SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
First Calvary Baptist Church – 5495 S Robert Trail
7:00 P.M.
Attendants
Mayor: Dan O’Leary
Councilmembers: Present: Shari Hansen, Mike Hovey, Shannon Nelson
Absent: Steven Bulach
City Attorney: Timothy Kuntz
City Forester: Jim Nayes
Police Chief: Brian Sturgeon
City Engineer: Justin Messner
City Planner: Lori Johnson
City Clerk: Christy Wilcox
City Treasurer: Char Stark
- Call to Order
- Approve Agenda
Mayor O’Leary asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda. Mayor O’Leary moved to amend the agenda to add Item #9c - Appointment of City Councilmember to replace Shari Hansen, and item #9c - Approve Conflict of Interest with Levander, Gillen and Miller regarding storage of files at Lilydale, seconded by Councilmember Hovey. Motion carried (4-0).
Councilmember Hansen moved to adopt the agenda as amended, seconded by Councilmember Hovey. Motion carried (4-0).
- Consent Agenda
Councilmember Hansen moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Councilmember Nelson. Motion carried (4-0).
- Approve Regular Minutes of December 5, 2023
- List of Bills
- Monthly Financial Statements
- Receive Building Inspector Report
- Receive City Forester Report
- Receive Public Safety Report
- Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
5a. Appointment of Acting Mayor
Councilmember Hansen moved to appoint Mike Hovey as Acting Mayor, seconded by Mayor O’Leary. Motion carried (4-0).
5b. Designation of Official Newspaper for 2024
Councilmember Hansen moved to adopt Resolution No. 24-02, designating the St. Paul Pioneer Press as the official newspaper for the City of Sunfish Lake for the year 2024, seconded by Mayor O’Leary. Motion carried (4-0).
5c. Designating Fund Depositories for 2024
Councilmember Hansen moved to adopt Resolution No. 24-01, designating fund depositories for the City of Sunfish Lake for 2024, seconded by Councilmember Hovey. Motion carried (4-0).
5d. Appointment of Planning Commission Member
Councilmember Hansen moved to reappoint Kevin Wu to the Planning Commission for a term which will expire December 31, 2026, seconded by Mayor O’Leary. Motion carried (4-0).
5e. Appointment of Planning Commission Chair
Councilmember Hansen moved to appoint Tom Hendrickson as Chair of the Planning Commission, seconded by Councilmember O’Leary. Motion carried (4-0).
5f. Appointment of Weed Control Manager
Councilmember Hansen moved to appoint Jim Nayes as Weed Control Manager for the year 2024, seconded by Councilmember Hovey. Motion carried (4-0).
- Public Hearing – Ordinance Relating to Electrical Inspections
Mayor O’Leary opened the public hearing on the proposed ordinance which makes the City of Sunfish Lake responsible to conduct the electrical inspections and designating West St. Paul as the entity that will perform the inspection. City Attorney Kuntz outlined the proposed ordinance and the process relating to the adoption of the ordinance. Building Inspector Schilling explained the process for obtaining an electrical inspection and the fees.
Moved by Councilmember Hansen to close the public hearing, seconded by Mayor O’Leary. Motion carried (4-0).
Moved by Councilmember Hansen, to approve Ordinance No. 24-1, an Ordinance amending Chapter 1002 of the Sunfish Lake City Code relating to Electrical Inspections, seconded by Mayor O’Leary. Motion carried (4-0).
Moved by Councilmember Hansen to adopt Resolution No. 24-4, approving Amendment No. 1 to Building Inspection and Related Services Agreement between the City of Sunfish Lake and the City of West St. Paul. Motion carried (4-0).
- Planner’s Report
- 415 Salem Church Road: An application has been received for a major site plan approval for the construction of an inground pool at this address. The application has been deemed incomplete due to the lack of the required information such as storm water management and grading information.
- 389 Salem Church Road: The contractor for the new owner of this property has applied for major site plan review and variances to add a pool, sunroom, and garage space to this property. Staff deemed this application incomplete earlier this month but gave the applicant time to resubmit the application before determining if the application could be on the January meeting. Staff has determined that there is still additional information needed, so this will go on the February meeting.
