Ramsey Resident - 1987 - September

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-.-- MEETING CALENDAR October 1987 Oct. 1 Thursday Fire Safety Committee City Hall 7:00 p.m. Oct. 1 Thursday Landfill Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 Tuesday Planning and Zoning Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 Thursday Park and Recreation Commission City Hall 7:00 p.m. Oct. 14 Wednesday Economic Development Commission City Hall 7:30 a.m. Oct. 14 Wednesday Airport Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 Thursday Fire Safety Committee City Hall 7:00 p.m. Oct. 15 Thursday Landfill Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Thursday Board of Adjustment City Hall 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 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 Monday, October 12, 1987 in observance of Columbus Day. WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CITY HALL Council met on September 1 and moved to not ex- pand the Public Works Department nor it's equip- ment at this time and to research contracting out for needs that are not being covered now or that may occur in the future. Council moved to delay schedul- ing a date for an advisory election on the Airport Zon- ing Ordinance until a recommendation for same is received from the Airport Commission. Council mov- ed to appropriate $24,000 for the purchase of com- puter equipment with the understanding that $22,000 will come from Federal Revenue Sharing Funds. Council awarded improvements to 167th Avenue N.W. to Forest Lake Contracting. The City Engineer was authorized to prepare plans and specs for the Hunter's Hill street improvement project. Rick Henry and Russ Radloff were appointed to the Land- fill Commission. The City Attorney was directed to draft an ordinance relating to the keeping of wild and exotic animals and birds. Council adopted a resolu- tion petitioning MN/DoT to establish the Dayton railroad crossing between Puma Street and Jarvis Street with temporary access to Hwy. #10 at the weigh station median crossing and permanent ac- cess at the Adams Street median crossing; the resolution also opposed the closing of any existing railroad crossings within Ramsey. Council also mov- ed to petition MN/DoT to study the speed limit and traffic control signing on 153rd Avenue NW. Coun- cil approved the liquor license for M&L. The City Engineer was directed to proceed with negotiations for acquisition of right-of-way needed for the con- struction of a water tower. Mr. Hartley referred to a request by residents of Autumn Heights regarding whether they could make improvements to a neighborhood park in that subdivision and stated that the liability would be the same for volunteers as it is for regular city employees; Council consen- sus was that Mr. Hartley could make decisions on matters of this type but he should keep Council advised. Council met on September 8 and conducted hear- ings and adopted assessments for the 1987 sealcoating projects. Mr. Hartley reported that Burl- ington Northern has reported to Ramsey Police Department a number of repairs to shear pins at the Armstrong Blvd. crossing arms; the police depart- ment theorizes that the damage is being caused by truck traffic not being able to completely clear the tracks while waiting to enter Hwy. #10. Councilman Cox reported that the School District is working on revising stops for the bus route at 153rd and Arm- strong. Staff was directed to send copies of Coun- cil's resolution petitioning for the establishment of the Dayton railroad crossing to Senator Dahl and Representative Larsen and urging their support of same. It was reported that the trucks are traveling at a speed of 20 mph in the vicinity of 153rd and Arm- strong. Council introduced an ordinance to increase Council salary; once the ordinance is adopted, it can- not take affect until after the next city-wide election. Landfill Commission Chairman Steve Bluhm was present to discuss the proposed end use of the land- fill and stated that the Coummission feels the development of a ski hill should not be considered in conjunction with other issues. Council consensus was that if the development of a ski hill is desirable, then the City should seek to have certain landfill closure and end use items addressed while the question and terms of vertical expansion are still open for discussion and before the agencies above Ramsey approve the expansion with out any provi- sion for Ramsey. It was determined that Coun- cilmember Cox should attend the next meeting of the Landfill Commission to discuss issues. City Engineer presented for Council review the goals, philosophy and policies prepared by the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization. Coun- cilmember DeLuca was directed to work with the Landfill Commission to rank according to priority some of the possible actions the County can take relating to low-tech abatement issues. Michael Terry was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission. It was noted that the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development has indicated favorable reception of Ramsey's LAWCON grant application for River's Bend Park. Council waived the building permit fee for the war- ming house at Central Park being constructed by the Ramsey Lions. Council met on August 19 and conducted a public hearing regarding considering closing Puma Street NW railroad crossing, which is what Burl- ington Northern would require in exchange for establishing another crossing nearer the weigh sta- tion (hereinafter to be referred to as the Dayton crossing). The truck traffic associated with the development of Northfork has made evident the need for an additional railroad crossing in Ramsey that can allow for more stacking distance than is found at the Armstrong and Puma crossings. It was reported that Burlington Northern would be agreeable to the Puma crossing being maintained as a private crossing for individuals needing it for access to farms and homes. Residents of the Puma area were opposed to the proposal stating that their commercial/industrial zoned property would be devalued by the loss of the crossing when that pro- perty ceases to be used for agricultural purposes. Council passed a motion directing City Staff to negotiate with MN/DoT and Burlington Northern for the retention of the Puma railroad crossing as a public crossing on the condition that the City closes Puma Street at 153rd to reduce the amount of traf- fic utilizing the Puma crossing. Council also passed a motion to petition MN/DoT and Burlington Northern to re-establish the Dayton railroad crossing a public crossing. Council moved to direct the City Attorney to research the legallity of ordering the removal of all organic materials imported to Pineview Estates Third Addition. The City attorney was also authoriz- ed to initiate "quick take" for property need for road right-of-way (frontage road south of Hwy. #10). Coun- cil received a petition and ordered a feasibility report for the extension of sewer and water to Outlot B of Rum Acre Estates. Council also conducted a public hearing regarding the use of Federal Revenue Shar- ing funds. Council met on August 25 and conducted public hearings regarding the adoption of the Airport Zon- ing Ordinance for Gateway North Industrial Airport, establishing Development District NO.2 and Tax In- crement Financing District No.3 and request of M&L Liquors to transfer off-sale liquor license. Council ap- proved Barton Sand and Gravel's request to extract aggregates from the western 38 acres of a 78 acre parcel located north of Cty. Rd. #116, east of Ramsey Blvd. and south of 149th Avenue. Council conducted hearings and adopted assessments for 153rd Avenue N.W., Flintwood Hills Third Addition and Dysprosium Street improvement projects. Coun- cil granted preliminary plat approval to Ford Brook Estates 3rd Addition; the plat is located north of Cty. Rd. #7 and east of the existing Ford Brook Estates and includes 16 2.5 acre single family lots. Mr. Hartley reported that Burlington Northern .is not agreeable to retaining Puma as a public crossing in addition to re-establishing the Dayton crossing as future development will create traffic volumes too ex- cessive for the Puma crossing; Burlington Northern also has indicated that they will petition to close the Puma crossing upon receiving the City's petition to reestablish the Dayton crossing. Mr. Hartley reported that Elk River is willing to consider a short section of Jarvis as their Municipal State Aid System so that Ramsey could extend 153rd to tie in with Jarvis where a railroad crossing already exists; Elk River feels that maintenance of that section of Jarvis and upgrading the railroad crossing should be the responsibility of Ramsey or the developers of Nor- thfork; Council directed Mr. Hartley to negotiate with Elk River. Council discussed a policy relating to owners of property in Safety Zone B of the propos- ed Airport Zoning Ordinance and their ability to sub- divide to help pay for public utilities if and when they are extended into that area. Council concensus was that it would be appropriate for the City to pay 50% of the cost of any sewer and water to properties in Zone B that as a result of airport zoning cannot sub- divide to help pay for the cost of the utilities. Coun- cil directed the City Attorney and City Administrator to prepare information regarding timing and notice related to holding a referendum on the question of airport zoning. Council approved the construction of a baseball diamond at Central Park. Council directed Staff to prepare an ordinance for Council adoption that would increase the Mayor's salary from $3500 to $6000 and council members salary from $3000 to $4500. Council approved the use of City Hall by Ramsey Assembly of God Church on Sunday mor- nings and Wednesday evenings subject to restric- tions of separation of church and state. Council ap- proved the purchase of hardware and software to upgrade the City's computer system. 1- 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 Council member Allen Sorteberg Councilmember Stephen Deluca COMMISSION CHAIRPERSONS Gerald Zimmerman, Planning & Zoning 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 427-1654 753-1041 441-1 939 753-4165 421-2161 753-4055 427-6820 427-141 0 427-141 0 421-5424 427-1410 427 -141 0 427 -5860 427-1410 427-4180 427 -1 41 0 COMMISSION MEETING NEWS The Board of Adjustment met on August 27 and approved Mr. Triemert's request for a variance from the City Code regarding setback from thoroughfares in order to reconstruct his home destroyed by fire in it's original location. A.J. Parent Company was granted a maximum 27 foot encroachment on the Rum River setback in order to construct a home. The Planning and Zoning Commission met on September 1 and referred Barton Sand and Gravels request to establish a bituminous plant to the Air- port Commission for their review. Ms. Tranby was directed to go to the minor subdivision process to subdivided her property on the west side of Cty. Rd. #83 and south of 173rd into three 3.3 acre single family lots. Mr. Gilbert Menkveld and Mr. Art Raudio were advised to proceed to preliminary plat with their proposed Pineview Estates Third Addition located on the west side of Cty. Rd. #56 and south of 149th; the plat consists of 30 lots at least one acre in size to be developed industrially. It was recommended that Council appoint Mr. Michael Terry to fill the vacancy on the Commission and approve Mr. Hank Muhich's minor subdivision for a previously approv- ed metes and bounds split. The Economic Development Commission met on September 9 and directed that letters of apprecia- tion be sent to Art Raudio, Charles Delaney of Arm- strong Kennels and Carl Garaffa of Curtis Mathes for their assistance in seeing that the City had a booth, video equipment and people to man the booth during the Game Fair. Commissioner Ippel was ap- pointed chairman of a publicity subcommittee charg- ed with seeing that the accomplishments of local businesses are noted in the Ramsey Resident. The Star City subcommittee was directed to research the cost and timetable associated with hiring an intern to assist in certain star city tasks. In conjunction with the business expo, the Commission requested that Council proclaim October 11 as "Discover Ramsey Day" and approve a $2,000 expenditure for adver- tising the event. The Airport Commission met on September 9 and recommended that Barton Sand and Gravel's re- quest to establish a bituminous plant be referred to the Federal Aviation Association for airspace ap- proval. The Commission recommended that the Council adopt the Airport Zoning Ordinance and delay an advisory election on the airport issue until the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Relocation Plan and Preliminary Engineer ReportlPreapplication for AlP Funds are available for review. The Park Commission met on August 13 and discussed the warming house the Ramsey Lions are intending to build at Central park. Mr. Gordy Lee and Mr. Tim Kelsey were present representing the boys' baseball league and submitted a petition for a baseball facility in Ramsey. The Park Commission recommended that City Council approve the con- struction of a baseball diamond at Central Park. Merland Otto was directed to draft a trail system map for Commission approval and inclusion in the Com- prehensive Park Plan. The Landfill Commission met on September 3 and the Commission forwarded to Council numerous questions regarding the operation and development of a ski hill as an end use of the landfill; if those ques- tions can be addressed affirmatively, then the City should proceed with negotiations to acquire the site for the ski hill and parking; the Landfill Commission also does not propose to address the development a ski hill in conjunction with other issues.