Loading...
2000-01-181,0 MINUTES - MOUND COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - JANUARY 18~ 2000 The Committee of the Whole for the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in regular session on Tuesday, January 18, 2000, at 7:00 P.M., in the Council Workroom at 5341 Maywood Road, in said City. Those present were: Mayor Pat Meisel; Councilmembers: Andrea Ahrens (excused at 9:05 p.m.), Bob Brown, Mark Hanus, and Leah Weycker. Also in attendance: Acting City Manager Fran Clark; Park Commissioners: John Beise, Norm Domholt, Peter Meyer; and Secretary Sue McCulloch. Mayor Meisel opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT. The Acting City Manager stated this amendment would require all property taxes, special assessments, municipal utility fees, including but not limited to water and sewer bills, and penalties and interest thereon to be paid for the property for which any permit has been submitted. She stated this amendment would pertain to building permits; permits for mechanical and plumbing; sewer and water hook-ups; permits for excavation; permits for grading; subdivisions; and conditional use permits. The Acting City Manager stated if an individual is up to date with his/her taxes and municipal utility bills, then this ordinance will not pose a problem for those individuals. The Acting City Manager stated the public works department is in favor of this ordinance as well. Mayor Meisel stated this ordinance would be presented to the City Council at the January 25th meeting. 1.1 APPLICATION FOR A VACATION OF WATERFORD RQAD, The Acting City Manager presented the case. She stated that when the minor subdivision and Conditional Use Permit were approved on April 13, 1999, the applicant agreed that dockage for the twin home would be acces~ from private lakeshore rather than public. She stated the application for this vacation was not forwarded to the appropriate chain of people, specifically the Park Director, City Clerk and the DNR, before it went to the Planning Commission in November of 1999. Councilmember Weycker stated there would be approximately 35 feet of lakeshore for the City that would be lost with this vacation. The Acting City Manager agreed. 41 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES JANUARY 18. 2000 Councilmember Brown stated the Planning Commission did not have the letter from DNR repre .~ntative, Martha Reger dated January 5, 2000, when they recommended approval of the vacation in November, 1999. Councilmember Ahrens stated it would appear the City would be required to get the DNR to approve this vacation. She further stated this vacation is not in an area that is useable for the City of Mound. She is in favor of vacating this property. Councilmember Hanus questioned the calculations made by Jim Fackler in determining the shoreline footage. He stated property under water cannot be counted as shoreline footage and this may have been included in the total evaluation of public shoreline in Mound. Councilmember Brown agreed. Councilmember Hanus stated he would like to absorb the information presented tonight and discuss it further at the a future City Council meeting when Jim Fackler and the applicant would be present to answer his questio, ns. Mayor Meisel agreed. The consensus agreed to review the April minutes presented in the packet tonight which could give them more information. Councilmember Ahrens does not want to see another commons dock proposed on this 35 feet of property if the vacation does not get passed. Mayor Meisel excused herself at 7:15 p.m. to have a talk with School Superintendent Dr. Para Myers. Councilmember Brown stated the City of Mound has the ability to put out 475 docks and they currently only have 396 docks that are being used. He stated the 30 feet of shoreline would not make too much of a difference and it appears we do not need it. Mayor Meisel returned to the meeting at 7:20 p.m. The Acting City Manager stated that in the past very little land has been vacated that was public shoreline. Councilmember Hanus reviewed Mr. Fackler's breakdown briefly regarding useable shoreline that is city owned land for the City of Mound and it appears the shoreline he is including with his calculations may be inaccurate. Again, Councilmember Hanus would like to discuss this further with Mr. Fackler at a future City Council meeting. Mayor Meisel agreed the calculation for useable shoreline footage needs to be reviewed with more emphasis put on accuracy and detail. 42 COMMITIEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES JANUARY l& 2000 Mr. Beise stated he would not disapprove of this vacation because of thc footagc, although, he would disapprove of it because the only reason the applicant wants to be given this property is to remove one of his three variances in existence. UPDATES FROM MAYOR MEISEL. 1.1 OLD HIGH SCHOOL SITE Mayor Meisel stated that at the City Council meeting on Tuesday January 25th there will be an Executive Session scheduled to discuss possible litigation on how the City Council wants to proceed with issues at hand and the new school board. Councilmember Ahrens stated she is of the same opinion about the school board recouping costs from the City of Mound as in previous meetings concerning this topic. Councilmember Brown stated because there are new school board members and he would be willing to meet with them regarding this issue. The consensus of the committee of the whole was to meet with the new school board to discuss topics at hand. Two dates were suggested, February 1, 2000, or February 29, 2000. A firm date will be set at a later time. Mayor Meisel informed the Council that School District Superintendent, Dr. Para Myers just informed her that Metro Plains Development has bought out the purchase agreement between Trail Head and the School District and is the new developer of the old high school site. She stated a Purchase Agreement has been approved by the School District and signed. Mayor Meisel informed the Council that she, the Acting City Manager and Bruce Chamberlain, City Planner met briefly with Mr. I.arry Olson of Metro Plains late last week and he stated he should have all soil tests completed within 45 days. Mr. Olson's intent is to put medium density housing and commercial development on this property. The value of the homes will be approximately $200,000. Mr. Olson is also open to carving out a piece of this property to be used for the post office relocation. Councilmember Hanus expressed concern about parking facilities in this new location for housing and the post office. The Council discussed the fact that there will be a percentage of the land that will be designated for park dedication. 43 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOI~ MINUTES JANUARY 18. 2000 Mayor Meisel stated Mr. Olson would like to attend a meeting where the Comprehensive Plan is discussed, possibly February 8, 2000, because he does not want the ballfields to be designated as park space. 1.2 DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Mayor MeiseI stated Bill Beard and Sid Inman are moving along with the redevelopment of downtown Mound. She stated appropriate numbers have been collected and they look good. She stated plans for the Planning Commission's review will happen soon. 1.3 REX ALW/N PROPERTy Mayor Meisel mentioned the Rex Alwin property. She stated the developer for this property is proposing housing as well. The Council discussed a property percentage for park dedication for this property. 1.4 CITy MANAGER SEARCH Mayor Meisel stated Jim Mercer would like to meet with the Council and present his list of possible candidates for the City Manager's position. He will be available on January 31 or February 1. The consensus was to meet on January 31, 2000, at 6:30 p.m., in the work room. Mercer will be notified of this date. 1.5 VACANT LAND ON SHORELINE DRIVE - BALBO.A PROPERTY Mayor Meisel handed out a 9-page fax from Mr. Gary Maxwell. Mr. Maxwell stated the property at hand could go through a phase one and phase two report and the cost of the VIC program with staffs time to read these reports and issue a No Association letter would cost approximately $1,000 more for the City of Mound. She stated our City Engineer has been quoting the City of Mound a much higher cost. Mayor Meisel stated if the City is now again interested in this property, it is possible according to Mr. Maxwell to have this property cleaned up for free by the State. Mayor Meisel stated if the City of Mound is not interested at all, we need to make this information available to Mr. Maxwell. Mayor Meisel stated we could present new numbers to Mr. Maxwell for this property. 44 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES JANUARY 18. 2000 Mayor Meisel stated if we go ahead with this thought and present lower numbers as our bid for this property, we definitely will not consider this property without a valid no association agreement. Councilmembers Brown and Hanus agreed. Mayor Meisel stated the next step is to have Mr. Maxwell put together a package to present to the City for this property. After that point, the package would be presented to the HRA at an appropriate meeting. Mayor Meisel stated once we get a no association letter, which would take about one month, we then would go into the VIC program for the cleanup process. She stated if both of these were not part of the acquisition, the City of Mound would not want the property. The VIC program does not hold up the project and will allow progression forward by the parties involved. Councilmember Ahrens stated the City of Mound is out the 10 percent already invested in this project. Mayor Meisel stated if the City of Mound would buy this property, they could turn right back around and sell it back to a developer. Councilmember Weycker stated she is reluctant to get back into this situation. She would appreciate more information from our City Attorney and the City Engineer. Mayor Meisel stated she would get back to Gary Maxwell by Friday of this week to inform him if the City of Mound is interested in pursuing this property again. The consensus of the members present was that they would be interested in scoping out this property again as long as there is a no association letter and the VIC program was a sure bet. 1.6 SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN Councilmember Brown mentioned the Surface Water Management Plan briefly. He stated the Planning Commission is absolutely against the buffer zone in the Plan and would like this section removed from the Plan. Mayor Meisel recessed the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Mayor Meisel reconvened the meeting at 8:10 p.m. 45 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES JANUARY 18. 2000 1.7 JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PARK COMMISSION MEETING Mayor Meisel welcomed the Park Commission to the Committee of the Whole meeting. Peter Meyer thanked Mayor Meisel for this opportunity. Norm Domholt introduced himself as Chair of the Park Commission. He stated he has been a business owner and resident of the City of Mound for 15 years. He stated he grew up in South Minneapolis where he enjoyed the fabulous parks they had o offer. Mr. Domholt stated being a business owner for the last 15 years has taught him how to get things done. He stated he is excited to help out the City of Mound with as many improvements to the parks as possible. The consensus of the Council was that they would rather see park dedication on any large new developments come in the form of land, rather than money. Mr. Domholt stated he was delighted to hear the city's vision regarding green space and would like to help facilitate this vision. Mr. Domholt stated the number one problem is communication between the City Council and the Park Commission. He stated the communication they currently have is the minutes, and he would like to propose an annual workshop, like tonight's meeting to get dialog from both sides. Councilmember Brown stated, and Mayor Meisel agreed, the minutes need to be more specific in nature in certain circumstances to make sure everyone is clear with the topic at hand. Mr. Beise stated the most important aspect the Park Commission would like to accomplish in tonight's meeting is a good working relationship between the Park Commission and the City Council. Councilmember Hanus stated he would suggest a set of goals for the Park Commission to present to the City Council on an annual basis. Peter Meyer stated he would like to see a good working relationship with the City Council. The Council discussed Island Park Hall and its potential refurbishing but stated the City of Mound clearly does not have the funds right now for this project. 46 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES J~VUAR¥ l& 2000 Mr. lleise stated it is his understanding from past experiences that if the Park Commission presents information they would like the City Council to-review, it would be altered before the City Council had a chance to review it. He does not understand why Staff should edit a document of this type before the City Council has reviewed it. Mr. Meyer stated the Park Commission did present recommendations for the year 2000 in their budget, but it evidently was presented in an untimely manner and the City Council was not able to consider it. Mr. Beise stated the Island Park Hall was on the top of the list. Councilmember Ahrens stated she is frustrated when doing governmental business because the price will automatically go up when this has been noted to developers and redevelopers a municipality is interested in the property and, thus, the City Council cannot negotiate on its behalf. Councilmember Brown asked the Park Commission what frustrates them the most about the City Council. Mr. Domholt stated the City Council is doing a fabulous job and he commends them for all of their hard work. He does recommend better communication to the department heads who are working for the City of Mound and trying to make the City of Mound a better place to live. Mr. Domholt stated he agrees with a "wish list" of some type, but if this wish list cannot be financed through the City of Mound, then allow the department heads and his fellow commissioners to organize volunteer efforts to help make it possible. Mayor Meisel asked if memorials have been installed in the City of Mound. She stated if there is a need for park benches, then a citizen of Mound may want to put a bench up on green space in memory of someone close to them. Councilmember Ahrens agreed there needs to be a goal-setting policy. She stated this policy needs to be carried out by the City Manager. She stated there is a need for more direction and communication amongst the Commissions, City Council, City Manager and City of Mound staff. Councilmember Ahrens stated the City of Wayzata is always presented so well, and she would like to see the City of Mound looking as cleaned up with flower beds, etc. She supports volunteer efforts. Councilmember Brown suggested having one Saturday workshop that would include the Planning Commission, Park Commission and City Council wherein they could discuss and work through issues. Mayor Meisel stated we would need a facilitator for such a project and the public could not be excluded in such a meeting. 47 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES JANUARY 18. 2000 Mr. Beise stated the Park~Commission would like to have the City of Mound update them more often on park issues, like tonight's meeting. He stated he would like the City Council to perceive the Park Commission as an asset and not a "thorn in your side that would hopefully go away.' Mayor Meisel stated the Park Commission feels the way they do because of a lack. of communication. She stated there were so many issues going on with the green space and the Rex Alwin property that needed to be sorted out properly and professionally. She stated the Park Commission needs to consider the needs for the citizens of Mound before acting prematurely in the future with regard to the acquisition of property. Councilmember Ahrens stated there was never any mention in her 12 years of service on the City Council of the City acquiring the Rex Alwin property. Mr. Beise stated he felt it was his obligation and duty as a real estate agent and a Park Commission member to try and acquire this gorgeous piece of property Rex Alwin owns and wants to sell. Councilmember Brown stated a problem occurred when the Park Commission contacted Rex Alwin about the City of Mound possibly buying the property without having discussed this with any City Council members. He stated Rex Alwin then got the impression the City of Mound wanted to purchase the property and the price of the property just went up with that information. Councilmember Brown further stated he was frustrated by the fact it appeared Mr. Meyer was leading the "green space people" and he appeared to be using his position as Park Commissioner to alienate the people against the City Council. Mr. Meyer stated he was not leading this group of people. He stated it was lead by other citizens of the City of Mound. Mr. Meyer stated again the kids in the City of Mound need the parks. Mayor Meisel stated she agrees with this statement but the funds are not there to support all ideas the Park Commission has asked for. Councilmember Brown stated the new downtown redevelopment is proposing a perfect place for an ice skating rink where it can be lit and have a warming house as well in Lost Lake. Mayor Meisel stated there is a question and answers sheet ex)ming to each household of Mound shortly. She stated this will give information about the redevelopment of the City of Mound in a user friendly way. Mr. Beise stated he would appreciate receiving minutes from the Planning Commission, COW, and City Council meetings on a regular basis. 48 COMMIT1EE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES JANUARY 18. 2000 Councilmember Brown suggested flooding Highland and Swenson Parks for use as ice skating finks until the downtown redevelopment has an ice skating rink of its own. Mr. Meyer stated he would like about $5,000 to help in creating a nice skating rink. He stated he would get volunteers to help keep the rink in good shape. Mr. Beise would like to be made aware of problems the City of Mound has that the Park Commission could possibly assist with. He stated if the funding is not available, maybe the Park Commission could raise money to help support a project. Mr. Domholt stated it appears the City should see the 'wish list" from the Park Commission on an annual basis to discuss what can and cannot be accomplished. He stated he would like the City Council and the Park Commission to be working as a team. Mayor Meisel stated she understands the City Council and the Park Commission all want to better the City of Mound. Mr. Meyer stated the Park Commission was hoping for the possibility of malting the Rex Alwin property into another Wolf Ridge and keeping a large portion of it natural. He stated he knew the City had no money, but since there was a park shortage, he felt there was a valid reason to go after this property. Mr. Beise and Mr. Domholt asked the City Council how to handle future property and parks issues. Councilmember Hanus stated the Park Commission should call a City Council member or the City Manager. He stated it could then be brought to a COW Meeting for discussion. Councilmember Brown suggested that the Commission Chairs could meet with the Mayor, give updates and then the Mayor could pass on the information to the City Council. Councilmember Weycker stated that this is the Council Liason's responsibility. Mayor Meisel stated we are a team and need to further our communication efforts. She also stated a project has to be appropriate for the kids, cities and developers. Mayor Meisel stated she would like to move forward and concentrate on the downtown redevelopment and the property Mr. Olson and Mr. Alwin will be giving as park dedication. Councilmember Hanus stated April appears to be a good time to get together to discuss goals. The consensus of the group was that all Commissions would be heard. It was agreed that communication and information needs to be shared. It was agreed the Park Commission is an asset to the City. 49 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES JANUARY 18. 2000 The Park Commission would like to hear about anything interesting coming down the Park Commission's way in the future. Mayor Meisel stated on April 18, 2000, there is a COW meeting scheduled and she is inviting the Park Commission to attend and present their ~.wish list" and recommendations in priority order for the parks in the City of Mound. Councilmember Weycker stated Mr. Meyer has put in a number of hours, singled handedly, and painted the depot. She stated Mr. Meyer has volunteered many hours of his time elsewhere, including organizing the skating rinks and flooding them, manning the warm houses, and organizing city clean up days for the parks in Mound. Councilmember Brown suggested using the Adopt a Green Space Program to help keep up the parks, skating rinks, etc. Mayor Meisel stated there are legal issues that would arise that need to be resolved before such action could be taken. Mr. Domholt stated that because of tonight's meeting he feels more welcomed by the City Council and felt they were moving in a positive direction. INFORMATION ITEMS. No information items were distributed. MOTION by Brown, seconded by Weycker, to adjourn at 9:47 P.M. The vote was unanimously in favor. Motion carried. $-0. Francene C. Clark, Acting City Manager Attest: Council Secretary 50