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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.04.07 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES PRE-MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Soderberg at 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: Soderberg, Fogarty, McKnight, Pritzlaff, Wilson None Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; Peter Herlofsky, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director; Lee Mann, Director of Public Works/City Engineer; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant 2. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by McKnight, second by Fogarty to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS 4. COUNCIL REVIEW OF AGENDA a) Joint Council/ Planning Commission Workshop Council set October 17, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. for the workshop. Councilmember Fogarty asked how much acreage the City received from the Donnelly's for the easements for Flagstaff Avenue. The City received 10-11 acres for permanent easements. There are also temporary easements and compensation for trees. Councilmember McKnight asked regarding the non-degradation Storm Water Plan Phase 2, that the cost be communicated to the legislators. He then asked about the location of the Wausau Pond. Staff explained it is between Dakota Storage and Sunrise Ponds. Councilmember McKnight asked ifthe money from the CDBG funds cover the cost of demolition of the Riste building. Staff replied it does. Councilmember Wilson asked about the I&I Reduction Plan and ifby 2011 the City will have developed an I&I plan that will eliminate expenditures by the City. Staff explained over a 5 year period the Met Council charges cities that exceed their allotted amount of wastewater. Based on that amount the City is charged $280,000 to be divided over 5 years. If the City takes steps to correct the I&I problem, the City will receive credit. This will also save money on the sewer bills. Councilmember Wilson asked ifthere is a possible tenant for the area containing the Riste building. Staffnoted there is a potential tenant. Councilmember Wilson requested a CounciVEDA Workshop. He thought they were moving past the visioning and into more action. The Chamber had mentioned an Economic Growth Committee and have the EDA function more as a financial lending Council Minutes (Pre-Meeting) September 4, 2007 Page 2 group. City Administrator Herlofsky suggested giving the EDA two more meetings and they would be ready to meet with Council. Councilmember Pritzlaff asked if the City will be reimbursed from the school district for the payment ofland along Flagstaff. Staff explained all project costs are being paid by the school. Councilmember Pritzlaffthen asked about the payment to Lund Martin and if it was standard to pay that much when the project starts. Staff explained those are the initial costs including mobilization and insurance. 5. STAFF COMMENTS City Administrator Herlofsky noted there will be an update on Vermillion River Crossing. Mr. Knutson said they are $700,000 short of getting the proper funding. They are working on it. Staffhas spoken to the City Attorney about taking steps to let them know of the City's concerns. Councilmember McKnight asked what the shortage means. City Administrator Herlofsky explained they are trying to get partners to put more money in the project. Mr. Knutson will have to make another interest payment. Councilmember McKnight did not want to hear the answer of give them more time. City Attorney Jamnik explained this project has been in threat oflitigation for almost two years. It is almost out of that process. Closing documents are almost ready to go and the last thing we want to do is break up the deal. He was hesitant to recommend to Council to take any action that would put the project back into litigation. As far as getting the road done, the City approved the transfer in mid-April and the addendum to the Development Contract has a new deadline of mid-April. That document has not been executed. The City had to construct the bridge ahead of development because ofthe timeline of the funding for the bridge. City Engineer Mann informed Council Ryan Contracting has requested expanding working hours on the Flagstaffproject. City Administrator Herlofsky noted the work City Engineer Mann has done to work with the residents along Flagstaffhas been substantial. Human Resources Director Wendlandt noted the web site is now 10 years old. It started with two pages and has grown substantially. Staff is continuing to look at options to upgrade the website. 6. ADJOURN MOTION by Fogarty, second by Pritzlaffto adjourn at 6:53 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ~~)r7~~ ~thia Muller Executive Assistant COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Soderberg at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Soderberg led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: Soderberg, Fogarty, McKnight, Pritzlaff, Wilson None Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; Peter Herlofsky, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Brian Lindquist, Police Chief; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director; Lee Mann, Director of Public Works/City Engineer; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant Audience: 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by McKnight, second by Wilson to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Fogarty, second by Pritzlaffto approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (8120/07 Regular) b) Received Information July 2007 Financial Report - Finance c) Approved Low Quote Submitted for Westview Park Improvements - Parks and Recreation d) Approved City Park Name - Riverbend 2nd Addition - Parks and