2007 11-20 CCP - Laserfiche WebLink

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COMMITTEE REPORTS Planning Commission November meeting report (Jim Lindner): Jim Lindner presented the November planning commission meeting minutes to the council and summarized by stating that the Planning Commission recommended accepting the Putman Development Guidelines, but with the knowledge that more work is anticipated to be needed including new zoning ordinances. Mr. Lindner stated that the Barnett parcel was not considered in this plan although probably should be looked at. The commission considered the idea of a development moratorium, but was hesitant to recommend it to the council because of the negative connotation a moratorium might hold. Mr. Lindner stated that he didn't think any developers would be looking at this land now because of the economy. Several typos were found by Council Members. The approval of the minutes of the November Planning Commission meeting will be tabled until the December 2007 City Council meeting after typos have been corrected. Mr. Lindner suggested that a formal thank you be made to Tousley Ford for hosting the City of Gem Lake meetings for so many years. Building Committee (City Hall) report (Craig Rafferty): Mr. Rafferty reported that delays in connecting water and sewer under the railroad tracks have slowed progress. However, these connections are almost completed. Still need carpeting and tile. Also pipe work, electrical and lighting still left to do. Carpeting and tile work remain. OLD BUSINESS A) RFP (Request for Proposal) - City Audit process for next 4 years: Mayor Emeott reported that he and Councilor Schilling were meeting next week to review RFPs regarding an audit of the city financials. B) City MS4 report for 2006 (Watson): Councilor Watson reported that he has a first draft and needs to meet with Mayor Emeott to review it. NEW BUSINESS A) Approval of payment of claims for October -November 2007: Mayor Emeott referred the Council to the listing of payments requiring approval. Mayor Emeott noted that the payment to Leonard O'Brian was an attempt to request a withdrawal of the Rob Hanson appeal from the first detachment annexation case in 2006. Currently this has been put on hold and there has been no court date set. The council agreed that Attorney Kelly would call and check the status of this in attempts to move this to resolution. Mayor Emeott stated that a job description for City Clerk is currently being written. This would probably be a joint position with White Bear Township as they need additional help as well. Motion by Watson, Seconded by Rasmussen for approval of payment of claims for time period above was unanimously approved by voice vote. B) Acceptance of November 2007 Financial Report: The city finances are low right now until the second half of the tax payments are received in December. Mayor Emeott, Watson and the Gem Lake City Treasurer/White Bear Township Finance Director, Jessie Hart, will be meeting to go through the budget in anticipation of the December workshop. Motion by Schilling, Seconded by Artig-Swomley to accept the November 2007 Finance report was unanimously approved by voice vote. C) Acceptance of Putman Development Guidelines (Mark Putman): Mr. Putman reviewed his request for official acceptance of the Putman Development Guidelines for land areas in the Co Rd E, Highway 61 area as submitted to the council and approval of final payment for services and reports provided. He responded to questions regarding building use by indicating that building uses aren't pre -determined in the Guidelines, but suggested that current businesses such as Tousley Ford may wish to evolve into a more Village like feel and may even be better positioned in a different location in the long term. The Guidelines provides the city with a dynamic long term vision that it can use for developing a mixed -use zoning ordinance. Motion by Schilling, Seconded by Artig-Swomley for official acceptance of the Putman Development Guidelines. Discussion followed regarding whether a moratorium should be in place while the planning commission reviews the Report and completes the city's Comprehensive Plan. The city has the flexibility to allow a variance to the moratorium if a proposal was made that the council felt met all of the points outlined in the Putman Development Look for us on the World Wide Web at gemlakemn.org