City
Council Meeting Minutes
March 22, 2010
1. Roll Call
Acting Mayor Johnson called to
order the Roseville City Council regular meeting at approximately 6:00 pm and
welcomed everyone. (Voting and Seating Order for March: Roe; Pust; Ihlan;
Johnson; and Klausing). City Attorney Caroline Bell Beckman was also present.
Mayor Klausing had previously advised that he would not be available for
tonight’s meeting.
2. Approve Agenda
Councilmember Ihlan requested
removal of Consent Items 7.b, f, h respectively entitled, “Approve General
Purchases and Sale of Surplus Items in Excess of $5,000;” “Approve Request by
Clearwire, LLC for a Conditional use for Telecommunication Equipment to be
Mounted onto a Commercial Building at 2233 Hamline Avenue (PF10-007);” and
“Adopt an Ordinance Amending Title 103.01, Section B, City Primary Election
Date and Title 1010.03, Section 10, Posting Political Signage.”
By consensus, the agenda was
approved as amended.
3. Public Comment
Acting Mayor Johnson called for
public comment by members of the audience on any non-agenda items. No one
spoke.
4.
Council Communications, Reports, Announcements and Housing and
Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Report
a. Quarterly Housing and
Redevelopment Authority Report
HRA Chair Dean Maschka and
Executive Director Patrick Trudgeon were present to provide a quarterly update
to the City Council on HRA activities.
A Bench Handout entitled,
“Roseville Housing and Redevelopment Agency – 2010 Work Plan,” was provided.
Executive Director Trudgeon
reviewed 2009 accomplishments and provided highlights of some of those events
and activities, including: adoption of a new Strategic Plan; re-branding of the
annual Home and Garden Fair to emphasize “Living Smarter, Living Green” and recognized
sponsors, vendors, City staff, and community volunteers; Sienna Green (Har Mar
Apartments) redevelopment; continued funding of the Neighborhood Enhancement
Program (NEP); completion of the Multi-Family Housing Needs analysis; HRA staff
assistance in implementation and administration of the Westwood Village I
Housing Improvement Association (HIA) assessment project; and hosting of a
Realtor Day to promote amenities of the community. Mr. Trudgeon provided
comparison foreclosure information for the City of Roseville for 2009 and 2010
to-date, along with comparisons to other communities in Ramsey County. Mr.
Trudgeon noted that this year’s Home and Garden Fair came closer to the goal of
being a “zero waste” event, with 97.9% waste recovery compared to 95.6% in
2009.
HRA Chair Dean Maschka provided
preliminary information on a potential public/private development opportunity
for multi-family housing, with more detailed information available to the City
Council in July; highlighted recent meetings with the Dakota County Community
Development Agency (CDA) for county-wide funding ideas, as they served as one
of the largest providers of housing in the State of MN.
Councilmember Roe noted, on the
2010 work plan, that the rental registration data was now being compiled for
the two-year trial period, and expressed his anticipation of that report in the
near future from the HRA.
5. Recognitions,
Donations, Communications
Councilmembers Ihlan and Roe
announced upcoming educational and informational opportunities available to the
community, with additional information available on the City‘s website or by
contacting City Hall. Those opportunities included the upcoming 7-week
Roseville University for a behind-the-scenes look at Roseville’s local
government, with information and interaction with all City departments,
scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 15, 2010 (registration deadline March 31,
2010 - call 792-7001); public informational meeting scheduled this week on the
Fairview Pathway improvements as part of the Northeast Suburban Connector Route
from County Road B-2 to the U of MN campus system (contact City Engineer Debra
Bloom at 792-7042); and the second open house for the Zoning Ordinance Update
this week to bring the City’s Ordinances into compliance with the
recently-updated Comprehensive Plan (contact Thomas Paschke at 792-7074).
Councilmember Roe also announced
communication scholarships available from the City’s cable franchisee Comcast,
through the North Suburban Cable Commission (NSCC), with an application
deadline of April 9, 2010, and additional information available at CTV15.org.
6. Approve Minutes
a.
Approve Minutes of March 8, 2010 Regular Meeting
Roe moved, Johnson seconded,
approval of the minutes of the March 8, 2010 Regular meeting as amended.
Corrections:
·
Page 14, lines 11-13 (Roe)
Correct to read:
“Councilmember Roe concurred
[noted] that increasing density didn’t have a tie-in with Imagine
Roseville 2025, even [noting] that strategies discuss it
in terms of looking at affordability and less cost per unit if higher density
buildings were involved.”
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
7.
