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Home My WebLink About2011-08-24 MINUTES (SPECIAL MEETING) COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota TH 7516 80 Street South Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Special Meeting August 24, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a th special meeting on August 24, 2011 at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. ROLL CALL The following were present: Mayor Pro Tem Justin Olsen, Council Member Derrick Lehrke, Council Member Dave Thiede, and Council Member Jen Peterson. The following were absent: Mayor Myron Bailey. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Bruce Anderson, Golf Pro, Wes Halvorsen, EMS Coordinator; and Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; Mayor Pro Tem Olsen presided over the meeting. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. 1. Budget Workshop Session – Open to Public A. Golf Course Golf Pro Anderson presented the golf course 2011 and 2012 Budgets. He highlighted the Budget objectives and noted that the membership was a success with 3,400 premium members (80% male and 20% female). He stated that they will continue the program into 2012. The new sign was hugely received for weddings and lunch specials. Cottage Grove City Council 2 August 24, 2011 Special Meeting Council Member Peterson stated she was disappointed that the Strawberry Fest Kick Off Dinner was held at the Mississippi Dunes versus at River Oaks and she heard it was due to the price. Golf Pro Anderson noted that they are advertising on face book and u-tube, they try to hire local employees, and they have online discount tickets. Golf Pro Anderson highlighted the budget notes that the EDA revised the 2011 Budget using 2010 actual revenues and expenditures as a base; the Fund summaries reflect the operating losses for 2011, 2012 and 2013 which include depreciation; and 2012 is the final year of payments for the 1999 Golf Course Revenue Bonds. B. Community Development There was discussion on expanding building inspection or planning services to other communities. i. Planning/Inspections/Historic Preservation Finance Director Roland noted that the 2012 budget addition includes 25% of an Economic Development Specialist position (remaining 75% funded in EDA fund) and for funding for a base mapping data/pictometry with County/GIS support. Finance Director Roland then reviewed the Community Development Department’s Budget Objectives which includes coordinating projects with adjacent communities, Washington County, and other governmental agencies; review and revise, as necessary, existing development related zoning ordinances; assist with business development; perform inspections for new construction and remodeling projects; process permits; perform plan review functions for Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport, and Denmark Township; and enforce property maintenance codes. C. Economic Development Authority (EDA) City Administrator Schroeder reviewed the EDA & ED Trust Fund noting that the 2012 EDA levy is $106,000 and in 2013 it would bd $108,100. He noted the EDA’s objectives are to work on the following: repurpose Home Depot and Norris Marketplace; River Oaks operating loan with review of operating strategies; quiet zone at Belden; prospect for business park; expand marketing efforts, expand relationship with the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce; institute business retention efforts; and attend ICSC and other event marketing opportunities. Cottage Grove City Council 3 August 24, 2011 Special Meeting D. Public Safety i. Fire and Emergency Management Fire Services Chief Byerly reviewed the objectives for Fire and Emergency Management to implement the Code Red mass telephone notification system, promote community awareness, and instruct command staff on its usage; in cooperation with the Washington County Fire Chief group, Washington County Sheriff Department and Cottage Grove Public Safety- Police Division, coordination of an information and records management system to promote public safety interoperability between dispatch, fire, police and EMS. They anticipate going online in March 2012; partnerships with State and County Emergency Management Divisions, striving for continuous improvement to the City’s All Hazard Plan. This includes disaster preparedness, response and mitigation; continue life safety/fire inspections for the cities of Newport and St. Paul Park by the City’s Fire Marshal; participate with Koch Refinery and Marathon Refinery on pre- th planning their Hazard Plan for the 85 Street storage tanks, reviewing water flow needs should a large scale fire occur; and continue coordinated grant efforts with Washington County Fire/Emergency Management Departments. Fire Services Chief Byerly noted that in Emergency Management they are requesting in 2012 a budget addition of $15,000 for outdoor warning siren upgrades and $3,000 for Code Red. In 2013, they are requesting an additional $3,000 budget addition for Code Red. Fire Services Chief Byerly then highlighted the requested budget additions and capital outlay requests for 2012 and 2013 Fire Division. There was discussion about the ladder truck being too short and the possibility of trading in the 75-foot ladder for a 100-foot ladder for about $250,000. ii. Police, Animal Control, Forfeiture Public Safety Director Woolery reviewed the budget notes. He stated that the property/evidence room was a major consideration in the current deficiency of our current building. Increasing staffing hours to follow the chain of custody and retention of evidence needed. In 2011, Ford Manufacturers announced that the Crown Victoria was being discontinued. Planning for transition to a new make and model underway. Consideration with current equipment such as light bars, cages and peripheral electronic equipment; and cooperative agreement and establish a self insurance maintenance fund for portable 800 MHz radios with all public safety agencies in Washington County. Cottage Grove City Council 4 August 24, 2011 Special Meeting Public Safety Director Woolery then reviewed the objectives, new initiatives and cost or saving implication. He also highlighted the budget additions and capital outlay items for 2012 and 2013. iii. Ambulance Public Safety Director Woolery reviewed the budget notes for the EMS Fund to evaluate current paid and standby duty crew program; evaluate old and new benchmark response times; and evaluate new cost saving measures through supplies, resources, ventures and medical direction. EMS Coordinator Halvorsen reviewed the objectives, new initiatives, and cost or saving implication. There was discussion on expanding the CPR Program and partnership, obtaining grant monies for a Heartsafe device which costs $13,000-$15,000; to look into establishing fire districts, partnerships with Allina and Woodbury, RFP for a consultant in 2012 to evaluate shared services; billing services, part-time paramedic program proposed changes; increase in EMS calls; duty crews; revenues (Medicare and Medicaid); and rate increases. E. General Government City Administrator Schroeder reviewed the general government cost centers which includes the Mayor and Council, Professional Services, City Hall, Administration, City Clerk, Elections, Finance Community and Employee Programs, and other funds such as the Gambling Fund, Equipment Replacement, Self Insurance, and IT. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING AT 9:16 P.M. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. Prepared by, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk