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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-16 MINUTES (SPECIAL MEETING) COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Special Meeting June 16, 2010 CALL TO ORDER The Cottage Grove City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, th held a Special Meeting on June 16, 2010, at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516-80 Street South. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Jen Peterson, Council Member Mark Grossklaus and Council Member Pat Rice. Absent: Council Member Justin Olsen. Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission Members Present: Gail Griffith, Community Affairs Officer; Brian Hagen, Todd Chambliss, Angela Chambliss, and Ben C. Franczk. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Howard Blin, Community Development Director; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; Bob Byerly, Deputy Public Safety Director-Fire; and Pete Koerner, Deputy Public Safety Director-Police. Mayor Bailey presided over the special meeting. Mayor Bailey stated the purpose of the Special Meeting was to meet with members of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission. Community Affairs Officer Gail Griffith reviewed the Communications Plan for the Public Safety/City Hall Construction Project stating that a committee has been formed consisting of herself, Ken Smith, Mike McCormick, Matt Foucault, Patti Dillon and Joanne Bixby. She stated their goal is to communicate a clear message starting with what they are doing, why they are doing it, how the community will benefit, what partners (if any) they will work with, the estimated costs, timelines and locations. Their message will be clear, concise and consistent. Mr. Franczk asked if the new facility would it be located at the existing site, or at some other site. City Administrator Schroeder stated that the Council will be discussing that later this evening. The sites that the Council is looking at include the Ravine Park, located just north of the Washington County South Service Center on Co. Rd. 19; Cottage View Drive-In; Norris Marketplace; the existing City Hall/Public Safety property; and at Fire Station #2. Cottage Grove City Council 2 June 16, 2010 Special Meeting Mayor Bailey stated that one of their challenges is for residents to see how the departments are operating and suggested videotaping a tour of the facility, both the upper and lower levels, and to hold open houses when the public can tour the building. Ms. Griffith stated that the Committee has discussed this and are wholeheartedly in favor of doing this because they want the residents to understand what the needs are. She encouraged the Commission members to support the project. Mayor Bailey stated that the Council held a special meeting in January 2010 where the Council amended the City’s goals and vision. Governance Mayor Bailey stated a survey has been completed from all employees to get an idea of what they like or dislike about their particular job or the City, and the Council has been working with staff on a variety of topics, such as benefits to working conditions, performance related items, concerns on communication, and this is ongoing right now. The structure of our Administration Department has changed and the Council appointed a Human Resources Coordinator. Mayor Bailey stated that performance evaluations will be completed annually and they have asked each department to communicate with Council highlighting what they are doing right now, and any issues they may be having, etc. Fiscal Stability Mayor Bailey stated the City has been financially responsible for many years and as a result have not had to drastically cut the budget like other cities have faced around the State. He stated that the City each year put together a two-year budget. Commercial/Industrial Development Mayor Bailey stated that he, Community Development Director Blin and City Administrator Schroeder attended a convention in Las Vegas and had an opportunity to visit with a variety of developers and restaurant owners. He stated in his opinion it was very informative and worthwhile. The key will be to see if we can make some of the contacts come into fruition going forward. He stated they met with a restaurant and an issue we are running into is they have to meet a minimum lunch threshold and right now we are at about 4,500 in Cottage Grove. The restaurant owner stated they need about 10,000 people who stay in Cottage Grove and who would potentially eat at their restaurant. Mayor Bailey noted that is something they will continue to work on. Cottage Grove City Council 3 June 16, 2010 Special Meeting Transportation and Transit th Mayor Bailey stated that T.H. 61 will be “white topped” from 70 Street south to approximately T.H. 95 and a couple of the existing accesses will be closed. The Red Rock Corridor is something the City will continue to support and work towards locating a commuter rail stop in Cottage Grove. He stated that the City is continuing to look for funding opportunities through the Federal and State governments to upgrade the Co. Rd. 19/Innovation Road Bridge, along with the road to the Langdon area. Housing Development Mayor Bailey stated that Pulte Homes is taking over the Preserve Housing Development off of Jamaica. Mayor Bailey stated that the majority of the tax impact locally is borne by the homeowners of Cottage Grove because we do not have a huge commercial or industrial base so the more we can do to increase that will spread the impact amongst other areas and will not rely so much on the homeowners. City Administrator Schroeder stated that our tax rate historically has been in the high one-third of cities that we compare to or right at the mean. Public Facilities Mayor Bailey stated that there is a 30-member Community Center Task Force who is working on whether we should build a community center in the future, what it should include, and whether we should partner with others. He stated the Task Force will provide a recommendation to the Council in April 2011 noting there may be a public/private partnership. Mayor Bailey stated that we have a Building Replacement Fund and we are currently refurbishing the Pine Tree Valley Park Building and Hamlet Park Building. Also, we are about to have our first ever Dog Park which will be located behind the Public Works Building, across from the compost site. Commission Chair Brian Hagen highlighted the Commission’s accomplishments and thanked the Council for taking the time to meet with them. The Special Meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Submitted by, Caron Stransky City Clerk