07/09/2012 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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P15 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 25, 2012 DRAFT 45 3. Review Regular Agenda — The council amended the agenda as presented by moving 46 Item 1K to the Administration section of the regular agenda and to delete Item 3A 47 regarding the Revised Personnel Policy. 48 49 Item 5A, Authorizing a Utility Rate Study was reviewed by Public Services Director 50 DeGardner. He noted that the city last studied rates in 2008 so it is appropriate to 51 consider a study at this time. He is recommending that the city contract with Springsted 52 for the rate study and also contract with WSB to provide necessary update information 53 prior to the study. Both of the contracts as proposed were included in his staff report for 54 council review. Council Member Roeser suggested that the contract amount seems high 55 and Mr. DeGardner assured him that it is an appropriate amount for an in -depth study. 56 Council Member Stoesz noted that cities are no longer required to have tiered rate 57 structures; Mr. DeGardner replied that non - tiered could be included in the study but 58 added his opinion that tiers spread charges more fairly. 59 60 The council concurred to proceed with the rate study. 61 62 Item 6Ai and 6Aii, Interim Use Permit for Accessory Outdoor Storage was reviewed by 63 City Planner Bengtson. He noted that the business at 7301 Apollo Court, Lakes Building 64 Components, originally sought the ability to store business materials outside of their 65 building and the council addressed that request by approving an ordinance that allows the 66 storage as an interim use. The owner of the business has applied for an interim use 67 permit and includes in his proposal construction of a fence and additional landscaping to 68 screen the storage. Staff has found that the application meets the city's ordinance 69 requirements and has presented the request to the Planning and Zoning Board where one 70 area resident did appear and speak against the request. The staff report includes certain 71 conditions that are recommended by staff as well as findings for council consideration. 72 73 Mr. Bengtson noted the condition relating to operating hours allowed (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 74 p.m.) and the council discussed the appropriateness of those hours. The mayor suggested 75 that the hours be changed to 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The applicant responded that his 76 work shifts begin at 7:00 a.m. so that would create a hardship; he added that the evening 77 hours don't generally include any noisy activity and in fact he doesn't currently need the 78 9:00 p.m. end time but would like to have it available for growth. The mayor suggested a 79 compromise of beginning at 7:30 a.m. Council Member Roeser pointed out that the area 80 sits next to an interstate freeway that generates noise and also that garbage trucks are 81 allowed to work at 7:00 a.m. A council member noted that he didn't hear any concerns 82 about the hours of operation but rather thought there is concern about weekend 83 operations. A majority of the council concurred that the hour limitation will be 7:00 a.m. 84 to 8:00 p.m. The mayor suggested that there could be an adjustment in the future if 85 necessary. 86 87 Mr. Bengtson reviewed the proposed performance agreement with the council. 88 89 The remainder of the council agenda was reviewed.