07-10-07 Council
July 10, 2007
A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Acting Mayor Michael
Harnetty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following councilmembers were present:
Councilmembers Peter Crum, Michael Harnetty, Dolores Peterson, Donnette Yehle. Absent: Mayor
Dennis Seefeldt. Staff present: Administrator Anne Hurlburt, City Attorney Dave Hebert, Treasurer
Colleen Firkus, Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Peterson stated that she would like to add a discussion of enforcing the sign
ordinance to the agenda. Donnette Yehle made a motion to approve the agenda as amended.
Dolores Peterson seconded the motion and motion adopted unanimously.
APPOINTMENT OF BUILDING/CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL
Thirteen applications were received for the full-time Building Official position, with six applicants
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interviewed on June 12. The Human Resources Committee recommended offering the position to
Steve Thorp, Harris, MN, at an annual salary of $63,900, with leave accruing at the 10 year service
level. Mr. Thorp is currently a Building Inspector for the City of Blaine, and also provides services
to the City of Harris on a part-time basis. Councilmember Peterson asked that it be confirmed that
Mr. Thorp’s work with Harris not interfere with the full-time position he will be taking with the
City of Scandia. Administrator Hurlburt stated that they did discuss this and it would not be a
problem. Peter Crum made a motion to appoint Steve Thorp to the full-time Building/Code
Enforcement Official position starting on July 30, 2007 at the salary of $63,900 per year, and
at the ten-year service benefit level (annual leave accrual of 9 hours per pay period). Dolores
Peterson seconded the motion and motion adopted unanimously.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
With the hiring of the Building/Code Enforcement Official, it will be necessary to allocate funds
for start-up and on-going costs related to this position, which were not included in the 2007 budget.
Administrator Hurlburt presented a detailed breakdown of various items estimated at $37,700
(salary, benefits, mileage, code books, cell phone, office furniture, miscellaneous). It is expected
that much of these costs will be offset by reductions in payments to the contract inspector in 2007.
In addition, the purchase of another computer for the city office is necessary. Consultant Mike
Chalgren has proposed installing a system with improved back-up capabilities at a cost of
$3,723.45. Mr. Chalgren also quoted a price of $187.00 to install a wireless router to the system,
therefore allowing users of the Community Center access to a high-speed internet connection. Such
connections are now very commonly offered in public buildings. Dolores Peterson made a motion
to approve budget amendments related to building inspection services including $37,700 for
various items (such as salary and benefits), plus $3,723.45 for a new computer and
improvements to the city office network, for a total of $42,423.45. Also to include installation
of a wireless router at a one-time cost of $187.00 to offer public wireless capability. Peter
Crum seconded the motion and motion adopted unanimously.
UTILITY PERMITS
Seven permit applications were received by Frontier Communications for installation of
underground telephone service at the following locations:
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July 10, 2007
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10186 230 St.
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Hay Lake School to 13877 195 St.
19553 Parkview Lane
17989 Norell Avenue
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412’ West of Intersection of 209 St. and State Highway 95
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Mallard Ave. to 12100 228 St.
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Quinnell Ave. and 205 St. Intersection
City Engineer Tom Peterson has recommended approval. Permit fees have been paid. Dolores
Peterson made a motion to approve the seven Utility Permits to Frontier Communications.
Donnette Yehle seconded the motion and motion adopted unanimously.
ENFORCEMENT OF SIGN ORDINANCE
Councilmember Peterson stated that she has noticed a number of signs along streets and highways
in Scandia that are in violation of the current sign ordinance. Administrator Hurlburt will direct the
public works department to make a concerted effort to remove those signs that do not have a
permit.
The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. The following members were
present: Chair Chris Ness, Vice-Chair Jim Malmquist, Christine Maefesky, Kevin Nickelson,
Peter Schwarz; City Planner Richard Thompson.
PUBLIC HEARING OF THE MINING ORDINANCE NO. 113
The Planning Commission received verbal and written comments regarding language contained in
the Mining Ordinance as presented by City Planner Richard Thompson. Administrator Hurlburt
relayed comments received from Mayor Seefeldt. These included considering increasing the 50-
foot setback and defining what is allowed within the setback (screening, berms, etc); making it the
responsibility of the gravel business to apply dust control when necessary; disposal of tree waste
and debris – making it clear that burying the waste is not an option; improving the restoration
language in Section 8.2 – is progress continual, such as a restore as you go operation(?). Mayor
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Seefeldt supported a continued discussion of the mining ordinance at the August 7 meeting.
Councilmember Harnetty stated that he would like the Car-Mar St. Croix Watershed District to
provide their input into the city’s ordinance development. Steve Kronmiller, manager of the Car-
Mar-St. Croix Watershed, stated that one way this coordination could be done is through a
formalized “Memo of Understanding” between the city and district. Planner Thompson will revise
the ordinance per the comments received. The Planning Commission continued the hearing to the
August 7, 2007 meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council, at which time the changes
will be reviewed.
CONCEPT PLAN – OLD MARINE ESTATES
The Planning Commission reviewed a concept plan presented by John and Sandra Swanson for a
major subdivision to be known as Old Marine Estates, located at 11980 Lakamaga Trail. The
Swanson’s propose to divide a 13.5-acre lakeshore property into four lots ranging in size from 2.6
acres to 4.4 acres. There is one existing home on the property. The Planning Commission discussed
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July 10, 2007
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improving on the layout of the property, so that the configuration does not create a flag lot.
Administrator Hurlburt stated that although Lot 4 does have a right angle configuration, it is not a
typical flag lot as it does meet the 150-foot lot width. The use of a shared driveway was discussed,
as the presence of a wetland across Lots 3 and 4 does make a driveway connection off the front of
these lots difficult. The Planning Commission recommended that this wetland be delineated so that
a more thorough view of the property can be worked with.
DEFINITION OF BUILDING HEIGHT
Planning Commissioner Maefsky recommended a review of the definition of building height, as its
interpretation has been a confusing issue. It is different than the State Building Code definition.
City Attorney Hebert stated that the State Building Code is currently in revision and will soon be
finalized. The consensus was to wait on proceeding with any Development Code amendment to the
building height definition until the updated State Building Code can be reviewed.
ACHITECTURE OF CHURCHES
Planning Commissioner Nickelson recommended a discussion on the architecture of churches, as
Willowbrook Community Church was sent a letter in May asking them to consider that the new
building they are proposing reflect the community’s character. It was hoped that a standard could
be decided on prior to the Willowbrook submission. The consensus was that the building be
appropriate to a rural setting and fit the area’s architectural style. City Planner Thompson
recommended to the Planning Commission that they make observations on what their subjective
ideas are and continue the discussion next month.
Peter Crum made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Donnette Yehle seconded the motion and
meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City of Scandia Deputy Clerk