Approve Consent Agenda
There were no additional changes to
the Consent Agenda than those previously noted. At the request of Acting Mayor
Johnson, City Manager Bill Malinen briefly reviewed those items being
considered under the Consent Agenda.
a. Approve
Payments
Pust moved, Roe seconded, approval
of the following claims and payments as presented.
|
ACH Payments
|
$773,400.20
|
|
57779 – 58009
|
565,249.39
|
|
Total
|
$1,338,649.59
|
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
c. Approve Knights of Columbus Bottle
Club License
Pust moved, Roe seconded, approval
of the request for a set-up Bottle Club License for the Knights of Columbus at
2233 North Hamline Avenue, Suite B-12, for the period of one year from March
31, 2010 to March 31, 2011.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
d. Receive
Quarterly Shared Services Update
Pust moved, Roe seconded, receipt
of the March 2010 Quarterly Shared Services staff update as detailed in the
Request for Council Action (RCA) dated March 22, 2010.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
e.
Accept National Tactical Officers Association Grant for tactical
Under Door Camera for East Metro SWAT
Pust moved, Roe seconded,
acceptance of the National Tactical Officers Association grant award in the
amount of approximately $7,000.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
g.
Approve an Agreement for Supplemental Law Enforcement Services on
Lake Owasso
Councilmember Pust questioned the
apparent increase in hours from 2009 to 2010 (from 36 to 42).
City Manager Malinen noted that
the fewer hours referenced the summer of 1997.
Councilmember Ihlan questioned why
Lake Owasso was the only lake for which supplemental services were contracted;
and if this was the only such request or if residents on other lakes would be
requesting similar services and if citations would increase accordingly with extra
coverage.
Acting Police Chief Rick Mathwig
advised that this supplemental agreement was a carryover from 1997 when first
initiated; and that to-date other homeowners have not requested additional
coverage nor had the City solicited their interest.
Councilmember Ihlan, opining that
it was a fairness concern, suggested that such coverage be provided on all
lakes in the community, or other alternatives be sought.
Pust moved, Roe seconded, an
Agreement for Supplemental Law Enforcement Services between the City of
Roseville and Ramsey County for supplemental law enforcement services on Lake
Owasso in 2010, in accordance with the City’s Collaboration and Cooperation
Policy.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
i.
Accept a Ramsey County Homeland Security and Emergency Management
$7,567.70 Grant for the purchase of 800 MHz Radio Equipment
Pust moved, Roe seconded,
authorization for the Fire Department to accept a grant from the Ramsey County
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division in the amount of $7,567.70,
for the purchase of Radio Equipment.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
8.
Consider Items Removed from Consent
a.
Approve General Purchases and Sale of Surplus Items Exceeding
$5,000 (former Consent Agenda Item 7.b)
Councilmember Ihlan requested a
more detailed analysis of those repairs needed for the existing versus the cost
of a new vehicle.
Acting Fire Chief Tim O’Neill
advised that transmission repairs alone, continuing to worsen over the last few
years had been estimated at $4,000; with electrical and air conditioning
repairs in addition.
Roe moved, Pust seconded, approval
of general purchases and/or contracts as follows:
|
Department
|
Vendor
|
Item/Description
|
Amount
|
|
Fire
|
Elk River
Ford
|
2010 Cargo Van XLT
*Replacing
current 12-year old
Fire
Marshal vehicle at 94,000
miles
and in need of repairs
|
$20,601.28
|
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
b.
Approve Request by Clearwire, LLC for a CONDITIONAL USE for
Telecommunication Equipment to be mounted onto a Commercial Building at 2233
Hamline Avenue (PF10-007) (former Consent Item 7.f)
Councilmember Ihlan noted that no
one from the public had attended the Public Hearing held at the Planning
Commission level, and verified with staff the scope of mailed notice provided,
and whether it extended to Sandhurst Drive on the south.
Associate Planner Bryan Lloyd
advised that standard mailed notice to property owners within 500’ of the
subject property had been provided, in accordance with City policy, in addition
to publication in the Roseville/Little Canada Review; with the boundary
of the postcard map indicating that the notice area had extended south to
County Road B beyond Sandhurst Drive.
Roe moved, Pust seconded, adoption
of Resolution No. 10796 entitled, “A Resolution Terminating City Council
Resolution 9413 and Approving the Installation of Telecommunication Equipment
on the Commercial Building at 2233 Hamline Avenue as a Conditional Use in
Accordance with Roseville City Code, Section 1014.01 (PF10-008).”
Councilmember Ihlan questioned if
this replaced the previous resolution, with Mr. Lloyd responding affirmatively.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
c.
Adopt an Ordinance Amending Title 103.01, Section B, City Primary
Election Date and Title 1010.03, Section 10, Posting Political Signage (former
Consent Item 7.h)
City Manager Malinen briefly
reviewed the Request for Council Action (RCA) dated March 22, 2010 in
accordance with provisions of recent legislation changing the date of the State
primary election to the second Tuesday of August; and to also revise City Code
to allow political campaigns to post campaign signs forty-six (46) days before
a primary election.
Councilmember Pust noted that most
communities were allowing political signs sixty (60) days prior to the primary
election rather than that proposed for the City of Roseville, and sought
rationale for this specific recommendation.
Mr. Malinen advised that he
surmised that the recommendation was to be consistent with the prior timeframe
for the primary election.
Councilmember Pust suggested that
the City should be consistent with other communities, or with best practices;
and suggested that this provision be brought back at a later date once it was determined
whether or not sixty (60) days was more consistent.
Councilmember Ihlan suggested that
state language be used in the City’s language provisions for the change in
primary election to the second Tuesday in August, parallel to previous language
and for consistency with state law and to avoid having to reference state
statutes.
Councilmember Roe suggested that
it may make more sense for the language to be stated the same as the state
primary rather than changing the City’s ordinance; while recognizing the
rationale in not needing to reference a separate document. On the timing for
political signs, Councilmember Roe questioned if there was any state law
addressing sign posting for state elections; and suggested that the City’s Code
be as consistent as possible with State Statute.
Councilmember Pust advised that
she had researched this earlier today, including an e-mail to the City’s
legislative delegation, when she was unable to find when they changed their
sign restrictions based on information from the Reviser’s Office.
Councilmember Pust expressed
support for the proposed Ordinance Amendment when additional information on the
signage portion was available from peer communities.
Councilmember Ihlan noted that the
City was not the only entity having local elections, but that both School
Districts held elections in odd years; and suggested that the primary election
information be described more generically rather than State Statute references
for even year elections, consistent with language in previous ordinance.
Councilmember Roe suggested that
the sign portion of the ordinance be held until more information was made
available.
Roe moved, Johnson seconded,
enactment of Ordinance No. 1389 entitled, “An Ordinance Amending Title 103.01,
Section B, City Primary Election Date;” in accordance with State Statute and as
detailed in the proposed ordinance language included as an attachment to the
RCA included in the agenda packet, amending the language in the last line of
the proposed ordinance to read…the same date of as the state
primary election.
Councilmember Ihlan suggested that
both portions of the proposed Ordinance language be delayed until more
information is provided on the political sign issue; and after consulting with
both School Districts for their preference.
Councilmember Roe noted that City
Code didn’t set School District election dates.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; and Johnson.
Nays: Ihlan.
Motion
carried.
9.
General Ordinances for adoption
10. Presentations
11. Public
Hearings
a.
Public Improvement Hearing for Rice Street / TH 36 Bridge
Reconstruction Project
City Engineer Debra Bloom provided
a project overview of the proposed improvements for the Rice Street / Highway
36 Bridge Reconstruction Project, and specifics related to Roseville’s portion
of the project. Ms. Bloom reviewed the need for the project; noted meetings of
a Citizen’s Technical Group over the last three years; outlined multiple
funding sources; and provided a history of the current bridge built in
approximately 1950 and design components of the new bridge that will be wider
and allow additional traffic lanes, including aesthetic and lighting
improvements, accommodation of non-motorized traffic including sidewalks on
both sides of Rice Street, signals with pedestrian timers and ADA audible
controls, and medians with streetscape amenities. Ms. Bloom noted that both
the Cities of Little Canada and Roseville had initiated a request to Xcel
Energy for burying utility services. City of Roseville public utility
improvements as part of the project include storm sewer improvements, watermain
replacement at County Road B and along the entire Rice Street corridor proposed
for this phase of improvement, and sanitary sewer relocation in the Trunk
Highway 36 right-of-way.
Ms. Bloom noted the estimated
project cost was $28,700,000, with funding from federal, state, Cities of
Roseville, Little Canada and Maplewood, Xcel Energy through a customer
franchise fee for the Cities of Little Canada and Roseville, and other funds
including the state bonding bill. Ms. Bloom advised that tonight’s public
hearing was for the purpose of hearing public comment concerning Roseville’s
estimated portion of assessable costs to benefiting property owners in the
amount of $473,080. Ms. Bloom reviewed the City’s current assessment policy
for 25% of road construction costs to benefiting properties, with engineer’s
estimates of assessable frontages at 1,791.06 at 100% of those costs at $155.93
per foot; and reviewed policy calculation methods for commercial properties.
Ms. Bloom noted that another public hearing would be held following completion
of the project in 2011, at which time assessments would be finalized based on
actual construction costs, with deferrals available to property owners upon
meeting of specific criteria.
Ms. Bloom concluded by providing a
breakdown of the City’s project funding, which included Municipal State Aid
(MSA) funds of $209,460; Special Assessments at $69,820; and Water Utility
Funds at $193,800 for a total of $473.080. In conclusion, Ms. Bloom provided
the proposed construction schedule, indicating a proposed bid opening in May of
2010; construction of the east side of Rice Street from June through the fall
of 2010; construction of the west side from May to the fall of 2011; with Rice Street
proposed to remain open throughout the construction work. Ms. Bloom advised
that plans and specifications were available at City Hall for public review by
contacting staff.
Acting Mayor Johnson opened the
Public Hearing at 6:52 p.m. for the purpose of hearing public comment on the
proposed improvement and plans and specifications for the Rice Street / TH 36
Bridge Reconstruction Project.
Public Comment
Barbara Ankrum, 2489 Rice
Street – Suite 40, Property Manager
Ms. Ankrum presented to Ms. Bloom
for the record, a formal written objection to the proposed assessments for the
properties at 2345 and 2353 Rice Street, of which she was Property Manager and
representing the property owner, who was unavailable for tonight’s meeting.
Ms. Ankrum summarized that the property owner was adamantly opposed to the
proposed assessments, opining that they served no benefit and actually
decreased property values.
Acting Mayor Johnson closed the
Public Hearing at 6:54 p.m. with no one else appearing to speak for or against.
12. Business
Items (Action Items)
a.
Adopt a Resolution Ordering the Improvement and Approving Plans
and Specifications for the Rice Street / TH 36 Bridge Reconstruction Project
Discussion included the age of the
watermain and sewer infrastructure proposed for replacement by the City of
Roseville, with 12” and 8” cast iron pipe estimated to be 50 years old and
susceptible to breakage; review of the procedure for challenging an assessment
at the time actual costs are determined in approximately September of 2011; and
benefits of the project in traffic management, pedestrian and bicycle safety
amenities, and replacement of a dilapidated bridge.
Public Works Director Duane
Schwartz noted that the City’s portion of street costs had been identified by Ramsey
County, with the City’s Utility Fund bearing the costs for their replacement
and not included in assessment projections. Mr. Schwartz advised that the
Cities of Little Canada, Maplewood and Roseville had initiated the project
early on behalf of the expansion of St. Jude’s Medical; and requested that if
additional funds were available or if bids come in lower than projected, those
funds be used to reduce the overall assessment costs.
Pust moved, Ihlan seconded,
adoption of Resolution No. 10797 entitled, “Resolution Ordering the Improvement
and Approving Plans and Specifications for the Rice Street / TH 36 Bridge
Reconstruction Project.”
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
b.
Appoint Members to the Parks and Recreation and Police Civil
Service Commissions
Two bench handouts were provided,
representing recommendations for appointment of candidates provided by Bob
Willmus, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, and by Mary Jean Turinia
Anderson, Chair of the Police Civil Service Commission.
Acting Mayor Johnson recognized
the number of quality candidates for these vacancies.
Candidates for the Police Civil
Service Commission included: Don Drackert; Debra Gogins; and Zoe Jenkins.
Pust moved, Ihlan seconded,
appointment of Don Drackert to the City’s Police Civil Service Commission for a
term ending March 31, 2013.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; and Ihlan.
Nays: Johnson.
Candidates for the Parks and
Recreation Commission included: Erin Azer; Bryan Donaldson; Randall Doneen;
Mark Kamrath; Michele Lind; Kevin Ronneberg; Eli Sagor; Duane Stolpe; and Sheri
Yaritz.
Roe moved, Johnson seconded,
appointment of Erin Azer and Randall Doneen to the City’s Parks and Recreation
Commission for terms respectively ending March 31, 2013.
Discussion included the process
for appointment and whether to appoint by separate motion; with Councilmember
Roe withdrawing his motion, allowing each Councilmember to provide their top
two selections to determine consensus.
Councilmembers Roe and Acting
Mayor Johnson remained in agreement with appointment of Azer and Doneen.
Councilmember Pust expressed her
enthusiasm for the quality of each candidate, and spoke in support of
appointment of Azer and Michele Lind.
Councilmember Ihlan suggested that
extension of the Parks and Recreation Commission be considered as discussed
during the interview process; and spoke in support of Eli Sagor and Doneen at
this time.
Councilmember Pust noted that the
consensus appeared to be consistent with the original motion.
Councilmember Roe noted that,
while expanding the Parks and Recreation Commission membership may be worth
further discussion and consideration, current ordinance specified nine members;
and changing that membership would require an ordinance change.
Councilmember Roe renewed his
original motion, with Pust seconding that motion.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
Councilmembers encouraged other
candidates to keep their interest in involvement with their local government;
and Councilmember Pust charged Councilmember Roe, as part of the Parks and
Recreation Master Plan group to get those candidates involved at that level.
c.
Consider the Request by Twin City Chinese Christian Church for a
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT to allow contemporary church uses at 2755 Long Lake Road
and in General Business (B-3) Districts generally (PF10-006)
Associate Planner Bryan Lloyd
briefly reviewed staff’s analysis of this request, as detailed in the RCA dated
March 22, 2010; and their recommendation for denial based on specifics outlined
in Section 6 of that report.
