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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.05.05 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR JULY 5, 2005 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: Audience: Soderberg, Fogarty, McKnight, Pritzlaff, Wilson None Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; David Urbia, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Kevin Carroll, Community Development Director; Dan Siebenaler, Police Chief; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director; Lee Mann, Director of Public Works/City Engineer; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Tim Gross, Assistant City Engineer; Lee Smick, City Planner; Tony Wippler, Assistant City Planner, Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant Todd Arey, Randy Pedersen, Danielle Stuckle, Kari Barker 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Wilson to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Soderberg noted on June 24, 2005 the City experienced a storm and there are a number of people to thank. All of City staff showed up, the Police and Fire Departments and everyone did a great job. There was also assistance from the cities of Apple Valley, Eagan, Faribault, Northfield, Rosemount, Dakota County, Rice County, EconoFoods, Pellicci Hardware, the Salvation Army, the State Highway Patrol, the Dakota County Fairgrounds, Nechama, the Jewish Disaster Response Team, Pepsi Bottling Group, and a host of contractors. Mayor Soderberg expressed a sincere thank you for their help with getting the city back to normal in amazing time. We were hit by an awesome storm, but what was more awesome was the cooperation and the clean-up that took place after that. All of Council also assisted. It was a real demonstration of what community is about. A sincere thank you to everyone who helped in that effort. a) Acknowledge Retirement - Police Department Mayor Soderberg acknowledged the retirement of Mike Aamot after 20 years of servIce. b) Oath of Office - Police Department Officer Gary Tipton was sworn-in as a new police officer. Council Minutes (Regular) July 5, 2005 Page 2 c) Mayoral Proclamation Recognizing COL Lawrence John Cook Mayor Soderberg read a proclamation honoring the military service of COL Lawrence John Cook. 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Wilson to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (6/20/05 Regular) b) Received Information Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes - Parks and Recreation c) Approved Heritage Preservation Commission Appointment - Administration d) Approved Appointment Recommendation - Human Resources e) Authorized School and Conference - Police Department f) Approved School and Conference - Administration g) Adopted RESOLUTION R83-05 Approving Mystic Meadows Development Contract - Engineering h) Approved 20Sth Street Extension to Pilot Knob Road (Industrial Park) - Community Development i) Approved Bills APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Preview of Conversion from Housing and Redevelopment Authority to Economic Development Authority - Community Development Mr. Todd Arey, Chair ofthe HRA, stated he has been entertaining the thought of what is the role of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The name seems kind of ancient and outdated. The board has discussed this and are now putting things in motion to consider what it means to be an Economic Development Authority versus an HRA. Staff and the City Attorney have drafted a new ordinance and have been doing a lot of research to find out the difference between the two. The HRA is heading in the direction of becoming an EDA. Councilmember McKnight supported the change and assumed the change would be effective January 1. He liked the idea of having two Councilmembers on the board. Councilmember Fogarty stated the HRA had talked about converting to an EDA and holding open seats until January 1. The toughest decision was to be a 5 or 7-member board. Chair Arey stated we have a really good board right now and ifthere was a 5-member board, one citizen would have to be cut and replaced Council Minutes (Regular) July 5, 2005 Page 3 with a Councilmember. They did not want to do that, so the consensus was to add one more Councilmember and one more citizen making it a total of seven. Mayor Soderberg asked if the EDA has the same authority and power as the HRA, but they also get into the economic aspect that an HRA would not. City Attorney Jamnik replied the statutes allow for either a combination of authorities or have a separate entity. They are discussing transitioning the existing HRA into an EDA broadening it's responsibilities but not holding a separate HRA. It will transfer the HRA powers into the new entity. Mayor Soderberg supported the change. b) Adopt Resolution - Vermillion River Crossings Revised Preliminary Plat and Final Plat - Community Development The development is at the intersection ofCSAH 50 and Denmark Avenue. The proposed Spruce Street alignment runs along the south side of the plat. There is a revised preliminary plat because when the developer was doing storm water calculations, he found there was more acreage available for development. The additional lot is 1.19 acres and reduces the size of Outlot A which is the storm water area to 28.5 acres. The developer has shifted some of the property lines on the final plat to provide custom lot sizes for prospective businesses. One ofthe requirements as far as a contingency to the preliminary and final plat is that the developer provide a landscape plan that meets the requirements ofthe City. The developer is also required to submit design plans for four amenity sites. These are also part ofthe landscape plan. There will be a 10ft. bituminous trail along the south side of CSAH 50. Engineering has recommended approval contingent on any engineering requirements. Each lot has to go through a site plan review with the Planning Commission. Staff recommended approval of the preliminary and final plat contingent on the following: 1. The planner shall approve the landscape plan along with design details for the four site amenity areas required in the Spruce Street design standards before any permits are issued. 