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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.21.97 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR JANUARY 2l, 1997 1. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ristow at 7:00 P.M.. Members Present: Ristow, Cordes, Fitch, Gamer. Members Absent: Strachan. Also Present: City Administrator Erar, Attorney Grannis. 2. Mayor Ristow led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to approve the agenda with the following changes: a) Add Item 7b - Dakota County League of Government Legislative Issues. b) Add Item 7c - Metropolitan Council/Local Communities Activities Schedule. c) Add Executive Session - prairie Waterway Litigation APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Citizen Comments Sue Courteau: Representing a group of concerned citizens in the pilot Knob Road realignment/construction project area. She requested a copy of various statistics for County Road 31 - accidents, deaths, citations, etc. She also requested a copy of the proposed final layout for the road and inquired about the State Highway Patrol monitor. Police Chief Siebenaler stated he would provide the requested statistics. City Engineer Kaldunski stated that the final layout would need to be requested from Dakota County. City Administrator Erar said the City would place the request for Ms. Courteau. Chief Siebenaler informed Ms. Courteau that the traffic monitor was removed to facilitate snow removal in the winter months. Dave Pritzlaff: Stated he felt the traffic control on pilot Knob had been very effective. Asked if the City would consider changing its quarterly sewage billing by basing sewer rates on water usage. He felt people should only pay for what they actually use. Finance Director Roland stated she was familiar with the issue and that other communities based the sewer rate on water used during winter months. She continued by stating she would research the change if Council so directed. Liz Garcia: Resident of Limerock Ridge. Stated residents in their neighborhood were in complete support of the new alignment of County Road 31 and just wanted it to be a safe road, because the existing County Road 31 was not safe. She further requested the newspapers to run a public service announcement informing the public it was illegal to pass on shoulders of roads. Mayor Ristow read a letter of commendation and presented a medallion to resigning City Engineer Thomas Kaldunski. Councilmembers thanked Mr. Kaldunski and wished him well in his future professional endeavors. 5. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approve Minutes - 1/6 - Regular; 1/11 - Special b) Appoint Glenn Cook of BRA as Interim City Engineer c) Approve 2/13/97 at 5:30 P.M. as first CIP Workshop date d) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R9-97 supporting exempting ice arenas from utilities sales tax e) Delay action on the ordinance establishing a variance appeal process f) Approve Annual MSA Certification of Mileage and authorize City Engineer to submit certificate to State of Minnesota. g) Approve comparable worth 1996 Compliance Report h) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R10-97 approving the plans and specs and authorizing the advertisement for bids for a Parks and Recreation skidster. i) Approve school/conference request - GIS Training - Engineering Tech. j) Approve contract for mobile meals program with CAP pending City Attorney review of the contract. k) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. Rll-97 approving application for Transit Provider Grant. 1) Appoint Mary Lee Smick as Planning Coordinator. m) Approve school/conference request - National Fire Academy. n) Acknowledge Resignation of Assistant City Engineer effective February 4, 1997. 0) Approve payment of bills as submitted. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 7. County Traffic Signal Policy City Engineer Kaldunski explained the County's policy to Councilmembers. He stated that in order to have a traffic signal installed at a particular site, the Council must first adopt a resolution requesting said signal be placed in the County's capital improvement program. If the County included the signal in its CIP, and it met the warrants of the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, then the County would fund 50% of installation costs which were not funded through other eligible federal or state funding mechanisms. City Administrator Erar further urged Council to discuss any proposed traffic signal installations with the County Board to gain their assurance that the signal would be funded by the County. Mr. Kaldunski further explained to Council that if a signal waS installed with City funding prior to its inclusion in the County CIP, the County's policy was that they were under no obligation to refund any of those costs. It was Council's consensus to discuss the topic further at an upcoming CIP workshop. 8. Dakota County League of Governments Legislative Issues City Administrator Erar stated that he had attended a League meeting at which issues to be given priority during the 1997 State Legislative Session. The issue of greatest concern at this time was the proposal to amend the highway noise standards statute. The League supports expanding the exemptions for county and local road projects. Mr. Erar explained that if the statute is not amended, the County Road 31 project would be financially impossible for the City, since Farmington would be responsible for 100% of the noise mitigation costs. It was noted that although a waiver from the noise mitigation requirement had been initiated with the State, it could take 6 months to 1 year before it was actually finalized. It was the consensus of Councilmembers to support the legislative issues as presented by the Dakota County League of Governments. 9. Parkland Contribution Survey Parks and Recreation Director Bell explained that the results of the survey of communities' parkland contributions had shown that most cities require larger contributions from commercial and industrial developments than Farmington. However, he stated he had concerns with raising the contribution requirement because of its possible negative impact on attracting new business. It was his suggestion that Council delay any action on the issue until the new Community Development Director was on staff and could provide his or her input. It was Council's consensus to delay the discussion at this time. 10. Pine Knoll Sewer Connections City Engineer Kaldunski updated Council on progress being made in finalizing the sewer hookups in the pine Knoll project area. He requested that the remaining seven residences be given an extension to April 15, 1997 and, if connections had not been made by that time, the City Attorney would proceed with legal action. It was noted that the vacant home would have a sign posted inside which stated that water would not be turned on in the home until the sewer connection was completed. Dave Pritzlaff, a project resident, asked whether that included the completing abandonment of the existing septic tanks. He was informed that it did. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to extend the date of hook up completion until April 15, 1997 and to authorize the City Attorney to initiate legal action against any residences not in compliance after that date. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. MCES Grant Acceptance City Engineer Kaldunski informed Council that the City had been designated to receive a $10,000 grant from the Metropolitan Council of Environmental Services for I/I reduction projects. Mr. Kaldunski told Council that the City had also been commended for its 1/1 reduction program. Council commended Mr. Kaldunski on his work and success in reducing the City's I/I and, thereby, reducing its payments for treatment plant costs. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R12-97 accepting the $10,000 grant from MCES for I/I reduction projects. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 12. Roundtable Member Fitch - Stated he had spoken with a Pilot Knob Road resident who had expressed concerns with snowmobiling on that road. Brief discussion regarding recent spate of snowmobile accidents and State discussions of ban. Member Cordes - Commended Police Chief Siebenaler on the excellent workshop on restorative justice. Member Gamer - Reported that he had attended an ALF ambulance meeting and that the organization was doing very well. Mayor Ristow: - Complimented staff on the recent City newsletter. l5. Councilmembers agreed to take a 5 minute recess at 8:05 P.M. before adjourning into Executive Session. Respectfully submitted,