HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-95 CCMAPRIL 4, 1995 LAItE ELMO COUNCIL TIEE"INC
List of Claims for Approval
or the period 03/31195 to 04/04195
03/31/95
CLAIM
TOTAL
ACCOUNT
ACCOUNT
TO WHOM PAID
FOR WHAT PURPOSE
DATE
NUMBER
CLAIM
NUMBER
AMOUNT
LEAGUE OF MN CITIES
APRIL INSURANCE PREMIUM
04/04195
3594
3,422.90
100-41560-130
2,013.11
100-42400-130
418.11
100-43100-130
991.68
MINN. BENEFIT ASSN.
APRIL INSURANCE PREMIUM
04/04J9S
3595
657,93
100-41500-131
72.12
100-43100-130
585.81
ALLIED GROUP INSURANCE TRUST
APRIL INSURANCE PREMIUM
04 /04 195
3596
62.82
100-41500-138
34,17
100-42400-130
15.10
100-43100-130
13,55
D.C. HEY CD.
COPY MACHINE NAINT
04/04195
3597
164.75
100-41580-200
164.75
WASHINGTON COUNTY TREAS.
1995 TAX ROLLS
04114195
3598
125.72
100-41560-200
125,72
GENERAL OFFICE PRODUCTS
OFFICE SUPPLIES & FILES-MAINT
CHAIR 04104/95
3599
1,323.06
105-41500-570
677,96
100-41500-200
386.91
100-43100-223
258.19
A T S T
OFFICE TELEPHONE
04/04195
3660
75.66
100-41500-320
76.66
U. S. WEST
TELEPHONE EXPENSE
04 104 195
3601
128.56
100-41500-320
231.18
108-42200-320
87.82
100-43100-320
56.40
100-45200-320
53.16
CELLULAR ONE
LAKE ELMO FIRE DEPARTMENT
VAILEY TROPHY INC
R(( ILLE RADIO
OLNGENCY
METRO FIRE
NORTH STAR INTERNATIONAL TRUCK
ALLIANCE
ZACK'S INCORPORATED
MAC QUEEN EQUIPMENT, INC.
MINNESOTA BOLT & NUT CO,
A T & T
STILLWATER MOTOR CO
SUNRAY AUTO PARTS
NORTHERN
MITOGRAPHERS, INC,
MICHAEL SMITH
MENARDS
MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
TOTAL FOR MONTH
FIRE
DEPT CELLULAR PHONE
04/04/95
3602
11.06
100-42200-320
11.06
MISC
SUPPLIES -PETTY CASH REIMB.
54/04J95
3603
94.34
100-42200-217
94.34
FIRE
DEPT PLAQUES FOR 2 RETIREES
04/04/95
3604
60.56
100-42200-200
60.56
FIRE
DEPT RADIO SERVICE
04(04/95
3605
40.22
100-42200-323
46.22
FIRE
DEPT-1 YR SUBSCRIPTION
04104/95
3606
21.95
100-42200-433
21.95
FIRE
DEPT SUPPLIES
O4/04/95
3607
54.34
10042200-217
64.34
FIRE
DEPT TRUCK PARTS
04104195
3608
58.14
100-42200-225
68.14
MAINT
DEPT MEMBERSHIP DUES
O4/64j95
3699
142.00
100-43100-433
142.00
NAINT
DEPT SHOP/STREET SUPPLIES
O4104195
3610
459.53
106-43100-223
.459.53
MAINT
DEPT SWEEPER PARTS
04/14/95
3611
501.72
100-43100-221
501.72
MAINT
DEPT PARTS & REPAIR
04104/95
3612
232.83
100-43100-221
232,88
MAINT
DEPT -PAGER EXPENSE
04/04195
3613
32.08
100-43100-320
32.08
MAINT
DEPT PARTS & REPAIR
04/04/95
3614
26.37
100-43100-221
26,37
MAINT
DEPT PARTS & REPAIR
/4154195
3615
75.33
100-43100-221
75.33
NAINT
DEPT STREET SUPPLIES
O4/04195
3616
264,08
160-43100-224
264,08
199S
COMPOST STICKERS
O4/14195
3617
270.54
100-43200-317
270.54
MARCH
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
04 184 195
3618
975.00
100-42700-110
915,00
PARKS
DEPT SUPPLIES
O4/04195
3619
167.08
100-45200-219
167.08
SEWER
FUND ANNUAL FEE
04104/95
3620
505,00
602-49450-430
505.00
10,253.52 10,253.62
TOTAL YEAR TO DATE 18,986,37 18,986.37
'5-PNc_ bUL40 S, m 11%d
q_q--9 S
City of Lake Elmo
10310 City Hall Road
Lake Elmo, MN 55042
City of
Attn:
Dear_________;
By Resolution 95- enclosed, the City of Lake Elmo invites your
City Council to participate in a dialog of governmental bodies with
interests in the future land use along I-94 in Washington County.
Through this dialog, our Council is proposing the creation of a
cooperative and comprehensive effort resulting in a shared vision
and a shared plan of implementation for development in this
Corridor.
To begin, we are calling for a workshop of elected and appointed
officials with a moderator to be provided by the Office of the
Governor. At this meeting, we would seek to highlight the existing
commonly shared opportunities and our underlying concerns and
consider the possibilities for State or Metropolitan Council funding of
a study to further identify and evaluate the key issues. In addition,
the study would likely provide a forum for consideration of a wider
perspective, as the I-94 Corridor is the most prominent local
component of our State and Regional infrastructure.
Please join us on at the _. We will send a formal
agenda and listing of participants in advance.
Sincerely
Wyn John, Mayor
City of Lake Elmo
Washington County, Minnesota
Resolution 95-
A Resolution Calling for the Convocation of Parties with Land
Use Interests in the Washington County Corridor of I-94
WHEREAS, the I-94 Corridor is the most prominent State and
Regional component of Washington County's public infrastructure,
and
WHEREAS, the adjacent cities and Washington County control the
allowed land uses within the I-94 Corridor, and the State separately
controls traffic levels through its highway design, and
WHEREAS, most existing uses of lands within the I-94 Corridor in
Washington County are considered to be transitional, and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council determines the location of public
( sewer and most of the I-94 Corridor is outside the M.U.S.A. line, and
WHEREAS, over 80% of the property taxes generated from real estate
within the I-94 Corridor benefits governmental bodies (i.e. school
districts, Metro. Council, watershed districts, and the County), with
little or no control over uses within the Corridor, and
WHEREAS,
the level and type of services required
of governmental
bodies with
little or no control over uses
within the
Corridor is
dictated by
those uses and their specific
locations,
and
WHEREAS, the County and Metro Council have forecast the rate of job
growth in Washington County to be substantially less than suggested
by the comprehensive plans of cities with the I-94 Corridor, and
WHEREAS, with thorough, macroscopic, analysis of the Washington
County section of the I-94 Corridor the harm from potentially
conflicting land uses can be reduced or eliminated, and the benefits
from potentially compatible land uses can be most fully realized;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA:
1. The City shall call for a dialog of parties with interests in the
future land use within the Washington County I-94 Corridor, if
possible under the sponsorship of the Office of the Governor.
2. The City shall encourage the development of a shared vision and a
shared plan of implementation for development in this Corridor.
3. The City will share I-94 Corridor data gathered by the end of
summer 1995 with the Minnesota Design Team to assist this group's
efforts in recommending alternative land uses and development
approaches as part of its Fall visit to Lake Elmo.
4. The City shall propose that these efforts commence in May, 1995
and the study portion of the efforts be complete and agreed to within
12 months.
5. The City shall modify its Comprehensive Plan and ask the County
to modify its Comprehensive Plan to reflect decisions made for land
use within the I-94 Corridor. (-
Adopted by the Council this day of May, 1995
Wyn John, Mayor
Attest:
Mary Kueffner, Administrator
Motion
Second_______
Ayes -------- Nays
March 22, 1995
The Honorable Mark Holsten
253 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Dear Representative Holsten:
On behalf of the managers of the Valley Branch Watershed District, I want to thank you for
agreeing to serve as House sponsor for the special legislation to increase the Valley Branch
Watershed District's administrative fund levy cap from $125,000 to $200,000. As you know,
Senators Price and Laidig have already co -sponsored the legislation in the Senate.
I am enclosing three pieces of relevant information.
The first enclosure provides some background about the district and its current financial
situation. In 1993 and again in 1994 we spent well in excess of $125,000 in carrying out our
basic responsibilities, despite the fact that we operate as frugally as possible (e.g. we have no
permanent staff and no office space). We have an actual budget deficit of more than $40,000
and an operating deficit of more than $100,000. Our projected expenditures for 1995 will
again exceed $125,000.
We obviousl', cannot continue operating in this fashion. If the levy cap is not increased, our
only alternative will be to curtail our operations significantly, leaving the district's citizens
without certain services and forcing the cities and townships in the district to assume other
responsibilities and the associated costs. Nearly all of cities and townships currerdly rely
heavily on the watershed district. Oakdale is the only city in the watershed district with its
own surface water management plan.
The second enclosure is a list of watershed districts in the metropolitan area. As indicated, of
the nine established watershed districts, all but the Valley Branch Watershed District have had
their levy caps increased to $200,000 through special legislation.
The third enclosure is a letter from the Washington County Board of Commissioners to the
Washington County legislative delegation supporting our effort to increase the levy cap.
J. PETER ZETTERBERG GORDON C. MOOSBRUGGER DAVID PARKIN RAY BRENNER JAMES BUELOW
VALLEY BRANCH WATERSHED DISTRICT
P.O. BOX 838 LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA 55042-0538
Please let me know if there is any additional information that I can provide you.
Given the current political climate and the fiscal constraints at all levels of government, I
recognize that this is an especially difficult year for legislation such as ours. I greatly
appreciate your willingness to help us, the support that we have also received from Senator
Price and Senator Laidig, and the willingness of other legislators in the watershed district to
hear our case.
Respectfully,
y�
I Peter Zetterberg''
President, Valley Branch Watershed District
8018 Hill Trail N.
Lake Elmo, MN 55042
days: 626-0577
evenings: 770-2414
c: Managers, Valley Branch Watershed District
Representative Peg Larsen
Representative Walter Perlt
Representative Harry Mares
Senator Gary Laidig
Senator Leonard Price
A Fact Sheet on the Need to
Increase the Valley Branch
Watershed District's Administrative
Fund Levy Cap from $125,000 to $200,000
The Valley Branch Watershed District (VBWD) is located in
Ramsey (20%) and Washington (80%) Counties. It stretches
from the southern portions of White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi in
the northwest corner of the district down through all or portions of
North St. Paul, Oakdale, Woodbury, Lake Elmo, Baytown, and West
Lakeland to Afton, in the district's southeast corner, where Valley Creek enters the St. Croix.
The Valley Branch Watershed District is seeking legislation in the 1995 session that would increase its
administrative fund levy cap from $125,000 to $200,000. A watershed district's administrative fund covers
basic expenses for clerical services, auditing services, legal services, inspection services, and, most
importantly, many kinds'of engineering services. The per diems for managers are also paid from the
administrative fund, and so too are small emergency projects and maintenance projects.
The administrative fund cap for all watershed districts is established in statute (MS 103D.905, Subd. 3) and
was last increased in 1983, from $75,000 to $125,000. It has become impossible for the V$WD to meet its
responsibilities and obligations with an administrative fund of $125,000 per year. Its expenses in each of the
last two years have been far in excess of $125,000, as detailed in Table I below, which shows VBWD
administrative fund expenditures for 1992, 1993, and 1994 and projected expenditures for 1995.
1: Valley Branch Watershed District Administrative Fund: Expenses
[Table
Audited 92
Expenses
Audited 93
Expenses
Preaudit 94
Expenses
Projected 95
Expenses
ffice Supplies
$585
$1,031
$687
$750
embership Dues
$1,650
$1,650
$1,650
$1,650
Insurance
$7,922
$7,594
$5,025
$5,100
Secretarial
S4,601
$5,481
$6,031
1 $6,250
Manager's Per Dient & Expenses
$13,939
$12,948
$8,069
$10,000
InspectiorvEnforcement
$2,575
$4,083
$6,639
$7.000
Sampling
$3,243
$5,504
$3,182
$51000
neering Adm & Operations
$76,925
$106,672
$89,932
$85,000
al/Audit
[Lake
$9,113
$14,087
$14,218
$15,000
ial Projects
$0
$20,279
$21,188
$20,000
Level Reports
$218
$228
$225
$250
Other
$2,591
$2,599
$0
$0
FICA Tax
$0
$2,509
$1,849
$21,OW -
Total Expenditures
1 $123,362
$184,665
$157,694
$158,000
J. PETER ZETTERBERG GORDON C. MOOSBRUGGER DAVID PARKIN RAY BRENNER JAMES BUELOW
VALLEY BRANCH WATERSHED DISTRICT
P.O. BOX 838 LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA 55042.0538
The figures in Table 1 for 1992 and 1993 are the actual audited amounts. The 1994 audit is not yet
completed. As indicated, expenditures in 1993 and 1994 were considerably in excess of the current levy cap
of $125,000 and will be considerably in excess of the levy cap in 1995.
Other watershed districts in the Twin Cities metropolitan area have encountered similar financial problems,
and some have had their administrative fund levy caps raised to $200,000 by action of the legislature (e.g.
Ramsey/Washington, Rice Creek, Minnehaha Creek). This has been done by special legislation, rather than by
amendment to the Watershed District statute.
Senator Leonard Price has introduced such special legislation in the Senate this session for the Valley Branch
Watershed District (see attached). A companion bill has not yet been introduced in the House.
All of the district's basic administrative expenses have increased very significantly since 1983, both because of
inflation and because of increased development within the watershed district. As a metropolitan watershed
district, the VBWD has special responsibilities --and associated expenses --under the Metropolitan Surface Water
Management Act, Effective January, 1994 it also has new responsibilities under the Wetland Conservation
Act, since it serves as the local governmental unit (LGU) for all municipalities in the district.
Since 1983 the consumer price index has increased by more than 50% and some of the district's expenditures
have increased at an even faster rate. The district's greatest expenses are for engineering services. In 1983
the hourly billing rate for the district engineer from Barr Engineering was $36 per hour. In 1995 it is $70 per
hour, an increase of nearly 100%. The district's other expenses have also increased significantly since 1983.
The manager's per diems, which are set by statute at $50, are the only expenses; that have not increased since
1983, and they would not be affected by the increase that the district is seeking in the administrative fund.
The district's actual financial situation is a bit worse than what is detailed in Table 1. The district's fiscal year
begins in January, but its tax receipts are not paid to it until July (50%) and December (50%). Accordingly
the district should maintain an operating reserve in the administrative fund equal to 50% of the levy amount
(i.e. $62,500). As shown in Table 2 below, the VBWD has not been able to maintain a reserve for the past
three years and, as a consequence, it has an actual, current operating shortfall of more than $105,000 and a
projected operating shortfall of more than $135,000 by the end of 1995.
Table 2: Summary of Operational Shortfall
1992
1993
1994
1995
Administrative Fund. Balance
$27,208
($10,381)
($43,075)
($73,075)
Recommended Operating Reserve
(50% of $125,000 Levy)
($62,500)
($62,500)
($62,500)
($62,500)
Operating Balance/(Shortfalb
($35,292)
($72,881)
($105,575)
($135,575)
The VBWD is able to continue its operations only because Washington County has been advancing it funds.
The VBWD will not be able to do what it is required to do by law and what the district's citizens expect of it
unless the administrative fund levy cap is increased.
For additional information contact
Peter Zetterberg, President, Valley Branch Watershed District
626-0577 (days) or 770-2414 (evenings/weekends)
Metropolitan Area
Year of Increase
Watershed District
Levy Cap
from 125K to 200K
Coon Creek
$200,000
1992
Lower Minnesota River
$200,000
1992
Minnehaha Creek
$200,000
1992
9-Mile Creek
$200,000
1992
Prior Lake/Spring Lake
$200,000
1992
Ramsey -Washington Metro
$200,000
1986
Rice Creek,,
$200,000
prior to 1986
Riley -Purgatory Bluff Creek
$200,000
1992
Valley Branch
$125,000
----
South Washington County (new)
$125,000
----
* Rice Creek was the first; exact date unknown.
WASHINOTON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
GOVERNMENT CENTER
14900 615T STREET NORTH • STILLWATER, MINNESOTA 55082-0006
612-430.6000 - Facsimile Machine 612-430.6017
. February 8, 1995
To Washington County Legislative Delegation Members:
D"s C. Hogberg
District 1
Mary Hauser
District 2
Welly Abrahamson
District atcheinnan
Myra Peterson
District 4
Dove Engstrom
District 5
The Washington County Board supports the request by the Valley Branch Watershed
District for an increase in their administrative fund levy cap ftom $125,000 per year
to a maximum of $200,000 per year in order to meet the increased administrative
costs of operating the District. The administrative fund covers clerical services,
auditing services, legal services, inspection services, and some types of engineering
services. Due to inflation and increased development in the area, all of these costs
have increased since 1980, the last time the cap was revised.
r
The District's administrative costs have also gone up due to increased responsibility.
The Wetland Conservation Act of 1991 now requires that the District serve as the
local governmental unit for municipalities in the District. In addition, the District is
required, by law, to revise t'he Water Management Plan every five years and perform
additional duties that have increased administrative expenses over the past two years.
Because of these increased costs, the District secured an advance from the 1995 fund
to cover the 1994 costs. However, the cost of operating the District in 1995 will not
decrease, and the District will have to increase the fund cap or continue to borrow
against the future.
Increasing the fund cap does not mean that the District will spend the full $200,000
per year, but the increase does allow the Watershed District more leeway in handling
emergency situations, as well as the increased costs. In addition, the State Legislature
has increased the administrative fund cap for other Watershed Districts in the
Metropolitan area in the last few years.
Mnr a s yar ewr EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ,� `�
-2-
The Washington County Board remains committed to a policy of controlling local
property taxes. We must also be sensitive to the needs of other taxing jurisdictions
when existing limits levy restrict necessary government actions. Therefore, we ask
that you support the proposed legislation that would permit the Valley Branch
Watershed District to increase its levy for growing administrative costs.
Sincerely,
Wally Abrahamson, Chairman
Washington County Board of Commissioners „
/le
cc: Commissioner Dave Engstrom
Commissioner Mary Hauser
Commissioner Dennis Hegberg
Commissioner Myra Peterson
Sue Ladwig, Lobbyist
J. Peter Zetterberg, President, Valley Branch Watershed District
I
q Q-��
1C.MA
Dear Reader:
We are pleased to present this excerpt from the MIS
Report which was authored by Paul S. Tischler,
principal of Tischler & Associates, Inc. (TA). TA is a
fiscal, economic and planning consulting firm
specializing in fiscal impact and related economic
analysis. Studies include fiscal analysis, capital facility
forecasting, revenue strategies and impact fee analysis.
In many cases, TA uses the MUNIES or FISCALS
fiscal system and process tailored for each jurisdiction.
For more information, or to receive our TA Fiscal &
Economic Newsletters, please contact us toll -free at
(800) 424-4318.
MIS Reports are published monthly by the Management
Information Service, International City Management
Assc:...ation, 1120 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20 C,5. Copyright t) 1988 by the International City
Management Association. No part of this report may be
reproduced without permission of the copyright owner.
These reports are intended primarily to provide timely
information on subjects of practical interest to local
government administrators, department heads, budget
and research analysts, administrative assistants, and
others responsible for and concerned with operational
aspects of local government.
MIS Reports are issued as part of a subscription service
available to all local governments. A subscription to the
'Vanagement Information Service includes unlimited access
to the MIS Inquiry Service —backed up by the ICMA
automated data base; the MIS Bulletin; Info Packets; and
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Reprinted with permission of ICMA
21
ANALYZING
THE FISCAL IMPACT
OF DEVELOPMENT
Mast states require local
governments to prepare a balanced
budget on an annual basis. However, most
states do not require that jurisdictions
conduct fiscal impact evaluations to help
ensure that local officials understand the
short- and long-term fiscal effects of land -
use and development policies and of new
developments that are approved. A fiscal
impact analysis clarifies the financial
effects of such policies and practices by
projecting net cash flow to the public
sector resulting from residential and non-
residential development. Such an analysis
can enable local governments to address a
number of short- and long-term planning,
budget, and finance issues.
This report discusses the benefits of
fiscal impact analysis and reviews
common methodologies used to collect
and analyze information. Five case studies
are provided to illustrate how fiscal
impact analysis can be used in different
situations. The report concludes by
recommending an approach for con-
ducting fiscal impact evaluations.
Analyzing the Fiscal Impact
of Development
DEFINING FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
A fiscal impact analysis projects the net cash flow to the
public sector (the local government and, in many cases, the
school district) resulting from new development —
residential, commercial, industrial, or other. It is similar to
the cash flow analysis a developer conducts in order to
project costs and revenues likely to result from a proposed
development for two to ten years in the future.
A fiscal impact analysis projects the
net cash flow to the public sector
The dynamics of fiscal impact are shown in Exhibit 1.
In evaluating the costs associated with providing the
acceptable levels of service, the local government should
consider existing unused capacities of public services and
programs, especially of capital facilities. The new
development, or new demand, will be expressed in terms of
changes in population, employment, or land use projected
to result from the scenarios being evaluated.
Since a fiscal analysis will indicate whether and when a
jurisdiction could face deficit budgets, the local government
is able to weigh land -use policy decisions, acceptable levels
of service, plans for capital investments, and long-term
borrowing needs. In addition, a projected fiscal deficit can
prompt local officials to evaluate current and future
revenue sources. Even if a fiscal evaluation indicates a
surplus, the local government may wish to change its use of
revenue sources to fund infrastructure replacement or
higher levels of service.
The goal ... is to forecast all relevant
operating expenses, capital costs, and
revenues
Fiscal impact analysis identifies the increases in annual
and cumulative expenses for all services that will result
from new development. This includes annual operating
expenses (including new staff needed per year) and capital
expenses associated with constructing or expanding
facilities. The fiscal impact statement can also summarize
the jurisdiction's bonded debt; its bonding capacity as a
percentage of the increase in the tax base; the increase in the
tax base; and the fiscal surplus or deficit when general
revenues are applied against the net of all special revenues
and expenses associated with the development.
Paul S. Tischler, president of Tischler & Associates,
Inc., authored this report. Tischler and Associates,
Inc., is a Bethesda, Maryland consulting firm
specializing in fiscal impact and related economic
analysis, capital programming, and revenue strategies,
The firm developed and uses a PC -based fiscal impact
software package either as MUNIES or FISCALS.
Mr. Tischler has a B.A. in economics and an M.B.A.
in real estate and urban development. He lectures and
writes on fiscal impact analysis and related topics.
EXHIBIT 1 — The dynamics of fiscal Impact.
Changes in
Land Use
Service Levels
KDemographics
Costs/Revenues etc.
77.
c
0
Changes in Changes in
Public Service Revenue
0
m
Demands Sources
a
c
m
E
c
-
m`
0
Cho hges in Changes in
a
Expenditures Revenues
0
J
FISCAL
S
IMPACT
Source: Tischler & Associates, Inc.
APPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
Fiscal impact analysis is helpful in short- and long-range
land -use policy planning and finance planning. Its applica-
tions for decision making are discussed below.
Planning Issues
A fiscal impact evaluation can be used as an effective plan-
ning toot. Many local governments view the planning
process as monitoring and enforcing land -use decisions and
regulations, and pay too little attention to long-range
planning issues, including whether future growth will be
affordable. The six applications below indicate how fiscal
analysis can be an effective policy tool for long-range
planning.
Land -use policies. Should a jurisdiction encourage higher
density land use or allow an overlay district in a certain
subarea? Do its current land -use policies make sense? If
costs, as well as other factors, are to be considered, then a
fiscal impact evaluation will help in the decision -making
process.
Demographic-economir.. changes. Many elected and
appointed local government officials can tell interested
parties how they think their community will look in ten or
twenty years in terms of population, housing, and employ-
ment. But very few can say what the fiscal impact will be
—whether service levels will remain the same or deteriorate
under pressure from a growing population. Similarly, when
making changes to land -use regulations, few jurisdictions
evaluate alternative development policies from a fiscal
perspective. Evaluating development alternatives is a
valuable use of fiscal impact analysis.
Rezonings. A rezoning changes the density or type of use
for a parcel; it may also be,' a signal of a change in develop-
ment policy. Too often, significant rezoning cases are not
sufficiently evaluated from a fiscal perspective. Fiscal
analysis can be helpful in local government -developer
negotiations.
Annexation. An area that' may be annexed usually has
some existing public services. One of the uses of fiscal
impact analysis is to ascertain the cost of improving the
services in the area proposed for annexation in order to
make them comparable to the annexing jurisdiction's level
of service. The analysis can calculate whether there will be
an annual financial surplus or deficit from the proposed
annexation during each year of the forecast period.
Infrastructure planning. One of the by-products of a
good fiscal analysis is the forecast of infrastructure needs to
meet anticipated changes in a community. Any change in
land use, population, or employment will have an impact
on a number of capital -intensive services, including streets
and utilities.
A fiscal impact analysis helps identify
the economic development strategy
that makes the most fiscal sense.
Leveraging public dollars. Local officials considering
how to promote economic growth often face the question
of how to invest limited funds so as to maximize the return.
Fiscal evaluations can help them make their investments
wisely. For example, different economic development
strategies can be evaluated for their impacts on land use.
Land use in turn affects services, costs, and revenues. A
fiscal impact analysis helps identify the economic develop-
ment strategy that makes the most fiscal sense. If a local
government has $2.5 million for economic development
programs and wants to decide whether to allocate it among
several commercial districts within the community, a fiscal
impact analysis can provide useful information on the
potential financial effects.
Finance Issues
There are a number of ways in which fiscal impact
evaluations can address budget and finance questions. As
noted earlier, a fiscal impact analysis focuses on change,
generally over a two- to ten-year period. Although the
accuracy of the projections diminishes over tie, the
analysis can help to raise budget and finance policy issues
and suggest alternative approaches for addressing them.
Some of the issues are discussed below.
Capital improvement programming. Capital improve-
ment planning cakes on an extra dimension with the use of
fiscal analysis, which enables a local government to forecast
the need for additional capital facilities given projected
increases in population or employment. Individual
departments seldom incorporate market forces or land -use
plans into their CIP requests. A fiscal analysis that looks at
subareas of the community can help address this issue,
Fiscal analysis also clarifies the timing of infrastructure
improvements. By incorporating future demographic and
economic projections, the fiscal analysis will indicate the
demand for capital facilities in the near as well as the longer
term. One community discovered through fiscal impact
analysis that the amount of park land included in its CIP
was insufficient to provide the desired level of service even
for existing development.
This approach can also be used to calculate the cost
and timing for replacing existing infrastructure. Infrastruc-
ture replacement costs are one of the biggest fiscal
problems facing many local governments. An inventory of
existing capital facilities and their related future costs can be
obtained by estimating the remaining useful life of each
facility and its replacement or rehabilitation cost.
Revenue forecasting. For purposes of this discussion, a
revenue forecast defines the projected change in revenues
(assuming existing rates) due to land -use or demographic
changes in the community, The revenue forecast is one of
the results of a fiscal evaluation.
Fiscal planning. Fiscal planning is different from budget
planning because fiscal planning focuses on change and uses
a two- to ten-year time frame. Fiscal planning provides a
long-term perspective on the costs and revenues associated
with each department and activity of a local government,
offering local officials the opportunity to reconsider plans
and policies.
Budget projections. Fiscal impact analysis results in both
short- and long-range budget projections for each depart-
ment in the local government. For example, an increase in
the intensity of land use will generate a higher level of
demand for police services. The analysis offers a budget
projection for the police department, based on these
changes and assuming specified service levels, over the
forecast period. Local officials can look at this information
for alternative levels of service, and project the effects of
those alternatives on the budget.
Level of service changes. A growing number of local
governments are finding it useful to focus policy
discussions on the basic levels of public services that
citizens want and are willing to pay for. The increasing use
of impact fees and user fees also makes it important to
clearly identify a level of service standard, so that
appropriate fees can be ,or and collected.
What is the cost of providing different
levels of service?
Quantifying existing levels of service and the costs of
different service levels can help lead to more constructive
discussions, since all parties will understand the fiscal
consequences of changing the level of service.
Cost and revenue changes. A fiscal analysis will allow
the local government to vary any number of cost and
revenue assumptions. Police cars, utility plant additions,
salaries and fringe benefits are just some of the items that
can be reviewed for their financial impact at various rates.
In a similar fashion, revenue rates and sources can be
reviewed. Using a fiscal impact analysis computer model
makes changes in assumptions easy to consider.
BENEFITS OF A FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
Fiscal impact analysis has many benefits, whether it is used
for budgeting or for land -use or capital or financial
planning. (See the full MIS Report for the narrative)
METHODOLOGIES
There are two basic approaches to fiscal evaluations: using
average costs and using marginal costs. Average cost
approaches are simpler and more popular — costs and
revenues are calculated based on the average cost per unit
of service times the demand foe that unit. Average cost
approaches assume a linear relationship and do not
consider excess or deficient capacity of facilities or services
over time. A per capita relationship is an example of an
average cost approach.
Marginal cost approaches describe the unique
characteristics of a jurisdiction's capital facilities. Although
over the long term, average and marginal cost techniques
will produce similar results, the real value of fiscal analysis
is in the two- to ten-year time period. Marginal cost analysis
is most useful in this time frame.
Selecting a Methodology
To get the most accurate information from a fiscal impact
analysis, most local governments find the case study
approach preferable. Although comparisons to regional
and national standards can be helpful, each community is
unique. It has its own levels of services, geographic service
boundaries, cost and revenue factors, and available capacity
of existing capital facilities. Given the potential benefits of
fiscal impact analysis, it is worth the time and effort to use
the case study approach. Where data is not readily available
EXHIBIT 2—Impact of new growth under three
alternatives.
CITY Of GERMANTOWN
ANNUAL SURPLUS OR oEMCIT
Our TO NEW GROWTH
ON $1,000's)
Source: Tischler & Associates, Inc„ MUNIES Computer
Output.
or where it is difficult to define the service level relationship
on a true marginal basis, it makes sense to use the per capita
average cost approach to supplement departmental
estimates. The local government may wish to refine the data
using marginal cost data if and when more detailed
information becomes available.
CASE STUDIES
This section discusses five case studies that illustrate dif-
ferent applications of fiscal analysis. The first three case
studies look at different land -use or growth alternatives and
revenue strategies. The last two cases discuss economic de-
velopment alternatives and capital improvement programs.
(See the MIS Report for a full discussion)
Germantown, Tennessee —Evaluation of Land -Use
Alternatives
Germantown (population 32,000), a suburb of Memphis,
decided to review the fiscal impact of future land -use
alternatives. As in any jurisdiction, one logical alternative(
was the continuation of present trends: an emphasis on
low -density single-family housing With enough commercial
activity to provide services to residents. Germantown
officials were also considering two other alternatives: one
was to encourage nonresidential, light -industrial and office
uses; the other was to increase the density of residential
development. The fiscal impact analysis focused on
marginal costs and revenues based on local data factors
—the case study approach was used wherever possible.