2. The satisfaction of any engineering requirements including the construction plans for grading, storm water and utilities. 3. The satisfaction of any Parks and Recreation Commission comments concerning trails. 4. Execution of a development contract between the developer and the City and submission of security payment of all fees and costs and submission of all other documents required under the development contract. Councilmember Pritzlaff asked about the change in acreages. Staff noted because of the storm water having to shift over, acreage was lost but the site will still work. The Planning Commission will be looking at parking as part of the. site plan review. Councilmember Wilson asked if design standards would be consistent throughout the development. Staff replied absolutely. Council Minutes (Regular) July 5, 2005 Page 4 Mr. Dick Allendorf, 14381 Energy Way, Apple Valley, Project Manager, stated if this is approved they intend to begin grading in July. They have one prospect who wants to be operational by the end ofthe year. Three other buildings should be operational before April 2006. He thanked Council and staff for the close working relationship they have had with staff. They do an excellent job with articulating the vision for the Spruce Street Master Plan. They have been working collaboratively to meet the requirements. Mr. Weigert, Paramount Engineering, discussed storm water management and where they were last fall and where they are now. Last fall there were a few agencies with concerns regarding storm water management. There have been numerous meetings with the agencies and they have resolved the issues. The storm water management plan will not have any negative impact on the Vermillion River. They have developed a four-pronged solution. An MPCA permit will be needed to begin grading. Mr. Nathaniel Shea, Architect, gave a brief overview of the project in terms of its design and concepts. They have looked back at the history of Farmington to make a strong connection to the downtown. They have redeveloped a main street concept. He showed preliminary concept drawings of the buildings. There is angled parking in front and a real traditional streetscape. There will be four amenity areas. The first will be running down the center aisle of the project with plantings and sculptures. Another amenity is at each of the corners of the buildings providing an outdoor plaza. The fourth amenity would occur in the outlot and would be an outdoor eating area. Councilmember Pritzlaff asked ifthe buildings are two-story. Mr. Shea replied the buildings are one-story with an upper story that makes it look two-story. If the market changes in terms of users wanting a two-story they can provide this. Mr. Dick Allendorf stated the buildings are one-story with a fake fayade. This gives them an opportunity to test the market for users who would want a second floor. They can implement the second floor concept or stay with the first floor concept with either one of the next three buildings depending upon the market. The major user for the multi-tenant building would prefer a higher ceiling so that can be a one-story building. From an exterior standpoint, people will not know if it is a one-story or two-story building. They agreed with the contingencies in the staff report. Councilmember Wilson asked when they envision completion of the project. Mr. Allendorfreplied they are working on a proforma and have a three-year build out planned for the project. The build out envisions the outlots being leased first then the spine being built and then the big box in the second or third year. Councilmember McKnight stated he is very happy to see progress on this as a City and he was sure the people of Farmington are too. He was very excited to move this another step forward. Council Minutes (Regular) July 5, 2005 Page 5 MOTION by Fogarty, second by McKnight adopting RESOLUTION R84-05 approving the revised preliminary plat and authorizing signing of the final plat for Vermillion River Crossings. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. c) Adopt Ordinance - Text Amendment to Allow Public and Parochial Schools in the B-2 District - Community Development ISD 192 needs space for some special education classes. Staff worked with the school and came up with an alternate location. The location is the former Wide Open Throttle building. The issue is whether the Council is willing to amend the text for the B-2 zoning district. Currently the list of permitted and conditional uses for the B-2 district does not contain public or parochial schools. The Planning Commission recommended approval. MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Wilson adopting ORDINANCE 005-537 approving a text amendment for Section 10-5-14 (C)(2) to allow public and parochial schools in the B-2 district as a conditional use. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. d) Adopt Ordinance - Text Amendment Defining Special Event Signs and Allowing Special Event Signs - Community Development The sign code does not address special event signs such as those for Rambling River Days. Staff proposed the following definition: A sign temporary in nature not permanently attached to the ground announcing a special community-wide event or activity conducted by, sponsored by, or on behalf of the City of Farmington, another governmental entity, or a charitable or not-for-profit organization. A sign permit would be required and the sign cannot exceed 4 sq. ft. in area. They are permitted in all zoning districts within 30 days prior to the event and shall not be located within the 30 ft. triangle of visibility at public or private street intersections or driveway intersections. Special event banners will have to comply with the portion of the code that addresses banners and a sign permit is needed. MOTION by McKnight, second by Fogarty adopting ORDINANCE 005-538 revising Section 10-2-1 of the Zoning Ordinance and Section 10-6-3 of the sign code. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. e) Adopt Ordinance - Text Amendment to Increase the Size of Garage Sale Signs - Community Development Currently the garage sale sign ordinance allows for a size of2 sq. ft. This amendment is changing the size to 4 sq. ft. Councilmember Pritzlaff stated this takes care of this issue, but it does not address where the signs are placed. With a larger sign he felt it becomes more of a problem as to where they are placed. Staff noted the signs are not permitted in the right-of-way. It comes down to enforcement and whether staffhas enough time to enforce it. Councilmember Pritzlaff did not want to see staff taking time away to pull signs as in the past. Community Development Director Carroll noted as Council Minutes (Regular) July 5, 2005 Page 6 cities grow they develop a position for code enforcement. Farmington is not there yet. Currently staff enforces this as they have time. MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Wilson adopting ORDINANCE 005-539 revising Section 10-6-3 of the sign code. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 1) Adopt Ordinance - Text Amendment to Allow A-frame Signs on Private Property - Community Development This is to allow an established local business, including churches, to display A- frame signs on sidewalks adjacent to their business or on other private property with the owner's permission. Churches will be allowed to display such signage during the day services are conducted. Councilmember McKnight suggested churches be allowed to display their signs the day before and the day of services. Council agreed. MOTION by Wilson, second by McKnight adopting ORDINANCE 005-540 revising Section 10-6-3(B)(1)(t) of the Sign Code with the above change. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Progress Report Council/Staff Retreat Goals - Administration City Administrator Urbia gave an update on the status ofthe goals agreed on at the Council/Staff retreat. 12. NEW BUSINESS 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Fogarty: Thanked everyone who helped with Rambling River Days. Regarding the storm that morning, she thanked staff and specifically Police Chief Siebenaler who did a great job. It is great to test the emergency response system when no one has been hurt. Staff and the cities who came to help were great. Lena Larson worked very hard to make sure the needed information regarding who helped was collected. Councilmember McKnight: Regarding the storm clean-up, everyone did an excellent job. The plan that was in place worked. He attended the Hipp celebration dinner with the Mayor and City Administrator. He thanked everyone involved in Rambling River Days from City staff to the entire committee for an excellent weekend. He felt it was a start in increasing the celebration in the community. Councilmember Wilson: He was impressed by everyone during the storm clean-up. Kudos to everyone involved with Rambling River Days especially Kris Akin, Chad Richardson and Dan Mingo and hundreds of others. It was a great event. Councilmember Pritzlaff: Thanked everyone for their clean-up efforts. Police Chief Siebenaler had a clear plan of attack for getting everything done. He put us where we were most effective. No one was hurt and there were no houses lost. He attended the Council Minutes (Regular) July 5, 2005 Page 7 Cedar Group Meeting. Apple Valley, Eagan and Rosemount representatives were there and he thanked them for the assistance with the clean-up. A resident had 2 or 3 trampolines blown against her house. She suggested requiring they be tied down. He directed staff to look at this. There was a resident in his area that had fiber optic lines installed in his property. Some ofthe digging did not get restored. Human Resources Director Wendlandt noted the contractors will be doing complete restoration of all the properties. There have been some issues getting the line through that area, but the resident should call the number on the blue card. Councilmember Pritzlaffthanked everyone for their work on Rambling River Days and a special thanks to John Kapustka for organizing the Tour de Farmington. Community Development Director Carroll: There will be a Scottish Festival and Highland Games at the fairgrounds on July 9,2005. Mayor Soderberg: Rambling River Days was a great success despite a stormy start and there are a lot of people to thank for that. The Hipp meetings will bring some neat opportunities to collaborate with other cities and realize efficiencies of operations and savings without sacrificing service. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Fogarty, second by McKnight to adjourn at 8:33 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ~h?~ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant