CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.

Members present: Mayor Don Richards, Tom Heimerl, Sandy Bowen, Susan Reese, Ellen Smith, Todd Schultz, David Cronk, Erin Tomlinson, Reid Wronski.

There was a quorum present at all times.

Staff present: Buddy Lucero, Planning Director; Matt Parent, Planning Intern; Carl Gaulke, River Falls Municipal Utilities General Manager.

Others present: Councilor Tom Caflisch, Mike Miller and Jeff Rodewald, Representatives of Hope Lutheran Church.

1.  America in Bloom, Planting Pride in Community

Commissioners viewed a DVD regarding the America In Bloom program. Commissioner Reese passed out information regarding the national program and competition that promotes and enhances communities through beautification. Categories are based on population. Gardens, parks, historic buildings, waste handling facilities, water treatment plants, recycling centers, are evaluated in municipal, commercial, and residential areas on eight criteria: tidiness, environmental awareness, community involvement, heritage preservation, urban forestry, floral displays, landscape areas, turf and ground cover. A specially trained judge visits each participating community. The community receives a written evaluation regarding the categories listed, which provides guidance and advice in detail regarding areas for future improvements. It’s a valuable tool in building pride in the community. Committee members stated that the City of River Falls is already doing many of the suggestions that judges have given other communities. Reese is asking the Commission for their input on participation as a project for heritage preservation. Committee members are suggesting nameplates on buildings, updating the three kiosks and relocating one of them, and markers in the park. Participation in the competition is less than $1,000 for River Falls. Committee members hope to participate in 2009 and have been speaking to different organizations about taking on projects that address the criteria. Red Wing, Minnesota has participated and has won Best of the Best in all populations in environmental awareness, and won overall in their population category. The Garden Club has invited Red Wing to give a presentation on February 4, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Library regarding the eight categories judged and what this program has meant to their community. Consensus from the Commission is to move forward with this project. Commission members are encouraged to attend the Public Library presentation on February 4.

2.  Discussion of Amendment to the Extraterritorial Subdivision Standards

Planning Director Lucero discussed the development standards of 1 unit per 35 acres that were previously adopted. Since those standards have been in place several requests have been made to allow development on lots less than 35 acres.

Miller informed the Commission that the current property owners offered the church this parcel of land at a very reasonable price. Negotiations with the property owners began well before this ordinance was in effect. The congregation is a small, but growing, and needs a larger facility. The congregation is now using the Newman Center as a temporary facility. A search for property within the City was extensive, but with parking requirements, financial restrictions, etc., a parcel has not been found that would fill their needs. The property that the church is considering meets the long-range zoning plans of the City. The Town of Troy has not been contacted. The church submitted a draft amendment to the ordinance. The draft included the following limitations:

Lucero stated there are pros and cons to this issue. If the intent of the Plan Commission were to move forward on this issue, staff would like to bring it to the Council. Staff would need to show that there is not an adverse effect to the City. There were many factors considered that defined the boundary as it is now. There is no ability to capture any revenue from new development in the town without an agreement. This particular site would need many improvements. If the City amends the ordinance, it takes away any bargaining power with the Towns. Different arrangements for the church representatives were discussed. There are possibly some creative ways for the church to consider that wouldn’t jeopardize the City’s abilities. There was discussion regarding non-profit versus residential or private use.

Discussion is still in progress with some of the towns. Right now the City has no ability to charge impact fees on a rural lot. If an agreement with the Town was in place, the City could collect an impact fee. This is the type of an agreement the City would like. Church representatives were encouraged to talk to Town representatives about entering into an agreement with the Town.

The Mayor questioned whether the Commission wanted to go forward to Council with an amendment. Consensus of the Commission was not to pursue this specific issue, but encourage dialogue between the Towns and the City. The church has not approached the Town. This is a good example of the need for the City and Towns to search for solutions and reach an agreement that will better manage growth.

3. Discussion of Amendment to the Shoreland Ordinance

The Environmental Task Force came up with some language for development in the downtown district in regards to the shoreland setback ordinance. The Task Force suggested that from the 75-foot shoreland setback area, you can develop but you must analyze your site and decrease the runoff into the river by 50%. This would allow the ability to develop, but improve the runoff in that 75-foot area. There are different ways to accomplish this, and that would be the developer’s choice as long as it’s within storm water standards. The consensus of the Commission is to accept these amendments. It will come back to the Commission as a public meeting for comments before being recommended to the Council.

4. Discussion of Amendment to the Annexation Ordinance

Lucero spoke to the Commission about the proposals and how these amendments came about. Carl Gaulke, Municipal Utilities General Manager, stated that the amendment regards annexations where residents are forced in by annexation. It allows the property owner the right to ask for an extension to hook up to water and sewer. Technically, the DNR says that if water and sewer is made available, the property owner has 90 days to hook up. This amendment will allow the property owner an extension to hook up for five years. If they choose to, the property owner could get another five-year extension when the first one is expiring. This amendment could potentially waive the issue to hook up for ten years. The ordinance is geared to help people that are forced to annex. They can hook up right away if they’d like to. If their well or septic would go bad they would have to hook up. The option of fixing the problem would no longer be available. Also, if they sell the property, they would have to hook up. This is a benefit to the City, because the property is on the City tax rolls when annexed. This would help defray the cost when they hook up. It has been suggested by the Finance Director that the deferred payments would be based on the ENR cost index. It keeps track with inflation – it doesn’t pay for the loan, but it will make up for the inflation on the assessment. This is a compromise instead of charging interest.

Wronski stated he would like to see wording that would give residents this option if they banned together and requested annexation. By subsidizing some of these costs it would be an incentive. That way when the need for these services arises, they are in place.

Heimerl questioned if the language in this draft had to be changed to allow for this and suggested it be changed.

Lucero suggested wording that says anyone that is being annexed, whether forced or not, is allowed the ten year period to hook up. Reid suggested eliminating the statement that says the "purpose is to afford owners who aren’t parties…." because it would apply to everyone. The ordinance should be kept in Chapter 17 and incorporate the Finance Director’s comments on interest.

The consensus of the Plan Commission was to have utility staff incorporate these changes into the ordinance and bring it back to the Plan Commission in February for a public meeting.

5.  Update on Compiling the Definitions for Municipal Code

Staff has been meeting with Commissioner Ellen Smith on the definitions to condense and clarify. After this review is done, the intent is to meet with the different departments and bring it to the PC for review.

The goals of the Plan Commission have been discussed in past meetings for implementation. Staff would like to forward this to the Council for their input to the Plan Commission. This is part of implementing the Comprehensive Plan.

Lucero pointed out the Building Inspector’s monthly report, that development in River Falls is still relatively normal and construction is taking place.

The City Engineer is holding a public meeting regarding Cascade Avenue on January 29, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the River Falls Public Library. This meeting will formally show a concept plan. The next steps in the process will also be discussed. Action by the Council will be requested to accept the plan and move forward in the process.

ADJOURNMENT – MSC Cronk/Schultz to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robin Schrank, Recording Secretary