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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-02 MINUTES Cottage J Grove �hete Pride and ProsPerity Meet MINUTES COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL CHAMBER 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY SOUTH MARCH 2, 2016 REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 P.M. (COUNCIL CHAMBER) CALL TO ORDER — Mayor The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a regular meeting on March 2, 2016, 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, 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 Thiede. Also present were: Charlene Stevens, City Administrator; Bridget McCauley-Nason, Acting City Attorney-LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; John Burbank, City Planner; Les Burshten, Public Works Director; Joe Fischbach, HR Manager/City Clerk; Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer; Sharon Madsen, Communications Coordinator; John McCool, City Planner; 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. Gary Woodward, 922 Ramsey Street, Hastings, Minnesota, wished to address the Council regarding the golf course. Mr. Woodward stated he was upset when he learned that Bruce Anderson was going to be leaving the River Oaks Golf Course. Because Mr. Woodward has golfed for many years at various golf courses, he wanted to offer his help to the City during the transition process with the River Oaks Golf Course. Mayor Bailey thanked him for his willingness to help. 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 March 2, 2016 _ Page 2 As no one else wished to address the Council, Mayor Bailey closed the Open Forum. Mayor Bailey presided over the meeting. 1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion by Council Member Peterson, second by Council Member Thiede, to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried: 5-0. 2. PRESENTATIONS A. 2015 Photo Contest Winners. Communications Coordinator Sharon Madsen explained the judging process for the contest and announced the winners. There were 25 entries in six categories: People at Play, Celebrations & Events, Historical, Parks & Trails, Progress, and Streetscapes. They were judged on overall impression, originality, technical excellence, and composition. The winner for People at Play was Drew Menges for a photo of his daughter taken at Hillside Elementary Park; he was not present but he was congratulated. The winner of the remaining five categories was Bill Pohlmann. He submitted photos of the Holiday Train, an old barn and silo on Grey Cloud Island Trail, a sunrise at Hazen P. Mooer Park, a controlled burn at the Ravine Regional Park, and a photo of Oakwood Park. Mr. Pohlmann was congratulated by the Mayor, the Council Members, and Ms. Madsen. B. Washington County Public Library System. Keith Ryskoski, Library Director in Washington County, and Jessi Schulte, the Senior Library Manager of the South Group, who operates out of the Cottage Grove library shared information on the Strategic Plan for the Washington County libraries. Mr. Ryskoski stated there were many resources available for citizens and businesses at public libraries, most at no cost. Many citizens don't know what libraries have to offer and/or how to access it. Restoration of all library facilities will be taking place throughout Washington County. Ms. Schulte stated she is new to Washington County and found Cottage Grove is racially, culturally, and economically diverse. The Cottage Grove Public Library does more business than all others, except perhaps Woodbury. There were over 100,000 visitors in 2015. Staff of the Cottage Grove Library had requested volunteers to place an RFID tag on each of the 90,000 items the library contains; the community response was tremendous, and that task was accomplished in four weeks. The libraries today are different than they had been. She stated books and magazines can be downloaded to phones, tablets, or computers; eAudiobooks are also available. Cottage Grove City Council, March 2, 2016 Page 3 Mayor Bailey asked about the library meeting rooms. Ms. Schulte stated a previous computer room has now also become a bookable meeting room; the free public meeting spaces are currently booked almost three months in advance. Council Member Olsen commented on how much he and his family appreciate having a library in Cottage Grove. Council Member Olsen and Council Member Dennis thanked both of them and the library staff for keeping a library in Cottage Grove and for the value that provides to the citizens. C. South Washington Watershed District Annual Update. Matt Moore, Administrator, wished to give the Council a brief update on some of their recent activities: • Phase 2, south of Highway 61, across the 3M property, has been completed. • They're currently designing Phases 3 and 4, Cottage Grove Ravine Park, the circulation road, and the County Road 19 project, which are slated for 2017. • They're continuing work on the vegetation in the prairie restoration area (that's on the border between Woodbury and Cottage Grove), as well as the ponds on 70th Street. • They're also financially involved in the Grove Plaza redevelopment project. • They're continuing to work on the Grey Cloud Crossing Project, again working with Washington County. They will be bidding that project as one project and working with Washington County to get that all done at one time. • Assisting Cottage Grove with some erosion inspections on constructions sites, reporting to City staff, and developing a process. He advised if there were residents interested in having rain gardens on their property, they can contact their office and they will help them with that. Mayor Bailey stated they have a great relationship with them and he thanked them for supporting the City of Cottage Grove. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 17, 2016 Special Meeting. B. February 17, 2016 Regular Meeting. Mayor Bailey and the Council Members approved the minutes as presented. Cottage Grove City Council, March 2, 2016 Page 4 _ _.. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Olsen pulled Item G for discussion, Council Member Thiede pulled Item O for discussion, and Mayor Bailey pulled Item B for comment. Council Member Olsen explained the Public Services Commission is a newly- formed Commission, a combination of the former Public Works Commission and the Public Safety Health & Welfare Commission. Tony Jurgens was the Chair of the Public Works Commission. When the new Commission was created, the City had to appoint a Chair and a Vice Chair. He stated Tony Jurgens was appointed Chair by unanimous consent by the Commission members, and he asked the Council approve Tony Jurgens' appointment as Chair. Council Member Thiede asked the Council to approve Ken Brittain as Chair of the Planning Commission, Brandon Smith as Chair of the Environmental Commission, and Herb Japs as Chair of the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation. He stated all three of them had done great jobs on those Commissions and were willing to act as Chair and leader of those groups. Mayor Bailey stated they were going to apply for some grant money from the MN Department of Natural Resources and the Lions Club International Foundation to help fund a good portion or all of the planned All Inclusive Playground. He stated there might be some people, groups, or businesses that could assist the City with fundraising for the playground or some type of a grant program, and encouraged them to contact him, a Council Member, or City Hall personnel. A. Accept and Place on File the Following Minutes: i. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from 1-25 16. B. Authorize Parks and Recreation Department staff to apply for the MN Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant Program and the Lions Club International Foundation to be used for the Woodridge Park Inclusive Playground. C. Authorize issuance of a single-occasion gambling permit to Cottage Grove Area Strawberry Festival, Inc. for a raffle at Park High School on 6-20-16. D. Enter into a separation agreement with Golf Course Manager Bruce Anderson. E. Pass Ordinance 956 amending fees for the Ice Arena effective March 9, 2016 and adopt Resolution 2016-037 authorizing publication of the ordinance by title and summary. F. Adopt Resolution 2016-038 approving the Nelson Mine annual mining permit, which authorizes Aggregate Industries — North Central Region, Inc. to operate 24 hours, seven days a week, at 11250 Grey Cloud Trail on Lower Grey Cloud Island Drive. G. Appoint Tony Jurgens as Chair of the Public Services Commission. Cottage Grove Gity Council March 2, 2016; Page 5 H. Adopt Resolution 2016-039 approving the final payment to Keys Well Drilling in the amount of$43,388.00 for Well No. 9 Maintenance. I. Pass Ordinance 957 to rezone approximately 80 acres of land located along the west side of West Point Douglas Road, between 80th Street and the property at 7858 West Point Douglas Road. J. Adopt Resolution 2016-040 Rescinding, Cancelling, and Terminating Certain Previously-Adopted Resolutions Pertaining to the Subject Property (Grove Plaza). K. Pass Ordinance 958 to amend Title 11, Chapter 10B, Section 1(c), Use Table for the commercial zoning districts that pertains to retailers of air conditioning, heating, electrical and plumbing, tattoo and body piercing. L. Adopt Resolution 2016-041 approving the feasibility report, establish an April 6, 2016 public improvement hearing date, and authorize the preparation of plans and specifications for the Hadley Avenue and 95th Street Improvements Project. M. 1. Adopt Resolution 2016-042 approving the plans and specifications and establishing a March 31, 2016 bid date for the 2016 Pavement Management Project, Districts F3, F5, D2, and 80th Street from Ideal Avenue to Jamaica Avenue. 2. Approve extending working hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, related to the closure of 80th Street during the pavement removal and replacement process. N. Adopt Resolution 2016-043 supporting the City of Cottage Grove's application to become a member of East Metro Strong. O. 1. Appoint Ken Brittain as Chair of the Planning Commission. 2. Appoint Brandon Smith as Chair of the Environmental Commission. 3. Appoint Herb Japs as Chair of the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation. Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Thiede, to approve the Consent Calendar. 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. Adopt a resolution approving Merchants Bank's site plan to convert a restaurant to a bank and variance to reduce the front yard setback area between the northern property line and the new drive-through lane from 21 feet to 5 feet at 8479 East Point Douglas Road. Cottage Grove City Council March 2, 20�6 Page 6 City Planner John Burbank stated Merchants Bank wanted to use the former Famous Dave's site on East Point Douglas Road, west of Jamaica Avenue. There was a site plan review to convert the restaurant into a bank and a variance related to the front yard setback area and a new drive-through lane with an ATM. The site plan approval is dependent upon the approval of the variance to allow for the modification of that site. He felt the change would not be noticeable. Planner Burbank stated the Applicant was present and could answer any questions. Council Member Olsen had questions for Planner Burbank regarding the possibility of headlight glare, previous challenges with getting owners to work together on site maintenance, and if a potential restaurant were placed in the former Blockbuster building if that might create traffic headaches and/or parking problems. Planner Burbank stated they had not previously had problems with headlight glare in the drive-through lanes, but additional landscaping would probably address that. There were existing maintenance agreements on that property; the Applicant was aware of that issue and had their own standards to which they would adhere. Planner Burbank stated there was an application for the former Blockbuster site, but that had been placed on hold at the request of the Applicant. One of the burdens the City had placed on them was they had to come up with cross access parking agreements to make a restaurant work there, and that's been discussed with the Applicants. The Applicant, Jon LeNoble, an architect with Krech, O'Brien, Mueller & Associates, 6115 Cahill Avenue, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, addressed the Council. Skip Stovern, 14302 Shore Crest Drive, Prior Lake, Minnesota, President of Merchants Bank, was also present. Mayor Bailey asked what their timeframe was for the bank; he was advised the purchase agreement called for closing on or before April 28. They would need approximately six months from that date to get the project completed and the bank moved from one location to another. Mr. Stovern stated federal law required they would remain open at their current location until they were ready to move into the new location. Council Member Dennis made a motion to adopt Resolution 2016-044 to approve the site plan for the property at 8479 East Point Douglas Road South and approve the variance to reduce the front yard setback for the drive- through, second by Council Member Thiede. Motion carried: 5-0. 9. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS — None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Cottage Grove City Council March 2, 2016 Page 7 Council Member Dennis stated he would be happy to talk with anyone who wanted to discuss the changes taking place at the River Oaks Golf Course. His phone number is 651-283-1929, you can E-mail him at stevedennisforcq(c�msn.com, or he'll be available at his business. All programs, including league play, youth activities, annual tournaments, or charitable events, will continue. He wanted everyone to know that they greatly value their customers and look forward to continuing associations with them. They will be improving operations to enhance services and promote customer satisfaction. Their three goals are: 1) Promote greater value to the community by running a self-sustaining business model that ends the requirement of taxpayer subsidy. 2) Create an operation that the community can be proud of and work to be active participants in the golf course. 3) Position River Oaks for future success and sustainability. Council Member Thiede stated the business plan is flexible, and he encouraged citizens who had ideas or comments to contact Council Member Dennis. They'd like to see River Oaks Golf Course be successful and encourage citizen involvement. Mayor Bailey stated while personnel changes are difficult, the City Council followed all of the necessary steps to reach a mutual agreement with Bruce Anderson, the golf course manager, and appreciate the many years of service he provided. Council Member Peterson stated the next Fare For All discount grocery-buying opportunity, open to the public, takes place on March 10 at All Saints Lutheran Church; it includes frozen meat and fresh produce, sponsored through a nonprofit organization, The Food Group. All proceeds benefit The Food Group, which supports local food shelves. Council Member Peterson stated the Lions' Easter Breakfast will be on March 20, at the VFW Red Barn. The Easter Bunny will be there, as well as baby chicks, and there will be activities for children. Council Member Peterson stated the Stone Soup "Soup-er Bowl" will take place April 23 at the Park Grove Bowl. More information can be found at www.stonesoupthriftshop.orq. Mayor Bailey stated the Friday Fish Fry at the River Oaks Golf Course will continue until March 25. He encouraged everyone to attend. Mayor Bailey stated on March 26 the Hastings Wedding Gala will take place at the River Oaks Golf Course. ;Cottage Grove City Council, March 2, 2016 Page 8 Mayor Bailey stated the second sheet of ice will be removed from the Ice Arena and artificial turf will be placed. On March 19, there will be an indoor Easter egg hunt; pre-registration is encouraged. The event starts at 9:00 a.m. Mayor Bailey stated March 7 is the deadline to be on the committee for the Comprehensive Plan. Community Development Director Levitt stated they'd love to see more participation to plan for the next 10 years. She encouraged interested people to apply. 11. PAY BILLS Motion by Council Member Thiede, second by Council Member Peterson, to approve payment of check numbers 195144 to 195296 in the amount of $430,632.54 and EFT Payment of$163,655.54. 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 Peterson, to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:05 p.m. Motion carried: 5-0. Minutes prepared by Judy Graf and reviewed by Joe Fischbach, HR Manager/City Clerk.