HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.19.05 Work Session Minutes
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
JANUARY 19, 2005
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Soderberg called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Present:
Also Present:
Soderberg, Fogarty (arrived 5:40 p.m.), McKnight, Pritzlaff, Wilson
Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; David Urbia, City Administrator; Dan
Siebenaler, Police Chief; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director;
Lee Mann, City Engineer/Public Works Director; Lisa Shadick,
Administrative Services Director; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources
Director; Lee Smick, City Planner; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant
Audience:
Brian Watson, Michael and Laura Pierce, Derek Christensen
2. APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved.
3. DISCUSSION OF WETLAND BUFFERS
Residents had expressed concerns that they were not aware the wetland buffer behind
their homes was included in their lot size and it takes up a significant amount oftheir
back yards. For future developments, wetland buffers are no longer allowed on private
lots, only outlots. Staff met with environmental agencies to come to a solution. It was
decided to reduce the amount of the buffer by the 10-foot drainage and utility easement.
The 10- foot easement must be sodded and the buffer line left untouched. If this concept
is adopted, Council needs to consider does the City allow vacating the easements on a
case by case basis or vacate the easements on all properties in one action. Vacating an
easement requires a public hearing. The easement vacation would be recorded on the
title for the property so new owners would be aware ofthe buffer. Council discussed that
some people might want the wetland buffer and if the easements are vacated for all the
properties they could have the opposite problem. However, if this was done for all
properties, and the City maintains the buffer area, it would look more uniform. It was
decided staff will send a survey to affected residents asking if they would like to leave the
buffer as is or have it reduced the amount of the 10-foot drainage and utility easement.
4. COUNCIL ORIENTATION
a) Questions and Answers
b) Legal Issues - E-mails; Open Meeting Law; Public Comments
City Attorney Jamnik explained howe-mails are public information, the open meeting
law and what constitutes an open meeting, and provided information from the League of
Minnesota Cities on these topics.
Council Workshop Minutes
January 19, 2005
Page 2
5. DISCUSSION OF SPEED AND TRAFFIC ISSUES
Police Chief Siebenaler distributed information on the quota law. This law prohibits a
supervisor from requiring an officer to issue tickets. The MN standard speed in
residential areas is 30 mph. The exception is a road that is a local street less than 1/2 mile
long. This type of street can have a speed limit of 25 mph. Police Chief Siebenaler is in
favor ofthe 25 mph speed for residential areas and for photo cop. Photo cop is a stop
light camera that takes a picture ofthe license plate. There are also speed enforcement
cameras that are mounted on trailers with radar. Currently these are not allowed in MN.
Council agreed to support legislation to allow cities to set residential speed limits at 25
mph. Staffwill present a resolution at the February 7, 2005 Council Meeting. As far as
supporting cameras, Councilmember Pritzlaffwas in support of them, but had concerns
they assume the owner of the car is driving. The remainder of Council did not support
cameras. Council was divided but leaned toward not repealing the quota law. With
regard to signs, the City does not install Children at Play signs. They will install blind or
deaf child signs when a request is received from a doctor. Signs become invisible after 6
weeks. Council needs to be careful about the effectiveness of signs. Staff asked if
Council wanted any changes in past practice. Councilmember Pritzlaffwanted to look at
sign issues. The remainder of Council did not want any changes. Police Chief
Siebenaler then discussed crosswalks. Crosswalks create a perception of safety. To mark
a crosswalk without a stop sign is asking for an accident. A crosswalk does not require a
stop sign, but signage is required ahead of the crosswalk. Councilmember Soderberg
would like to see vigorous enforcement ofthe crosswalk at Dallas Avenue and 208th
Street.
6. SETBACKS FOR MINOR COLLECTORS
At the end of the term for previous Councilmembers, Councilmember Fitch suggested
stafflook at the setbacks for minor collectors. Currently there is a 20-foot front-yard
setback. Larger setbacks would provide for more sight distance and less tunneling.
Council agreed to go with whatever staff would recommend. Councilmember Fogarty
felt widening setbacks would make the speeding worse.
7. DISCUSSION REGARDING LEGISLATIVE POSITION OF THE CITY
City Administrator Urbia received policies from AMM and LMC. He recommended
working with Lakeville for CR 70 to become a state highway and to break Hwy 3 into
segments for widening and upgrades. Staffwill provide copies of the policies to Council
and Council should provide comments regarding legislative issues to City Administrator
Urbia. He will condense the list to 3-5 major issues.
8. ADJOURN
MOTION by Fogarty, second by McKnight to adjourn at 9:26 p.m. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Re~ectfullr~submitted, ?:P
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~ia Muller
Executive Assistant