SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING – MAY 4, 2021
7:00 P.M. – ONLINE MEETING
Attendants:
Acting Mayor: Mike Hovey
Councilmembers: JoAnne Wahlstrom, Steven Bulach and Shari Hansen
City Attorney: Tim Kuntz
City Planner: Tom Ramler-Olson
City Engineer: Jeff Sandberg
City Treasurer: Ann Lanoue
Building Inspector: Mike Andrejka
City Forester: Jim Nayes
Police Chief: Brian Sturgeon
City Clerk: Cathy Iago
and Members of the General Public.
Mayor Dan O’Leary was absent.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Acting Mayor Hovey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. APPROVE AGENDA: Acting Mayor Hovey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda and there was no response.
Councilmember Wahlstrom moved to adopt the agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Bulach and carried. (4-0)
3. CONSENT AGENDA: Acting Mayor Hovey asked if there were any questions or comments relating to any items on the Consent Agenda.
Forester Nayes advised that he ordered the emergency removal of a tree on Angell Road and explained that the tree had not caused any damage, however, it presented a potential problem.
Acting Mayor Hovey asked if the Forester contacted Save-A-Tree service to remove the tree.
Forester Nayes responded yes and stated that they were very prompt in their response as he had contacted them in the morning and the tree was removed that same afternoon.
The Acting Mayor asked if there were any further questions or comments and there was no response.
Councilmember Hansen moved approval of the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Councilmember Bulach and carried. (4-0)
a. Regular Council Meeting Minutes of April 6, 2021
b. List of Bills
c. Monthly Financial Statements
d. Receive Building Inspector Report
e. Receive Forester Report
f. Receive Public Safety Report
4. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: The Acting Mayor asked if there were any comments from the public and there was no response.
5. PUBLIC HEARING/PRESENTATIONS: None.
6. PLANNER’S REPORT: a. Planner’s Report: Engineer Sandberg explained that Planner Ramler-Olson had received his second COVID vaccine shot and was not feeling well. He advised that he would present the Planner’s report dated May 4, 2021.
Engineer Sandberg advised that the April Planning Commission meeting was cancelled due to lack of agenda items. He stated that staff issued a Certificate of Occupancy for the property at 1 Sunfish Lane.
The Engineer stated that staff plans to visit the property at 100 Windy Hill Road for a second time on May 6 to meet with the applicants and discuss their proposal for the property. He explained that staff had also been working with the owners at 2150 Charlton Road on an application to install a new dock. He advised that staff was completing a letter that will be sent to notify previously identified lakeside properties that they should apply for a water pumping permit.
The Engineer advised that the following items would be heard at the May 20, 2021 Planning Commission meeting:
- 2 Sunfish Lane for an interim use permit for water pumping
- 369 Salem Church Road for a Conditional Use Permit for a security gate
- 2158 Charlton Road for a Major Site Plan review to add a swimming pool on the property
Acting Mayor Hovey asked if the letter requesting property owners to apply for a water pumping permit would be sent to residents on all three (3) of the lakes in the City. He further asked if staff had received any comments relating to pumping on any of the lakes in the City.
Engineer Sandberg responded that the letter would be sent to properties abutting all three (3) lakes in the City. He stated that to his knowledge only one inquiry had been received from the property owner at 2 Sunfish Lane, which is adjacent to Sunfish Lake, and nothing from any property owners on the other two lakes in the City.
Councilmember Bulach questioned the status of Sunfish Lake and whether or not pumping could occur.
Engineer Sandberg stated that Sunfish Lake is not at a level that would allow pumping at this time.
Acting Mayor Hovey asked if the outlet is open on Sunfish Lake.
The Engineer explained that the outlet is open, however the lake is clearly below the invert of the outlet.
Teresa Lamey, 55 Windy Hill Road, stated that when she was walking, a property owner adjacent to Sunfish Lake and the outlet structure had allowed her to look into the outlet. She noted that the water level in the outlet was very low.
Engineer Sandberg noted that due to the lack of precipitation, which has also caused a ban on any type of fires, it may not be possible to pump from the lake anytime soon.
Acting Mayor Hovey asked if there were any further questions and there was no response.
Council thanked the Engineer for presenting the Planner’s report.
7. ENGINEER’S REPORT: 1. Engineering Activities Undertaken in April: A. 2021 Capital Improvement Projects: Staff requested that Council approve the Project Plans and Specs and authorize the Ad for Bids for the four (4) City Projects: 2021-01 Sunnyside Lane, 2021-02 Zehnder Road, 2021-03 Angell Road, and 2021-04 Grieve Glen Lane as outlined in the Engineer’s report dated April 28, 2021. Engineer Sandberg asked if Council would take action on these items at this time or under New/Other Business, Item 8.b.
Council concurred to wait to discuss the matter under Item 8.b.
2. Building and Site reviews in the Month of April: Staff conducted the following reviews in April:
- 2 Sunfish Lane: Staff corresponded with the homeowner’s representative regarding the pending application for water
pumping. The Planner has now received the application for this property, which will be heard at the May 20, 2021
Planning Commission meeting.
- 100 Windy Hill Road: Staff scheduled a meeting with the applicants and their consultant this week. No formal
application has been submitted at this time.
- 1 Sunfish Lane: Staff reviewed and approved the as-built survey for the improvements.
- 2150 Charlton Road: The homeowner recently completed work and staff is waiting for the updated as-built survey.
- 369 Salem Church Road: Staff reviewed an application for installing pillars and a gate at the driveway entrance. Staff
also reviewed an application from Xcel Energy to install a new gas service line to the property.
