Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 05-09-2005 . . . ~ ~~ILLS Approved: May 31, 2005 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 9, 2005, 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Beverly Aplikowski called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:04 p.m. Present: Mayor Beverly Aplikowski, Councilmembers David Grant, Gregg Larson, Lois Rem, and Brenda Holden. Absent: None. Also present were City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Director of Operations & Maintenance, Thomas Moore; Finance Director/Treasurer, Murtuza Siddiqui; Community Development Director, Scott Clark; City Engineer, Greg Brown; Assistant to City Manager, Schawn Johnson; City Planner, Pete Hellegers; and Recording Secretary, Kathleen Altman. 1. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 25, 2005 City Council Meeting B. April IS, 2005 City Council Work Session Councilmember Holden requested the following changes: None. Councilmember Grant requested the following changes: April IS, 2005 Council Work Session Minutes, Page 7, last sentence, change "Councilmember Grant asked" to "Councilmember Grant stated. " Councilmember Rem requested the following changes: None. Councilmember Larson requested the following changes: None. \ \Earth IAdmin\CouncillMinuteslRegular\2005\05 -09-05 .doc ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 9, 2005 2 . Mayor Aplikowski requested the following changes: None. Ms. Wolfe requested the following changes: None. MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to approve the April 25, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes as presented, the April 18,2005 Council Work Session Minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5- 0). 3. CONSENT CAI~ENDAR a. b. c. d. e. . f. g. Claims and Payroll Resolution No. 05-30: Approving Lady Slipper chapter ABW A Charitable Gambling License Renewal Request Resolution No. 05-31: Recognizing National Public Works Week (May 15th to May 215t) Resolution No. 05-32: Appointment of David McClung to the Planning Commission Resolution No. 05-33: Appointment of Cynthia Wheeler to the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee Resolution No. 05-34: Approving Parking Restrictions in the 2005 Red Fox-Grey Fox PMP Area Resolution No. 05-35: Approving the Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for the 2005 Pavement Management Program MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Council member Holden seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 4. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 6. NEW BUSINESS . A. Planninl!: Case #05-14: Side Yard Setback Variance -1005 Amble Drive Mr. Hellegers requested that Council consider the proposed 10-foot side yard setback variance to allow the existing home located at 1105 Amble Drive to remain compliant with City Code ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 9, 2005 3 . while allowing for the expansion of Lexington Avenue. recommended approval of the variance as proposed. The Planning Commission MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to approve Planning Case #05-14: lO-foot Side Yard Setback Variance - 1105 Amble Drive. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). B. Planninl! Case #05-10: Ramsev Conntv Public Works Entrance Sil!n Mr. Hellegers requested that Council consider the requested Sign Standard Adjustment of 130 square feet from the Signage Ordinance criteria for a freestanding monument sign. The Planning Commission recommended denial of the Sign Standard Adjustment for the reason noted in staffs May 9,2005 report. Councilmember Holden asked if the sign was 130 square feet. Mr. Hellegers replied it covered only the sign and not the brick around it. Councilmember Rem asked ifthe letters were within the sign ordinance. Mr. Hellegers replied the ordinance did not specify letter size. . Mayor Aplikowski asked if the smaller letters would be back lit. Mr. HeIIegers responded only the large letters would be back-lit and the smaller letters would be lit by a couple of external signs. CounciImember Grant stated this had been turned down by the Planning Commission based upon the plan submitted to them at that time, which specified that "Minnesota" be spelled out. He believed the Planning Commission would have looked favorably on this new sign if this plan was available at that time because the size has been reduced by approximately 30 square feet. He indicated this new sign had a nice appearance. He noted the Planning Commission had also inquired about the plantings, and those plantings would be adjusted in the final plan. He indicated while this had not gone back before the Planning Commission, he believed by abbreviating "Minnesota" to "MN" this would have been looked upon positively by the Planning Commission and he was in favor of this new sign. Councilmember Rem stated with all of the facilities in these buildings, it did not make sense to have a smaller sign, so she was in favor of this. CounciImember Larson asked if they were acting on an amended sign or the sign request that Planning Commission denied. Mayor ApIikowski replied they were acting on the amended sign presented tonight. . ConnciImember Larson stated he would like this to go back to the Planning Commission. He believed thE sign was too big and less information should be put on it. He indicated he would not be in support ofthis amended sign. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 9, 2005 4 . CounciImember Grant stated this had been discussed at the Planning Commission meeting and it was deemed that some of the information was critical, such as setting out the Sheriff's Patrol Station for safety reasons. He noted this sign would not compete with other signs in the area because of the amount of acreage this facility took up. He stated the only change to the lettering discussion at the Planning Commission was abbreviating "Minnesota" to "MN" in order to reduce the size variance required and he believed the Planning Commission would have voted in favor of this with these changes. Bruce Thompson, Assistant Director of Property Management Ramsey County, stated there were three reasons they needed a variance. One, they believed it was in the best interest of their partnership by requesting this larger sign and while they could meet the ordinance by only putting on Ramsey County, he believed this would be a disservice to the partners. Two, the Sheriff had specifically asked there be a larger sign for safety reasons and having their facility readily identifiable. Third, in designing the sign they used the Traffic Signage Institute's guidelines and the letters on the sign were to be readable for one City block. He indicated by reducing the size of the letters, this would create dangers on the road because people would need to slow down to read the sign. He stated they had listened to the Planning Commission and that was why they reduced "Minnesota" to "MN". He indicated the Minnesota Army National Guard was in favor of the sign and they approved their name being abbreviated to "MN". e CounciImember Larson stated he was not opposed to a variance, but he believed there were ways to do it that did not require as large of a variance. He suggested they use four lines and stack them all up and back light everything. Mr. Thompson replied that with Councilmember Larson's suggestion, a completely new sign would be required if any of the partners were to change their names. He indicated the smaller letters were done in an industrial vinyl, which could be changed without changing the entire sign. CounciImember Larson stated he would like them not to retain the small letters and only have the large letters and back light all of the letters. Mr. Thompson replied he understood his point, but this would eliminate some of the smaller partners. Councilmember Larson stated he did not believe everyone needed to be listed. He believed this could be done better and smaller. Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett stated the sign was only 6 foot 2 inches and the Arden Hills City Hall sign also did not meet the ordinance. He stated with one sign, it would be less cluttered than having individual signs. He noted there was pride among all of the partners that they pulled together these agencies and they needed to let people know that they were there. . MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Mayor Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve Planning Case #05-10: Ramsey County Public Works Entrance Sign as amended to have "Minnesota" replaced as "MN" in "MN Army National Guard" with the sign standing 6'2", the letters portion of the sign being 23'8", and 3'4" for the sign's . e . ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 9, 2005 5 brick portion, for a total of a 105 foot variance (May 5, 2005 Revised Proposed RCPW Monument Sign plan). The motion carried (4-1) (Councilmember Larson opposed). c. Adopt Chanl!es to the City's Sanitary Sewer Rel!ulations Mr. Clark stated staff was recommending the proposed additional language to help provide clarity for responsibility and enforcement of the City's current regulations. The proposed additions to the sewer regulations will provide clarity for staff to have the owner who was responsible for blocking the sanitary sewer, to either make the necessary repairs/adjustments to their sanitary sewer lines or be able to back charge the owner for all costs incurred by the City to maintain or repair the City's sewer system. MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to adopt Changes to the City's Sanitary Sewer Regulations in Ordinance No. 362. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). D. Adopt Chanl!es to the City's Liquor Rel!ulations Mr. Clark stated staff was recommending the proposed additional language to help provide clarity for responsibility and enforcement of the City current regulations. The proposed language to the City's liquor regulations would ensure that the business was in compliance with the most recent fire and life safety regulations before issuance of a liquor license. MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to adopt Changes to the City's Liquor Regulations in Ordinance No. 363. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). E. Resolution #05-36: ADDrOvinl! the Plans and Specifications and Orderinl! Advertisement for Bids for the 2005 Seal Coat Prol!ram Mr. Brown stated the plans and specifications for the 2005 Seal Coat Program had been completed. The proposed improvements included with the 2005 Seal Coat Project were feasible and were within the budget of the City's Capital Improvement Program. It was recommended that the 2005 Seal Coat Project be advertised for bid. Council would be presented with the bid results and potential contract award at the June 13, 2005 meeting. Staff recommended adoption of the Resolution. MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 05-36 Approving the Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for the 2005 Seal Coat Program. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 9, 2005 6 . 