09/29/2008 - 29259CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF FRIDLEY
SEPTEMBER 29, 2008
The City Council meeting for the City of Fridley was called to order by Mayor Lund at 7:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Lund
Councilmember-at-Large Barnette
Councilmember Saefke
Councilmember Varichak
Councilmember Bolkcom
OTHERS PRESENT: William Burns, City Manager
James Kosluchar, Public Works Director
Fritz Knaak, City Attorney
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director
PROCLAMATION:
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: October, 2008
Student Foreign Exchange Week: September 29 - October 5, 2008
Tai Naulnirun from Thailand
Daniel Odor from Hungary
Mairne Pabon-Zabata from France
Fire Prevention Week: October 5— 11, 2008
PRESENTATIONS:
Mark Daly - The ZONE/Teen Programs.
APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
City Council Meeting of September 15, 2008.
APPROVED.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 PAGE 2
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Approve Amendment to Comprehensive Sign Plan for Tri-Land Properties, Inc.,
Generally Located at 250 — 57t'' Avenue N.E. (Ward 3).
William Burns, City Manager, said the legislation amends the comprehensive sign plan for 250
57th Avenue (Cub Foods Building). The 1999 sign plan provides for signage for the four tenants
who were in the building at that time. The revisions provide for signage for the existing three
tenants with the understanding that the allowable signage will be redistributed as allowed by our
code among future tenants. Staff recommends Council's approval.
THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PLACED ON
THE REGULAR AGENDA.
2. Resolution Directing Preparation of the Assessment Roll for the 2008 Nuisance
Abatement.
William Burns, City Manager, said the roll includes 62 properties and assessments amounting to
$56,959.46. Staff recommends Council's approval.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008-41.
3. Resolution Directing Publication of Hearing on the Proposed Assessment Roll for the
2008 Nuisance Abatement.
William Burns, City Manager, said the public hearing date is October 27, 2008. Staff
recommends Council's approval.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008-42.
4. Resolution Declaring Costs to be Assessed and Ordering Preparation of Proposed
Assessment for Street Improvement Project No. ST. 2008-1.
William Burns, City Manager, said that the assessment roll includes 341 properties. The
estimated amount to be assessed is $870,000. Staff recommends Council's approval.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008-43.
5. Resolution Directing Publication of the Hearing on the Proposed Assessment of Street
Improvement Project No. ST. 2008-1.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008-44.
6. Resolution Designating Time and Number of Council Meetings for 2009.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008-45.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 PAGE 3
7. Approve School Resource Officer Agreement between the City of Fridley and
Independent School District No. 14.
William Burns, City Manager, said the contract applies for the 2008-2009 school year. The
only change to the existing contract is a change in the amount paid by the District for the services
of the two officers. The amount has been raised to $68,023 from $64,480. The increase reflects
the City's increased salary and benefit costs for the two officers. The District pays '/z of the
salaries for the 9-month period during which these officers serve at the Fridley Middle School
and the Fridley High School. Staff recommends Council's approval.
THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PLACED ON
THE REGULAR AGENDA.
8. Claims (138400 — 138743).
APPROVED.
9. Licenses.
APPROVED THE LICENSES AS SUBMITTED AND AS ON FILE.
10. Estimates.
APPROVED THE FOLLOWING ESTIMATES:
Lametti & Sons, Inc.
16028 Forest Blvd. N
Hugo, NIN 55038
2008 Sanitary Sewer Proj ect No. 376
Estimate No. 1 ................................................................... $ 67,778.70
Classic Protective Coatings
N7670 State Highway 25
Menomonie, WI 54751
2008 Water Tower #2 Rehabilitation Project #378
Estimate No. 1 .................................................................. $ 540,044.35
APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA:
Councilmember Bolkcom asked that Items 1 and 7 be removed from the consent agenda.
MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to approve the Consent Agenda with the removal of
Items 1 and 7. Seconded by Councilmember Varichak.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 PAGE 4
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the agenda with the addition of Items 1 and 7.
Seconded by Councilmember Saefke.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OPEN FORUM (VISITORS):
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, responded to an issue brought up at the Council meeting
of September 15 during Open Forum. Business owner Bert Martinez had flooding issues last fall
and more severe problems this August. The neighbor across the street also had some flooding
issues. Mr. Martinez's building was constructed as a single family home in 1950. Many
additions and changes have taken place to arrive at the current state of the building including an
additional area around the building. When the area was originally constructed, it did not have
water retaining ponds, so rainfall in the older impervious developed areas washes stormwater
immediately into the drainage system. The building is also at the low point of the area.
Mr. Kosluchar said in recent years, the City added two additional inlets. Last year, a survey
was started in the area and staff has been monitoring any significant rainstorms. Since that time,
staff has discovered and verified that there is an existence of a control structure down the street.
In August, there was about 2" of rainfall in 2 hours--an intense storm. The system backed up
which created a problem at the Martinez building and the building across the street.
Mr. Kosluchar said land survey boundary conditions of the watershed will be completed and the
static control structure has been opened up to increase the capacity. We hope to use the field
investigation to create a hydraulic model of the area, find out what is cost effective and what will
work to resolve the problem.
Mayor Lund asked if Mr. Kosluchar has spoken to the property owner.
Mr. Kosluchar answered yes.
Councilmember Bolkcom said she met with Mr. Martinez last week and noticed the storm
drains are very small. She also noticed that Mr. Martinez is in the low end of the area and he
showed her the damage from the last storm. She encouraged staff to look at the static control
structure to see if it makes sense to continue. For now, it has been opened up, and going forward
we need to look at opportunities and what it would cost to remedy this situation.
Mayor Lund said that the problem is further down stream than just opening up more outlets for
the water drain from the area.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 PAGE 5
Mr. Kosluchar said that the control structure may not be needed and modification would be the
most cost effective solution for now. It will be one to two weeks before the survey results are
known. The important thing is to define the boundary area. Mr. Martinez has had this issue for
about 10 years and there is a truck well on the south side of the property that will also hold
water. There are also other issues on the other side of the street. This is in an older
infrastructure development so we need to take a look at the overall watershed area.
Mayor Lund asked when they can expect a determination of what is going to fix the problem.
Mr. Kosluchar said that it will more than likely be 2009 before they come to a permanent
resolution to fix the problem.
Mayor Lund wanted people to understand that there is more involved than the discussion
tonight.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked that an update of the discussion tonight be forwarded to Mr.
Martinez.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Approve Amendment to Comprehensive Sign Plan for Tri-Land Properties, Inc.,
Generally Located at 250 — 57t'' Avenue N.E. (Ward 3)
Councilmember Bolkcom asked what they were agreeing to.
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, said the City Code allows a formula to
proportion the size of the sign to the size of the building. Based on how many tenants there are,
they get a certain amount of signage. The owners would like to redistribute some of the sign
space and would like to tell their tenants how much signage they can have. When they learned
about the formula, they were able to drop their variance and want to redistribute the signage
footage. Now it is clear to the future tenant how much signage they will be allowed. We are not
giving away additional signage space, but the 1999 comprehensive sign plan does not address
their situation today.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked where the amendment was.
Mr. Hickok said they would like to build a template for future tenants to use.
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve the amendment to the Comprehensive Sign
Plan for Tri-Lane Properties, Inc., generally located at 250 — 57th Avenue N.E. Seconded by
Councilmember Saefke.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 PAGE 6
7. Approve School Resource Officer Agreement between the City of Fridley and
Independent School District No. 14.
Councilmember Bolkcom said that Dr. Burns had mentioned at the budget meeting funding
related to the increase of wages.
William Burns, City Manager, said that staff was preparing some commentary for a budget
work session.
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve the School Resource Officer Agreement
between the City of Fridley and Independent School District No. 14. Seconded by
Councilmember Saefke.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Receive Bids and Award Contract for the Commons Park Water Treatment Plant
Improvement Project No. 379.
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, said on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, six bids were
opened for the Commons Park Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project. Staff affirms
Bonestroo's recommendation to construct the base bid work along with Alternates 1 and 2.
Mr. Kosluchar said that Alternate 1, the backwash tank improvements, will allow for a greater
amount of recycled water, greater efficiency, and reduced discharge to the sanitary sewer (which
is metered and paid for by the City).
Mr. Kosluchar said that additional investigations were performed on the filters at the Commons
Park Plant and Locke Park Plant to determine the performance of the air wash system. A clear
and definitive improvement was found in the backwash performance when the filters operate
with the air wash system. They would expect a longer filter media life, shorter backwash cycles,
and reduced possibility of sludge buildup in the filters by awarding the work included in
Alternate 2.
Mr. Kosluchar said the estimate based on the project plans was $707,000 for construction of the
base bid items and Alternate one and two work The budgeted amount for this project in 2008 is
$500,000. The low bid is $606,700 for all work including Alternates one and two. The project is
to be funded by the 2008-09 utility bond issue supported by water rates.
Mr. Kosluchar said that in order to award the entire project and maintain our 2008 budget, staff
would recommend that the alley reconstruction to Pump House Nos. 4 and 6 be suspended for a
later budget cycle. This is our lowest priority project in the 2008 Water Division CIP. Staff
recommends the City Council receive the bids and award the Commons Park Water Treatment
Plant Improvements Project (No. 379), including Alternates 1 and 2, to Shank Constructors, Inc.,
in the amount of $606,700 and that the alley reconstruction to Pump House Nos. 4 and 6 be
suspended and included in a future budget cycle to be determined.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 PAGE 7
Councilmember Saefke agreed that the extra expense is worth it just for the cleanliness. He
asked if part of this contract included clean up or paint touch-up.
Mr. Kosluchar responded yes, clean up is included in the project and it also includes an access
door that can be used in the future. There is also a plan to open up a wall.
Councilmember Saefke commented that the entrances to the man ways and exits were too small
by OSHA standards. He encouraged staff to take a look at the man ways.
Mr. Kosluchar said he would make sure that is looked at.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked about the pump house and if Council should wait until later.
She asked what would happen if the process was delayed.
Mr. Kosluchar said that the pump houses are not the next priority. Staff would like to take
some time to look at the 2009 budget and talk about that in more detail at the next budget
meeting.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked if there was any indication of energy costs or decrease of water
going into the system
Mr. Kosluchar said that this should reduce by a factor of 3 or 4. The number was low enough
that we had good value and we were expecting the price to be much higher.
Councilmember Bolkcom said that it would be interesting to see what it would save us.
Mayor Lund asked why this was not considered as necessary work to be done.
Mr. Kosluchar said that there was some uncertainty as to what the cost components would be.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked when the process would start.
Mr. Kosluchar said in November.
MOTION by Councilmember Saefke to receive bids and award the contract for the Commons
Park Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project No. 379 to Shank Constructors, Inc., in the
amount of $606,700. Seconded by Councilmember Barnette.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
12. Informal Status Report.
Councilmember Bolkcom said that on October 11 there will be another recycling event to get
rid of computers, bicycles, etc. For more information go to www.ci.fridley.mn.us. This
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 PAGE 8
Saturday there will be another paper shredding event from 9:00 a.m. to noon. She also
mentioned that they are working on Osborne Road from October 7 through 11 and the road will
be closed. There will be a detour as they work on the railroad crossing.
Councilmember Barnette said he received two calls with regards to the quiet zone and why the
whistles are still blowing.
Councilmember Bolkcom said the final application had to go in and they have 20 days to
respond, so we are looking at the end of October before we would actually have silence.
Mayor Lund said the Octoberfest first annual celebration was not very well attended, but those
there had a good time. They hope to expand the event next year.
William Burns, City Manager, said the City newsletter will be coming out soon.
ADJOURN:
MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Varichak.
UPON VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Krista Monsrud Scott J. Lund
Recording Secretary Mayor