01-02-2018 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 2, 2018 167 Mayor Reinert asked for an update on development plans for the area. Mr. Grochala 168 noted that a convenience store proposal has been broached in the area. The council did 169 not express interest in such a development. Mayor Reinert remarked that he envisioned 170 something on the site that would serve as a gateway to the city. Community 171 Development Director Grochala noted the master plan prepared in 2007. The council 172 asked about an estimate of the cost for WSB & Associates to prepare plans and 173 specifications. Staff explained that they would investigate costs further. 174 175 The council heard from residents of the area. Concern about noise and closeness to 176 residential properties remains a concern. The mayor remarked that it's the council's job 177 make sure that developments that occur in the city are appropriate to the city. 178 9. NE Drainage Area Land Acquisition — Community Development Director 179 Grochala reported. His report relates to the big channel project. The watershed district 18o has the project under review. He's seeking council direction to get a proposal from WSB 181 to move on land acquisition. This would be a corridor acquisition and potentially 182 acquisition relating to remnants. The Lennar project will be somewhat dependent on the 183 project. Council Member Rafferty asked how the city will recoup costs —Mr. Grochala 184 explained fees. 185 186 The council concurred with staff s request; Mayor Reinert asked about the wisdom of 187 going out for bids for something like this. Community Development Director Grochala 188 remarked that the city has pretty much stuck with WSB, for different reasons such as they 189 are already involved in the projects making their services generally more efficient. Mr. 190 Grochala explained his process that includes overview of the city engineer (already on 191 contract). 192 10. Review Regular Agenda 193 194 Regarding the consent agenda, Council Member Stoesz remarked that the expenditure list 195 can be difficult to read as far as how all the expenditures relate to the actual city budget. 196 For instance, how do the expenditures fit into the overall line items in the budget that they 197 represent? Mayor Reinert asked Administrator Karlson what he uses to follow the 198 budget as a manager. Mr. Karlson explained the budgeting document that each 199 department director receives. The council concurred that they'd like that made available. 200 201 Council Member Rafferty asked questions about expenditures to Century College for 202 training (law enforcement and fire). Public Safety Director Swenson remarked that one 203 is an annual training situation; for people that can't get into that class, they may be sent to 204 other classes. 205 206 Council Member Rafferty noted expenses related to utility bill envelopes and asked about 207 how to reduce those costs — is there a cheaper way to provide bills. He also asked about 208 range expenses for police shooting activity. And he asked about petty cash in the Police