordinance amendment. Planner Burbank stated as the City's Historic Preservation Officer for the last couple of years he's received questions about how to get added to and removed from the City's Register of Nistoric Sites and Landmarks. He stated he was not able to provide an answer as the current ordinance does not provide that information. He stated the Historic Preservation Committee felt there should be a process in place. There are less than 12 registered properties; however, the current property owners were not necessarily part of the registration process so there should be a due process to go before the City Council and the Advisory Committee. It would require a public hearing and be approved by the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, and if a property were to be removed, that information would need to be sent to the State of Minnesota. Council Member Thiede asked about benefits to owners of historic property and what would happen if the property was delisted. Planner Burbank stated the only real benefit for owners of registered historic properties were some tax benefits; having the registration is part of that. As far as the City's involvement, it makes the City eligible for federal grants that pass through the State's Historic Preservation Office. They have not been budgeting for taking grants for years because most of those grants take a match; instead, they've been focusing on education and sharing of information of those places within the community. Mayor Bailey opened the public hearing; as no one wished to speak, Mayor Bailey closed the public hearing. Motion by Council Member Olsen to accept the staff recommendation and pass Ordinance 953 establishing a process to allow removal of properties from the City's Register of Historic Sites and Landmarks, second by Council Member Dennis. Motion carried: 5-0. B. 1. Hold the public hearing to consider vacation and discontinuance of a utility and drainage easement on the 61 Marine & Sports site at 11726 Point Douglas Drive South. 2. Consider adopting a resolution vacating and discontinuing the easement and authorize the City Clerk to submit a Notice of Completion of Vacation to Washington County. Planner Burbank stated 61 Marine & Sports has been expanding their business; as part of that, the City required that an easement be dedicated for Cottage Grove City Council Decernber'�6, 2015 ,Page 6 drainage and utility purposes on the property. The most recent action that 61 Marine & Sports had before the Council required that the properties, which were all part of the expanded use of the facility, be combined. The easement was no longer necessary for public utility purposes, and the storm water management plan wasn't utilizing that area so they were looking to vacate that easement. That has been duly published twice, as required by State Statute. Mayor Bailey opened the public hearing; as no one wished to speak, Mayor Bailey closed the public hearing. Council Member Olsen made a motion to accept the staff recommendation and adopt Resolution 2015-132 for vacation and discontinuance of a utility and drainage easement on the 61 Marine & Sports site at 11726 Point Douglas Drive South, second by Council Member Thiede. Motion carried: 5-0. C. 1. Hold the public hearing to consider property tax abatements in connection with the issuance of tax abatement bonds for the purpose of acquiring the Cottage Grove Ice Arena. 2. Consider adopting a resolution approving the abatements. Director Roland stated the EDA actually owns the Ice Arena as in 2008 the EDA had issued the debt that paid for the upgrade to the arena; every year the City appropriates a tax levy to pay the EDA for that. There is a chance for the City to officially buy the Ice Arena from the EDA, with the ability to refinance the lease revenue bonds that were issued in 2008, pay off the EDA's portion of that debt, and reduce the current debt service expense for the Ice Arena. In order to do that, they will try to use abatement bonds. The City has to hold the public hearing and discuss the parcels (which are identified as abated parcels) and explain what's going to happen. It will be a bond issue that they're hoping to sell on January 6. The proceeds would be used to buy the Ice Arena from the EDA and pay off the prior bonds. Abatement bonds are authorized under Minnesota State Statute 469.1812 to 469.1815. These bonds have the City collecting the City's share of property taxes from the identified parcels for a maximum payment of about 11 years; they would use those specific parcels (City taxes) to pay the debt service. This does not mean the citizens are going to pay any more or any less in taxes. It's nothing different than what the City is currently doing, only when the taxes are levied now, they don't identify specific parcels that those taxes are coming from but instead they identify the whole City tax base as the parcels that it's coming from. The City has also been operating the Ice Arena, even though the EDA owns it; the City collects revenues from both the School District as well as the Hockey Association in order to fund not only the debt service but the actual ;Cottage Gro�e Ci#y Council December 16, 2015 Page 7 __ operations of the facility. Those revenues will continue to come in under the agreements that the City has with the School District and the Hockey Association. The City will use its ability to abate the taxes on those particular parcels to supplement that and pay off the debt on the Ice Arena. Director Roland stated that over the next 11 years this would save the City approximately $100,000 a year. The bond market is still very good, and they believe this will help the Ice Arena operations be more successful because there will be less debt to pay. Mayor Bailey opened the public hearing; as no one wished to speak, Mayor Bailey closed the public hearing. Motion by Council Member Thiede, second by Council Member Peterson, to adopt Resolution 2015-133 approving property tax abatements in connection with the issuance of tax abatement bonds for the purpose of acquiring the Cottage Grove Ice Arena. Motion carried: 5-0. 7. BID AWARDS — None. 8. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS — None. 9. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS — None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Council Member Dennis stated there were five reasons to shop local: 1) Keep your favorite business around. 2) If local businesses are supported, they are able to support hiring and maintaining a workforce. 3) Tax generation: Businesses in the community help to shoulder the tax burden. 4) Convenience: If products and services are located close to home, we enjoy a convenience factor. 5) Increases our existing business market share, which makes the City attractive to potential investors. Council Member Dennis stated he felt 2015 had been a very successful year: In the business park, the City assisted a number of major business partners with expansions. There were also new businesses that opened with assistance from the City, including Leaf Line Labs. There was sale of acreage to Hillcrest Development to develop the Southeast Business Park to prospective investors; there will be two new businesses joining the park in 2016. The Gateway North Shopping District will begin new construction next year. Commercial and industrial construction permits were issued and redevelopment of The Rush/Rodeo building is underway. There were 64 new home permits purchased in 2015, which total over $20,000,000 in value. There were significant staffing ;Cottage Grove City Council� Decernber 16, 2015 Page 8 changes, including City Administrator, City Clerk, Economic Development Director, and a number of other key positions. He felt this all took place because of the quality of the City team, from top to bottom. Council Member Dennis had asked Administrator Stevens to contact the Department Directors and have them list some of their biggest accomplishments of the year: • Community Development: Redevelopment efforts on the Gateway North shopping district with Hy-Vee coming to Cottage Grove, the future relocation of Merchants Bank, and the purchase and re-sale of the Home Depot property. • Finance: The City received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for the 25th consecutive year. • Parks and Recreation: Continued expansion of the parks and trail system and maintained and upgraded current facilities. Sunnyhill Park and Cedarhurst Meadows Park were opened, while Hamlet Park and Woodridge Park received renovation work that improved their aesthetics and functionality. Efforts were coordinated to protect and restore Cottage Grove's natural resources, including water, air, and landscape management. • Public Safety: Moved to a duty-crew system that has made significantly lower average response times, resulting in numerous success stories for both EMS and Fire; we have the lowest average response times in Minnesota. The Hero Center project also continues with ongoing design work as they await the bonding award, which will offer significant opportunities for partnerships with Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Regions Hospital, and surrounding agencies as a regional training facility. • Public Works: Installed a maintenance software program, Pub Works, which is a paperless system that will provide faster and easier tracking of maintenance costs, keep track of inventory and preventative maintenance schedules, and produce more efficient generation of financial reporting. Mastered the operations of a track paver, which resulted in efficiencies in installing asphalt; staff achieved a 50% increase in installed asphalt compared to a normal year. , Council Member Dennis stated we remain fully dedicated to the needs and concerns of our City with a positive "can do" spirit. Council Member Olsen stated he and Council Member Dennis talk often about the importance of shopping Cottage Grove. He stated he's kept the commitment he made earlier that every dollar he spends for the holidays will be spent in 55016. ;Cottage Grove City Councii December 16, 2015 _ . Page 9 Council Member Olsen offered condolences on behalf of the City Council with the passing of Robert LaBrosse, the father of the City's Chief Building Inspector, Bob LaBrosse, and Park High School's wresting coach, Jim LaBrosse. Council Member Olsen stated that yesterday he met with two Master Gardeners in the City of Cottage Grove. He learned that Washington County has over 100 Master Gardeners, who are people who have significant knowledge about soil conditions, planting materials, etc. He stated that Washington County initiated a program that was tested in the City of Bayport last year whereby Master Gardeners did some training for people in the community who wanted to beautify their yards; in particular, people who didn't have a big yard but maybe just an entryway area or wanted to do a pot garden. The Master Gardeners he met with suggested since Cottage Grove already has a Green Garden Award for commercial and residential gardens, they thought perhaps they could include categories for entryway gardens or pot gardens or hanging gardens; in effect, gardens for small spaces. He asked for the Council's support to add a few categories to the City's Green Garden Award next year, those being entryway gardens, container gardens, and perhaps a children's category for Fairy Gardens, etc. Council Member Olsen stated a Cottage Grove resident, Jim Gorbunow, is certified to do public speaking about organ donation and transplants. Mr. Gorbunow asked if the City Council would consider having him come to a future City Council meeting and speak about the value and necessity of being an organ donor. Council Member Peterson wanted to acknowledge the recent passing of an icon in Cottage Grove, former Cottage Grove Council Member Ralph McHattie, and offered condolences to the family. Mr. McHattie was involved in very many community organizations, including the Cottage Grove Lions Club. Council Member Peterson stated the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Burger Bash will be tomorrow, December 17, at the Cottage Grove VFW; it's a fundraiser to support military service members and their families. Council Member Peterson stated that the Red Rock Corridor Commission is having an open house on Wednesday, January 13, at the St. Paul Park City Hall. The Red Rock Corridor is the planned transit way along Highway 61 coming through Cottage Grove. There are two proposed alternatives: The first basically runs along Highway 61; the second deviates a bit from Highway 61 and goes out into the community through St. Paul Park, 70th Street, possibly into the area of Presbyterian Homes and maybe to the Industrial Park area. They're looking at mass transit options for the businesses out there. ;Cot#age Groue City Council December 16,2015 Page 10 Mayor Bailey stated the entry deadline for the City's Photo Contest is on December 18; to date, there have only been three photos received so he encouraged more people to submit their entries. Mayor Bailey congratulated the public, the City of Cottage Grove, and the surrounding communities for another fantastic Holiday Train. The amount of money donated to date totals $78,172.21. All of the money supports the local citizens of Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport, and Grey Cloud area who are in need. Council Member Thiede wished everyone Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a fantastic New Year; he wanted everyone to have fun but to also be safe! 11. PAY BILLS Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Thiede, to approve payment of check numbers 194192 to 194355 in the amount of $441,820.71 and EFT Payment of$44,100.41. Motion carried: 5-0. 12. WORKSHOP SESSION — OPEN TO PUBLIC — None. 13. WORKSHOP SESSION — CLOSED TO PUBLIC — None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council Member Dennis, second by Council Member Thiede, to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:12 p.m. Motion carried: 5-0. Minutes prepared by Judy Graf and reviewed by Joe Fischbach, HR Manager/City Clerk.