5.a2 minutes of October 18 City Council meetingOctober 18, 2016
A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Mayor Simonson
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: Council members Bob Hegland, Dan Lee, Chris
Ness, Jim Schneider and Mayor Randall Simonson. Staff present: City Administrator Neil
Soltis, City Planner Sherri Buss, City Engineer Ryan Goodman, City Attorney Nick Vivian, Fire
Chief Mike Hinz and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Simonson announced that Item 9.c) Discussion on conditional offer of employment
Public Works Director, is removed from the agenda.
Lee, seconded by Ness, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried 5-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following Consent Agenda was presented:
a) Minutes
1) September 20, 2016 Regular Meeting
2) October 5, 2016 Work Session
b) Treasurer's Report
C)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
Beginning Balance 9/01/2016
Receipts
Expenditures $184,864.79
Payroll $21,612.90
Ending Balance 9/30/2016
Payment of Vouchers
Appointment of Fire Department Officers
$2,759,162.42
$30,235.78
$(206,477.69)
$2,582,920.51
Removal of Fire Department member
Special Event Permit, Roberts Family Funeral Home, Scanley Cup Tournament, Jan 27-
28,2017
Cooperative Agreement with National Park Service for Log House Landing ramp project
Annual review — Judi Negus
Annual review — Brenda Eklund
Ness, seconded by Lee, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion
carried 5-0.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Winter Skating Programs
Parks and Recreation Chair Ryan Jinks presented the Committee's recommendation to offer
winter skating programs for 6 weeks beginning on January 5, 2017. A flyer describing the
classes was included in the staff report. Katy Herman has agreed to return as the instructor for
Scandia City Council
October 18, 2016
Page 2 of 6
the Learn to Skate program, and Committee members Dustin Hegland and Jodi Feldmann have
volunteered to run the Pleasure Skating class.
Staff provided a recommendation to approve the hiring of returning ice rink staffing, and
requested authorization to advertise for additional ice rink attendants.
Lee, seconded by Hegland, moved to approve the winter skating programs, the agreement
with Katy Herman, and the staff s recommendation for staffing the ice rink: Rink
Supervisor John Beattie at $11.32/hour, Ice Rink Maintenance Worker Ben Johnson at
$10.50/hour, Ice Rink Attendant Gunny Stolts at $9.50/hour, and to advertise and
interview for Ice Rink Attendants at $9.50/hour. The motion carried 5-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION
Variance from a Wetland Setback at 199" Street — Jon Eckman and Lisa Towry, Applicants
(Resolution No. 10-18-16-01)
Planner Buss presented the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve a Variance from
the 75' wetland setback for construction of a septic system to serve a new home proposed at PID
30.032.19.23.0002, located on the south side of 199th Street, approximately 17 acres in size.
Buss explained that the site has large wetland areas, and the primary and secondary septic
systems will need to be located approximately 50' from a wetland in soils that are suitable for the
drainfield. A resolution was prepared that contained findings and conditions for approval. Buss
explained that a condition to work with the City Engineer and Watershed District for design of
the driveway to accommodate drainage was included, along with a condition that the applicant
obtains an easement for road access.
Ness, seconded by Hegland, moved to Resolution No. 10-18-16-01, Approving a Variance
for Parcel 30.032.19.23.0002 Located on 199" Street. The motion carried 5-0.
Interim Use Permit for a Rural Event Facility at 12680 Scandia Trail — Jeff and Julie Gacek,
Applicants (Resolution No. 10-18-16-02)
Planner Buss presented the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve an Interim Use
Permit and an Annual Operating Permit for a Rural Event Facility at 12680 Scandia Trail,
operated by owners Jeff and Julie Gacek. The applicants plan to use a portion of their restored
farm to host weddings, retreats and worship events. Buss stated that the resolutions for the
Interim Use Permit and the Annual Operating Permit provide for the approval with a combined
30 conditions that address the concerns regarding traffic, noise and screening. Event size is
limited to 150 guests with no more than 75 events in the first year. At least 3 large events must
be monitored for traffic problems. If there are concerns, the City and applicant must work with
MnDOT on any traffic improvements such as signage, avoiding peak traffic periods, or police
traffic control. Only sounds associated with ceremonies may be amplified outdoors, and parties
or celebrations after the ceremony must be held inside the renovated barn. Buss explained that
with the revised site plan from the Gaceks, the application meets the criteria to operate a rural
event center.
Scandia City Council
October 18, 2016
Page 3 of 6
City Engineer Goodman said that he received inquiries about the width of Meadowbrook Avenue
being substandard by not meeting state aid guidelines and not capable of handling the event
center traffic. Goodman explained that Scandia is not a state aid community and, consequently,
Scandia's roads do not have to be built at a 20' minimum width. Goodman noted that 9 foot
lanes are allowed under ASHTO design standards and are adequate for this use and location.
Goodman recommended the Gaceks' use a parking attendant to ensure that cars are entering the
parking lot and not backing up onto Highway 97.
Fire Chief Hinz stated that the primary driveway on Highway 97 should remain accessible for
emergency vehicles.
A discussion on the recommended "no parking" signage condition along Meadowbrook Avenue
included in the IUP concluded that the City will need to amend its street parking ordinance to
include this segment of Meadowbrook Avenue in the list of roadways that specify no parking
with permanent signs.
Deputy Yetter commented that security should be present during events that serve alcohol, and
he would do a walk-through of the premises during an event when on duty. Planner Buss noted
that condition #7 requires security to be present when alcohol is served, and Mr. Gacek
confirmed that his application included a plan for this regardless, as he wants to provide a safe
environment.
Council member Hegland stated that every condition put on the permit costs the owner additional
money, and not being business friendly is hurting Scandia. He said the Planning Commission
needs to change the way they think and look to develop businesses here instead of running
potential businesses through the gauntlet during the permitting process. Hegland noted the
dramatic loss of businesses in Scandia since 1970 and said the town is dying if the city doesn't
get on board and support businesses by loosening so many restrictions. He said the Council
makes decisions on what's best for the City and trying to please 50 dissatisfied people is not
helping Scandia to grow economically.
Council member Lee said that he agreed with Hegland's position, and at the one-year review of
Gacek's AOP, maybe changes could be made to soften the limits. Lee asked Mr. Gacek if he
thought any of the conditions are overwhelmingly unfair.
Mr. Gacek said that most of the money has been spent on preparing traffic and noise studies as
requested for the permit review. He welcomes having a deputy on site as an independent
observer. He said screening the parking lot is the biggest expense and it is unrealistic to expect
him to screen all views. Planner Buss explained that only the west and north sides of the parking
lot require screening, as the ordinance requires non-residential uses to be screened from lighting
impacts to neighboring properties.
Simonson, seconded by Hegland, moved to adopt Resolution No. 10-18-16-02, Approving
an Interim Use Permit for a Rural Event Facility at 12680 Scandia Trail.
Scandia City Council
October 18, 2016
Page 4 of 6
Council began a discussion on the above motion. Mayor Simonson stated that the Council
makes legislative decisions based on facts, laws and ordinances. Decisions cannot be based on
feelings and emotions. All sides have been given an equal opportunity to be heard.
Planning Commission Chair Christine Maefsky addressed the Council and explained that the
Commission gave unanimous approval, but she sees traffic problems on TH 97 as a persistent
issue. Maefsky proposed to control traffic in the first year by limiting the number of events to
35. If there are no issues, then increase it to 75 in the one-year review of the Annual Operating
Permit. Simonson and Hegland disagreed with this and said limiting events would be cutting
into his business revenue to succeed in the first year.
Council member Ness said there needs to be a balance of property owner rights with the
neighborhood's right to have low impacts, such as provided by screening. Ness said the
approach should be to allow 75 events in the first year, and if needed the number can be lowered
for the second year. He agreed that there should be signage on Meadowbrook for no parking.
Council member Schneider said he wants to see agritourism and rural event facilities as long as
they comply with the laws. He said the safety issues have been addressed with this permit and
has no problems with the recommendation.
Simonson called for a vote on the above motion to approve the IUP. The motion carried 5-
0.
Annual Operating Permit for a Rural Event Facility at 12680 Scandia Trail (Resolution No.
10-18-16-03)
Planner Buss explained that the conditions in the AOP are specific for the first year. An annual
report summarizing the first year, along with proposed operations for the coming year, will be
reviewed with the City Council in one year's time.
Simonson, seconded by Hegland, moved to adopt Resolution No. 10-18-16-03, Approving
an Annual Operating Permit for a Rural Event Facility at 12680 Scandia Trail. The
motion carried 5-0.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
The building activity report from Building Official Chuck Preisler was received. In September,
30 permits were issued at a valuation of $625,357.78.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Deputy Brandon Yetter reported on police activity in the past month and quarter. A sweepstakes
phone scam resulted in a significant monetary loss for a resident, burglary occurred twice at a
vacant property, and a theft case by a babysitter was solved and the property retrieved. Jake
braking by trucks has increased and Yetter is enforcing the ordinance.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Scandia City Council
October 18, 2016
Page 5 of 6
Fire Chief Mike Hinz reported that the department responded to 6 fire calls and 14 rescue calls
last month. The department participated in two fire training structure burns with area
departments. The department is hosting the Safe Halloween Event on October 31St from 5-7pm.
CITY ENGINEER
City Engineer Ryan Goodman reported on the progress of the Highway 8 construction project
near Taylors Falls. The Highway 97/ County Road 23 bridge replacement over I-35 is scheduled
as a major MnDOT construction project for 2018-19, with design details yet to be worked out.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
City Administrator Neil Soltis provided a written report of administrative and public works
activities and recapped that Connexus Energy will be replacing electrical service meters for their
members within the next 2 years. Public Works will continue patching and shouldering the
roads. The ice rink will be prepared for the season with replacement of worn boards and kick
plates.
REQUEST FROM FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS TO ISSUE PUBLIC NOTICE
FOR CABLE FRANCHISE APPLICATIONS
Administrator Soltis stated that Frontier Communications is looking to expand their service
offerings within the city by providing internet based television. In order to provide the content,
Frontier would need to be granted a franchise agreement. State statutes provide for this process,
with a public hearing before the City Council after 2 weeks notice before proceeding with
negotiations on an agreement.
Soltis explained that Frontier would plan to upgrade their existing infrastructure, with minimal
work in the city's right-of-ways, and customers would also benefit by having increased
bandwidth speeds available.
Ness, seconded by Lee, moved to authorize the publication of notices seeking cable
franchise applications. The motion carried 5-0.
Notices will be published on October 27th and November 3rd for a public hearing at the
November 15th City Council meeting.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING CONSULTANT SELECTION
One proposal for preparation of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan was received by the October 12th
due date. Bolton & Menk outlined a public involvement process that would offer completion by
early 2018, at a cost of $58,920. Administrator Soltis noted that is within the budgeted amount
discussed for 2017. Council member Hegland stated that the steering committee should include
one representative each from the Council, Planning Commission, Parks, EDA and three citizens.
Planning Commission Chair Christine Maefsky questioned the limited role of the Planning
Commission in the process proposed by Bolton & Menk.
Simonson, seconded by Lee, moved to award the proposal to Bolton & Menk and proceed
with finalizing a contract for the work. The motion carried 5-0.
Scandia City Council
October 18, 2016
Page 6 of 6
ADJOURNMENT
Ness, seconded by Lee, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Brenda Eklund, Deputy Clerk