Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes i� ��tJV� �ri°t � y � ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ���� �ri e ar�d PC�� t MINUTES COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL March 7, 2018 COUNCIL CHAMBER 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY SOUTH REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a regular meeting on March 7, 2018, at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience, staff, Mayor, and City Council Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL The following were present: Council Member Steve Dennis, Council Member Wayne Johnson, Council Member La Rae Mills, and Council Member Thiede. Also present were: Charlene Stevens, City Administrator; Korine Land, City Attorney- LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; Ryan BurFeind, Assistant City Engineer; John Burbank, Senior Planner; Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor; Joe Fischbach/HR Manager/City Clerk; Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Pete Koerner, Director of Public Safety. 4. OPEN FORUM Mayor Bailey opened the open forum and 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. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion by Council Member Thiede to adopt the agenda; second by Council Member Dennis. Motion carried: 5-0. 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 City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 2 6. PRESENTATIONS A. Swearing In Ceremony: Public Safety Director Pete Koerner Mayor Bailey asked the Council Members and City Administrator Charlene Stevens to join him in front of the Council dais, along with Pete Koerner and his family. Administrator Stevens stated it was an honor for her to give the Oath of Office to Pete Koerner, the new Public Safety Director/Chief of Police for the City of Cottage Grove. She stated Pete had been with the Cottage Grove Police Department for over 25 years, and reviewed the positions he'd held there. He's a Cottage Grove native; he and his family are committed to this community. Administrator Stevens had Director Koerner recite the Oath of Office and he was congratulated by her and the Council Members. Director Koerner thanked Mayor Bailey, the Council Members, and Administrator Stevens for their support. Public Safety has always been appreciated here; he stated we have outstanding police, fire, and EMS professionals, and he's very proud of them. He reviewed the changes over the last five years in the Public Safety division. He stated he's had awesome leadership with former Director Woolery, who was a mentor to him, along with many others from whom he learned. He stated it was important to him to continue good working relationships with other agencies. He thanked everyone for being present tonight and stated he was ready to get to work. Administrator Stevens invited Director Koerner's wife, Kristin, and his family to come forward, and Kristin pinned on his new badge. Mayor Bailey stated he felt we have the finest Public Safety Department in the State of Minnesota; he stated the many people present tonight was a testament to the support Director Koerner is receiving from Public Safety staff, police and fire, including outside agencies, as well as from administrative staff and citizens. Mayor Bailey congratulated Pete on his promotion and stated they knew he was going to do great things for the City of Cottage Grove. B. Animal Control Ordinance Presentation Staff Recommendation: Provide comments on recommended revisions. Police Sergeant McCormick stated the animal ordinances were last revised in 1971, with some minor revisions in 2007. They consulted with many outside agencies, the City Attorney, as well as the lead investigator for the Animal Humane Society of Minnesota, from whom they received very good input. We wanted to make sure the ordinances were better for law enforcement personnel so they could educate the public and enforce as necessary; they wanted to provide better definitions and assistance to the citizens of Cottage Grove. He reviewed specific areas addressed, including dogs running at large; service animals; exotic animals; removal of animal feces; using an Administrative Hearing Officer for appeal; impoundment, seizure, and redemption procedures, where it's now the officer's discretion to get the Humane Society involved if there's also an animal welfare issue. City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 3 Council Member Johnson asked if there's a barking dog complaint if an officer had to be present and hear the dogs barking; Sergeant McCormick confirmed that was still the case. Those calls are documented, but it's sometimes difficult to enforce if the officer doesn't actually hear the barking. Council Member Johnson asked regarding the removal of waste, if a neighbor usually calls in to complain. Sergeant McCormick stated that's usually the case, but a Community Service Officer might also see the violation. Council Member Johnson asked if there's leeway given in the winter, and Sergeant McCormick confirmed that. Council Member Thiede asked about wild or exotic animals, not native to the state, and if the animal is native to another state in the region if that would be allowed. Sergeant McCormick stated owners could petition that, but they thought this should take some of the guesswork out as far as what animals are allowed. Council Member Thiede asked about pigeons and doves, if it was the number of them, or if it was that big of a deal if someone had a dove in a cage. Sergeant McCormick felt the thought was that's more of a health and welfare issue, with sanitary conditions, where the Health Department would get involved; it hadn't been determined if that was something that would be allowed. Council Member Thiede asked what pets are allowed and if it's limiting those. Sergeant McCormick stated you could have fish, etc. Council Member Thiede felt the collars should reference dogs and cats and refer to what pets that would entail. Sergeant McCormick stated, if need be, that could be addressed. Mayor Bailey stated he believed pigeons, chickens, etc. had been previously brought up, and some of those animals are allowed but they need to be kept in non-urban areas. Mayor Bailey thanked Sergeant McCormick for their work on the ordinance additions and the use of the Humane Society. Administrator Stevens stated this would be coming back for a vote by the Council on March 21, 2018. 7. CONSENT AGENDA A. Appoint Mike Zurbey as Chair of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission. B. Adopt Resolution 2018-024 authorizing scheduled internal fund transfers from the Park Trust Fund to the Park Improvement Fund as repayment for the Woodridge Park Inclusive Playground Project. C. Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Arts Commission meeting on January 2, 2018. D. Pass Ordinance No. 990 amending City Code Title 11-4-10, Solar Energy Systems, to allow solar energy systems on top of residential accessory structures in all zoning districts. E. Accept and place on file the minutes from the February 15, 2018, Planning Commission meeting. F. Award the 2018 Boulevard Tree Planting Contract to Warner Outdoors in the amount of$80,901. City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 4 G. Receive information regarding results of 2017 General Fund operations and subsequent designation of fund balance at year end. H. Approve the issuance of rental licenses to the properties in the attached table. I. Adopt Resolution 2018-025 authorizing the transfer of$190,000 from the General Fund (Fund 100) to the River Oaks Fund (Fund 255) for 2017. J. Adopt Resolution 2018-026 in support of using Minnesota Department of Transportation 2018 Corridors of Commerce Funding for "Project 2 of Making 61 a Freeway." K. Adopt Resolution 2018-027 in support of Modern Automotive Performance in their application to the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Job Creation Fund to expand their business in Cottage Grove. L. Approve the Standard Specifications for Street & Utility Construction and Standard Detail Plates, which will simplify and ensure uniformity in public infrastructure details in the plans & specifications development process for developers. M. Accept the Strategic Plan update. N. Appoint Jennifer Cheesman and Shawn Foster to the Arts Commission. Council Member Mills wished to pull Item N, Council Member Dennis wished to pull Item L, and Council Member Thiede wished to pull Item A for further comment and/or discussion. Council Member Mills stated they had interviews for a couple seats on the Arts Commission; she wanted to highly recommend the Council support voting for Jennifer Cheesman and Shawn Foster for the Arts Commission, as she felt that they'd be great assets. Mayor Bailey asked if there were still youth seats available, and Council Member Mills confirmed that there were still two youth seats available. Council Member Dennis stated structuring design standards for our roadways, not only public but those done inside of developments, is a very important task. He wanted to draw attention to the fact that the Engineering Department did excellent work with Bolton & Menk to create a document second to none. It covers every aspect of roadway construction; having originally served on the Pavement Management Task Force, this document impressed him with its detail. He thanked them for the fantastic job done. Mayor Bailey stated this document made it easier for developers to work together with the City on plans and specifications, which was good. Council Member Thiede stated there were some changes to the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission at the beginning of the year; Art Nelson, who'd served as Chairman of the Commission for quite a while and did a fantastic job, had hit his term limit. They looked at the group, and Council Member Thiede recommended Mike Zurbey as Chair of the Commission; he's been on the Commission for about five years City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 5 and has done a great job. He hopes the Council will approve his appointment as Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. Motion by Council Member Thiede to approve the agenda; second by Council Member Mills. Motion carried: 5-0. 8. APPROVE DISBURSEMENTS A. Approve payments for the period of 2/21/2018 through 3/08/2018 for the amount of$1,882,914.62. Motion by Council Member Johnson to approve disbursements; second by Council Member Thiede. Motion carried: 5-0. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None. 10. BID AWARDS — None. 11. REGULAR AGENDA A. Southeast Industrial Park Development Staff Recommendation: 1) Adopt Resolution 2018-028 approving the preliminary plat and final plat named Southeast Industrial Park for a 38.72- acre parcel for one 12.57-acre development lot, one 23.03-acre outlot for future development, one 1.59-acre parcel for future storm water purposes, and an additional 1.53-acre area of dedicated public right-of-way. 2) Adopt Resolution 2018-029 approving a variance related to truck docks facing a public street and a site plan for a 161,100 square foot manufacturing building and associated infrastructure development on Lot 1, Block 1 of the requested plat. Senior Planner John Burbank stated this is the site plan, preliminary plat, and final plat for the creation of a 161,000-square foot manufacturing facility within the Business Park. This is