04-09-13 CM Minutes Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2013
Present: Mayor Harris and Council Members, Clausen, Pentel, Scanlon and Schmidgall,
City Manager Tom Burt, Finance Director Sue Virnig, Police Chief Stacy Carlson, Director
of Planning and Development Mark Grimes, City Planner Joe Hogeboom,
Communications Manager Cheryl Weiler, Director of Public Works Jeannine Clancy, City
Engineer Jeff Oliver, Engineer Mark Ray, Graduate Engineer Eric Seaburg, Senior
Citizens Coordinator Jeanne Fackler, Golden Valley Community Foundation Treasurer
Luke Weisberg, Golden Valley Days Representative Scott Grayson and Administrative
Assistant �isa Wittman.
The meeting began at 6:40 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Proposed Ordinance Amendments — City Code Section 10.32
a. Animals and Fowl Keeping, Transporting, Treatment, and Housing
Based on the Council's review of the chicken keeping ordinance staff has proposed
changes. Jeannine Clancy explained the proposed changes including reducing the
setback requirement from the principal structure from 50 feet to 10 feet, and removing the
language requiring a 500-foot setback from impaired waters since the City's existing
Shoreland Management ordinance has measures in place prohibiting certain structures
from being within a specified distance to water badies.
The Council discussed their concerns including the protection of water quality, properly
insulating/winterizing the coops, protecting chickens from cruelty and improper living
conditions and balancing the costs to the City versus the cost of the licenses. After
discussion the Council consensus was to add language to the ordinance regarding
setbacks from wetland areas and to place the ordinance on a future Council meeting
agenda for consideration.
b. Definition - Animals
Stacy Carlson stated that since the Council's review of this item last month, staff has done
additional research on broadening the definition of"animal" to be more inclusive of
common household pets currently not permitted.
The Council discussed the proposed changes and directed staff to include chickens in the
definition of animals section and to place the ordinance on a future Council meeting
agenda for consideration.
Revision of Municipal State Aid Street Routes
Jeannine Clancy discussed how the Municipal State Aid (MSA) street system operates.
She stated that staff has reviewed the current Golden Valley MSA system and has
identified the need for modifications to provide more consistency with the functional
classifications contained in the Comprehensive Transportation Plan and compliance with
State Aid standards. Mark Ray referred to a map exhibit and identified classes of streets
being considered for removal from the MSA system including residential streets that no
longer meet the statutory requirements, streets with portions unconstructed with no plans
to complete construction and streets that do not carry appropriate truck and traffic
volumes. The streets being added to MSA are either classified as major collectors or
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April 9, 2013 — Page 2
serve commercial and industrial areas. After discussion, the Council directed staff to place
a resolution of support on the next regular City Council meeting agenda.
Minnesota Department of Transportation Corridor Investment Management Strategy
(CIMS) Pilot Solicitation Application
Mark Ray stated that the Minnesota Department of Transportation is soliciting applications
far its Corridor Investment Management Strategy pilot program which came from the
Minnesota GO visioning process. He handed out maps and discussed five intersection
projects along Highway 55 that will support local redevelopment, are part of a Iarger City
project, or will reduce delay for vehicles traveling within Golden Valley. After discussion
the Council consensus was to bring a resolution of support for a City CIMS application
including the five intersection projects to the next regular City Council meeting.
Douglas Drive Former Moratorium Study Area — New Zoning District
Mark Grimes stated that staff is recommending that the Council consider changing the
zoning of the former pouglas Drive moratorium area from Industrial to a performance
zoning district. He explained that a performance zoning district would be more flexible and
would allow uses with a Conditional Use Permit based on intensity of development rather
than the use. Measures such as height, traffic generation, floor area ratio, environmental
compatibility, energy consumption and impervious surface coverage could be used when
considering a perFormance zoning district use.
The Council discussed how a performance zoning district is different than a mixed use
zoning district, how this type of zoning district might attract development and other
locations in the City where this type of zoning district may be appropriate. After discussion
the Councif consensus was to have the Planning Commission further study performance
zoning districts and to develop perFormance zoning criteria for the Council to consider.
Schuller's Tavern Request for Outside Patio
Council Member Clausen stated that she requested this item be placed on the agenda.
She said she realizes the biggest concern about rezoning the property to Commercial is
the potential future use of the property, but she thinks it is fair to consider allowing
Schuller's to have a patio.
Tom Burt explained that the property is currently non-conforming and it would take a 4/5
vote by the Council to rezone it. The Council questioned if requiring Schuller's to place a
covenant on the property regarding future uses would allow them to have a patio. Burt
stated that a covenant on the property would place a burden on the City to enforce it and
could also encumber the title of the property. The Council discussed the value of the
property if it were rezoned to Commercial, the variances required to install a patio, where
on the property a patio could be located, the concerns of the neighborhood, the possibility
of "spot zoning" and the steps involved in rezoning and re-guiding the property to allow a
patio.
After discussion the Council consensus was to review the proposed new performance
zoning district language when it is complete and to review a map of the property showing
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April 9, 2013 — Page 3
setback and right-of-way areas and where a patio could potentially be placed before
considering Schuller's request.
Human Services Fund, Envision/Connection Project
Tom Burt gave a brief history of the Human Services Fund, the Envision/Connection
Project and the Golden Valley Community Foundation. The Council discussed the
difference befinreen the Human Services Fund and the Foundation and the use of staff
time and the budgets for these groups. The Council discussion also included the amount
of money and in-kind service the City is able to contribute to community groups and/or
events, the role the City plays in marketing and staffing events, and the issue of the City's
participation and marketing for other community groups and their events.
After discussion, the Council consensus was that they would like to see the Envision
Connection Project continue for another two years. They directed staff to prepare a
resolution continuing the Envision Connection Project and to update the by-laws that
would provide better direction and allow any Council Member to serve as a liaison.
Council Member Pentel left the meeting at 10 pm.
Council Salaries
Sue Virnig explained that the City Code provides for the Council to review and consider
amending Mayor and Council salaries every two years. Staff prepared a survey of salaries
of elected officials in other metropolitan cities. The Council consensus was to not entertain
salary increases this year. Sue Virnig stated that the Council will take formal action on the
ordinance at the next regular City Council meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 pm.
Lisa Wittman
Administrative Assistant