11-07-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 7,2011 APPROVED 84 4. Tap Room License Ordinance Discussion—Community Development Director 85 Grochala reviewed the staff report noting that the council has directed staff to bring 86 forward information on amending city regulations to allow beer sales in conjunction with 87 breweries. The report lays out the council actions necessary (in the Liquor Code and 88 Zoning Code)to allow for a situation such as a tap room attached to a brewery as 89 proposed by Surly Brewing Company. City Clerk Bartell explained that state law has 90 recently been changed to allow cities to establish a licensing process and fee for a 91 brewery tap room license and she reviewed the criteria outlined in state law to allow for 92 such a license. The Mayor noted that he has taken a brewery tour and heard the reasons 93 why micro-breweries are popular and acceptable in city settings. Mr. Grochala then 94 explained that an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance would also be necessary, such as 95 adding a tap room type use to certain zoning districts. The council directed staff to bring 96 the necessary ordinances forward for council consideration. 97 5. Five-Year Financial Plan Discussion—Finance Director Rolek noted that the 98 council has received this preliminary document that it has been put together using 99 estimates from staff. The Plan contains certain assumptions on such things as tax base, 100 inflation, and expenditures. The Plan assumes increases in the area of personnel, 101 pavement management, capital equipment replacement and energy costs. It begins 102 budgeting for street reconstruction over five years but includes no park development 103 plans. When the Mayor asked about assumptions for future development, residential and 104 otherwise, and Mr. Rolek explained that assumptions are included under General Fund 105 Revenue and that they are negative assumptions until 2014 and a zero percent after that. 106 The council discussed the concept of a projected approximate $2 million gap to maintain 107 the tax rate. Mr. Rolek noted that the city would need about $600 million more in tax 108 base to generate $2 million in tax capacity. When the Mayor asked about next steps, Mr. 109 Rolek remarked that would probably be taking a look at service adjustments with council 110 direction. Administrator Karlson added that staff intends to continually evaluate staff 111 levels and services and will return with ideas on prioritizing services (strategic planning). 112 The Mayor remarked that the Plan is a guess and the council can also chose to be 113 optimistic. Mr. Rolek suggested that the council should plan on adopting something by 114 March for future planning use and, in the meantime, he will continue to work on it. 115 6. Newly Elected Officials Orientation—Administrator Karlson explained that staff is 116 putting together information to be used to orientate newly elected officials. He's 117 interested in the council's feedback, perhaps based on their experience coming into 118 office. What do they see as the most important details? Council Members recalled that 119 generally they came to city hall, received a binder of information that was then reviewed 120 by staff and then did a walk through; a council member recommended that information on 121 the police department is particularly helpful. 122 7. Weekly Progress Report—Administrator Karlson reviewed the items on the 123 report. Regarding the ECFE leased space,he reviewed the steps being taken to promote 124 the leasing of that soon to be vacated area in the city complex. Regarding Charter 3