04-22-19 CC Reg Mtg MinutesCOUNCIL
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Mayor Zerby called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
A. Roll Call
Present. Mayor Zerby; Councilmembers Johnson, and Labadie; City Attorney Keane; City
Administrator Lerud; City Clerk Thone; Finance Director Rigdon; Planning Director
Darling; Director of Public Works Brown; and, City Engineer Fauske
Absent: Councilmembers Siakel and Sundberg
B. Review Agenda
Labadie moved, Johnson seconded, approving the agenda as presented. Motion passed
3/0.
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Mayor Zerby reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Johnson asked how people could suggest future sites for the Deer Management
Program. City Administrator Lerud stated that if residents would like to offer their property for the
program, they just need to contact him.
Johnson moved, Labadie seconded, Approving the Motions Contained on the Consent
Agenda and Adopting the Resolutions Therein.
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Motion passed
3. MATTERS FROM ••'
Greg Miller, 335 College Lake, Excelsior, noted that he is a member of the Excelsior City Council.
He thanked the Council for their assistance in past projects. He stated that there has been
discussion about making both Excelsior and Shorewood more pedestrian friendly. He distributed
maps of some of the City of Excelsior's proposed street projects with the possible inclusion of
sidewalks. He asked if Excelsior completes sidewalks in this area whether the City would consider
completing sidewalks in this area to create a pedestrian loop connecting the cities.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
April 22, 2019
Page 2 of 5
Mayor Zerby confirmed that he was talking about sidewalks in the area of Grant Street and
Academy Avenue. Councilmember Labadie asked where Mr. Miller had gotten the traffic count
information he shared. Mr. Miller stated that WSB provided the traffic count information.
Councilmember Labadie asked if Mr. Miller was here as an official representative of the Excelsior
City Council or if this was his individual opinion. Mr. Miller stated that he is here as an individual
and did not ask the Excelsior Council for authorization to go and ask the City for their support.
Mayor Zerby stated that he supports creating a walkable community. He noted that the City is
not prepared to discuss this or move forward with it this year, but can add it to the list to discuss
for future years projects.
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_ ..�.- PRESENTATIOVS
A. Jan Callison, Hennepin County Commissioner
Jan Callison, Hennepin County Commissioner, gave an overview of what has been happening in
the County. She reviewed the assessments and market values and noted that this is the sixth
straight year of growth in property values. She reviewed the planned discussions regarding future
road projects and bridge construction projects. She stated the County is hoping to get some more
money for transportation and County program aid.
Councilmember Johnson asked about tax reform and the changes to the amount of State tax that
can be deducted. He asked if there were any plans at the County level to try to address those
issues. Ms. Callison stated that property tax can no longer be deducted and only the federal
government has the authority to change that and the state has the authority over state income
tax. She stated that the only thing the County can do is to try to slow the growth in property taxes.
Finance Director Rigdon introduced Auditor, Justin Neilson of Abdo, Eick and Meyers.
Mr. Neilson gave an overview of the 2018 Audit results and noted that the City had received a
clean, unmodified audit and noted that there are no audit findings for 2018. He reviewed the
findings from 2017 that have both been addressed. He gave a brief overview of the fund balances.
Councilmember Labadie asked why there has been a steady increase in the recycling fund.
Mr. Neilson stated that the simple answer is that the charges and fees that are coming in exceed
the actual costs for the services. Finance Director Rigdon explained that the fund itself is actually
very flat and the charges and the costs that the City is paying out are almost flat and is a highly
predictable operational result of the fund.
City Administrator Lerud noted that the recycling contract will be up for negotiating so the City will
anticipate a higher cost associated with recycling moving forward. Mr. Neilson briefly reviewed
the tax rates and overall debt per capita for the City.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
April 22, 2019
Page 3 of 5
Mayor Zerby thanked staff and especially City Administrator Lerud and Finance Director Rigdon
for helping achieve one of his personal goals, which was to have no findings during the audit. He
explained that the accounting word "findings" simply means red flags, so he is happy that there
are no red flags in the City's finances.
6. PARKS
A. Report by Commissioner Vassar on April 9, 2019 Park Commission Meeting
Planning Director Darling explained that Commissioner Vassar had an unexpected conflict arise
and asked her to give a summary of the April 9, 2019 Park Commission meeting on her behalf.
She gave a brief overview of the April 9, 2019 minutes as reflected in the minutes. She explained
that the Park Commission is very interested in moving forward on the tennis courts at Badger
Park, but staff asked the Commission for more time to review the budget for future projects until
the bids are received for the Badger Park/Freeman Park project.
7. PLANNING
A. Report by Commissioner Riedel on April 2, 2019 Planning Commission Meeting
Commissioner Riedel gave a brief overview of discussion and recommendations from the April 2,
2019 Planning Commission Meeting, as reflected in the minutes.
B. Bosworth P.U.D. Amendment to Allow Tattoo Services
Applicant: Jonathan Higgins
Location: 6140 Lake Linden Drive
Planning Director Darling explained that the applicant would like to lease 300 square feet in the
building. She explained that this would require a P.U.D. amendment and noted that both staff
and the Planning Commission recommend approval subject to the conditions listed in the
resolution.
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C. Special Home Occupation Permit (woodworking)
Applicant: • .
• • n: 5825 Country • Road
Planning Director Darling explained that this application is to allow a home occupation permit for
a woodworking business in the attached garage. She noted that there is no record of complaint
against the request. She reviewed the recommended conditions and indicated that the Planning
Commission recommended approval unanimously.
A. C.I.P. for Public Recreation Buildings
Applicant: of Shorewood
Location: 5745 Country Club Road (Badger Park)
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Planning Director Darling gave an overview of the proposed locations of the picnic shelter,
restroom facilities and the new playground equipment. She noted that the Planning Commission
recommended approval with the added condition that the light fixtures be full cut -off and not cast
any light on adjacent properties.
Johnson moved, Labadie seconded, Adopting RESOLUTION NO. 19 -042, "A Resolution
Approving a Conditional Use Permit for Public Recreation Buildings in Badger Park at 5745
Country Club Road." Motion passed 3/0.
E. Front Setback Variance
Applicant: Ayman Abdelsamie
Location: 5960 Grant Street
Planning Director Darling gave an overview of the variance request and plans to improve the
home's functionality and appearance and stated that Planning Commission recommended
approval.
Labadie moved, Johnson seconded, Adopting RESOLUTION NO. 19 -043, "A Resolution
Approving a Front Setback Variance for Ayman Abdelsamie for Property Located at 5960
Grant Street." Motion passed 3/0.
8. ENGINEERING /PUBLIC WORKS
A. Authorization to Prepare
Project, City Project 19 -02
Plans and Specifications for 2019 Street Overlay
Public Works Brown explained that Council had discussed this item in greater detail at the work
session held earlier this evening. He gave a brief overview of the proposed revisions and
additions to the street projects for the year. He explained that the revisions are due to the fact
that the islands projects are being held up by the presence of Native American sacred artifacts.
He noted that in addition to the streets listed in the staff report, Cardinal will also be added to the
project.
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Finance Director Rigdon stated that building • • again • -• that overall,
schedule general fund revenues are at five point seven percent of the budget and expenditures are on
at i• ut twenty-seven percent of budget.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
April 22, 2019
Page 5 of 5
Mayor Zerby noted that the City has already used up about eighty percent of its budget for snow
and ice removal for the year and hopes that there will be a quiet November and December. Public
Works Director Brown stated that the City has a full salt shed so he is hoping to spread the costs
out a bit over the next season.
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Public Works Director Brown stated one of the largest focus factors in Public Works right now is
monitoring the Boulder Bridge Pond and Mary Lake because of the high lake levels. He stated
that Public Works is well aware of the culvert at Academy and Park, but noted that it is continuing
to flow. He noted that Public Works has finished the street sweeping on the east side of town and
will now move to the west side of town and also continue patching roads. He noted that
Councilmember Johnson had raised the question about sanitary sewer issues at Sweetwater
Curve. He explained that this is the City's responsibility because it is in the public right -of -way
and will likely be taken care of once weight restrictions are lifted.
Mayor Zerby asked about the pink dots on the sidewalk along Smithtown Road that appear to be
marking cracks. City Engineer Fauske stated that those dots are marking needed repair work
along the sidewalk. She noted that because of the road restrictions, they still have not been able
to get the contractors in to finish up last year's street projects but are working on a schedule
moving forward.
Planning Director Darling noted that she had heard from the Comprehensive Plan consultant that
the Met Council has asked for specific information on which housing programs the City is most
likely to be using to create affordable housing and staff will incorporate some additional language
into the draft Comprehensive Plan to avoid a situation where the plan is deemed incomplete for
this issue.
City Administrator Lerud stated that the light pole at the entrance to the mall on County Road 19
that was knocked over has been reinstalled and was paid for by the private insurance company
of the driver.
Councilmember Johnson suggested that the City may want to take a look at the signage that is
allowed for home occupations. He stated that it appears as though some home occupations have
installed signage and others have signage placed on their trucks to advertise the business.
Johnson moved, Labadie seconded, Adjourning the City Council • - - • of •
2019, at 8:15 P.M. Motion passed 1