11-07-2016 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION November 7, 2016 APPROVED 46 2. Traffic Safety Grant Resolution No. 16444 — Director Swenson noted that the 47 council called for more discussion on this matter. The City was awarded a grant to fund 48 one officer to work traffic safety duties. He explained the funding coverage provided 49 through the grant that includes overtime. The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety that 50 administers this grant would like a new resolution reflecting their fiscal years. Mayor 51 Reinert asked what in the area of traffic enforcement has changed with this grant position 52 and that now causes the concern that he is hearing from businesses and individuals. 53 Director Swenson said that he feels that businesses need to serve responsibly in order to 54 not negatively impact the safety of all the citizens. Mayor Reinert remarked that he hears 55 about impacts on people who aren't drinking and the general negative demeanor of some 56 of the work that this grant is funding. Director Swenson noted that all contacts are 57 recorded and he would urge anyone concerned to contact the department after any 58 incident of concern and it will be checked. Director Swenson added that what the 59 program does do is provide education and helps to respond to the many traffic related 6o complaints that the department receives from city residents. Council Member Manthey 61 remarked that he understands the need for an officer in this position to be assertive but 62 not aggressive; in his community he feels the additional traffic enforcement has been 63 beneficial and well received by residents. 64 65 Mayor Reinert noted that after two years of participation, it merits a review by the 66 council. 67 3. Audit Request for Proposals —Finance Director Cotton noted that an RFP was 68 distributed for city internal auditing services. There were four proposals received and 69 reviewed by staff. There aren't a lot of differences in services to be provided but costs 70 do vary. She noted some concern about the last product provided by the City's current 71 provider CliftonLarsonAllen; there were errors that were not properly corrected in their 72 reporting. She is recommending that the City go with a fresh perspective and enter a 73 three year contract with Red Path. Administrator Karlson suggested that he supports a 74 move at this time and he is comfortable with the Finance Director's recommendation. 75 4. December City Council Meeting Schedule —Administrator Karlson noted that 76 some years the council has chosen to revise the December council meeting schedule due 77 to the holidays. Mayor Reinert said the council will plan on cancelling the second 78 meeting of the month unless it becomes evident that a meeting is necessary. 79 5. Ashley Swenson Trail Accessibility Letter —Public Services Director 80 DeGardner noted that the council requested this discussion. Mayor Reinert explained 81 that he was contacted by a resident who has concerns about the lack of accessibility for 82 disabled persons to the City's trails and parks. Mr. DeGardner said his staff report 83 attempts to respond to the concerns raised. He noted that it is an unfortunate fact that 84 making trails more accessible is an expensive proposition. The trail segment that was 85 brought to light was reviewed and improvements would run in the area of $150,000. 86 Grant funds could be sought but they are more and more difficult to secure. He also 87 noted that the correspondence under discussion requests accessibility to parks. The 2