CCM 04/09/2018
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF FRIDLEY
APRIL 9, 2018
The City Council meeting for the City of Fridley was called to order by Mayor Lund at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Lund
Councilmember Barnette
Councilmember Saefke
Councilmember Varichak
Councilmember Bolkcom
OTHERS PRESENT:
Wally Wysopal, City Manager
Julie Jones, Planning Manager
Deb Skogen, City Clerk
Savanh Sihanantharath, The King’s Tai Cuisine
Paul Heuer, Pulte Homes
Jon Lennander, Assistant Public Works Director
Michael Spencer, City Fire Marshall
Shelly Peterson, Finance Director
APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1.City Council Meeting of March 26, 2018.
APPROVED.
NEW BUSINESS:
2.Receive the Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of March 21, 2018.
RECEIVED.
3.Special Use Permit Request, SP #18-01, by Blue Ox Media Group to Allow the
Construction of a Billboard on the Public Storage Property, Generally Located at
5350 Industrial Boulevard;
and,
Resolution Approving Special Use Permit, SP #18-01 to Allow the Construction of a
Billboard on the Public Storage Property, Generally Located at 5350 Industrial
Blvd. N.E. (Ward 3).
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 2
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked about enforcing light intensity.
Julie Jones
, Planning Manager, replied the way the City’s code is written, staff does not have
the tools to measure the light. Staff is in the process of redoing the sign code. Staff does not
have any concerns about it.
APPROVED THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT SP#18-01, BY BLUE OX MEDIA GROUP
WITH THE FOLLOWING SIX STIPULATIONS:
1. PETITIONER SHALL OBTAIN ALL NECESSARY PERMITS PRIOR TO
INSTALLATION OF PROPOSED SIGN.
2. PETITIONER TO PROVIDE A TO-SCALE SITE PLAN DEPICTING THE
SIZE, LOCATION AND SETBACK OF THE SIGN PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF
A SIGN PERMIT.
3. PETITIONER SHALL PROVIDE DETAILED SCALED PLANS OF: THE
SIGN, SIGN STRUCTURE, SIGN FOOTINGS, STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING, SIGN LIGHTING AND LOCATIONS OF PRIVATE AND
PUBLIC UTILITIES PRIOR TO PLAN REVIEW FOR SIGN PERMIT.
4. PETITIONER SHALL MEET ALL CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR
BILLBOARD AND ELECTRONIC SIGNS.
5. PETITIONER SHALL PROVIDE LANDSCAPE PLANS FOR
REPLACEMENT ON SITE OF ANY TREES TO BE REMOVED FOR SIGN
PLACEMENT. REPLACEMENT TREES SHALL BE AT LEAST 2 ½ INCH
CALIPER INCH IN SIZE IF DECIDUOUS OR 6’ TALL IF CONIFERS AT
TIME OF PLANTING. A VARIETY OF SPECIES MUST BE PROPOSED.
6. LANDSCAPING AT THE BASE OF THE PROPOSED SIGN IS
ENCOURAGED, BUT THIS SPACE CANNOT BE USED TO MEET THE
TREE REPLACEMENT RATIO REQUIRED.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2018-13.
4.Resolution Considering a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, CP #18-01, to Update
the Economic and Redevelopment Chapter of the Fridley 2030 Comprehensive Plan
(Ward 3).
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2018-14.
5.Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2018-10, Rescheduling the Public Hearing on
Street Rehabilitation Project No. ST 2018-01.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 3
Mr. Wysopal
stated this is a resolution rescheduling the public hearing to April 23. This is for
th
the 69 Avenue Street Rehabilitation Project No. ST 2018-01, and it amends the Resolution No.
2018-10. They just got delayed in getting the announcements out to the homeowners.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if the City had a process in place so it would not happen again.
Mr. Wysopal
said they did.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2018-15.
6.Approve 2018-2019 Liquor License Renewals.
APPROVED.
7.Licenses
APPROVED.
8.Claims (180262 - 180437)
APPROVED.
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION
by Councilmember Barnette to adopt the proposed consent agenda as presented.
