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12-02-08 Council December 2, 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, Michael Harnetty, Dolores Peterson, and Mayor Dennis Seefeldt. Absent: Council member Donnette Yehle. Staff present: Administrator Anne Hurlburt, City Attorney Dave Hebert, Building Official Steve Thorp, Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A discussion of animal control services was added to the agenda. Councilmember Harnetty, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously. ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES Sherrill Reid, provider of animal control services for Scandia, addressed that council with a concern that the Woodbury Animal Humane Society will terminate their agreement with the City to provide impounding services for stray dogs. This appears due to the fact that the animal control officer is not authorized to pick up non-canine stray animals, as Ordinance 75 designates impounding of dogs only. Administrator Hurlburt stated the options that staff is researching, such as changing the ordinance to allow for the collection of stray cats or to find an alternative shelter or animal control service that will accommodate the City’s impounding needs. Mayor Seefeldt suggested that staff further research this issue and make a recommendation at the next council meeting. Councilmember Peterson commented that Ms. Reid has done an outstanding job as the provider of animal control for Scandia over the years. BIG MARINE LAKE LIQUOR STORE LICENSE RENEWAL Councilmember Crum, seconded by Councilmember Peterson, moved to approve the 2009 liquor license renewal for Big Marine Lake Liquor Store (Off-Sale). The motion passed unanimously. TOBACCO LICENSE RENEWALS Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Harnetty, move to approve the 2009 Tobacco Products Sales Licenses for the following establishments: Todd’s Home Center, Big Marine Lake Liquor and Big Marine Lake Store. The motion passed unanimously. 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE Council reviewed the City Council meeting schedule for 2009. Regular meetings will continue to be held on the third Tuesday of the month, and meetings with the Planning Commission on the first Tuesday of the month. Councilmember Harnetty, seconded by Mayor Seefeldt, moved to approve the City Council Meeting Schedule for 2009 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. December 2, 2008 Scandia City Council Page 2 of 3 REDUCTION OF LETTER OF CREDIT FOR LANDSCAPING, TII GAVO SUBDIVISION Critical Connections, on behalf of Superior Land Preservation, has requested that the landscaping Letter of Credit be reduced by $35, 900 for a final amount of $141,787. Building/Code Enforcement Official Thorp has inspected site and reported that the tree count is correct and the trees appear to be doing well. Councilmember Harnetty, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to approve the reduction of $35,900 in the landscaping Letter of Credit for the Tii Gavo subdivision. The financial guarantee will total $141,787. The motion passed unanimously. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT TRAINING EXERCISE AT 20780 OLINDA TRAIL The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has asked for permission from the City to conduct a training exercise on the property at 20780 Olinda Trail (former Rasmussen house) December 17, 2008. A “Hold Harmless Agreement” was submitted from the Sheriff’s Office. City Attorney Hebert advised that approval of this contract should come from the Washington County Attorney prior to acceptance by the City. Councilmember Crum, seconded by Councilmember Peterson, moved to approve the request for use of property at 20780 by the Washington County Special Response Team, pending approval of an indemnification agreement by both the County and City Attorneys. The motion passed unanimously. ACCEPT DONATION FROM THE FOREST LAKE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION At the request of the Park and Recreation Committee, the Forest Lake Athletic Association has donated $300 from their charitable gambling funds towards the Open Gym program, to be held at the Scandia Elementary School on four Saturdays in January. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Crum, moved to accept the $300 donation from the Forest Lake Athletic Association to help fund the Open Gym Program. The motion passed unanimously. The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m. The following were present: Commission Chair Chris Ness, Commissioners Tom Krinke, Christine Maefsky, Susan Rodsjo and Peter Schwarz. City Attorney Hebert recognized the recent passing away of Scandia resident Franz Westermeier, age 90. Mr. Westermeier, a long-time member of the New Scandia Township Planning Commission, was a major author of the early Comprehensive Plan and a proponent of rural character within the community. 2008-2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (RESOLUTION 12-02-08-01) Administrator Hurlburt gave an overview of the process that has lead to review of the final draft of the 2008-2030 Comprehensive Plan. The statutory deadline for submitting the plan to the Metropolitan Council is December 31, 2008. Following a special meeting of the Planning Commission on November 25, 2008, the City’s consultant provided a detailed list of changes made to the draft plan. These changes were documented in a list dated December 1, 2008. Commissioner Krinke noted that the changes accurately reflect the discussion of the November th 25 meeting. December 2, 2008 Scandia City Council Page 3 of 3 Chairman Ness commented that a major change was to the bonus density allowed in the Agricultural Core and General Rural districts. A bonus density of 75% of the base density will be allowed in both districts. This was revised from the 100% bonus density allowed for conservation subdivisions in the Ag Core and the 50% bonus allowed for in the General Rural district that were written into the draft plan. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Comprehensive Plan with inclusion of the list of changes dated December 1, 2008. Mayor Seefeldt recommended that wording be altered on page 133 to state “encourage the use of native vegetation” (Land Use Implementation Strategy 6.2.2). Councilmember Harnetty, seconded by Councilmember Peterson, moved to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission to adopt Resolution 12-02-08-01, Approving the 2008-2030 Comprehensive Plan to the Metropolitan Council, with incorporation of the changes on the list dated December 1, 2008 and with Mayor Seefeldt’s recommendation to wording on page 133. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Seefeldt acknowledged the Planning Commission for the many hours of work that culminated in a thorough final comprehensive plan. Moose Malmquist, Comprehensive Plan Committee member, thanked the Planning Commission members for their commitment to the project. Councilmember Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Harnetty, moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund Deputy Clerk