City Council

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes City Council Wednesday, January 22, 2020 7:30 PM Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Mayor Ryan followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michelle Wolfe; Community Development Director Erik Thorvig; City Planner Lori Johnson; Public Works Director Jon Haukaas; Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Brian Podany; Finance Director Joe Huss; Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Bob Therres; City Attorney Christopher Nelson; City Engineer Dan Schluender; Senior Engineering Technician Jason Sundeen; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Fire Chief Charlie Smith; and City Clerk Catherine Sorensen. Present: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul Absent: 1 - Councilmember Hovland 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.-1 RECENTLY HELD MEETINGS Attachments: 01-06-20 Workshop Minutes 01-06-20 Council Minutes Moved by Councilmember Robertson, seconded by Councilmember Garvais, that the Minutes of Workshop Meeting of January 6, 2020, and the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 6, 2020 be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Minutes January 22, 2020 5. AWARDS - PRESENTATIONS - ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS 5.-1 CITIZEN RECOGNITIONS Safety Services Manager/Police Chief Podany discussed two incidents in the City during 2019 that resulted in lifesaving efforts by community members and presented three individuals with a Citizen Recognition/Life Saving Award, Maureen Skinner, Michael Blake and Michael Swenson. He recognized them as well as public safety personnel who responded and thanked them for their tremendous life-saving efforts. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Informational: no action required 5.-2 ACCEPT VARIOUS DONATIONS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Police Chief Podany stated the Blaine Police Department recently received various donations from community members for the Blaine Public Safety Association and thanked them as follows: Coss Family Foundation through the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation in the amount of $10,000 to be used for the K9 Program, Walmart Community Grant in the amount of $2,500 to be used for the Community Outreach Trailer; and Bill and Rena Hammes in the amount of $1,000 to be used for the Community Outreach Trailer. Mayor Ryan thanked these organizations and individuals for their generous donations to the Blaine Police Department. Moved by Councilmember Garvais, seconded by Councilmember Robertson, that the Council Accept the Donations to the Blaine Police Department. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul 6. COMMUNICATIONS None. 7. OPEN FORUM Mayor Ryan opened the Open Forum at 7:53 p.m. There being no input, Mayor Ryan closed the Open Forum at 7:53 p.m. 8. ADOPTION OF AGENDA City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Minutes January 22, 2020 The agenda was adopted as presented. 9. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Councilmember Garvais, seconded by Councilmember Paul, that the following be approved: Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul 9.-1 SCHEDULE OF BILLS PAID Attachments: December 2019 Payroll Checks and Wire Transfers 01/03/2020 Bills Paid 01/10/2020 Bills Paid Approved 9.-2 APPROVE 2020 SCORE FUNDING GRANT WITH ANOKA COUNTY Attachments: 2020 Anoka County SCORE Agreement Approved 9.-3 PAYMENT TO SOFTWARE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL FOR MICROSOFT ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT ANNUAL LICENSING RENEWAL Approved 9.-4 GRANTING APPROVAL TO CONDUCT OFF-SITE GAMBLING AT THE TPC TWIN CITIES ON APRIL 6, 2020 FOR THE SPRING LAKE PARK LIONS Attachments: LG230 Application Adopted 9.-5 RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GREATER TWIN CITIES PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING FACILITY Adopted 10. 7:30 P.M. - PUBLIC HEARING AND ITEMS PUBLISHED FOR A CERTAIN TIME 10.-1 VACATION OF DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Minutes January 22, 2020 OF LOT 5, BLOCK 3, WICKLOW WOODS, VACATION NO. V19-09 Attachments: Signed Petition Location Map City Engineer Schluender stated a petition received December 2, 2019, was submitted to the City by Eric Fagerberg, representing James R. Hill, Inc., requesting vacation of drainage and utility easements of Lot 5, Block 3, Wicklow Woods. The vacation is necessary due to a surveying error that caused the house on lot to be constructed on a portion of the easement. The Engineering Department has reviewed this request and concurs with the vacation. Mayor Ryan opened the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. There being no additional public input, Mayor Ryan closed the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. Moved by Councilmember Garvais, seconded by Councilmember Jeppson, that Resolution 20-12, “Vacation of Drainage and Utility Easement of Lot 5, Block 3, Wicklow Woods,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul 11. DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS 11.-1 RELEASING APRIL RIDGE 4TH ADDITION FROM RECORDED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS (CASE FILE NO. 20-0002/EES) Attachments: Attachments City Planner Johnson stated the City is requested to release specific lots from recorded development agreements on a fairly regular basis. In this instance the lots are four commercial lots at 99th Avenue and Ulysses Street. Two of the lots are currently vacant, one is a Holiday Gas Station and one is QC Dance, all of which were platted as April Ridge 4th Addition. All of the development agreement responsibilities for these lots have been met and the lots can be released. Moved by Mayor Ryan, seconded by Councilmember Paul, that Resolution No. 20-13, “Releasing April Ridge 4th Addition from Recorded Development Agreements,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. City of Blaine Page 4 City Council Minutes January 22, 2020 Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul 11.-2 GRANTING FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR 32 SINGLE FAMILY LOTS AND ONE OUTLOT TO BE KNOWN AS OAKWOOD PONDS 4TH ADDITION, LOCATED AT 128TH CIRCLE AND 127TH LANE. TEGL/AREP OAKWOOD, LP (CASE FILE NO. 19-0054/SLK) Attachments: Attachments Ms. Johnson stated the final plat consists of subdividing approximately 25.43 acres into a subdivision with a total of 32 new single family lots. All local public streets require dedication of 60 feet of right-of-way and shall be constructed to 29 feet back to back of width. All streets will follow the Anoka County street name grid system. Developer and staff will work together to identify areas of the plat where additional trees can be saved through the use of custom grading, retaining walls, and by structure design. Moved by Councilmember Paul, seconded by Councilmember Jeppson, that Resolution No. 20-14, “Granting Final Plat Approval for 32 Single Family Lots and One Outlot to be known as Oakwood Ponds 4th Addition located at 128th Circle and 127th Lane,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul 11.-3 SECOND READING GRANTING A REZONING FROM FR (FARM RESIDENTIAL) TO DF (DEVELOPMENT FLEX) FOR 42 ACRES LOCATED AT 12801 AND 12847 LEXINGTON AVENUE NE. LENNAR CORPORATION (CASE FILE NO. 19-0040/LSJ) Attachments: Attachments Ms. Johnson stated Lennar Corporation is proposing to develop 42 acres on the east side of Lexington Avenue and north of 125th Avenue for the purpose of constructing 97 single family homes. The proposed plat lies to the west of Lennar's other single family project, Woodridge, which is accessed via Lever Street. Currently, the property has an existing zoning designation of FR (Farm Residential) and is guided in the Comprehensive Plan as LDR (Low Density Residential). The property is within the MUSA (Metropolitan Urban Service Area) which indicates it City of Blaine Page 5 City Council Minutes January 22, 2020 is intended to be served with city sewer and water. The project zoning is proposed to be DF (Development Flex) to cover all of the residential uses. With the DF zoning, housing products and neighborhood design issues will require and be regulated by a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Josh Metzer, Lennar Corporation, introduced himself to the Council and discussed the proposed development. He explained his single-family housing products were selling nicely in the community. Councilmember Robertson asked if the streets within this development were public or private. Ms. Johnson reported the streets would be public. Moved by Councilmember Jeppson, seconded by Councilmember Robertson, that Ordinance No. 20-2443, “Granting a Rezoning from FR (Farm Residential) to DF (Development Flex) for 42 Acres located at 12801 and 12847 Lexington Avenue NE,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul 11.-4 GRANTING PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL TO SUBDIVIDE 42 ACRES INTO 97 SINGLE FAMILY LOTS AND 2 OUTLOTS TO BE KNOWN AS LEXINGTON COVE, LOCATED AT 12801 AND 12847 LEXINGTON AVENUE NE. LENNAR CORPORATION (CASE FILE NO. 19-0040/LSJ) Ms. Johnson stated Lennar is proposing to develop 42 acres into 97 single family lots and two outlots and the development will be known as Lexington Cove. The 97 single family lots have a minimum lot width of 60 feet, which is consistent with the size of the lots in this area. The outlots will be used for storm water ponding and wetlands. The plat will be accessed with a connection to Lexington Avenue. There are three street stubs in the plat that will extend to future development to the east, north and south. There is a proposed sidewalk located around Lots 29-45 and on the south side of Street A and Street D. There is no trail/sidewalk connection to Lexington Avenue because a trail is not provided on the east side of Lexington Avenue. Moved by Councilmember Garvais, seconded by Councilmember Jeppson, that Resolution No. 20-15, “Granting Preliminary Plat Approval to Subdivide 42 Acres into 97 Single Family Lots and 2 Outlots to be known as Lexington Cove located at 12801 and 12847 Lexington Avenue NE,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. City of Blaine Page 6 City Council Minutes January 22, 2020 Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul 11.-5 GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 97 SINGLE FAMILY LOTS AND 2 OUTLOTS IN A DF (DEVELOPMENT FLEX) ZONING DISTRICT, LOCATED AT 12801 AND 12847 LEXINGTON AVENUE NE. LENNAR CORPORATION (LEXINGTON COVE) (CASE FILE NO. 19-0040/LSJ) Ms. Johnson stated the conditional use permit is necessary to set up the standards of development in the DF (Development Flex) zoning district. This is consistent with every DF zoning district within the city. All setbacks are listed within the proposed resolution for approval. Also included in the resolution are house size standards, exterior material standards and landscaping requirements. She requested Condition 16 be added under Standards to read: All homes need to meet noise abatement standards as required and outlined in Section 33.22 of the Zoning Ordinance. Moved by Mayor Ryan, seconded by Councilmember Paul, that Resolution No. 20-16, “Granting a Conditional Use Permit to Allow for the Construction of 97 Single Family Lots and 2 Outlots in a DF (Development Flex) Zoning District located at 12801 and 12847 Lexington Avenue NE,” be approved as amended. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul 12. ADMINISTRATION 12.