Discussion among staff, including
Mr. Lloyd and City Planner Thomas Paschke, and Councilmembers included
definitions of land use designations and those institutional uses included;
staff’s interpretation of the absence of specific reference to Institutional
land uses as not recommending those uses; current zoning code allowance of
church use only in District B-1 through a Conditional Use and surrounded by
neighborhoods in residential areas; possible locations of churches retrofitted
in strip malls of which the City is unaware of that use; and additional
Comprehensive Plan guidance.
Further discussion included
regional contemporary churches versus traditional neighborhood churches;
absence of discussion at the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee level on
which districts were suited for church use and whether excluded intentionally
or not; and staff’s determination that potentially high employment areas didn’t
support institutional uses, whether tax generating or not.
Applicant Representatives
Ron Wong, 2340 East 121st
Street, Burnsville, MN, Chair of Trustee Committee at Twin City Chinese
Christian Church (T4C)
Mr. Wong provided background and
historical information of the T4C church, specific to the regional and ethnic
nature of the church; and thanked staff for their assistance in pursuing this
application, along with the Planning Commission for their unanimous
recommendation for approval. The detail of this information is included in the
February 5, 2010 Zoning Text Amendment Application narrative (Attachment C) and
excerpt of the March 3, 2010 Planning Commission meeting minutes (Attachment
D), both included as part of the RCA dated March 22, 2010.
Thomas Peterson, Station 19
Architects, 2001 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN
Mr. Peterson provided additional
comments to the RCA, in addition to those addressed in the above-referenced
attachments, including the trend of current church models away from traditional
neighborhoods to regional contemporary “mini malls of ministry,” and related
parking and traffic generation considerations. Mr. Peterson opined that this
project would be of benefit to T4C and the City for purchase and improvement of
an available and currently vacant site in Roseville after a seven year search
by the congregation for a suitable location, as supported by the unanimous
support of the Planning Commission. Mr. Peterson referenced the Federal
Religious Land Use Act invalidating any loss of revenue argument and protecting
the right of a church to become a permitted use if other similar uses area
allowed; and requested City Council support of this application.
Public Comment
Eric Bluhm, Pastor with North
Heights Lutheran Church (Home address: 4008 Benjamin Place; Columbia Heights,
MN)
Mr. Bluhm provided City Manager
Malinen a written letter of support from the Roseville Ministerial Fellowship,
endorsing T4C’s request and recommending approval of their application.
Louis Eng, Roseville Resident
Mr. Eng, living several blocks
from the Twin lakes Redevelopment Area, spoke in support of the proposed church
location at the Denny Hecker site as opposed to near a more residential area,
given the potential impacts to residential housing creating more traffic on
weekends; while opining that the facility on Long Lake Road would be isolated
from those residential areas. Mr. Eng spoke in support of the provisions of
the Imagine Roseville 2025 vision for attracting diversity, and spoke in
support of the application of T4C as a great chance for the City to promote
this diversity.
Councilmember Roe spoke in support
of Institutional and church uses in other districts established throughout the
Comprehensive Plan, opining that the current zoning code, with approval of this
type of use by Conditional Use application made sense and allowed consideration
of impacts to surrounding neighborhoods. Councilmember Roe noted that his
concern was that this was a proposed zoning text amendment making this a
permitted use, not a conditional use; and was supportive of the Planning
Commission rationale in supporting it since the zoning code was changing soon;
and reiterated his support for Conditional Use.
Councilmember Pust noted
discussions at the Steering Committee level for Regional Business land use
designation based on traffic generation; and suggested that the real issue was
whether to take this property off the tax rolls for this non-profit use,
opining that such consideration was not appropriate criteria for
consideration. Councilmember Pust opined that this request was consistent
with the Imagine Roseville 2025 vision for diversity support; and that
it also provided another additional benefit provided by non-profits even when
weighed against less tax dollars; and spoke in support of the application and
proposed location.
Councilmember Ihlan opined that the basis for this decision was with the
Comprehensive Plan, and based on that alone, amendment of the zoning text was
not indicated and inconsistent. Councilmember Ihlan provided her interpretation
of applicable land use categories and Institutional use in those categories;
and spoke in opposition to the application based on that interpretation.
City Attorney Caroline Bell
Beckman
City Attorney Caroline Bell
Beckman addressed the Religious Land Use Act as referenced by the applicant;
and elaborated on Councilmember discussion to-date related to not considering
this application based on tax exempt status; and in interpreting the
Comprehensive Plan and zoning amendment consistency.
Councilmember Johnson addressed
his interpretation of the Comprehensive Plan and its lack of support for this
use on this parcel; even though he was supportive of the T4C church and thought
it would be a wonderful addition to the community providing a vibrant presence and
value to Roseville; and spoke in opposition to the application.
