Ramsey Resident - 1987 - October

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MEETING CALENDAR November 1987 Nov. 3 Tuesday Planning and Zoning Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Thursday Fire Safety Committee City Hall 7:00 p.m. Nov. 5 Thursday Landfill Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 Tuesday City Council City Hall 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Thursday Economic Development Commission City Hall 7:30 a.m. Nov. 12 Thursday Park and Recreation Commission City Hall 7:00 p.m. Nov. 12 Thursday Airport Commission City Hall' 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Thursday Fire Safety Committee City Hall 7:00 p.m. Nov. 19 Thursday Landfill Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Thursday Board of Adjustment City Hall 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24 Tuesday City Council City Hall 7:30 p.m. Agendas for Council, Commission, and Committee meetings are available at City Hall two working days prior to the date of the meeting. City offices will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 1987 in observance of Veterans Day. WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CITY HALL Council met on September 15 and discussed ac- quisition of easements south of U.S. Hwy. #10 for the industrial sewer project and the future extension of Front Street from Tungsten to Feldspar. Council had no objections to the Ramsey Lions Club mov- ing their gambling operation from Jimmy B's to Rum River Plaza parking lot for the Fall Fest. Coun- cilmember Cox reported that discussions have taken place regarding the possibility of using a portion of Ramsey's tax increment revenue to be able to sup- port the County in it's Rum River Bridge crossing effort; council directed that this case be placed on the September 22nd agenda for discussion. Council met on September 22 and conducted public hearings regarding the 1988 proposed budget and sewer/water improvements in Oakridge In- dustrial Park. Terry Miller of Waste Managemen~ of Minnesota and Bonnie Coppock of Keep Amenca Beautiful were present to discuss recycling programs available to Ramsey. Council approved a metes and bounds subdivision for Mr. Pat Krizaj. Plans and specs were approved and bids ordered for street im- provements in Hunter's Hill. Council p,roclaimed qc- tober 11 as "Discover Ramsey Day and authonz- ed $2,000 for advertising same. Council adopted an ordinance that will increase the salary of Mayor and Council effective January 1, 1989. Mr. Hartley reported that MN/DoT has scheduled a tentative hearing date of October 29 at 9:30 a.m. before an administrative law judge relating to the City's peti- tion for the establishment of the Dayton railroad crossing. Council was informed tha~ the ~irport Com- mission has recommended adopting airport safety zoning and delay an advisory election on the a~rport issue until the 2nd quarter of 1988 when all infor- mation is available; Council tabled any action until October 13. Mr. Otto reported the status of hockey rink, soccer field, ballfield, parking extensions and warming house construction at Central Park; he also reported that Ramsey's preliminary application for LAWCON funding for improvements at River's Bend Park has been approved and Council approved a final park layout for submission in the final applica- tion for LAWCON. The Council approved contrac- ting for animal control services with Anoka County Humane Society. Mr. Hartley stated that afte~ much analysis, it has been determined that the City can afford to assist in the Rum River Bridge project; Council directed that a letter be forwarded to Coun- ty Commissioner Haas-Steffen indicating Ramsey's proposed 1.5 million dollar financial assistance in the Rum River Bridge project and that the terms of the loan will be specified in a joint powers agreement. Mayor Reimann reported t~at at the N~rthern Mayor's meeting he talked wlt~ representatlve~ of Dayton and Champlin regarding the appropnate location for a new Mississippi River bridge crossing. Based on Mayor Reimann's report, the Council adopted a resolution indicating Ramsey's support of a Mississippi River Bridge crossing being located in the vicinity of Hwy. #10 N.W. weigh station with a destination point in Dayton. Council introduced or- dinances regarding grading/mining/filli.ng an~ the keeping of wild animals. There was a diSCUSSion of the city's current policy not to assess for sewer and water trunk charges until a property connects to the service and staff was directed to research whether or not a property not requiring sewer and water but included in a development project must accept an assessment for sewer and water laterals and if that lateral assessment initiates the trunk assessment to that property also. It was reported that street lighting at 167th Avenue and Hwy. #47 will be installed soon; Mr. Lloyd Reimann and Mr. Jim Cordie were ap- pointed to the Fire Safety Committee. Tune into Ramsey's local access cable channel 16 for upcoming events and televised Council meetings. Council met on September 29 and discussed the 1988 budget. Council met on October 6 and awarded the con- tract for street improvements in Hunter's Hill to Ideal Paving. Council adopted the Assessed 1987, Col- lectable 1988 ad valorum property tax levy. Council confirmed a priority ranking for solid waste abate- ment activities to be submitted to the County task force. Council accepted the resignation of Public Works Heavy Equipment Operator Daryl Saathoff. Council raised no objections to the request of the Ramsey Lions for a charitable gambling license at Super Bowl. Council appointed Dick Swanson to the Landfill Commission. Council moved to support any action of the County to regulate truck traffic during the time in which traffic is detoured due to the clos- ing of the Armstrong Blvd. railro8:d crossing for repairs. It was reported that a dog In Ra.msey has killed a neighbor dog and staff was directed to research ways in which Ramsey's ordinances can more strongly address a situation where animals pose a threat to safety. Council met on October 13 and adopted the Air- port Safety Zoning Ordinance and tentatively scheduled an advisory election for June of 1988 on the question of whether or not the City. should become involved in owning and operating the Gateway North Industrial Airport. Council approved Mr. Joe O'Leary's request for a conditional use per- mit to operate a field welding and repair business from his home and Mr. Jerome Wendt's request to operate a glass installation business (for a one year period) from his home. River's Bend Plaz~ 2nd Ad- dition received final plat approval and consists of one commercial lot approximately one acre in size located east of St. Francis Blvd., north of 142nd Avenue. Now and Then Estates also received final plat approval and consists of 40 acres north of 167th Avenue, west to Cty. Rd. #5, co.ntaining 14 lots. Merland Otto gave an update on Impro~ements at Central Park and stated that the construction season is running out and it is ve,ry possible th~ w?rming house will not get built this year; CounCil directed that information be gathered regarding provisions for a temporary warming house. t~is winter. Council discussed the status of negotiations for easements for Front Street on the south side of Hwy. #10; the City Engineer was instructed to be,gin r:naking ap- plication to install sewer and water lines In the Hwy. #10 easement rather than in the proposed Front Street alignment. RAMSEY MUNICIPAL CENTER 15153 Nowthen Blvd. 427.1410 HOME PHONE 753-1566 427-8198 753-1610 421-1848 427-1254 CITY COUNCIL Mayor Gary Reimann Councilmember Alan Pearson Council member Arnold Cox Councilmember Allen Sorteberg Councilmember Stephen Deluca COMMISSION CHAIRPERSONS Gerald Zimmerman, Planning & Zoning Roy Shumway, Board Of Adjustment John Lichter, Park & Recreation Jack Beissel, Cable T.V. Don Greenberg, Economic Development Jack Ippel, Airport Richard Sieber, Charter David Bawden, Fire Safety Steven Bluhm, landfill CITY STAFF Administrator David Hartley Assessor Lester Wirz Attorney William Goodrich Building Official Elvin Erickson Development Director Anne Norris Engineer Peter Raatikka Finance Officer Noel Graczyk Public Works Supt. Merle Mevissen Police Chief Mike Auspos 753-4387 753-4392 427-1654 753-1041 441-1 939 753-4165 421-2161 753-4055 427-6820 427-1410 427-1410 421-5424 427 -141 0 427-141 0 427-5860 427-141 0 427-4180 427-141 0 COMMISSION MEETING NEWS The Planning and Zoning Commission met on October 6 and tabled action on Commercial Asphalt Company's request to establish a bituminous plant in the Industrial area until a decision is received from FAA regarding encroachment of airspace and there is a video of the Maple Grove operation available for review by the Commission. The Commission recom- mended that City Council approve conditional use permits for Mr. O'Leary to operate a welding and repair business from the home and Mr. Wendt to operate a glass installation business from the home. The Commission recommended preliminary plat ap- proval of River's Bend Plaza 2nd Addition to be developed with one commercial lot. Commissioner Hendriksen was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Commission. The public hearing on the proposed or- dinance to amend performance standards for grading, mining and excavating was continued un- til the next regular meeting to allow the citizens more time for review and input. The Board of Adjustment met on September 24 and approved Mrs. Fischl's request for a variance to construct an above-ground swimming pool in the front yard. Regency Home's request for a variance was tabled until they can provide a certified lot survey indicating the structure location as it relates to scenic river setbacks and easements. The Board approved Mr. Dreher's request for a variance from sign size restrictions to construct a 182 square foot sign for River's Bend Plaza. Mr. Parent's variance approved in August was amended to allow the con- struction of a home with a Rum River setback similar to that of structures on adjacent properties. The Board of Adjustment October 8 and approv- ed Regency Home's request for a variance from Rum River setbacks. Commissioner Shumway was appointed Chairman and Commissioner Hendriksen was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Board of Adjustment. The Economic Development Commission met on October 14 and directed that the Finance Subcom- mittee review the proposed 1988 budget as it relates to existing staffing levels and privatization. The Legislative Subcommittee was directed to gather data regarding commercial property taxes in Ramsey versus surrounding communities. The Com- mission authorized having 20 copies of the Ramsey Video made at a cost of $12 each; they also re- quested that City Council approve an expenditure not to exceed $1600 for a recorder/player to be us- ed to display the video. The Star City Administrative Subcommittee will be meeting again to prepare a recommendation regarding a plan of action for ac- complishing Star City tasks. The Airport Commission met on October 7 and recommended that the City Council establish a policy that if and when sewer and water is extend- ed, the City will pay 50% of the cost of sewer and water assessments to properties in Airport Safety Zone B that cannot subdivide to offset the cost as a result of airport safety zoning. The Commission scheduled the first public meeting regarding the en- vironmental assessment report for November 12 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Park Commission met on September 10 and discussed the five year capital improvement plan for parks which included additional so~, seeding, lighting, picnic tables, playground equipment and land acquisition for trails. North/south and east/west trail corridors were discussed. The Landfill Commission met on September 17 and discussed the time line for the environmental impact statement being prepared regarding propos- ed vertical expansion of the landfill. Representatives of Waste Management, Inc. made a slide presenta- tion of various closed landfills around the nation that are being used for recreational purposes. A workshop was scheduled to evaluate and refine Waste Management of Minnesota's proposal for ver- tical expansion and development of a ski/sledding hill. All members were given an Anoka County Solid Waste Abatement Questionaire to fill out which would assist Council in ranking abatement/recycling issues in order of priority. The Landfill Commission met on October 1 and recommended that Council appoint Mr. Richard Swanson to the Commission. The Commission discussed the need for public education on landfill issues and the commission can gain much knowledge by reviewing magazine publications focusing on landfill issues. They discussed ~he possibility of holding an Amnesty Day for collection of household hazardous waste that would then be properly disposed of. GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Remember Citizen Input. The Ramsey City Coun- cil Economic Development Commission, Park B~ard, Planning and Zoning Commission, Airport Commission and Charter Commission all have a "Citizen Input" time set aside at the beginning of each meeting. "Citizen Input" permits citizens to ad- dress Councilor Commissions without first having to get on the agenda. If you have something t~at you woul.d Ii.ke to brin~ to the attention of Councilor Commissions, don t forget "Citizen Input".