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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.03.05 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES PRE-MEETING October 3, 2005 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; Robin Roland, Acting City Administrator/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; Lisa Shadick, Administrative Services Director; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant 2. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Wilson, second by Pritzlaffto approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS 4. COUNCIL REVIEW OF AGENDA Councilmember McKnight asked about the Ash Street project and wanted to confirm the people along Ash Street connecting to sewer and water would pay an assessment of $3,450 for water and $4,200 for sewer and Highland Circle residents would pay $4,250 for water and $5,500 for sewer. The assessment of $454.54 per residential equivalent unit is for residents within the assessment boundaries. Councilmember McKnight then noted on the ad for the City Administrator it reads 10 years experience. He would prefer to have 7-10 years experience as last time. Mayor Soderberg asked ifthe $454.54 is included in the amount for those assessed along Ash Street and Highland Circle. City Engineer Mann replied the people along Ash Street that were in the township do not get assessed for the street portion of the $454.54 because the county pays 100% of improvements in townships. Those residents do have the storm sewer portion of that assessment as the county only pays a portion of that. The project came in under budget and there were a few more properties added in the final calculation. Councilmember Wilson noted the request to rename the ballfields was a good request, but questioned as to how the sign would be paid for. Staff suggested the cost of the sign be discussed at the regular meeting. Council Minutes (Pre-Meeting) October 3, 2005 Page 2 Councilmember Pritzlaff asked about the completion date ofthe Ash Street project. City Engineer Mann stated the date in the contract is November 4,2005. Mayor Soderberg asked about the frontage road along 8th Street where it intersects with Ash Street. Staff replied it will be closed. S. STAFF COMMENTS Acting City Administrator Roland noted there is a supplemental item to approve the donation of tools from the Fire Department to a Fire Department in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Katrina. Regarding the Fire Department grant application, the information reflects the county's information. Upon further review both the county and the area Farmington covers are indicated in the revised application that will be sent to FEMA. Councilmember Fo~arty asked about the Executive Estates final plat and ifthe construction of 22St Street should be a contingency. City Engineer Mann replied the intent is to have that as a condition of the plat. The issue is how far east the construction should be done. 6. ADJOURN MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by McKnight to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ,/,1 _///r?V7~ 7~~ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR October 3, 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; Robin Roland, Acting City Administrator/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; Lisa Shadick, Administrative Services Director; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Lee Smick, City Planner; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant Bev Preece, Julie Simonson, Adam James, Fred Last, Ed Samuelson, StefKelting, Leon Orr, Kris Calvin, Nancy Norton, David Calvin, Lauren Wustenberg, Caitlin Drogemuller, Colin Moe, Louis Schmitz 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. s. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) Recognition of Dakota Dreamcatchers 4H Club The 4H Club participated in a competition for Community Pride. The 4H Club prepared a display cabinet and a binder on the "Show You Care - Buy a Chair" project and submitted this in the competition. Ms. Caitlin Drogemuller, President ofthe Dakota Dreamcatchers 4H Club, explained their project. They raised over $14,000 in eight weeks to replace the chairs at the Rambling River Center. $3,000 was received from the Eagle's Club for a computer center. Excess funds were used for fitness equipment. The project received a Grand Champion Ribbon at the Dakota County Fair and went on to the State Fair. The club presented the display case to the City. It will be displayed at the Rambling River Center. Mayor Soderberg stated these young people are champions of the very type of thing we should be celebrating in the community. They did a great job in pulling the community together. Council Minutes (Regular) October 3, 2005 Page 2 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS a) Mr. Bill Toninato Response - Administration A response was sent to Mr. Toninato regarding availability of Council Meeting tapes. 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by McKnight to approve the Consent Agenda as follows adding item f) Approve Donation of Equipment for Hurricane Victims - Fire Department: a) Approved Council Minutes (9/19/05 Regular) b) Received Information Capital Outlay - Parks and Recreation c) Approved Change Order Fiber Optics - Human Resources d) Approved Grant Application - Fire Department e) Approved Bills f) Approved Donation of Equipment for Hurricane Victims - Fire Department APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS a) Adopt Resolution - Ash Street Area Improvement Project Assessment Hearing - Engineerng The Ash Street improvements will be completed in November. The county is funding 70% of the street construction costs and 25% ofthe storm sewer costs. Per policy, 35% ofthe City's share will be assessed to benefiting properties including lateral utilities, sanitary sewer, storm water, watermain and street costs. The remaining 65% of the street and lateral utility costs and all of the trunk utility costs are funded by the City. Regarding the area wide benefit the properties would receive for the street and storm sewer improvements the appraisal indicated the maximum benefit would be $800 per residential equivalent unit. The area wide assessment is $454.54 per residential equivalent unit. The assessments for sewer and water for those properties connecting to