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MINUTES
COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL May 16, 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 May 16, 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: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Steve Dennis,
Council Member Wayne Johnson, Council Member La Rae Mills, and Council Member
Dave 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; Les Burshten, Public Works Director; Christine Costello, Director of
Economic Development; Molly Pietruszewski, Recreation Services Manager; Joe
Fischbach/HR Manager/City Clerk; Jennifer Levitt, Community Development
Director/City Engineer; Sharon Madsen, Communications Coordinator; Rick Redenius,
Fire Chief; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Pete Koerner, Director of Public Safety;
Greg Rinzel, Deputy Director of Public Safety; Becky Ahlvin, Management Assistant;
Robert Bray, Public Service Worker.
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
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
May 16, 2018
Page 2
Motion by Council Member Thiede to adopt the agenda; second by Council Member
Dennis. Motion carried: 5-0.
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. Swearing In Ceremony - Police Officer Luke Landgraf
Mayor Bailey and the Council Members joined Public Safety Director Koerner and
Officer Landgraf in front of the dais. Director Koerner read Officer Landgraf's
biographical data, which included his education, employment, and social history. City
Administrator Charlene Stevens stated that it was her honor to swear in Officer
Landgraf as a police officer; she did so, congratulated him, and welcomed him to the
City of Cottage Grove. Officer Landgraf's wife then pinned on his badge, and he signed
the Oath of Office.
B. Eagle Scout Award - Tyler Reitman (Troop 777)
Mayor Bailey invited Tyler Reitman, of Troop 777, to come forward to receive his Eagle
Scout Award. Mayor Bailey stated the City feels it's important to honor youth,
specifically Eagle Scouts, as they tend to give back to the community. Mayor Bailey
read aloud the plaque given to Tyler and told Tyler his name would be added to the wall
of previous award winners displayed in City Hall. Mayor Bailey and the Council
Members congratulated Tyler for his achievement. Tyler stated for his project he built a
handicap accessible patio at Pine Glen Park, which is close to his home.
C. MRPA Award of Excellence -Woodridge Park Inclusive Playground
Staff Recommendation: Receive 2017 MRPA Award of Excellence.
Tracy Petersen, current co-chair of the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association
(MRPA) Awards Committee, stated it was an honor to be here tonight to present this
award to the City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Department for the
Woodridge Park Inclusive Playground project. She gave a history of the MRPA. The
Award of Excellence Program is an annual program created to recognize agencies and
their staff for an exemplary project. She stated it was her pleasure to present this award
tonight; the committee appreciated the depth of collaboration and community
involvement with the project, as well as the creativity and vision in obtaining funding.
Parks and Recreation Director Zac Dockter nominated the project, and he and Molly
Pietruszewski, Recreation Services Manager were at the forefront of this project. She
congratulated the Mayor, Council, and staff for their work on this project. Director
Dockter, Manager Pietruszewski, and the Inclusive Playground Task Force members
stepped forward to accept the award; they were all congratulated.
D. Cottage Grove's Green and Blue Environmental Challenge
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 3
Management Assistant Becky Ahlvin introduced Robert Bray, with the Public Works
Streets Division. Ms. Ahlvin stated Cottage Grove had previously recognized
environmental projects in the community through the Sustainable City Award. Mr. Bray
stated the City's new goal is to educate the community about environmentally-friendly
practices and encourage residents to live in a more environmentally friendly way. The
Sustainable City Award has become the Blue and Green Environmental Challenge;
those are small steps residents can take to be more environmentally friendly. An
educational campaign will include videos, social media postings, and each year the
challenge will have a different focus; this year's focus is on water conservation. The
City encourages residents to reduce water consumption throughout the City to less than
75 gallons per person, per day. By using small steps to conserve water, residents can
be entered into a monthly drawing for a $50 credit on a water bill; there will be one
winner per month for the months of June, July, and August. Blue and Green Smart Tips
are ideas from residents. Residents submitting a Blue and Green Smart Tip will be
entered into a special drawing for their choice of a tree with a watering bag, an irrigation
controller, or a gift card to Zywiec's; one winner will be announced in September. They
hope to obtain many ideas from the community.
