SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING – FEBRUARY 7, 2023

DRAFT

SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

 FEBRUARY 7, 2023

FIRST CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH – 5495 S ROBERT TRAIL

7:00 P.M.

Attendants:
Mayor:                            Dan O’Leary

Councilmembers:         Steven Bulach, Mike Hovey, and Shannon Nelson

                                         Absent:  Shari Hansen

City Attorney:               Tim Kuntz

City Forester:               Jim Nayes
Police Chief:                  Brian Sturgeon

City Engineer:               Jeff Sandberg

City Planner:                 Lori Johnson

Building Inspector:      Mike Andrejka

City Forester:                Jim Nayes

City Treasurer:              Ann Lanoue

City Clerk:                       Christy Wilcox

                                          Cathy Iago

                                         Members of the General Public

 

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor O’Leary called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Mayor O’Leary acknowledged Mike Andrejka, Building Official, and his resignation with the City of Sunfish Lake.  The Mayor thanked him for his years of service.

 

  1. APPROVE AGENDA: Mayor O’Leary asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda and there was no response.  

 

  • Police Chief Sturgeon discussed the hands-on only CPR event that will take place prior to the City Council meeting in April and will provide additional information when available. Chief Sturgeon then introduced Crime Prevention Specialist Laura Vaughan.  Vaughan gave a brief presentation on the outreach efforts that are currently being done.  One of the biggest events is the Police Academy and she invited Sunfish Lake residents to be a part of this program.  Other events include National Night Out, Safety Camp, the annual Hockey Charity Game and works with multi-family housing.
  • The City conducted their first in-person Tree Board Meeting in three years, which was held at Kevin Wu’s house. The Mayor introduced Kevin Wu.
  •  

Councilmember Bulach moved to adopt the agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Nelson.  Motion carried (3-0).

 

  1. CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor O’Leary asked if there were any questions or comments relating to any items on the Consent Agenda and there was no response.        

Mayor O’Leary moved approval of the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Nelson.  Motion carried (3-0).

  1. Regular Council Meeting Minutes of January 3, 2023
  2. List of Bills
  3. Monthly Financial Statements
  4. Receive Building Inspector Report
  5. Receive Forester Report
  6. Receive Public Safety Report

 

  1. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: The Mayor asked if there were any comments from the public.

    5.  PUBLIC HEARINGS/PRESENTATIONS:  There were no public hearings or presentations.

 

Councilmember Hovey took his chair. 

 

OATH OF OFFICE:  Mayor O’Leary administered the Oath of Office to Councilmember Hovey.

 

  1. PLANNING COMMISSION/PLANNER’S REPORT:

 

  1. 205 Salem Church Road: The property owners have made an application for a major site plan review, and they have submitted the fee and escrow accordingly, as well as the $250 fee for doing work without the proper permits.  The property owners will also be required to pay for all staff time associated with this project before the applications were submitted to the city.  Staff has been in pretty good communications with the applicant and property owners regarding the required submittals on a regular basis.  The latest plan set was submitted on Tuesday, January 24th, 2023.  This plan set is currently under review, and it has not yet been determined if their land use application is complete. 

Staff also received a building permit for this address last week, which was regarding the replacement of the existing sunroom on the rear of the home.  The homeowner’s contractor had asked me about this removal and replacement prior to the site work that was done illegally, and the work that they are proposing meets ordinance requirements.  The removal of the existing glass sunroom will allow the homeowner to replace it with a glass sunroom that is essentially the same as the original.  It will be on the existing foundation, no square footage is being added, and the appearance is essentially the same.  Staff has approved this work, and the building permit should be in process. 

  1. 11 Salem Lane: The property owner and applicant have submitted the application, fees and escrows for a major site and building plan review to construct a new home on this property.  The submittal is considered incomplete as staff is waiting on additional information from the applicant.  The latest plan set was submitted on Friday, January 27 and is currently under review.  The applicant also submitted information relative to the original demolition permit for the property, which is also under review.  The applicant and homeowner have indicated they would like to demolish the home in March, before review of the major site plan approval by the Planning Commission and City Council.  If staff has the information required for a demolition permit, a permit could be issued for demolition only.  The City Council will be notified when a demo permit is issued.

 

  1. 32 55th Street West: The property is owned by Jim and Jeanine Nayes.  They have submitted an application for a major site plan review for approval of the construction of a new home on their property. 

 

  1. 2 Sunfish Lane: The work is now complete for the project at 2 Sunfish Lane, which included a fenced in dog area and an outdoor sport court.  The site has been inspected and is compliant with the ordinances and approvals.  The list of bills for this evening’s meeting includes an escrow release for this project in the amount of $1,510.50.  
  2. Ordinance Updates: Several chapters have been redlined and the Mayor and I will be meeting to discuss the proposed ordinance changes.       

 

 

  1. ENGINEER’S REPORT:

 

  1. No Solicitation Signage: The signage has not been finalized as staff works with the City Attorney on statute language to add to the sign.
  2. City Snowplowing Policy : Staff has updated the City’s Snowplowing Policy and requests the City Council adoption of the updated policy at the February City Council meeting.

 

Mayor O’Leary moved to approve the updated City’s Snowplowing Policy, seconded by Councilmember Nelson.  Motion carried (4-0).

 

  1. Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Annual Reporting: Staff prepared and submitted the annual reporting of activities related to the Wetland Conservation Act for 2022 to the State Board of Soil and Water Resources, which was due February 2nd.  There was little to no activity in 2022.
  2. Building and Site Reviews in the Month of January: Staff conducted reviews for the following properties this past month:
  • 205 Salem Church Road: Staff is reviewing the latest submittal for this property for a Major Site Plan.
  • 11 Salem Lane: Staff is reviewing the latest submittal for this property for a Major Site Plan.  
  1. Public Works Activities Undertaken in the Month of January: Staff worked with the contractor on snow removal and addressing areas of concern by residents.  The City of Mendota Heights installed a marker on the fire hydrant on Charlton Road near Delaware to aid in locating it in winter months. This issue was brought up by a concerned resident, and the City quickly addressed the issue. This hydrant is in Sunfish Lake, but is owned and maintained by Mendota Heights. Staff recommended that the hydrant be cleared of snow by residents, as this was not a responsibility of either City.
  2. Anticipated Engineering/Public Works Activities for the Month of February: Staff will work with the City’s snowplowing contractor to ensure that roads remain safe for travel. If residents find areas on City streets that need additional attention, they should email the contractor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and copy City Engineer Jeff Sandberg at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Councilmember Hovey mentioned that the north end of Charlton Road still gets narrow when MnDOT comes back through and completes their plowing of Highway 62 with leaving piles of snow.  City Engineer will reach out to MnDOT.


  1. NEW/OTHER BUSINESS:

 

       8-A  Consider Approving Proposal for Auditing Services.   Mayor O’Leary asked if there were any questions or comments regarding the proposals received and there was no response.

 

       Mayor O’Leary moved to adopt Resolution No. 23-07 titled, Resolution Appointing Firm for Financial Audit Services, seconded by Councilmember Hovey.  Motion carried (4-0).

 

       8-B  Approving Appointment of Christy Wilcox as Data Practices Compliance Officer:   Mayor O’Leary asked if there were any questions or comments and there was no response.

 

       Councilmember Nelson moved to adopt Resolution No. 23-06 titled, Resolution Appointing Christy Wilcox as Responsible Authority and Data Practices Compliance Official Pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, seconded by Councilmember Bulach.  Motion carried (4-0).

 

       8-C  Consider Approving Resignation of Building Official and Discuss Process for Replacement:   City Attorney discussed the verbiage of the motion relating to the Building Official.  The City Attorney reviewed Section 32 of the contract with A to Z Home Inspections from November of 2014, which deals with financial arrangements.  Section 32 reads that in the event this contract is terminated and at the time of termination A to Z has already been paid by the City for permits opened before termination, but there is a need for inspections and permit administration on such files after termination, then A to Z agrees to make financial arrangements with the successor.

 

       Mayor O’Leary moved to acknowledge the resignation of Building Official Mike Andrejka, seconded by Councilmember Bulach.  Motion carried (4-0).

 

 

       8-D  Discuss Escrow Accounts 2020, 2021 and 2022.  Mayor O’Leary noted that this is an ongoing project and that Christy Wilcox has agreed to review the files and will report back to the Mayor and City Council, along with the City Treasurer.  No formal action required.

 

       8-E  Other:  Cathy Iago asked the City to consider the compensation for February be paid at her monthly salary instead of the hourly basis.  Cathy indicated that this would be beneficial to the City financially. 

 

       Mayor O’Leary moved that the agreement with Iago Consulting relating to Compensation be amended to state that the 2nd month of the agreement (February) be paid at a regular monthly salary, seconded by Councilmember Bulach.  Motion carried (4-0).

 

Mayor O’Leary asked if there was any further business and there was no response.


  1. ADJOURN:  Mayor O’Leary adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.


____________________________                                ________________________________

Christy Wilcox, City Clerk                                                  Dan O’Leary, Mayor