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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-26-02 WSCITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES JUNE 26, 2002. Present: Mayor Bob Johnson, Council Members Mulvihill, Luick, Bellows and Rieb; City Administrator Bob Erickson; Assistant to City Administrator John Hennen; Police. Investigator Bill Forbord, City Clerk Char Friedges; Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud; Arts Center Coordinator Jim Urie; Finance Director Dennis Feller; Director of Operations and Maintenance Don Volk, City Attorney Roger Knutson, and Deputy Clerk Judi Hawkins. ITEM NO. 1. CONSIDER ORDINANCE AMENDMENT CONCERNING PAWNBROKERS AND PRECIOUS METAL DEALERS. To assist the police in better regulating the pawn business to prevent criminal activities, the Lakeville Police Department is proposing participation in the Automated Pawn System (APS). Lakeville Police Investigator Bill Forbord discussed with Council the system, which has been put in place for the collection and transmission of pawn transaction information. The system includes safeguards such as a mandatory positive • ID and the requirement that a photo be taken of each customer who is selling goods. The system uses daily reports and integrates all participating police departments in an effort to prevent fencing of stolen property. The state mandates pawnbrokers hold items for 30 days before selling them. City Administrator Bob Erickson suggested that Lakeville's ordinance include a stipulation to restrict pawnbroker establishments from conducting business on Sundays, which could decrease the likelihood of illegal sales. .The present ordinance allows pawnshops in C-3 and in the Downtown Central Business District. The City Administrator does not feel the Historic Downtown is the most appropriate location for this type of a business. Pawnshops are also prohibited in the C-1 and C-2 zoning districts. City Attorney Roger Knutson was asked if a person with a criminal record could obtain a license. He stated that it would depend on how long ago the offense was committed and if it was related to pawnbrokers. Council Member Luick would like the Planning Commission to look at excluding the downtown as an available location for a pawnshop. City Administrator Erickson added that the City Council should review the fee survey done by the AMM and revise the fee if they feel that is appropriate. Council directed staff to proceed with placing the ordinance amendment on the July 1, 2002 City Council meeting consent agenda, obtain Planning Commission • recommendation regarding prohibiting pawnbroker businesses in the CBD-C zoning district and compare Lakeville's license fee with other metropolitan communities. City Council Work Session Minutes June 26, 2002 • Page -2- ITEM NO. 2. REVIEW MASTER PLAN OPTIONS FOR BUILDING AND LANDSCAPING AT ARTS CENTER PREPARED BY GLT ARCHITECTS/SRF. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud presented the proposed landscape and future expansion plans for the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Mr. Michaud stated that as the landscape plans were being drawn it became obvious that the future expansion of the building needed to be taken into consideration before extensive landscaping is completed. SRF prepared three concept plans for review. From the three designs, staff took. ideal features of all three and created a preferred plan. The designs include a stage or teaching area, an area for a commercial tent, possible expansion of the paver project, landscaping, sculpture gardens, and a fountain. The landscape plan will be done with fund raising-and can be done incrementally in phases. Mr. Michaud stated that from the beginning the design plans have included an ice melting system to be installed under the pavers in the front of the building. A buy-a-paver program, similar to the buy-a-chair program, has been proposed to assist in the funding of the ice-melt system. It was suggested that the drop-off area at the front of the .building be moved into the sidewalk area and the right turn lane be taken out of the plan. Council Member Mulvihill likes the plan because she feels it does not take away from • the view of the building. City Administrator Bob Erickson said the plan's use of brick is consistent with the City's requirements for exterior building materials. Council directed staff to present the preferred GLT Architects master plan for future building expansion and SRF landscaping plan as presented to the City Council to the Area Arts Center Board for their comments, then proceed to present the plans to the Council for final consideration at a future Council meeting. ITEM NO. 3. REVIEW STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE LAKEVILLE AREA ARTS CENTER 2002- 2003. Arts Center Coordinator Jim Urie presented the proposed Lakeville Area Arts Center Strategic Plan. He stated that the Arts Center Advisory Board was given a survey to receive input prior to beginning the plan. From that survey it was determined that a wide range of programming is needed which will involve both local and professional performers. Mr. Urie and staff are currently working on a calendar of regular and special events that will draw a variety of age groups. He added that the Arts Center would host its first wedding in November. Mayor Johnson expressed his appreciation for the great job that the Arts Center Advisory Board did with the strategic plan, especially in maximizing opportunities for area residents of all ages. • City Council Work Session Minutes June 26, 2002 Page -3- • Council directed staff to proceed to place the 2002-2003 Strategic Plan as presented to the City Council on the July 1, 2002 City Council meeting agenda for consideration. ITEM NO. 4. DISCUSS WELL INTERFERENCE CLAIMS. Finance Director Dennis Feller stated that the first claims of well interference cam in 2000, when there were a total of four claims, which were apparently related. The summer of 2001 was very hot and dry and Acorn Heights was again a target for claims. The citizens in that neighborhood will have City water available following the completion of the TimberCrest project. The DNR has reported that 29 property owners have submitted well interference complaints. To date, the DNR has completed the analysis on 19 of the claims. All claims have been submitted to the LMCIT (City's insurance provider) for resolution. Some claims seem to be legitimate, however, some are debatable, possibly involving aging wells.. City Administrator Bob Erickson stated that the City needs to sort through the appropriateness of claims, since the DNR does not appear to be doing that, to avoid opportunistic claimants and well drillers. Strong communication needs to be established with the DNR. It is also important to establish test wells to monitor water levels and provide data to compare with the City's data. The City's insurance covers the claims to a certain level; however, several claims have • been extreme and have been submitted with no prior contact or approval. City Administrator Bob Erickson further stated that this is a regional issue and should be discussed between the City of Lakeville, Dakota County, and Scott County. Director of .Operations and Maintenance Don Volk stated that the DNR has indicated that they want the City to implement water conservation measures. They are recommending that the City adopt a block water rate schedule whereby rates are based on usage. The City of Lakeville does not share the DNR's philosophy that this type of system encourages people to conserve water. City Administrator Erickson stated that the water conservation letter sent to Lakeville residents from the Mayor last summer definitely was very effective in reducing peak demands. Council Member Luick asked if there were any water subsidies in place to assist businesses that use an extraordinary amount of water. City Administrator stated that the sewer is the most expensive part of the equation. Council Members agreed that good communication with the well owners and meetings with the DNR are the key to resolving the issue. Some policies need to be determined and criteria established to make reasonable offers to the claimants. Mayor Johnson suggested the criteria include aone-time settlement. City Administrator Erickson stated that those residents who have City water available but who are not currently hooked • up could be given a set amount of time to connect. The City Council may also wish to consider an ordinance establishing minimum well depth standards for property owners City Council Work Session Minutes June 26, 2002 Page -4- • with private wells. City Engineer Keith Nelson is working on a well-head protection program. Council Member Mulvihill suggested that the strategy as defined by Dennis Feller in his memo dated June 21, 2002 be pursued. In order to resolve the existing well interference claims and mitigate long-range well interference complaints, Council directed staff to proceed with the eight points listed as A-H in Finance Director Dennis Feller's memo dated June 21, 2002 regarding well interference complaints ITEM NO. 5. CONSIDER EXPANDING CONTRACT FOR MISCELLANEOUS BITUMINOUS REPAIRS FOR DAKOTA HEIGHTS. City Engineer Keith. Nelson presented a proposal to City Council and recommended that apro-active approach be taken for overlaying and patching certain streets as part of this year's miscellaneous roadway repairs project, City Improvement Project 02-06. He stated that the bid amount for repairs was very favorable and a significant savings could be realized if the work was done this year, while preventing further breakup in the areas needing patching. These areas would then be ready for next year's Sealcoating program. City Administrator Bob Erickson stated that funds are available and the work would not require a change order. • As a result of receiving favorable unit pricing for patching at $48.00 per ton, Council directed staff to proceed with patching the Dakota Heights area under the Miscellaneous Roadways Repairs contract, City Improvement Project 02-06. This will necessitate Finance Director Dennis Feller to prepare a budget amendment to advance fund these improvements for Council consideration at a future City Council meeting. ITEM NO. 6. REVIEW CENTRAL MAINTENANCE FACILITY STUDY. City Council members received a copy of the Central Maintenance Facility Study prepared by Black & Veatch Corporation. Don Volk, Director of Operations and Maintenance, provided a review of the study. An agreement with Black & Veatch was approved by City Council in October 2001 to perform the study which was to include existing and proposed needs. The City has outgrown its current facilities. With different functions sharing space, people's time is not put to an effective use. Vehicles need to be moved to get to another vehicle in the building. Sufficient parking is not available for employees' vehicles. Black & Veatch used the City of Bloomington as a model, based on Lakeville's projected growth patterns. A joint streets and parks facility would provide the opportunity to share space and equipment. • City Council Work Session Minutes June 26, 2002 Page -5- • Five potential sites were analyzed in the study. The site with the most potential is a 39-acre site south of Dodd Blvd., west of Cedar Avenue. A maintenance