SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING – MARCH 3, 2009
7:00 P.M. - ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Attendants:
Mayor: Molly Park
Councilmembers: Cathy DeCourcy, Judy MacManus, Richard Williams and Roger Conant.
City Attorney: Tim Kuntz
City Planner: Laurie Smith
City Engineer: Tim Hanson
City Forester: Mark Johnson
City Treasurer: Mike Blair
City Clerk: Cathy Iago
Police Chief Manila Shaver
and Members of the General Public.
Building Official Russ Wahl was absent.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Molly Park opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
2. APPROVE AGENDA: Mayor Park asked to place an item on the agenda under Old/New Business; Discuss Aerial Deer Count. She asked if there were any further additions or corrections to the agenda and there was no response.
Councilmember DeCourcy moved approval of the Agenda as amended, seconded by Councilmember Williams and carried.
3. CONSENT AGENDA: The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments relating to any items on the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Conant referred to page 6 of the minutes and requested that his comment regarding his concerns about lake access be corrected. He explained that his comment reflected in the minutes was basically the opposite of what he said and asked that the minutes be revised as follows:
“Council Conant stated that the number of persons fishing on the lake appears to be reduced and therefore his concerns relating to the access issue are not as prevalent at this time.”
Councilmember DeCourcy questioned the discussion on speed bumps vs. humps on page 3 of the minutes and asked the Engineer if the numbers quoted for slowing speeds are correct. Engineer Hanson responded that the numbers are correct and explained that a speed hump has a wider base and is designed that way to minimize damage to vehicles or accidents caused by the speed hump.
Councilmember MacManus pointed out a minor typing error on page 8; she requested the word “responsibility bne changed to “responsible”.
Mayor Park asked if there were any further comments and there was no response.
Councilmember MacManus moved approval of the Consent Agenda with amendments to the February 3, 2009 Council minutes as listed above, seconded by Councilmember Williams and carried.
a. Regular Council meeting minutes of February 3, 2009.
b. List of Bills
c. Monthly Financial Statements
4. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None.
5. INSPECTOR’S REPORTS:
a. Building Inspector: Inspector Wahl was unavailable and Clerk Iago presented his report. She stated that he conducted four (4) inspections and issued two (2) permits in February.
Council thanked the Clerk for presenting the report.
- City pLANNER: Planner Smith stated that the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update has been reviewed and approved by the Metropolitan Council. She explained that staff at the Met Council advised her that the City of Sunfish Lake is the first city to successfully complete the process.
Councilmember Conant asked if the plans related to the Bellomo residence were sent to all the neighbors.
Planner Smith explained that the application was for a minor site plan review and that the City is only required to send notice to the adjacent neighbors.
The Planner advised that there was no Commission meeting in February. She stated the Planning Commission will meet in March to consider an application for a detached garage; the application would be heard by Council at their April meeting.
Mayor Park explained that a joint meeting with Council and the Commission is usually held on an annual basis; she suggested scheduling the joint meeting in May, possibly prior to the regular Council meeting.
Planner Smith offered to check the date or alternate dates with the Commission and report back to Council.
Council thanked the Planner for her report - City Engineer: Salem Church Road Reconstruction: The Engineer stated that he would provide information on this matter in conjunction with Item 6.a) on the agenda.
Comprehensive Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP): Engineer Hanson stated that Council reviewed the document during a work session earlier this evening and that the Lower Mississippi Watershed Management Organization has approved the revised document. He noted that upon authorization by Council a public hearing should be scheduled for public comment on the plan. After the hearing and upon Council approval the plan would then be adopted.
NPDES Annual Public Hearing: The Engineer stated that the annual public hearing for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) should be held at the same meeting as the hearing the for the Comprehensive Storm Water Management Plan since the two items are interrelated in several ways.
Mayor Park asked the Engineer to provide a time estimate for a hearing on both items: Mr. Hanson responded that 15 minutes for each item should be sufficient.
After discussion, Council directed the Engineer to post notice for the public hearings for both items at the April 7 Regular Council meeting.
Charlton Road Feasibility Update: Engineer Hanson explained that he had been working on some condemnation proceedings for another community which took more time away from his office than he anticipated. He stated that he continues to work on the Charlton Road feasibility update.
Councilmember MacManus asked when the engineer anticipates completion of the document. Mr. Hanson responded that it should be available at the April meeting.
Councilmember MacManus requested that the engineer have the document completed and sent in a timely manner so that Council has a chance to digest the information.
Engineer Hanson stated he would do so, however he pointed out that the only Council action necessary would be to receive the document at the April meeting.
Councilmember Conant noted that the estimated cost of the improvement had increased from $242,000 in December, 2008 to $260,000; he questioned the rationale for the discrepancy. He also questioned the discrepancy in the ratings for the road.
Engineer Hanson indicated that the cost estimates and road ratings are related to the Salem Church Road improvement and that he would be address them during discussion of that agenda item.
Public Works Activates Undertaken in the Month of February: Street Clearing Activities: The Engineer reviewed the snow removal and sanding events that occurred during the months of January and February.
Anticipated Engineer/Public Works Activities for the Month of March:
* Complete Feasibility Study for Charlton Road
* Receive Bids for the Salem Church Road Reconstruction Project
* Prepare for Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Strom Water Management Plan
* Snow Plowing
* Prepare for Public Hearing for the NPDES Annual Report
* Solicit Street Sweeping Contract
* Place Spring Road Restriction Signs
Council thanked the Engineer for his report. - CITY FORESTER: Forester Johnson stated he had ordered the trees for the Arbor Day celebration and issued one (1) burning permit in February. He explained that he intends to remove a dead Oak tree on Acorn drive.
Council thanked the Forester for his report. - PUBLIC SAFETY: Mayor Park distributed the Public Safety monthly report for January, 2009. Chief Shaver was present and explained that under the new reporting system Council would receive information on activities in the City up to the 20th day of each month; he noted he would report other items occurring after that date at the meeting. He asked if that if Council has any concerns regarding this process to contact him.
Mayor Park stated she would prefer to receive the printed documents on Monday evening prior to the meeting and the Chief agreed to maintain that routine.
The Chief noted that two (2) dead deer were removed from the City; one near Highway 110 and one along Delaware Ave.
Council thanked Chief Shaver for his report.
6. OTHER/NEW BUSINESS:
a. Consider Resolution Ordering Advertisement for Bids for Project No. 2008-02, Salem Church Road Reconstruction: The Engineer explained that final plans and specifications for the reclamation and overlay of Salem Church Road from Delaware Avenue to Roanoke Road have been completed. He explained that his revised report includes the two speed “tables” and advised that these require a passage speed of 25 mph or less. He stated the westerly speed table was moved east to just west of the driveway to 349 Salem Church Road. The easterly speed table is located near the low point of the road near the northeast corner of Musser Park. He pointed out that the westerly speed table could only be moved a short distance east due to a requirement that the speed table be on a flat grade. He stated that was necessary due to the roadway grade. He further explained that speed tables require a “clear zone” and therefore three (3) Boxelder trees, two (2) Pine trees and possibly one (1) Ash tree must be removed to provide the “clear zone”. He explained that the trees appear to be located within the roadway right-of-way. He further explained that the speed “tables” do require signage. He stated that minor wetland impacts are anticipated during culvert replacements; therefore a wetland impact notification has been completed. He further advised that he added striping to the entire length of Salem Church Road, from Delaware Avenue to Robert Street.
The Engineer stated that earlier in the meeting Councilmember Conant questioned the increase in the estimates costs for the project and the items now included in the plan reflect the increased costs. He advised that if Council authorizes the advertisement for bids, the bid opening would be held on Friday, April 3, at 2:00 p.m. and that the Mayor would be present for the bid opening.
Councilmember DeCourcy questioned the term “speed table”. The Engineer stated the terminology was also new to him and that the table is wider and has a flat top.
Councilmember MacManus asked if the engineer had a sample of the signage for the “speed table”; Mr. Hanson responded no.
Councilmember MacManus stated she preferred to be sure the “speed table” is necessary in this location since it requires removal of trees. The Engineer explained that in order to have a speed deterrent in this location it is required that there be a clear zone so that vehicles do not run into obstructions if they leave the road. He further noted that the trees are located within the right-of-way and therefore should be removed.
Councilmember Conant questioned why the residents in the area impacted by the improvement would be charged for striping the entire length of the road. Mr. Hanson explained that roadway striping is a normal maintenance item and the City should receive a better price for this item by including it as part of the project; he noted that the additional cost for striping would be removed from the assessment costs and be paid by the City.
Councilmember Conant questioned the ratings for the road and why the recommendation is to replace the entire road. Mr. Hanson explained the segment to the east has higher ratings and originally a mill and overlay were suggested. He noted that Braun Intertec determined a mill and overlay would not be adequate and the project shifted to the reclamation improvement. He explained that the road ratings are subjective and may change on an annual basis.
City Attorney Kuntz explained that a motion would be required to adopt the resolution accepting the final plans and specifications and authorizing the advertisement for bids for the Salem Church Road Reconstruction Project No. 2008-02.
Mayor Park asked if there were any further comments and there was no response.
Councilmember Williams moved to adopt Resolution No. 09-06 titled, Resolution ordering Advertisement for Bids for Project No. 2008-02, Salem Church Road Reconstruction, seconded by Councilmember DeCourcy and carried. 4-0-1 (Ayes: 4, Williams, DeCourcy, MacManus, Park) (Nayes: 0) (Abstain: 1, Conant)
b. Consider Authorizing Funds for Aerial Deer Count: Councilmember DeCourcy explained that she had been referred by the DNR to a helicopter service that is available to conduct an aerial deer count for the City tomorrow. She stated that another community had cancelled and she was told that the helicopter is available only on Wednesday at a cost of $285 per hour. She noted that they asked to have a representative from the community along for the ride to count the deer.
Councilmember Williams asked if they would be conducting a count for the surrounding communities and expressed concern that if the count is only for Sunfish Lake it would not provide information about migratory patterns of the deer.
Councilmember DeCourcy stated she had not contacted the other communities due to the short notice.
Mayor Park applauded Councilmember DeCourcy’s initiative to secure this opportunity for the City. She noted that the City of Mendota Heights used the services of professional bow hunters that volunteered to cull the herd in their community in lieu of the aerial count.
Councilmember Conant recalled that the Council had discussed taking some type of action regarding the deer when the issue was raised by resident Lee Driscoll at the last meeting.
Councilmember DeCourcy pointed out that ideally it would be better to have the surrounding communities involved, but it is an opportunity for the City to secure a deer county before making a decision on whether or not to allow hunting.
Councilmember MacManus supported the idea and commented that it would show residents Council has taken proactive approach to their concerns.
City Forester Mark Johnson volunteered to assist with the deer count.
Chief Shaver asked that the dispatch center be contacted prior to the incident so that they could respond to any calls for residents.
Mayor Park asked if formal action is necessary and the City Attorney suggested a motion to authorize the expenditure. Treasurer Blair stated there are funds budgeted for this purpose.
Mayor Park asked if there were any further comments and there was no response.
Councilmember DeCourcy moved to authorize the expenditure to conduct an aerial deer count in the city at a cost of $285.00 per hour, seconded by Councilmember MacManus and carried. (5-0)
The Mayor asked if there was any further business and there was no response.
9. ADJOURN: Councilmember Williams moved for adjournment at 7:55 p.m., seconded by Councilmember DeCourcy and carried.
______________________ ___________________________
Molly Park, Mayor Catherine Iago, City Clerk
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.