June 13, 2018 Planning Minutes
CITY OF SPRING PARK
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
JUNE 13, 2018 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Chair Hoffman at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chair Hoffman led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Planning Commissioners Present: Jeff Hoffman, Chair, Max Avalos, Bruce Homan, and Michael Mason
Planning Commissioners Absent: Pete Kaczanowski
Staff Present: Dan Tolsma, City Administrator; Al Brixius, City Planner; and Theresa Schyma, City Clerk.
Others Present: Catherine Kane Palen, City Council Member/Planning Commission Ex-Officio
4. ADOPT AGENDA
Commissioner Mason asked for an addition of Items #8a, 8b and 8c to discuss monument signs at the local parks, power outages, and the meeting times of the Planning Commission.
M/Mason, S/Avalos to approve the agenda as amended.
Motion carried 4-0.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from May 9, 2018
M/Avalos, S/Mason to approve the minutes.
Motion carried 4-0.
6. CONSIDERATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan Introduction & Summary – Al Brixius
City Planner Brixius asked the Planning Commission if they had any questions regarding the draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
The Planning Commission did not have any questions.
b. Public Hearing - Consideration of 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Chair Hoffman opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.
There were no individuals present at the public hearing.
M/Homan, S/Avalos to close the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0.
c. Authorize Staff to Distribute Draft Plan for Review
City Planner Brixius stated that tonight’s actions are not the final time for local input regarding the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. He is asking the Planning Commission to recommend to the City Council that the draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan be distributed to surrounding jurisdictions and affected agencies and Metropolitan Council for review and comment.
M/Avalos, S/Mason to approve recommendation to the City Council that the draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan be distributed to surrounding jurisdictions and affected agencies and Metropolitan Council for review and comment.
Motion carried 4-0.
7. COMMUNICATIONS – None.
8. MISCELLANEOUS
a. Monument signs at Wilkes Park and Thor Thompson Park – Commissioner Mason reiterated his request that the monument signs at the City’s two parks have biographical information on the individuals they were named for and requested an update from staff.
City Administrator Tolsma responded that staff has contact information for the Wilkes and Thompson family and will be able to get the biographical information for the sign. He further stated that the Wilkes family has contacted staff recently since they are considering donating a bench for the park.
City Administrator Tolsma added that the upgrades to the playground equipment at the parks should be complete in Fall 2018. Based on the scheduled upgrades the monument signs and re-dedication of the parks will happen in Spring 2019.
b. Power outages – Commissioner Mason stated that Spring Park has frequent power outages and questioned what help the City could provide to residents who are frequently without power.
City Administrator Tolsma responded that the City does not have any control over Xcel Energy’s electrical grid in Spring Park.
Commissioner Mason stated that power surges are also a frequent issue for residents and it causes the potential for harm at residential properties.
c. Meeting times of the Planning Commission – Commissioner Mason wanted the Planning Commission to discuss moving their meeting times to earlier in the evening. He stated that meeting earlier in the evening, perhaps 5:30 or 6:00 p.m., would still provide accessibility for residents to attend meetings and would potentially benefit staff to help reduce a long working day. He asked for Commission and staff feedback.
City Administrator Tolsma responded that staff is agreeable to an earlier meeting time. He added that staff members are always available to meet whenever it is most convenient for the commissioners. He stated that the main concern when changing times is that the Planning Commission needs to have a quorum at meetings so the meeting time is dependent on when the commissioners are available.
The Planning Commission consensus was that they are agreeable to an earlier meeting time. However, the Commission will not make a decision until they are able to relay this discussion to Commissioner Kaczanowski for his feedback.
9. ADJOURNMENT
M/Mason, S/Avalos adjourn the Planning Commission Meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0.
Date Approved: August 8, 2018
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Dan Tolsma, City Administrator
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Theresa Schyma, City Clerk