SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JULY 6, 2010
6:00 P.M. - ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Attendants:
Mayor: Molly Park
Councilmembers: Cathy DeCourcy, Roger Conant and Richard Williams
City Attorney: Tim Kuntz
City Building Official: Russ Wahl
City Engineer: Tim Hanson
City Treasurer: Mike Blair
City Forester: Jim Nayes
and Members of the General Public
Councilmember Judy MacManus was absent.
City Clerk Cathy Iago was absent.
City Planner Laurie Smith was absent.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Molly Park opened the meeting at 6:02 p.m.
2. APPROVE AGENDA: Mayor Park asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda.
Councilmember DeCourcy moved approval of the Agenda, seconded by Councilmember Williams and carried by a vote of 4-0.
3. CONSENT AGENDA: The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments relating to any items on the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Conant observed that the bills included reimbursement for certain election judges. Councilmember Conant asked what the reimbursement involved. Citizen Mike Hovey relayed that he and City Clerk Catherine Iago had attended special training for election judges and that the reimbursement related to that training. Councilmember Conant commented that if reimbursement was available to other election judges, then they should be made aware of the opportunity to seek reimbursement.
With respect to the Engineering bill, Councilmember Conant asked what “TCH review” meant. Engineer Tim Hanson responded that TCH stood for his initials and that TCH review meant that he had reviewed the matter.
Councilmember Conant asked what the bill from FedEx involved. Mayor Park responded that the bill from FedEx related to the printing of 220 City newsletters.
Councilmember Williams asked whether the City Clerk was paid separately for election judge duties or whether compensation was part of the monthly amount paid to the City Clerk. Due to the absence of the City Clerk, it was decided to defer that question until the City Clerk was available at the next Council meeting.
Councilmember Conant moved approval of the following Consent Agenda items, seconded by Councilmember Williams and carried by a vote of 4-0.
- Regular Council meeting Minutes of June 1, 2010
- List of Bills
- Monthly Financial Statements
The Consent Agenda items are on file with the City Clerk.
4. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
Citizen Holly Divine inquired about the pond adjacent to Charlton Road. Citizen Holly Divine reported that the pond has grown over with vegetative matter and she expressed concern that she did not want the City to lose this water resource. Engineer Tim Hanson responded that the pond is going through a dry spell and that it was a natural occurrence where there are cycles of wet and dry conditions. Engineer Hanson stated that the pond is a natural wetland and not a Minnesota Department of Transportation pond. Councilmember Williams asked Citizen Divine to keep the Council up to date on the matter. Councilmember Williams noted that the water management organization is shifting its focus from water quantity to water quality. Councilmember Williams also noted that he had forwarded to other Councilmembers the availability of grants for water projects. Councilmember Conant commented that there may be a grant opportunity arising in September whereby the City could make application.
5. PUBLIC HEARING/PRESENTATIONS:
There were no public hearings or presentations.
6. PLANNING COMMISSION/PLANNER’S REPORT:
There was no report from the City Planner or Planning Commission.
7. INSPECTOR’S REPORTS:
a. BUILDING INSPECTOR: Inspector Russ Wahl reported that there were 14 inspections in June. During June, he issued 1 permit to a resident in connection with finishing a basement of an existing home.
Inspector Wahl presented a copy of an original septic system record dated July 31, 1990, for property located at 32 Salem Church Road. The record stated that the septic system was installed for 4 bedrooms.
Councilmember Williams moved that Inspector Wahl inspect the septic system at 32 Salem Church Road to determine whether the capacity of the system is adequate for the number of occupants and report his findings at the August Council meeting, seconded by Councilmember Conant and carried by a vote of 4-0.
Mayor Park thanked the Building Inspector for his report.
b. City Engineer: City Engineer Tim Hanson reported the following activities undertaken in the month of June:
· Engineer Hanson staked out a potential parking area in Musser Park.
· Replacement fire signs have been delivered.
· Engineer Hanson is preparing a Construction Plan for a limited number of items on Charlton Road.
Councilmember DeCourcy asked about the speed controls on Angell Road. Engineer Hanson reported that he was still addressing the matter.
Mayor Park reported that on Salem Church Road near Robert Street there was a wash out and some visible erosion. Engineer Hanson stated that bituminous millings have been used in the past and that the wash out is caused by the fact that the road drains to one side. Engineer Hanson will further investigate the situation.
Mayor Park and Citizen Eberhard Bulach inspected Salem Church Road on July 3, 2010. Citizen Bulach, at that time, expressed the view to the Mayor that the Council may want to consider pavement instead of the millings. Councilmember Williams observed that the wash out may be caused by the velocity of the runoff. Engineer Hanson reported that the millings are typically used to reduce velocity. Councilmember DeCourcy suggested that the Council and the Engineer meet on site at some future date to become more familiar with the issue. Mayor Park asked what the life cycle of the millings is. Engineer Hanson responded that the life cycle was about one year.
Councilmember Conant concurred that the Council and the Engineer should conduct an inspection at the site.
With respect to Musser Park, Councilmember Conant noted that the trail is heavily overgrown and that there is heavy growth in the field areas. Councilmember Conant commented that based on the overgrowth in the trail and field areas, there does not appear to be substantial use of the park and there may not be interest by citizens in using the park. Councilmember Conant opined that it may not be wise to spend City money for a parking area if the park is not regularly used by the citizens. Councilmember Williams said that in his view, the primary issue may be the safety of vehicles that do choose to park at Musser Park. Safety is also a concern for parking the City equipment. There is also concern to have some access off of Salem Church Road to the park. Councilmember Williams expressed the view that the City needs to balance the need for access and safety with the cost for establishing a parking area.
Mayor Park reported that the field in Musser Park had only been mowed once this year. Forester Nayes reported that the mowing occurred in July. Mayor Park asked about the frequency of maintenance of the trail. Forester Nayes reported that the trail was only periodically cut as the need arose.
Engineer Hanson reported that he had reviewed various surveys of Salem Church Road and the abutting properties and that their appeared to be adequate space within the right-of-way of the road but outside of the traveled area to place parallel parking spaces. Engineer Hanson commented that utilizing the parallel parking spaces on Salem Church Road would not present ideal access, but would present satisfactory access. Mayor Park reported that The Minnesota Land Trust was continuing to review the City’s application. Councilmember Williams commented that the City may not need the consent of The Minnesota Land Trust if the parking is located within the City road right-of-way. Councilmember Conant suggested that the Council and Engineer conduct an on-site inspection of the area at a future date. The other Councilmembers concurred.
With respect to the proposed stop sign on 60th Street, Councilmember Williams inquired about the status of the stop sign. Engineer Hanson reported that the City of Inver Grove Heights had approved the stop sign after being requested to do so by the City of Sunfish Lake.
Mayor Park thanked the Engineer for his report.
c. CITY FORESTER: Forester Jim Nayes reported that he issued one (1) burning permit in June. He also reported on the following:
· Elm tree removal.
· Removal of dead trees from Acorn Drive.
· Visual site cleaning of the west end of Charlton Road.
· Emerald Ash Borer conference.
· Oak Wilt question by citizen.
· Removal of large brush piles on Sunfish Lane.
Councilmember DeCourcy observed that some of the wild plum vegetation may have been removed in Musser Park when the buckthorn removal occurred. Forester Nayes responded that the wild plums could again re-vegetate.
Councilmember DeCourcy inquired about a memorial for deceased Councilmember Joel Bennett. Mayor Park reported that Citizen David Wight had volunteered to coordinate the establishment of the memorial. Councilmember DeCourcy stated that she was willing to contact Citizen Wight to work with him in coordinating a memorial.
Mayor Park thanked the Forester for his report.
d. PUBLIC SAFETY: Mayor Park distributed the Public Safety monthly report for June 2010. The Police Chief had to attend a function in Hastings and was not present at the meeting. The June 2010 Public Safety report is on file with the City Clerk.
8. OTHER BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS:
a. Waiver of Liability Form:
City Attorney Tim Kuntz advised the Council that under Minnesota Statute Chapter 466, there are tort liability limits that restrict the amount that anyone can collect against the City for torts or negligent actions of the City. The City currently carries liability insurance equal to the tort liability limits. Each year the League of Minnesota Insurance Trust asks the City whether the City chooses to waive the liability limits. The City, in the past, has not chosen to waive the limits. City Attorney Kuntz recommended that the City not waive the protection of the tort liability limits.
Councilmember Williams moved to not waive the tort liability limits, seconded by Councilmember Conant and carried by a vote of 4-0.
b. Consider Resolution Discussing the Regional Roadway System Visioning Study:
The Council considered a Resolution Discussing the Regional Roadway System Visioning Study. A copy of the Resolution is attached to the Minutes. Mayor Park highlighted that Alternative E was the proposal being forwarded and that the City would only support Alternative E if there was an extensive environmental review which demonstrated no adverse effects to Hornbeam Lake and its adjacent land area. Mayor Park explained that a similar resolution was being considered by the City of Mendota Heights. Councilmember Williams observed that both the cities of Sunfish Lake and Mendota Heights had significant involvement in expressing the view that any transportation alternate should not adversely effect Mendota Heights and Sunfish Lake.
Councilmember Conant moved to adopt Resolution No. 10-11, titled RESOLUTION DISCUSSING THE REGIONAL ROADWAY SYSTEM VISIONING STUDY, seconded by Councilmember Williams and carried by a vote of 4-0.
Mayor Park noted that the Dakota County Board will consider the matter at its July 27, 2010, meeting.
c. Consider Resolution Appointing Election Judges for August 10, 2010 Primary:
The Council considered a Resolution Appointing Election Judges for the August 10, 2010, Primary. A copy of the Resolution is attached to the Minutes. Mayor Park read the names of the election judges.
Councilmember Williams moved to adopt Resolution No. 10-12, titled RESOLUTION APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES FOR AUGUST 10, 2010 PRIMARY, seconded by Councilmember DeCourcy and carried by a vote of 4-0.
d. Other Business:
Councilmember Conant distributed to the Council information compiled by the League of Minnesota Cities relating to the compensation of Mayor and Councilmembers in cities having a population fewer than 1,000. Councilmember Conant commented that most cities have a form of compensation for Councilmembers and Mayors.
9. ADJOURN: The Mayor and Councilmembers, by concurrence, adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m.
______________________ ___________________________
Molly Park, Mayor Timothy J. Kuntz, City Attorney
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.