Recreation e) Approved School and Conference - Fire Department f) Received Information School and Conference - Planning g) Approved Temporary On-Sale Liquor License - Administration h) Accepted Resignation Heritage Preservation Commission - Administration i) Approved Countywide Public Safety Radio Communications Subsystem Subscriber Agreement - Administration j) Approved Non-degradation Storm Water Plan Phase 2 - Engineering k) Approved Easement Acquisition Wausau Pond Expansion - Engineering 1) Authorized Advertisement for Bids Riste Building Demolition - Administration Council Minutes (Regular) September 4, 2007 Page 2 m) Approved Bills n) Approved Personnel Issue - Human Resources APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) TIF District Update - Finance This is regarding the City Center TIP district and resolves an issue occurring over the last ten years. The EDA approved the disbursement often years worth of funds to Mr. Thomas Wartman, City Center developer. This will also include the assessment agreement with the developer. b) Approve 1&1 Reduction Plan - MCES Surcharge Program - Engineering The Met Council adopted a surcharge program regarding inflow and infiltration into the sewer system. Farmington had an excess amount of inflow and infiltration. The Met Council determined a cost to Farmington of $280,000 to treat the I&I. The program is over a 5 year period. This amounts to $56,000 per year of surcharge on sewer bills. The program allows the City to rectify the problem and to receive a credit. The City took steps in 2006 and developed a program for 2007 and beyond to resolve the problem. City Engineer Mann outlined the program. MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by McKnight to approve the Infiltration/Inflow Reduction Program to be submitted on behalf of the City of Farmington to the Metropolitan Council. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. c) Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization CIP Update- Engineering The City submitted two projects for funding in 2008. One is the North Creek Rehabilitation and Remeandering project. This is in conjunction with the 195th Street project and is part ofthe City's storm water capital improvement plan. The other project is the flood ponding area west of Pilot Knob and south of Charleswood. The Watershed will be recommending funding for the North Creek project in the amount of$100,000. d) Proposed MPCA Rule Change - Vermillion River - Engineering The MPCA has proposed changes to the rules governing water quality. The classification for the Vermillion River would be changed from 2B, W arm Water Fishery to 2A, Cold Water Fishery. Staff is concerned with this change in designation because the temperature of the Vermillion River is between 2A and 2B, therefore the 2A classification may be unachievable. If the water is impaired by the 2A classification, it will force the regulatory agencies to rectify the temperature. The easiest thing to pick is development. If the temperature rises, Council Minutes (Regular) September 4, 2007 Page 3 they will assume it is due to development. If a certain portion of the river meets 2A, there could be a selective designation. Staff is concerned the designation will not be accurate. Council reached a consensus for staff to send a letter to the MPCA with their concerns. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Vermillion River Crossing Options - Administration Staffhas contacted the property owners and they are very close to finalizing their financing. The City has done all they can to help them. Councilmember McKnight did not want to hinder the development, but was very frustrated with the delays. The public is asking why the City built a bridge and then closed it. 12. NEW BUSINESS 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Fogarty: Requested that e-mail addresses be added to Boards and Commissions contact list. Councilmember Wilson: He appreciated Councilmember Pritzlaff attending the Elm Street meetings. The project has gone very well. Parks and Recreation Director Distad: The Rambling River Center will hold its 25th Anniversary on September 18, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. Cost is $11. City Engineer Mann: He received a request from Ryan Contracting to extend their work hours on the Flagstaff Avenue project. The goal is to complete the utility work this year. Flagstaff has been closed north of 195th Street and they will begin grading in that area. The pipe work south of CR50 will be done this week. The contractor wants to pave the north end of Flagstaff this year. Councilmember Fogarty noted the public is concerned with having immediate enforcement of the speed limit on Flagstaff. . Mayor Soderberg: He received a letter from a church regarding a tax issue. Council approved staffto work with them on this issue. He received information from the University of Minnesota regarding UMore Park and the listening sessions being held. He felt it was important for Councilor staff to attend these sessions. He attended the State Fair and saw a green building display, including green building standards in development. There was a concept for a big box retailer to retain 100% of its storm water on site and re-use it for irrigation. Councilmember Fogarty noted the Vermillion River Planning Commission did a study on the Cross Roads development in Council Minutes (Regular) September 4, 2007 Page 4 Lakeville and compared the current development to how it would be if they used more green development. She suggested they give this presentation to Council. Council recessed for Executive Session at 7:37 p.m. 14. EXECUTIVE SESSION a) Labor Negotiations 15. ADJOURN Respectfully submitted, //. .//, Yr?~ ~......Z7L?~ / r , Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant