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2007-01-16 CC Minutes ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL January 16,2007 Albertville City Hall 7:00 PM PRESENT: Mayor Ron Klecker, Council members John Vetsch, LeRoy Berning, Tom Fay, and Dan Wagner, City Attorney Mike Couri, Assistant City Engineer Adam Nafstad, Assistant City Planner Cassie Schumacher-Georgopoulos, City Administrator Larry Kruse, and City Clerk Bridget Miller ABSENT: City Planner Al Brixius Mayor Klecker called the Albertville City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION BY Council member Berning, seconded by Mayor Klecker to approve the agenda as amended removing item 8.F.I. Approve Resolution No. 2006-69 entitled a Resolution Vacating a Portion of MacKenzie Avenue NE until a later date; adding item 8.D.I. Discussion on Limiting or Restricting the Height of Signs along the Freeway; and adding item 8.H.2. Continue the Discussion of a Potential Sliding Hill in Albertville and on file in the office of the City Clerk. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTES MOTION BY Council member Fay, seconded by Council member Berning to approve the January 2,2007 regular City Council minutes as presented and on file in the office ofthe City Clerk. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION BY Council member Berning, seconded by Mayor Klecker to approve the January 8, 2007 City Council Workshop minutes as presented and on file in the office of the City Clerk. Motion carried. CITIZEN FORUM Mayor Klecker asked if there was anyone present in the audience that wanted to speak to the Council regarding an issue that is not on the agenda. Wally O'Dell with Darkenwald informed the City Council that he attended the January 8, 2007 Workshop that was to discuss the 1-94 Transportation. Mr. O'Dell discussed his concerns with City of Albertville City Council Minutes January 16,2007 Page 2 of8 traffic and the roadways in general. Mr. O'Dell explained that he understands the planning process of how to resolve current issues and to address potential future issues. Mr. O'Dell brought up the question "What are we trying to improve?" Are we trying to alleviate the local roads or are we trying to improve the state roads. Mr. O'Dell went on to acknowledge that there are three (3) entities involved in the planning process; these entities being local, county and state. All three entities or parties need to work together in order to accomplish the task of addressing the current and future issues pertaining to the traffic and roadways along the I -94 corridor. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION BY Council member Vetsch, seconded by Council member Fay to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. A. Approve payment of claims check numbers 023783 to 023791 B. Approve Bolton & Menk, Inc. Engineer's recommendation for Reduction of Letter for Albertville Plaza 2nd Addition from $189,850 to no less than $14,450 C. Approve 3.2 Malt Liquor License from CL Gentile, Inc. for Broomball Tournament to be held on Saturday and Sunday, February 10 and 11 at the Albertville Central Park D. Request for Council Action to Approve the Purchase of Additional Tables and Chairs for the new City Hall ACTION ON PULLED CONSENT ITEMS No items were pulled from the consent; therefore no action was necessary. PUBLIC HEARING There were no public hearings scheduled for the January 16,2007 City Council meeting. DEPARTMENT BUSINESS PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT There were no written or verbal Public Works or Wastewater Treatment Plant Reports presented at the January 16, 2007 City Council meeting. BUILDING DEPARTMENT There was no monthly update from the Building Department presented for discussion at the January 16,2007 City Council meeting. FINANCE DEPARTMENT The Finance Department had no items to report at this time. City of Albertville City Council Minutes January 16,2007 Page 3 of8 CITY CLERK Set Tuesdav. Mav 8. 2007 at 6:30 n.m. as the 2007 Local Board of Anneal and Eaualization meetin!:.! City Clerk Miller reported that the Wright County Auditor's office sent notification pertaining to the upcoming 2007 Local Board of Review. Council members Wagner and Fay have agreed to attend the training session that will be held on Wednesday, January 24 at the Wright County Government Center. Miller brought to the Council's attention the fact that the date selected by Wright County is the same date as the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. Miller suggested moving the start time of the Planning Commission meeting from 7 :00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. After further discuss the City Council set the date of Tuesday, May 8, 2007 for the Local Board of Review to begin at 5:30 p.m., which will be held at the Albertville City Offices in the Council Chamber. City Clerk Miller stated that she would notify Wright County of the date and the change in the time. MOTION BY Council member Berning, seconded by Council member Fay to set Tuesday, May 8,2007 at 5:30 p.m. as the 2007 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Session. Motion carried unanimously. PLANNING AND ZONING Amend the 2005 Albertville Municinal Citv Code Section Pertainin!:.! to the Hei!:.!ht of Si!:.!ns alon!:.! the 1-94 Corridor Assistant City Planner Schumacher-Georgopoulos stated that staff has been reviewing the sign ordinance. Staff is looking for direction from the City Council in regards to amending the 2005 Albertville Municipal City Code pertaining to the height of signs mainly along the 1-94 corridor. Currently, the City Code allows the height of signs along the 1-94 corridor to be as tall at 75' high. Council member Vetsch suggested the possibility of putting a moratorium on any potential sign permits until staff has researched the sign issue and the City Code has been amended, if necessary. City Attorney Couri reported that staff could put something together that would allow the City Council to put a moratorium on any potential application or sign permit that may come to the city building department for approval. City of Albertville City Council Minutes January 16,2007 Page 4 of8 Council member Berning expressed concern with the height of signage along the 1-94 corridor. The city is going through the process of altering the 1-94 corridor. Berning brought to the council member and staff's attention the fact that the businesses that appear to be currently along the 1-94 corridor today may not be that same businesses after 1-94 is potentially altered. Following the discussion pertaining to the signage height, it was the consensus of the Council to note the interest to put an Interim Moratorium on the height of signs allowed along the 1-94 corridor. City Attorney Couri stated that this would be an item for discussion at the joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting that will be held on Monday, January 22,2007 beginning at 7:00 p.m. held at the Albertville City Offices in the Council Chamber. At which time, the City Attorney will put together a Resolution and an Ordinance for Council's approval for an Interim Moratorium. ENGINEERING Winter Park Layout and Estimated Cost Assistant City Engineer Nafstad informed that upon the request of the Council, Bolton and Menk, Inc. has developed and designed a proposed layout plan for Winter Park. The concept plan that is provided, along with a summary of tasks and associated fees for the development and design of the park improvement, is estimated at a cost not to exceed $26,700. MOTION BY Council member Berning, seconded by Council member Fay to approve the Winter Park Layout at a cost not to exceed $26,700. Motion carried unanimously. CSAH 19 Proiect Review - AODfove Resolution for AODfovin2: Plans and Soecifications for Landscaoin2: and Li2:htin2: - Review Prooosed Assessment and Financin2: - Set ImDfovement Hearin2: for Februarv 5. 2007 - AODfove Resolution Orderin2: a Feasibility Study Assistant City Engineer Nafstad reported that in 2007 Wright County will be improving CSAH 19 between 5ih Street NE and to the southerly border of Albertville. The improvement will be a four-lane divided roadway, which will include raised medians that will be approximately I8-feet wide down the middle of the roadway. SRF Consultants have prepared plans for landscaping and lighting improvements designed to enhance the medians and the corridor per the Council's direction. SRF Consultants were instructed by staff to meet the following goals of the City Council: 1. Landscaping and Lighting that will be attractive as well as practical from a cost and maintenance perspective. City of Albertville City Council Minutes January 16,2007 Page 5 of8 2. Landscaping and lighting designed to assist with traffic calming, at the same time meet the necessary needs to light the corridor. 3. A landscaping and lighting concept that can be implemented on the other segments of CSAH 19 within Albertville. Assistant City Engineer Nafstad went on to report that the three (3) lighting concepts, that have been developed range in estimated cost of approximately $150,000 to $250,000. The $150,000 estimate consists oflighting only within the medians, leaving unlit or dark areas at the 53rd Street NE and 50th Street NE intersections. The higher estimate includes median lighting and supplemental lighting in the boulevards to complete the lighting of the corridor. As far as the landscaping for the project, it has been designed to incorporate a grouping of three (3) trees centered between the median lights and perennial beds at the ends of the medians and around the light poles. The estimated cost for the landscaping is to be approximately $100,000. It is SRF Consultant and staff's recommendation that the Council consider the $250,000 landscaping and lighting improvement that will light the entire CSAH 19 roadway. Upon the Council's approval of the CSAH 19 Landscaping and Lighting Project, staff suggest that the project to be funded by assessment to the commercial properties abutting the proposed CSAH 19 Improvement Project. Dave Holt with SRF Consultants demonstrated to the Council the three (3) options to choose from for the light fixtures. Mike Sischke the architect for the project, reported on the options to consider for landscaping along the CSAH 19 corridor. The center medians will include ornamental median trees groupings that at maturity reach a height of about 15' to 20' . Sischke noted that the main difference between Concept A and Concept B, Concept B would have more seasonal perennials planted around each of the light poles. Assistant City Engineer Nafstad reported that there will be concrete around each of the medians, which will provide protection to the plantings from snow removal chemicals. Assistant City Engineer Nafstad addressed some ofthe pros and cons whether to use sod/turf and mulch, of which there was not significant difference between the two. Nafstad met with Public Works Supervisor Guimont to inquire what the PW Department would prefer. PW Supervisor reported that the PW Dept. would prefer sod or turf versus wood chips. Nafstad informed the Council that the PW Dept. has only one piece of equipment at this time that has a rear discharge for grass clippings. Council member Vetsch had concerns with assessing the project to the commercial properties abutting the CSAH 19 Improvement Project. Vetsch would consider approving the basic plan. City of Albertville City Council Minutes January 16,2007 Page 6 of8 Vetsch noted that there is more commercial property to be developed, which when developed those businesses will add to the illumination of the corridor. City Administrator Kruse brought up the fact that the original concept plan cost estimate was $500,000. It was the direction from the Council that staff presents an alternate concept plan that is not as costly, which it appears staffhas met the Council's request. Council inquired as to how much of the CSAH 19 Improvement Project would be assessed. Staff reported all of it would be assessed. The total estimated cost of the CSAH 19 Improvement Project is $1.6 M, which has been Spec'd to upgrade to a four-lane divide roadway. Council member Berning has a concern with assessing the cost of the project knowing that the city will be looking at assessing the I -94 Improvement, and then adds this on top of the assessment. Staff informed the Council that the entire cost of the project that Wright County has reported is $3.6 M, of which $1.1M is the city's portion. Council member Wagner stated that he is new on the Council and has not been involved with the project, but was opposed to the entire concept. Wagner stated that he would be okay with the concept of what St. Michael is going with to make it look uniform. Wagner noted that he would prefer shoebox style lighting on the roadside and landscaping in the medians. Wagner was not in favor of additional lighting to be placed within the medians. Mayor Klecker asked to take a 10 minute recess, which would allow the Council to review and look over the large scale drawings of the proposed layout that are located at the back of the Council Chamber. Mayor Klecker reconvened the meeting. After the discussion and allowing the Council to review the large scale drawings of the proposed CSAH 19 Improvement Project, Council took the following action on the project. MOTION BY Mayor Klecker, seconded by Council member Fay to approve Resolution No. 2007-xx entitled a Resolution Approving the Plans and Specifications for CSAH 19 Landscaping and Lighting Improvement Project in accordance with the County Plans and going with Brown Light Poles that will be placed within the Medians and match the Traffic Lights along the CSAH 19 Corridor. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION BY Council member Berning, seconded by Council member Fay to approve Resolution No. 2007-xx entitled a Resolution Approving the Plans and Specifications for CSAH 19 Landscaping and Lighting Improvement Project in accordance with the County Plans and City of Albertville City Council Minutes January 16,2007 Page 7 of8 going with Black Light Poles that will be placed within the Medians and Bronze poles for the Traffic Lights along the CSAH 19 Corridor and to include one flat box for a future flag to be hung on the Black Light Poles within the Medians. Mayor Klecker, Council members Fay, Berning, and Wagner voted aye. Council member Vetsch vote nay as he wanted a different color than St. Michael to identify Albertville. Motion carried. MOTION BY Council member Fay, seconded by Mayor Klecker to set Monday, February 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. or soon thereafter as the CSAH 19 Improvement Project Hearing, which will be held at the Albertville City Offices in the Council Chamber. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION BY Council member Berning, seconded by Mayor Klecker to approve Resolution No. 2007-xx entitled a Resolution Ordering a Feasibility Study for CSAH 19 Improvement Project. Motion carried unanimously. LEGAL Aoorove Resolution No. 2006-69 entitled a Resolution Vacatinll a Portion of MacKenzie Avenue NE City Attorney Couri requested that the Resolution be removed or pulled off of the agenda until a later date. ADMINISTRA nON Oral Reoort City Administrator Kruse wanted to report that the City finalized on the Purchase Agreement for the Railroad Property. One stipulation BNSF is requiring, is that the City place a fence on the property along Main Avenue NE. City Administrator Kruse recommended not installing a chain link style fence. Council member Berning asked if the height of the fence could be lowered. City Attorney Couri stated that the height of the fence could not be lowered due to safety reasons. Slidinll Hill Council member Vetsch reported that Assistant City Engineer N afstad and he went out to scout for the potential location or site of a sliding hill within the Albertville city limits. Assistant City Engineer Nafstad brought up the fact that at a previous meeting there was discussion to have staff research the potential of locating a sliding hill within Central Park. City of Albertville City Council Minutes January 16,2007 Page 8 of8 Council member Vetsch confirmed that Central Park would be a good location for a sliding hill. There would be restrooms available along with a warming house and other activities to do besides just sliding. Vetsch and Nafstad visited the site behind the STMA High School and it appears to be some what high and rather open, which may not be appropriate for the younger children. After the lengthy discussion, staff along with the Council will continue to research the possibility of where to safely place a sliding hill within the Albertville city limits. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY Council member Wagner, seconded by Council member Berning to adjourn at 10:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. (6L Ron Klecker, Mayor ~~1Y\.~t~k Bridget Miller, Ce. Clerk