1993-10-19MINUTES - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETIN~ - OCTOBER 19, 1993
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM. Members present:
Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Liz Jensen, Andrea Ahrens, Phyllis
Jessen and Ken Smith. Also present: John Cameron, City Engineer;
Greg Skinner, Utilities Superintendent and Ed Shukle, City Manager.
John Cameron, City Engineer, presented a preliminary draft of
a feasibility report on outdoor material storage at the Minnetrista
City Hall/Public Works site. The report focused on the Minnetrista
site and presented two alternatives. Alternative #1 dealt with the
existing storage area at the site. Alternative #2 dealt with the
existing site and expanding it further to the south. Cost
estimates for each alternative were close to being the same. Also
discussed was equipment purchases related to the moving of material
at the site and repairs to the access road, both from a temporary
standpoint as well as a complete reconstruction. It was the
consensus that the report deemed the project to be feasible and
further consensus by the Council was to schedule a meeting with the
City of Minnetrista to present the report and get their reaction to
it.
City Engineer John Cameron presented an updated report on
water system improvements. He referenced a study that was done in
1990 on the City's water system. At that time a preliminary
engineering report was prepared to review a pressure filtration
plant for iron and manganese removal and ion exchange softening
process and a lime-soda softening process. The city engineer
presented some estimates on operation and maintenance costs as well
as updated figures on a physical plant for the three different
processes. The Council consensus was to place this item on the
upcoming agenda for October 26, 1993 for further discussion.
Park dedication fees were discussed. This topic came before
the Council due to the fact that the recent minor subdivision
involving Dakota Rail and Balboa, and Dakota Rail and John's
Variety and Pets required Park Dedication fees for each of those
major subdivisions. The Planning Commission had disagreed with the
city Council's action and asked that the City Council review the
ordinance and make some possible changes to it. The Council
reviewed the current ordinance and directed the City Manager to
research the matter further and report back at the next Committee
of the Whole meeting.
The City Manager reported on the meeting with Hennepin County
and officials from Orono and Spring Park regarding traffic
congestion at CSAH 15 and CSAH 51 in Spring Park. The purpose of
that meeting was to discuss the backup of traffic from that
intersection to County Road 19 in Navarre. Hennepin County
indicated that the traffic congestion could be reduced if the right
turn only lane going westbound on 15 was made into a non right turn
lane and the double lane would eventually merge into one as you
approach County Road 125. Spring Park has previously indicated
that they did not want this changed and Mary Ann Thurk of the
Commltlee of the Whole Minutes - October 19, 1993 - Page 2
Spring Park Council who was present at the meeting indicated that
she was certain that the Spring Park Council did not want to make
any changes in this regard. Hennepin County indicated that an
employee within their office who lives in Mound, is driving the
road daily and is monitoring the traffic on 15 at this
intersection.
The City Manager updated the police services contract proposal
to Spring Park. He indicated that the Spring Park city Council
took action on Monday, October 18th to continue with police
services with the city of Orono.
The annual Christmas party was discussed. Friday, December
17th was selected for the party to be held at the American Legion
Club.
Councilmember Jensen reviewed a list of goals and updated it
with the Council. This will be an ongoing review at upcoming
Committee of the Whole meetings.
Discussion was held on whether the City Council should pass a
resolution endorsing the ISD 277 Bond Referendum. Consensus was to
take no position on the matter.
The Economic Development Commission was briefly discussed.
The Council consensus was to have the City Council visit the
Economic Development Commission at its November 18, 1993 meeting to
have an open forum on economic development and issues that will be
facing the EDC in the future.
The next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, November 16, 1993, 7:30 PM, Mound City Hall. Upon motion
by Ahrens and seconded by Jensen and carried unanimously, the
meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM.
City Manager
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