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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-98 WSe ° CITY OF LAKEVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES • MARCH 18, 1998 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Zaun at 8:05 a.m. in the City Hall north meeting room. Those present: Mayor Zaun, Councilmembers Holberg, Mulvihill, Ryan, Sindt; R. Erickson, City Administrator; D. Martens, Police Chief; K. Nelson, City Engineer; M. Sobota, Community & Economic Development Director; S. Michaud, Parks & Recreation Director; D. Volk, Director of Operations and Maintenance; D. Krings, Chief Building Official; Lt. Style, Police Dept.; R. Kruchten, Communications Technician; L. Guenther, Public Information Coordinator; D. Barth, MIS Coordinator; J. Hennen, Administrative Assistant; R. Knutson, City Attorney; J. Walston, Attorney; W. Wulff and L. Rieb, Planning Commission Members; K. Felder, T. Storm and C. Czerniak, Lakeville Baseball. Association; R. Gerk, resident; L. Gustafson, Deputy City Clerk. ITEM NO. 1: Discuss Water Treatment Plant Open House. Mr. Erickson stated the Water Treatment Plant Grand Opening is proposed to be held on Saturday, May 2, 1998, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. He outlined some of the proposed events and activities for the opening. Ms. Guenther has contacted Black & Veatch and Bor-Son Companies and representatives from both companies will be able to attend. She • asked the Council for suggestions for the invitation list. Ms. Guenther mentioned having self-guided tours with helpers stationed at various areas throughout the plant. Councilmember Holberg suggested installing rain .drop shapes on walls to direct quests along the tour route. Councilmember Mulvihill thought the proposed activities and events included many innovative ideas. After discussing the proposed grand door prize option, Council decided against having a grand prize. Mr. Erickson suggested free drinking water bottles to the first 500 visitors. Also, People's Natural Gas Co. has water conservation kits that they may be willing to donate for the event. Mayor Zaun mentioned Dr. Michael Osterholm as a guest speaker for the plant dedication. The City Council directed staff to proceed with the preliminary plans as outlined and discussed for the Water Treatment Plant Grand Opening/Dedication. ITEM N0.2: Discuss Proposal to Remodel Police Department Dispatch Center and Joint Purchase of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)/Record System. Chief Martens introduced Lt. Style who gave a brief history of the Police Department facility. Chief Martens stated the major equipment in the Dispatch Center has had a • number of equipment .failures in the last fifteen months. Ms. Kruchten reviewed several of the failures and stated the cost of repairs total approximately $3,700. The Chief noted CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 18, 1998 PAGE 2 • that dispatching affects the Fire Department and ALF Ambulance response time as well as the Lakeville Police Department. Chief Martens said a space utilization analysis has been completed which indicates that internal remodeling of existing areas may be the most cost effective solution. Currently two dispatchers are on duty together and there is no room for a third. The need for three dispatchers is rapidly approaching. The proposed internal remodeling and several dispatch console designs were discussed. Mr. Barth stated the T.E.N.A. report addressed the age of the existing consoles (12 years) and the need to bring them up to current standards. Chief Martens reiterated the need to move forward with the proposed internal expansion, new consoles and the record system replacement. He discussed the Vision Software package that Apple Valley has started utilizing as of today. By acquiring the same Vision Software package, Lakeville could share information through a shared records server with Apple Valley as well as other cities, such as Burnsville and Eagan if they also acquired this software. The Chief stated they are requesting Council's approval to move forward with plans for the internal remodeling, radio console replacement and the hardware/software updates. Mr. Erickson indicated that a joint powers agreement with Apple Valley would need to be in place before the City could share a records server. He recommended that the Chief give this presentation to Farmington officials as they will need to participate in the funding for the software package. Mr. Erickson suggested further information be gathered by Mr. Feller identifying funding scenarios for the Council to consider. Chief Martens reported that Farmington is aware that the Council is considering updating the dispatching software. He commented that there may be some grant money available to assist in the software purchase. Councilmember Ryan stated he was in favor of constructing an addition or adding another story onto the existing structure rather than remodeling. Councilmember Holberg noted that part of the existing structure is only. four years old and that if levy limits are extended, financing an addition may not be a viable option. She would rather see Council concentrate on updating the hardware and software packages within the confines of the existing building. The Council directed the Police Department to move forward with plans for the proposed remodeling and pursue professional service agreements with consultants for radio equipment and hardware/software upgrades. Mr. Feller was directed to provide options for funding. • ITEM NO.4: Presentation by Lakeville Baseball Association (LBA) Regarding Tournament and Storage Facility at Quigley-Sime Park. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 18, 1998 PAGE 3 • Mr. Michaud introduced Mr. Czerniak, Mr. Felder and Mr. Storm, representing the Lakeville Baseball Association (LBA). Mr. Czerniak stated the LBA is proposing to construct amulti-use facility this year to be located at Quigley-Sime Park. This facility would provide the LBA with a permanent equipment storage area, as well as concession and restroom facilities that would serve both the LBA and the City's needs. Mr. Czerniak reviewed the LBA 1998 budget and noted that their total income for 1998 is anticipated to be $254,000. The actual projected cost for the facility is $61,872. The LBA expects this cost may decrease with the donation of time and money from various sources. The LBA will procure a loan for approximately $60,000 and pay the loan off in one or two years. Mr. Czerniak mentioned that the LBA proposal assumes that the City would fund the cost of installing sewer and water for the restrooms and concessions. Mr. Czerniak noted that their proposal states that the Lakeville Parks and Recreation Department would take ownership of the building upon completion and would assume all costs for the upkeep and maintenance of the building with the LBA retaining year-round rights to the equipment storage area. Mr. Erickson stated that the Council may want to consider waiving the building department fees and that there are several banked credits available to offset the SAC charges which would be due to the Metropolitan Council. He said that the sewer and • water for the facility could be installed as part of the 202nd Street reconstruction project planned for 1999. He suggested that the City Attorney could draft an agreement between the City and the LBA that protects long term facility use by both parties. Councilmember Sindt asked that because the Quigley-Sime property was donated if there were. any stipulations regarding uses. Mr. Michaud responded that the donation had no ties with future uses. Councilmember Holberg asked what would be the City's degree of liability in regard to the LBA equipment being stored in a City facility.. Mr. Czerniak stated the LBA has full insurance covering loss as a result of .fire or vandalism. Mr. Erickson stated the City is liable for anything stored in City facilities. The Council directed staff to draft an agreement with the LBA for construction of a multi-use facility and to pursue funding sources for the .City's portion. of costs associated with the construction of the facility to be located at Quigley-Sime Park. Mr. Czerniak stated their. goal is to have the facility completed by August 1, 1998. ITEM NO. S: Status Update on West Neighborhood Park Acquisition. Mr. Michaud reported that he and Jim Walston have continued to correspond with Mr. Thielke. from Mid-America Festivals (MAF) concerning the acquisition of a portion. of their land for a neighborhood park. Mr. Thielke has informed them that MAF is currently negotiating the sale of their property to one or more developers. • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION NIINUTES MARCH 18, 1998 PAGE 4 • Mr. Erickson stated that with the cost to extend sanitary sewer to this area for development purposes, estimated at $600-800,000. Lake Villa residents may not be in favgr of promoting development for the expressed purpose of receiving land through park dedication for a neighborhood park. Councilmember Holberg commented that the funds available from the Park Bond Referendum are to be used for the development of parks and not the acquisition of park land. The Council directed staff to update the Lake Villa Golf Estates neighborhood on the status of the City's efforts to acquire a neighborhood park in their area. ITEM NO. 7: Review Zoning Ordinance Amendment Criteria for Rezonings, Variances, and Conditional Use Permits. Mr. Sobota presented a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance relating to the criteria for rezonings, variances, and conditional use permits. This proposed amendment would eliminate the findings of fact criteria related to property value depreciation. Ms. Wulff noted that by eliminating this criteria, citizens could put their energies towards adverse affect factors that may be easier to prove. Ms. Rieb stated property value issues could still be brought up but at least they would not be listed as a possible adverse affect.. Mr. Knutson commented that property value depreciation is not required by State Statute • as a basis for denial of rezonings, variances and conditional use permits. He stated that Minnesota courts usually reject most of these types of claims. Mr. Knutson would rather see citizens focus on other land use issues rather than focus on possible property value depreciation. Councilmember Ryan stated he is not in favor of the proposed amendment as he perceives this requirement as a tool to use in decision making. Councilmember Holberg said this issue would still be discussed whether or not the findings of fact are part of the ordinance. Mr. Knutson stated that in most land use cases, transcripts of meetings and reviews are what the Court base their decision on and very infrequently is there an actual trial. Mayor. Zaun remarked that evaluation of property values is necessary. but that judgments should base decisions on previous development rather than. current developments. The City Council directed Mr. Knutson to research how other cities have handled this issue and then draft a new ordinance addressing the Council's concerns. ITEM N0.6: .Overview/Proposed Housing (Building and Property) Maintenance Code. Mr. Herinen stated last year the Council directed staff to develop a Housing Maintenance • Code. Based on the citizen survey completed in 1995 and 1997 the majority of residents favor developing. a housing maintenance code. Staff has used Burnsville and Rosemount CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 18, 1998 PAGE 5 . housing and maintenance codes as a basis for developing Lakeville's code. Mr. Hennen reviewed the proposed ordinance amendment. Councilmember Sindt was concerned about senior citizens who may not be able or can't afford to perform the necessary work to bring their home into compliance. Mr. Sobota stated staff is investigating Dakota County HRA programs that could be used by homeowners who are unable to afford improvements. Mr. Erickson suggested staff prepare a handout which would identify public/private agencies where assistance could be obtained. Councilmember Holberg voiced her concern regarding the number of property owners which could be affected by the proposed code. She also supports providing these residents with information when the ordinance amendment is adopted.. She also expressed concern that residents might "use" the ordinance when neighborhood disputes axise. Councilmembers stressed the. need for a companion assistance program to be in place when the ordinance amendment is adopted. Mayor Zaun indicated that information concerning the proposed ordinance amendment should be made available to the public, either through an article in Messages or at a town meeting. The Council directed staff prepare the proposed ordinance amendment concerning housing and property maintenance. Information regarding the proposed amendment should be published in the Messages page. The Council also requested that the public hearing at the Planning Commission meeting be continued to a subsequent Planning Commission meeting to allow for additional public. input prior to recommending the ordinance amendment to the City Council. ITEM N0.3: Review Public Hearing Notice Format. Mr. Erickson stated the proposed public notice format provided by Councilmember Ryan proposes a more "user friendly" approach.. He said that if the Councilmembers are in agreement, staff will implement the new format as no official action is required. The City Council directed staff to implement the new public hearing notice format. ITEM NO. 8: Status Update on Farmington Outlet Proposed Sanitary Sewer Oversizing. Mr. Nelson identified the Farmington Outlet District area which is currently zoned agricultural preserve and lies outside the 2020 MUSA service area. The City of Farmington recently approved an improvement that would extend sanitary sewer through a new expansion area. If these trunk sewers were oversized they could also serve • Lakeville. Farmington has informed staff that Lakeville's cost associated with oversizing would be $579,000. . ` •~ CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 18, 1998 PAGE 6 • Mr. Nelson stated the Metropolitan Council of Environmental Services (MCES) has indicated there will be no additional interceptor service to Lakeville which they would fund. Orr-Schelen-Mayeron & Associates (OSM) has reviewed the costs submitted by Farmington and they have indicated the cost could range from between $367,000 to $487,410 depending on the outcome of final design, actual bids and significant reduction and indirect costs except for design engineering. Mr. Nelson also had OSM estimate the cost associated with serving the Farmington Outlet District from the existing interceptor south of CSAH 50. They estimated the cost to be $1,130,000. Mr. Erickson asked the Council if they would like staff to hold a neighborhood meeting with the residents in the Farmington Outlet District. He stated those residents may request to be kept out of the MUSA. Also, City staff indicated that it may be difficult for the City to show a benefit to the agricultural properties if the cost of oversizing were assessed. Councilmember Ryan suggested asking Farmington if they would be willing to fund the preliminary costs with Lakeville participating in heavier costs as the sanitary sewer lines get closer to the corporate city limits. Councilmember Holberg asked if Farmington was bonding for the project could Lakeville's share be prorated Mr. Erickson responded that • Farmington has indicated that they would not be able to carry any of Lakeville's costs. Also, Mr. Erickson indicated that sufficient funding does not exist in the trunk sanitary sewer fund to fund the project. Council's options would be to raise the sanitary sewer area charges or assess benefiting property owners. The City Council directed staff to proceed with sending letters to the property owners informing them of the issues and asking them for their feedback.. ITEM N0.9: Discuss Vacancies on Planning Commission and Environmental Affairs Committee. Mr. Erickson reported that there are vacancies on both the Planning Commission and Environmental Affairs Committees. Councilmember Holberg indicated. that someone with previous experience on other committees would be beneficial. She suggested Mr. Karl Drotning as someone who has acquired experience having previously served on the Strategic Growth Task Force, I-35 Alliance and the County Road 46 Corridor Study committees. She stated he is willing to serve on the Planning Commission for the remainder of Mr. Amborn's term which expires on January 1, 1999. The City Council would like to interview Mr. Drotning before the next Council meeting. Councilmember Holberg excused herself to attend another meeting. . . ,~ CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION NIINUTES MARCH 18, 1998 PAGE 7 Councilmember Ryan asked if the City had done an environmental study of the new elementary school site which is proposed north of Kenwood Junior High. Mr. Erickson recounted the process the school district is required to follow according to the City's Wetland Replacement Plan. The wetland located adjacent to CSAH 50 is proposed to be mitigated from the City's wetland bank while the remaining wetlands will not be touched. The Corp of Engineers has authorized the City to administer the wetland impact permit. Mr. Erickson suggested Council may want to officially set work sessions for any month that has a fifth Monday. This item would be brought before the. Council at a future Council meeting. Mr. Hennen confirmed that the next work session is set for April 1, 1998 at 5:00 p.m. The work session adjourned at 11:45 a.m. Respectfully submitted, e e Gustafson ~puty City Clerk •