SUNFISH LAKE SPECIAL JOINT COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION
 STUDY MEETING – APRIL 21, 2010

7:00 P.M. - ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Attendants:

      Mayor:   Molly Park

      Councilmembers: Judy MacManus, Richard Williams and Roger Conant.

Commissioners:  Chair Andrea McCue, JoAnne Wahlstrom, Arnulf Svendsen and Tom Schlehuber                                       

      City Clerk: Cathy Iago

            and Members of the General Public.
      Councilmember Cathy DeCourcy and Commissioner Tom Votel were absent.

1.   CALL TO ORDER:            Mayor Park opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and stated that Council and Commissioners would hold discussion relating to the agenda items as posted. She explained that this is a public meeting; however, Council does not receive public comments at a study meeting and no formal action would be taken on any items discussed.

2.   a) Presentation of Preliminary Update to the City of Sunfish Lake Website.

Mayor Park stated that Andy Park would not be present this evening; she explained that the City is approximately two weeks from launching the new website and at this point there was not much to share. She advised that Andy would have a formal presentation prepared for the regular Council meeting in May.

Website Manager Mike Hovey was presented and reported on the new host for the website and advised that he will also look into utilizing the free domain as suggested by Councilmember Conant. He thanked Councilmember Conant for his input on the website. He stated that there would be a cost savings with the changed and the transition should occur on April 26, 2010.

Council thanked Mr. Hovey for his report.

      b)  Review of the City of Mendota Heights Response to the Inver Grove Heights Regional Roadway Study Plan.

Mayor Park referred Council to the prepared comments from the City Administrator from Mendota Heights relating to the City of Inver Grove Heights Transportation Study. She also referred to the Draft Recommendations from the SRF Consultants hired by the City of Mendota Heights relating to the study.  She asked if there were any comments from Council or the Commissioners.

Planning Chair Andrea McCue pointed out that the study does not include any environmental information relating to lakes, ponds or wetlands; she questioned if an environmental study would be done.

Councilmember Williams commented that one of the ponds was built to accommodate run-off when I-494 was constructed in this area; he noted that there would most likely be some depredation to Hornbeam Lake with Option E. He pointed out that the focus of the watershed has now shifted to water quality versus quantity. 

Mayor Park referred to Item 1.h. in the draft recommendations from SRF and explained that future environmental studies will be required due to the proximity of the proposed interchange location to Hornbeam Lake.

Councilmember Williams noted that Hornbeam Lake is at risk no matter which option is chosen; he commented that the run-off will have to be collected when creating an impervious surface and at this time it is hard to determine the extent of the problem. He further pointed out that Eagan and Inver Grove Heights, who have a vested interest in the interchange, have provided the assumptions relating to development in their cities; however, due to economic factors the development may not occur as quickly as in the past. He advised that most of the new development has occurred in southern Dakota County; he stated that the topography the in county makes it difficult to move traffic from the south to the north and this also contributes to difficulty in locating a light rail corridor. He stated that Option E appears to be the best solution since it is basically a T-intersection with no cloverleaf and directs traffic to Inver Grove Heights.

Councilmember MacManus stated that the disconcerting fact is how much the City of Sunfish Lake will have input on the matter if Option E is chosen.

Councilmember Williams agreed it would be tough to argue since the interchange would be located within Inver Grove Heights; he noted that the City of Sunfish Lake has made it clear that they are not willing to make a tax contribution to the interchange with no benefit to the City.

Councilmember Conant questioned how this proposal is prioritized by the Met Council and if the matter would be addressed at the upcoming meeting in Apple Valley.

Mayor Park explained that the Met Council has stated in their newsletter that they do not have funds to build infrastructure and they have suggested that cities look at options to move traffic such as “park and rides”.

Planning Chair McCue stated that it should be noted that Sunfish Lake is reviewing how the options affect the wetlands and lakes within the City.

Councilmember Williams discussed the other improvements currently being planning in Inver Grove Heights and Eagan which include 70^th Street improvements; he pointed out there is also the possibility of making some improvements to the interchange at Dodd Road which could reduce the need for another interchange in Inver Grove Heights.

Mayor Park explained that the Mendota Heights neighborhood group has scheduled a meeting on May 12 at Trinity School to discuss all of the access road changes in Inver Grove Heights and Eagan.

Councilmember Williams explained that in reference to improvements on Delaware Avenue, Dakota County has taken the position that the cities housing the roadway would authorize what type of improvements are made to the road, such as widening the road and including turn lanes for better access to property.

Mayor Park stated she was pleased to note in the Draft Recommendations that the SRF consultant made reference to the fact that in 20 to 30 years the traffic patterns may change and there are futuristic issues to consider; she noted that mass transit, park & rides and other options for moving people may be used.

Councilmember Williams commented that he believes the projections for increased traffic were made based on development and that there are issues with infrastructure that may discourage developers to come to the area.

Mayor Park explained that Brian Sorenson of Dakota County is planning to attend the Mendota Heights council meeting in May and the Sunfish Lake council meeting in June to report on this matter. She suggested that the city prepare a document listing concerns and issues discussed this evening; she offered to draft the document for Council review.  Council concurred to have the Mayor draft the document.

      c)  Discuss Long Term Goals for Charlton Road Maintenance/Upgrade and Right-of-Way Issues.

Mayor Park observed that the exorbitant appraisal costs relating to easement acquisition for the Charlton Road improvement project provided a disappointing conclusion to moving forward with the project. She advised that Engineer Hanson had compiled a list of maintenance issues related to the roadway for consideration.

Councilmember Conant commented that the engineering firm of WSB had been working on the project for over two years and in his opinion presented a document containing improper analysis. He suggested that the City retain another firm to review the information with fresh eyes.

Councilmember MacManus expressed her disappointment that the engineer had not suggested obtaining the easement appraisal information earlier in the process.

Clerk Iago explained that in her opinion staff was aware of the fact that the appraisals must be obtained, but they had no idea the amount would be so substantial.

Councilmember MacManus pointed out that the easement issue was raised by Jake Crandall and the Mayor during the Task Force meetings. Councilmember Conant agreed that the matter should have been addressed earlier in the process and that there was sufficient opportunity for the engineer or the City Attorney to bring it to Council attention earlier in the process.

Councilmember Williams agreed that it may be appropriate to have a fresh look at the project and it may be possible to minimize the amount of right-of-way necessary to proceed with the project. He noted that the City Attorney recommended obtaining the estimates prior to authorizing the project and he agreed that no one expected the cost estimates to be so high. He noted that it was the responsibility of the engineer to raise the issue of the easements and that the attorney only became involved in the process when the matter was brought to Council. He agreed that the engineering work was not up to par, but he did not agree that the attorney should be held responsible for not mentioning the appraisals earlier.  Councilmember Conant agreed.

Commissioner Svendsen questioned the estimated total project cost with the appraisals.

Councilmember Williams explained that the Council never actually determined a final cost or approach to the project because the scope and options changed with input from the citizen’s task force.

Commissioner Svendsen asked if any residents had offered to donate the easements.

Mayor Park responded that they were not asked to do so since the project came to a halt after receiving the easement appraisal information.

There was discussion relating to distributing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engineering firms to review the feasibility report prepared by the City Engineer and determine options or if the project is feasible. Councilmember Conant suggested that at some point Council may wish to appoint an engineering review committee to prepare the RFP. Councilmember Williams commented that public safety issues on the roadway should be included in RFP.   

The Mayor thanked everyone for their input.

      d)  Discuss Proposed Sign Ordinance.

Mayor Park explained she was not present at the last Council meeting and referred to the information prepared by Planner Smith.

Councilmember Conant explained that he did not support the 100 sq. ft. sign size in the institutional districts and that there was discussion relating to the removal of real estate signs after a property is sold. He noted that Council asked the Planner to review other cities ordinances to determine size sign and prohibiting real estate signs.
Mayor Park questioned if temporary signs such as those advertising work done on property are allowed.

Councilmember Williams responded that those signs are allowed on private property; however, the ordinance prohibits a sign anywhere within the City that directs persons to another location. He indicated that in most cases this type of sign is temporary.

Councilmember Conant stated that in his opinion the proposed ordinance was a carbon copy of the Mendota Heights ordinance and does not reflect the opinions of Sunfish Lake.

Mayor Park pointed out that the Planner had surveyed the City of North Oaks and found that they do allow real estate signs.

Planning Chair McCue stated the Commission had reviewed the information presented by the Planner and found it to be very thorough and well prepared. She noted that condominium associations do not allow real estate signs.

Councilmember Williams explained that the association may place such restrictions on their property while cities cannot.

There was discussion relating to whether or not to send this matter back to the Planning Commission for further review and Council determined that was unnecessary.

Clerk Iago explained that the only places where the 100 sq. ft. signs are allowed are adjacent to highways within the City and that it may be necessary to have larger lettering on signs so they are readable at the highway speeds. She indicated that Council may wish to be more restrictive with the aesthetics of the sign versus the size.   

Mayor Park indicated that the Planner would respond to the concerns raised by Council at the next regular meeting in May.

      e)  Discuss Obtaining Public Access in Musser Park from Salem Church Road.

Mayor Park distributed information from the City Attorney and referred to the documents sent by the City Engineer relating to an access area in Musser Park.

Councilmember Conant questioned why it is necessary. The Mayor explained that there is no public access to the park and persons must cross private property when there is an event or City work is done in the park.

There was discussion relating to types of uses in the park, liability issues, options for the parking area and surface materials. Commissioner Schlehuber suggested the use of an apron, similar to the one installed on Acorn Drive, to accommodate City vehicles that are working the park.   Councilmember Conant suggested that it may be more reasonable to pursue obtaining an easement from Mr. Kampmeyer.  
 
Mayor Park explained that no decision is necessary this evening and that staff could be directed to explore the options.

      f)  Discuss Memorial for Former Councilmember Joel Bennett.

Mayor Park explained that the City cannot use funds to purchase a memorial; however, donations may be solicited for this purpose. She explained that Connie Bennett had suggested planting trees in honor of Joel would be an appropriate memorial. Council concurred.


Commissioner Wahlstrom suggested a request for donations could be placed on the website. Mayor Park agreed and also suggested a note be placed in the Sunfish Lake Quarterly.  

MISCELLANEOUS:  Councilmember Williams reported that the Watershed Management Organization has scheduled an Open House on May 26 at the Thompson Park facilities in West St. Paul. He advised they are asking communities to make an appointment to a citizen advisory group to review water quality issues and that they will receive input from residents at the meeting. He suggested that the City publicize the event and encourage attendance.

Mayor Park suggested that the information be given to Mr. Hovey for placement on the website.

Commissioner Wahlstrom asked the length of the Planning Commission terms and if there are any regulations in place relating to attendance at meetings; she noted there is one individual who has had several absences.

Council concurred that the Mayor should contact the individual to determine if interest in completing their term of office or wish to resign. 
 
Mayor Park stated there was no further business and thanked everyone for their attendance.


3.   ADJOURN:   Councilmember Williams moved, to adjourn the Joint Meeting at 8:30 p.m., seconded by Councilmember MacManus and carried.

__________________________                                            ___________________________

Molly Park, Mayor                                                       Catherine Iago, City Clerk