HomeMy Public PortalAbout02/03/98 CCM27
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 3, 1998
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on February 3, 1998 at 7:30
p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor John Ferris presided.
Members present: Ferris, Zietlow, Hamilton, Johnson, and Thies.
Members absent: None.
Also present: Police Chief Ed Be!land, Attorney Ron Batty, Public Works Director Jim
Dillman, Zoning Administrator Loren Kohnen, and City Clerk -Treasurer Paul Robinson.
1. Additions to the Agenda
A. Request from the West Hennepin Pioneers Association.
Moved by Jim Johnson, seconded by Ann Thies to approve the agenda as amended. Motion
passed unanimously.
2. Approval of the Minutes from January 6, 1998
A. Page 5, add... John Ferris was not feeling well and therefore left the meeting at
8:20 p.m.
B. Page 6 #11, motion was seconded by John Hamilton, not John Ferris.
C. Page 11, #19, add to second paragraph... voice mail would not become the
city's primary method for answering incoming phone calls.
Moved by Ann Thies, seconded by Jim Johnson, to approve the minutes from January 6 as
amended. Motion passed. John Ferris abstained.
3. Approval of the Minutes from January 20, 1998
Moved by Phil Zietlow, seconded by Jim Johnson to approve the minutes as presented.
Motion passed unanimously.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Jim Johnson, seconded by Ann Thies, to approve the consent agenda.
A. Delay Mohawk Drive Assessment Hearing.
B. Resolution 98-10 Granting Final Plat Approval To JFC Investments, LLC and
Berthiaume Commercial Lawn & Snow, Inc. For the Plat Of Francis Addition.
C. Resolution 98-11 Granting a Conditional Use Permit To Suburban Hennepin
Regional Park District To Replace A Storage Barn.
D. Resolution 98-12 Granting Conditional Use Permit To 200 Highway #55.
E. Renew Electronic Proprietary Database License Agreement with Hennepin
County.
Motion passed unanimously.
5. Comments from Residents in Attendance
There were none.
6. Park Commission Comments
Jim Dillman said the annual snow golf tournament sponsored by the Lion's and Athletic Club
will be on February 28tn
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February 3, 1998
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7. Planning Commission Comments
Phil Zietlow said he and Jim Dillman met with some members of the planning commission
about a tree ordinance. Zietlow said the planning commission will need to review some the
suggestions of this group.
John Ferris said the Saturday community meetings have been very interesting and well
attended. He said the city has received good input from the residents who have attended.
The meetings have been low key and it has been interesting to see how people view the city.
Loren Kohnen said next week the planning commission will review the sign ordinance, at least
changes regarding the number of signs allowed per site.
Phil Zietlow said if it's a light agenda, the commission could review the tree ordinance.
Loren Kohnen said last year when appointments were being discussed, the city council wanted
to address the size of the planning commission before making appointments.
Ann Thies asked staff to put this on the next agenda and to include the number of planning
commissioners on surrounding cities.
John Ferris said if we change the number, we need a reason why and how this fits.
OLD BUSINESS
8. Garage Addition
Ed Belland said the addition was moving along. The squad room was completed. He said the
cabinets for the main office are back ordered and will not be installed until the end of February.
Belland said the original plans neglected to provide an automated way to open the door
between the vestibule and the entryway. He said they needed to install a button and latch to
allow the police assistant to open this door. Also an additional keypad will be necessary to
allow people to exit the police department. Both of these changes will cost around $862.
Belland said he would like approval for these additions.
Moved by Phil Zietlow, seconded by Ann Thies, to approve $862 for changes to the security
system. Motion passed unanimously.
9. Officer Hiring Update
Ed Belland said Chris McGill was the top candidate for the open officer position. He said they
are beginning the background investigation. This is being done by the same person that
conducted their previous investigation. The investigation should be done by February 13.
Thereafter they are scheduling a physical exam and psychological exam for Mr. McGill. If he
passes these examinations he will be able to start sometime in March.
John Ferris asked if Mr. McGill wanted to be an officer for Medina.
Ed Belland said yes, he did.
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February 3, 1998
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10. Mooney Lake
Elizabeth Weir said she lived on Mooney Lake and she and other residents who lived around
the lake were concerned about the rising lake level. The lake level is above the high water
mark as determined by the DNR, 988 feet. It's nine inches above that. The lake level has
been fluctuating around that level since 1996.
Since the lake does not have a natural outlet, most of the water that comes into the lake
leaves the lake by evaporation or percolation. Because of the increased development around
the lake, more water is going into the lake than is able to evaporate or percolate out of the
lake.
Because of this, a number of large trees are falling and dying and the lake will soon be
approaching the foundations of several new homes built in Plymouth.
She said they approached the Minnehaha Creek Watershed about this problem, they said the
lake could be pumped out into a storm sewer for $30,000. The storm sewer they could use
was to be built by the city of Plymouth and Orono. However, Plymouth and Orono don't
currently want to install this storm sewer. That eliminates the pumping solution for the present
time.
There was some discussion about there not being an outlet, and about how water actually
evaporates and percolates to regulate the lake level. The city council did not want to turn this
over to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed district at this time. They believed that since the
homes in Plymouth are most in danger, the water level is three feet from their homes, the city
of Plymouth should take the first step to correct the problem. The council said they would
support another city's action but would not be willing to be the first city to address this issue.
Ann Thies said that Elizabeth Weir or a city staff member should contact Plymouth to see
where they're at on this issue. The city council decided to table this issue until there was
additional information.
11. Michael Kelly, 1195 Hackamore Road, Rezoning, Variance and Subdivision
Loren Kohnen said that Michael and Mary Kelly wanted to rezone and subdivide their property
at 1195 Hackamore Road. He said this property was zoned rural residential, and located on
the north side of Lake Medina, adjoining Lundgren Brothers' Foxberry Farm subdivision. He
said the property was within the MUSA line and also followed Medina's comprehensive plan for
sewer service.
He said the Kelly's were requesting rezoning to suburban residential. Kohnen said staff
recommended approval of the rezoning. Kohnen said the Kelly's were also requesting to
subdivide their property into 10 parcels. Their existing home is shown on the proposal as Lot
4. All of the lots in the proposal meet the 30,000 square foot requirement. The subdivision is
consistent with the city's comprehensive plan. No driveways will be allowed from Lot 1 Block 2
to enter onto Hackamore Road.
Kohnen said a variance for the flag lot was being requested for Lot 3 Block 2. He said this lot
did not have the required 100 foot frontage measured at the minimum front yard setback. In
Foxberry Farms 4th Addition they were permitted with certain conditions. Kohnen said staff
suggested the following conditions for this lot:
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February 3, 1998
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1. Driveway construction be approved by the public works director and fire chief
before a building permit is issued, which includes: pullover area built to seven
ton standards and 20 foot minimum width.
2. Fire hydrant located at the entrance to Lot 3 Block 2.
3. Parking and turn around area be provided at the house.
4. Driveway must be paved.
Kohnen said letters from the city engineer, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, and Rick Sathre were attached
with the council packet information. He said staff recommended approval of the plat including
the flag lot.
Kohnen said the planning commission also recommended approval. Kohnen said the rezoning
would need to be done by ordinance. Therefore, the city needs two weeks in order to prepare
an ordinance amendment for publication. Kohnen said the planning commission
recommended approval of the rezoning of the 10 acres at 1195 Hackamore Road from rural
residential to suburban residential. They also approved the variance for Lot 3, Block 2, the flag
lot.
Loren Kohnen showed the property in question on an overhead. He explained the need for
drainage and utility easements so that the flag lot would not be built up with fill that could
potentially affect the wetland to the west of the property.
Moved by Jim Johnson, seconded by Phil Zietlow, to approve the preparation of an ordinance
for rezoning the property at 1195 Hackamore Road from rural residential to suburban
residential. Motion passed unanimously.
Phil Zietlow added that this rezoning was consistent with the city's comprehensive plan and
good fit with its neighboring development.
Ron Batty said that the next item for discussion with this issue was the plat which also includes
a variance.
Jim Johnson asked if there were park dedication fees.
Rick Sathre said yes, that was added by the commission.
Phil Zietlow said that tree preservation should be encouraged. Zietlow said with the Spring Hill
Golf Course it was sort of a gentlemen's agreement and since the city does not have an
ordinance in place, that agreement was something like, any hardwood trees, such as oak,
maple, ash, 8 inches or greater that are taken should be replaced two for one with one inch
hard wood trees planted somewhere in the subdivision, or a the city's tree fund should be
compensated for the loss of these trees.
There was some discussion about development of the property. Rick Sathre said Mike and
Mary Kelly were not planning to develop the property themselves, but to sell the property to a
developer. He said landscaping and signage issues would be addressed during approval of
the development.
There was some discussion about trails in the area.
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February 3, 1998
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Loren Kohnen said that a minimum of two, two and half inch hardwood trees should be placed
on each parcel.
Moved by Jim Johnson, seconded by John Hamilton, to authorize preparation of the
preliminary plat with the variance as recommended by the planning commission and staff.
Motion passed unanimously.
12. Land Inventory
Loren Kohnen said he and Jim Dillman talked with David Thell of the Hennepin County
Conservation District about mapping wetlands and trees for the city of Medina.
There was some discussion about whether or not this information was already available to the
city or what particular kinds of wetlands would be delineated in these maps.
Jim Dillman said this would cost around $13,000, but this would not include field verification
which would cost around $55,000.
Jim Johnson asked if this would help with the water management plan.
Loren Kohnen said they were checking to see if Lake Sarah Watershed District has created a
water management plan. If they have not, then the city of Medina would not have to finish
their plan until Lake Sarah's is completed.
Jim Johnson asked about the banking system for wetlands.
Jim Dillman said they were working on that and this wetland inventory would be part of that.
Phil Zietlow asked what the benefits of this wetland inventory would be.
Elizabeth Weir from the planning commission said that this type of inventory would be very
helpful for them, especially a woodland inventory. She said for example, Medina has a
significant tamarack march at Camp Iduhapi. It's helpful to know this so they can plan some
type of protection for some of these rare occurrences.
There was some discussion about maps that the city currently has.
Phil Zietlow said it would be helpful to see a sample of the information that the conservation
district was putting together with a better explanation of the benefits.
John Ferris said it is basically a benefit versus cost issue. They needed to deal with what the
benefits are for $13,000.
The council asked to have this item on the next agenda and asked staff to provide examples
and an explanation of the benefits.
Jim Dillman said the city council had asked for an inventory of the wetlands. He said they
were providing what the city council had earlier requested. He said this would also be included
as a part of the comprehensive plan development.
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February 3, 1998
32
13. Request from West Hennepin Pioneer Association
Jim Dillman said he would like to get an impression from the city council about having the
Wolsfeld log cabin installed in front of city hall as an exhibit.
Phil Zietlow asked who would pay for it.
Jim Dillman said that it would cost around $40,000. He said the city would only need to
provide around $2,000.
Phil Zietlow asked how it would be used.
Jim Dillman said to display archives and artifacts from the area. He said they would probably
have special events here, maybe an ice cream social. He said the size of the building was 18
x 27 feet.
John Hamilton said he thought this would be a great idea. He approved of it in concept, but he
would like more information, the details of where it would be, how much it would cost, etc.
Jim Dillman asked if there was any opposition or if the city council was in favor of this idea.
Phil Zietlow said that it was great.
Overall the city council agreed that it sounded like a good idea. One they would like to pursue.
14. Approve the Bills
Moved by Jim Johnson, seconded by Ann Thies to approve the bills, check numbers #18046-
18078 for $227,595.02, and payroll check numbers #15517-15536 for $13,232.18. Approval
of the check for American Liberty was contingent upon receiving lien waivers for the
subcontractors paid. Motion passed unanimously.
15. Adjournment
Moved by Jim Johnson seconded by Ann Thies to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
6,
JohyjiB. Ferris, Mayor
Paul Robinson, City Clerk -Treasurer
Medina City Council Meeting Minutes
February 3, 1998
33
ORDER CHECKS —FEBRUARY 3, 1998
18046 American Liberty Const $51,847.97
18047 Bryan Rock Products 1,832.14
18048 Classic Cleaning 191.70
18049 Delta Dental 664.95
18050 E-Z-Recycling 2,364.12
18051 Rolf Erickson Ent., Inc 2,703.80
18052 Firstar Bank 125,345.00
18053 G & H Distributing 15.04
18054 Grainger 121.38
18055 Great West Life Assurance 500.00
18056 H & L Mesabi 1,691.19
18057 Hamel Trucking 294.00
18058 Lake Business Supply 543.06
18059 LMCIT 11,871.00
18060 Medica Choice 2,922.25
18061 Metro West Inspection 9,258.10
18062 Metro Council Environmental Services 9,450.75
18063 Minn. Counties Ins. Trust 50.00
18064 Minnegasco 674.73
18065 Minnesota Mutual 205.00
18066 Minnesota State Retirement Assn 130.00
18067 MN Chiefs of Police Education Fund 195.00
18068 MSHS 1998 Greening Conference 50.00
18069 Northern States Power 1,892.89
18070 Nyles Gentz 101.73
18071 Postmaster 500.00
18072 Public Safety Equipment 120.00
18073 Randy's Sanitation 81.27
18074 Total Office Products 1,444.50
18075 U.S. West Communications 420.82
18076 UNUM 49.90
18077 Cec Vieau 52.73
18078 Westside Wholesale Tire 10.00
$227, 595.02
Medina City Council Meeting Minutes
February 3, 1998
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PAYROLL CHECKS —FEBRUARY 3, 1998
15517 Martha C. Lundell $ 59.25
15518 John A. Hamilton 138.52
15519 Ann C. Thies 138.52
15520 John B. Ferris 207.79
15521 Philip K. Zietlow 138.52
15522 James R. Johnson 138.52
15523 Paul A. Robinson 935.17
15524 Steven T. Scherer 1,021.29
15525 Michael J. Rouillard 1,152.68
15526 Scott W. Kroeger 851.28
15527 James D. Dillman 1,356.20
15528 Robert P. Dressel 1,042.91
15529 Edgar J. Belland 1,494.87
15530 Martha C. Lundell 143.84
15531 Cecilia M. Vieau 717.32
15532 Ivan Dingmann 51.72
15533 Laura L. Sulander 930.97
15534 Sandra L. Larson 768.46
15535 Jon D. Priem 1,054.44
15536 Jeremy L. Christenson 889.91
$13,232.18
Medina City Council Meeting Minutes
February 3, 1998