04-01-08 Council
April 1, 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 council members were present: Council
members Pete Crum, Dolores Peterson, Mayor Dennis Seefeldt. Absent: Councilmembers
Michael Harnetty, Donnette Yehle. Staff present: Administrator Anne Hurlburt, City Attorney
Dave Hebert, Building Official Steve Thorp, Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to approve the
agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
WHITE ROCK RANCH – EXTENSION OF FINAL PLAT APPROVAL
Mark Youngdahl, White Rock Ranch, LLC, has requested an extension of final plat approval for
the White Rock Ranch development. The Development Code requires that the final plat be
submitted to the county for recording within 120 days of approval, unless an extension is
approved by the Council. The final plat was approved on June 5, 2007 and granted an extension
to January 5, 2008. This project is also partly in Forest Lake, which has the final plat approval
expiring on October 8, 2008. Councilmember Peterson remarked that an extension to October 8,
2008 would allow the expiration to coincide with Forest Lake’s date. Councilmember Peterson,
seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to grant an extension of final plat approval for
the White Rock Ranch development to October 8, 2008. The motion passed unanimously.
LEAGUE OF MN CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Discussion of attendance at the LMC Annual Conference was delayed to the next Council
meeting (April 15, 2008) due to the absence of two council members.
MINNESOTA CITY & COUNTY MANAGERS CONFERENCE
Authorization was requested for Administrator Hurlburt’s attendance to the MN City and County
Managers Conference on May 7-9, 2008, at a cost of $585.00 plus mileage. This cost is included
in the 2008 budget. Mayor Seefeldt, seconded by Pete Crum, moved to authorize
Administrator Hurlburt’s attendance at the MN City and County Managers Conference
and payment of the expenses. The motion passed unanimously.
NOMINATIONS TO CARNELIAN-MARINE-ST. CROIX WATERSHED
Washington County has asked for nominations to the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Board of
Managers due to a vacancy. The appointment will be made by the county board. The City issued
a notice to citizens interested in serving on the Board to represent the Scandia/Big Marine Lake
area. Three applications were received. Councilmember Peterson recommended Michael White
to the position, as she felt Mr. White is familiar with the organization, having served in previous
years. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to submit the
nomination of Michael White to serve on the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Board of
Managers. The motion passed unanimously. All three applications will be forwarded to the
county. Additional nominations have been requested for terms that will expire in June. The City
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has advertised this notice with an April 11 deadline so that the Council may consider
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nominations at the April 15 meeting.
April 1, 2008
Scandia City Council
Page 2
The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. The following were
present: Commission Chair Chris Ness, Commissioners Tom Krinke, Christine Maefsky,
Susan Rodsjo, Peter Schwarz and TKDA Planner Sherri Buss.
GRAVEL MINING CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS – CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC
HEARINGS
Public hearings were opened on March 5, 2008 to consider new Conditional Use Permits for
three mining operations: Bracht Bros., Inc., Dresel Contracting, Inc. and Tiller Corporation. City
Planner Sherri Buss reported on the current status of the applications. TKDA has subcontracted
with LBG, a firm that is analyzing the groundwater issues and will provide recommendations to
the City throughout the CUP process. LBG has requested additional information from the
applicants to complete their final hydro-geologic analysis. Comments received from John
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Lindell, 11240 218 Street, will also be addressed by LBG in its analysis of the applications.
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Planner Buss also reported on the progress of key issues identified at the March 5 meeting. The
Watershed Districts’ review of surface water issues are in process. Washington Conservation
District and Car-Mar-St. Croix Watershed are working with the City to address the wetland study
on the Dresel site. TKDA’s traffic engineer is reviewing traffic and roadway issues to determine
the needs and options for signage and other safety improvements. The applicants have been
directed to provide concept-level reclamation plans to show that future allowable uses will be
feasible. Staff will conduct field visits in April to establish a photo log of existing conditions at
the three sites. The photos will provide a record for comparison in future years. The Planners are
recommending a continuation of the public hearings to the May Planning Commission meeting,
at which time it is proposed that a full review will be complete and recommendations on the
permits can be made.
Commissioner Schwartz asked for clarification of what the reclamation plan must define.
Planner Buss stated that the Ordinance requires that reclamation be feasible for its allowed use in
that district, ultimately approved by the Planning Commission and Council. Commissioner
Maefsky asked if the photo compilation will be used to reference reclamation. Planner Buss
explained that a GPS unit will be used to identify the photo locations. This photo log will be used
in the Annual Operators Review to evaluate whether screening, berming and other conditions are
being met. Commissioner Rodsjo asked if John Lindell’s comments and questions will be
addressed. Planner Buss stated that these questions have been directed to LBG and TKDA will
research the remaining concerns.
Chairman Ness asked for public comments.
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John Lindell, 11240 218 Street, would like Tiller Corporation to establish a 20-foot high
berm along the south border of the Tiller property so that it continues easterly along the
full length of the Stevens property. Mr. Lindell feels that this is a safety condition that
should be met in the final CUP approval. Mr. Lindell also feels that it is important to
revisit the environmental impacts of Tiller’s mining operation through a complete EAW.
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Scandia City Council
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Tim Brown, 23110 Manning Trail, asked what financial guarantees the city holds if the
operator were to abandon the property prior to reclamation, and what guarantees will be
in place regarding water protection for surrounding residents. Administrator Hurlburt:
The amount of the financial guarantee will be determined in the CUP process. LBG is
studying all groundwater issues and will have a report available at the next meeting.
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Jerry Vecchiollo, 10421 230 Street, asked how long the proposed “mining into the water
table” will last. Mike Caron, Tiller Corp.: This process would continue into the last year
of the project, estimated to be 20 to 30 years.
Chairman Ness continued the public hearings to May 6, 2008.
Possible dates the Planning Commission and Council to conduct site visits of all three operations
were discussed. It was decided to meet at the Bracht pit on April 22, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. to begin
the tours, travel to Dresel for a 5:45 tour, and arrive at the Tiller pit at 6:15 p.m. This will be
posted as a public meeting, open to anyone who wishes to attend. Liability issues were brought
up. City Attorney Hebert does not anticipate it would be a problem as long as safety controls are
put in place at the sites.
OLD MARINE ESTATES – FINAL PLAT, RESOLUTION 04-01-08-01
The preliminary plat for a minor subdivision/preliminary plat to create three lots at 11980
Lakamaga Trail known as Old Marine Estates was approved on November 6, 2007. Applicants
John and Sandra Swanson have submitted the final plat.
City Planner Sherri Buss presented the staff report. The final plat and associated plans are in
substantial agreement with the approved preliminary plat. The planners recommend approval
with conditions which were outlined in draft Resolution 04-01-08-01. Regarding the Woodland
Preservation Plan, the applicant may remove the trees for the driveway and must complete the
deferred maintenance on the remainder of the pine plantation. By removing the dead and
diseased trees, the value of the existing plantings will be protected, in keeping with the intent of
the ordinance. Drainage easements to the City will include the raingardens and access to the
raingardens, in the event that the City needs to provide any maintenance to the raingardens.
The Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed has placed additional conditions concerning buffer
requirements and management standards which will not stand in the way of the City’s approval.
Modifications in wording of Conditions #2 and #3 of the draft resolution were made to better
clarify the intent.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the draft resolution with the revisions to
wording.
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Scandia City Council
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Councilmember Crum, seconded by Councilmember Peterson, moved to accept the
recommendation of the Planning Commission to adopt draft Resolution 04-01-08-01
Approving Old Marine Estates Final Plat with revisions. The motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Hebert will proceed with drafting the Development Agreement.
RECOGNITION OF FORMER PLANNING COMMISSIONERS MALMQUIST AND
NICKELSON
Commissioner Maefsky recognized former Planning Commissioners James “Moose” Malmquist
and Kevin Nickelson for their many years of service and experience they contributed to the
Planning Commission. Both Moose and Kevin thanked the Council for allowing them the
privilege to serve.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
Commissioners Maefsky and Ness offered to fill the openings on the Capital Improvement
Committee which serves as an advisory committee to the Council. Councilmember Peterson,
seconded by Mayor Seefeldt, moved to approve the appointment of Commissioners
Maefsky and Ness to the Capital Improvement Committee. The motion passed
unanimously.
Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City of Scandia Deputy Clerk