Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Agenda
Not on file
What was on the agenda.
Packet
Not on file
The supporting materials the board reviewed.
One-line summary
Council approved a variance, gave code-enforcement direction, set 2016 road program actions (including dust control bidding direction), handled several consent items, adopted Ordinance 2016-01, approved the recycling contract, debated compensation scales, approved a $2,500 Heritage Festival donation, and accepted an employee retirement/resignation and hiring-transition steps.
26 items as recorded in the minutes, each with a short summary of what was at issue.
AApprove/amend the meeting agenda
1Sheriff Report / Meet the Deputies
Lt. Wayne Heath introduced deputies to the Council.
2Floor Items
Consulting City Planner Liz Stockman responded to concerns about her work and fees and described planning process, fees, and billing history.
Liz Stockman, the consulting city planner, used floor time to respond to complaints about her work and fees, describing the ordinance-based planning process, common fee drivers, and billing history. Kent Roessler then addressed the Council with detailed criticisms of Stockman’s handling of his lot split and the associated fees, requested a fee rebate and a public apology regarding a septic permit statement, and urged the City to hire a different planner; the Council voted to place the matter for discussion at the March workshop.
3aPlanning and Zoning: Jeff Gibas variance request (PID 19-33-25-13-0002)
Variance request at 9060 203rd Ave for a 36x48 accessory building closer to road than required 300 foot setback; approved with removal of condition #2.
The Council approved a variance request to allow a 36x48 accessory building to be closer to the road than the required 300-foot setback, approving it as recommended by the planner’s findings dated February 9, 2016 and the Planning and Zoning Commission, with condition #2 removed.
Approved as recommended by the Planner in Findings and Fact dated February 9, 2016 and the Planning and Zoning Commission, with removal of condition #2.
3b(1)Code Enforcement Direction: Rohach Property - 21202 St. Francis Blvd
Council directed separating building compliance from junk/debris compliance request.
The Council provided direction on three code-enforcement matters: it split the Rohach property’s building compliance from junk/debris compliance to help achieve compliance; it tabled discussion of the Scott property until the March meeting; and it approved staff’s recommendation for the Bettinger property to create a timeline with goals/dates and have the Mayor visit the property with the planner to assess and assist.
3b(2)Code Enforcement Direction: Scott Property - 21830 Xenon Street
Discussion tabled until March meeting.
The Council provided direction on three code-enforcement matters: it split the Rohach property’s building compliance from junk/debris compliance to help achieve compliance; it tabled discussion of the Scott property until the March meeting; and it approved staff’s recommendation for the Bettinger property to create a timeline with goals/dates and have the Mayor visit the property with the planner to assess and assist.
3b(3)Code Enforcement Direction: Bettinger Property - 6304 Old Viking Blvd
Council approved recommendation to develop a timeline with goals/dates and have Mayor and Stockman visit property to assess/assist.
The Council provided direction on three code-enforcement matters: it split the Rohach property’s building compliance from junk/debris compliance to help achieve compliance; it tabled discussion of the Scott property until the March meeting; and it approved staff’s recommendation for the Bettinger property to create a timeline with goals/dates and have the Mayor visit the property with the planner to assess and assist.
4Kent Roessler - comments on planner performance and fees
Roessler requested fee rebate, public apology, and change in planner; council set discussion for March workshop.
Liz Stockman, the consulting city planner, used floor time to respond to complaints about her work and fees, describing the ordinance-based planning process, common fee drivers, and billing history. Kent Roessler then addressed the Council with detailed criticisms of Stockman’s handling of his lot split and the associated fees, requested a fee rebate and a public apology regarding a septic permit statement, and urged the City to hire a different planner; the Council voted to place the matter for discussion at the March workshop.
Referred for discussion at the Workshop in March.
5aRoad and Bridge: 2016 Gravel Plan
Council approved graveling plan and required a dated revised Gravel Plan at season end showing planned vs. completed work.
The Council approved the 2016 graveling plan and also directed that, at the end of the season, staff provide a dated revised gravel plan showing what was planned and what was actually graveled. For dust control, the Council debated whether to require sealed bids; that motion failed, and the Council then approved the Dust Control and Crack Seal Plan with direction for staff to use a bid form and obtain quotes using that form.
Two motions carried: approval of plan; and end-of-season revised dated Gravel Plan showing planned vs. graveled.
5bRoad and Bridge: 2016 Dust Control
Council first failed a motion to require sealed bids, then approved dust control and crack seal plan with staff using a bid form to get quotes.
The Council approved the 2016 graveling plan and also directed that, at the end of the season, staff provide a dated revised gravel plan showing what was planned and what was actually graveled. For dust control, the Council debated whether to require sealed bids; that motion failed, and the Council then approved the Dust Control and Crack Seal Plan with direction for staff to use a bid form and obtain quotes using that form.
Sealed-bid approach failed; subsequent motion carried to approve dust control and crack seal plan and get quotes using bid form.
5cRoad and Bridge: 2016 Crack Seal Plan
Handled under the same motion as dust control.
The Council approved the 2016 graveling plan and also directed that, at the end of the season, staff provide a dated revised gravel plan showing what was planned and what was actually graveled. For dust control, the Council debated whether to require sealed bids; that motion failed, and the Council then approved the Dust Control and Crack Seal Plan with direction for staff to use a bid form and obtain quotes using that form.
Approved under dust control/crack seal motion.
6.1.1Consent Agenda: Approve the January 12, 2016 City Council Meeting Minutes
Later tabled pending clarification from the City attorney.
Although the consent agenda listed approval of the January 12, 2016 City Council minutes, Councilmember Rainville raised a concern about how her position was reflected and moved to table approval pending clarification from the City attorney; the motion carried with one dissenting vote.
Tabled pending clarification from the City attorney.
6.1.2Consent Agenda: Financial Report
Approved as part of consent motion covering items 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5.
6.1.3Consent Agenda: Approve All Audited Bills Claim #9878 through Claim #9929, plus Net Distribution reports dated January 11 and January 25, 2016
Approved as part of consent motion covering items 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5.
6.1.4Consent Agenda: Nowthen Knights - Lawn Maintenance Service Agreement
Approved as part of consent motion covering items 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5.
6.1.5Consent Agenda: Renew Safe Assure Contract
$1,441.26 renewal; increase of $28.26.
Approved as part of consent motion covering items 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5.
7aCouncil Items: Proposed Ordinance Amendment (Ordinance No. 2015-07) - Chapter two (2) of the City Code
Adopted Ordinance 2016-01 amending Chapter Two to govern portions of commissions/committees as policies and allow only one council member as non-voting ex-officio liaison to P&Z.
The Council adopted Ordinance 2016-01 amending Chapter Two of the City Code to govern portions of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Road and Bridge, and Park and Recreation Committees as policies and to allow only one City Council member to serve as a non-voting ex-officio liaison of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Ordinance 2016-01 adopted.
7bCouncil Items: Appointments to the Ramsey Fire Chief Recruitment Panel (2 Council Members)
Appointed Councilmember Reighard and Mayor Pilon.
7cCouncil Items: Recycling Center 2016 Municipal Contract
The Council approved the 2016 Recycling Center Municipal Contract. Separately, a request to purchase a shipping/storage container for the recycling center was tabled until further information could be provided, with discussion noting the goal of adding additional recyclable items and future improvements.
7dCouncil Items: Wage / Compensation Step Plan & Proposal Received
Council debated revised 2016 compensation step plan; initial motion for detailed comparison report failed; motion to adopt step plan failed; motion to revise scales to min/medium/max range carried.
The Council held an extended discussion on staff compensation structure and a revised 2016 compensation step plan. A motion directing staff to prepare a detailed comparison report failed; a motion to approve and adopt the revised 2016 Compensation Step Plan also failed; the Council ultimately carried a motion to revise the proposed 2016 compensation scales into a minimum/medium/maximum range format using the same numbers.
Motion carried to revise proposed 2016 compensation scales as a physical min/medium/max range.
7eCouncil Items: Land Use Signs - Quotes
Council decided not to purchase signs at this time and to budget for next year.
7fCouncil Items: Heritage Festival Donation Request
Approved donation and use of staff time, with condition that Heritage Committee provide 2015 tax records copy to the City.
The Council approved a $2,500 donation and the use of City staff time for the Heritage Festival, conditioned on the Heritage Committee providing the City with a copy of its 2015 tax records.
Donation approved with condition to provide 2015 tax records copy.
7gCouncil Items: Request approval to purchase shipping/storage Container - Recycling Center
Matter tabled pending further information.
The Council approved the 2016 Recycling Center Municipal Contract. Separately, a request to purchase a shipping/storage container for the recycling center was tabled until further information could be provided, with discussion noting the goal of adding additional recyclable items and future improvements.
Tabled until further information can be provided.
7hCouncil Items: Employee Notice of Retirement - Accept Resignation
Accepted resignation effective May 13, 2016; moved forward with posting; authorized rehiring Leigh Ann Zinken as necessary during transition at previous pay level.
The Council accepted Debbie Mahutga’s resignation effective May 13, 2016, authorized moving forward with posting the position (with one dissenting vote), and approved rehiring Leigh Ann Zinken as necessary during the transition at the previous level of pay.
Multiple motions carried related to resignation, job posting, and transition staffing.
8Introduction of New Items
No new items were presented.
AdjournAdjourn
Adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
25 motions on the record.
M1Rainville made a motion to approve the agenda; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Scheffler
All in favor
M2Rainville made a motion to approve the request for a Variance, as recommended by the Planner in the Findings and Fact dated February 9, 2016 and the Planning and Zoning Commission with the removal of condition #2; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Rainville made a motion to approve the request for a Variance, as recommended by the Planner in the the Findings and Fact dated February 9, 2016 and the Planning and Zoning Commission with the removal of condition #2; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Scheffler
All in favor
M3Rainville made a motion to separate the building compliance from the junk and debris compliance request to see if that will help the Rohachs gain compliance; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Rainville made a motion to separate the building compliance from the junk and debris compliance request to see if that will help the Rohachs gain compliance; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
All in favor
M4Rainville made a motion to table the discussion of the Scott property until the March meeting; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Rainville made a motion to table the discussion of the Scott property until the March meeting; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
All in favor
M5Rainville made a motion to approve the recommendation from Stockman of having a timeline put together with goals and dates and recommend that the Mayor go out to the property with Stockman to assess and assist with the situation; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Rainville made a motion to approve the recommendation from Stockman of having a timeline put together with goals and dates and recommend that the Mayor go out to the property with Stockman to assess and assist with the situation; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Scheffler
All in favor
M6Bettinger made a motion to have this as discussion at the Workshop in March; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Bettinger made a motion to have this as discussion at the Workshop in March; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Bettinger, seconded by Scheffler
All in favor
M7Bettinger made a motion to approve the graveling plan as recommended by Road and Bridge; Scheffler seconded... All in favor; motion carried.
Bettinger made a motion to approve the graveling plan as recommended by Road and Bridge; Scheffler seconded... All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Bettinger, seconded by Scheffler
All in favor
M8Rainville made a motion, that at the end of the graveling season the Council receives a revised Gravel Plan that shows what was planned that year and what was graveled and that the plan is dated; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Rainville made a motion, that at the end of the graveling season the Council receives a revised Gravel Plan that shows what was planned that year and what was graveled and that the plan is dated; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
All in favor
M9Rainville made a motion to have staff submit the dust control for a sealed bids; Pilon seconded.
Rainville made a motion to have staff submit the dust control for a sealed bids; Pilon seconded.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
M10Reighard made a motion to approve the Dust Control and Crack Seal Plan and to have staff use the bid form and get quotes using that form; Three in favor; Pilon and Rainville opposed. Motion carried.
Reighard made a motion to approve the Dust Control and Crack Seal Plan and to have staff use the bid form and get quotes using that form; Three in favor; Pilon and Rainville opposed. Motion carried.
moved by Reighard
M11Scheffler made a motion to approve items 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5; Bettinger seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Scheffler made a motion to approve items 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5; Bettinger seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Scheffler, seconded by Bettinger
All in favor
M12Rainville made a motion to table the January City Council Meeting minutes pending clarification from the City attorney; Pilon seconded. Four in favor; Bettinger opposed. Motion carried.
Rainville made a motion to table the January City Council Meeting minutes pending clarification from the City attorney; Pilon seconded. Four in favor; Bettinger opposed. Motion carried.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
M13Rainville made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2016-01, An Ordinance Amending Chapter Two of the City Code to Govern Portions of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Road and Bridge, and Park and Recreation Committees as Policies and to Allow Only One City Council Member to be a Non-Voting Ex-Officio Liaison of the Planning and Zoning Commission; Bettinger seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Rainville made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2016-01, An Ordinance Amending Chapter Two of the City Code to Govern Portions of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Road and Bridge, and Park and Recreation Committees as Policies and to Allow Only One City Council Member to be a Non-Voting Ex-Officio Liaison of the Planning and Zoning Commission; Bettinger seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Bettinger
All in favor
M14Bettinger made a motion to appoint Councilmember Reighard and Mayor Pilon to the Fire Chief Recruitment Panel; All in favor; motion carried.
