02-06-07 Council
February 6, 2007
The Scandia City Council met on the above date. In attendance were Mayor Dennis Seefeldt, Pete
Crum, Michael Harnetty, Dolores Peterson, Donnette Yehle. Staff present: Administrator Anne
Hurlburt, Attorney Dave Hebert, Treasurer Colleen Firkus, Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund, City
Planner Richard Thompson. Mayor Dennis Seefeldt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Seefeldt presented the following Additions to the Agenda:
a) Proposed clean up of Lions Park scheduled for February 24, 2007.
b) Receive letter and petition from resident John Lindell concerning German Lake Vistas
c) Public Hearing on the Carnelian-Marine Watershed expansion on February 22, 2007.
Michael Harnetty made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Donnette Yehle
seconded the motion and motion adopted unanimously.
SELECTION OF CITY LOGO
A committee met on January 30, 2007 to review the 40 designs that were submitted by the January
13, 2007 deadline for the City Logo contest. The committee chose four designs to present to the
Council for consideration. The names of the artists were not made available to the Council.
Dolores Peterson made a motion to adopt design #2 for the City of Scandia logo, with a
request to the artist that it be submitted in a few other colors. Pete Crum seconded the
motion. Voting yes: Crum, Peterson, Seefeldt, Harnetty. Voting no: Yehle. Motion adopted.
This design includes an image of a dala horse done in a folk art manner. Administrator Hurlburt
will contact the winning artist and invite them to a future meeting to receive the $100 prize.
PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
The Park and Recreation Committee met on February 5, 2007 and selected Dave Smith as Chair of
the committee and Karen Schik as Vice-Chair.
Dolores Peterson made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Park and Recreation
Committee to appoint Dave Smith as Chair and Karen Schik as Vice-Chair for 2007. Pete
Crum seconded the motion and motion adopted unanimously.
CONTRACTS REGARDING EMBRACE OPEN SPACE AND THE WCD
As discussed at the February 16, 2007 (amended 2-20-07 to read January 16, 2007) council
meeting, the contract with Embrace Open Space was submitted for review. This proposed grant
agreement would fund up to $3,000 towards greenway planning (identify and map lands for
protection). Washington Conservation District will provide the technical assistance to develop an
outline for this planning process. The contract with WCD was not yet available, but will be
consistent with the EOS proposal.
Donnette Yehle made a motion to enter into the agreement with Embrace Open Space as
implemented through the Trust for Public Land, and with Washington Conservation District
to provide technical assistance for land protection planning, subject to Attorney Hebert
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reviewing the WCD contract. Dolores Peterson seconded the motion and motion adopted
unanimously.
REPORT ON THE LEAGUE OF MN CITIES CONFERENCE
Councilmembers Yehle and Harnetty gave verbal reports on the Conference for Elected Officials
that they had recently attended. They were both of the opinion that it was well worth the time to
attend and a great deal of information was gathered. Councilmember Harnetty would like to set a
future workshop meeting to expand on the subject of comprehensive planning.
PARK AND RECREATION PROPOSAL TO CLEAN UP LIONS PARK
The Park and Recreation Committee would like to plan for a community bonfire to be held on
February 24, 2007 at Lions Park to clean the dead wood from the grounds.
Mike Harnetty made a motion to approve the request from the Park Committee to hold a
bonfire on February 24, 2007 at the Lions Park. Dolores Peterson seconded the motion and
motion adopted unanimously.
The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. The following were in
attendance: Chairman Chris Ness, James Malmquist, Peter Schwarz and Kevin Nickelson.
EUGENE AND BONNIE THEILBAR – VARIANCES
The public hearing for lot size and setback variances was continued from November 14, 2006. The
accurate Ordinary High Watermark for Big Marine Lake had to be determined before review of the
application.
Planning Commission recommended to the City Council that they accept the Planner’s
recommendations and findings, and adopt Resolution 02-06-07-01 with a change to Condition No.
4 to add, “before a building permit is issued.”
Pete Crum made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission to
adopt Resolution 02-06-07-01 as amended. Dolores Peterson seconded the motion and motion
adopted unanimously.
STEVEN LOMBRITTO – VARIANCES
Steven Lombritto has made application for variances for front yard setback, side yard setback, rear
yard setback, setback from the Big Marine Lake OHW level, minimum lot size, lot width and road
frontage, buildable area, and impervious surface to allow construction of a new single family home,
located at 18633 Langly Court North.
Planning Commission recommended to the City Council that they grant the variances, accept the
Planner’s recommendations and findings, and adopt Resolution 02-06-07-02 with the following
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changes: Condition 2 - “That the pitch of the roof be reduced to no greater than a 6/12 pitch with
roof overhang as shown on the plans; Condition 3 - “That the proposed deck is relocated to the
south side of the home or removed from the proposal,” by eliminating the last sentence; Condition
4 - “That the structure shall be moved closer to the road right-of-way so that it is further distanced
from the lake. In conjunction with the changed location of the deck, this condition would change
the variance request to: front yard (right-of-way) setback of 20 feet, OHW setback of 28 feet, and
front yard (lake side) setback of 32 feet; Condition 6 - “The gravel driveway shall be replaced by
permeable pavers”; Condition 7 - “That the applicant work with the Washington County
Conservation District and the Carnelian Marine Watershed District to apply best management
practices including erosion control during construction, shoreline stabilization, and prevention of
runoff from the roof from directly entering the lake;” Condition 8 - to “That the Carnelian Marine
Watershed District permit is granted; and Condition 9 - to “That all fees and escrow payments are
made.”
Councilmember Harnetty asked what is the option – to deny or require a one-story home?
Councilmember Crum felt that a condition could be put on the height of the home.
Pete Crum made a motion to accept the recommendations of the Planning Commission and
adopt Resolution 02-06-07-02 with an amendment to limit the height to no greater than 28
feet. Donnette Yehle seconded the motion and motion adopted unanimously.
MINING ORDINANCE DRAFT
City Planner Dick Thompson presented a draft of new mining regulations for the city. The city is
now responsible for all regulation of sand and gravel mining in Scandia. The ordinance is primarily
based on Washington County’s current mining ordinance, with portions of New Scandia
Township’s, and also updated to make more “user friendly”. The existing ordinances would be
repealed and the mining ordinance would become Chapter 4 of the Development Code. Conditional
Use Permits will have no expiration and will be tied to the use of the land. An Annual Operator’s
Permit will be required as a review of the business every year. A qualified engineer will do the
inspections. Operators will continue to operate under Washington County permits until adoption of
this ordinance by the city. The next draft will have a wider distribution to include mine operators. A
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draft of fees will also be reviewed at the April 3 City Council and Planning Commission meeting.
LETTER AND PETITION FROM JOHN LINDELL—GERMAN LAKE VISTAS
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Mr. John Lindell, 11240 218 Street, submitted a letter requesting that the Council reconsider its
approval of the preliminary plat for German Lake Vistas. Mr. Lindell calculated that the buildable
area for Lot 4 is less than one acre, and that the lot is less than the required 5-acre minimum. A
petition was also submitted containing signatures of residents opposed to this development.
Dolores Peterson made a motion to receive the letter and petition from John Lindell and to
ask the developer to certify the acreage for Lot 4 of German Lake Vistas when the final plat is
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submitted for approval. Donnette Yehle seconded the motion and motion adopted
unanimously.
The Planning Commission meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. and the City Council meeting
continued.
CARNELIAN-MARINE WATERSHED PUBLIC HEARING
A public hearing will be held on February 22, 2007 at the Marine on St. Croix City Hall concerning
the merger of the Marine Watershed Management Organization and the Carnelian-Marine
Watershed District, resulting in the enlargement (inclusion of the orphan area), increased number of
managers and name change petition for Carnelian-Marine Watershed District. Administrator
Hurlburt will present Scandia’s approval of the changes at this hearing.
Pete Crum made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dolores Peterson seconded the motion and
meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City of Scandia Deputy Clerk