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Approved Minutes 11-19-2003Page 1 of 10 SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE SAINT PAUL CITY COUNCIL Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 3:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 3RD FLOOR City Hall and Court House 15 West Kellogg Boulevard Web Index • Consent Agenda • Communications and Administrative Orders • For Action • For Discussion • Ordinances • Suspension Items • Public Hearings The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. by Council President Bostrom. Present - 6 - Benanav, Blakey, Bostrom, Coleman, Helgen, Lantry Absent - 1 - Harris (excused) CONSENT AGENDA (Items I -15) Councilmember Benanav requested Item 3, Administrative Order D002343 be removed for discussion. Councilmember Lantry requested Item 5 be removed for discussion and lay over to December 3. Council President Bostrom requested Item 14 be read into the record. Councilmember Lantry moved approval as amended. Adopted as amended Yeas - 6 Nays 0 NOTE: ALL ITEMS LISTED UNDER CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION. THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED BY A COUNCIL,MEMBER, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED SEPARATELY. COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS 1. Claims of Roger Kramer, Rick Kuhn, Lan Ngo, Traci Jordan - Nwogwugwu, State Farm Insurance (for Tamera Rubin), Jeremey Swanson, and Xcel Energy (two claims). Referred to the Risk Management Division fileJ /C:ADOCUME— l\LFSUPP— l\LOCALS —l\ Temp \ELF20101215_153023\Approved ... 12/15/2010 Page 2 of 10 2. Letter from the Office of the City Attorney announcing a public hearing before an Administrative Law Judge on November 20, 2003 at 10:00 a.m., Room 42, St. Paul City Hall -Court House, concerning the Currency Exchange License Renewal Application of New Money Express, Inc., 785 7th Street East. 3. Administrative Orders: D002342 Authorizing the proper City officials in the Division of Parks and Recreation to execute all lease agreements that mature in 2004, and are one year or less in duration, pursuant to Chapter 86.03 of the Administrative Code. D002343 (Discussed after the Consent Agenda) Noted as on file in the City Clerk's Office FOR ACTION 4. Approval of minutes of October 15, 2003. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 5. (Discussed after the Consent Agenda) 6. Resolution - 03 -1017 - Authorizing the Department of Fire and Safety Services to accept a grant in the amount of $148,481 from the State of Minnesota for the 2003 Federal Homeland Security Equipment /Exercise grant to enhance the City of Saint Paul's ability to respond to weapons of mass destruction incidents. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 7. Resolution - 03 -1018 - Canceling the assessment for Lead Water Service Replacement, C.F. 03 -958 adopted on October 22, 2003, for 414 Minnehaha Avenue East. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 8. Resolution - 03 -1019 - Authorizing the Port Authority to issue Business Development Program Bonds. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 9. Resolution - 03 -1020 - Approving the application with conditions, per the Legislative Hearing Officer, for a Second Hand Dealer -Motor Vehicle License by David Mwaura and Anthony G. Wanjiku, owners, A/D Autodealers, Inc, 131 Ivy Avenue West. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 10. Resolution - 03 -1021 - Suspending the Massage Practitioner's License held by Mary Ellen Schmidley immediately until the required information has been submitted to the Office of License, Inspections and Environmental Protection. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 11. Resolution - 03 -1022 - Concerning adverse action against the Massage Practitioner's License application of Karri A. Abbott at 60 Plato Boulevard, Suite 110. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 12. Resolution - 03 -1023 - Establishing a financing and spending plan for $17,500 to be received from file:/ /C:ADOCUME— l\LFSUPP— l\LOCALS —l\ Temp \ELF20101215_153023\Approved ... 12/15/2010 Page 3 of 10 Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. for services provided in conjunction with the marathon. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 13. Resolution - 03 -1024 - Reallocating the remaining balance from the Phalen Recreation Center and Site Work project to the Western Park Site Improvement project and CIB contingency. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 14. (Discussed after the Consent Agenda) 15. Preliminary Order - 03 -1026 - In the matter of the installation and operating costs for the above standard, twin lantern lighting system on West 7th Street from Munster Avenue to Madison Avenue, and setting date of public hearing for December 17, 2003. (File Nos. 18999 and 19000) Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 Suspension Item Councilmember Coleman moved suspension of the rules and approval of the following resolution: Resolution - 03 -1036 - Naming Sunday, November 16, 2003, Ruth Elizabeth Pazdernik Day and wishing her a happy 100 birthday. Council President Bostrom presented a resolution honoring Ruth Elizabeth Pazdernik on her 100 birthday and naming Sunday, November 16, 2003 as Ruth Elizabeth Pazdernik Day. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 3. D002343 Authorizing funds for three non -city employees to attend the Value -Based Initiative Conference that will be held December 2 -4, 2003, in Kansas City, Missouri. Councilmember Benanav was concerned that a grant was being made available for non -city employees. He believed city employees should be attending this conference. 5. Resolution - 03 -1016 - Approving the May 1, 2003 through April 30, 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Saint Paul and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 110. (To be laid over one week for adoption) Councilmember Lantry raised concerns that the new contract would eliminate coverage under Civil Service Rules. She understood this was a negotiable item, however, she had concerns that city inspectors would be taken out of the protection of Civil Service. She also believed this would set a precedent for other negotiated union contracts. Councilmember Lantry moved to lay over two weeks. Laid over to December 3 Yeas - 6 Nays -0 14. Resolution - 03 -1025 - Authorizing the proper city officials to accept and set up a financing and spending plan for donations totaling $75,850 from Capital City Partnership, the Saint Paul Hotel, the Saint Paul Port Authority, Saint Paul Companies, Minnesota Life, 3M, Ecolab, Xcel Energy, Frauenshuh fileJ /C:ADOCUME— l\LFSUPP— l\LOCALS —l\ Temp \ELF20101215_153023\Approved ... 12/15/2010 Page 4 of 10 Companies, Wells Fargo, Lawson Software, the Saint Paul Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and J.J. Hill Library for installation of seasonal lights. Council President Bostrom wished to recognize the businesses who made contributions to the installation of seasonal lighting. Councilmember Coleman moved approval. Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 FOR DISCUSSION 16. Resolution - 03 -883 - Finding Comcast of St. Paul, Inc. in violation of its franchise. (Laid over from October 8) Holly Hansen, Office of Cable Communication, appeared and stated that city staff is working with Comcast in an attempt to resolve this issue. She requested a lay over to December 3. Councilmember Lantry moved to lay over to December 3. Laid over to December 3 Yeas - 6 Nays -0 ORDINANCES NOTE: AN ORDINANCE IS A CITY LA W ENACTED BY THE CITY CO UNCIL. IT IS READ AT FO UR SEPARATE COUNCIL MEETINGS AND BECOMES EFFECTIVE AFTER PASSAGE BY THE COUNCIL AND 30 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION IN THE SAINT PAUL LEGAL LEDGER. 17. First Reading - 03 -1027 - An ordinance amending Chapter 43 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code by raising the vacant building fee from $200.00 per year to $250.00 per year to reflect an increase in the cost of enforcement. Laid over to November 26 for second reading 18. First Reading - 03 -1028 - An ordinance amending Chapters 60 through 69 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code pertaining to zoning code reformatting and streamlining, adding Traditional Neighborhood zoning districts, and related amendments. Laid over to November 26 for second reading 19. First Reading - 03 -1029 - An ordinance amending Chapter 64 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code pertaining to the administration of the zoning code and setting fees to defray the costs of reviewing, investigating and administering services, materials, and work performed and furnished to persons making zoning applications to the City. Laid over to November 26 for second reading Suspension Item Councilmember Benanav moved suspension of the rules and approval of the following resolution: Resolution - 03 -1037 - Supporting KSTP -AM Radio's role in fighting racism and sustaining strong communities. fileJ /C:ADOCUME— l \LFSUPP —1 \LOCALS —l\ Temp \ELF20101215_153023\Approved ... 12/15/2010 Page 5 of 10 Councilmember Benanav stated this concerned comments that were made on KSTP Radio that were insensitive and inappropriate in nature. It was his request to have KSTP acknowledge the value of civil public dialogue and recognize their roll in fighting racism to sustain strong communities in Minnesota. Councilmember Coleman stated he did not believe the comments that were made had any racial intent and that this had more to do with a political battle rather than a constructive dialogue to try to resolve some of the underlying racial issues. He said he did not feel this would not resolve the issue of racism. Councilmember Blakey stated he listened to the playback of the show and found it to be offensive and insensitive to others. Council President Bostrom stated he believed all this accomplished was improved ratings of the radio show. Adopted Yeas - 4 Nays - 2 (Bostrom, Coleman) (Blakey was excused from the meeting at this time) The meeting was recessed from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Roll call: 4 - Present 3 - Absent (Blakey [excused], Coleman, Harris - arrived after roll call) PUBLIC HEARINGS 20. Third Reading - 03 -963 - An interim ordinance enacted pursuant to Minn. Stat. §462.355, Subd. 4 preserving the status quo with respect to the use of property within the City of Saint Paul pending the completion of studies of possible amendments to the Saint Paul Legislative Code relating to the repair or maintenance of non - conforming advertising signs. No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing. A substitute ordinance was introduced and laid over to November 26 for final adoption. Yeas - 4 Nays - 0 (Coleman not present) 21. Third Reading - 03 -992 - An ordinance amending Chapter 86 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code pertaining to the rules and regulations of the Board of Water Commissioners. No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing. Yeas - 4 Nays - 0 (Coleman not present) Laid over to November 26 for final adoption. 