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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.a. Minutes of the May 6, 2008 City Council Special Work Session ProceedingsROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MAY 6, 2008 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special work session of the Rosemount City Council was duly held on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at 6:03 p.m. in the Conference Room at City Hall, 2875 145 Street West, Rosemount. Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members Baxter, Shoe Corrigan and Sterner attending. Council Member DeBettignies arrived shortly thereafter. Staff members present included Interim City Administrator /Community Development Director Lindquist, City Engineer Brotzler, Finance Director May, Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz, Project Engineer Aderhold, Operations Superintendent Cook, Assistant City Administrator Foster and City Clerk Domeier. DISCUSSION 2.A. Downtown Flowers Hanging Baskets, ENG 088 City Engineer Brotzler summarized the information provided in the staff report. He clarified that the brackets would take six to eight weeks to be delivered. Council Member Sterner suggested that volunteer groups, seniors and business owners could do the watering as a special project to help minimize costs. Mr. Brotzler stated that given the height of the flower pots it would not be feasible to water the plants by hand. He explained the type of equipment that would be used by Public Works for watering on 145 Street and on Highway 3. Mayor Droste was concerned about the costs since labor was not included. He suggested waiting a year for the project since the Library and Core Block East developments would be completed. Mr. Brotzler stated that watering on Saturday and Sunday could be overtime for the employees. He stated that in the heat of summer watering may need to be done twice a day. Mayor Droste found it more feasible to install bigger flower pots on the corners. Council Member Shoe Corrigan was concerned about the space available for flower pots on the comer. She wanted the Downtown to look nice in the summer. She also questioned if the summer help could be in charge of watering the plants. Mr. Brotzler stated that during the week the part-time help could water the flowers but for over -time it would have to be offered to the full-time employees as part of the union contract. Council Member Shoe Corrigan did not favor waiting a year to start the project. Mayor Droste thought it was not wise to spend money on the project given the current economy. Council Member Baxter favored doing half the light poles this year and half next year. Discussion continued regarding what poles should be included this year. Mr. Cook indicated it would be easier to maintain the poles located along 145 Street. The City Council decided to include 17 -18 poles along 145 Street. Council Member Shoe Corrigan requested that staff check into the labor issues. Mr. Brotzler stated that every measure would be taken to minimize the cost. City Administrator Lindquist stated that next year it would be budgeted to include the light poles along Highway 3 from the Core Block East project to the new library. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MAY 6, 2008 2.B. Quiet Zone Update Project Engineer Aderhold provided additional project handouts for discussion. Figure 1 Mr. Aderhold stated that Figure 1 starts at County Road 46 and extends all the way to Akron Avenue. At the diagnostic team meeting the City was told the crossing would need to be updated to a constant warning time improvement. He stated that the railroad was hesitant to give the costs and provided a range from $25,000 $150,000. The reasoning behind the large range of cost was because the amount of work and the length of the fiber optic extension were unknown. He added that the City would need to authorize Union Pacific's engineering costs which ranged from $5,000 $15,000 for updating the crossing arm's control box. City Engineer Brotzler pointed out that the engineering costs were for the design work for the control box and the constant warning time improvements. Mr. Aderhold added that the improvements were required for the establishment of the quiet zones. Figure 5 Mr. Aderhold stated that Figure 5 was located at Biscayne Avenue. Previously the plan had shown that north of the tracks there would be a 100 foot median and south of the tracks about a 30 foot median. To maintain full access to the north driveway for the ISD 917 school the median would need to be 100 feet for approval. He stated that he met with the school district and the district is aware of the median change and they were fine with a change in access. The cost does slightly increase for the improvements because of the 70 foot median extension. The total cost for the surface improvements was $70,000. He added that this crossing also required a constant warning time improvement upgrade with the same costs as the 160 crossing. Figures 2 -4 Mr. Aderhold stated that Figures 2 -4 were originally presented to the City Council with a median that was 60 feet in length close to the railroad tracks that