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08-04-09 Council August 4, 2009 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 Connie Amos, Pete Crum, John Lindell, Dolores Peterson and Mayor Dennis Seefeldt. Staff present: Administrator Anne Hurlburt, City Attorney Dave Hebert, Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Seefeldt moved agenda item 5.d) to the first agenda item of the meeting. Peterson, seconded by Amos, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously. RECIPROCAL FIRE SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH VILLAGE OF OSCEOLA, WI The Fire Department has recommended that the city enter into a mutual aid agreement with the Village of Osceola, to allow either department to assist with emergency response in their respective territories. City Attorney Hebert presented the proposed agreement which he prepared with input from the Osceola Village Attorney and the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. Fire Chief Jim Finnegan commented that this agreement is a positive contract for the two communities, allowing the departments to work together on both sides of the river. Peterson, seconded by Seefeldt, moved to approve a reciprocal fire service agreement with the Village of Osceola, Wisconsin. The motion passed unanimously. TEMPORARY LIQUOR LICENSE, SCANDIA SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION The Scandia Softball Association has applied for a temporary license for beer sales during games at the Scandia lighted ballfield during the annual Taco Daze event. Peterson, seconded by Amos, moved to approve a temporary liquor license for the Scandia Softball Association for September 11, 2009. The motion passed unanimously. REVIEW OF WASHINGTON COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Washington County has submitted their 2030 Comprehensive Plan to adjacent governmental units for review and comments. Administrator Hurlburt has reviewed the plan and found it to be compatible with Scandia’s Comprehensive Plan, although there was no reference to Scandia’s th park-and-ride lot at Olinda Trail and 209 Street in the Transportation chapter, which did identify other lots in the county. The County Plan also contained a few outdated references to “New Scandia Township”. A draft letter was presented to the council which recommended the technical corrections and a comment stating that the city will continue to maintain the park-and- ride lot. Peterson, seconded by Amos, moved to approve the letter to Washington County with comments on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The motion passed unanimously. PARK USER PERMIT, FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS On July 21, the Council approved a park user permit for Frontier Communication’s customer appreciation event to be held on the Community Center grounds on July 29, 2009. Frontier postponed this event and has requested the permit date be changed to August 19. Amos, seconded by Crum, moved to approve that a Park User Permit be issued to Frontier Communications for August 19, 2009, with conditions as previously issued. August 4, 2009 Scandia City Council Page 2 of 3 The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. The following were present: Commission Chair Chris Ness, Commissioners Tom Krinke, Susan Rodsjo and Peter Schwarz. Absent: Commissioner Christine Maefsky. DRAFT ORDINANCE REGULATING SPECIAL EVENTS City Administrator Hurlburt presented a draft ordinance which would establish regulations for special events, such as outdoor concerts. Staff was directed to research an outdoor events policy following a discussion at an earlier council meeting which identified potential issues regarding a wrestling/live music event at a local business. The Council requested an ordinance which would take a broad approach to a wide range of outdoor events and the potential issues they pose. Key issues for discussion were identified which would further define pertinent details of the ordinance, such as the definition of a special event, permit fees, exceptions to the permit requirement and restrictions on the number of special events permitted. Commissioner Schwarz stated that defining this ordinance appears to be more complicated than anticipated and questioned how enforcement of the ordinance would be handled. Administrator Hurlburt answered that many event details would be provided ahead of time to ward off potential problems regarding hours, parking, etc. The city would rely on law enforcement personnel to respond to any issues which arise during the event. A permit fee could be established which would be reasonably related to the cost of issuing the permit and monitoring the activity. Councilmember Peterson had concerns that an events ordinance has the potential to negatively affect local businesses. Peterson felt that the current noise ordinance can control amplified music. Mayor Seefeldt agreed with this but stated that the city is looking to balance the rights of businesses and the protection of neighbors’ rights to enjoy their property without the negative effects of traffic and amplified music. Commissioner Krinke felt there was a need to issue some sort of permit so that the city was at least aware of activities being conducted. Krinke thought that an Interim Use Permit is not the way to go as this approach would be costly and time prohibitive. Commissioner Rodsjo suggested some type of compromise such as providing a checklist to event organizers so that they are aware of parking requirements, health and safety issues, event hours, sign placement and other rules which the city has in place. Councilmember Lindell recommended that ordinance language be kept light, meaning be subjective to a large extent to address health and safety concerns. It may be possible to review the events at a public meeting and make conditions at that time rather than by an ordinance. Commissioner Ness suggested that a list of restrictions of what is not allowed be considered, such as ultimate fighting. August 4, 2009 Scandia City Council Page 3 of 3 Commissioner Schwarz asked that the issue be tabled to allow for additional thought and research on this topic. Commissioner Ness asked that a subcommittee meet in a workshop to further work out details and make a recommendation at a future council meeting. The following volunteered to meet on August 12 at 3 pm to further discuss a draft outdoor events ordinance: Council members Peterson and Amos, Commissioners Ness and Krinke, and business owners Scot and Courtney Taylor. It was suggested that citizen-at large members of the Retail/Commercial Business Committee be contacted for attendance at the meeting to offer further input. Peterson, seconded by Amos, moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund Deputy Clerk