SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
First Calvary Baptist Church – 5495 S Robert Trail
7:00 P.M.
Attendants
Acting Mayor: Mike Hovey
Councilmembers: Present: Ginny Beckett, Steve Bulach, Shannon Nelson
Absent: Mayor O’Leary
City Attorney: Timothy Kuntz
City Forester: Jim Nayes
Police Chief: Brian Sturgeon
City Engineer: Justin Messner
City Clerk: Christy Wilcox
City Treasurer: Char Stark
- Call to Order
- Approve Agenda
Acting Mayor Hovey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda.
Councilmember Beckett moved to adopt the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Bulach. Motion carried (3-0).
- Consent Agenda
Acting Mayor Hovey moved to authorize the purchase of a portable camera that will be mounted on an electrical pole that will record and provide real time video of locations which are of concern in the city for an amount not to exceed $10,500.00, seconded by Councilmember Beckett. Motion carried. (3-0).
Councilmember Bulach moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Councilmember Beckett. Motion carried (3-0).
- Approve Regular Minutes of March 6, 2024
- List of Bills
- Monthly Financial Statements
- Receive Building Inspection Report
- Receive City Forester Report
- Receive Public Safety Report
- Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
- Public Hearing/Presentations
Joe Barten, Dakota County SWCD and Administrator of the Lower Mississippi River WMO gave an update on the current activities of the LMRWMO. Mr. Barten also discussed the request by the LMRWMO to support a study relating to PCB and other contaminants by contributing dollars from the settlement between the Monsanto Company and the US District Court for the Central District of California. The settlement determined that a payment of approximately $17,000 be given to any NPDES Phase 1 and 2 City within a watershed that contains or adjoins a PCB impaired waterbody. This included the City of Sunfish Lake, as well as the other six LMRWMO member Cities, who all received a check for $17,000.00.
- Planner’s Report:
The City Planner was not present at the meeting. Acting Mayor Hovey asked if there were any questions by the City Council relating to the Planner’s Report dated March 26th and there were none. The Planner’s Report contained the following information:
- 2570 Delaware: The homeowners are pursuing the installation of a pool, bocce ball court and putting greens, as well as entry monuments/gates and a tree house. The contractor has submitted an application for major site plan approval, a conditional use permit and variances related to this project. The latest round of plans was submitted on March 15th and after review, it has been determined that the application remains incomplete. The application is for:
- Major Site Plan Approval for the project which is over 1,000 square feet in size.
- Conditional Use Permit for more than one accessory structure and for the location of accessory structure in the front yard.
- Variance for the location of entrance monuments in the side yard setback, and a variance for the 120 square foot proposed tree house for its location within the side yard setback. (The tree house is considered an accessory structure.)
- 5960 Zehnder Road: The property owner has applied for a variance to install a new septic system within the required 150-foot setback from the ordinary high-water mark. The applicant has now submitted all requested information and the item has been scheduled for review by the Planning Commission on April 18, 2024. There will be an on-site meeting prior to the Planning Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m.
- 415 Salem Church Road: The homeowners are proposing to install a pool at this location and have made an application for a major site plan approval. The application has been deemed incomplete due to lack of information presented to staff.
- Ordinance Updates: Several chapters have been redlined and the Mayor and I will be meeting to discuss the proposed ordinance changes.
- Engineer’s Report:
- Engineering Activities Undertaken in the Month of March
None
- Building and Site Reviews in the Month of February
- Staff conducted reviews for the following properties this past month:
- 2570 Delaware Avenue – Staff reviewed the latest submittal for this property for Major Site Plan. It is anticipated that this application will be heard at the May Planning Commission meeting.
- 415 Salem Church Road – Staff reviewed the latest submittal for this property for Minor Site Plan. It is anticipated this application will be heard at the May Planning Commission meeting.
- 5960 Zehnder Road – Staff reviewed the latest submittal for this property for septic system replacement.
- Public Works Activities Undertaken in the Month of October
- Road Restrictions went into effect on SFL city streets on February 26th and were lifted on March 18th. Staff has removed applicable signage.
- Anticipated Engineering/Public Work Activities for the Month of March
- Staff will begin pavement and culvert ratings as soon as the weather permits.
- 8. NEW/OTHER MATTERS:
- Discuss request by LMRWMO to support study related to PCB and other contaminants
This item was continued for further discussion at the May City Council meeting.
- Amended 2024 City Council Meeting Schedule
Acting Mayor Hovey moved to approve Resolution No. 24-6, setting the dates for the regular City Council meetings for the year 2024, seconded by Councilmember Bulach. Motion carried (3-0).
- Adjournment
Acting Mayor Hovey adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
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Christy Wilcox, City Clerk Mike Hovey, Acting Mayor
We are a small community proud of our heritage and committed to the preservation of our pristine, rural character. We cherish our privacy, yet know we are part of a thriving Dakota County and the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area. With these partnerships in mind, we strive to preserve that unique spirit which is Sunfish Lake, Minnesota.