Minutes - Council - 05/28/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Case #2: Consider Appointment of Environmental Policy Task Force City Administrator Norman stated that during the City Council meeting of May 14, 2002, a presentation was made by a local environmental group that calls themselves the Ramsey PONDS (Protecting Our Natural Surroundings). The two primary objectives of the Ramsey PONDS is the establishment of a Tree Preservation Ordinance and a Wetlands Buffering Ordinance. The Council agreed to appoint a task force for consideration of those ordinances. Staff was directed to work with the volunteer organization to determine a method to appoint such a task force. Staff held various discussions with interested parties following the Council meeting. Staff recommended that the Committee be made up of nine members, made up by the following selections: one member appointed by the Planning Commission Chair, one member appointed by the Park and Recreation Commission Chair, two members from the Ramsey PONDS, and one member appointed individually by each Councilmember. Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to appoint an Environmental Policy Task Force made up of one appointment of the Park and Recreation Commission, one appointment from the Planning Commission, Joe McDilda and Sara Stroman from the Ramsey PONDS, and Margaret Connolly, Suzanne Dvorak, Seth Marshall, Michael Max, and Erica Sitz. . Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Kurak, Anderson, Hendriksen, and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #3: Convey Easements to City of Anoka for Electrical Transmission City Administrator Norman stated that the City entered into an agreement with the City of Anoka in 1996, allowing for an electrical utility transmission line through portions of the City of Ramsey. The City of Ramsey also agreed to sell certain easements to the City of Anoka for the transmission line. The city of Anoka acquired certain easements from private property owners as well. The entire line extends from Alpine Drive, on the west side of Alpine Park, straight south to the BNSF railroad tracks and then easterly to the Anoka City border. Pursuant to the 1996 agreement, the easements are all 80-feet wide and are for electrical transmission line purposes only. City staff completed work on the deed language for the easements, which required Council authorization to convey the easements to the City of Anoka. Once the easements are completed, the City will request payment from the City of Anoka for the easement rights. Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Zimmerman, to authorize easement agreements for Anoka Electrical Utility. . Further discussion: Councilmember Zimmerman stated that some years ago they had talked about the distance of the roadway to the top of the line as to who would maintain that. He also questioned if they could include a safe minimum distance from the road to the line. Principal Engineer Olson stated that 25 feet would be sufficient to cover their operation. City Attorney Goodrich stated that they would find some standards and include them in the document. City Council/May 28, 2002 Page 9 of 25