City Council Workshop

10801 Town Square Drive City of Blaine Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Meeting Minutes 3 City Council Workshop *While this is a public meeting where interested persons are welcome to attend, it is a work session for Council and staff to discuss issues before them. It is not for the purpose of receiving public input. Thursday, March 19, 2015 6:30 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:30 p.m. 2 Roll Call Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Clark Arneson; City Attorney Patrick Sweeney; Planning and Community Development Director Bryan Schafer; Public Services Manager Bob Therres; Finance Director Joe Huss; Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Chris Olson; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Senior Engineering Technician Al Thorp; Deputy City Clerk Catherine Ekstrand; and Recording Secretary Linda Dahlquist. Present: 7 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Clark, Councilmember Bourke, Councilmember Herbst, and Councilmember King 3 New Business 3-1 WS 15-13 RAISING CHICKENS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS Planning and Community Development Director Schafer stated Blaine’s ordinance states domestic farm animals (cattle, horses, sheep, goats and chickens) are only permitted in Agricultural (AG) and Farm Residential (FR) zoning. He gave an overview of public concerns, which include noise, disease, waste, and predators. He noted that more cities do not allow chickens than ones that do allow chickens. He stated if chickens are allowed staff suggests limiting to up to four hens and no roosters should be are allowed. He stated the City can require a structure be built to house the chickens and also provide a fenced area to contain the chickens to the residents’ yard. He noted some neighborhoods may already have covenants against domestic farm animals. He stated staff will develop standards/requirements for the City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes 3 March 19, 2015 Council’s review and approval. He noted staff is not recommending the City require permit or licensing. Councilmember Hovland agrees with having standards/requirements and not having permits or licenses. Councilmember Bourke asked if the staff will need to count chickens. Planning and Community Development Director Schafer replied only when there is a complaint and then Code Enforcement will investigate. Councilmember King stated he is in favor of allowing three to four chickens in residential zoning. Councilmember Swanson commented residents will need approval from their associations. Councilmember Bourke commented approval from neighbors should be sought as well. Councilmember Clark requested staff draft an ordinance and have Planning Commission review. Planning Director Schafer stated an ordinance could be ready by the end of summer. Discussed OTHER BUSINESS Community Center Task Force Public Services Manager Therres stated the Community Center Task Force has been working on a residential survey. Councilmember Herbst suggested an additional statement be included on the survey to cover ongoing operating costs. Todd Olson, Community Center Task Force Chair, stated currently it is unknown if a fitness center will be an amenity of the facility, so memberships to the facility is unknown. Councilmember King asked about the Funding Options for the Facilities Construction segment of the survey and questioned the dollar range per household per year for $75 or more per household could go higher than $100. Mr. Olson replied the numbers were based on building a $15-25 million dollar facility depending on the home valuations. City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes 3 March 19, 2015 Councilmember Clark stated the survey results he would like to see is if the residents have an issue with the cost to build or pay to use the building. He suggested modifying question G to be the cost to use the amenities with a monthly membership and add question H to be what if the facility requires an operating subsidy. He noted there is a cost to build, cost to use and cost to subsidize the facility. Council discussion on residential support if the facility could get partnership support. Mayor Ryan stated if the residents’ responses to the survey are favorable, a location will need to be determined. Mr. Olson stated the survey will be mailed out next week. Discussed ADJOURN The Workshop adjourned at 7:15 p.m. City of Blaine Page 3