22. Third Reading - 03 -993 - An ordinance amending Chapter 60 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code pertaining to zoning for the City of Saint Paul with changes for the Trout Brook/Lower Phalen Creek Greenway zoning maps. Larry Soderholm, Department of Planning and Economic Development, appeared and presented a staff report. The zoning recommendations were consistent with the Small Area Plan which had been previously adopted. The city purchased part of the Trillium site which is to become park land and for the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. This rezoned the property to single - family home which is typically what is zoned for park land. The Planning Commission recommended approval. No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Benanav moved to close the public hearing. Yeas - 4 Nays - 0 (Coleman not present) Laid over to November 26 for final adoption. file:/ /C:ADOCUME— l\LFSUPP— l\LOCALS —l\ Temp \ELF20101215_153023\Approved ... 12/15/2010 Page 6 of 10 23. Third Reading - 03 -994 - An ordinance amending Chapter 402 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to comply with changes to the state law regarding charitable gambling. No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing. Yeas - 4 Nays - 0 (Coleman not present) Laid over to November 26 for final adoption. 24. Third Reading - 03 -995 - An ordinance amending Chapter 409.21 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to comply with changes to the state law regarding charitable gambling. No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing. Yeas - 4 Nays - 0 (Coleman not present) Laid over to November 26 for final adoption. 25. Third Reading - 03 -1002 - An ordinance amending Chapters 33 and 34 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to establish requirements for student dwellings including Certificate of Occupancy inspections and the installation of hard wired smoke detectors. No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Benanav moved to close the public hearing. Yeas - 4 Nays - 0 (Coleman not present) Laid over to November 26 for final adoption. 26. Resolution - 03 -1030 - Approving the application of Shannon Pierce, representing the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, 75 West Fifth Street, 429 Landmark Center, for a sound level variance from December 1, 2003 to January 20, 2004, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., to allow ice harvesting on Lake Phalen, 1400 Phalen Park Drive. No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing. Councilmember Lantry questioned the dates listed on the resolution. Council President Bostrom recommended changing the date on line 24 from December 20 to December 1. Councilmember Lantry moved approval as amended. Adopted as amended Yeas - 4 Nays - 0 (Coleman not present) 27. Resolution - 03 -1031 - Approving the application of Shannon Pierce, representing the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, 75 West Fifth Street, 429 Landmark Center, for a sound level variance for music for the Ice Palace in conjunction with the Winter Carnival from January 22, 2004, to February 8, 2004, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, at Cleveland Circle, 155 Seventh Street West. No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing and approval. Adopted Yeas - 4 Nays - 0 (Coleman not present) 28. Resolution - 03 -1032 - Approving the petition of Scott and Jennifer Ebel to vacate part of the alley at 125 Hyacinth Avenue West to facilitate construction of a retaining wall. Peter White, Real Estate Division, stated they received a petition to vacate a part of a T alley in the block bounded by Rice, Park, Hyacinth and Ivy. He showed the area on the map and said the petitioners intend to put in a retaining wall. Staff recommended approval. (Coleman arrived) fileJ /C:ADOCUME— l\LFSUPP— l\LOCALS —l\ Temp \ELF20101215_153023\Approved ... 12/15/2010 Page 7 of 10 No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing and approval. Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0 29. Resolution - 03 -1033 - Approving the petition of John Radabaugh, Joe's Bait Shop, to vacate part of Blocks 1 and 4, Butterfield Syndicate No. 2, part of an adjacent alley and part of vacated Stinson Street, for parking space. Peter White, Real Estate Division, said this area was by the Public Works shops and garages off of Dale Street near Front. Joe's Bait Shop had occupied the building and used the property for parking for customers. It is surplus city property and he recommended approval of the resolution. Uniforms Unlimited now occupies the building and will continue to use the area for parking. No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Helgen moved to close the public hearing and approval. Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0 30. Resolution Ratifying Assessment - 03 -1034 - In the matter of the assessment of benefits, cost and expenses for property clean -up, during the month of June, 2003, demolition of vacant building during the month of July, 2003 and towing of abandoned vehicles from private property during November and December, 2002. (Laid over from October 22) (Legislative Hearing Officer recommends the following: 805 Agate Street (J0305A1) - approval of the assessment; 543 Maryland Avenue East (J0305A1) - approval of the assessment; 486 Carroll Avenue (J0303C1) - spreading the assessment over a five -year period; 408 Banfil Street (J0302V1) - approval of the assessment) No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing and adoption as amended. Adopted as amended (per the recommendation of the Legislative Hearing Officer) Yeas - 5 Nays -0 31. Resolution Ratifying Assessment - 03 -1035 - In the matter of the assessment of benefits, cost and expenses for Summary Abatements ( property clean -up) during the month of July, 2003, for property at 686 Sims Avenue (J0306A2) (Laid over from October 22) (Legislative Hearing Officer recommends approval) No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing and adoption as amended. Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0 32. Appeal of Kelly Brisson to a Notice of Condemnation and Order to Vacate property at 297 Burgess Street. (Legislative Hearing Officer recommends denying the appeal) Appeal denied (per the recommendation of the Legislative Hearing Officer) Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer, appeared and stated this was the third condemnation the Council had heard on this property over the past several months. The first condemnation was modified by the Council lifting the condemnation for unit one as it had been a gross unsanitary and had been cleaned up by the time of the hearing. The second condemnation, which was a carryover from the first, had to do with roof, electrical, and windows. Permits had been pulled for this work, however, at the time of the second hearing, the permits had not been closed. She had consulted LISP inspectors who indicated that 95 percent of the work had been completed. The Council determined that the fileJ /C:ADOCUME— l\LFSUPP— l\LOCALS —l\ Temp \ELF20101215_153023\Approved ... 12/15/2010 Page 8 of 10 condemnation would be lifted provided all of the work be completed within one week. The condemnation on appeal today resulted from Sheriff's deputies summoning housing inspectors to the property and inspectors condemned based on the conditions they observed. There was disagreement between the property owner and the inspector on how the conditions were caused. She noted that she recommended the appeal be denied not only because of the current conditions at the property but also the only permit which had been closed was for windows. The remainder of the work was still incomplete. John Shoemaker, 3601 Minnesota Drive, Edina, appeared and stated he was the attorney representing the property owner, Kelly Brisson. He had been retained that afternoon by Mr. Brisson and had not had the opportunity to review all of the files. It was his understanding that this property was a duplex with a tenant living on the main level. In July, there was a condemnation notice issued and a revised condemnation in August. The property was ordered to be vacated in July which resulted in the tenant, who was disabled, being homeless and Mr. Brisson was forced to sleep in his vehicle while trying to fix the property. Mr. Brisson received a letter on September 22 indicating that the property had been inspected, that all of the conditions had been met and the property could now be reoccupied. On October 9 there was a no -knock raid and Mr. Brisson was arrested for two outstanding misdemeanor housing citations that had occurred in June and July. No contraband was found, however, he was detained in jail for a day and a half. The damage that was caused by this raid, by the Ramsey County Sheriff and St. Paul Police Department, is reflected in the October 14 condemnation notice. Mr. Brisson did not have a lot of money, however, had worked diligently to bring the property up to code when this raid occurred. He believed the condemnation was improper as it related to the lower unit. The damage that occurred was only to the upper unit and the condemnation notice was for the entire building. He believed the city needed to examine fair housing violations as well as the American Disabilities Act as it related to the tenant in the lower unit. If the condemnation was approved, this tenant will again be left homeless. He believed the condemnation was baseless since the government had caused the damage to the upper unit. Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing. Yeas - 5 Nays - 0 Council President Bostrom reviewed the list of violations and questioned how law enforcement could be responsible for the list of deficiencies caused by a raid as contended by Mr. Shoemaker. Ms. Moermond responded the inspector arrived after the raid had occurred. She pointed out there were still outstanding orders on the electrical which had not been signed off. The tenant had filed a tenant's remedies act and the owner would have to pay for living accommodations for the tenant if the unit remained condemned. The lower unit, however, was not part of condemnation order. Councilmember Helgen moved to deny the appeal. Appeal denied Yeas - 5 Nays - 0 33. Appeal of Albert Gustafson to a Notice of Condemnation and Order to vacate property at 291 Ravoux Street 46. (Legislative Hearing Officer recommends granting the appeal and allowing the occupant to remain at the property) Laid over to December 3 (per the recommendation of the Legislative Hearing Officer)Yeas - 5Nays - 0 34. Public hearing to consider the application of Craig and Tracy Mulholland to rezone property at 615 St. Anthony Avenue from B -2 (community business) to B -3 (general business) to conduct outdoor sales of produce, sporting equipment, designer clothes, fireworks and food concessions. (Laid over from October 22) Al Lovejoy, Department of Planning and Economic Development, appeared and said the applicant had fileJ /C:ADOCUME— l\LFSUPP— l\LOCALS —l\ Temp \ELF20101215_153023\Approved ... 12/15/2010 Page 9 of 10 requested this matter be laid over to allow additional time to consult with the District 8 Planning Council. The applicants had not met with the district council which recommended denial. No one appeared; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public hearing and deny the application. Motion of Intent - Application denied Yeas - 5 Nays - 0 35. Public hearing to consider the application of Jason's Dry Ice for a subdivision by lot split to create two industrial parcels with a variance of the requirement to plat previously unplatted land at the northwest corner of Charles Avenue and Transfer Road. Patricia James, Department of Planning and Economic Development, appeared and stated that the property had not been platted and the zoning code required platting of untitled land. They were requesting a variance of the application so they could proceed with a lot split. Staff recommended approval of the variance and subdivision. No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Lantry moved to close the public and grant the application. Motion of Intent - Application granted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0 36. Public hearing to consider the appeal of Saint Paul Development Corporation to a decision of the Planning Commission upholding the Zoning Administrator's denial of a site plan to reorganize the layout of an existing parking lot and create an access from the parking lot to an adjacent alley at 452 Selby Avenue. Tom Beach, Office of License Inspections and Environmental Protection (LISP), appeared and presented correspondence he had received from affected property owners who objected to the site plan. He showed a visual map of the area involved. The parking lot was adjacent to the lot that served Blair Arcade and the St. Paul Curling Club. There was no access from this parking lot to Selby Avenue. When the site plan for this property was originally approved in 1987, the owner was supposed to obtain an easement allowing patrons to drive across the property to Selby Avenue. The current owner submitted a site plan which would create a separate parking lot that would have access to the alley but would not allow access across all the parking lots. The owner of Blair Arcade indicated that he would allow an easement across the parking lot if the appellant would grant an easement as well. Staff, the Zoning Committee and Planning Commission voted to deny the site plan allowing alley access as it would be unsafe and there were other alternatives to accessing the parking lot. Steven Harris, 200 South 6 th Street, Minneapolis, appeared and stated he was the attorney representing Saint Paul Development Corporation. There were significant legal problems and the practical solution would be to allow a curb cut for a separate parking lot. The curb was installed in the alley in 1987 which cut off access to the parking lot area. He contended that property owners had the right of access to their property and this owner had no legal right of access to his property behind his building. The HRA had the obligation to sign off on the easement to the parking lot several times, however, failed to do so. He recited the definition of `alley.' Councilmember Coleman questioned whether access to this property had been allowed since 1987 through lots one and two. Mr. Harris stated this was correct, however, this was a trespass. Coleman stated that when the property was purchased, a title search would have indicated that this was a condition on the property. He believed it was not the city's responsibility. Mr. Harris stated this became an issue when Saint Paul Development's tenant, fileJ /C:ADOCUME— l\LFSUPP— l\LOCALS —l\ Temp \ELF20101215_153023\Approved ... 12/15/2010 Page 10 of 10 La Grolla Restaurant, made an application for a liquor license which was objected by Bellaire, an adjacent property owner, who stated that they did not have access to the property. There had never been a formal offer for an easement to the parking lot from Bellaire. Mike Orme, 3140 Neil Armstrong Blvd, Eagan, appeared and stated that he was the attorney representing the St. Paul Curling Club. The position of the Curling Club was to allow cross access easement. It was his understanding that all adjoining businesses were in agreement to this arrangement except Saint Paul Development Corporation. He believed this was the best option for all of the businesses. Councilmember Coleman moved to close the public hearing and denial of the appeal. Motion of Intent - Appeal denied Yeas - 5 Nays - 0 Councilmember Lantry moved to adjourn the meeting. ADJOURNED AT 6:35 P.M. Daniel Bostrom, Council President ATTEST: Minutes approved by Council Mary Erickson December 17, 2003 Assistant Council Secretary Submitted by: Vicki Sheffer fileJ /C:ADOCUME— l\LFSUPP— l\LOCALS —l\ Temp \ELF20101215_153023\Approved ... 12/15/2010