Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-28-2000 Council MinutesMINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 28, 2000 • ROLL The City Council met on the above - mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor Gabriel Jabbour, Council Members Charles Kelley, Richard Flint, Barbara Peterson, and Bob Sansevere. Representing Staff were City Administrator Ron Moorse, Senior Planning Coordinator Michael Gaffron, Zoning Administrator Paul Weinberger, Assistant Zoning Administrator Wendy Bottenberg, City Engineer Tom Kellogg, Public Services Director Greg Gappa, and Recorder Jackie Young. City Attorney Tom Barrett arrived at 7:24 p.m. Mayor Jabbour called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA ( #1) APPROVE /AMEND Items 7, 8, 9 and 10 were added to the Consent Agenda. Kelley moved, Peterson seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • *( #2) REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 14, 2000 0 Kelley moved, Peterson seconded, to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting of August 14, 2000, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 7:00 P.M. ( #3) AWARD SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 2000 — RESOLUTION NO. 4511 Carolyn Drude, Ehlers & Associates, addressed the City Council regarding the competitive bid process for the sale of the City's General Obligation Improvement Bonds to fund sanitary sewer projects for three neighborhoods. Drude stated six bids in total were received, with the lowest bid being from Dain Rauscher, Inc., at a true interest rate of 5.0748 percent. Drude states the City of Orono has maintained its Moody's Investors Service "Aal" rating , which indicates the City is in excellent economic condition and is expected to remain financially strong for the upcoming year. Mayor Jabbour expressed his thanks on behalf of the City Council to Ehler's & Associates for their fine work and for being a good asset to the City. Jabbour noted Rusty Fifield of Ehlers & Associates, has worked hard to insure the "Aal" rating would not be negatively impacted in light of the possible merger with the City of Long Lake. PAGE 1 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 28, 2000 • Flint moved, Kelley seconded, to approve and adopt RESOLUTION NO. 4511, a Resolution Awarding the Sale of General Obligation Improvement Bonds, Series 2000, in the amount of $925,000. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0. ( #4) PRESENTATION OF THE CITY'S 1999 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT Ken Malloy, Auditor with Malloy, Montague, Kanmowski, Radosevich and Company, P.A., indicated the City has been supplied with a copy of the annual audit of the City's finances and a brief summary of the City's financial condition. City Finance Director Tom Kuehn was at the presentation with Ken Malloy. Malloy stated his firm has reviewed the City's financial information and has found that the City is in very good financial condition. Malloy stated they have also reviewed the City's records to insure that they are in compliance with State Laws. Malloy indicated the City's financial records are in very good condition and are in compliance with the legal requirements. Malloy stated in comparison with other cities throughout the state, the City of Orono is close to the state -wide averages. Malloy noted the City of Orono receives the majority of its General Fund revenues through property taxes and user fees. Malloy indicated generally speaking market values are increasing, with the general fund and other funds being in good condition. Malloy noted the income received from the golf course has been dwindling slightly over the past . few years. Mayor Jabbour commented in his opinion there is a flaw in the system with comparing the City of Orono to other cities throughout the State of Minnesota. Jabbour indicated the City of Orono, since it is located in the Twin Cities area, pays its employees a higher salary than cities located outside the metropolitan area. Malloy acknowledged that is a good point that should be taken into consideration. Flint commented that he was surprised Orono's market value rates increased less than the average throughout the state. Flint stated due to the sales of property located along the Lakeshore, he was under the impression Orono's property values were increasing rapidly. Malloy stated those are the statistics he has from the State for the City of Orono. Flint inquired whether the City would have information relating to the sales in this area. Moorse commented the City Assessor would have that information and can verify those numbers. Mayor Jabbour thanked Malloy and Kuehn on their fine work for the City. LJ PAGE 2 L MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 28, 2000 PARK COMMISSION COMMENTS — Debora Halvorson, Representative Halvorson invited the members of the City Council to attend the Park Tour scheduled for September 5 at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Jabbour commented the City of Orono has received a resolution from the LaFayette Club indicating they are opposed to conversion of the Dakota Rail to a trail because of the possibility of young children being hurt by a train. Jabbour stated if the Dakota Rail is converted to a trail, there will no longer be trains running on this line. Jabbour expressed concern that the members of the LaFayette Club did not speak with the City prior to issuing the resolution, noting that their understanding of the project is not totally correct. Jabbour encouraged the Parks Commission to continue to pursue the Dakota Rail to trail project. Flint noted that Woodhill Country Club is in support of the Dakota Rail to trail project. Jabbour commented the members of the Woodhill Country Club did request the City address the pros and cons of this particular project prior to making a determination on whether to support the project. LAKE MINNETONKA CONSERVATION DISTRICT — Lili McMillan, Representative • None PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS — Daniel Kluth, Representative Kluth noted a public hearing and open house has been scheduled to discuss the revised Comprehensive Plan. Kluth stated the members of the Planning Commission have been reviewing the Comprehensive Plan. Kluth commended the members of City Staff for their fine work on revising the City's Comprehensive Plan. Kluth reported the Planning Commission has been meeting with the Long Lake Planning Commission in an attempt to improve communications and determine common areas of interest where the two cities could work together on planning issues. PUBLIC COMMENTS None • PAGE 3 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 28, 2000 • ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT ( #5) #2593 ACE PROPERTIES, 3349 CRYSTAL BAY ROAD — VARIANCES — RESOLUTION NO. 4512 Gary Gniffke and Larry Palm, Ace Properties, were present. Weinberger stated the Applicants are requesting approval of variances to permit construction of a new house on a lot located on Crystal Bay Road that is undersized for the zoning district. The existing house and garage total 1,080 square feet of structure and are located one foot off the east property line. The Applicants are proposing to construct a new structure consisting of 1,082 square feet, which would be located in the center of the property meeting the ten foot side yard setback requirements. Weinberger stated the storage shed and a large wood deck that's located on the railroad right -of -way would be removed, with the lot being cleared for new construction. Weinberger stated variances are needed to hardcover, rear yard setback, and to permit new construction on the non - conforming lot. The Planning Commission has reviewed this application and has recommended approval of the variances subject to the finding that this lot has existed as a developed parcel for many years, with the proposed development being consistent with other new construction in the area. Weinberger stated the lot consists of 4,901 square feet and was platted and developed prior to the adoption of the zoning ordinance. Weinberger stated in order to establish an adequate setback to the lakeshore and Crystal Bay Road, an eight foot setback to the rear property line is appropriate. • The size of the proposed house is consistent with the size of the existing house, with the Applicants having made every effort to reduce the size of the residence to meet the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan for protection of Lake Minnetonka. Weinberger stated an adjacent property owner did express concerns about the development because it would obstruct a lake view from the neighboring residence over the neighbor's property. Currently the adjacent residence can look over a deck located above the garage. The proposed sight line will be blocked because the Applicants are proposing to construct a two -story house where a one -story house currently exists. Weinberger stated by relocating the new house to the center of the property, some issues to drainage and hardcover have been improved. City Staff recommends approval of the application. Flint stated he wanted to discuss the concerns of the neighbor and to give the adjoining property owner an opportunity to speak to those issues. Flint noted the adjacent property owner is not present at tonight's meeting. Kelley inquired whether the neighbor was notified of tonight's meeting. Weinberger stated the City Council meeting was announced at the Planning Commission meeting. Kelley moved, Peterson seconded, to approve and adopt RESOLUTION NO. 4512, a Resolution granting variances to permit new construction on a lot located at 3349 Crystal Bay Road. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. • PAGE 4 • MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 28, 2000 *( #6) #2603 JAMES RENCKENS, 3020 WATERTOWN ROAD — CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND VARIANCES — RESOLUTION NO. 4513 Kelley moved, Peterson seconded, to approve and adopt RESOLUTION NO. 4513, a Resolution Granting a Variance to Permit the Removal of Fill and Conditional Use Permit For James Renckens, 3020 Watertown Road. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Mayor Jabbour noted the City has been invited to attend a meeting with the City of Plymouth on September 156x, and inquired whether any member of the City Council could attend this meeting. Mayor Jabbour indicated he will be out of town and unable to attend the meeting. Moorse commented either the Police Chief or someone from Staff should be able to attend the meeting. Mayor Jabbour stated the issue regarding garbage and debris at the local lake access points is an issue that has been discussed previously. Jabbour stated he has spoken with the DNR in the past who has indicated they do clean up the lake access points on Mondays. Jabbour indicated he has discussed several ways to help keep these areas cleaner. • Jabbour inquired what the Parks Commission would like to see occur at these lake access points. Halvorson commented in her view the people utilizing the fishing and swimming piers are the ones who are leaving the debris and garbage behind, noting that there currently are no trash receptables available at most of the lake access points. Halvorson stated if trash receptacles are made available, that may eliminate most of the garbage in the area. • Mayor Jabbour requested City Staff speak with Martha Reger of the DNR about this issue. Mayor Jabbour reported the additional police patrol on Lake Minnetonka is still being pursued. Jabbour commented in his view there is a good chance this item will be approved. Mayor Jabbour thanked the news reporter from the Weekly for reporting on the City Council meetings, noting that he will be retiring soon. Kelley noted a Fire Department Buildings Committee meeting has been scheduled for September 14 at 4:00 p.m. Mayor Jabbour noted the City of Orono has prevailed in the two lawsuits filed against the City regarding tree removal and grading on the lakeshore. Jabbour encouraged the residents of the City to work with the City as much as possible to avoid the need to enter into litigation. PAGE 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 28, 2000 E PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTOR'S REPORT *( #7) REQUEST FOR FINAL PAYMENT — HEAD SEWER PROJECT Kelley moved, Peterson seconded, to approve Request for Final Payment, Head Property Sanitary Sewer Project to Minncomm, Inc., in the amount of $8,172.90. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. *( 48) GOLF COURSE SEASONAL EMPLOYEES Kelley moved, Peterson seconded, to approve the new seasonal employees, Andrew Nickson And John Stork, at the proposed wage rates and under the applicable provisions of the PERA rules. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT *( #9) APPOINTMENTS TO HIGHWAY 12 AESTHETIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE Kelley moved, Peterson seconded, to approve the appointment of three representatives, Andrew McDermott, Jim Murphy, and Ron Moorse, to the Highway 12 Aesthetic Design • Guide Review Committee. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. *( #10) CONSOLIDATION EXEMPTION AGREEMENTS — RESOLUTION NO. Kelley moved, Peterson seconded, to approve and adopt Resolutions 4514, 4515, and 4516 Authorizing the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation Exemption Agreements. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT City Attorney Tom Barrett requested an Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. *( #11) LICENSES Club Firearm use Permit: Park Gun Club 3600 Sixth Avenue North Kelley moved, Peterson seconded, to approve the above listed license. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. • PAGE 6 • • r -s MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 28, 2000 *( #12) BILLS Kelley moved, Peterson seconded, to approve payment of the All Funds Account. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Linda 9. Vee, City Clerk Gabr 1 Jabbour, Mayor PAGE 7