- 2058 Charlton Road: The owner of this property would like to install a split rail fence on the site. The owner will most likely be applying for a minor site plan approval to install the split rail fence. There is no update on this project since the December City Council meeting.
- 2570 Delaware: The homeowners are contemplating the installation of a pool, bocce ball court and putting greens, as well as entry monuments/gates. The contractor has submitted an application for major site plan approval and a conditional use permit for this work, and staff is meeting with the applicant to ensure they provide a complete submittal before scheduling the Planning Commission meeting.
- 205 Salem Church Road: Staff inspected the work that has been completed at this address and found that there is still work to be done regarding the rain garden that was shown on the site plan. Staff will monitor the situation and re-inspect when necessary.
- 114 Salem Church Road: The escrow that was submitted for the major site and building plan approval (granted by the City Council in October) has been depleted. The owner and applicant have been notified that an additional escrow will be required. Staff will work with the owners to make sure the escrow is received prior to May 1st when the additional staff work will begin.
- Escrow Closeouts: Staff has requested that the escrows for 15 Sunnyside Lane, 116 Salem Church Road and 100 Windy Hill be closed out. These items should be on the list of bills for the January meeting. Money is being returned for all three properties. Staff performed a site inspection at 15 Sunnyside Lane to make the determination to release the money, and the site was constructed according to the approved plans.
- Ordinance Updates: Several chapters have been redlined and the Mayor and I will be meeting to discuss the proposed ordinance changes.
- Engineer’s Report:
- Engineering Activities Undertaken in the Month of December
- No Parking Signage: The “No Parking” signage for Salem Church Road was installed.
- Building and Site Reviews in the Month of October
- Staff conducted reviews for the following properties this past month:
- 15 Sunnyside Lane: Staff conducted an onsite inspection of the project with the contractor to review the project for final acceptance. All turf establishments have been installed. The grading as-built has been received and grades verified with the approved plan. Final testing results of the infiltration basin have been received and both basins meet the required infiltration rates. Staff has recommended the issuance of the CO.
- Public Works Activities Undertaken in the Month of December
- Staff worked with the contractor on snow removal and addressing areas of concern by residents.
- Building and Site Reviews in the Month of December
- Staff did several building reviews and site inspections.
9a. Discussion of Enforcement Procedures for Septic Systems Noncompliance
Steve Kleist from Inspectron, Inc. discussed the issues relating to the noncompliance of the septic system at 345 Salem Church. Also present was Dan Voight, who is a subcontractor for Inspectron. After much discussion, there was no formal action at this time.
9b. Discuss Salary Increases for City Forester and City Clerk/Administrator
Moved by Mayor O’Leary to approve a 6% increase for the position of City Forester, retroactive to January 1, 2024, (3% for 2023 and 3% for 2024), seconded by Councilmember Hansen. Motion carried (4-0).
Moved by Councilmember Hansen to approve a 3% increase to Christy Wilcox, City Clerk/Administrator for the year 2024, retroactive to January 1, 2024, seconded by Mayor O’Leary. Motion carried (4-0).
9c. Resignation of Shari Hansen
Moved by Mayor O’Leary to accept the resignation of Shari Hansen as City Councilmember effective January 2, 2024, seconded by Councilmember Nelson. Motion carried (4-0).
9d. Appointment of Ginny Beckett to fill Vacancy
Mayor O’Leary moved to adopt Resolution No. 24-3, appointing Ginny Beckett to fill the unexpired Councilmember term of Shari Hansen, seconded by Councilmember Hovey. Motion carried (3-0).
9e. Conflict of Interest Waiver
Moved by Mayor O’Leary to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the conflict of interest to allow concurrent representation of the City of Lilydale and the City of Sunfish Lake as it relates to the agreement for storage of records, seconded by Councilmember Nelson. Motion carried (3-0).
- Adjournment
Mayor O’Leary adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m.
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Christy Wilcox, City Clerk Mike Hovey, Acting Mayor
We are a small community proud of our heritage and committed to the preservation of our pristine, rural character. We cherish our privacy, yet know we are part of a thriving Dakota County and the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area. With these partnerships in mind, we strive to preserve that unique spirit which is Sunfish Lake, Minnesota.