Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.20.99 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR December 20, 1999 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 Administrator Erar, City Attorney Jamnik, City Management Team 4. APPROVE A GENDA Item 7 d was pulled so Councilmember Verch could abstain from voting. Item 11 b was pulled as the assessment was paid. MOTION by Strachan, second by Soderberg to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) Recognizing Farmington as a Dakota County Territorial Community A plaque was presented to Council by Bev Marben, Chairperson of the Heritage Preservation Commission, recognizing Farmington as a Territorial Community. 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS a) Mr. John Tschohl- Land Use Concerns b) Seasonal Parking Restrictions - Citizen Concerns c) Mr. Ed Stober - Street Name Change Concerns Responses have been sent to the residents. 7. CONSENT AGENDA d) MOTION by Soderberg, second by Strachan adopting RESOLUTION RI06-99 - Approving COLA Non-Bargaining Unit. Voting for: Ristow, Cordes, Soderberg, Strachan. Abstaining: Verch. MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Cordes, second by Soderberg to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (12/6/99) (Regular) b) Adopted RESOLUTION RI04-99 - Historic Preservation Consultant Services c) Adopted RESOLUTION RI05-99 - Accept Township Donations - Senior Center Operations e) Adopted ORDINANCE 099-444 - Amending Title 11, Chapter 4, Parkland and Trail Dedication Requirements f) Approved LMCIT Excess Liability Coverage g) Approved Lease Agreement - Nextel Council Minutes (Regular) December 21, 1999 Page 2 h) Appointment Recommendation - Liquor Store Operations i) Received 1999 CIP Project Completion and Status Report j) Received Information - Capital Outlay - Fire Department k) Approved bills APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Request for Park and Ride - Farmington Sno- Tigers The Farmington Sno- Tigers snowmobile club has made a request that the City authorize the use of the City owned property at the corner of 195th Street and Pilot Knob Road as a snowmobile park and ride. The Public Works Department has acknowledged that it will be able to plow the lot, but that it will be done as the lowest priority. MOTION by Cordes, second by Verch authorizing the use of the City owned property at the intersection of 195th and Pilot Knob Road as a snowmobile park and ride from December 1999 through March 2000. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Mr. Michael Haley - Property Use Concerns Mr. Michael Haley, 20521 Akin Road addressed a letter to Council and the Planning Commission concerning the Bongard Trucking site at 20522 Akin Road. He is concerned at the deteriorating appearance of the site because of the storage of trucks, over grown weeds and litter on the property. He has requested that the Council and Planning Commission review the site and pursue the cleanup of the property. Mr. Haley's letter will be referred to the Planning Commission. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Adopt Resolution - 2000 Budget and Property Tax Levy A Truth in Taxation Hearing was held at the City Council meeting on December 6, 1999. The Tax Levy and Budget must now be finalized in order that it may be certified to the County Treasurer/Auditor before December 28, 1999. Certification of the Tax Levy provides for the Tax Revenues to be collected from all taxable property within Farmington. The proposed resolution also establishes the 2000 Budget plan for funding all City expenditures. MOTION by Soderberg, second by Cordes adopting RESOLUTION RI07-99 for the revenue and expenditure budget for 2000 and proposed tax levy, excluding elements related to the City's fire service. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Cordes, second by Soderberg adopting RESOLUTION RI07-99 for the revenue and expenditure budget for 2000 and proposed tax levy related to the City's fire service. Voting for: Ristow, Cordes, Soderberg, Strachan. Abstaining: Verch. MOTION CARRIED. Council Minutes (Regular) December 21, 1999 Page 3 b) County Road 31 Project - Property Owner Special Assessment Reduction Request This item was removed from the agenda as Mr. Kenneth Chinn, 19066 Estate Avenue, paid the assessment. c) Amend Ordinance - Title 9, Chapter 1, Parking of Motor Vehicles on City Streets City staff has addressed the complaints and concerns of several residents who are unable to comply with the Seasonal Parking Restrictions due to a lack of off-street parking and insufficient time to construct such parking. There are also concerns regarding parking for overnight guests in situations where there is insufficient off- street parking space available. Sections 9-1-12(E) allows for on-street parking by temporary parking permit to accommodate special events or unique circumstances of limited duration. The second provision of the amendment would be a seasonal permit for on-street parking for multi-family residential dwellings with insufficient off-street parking. This provision would sunset on April 1, 2000. Mr. James Abraham, 303 Pine Street, has concerns with the parking ordinance. He lives in a 4-plex and the residents have to park on the street, as there is no off- street parking. The landlord does not have any other alternatives. Councilmember Strachan stated if the amendment is adopted tonight, they will receive a permit for this year. The landlord will have to make arrangements for next year. Staff stated if snowplowing is in process, the ordinance remains in effect until streets are plowed. Even if permits are issued, cars will need to be off the street if it snows, until snowplowing is completed. Most residents contacted would like to comply, but did not have time to make arrangements this year. MOTION by Soderberg, second by Verch to amend ordinance 9-1-12(E) to allow for the issuance of temporary parking permits. Voting for: Soderberg, Strachan, Verch. Voting against: Ristow, Cordes. MOTION CARRIED. 12. NEW BUSINESS a) Appointments to Boards and Commissions Process - Set Interview Date Each year a number of seats on Boards and Commissions expire on January 31. The deadline for applications is January 5, 2000. Interviews will be held January 8, 2000. b) Adopt Resolution - Establishing Charges and Fees for Licenses and Permits Each year a resolution establishing fees and charges has been adopted by City Council at the annual organizational meeting held the first meeting in January. This year the resolution is being advanced for approval at the final meet of 1999 so that new fees may be applied as of January 1,2000. Changes to the fees were discussed. MOTION by Cordes, second by Verch to adopt RESOLUTION RI08-99 establishing 2000 Charges and Fees for Licenses and Permits effective January 1,2000. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Council Minutes (Regular) December 21, 1999 Page 4 c) Authorize Letter of Understanding - East Farmington pun An issue has developed regarding storm sewer easements in the East Farmington 6th Addition as well as maintenance responsibilities for storm sewers serving the interior outlots in each block. A letter of understanding has been prepared stating the terms that have been negotiated between City staff and Sienna Corporation regarding the future vacation of a portion of drainage and utility easements in the side yards of two lots in each block of the 6th Addition. It also clarifies that the future maintenance responsibilities for the storm drainage improvements leading into the interior outlots of the 1st through 6th Additions as being the responsibility of the homeowners association. The vacation will reduce the easements from 10 feet per lot to 6 feet per lot. This is being done to fit the desired house configurations on the existing lots. Councilmember Soderberg asked if the homeowners association was aware of the maintenance responsibility. Staff stated they are according to the developer. City Attorney Jamnik stated there is not a board developed yet for the 6th Addition. The consent would have to come from the 1st - 5th Additions. Staff stated the purpose of the letter of understanding was to establish whether or not Council will allow the intent of the vacation. The homes being planned to be constructed in the 6th Addition have already laid footings within the additional 4 feet. There is a surety that they have requested the right to build in that 4 feet. They are 4 feet wider than the typical 12 foot easement. So the homes were platted within that additional 4 feet. The builder agreed under surety they are placing the footings at their own risk. Once Sienna takes on the maintenance responsibility, it is up to the homeowner's association. The vacation of the easements is only for the 6th Addition. The maintenance responsibility would be for the entire East Farmington development. By agreeing to the letter of understanding, Council is stating that at the Public Hearing they will agree to assign the rights of the easements to the homeowner's association, and the association agrees to accept the assignment. MOTION by Verch, second by Soderberg to not authorize execution of the letter of understanding until the Public Hearing is scheduled and Council is assured the residents in phases 1-5 have been notified. Voting for: Ristow, Cordes, Soderberg, Verch. Voting against: Strachan. MOTION CARRIED. The developer will be notified that the footings can be retained but nothing further can be done. Additional building permits will not be issued for any homes within the 6th or 7th Additions where homes are platted to be constructed within the 10 foot easement. d) Amend Ordinance - Chapter 10, Section 1-10-1, Salaries City Council salaries may be amended pursuant to state statute and the City Code. No increases would take effect until the next succeeding municipal election. No change has been made in Council salaries for 10 years. The recommended salary for the Councilmember position is $335 per month. The recommended salary for Council Minutes (Regular) December 21, 1999 Page 5 the Mayor position is $420 per month. These changes will take effect January 1, 2001. MOTION by Soderberg, second by Verch to adopt ORDINANCE 099- 446 amending Council salaries that will become effective January 1,2001. Voting for: Cordes, Soderberg, Strachan, Verch. Voting against: Ristow. MOTION CARRIED. 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE a) Citizen Request - Private Driveway Usage Request At the previous Council Meeting, Mayor Ristow raised an issue regarding a property owner's concern that by allowing continued use of this property by City solid waste collection vehicles that he would possibly lose some of his property rights through adverse possession. An encroachment agreement will be prepared giving the City a license or right to access the property for the limited purpose of servicing neighboring properties for solid waste collection. This document would allow the property owner to terminate the right of access under specified circumstances or for any reason at all. This agreement will be presented to Council at the January 3, 2000 Council Meeting. Councilmember Strachan: He noticed Farmington Police received mobile data units. This will make a huge difference in officer safety and efficiency. Councilmember Cordes: to a Council Meeting. She visited a Webelo pack from Lakeville and invited them City Administrator Erar: There will be a Facilities Task Force meeting December 21, 1999. Final recommendations will be brought to Council the end of May, early June. Police Chief Siebenaler: The new computers will allow officers to triple and quadruple the amount of work done during a shift. Two training sessions were provided. Parks and Recreation Director Bell: The main ice rink is being flooded. City Engineer Mann: The fIrst snow plowing operation of the season went well. Mayor Ristow: Commended Chief Siebenaler for Toys for Town operation. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Cordes, second by Strachan to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, /!. . /~ /y.7 ~.~ ,,:z:;;..e::,cc- ~7~t:./6:.-:' J Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant