1995-06-20MINUTES- COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE- JUNE 20, 1995
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM. Members present: Mayor Bob Polston,
Councilmembers Andrea Ahrens, Mark Hanus, Liz Jensen and Phyllis Jessen. Also
present: City Manager Ed Shukle and Jim Fackler arrived later in the meeting.
Streamlining of Variances
City Manager Ed Shukle reported that the staff had written comments with regard to
this topic. He asked if the Council wanted to spend a few minutes reading the
material. They suggested that he summarize it, he did. After the summary was given
the Council suggested that the matter be forwarded to the Planning Commission for
their review and comment. This will be discussed at the Planning Commission
meeting of June 26th.
Vehicles for Sale Ordinance
City Manager Ed Shukle discussed the Vehicles for Sale Ordinance Amendment. He
pointed out that a number of complaints have been received from businesses and
individuals regarding the sale of vehicles on public properties as well as private
properties. He presented a proposed ordinance amendment. The city attorney had
reviewed this and had comments. The City Council reviewed it and expressed some
concerns in relation to enforcement of the ordinance pertaining to private property.
They stated that they may want to limit the number of vehicles for sale parked on
private property. They were somewhat uncertain as it pertained to prohibiting sales
of vehicles on private property. They suggested that this matter be forwarded to the
Planning Commission for discussion and review and comment at its June 26th
meeting.
Recreational Fires
City Manager Ed Shukle presented an ordinance amendment dealing with recreational
fires. He indicated that recreational fires have been continuing to be a problem as
they relate to the size of the fire and parties associated with these fires. He presented
an ordinance amendment that would further c. larify the regulation of recreational fires.
After the City Council reviewed and discussed it, they suggested some modifications
be made and it be brought back at a future meeting.
Compost Site
Councilmember Ahrens expressed a concern with regard to the lack of a c0m 0st ite.
She indicated that people are calling with regard to milfoil and other forms of yard
waste and accommodations that could be met by the City with relation to getting rid
of this material. Mayor Polston indicated that the City of Minnetrista is interested in
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Minutes- Committee of the Whole June 20, 1995
working together with the City of Mound in trying to develop another compost area.
They asked the City Manager to contact the City Clerk/Administrator in Minnetrista
to explore options.
Stairways on Commons
Councilmember Ahrens indicated that she was unhappy with a stairway that is being
located on the Commons at Roanoke. This stairway, in her opinion, did not need to
be replaced. Neighbors are concerned that they were not consulted. A memo from
Mr. John Gabos of 4687 Island View Drive was reviewed. Ahrens expressed the need
for the City to abide by the Ordinance as it relates to Public Lands Permits. The
consensus of the Council was to have future projects like this undergo a Construction
on Public Lands Permit. With regard to the Roanoke access, it was suggested that the
remainder of the stairway construction be suspended until discussion could take place
at the next regular meeting. The City Manager was instructed to place this item on
the next agenda for discussion. Also related to the Construction on Public Lands
Permit, is that the City should, in the future, send notices to abutters, non-abutters
and the public at large (through legal notice) to notify people of the construction. As
part of the Construction on Public Lands Permit process an estimate and the number
of docks that the stairway would serve should be included as part of the application.
Councilmember Hanus requested the number of docks that the potential public
stairway would serve and also the estimated cost of putting that stairway in.
Also related to Commons, Council discussed batch #6 of the Public Lands Permits.
Councilmember Ahrens indicated that the Park and Open Space Commission was
confused when she indicated to them at the meeting on June 8th, that the City
Council was only going to deal with permits related to health, safety and welfare. The
City Manager then found the Minutes of the March 14, 1995 meeting dealing with this
issue and indicated that the request for a moratorium, that had been talked about at
that City Council meeting, was put aside because the city attorney indicated that a
moratorium was inappropriate. It was the understanding of the city manager that we
would proceed as we had with public land permit applications and that the City
Council would deal with each permit on a case by case basis. The city manager was
asked to have this matter clarified by the city attorney so that only health, safety and
welfare type permits would be reviewed in 1995. It was the concern of the Council
that the Commons Task Force be allowed to make its recommendations prior to the
City Council dealing with these permit applications that do not effect health, safety
and welfare.
Other Business
The type of zoning appropriate for domestic abuse shelters was discussed. The city
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manager was asked to research this through the city planner and the Planning
Commission.
Weeds in parks was discussed and the treatment of the weeds.
The Council also discussed the budget process for 1996. It was requested that a
budget workshop be held at the Committee of the Whole meeting in October, with the
city manager to go over the budget in more detail prior to the actual public hearing
that will be held in December. It was noted that the next meeting was scheduled for
July 18, 1995 at 7:30 pm. It was the concensus that the Council cancel the COW
for that evening.
Upon motion by Ahrens, seconded by Jensen and carried unanimously, the meeting
was adjourned at 10:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ed Shukle
City Manager
ES:Is
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