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11-19-1990 CC MIN e e e MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Tralle, Councilmembers Holmgren and Kropuenske MEMBER ABSENT: Councilmembers Dobel and Schuldt STAFF PRESENT: Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator; Janelle Szklarski, Zoning Assistant; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; Sandy Thackeray, City Clerk; Terry Maurer, City Engineer; and Al Nadeau, Planning Commission Representative 1. Call Meetin~ to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Tralle. 2. Consider 11/19/90 City Council A~enda Items 8.2 - Car Allowance and 8.3 - Mayor Update were added to the agenda. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 3.1. Consider 11/5/90 City Council Minutes Sandy Thackeray indicated that there was a correction on Page 3, under Item #6. She stated that "two Waste Water Treatment Plant employees" should be changed to "one Waste Water Treatment Plant employee." COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/5/90 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 3.2. Consider 11/8/90 City Council Minutes COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/8/90 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 4. Open Mike A resident of Elk River questioned the Council as to whether any consideration has been given to help those people in Elk River who do not generate enough garbage for a monthly garbage pick up. The Building and Zoning Administrator explained that the Ci ty is considering an alternative which would include bi-weekly pick up. Mayor Tralle explained that there would be a mailing to all of the citizens of Elk River informing them of the changes. Elk River City Council Minutes November 19, 1990 Page 2 e Clyde Ostrander informed the Council that business owners north of the railroad tracks have been hearing rumors that the City is considering putting the red brick sidewalks in the business area north of the railroad tracks. He requested that the City contact the business people before considering this option. He further stated that he has been in contact with all of the business owners north of the tracks and they have indicated their opposition to installing the red brick sidewalks. Mayor Tralle explained that some work will be done on the streets in that area of the City. Discussion was held at this time regarding the traffic situation near fourth and Irving and the fact that it is unsafe because there are three stop signs. The Mayor requested Terry Maurer, the City Engineer to investigate the possibility of installing a four way stop at that intersection. 5.1. Resolution of Support to Central Minnesota Initiative Fund Mayor Tralle indicated that Mr. Roger Johnson of Rohn Iron Works, located at 16110 Jarvis Street, is requesting a business loan from the Central Minnesota Initiative Fund. He indicated that the City is required to adopt a resolution in support of the business in order for the Central Minnesota Initiative Fund to consider the loan. e COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 90-62. A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO THE CENTRAL MINNESOTA INITIATIVE FUND FOR ROHN IRON WORKS EXPANSION PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 5.2. Pay Estimate #2 for Evans Avenue Improvements COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE PAY ESTIMATE #2 TO BITUMINOUS CONSULTING AND CONTRACTORS INCORPORATED IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,756.10 FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE EVANS AVENUE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 5.3. Pay Estimate #1 for Hi~hwaY 10 and 165th Lane Improvements COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE PAY ESTIMATE #l FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE HIGHWAY 10 AND 165TH AVENUE TURN LANE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,376.01. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 5.4. 173rd Avenue Feasibility Study COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 90-63, A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE UPGRADE OF 173RD AVENUE AT THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD TRACKS. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. e Terry Maurer, City Engineer, stated that the improvement would consist of upgrading a portion of 173rd Avenue in the immediate vicinity of the railroad crossing and further that this be done prior the installation of the crossing equipment. Elk River City Council Minutes November 19, 1990 Page 3 ~ 5.5. Main Street Brid~e Terry Maurer, City Engineer, stated that the City has recently received approval from the Federal Highway Administration to proceed with the Main Street bridge replacement. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 90-65, A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF A DESIGN STUDY REPORT IN THE MATTER OF THE MAIN STREET BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Mayor Tralle indicated that there will be a public hearing regarding this matter, if one is requested in writing to the City Administrator by a citizen. 5.6. Dred~in~ Update ~ Terry Maurer indicated that the City Street Superintendent has coordinated the probing of Lake Orono to determine the depth of organic sediments. According to the information collected by the probing, the total sentiment appears to be 500,000 cubic yards. He indicated that prior to this probing, it was assumed that the sediments would be about 2,500,000 cubic yards. The City engineer suggested that an informational meeting be held with the area residents around the first of the year to discuss costs. The Council concurred with the City Engineer. 5.7. Proctor Avenue Update Terry Maurer informed the Council that the County Board has moved to redesign Proctor Avenue and has requested the City of Elk River's services in this project. He stated that the project would be in line for 1991 construction. It was the consensus of the Council to work together with the County on this project. 6.1. Conditional Use Permit Request by Assembly of God Church/Public Hearin~ Janelle Szklarski, Zoning Assistant, indicated that the Elk River Assembly of God church is requesting a conditional use permit to operate a licensed daycare facility for up to 100 children in an R-1A zoning district. Ms. Szklarski indicated that at the Planning Commission meeting regarding this item, several residents from the Brentwood area were present with concerns regarding traffic and the number of children to be in the daycare. Al Nadeau, Planning Commission representative, stated that the Planning Commission recommended denial of the request based on the following findings of fact: ~ 1. That the use would have an adverse impact on the surrounding neighborhood due to traffic and the commercial nature of the use. Elk River City Council Minutes November 19, 1990 Page 4 e 2. That the applicants are not in. compliance with the stipulations of their previous conditional use permit. 3. Testimony from residents regarding the adverse impact on property values and maintenance of the residential nature of the neighborhood. 4. Safety concerns relating to additional traffic in the residential neighborhood. Mayor Tralle opened the public hearing. Dexter Mapson, representing the Elk River Assembly of God Church, was present. He stated that the daycare originally would only have about 25 to 30 children and would eventually would work its way up to larger numbers. e Mr. Mapson responded to the Planning Commission's concern regarding not meeting the conditions of the prior conditional use permit. He stated that one of the conditions was storage of materials on the site. He indicated that they are using semi trailers to store material because they have not been given permission by the City to build a building large enough for the storage of these materials. He also responded to the condition regarding striping of the parking lot. Mr. Mapson indicated that the parking lot would be striped. Mr. Mapson responded to the traffic concern. He stated that the main traffic comes off of the highway. Mr. John Large of 19490 Lowell Avenue stated that he was concerned with the traffic on 194th and Lowell and also voiced his concern regarding the speed in that area. He indicated that a daycare would add more traffic to the area and further stated that he would like to see the traffic slowed down in that area. Janelle Szklarski indicated that speed limit signs for Lowell Avenue have been ordered and should be posted soon. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Tralle closed the public hearing. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DENY THE REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE A LICENSED DAYCARE FACILITY AT THE ELK RIVER ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH DUE TO THE FINDINGS OF FACT PREVIOUSLY LISTED COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. Mayor Tralle stated that the placing establishment in a residential area and the the surrounding property owners were his against the conditional use permit. of a large commercial impact of the traffic to main reasons for voting THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. e 6.2. & 6.3. Zone Chan~e ReQuests by Hohlen and Cornelius/Public Hearin~ Elk River City Council Minutes November 19, 1990 Page 5 . Mayor Tralle indicated that both of these items will be tabled due to requirement of a 4/5 vote in order to approve zone change requests. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO TABLE THE ZONE CHANGE REQUESTS BY HOHLEN AND CORNELIUS UNTIL NOVEMBER 26, 1990, AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE ELK RIVER LIBRARY DUE TO LACK OF A QUORUM OF THE CITY COUNCIL. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 6.4. Easement Vacation by Joe and Lisa Bur~hardt/Public Hearin~ Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, explained that he is recommending denial of the easement vacation because of the fact that there are power lines, telephone lines, and television cables buried in the easement and that it would be impractical to relocate these facilities. Mayor Tralle opened the public hearing. Mr. Car I Miller stated that he would be in favor of granting the easement vacation so that the Burghardts could build their deck due to the unsightliness of the area. He indicated that there has been debris and tires dumped on the easement and that he has notified the City, but nothing has been done and the area has not been cleaned up. e After discussion regarding this matter, it was the conclusion of the City Council to authorize the City to pick up the debris along the easement. There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Tralle closed the public hearing. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DENY THE EASEMENT VACATION REQUEST BY JOE AND LISA BURGHARDT. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 6.5. Administrative subdivision Reauest by Jerome and Linda Morrison Janelle Szklarski indicated that the applicants of this request have requested that the Council table this item so that they could modify their original request for subdivision. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO TABLE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION REQUEST BY JEROME AND LINDA MORRISON. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 6.6. Si~n Reauest in Barrin~ton Place PUD by Linda Norha e Mayor Tralle stated that the applicant is requesting the Ci ty Council to reconsider the Planning Commission's decision for signage at three separate locations in Barrington Place PUD. Janelle Szklarski, Zoning Assistant, indicated that Mr. Santwire is requesting the Council to approve signs for these locations that would be consistent with signage allowed in a C-3 zoning district. Elk River City Council Minutes November 19, 1990 Page 6 e The Council considered the signs at 564 Dodge Avenue. Mr. Gary Santwire, representing Linda Norha, indicated that the applicant is requesting a freestanding sign for this site with a total of 160 square feet and 30 feet high. This site presently has an off-premise freestanding sign. Arlon Fuchs stated that the Planning Commission's main concern was that there are too many signs in that area. The City Council considered signage at 592 Dodge Avenue. Mr. Santwire indicated that the proposed sign would be 160 square feet and 30 feet high with 14 feet of clearance. He further stated that he is requesting a three foot by six foot informational reader board at this location. Councilmember Kropuenske stated that he did not feel a reader board would be necessary. Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator stated that the main concern regarding the sign in this area is safety. The Council considered the signage at 710 Dodge Avenue. Janelle Szklarski stated that the applicant is proposing a freestanding sign which is 160 square feet in size and 30 feet high with 14 feet of clearance. e COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE A FREESTA~DING SIGN FOR 564 DODGE AVENUE OF 160 SQUARE FEET IN SIZE AND 30 FEET HIGH. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE A FREESTANDING SIGN AT 592 DODGE AVENUE OF 160 SQUARE FEET IN SIZE AND 30 FEET HIGH WITH 14 FEET OF CLEARANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS: 1. THAT THE LOCATION OF THE SIGN BE APPROVED BY CITY STAFF FOR SAFETY REASONS. 2. THAT THE READER BOARD REQUESTED NOT BE ALLOWED. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE A FREESTANDING SIGN FOR 710 DODGE AVENUE OF 160 SQUARE FEET IN SIZE AND 30 FEET HIGH WITH 14 FEET OF CLEARANCE. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 7. Check Re~ister COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CHECK REGISTER. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. e COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO LOWE FENCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,445 FOR CHAIN LINK FENCE AROUND THE HOCKEY AREA. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 8.1. Si~n Chan~e on 194th and Lowell Avenue Elk River City Council Minutes November 19, 1990 Page 7 e Mayor Tralle indicated that Phil Hals, Street Superintendent, has submitted a memo to the Council requesting the change of the yield sign on westbound 194th Avenue at Lowell Street to a stop sign. Councilmember Kropuenske stated that due to the concerns of the neighboring residents in that area, he would like to table the request until such time that he has more information regarding this matter. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO TABLE THE REQUEST FOR THE CHANGE OF THE YIELD SIGN TO A STOP SIGN ON 194TH AND LOWELL UNTIL THE COUNCIL RECEIVES A WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS TO WHY THIS STOP SIGN SHOULD BE PLACED ON 194TH AND NOT ON LOWELL AVENUE. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 8.2. Car Allowance Councilmember Holmgren directed staff to research other cities regarding their car allowance policy and to report back to the Council with the findings. 8.3. Mayor Update e Mayor Tralle informed the Council that the Elk River Police Department has received a request for an Elk River Squad car to escort the Elks to and from the Dome on Friday night, November 23. It was the consensus of the Council to authorize the Chief to take the squad car to escort the Elks to and from the Dome. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 90-64, A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING NOVEMBER 23, 1990, AS ELKS DAY. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Phil Hals, Street Superintendent, arrived at this time. The City Council requested the Street Superintendent to explain why a stop sign should be placed at 194th as opposed to Lowell Avenue. Phil Hals indicated that Lowell is a thru street and that it will be posted at 30 mph. He further indicated that placing stop sign at Lowell would not slow the traffic down as people tend to stop and then speed up in order to make up time. He further stated that another reason was to keep the entrance onto Lowell as controlled as possible and still keep Lowell as a thru street. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION FOR A STOP SIGN AT 194TH AVENUE AT LOWELL STREET AND FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT INCREASE THEIR PATROL AT THAT AREA. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. e Councilmember Kropuenske stated that if, after the stop sign is put up and patrol in that area is increased, no improvement is seen, he would like to see this concern brought back to the Council for further consideration. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. e e e Elk River City Council Minutes November 19, 1990 Page 8 9. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~k~~ City Clerk