would not affect Brazil Avenue. Since that time staff found out the length of the median would be measured differently so the median was pushed back. He stated that a survey was done to find out where the cross arm would exactly go down and that a 60 foot median would create a 3/4 access at the intersection of 145th and Brazil. That would eliminate a left out of Brazil Avenue. He stated that the City would need to submit this application to gain approval for the quiet zone approvals as it meets the 60 foot requirement. He noted that with the location of the driveway it would need to go to Washington DC for approval. He explained the set up of Figure 3 using the 100 foot median. He stated it would eliminate the left out and the left in and would be guaranteed approval. Chief of Police Kalstabakken noted that people would go through Rosemount Woods to get from Brazil Avenue to Connemara Avenue. Mr. Aderhold explained Figure 4 which is four -way crossing arms and stated it would cost the City approximately $300,000 to $400,000. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MAY 6, 2008 Council Member Sterner requested the engineer's recommendation. Mr. Brotzler stated that Option 1 required more review and provided no guarantee of approval, Option 2 would guarantee approval and that Option 3 meets the standards and keeps the access full. Mr. Kalstabakken was concerned about traffic going through the manufactured home park or making left turns that were not allowed. Council Member Shoe Corrigan thought having gates was the best option. Mayor Droste questioned the funding mechanisms for the quiet zones. Mr. Brotzler was not aware of any federal funding but would find out if they were eligible for state aid. He stated that safety by City Hall should be the number one issue. The City Council was interested in pursuing option 3 and looking at different funding options. Council Member Baxter did not favor spending a half million dollars. Interim City Administrator Lindquist stated that option 2 was cheaper and allowed for a right in and right out access. Mayor Droste expressed concern about people accessing Erickson Park Council Member DeBettignies was also concerned with access issues when using Option 2. Mr. Aderhold stated that Option 4 would be subject to annual review. He explained the risk of going with Option 4 including the potential loss of the quiet zone designation. He did not recommend the choosing that option. The City Council directed that engineering could be done at 160 and Biscayne. They also directed staff to move forward with Option 3 on 145 and to look for alternate funding. 2.C. City History Book Interim City Administrator Lindquist stated to have the history book available next summer the City Council would need to authorize the expenditure in the next three months to have it written and published. She stated there were no fundraising commitments in place and asked if the City Council wanted to upfront the cost. She added that fundraising could be done to reimburse the City funds but she was worried because obtaining funding for Leprechaun Days has been difficult. The City Council directed staff to wait until an adequate funding source was found. Motion by Droste. Second by Sterner. Motion to continue this meeting after the City Council meeting. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0. Motion carried. The work session was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. The Mayor reconvened the work session at 8:06 p.m. in the Conference Room with all Council Members, Assistant City Administrator Foster, Interim City Administrator /Community Development Director Lindquist, City Engineer Brotzler, Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz, Finance Director May and City Clerk Domeier were present. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MAY 6, 2008 2.D. Parks and Recreation Improvements Bond Referendum Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz requested direction on moving forward with the projects. Mr. Schultz stated that he and City Engineer Brotzler met with the landscape architect to discuss phasing the project. He added that DCTC starting grading the area where the new soccer fields will be located. He stated that St. Joseph's Church received written communication that they could start the design work on the new school. It was anticipated that the school would break ground this fall and begin school in the new facility in the fall of 2009. He added that church and school improvements were necessary to bring the buildings up to public use standards. Council Member Shoe Corrigan wanted an exit poll done to find out the demographics of the voters. Interim City Administrator Lindquist suggested doing a survey. Mayor Droste did not think it was prudent to spend funds on a survey. Council Member Baxter wanted the St. Joseph's renovations back on the November ballot. Council Member Sterner wanted the St. Joseph's renovations and the ORC back on the ballot in November. Ms. Lindquist questioned if it would be the same question and if the costs would be cut. Discussion ensued regarding voter turnout and the wording of the referendum question. Mr. Schultz pointed out that Apple Valley did surveys on their referendum beforehand. Mayor Droste suggested sending a letter to the local groups to find out how much they were willing to support the ORC. A majority of Council Members found the ORC to be a dead issue due to lack of support. Mr. Schultz indicated that monies were available in the park improvement funds to start grading. The City Council did not support the grading of the project. Mr. Schultz stated he had inquiries about fanning the land. The City Council would allow for the land to be farmed if the agreement was acceptable with City Attorney and Flint Hills Resources. Council Member Sterner supported surveying the residents. He thought both the arts and athletic groups could have done a better job promoting the referendum. Council Member Baxter suggested having RAAA pay for the survey. Discussion continued regarding the potential survey questions and the cost for doing only a partial survey on the pertinent issues. Mr. Schultz questioned what the direction would be if the voters turned down the church renovations again. Mayor Droste suggested using park funds to pay for the upgrades to the church. Mr. Schultz replied that it would be difficult to use park dedication funds for the church project. Council Member Baxter stated that if the voters did not want to invest in the church then the City should look for a developer. The City Council directed staff to do the following. 1) find out the demographics of the voters from April 22n 2) send a letter to community groups; 3) work with bond counsel for the wording of the question for the general election; and 4) find out the cost to do a partial community survey. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MAY 6, 2008 2.E. Rosemount Liquor License Violation Chief of Police Kalstabakken stated that Rosemount Liquors failed the April 24 compliance check. It was their fourth violation under the present ownership since 2005. He added that three of the four violations were within the past 37 months. He explained the penalty criteria that were set in the last consent order from November, 2007. Mr. Kalstabakken stated that per the Consent Order, Rosemount Liquor should serve an immediate 11 day suspension. He stated that Rosemount Liquor found the City's fines and penalties to be excessive compared to other cities and feared it would shut down their business. Mr. Kalstabakken stated that Rosemount Liquor would agree to the 11 day suspension if it could be served on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mr. Kalstabakken requested direction on proceeding with the current consent order which required the 11 day suspension. He questioned the support for allowing the suspension to occur on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. He added that Rosemount Liquors was willing to pay the civil fine but in lieu of serving the suspension they would donate proceeds to MADD or SADD. He explained that Minnesota Statutes did not allow the licensee to donate to organizations in lieu of serving the suspension or revocation. Mayor Droste stated the he and Interim City Administrator Lindquist would be meeting with the owners Thursday, May 8. Council Member Shoe Corrigan compared the Rosemount penalties to surrounding metro cities and did not find the City's rules to be that far out of line. She wanted the City to enforce the ordinance as written and stated the owners needed to accept the consequences and take responsibility. Council Member Baxter did not support the suspension being served only Monday through Wednesday. He suggested that Rosemount Liquor hire a company to do compliance checks on a monthly basis and provide the City with the reports. Council Member Shoe Corrigan did not agree to any negotiations with Rosemount Liquor. Mr. Kalstabakken explained that if the Rosemount Liquor did not accept serving the 11 day suspension they could appeal the decision and request a hearing. The City Council agreed that Rosemont Liquors should serve a consecutive 11 day suspension. UPDATES Interim City Administrator Lindquist stated she would be attending a meeting with the consultants for the EIS for the aggregate removal from the UMore site. Ms. Lindquist stated that AFSCME union members voted down the new inspector position proposed wage. She stated that John Kendall was hired for the position and would receive an interim wage. Council Member Baxter wanted to supply the Public Works Department with donuts or bagels for National Public Works Week. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MAY 6, 2008 Council Member Baxter requested support to do a Habitat for Humanity home or a program to build awareness of hunger or domestic abuse awareness. Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz will check with the Family Resource Center for ideas on different programs. Chief of Police Kalstabakken stated that a CSO did a drive by of the 116 foreclosed properties. He stated that approximately half were unoccupied. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Droste made a motion to adjourn the meeting, second by DeBettignies. The motion was adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Amy Domeier, City Clerk