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Planninl! Case #05-07: Covered Front Porch Ordinance Mr. Hellegers requested that the Council consider Ordinance #357 which amended section 6.C.2.a of the Zoning Ordinance and insert new section 6.C.2.d into the Zoning Ordinance, allowing for front porches for up to ten feet and with a minimum setback of 30 feet from the front or side-yard comer property lines, which meet design standards to be allowed subject to staff review and approval. He also requested Council consider Resolution #05-29 which added the front porch language and Front Porch Design Guidelines to Appendix A of Zoning Ordinance #291. He noted the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Zoning Ordinance Amendments as was proposed at that time. Mr. Hellegers indicated at the April 25, 2005 City Council Work Session, the Council directed staffto review language to the base of the porch as a solid masonry perimeter and instead to return to the Council with language which allowed for more flexibility for the porch base. Councilmember Holden noted there were a lot of covered porches with lattice work and they looked nice and she believed this was a good compromise. . Councilmember Larson stated the solution to the foundation was a good one, but after giving this more thought, he would be voting against this because he believed an open porch was preferable in the front yards. He indicated he believed open porches were less obtrusive and they did not have the structure or mass of a porch that was completely screened in. He stated it was important for the City to maintain consistency in the neighborhoods and the front yard setbacks. He indicated he could support an open porch, but not screened in porches. Councilmember Rem stated she did not understand why anyone would build a structure in Minnesota that was not screened. She did not want to see the screened portion removed. Councilmember Grant noted it was up to the person building the porch if they wanted it screened in or not. He stated he did not want to take the option of a screened-in porch out of this and believed people should have the option of having a screened-in porch ifit made it livable and useful. He indicated he was in favor of leaving the screened porches in. Councilmember Larson noted he was not saying people could not have screened in porches, but if they wanted a variance for their front yard, he did not believe they should have a screened-in porch, but screened-in porches could be allowed anywhere else on the property. . MOTION: Mayor Aplikowski moved and Councilmember Rem seconded a motion to adopt Ordinance #357 which amends section 6.C.2.a of the Zoning Ordinance and insert new section 6.C.2.d into the Zoning Ordinance, allowing for front porches of up to ten feet and with a minimum setback of 30 feet from the front or side-yard comer property lines, which meet design standards to be allowed . . . ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 9, 2005 7 subj ect to staff review and approval. The motion carried (4-1) (Councilmember Larson opposed). MOTION: Councilmember Rem moved and Mayor Aplikowski seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #05-29 adding the front porch language and Front Porch Design Guidelines to Appendix A of Zoning Ordinance #291. The motion carried (3-2) (Councilmembers Larson and Grant opposed). B. TCAAP Update Mr. Clark updated the Council on recent TCAAP developments. Mayor Aplikowski requested Ms. Wolfe read a letter received by the Mayor of Falcon Heights regarding assertions about their TIF Districts at a recent public hearing. Ms. Wolfe read the letter dated April 29, 2005 from Falcon Heights Mayor Sue Gehrz into the record. C. Affirmation ofEDC Work Plan Priorities Mr. Clark stated at the April 20th Economic Development Commission meeting, the EDC discussed their "work plan" and priorities. He outlined the three items they decided as their main focus for upcoming meetings. Councilmember Holden asked if the EDC would be the ones creating the local resource plan. Mr. Clark replied the EDC would be reviewing the plan and Ehlers & Associates would be drafting the plan, with input from staff and others. He noted the EDC would only be a recommending body to Council and Council would have the final approval of that plan. Councilmember Larson stated he had spoken with a resident, Ed Robinson, regarding public financing and he believed Mr. Robinson would be a good person to have on the Commission. Mr. Clark noted Mr. Robinson would need to make a formal request and since they had a full EDC at this time, Council would need to amend the By-Laws to increase the number of members to eight. Councilmember Holden stated she would not have a problem amending the By-Laws. Ms. Wolfe stated staff would prepare an appropriate agenda item amending the By-Laws for Council's next meeting. Councilmember Larson stated it was not his intent to take any action on this tonight and he believed Mr. Robinson would need to step forward and indicate his interest first. MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to affirm the EDC Work Plan Priorities as submitted. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). ,. . . . ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETmG MINUTES MAY 9, 2005 8 CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Ms, Wolfe - None. Councilmember Holden - Asked for an update on the consolidated Dispatch Center. Ms. Wolfe replied with respect to response time with this consolidation, the County has agreed to take over the entire operation and to eventually take over 100 percent of the funding in the future. She noted the County had committed to keeping the same response times as they currently had. Councilmember Grant - Stated the Assessment Policy Task Force would be meeting this Wednesday and they would be discussing refuse hauling. Councilmember Rem - Stated the Flower Planting Day was a week from this Saturday (May 21, 2005) at the Holiday Inn Arden Hills at 9:00 a.m. Councilmember Larson - None. Mayor Aplikowski - Congratulated David McClung to his appointment to the Planning Commission and Cynthia Wheeler to her appointment to the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee. Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:29 p.m. ,::?1 7 '/./A'~~ (i;hL~ . Beverly A lkow. 1 Mayor ~~ Michelle A.Wolfe City Administrator NOTICE OF MEETINGS The next Council Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 31,2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Arden Hills Council Chambers.