HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.02.96 Council Minutes
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COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR
DECEMBER 2, 1996
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1. Mayor Kuchera convened the meeting at 7:00 P.M..
Members Present: Kuchera, Ristow, Gamer, Fitch, Galler.
Members Absent: None.
Also Present: City Administrator Erar, Attorney Grannis.
2. Mayor Kuchera led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. MOTION by Galler, second by Gamer to approve the agenda with the following
changes:
a) Remove Item Sa - November 6, 1996 (special) minutes - for abstention.
b) Add Item lIb - Snowmobile Concerns - to Roundtable.
c) Add Item llc - pine Knoll Sewer Hookups - to Roundtable.
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
4. Citizen Comments
Henry Iwerks: Noted that taxpayers are in a conservative mood and Council should
take heed of events in which elected officials were voted out of
office.
5. MOTION by Ristow, second by Gamer to approve the minutes of November 6, 1996
with the correction that Member Ristow abstained from the vote. VOTING FOR:
Fitch, Ristow, Gamer, Kuchera. ABSTAIN: Galler. MOTION CARRIED.
6. MOTION by Galler, second by Fitch to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a) Approve minutes of 11/13 (Special) and 11/18 (Regular) Council meetings.
b) Approve 3.2 Beer Licenses for Tom Thumb Superette, Budget Mart (8th Street),
Budget Mart (pilot Knob Road) and Kwik Trip; Arcade Licenses for Farmington
Lanes, Farmington Billiards and B&B Pizza; Billiard License for Farmington
Billiards.
c) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R120a-96 Certifying Delinquent Municipal Service Accounts
d) Approve School/Conference Request - Juvenile Officer Institute - Officer Dau
e) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R121-96 Approving Police Officer Labor Contract Award
f) Approve Capital Outlay Request - Idea School Entrance
g) Receive 1996 Weed Control Report
h) Approve publication of Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance Summary
i) Approve School/Conference Request - EMT Refresher Course - Fire/Rescue
j) Acknowledge SAC rate increase to $9S0 by Met Council Environmental Services
k) Approve Middle School warming house sewer extension project contract
1) Approve payment of the bills as submitted
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
7. Extension of Project Completion Date - Farmington Industrial Park Phase II
City Engineer Kaldunski explained the request to extend the project completion
date to June IS, 1997 to allow time to complete the final wear course on the
roads and to complete the seeding. MOTION by Galler, second by Fitch to approve
the extension. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
8. Speed Limit Increase on TH 3 in Farmington
City Engineer Kaldunski stated the request came from MnDOT and was more of a
courtesy gesture than a request, since MnDOT has jurisdid'tion on TH 3. The
request was for an increase in the speed limit from 40 mph to 4S mph. The
request was based on the fact that more than 80% of the traffic traveling on this
section of TH 3 traveled in excess of 4S mph. Police Chief Siebenaler verified
that MnDOT has jurisdiction over the speed limit on TH 3. Councilmember Fitch
expressed his belief that the speed limit should remain at 40 mph. Councilmember
Galler proposed adopting a resolution to be forwarded to MnDOT requesting
maintaining the current speed limit. MOTION by Galler, second by Kuchera
directing staff to draft RESOLUTION NO. R122-96 requesting the speed limit on
TH 3 in the Farmington City limits remain at 40 mph. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
9 . Cameron Woods POD
Planning Intern Michael Schultz provided an overview of the Cameron Woods PUD and
answered questions from Council. Members of the audience requested the developer
provide assurances that the SO foot wide wooded buffer would remain.
Councilmember Fitch noted that the developer, Jack Benedict, had responded to
concerns regarding the buffer and had redesigned the PUD so the buffer would be
retained. Questions also involved requests for monitoring traffic conditions in
the Terra Addition which adjoins the Cameron Woods development. Residents were
concerned about the impact increased traffic would have on their neighborhood.
Mayor Kuchera opened a public hearing scheduled for 7:30 P.M. to consider
assessments for Farmington Industrial Park Phase II. MOTION by Galler, second by
Gamer to continue the public hearing until January 21, 1997 at 7:30 P.M.. APIF,
MOTION CARRIED.
police Chief Siebenaler and Engineer Kaldunski noted it would be more beneficial
to establish specific traffic control measures when the new development was
completed due to the difficulty of predicting traffic conditions before it
exists. Members of the audience requested they be notified when Cameron Woods
was discussed again. MOTION by Galler, second by Gamer to approve the
preliminary PUD of Cameron Woods subject to the concerns and conditions addressed
by the Planning commission. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
10. CSAH 31 Traffic Concerns
Police Chief Siebenaler presented a resolution addressing the traffic concerns
raised by residents at previous meetings. The only item which was not addressed
in the resolution was a school speed zone because it does not conform with
existing State law. MOTION by Gamer, second by Kuchera to adopt RESOLUTION NO.
R123-96 addressing traffic concerns on CSAH 31 which is to be forwarded to the
Dakota County Board of Commissioners through the County Highway Department.
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
11. Elm Street Striping Plan
City Engineer Kaldunski presented a proposal from the Dakota County Highway
Department establishing a "No Parking" zone and striping along Elm Street between
Division Street and 1st Street. Concerns raised at previous meetings were
addressed, including dustcoating of the alley south of Elm Street, Elm Street
driveways, an indented drop off zone and associated costs for the Presbyterian
Church, and use of the alley north of Elm Street. It was uncertain whether
parkwood Presbyterian Church had received notification of costs associated with a
proposed drop off zone, therefore, that issue remained unresolved. Parks and
Recreation Director Bell informed Council and affected residents that the alley
north of Elm Street was a public alley from the Moench property line to First
Street. Council was reminded that if the request for dustcoating were approved,
it may set a precedent for similar requests from other property owners. MOTION
by Galler, second by Gamer to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R124-96 establishing a no
parking zone from Division Street to First Street on Elm Street, and to contact
Parkwood presbyterian Church regarding costs associated with the creation of an
indented drop off zone. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
12. 1996 Audit Engagement Letter/Agreement
Finance Director Roland informed Council that she proposed retaining the firm of
Malloy Montague Karnowski and Radosevich to provide the 1996 financial audit for
the City and HRA. She also informed Council that the Finance Department would be
handling more of the work involved with the audit and, therefore, the fees would
be reduced from $30,000 to $l8,000. Council commended Ms. Roland for her efforts
in reducing the cost of the audit. MOTION by Fitch, second by Kuchera to
approve the agreement as proposed by the Finance Director. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
13. Roundtable
a) City Administrator Erar asked the Council to begin consideration of who would
be willing and/or able to serve as the City's representative on the ALF
Ambulance Board in 1997. Council noted that they would deal with the issue at
the first meeting in January.
b) Councilmember Galler introduced the topic of snowmobile regulations. He and
other Councilmembers had received complaints regarding snowmobile activities
in the City, particularly along County Road 31. Members of the audience
expressed concerns with snowmobiles driving on private land and not obeying
various regulations. Staff has been working on an ordinance for some time,
however, enforcement of the regulations is a problem. After considerable
discussion, staff was directed to write a proposed ordinance and return to
Council at a workshop to be set sometime in January, 1997.
c) Councilmember Gamer asked for discussion on Pine Knoll sewer hookups, stating
he had received calls from residents after they received notification from the
City Attorney regarding possible penalties. City Engineer Kaldunski stated he
had received requests for extensions of the hook up deadline. City
Administrator Erar expressed concern that granting extensions could become a
habitual problem. Staff will provide an update at the December 16th Council
meeting.
d) Councilmember Fitch noted complaints regarding the slush/ice ridges on City
streets following the weekend rain and snow. Citizen complaints regarding
snowplowing should be referred to City Hall.
e) City Administrator Erar updated Council on the following meetings:
. Empire/Farmington Joint Planning Board meeting will be rescheduled for
sometime in January.
. Truth in Taxation Meeting will be held Wednesday, December 4th at 7:00 P.M.
. Ash Street/Prairie Waterway Phase III workshop scheduled for December 9th was
canceled and will be reset at the first meeting in January.
. Restorative Justice Program workshop which was canceled due to inclement
weather will be reset for sometime in January.
f) Parks Director Bell informed Council that 1) the signed Mighty Ducks grant
contract had not been received from the State as yet; and 2) the Parks
Department had started flooding outdoor rinks.
14. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adjourn at 8:SS P.M.. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Hanson
Clerk/Typist