Seconded by Councilmember Varichak.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OPEN FORUM, VISITORS:
No one from the audience spoke.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
MOTION
by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the agenda. Seconded by Councilmember
Saefke.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 4
PUBLIC HEARING/NEW BUSINESS:
9.Consideration of an On-Sale Wine and 3.2% Malt Liquor License Application by
Savanh Sihanantharath for The King’s Tai Cuisine, Located at 7890 University
Avenue N.E.;
and
Motion to Approve an On-Sale Wine and 3.2% Malt Liquor License for The King’s
Tai Cuisine (Ward 3).
MOTION
by Councilmember Bolkcom to open the public hearing. Seconded by
Councilmember Saefke.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED
AT 7:09 P.M.
Deb Skogen,
City Clerk, stated this is a public hearing for an on-sale 3.2 malt liquor license and
wine license for The King’s Tai Cuisine located at 7890 University Avenue N.E. Section 603.07
of the Code requires a public hearing be held to consider the on-sale license. Notice of the
public hearing was published in the Fridley Sun Focus on March 30, 2018, meeting the ten-day
advance requirement.
Ms. Skogen
stated the restaurant meets the zoning code and the minimum seating capacity of 50
to serve malt liquor and wine. Section 603.32 of the Code allows for the sale of strong beer and
wine with a minimum of 60 percent gross food sales and a report would be provided to the City
annually. The applicant is aware of the food to liquor sales. The Police Department completed
their background investigation and found no issues with the applicant, and the Fire Department
inspected the property and found no outstanding issues or violations.
Ms. Skogen
stated after the public hearing, the City Code does allow the City Council to
approve the liquor license on the same night as the public hearing. At this time staff
recommends City Council hold the public hearing and after the public hearing approve an on-
sale malt liquor and wine license for the applicant. The applicant is present if they have any
questions for her.
Mayor Lund
asked Ms. Sihanantharath whether she understands the ordinance and the 60/40
food to liquor ratio.
Savanh Sihanantharath
, The King’s Tai Cuisine, replied, yes. She stated she loves serving the
Fridley area. Customers come in and say they wish they could have beer or wine with the tai
food because of the spices.
MOTION
by Councilmember Bolkcom to close the public hearing. Seconded by
Councilmember Saefke.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 5
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED
AT 7:11 P.M.
MOTION
by Councilmember Bolkcomto Approve an On-Sale Wine and 3.2% Malt Liquor
License for The King’s Tai Cuisine. Seconded by Councilmember Saefke.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10.Consideration of Rezoning Request, ZOA #18-02, by Pulte Homes and the Fridley
Housing and Redevelopment Authority, to have Five Parcels of Land Around the
New Civic Campus Rezoned from P, Public Facilities, to S-2, Redevelopment
District, to Ready the Land for Private Redevelopment. Pulte Homes is also
Requesting to Replat the Properties at 6911 University Avenue and the Property to
the East to Allow for the Construction of the Villa Homes Project (Ward 1)
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to open the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember
Bolkcom.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED
AT 7:12 P.M.
Julie Jones,
Planning Manager, stated this request is related to an initiative by the City HRA and
Pulte Homes which are requesting that five parcels of land around the new civic campus site be
rezoned from P, Public Land use, to S-2, Redevelopment District, to get this property ready for
private development. Those five parcels of land include Outlots A, C, D, E, and F. The future
development on Outlots A and C has yet to be determined, but rezoning of all of the parcels at
this time is more efficient. Once the development of those parcels has been determined, an S-2
master plan will need to be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission and the City
Council.
Ms. Jones
stated the proposed project they are looking at now for Outlots E and F is for a new
villa home project. The units will range in size from 1,600 to 1,950 square feet. Most lots will
be slab on grade; however, a few of the lots will accommodate a walkout design option.
Landscaping of the common areas and snow removal of the private driveways will be managed
through a homeowners association.
Ms. Jones
stated the new homes will take access off the new roadways that will be constructed
by the petitioner and connected to a new parkway which is on the north side and is being
constructed by the City. The City does anticipate the new parkway north of the project area will
be constructed around the same time as the development will occur, and the roadways within the
development will be constructed by the petitioner.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 6
Ms. Jones
stated the current zoning of all the properties involved is P, Public, because they are
owned currently by the City. The proposed request will rezone all of the lots that will be used
for private development to S-2, Redevelopment District. When a property is rezoned to S-2, it
has to have an accompanying site plan that becomes the master plan for the site.
Ms. Jones
stated at this time the master site plan has only been designed for the single-family
villa home portion of the private development which is Outlots E and F. When a master site plan
has been developed for the rest of the private development areas then they will need to bring that
before the Planning Commission, the HRA, and the City Council.
Ms. Jones
stated the Planning Commission held a public hearing on March 21. After hearing
from the petitioner and some neighboring property owners, the Planning Commission
unanimously recommended approval of this rezoning.
Ms. Jones
stated some of the questions raised at the Planning Commission meeting related
mostly to traffic, both through the development and traffic generated by the development. A
traffic study was previously completed for the Cvic Center Campus project as part of the
environmental assessment that was done, and the City’s Engineering Division is currently
working with the company that did the traffic study to update that study.
Ms. Jones
stated Commissioner Sielaff on the Planning Commission also asked a question about
a stormwater pond being close to the City’s well or the treatment facility that is actually included
in this plat. The exact location and design of the stormwater ponds have not been finalized yet.
The City’s engineering staff is working with the engineer for Pulte Homes, and they have
assured the City that the final designs will comply with all wellhead protection and stormwater
and watershed requirements.
Ms. Jones
stated staff recommends concurrence with the Planning Commission’s approval of
this rezoning request as it does meet the goals and objectives of the City and the HRA by
providing private development for this site. The petitioner, Pulte Homes, is also here and has a
presentation.
Paul Heuer
, Pulte Homes, stated with him this evening is Eric Paget from Pulte Homes and
Reed Schultz from Landform (surveyor/civil engineer/landscape architect for the project). They
have worked with a number of cities over the years on redevelopment projects. They commend
the City on the concept for this public plaza. It really attracted them to build homes next to that
plaza.
Mr. Heuer
stated their firm is called the Pulte Group. They build under three name brands. The
Council may have heard of Centex Homes. They used to build under that brand in the Twin
Cities up until 2009. Since that time, they have only been building under the name of Pulte
Homes, and some of them may also be familiar with Del Webb, another name, where they create
active adult communities.
Mayor Lund
asked whether they are still building Del Webb communities in Arizona and out
west.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 7
Mr. Heuer
replied, they are. They are also building their first one in the Twin Cities later this
year.
Mr. Heuer
stated Pulte Group is a national builder. They build and sell about 500 homes a year
in this market. They have about 18 communities in the Twin Cities area.
Mr. Heuer
stated the consumer group they are after are the empty nesters, people 55 and older,
wanting to downsize/right size. What they have learned is half the people in that age category
who have the means will stay in this market if they can find there is an active lifestyle they can
buy into and if they can find a quality product to live in that is in the right location. These homes
are really Del Webb homes so they are tried and true, they have been updated over the years, but
they have their finger on the pulse of this demographic group. The economic value of this group
is pretty strong. They have accumulated some money and they start spending it at that age, and
their social contribution is significant. They do a lot of volunteering in town. Another side
benefit is most of these people typically do not work, so you do not have the peak flow of traffic
and peak flow draw from water, sewer, etc.
Mr. Heuer
stated at one point in time the narrative referenced two-story homes but that is not
what they are proposing. These will be single-family homes that offer the stone and brick
accents as options. These are 55-foot wide lots. The homes are 40-feet wide; single level;
1,700-2,000 square feet; and most of them are two bedrooms with an option of a loft. The price
points they are looking at are the low $300,000’s to the high $300,000’s. Most of the homes will
be slabs on grade. There are six homes in the southeast corner which drop off to the park and the
pond, and those will be walkout basement lots. They offer four different floor plans. Basements
will be an option if they choose. They have a non-monotony clause, so they track each home
style, floor plan, and color package to make sure there is variation.
Mr. Heuer
stated one of the key attractions of this type of neighborhood is sometimes people do
not want to mow their lawn anymore or shovel the snow, so there is a homeowners association to
manage this. They set it up with a professional management company, and that company sets up
all the contractors for the work.
Mr. Heuer
stated just to give a broad feel for what they are planning to do, they hope to be
starting development work in May or June, building the first model home in August or
September, and having it open in the beginning of October which really kicks off the sale season
for them.
Councilmember Barnette
asked what the approximate homeowner’s association fee would be.
