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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.21.97 Council Minutes 12] COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR JULY 21, 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 as presented. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Citizen Comments Robert Macri: Expressed concern with the quality of the seal coating done in Eureka Court, questioned why two types of aggregate were used and asked when the assessments would be levied. John Tucker: Commented on his displeasure with remarks published in the Farmington Independent attributed to Councilmember Fitch. Councilmember Fitch responded that comments were not directed at Mr. Tucker. s. Consent Agenda MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approve minutes - 7/7 - Regular b) Acknowledge resignation of Planning Coordinator. c) Approve School/Conference Request - GFOA Conference - Finance. d) Approve addition of Smith Barney, Inc. to list of approved depositories. e) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R86-97 approving the development agreement for TroyHill 4th. f) Receive update on railroad crossings for Elm Street. g) Authorize the update of the Surface Water Management Plan in the amount of $15,000, payable in 1998. h) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R87-97 authorizing the sale of $635,000 in General Obligation Improvement Bonds on August 18, 1997. i) Acknowledge resignation of Fire Marshal/Building Inspector. j) Receive letter from State Auditor regarding findings of Debt Management Study. k) Approve payment of the bills as submitted. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 6. Dakota County Lumber Grading Permit Public Hearing Planning Coordinator Smick introduced the background on the grading permit for property owned by Steven Finden. She stated that the work had already been completed and that the hearing was being held after the fact in order to follow the process outlined in the City Code. The area graded is to be used for storage, therefore, no paving is required, however, Planning Commission members had recommended that landscaping, annual dust control, dedication of a drainage easement along the north property line, and resolution of all outstanding permit issues be required before Council approved the permit. Mayor Ristow opened the hearing for public comment. No testimony was given. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to approve the grading permit contingent upon all Planning Commission recommendations being completed. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. a ~_ 7. CSAH 31 Financing Options - Public Informational Meeting Mayor Ristow began discussion of proposed financing options for the realignment and construction of County Road 31 by requesting those present to come forward and use the podium when making statements and comments. He then introduced City Administrator Erar who began by stating that the purpose of tonight's discussion was to determine the appropriate method of financing the road improvements. All road design issues were under the jurisdiction of the County and questions dealing with design should be directed to the County Engineering Department. Administrator Erar then outlined, in detail, the various aspects of the two possible methods of financing - special assessments and City wide tax levy. Key points of his presentation were: . Assessment - One time assessment of $404 spread payment, monthly and annual breakdown of costs. assessing developed and undeveloped properties. over 15 years. Process for City policy on rate for · City Wide Tax Levy - Higher cumulative cost, higher cost to tax payers. · MSA Funds - $900,000 investment, plus $90,000 per year for loan repayments. · Grants - Submitted by Dakota County - denied. · Appraisals -- Independent appraiser identified the benefit was equal to proposed assessment amount. · Project Timing - Project must go forward at this time or be delayed until 2001- 2002. · Benefits - Improved safety, transportation. Necessary enhancement for industrial/commercial to locate in City which would result in lower property taxes for residential properties. · Proposed Assessment Area - Described as all property located within one-half mile east and west of the proposed new alignment. Noted that residents proposed to be assessed for the County Road 31 project would not be assessed for improvements to 19Sth Street when they occurred. Mayor Ristow then opened the meeting for public comment. A synopsis of comments received during the 3 1/2 hours of public input is as follows: · If project benefits entire City, entire City should pay, not a limited area. Levy a City wide special assessment. Does undeveloped and industrial pay the same as residential. State statute prevents City from assessing where benefit cannot be proven. Attorney Grannis - not practical from a legal standpoint. Independent appraisal shows benefit to project area property is equal to proposed assessment. Assessment policy provides for different methods of assessing developed and undeveloped land. · Is estimated assessment accurate? County estimates are historically high, assessment should be very close to amount given. · Safety/Traffic concerns. Road not built for capacity. Safety issues for pedestrians not given adequate consideration. Proximity of road to Akin Road Elementary School. Traffic signalization inadequate. Need for four lane road the entire length. County will not construct larger road or install traffic signals until traffic warrants are met. City requested County make provisions for future signals. Police Chief explained traffic patterns/concerns/studies. -r .21 . properties adjacent to new alignment do not benefit, property values will decline. . project should be delayed until funding is available to pay entire project cost. Assessment is another form of taxation. . It makes fiscal sense to spend dollars on road improvement now in order to increase industrial/commercial base in future - will benefit homeowners property taxes. . City waited for residential growth to pay for road construction Unfair to new residents. County will not build roads until traffic exists. Breaks during the discussion were called for at 8:20 P.M. and 9:40 P.M.. Upon the close of discussion, Councilmembers gave individual statements explaining their positions on financing County Road 31 construction: Councilmember Gamer: Council needs to look at the big picture and determine what is best for the entire community. Special assessments are the best way to finance project. Councilmember Cordes: Regarding road design, residents need to contact Dakota County. If City wide tax levy is method chosen, then Council needs to establish a policy to levy for all major road improvements in the City. Special assessments are the best method of financing project. Councilmember Fitch: Necessary to keep tax capacity rate down to attract industrial/commercial development. tax capacity rate benefits entire community. Special assessments financing project. both retain and End result of low are best method of Mayor Ristow: Project benefits entire City, entire City should pay. City wide tax levy is fair method of financing project. MOTION by Ristow to finance County Road 31 construction by a City wide tax levy. Motion died for lack of a second. MOTION by Fitch, second by Cordes to finance County Road 31 construction through special assessments on properties located 1/2 mile east and west of proposed new alignment. Administrator Erar read a letter prepared and forwarded by Councilmember Strachan stating his belief that special assessments were the best method of paying for the project. Mayor Ristow stated for the record that he was opposed to special assessments, however, he was a "team player" and if the other Councilmembers voted for special assessments, he would also. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Ristow noted that Member Strachan's letter and other letters received from residents regarding the project should be entered into and become part of the record of the proceedings. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to approve execution of the construction agreement with Dakota County Highway Department for the construction of County Road 31. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to direct staff to take actions necessary to move the project forward. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. o 9. Ash Street/Prairie Waterway Update City Engineer Mann explained a request presented by Castle Rock Township and Dakota County Fair Board to more clearly identify the storm water drainage area included in this project area. At a recent joint meeting of the entities involved in the project, it was agreed that the parties would share the cost of the additional study needed with a City/Township 40%/40% split and Fair Board 20% share. The total cost of the project would not exceed $2000. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to approve the $800 City share of the study, contingent upon receiving a letter of intent from the Township and Fair Board confirming their respective reimbursement of costs. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 10. Parking Concerns - Heritage Way and Second Street Police Chief Siebenaler responded to concerns raised at the July 7, 1997 Council meeting regarding parking problems on Heritage Way near the municipal swimming pool and on Second Street between Elm and Spruce Streets. He noted that the swimming pool parking lot and on street parking was used for overflow parking from adjacent residential properties. It was his opinion the streets were of adequate width to handle parking on both sides of the street. MOTION by Cordes, second by Gamer to restrict parking on the south side of Heritage Way from 6th Street to Highway 3. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Police Chief Siebenaler stated the parking problem on Second Street was a long standing problem and that the area was unique because it had limited curb and no boulevard. The congestion results, for the most part, from the on street parking of vehicles for sale by the adjacent car dealership. While Police records do not indicate accidents or injuries in this area related to on street parking conditions, it does create problems with snow removal and street maintenance, and restricts on street parking for other downtown customers. It was Mr. Siebenaler's recommendation to restrict parking in this area between the hours of 2:00 A.M. and 5:00 A.M., which is consistent with the rest of the downtown area. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to make parking restrictions on Second Street between Elm and Spruce Streets consistent with the remainder of the downtown business district. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. Roundtable City Engineer Mann: Presented photographs of the completed drainage swales in Akin Park Second Addition. Councilmembers congratulated the Engineering staff for a job well done. 15. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adjourn at 11:15 P.M.. CARRIED. APIF, MOTION