Discussion included the majority
vote required to amend the Comprehensive Plan; realistic and problematic
current zoning not allowing church uses in anything but Institutional
Districts; staff’s rationale for not recommending a Conditional Use application
process to the applicant; process for consideration of a Comprehensive Plan
amendment; whether Institutional uses be allowed in B-3 Districts, consistent
with Regional Business land use category designations or exclusion in those
districts; potential consideration of specific zones addressing those uses to
match the Institutional land use designation; and other existing sites
designated as Institutional on the map when under consideration by the Steering
Committee; the advisability of a new Institutional use needing Comprehensive
Plan Amendment rather than the current Conditional Use process; and the request
for additional information accordingly.
Further discussion included the
time sensitivity of the application from the applicant’s perspective.
Jeff LeFavre, Integrust
Development Group, 3116 Chelsea Court, Burnsville, MN
Mr. LeFavre noted that this
request was coming forward after a seven year search by T4C, and expressed
concern that the seller may not be willing to grant additional time for the
church to pursue this issue before withdrawing the hold on the property under
contract.
Mr. Wong noted that the
application submitted was for amendment to existing zoning code for B-3
Districts, based on the advice of the City’s Planning Staff, and clarified that
the application didn’t specify Conditional Use or permitted use.
Pust moved, Roe seconded,
extending the approval period for 60 days, allowing for additional research by
staff for presentation to the City Council.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
Mr. Lloyd sought specific
direction for staff in providing additional information; with Councilmembers
requesting more study on why a Conditional Use couldn’t be considered;
clarification of whether a Comprehensive Plan Amendment was indicated since the
zoning was inconsistent with Comprehensive Plan; legal perspectives on whether
a temporary change to the Zoning Code to permit this was advisable when the
entire Code would ultimately be rewritten, and ramifications of creating a
non-conforming existing use.
Acting Mayor Johnson thanked the
applicant for their patience; assuring them that the goal was the best result
for them and the City.
d.
Consider Acquisition of Portions of a Property Located at 1885 –
1915 County Road C West
Economic Development Associate
Jamie Radel briefly summarized the RCA dated March 22, 2010 for Council
consideration due to timing constraints of the DEED grant stipulations that the
City must incur costs prior to December 31, 2010.
At the request of Councilmembers,
Ms. Radel clarified the specific portions of the property needed to complete
Phase II improvements (sidewalks and other amenities), and those areas for
right-of-way acquisition and those for temporary construction easements.
Roe moved, Pust seconded, adoption
of Resolution No. 10798 entitled, “Resolution Approving the Acquisition of
Property for Improvement to Twin Lakes Parkway and Prior Avenue;” approving the
acquisition of property at 1885 – 1915 County Road C West for utility and road
improvements associated with the Twin Lakes Phase II Infrastructure Project.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
e.
Consider the Request by Riaz Hussain to Amend CONDITIONAL USE to
allow Parking adjacent to Autumn Street to remain at 1901 Lexington Avenue
(PF10-002)
Mr. Lloyd provided a brief summary
of the RCA dated March 22, 2010.
Discussion among staff,
Councilmembers, and City Attorney Beckman included a legal counsel review of
this specific Conditional Use Permit and enforcement of nonconforming
conditions based on case law and based on the effect of the previously-approved
veterinary clinic use not in operation and unable to meet those conditions.
Ms. Beckman advised that the City
could have addressed the nonconformity in the past and revoked the Conditional
Use Permit at that time; however, the issue went unnoticed and was not
enforced.
Further discussion included public
safety and traffic conflict concerns and enforcement rights of the City to
address the parking area unrelated to the Conditional Use Permit; and the State
protection of legal, nonconforming uses prior to zoning ordinances prohibiting
them.
Roe moved, Johnson seconded,
DENIAL of the applicant’s request for Conditional Use Amendment, with the
request made moot in that the use is not in existence for the property.
Councilmember Ihlan noted that
action previously requested at the February 22, 2010 Council meeting included a
resolution to deny the request, including findings for that denial; and spoke
in support of denial based on those previous findings. The resolution is
attached as a bench handout.
Further discussion ensued, with
Councilmember Ihlan providing a copy of the resolution for consideration by the
City Council.
Roe moved, Johnson seconded,
adoption of Resolution No. 10799 entitled, “A Resolution DENYING an Amendment to
a Conditional Use Permit intended to Allow Existing Parking Areas Adjacent to
Autumn Street to Remain at 1901 Lexington Avenue (PF10-002);”
Councilmember Ihlan spoke in
support of the motion with findings as listed in the resolution, based on
public safety and traffic conflicts.
Councilmember Ihlan expressed
interest in exploring ways to enforce conditions of the CUP not tied to the
veterinary clinic used to address continuing concerns of the neighbors.
Councilmember Roe supported
looking at other ways to require removal of the parking areas, but opined that,
on the advice of the city attorney, those ways would likely not involve
enforcement of the conditions of the CUP.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Roe; Pust; Ihlan; and Johnson.
Nays: None.
Recess
Acting Mayor Johnson recessed the meeting at approximately
8:28 p.m. and reconvened at approximately 8:37 p.m.
13. Business
Items – Presentations/Discussions
a.
Parks and Recreation Presentation on Imagine Roseville 2025
Topics
A bench handout was provided by
Administration staff including additional workbook sheets that had been
inadvertently deleted from information provided in the packet.
Parks and Recreation Director
Lonnie Brokke and Assistant Director Jill Anfang were present for this
discussion, as part of continuing 2011 budget discussion.
Mr. Brokke provided an overview of
the department, and noted that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission had
reviewed the Imagine Roseville 2025 park and recreation-specific items
at their recent meeting, as well as the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
specifics.
Discussion included those vehicles
and equipment previously deferred (pathway machine, pick up, and trailer); Park
Improvement Program (PIP) items such as shelters, fencing, hockey rinks, tennis
court resurfacing and reconstruction and other infrastructure items not
necessarily considered equipment or included in the CIP; and incorporation in
the Park Master Plan process of many of the action steps in the Imagine
Roseville 2025 visioning process.
Further discussion included recent
improvements and bonding bill funding for improvements at the OVAL and Skating
Center and additional anticipated improvements; improvements at the Golf Course
(Enterprise Fund) both short and long-term; community, citizen and neighborhood
involvement related to parks and recreation addressed through the Master Plan
process; and neighborhood identity.
Mr. Brokke extolled the current
Parks and Recreation staff and their commitment and dedication, both full and
part-time employees. Mr. Brokke recognized the high level of volunteer
interest in the community, and their considerable fundraising provisions and
participation.
Mr. Brokke addressed several
challenges of the department with staff reductions that occurred over the last
several years and impacts on day-to-day operations; how to incorporate a
volunteer work force while providing them adequate direction, supervision,
training and monitoring; facility conditions and/or adequacy in meeting the
demand for programs; diseased and hazard tree concerns; and finalizing the
recent department reorganization by refining job descriptions and duties as
needed in coordination with the Human Resources Department.
Acting Mayor Johnson noted
Councilmember Ihlan’s interest in expanding the membership of the Parks and
Recreation Commission from the current nine members, and sought Mr. Brokke’s
perspective.
Mr. Brokke opined that nine
members represented a large commission and questioned the validity of expanding
the commission to address current community interest from potential candidates.
Additional discussion included the
current “volunteer” coordinator initially established as a pilot program;
sharing responsibility of that coordination among the Commission; promotion of
programs and recognition of volunteers; optimism that the current budget
process would capture nuances of the department as it becomes more refined and
programs/services were better analyzed; and how the Master Plan process may
define the department, priorities and branding of parks in the short and
long-term.
Mr. Brokke advised that more
detailed information would be brought forward to the City Council at their
April 12, 2010 meeting addressing potential themed or park constellations,
defining neighborhoods and park uses accordingly, including specific amenities
and connections to each other. Mr. Brokke further noted the reality of the
Citizen Advisory Team during the Master Plan process in identifying plan
creation and implementation as two different aspects.
Concluding discussion included
alerting the City Council if consideration of revised job descriptions would be
coming before them in the future as part of the budget process; benefits of and
coordination with the School Districts in shared facilities (Owasso, Parkview
and Fairview specifically); and the need for a statistically valid survey for
needs assessment.
b.
Public Works Presentation on Imagine Roseville 2025 Topics
Public Works Director Duane
Schwartz and City Engineer Debra Bloom were present for this discussion.
Mr. Schwartz advised that the
Public Works, Environment, and Transportation Commission would be discussing
the Imagine Roseville 2025 document at their meeting on Tuesday evening,
March 23, 2010. Mr. Schwartz advised that the Department considered the
majority of items included in the document part of their day-to-day operations
and mission for the City, most of which were easy to implement if adequate
resources were provided.
Mr. Schwartz noted the
considerable progress made in environmental issues through working to improve
water quality in coordination with area Watershed Districts; the amount of
staff time required in coordinating transportation projects with other agencies
and incorporation of “Complete Street” concepts in those improvement projects
through staff’s participation with those agencies.
Mr. Schwartz repeatedly expressed
the Department’s appreciation of the City Council’s support in implementing
programs, despite resource challenges; and expressed the Department’s support
for performance measurement and program budgeting, noting that the Public Works
Department had been tracking their budget allocations since the 1980’s in such
a way, allowing for greater efficiency. Mr. Schwartz sited the City’s Pavement
Management Plan (PMP) as a prime example and its performance to-date, and the
public’s perception of the city’s infrastructure, trails and sidewalks as
mentioned in the Imagine Roseville 2025 document. Mr. Schwartz
concurred with Mr. Brokke’s comment related to the quality and commitment of current
staff in his department as well, each committed to productivity and efficiency.
Mr. Schwartz addressed additional
work and resources for Pathway Master Plan work; facility maintenance and
replacement; environmental protection enhancements; coordination with items in
the Parks Master Plan process as they include Public Works-related items; and
ongoing transit connection improvements to take advantage of other projects in
the metropolitan area (i.e., Central Corridor planning).
Mr. Schwartz addressed specific
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) issues for 2010 through 2019, with approximately
$55,000,000 of the total $100 million related to Public Works in one way or
another; the success of the PMP program, unique in how it funds long-term
maintenance; increased construction costs projected due to increased energy
costs; and consideration in the future of additional levy dollars to support
the PMP program and/or review of the existing Assessment Policy to ensure its
stability.
Mr. Schwartz reviewed current low
bids received for 2010 projects at approximately twenty percent (20%) under the
engineer’s estimate and benefits to residents in getting street rehabilitation
without assessment; utility rehabilitation and/or replacement to take advantage
of projects (i.e., Rice Street reconstruction) to replace infrastructure at the
lowest cost possible; improved technology creating additional efficiencies;
need to continue a systematic replacement of the City’s 50+ year old utility
infrastructure; and progress being made in replacing watermains over the last
few years in the City’s most problematic areas. Mr. Schwartz reviewed projects
coming up in the immediate future; average three miles of street rehabilitation
annually; and facility standards to facilitate the most cost-effective
operations and maintenance.
Mr. Schwartz briefly reviewed the
upcoming challenges for the department as it related to facilities, pathways,
and full implementation of the City’s Pathway Master Plan in the future.
Discussion included the need to
consider long-term maintenance of the pathway system, not just construction
and/or replacement; prioritization of the Pathway Master Plan, last reviewed
and updated in 2008 with no dedicated fund in place and no reprioritization at
that time; taking advantage of opportunities as they arise and are included in
related area projects, and when grants for those specific areas become
available.
Ms. Bloom and Mr. Schwartz
addressed the number of smaller pathway connections and/or improvements made
over the last few years, with the Rice Street corridor being another major
priority. Ms. Bloom estimated that current indications are that the City may
be a minimum of 25% through the priority list, with no others on the horizon at
this time due to a lack of funding sources.
Councilmembers requested that
staff provide more definitive information to the City Council with actual
numbers.
Further discussion included the
need for neighborhood connections not currently on the Pathway Master Plan list
at this time; needed connections between multi-family buildings and bus stops;
and additional coordination by staff with other agencies to enhance pedestrian
safety near parks or at connection points.
Councilmember Ihlan requested
additional staff information on the cost for additional striping on County
roads and/or signage at crosswalks and related costs to enhance pedestrian
safety, specifically near parks.
Councilmember Roe requested
additional staff information on costs for additional right-of-way maintenance
on state and/or county roadways where additional maintenance was indicated or
preferred to improve the City’s aesthetics.
In conclusion, Ms. Bloom reviewed
a number of regulator mandates increasing staff’s work load, including MPCA
permitting and education on the MS4 Permit and Illicit Discharge ordinance;
erosion control; Total Maximum Daily Load studies as part of Watershed
Districts and implementation projects to reduce that loading; attempts to
improve storm water drainage issues and elimination of the infiltration/inflow
surcharge through a city-wide program; FEMA mapping for flood plains with an
ordinance scheduled to come before the City Council in the near future for
implementation by June of 2010; updating storm design frequencies and cycles;
and areas of partnership, coordination and advise involving staff participation
with other communities and/or agencies. Ms. Bloom further reviewed ADA
inventory requirements for crosswalks and implementation of timed and audible
crossing signals; and staffing challenges in providing assistance to residents
for rain garden installations, with staff fielding between 30-60 inquires
annually, and needing education and outreach to encourage such community
enthusiasm and interest.
Mr. Schwartz concluded by
discussing the reorganization of the Public Works Department based on their
strategic plan to meet these challenges; ongoing maintenance and technology
changes and advances providing more efficiencies, but needing consideration and
revised management perspectives. Mr. Schwartz noted, as an example, the
upcoming request before the City Council for implementation of automated meter
reading.
Mr. Schwartz again thanked the
City Council for their support and working relationship with staff, opining
that it showed in the sound decisions made over the years and programs
implemented and maintained.
c.
Discussion of Public Property use for Commercial Purposes
Due to time constraints, this item
was not addressed.
14. City
Manager Future Agenda Review
City Manager Malinen distributed upcoming
agenda items.
15. Councilmember-Initiated
Items for Future Meetings
Councilmember Pust requested that a
future agenda include an item reviewing the North Suburban Community
Foundation.
Councilmember Ihlan requested that
an agenda in the near future include an item discussing the maximum number of
citizen members on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
16. Adjourn
The meeting was
adjourned at approximately 10:02 pm.