Mr. Heuer
replied, it is harder in this case because it is smaller so it is less number of homes to
split some of the fixed costs. There are accounting fees, insurance, and things like that. It would
be somewhere from $170 a month to $210.
Mayor Lund
stated he likes the whole concept. The patio homes are on a narrower footprint of
lots. They are going to have short driveways. There will possibly be two cars parked in the
driveway. He asked where the guests would park.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 8
Mr. Heuer
replied, where they see the largest amount of cars in front of their different
neighborhoods is typically the single-family homes, especially the older neighborhoods where
you have two teenage kids and you end up with four cars in the house. Typically these folks are
not going to have any kids living with them, and they will have a two-car garage with two
parking stalls in the driveway. That is four stalls right there. If this was a single-family
neighborhood, for all the developments they have developed in, say, the last five or ten years, the
width of those streets is 28-32 feet wide. These are 34-foot wide. These are wider than honestly
any street they have ever built a development on. The old rule of thumb is a 28-foot wide street
allows two-way traffic and parking on one side.
Mayor Lund
stated it is a tighter development so there is not a lot of parking room between the
driveways. He just wanted to know if they have had parking issues with some of their other
developments.
Mr. Heuer
replied where they usually have the most attention placed on one of their
neighborhoods for parking is in the attached product. Oftentimes in those areas they are actually
providing more than what cities require because there is a certain comfort level from what they
have experienced as to what they feel they need to have. With all of their age–targeted
neighborhoods, they have not experienced any problems with parking.
Mayor Lund
stated they talked about Outlots A and C in the presentation. That is on the master
plan development where they have A-F. In the drawing he is looking at, he sees the storm
retention ponds near the existing water plant. That is called Outlot A. Within the development
Outlots A, B, and C are shown. He wanted to make sure that the A and C they were talking
about in the presentation were not the same A and C he is seeing on the drawing he has.
Ms. Jones
stated only Outlots E and F are part of the Pulte Homes development.
Mayor Lund
stated so it is a separate set of outlots then because he is seeing Outlots A, B,
and C within the Pulte Development. Could Outlot B be some parking? Usually in a townhouse
situation where you have a common wall there is usually some parking lots or spaces scattered
out beyond the driveways. He asked if the outlots he is seeing will be coming back to the HRA
or public land or stay in Pulte Homes.
Wally Wysopal,
City Manager,stated that will be on the preliminary plat which is the next item.
He saw one area where perhaps there could be just an asphalt parking lot, in the curve, on Rice
Creek Lane.
Mr. Heuer
stated what he is seeing is that Outlots A, B, and part of C will all have stormwater
facilities on them.
Mayor Lund
stated and that is what he is seeing. He thought there might be some parking
before you even get to that, the Outlot B storm retention ponding area.
Mr. Heuer
stated perhaps a couple of stalls perpendicular.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 9
Mayor Lund
replied, yes.
Mr. Heuer
stated that could be done.
Mayor Lund
stated he did not know if those outlots would be maintained by the City or Pulte
Homes.
Mr. Heuer
said typically the City wants to control the infrastructure because they have the
expertise to manage the stormwater. However, they would be okay either way.
Councilmember Bolkcom
said in the presentation, it says proposed project, three bathrooms or
four bedrooms. She heard something different.
Ms. Jones
said there was an error in the original proposal. It was misinterpreted.
Councilmember Bolkcom
stated she does not think they need any more hard surface. She loves
that there is going to be more greenspace, and they have to count on Pulte Homes’ expertise as
far as parking.
Councilmember Bolkcom
stated as to some of the comments at the Planning Commission
meeting there was a lot of talk about retention ponds and the lining of them. She asked for
clarification of that.
Jon Lennander
, Assistant Public Works Director, stated there are primarily two ponds they are
talking about right now. One is fairly close to the existing wellhouse. That is the one that has
been of the most concern. He did talk with the engineer for Landform about this. The concern
was that it is an infiltration pond, and they do have the two requirements for these kinds of
developments. There is a rate control, controlling how fast the water comes off the site; but then
there is also a well and infiltration requirement for these projects. At least the initial concern he
heard was that it is an infiltration pond. It is not. It is just a storm pond. It can certainly be
managed as a pond in that location. There is an overall stormwater permit for the overall
development that requires the City does provide the handling of the stormwater according to that
permit for the overall project. Those were the only two locations that really are available for the
two ponds. With the final plans for the project they do feel they will be able to provide the
stormwater treatment and also protect the well.
Councilmember Bolkcom
stated on page 21 of the March 21, 2018, Planning Commission
meeting minutes, there was a fair amount of discussion from Mr. Schultz that there was more
than one alternative for treating the pond.
Mr. Lennander
replied there is a number of ways to do it. For the most part, you still need to
provide the treatment for the area. Some of the different treatments may not provide the amount
of treatment that is required. The pond is the first step and, if it is necessary to go to something
else, they will go through that whole process with them as part of the final design and approvals
for the project.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 10
Councilmember Bolkcom
stated at the preconference meeting some of the discussion was
related to traffic concerns in that area. One of the things that is being worked on now is to
control some of the congestion and traffic. Some of it is a lot longer term. She asked if Mr.
Lennander could expound on that.
Mr. Lennander
replied the City is looking at making some changes to the overall area that do
not show up in the proposal for the Pulte development right now. The main problem with the
th
congestion and traffic getting in and out of this area has to do with the access at 69 to the
University Avenue Service Road. They will be moving that access farther to the north. They are
looking at adding a roundabout which will increase the flow of traffic through that area and
provide other alternates for traffic going in and out of the neighborhood.
Councilmember Bolkcom
stated Mr. Sandstrom was concerned about the noise.
Mr. Heuer
replied, they have been creating increasingly tight homes over the decades. In 2015,
Minnesota adopted the energy code that really tightened homes up a lot. They almost withstand
the sound reduction required from the airports. Also, whenever they sell a home, they have a lot
of interest in making sure their buyer is happy, because oftentimes, they will buy two, three, four
homes over the decades. Whenever they have a development, they always do their homework as
to what they should be disclosing to these people, and they are grateful for Mr. Sandstrom going
to the Planning Commission meeting and talking about the truck traffic and what streets they use.
Mr. Heuer took notes because they are going to be putting that in their disclosure along with a
number of other things so they do the best job possible to disclose any possible objection that
people might have before they sign purchase agreements.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if the exterior of the home is the homeowner’s responsibility.
Mr. Heuer
replied, that is correct.
Councilmember Barnette
asked what the approximate distance was between homes.
Mr. Heuer
replied a minimum of 10 feet.
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to close the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember
Barnette.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED
AT 7:40 P.M.
11.Preliminary Plat Request, PS #18-02, by Pulte Homes, to Replat the Properties
Generally Located at 6911 University Avenue and the Vacant Parcel to the East to
Allow for the Construction of 26 Villa Homes (Ward 1).
Ms. Jones
stated the request is to replat Outlots E and F to allow for the construction of 26 new
villa homes. The proposed plat will replat the existing Outlots E and F of Locke Park Point and
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 11
create 27 new lots. One of those 27 lots is the water treatment plant and then the 3 outlots they
were talking about that are set aside for stormwater treatment.
Ms. Jones
stated a public hearing for this was held on March 21 by the Planning Commission
and after hearing from the petitioner and the neighboring property owners the Planning
Commission did unanimously recommend approval. Staff recommends concurrence with the
Planning Commission on the approval of Plat #18-02 with one stipulation. That one stipulation
is that the petitioner shall pay park dedication fees of $1,500 for each single-family villa lot
created as a result of this plat, which is the City’s standard fee per parcel.
Councilmember Saefke
asked Mr. Heuer if he had any problem with the stipulation.
Mr. Heuer
replied, no.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if the Planning Commission meeting staff has heard from any
of the neighbors.
Ms. Jones
replied she believed Stacy Stromberg received a call inquiring about the osprey in the
area. She understands they are trying to relocate them into Community Park.
Mr. Lennander
stated he does not know the location but he knows they are trying to find an
alternate location for the nest. They did get the poles down before they returned.
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to approve the Preliminary Plat Request, PS #18-02, by
Pulte Homes, to Replat the Properties Generally Located at 6911 University Avenue and the
Vacant Parcel to the East to Allow for the Construction of 26 Villa Homes with the following
stipulation:
1. Petitioner shall pay park dedication of $1,500 for each single family villa lot created as a
result of this plat.
Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
12.First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Fridley City Code, Chapter 11, to Allow
for Collection of Fee for Day Care and Foster Care Fire Inspections per Minnesota
State Fire Code 299F.011, and Minnesota Statutes 245A.151
Mr. Wysopal
, City Manager, stated this is a standard item which normally would have been on
the consent agenda, but staff never had the opportunity to bring it forward to Council in a
conference meeting. State Statutes allow for the cities to recapture costs for licensing and review
of daycares. Anoka County remains responsible for that licensing process but gives the authority
to the local city to do the fire inspection. Fridley’s Fire Marshal, Mike Spencer, is trained and
certified to do the inspections, and this is a request to have an ordinance to allow the City to
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 12
charge a $50 fee which is authorized by State Statute. This would not be a general fee for all
residents but only for those who are doing daycare and have a need for that review. There are no
stipulations restricting the City in establishing that fee. This would be establishing the first
reading of the ordinance for Chapter 11 for the fees for daycare and foster care inspections at
$50.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if the most that could be charged was $50. She asked how
much it actually cost the City.
Mike Spencer,
City Fire Marshal,replied sometimes they will go out, and if they find a Code
violation, they are looking at general fire and life safety items such as smoke detectors, doors are
not blocked, handrails, etc. Occasionally they will have to go back. Normally they go back one
time. The daycare is usually pretty eager to open for business, so they will take care of things.
He does not know the actual cost.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked how long they usually spent at a daycare. She asked if they
had to check for plug-ins and electrical.
Mr. Spencer
said that would be a different inspection. They are checking to make sure that the
room with the furnace is not full of clutter, etc. It is general fire and life safety items.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if Anoka County did the other inspections.
Mr. Spencer
replied what happens to some of the daycares in Fridley, because they are a rental
property, staff for rental property inspections will go and inspect. This item is a one-time
inspection needed to receive their license from the County.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked and they only do it one time no matter how many years they
exist.
Mr. Spencer
replied that is his understanding. He does not know if they have an annual
reinspection because the daycares he has inspected have not been up for a second year yet. He
would be able to answer that at a later date.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if it was owned by one person and then it changes hands do
they go back in.
Mr. Spencer
said yes, because they would have to reapply for a license. He is certified through
the State so he can inspect in other cities also if they did not have a certified inspector so Fridley
would recover that cost, too.
Councilmember Varichak
asked if he was inspecting a licenses facility or homes.
Mr. Spencer
replied it is both. The old term used to be group home. Now they tend to be called
adult or child daycares. It could be a foster home. We have one in the Community Center. One
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 13
room is an adult daycare, and that has been inspected. They show up in single-family homes as
well.
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to waive the reading of the ordinance and adopt the
ordinance on first reading. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
13.Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on a Proposal for a Housing Finance
Program and Giving Preliminary Approval to the Issuance of Housing Facility
Revenue Bonds to Finance a Multifamily Housing Project Pursuant to Minnesota
Law, and Authorizing the Publication of a Notice of the Hearing (Ward 1).
Shelly Peterson,
Finance Director, stated what they have in front of them in a resolution which
does three things. It is calling for a public hearing on a proposal for a housing finance program.
It is also giving preliminary approval of the issuance of housing facility revenue bonds to finance
a multi-family housing project. Finally, it is authorizing the publication of notice of the hearing.
Ms. Peterson
stated the City has received a proposal from Dominium. Dominium is the partner
for Fridley Lease Housing Association I. Several of the Council’s memorandums will be from
Dominium, but this is the entity that will be doing the conduit issuance. They have asked the
City to help them secure financing for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Village Green
Apartments located at 460 Mississippi Street. They are townhomes and senior apartments.
Ms. Peterson
stated staff has met with Dominium regarding their proposed plans. In the
Council’s documents there is a timeline on when Dominium plans to begin and complete this
work.
Ms. Peterson
stated staff has made comments and recommendations to Dominium on some of
the things they would like to see incorporated. Police had comments on safety issues and there
are storm drainage issues that Mr. Lennander has been working with them on. Staff is supportive
of this proposed plan to renovate this 196-unit housing project.
Ms. Peterson
stated when she explained they were asking for assistance on financing, what they
are specifically asking for is for the City to issue conduit debt. This debt is considered a revenue
note which is paid based on pledged revenues that come from the Fridley Lease Housing
Association. Conduit debt does not constitute debt of the City, and the City is not pledging its
full faith and credit towards any future payment. This debt is issued in the City’s name, and the
reason for that is they will secure a good interest rate on this conduit debt because of the City’s
bond rating. It is excluded from the City’s annual $10 million bank qualified debt issuance
limits, and the City’s bond counsel has reviewed the preliminary request and also approves the
resolution indicating the City’s intent to call for the public hearing.
Ms. Peterson
stated in addition to the attached resolution, the City’s issuance of the conduit debt
is subject to several things. Submission of an application and approval by the Minnesota
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 14
Management Budget Department is required. They are the allocation authority. Admission and
review and comment from Met Council is also required by Dominium. There needs to be an
approval of the proposed project by the City’s bond counsel as this proceeds. Also, the City has
several steps that need to happen where the Council could choose to approve or not approve at
any point in that process.
Ms. Peterson
stated the City would hold the public hearing on the financing proposal and the
housing program. The City could approve both on that same night; and final approval is required
of the council, Dominium, and the purchasers of the bonds.
Ms. Peterson
stated staff is recommending Council call for a public hearing on the proposal of
this housing finance program and giving preliminary approval of the issuance of these revenue
bonds, specifically housing facility revenue bonds, to finance the purchase and rehabilitation of
Village Green Apartments and authorize the publication of a notice.
Mayor Lund
asked for clarification whether tonight they are just being asked to move forward
with the public hearing.
Ms. Peterson
replied, no, staff is asking for Council to approve the resolution to call for the
public hearing. They are also providing a resolution declaring the City’s intent to assist with the
financing which is the conduit issuance. They did this last November or December for Brink
Brothers. This allows Dominium to start incurring expenses and they can reimburse themselves
with bond proceeds. It is also required for their application to receive the allocation of this type
of revenue bond.
Mayor Lund
asked if this is all predicated on the fact that when they say they are going to do all
this updating and remodeling, etc., is that a part of this whole thing that they have to do it.
Ms. Peterson
replied, yes. So not only does the State’s Department of Budget, Met Council, and
the City need to approve their housing program which explains the work they plan to do, the City
has several opportunities to insure that they meet those obligations or the City can decide not to
do the conduit issuance. For example, she and Mr. Lennander have talked about the storm water
issues. It is important that Dominium move forward with these storm water issues and correct
them during this project. If they are not satisfied with Dominium’s solution or proposal, the City
could at some point in the process not move forward with this.
Councilmember Saefke
stated he knows their retention pond has been a headache for very long
time. He asked if Mr. Lennander was going to help them come up with a solution.
Jon Lennander,
Assistant Public Works Director,replied they have been working with the
previous owners of the property for almost the entire time he has been with the City. They had a
project lined up to make a number of improvements to the pond, and the current owners basically
backed out at the last minute on it. Both Rice Creek Watershed District and Mississippi Water
Management Organization have both said they are willing to help on that project if they can get
it, and Dominium has said they are willing to do it as well. In the last week they have
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 15
resubmitted a grant application to MWMO, and he expects they will fund it and the project will
get done.
Councilmember Saefke
asked if that would take care of any flooding problem that existed.
Mr. Lennander
replied, it will take care of current flooding issues. It will bring the pond back to
what was expected when the original development was done and then maybe beyond that once
they get to the final design of it. It is a 50-year design on that pond so it is possible they could
exceed that. Some of the storms the City has had have been greater than that. It is possible there
could still be some flooding, but it would make it better than it is right now.
Mayor Lund
stated the retention pond has overflowed and one or more of the properties along
the immediate east of that did flood significantly. His understanding is it really backs up from
Rice Creek and the outfall goes into Rice Creek and when Rice Creek is overflowing obviously
the stormwater backs up the system. They have to have a larger pipe or something to elevate it.
Mr. Lennander
stated there were a number of options for the projects that were proposed for
that. One of them was increasing the pipe sizes downstream, but that was expensive and they did
not look at going that route. It is within the pond on that property. They are making some
improvements to the outlet structure. Making some improvements to some of the water that is
coming into it, and then making the pond bigger; getting the sediment that is built up in there
dredged out, increasing and making the ability for that pond to actually infiltrate the water that
goes into it as well which will all help the flooding there.
Mayor Lund
stated and making the berm higher so it takes more to get the overflow.
Mr. Lennander
replied they will take a look at that as well.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked Ms. Peterson what she meant by them committing a temporary
approval.
Ms. Peterson
replied it is preliminary approval of the City’s intent to assist them with the
conduit debt issuance.
Councilmember Bolkcom
stated she is confused as she is brand new to this. This is a huge
project. When Ms. Peterson says, preliminary approval, what ownership does the City have in
that as far as going forward?
Ms. Peterson
replied, what they are doing with this resolution is saying that the City wants to
work with Village Green and Dominium on a conduit issuance (they are also applying for some
state financial assistance so if that comes first they will not need conduit issuance form the
City),. However, at any point in the process the City can change their mind.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked what the timeline was and when they would be purchasing the
property.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 16
Ms. Peterson
replied, the loan is for the purchase and the rehabilitation. She believes it is a
contingent purchase upon securing the financing, Dominium cannot apply to the State until May
th
7, the State would have to approve and allocate by the 15. Then the clock starts and there
would be 120 days after that to move forward with the conduit issuance.
Mr. Wysopal
stated for Dominium this is a business transaction, and they are seeking the lowest
form of capital financing they can get so they are out mortgage shopping. This would definitely
be one of the lowest forms of interest rate they can get with the City’s assistance which does not
give the City any financial liability. What happens is the buildings are in need of rehab.
Dominium is going in there and they are going to rehab these things.
Mr. Wysopal
stated, also, on page 4 of the Resolution, Exhibit A, there is proposed estimated
initial rents. This is something that is going on all over the metro area as these types of housing
projects seek rehabilitation and refinancing is that with that comes new rental rates. He wants to
make clear there is nothing the City Council is doing to establish those rates. Those rates are
established by Dominium as a financial instrument on what they need on a return for their
purchase and the rehab and rental maintenance of their property. If they do hear from people that
they are seeing a rent increase, the City Council is not authorizing the rent increase. Those
estimated rents need to be a part of their proposal. The City Council is not setting those rates.
MOTION
by Councilmember Barnette to approve Resolution No. 2018-16. Seconded by
Councilmember Saefke.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
14.Resolution Ordering Final Plans, Specifications and Calling for Bids: Locke
Parkway Construction Project No. ST 2018-2
Jon Lennander
, Assistant Public Works Director, stated engineering is working on construction
plans for the roadway proposed through the middle of the Fridley civic campus site. The road
will be known as Locke Parkway. The parkway will be a central feature of the civic campus
project. It will provide access to the private development and utilities for part of those projects.
Mr. Lennander
stated the original plans for the civic campus project included a roadway
separating the civic campus and the higher-density residential properties and the patio homes and
the existing residential properties to the south of the project.
Mr. Lennander
stated a concept plan for a divided parkway was developed and a landscape
median and the county trail along with that concept included a roundabout at the intersection of
the parkway with East University Avenue Service Road. The roundabout provides several
benefits to a T-intersection in this location including control of access to the Service Road
without a stop sign. It will reduce congestion at the intersection by allowing greater free
movement and multiple options for vehicles leaving the Holiday Hills neighborhood.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2018 PAGE 17
Mr. Lennander
stated at this time the cost of the parkway from East University Avenue Service
st
Road to 71 Avenue is expected to be $2.5 million to be funded with the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority TIF funding and supplemented by utility funds where available. The
current schedule to complete the project is ordering the plans and calling for bids tonight,
developing plans and advertising for the bids on May 3 with bids due on May 24, Council
approval project on May 29, start of construction would be mid-June, utility construction in June
and July, road construction in August and September, substantial completion by October 19, and
final completion of the project would be either next year or as works with the adjacent
developments as well.
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to approve Resolution No. 2018-17. Seconded by
Councilmember Bolkcom.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
15.Informational Status Reports
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked about the Moore Lake watermain.
Mr. Lennander
replied the project will start fairly soon. The contractor has been selected, and
they have been given notice to proceed. He is sure they are waiting until the road restrictions
have been removed, so it will begin probably towards the end of the month.
ADJOURN:
MOTION
by Councilmember Barnette to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Varichak.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT
8:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by,
Denise M. Johnson Scott J. Lund
Recording Secretary Mayor