10-18-11 CouncilOctober 18, 2011
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 Connie Amos, Chris Ness, Jim
Schneider, Sally Swanson and Mayor Randall Simonson. Staff present: City Administrator Anne
Hurlburt, City Attorney Dave Hebert, Police Deputy Chris Majeski, Assistant Fire Chief Mike
Hinz, Treasurer Colleen Firkus and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public comments.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
City Administrator noted an addition to the agenda: Item 9)d. Discussion of the November 8,
2011 Council work session. Ness, seconded by Swanson, 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, 2011 Regular Meeting
2) October 11, 2011 Work Session
b) Treasurer's Report
Beginning Balance 9/01/2011 $2,578,876.45
Receipts + 27,494.69
Expenditures $301,813.18
Payroll 22,848.35 - 324,661.53
Ending Balance 9/30/2011 $2,281,709.61
c) Payment of Vouchers
d) Seasonal Public Works Staffing
e) Renew Contract with SafeAssure Consultants
f) Step Increase, Full -Time Maintenance Worker
g) Amendment to Lease with Scandia Marine Lions
Ness, seconded by Amos, moved to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion
carried 5-0.
PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Recommendation to Designate "No Parking" on One Side of 205`h Street from Soo Line
Railroad Tracks to Boat Launch (Resolution No. 10-18-11-01)
The Park and Recreation Committee has recommended that the City post "No Parking" signs on
one side of 2051h Street, from the railroad tracks to the Copas boat launch (also known as the Log
House Landing) on the St. Croix River. This is a distance of approximately 1,000 feet. The
recommendation is in response to problems with congested parking on the narrow gravel road
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Scandia City Council
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and on surrounding streets. It is proposed that by limiting the parking, it will improve access for
emergency vehicles and cut back on the heavy use of the launch site, especially by non-residents.
Lisa Schlingerman, 20661 Quint Avenue, commented on the situation. She lives at the corner of
205th and Quint Avenue and she stated parking is a problem and that their driveway has been
blocked at times by vehicles. The road is easily eroded by the heavy traffic and she would like to
see the city adopt a program to make future improvements to the site.
Mayor Simonson asked Assistant Fire Chief Hinz and Deputy Majeski if there has ever been a
problem getting rescue or police vehicles to the boat launch. Hinz replied that they have
responded to calls at high times, but have not had problems getting the rescue vehicle down 205th
Street. Hinz stated that it is a tight area that gets congested with parking on both sides, which
allows for only single vehicle traffic. Majeski has responded to two complaints this year but has
had no access problems. Majeski has observed 25 to 30 vehicles parking at one time, with some
overnight parking at the landing.
Council member Swanson stated that restricted parking should be a start to a long-term goal for
improving the site, but at this point the money for upkeep is just not there. Swanson thought that
it is not right for vehicles to park there all weekend.
Council member Schneider stated that people will find overflow parking further up the road if
"no parking" signs are posted on one side of 205th Street. He doesn't want to impede people who
use the site to launch fishing boats.
Council member Ness questioned if time limits or park hours should be posted. Administrator
Hurlburt explained that as 205th Street is a public road, it cannot be closed. Only posting "no
parking" signs could be allowed. City Attorney Hebert stated that 24-hour access to boat
launches is normal.
Mayor Simonson questioned if it's a trailer issue, and could there be a restriction on the types of
allowed vehicles. City Attorney Hebert answered that boats have been launched there for years.
Simonson, seconded by Swanson, moved to adopt Resolution No. 10-18-11-01, Approving
No Parking on the South Side of 205th Street from the Soo Line Railroad Tracks to the
Copas/Log House Landing. Roll call vote: Ness — yes; Amos — yes; Swanson — yes;
Schneider — no; Simonson — yes. The motion carried 4-1.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Deputy Chris Majeski reported on the past month's police activity. There have been several theft
cases which the department is pursuing. Majeski reported that the handheld radar laser has been
quite useful in targeting speeding incidences, especially on St. Croix Trail.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT
Assistant Fire Chief Mike Hinz reported that the department responded to 17 calls in September,
6 fire and 11 rescue calls. There was a large turnout for the Open House event held on October
1 lth. Plans for the Safe Halloween Event are progressing well. The department recently trained
for wild land fire operations. Due to retirements and a few of the new volunteers stepping down,
the department is considering advertising for new recruits early next year. It was recommended
that negotiations for a renewed three-year contract with May Township for fire coverage will be
handled by Administrator Hurlburt.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Hebert advised the council to remain objective regarding the Tiller/Zavoral mining
issue, as there are signs being displayed around town stating "Say No to the Mine". Hebert
informed the council that they must act in a judicial capacity based on the facts, and must apply
the law when it comes time for a vote on this issue. Hebert stated the setback requirements of the
sign ordinance, that being 33 -feet from the centerline on city roads and 75 -feet on county and
state roads.
BUILDING OFFICIAL/MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
The council received Building Official/Maintenance Supervisor Steve Thorp's monthly report. A
permit for a new residence was issued in September. Delivery of the new dump truck/snowplow
is planned for December. Work is proceeding on the Mayberry Trail drainage project.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Amendment to Consulting Agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for Zavoral
Mining and Reclamation Project EIS (Environmental Impact Statement)
Administrator Hurlburt presented an amendment to AECOM's consulting agreement which
would allow Administrator Hurlburt to authorize work to address data gaps identified by
AECOM, up to a cost of $15,000. The additional work is necessary to keep the schedule for
preparation of the draft EIS on track. Simonson, seconded by Swanson, moved to approve the
contract amendment with AECOM for preparation of the Zavoral Mining and
Reclamation Project. The motion carried 5-0.
Gammelgarden Sewer Connection
At the October 11 council work session, the issue of payment for the Gammelgarden Museum's
connection fee to the Uptown Sewer system was discussed. A response to a letter sent in
December 2010 regarding a proposed fee was never received. Council reviewed the initial
request and directed staff to send a second notice with a year-end deadline.
RESPONSES TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, LEGAL SERVICES
Ten responses were received to the request for proposals for legal services. Of the ten responses,
four firms proposed to represent the city on both civil matters and criminal prosecution. Five
proposed civil representation only and one firm proposed prosecution only. Current City
Attorney Dave Hebert did not submit a proposal. His partner, current City Prosecutor Michael
Welch submitted a proposal for prosecution services only.
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Administrator Hurlburt presented a summary of the proposals. All of the proposals appeared to
meet the city's general requirements. Hurlburt stated the importance that the selected firm should
be knowledgeable in environmental law to advise the city on the Zavoral Mining and
Reclamation EIS.
Each council member stated their preferences. Consensus was to interview the following firms:
Eckberg Lammers; Hebert & Welch; LeVander, Gillen & Miller; Miller & Stevens; and
Ratwick, Roszak & Maloney. Interviews will be conducted on November 2 beginning at 6:30
p.m. If necessary, November 3 was selected as a back-up date for any firms not available to
interview on November 2.
APPLICATIONS FOR MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT POSITIONS
A total of 41 applications were received by the October 11 deadline. Administrator Hurlburt
distributed a score sheet which weighted the qualifications of each applicant. Mayor Simonson
stated that selection should adhere to the scoring system as it has been an established hiring
practice.
Council members Swanson and Schneider had reviewed the applications prior to the meeting and
recommended that the other council members do the same prior to selecting the finalists for
interviews. It was agreed that Mayor Simonson and Council members Amos and Ness would
review the applications in the office prior to October 25.
Council will discuss the finalists to be selected for interviews at the October 25 work session
meeting.
AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 25, 2011 SPECIAL MEETING
Administrator Hurlburt stated the purpose of the October 25 special Council meeting will be
discussion of the 2012 budget. Hurlburt recommended that the council determine the agenda at
this time as the agendas for special meetings may not be amended after they are posted. In
addition to the budget discussion, the agenda will include selection of the Maintenance
Superintendent finalists, procedures and questions for the city attorney interviews and
determination of the November 8 work session agenda.
NOVEMBER 8, 2011 COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Administrator Hurlburt announced that the November 8 council meeting may not begin until the
polls close at 8:00 p.m., as it is Election Day. A decision whether or not to schedule a work
session for November 8 will be determined at the October 25 special council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Ness, seconded by Schneider, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund, Deputy Clerk