City Council

MAHTOMEDI CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2017 Mayor Jud Marshall convened the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. with Council members Timothy Deans, Joel Schilling, Richard Brainerd and Lael Ramaley in attendance. City Administrator Scott Neilson, City Attorney Jay Karlovich, Public Works Director Bob Goebel, City Engineers John Sachi, Meghan Litsey and Jason Amberg and City Clerk Mary Solie were also in attendance. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AGENDA Council member Brainerd moved and Council member Deans seconded the motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Council member Ramaley moved and Council member Schilling seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. 4. PRESENTATIONS 4a. Arbor Day/Month Proclamation In 2009, the City filed an application to become a Tree City U.S.A. Currently 140 cities in Minnesota hold this designation. The requirements consist of the City establishing a tree board or department, approving an ordinance on tree care, establishing a tree budget of at least $2.00 per resident, and planning an annual Arbor Day celebration. The City has fulfilled all the requirements of this designation and is requesting approval of a proclamation proclaiming April 28th, 2017, to be Arbor Day and the month of May 2017 to be Arbor Month in Mahtomedi. 5. DISCUSSION FROM THE AUDIENCE There was no discussion from the audience. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Council member Ramaley moved and Council member Brainerd seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. a. APPROVAL-Resolution Designating Polling Locations for the 2018 Elections. Due to recent changes in the Minnesota Legislature, it is now required to designate precinct polling locations for the following year. The Resolution was approved. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -2- NOVEMBER 21, 2017 6. CONSENT AGENDA-Continued. b. APPROVAL-Stormwater Ponding Improvement Project Agreement at Wildwood Apartments. The Stormwater Ponding Improvement Project Agreement with the developer of the Wildwood Apartments was approved. The developer agrees to complete the project with the intent of improving stormwater ponding. The City shall fund 50% of the project in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS-None 7a. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPP) Meghan Litsey of WSB and Associates provided an update on current requirements and activities relating to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency with new permit language that became effective in 2006 and gave an overview of the permit process. She said there are six control measures for the permit. 1. Public education and outreach 2. Public participation and involvement 3. Illicit discharge detection and elimination 4. Construction site stormwater runoff control 5. Post Construction stormwater management 6. Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations Engineer Litsey said the City has done the following: • Implemented IDDE inspection and recordkeeping procedures • Stormwater related articles in the City’s newsletter and website • Regular site inspections completed by White Bear Lake Building Officials • Completed 75% Outfall and Pond inspections • Televising sewer lines-one quarter per year • Street Sweeping 4-5 times per year • Anti-icing program: no sand • Completed 100% Structural Pollution Control Device BMP inspections • 4 NPDES construction permits issued in 2016 • 3 plan review completed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Waste Load Allocation’s (WLA) to Mahtomedi’s MS4 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -3- NOVEMBER 21, 2017 7a. Continued. • TMDL identifies specific contributors and assigns load reductions per impaired waterbody. Enforced through MS4 permit condition for MS4’s with assigned Waste Load Allocations • MS4’s progress in meeting WLA is reported in each annual report • 2013 MS4 permit: Lake St. Croix Excess Nutrients (2030 Target Date) • 0.338 lbs./acre/year TP load reduction over the regulated MS4 • How does Mahtomedi achieve the WLA? -Increased street sweeping, identify and install BMP’s (raingardens) through street recon projects and other opportunities Additional information may be found on MPCA’s, Rice Creek Watershed District, Valley Branch Watershed District and the White Bear Lake Conservation District’s websites. Mayor Marshall opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. There was no public comment and the public hearing was closed. Council member Schilling suggested the City amend their SWPPP to have this hearing at the annual Rite of Spring event. He thought there may be better public participation and get more input from residents. Staff will discuss this with the Environmental Commission to look into holding this at the Rite of Spring. 8. STAFF REPORTS 8a. CONSIDER APPROVAL – Resolution Receiving Feasibility Study Recommendations of the Consulting Engineer, Calling for a Public Improvement Hearing Concerning Quail Street Utility Extension, and Authorizing the Preparation of Plans and Specifications Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 429.031, Subd. 1(e). At the June 9, 2017 meeting, the City received a petition for the extension of public utilities to the properties located at: 1610 Briarwood Avenue, 1651 Briarwood Avenue, and 231 Quail Street. The owners of three other properties later expressed interest in being part of the petition. These properties are located at 222 Quail Street, 251 Quail Street, and 265 Laurel Road. At the July 18, 2017 meeting, the City Council passed a motion calling for the City’s Consultant City Engineer to prepare a feasibility study for the Quail Street Utility Extension, which includes the following roadways: CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -4- NOVEMBER 21, 2017 8a. Continued. • Briarwood Avenue • Quail Street City Engineer John Sachi provided a brief review of this project as it was discussed in detail at the November 6, 2017 City Council meeting. It was brought back for discussion because the homeowner at 265 Laurel Road had asked to be included in the project after the original feasibility study had been completed. The sanitary sewer will be a gravity system which would connect to sanitary sewer on Tamarack Street. This option is now available due to recent upgrades at the Tamarack Lift Station and would include the ability to serve beyond the petitioned project area. Engineer Sachi said the watermain could connect at Streetcar Park and a potential connection at Warner Avenue. The Warner Avenue connection would provide redundancy (recommended but not required). The upgrade of Phase 4 Historic District will provide additional flow to meet the higher density requirements. Engineer Sachi said staff is recommending Option 2-the gravity system. The estimated cost is $582,300 with funding coming from the Watermain Utility Fund of $193,000, with special assessments estimated to be $389,300. Council member Brainerd moved and Council member Deans seconded the motion to approve Resolution No. 2017-37 Receiving Feasibility Study and Calling for a Public Hearing concerning the Quail Street Utility Extension. The motion was approved. 8b. DISCUSSION- Update on Lake Links Trail Design. Jason Amberg from WSB and Associates was present to provide an update on the Lake Links Trail Design. Mr. Amberg provided an overview of the preliminary design for the trail. He said there will be different options for various portions of the trail such as share the road, striped lanes and boardwalks for low areas. The proposed trail will run on the west side of Highway 244. The council had several questions regarding the placement of the trail. Why not on the east side of 244 and why not use trails that are already in place. Mr. Amberg said the idea is to separate walkers from bike riders as much as possible and on the east side of Highway 244, the right of way is less than on the west side. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -5- NOVEMBER 21, 2017 8b. Continued. Council member Schilling commented that this is a bad idea to put a new trail alongside a truck highway that’s beyond its useful life. Steve Wolgamot, chairman of the Lake Links Trail group, said they want to be ready when the legislature starts in February with costs in order to get the funding necessary for the trail. He said they will come back with a proposed final design along with costs. Administrator Neilson suggested holding an open house to receive public input and to show the proposed location of the trail. 8c. DISCUSSION-Crosswalk at Highway 244 and Wedgewood Drive. Engineer John Sachi discussed crosswalk options at Highway 244 and Wedgewood Drive. He said some options are to modify or relocate the existing crossing, install a rectangular rapid flashing beacon or some other pedestrian signal system. He said the existing crosswalk location is too long (75ft) for safe pedestrian crossing, along with poor sight lines for west bound traffic. He said a better location would be midway in the block. The crossing would be shorter (50ft) and better sight lines in both directions. The crossing would be closer to Aldi’s and other businesses and the bus stop with better access from the senior housing and apartments in the area. Engineer Sachi proposed an overhead rectangular rapid flashing beacon with a mast going across Highway 244 that would have the flashing beacons on. The cost would be around $100,000. This has been discussed with MnDOT but no approvals have been given or discussion of possible cost sharing. There may be Municipal State Aid funding available. There was general council consensus to find a way to make this project work. 8d. CONSIDER APPROVAL-Bill List Council member Ramaley 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 a planning session will be scheduled for the council sometime the end of February or early March. The newsletter will become bi-monthly beginning in January of 2018. The Parks Commission is finalizing the Park Plan and the Comprehensive Plan is finalized and will be ready for council review soon. He reminded CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -6- NOVEMBER 21, 2017 9. Continued. everyone about the open house on December 5th for Council members Ramaley and Schilling. 10. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL Council member Schilling commented about new stops signs in the City of Willernie. He also said he had been at an event at Coventry Place and said he learned a lot about meeting the housing needs of the aging population. 11. CLOSED SESSION – None Scheduled 12. ADJOURNMENT Council member Ramaley moved and Council member Schilling seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m. The motion was unanimously approved. ATTESTED: APPROVED: ___________________________ ___________________________ MARY SOLIE, CITY CLERK JUD MARSHALL, MAYOR