The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2011-01-19 PACKET 03.C.OPEN FORUM Mayor Pro Tem Rice opened Open Forum at 7:15 p.m., and stated Open Forum provides a person the opportunity to inform the Council of a problem or to request information related to City business not scheduled for Council action and not on the agenda. Persons must limit remarks to two (2) minutes or less. The following were present: Mayor Pro Tem Pat Rice, Council Member Mark Grossklaus, Council Member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Justin Olsen. The following were absent: Mayor Myron Bailey. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Howard Blin, Community Development Director; Corrine Heine, City Attorney- Kennedy & Graven; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; and Les Burshten, Public Works Director. Howard Kittleson, 1330 10th Avenue, Newport, and Commander of the Cottage Grove VFW Post 8752, spoke in opposition to the gambling contributions the Club pays to the City, their property tax increase, and the amount of the public improvement assessments added to their property taxes. Mayor Pro Tem Rice closed Open Forum to the Regular Meeting. CALL TO ORDER - Regular Meeting The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a Regular Meeting on September 1, 2010 at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80th Street South. Mayor Pro Tem Rice called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience, staff, Mayor Pro Tem, and City Council Members pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. ROLL CALL The following were present: Mayor Pro Tem Pat Rice, Council Member Mark Grossklaus, Council Member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Justin Olsen. The following were absent: Mayor Myron Bailey. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Howard Blin, Community Development Director; Corrine Heine, City Cottage Grove City Council 2 September 1, 2010 Regular Meeting Attorney- Kennedy & Graven; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; and Les Burshten, Public Works Director. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER GROSSKLAUS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -0. 2. PRESENTATIONS - None. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO: A. ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE FOLLOWING: i. MINUTES OF THE JUNE 14, 2010 PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION MEETING; ii. MINUTES OF THE JUNE 2, 2010 AND JULY 13, 2010 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETINGS; iii. MINUTES OF THE JULY 26, 2010 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING; AND iv. MARCH 16, 2010 AND JULY 20, 2010 PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMISSION MEETINGS, B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -124 A RESOLUTION AWARDING QUOTE FOR BOULEVARD ASH TREE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT TO ST. CROIX TREE SERVICE FOR $42,514.00. C. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -125 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PREPARATION OF A FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR THE PINE COULEE (DISTRICT 1 -1) AND HOWARDS ADDITION (DISTRICT A -1) PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROJECT. D. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -126 A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE ABATEMENT OF CONDITIONS CREATING A NUISANCE AT 7159 JANERO AVENUE SOUTH, COTTAGE GROVE. ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE 2010 -2011 MAPS DESIGNATING AREAS TO DISCHARGE ARCHERY AND FIREARMS WITHIN THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE, F. AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) JOHN DEERE 2500 E GREENS MOWERS FOR $13,500 EACH; TWO (2) JOHN DEERE BUNKER RAKES FOR ($6,500 EACH); ONE (1) JOHN DEERE 2653 UTILITY MOWER ($13,500 EACH); AND ONE (1) JOHN DEERE 800 AERCORE ($9,995) FROM TCP OF THE TWIN CITIES TOTALING $63,495, PLUS SALES TAX. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -0. 5. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES - None. Cottage Grove City Council °? September 1, 2010 Regular Meeting J PUBLIC HEARINGS FA Finance Director Roland stated Staff recommends that funding for the construction of a new Public Safety /City Hall facility come from the issuance of General Obligation Capital Improvement Plan Bonds. Under Minnesota Statute, a referendum before the voters is not required for construction of a City Hall. She estimated that the Public Safety /City Hall facility would cost approximately $17 million, less approximately $5.3 million in cash, leaving the amount of the debt issuance to be $11.7 million (plus issuance costs). Finance Director Roland then reviewed the 2011 -2015 Five -Year Capital Improvements Plan for the City of Cottage Grove prepared by Ehlers & Associates and included in the Agenda packet. The Plan addresses the planning process, project summary, financing, and included appendixes on the project costs, proposed CIP bond issue, pre -sale schedule, and proposed resolutions. Finance Director Roland stated that the reverse referendum period ends 30 days after the public hearing and should there be a challenge from taxpayers within the 30 -day period, there is a requirement where 5% of the voters who cast a vote of the last election, shall petition the City Council to revisit it. Should that 30 -day period pass without a challenge, the City Council could adopt the resolution approving the sale of bonds. She stated the resolution requires the approval by 3/5's of the City Council. Mayor Pro Tern Rice opened the public hearing to hear comments and /or objections from the public. Shannon Boyden, 8473 Henna Avenue South, Cottage Grove; Kathy Lewandoski, 9043 75th Street South, Cottage Grove; Derrick Lehrke, 8850 82nd Street South, Cottage Grove; Holly Rouleau, 8497 Jensen Avenue South, Cottage Grove; Linda Lehrke, 8186 Hemingway Avenue South, Cottage Grove; and Rod Lehrke, 8186 Hemingway Avenue South, Cottage Grove, voiced opposition to the proposed construction of a new Public Safety /City Hall facility. There being no further comments /objections from those in the audience, Mayor Pro Tern Rice closed the public hearing. Finance Director Roland stated that the last general election was in 2008 and approximately 17,000 people voted in that election. Five percent or approximately 850 eligible voters would have to sign the petition. Mayor Pro Tern Rice asked Council if they had any questions. There being none, he asked for a motion. Mayor Pro Tern Rice stated that right now is not the time to be going forward with this project and stated that he would be voting against the motion. Capital Improvement Plan Bonds in an Amount Not To Exceed $11,700,000 and to Adopt the City of Cottage Grove Minnesota Capital Improvement Plan of 2011 through 2015. Cottage Grove City Council 4 September 1, 2010 Regular Meeting MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER GROSSKLAUS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -127 A RESOLUTION GIVING PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FOR THE ISSUANCE OF THE CITY'S GENERAL OBLIGATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $11,700,000 AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR 2011 THROUGH 2015. MOTION CARRIED. 3 -1 (MAYOR PRO TEM VOTING NAY). BID AWARDS - None. 8. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Consider the 2011 Preliminary Tax Levy and Proposed Budget Finance Director Roland reviewed a powerpoint presentation on the preliminary levy and proposed budget for 2011, a copy of which is attached to the original minutes. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -128 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE PROPOSED 2010 TAX LEVY COLLECTIBLE IN 2011. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -0. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -129 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE PROPOSED 2011 BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA. MOTION CARRIED. 4- 0. 9. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS - None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Council Member Olsen commented that earlier this evening he had an opportunity to visit the recently remodeled Pine Tree Valley Park building and complimented the entire Parks Department on a job well done. He asked whether the Recreation staff would reconsider whether this is a viable option for winter usage this year. Council Member Peterson stated that the next Beyond the Yellow Ribbon meeting would be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the National Guard Armory. She stated they are still looking for more people to get involved as volunteers to offer whatever type of service they can provide for military families, such as lawn care, shoveling, minor car repairs, cooking a meal or babysitting. 11. PAY BILLS MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER GROSSKLAUS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 168618 TO 168807 TOTALING $442,502.35. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -0. Cottage Grove City Council September 1, 2010 Regular Meeting 12. WORKSHOP -OPEN TO THE PUBLIC -None. 13. WORKSHOP SESSION - CLOSED TO PUBLIC - None. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON: TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING AT 8:46 P.M. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -0. Prepared by, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk Attachment/1