11-18-08 Council
November 18, 2008
A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Acting Mayor
Michael Harnetty called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. The following councilmembers were
present: Council members Pete Crum, Michael Harnetty, Dolores Peterson, Donnette Yehle.
Absent: Mayor Dennis Seefeldt. Staff present: Administrator Anne Hurlburt, City Attorney Dave
Hebert, City Engineer Paul Hornby, Building Official Steve Thorp, Deputy Clerk Brenda
Eklund.
PUBLIC FORUM
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John Lindell, 11240 218 Street, asked the Council to address a potential violation at the Tiller
mining site before approving Tiller’s Annual Operating Permit.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Yehle, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to approve the agenda
as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
The following consent agenda was presented:
a) Minutes
1) October 21, 2008 Regular Meeting
2) October 22, 2008 Special Meeting
3) October 27, 2008 Special Meeting
4) October 29, 2008 Special Meeting
5) November 5, 2008, 2008 Meeting with Planning Commission
b) Treasurer’s Report
c) Payment of Vouchers
d) Appointment of Part-Time Seasonal Ice Rink Personnel
e) Liquor License Renewals
1) AJL Enterprises dba Scandia Olde Towne Liquor, Off-Sale
2) Meister’s Bar & Grill, Combination On/Off-Sale and Sunday
f) Tobacco License Renewals
1) AJL Enterprises dba Scandia Olde Towne Liquor
2) Scandia Store & Deli
g) Utility Permit, Frontier Communications (16115 Quality Trail N.)
h) Annual Operators Permits (AOP) for Mining Operations, Tiller Corporation, 22303
Manning Trail (Resolution 11-18-08-01)
In regards to item h), City Attorney Hebert advised that the issue brought forward by Mr. Lindell
was answered to the satisfaction of the Council at the November 5 meeting.
Councilmember Crum, seconded by Councilmember Peterson, moved to approve the
Consent Agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Planning Commission will meet on November 25 to discuss a recommendation of the 2008-
2030 Comprehensive Plan to the Council at the December 2 meeting.
Scandia City Council
November 18, 2008
Page 2 of 3
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Deputy Chris Majeski reported on police activity within the last month, including property
damage, vandalism, pursuit and assists, and a report of a stolen ATV at the Tii Gavo subdivision.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Assistant Fire Chief Stave Yehle presented the fire department’s activity report. Mr. Yehle
discussed a comparison of run volumes to neighboring fire departments. The 800 radio MHZ is
on track for implementation in March 2009. The department is working on approval of an
Emergency Management Intergovernmental and Deployment Code of Conduct document, to be
reviewed by the City Attorney.
Tiller Agreement for use of Well
The Council was presented with an agreement, prepared by Tiller Corporation, to allow
Scandia’s Fire Department access to the high capacity well at the Tiller mining site. The contract
would indemnify Tiller for any liability or damages that might result from use of the well.
Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Yehle, moved to approve the agreement with Tiller
Corporation to allow the Fire Department access to the high capacity well at the Tiller
facility at 22303 Manning Trail. The motion passed unanimously.
CITY ENGINEER
City Engineer Paul Hornby reported that The Sanctuary improvements have been completed.
The final wear course has been placed within Tii Gavo, with the shouldering being scheduled for
completion this month.
BUILDING/CODE ENFORCEMENT
Building Official Steve Thorp reported on the record number of permits that have been issued
year to date, with the majority of these being roofing permits. Regarding the Rasmussen house,
Thorp has contacted house movers and recyclers but there is no interest from contractors willing
to deal with this house. Thorp is waiting for one more quote on asbestos abatement.
THE SANCTUARY PROJECT
Pay Request #1 and Final
T.A. Schifsky & Sons has submitted a first and final pay request for public improvements in The
Sanctuary. The costs will be assessed to the remaining lots owned by the developer.
Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to approve the Pay
Request to T.A. Schifsky & Sons in the amount of $24,472.06. The motion passed
unanimously.
Declare Costs and Adopt Assessments (Resolution 11-18-08-02)
In September, the city entered into an agreement with the developer to complete the public
improvements and assess the costs (less the amount of $12,375 from a letter of credit) to his
remaining lots in the project. Costs to be assessed total $24,466.06. Councilmember Peterson,
seconded by Councilmember Yehle, moved to adopt Resolution 11-18-08-02, Declaring
Costs to be Assessed and Adopting the Assessment. The motion passed unanimously.
Scandia City Council
November 18, 2008
Page 3 of 3
TOM & LISA STANEK – CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR A FENCE IN THE
SHORELAND OVERLAY DISTRICT (RESOLUTION 11-18-08-03)
Tom and Lisa Stanek have applied for a Certificate of Compliance to construct a temporary
fence on property located at 19107 Layton Avenue. Mr. Stanek is proposing a 4’ high plastic
snow fence to encompass the yard for security and construction reasons. The fence will be up
during the duration of house construction, anticipated to begin next spring. The Council
discussed adding a date for removal of the fence. Councilmember Crum, seconded by
Councilmember Yehle, moved to approve Resolution 11-18-08-03, Certificate of
Compliance for a Fence at 19107 Layton Avenue, with a change to condition #3 stating that
the fence must be removed by July 1, 2009. The motion passed unanimously.
SIGNAGE AT LOFTON AVENUE INTERSECTION
Due to numerous crashes at the intersection of Highway 97 and Lofton Avenue (County Road 1),
Washington County has proposed signage improvements to increase the visibility of this
intersection. They would relocate an existing “stop ahead” sign closer to the corner and upgrade
it to a larger sign. If the city consents, three reflector signs would be placed in the city right-of-
way for drivers southbound on Lofton. City Engineer Hornby suggested the use of highly visible
LED signs. Councilmember Yehle, seconded by Councilmember Peterson, moved to
consent to the placement of traffic signs in the right of way and to request that the County
install a form of lighted signs for increased visibility. The motion passed unanimously.
2009 PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE RENEWAL
Council discussed the terms of renewal of insurance coverage from the League of MN Cities
Insurance Trust. In the past, the City/Township has waived the statutory monetary limit on tort
liability. Without the waiver, there would be a savings of approximately $1,200 on liability
insurance premiums. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Harnetty,
moved to not waive the liability limits for 2009. The motion passed unanimously.
The City currently carries $100,000 of faithful performance bond coverage. This is less than
what is recommended by the Municipal Finance Officers Association, based on an exposure
index. The cost of increasing the bond coverage to $200,000 is estimated at about $300 per year.
Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Yehle, moved to approve an
increase to the City’s bond coverage limits to $200,000. The motion passed unanimously.
REPAIRS TO COMMUNITY CENTER SEWER SYSTEM
The Community Center septic tank pumps which connect to the Uptown septic field need to be
repaired. C & B Excavating has submitted the low bid for replacement of the pumps.
Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Harnetty, moved to accept the
proposal from C & B Excavating in the amount of $4,750.00 for replacement of the
Community Center septic pumps. The motion passed unanimously.
Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Yehle, moved to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund, Deputy Clerk