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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-2008 Council Minutess: ROLL • • MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 28, 2008 7:00 1'Clock p.m. The Orono City Council met on the above - mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor James White, Council Members Jim Murphy, Lili McMillan, Cynthia Bremer and David Rahn; City Attorney Soren Mattick, Representing Staff were City Administrator Ron Moorse, Assistant City Administrator for Long -Term Strategy Mike Gaffron, Planning and Zoning Coordinator Melanie Curtis, City Engineer Tom Kellogg, and Recorder Jackie Young Mayor White called the meeting to order at 7:00 CONSENT AGENDA Item Nos. 8, 9, and 12 were added to the Rahn moved, McMillan seconded, to approve Nays 0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES *2. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETIG OF Rahn moved, McMillan seconded, to approve meeting as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays ( PRESENTATION 3. NATURAL RESOURCE INVENT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL David Thill, Hennepin County Department of I regarding the natural resource inventory that w: Minnesota Land Cover Classification System. Vegetation Classification System, which meets also incorporates National Wetlands Inventory Heritage Program Natural Community Classifi allows the inventory to become very detailed ai identified in a specific location. p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda. Consent Agenda as amended. VOTE: Ayes 5, ARY 14, 2008 minutes of the January 14, 2008, City Council — DAVID TRILL, HENNEPIN COUNTY vironmental Services, addressed the City Council undertaken for western Hennepin County utilizing the ie MLCCS is based on the United States Natural ;derally mandated land cover mapping standards, and assification System and the MN DNR Natural ion. Thill noted that the five -level hierarchical system specific as to the type of trees and vegetation Thill reviewed the various types of land cover found within the City of Orono, noting that approximately 33 percent is open water, 20 percent is artificial surface, 18 percent is forests, 13 percent is planted, maintained or cultivated vegetation, and another 13 percent consists of herbaceous vegetation. Murphy asked whether any portion of Lake Minnetonka is included in the percent for open water. PAGE 1 of 8 !�I 0 It, MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 28, 2008 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (3. NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY— DAVIDTHILL,HENNEPINCOUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, Continued) Thill indicated that it is. Thill illustrated the areas of open water, forests, and grassland throughout the City. The results of the natural resource inventory covered a total of 2,549 acres. These remnants represent eighteen distinct natural community types (eight forest types, one woodland type, two shrublands types, four herbaceous wetland types, and one upland grassland type), as well as areas of open water consisting of lakes and ponds. Within Orono, 50 oak forest remnants were documented totaling 369 acres and ranged in size from 0.5 acres to 47.7 acres. Thill reviewed the map illustrating the natural areas with potential for rare species. Thill noted his handout has a section listing recommendations for a series of conceptual natural resources /open space corridors throughout the area. The open space corridors are meant to be a guideline for cities to help preserve and enhance those areas. Thill explained the Department of Environmental Services utilizes a GIS -based database and map to help identify potential restoration sites and their priority rankings. For each site, the GIS -based database provides guidance on what plant community should be restored, where it can be restored most successfully and cost effectively. White stated it would be interesting to find out whether the lands that the suggested corridors are located over are privately owned or city - owned. Thill stated he can break that information out for the City if they so desire McMillan asked whether Mr. Thill would have a list of recommendations that the City could follow in is designating certain natural resource corridors. Thill stated a list would need to be developed but that there are a number of options that the City could look at to preserve a particular area or corridor. Thill indicated that most cities go with a voluntary, incentive driven plan to encourage residents to preserve and enhance their natural resources. Thill noted that Orono's Natural Resource Inventory is on the Department of Environmental Services' website and would be helpful in answering their questions. McMillan noted that Orono is now 80 percent developed and inquired whether there are any recommendations the City could provide to the residents on how they could remove invasive species that are found in this area and how to properly restore the natural vegetation. Thill suggested targeting specific areas or corridors. Thill noted Hennepin County has a number of grant programs available to cities to help offset the costs of the removal of invasive species and that generally the grants are given to cities if the area they are targeting is protected. Thill stated Big Island would qualify as one of those areas. Thill recommended the City contact him personally if they have any questions. DONATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS 4. ACCEPT DONATION Moorse stated the Orono Police Department has received four $100 Streicher gift cards from an ' • anonymous donor. Moorse indicated these gift cards would be used to purchase equipmentluniforms for officers in the Police Department. PAGE 2 of 8 N • • C. ORONO CITY OF THE rNCIL MEETING Monday, January 28, 2008 7:00 o'clock p.m. (4. ACCEPT DONATION, Continued) Murphy moved, Bremer seconded, to accept from an anonymous citizen. VOTE:. Ayes 5, PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS — Kroeger stated he had nothing to report but PUBLIC COMMENTS None ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 5. #08 -3341 CITY OF ORONO — Gaffron briefly reviewed the proposed ordinanc assisted in drafting the ordinance and has found regarding the appropriate processes for adminis- they have eliminated some redundant language some of the fee and escrow language to make it $10,000 escrow now required on all subdivisior. size of the subdivision. The Ordinance revises the 2008 City Fee Schedi $2500 for new homes, home additions, and othe grading, excavation and filling. The current zon pay an established application fee, as well as rei. development. Gaffron noted that drainage and € if not thousands of dollars in review costs. The; application fees. Gaffron also noted that staff is review be provided the first $500 of such service Murphy asked what would happen if the cost of Moorse indicated the person would not be charg Curtis stated the engineer did indicate that the t} Gaffron stated there is a $600 fee for a variance Curtis stated the City would collect a $2500 es( When there is just a grading review, there woul completed to ensure that the City is reimbursed e four $100 gift cards (donation) that were received ays 0. KROEGER, REPRESENTATIVE be available for questions. MUNICIPAL CODE: FEES AND ESCROWS regarding fees and escrows. The City Attorney acceptable. The Finance Director also provided input ring the ordinance requirements. Gaffron noted that .at was found in the original ordinance and also revised lore specific. Gaffron noted there is a minimum , which is subject to some change depending on the le by establishing a building permit escrow amount of new structures, and a $600 permit escrow amount for ag and subdivision codes establish that applicants must iburse the City for its incurred costs associated with ading reviews by the engineer can result in hundreds, costs are not covered by the upfront zoning )roposing that all applications requiring an engineering at no charge. review is less than $500. then for that review. cost of a review is $500. )w for a new home, an addition, or a new building. be a $600 escrow, which is retained until the project is appropriate amount. PAGE 3 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 28, 2008 7:00 o'clock p.m. (5. #08 -3341 CITY OF ORONO —AMEND MUNICIPAL CODE: FEES AND ESCROWS, Continued) White suggested the City consider building in some sort of periodic review to ensure that these fees are still appropriate and necessary over time. Curtis noted the person would not be charged an engineering fee if no review is required by the City Engineer. Rahn suggested the language under Section 75 -7, Refund of Unexpended Balance, also include language, "and approval of permits associated with the project." Rahn stated that would help cover costs associated with changes that are made on a project during construction. Gaffron stated currently there is an application escrow account that runs through the entire application process, and when the application process is completed, any remainder in the escrow account is returned to the applicant. The second phase is a construction escrow account, which stays in place during construction until the end of the project. Gaffron stated the language could be expanded to say, "and/or until the project is deemed complete and certificates of occupancy are issued." Gaffron stated the building permit must be applied for within a year after the application is approved. Rahn stated the language on page three for Item (c) should perhaps be included in Item (a) as well as the language on Page 4 (a). 6M • Gaffron indicated that the City's policy is that at whatever stage the application is withdrawn, any is expenses incurred by the City would be deducted from the fees. Gaffron recommended the application be tabled to allow Staff to incorporate the changes discussed tonight. Rahn moved, Bremer seconded, to table Application #08 -3341, City of Orono: Proposed Code Amendment; Escrows. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. *6. #08 -3348 LANDFORM, INC., 743, 745, 756, 758,764 & 766 BRIDGEWATER DRIVE — CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION FOR STONEBAY FOURTH ADDITION — RESOLUTION NO. 5720 Rahn moved, McMillan seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 5720, a Resolution Approving a Certificate of Correction for Stonebay Fourth Addition. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT McMillan noted the Minnetonka Center for Arts is partnering with Ridgedale Mall on an art display. White noted the first interview was conducted in the process for hiring a fire chief and that three candidates will be brought back for a second interview. White commented all of the candidates are well qualified for the position. White noted the City is following a similar process that was used in hiring a new police chief. • PAGE 4 of 8 • MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 28, 2008 7:00 o'clock p.m. (MAYORICOUNCIL REPORT, Continued), White stated We Can would like a letter from the mayors and/or council members of the local cities supporting them in their application for CDBG funding. White encouraged the City send a letter in support .of We Can and the services they provide. Moorse stated if the City writes a letter of support, the committee that meets regarding the allocation of these funds would take the letter into consideration. Moorse indicated he would concur that a letter in support of the CDBG allocation to We Can be sent from Mayor White. White stated the CDBG was originally a federal program that was based on population and that currently there are only certain categories that the money can be allocated for, such as redevelopment. It was the consensus of the City Council to their allocation of CDBG. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Kellogg reported that his office various issues relating to Casco Point and that possibility of undergrounding utilities. Mayor White writing a letter supporting We Can in met with Public Works Staff recently to discuss swing that meeting they contacted Xcel regarding the • Kellogg stated some of the issues facing the City in relation to the Casco Point Road reconstruction project this year are the lack of right -of -ways in certain areas and storm water management. A Casco Point neighborhood meeting is anticipated to be scheduled for March regarding the storm water and that they are hoping to partner with the Minnehaha Watershed District on the storm water issues and alternative ways to handle the runoff. • Kellogg stated as part of the Casco Point prof ect there will be periodic neighborhood meetings to inform the residents on what will be occurring, and as col, nstruction gets closer to commencing, his office will consider putting routine updates on the City's website or creating a blog of some sort that will help keep the neighbors informed. I I McMillan asked whether curb and gutter would be installed along Casco Point. Kellogg indicated there may be some portions that will have curb and gutter but that they are looking at alternative methods to handle the runoff, such as rain gardens. Kellogg stated given the nature of the neighborhood, it would be difficult to construct a typical storm water pond and that they will attempt to limit the amount of curb and gutter. McMillan recommended a simplified version of the City's road report be put on the website as well as some tentative dates for when some of the roads I will be improved and the costs associated with each particular project. PAGE 5 of 8 i� MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 28, 2008 7:00 o'clock p.m. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 7. PURCHASE OF SOFTWARE FOR PROPERTY - RELATED DATA MANAGEMENT (PERMIT WORKS) AND GIS MAPPING INTERFACE WiFRASEEK) McMillan stated she has some questions regarding the GIS mapping interface and asked, if for some reason, the City decides to change their GIS software, whether the database can be transferred. Kellogg indicated the database can be transferred and is considered the property of the City. The City can choose to continue the service or terminate the service at whatever point. White noted the cost is approximately $27,000 for the first year and asked whether a cheaper form of GIS system could be used. White questioned whether this system will actually be utilized on a fairly routine basis. Lin Vee, City Clerk, stated the Infraseek is a web based program, which eliminates the need to install the software on each employee's computer and the need to pay a software licensing fee on each computer. Vee indicated the system could be designed at some point in the future to allow the public to access certain portions of it. Curtis stated the GPS unit is a separate, in the field locator unit that allows Staff to identify certain items such as utilities and manholes, and is a separate piece from the software. Kellogg stated one year ago Orono and Medina discussed splitting the cost of obtaining a GPS system, • but given the reduction in costs over the past year, it was felt that each City could purchase their own system. Bremer stated if there is a definite need for the system, the City should purchase it, but questioned whether the City requires it at the present time given the fact that the costs will continue to go down. Kellogg stated it is the feeling of the Public Works Department that this system is needed and that the local City pressure sewer systems that have been installed are especially difficult to locate at this time of year. The GPS system would allow them to isolate which pipe is causing the problem and would allow the Public Works Department to respond more efficiently. Lin Vee noted the Public Works Department currently does not have very much information available to them in electronic format and that this is one way to help the Public Works Department become more computerized. Vee indicated the software language is very standard and could readily be utilized in other systems. Kellogg indicated they are currently providing this service to some of the other bigger cities inside and outside the metro area, such as Apple Valley, Cottage Grove, Chaska, and Shoreview, and that the service can be somewhat customized to meet each City's needs. McMillan moved, Rahn seconded, to approve the purchase of PermitWorks, a property data management software program, at a cost of $32,567.05, to be funded from the Improvement and Equipment Outlay Fund; and to approve the annual software support program at a cost of $3,870. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. • PAGE 6 of 8 11 • • MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, `January 28, 2008 7:0010 clock p.m. (7. PURCHASE OF SOFTWARE, McMillan moved, Rahn seconded, to approve interface product, at a cost of $18,036.00, to b Outlay Fund; and to approve the hosting and month. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0...... . he purchase of Infraseek, a web -based GIS funded from the Improvement and Equipment aanagement site fee of no more than $700.00 per *8. AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF 2008; MUNICIPAL RECYCLING GRANT APPLICATION — RESOLUTION NO. 5721 I Rahn moved, McMillan seconded, to approve "RESOLUTION NO. 5721, a Resolution Authorizing Submittal of 2008 Municipal Recycling Grad Application and Execution of Grant Agreement. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. *9. APPROVAL FOR DISPOSAL OF Rahn moved, McMillan seconded, to approve'the disposal of two copiers and one printer. It is recommended that these items be placed on auction through K -Bid in Maple Plain. If no bids are received on the items, the items will then be recycled at our annual clean up days this spring. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. +. 10. PURCHASE OF NETWORK SERVER FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT Moorse stated this item concerns a server that would act as a storage site for the storing of all the information that is collected by the digital in-car video systems. These in -car video systems record traffic stops and arrests and provides evidentiary documentation for court proceedings. These recordings may have to be retained for several months and up to a year depending on the incident. Staff and LOGIS are recommending that an additional, network server be used to store this large amount of data. Rahn asked whether this was an expense that was foreseen at the time the vide systems were purchased. Moorse indicated it was initially felt that the information could be stored on a regular computer but that the information from the digital cameras was more voluminous than what was anticipated. Murphy moved, McMillan seconded, to appro DL320S G5) to be used for storage of data cot of the server is $6,187.50. This price includes Nays 0. 11. AMEND CREDIT CARD USE POLI Moorse noted the amended credit card policy subordinate to use the card for the purpose of necessary because the employee researching supervisor. The employee named on the card card. the purchase of a Network Server (HP Proliant ted from the digital in squad video systems. Cost server, licensing and software. VOTE: Ayes 5, allow a supervisor to temporarily authorize a ing an internet or phone purchase. This change is r making the purchase is oftentimes not the Id remain responsible for all purchases made on the • Murphy stated in his opinion there is an adequat I checks and balance system in place with the employee named on the card remaining responsible for all purchases made on the card. PAGE 7 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 28, 2008 7:00 o'clock p.m. (11. AMEND CREDIT CARD USE POLICY, Continued) Murphy moved, Bremer seconded, to approve the amended Credit Card Use Policy. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT City Attorney Mattick had nothing to report. *12. LICENSES & PERMITS SPECIAL EVENT 1. Applicant: Minnesota Distance Running Association, Peter Erpenbach Event: Fred Kurz Memorial 10 Mile Run Location: Luce Line Trail starting at the Wayzata Middle School — approximately 4.5 miles out and back Date: Saturday, April 12, 2008 Time: 8:30 a.m. —11:00 a.m. TOBACCO LICENSE 2. Lakeview Golf of Orono, Inc. Grant Wenkstern 405 North Arm Drive 3. Orono Petro Inc./Big Island Thomas Miller 2160 Wayzata Boulevard 4. O'Sullivans Holiday John O'Sullivan 2420 Shadywood Road 5. O'Sullivans Holiday John O'Sullivan 3340 Shoreline Drive 6. Snyder Drug Store #5025 Matthew Killam 2380 Shadywood Road Rahn moved, McMillan seconded, to approve the above licenses. VOTE: -Ayes 5, Nays 0. ADJOURNMENT White moved, McMillan seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. ATTEST: p // vac.— . Linda S. Vee, City Clerk gJa es M. White, Mayor PAGE 8 of 8 • • • 4,