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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2011 Council Minutes• is MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono City Council met on the above - mentioned date with the following members present: Outgoing Mayor James White, Incoming Mayor Lili Tod McMillan, Council Members Cynthia Bremer, Doug Franchot, and Aaron Printup. Representing Staff were City Administrator Jessica Loftus, City Attorney Soren Mattick, Finance Director Ron Olson, City Clerk Lin Vee, Assistant City Administrator of Long -Term Strategic Planning Mike Gaf &on, Planning Coordinator Melanie Curtis, City Engineer Tom Kellogg, and Recorder Jackie Young. Outgoing Mayor White called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. OATH OF OFFICE The oath of office of mayor was administered to Lili Tod McMillan. The oath of office of council member was administered to Cynthia Bremer. The oath of office of council member was administered to Aaron Hale Printup. (Mayor James White left the meeting at 7:14 p.m.) APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1. CONSENT AGENDA Item Nos. 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 12 -14 were added to the Consent Agenda. Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. RECOGNITION *2. FORMER MAYOR JAMES M. WHITE — RESOLUTION NO. 6015 Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6015, a Resolution of Appreciation to James M. White for Distinguished Service as Mayor and City Council Member. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *3. FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES L. MURPHY — RESOLUTION NO. 6016 Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6016, a Resolution of • Appreciation to James L. Murphy for Distinguished Service as City Council Member. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. Page 1 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ' ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. • APPROVAL OF MINUTES *4. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 13, 2010 Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 13, 2010, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. LMCD REPORT — ANDREW MCDERMOTT, REPRESENTATIVE McMillan noted that Mr. McDermott is slated to be appointed to the LMCD for 2011 later tonight. McDermott stated the LMCD will be allocating monies out of the Save the Lake Fund to help fund the Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol and purchase of equipment, the fourth year of the chemical treatment program, the Wayzata Fire Department to allow them to purchase fire rescue equipment and boat and safety equipment. The LMCD will be reviewing the Woodland Cove Development in Minnetrista in 2011. The developers of this site are proposing 129, boat storage units, which is 47 less than what they are entitled to based on the amount of shoreline. Once the development is complete, there will be over 1000 housing units as well as retail space along Highway 7. McMillan asked whether Woodland Cove would be considered an outlot situation. • McDermott indicated it primarily would be. Rather than dedicating certain homes with shoreline, they will be considering the shoreline area part of the dock/boat storage area and the individual properties will not own the shoreline. The dock permit will need to be renewed every year. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS — DENISE LESKINEN, REPRESENTATIVE Leskinen stated she had nothing to report but would be available for questions. PUBLIC COMMENTS None PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT *5. #07 -3334 KEVIN AND DENISE REILLY, 3405 HIGH LANE — PRELIMINARY PLAT EXTENSION — RESOLUTION NO. 6017 Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6017, a Resolution Granting a One -Year Extension to the Effective Period of Preliminary Plat Approval Established Per Resolution No. 5716. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. • Page 2 of 12 • MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT 6. OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PLAN UPDATE Kellogg stated since the last City Council meeting, Staff has met with the School District to give them an update on the plans for the Old Crystal Bay Road project. The School District had some questions, which were then addressed in the revised plans. The School District is presently in the process of reviewing those revised plans. Kellogg indicated they will be meeting with the School District next week and also with the owners of the medical facility. Kellogg noted the plans will also be submitted to Three Rivers Park District to allow them an opportunity to comment on the revised trail alignment. Realignments are necessary where the roundabouts are located. Kellogg reported they are still on schedule for the project as outlined in the feasibility report. They anticipate awarding the project at the May 9`h City Council project. Construction will then begin in late May related to areas off the street, with the utility and street work commencing after school is let out for the summer. Kellogg stated as it relates to median treatments, the City Council at a previous meeting had directed his office to allow for future improvements to the median but had not definitively decided on a final plan. • The Council has a couple of median options. One is to construct a narrow concrete median that did not allow for any plantings. The second option is to have a wider median that would allow for some plantings. Kellogg requested the Council determine which median they would like to pursue in the very near future. Kellogg displayed a number of pictures of different median options that include various types of landscaping. The City Council will need to make a decision on this in the next couple of weeks so it can be finalized in the plans and specifications. Franchot noted the City has authorized an issuance of bonds for this project and that the bids received on other projects over the past couple of years have been coming in lower than anticipated. Franchot recommended the City should consider doing the landscaping now rather than later to save some costs. Kellogg commented in his view the bids will come in at less than what was anticipated and that Council has the option to include landscaping as an alternate. Kellogg noted that the landscaping was discussed as a means to help promote crossings at specific locations. Franchot stated it is difficult for him to pick which landscaping option to choose without knowing what the costs will be. Franchot stated he would be agreeable with including the landscaping as an alternate but that his decision would need to be based in large part on the costs. Franchot commented he would like to see the median be attractive since this is a busy road and it would also help deter students from crossing the road at undesirable locations. Printup asked why the students are crossing the street at various locations. • Kellogg noted parking for the high school is located on the east side in front of the middle school, which is one of the reasons for students crossing the road. Page 3 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (6. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTRUCTIONPLAN UPDATE, Continued) Loftus stated the students also cross the street to access different activities on the fields and to catch the bus at the middle school. Kellogg stated school faculty also crosses the street at different points. Franchot stated the current layout of the road makes it more hazardous to cross and that parents currently are dissuading their children from walking or riding bike due to safety concerns. Printup stated spending money to make Old Crystal Bay Road more attractive is not appropriate and that safety of the road is the most appropriate. Printup asked what input the police department has provided on the layout and the ability for them to respond promptly given the roundabouts. Kellogg indicated the input of Police Chief Farniok has been received throughout this process on the design and layout of the road. Kellogg pointed out three different median options were laid out previously that the Council felt were too expensive, so another option would be to bid it as an alternate. i� McMillan stated she does have a concern that the median will get so wide that it becomes another lane and that she would like to keep the road within the current parameters. Kellogg stated the design width of the new road is 11 feet whereas the current width is 12 feet. The • narrower road will help reduce speeds and improve safety. McMillan commented a wide median without landscaping would be a waste of space. Kellogg stated the question raised in the past has been whether the City has the money to landscape now or to design the project so the landscaping can be incorporated in the future. McMillan stated another issue to look at would be whether irrigation would be necessary, which is something the City has not historically done. McMillan commented she does not want to have a median with nothing in it. Kellogg stated the width of the median will need to be determined in order for them to finalize the plans and specifications. Bremer asked what size median is being considered. Kellogg stated a two to three foot median of solid concrete was discussed as well as a four to five foot median. Franchot noted the landscaping in the median will also serve as a barrier to pedestrians. Franchot pointed out there are no private residences along Old Crystal Bay Road and that it really is a public thoroughfare. He commented he does not see this project being turned into requests from private residences for beautification. • Page 4 of 12 • MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 7.00 o'clock p.m. (6 OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTRUCTIONPLAN UPDATE, Continued) Franchot stated it would make sense to spend a little bit of money to make this area attractive since it is the entrance for the schools, the city hall, and the police department. A one to three foot concrete median would give it a more industrial look, which is not a good reflection of Orono's rural philosophy. McMillan stated she personally does not believe in irrigating roadways and that the City should look at hardier plants. Bremer commented she would like to know what the costs of the landscaping options are before making a decision. Bremer questioned what impact a narrower median would have on snowplowing and stated that a raised median would help deter people from crossing in areas where there were not crosswalks. Bremer stated she does have a concern with smaller plantings and the possibility that kids will walk across them as well as the possibility that the plants could possibly block motorists' views of anyone crossing. Bremer commented she would prefer a raised median, which would likely prevent people crossing the road at undesirable locations. Kellogg stated if the Council does not desire any median treatments, they should make that decision tonight. The project is at a point where if the City does want to bid the landscaping as an alternate, they will need to know that by the next meeting. • Kellogg stated he has gotten the impression that the City Council would like to see something natural, does not require irrigation, and would help deter people from crossing the street except at the designated crosswalks. Kellogg indicated he could put together some options for the next meeting. McMillan noted there will be landscaping contained within the roundabouts. Kellogg stated their office's landscape architect could discuss this with the Council at their next meeting. McMillan concurred that a raised median would send a better message that people should not cross at that area. Kellogg stated they will look at different options and bring them back for Council consideration at their next meeting. Kellogg noted since this is a state aid funded project, there are some deadlines that the City needs to meet and that they are allowing six weeks for review by the state. Kellogg indicated the review person at the state is retiring in June and they have not currently found a replacement, which could create a backlog. McMillan asked about access to city hall. Kellogg indicated the current access to city hall will change and will be incorporated into the southern roundabout. Kellogg noted that concept was discussed with the City Council and School District previously. Kellogg illustrated on the overhead the proposed layout of the road and the access to city hall. The police • chief has indicated he would like the access to the police station to be separate from the city hall access. Page 5 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (6. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTR UCTION PLAN UPDATE, Continued) Printup asked whether there is any concern about parents or students using Kelley Parkway or Highway 6 as a shortcut. Kellogg stated those will not be shortcuts and that student parking on Kelley will be eliminated this coming year. In addition,.the existing sidewalk that stops at the end of Stone Bay will be extended and a sidewalk will be constructed along the north side that will connect to the regional trail. McMillan asked whether MSA money will pay for the sidewalk. Kellogg indicated it will only pay for the portion necessary for the roundabout and that the sidewalks will also be bid as an alternate. Franchot noted the southern roundabout was laid out further east to diminish the need to take more land from the school. Franchot asked whether the possibility to move the roundabout 15 feet to the west has been discussed with the School District. Kellogg indicated that has been discussed with the School District and that there has been a further reconfiguration of the plan that is not reflected on the overhead. If the roundabout is moved further to the west, some parking would need to be eliminated. McMillan asked whether the plan includes only two roundabouts. Kellogg stated they are proceeding with only two roundabouts since the school has not indicated any interest in paying for the third roundabout. Kellogg noted the City will need to go through the state aid design review process since this is a state aid project and that the plans will need to be finalized within the next couple of weeks. Franchot stated it is important to balance the near term with the long -term since this road will be here for the next 50 years. Kellogg indicated they have also been working with the School District's PR person to help disseminate information on the project. The City has also received a commitment from the School District that some students will help with the project by creating a model of the buildings along the corridor, which will be used to help simulate traffic movements. Bremer recommended that the traffic simulation be made available to Council Member Printup. Kellogg reported on the Orono Orchard Road project. Bonestroo has been coordinating the project with the Metropolitan Council to allow for installation of a force main. They are nearing the completion of that agreement and the City Attorney has reviewed the agreement. They have been working with Karen Keenan on the cost sharing. A feasibility report will need to be prepared and they are anticipating bidding the project in the fall of 2011, with construction commencing in the spring of 2012. • • Kellogg stated as it relates to the Infraseek project, the City currently has a permit with the Pollution Control Agency, which expires in June of 2011. The PCA is in the process of rewriting the new permit • that will go into effect and one of the things that the City will be required to do is map all of their storm Page 6 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (6. OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD RECONSTRUCTIONPLAN UPDATE, Continued) water ponds by June of 2011. The Public Works Department did start going out and mapping the ponds that they are aware of but they have halted that for the time being due to the snow. Kellogg indicated his office can take some of that information and start building the map but that it will need to be completed once the snow melts. Kellogg stated he will bring this item back at the next City Council meeting to discuss the costs related to the project. Kellogg reported the lift station 12 located at Wayzata Boulevard and Brown Road will be operational the first part of February. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Franchot reported the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission is continuing to make progress on the fiber optics to the premise project and that the LMCC will be conducting a market survey that will help gauge the community needs and support groups for the project. The LMCC has been exploring different ways to conduct the survey and they are looking at options to install fiber optic cable at no cost to the City. Franchot stated it likely will be a telephone survey to approximately 2300 residences within the LMCC service area. McMillan asked when the survey results are expected to be available. Franchot stated their contract requires the results to be in by March. Printup suggested the LMCC be contacted to televise the City Council meetings. Franchot indicated he is agreeable to televising the meetings. Bremer stated it is her understanding the council chambers have been wired for that. Loftus indicated she will have someone come in and look over the facility. Franchot stated there should be very little cost to televising the meetings and that the majority of the cities do televise their meetings. Bremer welcomed Council Member Printup to the City Council and congratulated Lili McMillan on being elected mayor. McMillan stated she did receive some a -mails from residents during the campaign who currently do not have access to broadband and that they were hoping the City could help them obtain that service. McMillan noted private companies currently provide that service but that perhaps Staff could let those companies know that there are gaps in the service. Franchot stated the companies are aware of the gaps and that they have not expressed an interest in • widening their service area. Franchot noted the LMCC currently has no control over the Internet and that one of the goals of the fiber to the premise project is to help increase the community's ability to control the information highway. Page 7 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT, Continued) Franchot stated Dick Woodworth would be willing to sit down with the residents and that perhaps Tonka Connect could assist with that. McMillan commented she would like the City to pursue as many avenues as possible to provide that type of service to all of Orono's residents. McMillan noted the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is proposing revisions to some storm water rules and that Gaffron had written a response letter as it relates to the water resources plan. McMillan asked whether a storm water rule and AIS is also being changed. Gaffron stated the LMCD has put together a letter to the Watershed District regarding the rule changes, which will be sent tomorrow. Jessie Carlson from Bonestroo has been attending the meetings and keeping Staff abreast of the proposed changes. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT *7. HENNEPIN COUNTY MITIGATION PLAN — RESOLUTION NO. 6018 Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6018, a Resolution Adopting the Hennepin County All- Hazard Mitigation Plan. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *8. ANIMAL IMPOUND AGREEMENT (CROSSROADS ANIMAL SHELTER) Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to approve the City of Orono Animal Impound Agreement with Crossroads Animal Shelter for animal (dog) impounds for 2011 and 2012. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *9. DECLARATION OF A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER — . RESOLUTION NO. 6019 Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6019, a Resolution Declaring a Vacancy in the Office of Council Member of the City of Orono. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. 10. INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR COUNCIL VACANCY Loftus reported they have received eight applications for the.vacancy on the City Council and that she would recommend adding February 14"' to the interview schedule. The Council would still be able to appoint someone on the 14"' or postpone it to the 28th if the Council feels they need additional time. Loftus noted she has allotted 30 minutes for each interview and that the Council's packet also contains some sample interview questions and an evaluation form. Franchot commented in his view the 30 minutes is preferable over the 10 minutes that has been allotted in the past for interviews. Franchot stated if the appointment is delayed to the 28h, the Council would also have time to interview people a second time if they so desire. • Page 8 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (I0. INTER VIEWSCHEDULE FOR COUNCIL VACANCY, Continued) Franchot commented that question numbers two, five, and seven are throw -away questions and suggested that other questions be compiled that will allow better insight into someone's thinking on different topics; such as, what is your position on the City's strategic direction and how would they change it if they had the opportunity. Bremer stated she would like to speak to every candidate but that she would prefer the Council not appoint someone the same day the last interviews are conducted. Bremer commented in her view the 30 minute time slots should be ample time. Bremer recommended an alternate date be set for the appointment and that some additional time should be allotted in the event a second interview is desired. It was the consensus of the City Council to schedule February 28"' as the date to fill the council vacancy. Franchot moved, Printup seconded, to approve the council interview schedule as outlined in the January 10, 2011, City Administrator's Memorandum, with February 28th being scheduled as the date to fill the council vacancy, with the understanding that all eight candidates will be interviewed initially and additional time allotted on February 281h to schedule a second interview with the top prospective candidates if deemed appropriate. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. • 11. ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS — RESOLUTION NO. 6020 Loftus stated in front of the Council are recommendations by the Mayor and Staff for various appointments for 2011. McMillan noted the Dakota Rail and County Road 19 Trail Advisory Committees have been eliminated since those projects are either completed or nearing completion. Franchot stated in his opinion the Big Island Committee is no longer needed and that Staff could finish off the work that still remains to be completed. McMillan stated she would like the committee to help finish the management plan Gaffron stated they are anticipating the management plan will be completed by March, and that he would recommend keeping.the committee for another six months. Franchot commented he was surprised to see Aaron Printup nominated for acting mayor and asked what Mayor McMillan's rationale is for that appointment since this is Council Member Printup's first year on the Council. McMillan stated Aaron Printup shares a similar philosophy and concerns for the future of the City as she does and that she would like a new person to look at how the City governs and the process that is followed. McMillan indicated Printup has done a tremendous amount of research into the history of the • City and its philosophy in the past few months and was also the top vote getter in the election, which is a statement from the citizens that they have confidence in his ability to be an elected leader of Orono. Page 9 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (II. ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS, Continued) Franchot noted it is generally the practice to appoint the second most senior council member as the acting mayor. Bremer stated she is fine with not being recommended to serve as acting mayor and that Mayor McMillan has the right to appoint who she feels is capable of the job. Bremer cautioned the Council to be mindful of the fact that they need to leave room for the new person on the various committees and that perhaps during the interview process they could ask the candidates where their interests lie. Bremer moved, Franchot seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6020, a Resolution Designating Selected Appointments for the Year 2011. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *12. SELECTION OF DATE FOR 2011 LOCAL BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to establish Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., as the date and time or the 2011 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *13. EXTENSION OF HENNEPIN COUNTY ELECTRONIC PROPRIETARY DATA BASE (EPDB) AGREEMENT — RESOLUTION NO. 6021 r: Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6021, a Resolution Authorizing • the City of Orono to Extend an Agreement for the Use of Hennepin County's Electronic Proprietary Data Base. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *14. ACCEPT DONATION FROM PAULUCCI —RESOLUTION NO. 6022 Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6022, a Resolution Acknowledging a Donation from Gina J. Paulucci. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT None 15. LICENSES & PERMITS McMillan stated she would like to discuss the permit for Big Island. Gaffron stated he has spoken with Gordon Bowers and that his organization is looking to use a portion of the beach on Big Island for one week to hold a sailing school and to store their boats overnight. Bowers stated the sailing school has been in existence since 1975 and that they hold sailing classes from June through September every year. This year the yachting association is hosting a five -state event at Deephaven, which requires them to find a different location for the sailing school for that week. Page 10 of 12 • • NIINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (15. LICENSES & PERMITS, Continued) McMillan asked whether there would be overnight storage of the boats on Big Island. Bowers indicated they would be stored overnight. McMillan asked where the boats would be stored. Gaffron illustrated on the overhead the proposed location. Bowers stated based on their estimates of past attendance, they will likely have in the area of 50 students and ten 14 -foot boats and another ten 8 -foot long boats. The ages of the students range from 7 to 16 years old. Bowers stated in his opinion the boats will not take up much space. McMillan asked how much space on the beach will be utilized during the day. Bowers stated there would be a pontoon boat to ferry the students to Big Island at about 8:30 a.m. The class would start at 9:00 a.m. beginning with a short lecture period. The students would then sail from 10 a.m. to Noon, eat lunch, and then sail again from 1:00 -4:00 p.m. The teachers are very conscious of the weather and are very safety conscious in addition to being CPR certified. Franchot noted Bowers has also assisted in the past with the day camp on Big Island. McMillan asked what arrangements have been made for restroom accommodations. Bowers stated they will also have six inflatable coach boats available, which will take them back to Lighthouse Island to use the restroom and eat lunch. SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT — BIG ISLAND PARK Applicant: Lake Minnetonka Sailing School/Gordon G. Bowers, Jr. Event: Sailing School for Children Ages 7 -16 Location: Northeast Side of Big Island Beach Date: August 14 — August 19, 2011 Time: 9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. RESIDENTIAL KENNEL LICENSES 2. Frank and Melissa Plachecki 3685 North Shore Drive 3. Gregg Rutter 900 Dakota Avenue Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to approve the above Iisted Iicenses. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. Page 11 of 12 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 10, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. *16. BILLS Franchot moved, Bremer seconded, to approve payment of the All Funds Account. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. ADJOURNMENT Printup moved, Bremer seconded, to adjourn the Orono City Council meeting at 8:40 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. ATTEST: .'� ��.��✓ �' (lit -2� Linda S. Vee, City Clerk Lili Tod McMillan, Mayor Page 12 of 12