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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.04.01 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR June 4, 2001 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ristow at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Ristow led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: Ristow, Cordes, Soderberg, Strachan, Verch None City Attorney Jamnik, Interim City Administrator Roland, City Management Team 4. APPROVE A GENDA MOTION by Soderberg, second by Cordes to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) Employee Service Recognition - Parks and Recreation Department Mr. Jim Bell, Parks and Recreation Director was recognized for 25 years of service with the City of Farmington. b) Award Presentation - Sienna Corporation Mr. Rod Hardy, Sienna Corporation presented the City with an award plaque for an Honorable Mention Smart Growth Design A ward for the East Farmington development from the 1000 Friends of Minnesota. 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS 7. CONSENT AGENDA Item 7a) Council Minutes (5/21/01) (Regular) was pulled so Councilmember Cordes could abstain from voting as she was absent from that meeting. MOTION by Soderberg, second by Verch approving Council Minutes (5/21/01) (Regular). Voting for: Ristow, Soderberg, Strachan, Verch. Abstain: Cordes. MOTION CARRIED. Item 7e) Capital Outlay - Police was pulled by Councilmember Soderberg for discussion regarding the less lethal technology. Less lethal technology is a way to distract or disable a person in a deadly force situation. This gives the officer an alternative that is not deadly. The Farmington Police Department has begun using this bean bag technology. It looks like a small stocking filled with a little lead shot. It is shot out of a 12-gauge shotgun at 300 feet per second. This will bruise or distract the person, but not kill them. Because the bean bag technology is so effective, a body bunker becomes important. The Police Department was requesting the purchase of a body bunker, which is a bullet proof Council Minutes (Regular) June 4, 2001 Page 2 shield that an officer would use in a dangerous situation. The reason for the body bunker request is to reduce the threat of the use of deadly force against an officer. MOTION by Soderberg, second by Cordes authorizing the purchase of a Body Bunker Ballistic Shield to be funded by the Police Forfeiture Account. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Strachan, second by Verch to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: b) Approved Dew Days Permits - CEEF Fee Waiver - Parks and Recreation c) Acknowledged Completion Community Survey - Administration d) Received Information Capital Outlay - Engineering t) Adopted RESOLUTION R53-01 Downtown Streetscape and Sliplining Project- Engineering g) Adopted RESOLUTION R54-01 Approved Gambling Premises Permit American Legion - Administration h) Approved Bills APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT a) Consider Resolution - Cabling Public Facilities Project The technology component of the public facilities project requires cabling for voice/data/paging and CATV capabilities. The low bidder is Corporate Technologies of New Hope at $37,700. This amount is part of the original budget for the buildings. The Base Bid includes all products and services necessary to complete the cabling project. Amounts for additional connections are for subsequent connections and were not used to determine the low bid. All contractors were required to have low voltage state licenses. MOTION by Verch, second by Soderberg adopting RESOLUTION R55-01 awarding the Public Facilities cabling bid to Corporate Technologies at a cost of $37,700. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Sidewalk and Curb Replacement Project - Engineering North Country Concrete has submitted the lowest quotation for the sidewalk removal and replacement work proposed for 2001 in the amount of$II,408. The budgeted amount for sidewalk replacement in 2001 is $9,500. Staff included areas showing significant signs of deterioration along Third Street that were not originally intended to be replaced in this year's program. The additional expenditure of $1 ,908 is proposed to be funded 50/50 through the Street division's budget and the Road and Bridge fund. MOTION by Strachan, second by Soderberg authorizing the expenditure of an additional $1,908 for this year's sidewalk replacement and awarding the contract for sidewalk removal and replacement to North Country Concrete in the amount of$II,408. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Council Minutes (Regular) June 4, 2001 Page 3 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Consider Resolution - Autumn Glen 3rd Addition Development Contract - Engineering The Development Contract for Autumn Glen 3rd Addition has been drafted in accordance with the approvals and conditions placed on the approvals of the Preliminary and Final Plat. Following are conditions of approval for the Development Contract: 1. The Developer enter into this Agreement. 2. The Developer provide the necessary security in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. 3. The Developer pays its apportioned share of costs for the construction of 195th Street. 4. The Developer record the plat with the County Recorder with 75 days after City Council approval of the final plat or within 30 days of the execution of this agreement. MOTION by Cordes, second by Verch adopting RESOLUTION R56-01 approving the execution of the Autumn Glen 3rd Development Contract and authorize its signing contingent upon the above conditions and approval by the Engineering Division. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Dakota County 2002/2006 CIP - Engineering Dakota County requested the City's input in preparing the County's 2002 - 2006 Capital Improvement Program. Staff presented the following projects as recommendations for Council to request for inclusion in Dakota County's 2002- 2006 CIP. CR 74, Ash Street, RR Tracks to Trunk Highway 3 - 2003 CSAH 50, Division Street to TH 3 - 2005 CR 64 (195th Street), from CSAH 31 to TH 3 - 2003 CSAH 31, CSAH 50 to CSAH 74 - 2006 208th Street - 2005 MOTION by Soderberg, second by Strachan authorizing staff to forward the recommended requests to the County for preparation of the Dakota County draft 2002 - 2006 CIP. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. c) 2002 Budget - Council Fiscal Goals - Finance The following guidelines were presented to Council to establish the framework the management team will observe in development of the 2002 Budget. 1. A commitment to maintain the local tax capacity rate at the same level as the previous year. 2. A fiscal goal that maintains a fund balance in the General Fund, for working capital, of no less than 25% of planned 2002 General Fund expenditures. 3. A commitment to maintaining the 2002 debt levy at no more than 25% of the total levy . Council Minutes (Regular) June 4, 2001 Page 4 4. A comprehensive review of the condition of capital equipment to ensure the most cost effective replacement schedule is followed. 5. A team approach which encourages strategic planning to meet immediate and long-term operational, infrastructure and facility needs. 6. A management philosophy that supports implementation of Council policies and goals, and is responsive to changing community conditions and concerns. Councilmember Cordes stated she felt regarding goal number 1, it has been Council's goal to lower the tax rate. Finance Director Roland stated in the last 5 years it has been a goal to maintain the tax rate. Fortunately, the City has been able to reduce it each year. Councilmember Soderberg stated maintaining the tax rate has been the goal as long as he has been on Council and the City has exceeded that goal. He then asked if it was possible to increase the General Fund balance to 30 - 35%. Finance Director Roland stated at the end of 2000 the General Fund balance was at 35%. Councilmember Strachan stated goal number 6 shows the City is not budgeting for things just because they always have. MOTION by Verch, second by Strachan adopting the 2002 budgetary goals as presented. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. d) Vermillion River - Proposed DNR Trout Stream Designation - Engineering The DNR is proposing to further designate the Vermillion River as a trout stream from the current terminus of trout stream designation in downtown Farmington to Highway 52. The DNR has conducted studies along the river in regards to the trout habitat and have indicated that trout are surviving and reproducing in the river beyond the areas of the river that are designated as a trout stream. The DNR has started the statutory process to expand the trout stream designation along the Vermillion River. The land use and economic ramifications resulting from the proposed designation could be significant. Alternative storm water management plans may need to be adopted to comply with the new proposed regulations. Staff suggested all of the implications of the expanded designation be identified and disclosed before the DNR makes a final decision on this issue. e) Schedule Joint Council Workshop - Zoning Code Update - Community Development The Planning Commission along with the consulting firm of Hoisington Koegler and staff have been working on various updates and necessary new provisions to the City Zoning Code. A Joint Planning Commission and Council workshop was set for June 26, 2001 at 5:00 p.m. to discussion provisions of the Zoning Code that have been reviewed to date. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Flagstaff Avenue Update - Finance At the May 21, 2001 Council meeting, Engineering presented a report on improvements to Flagstaff A venue, which identified the cost of such Council Minutes (Regular) June 4, 2001 Page 5 improvements at $500,476. All of the properties along Flagstaff Avenue are either agricultural or Ag Preserve. The normal process for City improvement projects, MSA 429, would be very difficult to enforce, as Ag Preserve properties are exempt from assessment under law as long as they remain in Ag Preserve. It would be difficult to show benefit to assessed properties as the project is a gravel road to a gravel road. The Road Construction Fund is currently committed to pay for the City's portion of 195th Street, the Downtown Streetscape, the 3rd Street overlay, and the interior road of the Public Facilities site. The other option for financing is for 100% of the residents along Flagstaff to agree to pay for the costs. Councilmember Cordes asked if it was possible to do the project in stages so it is not such a burden. City Engineer Mann stated staff would have to review what expenditure would be possible per year, and then see if that would work from a construction standpoint. Councilmember Cordes did not feel any of the three options were doable. Councilmember Strachan stated it is an issue of timing, and could it be built into a future CIP in terms of funds needed on the City's part. Development will not reach Flagstaff for a long time. Staff replied it could be put into the CIP. City Engineer Mann stated the City spends approximately $20,000 per year on Flagstaff in gravel and staff time. Councilmember Soderberg stated in addition to the project, it would also increase expenditure of $50,000 - $60,000/year to maintain the fabric base. City Engineer Mann stated that expenditure would more likely be every other year. Mrs. Elayne Donnelly, 20080 Flagstaff Avenue, stated she understands they will not get a blacktopped road. It is a gravel road, and they want it to be maintained. There have been several bad accidents on Flagstaff. If it takes a couple loads of gravel or extra grading per week, it cannot be that expensive. She cannot believe the City would allow a road to be in that condition in the City. Mrs. Donnelly does not feel they should have to complain to get the road fixed. They do pay taxes. Mayor Ristow stated the City is working on it and looking at several options. Councilmember Strachan asked if it was possible to place additional loads of gravel and if additional grading would make a difference over time. City Engineer Mann stated they have been trying different materials and some are better. To grade the road sufficiently, there needs to be more material on it. Staff will do further research and report back to Council. b) Consider Resolution - Akin Road Project - Engineering The plans and specifications have been prepared for the Akin Road Improvement project. It has come to staffs attention that State funds are available for the replacement of deficient bridges. The bridge culverts at Middle Creek on Akin Road are hydraulically deficient and are eligible for funding. The bridge costs are estimated to be in the $200,000 range. Approximately $150,000 of those costs would be eligible for funding. Staff recommended that the bridge culverts be removed from the project to allow for the State to review and fund the culverts. Council Minutes (Regular) June 4,2001 Page 6 The bridge culvert project would be bid and constructed next year after school lets out. The City's traffic engineer has reviewed the concept of installing guardrail along the east side of Akin Road, north of 193rd Street. The proposed design of the roadway does not require guardrail according to MnDOT requirements for State Aid Highways. It is the traffic engineer's opinion that guardrail should only be installed if it reduces accident severity. The City's traffic engineer and the rest of staff are in agreement that installing a crosswalk on Akin Road at an intersection that is not controlled by a stop sign is not recommended. A stop sign is proposed at the intersection of 195th Street and Akin at the time 195th Street is extended to the east. If a trail is extended to Akin Elementary from Akin Road, a trail connection will then exist and that intersection would be considered for a crosswalk. Police Chief Siebenaler stated pedestrians will cross where it is convenient for them. He would rarely recommend the installation of a crosswalk without a stop sign. Farmington Lutheran and Bible Baptist Church have requested that turn lanes be installed to service their future and existing facilities. Farmington Lutheran has also requested that water service and sanitary sewer service be extended from the west side of Akin Road as part of this project to serve their future site. These improvements are included in the plans and will be put out to bid. There are a few areas along Akin Road where curb will be installed in order to fit the trail in between the roadway and some of the homes that are close to the roadway. These will be north of Dunbar and the Eaves Way area. The estimated total project cost with removal of the bridge culverts from the project and not including the improvements requested by Farmington Lutheran and Bible Baptist Church is $1,406,160. These costs will be allocated between the City and the County. The improvements requested by the churches would be entirely funded by the churches. MOTION by Cordes, second by Soderberg adopting RESOLUTION R57-01 approving the plans and specifications for the Akin Road Improvement project and authorizing the advertisement for bids. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Strachan, second by Cordes adopting RESOLUTION R58-01 prioritizing replacement of bridge structures and requesting funding for the bridge on Akin Road at Middle Creek. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 12. NEW BUSINESS 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Soderberg: He received a request regarding a schedule for street sweeping. City Engineer Mann stated this occurs as early in the Spring as possible. The Council Minutes (Regular) June 4, 2001 Page 7 City fits it in among other projects, there is not a regular schedule. If there is a concern about sweeping a certain area, it can be added to the list. Councilmember Soderberg suggested putting some type of schedule in the Newsletter. City Engineer Mann stated sweeping is done in two stages, in the Spring and Fall. Counci/member Verch: Thanked Police Chief Siebenaler for keeping on top of things for the safety of officers and residents. Community Development Director Olson: He attended a meeting on the Empire Treatment Plant expansion. There will be another meeting on June 13,2001. The recommended option is the expansion of the Empire Treatment Plant and the phasing out of the Rosemount Plant and the construction of an outfall pipe to Hastings from the Empire Plant. Parks and Recreation Director Bell: A park shelter will be constructed in East Farmington in the next couple of days, followed by playground equipment and a ballfield. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Cordes, second by Strachan to adjourn at 8:56 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, 7~~ /7/~~ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant