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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-1996 CMW COUNCIL/MANAGER WORKSHOP OF THE CITY OF MAPLEWOOD 5:00 p.m. Monday, June 3, 1996 Maplewood Room, City Hall. MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bastian at 5:02 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Mayor Gary Bastian Present Councilmember Sherry Allenspach Present Councilmember Dale Carlson Present Councilmember Marvin Koppen Present Councilmember George Rossbach Absent Others Present (during some or all of the meeting): City Manger Michael McGuire Assistant City Manager Craig Dawson City Attorney Patrick Kelly Community Development Director Melinda Coleman Fire Chief Joel Hewitt Public Safety Director Ken Collins Public Works Director Ken Haider C, APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Allenspach requested that the following items be added: (Jl) Late payment of a water bill, and (J2) Metro funeral home. Mayor Bastian requested that the following item be added: (J3) McGruff program. City Manager McGuire asked that the following items be added: (J4) Cancel June 6pre-agenda meeting; (JS) Open space acquisition--1285 S. Sterling St.; (J6) Amber Hills assessments; and (J7) Cash connection fees for utilities. Mayor Bastian moved approval of the agenda as amended: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Koppen and approved. Ayes: All June 3, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop ' Page Two D. TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS. LOWER AFTON/McKNIGHT/LONDIN McGuire introduced the item. Haider reviewed the three main issues and recommendations: 1. Speed limit on Lower Afton Road: The last speed study done on this part of Lower Afton Road was conducted in 1964. The City should request a speed study, as well as a new traffic count. 2. Westbound Lower Afton Road to westbound Londin Lane: Analysis of traffic volumes and data on reaz-end accidents do not suggest that alert-turn lane on Lower Afton Road is wanranted. 3. Four-way stop at McKnight Road and Londin Lane: Warrants for four-way stop signs are not met yet, and accident data do not suggest that changes are warranted for safer left-tum movements. Council directed that this item be placed on the July 8, 1996 Council meeting agenda. E. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY STUDY McGuire noted that the Council had scheduled a review of this study several times. A number of recommendations in the study have already been acted upon. If necessary or requested, the Planning Commission is willing to do additional study of items in the report. Coleman suggested that thepazking requirements be changed to allow a "proof- - of-parking" concept. Bastian observed that several places in town do not have enough parking currently. Councilmember Rossbach had left several notes on his copy of the report. It was suggested that staff speak with Councilmember Rossbach and report at a future workshop what additional changes may be appropriate at this time. F. FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE McGuire updated the Council on discussions held with East County Line Fire Department on May 23, 1996. The City and the Department discussed eight items. They reached tentative agreement on six of them, and would be meeting on June 5 to continue discussion of the remaining two items. McGuire had spoken with the chief of the Gladstone Fire Department eazlier on June 3. June 3, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Three G. ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS McGuire noted the Council considered this matter at its May 20, 1996 meeting, and had decided to discuss it in greater depth at a workshop. Kelly summazized the concepts behind administrative hearings and administrative sanctions for violations of City licenses or ordinance requirements. Simple comparisons of cities showed vaziation based on the enforcement philosophy each community used. Rather than waiting for district court action, the possibility of more immediate administrative action could be a tool to spur compliance. A community might then show little or no use of administrative hearings. Other cities have seen administrative sanctions as more expedient than district court, and have had greater use of this alternative. Kelly stated that courts are concerned about due process. Administrative hearings and sanctions allowed this as appeals were ultimately made to city councils. Mayor Bastian left at 5:45 p,m. McGuire said this approach could be applied to cases of liquor license violations. Collins said it would be a good tool to have. The threat of more immediate action by the City would lead to more effective enforcement of the City's liquor regulations. The City Attorney will prepare an ordinance to create this process (based on models used in Roseville and Fridley). The scope of administrative hearings and sanctions would be broad, covering matters as diverse as liquor license and nuisance violations. The City Manager will identify a pool of people to serve on the hearing board. H. LIQUOR LICENSE AMENDMENTS The Council decided it would not change the current flat-fee structure for liquor licenses. No differential would be made based on squaze footage or seating capacity. Council directed that an amendment be drafted which would allow a licensee to hold one special outdoor event per year. This amendment will be placed on the agenda for the Council's June 24, 1996 meeting. I. POLICE CADET AND RESERVE ACTIVITIES This item was tabled. The Public Safety Director will forward a memorandum on this matter to the Council. June 3, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Four J. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Late Payment of a Water Bill: Councilmember Allenspach said a resident had called her complaining about a late charge. Given the circumstances around the mailing of it, the resident had refused to pay the charge; in the meantime, interest is being applied against the late charge amount. This matter was given to the City Manager 2. Metro Funeral Home: (This item had been discussed earlier while Mayor Bastian was present.) Councilmember Allenspach related concerns raised by neighboring residents about the slaughter of animals and other traditions of Hmong funerals. While there may be violations of City public health regulations, Mayor Bastian noted that the City may need to make a reasonable accommodation for religious practices. Mayor Bastian asked that a part of the July 2 Mayor's Forum be held at the Metro funeral home if it were agreeable to the owner, and that this change in location be made in Maplewood in Motion immediately. 3. McGruff Program: The Council had asked for a report on this program earlier. Staff will follow up and make sure the report is forwarded to the Council. 4. Cancel June 6Pre-Agenda Meeting: As nearly all of the councilmembers would not be available from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on June 6, Councilmember Allenspach moved that the June 6. 1996 pre-agenda meetin@ be cancelled. Councilmember Carlson seconded the motion and it was approved. Ayes: All 5. Open Space Acquisition, 1285 S. Sterling Street: McGuire introduced the issue. Dawson noted the Council, Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission had expressed an interest in acquiring part of this property if it became available. It adjoins 13 acres of open space at 2413 E. Carver Avenue that the City acquired in January 1996. Ms. Beverly Stielow has now indicated a willingness to sell approximately 13 of her 15 acres. Councilmember Carlson moved that staff be directed to proceed with the processes to acquire the property and amend the comprehensive land use plan. Councilmember Allenspach seconded the motion and it was approved. Ayes: All 6. Amber Hills Assessments: McGuire and Haider related that there had been a significant error made in assigning and certifying special assessments made for public improvements in this subdivision. Because a mistake had been made, the hearing could be re-held for those properties affected without affecting the rest of the properties which had been assessed. If efforts to settle the issue with the affected property owners are unsuccessful, it would be necessary to hold a reassessment hearing. June 3, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Five 7. Cash Connection Fees: McGuire informed the Council of an upcoming appeal of a cash connection fee for utilities. K. FUTURE TOPICS The list of future topics was noted. L. ADJOURNMENT At 6:08 p.m., Councilmember Koppen announced that he must leave the meeting. As only two councilmembers were present, there was no longer a quorum present and the meeting was adjourned automatically.