Loading...
07-10-12 CM Minutes Council/Manager Meeting Minutes July 10, 2012 Present: Mayor Harris and Council Members, Clausen, Freiberg, Pentel and Scanlon, City Manager Tom Burt, City Attorney Allen Barnard, Finance Director Sue Virnig, Assistant Housing and Redevelopment Director Jeanne Andre, Director of Public Works Jeannine Clancy, City Engineer Jeff Oliver, Public Works Maintenance Manager Bert Tracy, Engineer/Recycling Coordinator Mark Ray, Chief of Fire and Inspections Mark Kuhnly, Director of Parks and Recreation Rick Jacobson, Director of Planning and Development Mark Grimes, City Planner Joe Hogeboom, and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman. The meeting began at 6:38 pm in the Council Conference Room. Inflow and Infiltration (I/l) Certificates of Compliance Jeannine Clancy explained that the homeowner at 2700 Major Avenue North contacted the City in June of 2012 to schedule and I/I inspection in order to place his home for sale. At that time it was determined that the property had been issued a Certificate of Compliance in 2006 which showed defects in the service line. She added that the properky owner has indicated that it was his belief that the Certificate of Compliance issued in 2006 was still valid and that he is not required to have the service line re-inspected in order to place the home for sale. She gave a brief history of the I/I program and stressed that City Code modifications were adopted in October of 2006 which included a provision that Certificates of Compliance were only valid for one year after the date of issuance. Furthermore, prior to adoption of the ordinance, the focus of the inspections was improper connections to the sanitary sewer system including foundation drains, sumps pumps, etc. Therefore, the property owner must comply with current I/I requirements and make any necessary repairs in order to obtain a new Certificate of Compliance. She distributed a packet of copies that included letters sent to the homeowner, the homeowner's original Certificate of Compliance and a list of homeowners who also have expired Certificates of Compliance. Council Member Clausen expressed concern regarding the list of homeowners with expired Certificates of Compliance. She stated that she felt that the I/I requirements were implemented in her neighborhood before the City knew what they were doing with the program, and that the communication about the program wasn't good. She also said the residents acted in good faith when having their inspections done and they were told their Certificates of Compliance were good forever. She added that she would like to see some data as to the difference the I/I program is making in order to justify it continuing. The Council discussed the I/I program, the goals of the Metropolitan Council, what could be done regarding communication about the program particularly to the list of homeowners with expired Certificates of Compliance and if people on that list could somehow be exempt from the I/I requirements. After a lengthy discussion, the consensus of the Council was to send a letter to the residents on the list of expired Certificates of Compliance explaining to them that their Certificates have expired and not to adopt code changes that would exempt homeowners in the 2Q06 PMP neighborhood from current I/I requirements. Council/Manager Meeting Minutes July 10, 2012 — Page 2 Recycling Program Update Mark Ray reported that the amount of recycled material has increased 17.2% compared to the same time period in 2011. He discussed the expanded services offered including pfacing recycling carts in parks. He also reported that the City has received communications awards for its promotion of the City's new recycling program. The Council discussed some af the concerns they have heard from residents including items blowing into the street, items left outside of the bin not being picked up and recycling carts being left out over the weekend. Ray stated that some of the concerns could be directed to Allied Waste, but that some of the other concerns have to do with continued resident education. MnDOT Metro Municipal Agreement Program Submittal — TH 55 and Winnetka Avenue Jeannine Clancy explained that she is looking for Council consensus to allow the City to apply for Metro Municipal Agreement Pragram funding to help with the praject costs of proposed improvements to TH 55 and Winnetka. Mark Ray referred to a map of the intersection at TH 55 and Winnetka and explained the proposed impravements to traffic operation. He also discussed project coordination with CenterPoint Energy whose intent is to replace their gas main in the area. The Council discussion included pedestrian improvements and the cost of the proposed project. After discussion the Cauncil direction was to bring a resolution regarding the program submittal to the next regular City Council meeting. General Land Use Plan Map Amendment Request— 9130 and 9220 Olson Memorial Highway Joe Hogeboom stated that Dunbar Development has approached staff regarding the possible development of an apartment complex on the properties located at 9130 and 9220 Olson Memorial Highway near the northeast corner of Highway 169 and TH 55. He explained that the properties are currently designated Commercial —Retail/Service on the General Land Use Plan Map and are zoned Commercial. In order to move forward with the proposal the General Land Use Plan map would need to be changed to Residential High-Density and the zoning would need to be changed to R-4 High Density Residential. The Council discussed similar projects in other communities, revitalization of this area and potential financial assistance issues. The Council consensus was to go forward with the process to consider amending the General Land Use Plan Map and Zoning Map. Set Date for Board/Commission Interviews The Council reviewed a list of appticants far Board/Commission vacancies and decided they would like to interview the applicants on August 8 at 4:45 pm. Council Updates Council Member Scanlon stated that she would like each Council Member who serves as a liaison on a commission or attends neighborhood meetings to do a short monthly update Council/Manager Meeting Minutes July 10, 2012 — Page 3 on what is happening on the commissions they represent ar the meetings they attend. The consensus of the Council was to add "Council Updates" to the "Communications" seetion on their regular City Council agendas. Biennial 2013-2014 Proposed General Fund Budget The Council reviewed the following budget categories: Public Works Administration, Engineering, Fire and Inspections, Community Centers, Park and Recreation, Recreation Programs, Planning, Council, City Manager, Transfers Ou#, Administrative Services, Legal, and Risk Management. After discussion and several questions, no significant changes were requested. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 pm. Lisa Wittman Administrative Assistant