Bettinger made a motion to appoint Councilmember Reighard and Mayor Pilon to the Fire Chief Recruitment Panel; All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Bettinger
All in favor
M15Scheffler made a motion to approve the 2016 Recycling Center Municipal Contract; Rainville seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Scheffler made a motion to approve the 2016 Recycling Center Municipal Contract; Rainville seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Scheffler, seconded by Rainville
All in favor
M16Rainville made a motion to direct staff to prepare a detailed report comparing like size cities without sewer and water or utilities, with the similar number of households, taxing levy, budget, staffing titles, incumbent numbers (union or not) specific job responsibilities, job title and full benefit packet be presented to Council; Pilon seconded.
Rainville made a motion to direct staff to prepare a detailed report comparing like size cities without sewer and water or utilities, with the similar number of households, taxing levy, budget, staffing titles, incumbent numbers (union or not) specific job responsibilities, job title and full benefit packet be presented to Council; Pilon seconded.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
Two in favor; Bettinger, Scheffler and Reighard opposed
M17Scheffler made a motion to approve and adopt the revised 2016 Compensation Step Plan; Bettinger seconded.
Scheffler made a motion to approve and adopt the revised 2016 Compensation Step Plan; Bettinger seconded.
moved by Scheffler, seconded by Bettinger
Scheffler and Bettinger in favor; three opposed
M18Reighard made a motion to revise the proposed 2016 Compensation Scales as a physical range of Minimum/Medium/Maximum range and use the numbers that way.
Reighard made a motion to revise the proposed 2016 Compensation Scales as a physical range of Minimum/Medium/Maximum range and use the numbers that way.
moved by Reighard, seconded by Bettinger
M19Scheffler made a motion to not purchase the signs at this time and to budget for next year; Bettinger seconded. Three in favor; Rainville and Pilon opposed.
Scheffler made a motion to not purchase the signs at this time and to budget for next year; Bettinger seconded. Three in favor; Rainville and Pilon opposed.
moved by Scheffler, seconded by Bettinger
M20Reighard made a motion to donate $2,500 and the use of City Staff time for the Heritage Festival and that the Heritage Committee provide a copy of their 2015 tax records to the City; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Reighard made a motion to donate $2,500 and the use of City Staff time for the Heritage Festival and that the Heritage Committee provide a copy of their 2015 tax records to the City; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Reighard, seconded by Scheffler
All in favor
M21Pilon made a motion to table the matter until further information can be provided; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Pilon made a motion to table the matter until further information can be provided; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Pilon, seconded by Scheffler
All in favor
M22Scheffler made a motion to accept the resignation of Debbie Mahutga effective May 13, 2016; Rainville seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Scheffler made a motion to accept the resignation of Debbie Mahutga effective May 13, 2016; Rainville seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Scheffler, seconded by Rainville
All in favor
M23Scheffler made a motion to move forward with posting the position; Reighard seconded.
Scheffler made a motion to move forward with posting the position; Reighard seconded.
moved by Scheffler, seconded by Reighard
M24Rainville made a motion to have staff rehire Leigh Ann Zinken, as necessary, in the transition of hiring for Mahutga's position at the previous level of pay; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Rainville made a motion to have staff rehire Leigh Ann Zinken, as necessary, in the transition of hiring for Mahutga's position at the previous level of pay; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
All in favor
M25Rainville made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m.; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
Rainville made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m .; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.
moved by Rainville, seconded by Pilon
All in favor
Amounts named in or tied to a motion that passed, each shown with the motion. A motion can approve an amount, cap it, or remove it from a list, so read the motion text. These links are AI-extracted, and the minutes control.
Renew Safe Assure Contract
$1,441
Increase for Renew Safe Assure Contract
$28
Donation and staff time for Heritage Festival (with condition Heritage Committee provide 2015 tax records copy)
$2,500
Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.
The summary on this page is AI-extracted and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording are the official record. What do the trust labels mean?