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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.03.03 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR March 3, 2003 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ristow at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OFALLEGIANCE Mayor Ristow led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: Audience: Ristow, Cordes, Fitch, Fogarty, Soderberg None Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; Ed Shukle, 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; Lisa Shadick, Administrative Services Director; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant Jim Gerster, Michael Cox, Dick Graelisch, Randy Oswald, David Pritzlaff 4. APPROVE AGENDA Item 7 g) School and Conference - Fire Department was added. MOTION by Cordes, second by Fogarty to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr. Dick Graelisch, had a question regarding the February 8, 2003 Council Minutes. 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Fitch, second by Soderberg to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (2/18/03 Regular) (2/15/03 Special) b) Approved Temporary 3.2 Beer License - Farmington Fastpitch League- Administration c) Adopted RESOLUTION R10-03 Gambling Event Permit - Administration d) Received Information Capital Outlay - MIS e) Received Information Capital Outlay NPDES Phase II - Engineering f) Approved Bills g) Received Information School and Conference - Fire Department APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Council Minutes (Regular) March 3, 2003 Page 2 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS a) Adopt Resolution - 2003 Seal Coat Project - Engineering The seal coat program is implemented in a 7-year cycle. The program was established in 1994. The streets to be seal coated this year include East Farmington 5th and 6th Additions, Charleswood 2nd Addition, Nelsen Hills Farm ih Addition and Euclid Street between Euclid Path and Upper 183rd Street West, Dakota County Estates 6th through 8th Additions, Sunnyside Addition, Oak Street between 2nd Street and 4th Street, 3rd Street between Elm Street and Spruce Street and the municipal pool parking lot. The total estimated project cost is $91,050. The city's special assessment policy indicates a 50/50 cost sharing split between the city and the benefiting properties for seal coat improvements. The estimated assessment is $65.04 per residential equivalent unit. MOTION by Soderberg, second by Cordes to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Soderberg adopting RESOLUTION Rll-03 ordering the 2003 seal coat project, approving the plans and specifications and authorizing the advertisement for bids. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) City Hall Task Force Presentation - Administration The City Hall Task Force has been working since June 2002 on an analysis of City Hall and its future space needs. Mr. Jim Gerster, Jr., Chair of the Task Force, presented the final report to Council. Working with Wold Architects, the Task Force analyzed various needs, locations and costs. The Council had requested that the options studied remain in the downtown area. The Task Force found there were deficiencies in space, systems, and the site ofthe current facility. There was also a growth need due to increased staff and space needs. They reviewed renovating on the existing site, build new on existing site, or build new off site. The Task Force unanimously agreed a new building should be built on the corner of 3rd and Spruce Streets. This location would enhance the downtown core, it is adjacent to the Senior Center and Public Library, its connection to the future Spruce Street development, new construction allows for a high degree of functionality, user-friendly orientation, options for a strong first impression/City Hall image, no disruption of services during construction, it is adjacent to the municipal parking lot, and is less costly than other options. The total projected cost is $6,014,440. Financing was recommended through lease revenue bonds. There would be no increase in taxes. As the city grows, this would be offset. This type of financing was also done for the Police and Central Maintenance facilities. Issues to be considered include the needs will not go away, the longer we wait the costs will go up, and given the present political structure in the state, things can change and right now it is set up to work for us. The Task Force would like to be updated and involved in the pursuit of this project. Council Minutes (Regular) March 3, 2003 Page 3 Councilmember Fitch stated he would be strongly against trading one empty space for another empty space. In other words, if the current building is demolished and it becomes an empty space here, we are just taking up an empty space at the new location. He has seen too many empty spaces in town and they seem to remain empty for a long time. If this is done, he feels the city needs to think seriously about extending the current space to Elm Street. He would like to see the current building sold for some type of commercial, or small mall, or executive suites. Mr. Gerster stated these observations were brought up several times by the Task Force. The city owns both locations (current location and 3rd and Spruce Street). The proposed location has had very limited interest due to several reasons. Moving the City Hall to that location opens up a more desirable location at the current site, because the things that are holding people back from the 3rd and Spruce Street location do not exist at the current City Hall site. The Task Force felt the current location would be sold rapidly. Mayor Ristow stated tonight was to receive the report and to give Council time to think about it. A workshop could be set up as we get into those details. Councilmember Fogarty stated looking at the funding between general obligation or lease revenue bonds, the general obligation bonds come with a lower finance rate. Finance Director Roland stated it is described by the finance advisors as less than 1/4%. The general obligation bond requires an election throughout the city, and it is not based on the tax capacity value, it is based on the market value of the property. It shifts a higher tax burden to residential properties and away from commercial properties. A lease revenue bond, being a tax capacity based bond, would spread the tax across all portions ofthe tax base equally. Councilmember Soderberg stated he was part of the Task Force and there were some lively discussions. It was good to see the citizens involved. The product we have before us is an excellent product. He appreciates the work of the Task Force, staff, and architects. Mr. Michael Cox, Wold Architects, stated the information was very well presented. It was a great exercise and the Task Force made their own decision. Mr. Randy Oswald, Task Force member, stated Mr. Gerster did a fine job on presenting what the Task Force came up with. He was thankful for the opportunity to serve on the Task Force. City Administrator Shukle thanked the Task Force, stating they did an excellent job. He wanted to get a workshop on the calendar within the next couple months with the Task Force. Mayor Ristow suggested April or May and to coordinate it with the Task Force. A date will be brought back to the March 17 Council meeting. Council Minutes (Regular) March 3, 2003 Page 4 b) January 2003 Financial Report - Finance The first month of the year is very light on revenues and hopefully as light on expenses. c) Adopt Ordinance - Pawn Shop Amendment - Police There had previously been a pawn shop in Farmington. An ordinance was not in place at that time, so an agreement was made with the owner, and through state laws, to minimize the sale of stolen property through the pawn shop. There currently is not a pawn shop in the city, so staff compiled an ordinance for any future pawn shops. The ordinance largely reflects state law, except the city is requiring a thumbprint identification when an item is sold. This discourages people who are trying to sell stolen property, and uses technology through an automated pawn system which records every transaction at every pawn shop. This was included in the ordinance to allow detectives statewide to access information. A recommended fee for licensing pawn shops will be included in the 2004 fees resolution unless a business comes forward before then. MOTION by Soderberg, second by Cordes adopting ORDINANCE 003-486 amending title 3 ofthe Farmington city code by adding a new chapter 26 concerning pawnbrokers and precious metal dealers. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Adopt Resolution - Akin Road Speed Limit - Engineering At the February 18 meeting, MnDOT's letter indicated there were two alternatives for posting the speed limit on Akin Road. The first alternative set the speed limit at 50 mph from CSAH 50 to 195th Street and 45 mph from 195th Street to Pilot Knob Road. The second alternative would be to post the speed limit at 50 mph between CSAH 50 and Eaves Way and 45 mph between Eaves Way and Pilot Knob Road. In order for the second alternative to be recommended, the city would have to agree to not posting the 30 mph statutory speed in the urban district area. A resident questioned whether it would be possible to continue the 45 mph speed limit all the way south to CSAH 50. MnDOT completed their review and they have determined that their recommended alternatives as presented will stay unchanged. Council agreed to accept the second alternative. Mr. David Pritzlaff, 20255 Akin Road, asked if Council can go beyond MnDOT's recommendation? Could Council set the speed at 45 mph from CSAH 50 to Pilot Knob Road? What type of signage would alert people to the speed change? City Engineer Mann stated the recommendation is what would go to the state traffic engineer. The city does not have the authority to set the speed limit. Posting the new speed limits will be coordinated with the traffic engineer. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Cordes adopting RESOLUTION R12-03 asserting that the speed limits on Akin Road be posted as identified by the second alternative and agreeing that the city will not post the 30 mph statutory speed limit in the urban district area. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Council Minutes (Regular) March 3, 2003 Page 5 b) Adopt Resolution - Main Street Project Feasibility Report - Engineering This report was an update to the 1997 Main Street report. The proposed improvements include the reconstruction of streets, construction of new storm sewer and the reconstruction and upgrading of trunk and lateral sanitary sewer, water main and storm sewer. In order to reconstruct Main Street, trunk storm sewer needs to be reconstructed along 4th Street from Main Street north to the river. Trunk sanitary sewer needs to be reconstructed along 5th Street from Elm Street to just north of the river to the MCES interceptor. It is recommended the proposed improvements be bid as two separate projects. Phase 1 would consist of the reconstruction of the streets and utilities along all of 4th Street and 5th Street north ofthe railroad tracks and Willow Street between 4th Street and 5th Street. Phase 2 construction would consist of the reconstruction of Main Street between 3rd and 8th Streets, 4th Street between Main Street and the railroad tracks, 5th Street from Elm Street to the railroad tracks and 6th and 7th Streets 1/2 block north and south of Main Street. The main change along Main Street would be to narrow Main Street to 32 feet which is the standard street width. The advantages include lower cost, less surface water runoff, and causing traffic to slow down because of a narrower street. Staff is also looking at closing Main Street at TH3. As part of the TH3 access management study, Main Street was identified as a street that should be closed off due to the proximity of that intersection to Elm Street where there is a signal. This would also minimize cut-through traffic on Main Street to get to downtown. The assessment policy indicates