HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-03Hastings, Minnesota
December '15, 2003
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting
on Monday December 15, 2003 at 7:00 PM, in the City Hall Council Chambers at the
Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th, Street, Hastings, Minnesota.
Members Present:
Mayor Mike Werner, City Councilmembers Hazlet, Hicks
Moratzka, Riveness, and Yandrasits,
Councilmember Schultz arrived at 7:19 p.m.
Members Absent: None
Staff Members Present: City Administrator David Osberg;
Administrative Assistant/City Clerk Melanie Mesko Lee;
City Attorney Shawn Moynihan;
Planning Director John Hinzman;
Finance Director Lori Webster;
Public Works Director Montgomery;
Fire Chief Holmes;
Parks & Recreation Director McNamara
Approval of Minutes
Mayor Werner asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes
of the regular meeting of December 1, 2003. Hearing none, the minutes were
approved as presented.
Recognition of 2003 Employee Annual Service Awards
City Administrator Osberg and the City Council recognized the following employees
for years of service:
5 Years
10 Years
15 Years
20 Years
25 Years
30 Years
35 Years
Mary Cofer--Police
Jeff Elliott--Arena
Larry Evans--Police
Craig Puch--Police
Adeline Schroeder--Administration
Penne Schuldt--Fire
Tim Tessier--Parks
Valerie Scharre--Police
Mark Kreun--Police
Jim Heusser--Utilities
Mark Holmes--Fire
Ray Knoll, Jr.--Fire
Paul Mahoney--Streets
Steve Pederson--Engineering
Pat Orman--Streets
The employees in attendance received certificates of recognition from the City
Council and were thanked for their years of service.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December '15, 2003 Page 2 of 6
Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Yandrasits, seconded by Councilmember Riveness,
to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
6 Ayes; Nays, None.
1. Pay Bills As Audited
2. Approve 2004 Commercial Haulers License Renewals
3. Proclamation--2004 Arbor Day
4. Resolution--Declaring 2004 Official Newspaper
5. Renewal of 2004 Tobacco Licenses
6. Cross Country Skiing--Riverfront
7. Appoint Mark Vaughan to the NRRC
8. Pay Estimate #2--Pember Excavating for Civic Arena Fire Lane ($1,863.43)
9. Pay Estimate #4--Contractor's Edge for Riverwood/South Oaks ($245,208.82)
10. Pay Estimate #1--Ryan Contracting for Spiral Boulevard & 31st Street
Extension ($552,762.97)
11. Pay Estimate #8--A-1 Excavating for General Sieben Drive ($62,430.11)
12. Pay Estimate #1--Pember Excavating for TH 61 & 10th Street Intersection
($86,155.59)
13. Downtown Redevelopment Project
14. Authorize Assessment Agreement for Gas Line Relocation in Vacated Right of
Way--711 West 13th Street
15. 2004 Dispatch Service Agreement
16. Item was removed from agenda
17. Development Agreement--Dakota Summit 2nd Addition
18. Development Agreement--Riverwood 8th Addition
19. Resolution--Minor Modification - Final Plat #2003-69 - Glendale Heights 2nd
Addition
20. Order Public Hearing--Vacation of Easement #2003-82: Riverwood 7th
Addition, Block 3
21. Approve Fire Department Tanker Truck Specifications & Authorize Receipt of
Bids
22. 2003 Budget Adjustments
23. Authorization for Account Receivable Write-Off
24. Resolution--2004 Property Tax Levy
25. Resolution--2004 Budget
26. Resolution--2004 HRA Property Tax Levy
Copies of resolutions on file
Resolution--Accepting Sale of $1,595,000 GO Improvement Bonds, Series 2004
A
Finance Director Webster and Bob Thistle of Spdngsted recommended
awarding bonds to Miller, Johnson, Steichen, & Kinnard, Inc. Thistle also stated that
Moody's retained Hastings bond rating at A2.
Moved by Moratzka, seconded by Yandrasits to accept the sale of bonds as
recommended.
6 Ayes; Nays, None.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 15, 2003 Page 3 of 6
Public Hearing--Consider Allowing Wal-Mart to be Licensed to Operate a
Currency Exchange Business
Mayor Werner opened the public hearing at 7:14 p.m.
Administrative Assistant/City Clerk Mesko Lee stated that Wal-Mart has made
application to the State of Minnesota to operate a currency exchange business at its
Hastings location. State law requires a local government to hold a public hearing an
act on this request before the State of Minnesota can approve the request. Mesko
Lee stated that no comments either in support of opposing the request have been
received.
There were no comments from the public.
Hearing no further comments, Mayor Werner closed the public hearing at 7:15
Resolution-- Allowing Wal-Mart to be Licensed to Operate a Currency
Exchange Business
Moved by CounciJmember Hicks, seconded by Councilmember Hazlet, to
approve the resolution as presented.
6 Ayes; Nays, None.
Copy of resolution on file.
Public Hearing--Hastings Land LLC Annexation Ordinance Mayor Werner opened the public hearing at 7:14 p.m.
City Administrator Osberg stated that this annexation request is for 16.94
acres on the west end of town. Council denied a similar request in April 2003 for
several reasons, and Osberg stated that staff has worked with the applicant to find
resolution to the outstanding issues cited by the Council at that time.
Alice Halvorson, West 14th Street, asked what has changed in this request
from the request in April 2003 which was denied by the City Council. Osberg stated
that budgetary questions that were not available in April have now been resolved
through the state budget process and that City services have not been cut as a result
of the budget issues.
Joe Kimmes, 1820 West 20th Street had several questions. He asked whether
another fire station will be needed. Osberg stated no. Kimmes asked what would
happen if the Metropolitan Council didn't approve the annexation. Osberg stated that
this request is under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Planning and that the
Metropolitan Council is not invoJved in this action, as the property in question is part
of the City's 2020 Comprehensive Plan for annexation. Kimmes asked who would
pay for litigation costs should this annexation be contested. Planning Director
Hinzman stated that the City would pay for any litigation costs not covered by
insurance. Kimmes asked how long it will take to fulfill the City's projected residential
and commercial growth. Hinzman stated that the City must prepare and submit a
new Comprehensive Plan in 2008. Kimmes asked what type of housing is proposed
for this annexed area. Gary Brown of RLK Kuusisto stated that the tentative plan for
this property is for a mid to upper level residential development.
Michael Eisinger, 1832 West 14th Street, questioned the height of any
buildings and drainage issues. Hinzman stated that specific development questions
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 15, 2003 Page 4 of 6
would be addressed at a later date; the current request is only for annexation of the
property.
Hearing no further public comments, Mayor Wemer closed the public hearing
at 7:30 p.m.
Second Reading and Ordinance--Hastings Land LLC Annexation
Councilmember Moratzka stated that the Township has no grounds to formerly
object to the annexation but has indicated that it does not formerly support the
request.
Councilmember Yandrasits questioned whether the property would be able to
be developed if it remained in the township. City Attorney Moynihan stated that the
township would need to rezone the property before it could be developed.
Councilmember Hicks stated that some of the questions from April 2003 have
been answered, but would like certain standards developed before the City Council
would consider future annexation requests.
Councilmember Moratzka stated that the City is facing the challenge on how it
wants to address growth issues.
Moved by Councilmember Yandrasits, seconded by Councilmember Hazier to
approve the annexation as presented.
6 Ayes; Nays, One, Councilmember Schultz voting against.
Public Hearing--Rezoning #2003-76: F-W to R-2 (Eastenders) Mayor Werner opened the public hearing at 7:40 p.m.
Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Werner closed the public
hearing at 7:42 p.m.
Ordinance Amendment--Rezoning #2003-76: F-W to R-2 (Eastenders)
Moved by Councilmember Yandrasits, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to
approve the ordinance amendment as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, None.
Resolution--Preliminary and Final Plat #2003-76: Eastenders (John Dwyer) 4th
and Lake Streets
Planning Director Hinzman outlined the conditions of the request for
preliminary and final plat approval.
Mayor Werner questioned the grading plan proposed, which calls for allowing
a custom lot grading plan. Werner expressed concern with the amount of staff time
that would be spend on a custom grading plan. Hinzman stated that the City has an
infill lot grading fee which reflects the additional staff time needed; that fee could be
added as a condition on the applicant's request for approval.
Councilmember Hicks requested clarification on the private lift station
proposed for the project. Public Works Director Montgomery stated that a City
constructed lift station would be too large for this project. The rest of the
infrastructure in this development would be public, but the lift station would be
privately owned and maintained.
Moved by Councilmember Yandrasits, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to
approve the preliminary and file plat with the added condition that infill lot grading
fees be charged.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 15, 2003
Page 5 of 6
5 Ayes; Nays, two, Councilmembers Schultz and Riveness voting against.
Copy of Resolution on file.
Resolutions--Ordering Feasibility Studies
a. 2004-1: Westwood Area
Public Works Director Montgomery stated that neighborhood meetings will be
held in late February 2004.
b. 2004-2: East 31st Street
Mayor Werner questioned why the proposal has a trail on the residential side
when it appears that there is more room on the commercial side of the street for a
trail. Montgomery stated that the trail is proposed at that location in order to
accommodate requests for a trail at that location as welJ as to keep pedestrians on
one side on 31st Street.
c. 2004-4:l0th Street and Highway 61
Moved by Councilmember Yandrasits, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to
order feasibility studies for Projects 2004-1: Westwood Area and 2004-2: East 31st
Street.
7 Ayes; Nays, None.
Copy of Resolution on file.
Moved by Councilmember Hicks, seconded by Councilmember Yandrasits to
order feasibility studies for Project 2004-4:10th Street and Highway 61.
7 Ayes; Nays, None.
Copy of ResoJution on file.
Development Agreement--Schoolhouse Square 2nd Addition
City Administrator Osberg stated that Springsted had conducted a cost/benefit
analysis as requested by the Council.
Councilmember Hicks stated that redevelopment projects are expensive and
that he supported City involvement in the project.
Councilmember Yandrasits stated that redevelopment and traffic issues
existed on this property which would need to be addressed with or without this
development.
Moved by Councilmember Riveness, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to
approve the development agreement as presented.
7 Ayes; Nays, None.
Resolution--Final Plat #2003-56: South Oaks of Hastings 3rd Addition (Greg
Jablonske) South Oaks Drive
David Vanney, attorney for Greg Jablonske, questioned the amount of the
proposed park dedication fees. He stated that his client is requesting that the
previous park dedication fees be charged for this project, as opposed to the
increased fees adopted by the City Council in 2003. Hinzman stated that because
the fees are set by ordinance, the City is unable to waive the fees. He also stated
that all developers are given submittal calendars with the City's deadlines and that
Mr. Jablonske received the notification along with the other developers.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 15, 2003 Page $ of 6
Moved by Councilmember Yandrasits, seconded by Councilmember Schultz to
table this issue to a future date, with the condition that the developer not be charged
park dedication fees higher than the 2003 fees for this development.
7 Ayes; Nays, None.
Request to Waive SAC & WAC Charges--II9 East 2"d Street (Karl & Jeannie
Hajny)
Moved by Councilmember Hicks, seconded by Councilmember Schultz to
waive the fees as requested.
7 Ayes; Nays, None.
Unfinished/New Business
Councilmember Riveness stated that he would like the City to consider an
annexation moratorium.
City Attorney Moynihan stated that a moratorium would need to be approved
by ordinance, which would require two public hearings. The City would need to
explain its goals for establishment of a moratorium. He also stated that the City is not
obligated to annex property if requested.
Councilmember Moratzka stated that she would like the City to work with the
surrounding townships on this issue.
Councilmember Hicks suggested that the Planning Committee of the Council
review this issue.
Reports from City Committees, Officers, Councilmembers
Mayor Werner stated that he has appointed Councilmember Moratzka as the
chair of the Downtown Redevelopment Committee, as she is the most senior elected
official. The group's first meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, January 8,
2004 at 4:30 p.m. at Hastings City Hall. An open house is tentatively scheduled for
Thursday, January 29 in the evening.
Adjournment
Moved by Councilmember Hicks, seconded by Councilmember Schultz to
adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
7 Ayes; Nays, None.
Mayor
ATTEST
City Clerk