a shovel-ready site; it will be a development that fits within the Business Park and bring new jobs. He reviewed the resolutions and the variance requested, relating to truck docks facing a public street; he stated there will be additional screening along the public right-of-way. The applicant, Mr. Phil Cattanach, of The Opus Group, 10350 Bren Road West, Minnetonka, Minnesota, 55343, stated he worked on the original site plan a couple years ago; he wanted to commend City staff for living up to the idea of the speed to market and working with them to make this happen. Mayor Bailey asked what their timeframe was; Mr. Cattanach stated the equipment was scheduled to arrive, ideally, in July. They're on a fast track and want this completed as quickly, and as realistically, as possible. Mayor Bailey stated normally the trailer docking would be done somewhere City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 6 else, but he felt the way it worked out was actually better, as it's not facing in toward the park, or toward the homes. Mayor Bailey confirmed that the access to Hamlet Park or the parking for those fields would be off of 91 st Street, and that was confirmed by Planner Burbank. Motion by Council Member Mills to Adopt Resolution 2018-028 approving the preliminary plat and final plat named Southeast Industrial Park for a 38.72-acre parent parcel for one 12.57-acre development lot, one 23.03-acre outlot for future development, one 1.59-acre parcel for future storm water purposes, and an additional 1.53-acre area of dedicated public right-of-way; second by Council Member Thiede. Motion carried: 5-0. Motion by Council Member Dennis to Adopt Resolution 2018-029 approving a variance related to truck docks facing a public street a site plan for a 161,100-square foot manufacturing building and associated infrastructure development on Lot 1, Block 1 of the requested plat; second by Council Member Johnson. Motion carried: 5-0. B. Eastbrooke Development - Rezoning and Preliminary Plat Staff Recommendation: 1) Adopt Ordinance 992 approving the zoning amendment to change the zoning classification of property generally located east of Hadley Avenue and south of the Woodbury/Cottage Grove border, from R-2, Residential Estate, to R-4, Single Family Residential, with a PDO, Planned Development Overlay. 2) Adopt Resolution 2018- 030 approving the preliminary plat for a single family residential subdivision to be known as Eastbrooke, which will include the phased platting of 1261ots for detached single-family homes and 10 outlots on four parcels of land totaling 67.78 gross acres of land. Planner Burbank stated they're dealing with properties located at 6055 and 6065 Hadley Avenue South; they are located north of 65th Street, east of Hadley Avenue, and south of the Woodbury border. Requested are a zoning amendment from R-2 to R-4, and approval of a preliminary plat for a single-family residential subdivision, Eastbrooke. He reviewed changes made to lot sizes and stated the development will take place in two phases; there are two builders for the project, who are new to the City of Cottage Grove. Paul Robinson, with The Bancor Group, 543 Dupont Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Eastbrooke Development, LLC, the applicant, gave a presentation to touch on highlights of the project, including a variety of homes, lots of open space, and ways they will restore the creek beds in the area. He reviewed changes that were made: Addition of an acre to the overall site; reduced the number of units from 138 to 126; increased lot sizes and depths; additional screening trees added; and Gonyea Homes and Stonegate Builders have been added. He showed examples of the homes that would be built in the Eastbrooke development. He took questions from Council: -Council Member Thiede asked if Lot 4 was going to be subdivided; he was advised it City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 7 could be subdivided that way in the future. -Council Member Johnson asked for the price range of the homes, both sizes of lots; Rick Packer, of Stonegate Builders and Gonyea Homes, 1000 Boone Avenue North, Golden Valley, MN, 55423, stated the home prices for the smaller lots would begin at $450,000, and for the larger lots, from $675,000 to $850,000. Mr. Packer complimented City staff on their ability to be flexible with this unique, wooded, hilly site, which attracted them to Cottage Grove. -Council Member Thiede asked if they found a large oak tree if they'd be able to keep that and design around it; Mr. Packer stated it's very difficult on any site to save trees, as there are utilities and driveways in the yards, which jeopardize trees. He didn't foresee saving any trees in a yard due to the topography; instead, they'd be planting new trees. He stated they'd be walking the tree removal area with staff before starting any grading with the idea that they might be able to save a few more trees. -Mayor Bailey asked if there would be monument signs, one off of Hadley Avenue; he was advised they're proposing two, one off of Hadley and another as it goes into Silverwood. Mayor Bailey asked if there was water that was going to be flowing onto Silverwood; he was advised that no, the water would all be flowing to the Eastbrooke ponds. Mayor Bailey stated it was refreshing to work with a developer who wanted to save trees and streams and protect natural resources. Motion by Council Member Johnson to Adopt Ordinance 992 approving the zoning amendment to change the zoning classification of property generally located east of Hadley Avenue and south of the Woodbury/Cottage Grove border, from R-2, Residential Estate, to R-4, Single Family Residential, with a PDO Planned Development Overlay; second by Council Member Dennis. Motion carried: 5-0. Motion by Council Member Dennis to Adopt Resolution 2018-030 approving the preliminary plat for a single family residential subdivision to be known as Eastbrooke, which will include the phased platting of 126 lots for detached single-family homes and 10 outlots on four parcels of land totaling 67.78 gross acres of land; second by Council Member Mills. Motion carried: 5-0. 12. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Council Member Mills stated she was at the Capitol yesterday and spoke to area legislators about the Arts; there's grant money being used in Cottage Grove that's been approved through legislative moneys. Recently, Hastings did a study about the impact of the Arts in their community, and she shared that yesterday; it proves that cities are being financially impacted by the Arts in a positive way. Council Member Mills spoke about the upcoming Paint `N Sip on March 24, in the evening, at River Oaks. She encouraged everyone to attend; you can register on the City's website. City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 8 Council Member Mills stated last week an event occurred, which triggered a Code Red. You can sign up for Code Red, which helps you know what's happening in the community; if there's an emergency in your neighborhood, you're contacted through Code Red so you can be aware of what's taking place. You can sign up for that on the City's website; simply click Code Red on the left-hand side of the page to register. Council Member Dennis stated that Cottage Grove was just named as one of the safest cities in the State of Minnesota. Safewise.com listed us as the 14th safest city in the State, which is calculated using crime rates per the number of people per city. Minnesota has 850 incorporated cities, and the ranking is based on the F.B.I.'s crime report statistics from data received. He felt this indicates to all of us that Cottage Grove is a great place to live, work, and play. Council Member Dennis stated that he and Council Member Thiede will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, May 3, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers. They'd like to hear citizens' thoughts and opinions on City operations, budget issues, current policies, or anything that's important to members of the community. Council Member Dennis asked Administrator Stevens when the Strategic Planning for 2018 would take place; the Council would like to set a date for that, as there are things that need to be done. Administrator Stevens stated they've received one proposal and Mayor Bailey is speaking to another facilitator tomorrow to get a proposal; we will then start to look at dates at that point. Council Member Thiede stated he questioned whether we need to have a facilitator, as we've previously completed this process. If things are being held up by trying to find a facilitator, he felt they should be able to discuss things amongst themselves and save some money. Mayor Bailey stated they weren't just hiring a facilitator, as before; they're looking for somebody who's unique, to work with both staff and Council, to blend some of the staff's goals, desires, issues, and concerns with those of the Council, and how to meet in the middle. After he speaks with his contact tomorrow, they'll let Council know, and will set up a date. Council Member Johnson asked staff with all of the developments taking place on the Cottage Grove/Woodbury area, what was being done to ensure when the owners move into those homes that they'll spend their money here in Cottage Grove, rather than in Woodbury. He asked if there was something that could be given to homeowners that would list all of the amenities in Cottage Grove, especially with all of the new restaurants, etc. Mayor Bailey felt perhaps we should bring this up with Director Costello, the EDA, and the Chamber of Commerce. Administrator Stevens stated they'd been updating the new resident packet, although it doesn't contain business information; she felt that should come from the Chamber, and they'd speak with the Chamber. Council Member Johnson felt perhaps there should be something about Cottage Grove in the model homes for new home buyers to review. Mayor Bailey stated there are upcoming events for residents to get involved with in City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 9 Cottage Grove, including: -March 15: A public open house on the Hinton and 70th Street roundabout, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church; he'd previously met with business owners and got their input. -March 15: The Single-Family Housing Panel will meet at City Hall, which is open to the public. -March 20: The Park Grove Library redevelopment predesign open house, at the library, to learn and listen to what Washington County is proposing the new library will look like. -March 22: My Future Cottage Grove will have a discussion, in the Training Room at City Hall, about retail and restaurants. Ben from Culver's, Jason from Junction 70, and Tom Leighton, Tangible Consultants, will discuss the restaurant market in Cottage Grove, what kind of support they receive, etc. They want to hear from the citizens. -March 26: The Community Center Task Force is meeting, location undetermined at this time. Mayor Bailey thanked staff, citizens, and the Council for supporting what Cottage Grove is looking for in the future. 13. WORKSHOPS — OPEN TO PUBLIC — None. 14. WORKSHOPS — CLOSED TO PUBLIC — None. 15. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council Member Thiede, second by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. Motion carried: 5-0. Minutes prepared by Judy Graf and reviewed by Joe Fischbach, HR Manager/City Clerk.