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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.05.97 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR KAY 5, 1997 l. 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 Gamer, second by Cordes to approve the agenda with the addition of supplemental materials for Item 6b {Seal Coat Project Bids/Contract}, Item 7c (Storm Sewer Assessment Policy Information), and Item ge (Pine Ridge Forest Development Agreement) and removing Item Se {Fast Pitch Softball Tournament Temporary 3.2 License} for an abstention. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Citizen Comments Dennis Walters: Expressed his concerns and opinions on the proposed method of funding/assessing for County Road 31 reconstruction project. Mayor Ristow: Read proclamation for Founder's Festival Days - June 20 through 22. Read proclamation for Heritage Preservation Week - May 11 through 17. HPC Members Tharaldson and Flynn: Presented Certificates of Commendation to Ann and Norman Muzzy, and to Ron and Beverly Marben for their efforts in restoring the residence at 520 Oak Street. Councilmember Gamer: Explained request from ALF Ambulance to proclaim May 18 through 24 as Emergency Medical Services Week. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to approve said proclamation. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. Consent Agenda MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approve minutes - 4/2l - Regular. b) Approve renewal of recycling contract with Dick's Sanitation. c) Approve Development Agreement for Prairie Creek Center (Stegmaier Homestead) d) Approve purchase of wire welder - Public Works e) Accept ALF Audit Report f) Approve LMC Conference Request - City Administrator and Community Development Director g) Approve payment of the bills as submitted. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 6. MOTION by Strachan, second by Gamer to approve a Temporary 3.2 On Sale License for Farmington Fastpitch Softball Tournament. VOTING FOR: Fitch, Strachan, Gamer, Ristow. ABSTAIN: Cordes. MOTION CARRIED. 7. Public Hearing - Pine Ridge Forest Preliminary Plat Planning Coordinator Smick informed Council only the preliminary plat should be approved at this time because the Developer had not submitted all required information for final plat approval. Ms. Smick gave an overview of the plat layout She indicated a 5 acre park which the Developer proposed to donate to the City. Sh, also noted that a portion of the second phase of the plat was located outside of current MUSA boundaries. Although this area was included in the PUD, it was emphasized that it could not be built upon until MUSA was granted. Mayor Ristow asked how many lots were outside of MUSA and what the approximate time frame was for MUSA expansion. Planner Smick noted that 17 lots were outside of MUSA, which was anticipated to be granted in June, 1997. She also commented that storm sewer would be extended into that portion of the POD, but not streets. Councilmember Strachan noted that the lots on the north side of the plat were smaller and lots to the south gradually increased in size to blend in with those in Nelsen Hills Farm. Mayor Ristow raised a question regarding the location of the park, which was noted to be between Pine Ridge Forest and Cameron Woods. Issues regarding the completion of the road had been resolved. Engineer Mann commented that no grading would be allowed until the grading plan had been approved. There were no comments from the audience. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Gamer, second by Strachan to adopt RESOLUTION NO. Rs3-97 approving the preliminary plat of Pine Ridge Forest. VOTING FOR: Strachan, Gamer, Cordes, Fitch. ABSTAIN: Ristow. MOTION CARRIED. 7. Accept Bids/Award Contract - 1997 Seal Coat Project City Engineer Mann stated that bids had been received and the apparent low bid was submitted by Caldwell Asphalt. The bid received was under the project estimate because an anticipated oil price increase did not occur. Mayor Ristow asked why thl lower bid price didn't result in a reduction of the assessed amount. Engineer Mann stated that, per City assessment policy, sealcoating was assessed at 50% of project cost and the static assessment amount established by Council was still below 50% of the total project cost. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R54-97 accepting bids and awarding the contract to Caldwell Asphalt for the 1997 Seal coat Project. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R55-97 ordering the preparation of a final assessment roll and setting a public hearing date for August 4, 1997 at 7:00 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. Administrator Erar noted that the information regarding a rate increase from Marcus Cable was sent for information purposes only. 9. Potential Tax Levy Limits Finance Director Roland provided Council with information regarding legislation currently under consideration which would have significant impact on the City's ability to levy taxes. She explained new measures would have the greatest impact on cities which were in growth stages. Discussion ensued regarding possible impacts on Farmington and its ability to provide services to residents. It was the consensus of Council a letter be drafted to legislators expressing the City's concerns of the City. City Administrator Erar urged Councilmembers to telephone representatives at the LMC and Legislature to voice their concerns. lO. Storm Sewer Assessment Policy City Engineer Mann explained the City's current assessment policy for storm sewer improvements in existing developments. He noted that the information provided in his memo may be helpful during the Henderson Storm Sewer Project public hearing. 11. Fence Ordinance Amendment The amendment was being driven because of the increase in variance requests brought to the Planning Commission for six foot fences. Planner Smick explained the Planning Commission's reasoning for denying six foot fences on street sides of corner lots. A great deal of discussion took place about visibility, materials used and disadvantages to corner lot owners. It was noted that a survey of surrounding communities had indicated a 4 foot height limit on corner lots was common practice. Planning Commission Member Larson was in the audience and was asked for his interpretation of Planning commission reasoning for the 4 foot height limit. He noted that one concern was the tunneling effect which 6 foot fences would create in neighborhoods. He also noted concerns regarding visibility at intersections. Mayor Ristow stated he would not suppprt the 6 foot height limitation. Several suggestions were made for locating and allowing 6 foot street side fences. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to table action on the ordinance amendment until Planner Smick could incorporate suggested language changes and review those changes with the Planning commission. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. l2. City/Township Recreational Programming Issues Parks and Recreation Director Bell stated this item had been generated by a request from a township resident for a City puppet wagon performance in the township. Since there was no established policy or fee, it was Mr. Bell's intent to request Council to establish a policy by which all township requests for Recreation programming be forwarded to the City from the township board. In addition, because of the costs involved with puppet wagon performances, a proposed resolution was forwarded which set a fee for township performances. Mayor Ristow asked whether the policy and fee had been discussed with the township prior to the meeting. Mr. Bell responded that he felt it was necessary for Council to establish a policy before he could tell the townships what the policy was. After a great deal of discussion regarding communication and cooperation, a motion was made by Member Fitch and seconded by Member Cordes to approve the policy for requesting recreation programming in townships and adopt a resolution establishing a fee for puppet wagon performances. PARAC member John Richardson was in the audience and stated that the PARAC Board had not discussed this topic. Mayor Ristow questioned the purpose of having Boards and Commissions if they weren't consulted on issues. After more discussion a MOTION by Fitch, second by Cordes to withdraw their original motion. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Staff was directed to discuss the issue with both the PARAC Board and township officials. 13. Fall Clean Up Day/Purchase of Cardboard Cages Mr. Bell requested Council consider eliminating Fall Clean Up Day. Solid Waste Supervisor Klotz stated participation in the Fall event has declined significantly over the last few years. Mr. Bell also requested funds saved by discontinuing Fall Clean Up Day be used to purchase another cage for commercial cardboard recycling. Mayor Ristow questioned whether it would be more economical to have the City's recycling provider collect cardboard as well. Mr. Bell noted it was not part of the current contract. Mr. Klotz stated that while the cost of cardboard was currently down, the City was not losing money on the service. MOTION by Cordes, second by Fitch to eliminate Fall Clean Up Day. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Fitch, second by Cordes to approve the purchase of a cardboard recycling cage. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 14. Development Agreement and Process Revisions City Administrator Erar stated the proposed changes would help streamline the development process. Planning Coordinator Smick explained the most notable change would be the elimination of two public hearings for plat approval. The only public hearing would be held by the Planning Commission, however, final approval would be granted by Council during a regularly scheduled Council meeting. It was Council's consensus that this change would be appropriate, provided the hearing notice contained a statement indicating Council would approve the plat at a later date and that the Planning Commission Chair or Planning Coordinator inform those present at the public hearing of the same. Changes in the Development Agreement were reviewed by City Engineer Mann. Those changes dealt with hours of operation, provision of Class 5 driveway entrances into building sites, and control of weeds on vacant lots within the development. These requirements would be the responsibility of the developer. Council agreed the changes would be appropriate. 15. Pine Ridge Forest Development Agreement Planning Coordinator Smick advised Council that the proposed development agreement had been prepared to include requirements made by staff, Planning Commission, and Council, and had been reviewed by both the developer and City Attorney. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R56-97 approving the signing of a development agreement for pine Ridge Forest Addition. VOTING FOR: Fitch, Strachan, Cordes, Gamer. ABSTAIN: Ristow. MOTION CARRIED. 16. A resident of Nelsen Hills Farm, Steve Raymond, requested the City look into the accumulation of debris in his addition which was being generated by builders. He also requested that the bags of this debris which he had collected be picked up by the Solid Waste Department. Staff will look into the situation. 17. Roundtable Fire Response East of Railroad Tracks: Fire Chief Kuchera responded by memo to a concern raised at a previous Council meeting. Administrator Erar noted that there was no record of the number of times a delay had occurred because of trains blocking the tracks. Railroad Train Whistles: Administrator Erar stated he was in the process of researching the City's options for dealing with this problem and would bring the item back for Council review at the next meeting. LMC Conference: This item was sent only to determine if there was interest on any Councilmembers part to attend the conference. Councilmember Strachan: Noted the Police Department's first quarter case clearance statistics and commended the Police Department on their excellent efforts. Councilmember Gamer: Informed those present that a new ambulance would be on line in 1999. Councilmember Cordes: Asked whether only lettering would be placed on the City's water reservoir. City Engineer Mann stated that at this time, only lettering was being proposed. Councilmember Fitch: Stated he had attended the last Joint Planning Board meeting. Items discussed were Empire Township plans to request an additional 14 lots of MUSA expansion and a City/Township maintenance agreement for the cemetery road in Empire Township. Community Development Director Olson: Requested Council review the first draft of the proposed overlay zone. He requested contact him with any questions or concerns prior to the HRA meeting on Council to May 12th. 17. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adjourn at 9:41 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Mary Hanson Clerk/Typist