that the reconstructed street and lateral utility costs are assessed at 35% of improvement costs. Assessments to benefiting properties for new lateral street and utility costs are 100% ofthe improvement cost. Trunk sanitary sewer, storm water and water main are funded with city trunk funds. For Phase 1 the cost for each residential unit would be $9,624. Under phase 2 in the area where there is no storm sewer and 100% assessed, the cost would be $17,200, in the area where there is storm sewer and 35% assessed, the cost would be $11,350. Under statute 429 the city cannot assess more than the amount of benefit. Staff did obtain a benefit appraisal, which indicated there is approximately $6,000 of benefit for each residential equivalent unit. The commercial properties would be split into residential equivalent units. The city will need to fund the difference. The total project cost is $5,300,000. The cost to be assessed based on the appraisal would be $831,000. The city cost would be $4,460,000. A neighborhood meeting would be held to inform the residents of the cost and get their feedback. This information would be brought back to Council at the April 7 public hearing. Mayor Ristow stated he could see narrowing the width of Main Street. He also asked about Fifth Street to Willow Street and if it would affect the truck traffic coming out of Kemps. Staff replied Willow and Fourth Streets are wide streets. The street would be narrowed approximately 2 feet, which brings it back to Council Minutes (Regular) March 3, 2003 Page 6 standard street width. The Mayor then stated he does have some concerns with closing the access to TH3 as there is a limited amount of east-west connections, and it could put more traffic on Elm Street and Ash Street. There is sometimes congestion backed up onto Elm Street due to the Eagle's Club. Until there are more openings such as 208th Street - he asked how long the street would be closed and ifit would be closed throughout the project. Staff replied the closing would be in the second phase ofthe project, which would be next year. The traffic engineer could review the situation. It is a safer intersection to enter TH3 from Elm Street or Willow Street rather than from Main Street. If there did need to be a reliever for Elm Street perhaps Third or Fourth Street up to Willow Street would continue to provide that type of an additional outlet. The traffic engineer could review how closing off Main Street would affect the overall scheme. Mayor Ristow stated the residents would also have some input at the neighborhood meeting and the public hearing and maybe they would like it to be closed. Councilmember Fitch asked if the crossover on TH3 would be closed. Staff stated the traffic coming from the east would still need to be able to make a left turn onto TH3, so the crossover would have to stay open. Councilmember Fitch then asked if Main Street could be left open as a right-turn in only? Where traffic could go one way into it, but not the other way out of it? Staff replied that is a possibility. There is almost the same situation at Willow Street with people being able to access the frontage road. Staffwill review this situation. That could be an interim situation until other Council concerns can be resolved. Councilmember Fitch said his point is that we keep talking about attracting people to downtown and access is one ofthe key points. He does not want to see the number of streets limited for people to get in and out of downtown. Otherwise we will choke off the downtown, if we do not make access easy. Staff stated that is looked at carefully. People who are not aware that Main Street goes through and is an access, are not going to know either way and will use the signal. The people that find the convenience out of this are the people that live in the area. The question is how much of an effect is that going to have on those people. There are pro's and con's either way with closing this off. It is a con for some people to have less convenient access to their home on Main Street. On the other hand, if it eliminates cut-through traffic through their neighborhood, some people might find that appealing. Councilmember Fogarty stated she is interested to hear what the residents on Main Street feel. Her guess is that they do not enjoy that traffic. She drives down TH3 all the time and did not know, until she reviewed this item, that Main Street was an access point. She does not know if the city would be closing one. Mayor Ristow stated there is a lot of traffic on Main Street, but sometimes it gets a little rough. Once it is upgraded there might be more traffic. MOTION by Soderberg, second by Fitch adopting RESOLUTION R13-03 accepting the feasibility report and calling for a public hearing for April 7, 2003. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Council Minutes (Regular) March 3, 2003 Page 7 12. NEW BUSINESS 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Fitch: Thanked City Administrator Shukle and staff for their tolerance, candor and exchange of ideas and discussion last week. It was very beneficial. City Administrator Shukle: Last year he served as the Vice-President of the Metropolitan Area Management Association (MAMA). This year he was elected to serve as President. Finance Director Roland: The Governor has presented his preliminary budget. It was what the city expected when they put together the 2003 budget. The legislature has until June to pass the budget and it is good for the city to be cautious. She will keep Council updated. Community Development Director Carroll: The Dakota Electric Annual Partners in Progress event will be held March 6 at 4:30 p.m. City Engineer Mann: A workshop will be held with Lakeville regarding Dakota County's east-west corridor study and the 2030 Blueprint on March 10 at 5:00 p.m. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Cordes, second by Soderberg to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, C' ~ a~ 7 / - ./ - - /. / / ....~;.~~~~ /7 7c:..L ..~J Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant