12-12-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION November 7, 2016 DRAFT 2 2. Traffic Safety Grant Resolution No. 16-144 – Director Swenson noted that the 46 council called for more discussion on this matter. The City was awarded a grant to fund 47 one officer to work traffic safety duties. He explained the funding coverage provided 48 through the grant that includes overtime. The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety that 49 administers this grant would like a new resolution reflecting their fiscal years. Mayor 50 Reinert asked what in the area of traffic enforcement has changed with this grant position 51 and that now causes the concern that he is hearing from businesses and individuals. 52 Director Swenson said that he feels that businesses need to serve responsibly in order to 53 not negatively impact the safety of all the citizens. Mayor Reinert remarked that he hears 54 about impacts on people who aren’t drinking and the general negative demeanor of some 55 of the work that this grant is funding. Director Swenson noted that all contacts are 56 recorded and he would urge anyone concerned to contact the department after any 57 incident of concern and it will be checked. Director Swenson added that what the 58 program does do is provide education and helps to respond to the many traffic related 59 complaints that the department receives from city residents. Council Member Manthey 60 remarked that he understands the need for an officer in this position to be assertive but 61 not aggressive; in his community he feels the additional traffic enforcement has been 62 beneficial and well received by residents. 63 64 Mayor Reinert noted that after two years of participation, it merits a review by the 65 council. 66 3. Audit Request for Proposals – Finance Director Cotton noted that an RFP was 67 distributed for city internal auditing services. There were four proposals received and 68 reviewed by staff. There aren’t a lot of differences in services to be provided but costs 69 do vary. She noted some concern about the last product provided by the City’s current 70 provider CliftonLarsonAllen; there were errors that were not properly corrected in their 71 reporting. She is recommending that the City go with a fresh perspective and enter a 72 three year contract with Red Path. Administrator Karlson suggested that he supports a 73 move at this time and he is comfortable with the Finance Director’s recommendation. 74 4. December City Council Meeting Schedule – Administrator Karlson noted that 75 some years the council has chosen to revise the December council meeting schedule due 76 to the holidays. Mayor Reinert said the council will plan on cancelling the second 77 meeting of the month unless it becomes evident that a meeting is necessary. 78 5. Ashley Swenson Trail Accessibility Letter – Public Services Director 79 DeGardner noted that the council requested this discussion. Mayor Reinert explained 80 that he was contacted by a resident who has concerns about the lack of accessibility for 81 disabled persons to the City’s trails and parks. Mr. DeGardner said his staff report 82 attempts to respond to the concerns raised. He noted that it is an unfortunate fact that 83 making trails more accessible is an expensive proposition. The trail segment that was 84 brought to light was reviewed and improvements would run in the area of $150,000. 85 Grant funds could be sought but they are more and more difficult to secure. He also 86 noted that the correspondence under discussion requests accessibility to parks. The 87