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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-8-27 Council Meeting272 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 27, 1998 CALL TO ORDERMLLCALL Mayor Larkin called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M. Members present were: Mayor Larkin and City Councilors: Ken Guenthner, Dixie Lindsley, Ernie Mayers, and Ken Kluck. Also present: City Clerk Stacy Doboszenski, City Engineer Vince Vander Top, City Attorney Jeff Carson, and City Planner Roger Bromander. There were 10 people in attendance at the meeting. OPEN F R No one addressed the Council during the open forum. SET AGENDA The agenda changed as follows: • Clerk Doboszenski pulled Neil McMillin from Wright Hennepin Electric from the Agenda as per his request. HRUA REPORT BY PAUL JACOBS Paul was not present when called by Mayor Larkin. CITY ENGINEERS REPORT ON DOWNTOWN STORM WATER CQNVEYANCE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS Vince provided pictures of the mound system and area behind the shopping center and went through the project and detailed the costs for a total of $102,050. He informed the Council that Hennepin County's intentions are to leave the culvert as is on County Road 116. He stated he has spoken to the Watershed, and they have no policy to put ponds in, although having said that, the ponds would provide mitigation benefit for any work done in the ditch. The Watershed further commented that if city does care about the water quality of their creeks, to put the ponds in. Agreed that a regional water quality system is much better than individual ponds, and they liked the multi -celled ponds. The following financing options were discussed: • Roger explained that using TIF funds for a maintenance project is not a favored idea by Walt Hartman, TIF bond counsel • Vince stated inn talking to Jeff, assessing for 25% of project cost is feasible • Setting up a user fee system • Special tax levy, not favored since there are other financial ways of doing the project Vince made the following recommendations: 1. Accept information as amended in feasibility report 2, Order plans and specs for everything except the area behind Tom Thumb and AK Auto 3. Schedule a Public Hearing for September 24, 1998 to discuss the amended Feasibility Report Council and Vince discussed the following: • Councilor Kluck stated it doesn't make sense to clean ditch and not the ponds • Vince stated Watershed personnel will be there to delineate along with someone from Bonestroo; the amount of NURP ponding will offset the amount of wetland being disturbed • Two cell ponds; with the first cell, 3/4 of surface area goes to wetland, second cell receives one to one credit. 273 • Kluck asked how full the culvert is between lawn king and bank with sediment. Mayers stated the ditch has 1.5 to 2 feet of sediment • Financing should be worked out before going to much further • Vince stated that Council, if want to proceed with an assessment, could hold a public hearing in September. Setting up a storm water fee does not have to be done now • Councilor Mayers stated he always thought a ditch cleaning and a pond cleaning was all that was needed; $25,000 expenditure • Vince stated that the ponds are more than that, cleaning ponds is about $60,000 • Discussion on public works helping with removing spoils, or getting somewhat involved; hauling spoil material will not work for a winter project • Councilor Mayers likes idea of checking culvert by the bank. This lead to a discussion on culvert by bank. Culvert evaluation would be specified in plans • Councilor Mayers questioned the cost of cleaning their ditch, and whether or not they (property owners) would all be willing to pay their share On a motion by Guenthner, seconded by Kluck, to accept Vince's three recommendations, with understanding that an evaluation on the culvert by the bank can be put into plans and specs. Motion carried unanimously. HRUA REPORT BY PAUL ,I COBS Paul Jacobs was present to report on the progress of the Headwaters Rural Utilities Association (HRUA). He informed the Council that they are pulling a two tier permit, a master permit and a permit to do installation. He asked council if he could come back at the second meeting in September. He further informed the Council that the USDA has money available to cooperatives. Mayor Larkin question Mrs. Wiggen's site and why it is on hold. Paul stated that her financing is holding her up. Councilor Guenthner asked if Paul is signing members elsewhere. Paul stated that there are two members in Rockford Township. However, they don't technically have members. Paul was then asked if he is projecting a solicitation of members. He stated that there could be 1998, however, they need to have their bylaws established first. There was a lengthy discussion between Mr. Jacobs and Vince on the solicitation of members, who is signed up, what was meant by Paul's letter, the area being covered by HRUA, the number of permits the MPCA is planning on issuing, and if there are any opportunities for competition. Is there a time target in mind for a draft of master agreement. Mr. Jacobs responded that he has an outline of a Master Agreement. Council consensus was to have Vince meet with Paul Jacobs and property owners outside of a Council meeting setting. Les Oare, owner of C. Emery Nelson, was at the meeting and questioned the Council of the commitment they made to the HRUC now HRUA. He further questioned when would we be able to hook to a sanitary system that would be comparable to the MUSA line. Paul stated possibly next year, depending on how many people want to; depends on the market. Les Oare again questioned the resolution passed by Council. Councilor Guenthner stated that it was an expression of interest. 274 Les Oare read from a letter from the Dean of the University of Minnesota, stating the University is spending money based on the City, and he is concerned about the city's commitment. He also questioned if it would be a centralized system, or individual systems. Councilor Lindsley questioned if these system concepts used in Europe? If so why can't we get them. Another discussion took place between the audience, Council, and Vince. Paul Jacobs asked to come back at the 24th with people who can better speak to these topics; such as his engineer, George Yankuope. Les Oare questioned if he should maintain his current system such as no sanitary system is being developed. Council agreed. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT ON CRACK SEALING Vince reported to Council that the low bidder is Northwest Asphalt for $3660 and recommended awarding the quote to them, Vince stated that Northwest Asphalt may do additional work, other than quoted, since quotes came in at $.61 per pound, for total expenditures around $5,600. On a motion by Mayers, seconded Lindsley to accept the bid. Councilor Kluck questioned where the rest of the money is going. Vince responded that Pat Meister will determine the streets that need the work. Motion carried unanimously. Mark Sachowitz, 20317 County Road 50 Mayor Larkin called on Mark Sachowitz to address the Council. Mark informed the Council that he has had problems with the excavations of PermaGreen, and has problems with his Conditional Use Permit. Spoke with Roger in March, June, talked with Jeff Hellstrom, owner of PermaGreen, in July, now he is suppose to meet with them next Wednesday. He stated that Elm Creek watershed was suppose to be checking and approve grading, drainage, and erosion control. He stated he was curious on how numerous things got by without them being checked by the City. One of the problems is there is no silt screen around the project. He also stated that he is not happy with driveway 100 feet from his back door. He has talked to Jeff from PermaGreen and to Roger, and nothing is done. Roger stated that he gets different stories from both sides and that he has scheduled a meeting with Jeff next Wednesday morning along with Mark to talk about resolving issues and give a timeframe for the items to be corrected. Dawn Nybo asked why Jeff Hellstrom gets a timeframe. Mark asked Council who is enforcing the guidelines? Vince stated that for Council and Planning Commission, this is why we require letters of credit. However, there is not a sufficient letter of credit to address all the issues on the list, so our enforcement is limited. Councilor Guenthner suggested giving PermaGreen 10 days or shut down. Vince asked Roger if he has reviewed the Conditional Use Permit. Councilor Guenthner requested that Roger to come back to council with a punch list after meeting with resident and owner to determine if there is a punch list. Jeff Carson stated Council could possibly shut down to stop an on -going violation (code or 275 zoning). The other power the Council has is the Conditional Use Permit. First you would have to hold a hearing to see if he is in violation. Council consensus was to have Roger come back to Council and identify the problems. BUDGET ISSUES 1988/12E9 Road Bond S,pecia� 1 Levy Clerk Doboszenski introduced the item of increasing the special levy for 1999 from $51,000, as in years past, to $93,000 to ensure there is enough money to make the 2/l/2000 payment. Mayor Larkin moved to levy $93,000, Kluck seconded. There was discussion by Council to look into the possibility of spreading out the special levy, and not to levy $93,000 for 1999. Mayor Larkin called for a vote. Motion carried unanimously. Consider Resident Recycling Charge for 1999 Clerk Doboszenski introduced the possibility of charging each residence for recycling in 1999. The following was discussed: • The cost of doing a mailing of bills • Determining which properties are charged • Levying it to the taxes • Money and time to do a mailing Jeff Carson stated that he will look into the possibility of levying the recycling to the resident through Hennepin County, as a part of their taxes. Clerk Doboszenski informed Council that at the September 10, 1998 meeting, a preliminary levy will need to be set. CONSENT AGENDA Councilor Mayers questioned the bill to the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. Clerk Doboszenski explained. On a motion by Guenthner, seconded by Lindsley, to approve the following consent agenda items: • Approval of List of Claims #633 - 664 • Approval of the August 13, 1998 City Council Minutes • Approval of Resolution No. 1998 - 43, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PLANNING AND ZONING APPLICATION AND FEE SCHEDULE Motion carried unanimously. QTHER BUSINESS Old City Hall/Purchase of Hennepin County Public Works Building in Blzsghville Councilor Kluck questioned what the City is planning on doing with the maintenance of the old city hall. This lead into a discussion on acquiring the Burschville Hennepin County Public Works building. ADJOURN Mayor Larkin adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. ATTEST: dgsj�2� 64 k,4 Ci 'CIC4 0 Mayor