HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.06.01 Council Minutes
COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR
August 6, 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
Acting City Attorney Brokl, Interim City Administrator Roland,
City Management Team
4. APPROYEAGENDA
MOTION by Soderberg, second by Cordes to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
6. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a) Watering Restriction Issues - Engineering
Letters were sent to Ms. Jolly and Ms. Maxwell in response to their comments at
the July 16, 2001 meeting. Councilmember Soderberg noticed the letter stated the
City facilities could not keep up with the demand. The City can keep up with
demand under normal circumstances. The demand that evening was not normal.
b) Nelsen Hills Townhomes - Engineering
At the July 16, 2001 Council Meeting Council authorized staff to proceed with
correcting outstanding grading issues at Nelsen Hills Townhomes. A low
quotation was received from Gilmer Landscaping in the amount of $13,049. The
following items will be addressed as part of the contract:
All water services will be adjusted to grade.
A water service to the east of 18568 Euclid Path will be repaired.
The hydrant outside of 18588 Euclid Path will be raised to meet City
standards.
The slope at the pond to the south of 18588 and 18590 Euclid Path will be
seeded and fiberblanketed. The front yard of 18584 will receive 4" of black
dirt and sod. All other disturbed areas will be final graded and sodded.
Trees will be added to the top of the slope between Pilot Knob Road and the
townhomes. As part of the original Nelsen Hills Townhomes project,
screening was required on the berm along CSAH 31. Staff has included trees
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 2
within the contract in an effort to screen and minimize noise from Pilot Knob
Road.
The City is holding $7,000 in surety for this project. The balance will be covered
through the private capital improvement projects fund. City Attorney Brokl stated
September 15,2001 has been set for a completion date. The City will try to
recover some of the funds, but there is no guarantee. This is being pursued with
the Nelsen Hills Townhomes attorney. Councilmember Soderberg inquired as to
the low fire hydrant. City Engineer Mann stated the Fire Department has checked
the hydrant and it does need to be raised, but there is no undue concern at this
time.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Strachan, second by Soderberg to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a) Approved Council Minutes (7/16/01 Regular) (7/18/01 Special)
b) Approved Appointment Recommendation City Administrator - Administration
c) Approved Appointment Heritage Preservation Commission - Administration
d) Accepted Resignation Senior Center Advisory Council - Administration
e) Received Information Capital Outlay - Administration
f) Approved Fire Relief Association Pension Request for 2002 - Finance
g) Received Information School and Conference - Police Department
h) Approved 195th Street Project Right-of-Way Acquisition - Engineering
i) Received Information 2001 Curbside Clean-Up Project Summary - Parks and
Recreation
j) Received Information Naming of Parks - East Farmington and Depot Way - Parks
and Recreation
k) Approved Bills
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a) Consider Resolution - Downtown Streets cape/Street LightinglSliplining
Project Assessment Hearing - Engineering
The budget for the project was set at $1,394,750. The assessments for the project
were set not to exceed the amounts determined in the original feasibility report.
The project costs will be underwritten through the special assessments, bond
proceeds and the appropriate enterprise funds. No objections to the assessments
were received. Residents have 30 days to pay the assessment without interest to
City Hall. After 30 days, assessments will be certified to the County and
payments should be mailed to the County at that time. MOTION by Cordes,
second by Strachan to close the Public Hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by Strachan, second by Cordes adopting RESOLUTION R69-01
adopting the assessment roll for the Downtown Streetscape/Streetlighting/
Sliplining project. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 3
9. AWARD OF CONTRACT
a) 19Sth Street Project - Engineering
Arcon Construction Company submitted the low bid in the amount of
$695,122.37. The estimated project cost based on the bid including contingencies
and legal, engineering and administrative costs is $975,000. The total estimated
project cost including contingencies and legal, engineering, administrative and
right-of-way acquisition is $1,082,000. The estimated project cost in the
feasibility report was $1,275,500. There are three benefiting property owners that
will be participating in the cost of the improvements, the City, the developer of
Autumn Glen and the Finnegan property (former Reisinger property).
Construction will begin August 7, 2001. MOTION by Strachan, second by
Soderberg adopting RESOLUTION R70-01 accepting the base bid of Arcon
Construction Company Inc and awarding the contract. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
b) Akin Road Project - Engineering (Supplemental)
McNamara Contracting Inc has submitted the low bid in the amount of
$1,077,177.50. Although the bid is favorable, staff recommended that the award
of contract for this project be postponed until the August 20,2001 Council
Meeting. Several easement agreements need to be finalized and the street lighting
costs and agreements with Dakota Electric and Xcel Energy need to be
completed.
c) 3rd Street Overlay and Sliplining - Engineering (Supplemental)
Valley Paving Inc has submitted the low bid in the amount of$229,811.50. The
total estimated project cost including contingencies and legal, engineering and
administrative costs is $321,100. A portion of the project costs will be assessed to
benefiting properties. The City's share of the costs will be funded through the
City's funding mechanisms. MOTION by Cordes, second by Soderberg adopting
RESOLUTION R71-01 accepting the base bid of Valley Paving Inc, and
awarding the contract. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
a) Consider Resolution - Meadow Creek Preliminary Plat - Community
Development
Mr. Warren Israelson of Progress Land Company proposes to plat 178 single-
family residential lots on 159.35 acres in the first phase of Meadow Creek. The
proposed subdivision is located west of Prairie Creek and north of Autumn Glen
in the northeast corner of the City of Farmington. At full development, the
Developer proposes 354 single-family residential lots along with a 4.54 acre
neighborhood park and a number of storm water ponds. The property currently
consists of a man-made drainage ditch that is utilized as an outlet for Lake Julia
and runs southwesterly through the property. The property is zoned R-l single-
family residential. The minimum lot width is 75 feet measured at the front yard
setback. Two lots on the preliminary plat do not meet the minimum lot width due
to a storm drainage pipe that splits the two properties. Therefore, the Developer is
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 4
required to apply for a variance to the minimum lot width before approval of the
final plat. The Developer proposes both split-entry and walkout construction
homes in the price range of $160,000 to $250,000. The Developer estimates a
population of 1,062 persons. The Developer proposes the density at 2.22
units/acre falling within the low-density requirement of 1.0 to 3.5 dwelling units
per acre Land Use Plan designation for this area contained in the approved 2020
Comprehensive Plan.
The Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the
Preliminary Plat at their July 20, 2001 meeting. A number of issues were
discussed including the retention of trees at the shared border of Meadow Creek
and Autumn Glen, transportation issues including the redesignation of 187th Street
as a minor collector street and the resolution of grading and drainage issues in the
Prairie Creek 4th Addition. The Developer is working with Arcon Development
to determine the location of the larger trees along the shared property line
between Meadow Creek and Autumn Glen. It has been determined that most of
the larger trees might be retained if drainage swales are located on the north and
south sides of the trees both on the Meadow Creek and Autumn Glen properties.
The City's traffic engineer, Shelly Johnson, has prepared a traffic assessment for
the Meadow Creek Project at full development of354 single-family units. Mr.
Johnson estimated daily 2-way traffic volumes at 3,390 trips. He estimated 65
trips into the subdivision at the morning peak hour and 200 trips out of the
subdivision. At the evening peak hour, 230 trips are estimated into the
subdivision and 125 out of the subdivision at full development of354 lots. Mr.
Johnson estimated that at full development an additional 2,030 vehicles will
utilize 187th Street to travel to/from Embers Avenue and/or Pilot Knob Road.
Because of this volume on 187th Street, the street's function will be converted
from a local street to a neighborhood collector street and it will be able to
accommodate the expected volumes. Mr. Johnson recommended that both 187th
Street and the north-south street extending from Dunbury A venue in Autumn
Glen be classified as minor collector streets. Each collector will have a sidewalk
on one side of the street. The Developer will be required to seek a variance for
the cul-de-sac that surrounds Outlot A because it exceeds the 500-foot cul-de-sac
length by 100 feet.
A number of residents attended the July 10, 2001 Planning Commission meeting
that live in the Prairie Creek 4th Addition directly adjacent to Meadow Creek.
Their concerns consisted of the standing water and drainage problems within their
backyards. The Planning Commission recommended an additional condition
concerning the approval of the preliminary plat:
1. Require corrections and improvements to the grading and drainage
problems in Prairie Creek 4th Addition and restore the affected properties.
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 5
The Developer may need to gain temporary easements from property owners in
the Prairie Creek 4th Addition to correct grading and drainage problems on private
property. If the Developer cannot secure a temporary easement for grading on
private property, a license to enter may be granted per the Development Contract.
The park will be located along a trail easement that runs from Lake Julia along the
drainage ditch easement to the south through the Autumn Glen development.
Staff requested approval of the Meadow Creek Preliminary Plat contingent upon
the following:
1. The Developer seeks a variance to the minimum lot width for two lots on
the preliminary plat before approval of the final plat.
2. Any required revisions to easements and all engineering comments from
the June 27, 2001 memo that are relevant to the preliminary plat need to
be addressed on the plat.
3. The Developer seeks a variance to the maximum cul-de-sac length of500
feet for the cul-de-sac near Outlot A.
4. Require corrections and improvements to the grading and drainage
problems in Prairie Creek 4th Addition and restore the affected properties.
Councilmember Soderberg inquired about the trail running along the back of the
properties along the drainage ditch. Staff will inform the developer that he needs
to inform the homeowners of the trail in their backyards. Councilmember
Soderberg asked if the drainage and elevation will be adequate so residents do not
have water in their lower levels. City Engineer Mann stated the developer is
being held to City standards. The material coming from the area to create the
large pond will be used to raise the areas needed to meet elevations.
Councilmember Strachan asked if this will have the same design standards as
Autumn Glen. City Engineer Mann stated they will need to meet all of the City
standards, just like Autumn Glen did.
Councilmember Soderberg stated sidewalks will be installed along 187th and
Dunbury. He asked if there was a sidewalk along I 87th Street to the west of the
development. Staff replied no. Councilmember Soderberg then asked if a
sidewalk along a minor collector is required? Staff replied yes. Councilmember
Soderberg noticed there is a redesignation of 187th Street to a minor collector.
Are there any other requirements of a minor collector besides a sidewalk? Mr.
Johnson replied because of the design of the site plan and the way the area to the
west was built, and a majority of the vehicles want to go west and north, 187th
Street becomes a clear path for that, at least to Embers Avenue. That is why he
suggested 187th be redesignated as a minor collector. It will be functioning as
more than a local street. Volume is also considered. A minor collector is one step
above a local street. It is an ongoing planning process. Comprehensive Plans,
etc. are constantly evaluated. Councilmember Soderberg stated there will be
300+ homes. Riverbend caused him a great deal of concern because there was no
ingress or egress because of very narrow streets and the amount of traffic
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 6
generated. You can redesignate streets and put more traffic on them, but it does
not make them safer. He has a problem with changing the game after things have
started. This area was looked at in 1998 and determined to be residential, but no
provision was made for a minor collector. The minor collector status has been
determined after designing this development. Mr. Johnson stated once you get
into site development, that is when streets like minor collectors become important
and more apparent where they should be.
Mayor Ristow stated Embers was identified in the Comp Plan as a collector. Why
wasn't 187th also designated as a collector at the same time? Mr. Johnson replied
it did not appear to be needed as a minor collector at the time. If he would have
known then what he knows today about Meadow Creek and Autumn Glen he
would have suggested it. 187th Street fits the criteria to be a minor collector.
There will be increased traffic due to the development. Mayor Ristow asked
about traffic control. Mr. Johnson replied he did not recommend any traffic
control at this time. Perhaps 3-4 years from now. Councilmember Strachan
asked if 187th is reclassified as a minor collector, what does that do for the City in
terms of being more aggressive with stop signs. Mr. Johnson replied it puts more
strength to protecting the minor collector as a street to handle more traffic. You
do not want to load it up with stop signs. However, where 187th intersects with
Embers the potential for traffic control needs may increase. With any other local
street intersecting 187th Street, you have to be careful stopping 187th at the local
street. His estimate of 2,000 vehicles on 187th Street is on the high side.
Councilmember Strachan asked if traffic does become a problem, what can be
done before the area is fully developed? Mr. Johnson replied you have to decide
on what is worse. There are standards in transportation guidelines. If you live on
187th you probably don't want to see one more car. As a traffic engineer the street
can handle 500 cars per direction on that street. There are always things that can
be done if traffic becomes a problem, such as you can limit the number of
vehicles that make turns.
Councilmember Cordes asked why do they need to reclassify 187th? Mr. Johnson
replied you don't have to. As a good planning tool in order to protect traffic
control options you reclassify a street. There will still be additional cars on the
street with this development.
Mayor Ristow asked if I 87th was the only street for construction traffic? Mr.
Johnson stated there are two options, 187th from CSAH 31 or ask them to use Elk
River Trail to Embers and then into the development.
Mayor Ristow stated an e-mail was received from Mr. Ken Rausch, 5066 187th
Street W, expressing his concerns regarding additional traffic.
Mr. Jamie Larson, 5082 187th Street W, stated Mr. Johnson said ifhe knew then
what he knows now he would have made 187th a minor collector. The
Comprehensive Plan shows that area was going to be low density residential so
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 7
the facts were there. Everyone who built along 187th thought they were living on
a fairly quiet street. The residents are not against the development, they are
asking the City to stick with the Comprehensive Plan and not change 187th to
handle the traffic. Along Lake Julia cars park on both sides of the street. Mayor
Ristow stated if it is not changed, it limits what the City can do according to what
a traffic engineer suggests should be done.
Ms. Lisa Robinson, 18654 Easton Avenue, stated a sidewalk is a requirement for
a minor collector. If that is true, it is her understanding the residents are assessed
for the improvements of the sidewalk. As it stands now, only the residents along
the eastern border of Prairie Creek received notice of the plat design and no one
on 187th. So the residents on 187th were not notified there will be another tax.
She asked if other minor collectors have parks along them? It is her
understanding the developer brings a plan to the City and the City compares it to
the codes. As long as those things are met, everything is ok. It seems the City
could require the developer to have more outlets. She does not think this is the
best designed plat for traffic. She feels an option would be to send it back to the
Planning Commission to get a better plat with more roads. Councilmember
Strachan suggested some cars could use Dunbury to get out. She was also
concerned with safety issues. She felt with more traffic they will need more stop
signs on 187th. One thing that has not been brought up is the trees. There are
trees all along the drainage ditch that add beauty, shade, and privacy. It was not
made a condition of the plat to save as many trees as possible. She would like this
considered before the developer is given final approval. She requested Council
keep the contingency regarding correcting drainage issues, as her backyard is a
swamp.
Councilmember Strachan asked how it is determined which properties are
affected by the drainage issue. City Engineer Mann stated over the last several
years these issues have been raised and the City is well aware of what needs to be
done. Staff is very committed to addressing those issues. Ms. Robinson stated no
one has contacted her regarding how it will be resolved.
Mayor Ristow asked Mr. Johnson to address the traffic issue around Lake Julia.
Mr. Johnson stated there is a trail along the north side of 18ih that leads into Lake
Julia Park. It is designed to be a walking park, not a regional park, although some
people will drive there and park along the street. He does not know of it being a
safety issue as long as people drive at a safe speed and perhaps identify the area as
"Drive Safely - Children at Play." He does not see a problem with the road
carrying the additional traffic, because the play area is set so far back.
Councilmember Strachan asked about the sidewalk requirement and if it was
necessary. Community Development Director Olson replied no, new
developments are required to have sidewalks on one side. The City does not go
into existing neighborhoods.
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 8
Mayor Ristow asked if there were any questions at the Planning Commission
regarding redesigning the plat. City Planner Smick replied no, the question was
not raised. Mayor Ristow asked if the road was adequate or similar to other plats.
Ms. Smick listed several similar plats. She stated this plat does meet the 2020
Comprehensive guideline as far as the density that was proposed in 1998. Mayor
Ristow stated Mr. Rausch said in his e-mail that the residents were mislead by the
City. They relied on the City's policies to their detriment. They would not have
bought a house on 187th if they would have known it would carry 2000 cars a day.
Would the City have told them that? Ms. Smick stated if someone were to have
called in 2 years ago and asked if 187th was a local street we would have said yes.
That is the information we had at that time. If someone where to call in today, we
would have said it is starting to look like a minor collector. We have a new look
at development in this area and things are changing. We can only go by the
information we have.
Councilmember Cordes asked about the drainage problems in Prairie Creek 4th
Addition. It was her understanding those problems have to be fixed before
anything else is done, is that correct? She is not willing to approve the plat before
those areas are fixed. She wants to make sure that will happen. City Engineer
Mann stated there may be circumstances that necessitate some of the
improvements in Meadow Creek be in place before those issues can be addressed.
As far as the plan is concerned, before any engineering plans are approved, those
drainage problems will be addressed. In order to build the pipes that will take the
drainage away from those areas, the downstream end is built first. So the pipe on
the Meadow Creek site needs to be built first. There are easements along the east
property line in Prairie Creek 4th. The City may need to get additional permission
to do grading work. Previously, the City did not have the capability of dealing
with these issues. The building of this development and the storm sewer systems
of this development will allow staff to address these issues in ways they cannot
with the area being undeveloped.
Ms. Christina Erickson, 5245 187th Street, stated she is concerned about the
traffic. The 2000 extra cars are from this development alone. It does not include
the traffic already there. When they bought their house 7 years ago, Embers was
supposed to loop around into 187th. It was supposed to be a residential
neighborhood street. Now there is a lot of traffic and speeding. They do not have
a sidewalk. If one is installed they have established lawns and trees, and a
pipeline running through the yard. If the sidewalk does not go in, what about the
people walking dogs and strollers with all this traffic? The bus stop is on the
northeast side of 187th and Embers. There is no stop sign on Embers so what
about the school children. Designating 187th a minor collector, as she understands
it, protects the City's rights to limit the number of stop signs placed on the street.
That is the problem now with Embers. Residents are told they cannot place stop
signs on Embers because it is a minor collector. On the 2002 Comprehensive
Plan it does show a minor collector going east and west. On this plan where is
that collector road? Human nature is to go the shortest distance between two
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 9
points. There may be this long winding road that eventually gets up to a major
road that goes east and west, but people won't use it if it is more difficult to drive
that way. 187th is the only way in and out of this neighborhood. She would like
to see a better way to get people in and out of this neighborhood and to save the
trees. They were told this land was too low to build on and that it would be a golf
course.
City Planner Smick stated the City currently does not have a tree preservation
ordinance, however staff is requesting that the trees between Meadow Creek and
Autumn Glen be preserved as much as possible. The trees along the drainage
ditch are still being reviewed. Mayor Ristow thought he heard a comment from
Mr. Israelson that he was willing to install trees for park dedication fees. Parks
and Recreation Director Bell stated that has not been proposed to the Parks and
Recreation Commission, and that has not happened before.
City Planner Smick stated she understands all of the dirt and earth work will be
done on site. Mr. Israelson stated in the first phase there is definitely adequate fill
on the site. To the north, it will be close but a thorough analysis has not been
done. Mayor Ristow stated so once the equipment is on the site it will stay there
instead of going in and out. Mr. Israelson replied that is correct.
Mr. Gordon Schmidt, 5361 187th Street W, stated they were one of the first ten to
build in Silver Springs. He is a designer by trade and is constantly looking into
the future. He is not trying to stand in the way of progress. When he moved to
Farmington, it was easy to tell people check things out, make sure you know what
you are getting into. He talked to the developer, realtors, the pipeline company,
schools and the City. He asked what the future is for 187th Street. In 1993 he was
told there was no proposed developments planned at that time. Three weeks after
he moved in, construction began behind his house. He knew he had been lied to
by everyone he talked to. He is not against progress, but he would like to caution
Council and have them take a good look. Developers and realtors will tell you
anything to get what they want. They were told there would be a park (Lake
Julia) and there would be a ball field. They are still waiting for the ball field.
Developers very seldom follow through with what they tell you in the beginning.
Ms. Eileen Mumford, 18685 Easton Avenue, stated they intended to raise their
four kids there forever. There are so many kids between 5 and 7 that have been
riding on Easton Avenue to 187th. How do you explain to a 7 -year old there will
be 2000 cars there. Someone will be killed. Is there a way to build the street
behind Easton Avenue, curve it around, redevelop the whole area and make
Dunbury the major street, and cut their development off? When they moved into
Prairie Creek they were promised a picnic area and park. They went for four
years with no grass in the park. They will have to move if that street goes in. The
construction trucks go 40 mph. They will not be able to stop if a child runs out.
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 10
Mr. Ken Tlrrell, 5067 187th Street, sees a lot of activity in the park, he would hate
to see 187 be a main vein to get the traffic in and out. He thinks with a little
creativity they could come up with a plan that would not make it such a congested
street.
Mayor Ristow asked what the timeline is for approval. Community Development
Director Olson replied the Planning Commission has 60 days to approve it, and
the Council has 60 days for approval. It does not have to be approved at this
meeting. Councilmember Cordes stated it is unfortunate for the area, but she does
not know if there is another way to get the traffic out of there. We won't know
that until the County puts in the east/west corridor and we cannot bank on that.
Councilmember Soderberg stated he is in agreement with the residents. The
design drives the traffic to I 87th Street. Unfortunately the development to the
west only has two outlets. He would like to know if there is a way to redesign it
to split some of the traffic up. Also, the plan calls for a park on the southeast side.
With the developments to the west not having any useable park space, it might
better serve the whole area to have a park on the west side. Mayor Ristow
suggested as long as Council has the time, he would suggest delaying the decision
to answer some of these questions. Councilmember Cordes stated if we are not
happy with this, why not deny it and have them submit another plan. Mayor
Ristow asked if it was possible to work with this plan. City Planner Smick stated
she feels it is possible to work with this plan. Community Development Director
Olson stated the questions should be directed to the developer to see what their
position is. Staff has tried to take advantage of every possible street connection.
The design engineer can better respond as to what can be switched around.
Councilmember Strachan stated he would prefer a plan that impacted 187th less.
He does not want to cut it off.
Mr. Warren Israelson, developer, stated a major issue from day one was the
north/south minor collector street. Every one of his plans has shown a north/south
minor collector. Staff has reviewed the plan several times and made various
recommendations. Each time he has responded and submitted a new plan. One of
the more recent recommendations was to create an east/west minor collector as
well as a north/south one. This plan responds to a direct request of staff. This
was not his original intent. If this was a month or two earlier, he would not have a
problem tabling it. This is August and for him to get into the ground with this
project, he does not have time to wait. The majority of the pe<:rle will want to go
north and west. There are three potential areas for access, 187 , Eaglewood, and
Dunbury. No matter what kind of alignment is developed, most people will want
to use 187th. There is not a whole lot that can be done other than cutting it off
entirely. Mayor Ristow stated he would feel more comfortable waiting two weeks
to review the resident's concerns. Councilmember Soderberg asked Mr. Israelson
what his initial concept was. Mr. Israelson stated the minor collector was not a
continuous road. Councilmember Soderberg asked if 187th is the same as the
original plan? Mr. Israelson replied no, 187ih becoming a minor collector was
staffs idea. He agreed with the traffic engineer, because he recognized people
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 11
will go to 187th and it will become a minor collector. The City's engineering
department did require him to build 187th as a wider street to carry the high
volume of traffic.
Mr. Ken LaBeau, 5317 187th Street, stated if Council is going to postpone the
decision for two weeks, he would like to see a neighborhood meeting with the
residents and the developer. How will this affect home values, and what about the
construction traffic. There are 500-750 cars a day past his house. Add 2000 cars
and that is 2500 cars a day. There should be a special meeting with the Council,
residents and the developer. City Engineer Mann stated neighborhood meetings
are typically for public improvement projects. All statutory requirements for this
project have been met. Mr. LaBeau is concerned if this will take a house worth
$220,000, with all the traffic will it be worth $160,000. Interim City
Administrator Roland stated staff is dedicated to meeting with the residents.
However, staffs concern with this plat is if you do not use 187th Street, the
options are limited. The reason staff asked Mr. Israelson to connect with 187th
Street, was to increase the availability of roads in and out of the development. If
only the north/south collector is used all traffic will go north to 183rd Street or go
south to 193rd Street. Staffs goal is to increase the number of accesses to this
development. If Mr. Israelson only had three to begin with, he now has six. They
are not perfect accesses, but he has done everything he can to increase access to
this development. The meeting is a good idea, she was not certain how much can
be resolved through that meeting. Mr. LaBeau stated there are also other
concerns, such as stop signs. With 2000 more cars a day, will there be stop signs?
City Planner Smick suggested staff look at the park question, traffic diversion
techniques, and safety options.
Mr. Todd Bowe, 18650 Easton Avenue, asked if this had to be brought back at the
next Council meeting, whose schedule are we on? Councilmember Strachan
stated there is a state law where action has to be taken within a certain amount of
time, or it is automatically approved.
City Attorney Brokl recommended that staff look immediately at the time limit
and if necessary give the notice to extend the 60 day time period. MOTION by
Soderberg, second by Strachan to table this item until the next meeting and
instructed staff to look at the timeline and if necessary issue the extensions.
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
b) Legislative Impact 2002 Budget Process - Set Workshop Date - Finance
Changes to the Property Tax law include the elimination of the State Aid known
as HACA. The City received approximately $403,000 of HAC A in addition to
approximately $456,000 worth of LGA. In 2002, 10% of the general fund budget,
or the entire amount of HAC A disappears. The City will start out 2002 with less
revenue than in 2001. Many cities in Dakota County took a major hit.
Farmington's impact will be $313,000 less revenue that the City has to make up
somewhere. The second change, is the restructuring of class rates which reduced
Council Minutes (Regular)
August 6, 2001
Page 12
the taxable value of all the properties in Farmington. Dakota County will have
preliminary tax numbers ready approximately September 1, 2001. State Statutes
require cities to set their preliminary levy and budget by September 15,2001.
Finance Director Roland presented Council with an estimate of the tax capacity
rate and levy limits. A workshop to discuss the Preliminary 2002 Budget was set
for August 22, 2001.
c) Set Joint Workshop Council-Planning Commission Dakota County Corridor
Study - Community Development
Dakota County has requested the opportunity to make a presentation to the City
Council and Planning Commission on the status of the East-West Corridor Study.
A workshop was set for September 19, 2001.
11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Continue Discussion Growth Management Issues - Community Development
Growth Management issues were discussed at a joint City Council/Planning
Commission workshop on June 26, 2001. Concerns expressed were the rate of
residential development in the near future and the ability of the City's
infrastructure, especially the street system, to accommodate this new residential
growth.
12. NEW BUSINESS
13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE
Mayor Ristow: The Dakota County Fair is in town. No parking signs have
been placed in the same location as previous years.
14. ADJOURN
MOTION by Cordes, second by Strachan to adjourn at 10:20 p.m. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
~~ /77~
Cynthia Muller
Executive Assistant