09-25-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 5, 2017 DRAFT 3 requesting an environmental assessment. That element is currently under consideration. 85 86 Mayor Reinert remarked that these facilities obviously exist in the metro area. He asked 87 about the reality of fumes and particles mentioned by the resident who spoke at open 88 mike. Ms. Larsen said the environmental assessment would provide that type of 89 information. 90 91 Community Development Director Grochala said the project is basically on hold with the 92 City of Columbus until the environmental assessment question is answered. 93 94 Council Member Maher noted the proposed traffic and heard that the only access would 95 be 20th Avenue. Staff remarked that some of the trucks, depending on their planned 96 destination, may be going through Lino Lakes. Community Development Director 97 Grochala remarked that the biggest concern for the city could be appearance, with it being 98 located at the gateway to Lino Lakes. City Planner Larsen added that Running Aces has 99 come out strongly in opposition to the project. 100 101 Mayor Reinert said he encourages the council to contact Columbus officials in 102 opposition. 103 104 6. Prepay General Obligation Improvement Note of 2009- Finance Director 105 Cotton reviewed the written report requesting authorization to prepay a general obligation 106 note associated with the 35W Interchange Project. The prepayment would save the city 107 about $100,000 in interest. She cannot think of a down side to moving forward. Mayor 108 Reinert asked where the benefit of $100,000 will show. Ms. Cotton explained that the 109 city’s debt service obligation will decrease within the MSA account. 110 6. City Hall Phone Coverage – Mayor Reinert said he brought this concern 111 forward and he asked Administrator Karlson to report. He recalls that there was a 112 mandate some years ago about people always getting a voice when they call. 113 114 Administrator Karlson said this comes down to coordinating schedules better, such as 115 with vacations and lunches. He explained that sometimes someone is busy and they put 116 on their “do not disturb” and that causes transferring. He is going to make sure that if 117 someone is gone, it will be covered. It’s an important element of the services provided to 118 the public. 119 7. 2018 Budget & Tax Levy- Mayor Reinert first noted that you come to a certain 120 evolution as a city. Back in 2003, the city put together a road repair and maintenance 121 plan and the council has ramped that up to meet the need. He is now thinking about the 122 parks and maybe it is time to do that same kind of study (assets, age and replacement 123 need). That makes more sense than an uncoordinated approach. 124 125 Public Services Director DeGardner distributed data (Existing Playground Equipment 126