DEEPHAVEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Monday, December 6, 2004

7:00 p.m.

 

 

1.                  CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.

PRESENT:  Mayor Tom Anderson, Councilmembers Nancy Middleton, Kim Crockett, Jon Monson and Paul Skrede.

STAFF:  Police Chief Virgil Gustafson, City Administrator Dana Young, Zoning Coordinator Gus Karpas and City Clerk Sandy Langley

 

2.                  APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

Councilmember Middleton moved to approve the following consent agenda items:

A.     Minutes of November 15, 2004

B.     Verifieds

C.     Appoint Robert Werneiwski to the Planning Commisson 

Councilmember Skrede seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

3.                  MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR

Mayor Anderson presented Proclamations to Coaches Jane Meads and Dave Nelson celebrating a Championship season for the Minnetonka Girls’ Cross Country Team and the High School Football Team.

 

Mayor Anderson announced that Saturday, December 18th there will be an Open House from 10 AM – 2 PM at the Deephaven “Village Hall Rink”.  (Pending weather conditions if there is ice)

 

4.                  PUBLIC HEARING

A.     Truth-in-Taxation Hearing on the 2005 Budget -  Mayor Anderson convened the public hearing.  Administrator Young and Councilmember Skrede presented the 2005 budget and information on the property tax ratios for the City of Deephaven.  Property tax information is available at the Clerk’s office upon request.  Mayor Anderson continued the hearing to December 20, 2004 for adoption of the 2005 final tax levy and budget.

B.     Plan Modification – Sandra Swenson, 4285 Cottonwood Lane, (R-3, 20,000) – Mayor Anderson convened the public hearing for the request to amend a previous variance to increase the overall height of the non-conforming structure by two feet.

Sandra Swenson presented the request. 

Councilmember Middleton gave the Planning Commission report recommending the Council approve the variance request 6-0. 

Mayor Anderson reported a letter was submitted from Thomas Nelson/Kathryn Pyzdrowski stating their concern with the drainage between their homes.

Kate Pyzdrowski, 4265 Cottonwood Lane, would like to see measurements be submitted in writing on the plans and a formal agreement with Engineers addressing the drainage issues.

There being no further public comment Mayor Anderson closed the public hearing.

Councilmember Middleton moved to adopt Resolution No. 43-03 approving the request for an eleven (11) foot variance of the required west side yard setback and the request for a three (3) foot variance of the required east side yard setback for the proposed increase of two (2) feet for the structure at 4285 Cottonwood Lane, according to the site plan submitted to Council.  The motion is conditioned that the permitted increase in height is not to exceed two (2) feet from the existing height of the home and in no case shall the structure height exceed twenty-seven feet six inches (27’6”).  The applicant is required to submit scaled architectural drawings with the existing and proposed heights delineated and a drainage plan must be submitted and approved by the City Engineer.  A hardship exists in the size of the lot and the placement of the home.  Councilmember Crockett seconded.  Upon roll call vote Anderson, Crockett, Middleton, Monson and Skrede voted aye.  Resolution No. 43-03 was adopted.

 

C.     Variance, Gregory Welch – 19115 Lake Avenue, (R3, 20,000) -  Mayor Anderson

convened a public hearing for a request to encroach nine feet into the required fifteen foot west side, a variance to encroach six inches into the required fifteen foot east;  a variance to encroach one and a half feet into the required fifteen foot rear yard setback and a variance to exceed the maximum permitted impervious surface by less than one percent for a proposed addition. 

Steve Welch presented the request.

Councilmember Middleton gave the Planning Commission report recommending approval of the variances requested 5-1. 

Mayor Anderson stated a letter was submitted for the record from Dennis Haggerty, 19105 Lake Avenue with his concerns.

Council discussed alternatives and that there may be other creative ways to take care of the problems that exist.

Mr. Haggerty stated he had two major complaints.  1)  He never received a written notice about the public hearing.  2)  He did not believe the application was complete showing the east side and west side plans and what the second floor plans would be.  The back yards are very close and there would be no privacy.  He was also concerned with drainage issues.

Council felt the application needed to be more complete and other design alternatives are available.

Mr. Welch withdrew his application and will resubmit the request at a later date.

 

D.     Variance - Sarah Dale, 19350 Walden Trail, (R2, 40,000)  Mayor Anderson convened

the public hearing for the variance request to exceed the maximum permitted fence height by two feet and a variance to encroach one hundred feet into the required one hundred foot lake yard setback for the proposed fence.

Sarah Dale presented the request.

Councilmember Middleton gave the Planning Commission report recommending the Council approve the variance request to encroach one hundred feet into the required one hundred foot lake yard setback for the proposed fence; and that the Council deny the variance request to exceed the maximum permitted fence height by two feet on a vote 6 to 0.

Mayor Anderson opened the hearing to the public, there being no public comment the hearing was closed.

Councilmember Middleton moved to adopt Resolution No. 44-04 approving the variance to continue the existing encroachment into the required one hundred (100) foot lake yard setback for the proposed fence; and to deny the variance request to exceed the maximum permitted fence height by two (2) feet for the proposed fence as presented.  The motion is conditioned that the fence not exceed six feet in height and that it extend no closer to the lake than the existing fence.  A hardship exists in the condition of the existing fence and the need for privacy from the adjacent public use.

Councilmember Crockett seconded.  Upon roll call vote Anderson, Crockett, Middleton, Monson and Skrede voted aye.  Resolution No. 44-04 was adopted.

 

5.                  UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A.     Approve Development Agreement with Deephaven Cove LLC

Councilmember Middleton stated she would like to see the City of Deephaven and the City of Minnetonka spelled out in the Agreement instead of the word “City”.  That way it is clearly defined what City is talked about.

Councilmember Skrede moved to approve the Development Agreement as amended between the City of Deephaven and Deephaven Cove, LLC.  Councilmember Middleton seconded.  Motion carried 5-0. 

 

B.     Approve Annexation Agreement with City of Minnetonka 

Councilmember Crockett moved to approve the Detachment/Annexation Agreement between the City of Deephaven and the City of Minnetonka as submitted. Councilmember Middleton seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

C.     Adopt Resolution No. 42-04, Petitioning the State of Minnesota for Annexation

Councilmember Crockett moved to adopt Resolution No. 42-04 petitioning the State of Minnesota for annexation.  Councilmember Middleton seconded.  Upon roll call vote Anderson, Crockett, Middleton, Monson and Skrede voted aye.  Resolution No. 42-04 was adopted.

 

D.     Update on the Valet Service Fee Charged by Waste Management

Administrator Young stated that Councilmember Monson and he met with Waste Management to attempt to resolve concerns about the valet service fee.  As a result of the meeting the following proposals are before the Council:

1.      A reduction in the Valet Service Fee from $11.87 per month to $5.25 per month.

2.      Trash carts will be provided to any resident upon request.

3.      A Valet Service Fee will not be charged to seniors, the disabled or any property owner on a dead end street where the driver has to backup in their driveway to turn around.

4.      A second letter will be sent out to all 500 residents that currently receive valet service informing them of items 1-3.

5.      A two-year extension in the current 2005-2007 agreement that would include 2008 and 2009.  The Valet Service Fee would remain frozen at $5.25 per month through 2009 and regular trash rates would be fixed at a maximum increase of 3.0% per year in 2008 and 2009.

Council would like to see a counter-offer with a reduction of $2.00 a month to those residents who have 90-gallon containers and asked staff to follow through with Waste Management.

E.      Carson Bay Bridge planing project – Pat McGoldrick and Randy Boyd were present to ask the status of the project.  Administrator Young stated that bids came in very high and other alternatives were being considered.  Mayor Anderson moved to increase the authorized limit to $10,000 for the project to be let for bids by staff.

      Councilmember Crockett stated that the bridge is incomplete without the resurfacing

      but that we should wait and see if the bids go down for a spring repair.

                  Councilmember Skrede seconded the Mayor’s motion.  Motion carried 3-2.  Crockett and

                   Middleton voted nay.

Pat McGoldrick, 19575 Chimo East, stated the project would be cheaper to do in the Spring when contractors are in route to other jobs and this should be considered when doing the bids.

 

6.         REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES & DEPARTMENTS

A.   Public Safety   Mayor Anderson stated that the City of Excelsior has sent an inquiry

       for additional bids for police service until January 2005 and possibly into the new

       year.  Police Chief Gustafson, Administrator Young, Mayor Anderson and

       Councilmember Skrede will meet with Excelsior and get clarification on what is

        needed.

-         Chief Gustafson provided the November Incident Report.

 

B.   Public Works – Administrator Young reviewed the report of activities for the month

of November and December.  He noted that the Fire Board approved the water truck to be placed in the Fire Station and a home for the zamboni is being pursued.

 

D.     Administration – Administrator Young reviewed the following items:

1.      Dutch Elm Control Program stating to date that residents have removed 115 of the 116 diseased trees and the last one should be down by the end of the year.

2.      Xcel Energy has notified the City that they are looking at upgrading the conductor on the transmission line that crosses through Deephaven along the LRT trail.

3.      90 Day Rule – There are no permit holders in violation of the 90 Day Rule, which requires all permit holders to moor a boat at their assign space. For a minimum of 90 days.

4.      Computer Upgrade Update – this process is being handled by Eric Christianson and Councilmember Skrede and will be done in phases.

5.      Excelsior Contract – The City of Deephaven provided Dockmaster and Park Patrol services and the city received in revenues in the amount of $23,775.00.

6.      General Election – Big thank you to the election judges and city staff for their outstanding job ensuring that everything went as smoothly as possible.

 

Mayor Anderson stated he received a letter from Mtka Community Education Services and he would be contacting Darel Gustafson to see if he would like to continue on as our City representative.

 

 

Councilmember Monson thanked the Council for the opportunity of serving the City for the past two years.

 

Councilmember Skrede thanked everyone who worked on the warming house windows at Thorpe Park. 

 

Councilmember Monson moved to adjourn at 10:15 PM.  Mayor Anderson seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

                         

7.          ADJOURNMENT

              Councilmember Monson moved to adjourn at 10:15 PM.  Mayor Anderson seconded.

              Motion carried 5-0.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Sandra R. Langley

City Clerk/Treasurer