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03-18-08 Council March 18, 2008 A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Mayor Seefeldt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following councilmembers were present: Councilmembers Pete Crum, Dolores Peterson, Donnette Yehle, Mayor Dennis Seefeldt. Absent: Councilmember Michael Harnetty. Staff present: Administrator Anne Hurlburt, City Attorney Dave Hebert, City Engineer Tom Peterson, Treasurer Colleen Firkus, Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. PUBLIC FORUM There were no public comments. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Seefeldt moved Agenda Item 9.a), Resolution 03-18-08-01, up to an earlier point in the meeting. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Yehle, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA The following consent agenda was presented: a) Minutes 1) February 19, 2008 Special Meeting 2) February 19, 2008 Regular Meeting 3) March 5, 2008 Meeting with Planning Commission b) Treasurer’s Report Beginning Balance 02/01/08 $1,416,165.60 Receipts + 13,257.34 Expenditures 158,967.69 Payroll 22,461.99 - 181,429.68 Ending Balance 02/29/08 $1,247,993.26 c) Payment of Vouchers Councilmember Crum, seconded by Councilmember Yehle, moved to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion passed unanimously. ACCEPT DONATION OF COMMUNITY CENTER CHAIRS FROM SCANDIA MARINE LIONS CLUB – RESOLUTION 03-18-08-01 The Scandia Marine Lions Club has recently donated 300 padded chairs valued at $6,610.46 to replace the aged metal folding chairs in the Scandia Community/Senior Center. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to adopt Resolution No. 03-18-08-01 Accepting the Donation from the Scandia Marine Lions Club. Mayor Seefeldt presented Lions Club President Dan Hames with the resolution along with many thanks for the generous donation. March 18, 2008 Scandia City Council Page 2 PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE Committee Chair Karen Schik presented a report from the Park and Recreation Committee outlining their accomplishments for 2007 and goals for 2008-09. The Committee proposes to continue to emphasize trails, open space planning, and expand the open gym program. The Committee would like to explore the concept of a 501c3 non-profit status to enable better access to funding sources. Councilmember Yehle, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to accept the Park and Recreation Committee’s report on 2007 Accomplishments and 2008- 2009 Goals. The motion passed unanimously. POLICE REPORT Deputy Chris Majeski reported on police activity over the past month. The intersection of Lofton Avenue (County Road 1) and Highway 97 has been the site of increased traffic accidents. Deputy Majeski stated that Washington County has been researching various safety improvements at this corner. Administrator Hurlburt was directed to contact Wayne Sandberg, Deputy Director of the County Public Works Department, stating the City’s concern about the visibility at this intersection and to offer support for traffic improvements. FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief Steve Spence presented the Fire Department’s monthly report. There were 15 emergency response calls in February. CITY ENGINEER City Engineer Tom Peterson presented an update on the City’s Engineering projects. Scandia is included in the County’s road striping for 2008, at a cost of $10,000 to $15,000. Pavement Management Plan Bonestroo, the city’s engineering firm, has submitted a proposal for the preparation of a pavement management plan. The Capital Improvements Committee recommended this in an effort to help the City plan for future maintenance and reconstruction activities. Paul Hornby presented the proposal for a plan which applies a rating based on surface evaluations and will identify roadway maintenance and reconstruction needs. The cost proposal would not exceed $9,800, and could be completed by the end of June 2008. Administrator Hurlburt stated that this is a reasonable fee, lower than the budgeted amount of $20,000, as Bonestroo has already accumulated a great deal of the roadway inventory as a result of their other work with the City. Council was in consensus that this would be a useful tool for establishing maintenance and reconstruction priorities, at a price lower than could be offered from other engineering firms. Councilmember Yehle, seconded by Councilmember Peterson, moved to accept Bonestroo’s proposal for a Pavement Management Plan and authorized them to proceed, at a cost not to exceed $9,800.00. The motion passed unanimously. BUILDING/CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL Council received a summary of the past month’s activity. March 18, 2008 Scandia City Council Page 3 CITY ADMINISTRATOR Comments on Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District Rules The Watershed began the process of updating their rules in April 2007. The Watershed Board will hold a public hearing on April 7, 2008 to review these rules and regulations and have th requested that written comments be received by March 27. Administrator Hurlburt participated in the technical sessions and stated that the largest issue appears to be in establishing a threshold of when a permit is needed. Council discussed Administrator Hurlburt’s report on concerns with the proposed rules. The rule in Section 4.0 expands buffers on all public waters and wetlands, at a range which is significantly greater than what is now required in Scandia. Many other concerns will be addressed in a letter to Jim Shaver, Administrator of the CMSCWD. These comments include working toward a coordination of the Watershed’s rules and the City’s procedure in an effort to streamline the time and expense for landowners regarding development rules and building permits. Administrator Hurlburt and Mayor Seefeldt plan to attend the public hearing on th April 7. APPOINTMENT TO PARK AND REC COMMITTEE – RESOLUTION 03-18-08-02 The council held a special meeting prior to the start of the evening’s regular meeting for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the vacancy on the Park and Recreation Committee. Committee Chair Karen Schik also participated in the interview process. Three candidates were interviewed. Councilmember Yehle, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to adopt Resolution 03-18-08-02 Appointing Tom Vogen to the Park and Recreation Committee. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Vogen’s term will expire on February 1, 2010. PROGRAM AGREEMENT WITH CAMP LAKAMAGA Council reviewed the program agreement with the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valley for the city’s summer recreation programs which will be held at the Girls Scouts’ Camp Lakamaga site. The agreement is identical to the one in place in 2007. City Attorney Hebert has reviewed the agreement and found it to be in order. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to approve the Program Agreement and authorized Mayor Seefeldt to sign on behalf of the City. The motion passed unanimously. LILLESKOGEN PARK PLAN Jason Husveth, Critical Connections, and Ken Grieshaber, SRF Consulting, presented plans for the restoration and development of Lilleskogen Park. A draft was presented to the Park Committee in February. Refinements were made to the plan based on the committee’s recommendations. The plan proposes to reestablish the existing wetland, build a looped trail system with boardwalk crossings, add interpretative signage, plant a native butterfly garden, and make other ecological improvements. The plan is divided into three phases: 1) infrastructure, grading; 2) restoration; 3) site furnishings, garden planting, lighting. This plan will now be used as a tool for grants and other funding sources to begin the process of implementation, which is expected to take several years. The Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed is supportive of the plan and could assist with cost-sharing and support for grant sources. Council was in consensus March 18, 2008 Scandia City Council Page 4 that this is an acceptable overall plan and was supportive of the Park Committee’s exploration of funding. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Yehle, moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund Deputy Clerk