HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.03.97 Council Minutes
COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR
FEBRUARY 3, 1997
1. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ristow at 7:00 P.M..
Members Present: Ristow, Cordes, Fitch, Gamer, Strachan.
Members Absent: None.
Also Present: City Administrator Erar, Attorney Grannis.
2. Mayor Ristow led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to approve the agenda with the following
changes:
a) Remove minutes of 1/14 and 1/21 from Consent for abstention
b) Remove Item 5c - Council/PARAC Workshop Date - from Consent for discussion.
c) Add Executive Session - Prairie Waterway Property Acquisition
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
4. Citizen Comments
Paul Gerten: Representing PARAC, requested a short meeting with Council prior
to scheduled workshop date to confirm Council intentions regarding
the referendum date. This request was a result of recent information regarding
the County deadline for printing ballots. It was the consensus of Council to
meet for approximately one half hour prior to the HRA meeting on February 10th.
Henry Iwerks: Wished new Council the best in their forthcoming terms. Stated
his belief that the defunct Economic Development Commission was a
good idea. Warned Council about lawyers leading them on in order to make money.
Dave Pritzlaff: Stated his concerns about snowmobiling on Pilot Knob Road and
urged Council to follow through on the snowmobile club's
expressed willingness to help regulate snowmobile behavior.
Community Action Council Presentation:
Mary Ajax of CAC presented a brief
update of the philosophy and programming
dollars donated to the United Way were used
provided by CAC and noted that local
to fund some of their programming.
ALF Ambulance Presentation: Kevin Raun presented the 1996 ALF Annual Report
highlighting various aspects of the service. He
also thanked the Police and Fire Departments and City Administrator Erar for
their support. Councilmember Fitch expressed his belief that the service was an
extremely good value for the money invested. The remaining members of Council
concurred with this assessment.
Sewer Rate Study - Councilmember Fitch requested a workshop be set to discuss
changing the sewer billing system. A date in April or May of
1997 will be investigated.
s. MOTION by Fitch, second by Cordes to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a) Approve minutes - 1/13/97 - Special
b) Appoint school/conference request - MN Police Chief's Institute
c) Accept bid of Grossman Chevrolet for engineering survey truck - $23,973.54.
d) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R13-97 accepting donation from Legion Auxiliary to Meals
on Wheels program
e) Acknowledge appointment of Tracie Giese to Accounting Clerk position
f) Approve network server upgrade
g) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R14-97 authorizing ad for bids for pool filtration system
h) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R15-97 approving application for grant for trail system
and RESOLUTION NO. R16-97 approving application for grant for ballfield
project
i) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. Rl7-97 approving gambling premise permit for Farmington
Chorale at Longbranch Saloon and Eatery
j) Approve exemption from City solid waste service for Lexington Standard
k) Approve payment of bills as submitted.
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
6. MOTION by Fitch, second by Ristow to approve the minutes of January 14, 1997
special meeting. VOTING FOR: Ristow, Cordes, Fitch. ABSTAIN: Gamer, Strachan.
MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to approve minutes of the
January 21, 1997 regular meeting. VOTING FOR: Ristow, Cordes, Fitch, Gamer.
ABSTAIN: Strachan. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Ristow opened a public hearing scheduled for 7:30 P.M.. The hearing was
continued until later in the meeting.
7. Joint PARAC/Council Parks Referendum Workshop Date
Councilmember Cordes requested that the date be changed from March 6th. After
discussion of other possible dates a MOTION by Cordes, second by. Gamer to set the
workshop date for March 5, 1997. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
8. Public Hearing - Nelsen Hills Farm 6th Addition
Planning Intern Schultz provided background on the proposed plat, which is a
continuation of the Nelsen Hills Farm PUD. He noted that the hearing held by the
Planning Commission brought forth discussion regarding erosion control,
particularly on the adjacent Devney farmland. He informed Council that the
developer had resolved many of the erosion control issues with the Soil and Water
Conservation District and requested a 30 day waiting period before signing the
final plat and development agreement in order to reach an amicable agreement with
the Devneys. MOTION by Gamer, second by Strachan to close the public hearing.
APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Strachan, second by Gamer to adopt RESOLUTION
NO. R18-97 approving the preliminary plat of Nelsen Hills Farm 6th Addition and
authorize the signing of the final plat contingent upon the Developer and Devneys
reaching an agreement regarding erosion control measures within 30 days as
requested by the Developer. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
9. prairie Creek PUD Amendment - Stegmaier Homestead
Progress Land Company, Inc., developer of prairie Creek PUD, requested an
amendment to the PUD in order to change the land use of the "Stegmaier Homestead"
(Lot 1, Block 2, prairie Creek 2nd Addition) from Residential PUD to Limited
Business. The exterior of the existing structure would be refurbished and a
front porch added. The interior would be remodeled into professional office
space. The Developer wished to preserve the homestead, however, because of the
cost to renovate and its location on Pilot Knob Road, its use as a residential
dwelling was not feasible. It would, however, provide a good buffer between
pilot Knob Road and the residential neighborhood to the east. Planning Intern
Schultz displayed drawings of the revamped building and provided feedback
received at the hearing held by the Planning Commission on January 14th.
Concerns were raised regarding what would occur if the land use were changed to
business use and the building was later destroyed and/or replaced. What would
prevent a business which was not compatible with the residential neighborhood
from being built on the site? Questions and concern about allowing PUDs to be
amended and consistency with granting such requests were also raised.
Councilmember Strachan stated that the Stegmaier Homestead was an historically
significant structure and should be saved. Planning Commission Chair Schlawin
noted that it was always the intent of both the developer and the Planning
Commission that the structure be saved and that allowing the change in land use
was the most viable way of doing so. City Attorney Grannis stated that the
amendment could be granted subject to the execution and recording of an agreement
which guaranteed that the use and footprint of the building would remain as
approved. He also noted that PUDs were designed to allow this type of
flexibility. MOTION by Strachan, second by Gamer to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 097-387
amending the prairie Creek PUD by changing the land use of the Stegmaier
Homestead from residential to professional office use subject to the submittal of
a staff approved landscaping plan and the execution of an agreement guaranteeing
the continuation of professional office use and retention of the buildings
footprint as shown on the approved original PUD. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
10. Snowmobile Ordinance
Parks and Recreation Director Bell briefly reviewed the materials contained in
the Council's agenda packet for this item. Comments from Council, audience
members and staff covered a variety of topics including the use of County right
of way to travel within the City (allowed unless specifically restricted by
City), snowmobiles driving against oncoming traffic at night (illegal practice),
enforcement issues (residents should record license numbers and report illegal
activities to Police, and not confront or chase down snowmobiles themselves),
installation of markers or barricades by residents in rights of way to prevent
snowmobile use (illegal, residents could be liable for injury or damage). MOTION
by Gamer, second by Cordes to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 097-388 deleting the existing
snowmobile ordinance in its entirety and substituting the proposed new language
in its place. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Ristow complimented Police Chief
Siebenaler and Parks and Recreation Director Bell for their work on formulating
the new ordinance, map and informational items to be provided to the public.
Marvin Wier informed Council that the snowmobile club was working on a trail on
the west side of County Road 31 behind existing housing in an effort to alleviate
problems on County 31.
11. Fuel Purchasing Plan
Police Chief Siebenaler explained the plan which is designed to create a more
efficient and cost saving method of purchasing fuel for City vehicles. The
proposal would provide a breakdown of fuel purchases by cost centers which would
eliminate time consuming paperwork for the Finance Department. In addition, it
could promote discounts on fuel purchases by participating vendors. A letter of
agreement will be sent to vendors which will specify requirements for their
participation in the program. It was the consensus of Council that staff proceed
with the plan and draft the letter of agreement.
l2. Roundtable
Member Strachan - Asked if the Police Chief had investigated the County's Family
Group Conferencing program. The Police Chief stated he had
been reviewing it.
Member Cordes - Informed Council she had attended the LMC conference for newly
elected officials and found it very beneficial.
Mayor Ristow - Had received a letter requesting a speed reduction on County
Road 31 which he forwarded to the Police Chief for response.
· Requested staff to investigate dates for holding joint meetings with the
School Board and with the City of Lakeville as had been held in past years.
Administrator Erar - Reminded Council of the Chamber/Council business meeting
scheduled for February 18th at 6:30 P.M..
· Informed Council that he and Police Chief Siebenaler had met with legislative
representatives regarding the noise mitigation issue. He will keep Council
updated on the progress of the issue.
· Informed Council that the Lakeville School District may be interested in the
video equipment which the City had hoped to obtain from the City of Lakeville
for recording Council meetings.
13. Councilmembers agreed to take a 5 minute recess at 8:37 P.M. before
adjourning into Executive Session.
?J;;?1xY s:mitted.
Mar~~
Clerk/Typist