E. Economic Development Marketing Efforts
Staff Recommendation: Presentation by Economic Development
Director Christine Costello on economic development marketing efforts
for the City of Cottage Grove. The presentation will also include
proposed future marketing efforts that economic development staff
would like to explore to continue to position our community for growth.
Economic Development Director Christine Costello wanted to share what they've done
to date with marketing for economic development but also explore opportunities as they
move forward. Economic Development includes the creation of jobs, wealth, and the
improvement of quality of life; she reviewed what's needed and what had already been
done to accomplish those goals. She reviewed the five components of economic
development, nine objectives of the Business Subsidy Policy, and four priority areas:
Business Park, Gateway North District, Cottage View District, and the Langdon Village
Area. Business retention and expansion is important so they interviewed 41 businesses
in the City; from that, five priorities were developed: 1) Chamber of Commerce; 2)
Telecommunication Needs; 3) Work Force Needs; 4) Code Enforcement
Communication; 5) Education on Programs available to businesses. Director Costello
reviewed how they'd been working on those priorities. She stated they were going to
attempt a new marketing strategy, including maps of sites available for lease, which will
be made available to businesses and brokers. Director Costello stated she'd take
questions.
Council Member Dennis stated he's very pleased with how well thought out and
complete the City's marketing plan is for future economic development; he
congratulated the staff for their hard work. Council Member Thiede concurred. Council
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 4
Member Mills thanked Director Costello and her team for their efforts in this process.
Mayor Bailey stated he feels we're a well-rounded community and thanked the staff.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Proclaim May 20 - 26, 2018 as Emergency Medical Services Week.
B. Authorize issuance of a single-occasion gambling permit to the Cottage
Grove Lions to hold a raffle at Carbone's, 7155 Jorgensen Lane South, on
August 21, 2018.
C. Approve the renewal of the Package Insurance Policy with the League of
MN Cities Insurance Trust for the 2018-2019 policy period, in the amount
of$229,948.
D. Approve the South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) Erosion &
Sediment Control Inspection Agreement.
E. Adopt Resolution 2018-069 changing the bid date for the Ravine Parkway
Project (Hinton Avenue to Idsen Avenue and Jamaica Avenue to Keats
Avenue) to May 24, 2018.
F. Approve the following: 1) Stormwater Management Agreement with Park
Place Storage Condominiums, Inc. 2) Encroachment Agreement with
Park Place Storage Condominiums, Inc. 3) Drainage & Utility Easement
with Park Place Storage Condominiums, Inc.
G. Accept and place on file the minutes from the March 13, 2018 meeting of
the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation.
H. Approve the Residential Smart Irrigation Controller Program Cooperative
Agreement with SWWD and approve expenditures from the Water Utility
Fund of$5,250 to supplement the SWWD contribution.
I. Approve the issuance of rental licenses to the properties listed in the
attached table.
J. Approve the Joint Powers Agreement with Washington County and
various municipalities within the county to all access and utilization of
BoldPlanning Software and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to
enter into an agreement.
K. 1) Adopt Resolution 2018-072 approving the Hamlet Heights final plat. 2)
Approve the Hamlet Heights development agreement with Eternity
Homes, LLC. 3) Approve the Permanent Drainage & Utility Easement
Agreement. 4) Adopt Resolution 2018-073 approving the Development
Plans for Hamlet Heights as prepared by Pioneer Engineering dated May
7, 2018.
L. Receive information and approve the Pedestrian Safety Initiative Pilot
Program.
M. Approve the amendment to the Contract for Residential Development with
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
N. Adopt Resolution 2018-074 awarding the 2018 Code Compliance Mowing
Service Agreement to Valdes Lawn Care and Snow Removal LLC in the
amount of$55.00/hour.
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 5
O. Approve Change Order#3 for the Central Fire Station Project in the
amount of$2,362.37 for the addition of conduit for the relocation of the
City's solar array to the Central Fire Station.
P. Michael Mingo Regarding Solar Garden Conditional Use Permit: Receive
information.
Q. Adopt Resolution 2018-080 requesting from the Metropolitan Council a 90-
day extension for submitting the required 2040 Comprehensive Plan
update before the December 31, 2018 deadline.
Council Member Thiede wished to pull Items H and L; Council Member Johnson wished
to pull Item P; and Council Member Dennis wished to pull Item A for further comment
and/or discussion. Mayor Bailey wished to pull Item K for a separate vote.
Council Member Dennis stated he pulled Item A, Emergency Medical Services Week
Proclamation, as he has a soft spot for emergency providers, including EMS, Fire, and
Police; he read aloud the proclamation. Council Member Dennis requested if
community members had a chance, to please thank emergency responders for what
they do.
Council Member Thiede stated he pulled Item H, the SWWD Cooperative Agreement —
Residential Smart Irrigation Controller Program and to approve expenditures from the
Water Utility Fund ($5,250) to supplement the SWWD contribution. He stated while he's
a proponent of that technology, using it to make improvements, he wanted to know how
it was doing any good. City Engineer Jennifer Levitt stated these controllers have a
track record; residents can get all of the information on the system on an app on their
phone, so it's easy for the residents to track and understand their savings. That's why
the Watershed District is so supportive and is providing $15,000 to the City, as it's had
tried and true benefits across the region. Council Member Thiede asked if there was
any assistance available for installation, and if the City monitors those residents' actual
water bills to see if they're actually conserving water. Engineer Levitt stated installation
only takes about 15 minutes, and there are step-by-step directions, and yes, after one
entire season they'll be able to monitor the use by those residents and will have the
continued tracking data to see the impact that it's had. Council Member Thiede asked if
rather than giving the subsidy if we'd even looked at giving discounts on water bills
instead; Engineer Levitt stated an analysis was done, but they found it was probably
better to make changes in education to have a long-term impact; the life expectancy of
these controllers will probably outlast and provide an additional benefit in savings to
them than just a onetime reduction on their water bill. Mayor Bailey stated residents
had already commented to him that their water bills had gone down by using the
controller.
Council Member Thiede stated regarding the Pedestrian Safety Initiative Pilot Program,
while he supports making things safer, the budget implication is not applicable;
therefore, he's assuming it costs nothing to execute this pilot program. Engineer Levitt
stated Public Works was able to identify and fund the signs that are proposed; this is
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 6
one of the key reasons it is a pilot program. If it's something we find successful, there
will be a budget request in the next budget cycle. At this time, the current sign budget
can support the signs that are being requested. It's about educating the public to use
the trails in a safe manner; this actually resulted from the My Future Cottage Grove trail
and parks connection.
Council Member Johnson stated regarding the Open Forum Response to Michael
Mingo regarding the Solar Garden Conditional Use Permit, it was his understanding this
conditional use permit was issued in 2016. Since then, nothing has been developed,
and now it has come up because a new person will be taking over the project. New
criteria was put on the permits going forward regarding setbacks, etc., but he wanted to
confirm this does not meet the new requirements; that was confirmed. Council Member
Johnson asked how long people had for the conditional use permit before they
implement it so we don't run into any further situations like this; he also asked how
many of these had not yet been acted upon. City Attorney Korine Land stated typically
conditional use permits are in the planning approval, and there's one year for the
property owner to take substantial steps or action towards doing something. In this
case, there were a lot of other approvals required, including from Xcel Energy, so that
was occurring during that first year and they were making substantial effort toward that
application. The City was kept very well informed as to where they were in that
process. There was an ownership change, but when looking at the timeline and the
things that had been done they never stopped working towards putting this application
to use so we couldn't really say there was a one-year delay where they did nothing;
they'd been trying to get this project to fruition, and they're probably pretty close at this
point. Now, new setbacks and guidelines have been put in place, but they won't be
required to comply with those, as they're under the old Ordinance that was in place at
that time. They are entitled to rely on the conditional use permit because it was
permissible at the time that it was approved. Engineer Levitt stated she could only think
of one additional situation like this that was approved but has not yet taken action.
Motion by Council Member Thiede to approve the Consent Agenda except for Item K,
which will be commented and voted on separately; second by Council Member Mills.
Motion carried: 5-0.
Mayor Bailey stated regarding Item K, the Hamlet Heights final plat, a citizen wished to
speak. Bill Murphy, 8960 Hamlet Avenue South, stated he lives on the dead end of
Hamlet near where they'll be building the new homes. He stated the existing
homeowners were pretty upset about the new homes coming in due to previous
damage done to their homes by Orrin Thompson, which occurred when they tried to
remove bedrock from that area. There are also concerns about storm water coming
onto their property due to the new incline of Hamlet Avenue. City staff has met with the
homeowners, understand their concerns, and have put excellent safeguards in the
contract agreements between the City and the developer, Eternity Homes, to help
protect them from the blasting and the storm water runoff. They wanted the Council to
acknowledge Engineer Levitt, Assistant City Ryan Engineer Burfeind, and Senior
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 7
Planner John Burbank for their excellent efforts in working with them to protect their
properties.
Motion by Council Member Mills to approve the Hamlet Heights Final Plat, second by
Council Member Johnson. Motion carried: 5-0.
Council Member Thiede asked where in this contract it actually stated if existing homes
were damaged due to any work done in that neighborhood that they had liability for it.
Engineer Levitt stated the developer is not anticipating that they'll be using explosives
and blasting; additional language was added to the contract indicating if they
encountered bedrock and that's required, additional financial surety will have to be
provided to the City to provide that protection. The six homes immediately adjacent to
the project would have to be documented for existing conditions, such as the state of
the foundation. They've ensured that the insurance criteria for the contractor performing
it would be taking place and additional testing by a third party contractor would be hired
to monitor the vibrations. She stated Attorney Land could provide him with the specific
sections.
8. APPROVE DISBURSEMENTS
A. Approve payments for the period of 5/2/2018 through 5/10/2018 for the
amount of$846,203.93.
Motion by Council Member Dennis to approve disbursements; second by Council
Member Thiede. Motion carried: 5-0.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. TH 95/Manning Avenue Safety Improvement Project Public Hearing
Staff Recommendation: 1) Hold the Public Hearing on the 2019-2020 TH
95 Safety Improvement Project. 2) Adopt Resolution 2018-070 approving
the final layout of SP-8208-40 TH 95 Safety Improvement Project from
70th Street (CSAH 22) to TH 61/10.
Engineer Burfeind stated this project extends from 70th Street to Highway 61; it's a
MnDOT project for which municipal approval and final consent of the layout is needed
before they can proceed. This is an extension of the project currently taking place from
Bailey Road to 70th Street. Project Engineer Dimitri Tomasevich, with the Minnesota
Department of Transportation, will explain details on this project.
Engineer Tomasevich stated there'd been an update done on Highway 95, where a turn
lane was constructed at Valley Creek Road. There's currently being work done from
40th Street to 70th Street, and there's a municipal consent request from 70th Street to
Highway 61. It's a well-traveled road with rolling terrain and a speed of 55 miles per
hour.
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 8
MnDOT conducted a corridor crash evaluation in 2013 for the stretch from 40th Street to
Highway 61, with its existing conditions. Predominantly, there were run off the road
crashes that stood out along that stretch of road, including fatal and injury crashes.
He reviewed work to be completed in 2018 and 2019, including: Widening shoulders
from two feet to eight feet, installing center lines and shoulder mumble strips, including
wet reflective pavement markings, and constructing right-turn lanes at 40th, 50th, and
60th. Intersection sight distance will include 60th Street and the existing 11-foot lanes
will be resurfaced. Ditch sections will be reconstructed as the shoulders are widened
and maintain treatment of the runoff water. Benefits: Reduction in crashes, enhanced
safety, and traffic flow. In June, Manning Avenue will be closed for 90 days, and local
access will be maintained through that section. Detours will utilize County Roads 18,
19, and 22. Local access will be maintained at 50th and 60th, as 60th allows during the
intersection site reconstruction. Work in 2019 will be similar to that previously
described, along with right-turn lanes installed at 77th, 80th, 90th, and 110th Streets.
There will be improved intersection sight distance visibility at 80th, 90th, and 110th.
Pavement will be overlaid. Benefits will include reduced congestion and improved
drainage infrastructure, due to the widening and addition of the pavement.
MnDOT is looking for approval of the plan tonight, completion of the plans sometime in
January, 2019, and start up construction would be in 2019 with completion in 2020.
Anytime access is altered or there's reduced or increased capacity, or acquisition of
permanent right of way, municipal consent is required. There are no anticipated City
costs associated with this project and no additional City maintenance responsibility.
Engineer Tomasevich stated he'd take questions. Mayor Bailey asked about the 2020
plan and 110th Street, where Lamar Avenue goes at an angle; he asked if there was a
plan to deal with that intersection. Engineer Tomasevich stated he'd defer to City staff,
as there are no improvements planned for Lamar as part of this project. Engineer Levitt
stated Lamar Avenue turns into Lehigh Avenue at approximately 100th Street; they did
a cooperative agreement with MnDOT and actually constructed a right-turn lane into
Lehigh and also straightened out the intersection so there was a little bit of land
acquisition that came with that. Those improvements will not be touched as part of this
project, but it clearly was an enhancement for safety of that intersection many years
ago. She felt they should now look at other intersections along the corridor and provide
similar safety enhancements.
Council Member Dennis asked if Engineer Tomasevich had any data on traffic counts
on County Road 19 versus Highway 95; Engineer Tomasevich stated MnDOT has data
related to Highway 95 and they would likely be able to compare the two. Council
Member Dennis felt it would be interesting to see what the differences were between
the two roads. Engineer Levitt stated they'd provide that information because the State
is the keeper of much of the traffic-counting data; they'll be able to pull some historic
data and provide the comparison along those two routes.
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 9
Council Member Mills stated she was happy to see this project getting completed and
thanked Engineer Tomasevich for his presentation.
Mayor Bailey opened the public hearing. As no one wished to speak on this item,
Mayor Bailey closed the public hearing.
Motion by Council Member Dennis to Adopt Resolution 2018-070 approving the final
layout of SP-8208-40 TH 95 Safety Improvement Project from 70th Street (CSAH 22) to
TH 61/10; second by Council Member Thiede. Motion carried: 5-0.
B. Modern Automotive Performance
Staff Recommendation: 1) Hold the Public Hearing to vacate and
discontinue certain drainage and utility easements. 2) Adopt Resolution
2018-077 approving the vacation and discontinuance of the drainage and
utility easements. 3) Adopt Resolution 2018-078 rescinding Resolution
Number 2006-191. 4) Adopt Resolution 2018-079 approving the site plan
of a 24,080 square foot addition the existing Modern Automotive
Performance building.
Director Costello stated Modern Automotive is located at 9800 Hemingway Avenue;
they're an automotive after-market distributor. They currently employ approximately 45
employees, and they're looking to add over 20 additional employment opportunities.
They wish to construct a 24,080 square foot addition to their building. She reviewed the
current zoning, which is permitted within the industrial district, and the Comprehensive
Plan also guides it for industrial use. She reviewed the site history and their plans for
the site; the TIF District has been set up, and now they'll go back to the EDA for the
purchase agreement and the tax-increment financing. That will come before the City
Council in the first meeting in June. The State of Minnesota is also providing a Job
Creation Fund Grant to the Applicant. The existing tree line between the residential and
the business will be preserved; they're proposing two, three-foot high berms with spruce
and white pines on top of them. They'll also be screening the parking and loading dock
area. They meet the parking space requirement, and will also have a six-foot fence
around their parking lot. She reviewed the architectural components for the new
addition. A number of residents spoke at the Planning Commission Meeting, and Public
Safety has received noise complaints about the business. The Applicant has complied
with any requests that Public Safety has had regarding noise; staff visited the site on
May 10, 2018, videos were taken due to the concerns from residents regarding the
machinery noise. The Applicant is present.
Mayor Bailey stated he'd seen a memo from the Applicant to his employees outlining
new guidelines/policies regarding after-hours work, etc. Mayor Bailey asked him to
speak regarding the contents of that. The Applicant, Chris Carey, 9461 Dunes Lane,
stated with guidance from a City Council meeting where there were concerns from
residents, he drafted a memo regarding noise complaints and their shop use policies.
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 10
Mr. Carey read aloud the memo to his employees, which addressed the concerns that
had been expressed by the public, including leaving the overhead doors open, etc.
Mayor Bailey opened the public hearing. As no one wished to speak on this topic,
Mayor Bailey closed the public hearing.
Motion by Council Member Thiede to Adopt Resolution 2018-077, approving the
vacation and discontinuance of the drainage and utility easements; second by Council
Member Johnson. Motion carried: 5-0.
Motion by Council Member Johnson to Adopt Resolution 2018-078, rescinding
Resolution Number 2006-191; second by Council Member Mills. Motion carried: 5-0.
Motion by Council Member Mills to Adopt Resolution 2018-079, approving the site plan
of a 24,080 square foot addition to the existing Modern Automotive Performance
building; second by Council Member Dennis. Motion carried: 5-0.
10. BID AWARDS
A. 2018 Trail Improvement Project
Staff Recommendation:Adopt Resolution 2018-071 awarding the 2018
Trail lmprovement Project to Minger Construction in the amount of
$548,333.90.
Engineer Burfeind stated the City received bids for the 2018 Trail Improvement Project
on May 3, 2018, which includes replacement of two highly-used trail sections in the City;
East Point Douglas Road, from approximately Jamaica Avenue to McDonald's, and the
Hamlet Avenue Trail, on the east side of Hamlet Pond, from 80th Street to Hamlet Park.
Due to their condition and numerous resident complaints, those trails were identified.
There were five bids received; the low bid was from Minger Construction in the amount
of$548,333.90, which was above the engineer's estimate of$500,000. The City Staff
looked into the cost difference; specifically, they're related to the Hamlet Park Trail,
which is a unique trail segment, as the access is very limited, only from the north and
south. The fund for this project is the Seal Coating Fund; the other two that come out of
that fund are the Trail Seal Coating Project and also the Crack Sealing Project. Those
two projects have had quotes awarded, approximately $60,000 under the budgeted
amounts. With that difference, there's availability in the fund to balance the different
project amounts. We also looked into the indirect project costs, including design,
inspection, and testing; originally, that was budgeted at $160,000. Based on where we
are with the design complete and having bid quotes for the testing, we're anticipating
$100,000 to $110,000; that also balances out when the two costs are combined.
They're recommending award to Minger Construction.
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 11
Council Member Thiede stated he appreciated that Engineer Burfeind actually explained
the $48,000 overage and where the other cost savings occurred, which justified the
cost; he thanked him for providing that information.
Mayor Bailey asked about the difficult trail access at Hamlet Park, along the back side
of the pond, and he asked if Public Works had already taken down some trees; that was
confirmed. Mayor Bailey asked what would be done with the tree stumps; Engineer
Burfeind stated that would probably be a City project. The roots underneath the trails
would be removed as part of this project, as the roots often damage the trails.
Mayor Bailey asked about the East Point Douglas Road trail, which ends at McDonald's.
Engineer Burfeind stated the trail actually runs past McDonald's property; as part of
McDonald's reconstruction project, they will actually be replacing the trail with our
commercial standard seven-foot sidewalk with two-foot exposed aggregate section.
The trail will stop at the McDonald's property, and they will convert that trail to more of a
consistent sidewalk that runs through the Gateway area.
Motion by Council Member Dennis to Adopt Resolution 2018-071, awarding the 2018
Trail Improvement Project to Minger Construction in the amount of$548,333.90; second
by Council Member Thiede. Motion carried: 5-0.
11. REGULAR AGENDA
A. HERO Center - Preliminary & Final Plats, Site Plan Review, and
Conditional Use Permit
Staff Recommendation: 1) Adopt Resolution 2018-075 approving the site
plan for the HERO Center, which is an integrated public safety training
facility to be located on 9.1 acres at the southeast corner of 85th Street
and Keats Avenue (CSAH 19), and a conditional use permit to allow a
public building in a residential zoning district. 2) Adopt Resolution 2018-
076 approving the preliminary plat and final plat creating one lot to be
called HERO Center Addition.
Planner Burbank stated the Health Emergency Response Occupation (HERO) Training
Center is a joint effort by the City of Cottage Grove and the City of Woodbury. Todd
LaVold, representing the architect Leo A. Daly, was here tonight, and Public Safety staff
is here to answer any questions on the project. Planner Burbank stated the location will
be just north of City Hall, off of 85th Street and Ravine Parkway. He reviewed the
requested actions for the Council to take tonight. The conditional use permit is
necessary because it's a public building in a residential district. He reviewed the site
plan details and the architectural rendering. Planner Burbank noted the parking
requirements, pedestrian sidewalks, as well as landscaping plans. He stated they
recommend approval of the two requests.
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 12
Council Member Thiede asked why it was necessary to have two plats; Planner
Burbank stated the nine acres to the north does not have any of the easements that
would be required. Engineer Levitt stated when the plat was done for this building we
didn't actually know how it would develop in the future. It was platted as an outlot; now
we're actually making it a lot to be built upon, as there's a proposed application. We
needed to ensure now that the easements were consistent with the site plan.
Council Member Mills asked about how often the shared parking portion might be used.
Deputy Director Greg Rinzel stated the facility itself has a classroom that will seat 100,
so with that and the range and any of the other ancillary training spaces, we felt if
everyone drove their own car, including instructors, that's basically 136 people. They
don't anticipate parking across unless there was major training going on with multiple
agencies using all aspects of the facility at the exact same time. He felt shared parking
would very rarely be used, but they wanted to ensure that if the future gun range was
built, that there would be adequate space available. He felt the parking for the current
needs was overbuilt, but they wanted to ensure that any future needs would be met. He
felt cross parking would be used if there was a final build of the entire facility to what we
thought would be maximum capacity. Council Member Mills stated she had concerns
about the parking space, with not having parking available for other events at City Hall.
Deputy Director Rinzel stated in the training area, if they had to park cars there, they
could also park another 50-to-60 cars there on a hard, approved surface.
Council Member Dennis asked Engineer Levitt about the mounded landform grading,
and how high that elevation would be. Engineer Levitt stated the architect could
probably cite that number better than she; he asked him to answer that question. Mr.
LaVold stated the berming around the back side of the building that separates the City
Hall from the HERO Center varies; they purposely intended to vary the berming so it
didn't appear to be a wall. Revisions are currently being done, but in general, it varies
from about six feet to about three feet. The difference in elevation from City Hall to this
site itself is also significant enough so it's adding to the screening between the two
facilities. Council Member Dennis asked if it would be higher there than at City Hall and
that was confirmed. Council Member Dennis stated there's significant wind from the
north, and he was hoping they could do something to knock the wind force down. Mr.
