December 7, 2020 City Council Minutes
CITY OF SPRING PARK
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
DECEMBER 7, 2020 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rockvam at 7:00 p.m.
Council Members Jerome P. Rockvam, Mayor; Mark Chase; Jeff Hoffman; Pamela Horton; and
Present: Gary Hughes
Staff Present: Dan Tolsma, City Administrator; Bob Kermis, NAC (representing Al Brixius).
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Rockvam led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ADOPT MEETING AGENDA
M/Hughes, S/Horton to adopt the meeting agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA*
a. Approve City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes from November 16, 2020
b. Approve Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from November 16, 2020
M/Horton, S/Hoffman to adopt the Consent Agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
5. PUBLIC FORUM
Planning Commissioner Mason asked if the Cares Act was still in effect and Tolsma said no, for cities it ended on November 15. Mason said he heard some of the Cares money has been used to subsidize students in other areas for lack of Wi-fi and he thought he’d suggest it.
6. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS
a. Gillespie Center Update – Deb Taylor & Susan Navratil
Tolsma said this will be rescheduled to January.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, & APPLICATIONS – None.
9. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
a. Resolution 20-27: Approving Lot Width Variance for 3822 Northern Avenue
Bob Kermis with NAC is substituting for Al Brixius. Kermis said Christopher Mattson, the property owner at 3822 Northern Avenue, has requested simultaneous and preliminary plat approval of a two lot single family subdivision titled the Northern View Addition. He said presently the lot is occupied by a single family home as well as a detached structure which would be removed. In addition to the approval of the application, the applicant has also requested a lot width variance. Kermis said this site is zoned R-1 which accommodates both single family and two family homes. Staff has been suggested it be considered to request two single family homes rather than twinhomes being that it is bordered on the east and west by single family homes and to be consistent with land uses. Kermis said the subject site measures 97 feet in width and the R-1 district imposes lot widths of 50 feet and what they consider a minor variance request has been requested. Both lots would then exhibit 48.4 lot widths.
Rockvam asks where this lot is located. Hoffman said it’s on the north side of Northern Avenue and Tolsma brings up an overhead map. Rockvam asked if the proposal is to split the existing lot into two and thereby each lot would be 48 feet wide instead of 50 feet and Kermis confirms. Rockvam asked what is the overall square footage. Kermis said there is a 10 foot sideyard setback as well as the 30 foot front yard setback. The request is slightly less than that in terms of width. Rockvam asked if each of the lots would have 10,000 feet and Kermis confirmed. Kermis said there is an exhibit showing the home pads. Rockvam asked if they meet the setbacks and Kermis said yes, the only variance is on the width.
Rockvam asked if there was a public hearing held on this. Kermis said a public hearing was held on November 18 recommending approval of the preliminary and final plat simultaneously as well as the lot width variance subject to three conditions: submission of grading and drainage plans, submission of utility plan and that those plans be subject to review and approval by the city.
Hoffman makes a motion to adopt Resolution 20-27 Approving Lot Width Variance for 3822 Northern Avenue and Horton seconds.
Motion carries 5-0.
10. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
a. Mayor & Council – Rockvam said he would like to call attention to today’s date and that it is Pearl Harbor Day and he would like to thank all service personnel and veterans for their service to the country.
b. City Staff – Nothing.
c. Contract Staff – Tolsma said Brian Hare, our principal engineer with Sambatek, has accepted another position with a different engineering firm. Hare’s immediate director will assume his roll and there will decisions to make if the city wants to stay with Sambatek. Rockvam said in terms of unfinished business, West Arm Rd West needs to be finished up. Hughes said it would be nice if the contact person came out and introduced themselves. Tolsma said restoration projects on West Arm Rd West still need to be completed in the spring so other than a few remaining items on the punch list, the project is wrapped up.
Rockvam asked if Tolsma has been able to make contact with the Rail Authority in regards to moving the utility poles. Tolsma said he hasn’t but it is on the list to discuss and that is part of the second phase when focusing on the street.
11. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS
a. City Clerk Employment Offer
Chase makes a motion to extend the City Clerk Employment Offer in the council packet to Jennifer Nelson with the initial wage starting at $29 per hour for the six months of employment. If satisfactory performance review completed after six months, the wage increased to $31 per hour. Additionally the accumulated difference between the initial rate and the newly adopted rate for the first six months shall be retroactively paid to the employee at that time. This offer is also contingent upon reference checks that will be performed by Tolsma and a background check. Hughes seconds.
Motion carried 5-0.
12. CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
a. December 7, 2020 Claims
M/Horton, S/Chase to approve all claims for payment.
Motion carried 5-0.
13. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
a. December 9 – Police Commission – 8:00 AM
b. December 9 – LMCD Work Session at 6:00 PM with Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM
c. December 10 – LMCC – 7:00 PM
d. December 16 – Planning Commission Meeting – 6:00 PM
e. December 21 – City Council Work Session – 6:00 PM
f. December 21 – Regular City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM
14. MISCELLANEOUS (INFORMATION ONLY)
Hughes asks about what the work session if for on the 21st . Tolsma said it will be the last levy discussion. Rockvam asks if there is anything else. Tolsma said a final draft version of the enforcement policy with discussed changes. He said the short-term rental goes to Planning Commission on the 16th so the council meeting will be necessary.
15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:15 p.m.
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Dan Tolsma, City Administrator