1995-08-15MINUTES. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING. AUGUST 15, 1995
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM. Members present: Ahrens, Hanus,
Jensen, Jessen and Polston. Also present: Shirley Andersen and Rod Wilkening of
the Westonka Retail and Professional Council.
Mayor Polston introduced Ms. Andersen and Mr. Wilkening regarding the idea of
purchasing banners for downtown Mound. These banners would be purchased for the
summer season and winter season, along with brackets to place on the light poles for
an estimated cost of $9,750. It is the intent of the Retail and Professional Council to
get donations from civic organizations and others to cover the cost. They were asking
for permission for the City workers to install the banners and take them down with no
other costs for the City to incur with the possible exception of a more customized
banner that would have the City's logo and Welcome to Mound. This would cost
extra money and the City may be asked to come up with the dollars to cover this
additional cost. City Manager Ed Shukle explained that it was his understanding that
this matter would be brought before the Economic Development Commission at its
August 17th meeting and subsequently back to the City Council for their approval.
The City Council agreed that input from the EDC is important and asked that the
matter be considered at the August 17th meeting. The City Manager indicated that
it had already been placed on the agenda. The City Council will then subsequently
look at the EDC's recommendation and will provide direction.
Len Harrell, Police Chief, was present to discuss the Cooperative Policing Initiative.
City Manager Ed Shukle introduced the item on the agenda to the Council as it relates
to the retirement of the police chief in Wayzata which will occur on December 31,
1995, and the recent resignation of the police chief in Orono. Both cities have not
announced any plans as yet for replacing their chiefs. Both Len Harrell and Ed Shukle
have contacted Orono and Wayzata to discuss the possible merging of the police
departments for Mound, Orono and Wayzata. A meeting was held in July with
representatives of those cities and a summary of that meeting was given to the
Council. The Council reviewed the summary and the consensus was to proceed with
exploring options with Wayzata and Orono.
The City Manager also gave a follow up report on the items that had been directed by
the City Council as it related to the mid-block crosswalk on County Road 15. He
reported that the crosswalk was installed using special signage that is a federal pilot
project. The request for the illuminated sign/warni6g light was denied by Hennepin
County. A letter will be sent from the County officially denying that request and
explaining why. He indicated that he had met with the Metropolitan Council Transit
Operations (MCTO) regarding moving the bus shelter across County Road 15. A
number of options were looked at and it was the consensus to leave the shelter where
it is presently and look at the long term when a possible park and ride will be installed
on the Lost Lake site. He also reported that the Post Office mail boxes could be
moved further south if the Council so desired it. Also, the City Manager stated that
additional crosswalk signs using the fluorescent strong yellow-green diamond grade
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Minutes - Committee of the Who/e - August 15, 1995
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sheeting had been requested from the County. He indicated the County was not
willing to install this type of signage due to the fact that it is a federal program and
is in an experimental stage. A crosswalk will be installed at Church Road and County
Road 110, and the other crosswalk signs will be enlarged. Hennepin County will be
communicating this information in writing in the near future.
A handout was presented that had been drafted by the city planner's office relating
to domestic abuse shelters and the appropriate zone for those shelters in the City of
Mound. A number of communities were contacted and a summary was given of what
is occurring in those particular communities in Metropolitan and Outstate Minnesota.
The Council consensus was to bring this back to the next Committee of the Whole
meeting.
Pending ordinances that had been reviewed by the Planning Commission and
subsequently submitted to the Council for consideration were discussed. The City
Council consensus was to deal with the Park Land Dedication ordinance change first.
After some discussion they recommended the city attorney draft an amendment that
would charge only $500 on a minor subdivision for an additional lot that is created.
Currently, the ordinance calls for $1000 if a lot is divided into two lots ($500 per lot).
With regard to commercial and industrial property, the Council discussed the idea of
charging a fee on a per acre basis. It was suggested that perhaps $2000 be used on
a per acre basis. No consensus was reached on major subdivision fees. With regard
to Truth in Housing and truck parking in residential areas and driveways, these matters
will be considered over the next few months at subsequent Committee of the Whole
Meetings. It was also noted that the streamlining of variances is presently at the
Planning Commission for review and consideration. More information on that will be
coming through the city planner's office. The telecommunications ordinance proposed
by the League of Minnesota Cities was also at the Planning Commission level for
discussion.
Other business included the recent lack of quorums at the Park and Open Space
Commission meeting. The city manager is to follow up on this matter. Also discussed
was the progress of the Commons Task Force and related matters. The next meeting
of the Committee of the Whole is scheduled for Tuesday, September 19, 1995, 7:30
pm. Upon motion by Ahrens, seconded by Jessen and carried unanimously, the
meeting was adjourned at 10:25 pm.
City Manager
ES:Is
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