02-22-2016 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 22, 2016 APPROVED 46 Council Member Manthey asked if there is any reason why the council shouldn't support 47 this resolution. Mayor Reinert explained that it comes down to power and one political 48 party versus another and he doesn't think calling for a change is overreaching. 49 50 Council Member Kusterman explained the history of the Metropolitan Council. It started 51 as a group to deal with coordinating the sewer system and it grew to cover many things 52 and it has outgrown its role. He asked what will happen if the resolution is passed? 53 54 Mayor Reinert said that it brings the matter forward but a process change would have to 55 be discussed, legislation passed and then signed by the governor. 56 57 Item 3B/3C, Resolution No. 1640, Concurring in the Issuance of G.O. Bonds (by the 58 City of Circle Pines) and Resolution No. 16-11, Amending the JPA for North Metro 59 Telecommunications Commission to Issue Bonds — Administrator Karlson explained that 60 the council is presented with two resolutions that involve the issuance of bonds to finance 61 new equipment for the cable commission. The proposal is to replace all equipment with 62 updated high definition equipment. This is possible because the commission has paid all 63 of its debt on their facility so they feel it is a good time. The cost would be in the range 64 of $2 million and the debt would be issued as G.O. bonds through the City of Circle 65 Pines. If the bonding was not issued through a city, it would be a revenue bond and the 66 cost would be higher; the city of Circle Pines offered to issue the bonds. The revenue to 67 pay for the bonds comes from franchise fees. The cost savings through use of G.O. 68 bonds is approximately $278,000. The other element of the action involves approving 69 an amendment to the joint powers agreement with the cable commission that would 70 update language and add authority for bonding with approval of member cities. 71 72 Mayor Reinert indicated that he feels more time is needed to review this matter. The 73 council will discuss the matter at the council meeting. 74 75 Added Item 4A, Approval to hire Building/Fire Inspector — Chief Swenson asked the 76 council to add this item to the regular agenda. The council concurred. 77 78 The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. 79 80 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on 81 March 14, 2016. 82 83 86 u 1 e Bartell, City lerk 87 �a