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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-14-05 WS Minutes City of Lakeville City Council Work Session September 14, 2005 @ 4:30 PM Marion Conference Room In attendance: Mayor Robert Johnson, and Council Members David Luick, Laurie Rieb, Wendy Wulff, and Mark Bellows. Also in attendance: City Administrator Steve Mielke, Assistant to City Administrator Brian Anderson, Planning Director Daryl Morey, Operations & Maintenance Director Don Volk, Community and Economic Development Director David Olson, and Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud. 1. Mailbox Construction Ordinance Mr. Volk introduced the topic to the City Council and stated the proposed ordinance will establish guidelines from unsafe mailbox structures being placed in the City's right-of-ways. Council Member Luick inquired about the post office standard for mailbox installation. Mr. • Volk stated that residents and developers are only allowed to place two boxes on a post and that the City has discussed these issues with Lakeville's post master who stated he supports the proposed ordinance. Any standard beyond that would require testing to ensure motorists safety. However, this proposed ordinance is only intended for new structures and not existing structures.. Mayor Johnson inquired if residents have .voiced their concerns over such mailbox structures and stated that some of the brick mailbox structures are aesthetically pleasing and offer a unique identity to the residents or development. Mr. Morey stated there could be potential issues with snowplow and emergency vehicles as well as replacement costs to these structures if the City damages them. Council Member Luick stated that this might be a liability issue for the City to knowingly allow these structures to be placed in the City's right-of-way. The City Council agreed and directed staff to research the liability issues, size restriction issue, and the mailbox standards for mounting more than two mailboxes on a post, especially in a culd-a-sac. 2. Inflow & Infiltration Update Mr. Volk informed the City Council that the City has been aggressively pursuing and correcting I & I problems in sewer pipes and manholes for many years as stated in his .memo to the Council. Mr. Volk pointed out on his exhibit the current I & I maintenance plan from 2003 - 2011. The big issue, however, is that the MCES will soon be requiring that Lakeville enter the homes of residents looking for illegal plumbing hookups contributing to I & I. Mr. Mielke stated that the maintenance would be going from public infrastructure to private homes, which many residents will presumably protest. City Council directed staff to keep them informed of the I & I issues as it relates to new maintenance practices. .~,r 3. Eureka Township Annexation . Mr. Olson informed that City Council that Eureka Township Board has discussed the annexation of 96 acres of property located just southeast of Lakeville and would like to discuss the details of an orderly annexation with staff next week. Mr. Olson stated he feels. the discussion will regard the "trigger" points that start the six-year period during which time the Township would receive 50 percent of the building permit revenues from the City from the annexed property. Mr. Olson stated he would keep the City Council informed of the developments and Council concurred. 4. Downtown Redevelopment Task Force Discussion Mr. Olson distributed a list of the proposed Downtown Planning Task Force members and stated the background of each of the 10 candidates as listed. Mr. Olson stated that a notice was placed in the local paper regarding the development of the task force and .their duties, which prompted a lot of interest from residents and business owners. In addition, those residents not on the task force will also have an opportunity to offer their .input at upcoming open house meeting. The City Council agreed with the task force selection and process and directed staff to continue their work with Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. in the downtown redevelopment plans. 5. DARTS Discussion Mr. Anderson informed the City Council that staff has been in contact with DARTS i representatives regarding expanding senior and ADA transportation services in Lakeville. Several of the .complaints regarding DARTS service stem from lack of service hours, the minimum age policy, and the ADA service district policy. Mr. Anderson stated that staff has explored an option to expand service hours using an additional single bus with two drivers operating from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday -Friday. The cost for the six hours of additional service would be $39,019 annually and could be fully funded by CDBG Funds. In addition, seniors 55 and. over could utilize the service instead of the current the current age of 60 and over. The contract would also call for all ADA certified residents to be allowed to utilize the service instead. of the current "bumping" policy practiced being Lakeville is not in their ADA service district. City Council was receptive to the proposal but inquired about an estimated user increase under this proposed agreement, the age requirements used by some of the downtown senior housing facilities, and the continued use of the CDBG Funds for this purpose in the future. Staff stated they would research those questions and report back to Council at a later date. 6. WiFi Update Mr. Anderson informed the City Council of the various wireless Internet projects taking place throughout the Twin Cities and by Dakota County as stated in the work session packet. City Council pointed out the rapid changes. in technology regarding wireless Internet, lack of standards in the field, lack of participation by many of the cities at this. time, and no real public outcry for the service. Therefore, City Council directed staff to monitor the wireless Internet projects throughout the Twin Cities and keep them. informed but not to commit to any • project at this time. ,r . 7. Lakeville Teen Corporation Presentation Representatives from the Lakeville Teen Corporation, a nonprofit organization, presented to the City Council the organization's background, mission, and purpose. At the end of their presentation, they stated they were looking for a partnership with the City in where the City may be able to contribute either land or a building in the vicinity between the two high schools. Mayor Johnson inquired about the number of square feet they were looking to obtain. Steering committee member Phil Nelson stated it would take about 2,400 - 3,000 sq. ft. to accommodate their needs. Mr. Mielke stated that the biggest challenge would not raising the funds for a building, but to operate and maintain the building now and in the future and inquired about their plans. The group stated that not all the details have been worked out but they would charge an administration fee to keep a revenue stream coming in and other details would have to be worked out along the way. Mr. Michaud stated that a collaborative effort would be .possible at this time if the Teen Corp is interested in utilizing the Arts Center for many of their activities such as concerts, fashion shows, and other social events. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m. Respectfully s miffed %'~ ~ ~. Brian nderson Assistant to City Administrator U