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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-16 MINUTESREGULAR MEETING COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL July 16, 2008 OPEN FORUM — 7:15 p.m. Open forum provides a person an opportunity to inform the Council of a problem or to request information related to City business not scheduled for Council action and on the Agenda. Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Council Member Myron Bailey Council Member Mark Grossklaus Council Member Fred Luden Council Member Pat Rice Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Howard Blin, Community Development Director Les Burshten, Public Works Director Corrine Heine, City Attorney Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director Not Present: None. Mayor Shiely opened the Open Forum at 7:15 p.m. Robert Sirr, 7301 Hydram Avenue South, posed a question to Council as to whether the City has a plan to reduce their carbon footprint in 2009. Mayor Shiely responded by referencing the "Mayor's Moment," a communication piece used to discuss various subjects including sustainability and to inform developers and businesses coming into the City of prominent City goals, and stating that there is no step-by-step plan or specified percentage reduction of the carbon footprint but provided reassurance that Council is concerned in this matter. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Shiely closed the Open Forum at 7:17 p.m. CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a regular meeting on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Shiely called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting — July 16, 2008 Cottage Grove City Council ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Council Member Myron Bailey Council Member Mark Grossklaus Council Member Fred Luden Council Member Pat Rice Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Howard Blin, Community Development Director Les Burshten, Public Works Director Corrine Heine, City Attorney Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director Not Present: None. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mayor Shiely noted the addition of Item I, a motion adopting a resolution accepting grant funding in the amount of $1,600.00 from the Minnesota Police Reserve Officer Association (MPROA) for the purchase of finro tasers for use by Cottage Grove Police Reserve Officers. MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY BAILEY, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. PRESENTATIONS None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. June 18, 2008, Regular Meetinq Mayor Shiely stated that the minutes stood approved as submitted. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Bailey pulled Item B to thank Target for $500.00 in support of the Cottage Grove National Night Out; Item F to thank 3M, Advanced Sportswear Inc., Country Inn & Suites, Kohl's, Kraus-Anderson Construction Company, Rumpca Companies Inc., SuperMom's, T. Mann Excavating Inc., Target, and Tradehome Shoe Stores Inc. for donations totaling $2,872.00 to the Public Safety, Fire and Recreation Departments for the 15 Annual Youth Safety Camp; and Item H to thank the St. Paul Park-Newport Lions for the 2 Regular Meeting — July 16, 2008 Cottage Grove City Council $500.00 donation to the 4 th of July fireworks display. MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY GROSSKLAUS, TO: A. ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE FOLLOWING MINUTES: I. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES FROM JUNE 2008. B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 08-125 ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00 FROM TARGET IN SUPPORT OF THE COTTAGE GROVE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENT. C. APPOINT KRYSTAL MCCALVY TO A SECOND ONE-YEAR TERM AS A YOUTH COMMISSIONER ON THE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION. D. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 08-126 APPROVING THE PART-TIME WAGE RESOLUTION. E. ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF PAMELA ROJAS FROM THE HUMAN SERVICES/HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AND DECLARE A VACANCY. F. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 08-127 ACCEPTING DONATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,872.00 ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRE AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS FOR THE 15TH ANNUAL YOUTH SAFETY CAMP. G. AUTHORIZE STAFF TO CONTRACT WITH WASHINGTON CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND MEMBERS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY WATER CONSORTIUM FOR THE SHARED WATER RESOURCE EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR 2009 — 2012. H. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 08-128 ACCEPTING A DONATION FROM THE ST. PAUL PARK—NEWPORT LIONS CLUB FOR THE 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY. I. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 08-129 ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,600.00 FROM THE MINNESOTA POLICE RESERVE OFFICER ASSOCIATION (MPROA) FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO TASERS FOR USE BY COTTAGE GROVE POLICE RESERVE OFFICERS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES None. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. BID AWARDS None. Regular Meeting — July 16, 2008 Cottage Grove City Council UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Consider adoptinq a resolution approving the draft Comprehensive Plan 2030 for purposes of submittal to the Metropolitan Council. Mayor Shiely provided clarification that any Council approval made at this evening's meeting would be for submittal of the document and that a final vote by Council would occur at a future date. The City Administrator also referenced a letter that staff had received from Chris Willhite of the Planning Commission to Council and Cottage Grove citizens, which expressed disappointment in Council's recent vote regarding Gold's Gym and other businesses, he said, being turned away from the area, such as A&W. The Community Development Director provided background information regarding the Comprehensive Plan 2030 draft and updates regarding the TH 61 Corridors, area at the northeast corner of TH 61 and Keats Avenue, five-acre area at the northwest corner of Keats Avenue and Military Road, and that no changes be made in the areas of the Agricultural land use designation in the eastern and southwestern areas of the City, parcels making up the petroleum tank farm on 85 Street remain guided Industrial, properties on Lower Grey Cloud Island not used for gravel mining remain guided Rural Residential, and the Majestic Ballroom site and remainder of the Langdon area remain in a future growth stage. He stated that the Plan will ultimately require four votes when Council takes a final vote in the future. Mayor Shiely thanked the committee that worked on the Comprehensive Plan. MOTION BY GROSKLAUS, SECONDED BY LUDEN, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 08- 130 APPROVING THE DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2030 FOR PURPOSES OF SUBMITTAL TO THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL. Council Member Bailey cited reasons as to why he would be voting against approval of the document: 1) Petroleum tank farm: He doesn't believe it is in the best interest of the City and residents to have an industrial area tucked into a residential and truck traffic having to utilize those streets, and 2) Majestic Ballroom site: He was in favor of moving from stage 3 to stage 1 and the master plan as it related to the area of the Gold's Gym; but due to water issues, etc., he doesn't think the current plan is in the best interest of the City's 15-20 year plan, describing that area as the City's south gateway entry. MOTION CARRIED 4-1 (BAILEY) RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Mayor Shiely thanked Public Safety, Recreation, and Public Works for this year's Safety Camp and commented that it is a wonderful program for the Community. 4 Regular Meeting — July 16, 2008 Cottage Grove City Council Council Member Bailey thanked Council for their contribution and the Cottage Grove Lions for their support in taking over the 4 of July fireworks display. Council Member Rice personally thanked Mayor Shiely for her kind words of condolences expressed at the last Council meeting on the loss of his father, said the outpouring of support from everyone was incredible, and wished to thank all on behalf of him and his family. PAY BILLS Mayor Shiely referenced page 21 of the bills concerning 156079, "candy for the Cottage Grove parade," and commented that $400.00 is an excessive amount. The City Administrator said he would obtain additional information and respond back to Council. MOTION BY BAILEY, SECONDED BY RICE, TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 155914 TO 156115 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,631,042.32. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. WORKSHOP SESSION — OPEN None. WORKSHOP SESSION — CLOSED None. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY BAILEY, SECONDED BY MAYOR SHIELY, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:46 P. M. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Mary Heintz TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. SPECIAL MEETING COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL July 30, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota held a special meeting on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Shiely called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Council Member Pat Rice Council Member Fred Luden Council Member Mark Grossklaus Council Member Myron Bailey Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Ron Hedberg, Finance/Admin Svs Director Brenda Peper, Financial Analyst Mayor Shiely presided over the meeting. WORKSHOP — 2009 BUDGET REVIEW Finance and Administrative Services Director Ron Hedberg noted that a two-year budget was being presented for the first time. A two-year budget allows the Council to see a multi-year look at the budget. Hedberg stated that one Council cannot bind another Council so the 2010 budget will be brought back next year for discussion and approval. During the 2010 budget meeting discussions next year, the 2011 budget will also be presented. He noted that limited market value is phasing out and that the State fiscal condition is deteriorating and that the City received $616,000 in Market Value Homestead Credit aid for 2007. Hedberg noted that the overall City Administrator recommended budget includes a 1.5% levy increase for 2009 and 2010. This compares to a 3.1 % increase in 2008 and 6.45% increase in 2007. Hedberg reviewed the levy limits for 2009 and 2010. He pointed out that the City will not lose levy capacity in 2010 if the City does not levy to the maximum in 2009. In keeping the levy increase down, Hedberg noted that future impact levies are proposed as follows: $957,000 in 2008, $464,000 in 2009, and $137,000 in 2010. Hedberg reviewed the items that are included as a future levy such as debt retirement, future pavement management, and future public buildings. Special Meeting July 30, 2008 Cottage Grove City Council Page 2 Hedberg stated that based on preliminary numbers from Washington County, the tax rate would be approximately 34.5%. These numbers include a 1.5% increase in new construction. The 2008 tax rate is 35.5%. Hedberg outlined the following notable items in the budget: • Gravel tax is included in the sealcoating fund instead of the General Fund. The amount received will increase from approximately $12,000 to $70,000 per year because of new State legislation. • The 2009 levy for the ice arena expansion is $240,000 • A community survey is in the 2010 budget for $12,000 • A limited scope PCI study in the budget at $35,000 is to study the PCI's for older roads only. • A Sustainability Task Force of staff has been meeting to discuss items such as fleet right sizing. Significant expenditures increases for 2009 were discussed which include PERA rates, fuel, worker's comp. rates, and health insurance premiums. Council Member Luden asked how worker's compensations claims are handled. City Administrator Schroeder stated that we have a company that manages our claims. The Council then proceeded to review individual budgets. Public Works Public Works Director Les Burshten presented the Public Works Budgets. Jennifer Levitt, Harry Taylor, Patty Storby, and Gary Orloff were also in attendance. Les Burshten outlined the Public Works Budget and the PW goals. Burshten reviewed the Public Works budgets in the General Fund. Mayor Shiely asked who was responsible for the Roundabout landscaping maintenance. Burshten stated that the City will be once the project is final and the contractor is responsible until that time. Council Member Bailey questioned whether landscaping is getting done and if there is adequate staffing for it. Schroeder pointed out that the PW department was requesting 2 landscape interns in 2009 instead of the 4 that were in the 2008 budget. Council Member Grossklaus asked if the 80th street plantings are affected by 100% salt usage on 80th street. Burshten stated that it is not. Sealcoatinq Burshten presented the budget. The City is on a 7-year cycle for sealcoating. The expenditures increases are due to increases in fuel and oil costs for sealcoating. Park Shelter Replacement Burshten presented the Park Shelter Replacement budget. There are no projects identified for 2009 and the fund balance at the end of 2008 is $428,909. Ice Arena Burshten presented the budget. He pointed out that 2009 will be the first year with the new sheet of ice and the City will now be staffing the concession stand. The Mayor asked when the 1 St ice time lease payment is due and Hedberg stated that it would be October 2008 and the payments will be made per month. Specia/ Meeting July 30, 2008 Cottage Grove City Council Page 3 Recyclinq Burshten presented the budget that is 100% funded by a recycling grant from Washington County. Water Utlitv Burshten reviewed the budget. The 2010 budget includes painting a water tower for $555,000. Sewer Utilitv Burshten reviewed the budget. The budget includes a$4,100 budget addition for one seasonal employee. Storm Water Burshten and City Engineer Levitt presented the budget. The budget includes a $4,100 budget addition for one seasonal employee. The rates are same in 2009 and 2010 which is consistent with the plan presented to Council. Levitt asked Council if they wanted to increase rates for those residents in the Lower Saint Croix Water Management Organization. Council concluded that they did and asked that staff prepare a council item for a future meeting to increase these rates. Street Light Burshten presented the budget. The budget includes money for the LED yellow light bulb change out on traffic semaphores. The green and red light bulbs have been completed. The budget also includes $10,000 for a test program for 8 LED lights to see what the maintenance impact and the payback is for these lights. Bailey asked if the Harwood and 70 Street semaphore would be funded from this fund. Schroeder confirmed this funding source. Fleet Burshten presented the budget. The capital outlay portion of the budget includes metal shelving, a fuel master upgrade, and a wheel-balancing machine. Equipment Replacement Burshten presented the budget. The 2009 purchases include a police administration car, brush chipper, tandem dump truck, bucket truck, and holder. Burshten, Levitt, Taylor, Storby, and Orloff left. General Government Hedberg presented the General Government General Fund budget. Hedberg pointed out that elections will be budgeted '/2 of the cost every year. The prosecutions services have been increased for the Cottage Grove court closure and travel to Stillwater. The budget includes the Cottage Grove Annual Report and Third Thursday costs. Gamblinq and Celebration funds Hedberg presented the budgets. There was discussion by the Council in regard to the funding level for Strawberry Fest and how long to fund it in the future. The consensus was to allocate the Gambling fund as follows for 2009: Special Meeting July 30, 2008 Cottage Grove City Council Page 4 4 th of July fireworks $2,000 Strawberry Fest $6,000 Self Insurance Hedberg presented the budget. Health insurance, worker's compensation, and property insurance are included in the Self Insurance fund. Economic Development Authoritv and Economic Development Trust Hedberg presented the budgets. The Management Analysts salary allocation has been lowered in the EDA fund and moved to the General Fund to reflect where their actual time is currently spent. The Council discussed the impacts of increasing the levy for 2009. The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Peper Financial Analyst