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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-2013 SCMLAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 10, 2013 1 CITY OF LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES September 10 Mayor Pearson called the Special Meeting to order at 6:28PM PRESENT: Mayor Pearson, Council Members Nelson, Smith, and Bloyer ABSENT: Council Member Reeves Also present: City Administrator Zuleger, Finance Director Bendel, City Clerk Bell, and Program Assistant Gumatz PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Smith moved TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. Council Member Nelson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 4-0. I. 2013 BUDGET WORKSHOP Finance Director Bendel provided overview of the updated proposed 2014 budget. The final levy must be approved by December 2013. Ms. Bendel gave a summary of the Debt Policy that was created as well as the Revenue and Expenses. Overview of fiscal disparities was discussed. It was noted that they are now being tracked by staff. City Administrator Zuleger noted explained that with the $10K reduction and shifting of the Forester request the impact on the general fund was reduced by $15K. Forestry request was brought down to $5K and $5K going to Public Works pruning budget. A forestry consultant would be sought and an RFP would be used in conjunction with recommendations by previous forester. Mr. Zuleger also explained the proposed shifting of the Youth Services Bureau $5,000 to the Jaycee funds for community improvement. How the proposed changes are formally made was discussed. Mayor Pearson spoke on the Jaycee’s money. Because both organizations are youth oriented, he thinks that move make sense. Mayor Pearson also agreed that a more comprehensive approach for the forestry funds is appropriate. Perhaps someone who can offer additional tree related services would be more beneficial. Council consensus was for approval of the forester change. ITEM I-A: FORESTER REQUEST MOTION: Council Member Nelson moved TO REDUCE THE FORESTER BUDGET TO $5,000 AND SHIFT THE ADDITIONAL $5,000 FUNDS TO THE PUBLIC WORKS PRUNING BUDGET. Council Member Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 4-0. ITEM I-B: YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU REQUEST MOTION: Council Member Nelson moved TO SHIFT THE YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU $5,000 FROM THE AVAILABLE VILLAGE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT FUNDS DONATED BY THE JAYCEES. Council Member Bloyer seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 4-0. Council Member Bloyer asked about listed animal control costs. City Administrator Zuleger explained the status of animal enforcement. People are not taking care of their pets, both LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 10, 2013 2 cats and dogs. Animals are not being picked up from the shelter. Prior to this year, deputies were really not even picking up dogs. They were not picking up cats at all. Mr. Bloyer asked if striping rural roads was required. City Administrator Zuleger explained that MSA qualified roads are required to have traffic control measures, which include striping. Council Member Nelson noted his concern with the amount of health insurance costs. Council Member Smith stated that her memory is that the cost used to be more reasonable, but there were some employee health issues that necessitated adding to plan. City Administrator Zuleger explained that employee utilization rate is extremely well. The employer ratio of payment is about 85%. Being in the 80-20 range is attractive for staff retention and recruitment. The type of plan was discussed. It was pointed out that a quality health plan does play a role in attracting a talented workforce. City Administrator Zuleger explained that the City is part of a health service co-operative, which greatly reduces costs. Ms. Bendel gave a short history of the levy, and overview of the General Fund expenditures, and personnel. Mayor Pearson spoke on the condition of the streets and possibly addressing the repairs in a more aggressive fashion. The Council consensus is to perhaps spend some of the undesignated fund balance on streets repair. Council Member Smith asked why the employee pay breakdown does not include time staff has spent on issues with the library and asked for an explanation of what the library has spent to date. Ms. Bendel stated that because the library is a different fund and is paid out as the expense occurs that is not reflected. ITEM I-C: FIRE RELIEF PENSION AMENDMENT Council Member Nelson explained his opinion that it would be reasonable to approve plan B , which provides a bump in pension but keeps city solvent through 2017. He noted that any change has to come back to council. Mayor Pearson concurred with the Plan B assessment. MOTION: Council Member Nelson moved TO ADOPT FIRE RELIEF PENSION AMENDMENT PLAN B, THEREBY KEEPING THE PENSION BENEFIT AT $3,100 AND INCREASING TO $3,400 IN 2014, 2015, 2016, AND 2017. Mayor Pearson seconded the motion. Mayor Pearson thanked District Chief Winkels for his efforts. MOTION PASSED 4-0. ITEM 1-D. APPROVE PROPOSED GENERAL LEVY AND PROPOSED 2014 BUDGET; RESOLUTION 2013-73 MOTION: Mayor Pearson moved TO ADOPT 2014 LEVY AND BUDGET. Council Member Bloyer seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 4-0. ITEM I-E: BUDGET MEETING CALENDAR UPDATE Finance Director Bendel explained changes and updates to the budget calendar. There will be workshops on October 8 and November 12 if needed. The need for holding a second meeting in December was discussed. Council Member Smith said she believes we should have two meetings in December, especially with all the business going on in the City. The LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 10, 2013 3 consensus of the Council was that there will be a second meeting that month. City Administrator Zuleger asked that one of those meetings include the Truth in Taxation hearing. No formal action requested. II. APPROVE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE 2014 STATE OF MN BONDING REQUEST; RES. 2013-74 City Administrator Zuleger explained that state law requires the City approve a resolution in support of the bonding request with the state. MOTION: Council Member Smith moved TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2013-74 . Council Member Bloyer seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 4-0. City Clerk Bell noted that Council Member Reeves wrote letter of support in approving the 2014 Levy and Budget. III. ANIMAL ORDINANCE AMENDMENT INTRODUCTION City Clerk Bell provided overview of the proposed animal ordinance and the timeline staff would like to formally bring items to Council. It was explained that the purpose of the proposed amendments was to clarify the current regulation of animals in the city as well as increase the efficiency in administration. Clerk Bell pointed out the current animal code. He noted that chickens and bees require a minimum of 10 acres. Many metro cities are allowing chickens and bees on smaller lots. The City has received many similar requests in Lake Elmo. Mr. Bell noted that the livestock ordinance was being looked at for amendment in order to allow the keeping of chickens and bees on lots smaller than 10 acres. Council Member Bloyer said the type of proposal is exactly what he is asking for by submitting the proposal ahead of time and providing the old and proposed code language. The number of animals was discussed in regards to more rural properties. One option is doing it by zoning area. City Administrator Zuleger explained that the impetus for licensing is a public health and safety reason. It was noted the dangerous dog portions were kept intact. Staff thanked the Council for input and looks forward to more feedback on the proposal. Also discussed was the licensing of cats and nuisance barking. City Clerk Bell invited Council feedback on the proposed ordinance. No formal action requested. Mayor Pearson adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL _______________________________________ ATTEST: Mike Pearson, Mayor ______________________________________ Adam R. Bell, City Clerk