HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.23.99 Special Council Minutes
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Council Workshop Minutes
City Council Chambers
February 23, 1999 at 7:00 p.m.
Council workshop was called to order by Mayor Ristow at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Agenda was adopted as presented.
Members in attendance: Mayor Ristow, Councilmembers Soderberg and Strachan,
Members absent: Councilmembers Cordes and Verch
Others present: City Administrator Erar, City Engineer Lee Mann, Community Development
Director Olson, Planning Coordinator Smick, Civil Engineers Sanocki and Auge, Building
Inspector Gilmer. Deer Meadows residents in general audience.
The Mayor opened the meeting. The pu~ose of the workshop was to present information to
Council regarding the Deer Meadows 2n Addition Citizens Petitiori and proposed Landscape
Ordinance.
1. Deer Meadows Petition - City Administrator Erar read a summary of the staff report that had
been prepared to address citizen allegations of inappropriate staff conduct. The nature of the
allegations focused on storm water drainage problems, house structure and landscaping
issues and how staff conducted themselves relative to their interactions with the affected
residents. The findings of the staff investigative report concluded that staff had conducted
themselves appropriately and properly addressed myriad resident concerns. Copies of the
staff report were provided to audience members. Council accepted the staff report and
concluded that no further action was warranted on the allegations. Council indicated their
desire to put these particular issues aside, and concentrate City resources on finding solutions
to outstanding neighborhood concerns. Staff report filed.
2. Deer Meadows Petition - Project Feasibility Report was presented by City Engineer Mann.
Two options were presented to Council regarding possible drainage improvements. Handouts
were distributed. Staff indicated that both options should alleviate drainage issues, but that no
absolute guarantees could be made as all properties will experience some moderate ponding
during periods of intense rain. Mayor Ristow emphasized that these design improvements
should help the situation, but that storm drainage is not instantaneous. Council reviewed the
two options and indicated that staff should prepare a final feasibility report for adoption
regarding the most comprehensive solution to the drainage issues in Deer Meadows. Council
was receptive to seeing a final solution and indicated that the developer should be contacted
to assess his willingness to participate in funding the remedial improvements. While staff
should initiate a meeting with the developer in the near future, however, Council indicated
that the project improvements should move forward. Staff indicated that late fall 1999 was
the planned construction time frame to complete the improvements. Mayor Ristow indicated
that the City was committed to assisting the residents in resolving these issues. A feasibility
report will be presented to Council at the March 15, 1999 meeting.
3. Landscape Ordinance - Planning Coordinator Smick presented key points of the draft
landscape ordinance to Council. Issues addressed included parking lot landscaping,
boulevard trees, types and categories of trees, tree maintenance, the fact that this ordinance
will not affect residential plats and the need to codify all landscaping components within one
ordinance. Council asked numerous questions regarding implications on various planning
and zoning issues. It was determined that the landscape ordinance would come back to
Council in the next several months, most likely after completion of the Comprehensive Plan
Update. Staff indicated that BA TC has received a draft copy of the ordinance and that the
landscape ordinance has been reviewed by the Planning Commission. Council was
appreciative of the work staffhas done relative to landscaping requirements.
Mayor Ristow adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
a2~e~
E~:ar
City Administrator