Acting Mayor Hovey asked if the Xcel Energy gas line would be buried and the Engineer responded yes.
- 2158 Charlton Road: Staff participated in a site visit to review the application for a new above-ground pool.
3. Public Works Activities Undertaken in the Month of April: A. Road Restrictions were lifted in April and the City Forester removed the signage from the streets.
4. Anticipated Engineering and Public Works Activities for May: A. Staff will work with the City contractor who plans to sweep the roads in May.
Engineer Sandberg explained that he and the City Planner took part in meeting with Dakota County regarding their 5-year road improvement plans and discussed the proposed improvements that the County will undertake this summer at the intersection of Delaware Avenue and Salem Church Road. He stated that he asked the County to notify him prior to beginning the project so that the City could place information on the website to advise residents of the upcoming project.
The Acting Mayor asked the Engineer to explain the proposed Dakota County project at Delaware Avenue and Salem Church Road.
Engineer Sandberg advised that the County would re-stripe the intersection at more of a 90-degree angle and apply a friction treatment to the asphalt that reduces slipping during winter months during icy conditions.
Acting Mayor Hovey asked if there were any further questions and, hearing none, thanked the Engineer for his report.
8. NEW/OTHER BUSINESS: a. Consider Appointment of Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) Representative from June 26, 2021 through June 25, 2023: City Clerk Iago referred to the letter from the NOC requesting the City appoint a representative to participate in the At-Large Community Representative election process and act as the primary contact on behalf of the City of Sunfish Lake with the NOC group. She advised that Mayor O’Leary currently services in this position and wished to be reappointed to the group.
Acting Mayor Hovey asked if there were any questions and there was no response.
Acting Mayor Hovey moved to reappoint Mayor O’Leary as the Sunfish Lake representative to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) for a term beginning June 26, 2021 through June 25, 2023, seconded by Councilmember Hansen and carried. (4-0)
b. Consider the following Resolutions: 1. Resolution Approving Final Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for City Project No. 2021-01 (Sunnyside Lane Improvement Project); 2. Resolution Approving Final Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for City Project No. 2021-02 (Zehnder Road Improvement Project);
3. Resolution Approving Final Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for City Project No. 2021-03 (Angell Road Mill & Overlay Project); 4. Resolution Approving Final Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for City Project No. 2021-04 (Grieve Glen Lane Reconstruction Project): Attorney Kuntz referred to his memorandum dated May 4, 2021 and explained that at the March 2, 2021 Council meeting action was taken to order City Project No. 2021-01 (Sunnyside Lane Improvement Project) and City Project No. 2021-02 (Zehnder Road Improvement Project) and at the April 6, 2021 meeting Council took action to order City Project No. 2021-03 (Angell Road Mill & Overlay) and City Project No. 2021-04 (Grieve Glen Lane Reconstruction). He stated that the next step in the project schedule calls for Council to approve final plans and specifications and order the advertisement for bids on these projects.
The Attorney stated that the Engineer has indicated that the plans and specifications for the four (4) projects are in final form and ready for advertisement in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the City’s official newspaper, and also in the Finance and Commerce Trade Journal. He advised that the bid opening would be in mid-June and that the advertisement for bids would be published twice in each paper to gain more exposure.
Engineer Sandberg displayed the Advertisement for Bids and noted that he had included the ad and the final Plans and Specifications in his report. He stated the bid opening would be electronic and would be held on June 18, 2021.
Attorney Kuntz stated that all four (4) projects were combined into one bid, however, staff will keep track of the costs by individual project so that no properties are charged anything not related to their project.
Acting Mayor Hovey asked if a Councilmember needs to be present at the bid opening.
Engineer Sandberg stated that he and the City Attorney would be in attendance at the bid opening.
Attorney Kuntz explained that there needs to be at least two elected officials or two agents of the City at the bid opening and that he and the City Engineer qualify as “agents” representing the City. He noted that in the past one Councilmember may have attended, but it was not necessary at this time.
The Acting Mayor asked if all four (4) resolutions could be passed with one motion and the City Attorney responded yes.
Tom Hendrickson, 4 Grieve Glen Lane, explained that when the original design for Grieve Glen Lane was done there were issues with the subgrade materials. He asked if the City does any testing of soils during the project or if they rely on the contractor to advise the City if there are issues with the subgrade materials on the road.
Engineer Sandberg stated that staff would be available to do checks on all the projects of the subgrade materials and he advised that there are provisions in the bids regarding what will be done if soft spots are encountered.
Acting Mayor Hovey asked if there were any further questions or comments and there was no response.
Councilmember Bulach moved to adopt the following resolutions:
Resolution No. 21-24 titled, RESOLUTION Approving Final Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for City Project No. 2021-01 (Sunnyside Lane Improvement Project);
Resolution No. 21-25 titled, RESOLUTION Approving Final Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for City Project No. 2021-02 (Zehnder Road Improvement Project);
Resolution No. 21-26 titled, RESOLUTION Approving Final Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for City Project No. 2021-03 (Angell Road Mill & Overlay Project);
Resolution No. 21-27 titled, RESOLUTION Approving Final Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for City Project No. 2021-04 (Grieve Glen Lane Reconstruction Project)
seconded by Councilmember Hansen and carried. (4-0)
c. Other: Acting Mayor Hovey asked if there was any further business and there was no response.
9. ADJOURN: Acting Mayor Hovey moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m.
____________________________ ________________________________
Catherine Iago, 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.