09-16-08 Council
September 16, 2008
A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Mayor Seefeldt
called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The following councilmembers were present: Council
members Pete Crum, Michael Harnetty, Dolores Peterson, Mayor Dennis Seefeldt. Absent:
Councilmember Donnette Yehle. Staff present: Administrator Anne Hurlburt, City Attorney
Dave Hebert, Building Official Steve Thorp, Treasurer Colleen Firkus, Deputy Clerk Brenda
Eklund.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was amended to include discussion of the following: Administrator Hurlburt’s
annual performance review, Taco Daze issues, letter from resident regarding the sign ordinance,
change in state law regarding the Green Acres property tax policy. Councilmember Peterson,
seconded by Councilmember Harnetty, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The
motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
The following consent agenda was presented:
a) Minutes
1) August 19, 2008 Regular Meeting
2) August 26, 2008 Special Meeting
3) September 2, 2008 Meeting with Planning Commission
4) September 10, 2008 Special Meeting
b) Treasurer’s Report
Beginning Balance 08/01/08 $1,649,822.34
Receipts + 86,211.59
Expenditures 168,415.28
Payroll 19,604.06 - 188,019.34
Ending Balance 08/31/08 $1,548,014.59
c) Payment of Vouchers
d) Utility Permit for Xcel Energy, Install Gas Main on Morgan Avenue North
e) Grading Permit for Roger Lindell for Property owned by Big Marine Ventures LLC at
19423 Oxboro Trail, Resolution 09-16-08-01
f) Nature Properties LLC, Release Letter of Credit for Landscaping, Natures Walk
Subdivision
Administrator Hurlburt answered questions raised by the council regarding the release of the
landscaping letter of credit for Natures Walk. All public improvements have been completed and
the landscaping meets the standards of the ordinance.
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Scandia City Council
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Councilmember Harnetty, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to approve the
consent agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE
Administrator Hurlburt reported on the committee’s finalizing of the Comprehensive Plan and
preparing the plan for a public hearing. The first session of the public hearing is scheduled for
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September 18, at which time it will be continued to the October 7 joint meeting of the City
Council and Planning Commission.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Deputy Majeski reported on theft incidences, vandalism and dumping complaints within the city
over the past month. Deputy Majeski addressed concerns that Councilmember Peterson had
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regarding the Taco Daze event on September 6. Meisters hired two off-duty deputies, in
addition to Deputy Majeski and the County’s north patrol. There were a small number of
disorderly conduct arrests made throughout the day.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Council did not receive an activity report from the fire department.
CITY ENGINEER
City Engineer Paul Hornby, Bonestroo, updated the council on engineering issues. Construction
of the wastewater treatment facility within the Tii Gavo development is ongoing. A feasibility
report has been prepared for the remaining project work within The Sanctuary.
BUILDING/CODE ENFORCEMENT
Building/Code Enforcement Official Steve Thorp reported that over 100 re-roof permits have
been issued within the past few months. Mr. Thorp provided an update on enforcement actions.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Public Works Department Staffing
The Human Resources Committee (Councilmembers Crum, Peterson, and Administrator
Hurlburt) has recommended the hiring of a part-time seasonal maintenance worker to perform
snow removal and general maintenance functions during the winter months. With the retirement
of Bill Poidinger effective at the end of October, this position would begin early November
through the snow season, approximately 24 hours per week, not to exceed 67 work days. Pay
range would fall within $15 to $17 per hour. Councilmember Harnetty, seconded by
Councilmember Peterson, moved to accept the recommendation of the Human Resources
Committee to approve a position for a part-time seasonal street maintenance worker and to
authorize advertisement of the position. The motion passed unanimously.
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Former Rasmussen Property, 20780 Olinda Trail
Upon direction from the council, an inspection of the Rasmussen property was carried out by
Building Official Thorp and Administrator Hurlburt. Council received the report which indicated
that the home is in great need of improvements to bring it up to a habitable condition. Staff has
concluded that due to the high costs to upgrade the home, it is not feasible to lease the home as
rental property. As the city’s intent in purchasing the property was to acquire the land for future
expansion of the uptown sewer system, the most cost effective solution would be to tear down
the home. Councilmember Crum, seconded by Mayor Seefeldt, moved to authorize staff
solicit quotes for the removal of the home at 20780 Olinda Trail. The motion passed
unanimously.
October 2008 City Newsletter
Administrator Hurlburt reviewed topics which will be included in the city’s fall newsletter. A
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draft will be available for council review by September 19, with an anticipated mailing to all
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Scandia residents by October 3.
CHRIST’S HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH INTERIM USE PERMIT AND VARIANCE,
RESOLUTION 09-16-08-02
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At their September 6 meeting, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the
application of Christ’s Household of Faith Church for an Interim Use Permit and Variance for an
animal feedlot setback from White Rock Lake on property located at 19060 Manning Avenue.
Council postponed action in order to revise a number of conditions and was presented with a
draft resolution incorporating these changes.
Applicant and church representative David Bluhm was present to clarify comments made at the
past meeting which indicated the hoop building was illegally constructed. The church believed
the contractor had obtained all necessary permits and had intended the structure to be temporary.
It is currently being used for storage. Mr. Bluhm also addressed the improvements to the animal
feedlot which were completed with the intent to allow eight horses, and they were under the
belief that there was no further need reduce the herd to five horses after this work was complete.
In addressing condition #7 of the draft resolution, Mr. Bluhm requested that the wording
addressing the number of camping “nights” be changed to “events”, as families gather for at least
two nights over holiday weekends in the summertime. City Attorney Hebert suggested that a
change could be made incorporating this change to state “eight camping events, for a maximum
of ten total nights”.
Councilmember Peterson stated her opposition to the allowing of overnight camping on the
property. She felt that this would lead to further requests from groups wishing to camp within the
city and has the potential to cause problems down the road. Councilmember Harnetty countered
this by stating that the organization submitted their plans, received no complaints from
neighbors, and the city is putting detailed conditions on their events. Councilmember Harnetty
defined this as a clearly regulated use.
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Councilmember Harnetty, seconded by Mayor Seefeldt, moved to approve Resolution 09-
16-08-02 with an amendment to Condition #7. Voting in favor: Crum, Seefeldt, Harnetty.
Opposed: Peterson. Motion adopted.
ON-SALE AND SUNDAY LIQUOR LICENSE FOR CHIKOS, INC.
Applicants Efrain Limon, Adrian Quintana and Cynthia Negrete have submitted an application
for an On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License and a Sunday On-Sale Liquor License under the
business name Chikos, Inc. They currently operate the food operations in the former Prospects
Bar and Restaurant at 21050 Ozark Avenue. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by
Councilmember Harnetty, moved to approve the application of Chikos, Inc. for an On-Sale
Intoxicating Liquor License and Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License at 21050
Ozark Avenue. The motion passed unanimously.
WHITE ROCK RANCH, LLC REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF FINAL PLAT
APPROVAL
White Rock Ranch developer Mark Youngdahl has requested an extension of recording the final
plat to October 8, 2009. The final plat was approved by the city on June 5, 2007. The requested
extension coincides with the extension given by the City of Forest Lake, as White Rock Ranch
lies within these two municipalities. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember
Crum, moved to approve the extension of final plat approval of White Rock Ranch to
October 8, 2009. The motion passed unanimously.
PREPARATION OF PLANS AND OBTAINING BIDS FOR OXBORO COURT,
RESOLUTION 09-16-08-03
City Engineer Paul Hornby has submitted a feasibility report on the completion of Oxboro Circle
in “The Sanctuary” development. The projected cost of completion amounts to $42,163.00. The
developer has agreed to have the cost assessed against his remaining three lots. Mr. Hornby felt
that the work could be completed this fall. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by
Councilmember Crum, moved to adopt Resolution 09-16-08-03 Ordering Preparation of
Plans and Obtaining Bids. The motion passed unanimously.
ANNUAL OPERATORS PERMITS: BRACHT BROS., DRESEL CONTRACTING,
TILLER CORPORATION
All three mining operations have submitted their Annual Operators Permit applications. City
Planner Sherri Buss has reviewed the applications and has recommended that the Council table
all three applications. There are a number of items that are not yet in compliance within the
conditions of their CUPs, which were approved in May, 2008.
Natalie Fitzpatrick, Bracht Bros., asked for clarification of a dust control policy which is a
necessary condition of their permit.
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Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to table the Annual
Operator Permits for all three applicants until sufficient information is provided to
complete the application. The motion passed unanimously.
ADMINISTRATOR HURLBURT’S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Administrator Hurlburt’s performance evaluation will be conducted on October 27, 2008. The
council will meet in a closed session at 7:00 p.m.
SIGN ORDINANCE – LETTER OF COMPLAINT
Councilmember Peterson addressed a letter of complaint which the council received from a
resident regarding his view that there is negligent enforcement of the sign ordinance.
Administrator Hurlburt explained that a sweep is done on a weekly basis by the maintenance
department, which is currently short-staffed. Complaints are acted on when received by the
office.
DISCUSSION OF CHANGE IN STATE LAW REGARDING GREEN ACRES
PROPERTY CLASSIFICATION
Councilmember Harnetty questioned how the state’s change in collection of back taxes on
property classified as Green Acres will affect the City. Approximately one-third of acreage
within the City falls under Green Acres classification. Property owners will be notified of this
change by the County within the next few months.
Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Mayor Seefeldt, moved to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk