09-07-10 Council and Planning
September 7, 2010
A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Mayor Dennis
Seefeldt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call
was taken. The following council members were present: Connie Amos, Pete Crum, John
Lindell, Dolores Peterson and Mayor Dennis Seefeldt. Staff present: City Administrator Anne
Hurlburt, City Attorney Dave Hebert, and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Peterson, second by Amos, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed
unanimously.
APPOINTMENT OF FULL-TIME MAINTENANCE WORKER
Jeff Anderson, a Scandia resident, has met the requirements of employment for the Full-Time
Maintenance Worker position. Mr. Anderson plans to begin work as early as September 8,
depending on his current employer. Crum, second be Amos, moved to appoint Jeff Anderson
to the position of full-time Maintenance Worker in the Public Works Department, at a rate
of $19.41 per hour. The motion carried 5-0.
CERTIFY 2011 PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX LEVY (RESOLUTION 09-07-10-01)
The City must certify its 2011 proposed property tax levy to the county auditor by September 15.
At its August 30 budget workshop, the council directed staff to prepare a resolution to certify the
maximum levy allowed under the state levy limit, $2,013,651, a 4.95% increase from the 2010
levy. Administrator Hurlburt stated that the council will hold a public meeting and schedule
another budget work session to further discuss the final tax levy which will be adopted in
December.
Council member Lindell stated that he does not support setting the tax levy at the maximum rate,
and feels that a 3% increase would be more appropriate. Council member Peterson
acknowledged that the council has the opportunity to further discuss the levy before the final
adoption. City Attorney Hebert advised that it a common practice to initially adopt the maximum
allowed levy. The levy may be reduced from this amount, but cannot be increased. Administrator
Hurlburt stated that the council will have a better sense of budget numbers at their next work
session, and adopting the maximum levy gives them flexibility to make decisions on the budget.
Crum, second by Peterson, moved to adopt Resolution 09-07-10-01, Certifying the
Maximum Property Tax Levy Payable in 2011. The motion carried 4-1, with Lindell
opposed.
The council will meet in a budget work session on Tuesday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m. The
canvass of votes from the November 2, 2010 municipal election will also occur at this meeting.
State law requires that the city hold a public meeting between November 25 and December 26,
with this date included on the property tax notices sent in November. By consensus, Council
agreed to hold the public meeting prior to their regular meeting on December 7, 2010 at 6:00
p.m.
September 7, 2010
Scandia City Council
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APPOINTMENT TO FOREST LAKE CABLE TELEVISION COMMISSION
(RESOLUTION 09-07-10-02)
The Joint Powers Agreement of the Forest Lake Cable Commission allows each city to appoint
two directors to serve two-year terms. John LaNasa, Scandia resident, has recently resigned from
this position, which expires December 31, 2011. Staff recommended that Administrator Hurlburt
fill the unexpired portion of Mr. LaNasa’s term. If a citizen volunteer comes forward the Council
could make a new appointment. Peterson, second by Amos, moved to adopt Resolution 09-07-
10-2, Appointing Administrator/Clerk Hurlburt as a Director to the Forest Lake Cable
Commission. The motion carried 5-0.
The council recessed at 7:20 p.m.
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 and Peter Schwarz. Staff present: City Planner Sherri Buss, TKDA,
Building/Code Enforcement Official Steve Thorp. Council member John Lindell was absent
following the council recess.
JAMB ARCHITECTS, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR EXPANSION AND
RENOVATION OF SCANDIA PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER, 21190 OZARK AVENUE
(RESOLUTION 09-07-10-03)
Jerry Anderson, jamb Architects, and owners Howard and Emily Stegner, have applied for a
Conditional Use Permit to allow building expansion and site redesign of the existing Scandia
Plaza Shopping Center located at 21190 Ozark Avenue. The property is located in the Retail
Business District.
City Planner Sherri Buss presented an overview of the proposal. The improvements are proposed
to occur in two phases. The applicant is requesting City approval of Phase 1 improvements,
which includes a building expansion of 2,475 square feet to the east of the existing building,
relocation of the bank from the west to the east side of the center and expansion of the bank
space, a new driveway to the center and drive-through facility for the bank, renovation of the
existing building, and changes to parking, traffic circulation, landscaping and storm water
management. The application shows that all existing tenants would remain. The applicant
indicated that a separate CUP request will be made for signage at a later date.
The planner’s report recommended approval of the CUP, with a recommendation that the plans
include a pedestrian connection from Scandia Plaza to the shopping center to the south, to allow
for the option to walk between the two centers. A resolution was prepared which detailed
additional conditions of approval.
Commissioner Rodsjo commended Mr. Anderson for working closely with the city in following
the new Architectural Design Guidelines. The structure reflects many historic Scandinavian
design elements. The redesign includes use of fiber cement lap siding in colors of deep red and
gray-blue, wide white trim around the windows, pitched rooflines and gabled dormers, stone
store fronts, and canvas awnings. A correction to condition number twelve in the draft resolution
was recognized – a reference to transom windows was removed.
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Scandia City Council
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Chairman Ness opened the public hearing.
Jim Lindberg, 21805 Olinda Trail: Mr. Lindberg suggested adding a frontage road with access
for eastbound Highway 97 traffic to ease congestion at the Highway 97/Ozark Avenue
intersection. Mr. Lindberg was advised that MN-DOT has strict access guidelines that may be
out of the scope of this project.
As there were no more public comments, Chairman Ness closed the hearing.
Commissioner Krinke asked if removing part of the existing drainfield to construct a new
driveway received County approval. Mr. Anderson replied that the County has approved the
plans. The remaining drainfield will be sufficient to handle the expected demand of the users. A
back up drainfield site located on the northeast part of the lot will not be disturbed.
Council member Crum asked if the dormers have storage capacity. Mr. Anderson explained that
the purpose of the dormers is to provide a two-story appearance. The windows in the gabled
dormers will be non-functioning. All mechanical equipment will be contained under the roofline,
with access doors on the ends of each roofline.
Commissioner Krinke asked about improvements to the back of the building. Mr. Anderson
explained that although the rear of the building will not be resided as a cost saving measure, the
cement block will be painted and the area cleaned up. A trash enclosure will be constructed.
Mr. Anderson anticipates having the project out for bids in the next few weeks, and construction
to begin in October.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of draft Resolution 09-07-10-03, approving a
CUP for Scandia Plaza, with a correction to condition number twelve.
Council members commented that the plans are nicely done, and the improvements will be a
wonderful addition to Scandia’s business district.
Peterson, second by Crum, moved to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation
to adopt Resolution No. 09-07-10-03 with correction to Condition #12, Approving a
Conditional Use Permit for Scandia Plaza. The motion carried 4-0.
SCENIC VIEW ANALYSIS
Commissioner Maefsky requested that scenic view analysis be further discussed. An early draft
of the Comprehensive Plan included a preliminary list and map of viewpoints that should be
considered for protection, with a goal to protect scenic rural roads, viewpoints and vistas from
visually intrusive or incompatible development.
Commissioner Maefsky proposed that the city proceed with further analysis of the 75 significant
viewpoints and road segments preliminarily identified during development of the Comprehensive
September 7, 2010
Scandia City Council
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Plan. This information could be used to establish roadway design standards, set standards for
maintaining the scenic qualities of significant views, and work with landowners to encourage
development patterns that protect important viewsheds. These policies could be an important
part of the Subdivision Regulations ordinance.
Commissioner Maefsky will assemble a committee and begin working on this issue soon.
Peterson, second by Amos, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk