City Council

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes City Council The council chambers will have limited seating, with audience chairs being set up at least six feet apart. There will be an overflow area where the meeting can be watched in the Cloverleaf Farms Room, also with chairs set up at least six feet apart. Monday, October 18, 2021 7:30 PM Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR The meeting was called to order at 7:42PM by Mayor Sanders followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor Tim Sanders, Councilmembers Wes Hovland, Chris Massoglia, Richard Paul, Jess Robertson and Jason Smith. Adjunct Member Drew Brown. ABSENT: Councilmember Julie Jeppson. Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michelle Wolfe; Community Development Director Erik Thorvig; Public Works Director Jon Haukaas; Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Brian Podany; Finance Director Joe Huss; City Engineer Dan Schluender; City Attorney Chris Nelson; Communications Manager Ben Hayle; Administrative Assistant Pat Robinson; and City Clerk Catherine Sorensen. Present: 6 - Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, Councilmember Massoglia, Councilmember Smith and Mayor Sanders Absent: 1 - Councilmember Jeppson 4. AWARDS - PRESENTATIONS - ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS 4.-1 ThankFall Fest Donation, Alexandra House Communications Manager Hayle stated from September 27 to October 1 the inaugural ThankFall Fest was held for City of Blaine employees. City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Minutes October 18, 2021 ThankFall Fest was designed to be a week of special employee engagement events and an opportunity to give back to the community. With the help of several Blaine businesses, employees were able to enjoy meals together, wellness events, and fellowship. Through these events and more, including a silent auction, employees were invited to participate in fundraising for Alexandra House. Blaine employees were incredibly generous and went above and beyond in their giving. Additionally, school supplies were collected for the city’s three school districts. Mr. Hayle thanked the committee members who created ThankFall Fest and all employees for their generosity in supporting the community then presented Alexandra House with a donation. City Manager Wolfe thanked Mr. Hayle, Pat Robinson and the other committee members for their tremendous efforts to jump start the culture at Blaine City Hall and for turning this event into a way for staff to give back to the community. She stated she was very proud to be a member of this staff team. Heidi Kopischke and Connie Moore, Alexandra House, thanked staff for their time and generosity and accepted staff’s donation in the amount of $2,500 that was raised during ThankFall Fest. Mayor Sanders thanked Alexandra House for their dedicated service to the community. He also thanked staff for leading this initiative and for their tremendous generosity. Councilmember Hovland stated he was very proud of city staff and challenged the local businesses to hold similar events in order to support the charitable organizations within Blaine. Informational: no action required 4.-2 2021 Third Quarter Donations Attachments: 3Q Donations Finance Director Huss stated council is asked to formally accept donations made in the third quarter. Moved by Councilmember Hovland, seconded by Councilmember Robertson, that Resolution No. 21-199, “2021 Third Quarter Donations,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, Councilmember Massoglia, Councilmember Smith and Mayor Sanders 5. COMMUNICATIONS Councilmember Hovland encouraged residents in the community to be City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Minutes October 18, 2021 conscience and aware of the upcoming hunting seasons. 6. OPEN FORUM Mayor Sanders opened the Open Forum at 7:55PM. Jane Conley, 9935 Washington Street NE, shared concerns she had regarding the potential of an ordinance that would restrict the parking of recreational vehicles in residential driveways. She explained her neighbor has been contacting the city to complain about her recreational vehicle parked in her driveway and asked for clarification on the city’s ordinance. Jo Clark, resident of Blaine, questioned the likelihood city council would amend city code regarding the parking of recreational vehicles in residential driveways and asked that the city not put an ordinance in place based on the complaints of one resident. Councilmember Hovland explained the council does have the power to change and modify ordinances if an issue was large enough in the city. He reported some study would have to be done on the matter to see if there was an issue that has to be addressed. Mayor Sanders commented further on the public notification process that would be followed if the city were to pursue an ordinance regarding the parking of recreational vehicles and requested Police Chief Podany connect with Ms. Conley regarding this matter. There being no further input, Mayor Sanders closed the Open Forum at 8:03PM. 7. ADOPTION OF AGENDA The agenda was adopted as presented. 8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember Hovland requested the removal of agenda item 8.3. Moved by Councilmember Robertson, seconded by Councilmember Massoglia, that the following be approved: Motion adopted unanimously. 8.-1 Schedule of Bills Paid City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Minutes October 18, 2021 Attachments: September 2021 P/R Checks and Wire Transfers October 1, 2021 Bills Paid October 1, 2021 Subset of Bills Paid October 8, 2021 Bills Paid October 8, 2021 Subset of Bills Paid Approved 8.-2 Approval of Minutes Attachments: 10-04-21 Workshop Minutes 10-04-21 Council Minutes 10-11-21 Closed Workshop - Pending Litigation Discussion Approved 8.-4 Approve Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County to Allocate Costs for Election Expenses Attachments: Joint Powers Agreement - Anoka County Election Expenses - 2021 Approved 8.-5 Annual Polling Place Designations Attachments: Voting Precincts Map Adopted 8.-6 Wetland Credit Sale (1.3866 Acres) Adopted 8.-7 Granting Final Plat Approval to Subdivide 39.24 Acres into Three Lots and Two Outlots to Be Known as Blaine Hy Vee Located at 370 125th Avenue NE. (Case File No. 21-0069/SLK) Attachments: Attachments Adopted 8.-3 Authorize Distribution of Bicycles to Bikes4Kids Councilmember Hovland asked for further information regarding this program. Safety Services Manager/Police Chief Podany described how the Bikes4Kids program works noting unclaimed bikes are repaired then donated to youth in the community. Moved by Councilmember Hovland, seconded by Mayor Sanders, that Motion City of Blaine Page 4 City Council Minutes October 18, 2021 21-145, “Authorize Distribution of Bicycles to Bikes4Kids,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, Councilmember Massoglia, Councilmember Smith and Mayor Sanders 9. 7:30 P.M. - PUBLIC HEARING AND ITEMS PUBLISHED FOR A CERTAIN TIME None. 10. DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS 10.-1 Second Reading Granting a Rezoning from PBD (Planned Business District) to I-1 (Light Industrial) for the Land Being Proposed to be Added to the Parcels with Existing Buildings on Lots 1 and 2 Block 1 at 104th Lane and Flanders Street NE. The Blaine Back 40 (Aerojet LLC) (Case File No. 21-0026/SLK) Attachments: Attachments Unapproved PC Minutes 091421 Community Development Director Thorvig stated the applicant, Aerojet, LLC, is proposing to plat three parcels into four lots and one outlot. The proposed plat would allow the construction of two new office/manufacturing/warehouse buildings (site plan approval required) and increase the lot sizes (Lot 1 Block 2 and Lot 3 Block 1) for two existing lots that front on 104th Lane NE on the south. The northern 40 acre parcel is currently zoned PBD (Planned Business District) which requires an office/manufacturing use with limited warehousing. The applicant would like to rezone the property just north of his two existing buildings that front 104th Lane NE from PBD (Planned Business District) to I-1 (Light Industrial) to allow for the future expansion of the existing buildings. The remainder of the 40-acre parcel will remain at the PBD zoning (Lot 3 Block 1 and Lot 1 Block 2). The I-1 and PBD zoning does not permit any outside storage on site. Moved by Councilmember Hovland, seconded by Councilmember Smith, that Ordinance No. 21-2484, “Granting a Rezoning from PBD (Planned Business District) to I-1 (Light Industrial) for the Land Being Proposed to be Added to the Parcels with Existing Buildings on Lots 1 and 2 Block 1 at 104th Lane and Flanders Street NE,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, Councilmember Massoglia, Councilmember Smith and Mayor Sanders 10.-2 Granting a Preliminary Plat to Subdivide 46.26 acres into Four (4) City of Blaine Page 5 City Council Minutes October 18, 2021 Lots and One Outlot to be Known as The Blaine Back 40 at 104th Lane & Flanders Street NE. Aerojet LLC. (Case File No. 21-0026/SLK) Attachments: Attachments Unapproved PC Minutes 091421 Mr. Thorvig stated the proposed plat creates four lots for two future building additions and the construction of two new buildings. The plat also has one outlot for existing wetlands. Moved by Councilmember Hovland, seconded by Councilmember Smith, that Resolution No. 21-203, “Granting a Preliminary Plat to Subdivide 46.26 Acres into Four (4) Lots and One Outlot to be known as The Blaine Back 40 at 104th Lane & Flanders Street NE,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, Councilmember Massoglia, Councilmember Smith and Mayor Sanders 11. ADMINISTRATION 11.-1 Approve Purchase and Installation of Improvements to Lift Stations 17, 20, 21, 22, 26, and 27 Public Works Director Haukaas stated staff has been in the process of upgrading older lift stations as the pumps and motors wear out. These improvements are included in annual Capital Improvement Program budgets. This action approves the purchase and installation of improvements to six different lift stations by electric pump for an estimated amount of $345,476.75 plus a requested 10% contingency to allow for unanticipated issues during the projects. Councilmember Hovland questioned how many lift stations the city had currently. Mr. Haukaas reported the city had 31 lift stations. Moved by Councilmember Hovland, seconded by Councilmember Massoglia, that Resolution 21-204, “Approve Purchase and Installation of Improvements to Lift Stations 17, 20, 21, 22, 26 and 27,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, Councilmember Massoglia, Councilmember Smith and Mayor Sanders 11.-2 Accept Quote from Ritter and Ritter, Inc. in the amount of $52,959.00 for the Town Square Stormwater Rehabilitation, Improvement Project No. 21-50 Attachments: 6.9.2021_ Town Square Review Memo City of Blaine Page 6 City Council Minutes October 18, 2021 City Engineer Schluender stated this project was identified in the 2021 Storm Water Utility Fund as a Capital Budget item. A consultant was hired to review the condition of the existing trunk storm sewer line that crosses under the city hall parking lot to determine what has been causing the settlements. The results of the study recommended grouting all of the joints in the trunk storm sewer line. A plan was put together and sent out to obtain quotes. Staff noted two quotations were received on September 28, 2021, Ritter & Ritter for $52,959.00 and American Environmental for $132,624.00. The Engineer’s estimate for the project was $65,756. It was noted the Engineering Department has worked with Ritter and Ritter, Inc. on previous contracts. Staff recommends the low quote be accepted and a contract entered into with Ritter and Ritter, Inc. City Council is also asked to approve a 10% contingency to bring the total project budget to $58,255. The funding source for this project is the Storm Water Maintenance Fund and there are sufficient funds to cover these costs. Councilmember Hovland questioned if the soils have to be corrected. Mr. Schluender explained the four joints that were bad have been patched and noted these joints would now be grouted. Moved by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Hovland, that Resolution 21-205, “Accept Quotes from Ritter and Ritter, Inc. in the amount of $52,959 for the Town Square Stormwater Rehabilitation,” be approved. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, Councilmember Massoglia, Councilmember Smith and Mayor Sanders 12. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Wolfe updated the council on the future parking lot improvements that would occur at city hall which included lighting, security cameras and tree trimming. She reported the Rice Creek Watershed District Board had a vacancy at this time and noted staff would be communicating with council further regarding this matter in order to nominate a candidate. 13. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councilmember Robertson, seconded by Councilmember Hovland, to adjourn the meeting at 8:21PM. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, Councilmember Massoglia, Councilmember Smith and Mayor Sanders City of Blaine Page 7