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02-01-2017 Work SessionFebruary 1, 2017 The City Council conducted a Work Session on the above date. The following were present: Mayor Christine Maefsky, Council members Bob Hegland, Steve Kronmiller, Chris Ness and Jim Schneider. Staff present: City Administrator Neil Soltis, City Attorney Andy Pratt, Police Deputy Brandon Yetter and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. Mayor Maefsky called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Ness, seconded by Hegland, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried 5-0. JOINT MEETING WITH CHISAGO LAKES TOWNSHIP REGARDING TRAFFIC ISSUES ON 240TH STREET Chisago Lakes Township Supervisors Sherri Stirling (Chair), Wayne Houle and John Nelson were present with a request for joint support in lowering the speed limit on 240th Street, west of Manning Trail. Houle explained that this is a shared road between 4 entities: Scandia, Chisago Lakes Township, Forest Lake and Chisago City. Stirling explained that the statutory speed limit of 55 mph is too fast for the curved roadway and hidden driveways. Dump trucks traveling in and out of the Dresel gravel site on July Avenue are especially hazardous. One resident counted 21 trucks in 15 minutes last year. It was questioned if a formal speed study must be requested from MnDOT before proceeding with any changes. Stirling explained that a township can lower speed limits without a speed study, and Council was in consensus to support a 35 mph posting. Deputy Yetter agreed that he could enforce the lowered speed limit as posted. Josh Dresel, owner of Dresel Contracting, stated his support for the lower speed and offered to pay for the signage. Stirling summarized that 35 mph signs will go up this spring, and that "hidden driveway" caution signs would also be installed. Administrator Soltis asked the Supervisors to communicate any traffic complaints to him and he can request targeted police enforcement on this roadway as needed. JOINT MEETING WITH CARNELIAN -MARINE -ST. CROIX WATERSHED DISTRICT ON LOG HOUSE LANDING BOAT RAMP IMPROVEMENTS Carnelian -Marine -St. Croix Watershed District Board members Andy Weaver, Wade Johnson, Kristin Tuenge, Tom Polasik and Administrator Jim Shaver joined the meeting for a discussion on the Log House Landing boat ramp improvements. In 2016, the City and Watershed worked jointly to prepare plans for improvements to the Log House Landing boat ramp. One bid was received for the project and rejected with the recommendation that options be evaluated to reduce the cost. Administrator Soltis explained that he and Watershed Administrator Jim Shaver worked with a MN DNR engineer to design the landing with concrete planks for the ramp instead of a poured slab for the entire length. This design was presented and noted that the new design does not include the stairs to the river. Shaver stated that costs are unknown at this time until the project goes out for bids, which he February 1, 2017 Scandia City Council Page 2 of 4 recommended be done. He stated the DNR has designed this type of ramp to be durable over the long-term, and is the best option to solve erosion and sediment discharge into the St. Croix River. Tuenge stated that she has concerns with the design, in that the planks are 15' wide versus the 12' width of the original design. She said that it appears to accommodate bigger boats. Kronmiller said that now is the time to take a step back and look at all options and perspectives which the community, Watershed and City can get behind that would improve safety and reduce environmental impacts to the riverway. Kronmiller suggested that the Parks and Recreation Committee be consulted for a recommendation after an analysis of various options, such as revegetating the area and making it into a city park. Kronmiller listed 3 possible scenarios: 1) leave the landing open to all types of watercraft; 2) limit boat traffic to walk-in types only, such as canoes and kayaks; 3) close the landing to all types of watercraft. Kronmiller noted that nearby William O'Brien State Park is an accessible launch site. Council members Ness and Schneider stated their opposition to closing the site to motorized boat traffic, stating that the riverway is a great resource to the City and access to it should remain. Council member Hegland noted that summertime use averages four people per day with half the users from out of town. He stated that the city shouldn't waste money here and canoes only may be a good option. Mayor Maefsky stated that community input strongly advocated keeping the site natural and historic; access to the site is limited due to parking and the state park launch is much better for boats. Maefsky said that boat traffic is contributing to wake erosion, and working with the Watershed to revegetate the site may be a better use of funds. Watershed Board member Tuenge stated her agreement with Kronmiller, and questioned if this design is the only thing that can be done to stem erosion. Board member Johnson thanked City staff for the improved grading done at the site last year to control erosion, as it made a noticeable difference. Council member Kronmiller reiterated that improvements to the landing have been solely focused on motorized boat use over these years, and better alternatives for the site have been ignored. Kronmiller, seconded by Hegland, moved to direct the Parks and Recreation Committee to study alternatives for the site and come back with a recommendation. The options were summarized as: 1) continue with improvements to the ramp as presented; 2) restrict use of the ramp to non -motorized use only as a carry -in site; 3) close the site completely. Kronmiller accepted a friendly amendment from Schneider to add 4) leave the site as it is now with no improvements. The motion carried 3-2 with Ness and Schneider opposed. PRESENTATION FROM YMCA ON OUTREACH, PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Jennifer Tolzmann and Kellie Kershisnik from the Forest Lake YMCA Community Board presented information on the facility that has been open since August 2016, the programming available for youth to seniors, and the partnerships formed with community organizations, schools, businesses, hospitals and churches. Tolzmann reported that 4,000 membership units February 1, 2017 Scandia City Council Page 3 of 4 were registered within the first 6-1/2 months of operations, with 185 from Scandia and 79 from Marine. Council member Kronmiller asked if outreach could be provided to Scandia by either having classes at the Community Center or providing transportation to the Forest Lake facility. Kershisnik will have the Executive Director contact Administrator Soltis about this question. DISCUSSION ON SNOWPLOWING AND ICE CONTROL POLICY RELATED TO SIDEWALKS A request was made at the January 17 public forum to clear snow from the sidewalk from Oakhill Court west to the school entrance road (just south of Highway 97). Administrator Soltis provided the snow control policy which lists the sidewalks that the City clears with the tractor/blower, usually done by the part-time worker who also maintains the ice rink. Soltis noted that adding additional sidewalks to the list would have minimal impacts to time and cost since the operator and equipment are already out. Council member Kronmiller stated that the sidewalks not being cleared are in residential areas and should be the property owners' responsibility. Becky and Bob Glesne, 14589 Oakhill Road, said that there are residential areas already being cleared and this does not seem consistent. Mayor Maefsky said that we should encourage a walkable community and since this could be done at little cost, it makes sense to clear all sidewalks. After further discussion, there was consensus to clear all sidewalks, including the segment north of Highway 97 to the ballfield. Soltis stated that the revised snowplowing and ice control policy will be presented at the next Council meeting for approval. DISCUSSION ON REQUEST FROM ST. CROIX RIVER ASSOCIATION TO APPOINT REPRESENTATIVE TO ST. CROIX PARTNERSHIP TEAM Natalie Warren of the St. Croix River Association contacted the City seeking participation from Scandia on the St. Croix Partnership Team. The Partnership Team is comprised of 35 communities in MN and WI that meets to discuss land use and surface water in the Lower St. Croix, and consults with the Lower St. Croix River Commission (DNRs and NPS) on these issues. Planning Commissioner Dan Squyres was present and reported that he attended the January 31St meeting of the Partnership Team and thought it worthwhile for Scandia to have a voice at the table when recommendations are made. Squyres stated that he would volunteer for appointment to the Partnership Team, which meets approximately 4 times a year. Administrator Soltis explained that the Planning Commission can make this recommendation at their next meeting, with formal appointment at the February 21 st Council meeting. REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS FOR PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE TERM Two applications, from Cami Van Abel and Susan Rodsjo, were received to fill the expiring 5 - year term of Greg Zauner, who is not seeking reappointment. February 1, 2017 Scandia City Council Page 4 of 4 Schneider, seconded by Hegland, moved to appoint Cami Van Abel to a 5 -year term on the Parks and Recreation Committee. Ness stated that he would abstain from the vote. The motion was tied 2-2, with Kronmiller and Maefsky voting no. Kronmiller, seconded by Ness, moved to interview the two candidates. The motion carried 5-0. Administrator Soltis will schedule interviews prior to the next Council meeting. PRESENTATION BY LEGAL COUNSEL ON OPEN MEETINGS AND DATA PRACTICES City Attorney Andy Pratt provided an overview of state laws pertaining to open meetings and data practices by elected officials. E-mail communication, social media posts, data practices, conflicts of interest, public purpose expenditures and procedures for governing meetings were among the topics covered. ADJOURNMENT Ness, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund Deputy Clerk