2017-07-11 CC Meeting MinutesMOUND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
July 11, 2017
The City Council of the City of Mound, Hs nnepin County, Minnesota, met in regular session on
Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Centennial Building.
Members present: Mayor Mark Wegscheid, Council Members Ray Sarazar, Jeff Bergquist, Kelli
Gillispie, and Jennifer Peterson
Members absent: none
Others present: City Manager and Director of Public Works Eric Hoversten, Community
Development Director Sarah Smith, Administrative Assistant Mary Mackres, Field Service
Officer Stewart Simon, Tim Litfin, Dan Faulkner, Arlee Mueller, Roger Fink, Karen King, Brooks
Chandler, and Brian Simmons
Consent agenda: All items listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in
nature by the Council. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Council
Member or citizen so requests, in which event it will be removed from the Consent Agenda and
considered in normal sequence.
1. Open meeting
Mayor Wegscheid called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approve agenda
Hoversten requested to add Item 4L, pages 1933 A-E, to the consent agenda for a public
gathering permit application for DH Custom / Excelsior Brewery Open fishing tournament at
All and Alma's, also using Chester Park, on July 22, 2017
MOTION by Salazar, seconded by Bergquist, to approve the agenda as amended. All voted
in favor. Motion carried.
4. Consent agenda
MOTION by Salazar, seconded by Gillispie, to approve the consent agenda.
Upon roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
A. Approve payment of claims in the amount of $398,352.73
B. Approve Minutes: 06-27-17 Regular Meeting
C. RESOLUTION NO. 17-94: RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT TO CONSENT
AND WAIVER AGREEMENT FOR PROPERTY AT 6077 ASPEN LANE
D. RESOLUTION NO. 17-95: RESOLUTION APPROVING MUSICAL CONCERT
PERMIT FOR SPECIAL EVENT AT MOUNT OLIVE CHURCH ON JULY 30, 2017 AND
WAIVING FEE DUE TO PUBLIC BENEFIT
E. RESOLUTION NO. 17-96: RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
AREA AGREEMENT FOR DUTCH LAKE PRESERVE
Mound City Council Minutes — July 11, 2017
F. Approve Pay Request No. 2 from Park Construction in the amount of $203,206.74 for
the 2017 Street, Utility and Retaining Wall Improvement Project; City Project Nos. PW -
17 -01, PW -17-02, PW -17-03, PW -17-04
G. RESOLUTION NO. 17-97: RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 3,
2016 LIFT STATION IMPROVEMENTS - CITY PROJECT NO. PW -16-05
H. RESOLUTION NO. 17-98: RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 4,
2016 STREET, UTILITY & RETAINING WALL IMPROVEMENTS - BARTLETT
BOULEVARD, TUXEDO BOULEVARD PHASE II AND MAYWOOD ROAD/CYPRESS
LANE, CITY PROJECT NOS. PW -16-01, PW -16-02, PW -16-03
I. RESOLUTION NO. 17-99: RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 1,
2017 STREET, UTILITY & RETAINING WALL IMPROVEMENTS - CITY PROJECT
NO. PW -17-01
J. Approve the following project related pay requests:
1. Norling Lake Minnetonka Landscapes, Inc. totaling $2,383.50 for the 2016
Street Improvement Project, Tuxedo Blvd, City Project No. PW -16-02
2. Gaylen Thostenson, totaling $502.00 for the 2016 Street Improvement
Project, Bartlett Blvd, City Project No. PW -16-01
3. Xcel Energy totaling $1,830.00 for the 2017 Street Improvement Project,
Lynwood Blvd, City Project No. PW -17-01
K. RESOLUTION NO. 17-100: RESOLUTION APPROVING PUBLIC GATHERING
PERMIT AND OUTDOOR MUSICAL CONCERT PERMIT FOR 2017 DOG DAYS
SPECIAL EVENT WITH A REDUCED FEE DUE TO PUBLIC PURPOSE OF
GATHERING
L. (added) RESOLUTION NO. 17-102: RESOLUTION APPROVING PUBLIC
GATHERING PERMIT FOR DH CUSTOM/EXCELSIOR BREWERY FISHING
TOURNAMENT BEING HELD ON JULY 22, 2017 AT CHESTER PARK AND AL AND
ALMA'S CHARTER BOATS DOCK PARCEL
5. Comments and suggestions from citizens present on any item not on the agenda.
None offered
6. Visit and presentation by Tim Litfin regarding 2017 Tour de Tonka annual special
event
Tim Litfin, representing Tour de Tonka, greeted the Council and reminded them that the ride
is coming through Mound in less than four weeks, on Saturday, August 5th. Litfin shared a
highlight video from last year's event. Litfin says Mound had 33 riders last year, ranking the
City 23rd on the list for the number of participants. Peterson asked which were the top five
cities for the number of participants. Litfin said that the order is Minnetonka, Minneapolis,
Chanhassen, Excelsior, and Wayzata. Litfin says it is a ride, not a race. This ride raises
money for the ICA Food Shelf.
7. Action on a resolution expressing appreciation to City Engineer Dan Faulkner
Mound City Council Minutes — July 11, 2017
Eric Hoversten recognized Dan Faulkner for his years of service and support to the City of
Mound as the City Engineer from Bolton & Menk. Hoversten said the robustness of the
infrastructure program came from Dan's leadership combined with working diligently behind
the scenes with City Staff. Hoversten says Dan's work has been remarkable which included
his work with the City's finance team to develop the financing structure behind $50 million
worth of construction which ensured the City could afford to do all of the work from a total
streets perspective. Hoversten said the work Faulkner did on behalf of the City was for all of
the road work in Mound from 2007 to 2018. Hoversten says City Staff will miss Dan, who
is retiring to spend time with family.
Hoversten says the City Staff prepared a resolution recognizing Faulkner for his years of
service.
Mayor Wegscheid added his comments saying he appreciates that Faulkner always was
able to help the Council understand what was going on with the projects.
Dan Faulkner thanked all for the kind words. Faulkner says his job has been rewarding and
challenging and he feels that Mound is his second home. Faulkner said it has been an
honor and a privilege working for the City. Faulkner says that Mound is a great community
and that the Council has done a great job in supporting the Staff.
MOTION by Salazar, seconded by Peterson approving resolution. All voted in favor. Motion
carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 17-101: RESOLUTION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO CITY
ENGINEER DAN FAULKNER
Hoversten let all know that there is a letter from the Vice President of Bolton & Menk in the
Council packet, realigning the staff assignments to the City of Mound. Brian Simmons,
currently the Assistant City Engineer, will now take over the duties of Lead Consultant, City
Engineer for the City of Mound.
8. Field Officer Stewart Simon and Community Development Director Sarah Smith
requesting action on a resolution ordering the abatement of conditions creating a
hazardous property existing at 4837 Bedford Road
Stewart Simon addressed the Council regarding a hazardous abatement order. Simon
stated the conditions of the home came to the attention of the City from a request and
complaint to the Orono Police Dept (OPD) regarding the property and for the OPD to do a
welfare check in 2015. Simon said the OPD couldn't safely get into the building due to front
entry conditions of the house.
Simon added the City building inspection service, MNspect, inspected the property and
noted several violations of the state building code and international property maintenance
code. Simon proceeded to show pictures of the poor condition of the property which
included the corner of the roof has separated from the structure allowing for water intrusion.
Simon noted the property owners were notified of the inspection in July 2015 and there was
no response from the property owner to that notice. Simon said the City sent a second letter
to the property owners in August 2015 and again there was no response to that letter.
Mound City Council Minutes — July 11, 2017
Simon said that in November 2016, the OPD was called to the property in which OPD
officers reported that the conditions had gotten worse in the house and based on their
concerns, suggested that the house should be condemned.
Simon stated that due to the condition of the property and the previous unsuccessful
attempts to reach the homeowner, the building official secured an administrative search
warrant to gain access to the home's interior. Simon said this inspection found the exterior
conditions to be poor coupled with interior issues as well. Simon said the inspection noted
probable water intrusion, unsafe light fixtures in the basement with many other issues
including unsanitary conditions inside the house.
Simon stated a letter was sent to the homeowner in February 2017, by MNspect, advising
them of the conditions found during the inspection with the property owner given until April 1
to abate the hazardous conditions. Simon said the City followed up with a second letter to
the homeowner in March 2017 advising the property owner of the unsafe conditions noted in
the inspection report. Simon said the City did not receive a response from the property
owner. Simon sent another letter to the homeowner on June 12 which advised the property
owners' options to bring the home into compliance by July 3 and to contact Staff to discuss
their plans for bringing the home into compliance. Simon stated the City did not receive a
response from the property owner.
Simon stated, in June, MNspect declared the home hazardous and when the official went to
put a "do not occupy" order on the house he found that the house was occupied. Simon
said the occupant of the home was listed as an owner on the property, but the property has
since been transferred to the occupant's daughter. Simon shared several pictures of the
home conditions and added the building official did not post the sign due to the occupant
being in the house.
Simon said the Council resolution to order the abatement of the hazardous conditions of the
property authorizes the City Attorney to serve the court order to the property owner, the
occupant, and the lien holder, giving 20 days to bring the property into compliance with the
code, or demolish the building. Simon added, if property owner fails to act within that 20 -
day period, the City can seek summary judgment relief, in which case the City would handle
the abatement and assess the property payable in one installment.
Simon said that MNspect's estimate of the cost to repair the house is greater than the value
of the home and therefore it should be razed.
Salazar asked about the occupant. Simon said that the occupant is elderly with health
concerns. Salazar was concerned for the welfare of the occupant if they are forced out of
the house. Simon said that the City has never had anything like this before and the City
would need to be sensitive to the occupant. Simon commented that the house is not a
healthy place for anyone to live and the City would help the occupant find another housing
solution. Simon also noted that the occupant has family in the Twin Cities.
Hoversten thought it would be helpful to put things in a different perspective. He stated the
City has to take the next step in the process or stop the process altogether. Hoversten
added the next step is not a letter from the City's Field Officer to the homeowner, but a letter
from the 4th District Court of the State of MN that may generate dialogue back and forth with
the homeowner. Hoversten said the City would rather enter into a consent and waiver
agreement with the homeowner rather than an abatement order by the City and if the City is
Mound City Council Minutes — July 11, 2017
unsuccessful in getting a consent and waiver agreement, there are some fairly aggressive
next steps. Hoversten said if the City does not get a response in 20 days, City Staff would
come back to Council to get permission to get a court order for right of entry. Hoversten
said this process will include the City, along with the OPD, to engage with Hennepin County
Social Services which has a portfolio of options for homeowners to provide resolution to the
human piece of this challenge and a potential homeless problem.
Mayor Wegscheid remarked that the City has been talking about maintaining properties, but
then you get to this phase of it, Hoversten points out a valid concern. Wegscheid stated that
sometimes these unseen hazards are endangering those around you and then the City is
forced to make difficult decisions. Simon said that the occupant purchased the house n
1985 and in 2011 the house was transferred to the daughter.
Salazar is concerned with the human aspect. Salazar says he is ok if the safety net of
Hennepin County Social Services is in place. Simon said this is the option of last choice for
the City. Peterson asked if two -years was a long time for this to go on. Wegscheid said that
Staff and Council are in the process of identifying these issues sooner and it probably
wouldn't last this long if a similar situation happened in the future.
Hoversten commented that if at any time Staff gets a response from the homeowner the City
can discuss a consent and waiver agreement instead of an order abatement. Hoversten
stated that without a consent and waiver agreement this is the next step in the process or
the City could just stop the process. Hoversten added the City cannot allow this situation to
continue and do nothing. Hoversten added the City has a responsibility to become more
diligent in working through these timelines.
Simon said that the ultimate goal is having a safe home for the occupant, as well as
emergency responders.
MOTION by Salazar, seconded by Gillispie, to approve the following resolution. All voted in
favor. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 17-103: RESOLUTION ORDERING THE ABATEMENT OF
CONDITIONS CREATING A HAZARDOUS BUILDING EXISTING AT 4837 BEDFORD
ROAD, IN THE CITY OF MOUND, MINNESOTA 55364
9. Information/Miscellaneous
A. Comments/reports from Council Members
Hoversten stated that the City typically has rolled out a special Surfside Ale right before the
Spirit of the Lakes Festival but this year the brewer of Surfside Ale has chosen not to can or
bottle that beer and it will only be available in keg form at the usual outlets offered in
previous years. Hoversten said there will be a sampling preview of the Surfside Ale with the
City special reserve bourbon from J. Carver on Friday, July 14th from 4-6pm at Harbor Wine
& Spirits
Upcoming Events:
Guns and Hoses Softball Game, 7/19 Mound Fire Dept vs Orono/Minnetrista Police
Spirit of the Lakes, 7/21 & 22
Tour de Tonka on 8/05
Mound City Council Minutes — July 11, 2017
Dog Days on 8/12
Running of the Bays, 9/09
B. Reports:
C. Minutes:
D. Correspondence: Letter from Kreg Schmidt, Bolton & Menk, Inc., regarding
the retirement of City Engineer, Dan Faulkner
10. Adjourn
MOTION by Bergquist, seconded by Gillispie, to adjourn at 7:44 p.m. All voted in favor.
Motion carried.
Mayor Mark Wegscheid
Attest: Catherine Pausche, Clerk