City Council Workshop

10801 Town Square Drive City of Blaine Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final 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, September 3, 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; City Engineer Jean Keely; Financial Analyst Ward Brown; Stormwater Manager Jim Hafner; CSO Supervisor Joey Zuehlke; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Senior Engineering Technician Al Thorp; City Clerk Catherine Sorensen, 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 15-42 AERATION PUMPS IN CITY PONDS Stormwater Manager Hafner stated a local business owner, Corey Burstad of Brick’s, has asked City Council to consider allowing aeration pumps in City owned ponds, noting the City has denied previous requests from other business owners and residents. Stormwater Manager Hafner stated the City follows all state and federal laws on stormwater management. He stated non-compliance can result in fines per day and revocation of the MS4 Permit. He gave an overview of five reasons stormwater management is essential which are water quality impairment, reduces flooding incidences, increases groundwater recharge, reduces stream/ditch bank erosion, and ponds are most effective. He gave an overview of eight stormwater pond characteristics which City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final September 3, 2015 are 4-10 feet depth, captures nutrients/pollutants, cannot support fish, do not stratify, oxygen not an issue, no mosquito breeding, intended for function not aesthetics, and water levels fluctuate. Stormwater Manager Hafner stated City ordinance does not allow fountains in stormwater ponds. He noted the positives: fountains look nice, prevents stratification, controls mosquitoes and help aquatic fish. He noted the negatives which are stirs up bottom sediments, re-suspends nutrients and pollutants, counterproductive to water quality, does not control algae, little impact on mosquito life cycle, and increases maintenance. He summarized that fountains should not be used in stormwater ponds and the City needs consistent application of the ordinance. He noted some relief of algae can be obtained with non-herbicide biological products. Councilmember Herbst asked if the MS4 Permit states fountains cannot be used in stormwater ponds. Stormwater Manager Hafner replied it does not, that is left to the City to determine. Councilmember Hovland asked about sediment testing in ponds and if so, what pollutants are in the ponds. Stormwater Manager Hafner replied ponds have not been tested. He noted the ponds control phosphorus. He noted testing is available for heavy metals, PCB and PBH. He noted that test samples are $20 each. Councilmember Clark commented the business owner’s proposed pump pulls water 17 inches only from the top. Stormwater Manager Hafner replied the pump pulls water from the top and bottom of the pond as provided by the supplier’s website where the fountain was purchased. City Manager Arneson commented staff received two different answers from two different people. Councilmember Clark asked about a compromise for the summer months. City Manager Arneson replied an ordinance amendment could be created that would define the proper type of pump and suggested limiting hours of operation from 5:00-10:00 p.m. and only during the summer months. Councilmember Clark asked about other ponds with fountains in the City. Stormwater Manager Hafner replied those ponds could be private, but the pond being referred to at this property is a City stormwater pond. Councilmember Bourke asked if the land is owned by the restaurant. Stormwater Manager Hafner said it is but the pond is on an easement. Councilmember Swanson asked how the City can give approval to this pond and not other ponds. Stormwater Manager Hafner replied an independent pond that is not part of the stormwater system or a private pond would be different. City Manager Arneson noted the City has over 300 ponds. City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final September 3, 2015 City Manager Arneson stated staff will research fountains further and bring back information to the Council. Discussed 3-2 WS 15-43 PROPOSED CHANGES TO ANIMAL ORDINANCES Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Chris Olson stated staff is suggesting updates to the City’s animal ordinances and are considered housekeeping. He introduced CSO Supervisor Joey Zuehlke. CSO Supervisor Zuehlke stated the Animal Chapter of the City Code is outdated and difficult to enforce. She gave an overview of suggested changes to the rabies updates, animal control authority, potentially dangerous dogs’ registration, dangerous dogs, restraint and dogs in parks. CSO Supervisor Zuehlke gave an overview of two dog definitions which are dangerous dogs (inflicted harm, killed domestic animal, aggressively bites/attacks) and potentially dangerous dogs (unprovoked bites, chases/approaches, propensity/tendency/disposition to attack unprovoked). CSO Supervisor Zuehlke gave an overview of the suggested ordinance changes for potentially dangerous dog requirements which are proper enclosure, microchip, vaccination, photo, notice to property owner if rental, collar tag and State signage stating “Potentially Dangerous.” CSO Supervisor Zuehlke gave an overview of the definition of restraint which is the dog is under control and on a leash no longer than eight feet. Councilmember Hovland commented all dogs in the City are required to be licensed and suggested linking some of these requirements to licensing if possible. CSO Supervisor Zuehlke replied yes, licenses are for two years and the owner has to show proof of vaccination. Councilmember Swanson asked about a situation where a person is walking their dog and a runner or biker goes by the dog and the dog lurches and bites the runner/biker. CSO Supervisor Zuehlke replied that situation would be considered an unprovoked event because the dog was startled. Councilmember Swanson questioned if stating the length of the leash is necessary due to retractable leashes and asked for clarification. Councilmember Hovland asked if a tether in a person’s yard could be longer than eight feet. CSO Supervisor Zuehlke replied the tether can be longer in the owner’s yard. Discussed City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final September 3, 2015 ADJOURN The Workshop adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Adjourned City of Blaine Page 4