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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-2011 Council Minutesr` MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono City Council met on the above - mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor Lili Tod McMillan, Council Members Cynthia Bremer, Doug Franchot, and Aaron Printup. Representing Staff were City Administrator Jessica Loftus, City Attorney Andrea Poehler, City Clerk Lin Vee, Assistant City Administrator of Long -Term Strategic Planning Mike Gaffron, Planning Coordinator Melanie Curtis, City Engineer Tom Kellogg, and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor McMillan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1. CONSENT AGENDA Item Nos. 6, 9, and 10 were added to the Consent Agenda. Item No. 2 was removed from the Consent Agenda. Bremer moved, Printup seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. is APPROVAL OF MINUTES *2. COUNCIL WORK SESSION OF JANUARY 10, 2011 Bremer moved, Printup seconded, to approve the minutes of the City Council work session of January 10, 2011, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. 3. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 10, 2011 Printup requested that Paragraph 4 on Page 4 of the minutes be amended to clarify his statement and state that "spending money to make Old Crystal Bay Road more attractive is not appropriate and that safety of the road is the most appropriate." Franchot moved, Printup seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 10, 2011, as amended. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. PRESENTATION 4. GILLESPIE CENTER — 2010 REPORT Harold Pellett, TGC Co- President, and Donna Smith, Gillespie Center, were present. Pellett invited the City Council to a new event entitled Family Night Out scheduled for Thursday, January 27th. Homemade soups and sandwiches will be for sale and there will be music and games as well as other • activities. Page 1 of 15 U MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (4. GILLESPIE CENTER — 2010 REPORT, Continued) Pellett noted he did submit a written report regarding the financial condition of the Gillespie Center to the City. The Gillespie Center's unrestricted fund balance is at $246,000, which also serves as a building reserve account. Pellett thanked the Orono City Council for their financial contribution to the center, which has enabled them to continue to provide services to the residents of the community. This past year a separate contract was entered into with the Cities of Mound and Spring Park, and a significant portion of that money has gone into creating an endowment account. In addition to the financial contributions by the various cities, the Gillespie Center has also had several fundraising events, but given the poor economy, they were not able to raise as much as they had in 2009. The income received from memberships helps offset approximately half of the cost of utilities. Donations, in conjunction with the membership fees, paid approximately 42 percent of the building operation costs in 2010. Pellett noted the total amount of expenses for the Gillespie Center was approximately $130,000 in 2010, with the contributions by the cities coming to $90,570. Pellett pointed out they are able to provide as many services as they do in large part to the large number of volunteers that help out at the center. • Franchot noted that the City's contribution was to provide financial help to the Center and that it would be difficult at some point in the future to continue to provide financial assistance as the endowment fund • grows. McMillan asked whether Mound and Spring Park will be contributing a similar amount in 2011. Pellett indicated Mound and Spring Park entered into a two -year contract in 2010. McMillan asked whether the Meals on Wheels program is a separate program from the services provided by the Gillespie Center. Donna Smith stated the Gillespie Center has a contract with Senior Community Services, SCS, to provide the Meals on Wheels program and they currently provide approximately 30 meals a week to residents throughout the community. Smith commented they have made enormous strides in improving the services offered by the Center based on the financial contributions by the cities. Some of the upcoming fundraising events include a Hawaiian beach party, a quilting event, lunch cruises, a golf tournament, and a boutique. The Center is also open to private events such as weddings. The Center also offers card parties, breakfast and lunch, and exercise classes. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS — JOHN THIESSE, REPRESENTATIVE Thiesse stated he had nothing to report but would be available for questions. • Page 2 of 15 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ralph Kempf, 3675 Togo Road, addressed the City Council regarding the long -term vision for the Navarre area. Kempf indicated on Sunday he visited the Navarre Bowling Alley, which has turned into a nice addition to the community and offers some recreational fun for children and their parents. Kempf stated he also drove around other areas of Navarre that day and discovered that there is a great diversity of businesses located there, ranging from a hair salon, a coffee shop, an auto parts store, a liquor store, a grocery store, a hardware store, a tavern/restaurant, a design studio, a glass shop, an insurance agency, a local bank, a couple fast food restaurants, and three gas stations. A major concern among the citizens of Navarre is safety, especially given the amount of traffic and the new addition of the Dakota Trail. Currently there is a sidewalk that runs from the Navarre business district, past the park, and within one block of the trail. Given the amount and speed of traffic in that area, pedestrian safety is a big concern. Kempf encouraged the City Council to look at that area to see what improvements could be made, especially at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 51. The amount of traffic through that area is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. Kempf encouraged the City Council to develop a long -term plan for the Navarre area. Franchot noted City Code states that only two gas stations are to be allowed at any intersection, and asked IS what the rationale was for the City approving three in that area. Franchot concurred that the City does need to take a look at the Navarre area. Gaffron stated to his knowledge the City Council did have a lengthy discussion about allowing three gas stations in that area and finally came to the conclusion that it would be allowed. Gaffron agreed the City should revisit the goals for Navarre. Bremer noted the Dakota Trail has been added to that area since the last time the Council discussed the long -term vision for Navarre, and that now would be a good time to look at the area again. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT 5. #11 -3495 CITY OF ORONO, AMEND CITY CODE SECTION 78 -43 VOTING REQUIREMENTS — ORDINANCE NO. 84, THIRD SERIES Curtis stated currently Orono's City Code requires a two- thirds vote of the entire Council for'adoption of new zoning ordinances and amendments. This is inconsistent with the requirements in MN State Statute Chapter 462. The City Attorney has proposed revised language that would be consistent with state statute. The proposed language requires a simple majority vote for zoning code adoption or amendments. A two - thirds vote of the entire Council is still required for changes in zoning district classification from residential to either commercial or industrial zoning. • McMillan asked whether state statute has changed recently making Orono's Code inconsistent. Page 3 of 15 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (5. #11 -3495 CITY OF ORONO, AMEND CITY CODE SECTION 78 -43 VOTING REQUIREMENTS, Continued) City Attorney Poehler noted the state statute was changed a number of years ago and that it is likely this section of the code was overlooked and not updated. Poehler indicated there was also some question at the time the statute was enacted as to whether it was mandatory, and recently the attorney general has indicated that it is, which has led to the updating of Orono's City Code. Bremer moved, Franchot seconded, to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 84, Third Series, an Ordinance Changing Voting Requirements for the Amendment of Zoning Ordinances. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *6. #11 -3497 CHOICE WOOD COMPANIES ON BEHALF OF WILLIAM TRUBECK, 3300 FOX STREET — CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT — RESOLUTION NO. 6023 Bremer moved, Printup seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6023, a Resolution Granting a Conditional Use Permit Pursuant to Municipal Zoning Code Section 78- 303(3)(A), for the property located at 3300 Fox Street. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. 7. HARDCOVER ORDINANCE REVISION AND CONSULTANT PLANNER UPDATE • Curtis stated the City of Orono has been regulating hardcover on shore land properties since the mid • 1970s. While the basic premise of limiting each setback zone to a specific percentage of hardcover has not changed, the City's administrative policies and definitions have evolved. At this time Staff is proposing an in -depth review and analysis of the City's hardcover regulations and philosophy. We feel this is important in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on variances, in order to be responsive to new technologies regarding storm water management and pervious pavements, to meet the Council's goal to have Orono viewed as an innovative leader and excellent steward of the environment, to respond to the DNR's update of the shore land rules and to generally refresh our views on hardcover regulations. In August the City Council authorized Staff to use a planning consultant to support the Planning Department on an as- needed basis. The Council asked to be updated on how this consultant was being utilized. Attached are invoices reflecting $1,034 of incurred charges for planning support from August through December 2010. The 2011 budget allocates $35,000 for planning consultant services. The estimated planning consultant cost for this project is $8,000. Staff feels that this project, plus any additional general planning assistance for 2011, will be within the budgeted amount. Staff would like to establish a diverse focus group made up of members of the Council and Planning Commission, a few lakeshore property owners, and perhaps some local industry professionals in order to have a well- rounded perspective. The focus group's main goal will be to do the heavy lifting on the development of the hardcover ordinance. Staff would like to incorporate a variety of public participation opportunities, such as e-mail, informational open houses, newsletter articles, etc. A public hearing will ultimately be held before the Planning Commission once the ordinance is in draft form. The Council should consider directing Staff to proceed with the hardcover ordinance update in accordance with the draft timeline, authorize the planning consultant to head the project, and determine a • Page 4 of 15 • MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (7. HARDCOVER ORDINANCE REVISIONAND CONSULTANT PLANNER UPDATE, Continued) date for the joint Council and Planning Commission work session tentatively scheduled for March 2" d or March 140'. Franchot stated in his view this is a good idea and suggested that it be called a citizen task force. McMillan asked whether any parameters have been set for the task group. Curtis indicated it is Staff's recommendation that one or two city council members be on the task force as well as some lakeshore property owners and representatives from different types of local businesses. Printup asked what amount of interest the City has received on this initiative thus far. Curtis stated there was good interest displayed when this was first placed on the City's web site, which has since slowed down. It is the intention of Staff to send out some e-mail notices and other things to help generate more interest and participation in the task force. Informational meetings will also be held. Franchot asked at what point in the process the LMCD and the MCWD would become involved. • Curtis indicated Staff has already contacted both organizations and was told that they would be participating in the process. i� LJ McMillan recommended that pervious pavers and other new technology be looked at. McMillan also suggested that the City should promote to a greater degree good environmental behavior by the local residents. Curtis stated they would like to get industry leaders and builders involved on the task force as well to get their input. McMillan stated as it relates to the joint work session with the Planning Commission, she would prefer to schedule it for March 2nd and to leave the 14 °' open to discuss goal setting. Curtis noted the Planning Commission's work session is scheduled for March 2nd from 5:30 to 7:00. Bremer moved, Printup seconded, to schedule a joint work session with the Planning Commission for March 2, 2011, from 5:30 to 7:00, and to direct Staff to proceed with the hardcover ordinance update in accordance with the draft timeline and to authorize the planning consultant to head the project. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. Page 5 of 15 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PLAN UPDATE Kellogg noted this item was discussed as the last City Council meeting where different median and landscaping was discussed in length. Comments have been received from the fire chief on the proposed layout of the road and Three Rivers Park representatives have also been given plans for their comments on the realignment of the trail. Two meetings were also held with representatives of the School District and the iwner of the medical facility. Based on those discussions and input, some revisions have been made to the plans. Those revisions were based largely on the suggestions by the School District. A transportation consultant has been hired by the School District and he has made some recommendations on how to improve the drop -off and pickup sites at the various schools. Kellogg noted today was their tentative deadline for submitting the plans to the Watershed District and stated that the plans need to be finalized in the very near future if the road is to be completed before the start of the 2011 school year. • Kellogg displayed the current design of the roadway. The southern layout of the road will primarily remain the same. The primary entrance for the elementary students will be via the roundabout, which also needs to allow for semi - trailers. The concern of the medical center was whether westbound traffic on • Kelley Parkway could make a left turn, which is the case. Signage will be erected to better facilitate traffic in and out of that site. The plans will be revised to include a third smaller roundabout in front of the middle school to allow for an exit at that location. If a car is northbound on Old Crystal Bay Road, they would be required to back track to access the middle school lot, which increased a car's time on the road by an additional 60 to 70 seconds. The smaller roundabout would decrease that time by approximately half. That roundabout also addresses the concerns of the fire chief to allow for faster access to that area. McMillan noted the School District has reviewed the plans a little bit earlier tonight and asked whether they had any comments regarding the plans. Tom Stringer, Business Manager, stated they appreciated the opportunity to provide input on the plans and that in their view the third roundabout will help with the traffic flow and cut down on the time it takes to drop off and pick up the students. Franchot asked whether the School District has any input on the median and landscaping. Stringer stated the School District sees that more as a city decision. Kellogg stated at the last meeting they discussed median options and whether the median should be narrow or wider to allow for landscaping. The feasibility study did look at three different median/landscaping options ranging from $200,000 to $700,000. The direction from the City Council was that they wanted to have the median wide enough to allow for some landscaping at some point in the future. At the last meeting the City Council discussed their desire for low maintenance, inexpensive • Page 6 of 15 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTRUCTION PLAN UPDATE, Continued) forms of landscaping without the need for irrigation. Since that time, a question has arose on whether the median should be made narrower and forego the landscaping. Kellogg indicated the City Council will need to make a decision on that issue either tonight or in the next few days if they wish to meet the schedule outlined in the feasibility study. John Slack, Landscape Architect with Bonestroo, presented different boulevard and roundabout treatments that address traffic /pedestrian safety and prevention of midblock pedestrian crossings. Slack stated median treatments are possible without irrigation, but they typically do not recommend that. Typically a maintenance plan is included as part of the construction, which requires the landscape contractor to provide irrigation for a year or two after the project is completed to ensure that the landscaping is established prior to the irrigation being discontinued. Slack stated they looked at three different options for the median treatments to address those two primary concerns. The first option would be strictly plantings, the second option would be land forms, and the third option included a combination of the two. Slack displayed the first option depicting trees in the median and along the boulevard. The roundabouts would include a cluster of trees and some low lying shrubs. The second option would incorporate some metal fencing to help prevent pedestrian crossings at undesired locations. Slack noted there are a number • of existing trees, which will largely remain. The purpose of the trees is to create a canopy and a closure, which helps to slow traffic down and helps separate the pedestrians on the trail from the roadway. Slack displayed an illustration of one of the larger roundabouts depicting a cluster of trees on the top and a circle of smaller shrubs towards the edge of the roundabout. Slack indicated the shrubs they are proposing would be low maintenance. Slack displayed a mid block section depicting a row of trees and a land form consisting of a metal fence, which is on the lower end of the cost spectrum. Slack indicated the last sheet of the packet includes a cost analysis for the various options. The cost is around $186,000 for a combination of the plantings and the land form. Slack noted these costs are lower than what was projected in the feasibility study. If the cable railing is eliminated, it would reduce the costs by $36,000 to $40,000. The cost of the trees is approximately $76,000, which could be reduced depending on the number of trees. Franchot asked what the width of the median is that was used in the cost analysis. Slack indicated it is 10 feet wide from curb to curb. Kellogg stated based on past discussions, it was felt that a median between eight and ten feet would be the best approach to allow for some type of landscaping in the future. Franchot asked what the cost of the project would be with a bare concrete median and no landscaping. Kellogg stated at a minimum the median should be four feet wide, which could consist of concrete or • colored concrete. Page 7 of 15 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTRUCTION PLAN UPDATE, Continued) Franchot pointed out the School District will be responsible for constructing the west side bike path. Kellogg noted the School District will also be making some improvements on the school grounds themselves in conjunction with this project. McMillan stated the main two issues for the City Council to decide tonight is the width of the median and the amount of money they would like to spend on this portion of the project. McMillan asked whether there are any limitations on the MSA money the City would receive. Kellogg indicated there are limitations on the MSA money. The City is able to spend as much money on landscaping as they would like, but the reimbursement would be limited to five percent annually of what the City's allotment is. If the City receives $200,000 in MSA money, the City would be reimbursed $12,500 annually. The majority of the street improvement costs are state aid eligible and 100 percent reimbursable. Kellogg indicated there is a limit on the amount of reimbursement for costs associated with landscaping. Franchot asked how much this project would cost Orono as opposed to money the City would receive from other sources. • Kellogg stated that was covered in the feasibility study under option two. As it relates to costs, the sanitary sewer was estimated to be $184,000, which would consist of funds from the sanitary sewer fund. The water main was estimated at approximately $200,000, which would come from the water main fund, and the storm sewer was estimated at $355,000, which would be partially eligible for state aid. The rest would need to come from the storm water utility fund. The street improvements identified in the feasibility report were $2.3 million and did not include any landscaping. The bond sale for this project was $1.6 million. Loftus asked for clarification on the cap that the City is allowed to maintain. Kellogg stated the City would be penalized if they keep more than $1.5 million or five times the City's annual state aid allotment. Printup asked if the project has to be completed by the end of the year in order to receive the state aid. Kellogg stated the constraints on this project are more time constraints given the school's schedule and the limited amount of time they have to complete the project. Franchot commented during the course of the discussion over the past few months, he has been impressed by the contributions of the various parties and the plan that has been arrived at. Franchot stated in his opinion it would be a serious mistake to treat the landscaping as cheaply as possible and that a concrete median would not be in keeping with Orono's rural character and would add to the hardcover in the area. Franchot stated in his view there needs to be some type of barrier in the median to discourage pedestrian • crossings at undesired locations and that the basic concept that has been presented tonight is attractive and Page 9 of 15 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTR UCTION PLAN UPDATE, Continued) reasonably priced. Franchot suggested drip irrigation be considered as opposed to spray irrigation, which would help to reduce water usage. Printup asked whether there is a way to do the landscaping and the median treatments without vegetation this summer and having involvement from the community landscape it at some point in the future. Kellogg indicated that was the direction they had received from the Council last fall when the project was initially approved. Kellogg stated the landscaping/median costs outlined in the feasibility study were considered too expensive. Kellogg stated another option would be to include the landscaping as an alternate. - Franchot commented he has a concern with the amount of community involvement they would actually get. Printup stated safety is the main concern with the road. Printup expressed a concern that residents without students attending Orono schools would pay for landscaping this road. n U Franchot indicated the past philosophy of the City has been that the residents of the City would share in these types of expenses rather than just paying for what goes in front of their property. Franchot noted that another similar project was completed on Casco Point Road. Franchot stated in his view this is not • an egregious use of funds since it is the educational center of the city and provides access to city hall and is likely the most public street in the city since there are no private residences located on the roadway. Bremer indicated she is in agreement with Council Member Franchot but that she has a concern with the number of trees being proposed. Bremer stated she would like to have a 10 -foot median with vegetation with a reasonable budget. Bremer indicated she would not be opposed to delaying the landscaping and/or eliminating some of the trees to enable the City Council to visualize the street. Kellogg noted there are 123 boulevard trees being proposed, which amounts to $61,000. Kellogg indicated he is in agreement that the number of trees could be reduced given the amount of existing trees in the area. McMillan stated the best approach would be to replace any trees along the boulevard that would be lost as a result of the construction work. McMillan commented she likes the three roundabouts and that the latest design appears to accomplish the objectives of the school. McMillan stated she also likes the roundabouts since they eliminate the turn lanes, but that a wider median would essentially add another lane and widen the roadway. McMillan stated she also is concerned about long -term maintenance of the landscaping within the median and that she would like to have some type of plan in place regarding that before approving any type of landscaping. Additional landscaping could be added at some point in the future but that the City could avoid overplanting. Franchot stated it is unfair to hypothesize things that no one is talking about doing, such as overplanting or irrigation. The perspective of the footprint of the roadway would be cut down with a wider median and landscaping. If a reasonable median is not constructed with a reasonable amount of vegetation and a • barrier, the safety of the pedestrians would be not addressed and would add to the appearance of a lot of Page 10 of 15 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTR UCTION PLAN UPDATE, Continued) hardcover. Franchot indicated he has attempted to understand Mayor McMillan's concerns, but that in his view a narrower median will not be attractive. McMillan stated her two main concerns deal with the maintenance of the median and landscaping and the width of the roadway. McMillan pointed out the roundabouts would have landscaping on them and that landscaping may add more visual obstacles. Franchot indicated he would be agreeable to the City committing to maintain the landscaping. Slack stated typically a maintenance plan is developed outlining the various costs. Slack indicated he could provide that to the City tomorrow if they would like to see that. Printup indicated he would like to see an alternative to what has been proposed tonight and that he personally would like to visualize the alternative as well prior to approving any plan tonight. Bremer commented it was her understanding that the Council needed to reach a decision on this item tonight, and asked what the deadline is if the City is going to meet their deadline of having the road completed before school starts in the fall. • Kellogg indicated they are approximately two weeks behind the schedule outlined in the feasibility study and that they had hoped to have the Watershed District's approval by today. Bids are anticipated to be opened May 9"' and construction on the roadway would start immediately after school is finished. Kellogg stated the preliminary design was anticipated to be complete in January, followed by completion of the permitting in February. • Printup indicated he is not comfortable approving the landscaping and median tonight and that he would like to see a plan with the narrower median. Kempf commented that the discussion tonight appears to be largely driven by costs, and that if the purpose of the median is to control pedestrian traffic, without landscaping, the Council is possibly looking at cable railing at $80 to $90 a lineal foot. When those two are weighed against each other, it does not appear the City would be saving any short-term money by eliminating the landscaping. Kellogg stated they recently received a bid of $60 per lineal foot for the cable railing. McMillan commented she is also unsure whether the landscaping would deter pedestrian traffic and that there are also long -term maintenance costs associated with the railing. Franchot asked what McMillan would propose for the median. McMillan stated she would make the medians at the crosswalks wider. Franchot asked what the narrow points would look like. Page 11 of 15 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTRUCTIONPLAN UPDATE, Continued) McMillan stated the median could be four feet wide at those points and have some type of stamped concrete or other treatment. Franchot commented that the main concern the Council has heard from the beginning of this project is pedestrians crossing the roadway at undesirable locations and the safety hazard that would create. Franchot stated having a four foot median with nothing in it would not address the safety issue. McMillan commented that people could also walk across landscaping and that it really is not a deterrent. Franchot pointed out there would also be fencing in some locations where pedestrian traffic is likely to occur. Franchot stated he would like to know exactly what Mayor McMillan is proposing. McMillan stated the fencing is one option but that she would like to see wider, identified crosswalks and promote crossing at those areas. McMillan stated it is doubtful the City would be able to stop pedestriaps from crossing at other points even if they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to deter that. Franchot asked if the City Council approves the narrower median and the wider crosswalks, how they would encourage people to use only those designated areas to cross the roadway. • Slack indicated there would need to be an educational component to that and the school would play a role • in that. Slack stated there could also be additional policing, of the area and the possibility of tickets being issued for those who do not cross at the proper location. Franchot pointed out the costs associated with signage and lights are also substantial. Slack stated he is not familiar with the amount of pedestrian traffic that is experienced on this roadway but that in his estimation it would be substantial based on the fact that the schools are located on this road and the students need to access the different parking lots and recreational fields. Slack stated even if landscaping and land structures are added, that likely will not deter all pedestrian traffic. McMillan stated short of having a special council meeting where they could look at another alternative, given the time schedule for this project, the Council will need to, make a decision tonight. Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to authorize the City Engineer to proceed forward with the median/landscaping plan that has been presented tonight, with 50 percent of the boulevard trees being eliminated. VOTE: Ayes 2, Nays 2, McMillan and Printup Opposed. MOTION FAILED. Bremer commented that this is a time where five council members would be helpful but that a decision needs to be made tonight given the time table and that if Mayor McMillan has a proposal, it should be made tonight. Printup noted a special council meeting could be held, at which time an alternate plan could be presented depicting the narrower median. U Page 12 of 15 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTRUCTION PLAN UPDATE, Continued) Tom Stringer, indicated the school would be willing to look at a partnership with the City on maintaining the median. Stringer stated landscaping would bring a calming, green space that would enhance the area. Stringer stated they have attempted to define their use of the roadway and identify areas of concern for the City to look at. Kellogg asked whether the school can identify any areas where they think undesired pedestrian crossings would occur. Stringer stated their main area of concern is from the middle school to the high school since there is no crosswalk there. In the wintertime a snow berm is created to deter pedestrian traffic in that area. The other area of concern is people crossing from the east side to the west side, which the sidewalk on both sides of the roadway and crosswalk addresses. Stringer stated personally he would prefer a wider median. Kellogg stated on the south end, pedestrian traffic is not a problem, and the sidewalk on the west side and the marked crossings on the roundabout would assist with the pedestrian traffic. Kellogg stated the problematic area appears to be isolated near the middle school and the high school and that a compromise could be a wider median in that area. McMillan commented all members of the Council need to be comfortable with the plan and that it is a • moving target at this point. McMillan pointed out the most recent plan was only created on Friday, which has not left the Council much time to study the matter. Franchot indicated he would be willing to make a motion authorizing the City Engineer to proceed with the median/landscaping plan that was presented tonight,�with all boulevard trees being eliminated. McMillan, stated it comes down to a maintenance issue for her and the costs associated with that long- term. McMillan commented she would like to see an alternative depicting a narrower median. Franchot stated the maintenance costs appear to be low and that the School District has indicated a willingness to work with the City on the maintenance of the median. Franchot noted that there are also maintenance costs associated with concrete and that it is impossible to eliminate all maintenance costs. McMillan reiterated she would like to see an alternate plan depicting the narrower median. Kellogg pointed out that a sketch of a narrower median was included in the feasibility study and that the Council had decided to go with a wider median with landscaping. Printup stated the widening of the crossings was raised tonight along with the possibility of a maintenance agreement being entered into with the School District. Printup indicated he would be comfortable delaying a vote on this matter until a special meeting can be scheduled sometime in the next few days. Printup stated it appears the Council is okay with the three roundabouts. Loftus noted the soonest a special meeting could be scheduled would be Friday given the requirements for noticing the meeting. Page 13 of 15 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL. Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTRUCTIONPLAN UPDATE, Continued) Bremer noted she will be out of town on Friday and over the weekend. McMillan stated she would like to see the middle roundabout included in the plans, along with a sketch depicting the four foot median and the costs associated with that. Loftus asked what types of materials Mayor McMillan would like the median constructed out of McMillan indicated she would leave the materials to the engineers but that she would like to see a couple of options along with some fencing in certain areas. Bremer moved, Printup seconded, to schedule a special city council meeting for Monday, January 31St, at 8:00 a.m. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT None CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT *9. BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION (BCA) JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT (RENEWAL) — RESOLUTION NO. 6024 Bremer moved, Printup seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6024, a Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Orono on Behalf of its City Attorney and Police Department. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT None *10. LICENSES AND PERMITS RESIDENTIAL KENNEL LICENSES 1. Richard & Britt Gage 3. Marty Paradise 2180 Abingdon Way 825 Brown Road South 2. Jane Kline and Steve Bell 4455 West Branch Road Page 14 of 15 • is • • MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 24, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. LIQUOR LICENSES 4. Club on Sale and Sunday Liquor Spring Hill Golf Club Jeffrey Kringen 725 Sixth Avenue North TOBACCO LICENSE 5. Navarre Liquors 9. Wayzata Country Club Richard Wood Lee Walters 3421 Shoreline Drive 200Wayzata Boulevard West 6. Spring Hill Golf Club 10. O' Sullivans Holiday Jeffrey Kringen John O'Sullivan 725 Sixth Avenue North 2420 Shoreline Drive 7. Navarre Amstar 11. O' Sullivans Holiday LeRoy Koehnen John O'Sullivan 3360 Shoreline Drive 3340 Shoreline Drive 8. Lakeview Golf of Orono, Inc. Grant Wenkstern 12. AllBrand Stores Jason Knacke 405 North Arm Drive 2160 Wayzata Boulevard West Bremer moved, Printup seconded, to approve the above listed licenses. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *11. BILLS Bremer moved, Printup seconded, to approve payment of the All Funds Account. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. ADJOURNMENT Franchot moved, Printup seconded, to adjourn the Orono City Council meeting at 9:28 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. ATTEST: Linda S. Vee, City Clerk Lili Tod McMillan, Mayor • __ Page 15 of 15 - —