City Council

MAHTOMEDI CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 2, 2016 Mayor Jud Marshall convened the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. with Council members Timothy Deans, Joel Schilling and Richard Brainerd in attendance Council member Lael Ramaley was absent with prior notice. City Administrator Scott Neilson, City Attorney Jay Karlovich, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Finance Director Scott Schaefer and City Clerk Mary Solie were also in attendance. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AGENDA Item 6m. Approval-Residual Equity Transfers for 2015 was added to the Consent Agenda. Council member Deans moved and Council member Brainerd seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was unanimously approved. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Council member Schilling moved and Council member Deans seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. 4. PRESENTATIONS 4a. Brian Mueller, Washington County Sheriff’s Office Commander Brian Mueller from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was present to update the Council. He said they are interested in having a substation at the Mahtomedi Public Works garage. He said the County would pay for the materials for the office space and estimates the cost to be around $5,000. He said the patrol officers would be able to start and end their shifts in Mahtomedi, instead of coming from Stillwater, and be able to pick up the patrol car at the garage. There would be space made available to keep the patrol car inside along with locker space for the deputies. He thanked the City for their cooperation in proving the space for the substation. Commander Mueller said they are pleased to have an agreement with the Mahtomedi School District to once again have a school liaison officer in the school. The past few years the School has used private security in the school. Sargent Brad Marquart, provided an overview of the statistics for Mahtomedi. The overall citations issued in 2015 were down from 2014. The officers also provided information on preventing identity theft and said feel free to call the Sheriff’s Office anytime they feel or see something is not right. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -2- MARCH 2, 2016 5. DISCUSSION FROM THE AUDIENCE Steve Wolgamot was present to talk about a biking and walking brochure he put together. It shows various trails and connections for people to get around the City of Mahtomedi without going on some of the busier streets like Highway 244. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Item 6m. Approval-Residual Equity Transfers for 2015 was added to the Consent Agenda. Council member Brainerd moved and Council member Schilling seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. The motion was unanimously approved. a. APPROVAL-Request from St. Jude of the Lake Church, 700 Mahtomedi Avenue, to and sell beer and wine at the Lenten Fish Bake Dinner on Friday, March 4, 2016 St. Jude of the Lake Church, 700 Mahtomedi Avenue, receiveed Council permission to sell wine and beer at the Lenten Fish Bake Dinner on Friday, March 4, 2016. b. APPROVAL-Permission to Advertise for Seasonal Workers. Public Works requested and received Council approval to advertise for up to 3 public works seasonal employees. c. APPROVAL-Resolution Supporting the Petition from Valley Branch Watershed District to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, Requesting a Boundary Change for the Transfer of Territory Between It and Its Adjacent Watershed Management Organizations. The City received a joint letter from the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District and the Valley Branch Watershed District dated February 10, 2016 requesting a statement by the City of Mahtomedi agreeing to a proposed territory transfer and boundary change. Legal boundaries for Watershed Districts must follow property boundaries, but should also match hydrological boundaries to the extent possible. The City Engineer reviewed the updated boundaries and recommended the change. A Resolution supporting this update was approved. d. APPROVAL-Historic District Phase 2 Easements. The Phase 2 – Historic District Improvement Project proposes roadway and drainage improvements between Iris Street and Dahlia Street in the Historic District of Mahtomedi. An easement will allow the City to complete storm sewer improvements to CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -3- MARCH 2, 2016 6. CONSENT AGENDA-Continued. the outlet of a low area between Elm Street and Fir Street. A permanent drainage and utility easement and temporary construction easements for the Phase 2 – Historic District Improvements was approved. e. APPROVAL-Receive Bids and Award Contract for Phase 2 – Historic District Improvements. Bids were received for Phase 2 – Historic District Improvements on Thursday, February 4, 2016. Three bids were received. Staff recommended to award the Base Bid plus Alternate 1 to the low bidder, T.A. Schifsky and Sons, Inc. with a total bid amount of $2,897,657.90 (Base Bid plus Alternate 1). The City Council approved to award a contract to T.A. Schifsky in the amount of $2,897,657.90. f. APPROVAL-Authorize the Preparation of Plans and Specs and Advertise for Bids for Phase 1 – Katherine Abbott Park Improvements. The Phase 1 – Katherine Abbott Park Improvements are programmed in the City’s CIP for completion in 2016. Phase 1 improvements include: removal of one existing staircase and vegetation as necessary for trail implementation, related erosion control and earthwork operations, trail and boardwalk construction. The Council authorized the preparation of plans and specifications and to advertise for bids. g. APPROVAL-Resolution Accepting Donation from White Bear Lake Rotary. A Resolution Accepting a $5,000 donation from the White Bear Lake Rotary for the Veteran’s Memorial Triangle Park Project was approved. h. APPROVAL-Schedule City Council Work Session to Interview Advisory Commission Applicants for March 15, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. A City Council Work Session was scheduled for March 15, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. to Interview Advisory Commission Applicants. i. APPROVAL-Purchase of Lower Level Air Conditioner for Fire Station. As part of much needed maintenance for the Fire Station, the upper air conditioning was replaced last year. The City received two quotes to replace the lower level air conditioning. The low quote is $29,340.00 from Yale Mechanical. The City Council recommended to award a contract to Yale Mechanical in the amount of $29,340.00. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -4- MARCH 2, 2016 6. CONSENT AGENDA-Continued. j. APPROVAL-Purchase of AeraVator Seeder for Public Works Department. Public Works requested Council approval for the purchase of new AeraVator Seeder to seed City athletic fields and parks. The City received two quotes. The low quote is from Wahl’s Enterprises of Lakeville, MN in the amount $13,000.00. The Council awarded the quote from Wahl’s Enterprises in the amount of $13,000.00. k. APPROVAL-Lease Agreement for Firefighter Housing at 198 Hallam Avenue. A Lease Agreement with Paid-On Call Firefighter Molly Speltz for 198 Hallam Avenue was approved. l. APPROVAL-Disposition of Fire Department Surplus Items. The Fire Department requested Council approval for the disposition of the 2002 SCBA brackets that have been replaced by the 2015 SCBA units that were purchased with FEMA grant money. City Council approval was given to declare the units surplus and to donate them to the Aitkin Fire Department. m. APPROVAL-Residual Equity Transfers for 2015.-added The following are residual equity transfers for 2015 were approved. The transfer for the 2006A & 2006B GO Improvement bonds funds is a result of the refunding of those issues. The transfer for the 2007B GO Equipment Certificate fund is for the closing of the fund to the closed bond fund. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS-None 8. STAFF REPORTS 8a. DISCUSSION-White Bear Lake Augmentation Proposal. Mahtomedi Representatives Gene Alstatt and Mark Genz of the White Bear Lake Conservation District along with Harry Melander from the Met Council and Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt were present to discuss the White Bear Lake Augmentation Proposal. Mr. Genz, said the Conservation District has agreed to become the fiscal agent for the bonding money should it become available for the augmentation proposal. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -5- MARCH 2, 2016 8a. Continued. Mr. Alstatt said the decision to become the fiscal agent wasn’t an easy one. He said a decision needed to be made before the legislators would introduce the bill and several meetings held to determine what role the Conservation District Board would be. He said there is no guarantee for bonding money and if the state feels like the Conservation District can’t handle the project, they won’t get the money. Mr. Harry Melander, Met Council Representative and Friends of White Bear Lake Chairman, said they are not here tonight asking for firm commitments, but looking for a chance to continue the conversation and not to say no to the project. The resolution of support is not binding but just shows the willingness of the council to continue the discussion. He said if any of the communities involved say no, it becomes harder to sustain the interest of the legislators. He said the costs associated with the augmentation are anywhere from $20 to $57 million. Ramsey County Commissioner Reinhardt, was asked about the County’s role in the proposed project. She said the County will work with the Conservation District on building the pipeline on county right of way. She was also asked why Ramsey County is not the fiscal agent. She said being the fiscal agent is not part of the County’s core mission as they do not have control over local water. Mr. Melander said he understands there are lot of questions around the idea of augmentation and is just asking for council support in the form of a resolution and continuing to study the whole water issue and not just the augmentation of White Bear Lake. Council member Schilling said he could support the idea of supporting the augmentation, but the resolution should include the word aquifer and not just augmenting the lake. He said this is a regional issue not just a local one. He also suggested the Conservation District look into becoming a Lake Improvement District too. Council member Deans asked why the Conservation District wants to become the fiscal agent. Mr. Melander said they are made up of several communities with representatives from each of them. Council member Brainerd said he has concerns about the Conservation District being the fiscal agent and why not the Met Council as they are a regional body. Mr. Melander said the Met Council is not allowed by State Statute to do it. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -6- MARCH 2, 2016 8a. Continued. Council member Brainerd said he supports the idea of a resolution but still has a lot of concerns. He doesn’t want the city left with a huge tax bill and wants several caveats included in the resolution. There was general consensus to bring back a resolution of support for the next council meeting. 8b. CONSIDER APPROVAL-Plans and Specifications and Authorize Bidding of the Hamline Lake Streetcar Trail Improvements. City Engineer Jay Kennedy said the Hamline Lake Streetcar Trail Improvements Project proposes to construct a 10-foot bituminous trail between Briarwood Avenue and the existing streetcar trail at Maple Street. The proposed trail alignment includes a pedestrian crossing at the Tamarack Street/Quail Street intersection and connection to the existing trail in the Streetcar Trail Park. Potential connections to the proposed trail from the west side of Mahtomedi Avenue have also been reviewed. Based on preliminary discussions with MnDOT we believe that a crosswalk can be permitted at the intersection with Mahtomedi Avenue/Neptune Street. In addition a sidewalk could be constructed between Maple Street and Neptune Street contingent upon determining who owns the right of way in the area. Council member Deans asked how wide the trail and sidewalk will be. Engineer Kennedy said the trail is 10 feet and the sidewalk is 5 feet. Council member Brainerd moved to approve the plans and specifications and authorize the advertisement for bids for the Hamline Streetcar Trail Improvements along with the sidewalk contingent upon finding out where the right of way is located along Highway 244. The motion was approved. 8c. CONSIDER APPROVAL-Bill List Council member Deans moved and Council member Schilling seconded the motion to approve the bills as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. 9. REPORT FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR Administrator Neilson said the Piccadilly Square building is on schedule, with anterior walls going up. He said the aerial deer survey was recently completed and said the number of deer are down from last year. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -7- MARCH 2, 2016 10. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL There were no comments from the Council. 11. CLOSED SESSION – None Scheduled 12. ADJOURNMENT Council member Schilling moved and Council member Deans seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. The motion was unanimously approved. ATTESTED: APPROVED: ___________________________ ___________________________ MARY SOLIE, CITY CLERK JUD MARSHALL, MAYOR