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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.07.97 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR APRIL 7, 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 Cordes, second by Gamer to approve the agenda with the following changes: a) Remove Item Sb - Nelsen Hills 6th development agreement from the agenda. b) Remove Item Sk - Approve CIP/Other Projects/Parks from Consent and discuss it with Item 8c - Park Improvement Fund Workshop Date. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Tax Equalization Meeting Bill Peterson of the Dakota County Assessor's Office informed Council and members of the audience that representatives from his office were available to meet with residents concerned about their property valuations. 5. Citizen Comments Henry Iwerks - Expressed his thoughts regarding several issues dealing with City financial matters and promises made by candidates during their election campaigns. Police Chief Siebenaler presented a commendation for outstanding performance of duty to Police Officer Michael Aamot. The City of Lakeville Chief of Police read the commendation and joined in congratulating Officer Aamot. Council offered their congratulations as well. 6. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approve minutes - 3/5 - Special; 3/8 - Special; 3/17 - Regular. b) Approve Spring Clean Up Day Agreements c) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R37-97 approve grant application for Dak. Co. Landfill Abatement Innovation Funds and RESOLUTION NO. R38-97 approving a joint powers agreement with Apple Valley related to multi-family building recycling. d) Approve purchase of mobile radio using DNR reimbursement funds - Fire Department. e) Approve attendance at State Fire School. f) Approve attendance at class on hydraulic systems - Public Works mechanic. g) Acknowledge purchase of Finance Department printer. h) Acknowledge resignation of Civil Engineer. i) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R39-97 - CDBG funding - eliminate blighted property. j) Approve publication of City Administrator ordinance summary. k) Approve attendance at ambulance operations class - Rescue Squad. l) Approve purchase of budgeted 4x4 grass fire vehicle - Fire Department. m) Approve attendance at MCMA Annual Conference - City Administrator. n) Approve payment of the bills as submitted. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 7. 1997 Seal Coat Project Public Hearing Interim Engineer Mann provided background information on the project, including the proposed assessments. Mayor Ristow asked for comments and questions from audience members. There was no public comment. MOTION by Gamer, second by Strachan to close the public he~ring. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Strachan, second by Cordes to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R40-97 ordering the project, approving the plans and specifications, and authorizing the advertisement for bids for Project 97-05 - 1997 Seal Coating. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. Cameron Woods Plat Public Hearing Planning Coordinator Smick explained the different aspects of the plat noting the following: a) the townhouse development would provide housing for approximately 186 people; b) marketing would target first time homebuyers; c) a homeowners association would be established; d) the 50 foot tree line buffer would remain intact; e) access would be a private road; f) pine trees would be placed along the curves to shield headlight glare from adjacent property. Councilmember Strachan asked if the area between pilot Knob Road and the townhomes would be open land. Ms. Smick replied that it would. Jack Benedict, developer, stated that as many trees as possible would be saved and the townhomes would be at least 100 feet from pilot Knob Road. Resident Judy Bryant asked which curves would be planted with pine trees. Ms. Smick indicated them on the plat. Interim Engineer Mann asked about ponding areas on the east side of the plat. Planning Coordinator Smick responded that there would be a need for ponding in that area. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R41-97 approving the preliminary and authorizing the signing of the final plat of Cameron Woods Townhomes contingent upon the execution of a development agreement. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Member Strachan indicated his pleasure with the developer's efforts at retaining the green space/hillside in the plat. 9. First Quarter Building Per.mit SuMmary Planning Coordinator Smick presented the summary noting that while new housing starts were down from first quarter last year, over half of them had just been issued in March. She also stated that the valuation of properties being constructed was up. 10. Legislative update Administrator Erar informed Council that he had attended a conference to discuss various legislative issues on March 20th. He noted that of the 8 legislators invited to attend, only 2 were present. Various information on current legislative issues had been forwarded with the agenda packets for Council review. 11. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to set the public hearing for the Main Street Improvement Project for May 27, 1997 at 7:00 P.M. in the Farmington Library conference room. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 12. CSAH 31 Project Update Administrator Erar presented the most recent information on construction of pilot Knob Road, stating he felt Council should begin considering financing options. Discussion took place concerning the impact of assessing the project versus a City wide tax levy. It was noted that the assessment area would be a one half mile radius of the new road alignment. Mr. Erar informed Council the County was moving forward with right of way acquisition and that noise mitigation legislation appeared to have a fair chance of passage. If the mitigation exemption was approved, construction would probably begin in late Fall of 1997 or early 1998. 13. Bill Peterson from the Assessor's Office informed Council that 10 residents had presented their property valuation concerns. He requested Council close the public hearing. MOTION by Gamer, second by Ristow to close the 1997 Annual Board of Equalization hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 14. Set Park Improvement Workshop Date/Approve CIP - Other Projects/Parks (Item Sk) Administrator Erar explained that Council's decision to deny the Park referendum did not remove those improvements/projects from the CIP. Member Fitch stated that it was important to establish a policy on park improvement funding now in order to avoid future problems. Member Cordes stated she felt it was important to upgrade the existing parks. with the projects' inclusion in the CIP, the Council would review each project individually and determine the best financing mechanism at that time. It was Council consensus to set the Parks Improvement Project workshop for Wednesday, April 16, 1997 at 6:30 P.M.. Approval of the remaining portions of the CIP was tabled until after the workshop. 15. General Obligation Revenue Bonds - Water Reservoir Finance Director Roland informed Council that the Water Board had authorized the sale of revenue bonds to finance the water reservoir construction at its March 24th meeting. The sale date has been set for April 21st. Ms. Roland noted that the Water Board had saved funds from water usage fees over a period of time to finance this improvement. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R42-97 authorizing the sale of $2.14 million in General Obligation Water Revenue Bonds on April 21, 1997. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 16. Sex Offender Notification Policy Police Chief Siebenaler explained the notification policy and the different levels of notification based on the offender's likelihood of reoffending. The policy had been drafted by POST and was being adopted in many communities. Mr. Siebenaler stressed that, at this time, the City has no information regarding any sex offenders to be released within the City. It was requested that an article be placed in the Farmington Update explaining the policy to residents. MOTION by Gamer, second by Strachan to adopt the Sex Offender Notification policy as presented. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 17. Joint City Participation in Trout Stream Study Interim Engineer Mann explained that the City of Lakeville has requested Farmington participation in this study. He informed Council that several sections of the Vermillion River and its tributaries have been designated as trout streams by the Department of Natural Resources. This would have the significant impact of restricting development in these areas. The purpose of the study is to receive an unbiased determination as to whether these streams are actually trout streams. The City's share of participating in this study, to be conducted by Barr Engineering Company, would be funded through the Stormwater Utility Fund. MOTION by Cordes, second by Gamer to approve participation in the study. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 18. Amend Ordinance - Add Variance Appeal Process Planning Coordinator Smick explained that the ordinance would provide a means of appeal for citizens whose variance requests had been denied by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Discussion focused on the strict set of criteria which must be met in order to receive a variance, that appeals would only be heard if there was a question of fact, and the need to protect the authority of the Planning Commission (Board of Adjustment). A fee has not been established at this time. Council determined to wait approximately 6 months before doing so in order to see what effect the appeal process would have. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 097-393 approving the variance appeal process amendment. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 19. Roundtable Councilmember Gamer: Attended a LMC meeting which was very informative. Mayor Ristow: Thanked the residents in the audience for their participation in the meeting. Administrator Erar: Clarified that the May 27th meeting to discuss Main Street was a public hearing, not an informational meeting. 20. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adjourn at 8:57 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, y--