facility on that site would have very little effect on surrounding land use, especially since there is no surrounding residential development. The current owner of the property is also a willing seller. In addition, the site would be able to accommodate a water tower which could replace the Airlake water tower as well as the Valley Park water tower. This would meet the goal of tying those two water districts together. Mayor Johnson stated that he is partial to this site partly because of its isolation. Council Member Mulvihill also stated that the northeast to southwest gradient at this site appears to be favorable. Don Volk added that there is good accessibility to all major roadways. The facility and site would accommodate the needs of the City of Lakeville even as it is fully developed. The street easement and water tower will require about eight acres, leaving the remainder of approximately 30 acres as the desired size. Kodet Architectural Group has submitted a quote for Phase II, the design of the facility. Kodet has designed several facilities in the area, many of which have been toured by the City planning team: Bob Erickson, Don Volk, Steve Michaud, Keith Nelson and Rich Pelletier. All City team members were satisfied that Kodet would design an • outstanding facility. City Administrator Erickson feels it is important for the Kodet Group to be interviewed by City Council. Staff is recommending the project go to bid in the spring of 2004. Council Members stated they were available for an interview with Kodet at a work session on July 30`" at 4:30 PM. 6.A. REVIEW APPRAISAL OF PARK MAINTENANCE FACILITY. Finance Director Dennis Feller provided information to City Council regarding the appraisal of the existing Park Maintenance Facility. The plans for a central maintenance facility include the sale of this facility. An adjoining business (Design Cabinets) in Airlake has expressed some interest in purchasing. the site in order to expand their business. Council directed staff to place setting a Council Work Session on the July 1, .2002 agenda for the purpose of interviewing Kodet Architectural Group, Ltd. The Council will then proceed to receive the Central Maintenance Facility Study and appoint an architectural firm to the Central Maintenance Facility project at a future Council meeting. The Council also directed staff to forward a summary of the appraisal of the Park Maintenance Facility to Designed Cabinets. City Council Work Session Minutes June 26, 2002 Page -6- ITEM NO. 7. STATUS UPDATE OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECT ON USE OF SALT ONLY VERSUS SALT/SAND ON CITY STREETS. Don Volk, Director of Operations and Maintenance, demonstrated the efficiency of a new product that has been developed as a salt additive, eliminating the need for sand to be mixed with salt for winter ice removal. The product is a corn-based by-product of ethanol manufacturing. The Street Department tested the use of the product on one route last winter and found it to be very effective in high-traffic areas. There was a significant reduction in sweeping, plowing hours and equipment hours. In addition, the product would reduce the sediment impact on ponds and drainage ways. Less of this product is used than with asand/salt mix, resulting in fewer trips to the shop and faster completion of plowing. Although the past winter was. mild, the demonstration project seemed to be successful and cost effective. There were no negative comments received from residents along the demonstration route. Staff recommends that three or more winters be tested prior to implementing the product citywide on a permanent basis. Mr. Volk would like to expand the salt only demonstration project on two additional routes for the remainder of the test years. Council Member Mulvihill asked about the corrosiveness of the product and if there were. rust inhibitors added. Mr. Volk stated that the use of calcium chloride alone was very corrosive, but the demonstration product should not be any more corrosive than a normal sand/salt mix. Council Member Rieb asked if Mr. Volk could speculate on future costs for the product. Mr. Volk stated that any by-product would. usually reduce the overall cost, but a decrease remains to be seen. City Administrator Bob Erickson suggested that staff should solicit#eedback concerning any environmental issues from Blue Water Science. Mr. Erickson would like the demonstration to continue in a hilly area, and in a more Minnesota-typical winter. He also stated that one of the advantages of using only salt and the additive is the absence • of sand in people's driveways, boulevards and garages. Council directed staff to continue the demonstration project over the next two to three years but include additional plow routes to the project, obtain feedback from Blue Water Science regarding the potential impact of salt only on Lakeville's lakes, streams and wetlands, and obtain data if available regarding possible salt damage to automobiles, concrete and asphalt driveways, and garage floors. • City Council Work Session Minutes June 26, 2002 ITEM NO. 8. OTHER BUSINESS. Page -7- City Administrator Bob Erickson informed City Council of a structural failure on the trail by the Chart House. The cause is being investigated by Braun Engineering and will be repaired by Rosti Construction. Mr. Erickson also informed Council that Lezlie Vermillion has resigned from her position with the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation to accept the position of Scott County Engineer. ITEM NO. 9. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM. Respectfully submitted, Q;~t h-eJ u i h R. Hawkins, Deputy Clerk •