June 15, 2005
SANDSTONE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
June 15, 2005
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Atterbury called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Johnson, Edmond, Atterbury, Gafkjen, Bonander
Members absent: none
Staff present: Administrator Griffith, Recording Secretary Hormillosa, Stadin, CATV
Other present: Tim Franklin, Teresa Berg, Harold Berg, Greg Anderson SEH
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Staff and members present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA
Motion Gafkjen, second Bonander to approve the agenda with the addition of 5 – Special Item of Business: Quarry Days fund raising event. Motion carried 5-0.
SPECIAL ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Quarry Days fund raiser
Charlene Petry explained a potential Quarry Days fund raiser, an outdoor movie night. One main consideration is the location on which the event will be held. Bonander expressed concern regarding the cost estimates that Petry provided. She assured the Council that this was preliminary estimates and that she could investigate the possibility of such an event further if the Council approved.
Motion Gafkjen, second Johnson to proceed with getting more information regarding an outdoor movie night as a fund raising event for Quarry Days. Motion carried 5-0.
Trunk Utility Area Fees
The Council has been involved in an ongoing discussion regarding the possibility of trunk area fees to finance the water and sewer expansion needed for certain areas of the City to develop. Greg Anderson, S.E.H., provided the Council with a comparison of WAC/SAC connection charges and water/sewer area fees of other communities. The Council has also been considering a feasibility study to determine the cost of infrastructure construction and expansion on the west side of the railroad. The Free Church has agreed to participate in an expanded feasibility study in exchange for a $1,000 credit toward the right-of-way acquisition costs.
Motion Gafkjen, second Johnson to authorize an expanded feasibility study for the construction of streets and sanitary sewer in the west side study, to include the participation of the Free Church, and to finance the study with Capital Projects and Water & Sewer funds. Motion carried 5-0.
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS, PETITIONS OR COMPLAINTS
Atterbury suggested that the “clean-up” day wasn’t as successful as hoped, due to the no-show of the dumpster. Griffith responded that the event will be rescheduled. Atterbury also wondered about tall grass and unsightly junk. The letters have been sent out. Griffith stated that regardless of the motive of the complaint, all complaints are followed up. Johnson conveyed a resident’s complaint of illegible street signs and requested the monthly log information from the Sheriff’s Department. Harold Berg pointed out that removal of a 4-way stop sign may prove hazardous and suggested that a 2-way stop sign be installed at the Hospital corner.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Motion Johnson, second Bonander to approve regular meeting minutes for June 1, 2005. Motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion Gafkjen, second Johnson to approve the consent agenda as follows: Accept return of two unused burial spaces from Henry Schauer – N ½ of Lot 24, Section F, 2nd Addition with conditions; Convey N ½ of Lot 24, Section F, 2nd Addition to Pine County Health & Human Services as per conditions of Henry Schauer; Accept resignation of Joseph Smalley as cemetery groundskeeper effective June 23; Appoint James Dahlen to position as cemetery groundskeeper effective June 24; Approve sale of two (2) burial spaces – S ½ of Lot 8, Section C, 2nd Addition perpetual care paid – Thorvig; Approve Assessment Agreement with Pine County for 2006. Motion carried 5-0.
FINANCE OFFICER’S REPORT
Claims
Motion Johnson, second Bonander to approve and pay claims in the amount of $58,607.80. Motion carried 5-0.
Financial Report
The Finance Officer provided the Council with a Cash Balance, Revenue & Expenditure report.
OLD & CONTINUING BUSINESS
Sidewalk project
The Council has been considering and discussing a sidewalk improvement project for several years. A feasibility study was completed and public hearings held. Property owners have been notified of the cost estimates. The Council directed Staff to prepare a resolution authorizing the project for next meeting’s consideration. The project will include alley aprons. Work on First Street will be postponed until next year as will removal of sidewalks where there is to be no replacement.
Signage
The Council has been discussing changes to the signage ordinance which would allow for off site directional signage under certain circumstances.
Motion Johnson, second Gafkjen to direct City Attorney to prepare an amendment to the sign ordinance for consideration for adoption at the next Council meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
No Parking
The Council has had ongoing discussion and investigation regarding several parking issues, Division Street – at and around the Hospital and at the corner of Main Street and Highway 123. The issues are disrupted mail delivery and visibility. Several suggestions have been put forth and MNDOT was contacted for input. Based on the number of recorded accidents at the Main Street intersection, the MNDOT traffic engineer could not implement any of the four options suggested, but allowed that restricted parking might be the best solution to the perceived problem. The Council did not favor imposing restricted parking as it would adversely affect the commercial property owners. Edmond argued that nothing had been accomplished to improve visibility.
