SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING –  MARCH 7, 2023

 

SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

 MARCH 7, 2023

FIRST CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH – 5495 S ROBERT TRAIL

7:00 P.M.

Attendants:
Mayor:                             Dan O’Leary

Councilmembers:         Steven Bulach, Shari Hansen, Mike Hovey, and Shannon Nelson

City Attorney:                Tim Kuntz

City Forester:                Jim Nayes
Police Chief:                   Brian Sturgeon

City Engineer:                Jeff Sandberg

City Planner:                  Lori Johnson

City Forester:                 Jim Nayes

City Treasurer:               Ann Lanoue

City Clerk:                       Christy Wilcox

                                          Cathy Iago

                                          Members of the General Public

 

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor O’Leary called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  
  2. APPROVE AGENDA: Mayor O’Leary asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda and there was no response.  

Councilmember Bulach moved to adopt the agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Hansen.  Motion carried (5-0).

  1. CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor O’Leary asked if there were any questions or comments relating to any items on the Consent Agenda and there was no response.        
  • Police Chief Sturgeon continues to work with Jeff Sandberg regarding the fire hydrant issue on Charlton Road and notes that it is the responsibility of the residents to keep it clear of snow. Chief also discussed the Departments’ mental health response and the role of the embedded social worker.  The embedded social worker conducts the follow-up with the officers or the crisis responds team to make sure that the individual has the services they need.  Chief introduced the officers and answered questions.

 

Councilmember Hovey moved approval of the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Nelson.  Motion carried (5-0).

  1. Regular Council Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2023
  2. List of Bills
  3. Monthly Financial Statements
  4. Receive Building Inspector Report
  5. Receive Forester Report
  6. Receive Public Safety Report

 

  1. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: The Mayor asked if there were any comments from the public.


  2. PUBLIC HEARINGS/PRESENTATIONS:

 

  1. Consider Ordinance Relating to the Establishment of Building Permit Fees: Mayor O’Leary opened the hearing for public comments and provided information on the process over the last year relative to this issue. 

 

Sunfish Lake currently uses a project valuation for its methodology to compute the building permit fee.  Under a project valuation, the specific valuation for the construction is obtained and the permit fee is generated.  The change is to adopt a square footage valuation whereby cost per square foot for the building type is determined by the Building Official.  The attached ordinance will use what West St. Paul adopted which is the State of Minnesota’s Valuation Data Sheet which will provide for consistent valuations and resulting fees based on the work that is being performed.

 

 

Mayor O’Leary moved to adopt Ordinance No. 23-01, An Ordinance Amending the Sunfish Lake City Code Section 1004.01 Relating to the Establishment of Building Permit fees, seconded by Councilmember Hansen.  Motion carried (5-0).

 

 

  1. PLANNING COMMISSION/PLANNER’S REPORT:

 

  1. 205 Salem Church Road: Staff has deemed the major site plan application incomplete as we are still waiting for additional required information.
  2. 11 Salem Lane: Staff has issued a demo permit for this site, and work has started on the demolition of the home. The applicant has been encouraged to communicate with residents on this project given that this property is on a private street. Staff has deemed the major site and building plan application incomplete at this time due to lack of required information.
  3. 32 55th Street West: This property is owned by Jim and Jeanine Nayes and have submitted an application for major site and building plan approval to allow for the construction of a new home on their property. This application will be an item on the March 16, 2023, Planning Commission agenda. Public hearing notices have been sent to the paper and the notice to nearby residents will be sent out on March 1 or 2, 2023. A neighborhood meeting to walk the site is scheduled on March 16, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., just prior to the Planning Commission meeting. 
  4. Ordinance Updates: Several chapters have been redlined and the Mayor and I will be meeting to discuss the proposed ordinance changes.
  5. Building Inspector Replacement Planning: A meeting was held with the staff of the City of West St. Paul to discuss the prospect of transitioning building inspection duties to the City of West St. Paul.
  6. 2050 West Angell Road Complaint: A complaint was received from a resident regarding outdoor parking, a small portable sign, an above ground pool and a chicken coop at this address. Staff is working to address these issues with the property owner.

 

 

 

  1. ENGINEER’S REPORT:

 

  1. 2023 Participation in Met Council Citizen’s Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP) – Staff is requesting the City Council’s consideration and approval for the city to participate in the 2023 CAMP program. Three lakes would be monitored (Sunfish, Horseshoe, and Hornbeam) and the cost for testing is the same as last year and is in the 2023 Engineering budget. Staff has contacted volunteers to take samples from each lake and they all have expressed an interest in continuing to volunteer for the water quality sampling.

 

Mayor O’Leary moved to approve the City’s participation in the 2023 CAMP program, seconded by Councilmember Hovey.  Motion carried (5-0).

 

  1. No Solicitation Signage – The signage has not been finalized as staff works with the City Attorney on statute language to add to the sign.
  2. Building and Site Reviews in the Month of February A. Staff conducted reviews for the following properties this past month:

 

  • 11 Salem Lane – Staff is reviewing the latest submittal for this property for Major Site Plan. Staff approved the Demolition Permit and performed an erosion controls inspection to allow the applicant to start the demolition work. A follow-up inspection will be conducted to make sure everything is done correctly.
  • 205 Salem Church Road – Staff is reviewing the latest submittal for this property for Major Site Plan.
  • 32 55th Street W – Staff reviewed the submittal for the Major Site Plan permit. It is expected this application will be heard at the March Planning Commission and at a future City Council meeting.

 

  1. Staff will continue to work with the city’s snowplowing contractor to ensure that roads remain safe for travel. If residents find areas on city streets that need additional attention, they should email the contractor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and copy City Engineer Jeff Sandberg at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  2. NEW/OTHER BUSINESS:

 

       8-A  Consider Agreement with West St. Paul for Building Inspection Services.   Mayor O’Leary went over the agreement and noted that this agreement is very similar to the agreement that West St. Paul has with the City of Newport.  Mayor O’Leary asked for questions at this time.

 

 

       Mayor O’Leary moved to adopt Resolution No. 23-08 titled, Resolution Approving Building Inspection and Related Services Agreement between the City of Sunfish Lake and the City of West St. Paul, seconded by Councilmember Bulach.  Motion carried (5-0).

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor O’Leary asked if there was any further business and there was no response.

 


  1. ADJOURN: Mayor O’Leary adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m.

 

 

____________________________                                 ________________________________

Christy Wilcox, City Clerk                                                    Dan O’Leary, Mayor