07-22-13 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 1, 2013 DRAFT 2 Utility Bill for former Jason’s Bobby & Steve’s Auto World (7090 21 st Av) (not on 46 printed agenda) – Melissa (daughter of Bobby Williams, property owner) recalled that 47 she asked the city to reconsider the rate at which utility charges are being assessed to this 48 vacant property that uses and expels no water. Finance Director Rolek reported that he 49 had checked with other cities on their base rates for utility charges to closed businesses. 50 He found that most cities b ill a minimal amount. He is recommending that the City 51 change it s policy to bill 1 REU per quarter per connecti on for vacant businesses. Since 52 the business in question has been closed since December 2012, the charges will be 53 retroactive to that time. Mr. Rolek will develop the specifics to allow businesses to apply 54 for the reduced rate and a process for reinstat ing util ities. Public Services Director 55 DeGardner reminded the council that the water could also just be shut off. 56 57 3. Skateboard Park at Lino Lakes Elementary – Community Services Director 58 DeGardner distributed a letter he sent to Lino Lakes Elementary School Principal Ronald 59 Burns regarding the possibility of placing the city’s skateboard park equipment at the 60 school property. He also showed the school property on an overhead screen and 61 explained that there isn’t room for the equipment unless some par king is closed off. He 62 also showed pictures of the equipment itself indicating that it is quite rusty . He has 63 investigated the cost of sandblasting and painting the old equipment ($8,000 to $10,000) 64 or replacing it ($33,000). There isn’t any money in th e parks fund that could be used. 65 66 The council will await the response of the School District. Council Member Rafferty 67 suggested that the equipment may also have a resale value. 68 69 4. Disc Golf Course – Based on a previous council direction for staff to ex plore the 70 possibility of having a disc golf course at the Legacy property and/or the land considered 71 for a rec center, Community Services Director DeGardner had invited the council to a 72 Frisbee golf demo just previous to the work session on the Legacy prop erty. He had 73 located some older equipment already in stock and it was placed on the property. He 74 showed on -screen some shots taken of a nearby Frisbee golf course (at the Infinity 75 Campus in Blaine) indicating the amount of land required for an official c ourse. In 76 comparison he noted that the Legacy property is very small. Regarding the Birch Street 77 and Centerville Road property, there is wetland involved and he believes it would be 78 quite costly to make it reasonably safe (a preliminary cost estimate wa s distributed). 79 80 Mayor Reinert said he understands that there isn’t money available right now but he 81 would like the city to think ahead. Also he thinks a “practice course” at Legacy isn’t a 82 bad idea; he’d like to see some activity out there – it’s be tter than just weeds. 83 84 5. 2014 Budget – City Administrator Karlson noted that during previous budget 85 discussions, the council has heard about vacant positions within the organization. The 86 Police Chief and Public Services Director have prepared informatio n on their respective 87 departments and personnel. 88 89