Motion Gafkjen, second Johnson to leave the Main Street and Highway 123 intersection as is and to take this discussion item off of future agendas until there is a further problem. Motion carried 4-1.
NEW BUSINESS
Wastewater Facilities Study
One recommendation from the West Side Study is that the City plan for future expansion of the sewer ponds. The Council directed S.E.H. to prepare a proposal of costs for a Wastewater Facility plan. S.E.H. has submitted their proposal.
Motion Johnson, second Gafkjen to authorize S.E.H. to proceed with the Wastewater Facilities plan, payment to be made out of the Sewer Fund. Motion carried 5-0.
Conditional Use Permit – Lourey – Kettle River Pizza
Kettle River Pizza is proposing to lease a portion of the High School building to operate a frozen food and pizza assembly business. The Planning Commission reviewed the Conditional Use Permit request and recommends approval with the conditions listed in the Finding of Fact.
Findings of Facts
Conditional Use Permit
Eugene Lourey – Kettle River Pizza June 8, 2005
Sandstone Zoning Code
515.35, Subd. 4 Conditional Use Permits.
a) The use will not create an excessive burden on existing parks, schools, streets and other public facilities that serve or are proposed to serve the area.
b) The use will be sufficiently compatible or separated by distance or screened from adjacent residentially zoned or used land so that existing homes will not be depreciated in value and there will be no deterrence to development of vacant land.
c) The structure and site will have an appearance that will not have an adverse effect upon adjacent residential properties.
d) The use, in the opinion of the City Council, is reasonably related to the overall needs of the city and to the existing land use.
e) The use is consistent with the purposes of the zoning ordinance and the purposes of the zoning district in which the applicant intends to locate the proposed use.
f) The use is not in conflict with the comprehensive plan.
g) The use will not cause traffic hazard or congestion.
h) Adequate utilities, access roads, drainage and necessary facilities have been or will be provided.
Subd. 5 Additional conditions.
Subd. 5 allows for additional conditions to be imposed. Items listed a. through h. do not need to be imposed.
a) Increasing the required lot size or yard dimension.
b) Limiting the height, size or location of buildings.
c) Controlling the locating and number of vehicle access points.
d) Increasing the street width.
e) Increasing the number of required off street parking spaces.
f) Limiting the number, size, location or lighting of signs.
g) Requiring diking, fencing, screening, etc.
h) Designating sites for open spaces.
i) Establishes a time or activity limit. Possible limits are:
j) The following building code items must be complied with:
A.
B.
C.
Motion Johnson, second Bonander to approve the Lourey (Kettle River Pizza) conditional use permit with the Findings of Fact and the conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission.. Motion carried 5-0.
Minor Subdivision – Halonen
Stuart Halonen is proposing to divide his property into three parcels for the purpose of developing residential lots for single family homes. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed subdivision and recommends approval.
Motion Bonander, second Gafkjen to approve the Halonen minor subdivision as recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion carried 5-0.
Drainage – Harold Berg
Harold Berg is requesting that the City reimburse him for the installation of drainage pipe for a project the City started but was unable to complete. It is unclear whether the drainage improvement is adequate or whether it will need to be replaced or upgraded when Minnesota Street is upgraded. Mr. Berg is requesting reimbursement for 60 feet of the pipe and the permit fee and that the Council consider additional reimbursement when the feasibility study is completed.
Motion Atterbury, second Johnson to reimburse Harold Berg for 60 feet of drainage pipe and the permit fee and consider additional reimbursement when the drainage feasibility study is completed and Minnesota Street improvements approved. Motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS
Motion Gafkjen, second Johnson to accept the reports as follows: Summary of paid claims; Planning Commission minutes – June 8; Park & Recreation Commission notes – June 9; PeopleService operations report – June 8. Motion carried 5-0.
WRITTEN NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS
An invitation has been received from East Central Technology Initiative for technology and telecommunications workshops in the area.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Griffith mentioned the following: The Technology Assessment workshop on June16, the Council workshop on the Fire Department on July 20, the clean up day to be rescheduled, the East Central Regional Library open house in Cambridge on June 30 and his scheduled vacation the last week of June.
ADJOURN
Motion Johnson, second Gafkjen to adjourn at 8:37 p.m.
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Randy Atterbury
Mayor
Attest:
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Donna Hormillosa
Recording Secretary