LaVold stated there would be heavy landscaping also, a significant number of trees, so
he hoped that would add to the esthetic and help things out with the wind. Mr. LaVold
stated they looked pretty hard at the site lines and have studied those berms pretty well.
Motion by Council Member Thiede to Adopt Resolution 2018-075, approving the site
plan for the HERO Center, which is an integrated public safety training facility to be
located on 9.1 acres at the southeast corner of 85th Street and Keats Avenue (CSAH
19), and a conditional use permit to allow a public building in a residential zoning
district; second by Council Member Johnson. Motion carried: 5-0.
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 13
Motion by Council Member Johnson to Adopt Resolution 2018-076, approving the
preliminary plat and final plat, creating one lot to be called HERO Center Addition;
second by Council Member Mills. Motion carried: 5-0.
12. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Council Member Mills stated there would be a concert series coming up for the summer
so people can start watching for it; it's called Tunes into Twilight, summer concert series
in the parks. There will be one a month, with the first one here at City Hall on June 21.
The Arts Commission is working hard on putting those together. They're also working
on having a food truck or trucks there so it should be a nice night out.
Council Member Dennis stated last Friday night he attended the Public Safety open
house with police and other responders; he felt it was very well done, very informational,
and a great opportunity for our community members to learn a little bit more about what
we do. There was also a chance for people to sign up for Night to Unite parties; if others
are still interested, there is information on the City's Facebook and webpage for that, or
you can reach out to the Public Safety team.
Council Member Thiede stated the Strawberry Fest is only four weeks away. It is on
June 14 through June 17; there will be bands Friday and Saturday night, the parade is
on Saturday. There's a kids' day on Thursday, so he encouraged everyone to round up
their family and friends and come out and have a great time.
Council Member Johnson stated on May 28 there will be a Memorial Day event at City
Hall, partnering with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon; it's an annual ceremony and there'll be
seating provided. He stated it's a nice ceremony, and he's proud to be part of it for a
second year.
Mayor Bailey stated on the morning of May 19, at Hamlet Park, there will be the
Standing Strong 5K event, which supports standing up to bullying; he encouraged
everyone to support that cause.
Mayor Bailey stated on June 2, in the morning, there will be the official grand opening of
the new Central Fire Station on 80th Street. He encouraged everyone to come out and
check out the new facility and support our Fire Department and EMS personnel in that
location.
Mayor Bailey stated there was an article in the Bulletin newspaper about the closure of
Military Road; Engineer Levitt stated tonight we requested that the bid date be extended
to May 24 to allow comments and changes recommended by the Department of
Transportation; we want to make sure we have a very competitive bid environment.
Therefore, they will be not bringing a bid award to the table until June 6. So, they're not
currently engaging with residents about the construction schedule because we don't
have a contractor on board. Once that happens, we'll have neighborhood engagement
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2018
Page 14
to outline the project, the sequence, and how to get communication updates from us.
The road will probably legally be closed on June 11, which is following the termination of
the school year. Mayor Bailey stated this is specifically the area between Jamaica to
Keats that would be closing and it's due to Ravine Parkway taking over a portion of
the existing Military Road. Council Member Thiede stated the new route will be
Jamaica and 70th and it won't take any longer.
Mayor Bailey stated Director Costello, Administrator Stevens, Council Member Dennis,
and he will be attending the ICSC Convention in Las Vegas this upcoming week. One
of the things they've been focusing on is bringing Cottage Grove to some of the major
national tenants, as well as developers. He said they'll have an opportunity to tout what
Cottage Grove has to offer to national builders and retailers; it sets the groundwork to
try to get the Cottage Grove name out in front of those end users and developers.
13. WORKSHOPS — OPEN TO PUBLIC — None.
14. WORKSHOPS — CLOSED TO PUBLIC — None.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Council Member Dennis, second by Council Member Thiede, to adjourn the
meeting at 8:54 p.m. Motion carried: 5-0.
Minutes prepared by Judy Graf and reviewed by Joe Fischbach, HR Manager/City
Clerk.