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Home My WebLink About#01 - 12-5-23 City Council Meeting Minutes CITY OF LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 5, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Cadenhead called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Mayor Charles Cadenhead and Councilmembers Katrina Beckstrom, Dale Dorschner and Jeff Holtz. Staff present: Administrative Services Director Goers, City Attorney Sonsalla, City Engineer Griffin, Public Works Director Powers, City Planner Jensen, Contract Planner Nathan Fuerst, Fire Chief Kalis, Finance Director Hadler and City Clerk Johnson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 – 0. ACCEPT MINUTES Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 21, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 – 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS/INQUIRIES Susan Dunn, 11018 Upper 33rd Street N., thanked Light Up Lake Elmo event volunteers, the Lake Elmo Fire Department and businesses that participated in the event. Ms. Dunn also noted an upcoming open house hosted by Valley Branch Watershed District on landlocked basins and asked about development impact fees. PRESENTATIONS Mayor Cadenhead presented an award to Firefighter Brian Talcott for his five years of service with the Lake Elmo Fire Department. CONSENT AGENDA 2. Approve Payments and Disbursements 3. Authorize Certification of Delinquent Storm Water Bills & Utility Bills – Resolution 2023- 119 4. Approve Development Agreement – Amira - Resolution 2023-120 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 5, 2023 Page 2 of 5 5. Approve Northport 1st-3rd Addition Landscape Security Reduction 6. Approve Compensating Change Order No. 10 for Old Village Phase 5 Street and Utility Improvements 7. Approve Pay Request No. 18(F) for Old Village Phase 5 & 6 Street and Utility Improvements 8. Approve Security Reduction for Wildflower at Lake Elmo 4th Addition 9. Adopt Resolution Declaring Polling Locations for 2024 – Resolution 2023-121 10. Approve Massage Therapy License Renewal 11. Approve 2024 Meeting Schedule 12. Approve 2024 POC Firefighter Pay Scale 13. Approve 2024 General Non Represented Pay Scale 14. Approve Sale of Surplus Equipment 15. Approve Hire of POC Firefighters 16. Approve City Administrator Severance Agreement 17. Adopt Resolution Declaring a Vacancy on the City Council – Resolution 2023-122 18. Approve Law Enforcement Services Agreement with Washington County Sheriff 19. Approve General Engineering Services Contract with FOCUS Engineering Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 - 0. ITEM 20: Public Hearing for 2024 General Fund Budget and 2024 Final Property Tax Levy Certification Finance Director Hadler presented an overview of the proposed budget, expenditures and the long term plan for utility funds. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. Motion passed 4 – 0. No comments were received. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. Motion passed 4 – 0. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023-113 APPROVING THE 2024 GENERAL FUND BUDGET, 2024 PROPERTY TAX LEVY. Motion passed 4 – 0. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023-124 APPROVING THE 2024 UTILITY BUDGETS. Motion passed 4 – 0. ITEM 21: Accept Preliminary Design Recommendations and Authorize Preparation of Plans and Specifications for the 2024 Collector Street Improvements LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 5, 2023 Page 3 of 5 City Engineer Griffin presented proposed improvements in three separate roadway segments: 15th Street, 30th Street and Hudson Boulevard. Griffin also reviewed fiscal impacts and recommendations. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2023-125, AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION OF FEASIBILITY REPORT AND PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE HUDSON BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENTS – SEGMENT A AND THE 15TH STREET NORTH IMPROVEMENTS, AND AUTHORIZING OF THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 30TH STREET NORTH GAP SEGMENT IMPROVEMENTS. Motion passed 4 – 0. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACTS TO KLJ, INC. IN A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $97,500 FOR THE HUDSON BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENTS – SEGMENT A, IN A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $14,800 FOR THE 15TH STREET NORTH IMPROVEMENTS, AND IN A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $21,800 FOR THE 30TH STREET NORTH GAP SEGMENT IMPROVEMENTS. Motion passed 4 – 0. ITEM 22: Approve Parking on 34th Street West of Lake Elmo Avenue Public Works Director Powers reviewed the resident request to allow parking on one side of 34th street. Susan Dunn, 11018 Upper 33rd Street N., asked if residents in the area have been notified. Councilmember Beckstrom, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO APPROVE PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF 34TH STREET, WEST OF LAKE ELMO AVENUE. Motion passed 4 – 0. ITEM 23: Hire Interim City Administrator City Attorney Sonsalla reviewed the proposed terms for hiring an interim administrator. Councilmember Beckstrom stated she preferred to have a transition plan prior to hiring an administrator. Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO APPROVE THE INTERIM CITY ADMINISTRATOR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH CLARK SCHROEDER AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY. Motion passed 3 – 1. (Beckstrom – nay) LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 5, 2023 Page 4 of 5 ITEM 24: Solicit Proposals for an Executive Search Firm for the City Administrator Position City Attorney Sonsalla reviewed the option for engaging an executive search firm. Discussion was held concerning timing and information search firms will need. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO AUTHORIZE CITY STAFF TO REQUEST PROPOSALS FROM EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRMS FOR THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION. Motion passed 4 – 0. ITEM 25: Personnel Policies: Adopt Earned Sick and Safe Time Policy and Approve Amendments to Payroll Policy and Annual Leave Policy Administrative Services Director Goers reviewed a proposed ESST policy and amendments to the Annual Leave Policy and Payroll Policy, noting that the updates were minor changes need to align the city’s policies with upcoming legislative changes. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO ADOPT THE ESST POLICY AND AMENDMENTS TO THE ANNUAL LEAVE AND PAYROLL POLICIES. Motion passed 4 – 0. ITEM 26: 2024 Fee Schedule Finance Director Hadler presented proposed updates to the city’s fee schedule for 2024. Susan Dunn, 11018 Upper 33rd Street N., commented on the impact of residential sewer/water increases for people with fixed incomes. Discussion was held concerning the increase in water rates for high volume users. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2023-23 ADOPTING THE 2024 CITY OF LAKE ELMO FEE SCHEDULE. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO AMEND THE PRIMARY MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO UPDATE WATER RATES TO REFLECT A 3% INCREASE. Motion passed 3 – 1. (Holtz – nay) Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-126 AUTHORIZING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE 2023-23 BY TITLE AND SUMMARY. Motion passed 4 – 0. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 5, 2023 Page 5 of 5 ITEM 27: 2024-2033 Capital Improvement Plan Finance Director Hadler reviewed the term of the CIP and total costs. Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO APPROVE THE 2024- 2033 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. Motion passed 4 – 0. COUNCIL REPORTS Mayor Cadenhead: Thanked Connect Lake Elmo for coordinating the Light Up Lake Elmo event on December 2nd. Councilmember Beckstrom: Read a statement regarding the November 21st Council meeting, stating for the record her disagreement over not renewing former Administrator Kristina Handt’s contract. Councilmember Hirn: Thanked Connect Lake Elmo for coordinating the Light Up Lake Elmo event. Councilmember Holtz: Provided an update on the Lake Elmo Airport Committee meeting on November 27th, and thanked public safety workers for their response to an accident at a Lake Elmo business that injured two employees. CLOSED SESSION Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO ENTER CLOSED SESSION PURSUAN TO MINN STAT SECTION 13D.03 TO DISCUSS LABOR NEGOTIATIONS. Motion passed 4 – 0. Closed Session held. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION. Motion passed 4 – 0. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: ______________________________ Charles Cadenhead, Mayor _______________________________ Julie Johnson, City Clerk