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<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - February 25,2008 <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />Planner I Beekman replied the applicant would not be allowed to remove any trees from the <br />property until a grading permit is obtained. She added the applicant would also have to obtain an <br />erosion control permit. <br /> <br />MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holmes <br />seconded a motion to approve Planning Case #08-003 for a Preliminary <br />and Final Plat of Christensen Estates, Based on the Findings of Fact and <br />the Submitted Plans as Amended by the Ten Conditions in the February <br />25, 2008 Planning Case Report. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes asked if there was any public testimony at the Planning Commission <br />meeting regarding this development. <br /> <br />Planner I Beekman replied there was one person who spoke at the Planning Commission <br />meeting and expressed concern regarding the wetlands and the stream, and asked if the City <br />would continue to maintain the stream. She stated that the City will continue to maintain the <br />stream. <br /> <br />The motion carried unanimously (4-0). <br /> <br />A2. Motion to Approve the Christensen Estates Final Plat Development <br />A!!reement <br /> <br />MOTION: Mayor Harpstead moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a <br />motion to approve the Christensen Estates Final Plat Development <br />Agreement. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). <br /> <br />B. Discussion on Maiority Votin!! <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator Willis presented a memo regarding majority voting and stated the <br />existing Code provides that except as otherwise provided in the Code, or when a different vote is <br />required by law, a majority vote of those present shall be sufficient to approve any question <br />posed to the Council. He stated this would mean that if three Councilmembers are present at a <br />meeting, two votes would provide a majority of that quorum. He indicated the Council has <br />apparently raised the question of whether to revise the Code to state that if only three <br />Councilmembers are present at a given meeting, any vote taken would require a unanimous vote. <br />He stated this would have to be a policy decision of the City CounciL He added that in his <br />experience, where it is generally known based on previous discussions that an issue has some <br />contention associated with it, the Council could defer a vote on the issue (unless the Council is <br />under a timeline imposed by state law) until such time as a sufficient number of Councilmembers <br />are present. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden expressed concern that if only three Councilmembers are present at a <br />meeting where a major decision is going to be made, that only two votes would be required to <br />take action. She added the City has several major decisions forthcoming and she would support a <br />