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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-14-05 WSCITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 14, 2005 ~ 5:30 PM MARION CONFERENCE ROOM In attendance: Mayor Bob Johnson, Council Members David Luick, Wendy Wulff, Laurie Rieb, and Mark Bellows. Also in attendance: City Administrator Steve Mielke, Assistant to City Administrator Brian Anderson, Planning Director Daryl Morey, Associate Planner Frank Dempsey, Finance Director Dennis Feller, and Operations and Maintenance Director Don Volk. i) River City Asphalt Mr. Dempsey informed the City Council that Richard Carron of River Valley Paving has informally requested afive-year extension to his gravel mine operations located west of I-35 and north of 205th Street. River Valley Paving claims this would give them time to complete the mining of the last 6.8 acres of the 29.8 acres that was approved in 2997 and 2002. Historically, the gravel mining has occurred at a pace of about 3.25 acres per year. Mr. Dempsey reminded that City Council that the gravel mine use of the property has been a . contentious issue with the neighborhood due the regular noise from the trucks and rock crusher along with dust and debris left on the road near the site. In addition, staff has had to perform regular inspections on the site to enforce dust control, road debris removal, and erosion control measures. Mr. Dempsey explained that the zoning ordinance now requires an interim use permit for mining and excavation, which would allow the City to place a sunset stipulation on the mining use of the property. This will be helpful as the 230-acre parcel directly to the east of the mining operations is expected to begin development as early as mid 2005 with houses being completed in 2006. Several Council Members expressed concern of extending the mining operations, especially for five years when it could be done in less than one year. In addition, City Council felt the mining operations should coincide with the anticipated development adjacent to the property. Therefore, City Council directed staff to inform Mr. Carron that the Council would consider extending mining operations up to December 2, 2005 with restoration being completed December 2, 2006. 2). Bulk Water Rates Mr. Feller informed the City Council that Lakeville issues about 4o water meters to contractors in order for them to purchase large volumes of water from City hydrants. In order to eliminate those users from using City hydrants that could introduce contamination into Lakeville's drinking water, Lakeville has received an alternated bid for a bulk water dispensing system at the new water tower on the Central Maintenance Facility site. This single point bulk water dispensing system maybe inconvenient for the bulk water purchasers being they can't simply use the nearest hydrant, but staff feels it's imperative to control the access to Lakeville' drinking water supply. In light of the significant cost to the bulk water distribution system (approximately • $i9o,oo0), staff recommends a bulk water rate increase to $2.0o per thousand gallons in 2006 in order to recover a portion of the equipment costs. In addition, staff also recommends an account set-up fee of $io/account. City Council supported the bulk water distribution system and directed staff to bring forth a resolution amending the current bulk water rate and the addition of the set-up fee. 3) Liquor License Fees Mr. Anderson informed the City Council that Lakeville currently has atwo-tiered intoxicating liquor license fee system that was established in 1998 and is based on the amount of annual liquor sales by each establishment. The first tier is set at $3,60o for annual liquor sales less than $375,000 and $4,500 for sales that exceed that amount. The 2004 revenue generated from the ten intoxicating liquor licenses was $38,~0o while the related police activity cost an estimated $54,296 and is expected to increase in 2005 due to two new restaurants that will be in full operation throughout the year. Based on the police activity cost estimates, staff recommended increasing the first tier to $5,000 and the second tier to $6,000 in order to recoup some those expenses. In addition to the recommended fee increase, Mr. Anderson proposed that. all 38 liquor licenses operate from July 1St through June 30th instead of the current calendar year system. This would allow staff to manage their workload more efficiently throughout the course of the year, especially during an election year. After discussion, the Council stated the fees should be raised for each tier to $5,500 and • $6,500 respectively as the consensus was that the City's expenses are higher than the staff analysis estimated. The City Council directed staff to bring forth an ordinance amendment at a future council meeting increasing the intoxicating liquor fees to $5,500 and $6,500 respectively as well as changing the operating dates of all the liquor licenses to operate from July isc through June 30th. 4) All Parks Alliance for Change (APAC) Proposal Mr. Anderson introduced the All Parks Alliance for Change (APAC) issues as outlined in the memo. Mayor Johnson stated that he's reluctant to get government involved in private enterprise affairs. Council Member Wulff felt passing an ordinance would decrease the incentive for park owners and homeowners to work together towards relocating the residents. Council Member Luick stated he's comfortable not adopting the proposed ordinance being the state legislature has reviewed the issue and acted upon it without including a specific monetary relocation benefit. Council Member Bellows expressed the need for such an ordinance being it would assist those residents who simply can't afford to relocate due to the size and condition of their home and economic status. Council Member Wulff stated that an ordinance could still be passed after a park has announced its closing. At that time relocations benefits could be announced that are fair for both sides. Mayor Johnson concurred and stated there are to many variables to consider putting into one ordinance at this time and this issue should be handled on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Mielke stated that the resident would have more leverage after the closing has been announced,. but it is also at that time when emotions are the highest for both sides. Mr. Mielke suggested the City Council hold a work session and listen to representatives from both sides and then inform them of the Council's decision. The City Council agreed and directed staff to coordinate a work session with both parties present prior to making a decision. Page 2 of 4 5) Transit Update Mr. Mielke distributed a memorandum outlining transit issues as they related to Lakeville and briefly informed the City Council on each item. Some of the salient items were the fact that the Met Council wants Lakeville to join the transit taxing district. However, there would be limited services provided due to Met Councils $6o million budget shortfall. Mr. Mielke stated that it would be more feasible for Lakeville to raise their own tax levy and contract services with the MVTA for about half the cost. In addition, Mr. Mielke informed the City .Council that the Met Council, MVTA, and Apple Valley residents are against Apple Valley's idea of issuing parking permits to control the parking at the Apple Valley transit station when in fact Lakeville residents have contributed a significant portion for those services through various state and federal taxes and daily user fees. Mr. Mielke expressed his remedy to the parking issue which includes building a parking ramp at the Apple Valley station with the funds that are currently marked for building a third transit station in Eagan. The two stations in Eagan are not at capacity and a third station is more politically driven than demand driven. City Council voiced their opinion that there is no incentive and it is not feasible for Lakeville to join the transit taxing district at this time due to the lack of service that would be provided for Lakeville residents. City Council directed staff to continue monitoring the situation, looking for new ideas and reporting back to them when the survey results are in. 6) Citywide E-mail Policy Review Mr. Anderson informed the City Council that the League of MN Cities has recently published • an informational article called Electronic Communications Between Council Members that warns against the dangers of Council Members and staff inadvertently. communicating via e- mail and violating the open meeting law. Mr. Anderson then gave examples of how the open meeting law could be inadvertently violated. The City Council understood the policy and there were no questions. ~) Council/Staff Retreat Discussion Mr. Mielke asked the City Council if they were interested in attending aCouncil/Staff retreat this year being the last one was held in 2002. The primary focus would revolve around short and long-term planning to assist in the 2006 budgeting process and provide additional Council direction to staff. The City Council agreed to the retreat and directed staff to begin planning it. Mr. Mielke stated that he would inform the City Council of the date and time. 8) CMF Dedication Plaque Discussion Mr. Mielke asked the City Council if they saw the need for any changes on the draft CMF plaque as outlined in the packet. Mr. Luick stated that he prefer the dedication to read the same as the one at the Water Treatment Facility, which is dedicated to the citizens of Lakeville. The City Council agreed and directed staff to make the change. 9) Other Business a) Mr. Mielke stated that the community survey is ready to be booked as long as the City Council approves the question regarding Iife cycle housing. The City Council • felt the average citizen wouldn't understand the term "life cycle housing" but agreed to define it as "The City encourages a variety of housing types in order to provide opportunities for people at all stages of their lives, from first-time home buyers to Page 3 of 4 senior citizen housing" prior to the question. City Council directed staff to make the . change and proceed with the community survey process. b) Mr. Mielke produced an exhibit and informed the City Council that Del Web has reached an agreement with Joe Miller of Country Joe Homes to purchase enough land in order to create their senior living community. The City has asked Del Web to produce a concept plan of that community now that the parcels have been defined. Mr. Mielke then informed the City Council of the MUSA boundaries and proposed transportation plan as it relates to the discussed parcels. io) Adjourn The meeting adjourned at ~:i8 p.m. Respectfully Submitted '~ -~ ~. •" ,,~ Brian J Anderson Assistant to City Administrator • Page 4 of 4