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Home My WebLink About2012-12-05 MINUTESCOTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota 12800 Ravine Parkway Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Regular Meeting December 5, 2012 OPEN FORUM Mayor Myron Bailey opened Open Forum at 7:15 p.m. and stated that during Open Forum a person may address the City Council on subjects not a part of the regular meeting agenda, but must limit their remarks to three (3) minutes per person. The purpose of Open Forum is to give the public an opportunity to present information or to request action by the City Council. It may not be used to make personal attacks, to air personality grievances, to make political endorsements, or for political campaign purposes. Mayor Bailey stated that Open Forum will adjourn to the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Derrick Lehrke, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Dave Thiede. The following were absent: None. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Corrine Heine, City Attorney- Kennedy & Graven; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; and Les Burshten, Public Works Director. Mayor Bailey convened Open Forum at 7:15 p.m., and asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the City Council on any topic not on the agenda. There being none, Mayor Bailey 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 December 5, 2012 at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience, staff, and the Mayor and Council Members pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. ROLL CALL The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Derrick Lehrke, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Dave Thiede. Cottage Grove City Council December 5, 2012 Regular Meeting The following were absent: None. Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Corrine Heine, City Attorney- Kennedy & Graven; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; and Les Burshten, Public Works Director. Mayor Bailey presided over the meeting. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED. 5 -0. 2. PRESENTATIONS — None. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — None. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Lehrke stated that he would like to discuss the process of certifying utility bills at a future City Council meeting. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEHRKE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO: A. ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE FOLLOWING MINUTES: i. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2012. B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -134 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE WASHINGTON COUNTY ALL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN. C. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -135 A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING UNPAID UTILITY BILLS TO WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR PAYABLE 2013. MOTION CARRIED. 5 -0. 5. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED OPEN FORUM ISSUES — None. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Hold Public Hearing and Consider Authorizing the Issuance of an "On Sale" 3.2 Beer License and a Consumption and Display Permit to Hope Glen LLC /DBA Hope Glen Farm, 10276 East Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove. Cottage Grove City Council December 5, 2012 Regular Meeting Mayor Bailey opened the public hearing to receive comments and /or objections from those in the attendance. The applicants, Michael and Paula Bushilla, were present. There being no comments and /or objections, Mayor Bailey closed the public hearing. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF AN "ON SALE" 3.2 BEER LICENSE AND A CONSUMPTION AND DISPLAY PERMIT TO HOPE GLEN FARM LLC, DBA /HOPE GLEN FARM, 10276 EAST POINT DOUGLAS ROAD, COTTAGE GROVE. MOTION CARRIED. 5 -0. 7. BID AWARDS None. 8. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Consider Adopting a Resolution Certifying the Tax Levy for Taxes Payable 2013 and Consider Adopting a Resolution Adopting the 2013 Budget MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -136 A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE TAX LEVY FOR TAXES PAYABLE 2013. MOTION CARRIED. 5 -0. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -137 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2013 BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -1 WITH COUNCIL MEMBER LEHRKE VOTING NAY. 9. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS A. Receive Response Regarding Fuel Prices in Cottage Grove City Administrator Schroeder reviewed his report in the agenda packet on fuel prices. Council Member Olsen stated that on his way to /from the City of Rochester he found that in a number of communities that he drove through, the fuel costs were lower than what they were in Cottage Grove. He stated that the City should formulate a letter to send to our local businesses because our constituents feel they are getting overcharged. The same thing seems true at some of our other businesses, i.e., the Target in Cottage Grove seems to charge more on some products than what other stores charge in other communities. Cottage Grove City Council December 5, 2012 Regular Meeting �+ Council Member Lehrke stated that he has heard that Wal -Mart undercuts other businesses but pays their employees less than the market. B. Receive Response Regarding the Intersection of 80 Street and Hardwood Avenue Mayor Bailey acknowledged receipt of the report from Staff. No action taken. C. Receive Response Regarding City Staffing Levels Mayor Bailey acknowledged receipt of the report from Public Safety Director Woolery regarding 2013 Staffing Update. City Administrator Schroeder directed the City Council to page 5 of the Staff report which provides an estimate of the cost savings realized due to a vacant position, military leaves and an electoral leave of absence noting that the estimated salary cost savings was $145,510. He stated that the report also recommended that the City Council support authorizing staff to recruit for a 40 regular sworn police officer. Council Member Olsen commented that he could not accept what was in the memo and that he would like to schedule a workshop session to discuss this issue in greater detail. Council Member Thiede agreed stating that we need to take a better look at this, but asked Public Safety Director Woolery whether it would it would be beneficial for the City Council to approve the 40 officer tonight with the intent of actually looking at the entire situation closer at a workshop session in the very near future. Public Safety Director Woolery encouraged the City Council not to delay in hiring an additional police officer. Council Member Lehrke suggested waiting to take action until the next meeting. If a motion is made tonight to hire another police officer, he stated that he would have to vote no because this action is happening to quickly. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO AUTHORIZE THE HIRING OF ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER AND TO DISCUSS STAFFING LEVELS AT AN FUTURE WORKSHOP SESSION. MOTION CARRIED. 4 -1 WITH COUNCIL MEMBER LEHRKE VOTING NAY. Cottage Grove City Council I 5 December 5, 2012 Regular Meeting 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Mayor Bailey stated that judging for the Christmas Decorating Contest will be held on December 17; the upcoming Santa Breakfast will be on December 9 at River Oaks Golf Course, and the Holiday Train will be in Cottage Grove on December 11. Mayor Bailey stated that the City's existing flag policy would not allow our flag to be flown at half -staff today and he asked staff to re- evaluate the existing policy. Council Member Peterson announced that the next Fair for All would be December 6; the Union Depot Grand Opening would be December 8; the East Ridge High School play "White Christmas" would be held on December 6 -9; the next Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Meeting would be December 18; and she asked Staff to put together a facility use policy for use of City Hall meeting rooms. Council Member Olsen commented on an article in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune stating that Washington County was looking at re- establishing policy on light rail and asked staff to get a detailed update on goals and objectives and if there was additional information that we were not aware of for bus -rapid transit or light rail. 11. PAY BILLS MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE, TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 179334 THROUGH 179472 TOTALING $436,444.63 AND EFT PAYMENT TOTALING $461,028.22. MOTION CARRIED. 5 -0. 12. WORKSHOP SESSION — OPEN TO PUBLIC The City Council temporarily adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m. and reconvened the meeting in a workshop session at 9:28 p.m. A. Hinton Avenue Road Rehabilitation from 70 Street to 80 Street The City Council discussed the Hinton Avenue Road Rehabilitation Project from 70 Street to 80 Street. The project includes: 1. Reclaiming of the bituminous road surface with spot curb replacement. 2. Replacement of the existing bituminous trail and expansion of the bituminous trail from 70 Street to the Cottage Grove Trail Corridor. 3. Installation of ADA pedestrian ramps at all intersections. 4. Street lighting improvements along Hinton Avenue. 5. ADA traffic signal upgrades at 80 Street and Hinton. Cottage Grove City Council I G December 5, 2012 Regular Meeting I V The total project cost is $1,840,413. Funding for the project is from MSA, Street Light Utility, General Levy, and Special Assessments. A copy of the feasibility report and a special benefit appraisal were included in the agenda packet. At 10:13 p.m., the workshop session adjourned to a workshop session closed to the public for the City Council to conduct a performance evaluation on the City Administrator, Ryan Schroeder. 13. WORKSHOP SESSION — CLOSED TO PUBLIC A. City Administrator Performance Review MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PETERSON, TO ADJOURN TO A SPECIAL MEETING CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AT 10:14 P.M. MOTION CARRIED. 5 -0 The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Derrick Lehrke, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Dave Thiede. Mayor Bailey stated that the purpose of the closed session was to conduct a performance evaluation on the City Administrator, Ryan Schroeder. A complete tape recording of the closed session is on file in the City Clerk's Office. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THIEDE TO ADJOURN THE WORKSHOP SESSION AND RECONVENE THE REGULAR MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. 5 -0. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEHRKE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSEN, TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING AT 11:38 P.M. MOTION CARRIED. 5 -0. Prepared by, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk