Planning Commission Minutes 12-01-2009MINUTES
MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
December V, 2009
6:00 PM
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: Rod Dragsten, Charlotte Gabler, Lloyd Hilgart, William Spartz,
and Barry Voight
Council Liaison Present: Susie Wojchouski
Staff Present: Angela Schumann, Steve Grittman — NAC
2.
Call to order.
Chairman Dragsten called the meeting to order and declared a full quorum of the
Commission present, as well as the presence of Council Liaison Wojchouski.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SPARTZ TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF AUGUST
4t", 2009, MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VOIGHT.
MOTION CARRIED, 5 -0.
Commissioner Voight noted a correction on page 8, requesting that the sentence should state
instead "Why shouldn't the City make simple steps instead of going all or nothing ?" Voight
also noted that on page 9, the statement should read "100% of all situations ". Schumann also
noted that a correction in the spelling of passengers and vehicles should be corrected in the
final motion. Dragsten also noted that just before item 6, the statement should read that
Hilgart would be less likely to "budget" rather than "budge ". Gabler also noted a correction
on page 9, indicated that the sentence should read "time to waste ".
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER VOIGHT TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER
6TH AS AMENDED, MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPARTZ.
MOTION CARRIED, 5 -0.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 2009.
MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VOIGHT.
MOTION CARRIED, 5 -0.
Citizen Comments.
NONE.
4. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
NONE.
5. Consideration to review and recommend for the expiring terms of Planning Commissioners.
Schumann reported that each year, the appointments are reviewed for expirations.
Commissioner Spartz's term expires at the end of 2009. The Commission is asked to
consider a recommendation for reappointment or filling of the open seat.
Chairman Dragsten inquired whether Commissioner Spartz was interested in serving
another term on the Commission. Commissioner Spartz indicated that he would be happy
to do so.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DRAGSTEN TO RECOMMEND THE RE-
APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER SPARTZ TO A NEW THREE -YEAR TERM
ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION. MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
HILGART.
Schumann noted this would go forward to the City Council in January.
MOTION CARRIED, 5 -0.
6. Community Development Director's Report.
Schumann announced to the Commission the retirement of the Chief Building Official Gary
Anderson, who has retired after 25 years with the City. The City is interviewing applicants
and a final recommendation for appointment will be made to the City Council on December
14 "'
At the January Planning Commission meeting, Schuman reported that it is expected that the
Commission will complete a review of the Zoning Map in anticipation of formal adoption.
She also noted that the Commission will be completing their annual review of the
Comprehensive Plan. She inquired whether the Commissioners had any specific areas they
would like to focus on.
Chairman Dragsten requested that Schumann provide updated information on housing
statistics and building permits. Commissioner Gabler also asked for an update on the
Transportation Plan. Schumann stated that she would ask City Engineer Bruce Westby to be
present to provide an update.
Commission Dragsten inquired when the Council would appoint a new Planning Commission
liaison. Schumann reported that the Council usually does so in January with their other
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appointments.
Wojchouski stated that she would be interested in continuing to serve as liaison.
Commissioner Spartz noted that as Wojchouski is already working with the Steering
Committee, continuity in the position would be appreciated and advisable.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SPARTZ TO RECOMMEND COUNCIL MEMBER
WOJCHOUSKI AS THE PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON FOR 2010. MOTION
SECONDED BY COMMISISONER VOIGHT.
MOTION CARRIED, 5 -0.
Schumann reported that the City Council did approve the amendment to the Off - Street
Parking ordinance. The Council did take public testimony at the meeting. There were also
minor adjustments made in the final version, which included some exemptions for emergency
vehicles. The ordinance must be published twice to become official code. Staff has also
began publicizing the changes. Council has also asked staff to look at possible alternatives
for the storage of large commercial vehicles in other areas. Dragsten inquired whether
changes had made to the weight requirements. Schumann clarified that the code passed as
recommended by the Commission. However, the Street Superintendent recommended
adjusted to 21,000 pounds once this zoning ordinance had a chance to settle out in terms of
impacts. In generally if the new amendment meets what the City is looking for in terms of
parking, then the City could amend the traffic code.
Chairman Dragsten noted that the adjustments had been made to the River Street signal. He
inquired if those changes are now permanent. Schumann stated that City Engineer Westby
could provide an update on that item at the next meeting. Wojchouski also asked that signage
on River Street regarding this change be confirmed, as if signage is there, it is not apparent.
Schumann noted the upcoming joint meeting between the City Council and EDA on January
16`x' and invited the Commissioners to attend.
Commissioner Hilgart inquired what the status of the YMCA project is. Schumann indicated
that the current agreement with the YMCA gives the City and County until 2013 to phase in
purchases. Purchase depends on the amount of funding the partners are able to secure,
including funding from the state. She noted that the City and County currently own 318
acres. In 2009, the City received a grant in the amount of 266,499. She noted that much
depends on the bonding bill and future grants. The funds already secured can be held until the
end of 2010 other grants or funds are secured. In relationship to the Clean Water, Land and
Legacy Amendment, Schumann explained that the City and County are only eligible to apply
for the Parks & Trails component. The partners did apply for the 2009 grant cycle, which will
be awarded in January. A second cycle opens up in 2010. Schumann also noted that the 318
acres is open to the public, it is signed and delineated. The next piece to be purchased in the
phased acquisition is the piece that lies between Long and Bertram Lake.
Hilgart asked what happens if all of the land is not acquired by 2013. Schumann responded
that in 2013, the partners would most likely go back to the table with the YMCA after taking a
look at the development landscape.
Hilgart inquired in the City has inventoried how many homes are left that have hail
damage and notified the owners that they need to repair the damage. Schumann indicated
that the Building Department is in the process of closing out the remaining 700 open
permits from the storm. After that, they will deal with the properties that present
property maintenance problems and those that may have done work without permit. That
last item may or may not be a priority for the City Council. However, whenever the City
receives a complaint, the Department is immediately responding. Hilgart recommended
going after the property maintenance properties first.
Hilgart inquired for an update on Carlisle Village. Schumann explained that she had a
conference call with Central Bank. Central Bank is the bank that has taken over the
assets of Main Street Bank, which was shut down by the FDIC earlier in the year. The
City has been informed that per FDIC requirements, all of its Main Street Bank letters of
credit are no longer invalid. However, Central Bank representatives have indicated that it
is their intent to meet the terms of the development agreements in place, which run with
the land. She noted that all of the public infrastructure for the finally platted areas is in
and performing. In terms of compliance with the tree preservation program, the original
developer was up to date with requirements as of fall 2006. Since that time, very few
permits have been pulled, so the bank has a relatively clean slate. That being said, she
indicated that all of the requirements of the development agreement still apply to future
developers and property owners. Schumann stated that if the Commissioners have
additional concerns, she would be happy to include them with the other notations that she
will provide to the bank.
Hilgart inquired who is responsible for maintaining the cul -de -sac island. Schumann
explained that in this case, once the landscaping is installed per development plans, the
surrounding property owner, by development agreement, own an equal, undivided
interest in the island and are responsible to maintain it.
Adiourn.
MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COMMISSIONER SPARTZ. MOTION SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER GABLER.
MOTION CARRIED, 5 -0.
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