HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-12-05 WSk ~`
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In attendance: Mayor Bob Johnson & Council Members David Luick, Laurie Rieb, Wendy
Wulff, and Mark Bellows.
Also in attendance: City Administrator Steve Mielke, Asst. to City Administrator Brian
Anderson, City Engineer Keith Nelson, Planning Director Daryl Morey, Finance Director
Dennis Feller, and Police Chief Steve Strachan.
i) Overhead Utility Policy Discussion
Mr. Morey presented the overhead utility policy issues with the City Council as outlined in
the packet memo. Mayor Johnson inquired on how many times a year issues like the ones
stated this arise. Mr. Morey stated that the City has seen an increase of these ,issues,
partially due to the City's new electrical inspector who is in more tune to the City's Code
than the previous state inspector and the increase in new commercial and residential
developments within the City. City Council felt that allowing staff to review each instance
as it presents itself would be the fair and effective way to address these issues. City Council
directed staff to bring forth and amendment to the City Code outlining the recommended
changes.
2) Appaloosa Farms Imp. Project (Keith Nelson)
Mr. Nelson showed exhibits that reviewed the project's options regarding subdividing and
the construction of new streets. Mr. Feller then informed the City Council of the former
and revised financing package the City is offering Appaloosa Farms residents, as outlined
the packet.
Neighborhood resident, Randy Knippel stated that this improvement project is a cost
savings measure for the City as residents would be required to hook up to City water once
their well needs maintenance because it eliminates further well interference lawsuits like
the ones the City dealt with a few years ago. Margery Lane stated that in the past i4 years
she has dealt with major well and septic issues and supports the project for the sake of
enhancing her home market value and being able to subdivide. Roger Guilt, who started
the initial petition, expressed his support for the project by stating it would enhance the
value of the homes in Appaloosa Farms and his neighbors would then be free of well and
septic problems.
Mr. Mielke stated that the proposed connection between Iteri Ct. E. and Ireland Way is
what allows certain lots to subdivide, which reduces the overall costs per resident.. In
addition, it's another way for residents to enter and exit the neighborhood, especially while
construction is taking place. Mr. Mielke felt that cut-through traffic would not be an issue
being it's an inconvenient route to the High School. However, if this issue does arise,
signage can be installed limiting nonresidents from entering the neighborhood during
certain hours.
City Council expressed concern about disseminating the revised information to the
neighborhood residents. Mr. Mielke will distribute it immediately and stated the City
should proceed with plans and specs and then bring the project before the City Council for
approval at a future Council Meeting. City Council agreed and directed staff to proceed
with that schedule.
3) 2005 - 2009 CIP Review
Mr. Feller outlined the 2005-2009 CIP projects using the exhibits as outlined in the packet.
Mr. Feller stated that City Council may wish to consider rescheduling a couple of the '
programs to reduce the estimated 200 tax levy spike that is projected at i4%. Mr. Mielke
stated that staff would bring forth options to the City Council at a future work session
meeting. City Council stated that discussions should continue with Credit River Township
in computing a fair formula based on land values to assist in funding the 200 Judicial
Road pavement project instead of Lakeville funding far the majority of the project. Staff
stated they would work on both directives and bring them forth at a future work session.
4) Cedar Ave. Corridor Committee
Mr. Mielke informed the City Council of the latest Cedar Avenue BRT developments as
outlined in the packet memo. In addition, he informed the City Council that if they are
interested in participating at this point, they will be asked appoint members to both the
Policy Committee and the Technical Committee. Representing Lakeville on the Policy
Committee, it is requested that there be a member from the City Council as well as a
member from the business community. On the Technical Committee they are asking for
someone from Engineering and Planning or Community Development. Therefore, it is
recommended that Mr. Keith Nelson and Mr. Dave Olson represent Lakeville. On the
Policy Committee it is requested that the City Council appoint a Council Member, and an
alternate, as well as a business community member. City Council directed staff to discuss
this with the Chamber of Commerce and then bring forth the proposed appointees for
approval at an upcoming City Council Meeting.
5) Joint Dispatch/Soo MHz Update
Mr. Strachan provided the City Council with an in-depth background of the City's current
radio system along with the current status of the new $oo MHz system that is being
strongly considered by the communities within Dakota County as outlined in the packet
memo. Mr. Strachan then informed the City Council that later in April Lakeville should
have a good idea of what the costs and control level would be in a potential countywide
consolidation, once Dakota County decides on the amount of funding to contribute to the
whole system. Lakeville will then have to decide if it is feasible to join the countywide 800
MHz effort. The City will also need to make a decision about any consolidations as it relates
to any changes in the police department building over the next two years.
6) Manufactured Home Park Closing Ordinance
Mr. Ned Moore from APAC expressed his views and concerns to the City Council and stated
that apark-closing ordinance is needed because park closings have not brought park
owners and residents together in a spirit of cooperation, but instead set the stage for often
bitter and heated conflict. Ms. Sylvia Hernandez, VP of the Resident Committee, also
voiced her support to the City Council stating the City needs to pass the park-closing
ordinance to provide an insurance for those residents who live in a manufactured home
park. She stated that it is too costly for residents of manufactured homes to move their
homes without some financial assistance.
Mr. Jeff Bonner, Attorney for Queen Anne and Armor Village manufactured home parks,
encouraged the City Council to not pass such an ordinance because it limits the flexibility
that park owners have in dealing with a park closing. His experience has been that park
owners have fairly dealt with the relocation of park residents during a closing, leaving only
a handful of residents who can't move due to their own personal issues such as tarnished
credit. Mr. Mark Lampbert, Attorney and Owner of Connelly manufactured home park,
stated that passing an ordinance before a park closing has been announced is premature
because the ordinance is written around capricious numbers instead of hard facts. In
addition, the state law requires a public hearing occur to discuss the financial hardship on
displaced residents. Therefore, the City can address the issue at that time, the way state
law intended for it to be dealt with.
City Council stated this is an emotional issue and felt there was protection currently in
place for residents under the state statue. They felt it protected the residents more by
waiting to deal with such issues at the time of a park closing because the real numbers can
be addressed along with the real issues that may be unique to each park. Further
discussion took place between residents and City Council, but the City Council still felt the
state statue provides protection to the residents and dealing with a park closing at the time
of the actual closing is the fair way to address any issue.
~) Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at x:23 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Bria J. Anderson
Assistant to City Administrator
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