-1 CONSIDERATION FOR CROSSWALK AT HARPERS STREET AND 132ND AVENUE Attachments: Map Mr. Schluender stated a resident has requested the installation of a crosswalk with pedestrian ramps on the east side of Harpers Street at the intersection of Harpers Street and 131st Avenue/132nd Avenue. The resident has stated that there are many residents crossing the street without using the existing crosswalk on the west side of Harpers Street to get to their private neighborhood pool/clubhouse. The design of the trail and sidewalk system in this location was to accommodate the future growth of the trail and sidewalk system and the projected vehicular traffic that will be present on these streets upon complete buildout of this neighborhood and the surrounding areas. City of Blaine Page 7 City Council Minutes January 22, 2020 Mr. Schluender explained at these T-type intersections, we currently have had installed only one crossing on the uncontrolled legs. This specific intersection has compliant ADA pedestrian crossings on the Harpers Street leg and the 132nd Avenue leg (west of Harpers Street). This item was presented and discussed with the Traffic Commission at their meeting on November 6, 2019. The commission approved the addition of requested ramp and crossing on a 4-2 vote. Staff has estimated the cost to construct the pedestrian ramps and crossing at $8,500. It was noted staff does not support the request as the intersection is adequately served with compliant crosswalks and pedestrian ramps. Steve Peterson, 3162 131st Avenue NE, discussed his request for the crosswalk. He noted he moved to Blaine two years ago from Andover then explained his family visits the pool in his neighborhood frequently and stated pedestrian safety was extremely important to him. He reported pedestrian safety was also a growing concern for MnDOT and neighboring counties. He described the traffic conflicts that occur at Harpers Street and 132nd Avenue. He stated he would like a curb cut that was ADA accessible at this intersection in order to keep pedestrians crossing over to the pool safe. Councilmember Garvais stated he had discussed the crosswalk with Mr. Peterson. He understood the pool was heavily used by families with young children and for the minimal cost he supported the crosswalk installation. He recommended the project be placed on the five year capital improvement plan in order for the City to set aside funding for the expense. Councilmember Robertson thanked Mr. Peterson for his presentation then noted a crosswalk was not always the best safety measure as there were other components such as stop signs and drivers awareness. She said it was her hope residents and visitors understood the importance of driving safely near the pool/community room and said she supported the small compromise given the growth that will occur in this neighborhood. Councilmember Jeppson explained she supported the installation of the requested crosswalk as well. She reported the expense was very reasonable and for this reason should go forward. Councilmember Paul supported the crosswalk as well and would like to see this installed prior to the summer. Moved by Councilmember Robertson, seconded by Councilmember Jeppson, that Motion 20-21, “Consideration for Crosswalk at Harpers Street and 132nd Avenue,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. City of Blaine Page 8 City Council Minutes January 22, 2020 Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul 12.-2 CAMERA TRAILER Police Chief Podany stated as part of the adopted 2020 Capital Budget, Council appropriated funding for certain pieces of equipment in the Capital Equipment Plan. Pursuant to the City Charter, Sec. 6.05, staff is now requesting Council approve for the purchase of the Camera Trailer listed below. To recall, a presentation was given at a workshop where this unit can/will be deployed at various events and sites where the Police Department can have live viewing and recording capabilities for a variety of security issues. He commented further on the proposed price for the camera trailer unit and recommended approval. Councilmember Paul asked where the trailer would be utilized. Police Chief Podany explained the trailer would be used at the golf tournament, the USA CUP and soccer opening ceremonies, and the Patriot Ride. He reported the trailer could also be used for onsite specific missions as well. Moved by Councilmember Robertson, seconded by Councilmember Garvais, that Motion 20-22, “2020 Capital Equipment Purchases from Mobile Pro Systems, equipment and related setup costs in the amount of $84,452.00,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul 13. OTHER BUSINESS Councilmember Jeppson described the point-in-time homelessness count that would occur later this evening in Blaine as requested by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She discussed the efforts that would occur by herself, County representatives, the Blaine Police Department and other donors from 9:00 p.m. through 1:00 a.m. in order to count homeless individuals in Blaine and thanked all those who were helping with this initiative. Councilmember Paul requested further information regarding the count. Police Chief Podany explained his officers would be doing a count while also trying to connect individuals with services. Mayor Ryan thanked all who participated with the Legislative Transportation Committee meeting last week. He appreciated the fact local law enforcement was present at this meeting. City of Blaine Page 9 City Council Minutes January 22, 2020 14. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councilmember Robertson, seconded by Councilmember Jeppson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Robertson and Councilmember Paul City of Blaine Page 10