Ash Street is $3,450 for water and $4,200 for sewer and for Highland Circle it is $4,250 for water and $5,500 for sewer. The commercial and multi-family properties have also been assessed. The area to be assessed is from the southern boundary of Farmington, hwy 3 to the east, the alley south of Walnut Street, and the railroad tracks between 1 st Street and Honeysuckle. There was one objection filed, one hardship request which is not valid as the assessment is less than $500, and one senior deferral that does meet the requirements. Ms. Julie Simonson, 1132 Highland Circle, asked ifthey are charged from today on. Finance Director Roland stated once the assessment becomes official, any resident in receipt of the notice has 30 days to pay the assessment at City Hall with no interest. After that time, it is levied against the properties and payable with the 2006 taxes and beyond. Interest is charged from when it is levied. Ms. Council Minutes (Regular) October 3, 2005 Page 3 Simonson stated the project is not close to being done. Finance Director Roland stated they expect the project to be completed November 4,2005. MOTION by Wilson, second by Pritzlaffto close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Fogarty, second by McKnight adopting RESOLUTION R116-0S adopting the assessment roll for the Ash Street area improvements, approving the senior deferral, and to table the objection for 30 days to allow staffto review it and give a recommendation. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. A WARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Approve Request to Rename Rambling River Park Ballfields - Parks and Recreation Mr. Leon Orr has requested to rename the Rambling River Park ballfields to Feely Fields. The ballfields were once part of the original Feely homestead and felt renaming the fields would provide a clearer distinction between the school district fields on the north side ofhwy 50 and the City fields on the south side ofhwy 50. The Park and Rec Commission had two issues. Whether the name would be carried to a new ballfield complex should these ballfields be demolished, and who would pay for the cost to construct a new sign for the ballfields. The cost for the new sign is estimated to be less than $100. Mr. Leon Orr, 19161 Echo Lane, stated he made the request for two reasons. The Feely name is a historic name in the community, and the fields are on land the City acquired from the Feely family over 30 years ago. He stated the cost will be taken care of. If these fields are demolished and new fields established in this location he would like the name carried forward, but he understands there are no promises. He has spoken with the Feely family and they agreed with this. Mayor Soderberg felt this is an excellent request to honor our heritage. MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Wilson to approve renaming the Rambling River Park ballfields to Feely Fields. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Adopt Resolution - Approve Final Plat Executive Estates - Community Development At the July 18, 2005 Council Meeting there were three outstanding issues: - Resolution of the park and trails location - Submittal and approval of the Wetland Conservation Act Permit - Resolution of sanitary sewer easements on the plat The plat consists of 99 single family lots. 225th Street is on the south side, hwy 3 is to the west and to the north is the Farmington Business Park. All lots are over 10,000 sq. ft. The Park and Rec Commission discussed the location of the park with the developer. The Commission recommended accepting the lot in the Council Minutes (Regular) October 3, 2005 Page 4 southwest corner of the Farmington Business Park and to trade the lot at a later date for an equivalent amount of park land in the golf course when it is developed and that the land swapped in the golf course be adjacent to the parkland that is required to be dedicated as part of the golf course development. Staff presented a map showing the location of the park, trails and sidewalks. As far as the Wetland Conservation Act Permit, the developer applied for this permit on August 29, 2005. The comment period was completed on September 27,2005. The developer proposes to excavate a portion ofthe wetland and mitigate and add new wetland. The Soil and Water Conservation district would like to see more minimization of the impacts and would like to talk with Mr. Garvey. This would be a minor issue with the plat as no lines would be changing. Staff recommended this permit be a contingency to the plat and can be brought back to Council on October 17, 2005. Engineering has looked at the requirement to resize some ofthe easements. There is a 30 ft depth for the sanitary sewer. There is a need for a 50 ft. wide easement. Another easement has to go from 20 ft. to 30 ft. There is an existing 20 ft. easement and it is required to be 40 ft. Another contingency is for the developer to show the correct easements on the plat before it is recorded. There have been negotiations between the developer and Castle Rock Township regarding 225th Street. The developer is working on plans for the township's review. Details regarding the timing and extent of the 225th Street improvements will be in the Development Contract. Contingencies to the final plat include: 1. Submittal and approval of a revised final plat showing the resizing of easements for the sanitary sewer system as required by Engineering. 2. Approval of the Wetland Conservation Act Permit by the City Council. 3. The satisfaction of any engineering comments including the construction plans for grading, storm water and utilities. 4. Execution of a Development Contract between the developer and the City and submission of security payment, all fees and costs. MOTION by McKnight, second by Wilson adopting RESOLUTION R1l7-0S approving final plat and authorizing signing of final plat Executive Estates with the above contingencies. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Discussion of City Administrator Hiring Process - Human Resources Human Resources Director Wendlandt presented updated copies of the City Administrator profile, job announcement, and a timeline for filling the position. The costs will be funded through the 2005 Human Resources/IT budget. Staff requested Council to approve the appointment of Mayor Soderberg and Councilmember McKnight as members of the City Administrator Selection Sub- Committee and Human Resources Director Wendlandt as staff liaison and Council Minutes (Regular) October 3, 2005 Page 5 approve the materials and authorize staff to begin the recruitment process for the City Administrator position. Councilmember McKnight noted the announcement reads 10 years experience. In the past we used 7-10 years experience and recommended we go back to that. Council agreed. He noted there would be a public meeting for the finalists so others would have an opportunity to meet the candidates. Mayor Soderberg suggested under goals "the need" be eliminated from each goal and suggested other minor changes. Acting City Administrator Roland asked ifthe sub-headings under the goals should be deleted. Council agreed. Mayor Soderberg stated ads will be placed immediately and the application deadline is November 4,2005. The selection committee will narrow the field of candidates down on November 18,2005. By November 28,2005 there should be 5-6 finalists. Interviews, a reception, and management assessments will be the week of December 12,2005. A selection will be made and an estimated start date will be January 30,2006. MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Wilson to approve the appointment of Mayor Soderberg and Councilmember McKnight as members of the City Administrator Selection Sub-Committee and Human Resources Director Wendlandt as staff liaison and to approve the materials and authorize staff to begin the recruitment process for the City Administrator position. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 12. NEW BUSINESS 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember McKnight: Residents received a letter from the Police Department notifying them that a level 3 sex offender notification meeting will be held on October 11,2005 at the High School from 7:00-8:30 p.m. A level 3 sex offender will be relocating on October 5,2005 to the 1200 block of Willow Trail. The notification was sent to everyone within one mile of that area. He was concerned that this person is moving in this week and the notification meeting will be held next week. Police Chief Siebenaler stated the Police Department received notification from the Department of Corrections last Wednesday that this person would be moving into the City. This was originally scheduled for last Friday, so it would have been two days notice. With some persuasion the arrival date was postponed to October 5,2005. This person has served his term and met the criteria for release. He is still under supervision of the Department of Corrections. With the late notice the City received, the earliest staff could make arrangements with the Department of Corrections, who will coordinate the meeting, was for October 11, 2005. For those residents not in the one square mile, the notification was also given to the newspaper. Participation at the public meeting is not limited to those people in the one square mile. Anyone can attend the meeting. It is important to give him a chance to succeed. His best chance of success comes from the community. At the public meeting, the Department of Corrections will discuss his offenses and the conditions of his release. They will describe what measures will be taken to monitor his activities. He is employed and will be living in a private home. Mayor Soderberg asked Council Minutes (Regular) October 3, 2005 Page 6 if staff was able to address the routine occurrence of late notifications from the Department of Corrections. Police Chief Siebenaler stated that is a situational issue. They feel they gave as much notice as they could and delayed the arrival by five days. Councilmember Fogarty suggested this notification be placed on the web site. Councilmember Pritzlaff: The Cedar Group meeting was cancelled. He attended the AMM Met Council meeting with the Mayor. He thanked Mr. John Kapustka for arranging a Fall Tour de Farmington. He attended the last Planning Commission meeting and there was a discussion regarding development on the east side of the City. He felt Council was overdue in meeting with staff and determining what type of development is envisioned for this area. The Met Council would like to update their Comp Plan by 2008 and felt the City would also be in line for this. Acting City Administrator Roland suggested the Council and Planning Commission and staff have a workshop to discuss these issues. Properties which have petitioned for annexation are not included in the Comp Plan and nothing can be done with these until that situation is resolved. Staff would like to build on the partnerships with the townships for orderly annexation. Mayor Soderberg suggested including representation from Empire and Castle Rock Townships. Community Development Director Carroll stated there is a sizable development within the Spruce Street area. There is a medium and high-density residential area consistent with the Comp Plan and zoning, but some concerns at the Planning Commission meeting went beyond planning for areas in the township. There were some reservations about the proportions of multi-family and single family. He suggested starting out with discussions of the livable communities guidelines and goals adopted in 1995. Staff could provide an update on the progress since then, bring in a Met Council representative, discuss affordability of housing units, the provision of rental housing, etc. He suggested establishing an understanding ofthese things before discussing township properties. Acting City Administrator Roland suggested obtaining dates from Council and the Planning Commission. Staff would like to meet this month. Council recommended October 19,2005 at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Soderberg: He gave an overview of the first Dakota Communications Center Board of Directors meeting. They discussed the Joint Powers Agreement and officers were elected. There are a lot of issues to be considered. The next meeting will be November 17,2005 at 8:00 a.m. in Apple Valley. Staff noted the first meeting of the Design Advisory Committee and the architects interviews will be held next Tuesday. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Fogarty, second by McKnight to adjourn at 8:16 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ~;>r?~ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant