Loading...
5.a 1 02-21-2017 Regular Meeting February 21, 2017 A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Mayor Maefsky 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 Chris Ness, Steve Kronmiller, Jim Schneider and Mayor Christine Maefsky. Absent: Council member Bob Hegland. Staff present: City Administrator Neil Soltis, City Planner Sherri Buss, Bolton & Menk Engineer Katie Warner, City Attorney Andy Pratt, Police Deputy Brandon Yetter, Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Public Works Director Adam Hawkinson and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. PUBLIC FORUM There were no public comments. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ness, seconded by Schneider, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried 4-0. RECOGNITION OF RETIRING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS Mayor Maefsky presented retiring firefighters Ron Boesel and Ernie Yoch with certificates of appreciation in recognition of Boesel’s 28 years and Yoch’s 27 years as members of the Fire and Rescue Department. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING COMMITTEE MEMBERS Outgoing Parks and Recreation Committee member Greg Zauner was recognized for his 5-year term on the Committee. Former Planning Commission Chair Christine Maefsky was recognized for serving 10 years on the Commission. Both received framed certificates of appreciation. CONSENT AGENDA The following Consent Agenda was presented: a) Minutes 1) January 17, 2017 Regular Meeting 2) February 1, 2017 Special Meeting 3) February 1, 2017 Work Session b) Treasurer’s Report Beginning Balance 01/01/17 $3,304,727.55 Receipts $82,678.14 Expenditures $205,871.74 Payroll $30,843.12 $(236,714.86) Adjustments: HSA Deduction $2.00 State Surcharges 4th Qtr 2016 $(816.77) Sales & Use Tax 2016 $(20.00) Storm Shelter Grant $90,486.43 Ending Balance 1/31/2017 $3,240,342.49 c) Payment of Vouchers d) Appointment of Fire Officers – Assistant Fire Chief e) Fire Retirement – Ernest Yoch February 21, 2017 Scandia City Council Page 2 of 8 f) Request to start recruiting process for firefighters g) Appointment of Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair h) Appointment of Scandia representative to St. Croix Partnership Team i) Resolution 02-21-17-01 Summary Publication of Ordinance 180 j) Resolution 02-21-17-02 Summary Publication of Ordinance 181 k) Resolution 02-21-17-03 Summary Publication of Ordinance 182 l) Resolution 02-21-17-04 Summary Publication of Ordinance 183 m) Application for Excluded or Exempt Lawful Gambling Permit, Scandia Women’s Softball (April 7 and November 17, 2017) n) Application for Excluded Raffle Permit, Scandia Elementary PTO (March 24, 2017) Ness, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion carried 4-0. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE 2016 Annual Report Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Ryan Jinks asked if there were any questions on the Committee’s 2016 annual report which summarized the accomplishments and goals of the past year and listed projects for 2017. The Council was in approval of the report as presented. Jinks explained that the Committee would like to designate an alternate meeting night for the Committee as the first Thursday of the month when conditions warrant a need to reschedule from the regular meeting date of the first Monday, such as a legal holiday. Schneider, seconded by Ness, moved to approve an amendment to the PRC bylaws to designate the first Thursday of the month as an alternate meeting date. The motion carried 4-0. Summary of Vinterfest Event Jinks reported on the successful activities held on January 28th even with the mild weather. The organizers of the Scanley Cup and Kubb Tournament were very pleased with the day, and many people came out to the Lions pancake breakfast, Pleasant Valley Cloggers performance and the evening fireworks. Participants in the snow sculpture contest were awarded with cash prizes courtesy of Bolton & Menk’s donation. Ness, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to adopt Resolution No. 02-21-17-05, Accepting the $100 donation from Bolton & Menk for snow sculpture prizes and $196.73 of button sales proceeds which will be credited to the Park Improvement Fund for improvements at Lilleskogen Park. The motion carried 4-0. Schneider, seconded by Ness, moved to adopt Resolution No. 02-21-17-06, Accepting the $848.50 donation from Meisters Bar & Grill to assist with improvements to the Leonard Wojtowicz Skating Park. The motion carried 4-0. BUILDING OFFICIAL Building Official Chuck Preisler’s building activity report was received. Ten permits were issued in January with a valuation of $1,076,909.00. February 21, 2017 Scandia City Council Page 3 of 8 POLICE DEPARTMENT Deputy Brandon Yetter reported on the past month’s police activity. A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle on 192nd Street, 2 drug arrests were made, a mail theft on Parkview Avenue occurred, and theft of hockey tournament proceeds from the warming house during the Scanley Cup is being investigated. Yetter warned of deteriorating ice conditions on area lakes. FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief Mike Hinz reported that the Department responded to 14 calls in January – 2 fire and 12 rescue calls. The department will be holding the annual Fireball fundraiser on February 25th. CITY ENGINEER Bolton & Menk Engineer Katie Warner noted that spring load restrictions went into effect on February 17th. The Comprehensive Plan Update gathered 31 responses at the Vinterfest pop-up meeting and an additional 26 responses via the website. The first meeting of the Steering Committee is scheduled for March 9th at 6:30 p.m. Warner encouraged the Council members to contact legislative representatives to support a bill that would provide state funding for city streets. Another bill under consideration would limit the cities’ authority to regulate companies seeking to install small wireless technology in public rights of way, which should be looked at cautiously as it could cause maintenance issues and impact franchise fees. CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Andy Pratt noted a land use case from Troy, WI that is headed to the US Supreme Court. Pratt explained that the case involves local regulations prohibiting a landowner’s sale of an adjacent parcel and the landowner’s claim that this is a government taking of property. Planner Buss stated that most local regulations have prohibitions on non-conforming lots and would require a landowner to combine adjacent parcels that are under the same ownership. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS Public Works Director Adam Hawkinson provided a summary of the department’s activities over the past month. The icy conditions on gravel roads require more maintenance during winter months, and they have been spreading seal coat sweepings on the gravel roads as needed. Hawkinson explained that infiltration into the Bliss sewer system required three manholes to be pumped, and this unusual seepage is being investigated for future maintenance. The dust control bid results will be presented at the March 21st meeting. CITY ADMINISTRATOR City Administrator Neil Soltis explained that the City was contacted by Washington County regarding a tax forfeited 0.41 acre parcel that is landlocked between the Veterans Campground and the County Park on Big Marine Lake. Soltis noted no objections to the sale of the land to the Vets Camp. In response to a resident’s question on minimum street widths raised during the public hearing for the Gacek rural event facility, Engineer Goodman inventoried 18 streets that cover 4.3 miles which are paved to a width of 18 feet. Goodman will address this during a future work session, along with a recap of the pavement management plan. February 21, 2017 Scandia City Council Page 4 of 8 Soltis reported on the retirement of Electrical Inspector Dave Kichler effective this July, and Kichler’s proposal to transition the contracted job to Brian Nelson. A discussion on the position will be on the next work session agenda. Council member Kronmiller asked about Frontier’s progress on their infrastructure upgrades. Soltis stated that the engineering and design work is being completed with the installation work to start this year. He could request that Frontier attend a future meeting to provide a report. DISCUSSION ON PETITION TO WASHINGTON COUNTY TO RENAME HALFBREED LAKE TO SYLVAN LAKE A petition has been presented to the Washington County Board of Commissioners to request that a lake identified as Halfbreed Lake in the DNR waters inventory be officially renamed to its commonly used name Sylvan Lake, which lies on the Scandia/Forest Lake border. Forest Lake has given its approval on the name change, and the County has asked for Scandia’s input for the public hearing which will be held on March 14, 2017. Mike Welsh, who said that he owns property on the lake, spoke on his opposition to changing the lake’s name due to historical reasons. Kronmiller, seconded by Maefsky, moved to recommend that the County Board officially rename the lake as Sylvan Lake. The motion carried 4-0. AUTHORIZE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR CRACKFILL AND SEALCOAT PROJECTS The City has budgeted $50,000 for a crack filling project this year. Administrator Soltis stated that the project will be scheduled earlier in the construction season while the temperatures are colder and the cracks are wider. Schneider, seconded by Ness, moved to authorize preparation of plans and solicitation of quotes for the 2017 Crack Filling Project. The motion carried 4-0. The City has budgeted $150,000 for a seal coat project following the schedule of the Pavement Management Plan. Ness, seconded by Maefsky, moved to authorize preparation of plans and specifications for the 2017 Seal Coat Project. The motion carried 4-0. The plans will be presented at the March 21st meeting along with a request for bid authorization. ANNUAL OPERATING PERMIT (AOP) FOR ZAVORAL MINE (RESOLUTION NO. 02- 21-17-07) Planner Buss presented Tiller Corporation’s application for the 2017 Annual Operating Permit for the Zavoral Mine located east of Highway 95 at the Highway 97 intersection. Mining was completed in 2016, monitoring equipment removed, and the site is now in the reclamation phase. Tiller has satisfied all conditions of the CUP and AOP. Buss reported that a site visit in November 2016 noted no issues or impacts, observed the well restored quality of reclamation February 21, 2017 Scandia City Council Page 5 of 8 Phase 1, but heavy rainfall eroded slopes in the Phase 2 area which will need to be reseeded and stabilized this year. In 2016, the City approved a solar farm use within a portion of the restored mine area, and a joint plan needs to be worked out with Tiller and the solar developer to manage the shared area. A condition was included in the permit that Tiller remains responsible for the approved reclamation plan until there is an agreement between Tiller, the solar developer, and the land owner regarding the responsibilities for reclamation and maintenance in the Phase 1-4 areas. The agreement transferring future reclamation and maintenance responsibilities would lead to amending the 2017 AOP. Buss recommended approval of the Zavoral AOP with conditions written into a resolution. Christina Morrison, Tiller Corporation, provided a handout summary of the Zavoral Mining Project and noted that no impacts were identified in the 3½ years of the mining operation which was in compliance with all involved agencies. Ness, seconded by Schneider, moved to adopt Resolution No. 02-21-17-07, Approving the 2017 Annual Operating Permit for the Zavoral Sand and Gravel Mine and Reclamation Project. The motion carried 4-0. ANNUAL OPERATING PERMIT (AOP) FOR SCANDIA MINE (RESOLUTION NO. 02- 21-17-08) Planner Buss presented Tiller Corporation’s application for the 2017 Annual Operating Permit for the Scandia Mine site located on Manning Avenue near 225th Street. Excavation below the water table began in 2009 and is permitted up to a depth of 50 feet. In 2013 and 2016, excavation to a depth of 15 to 20 feet occurred, and Tiller proposes excavation in 2017 to a maximum depth of 20 feet. The City’s groundwater consultant, Dave Hume with LBG, noted that the groundwater levels in the monitoring wells have rose approximately 2 feet as a result of regional water table fluctuations. Hume recommended the permit include a condition that Tiller report excavation depths and not go below the 865 feet above mean sea level threshold. In 2013-2016, rock was being transported from the Zavoral Mine to the Scandia Mine, and this additional hauling has ceased. Mining activities at the site will occur in both the east and west portions, with reclamation occurring proportionally. At the November site visit, staff reviewed the berming and screening, and determined that it continues to meet the ordinance requirement. Buss recommended approval of the Scandia Mine AOP with conditions written into a resolution, with an added condition that Tiller renews their solid waste permit with Washington County by July 2017. Council member Kronmiller noted that Condition #4, renewal of the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed Permit, can also include the Watershed’s conditions to protect the groundwater. February 21, 2017 Scandia City Council Page 6 of 8 Christina Morrison, Tiller Corporation, stated that they will supply the City with the same depth of mining information as is provided to the Watershed. Ness, seconded by Schneider, moved to adopt Resolution No. 02-21-17-08, Approving the 2017 Annual Operating Permit for the Sand and Gravel Mine and Processing Facility at the Scandia Mine Site, with the added condition that Tiller renew their solid waste permit with Washington County. The motion carried 4-0. AMENDMENT TO SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY REGARDING SIDEWALKS At the February 1st Work Session, the Council heard from residents and recommended that the City clear all the sidewalks in proximity to the downtown area. Council reviewed the draft language in the amended Snow and Ice Control Policy. Kronmiller, seconded by Ness, moved to adopt the amended Snow and Ice Control Policy with language that the City clear all sidewalks based on the availability of resources. The motion carried 4-0. REPLACEMENT OF THE 2002 STERLING DUMP TRUCK WITH PLOW PACKAGE The 2017 budget includes $200,000 for replacement of the 2002 Sterling plow truck. Public Works Director Hawkinson presented 6 quotes from state contract pricing for the purchase of the truck chassis and plow equipment combinations. Trade-in value of $41,000 was the highest offer from Western Star. Hawkinson noted the consistency of purchasing another Mack, as the City has 2 other Mack trucks in its fleet. He explained the final cost was higher at $180,953 with trade-in but still below the budgeted amount. Council member Schneider questioned the necessity of a new truck. Hawkinson noted the potential costly repairs needed on the Sterling, such as the transmission and rusting of critical parts. Council discussed the costs and determined that the Western Star truck with the highest trade-in value would be the economical purchase. Hawkinson noted that the Mack truck and engine are only available from the Mack dealer and consequently, options for repairs are limited. Currently the two Mack trucks in the City’s fleet are relatively new and have not been in need of repairs. Hawkinson noted that Washington County mostly operates Western Star because of their reliability and longevity. Schneider, seconded by Ness, moved to approve the purchase of a 2018 Western Star single-axle dump truck with J-Craft snowplow and accessories package at a cost of $159,916.10 with trade-in. The motion carried 4-0. APPOINTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEMBER At a Special Council meeting held prior to the February 21, 2017 regular meeting, two candidates were interviewed for the vacant term on the Parks and Recreation Committee, Sue Rodsjo and Cami Van Abel. Administrator Soltis reported that the Council voted to appoint Sue Rodsjo to fill the 5-year term, expiring February 2022. February 21, 2017 Scandia City Council Page 7 of 8 APPOINTMENT TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE Administrator Soltis reported that Perry Rynders has agreed to serve on the Capital Improvement Committee, and there remain 2 more citizen at-large appointments to be made by the Council. Staff was directed to offer an appointment to Cami Van Abel, an applicant for the PRC, and to solicit any of the other applicants for the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee who were not selected. DISCUSSION ON PROCESS TO SOLICIT PUBLIC INPUT ON LOG HOUSE LANDING RAMP PROJECT At the February Work Session, the Council directed the Parks and Recreation Committee to study the following alternatives for the Log House Landing ramp and make a recommendation to the Council: 1. Continue with improvements to the ramp as presented, 2. Restrict use of the ramp to non-motorized walk-in / carry-in, 3. Close the site completely, or 4. Leave the site as it is now with no improvements. Council member Kronmiller stated that he gets the impression that the PRC is reluctant to provide a recommendation as the ramp area is in a large section of the public right-of-way and not parkland. Mayor Maefsky stated that there is considerable public interest in what should be done at this site, and it needs the full attention from the Council. Maefsky recommended that the spring newsletter, which is mailed to all Scandia residents, would be the best outreach to invite the public to a meeting scheduled for late April to gather input on the alternatives. Council member Schneider stated that he is upset that this issue is back to square one with no progress being made. He said that there was conclusion to not close the ramp and that this shouldn’t be happening. Ness agreed with this, but said they should move this along and get it over with. Council member Kronmiller said that walk-in/carry-in and closure were not really studied, and Mayor Maefsky said that this can be resolved in a comprehensive way. A draft of the newsletter will be available at the next Council meeting, with an anticipated mailing at the end of March. SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF THE CLOSED SESSION ON JANUARY 17, 2017 At the end of the regular meeting on January 17, 2017, the Council went into closed session for the purpose of discussing labor negotiations. Administrator Soltis reported that based on the labor contract, it was decided not to pursue changes to an insurance benefit. February 21, 2017 Scandia City Council Page 8 of 8 ADJOURNMENT Ness, seconded by Schneider, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund Deputy Clerk