02-08-21 City Council MinutesOTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Mayor Stockamp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call:
Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Jeff Dahl, Brittany Moores, Tina Goede, and Tom
Darkenwald. City Staff; City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty, Streets Operations Manager
Kevin Lamson; City Planner Daniel Licht; City Engineers Ron Wagner and Brent Larson; and City Clerk
Audra Etzel. City Attorney Dave Kendall (*) joined the meeting at 7:03 PM.
This meeting is proceeding under MN State Statute 13D.021 allowing members to appear by telephone
or video conference due to the ongoing health pandemic and state of emergency. For the record, the
Mayor, Council Members, and certain City staff were present in-person. Those indicated with a (*)
attended via video conference.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Stockamp led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Open Forum:
Mayor Stockamp opened the Open Forum at 7:02 PM. No one from the public spoke, Mayor Stockamp
closed the Open Forum at 7:02 PM.
2. Consider Agenda Approval.
CM Darkenwald motioned to approve as written, seconded by CM Dahl. Roll Call: Voted in
favor; Goede, Stockamp, Darkenwald, Moores and Dahl. Voted against; none. Motion carried
5-0.
3. Consent Agenda.
3.1 Approve Claims List.
3.2 Approve City Council Meeting Minutes.
A. January 25, 2021 Meeting.
B. January 25, 2021 Special Meeting,
C. January 30, 2021 Special Meeting,
3.3 Approve City Council Special Compensation for January 2021
3.4 Approve the Human Resources — Assistant City Administrator Job Description.
3.5 Call a Special Meeting for the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting.
3.6 Adopt Ordinance 2021-02 Amending the City Code Regarding Alcoholic Beverage Licensing,
3.7 Adopt Ordinance 2021-03 Amending the Zoning Ordinance — Admin Permits & Accessory Buildings.
3.8 Adopt Resolution 2021-07 Establishing Water and Sanitary Sewer Utility Rates for 2021.
3.9 Approve an LG220 Application for Exempt Permit for Rogers -Otsego Softball Association.
3.10 Approve the Hiring for the Utility Seasonal Maintenance Position.
3.11 Adopt Resolution 2021-08 Requesting_ Municipal State -Aid Street Funds Advancement.
CM Darkenwald motioned to approve the consent agenda as written, seconded by CM
Goede. Roll Call: Voted in favor; Goede, Stockamp, Darkenwald, Moores and Dahl. Voted
against; none. Motion carried 5-0.
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Attorney Kendall joined the meeting via video conference at 7:03 PM.
4. Planning:
4.1 City Code Amendment Regarding Off -Street Parking for Residential Users:
A. Presentation by City Planner Licht.
Planner Licht noted the City Council held a public hearing in October to assess unpaid code enforcement
fees. A resident that had been cited for parking of semi-trucks/trailers upon their single family
residential lot spoke and requested the City should allow truck drivers to park their vehicles on their
properties. The City Council stayed the assessment of the citations and directed that the Planning
Commission review the issue and provide their recommendations.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on January 4, 2021 to consider allowing semi-
tractor/trailer parking on certain residential lots. The property owner involved in the October unpaid
assessment hearing attended to provide reasons as to why he needed to park a semi-tractor/trailer upon
his property. He provided specifications and operational details of the vehicle. The Planning
Commission viewed photos of the property and considered other non -conforming issues such, as the
driveway being gravel and the width. Upon closing the public hearing the commission directed staff to
provide additional information to be presented for further discussion at the next meeting.
The Zoning Ordinance was adopted in 1991 following the incorporation of the City to include regulations
limiting off-street parking on residential lots to vehicles with gross vehicle weight of 12,000 pounds or
less. In February of 2019 the ordinance was amended to allow parking of licensed and operable
passenger automobiles, vans, and trucks rated as Class 3 (14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight) or
smaller. Due to a number of code enforcement issues involving trade vans and/or pickup trucks with
dual -rear axles and gross vehicle weights greater than 14,00 pounds, the Zoning Ordinance was
amended again in October of 2019 to allow for parking of one Class 5 vehicle (two axles, four tires per
axle) up to 19,500 pounds gross vehicle weight. Allowance of these vehicles required they be parked
upon a paved surface and setback from property lines the same as the principal buildings on the lot.
Farm equipment and trucks (including semi-tractor/trailers) are considered incidental to the operation of
the farm business. Therefore, farms as defined by the Zoning Ordinance are not subject to the
limitations regarding residential parking.
Parking of semi tractors and/or semi -trailers has never been allowed upon residentially zoned property
under the Zoning Ordinance. The following factors were considered: Street Designs (weight capacity,
seasonal weight limits, circulation - not supported by the Engineer or Streets Department), Emissions
Odors, Vehicle Classifications, Process to review and permit, Zoning Districts, Ownership, Lot
Requirements, Setbacks, Access, Driveway Width, Surface, Vehicle Dimensions and Noise.
Surrounding communities such as Dayton, Elk River and Ramsey do allow off-street parking with
conditions.
The Council reviewed the City Engineer's three diagrams illustrating a semi -truck parking off of a 24'
wide street going off the pavement and the semi at intersections; the maneuver to back into a lot and
interior corner. The residential areas are not designed for this class of vehicle.
Staff prepared a proposed Ordinance for the Al, A2, R1, R2 and R3 Zoning Districts. This would require
an administrative permit for Class 6, 8-9 Standards, vehicles need to be 2014 or newer, vehicle owned
by property owner, lot requirements minimum 1.01 acres, minimum lot width 200, surfaced driveway,
driveway width approved by City Engineer and requiring idling limits. Even with these standards there
are 400 homes that would qualify. The Planning Commission was concerned about the quantity of
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potential permits. Following the January 4th public hearing the commission further discussed at their
February 1St meeting, voting 7-0 against recommending an amendment to the zoning ordinance. Five of
the seven Planning Commission members live within the zoning districts of the proposed amendment.
Council has the option to adopt the Ordinance as prepared, direct the Planning Commission to reconsider
their recommendation, or take no action.
CM Darkenwald noted the Planning Commission held the public hearing in January and again discussed
at their February meeting, they tried to make this work. Felt it would impact the neighborhoods.
Mayor Stockamp was concerned about amending the zoning ordinance for one resident. After working
through the options, this created more issues. She added a prior resident used to bring his cab home
and ultimately had to remove from their property and find an appropriate location to park.
CM Dahl saw the pictures and asked if the resident could still park his simi-truck without the trailer. The
answer was no.
CM Moores spoke with Planner Licht, she wanted to make this work. So many other factors to consider,
but thought this impacted negatively on other residents. Felt it was best to leave the ordinance as is.
Planner Licht noted the property owner was very helpful with information provided for the Planning
Commission to review.
The Code enforcement file from October 2020 was closed. If new complaints were made the process
would start over. Staff does not go looking for issues, based on complaints received. This whole
process started with someone filing a complaint with the City. Zoning is to protect enjoyment of your
property.
B. Consider Adoption of Ordinance 2021-04
The City Council will take no action.
5. Engineering:
5.1 Street Maintenance and Street Micro -Surfacing Projects:
A. Presentation by City Planner Wagner.
Engineer Wagner presented information on the 2021 Street Maintenance Project and the 2021 Micro -
Surfacing Project. The Street Maintenance Project (SMP) includes seal coating, fog sealing, traffic
control and striping of various streets throughout the City according to the current street maintenance
scheduling and capital improvement Plan (CIP).
B Approve Plans and Specifications and Order Advertisement for Bids — Street Maintenance.
C Approve Plans and Specifications and Order Advertisement for Bids — Street Micro -Surfacing,
The Pavement Management Program which is part of the CIP for the City has a budget for the 2021
projects in the amount of $573,926. With the plans completed, the total estimated project costs for the
SMP are $173,386.35 and for the Micro -Surfacing Project is $392,153.33 for a total cost of $566,019.68.
The bid opening would be March 2nd and brought to City Council for consideration of approval at the
March 8th meeting.
Both projects are scheduled to start after July 15, 2021 to allow the City Public Works Department to
perform the patching necessary as well as having the contracted crack filling completed.
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CM Dahl asked if a cross -walk could be added at Maciver and County Road 137 on the south end. There
is no trail, but people cross at this intersection to get to the businesses. Engineer Wagner said a
crosswalk could be added, he will do further research.
CM Dahl motioned to approve the Plans and Specifications and Order Advertisement for Bids
for the 2021 Street Maintenance Project, City Project No. 20-01 and approve the Plans and
Specifications and Order Advertisement for Bids for the 2021 Street Micro -Surfacing
Project, City Project No. 20-02, seconded by CM Goede. Roll Call: Voted in favor; Goede,
Stockamp, Darkenwald, Moores and Dahl. Voted against; none. Motion carried 5-0.
6 City Council Reports and Updates.
No reports or updates.
7. Staff Reports and Updates.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty noted City Hall will be closed next Monday for President's
Day. Planner Licht said the Planning Commission has a meeting on February 16th to review two
applications: NorthStar use of the East House and Kittridge Crossing Lot H proposed development with
twin homes and detached homes.
8. Adjourn.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn at 7:32 PM, seconded by CM Goede. Roll Call: Voted in
favor; Goede, Stockamp, Darkenwald, Moores and Dahl. Voted against; none. Motion carried
5-0.
ATTEST:
Audra Etzel, City Clerk
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Mayor Jessica Stockamp
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