Exhibit 2 indicates that all three alternatives would have
positive financial results for the city.
The study confirmed that the current land -use alternative
emphasizing low -density single-family housing will enable
Germantown to remain inn a positive fiscal posture for the
foreseeable future. The projeced cumulative surplus of $41
million is about 77 percent of the surplus that might be
generated by the high employment scenario. Elected
officials have found that the fiscal impact analysis has given
them a more specific baseline against which to measure
requests proposed by developers. The mayor and aldermen
now are able to ask whether a proposal would have an
economic impact over and above that projected based on
the future land -use plan.
Germantown purchased a tailored software system for
future fiscal evaluations. As quoted in the Germantown
News, the administrator said, "We now have a tool. We
can use this study to calculate what it will cost, both in the
short and long term, to maintain and develop the city in
various ways." The city has continued to use the program
for three primary purposes: reviewing annexation ques-
tions, evaluating the impact of proposed large develop-
ments (both shopping centers and residential), and capital
improvements planning.
Germantown has an annual annexation process through
which it looks at the costs and revenues that would result
from additional annexation. Faced with high growth
pressures, the city has found the fiscal impact analysis
software program worthwhile in helping the planning
commission and the board of mayor and aldermen review
the fiscal effects of new growth.
In the capital improvements planning process,
Germantown uses the fiscal impact analysis program in
planning for future fire and police service needs.
Germantown has a five-year capital improvements
program, and uses the fiscal impact analysis information for
background in scoping out budget proposals and related
capital improvements requests by department.
Overall, fiscal impact analysis enables Germantown to
maintain its land -use policies and understand and articulate
the assumptions on which they are based and their fiscal
ramifications.
Venice, Florida —Developing Strategies to
Serve Future Growth
The city of Venice, Florida, has a permanent population of
about 15,000 and a seasonal population of 19,000.
t Located in Sarasota County on the booming Gulf coast,
Venice is experiencing growth pressures. Developers in the
country are requesting annexation, in large part because the
city can provide better services to future residents than can
the county.
Venice decided to address several items in its 1987
fiscal impact analysis. It wanted to evaluate two growth
alternatives, develop a capital improvement program that
would identify existing facility deficiencies and project
facility needs due to growth, and create a revenue -
development strategy.
The first alternarive assumed growth would continue
to the year 2000 as projected in the comprehensive plan.
The second alternative assumed that additional growth
would result from annexation of an area to the north and
east of the existing city limits.
City department heads and the consultant agreed on
service level, cost, and revenue factors, and these were used
in the fiscal evaluation of the two alternatives. The fiscal
evaluation forecast the need for new capital facilities to
serve growth resulting from annexation.
Florida state law requires that local governments pro-
vide a five-year projection of facilities to serve new develop-
ment. Consequently, these new facilities were incorporated
into a preliminary Capital Improvement Element (CIE) for
Venice. According to the state taw, the CIE must also.
describe existing deficiencies in capital facilities to serve the
present population and the direct operating expenses of
those facilities, and discuss the revenue sources the local
government intends to use to pay for the needed capital
facilities. This last requirement was part of the reason
Venice decided to develop a revenue strategy as part of its
fiscal impact analysis.
The cumulative results of Venice's study indicated a
fiscal surplus under both alternatives. An important reason
for this was that the basic road network and schools are
provided not by Venice but by Sarasota County. The
alternative based on the comprehensive plan was slightly
more beneficial from a fiscal perspective primarily because
annexation would require that additional capital facilities
be built within a few years of the annexation.
.the fiscal impact analysis has
helped the elected officials express
their vision for the future....
Raleigh, North Carolina —Analyzing Economic
Development Impacts
Evaluating subareas of a community is a valuable approach
for fiscal impact analyses since, as in the case of southeast
Raleigh, existing capital facility capacities can be specified
and revenue strategies can be targeted. (See the MIS Report
for a full discussion)
Plymouth, Minnesota —Analyzing Land -Use
Alternatives and Costs for a Capital Facility
Replacement Program
Plymouth is a Minneapolis suburb with a population of
about 45,000. In 1984, a cost revenue subcommittee com-
posed of private sector representatives requested that the
city conduct a fiscal analysis of the impact of land -use plan
alternatives. Four alternatives were evaluated: the existing
land -use plan (the base case); a duplex or high -density
residential alternative; an estate or low -density residential
alternative; and a research and development, or employ-
ment, alternative. All four scenarios project an increase in
the city's population of L6,300 over 15 years. The findings
indicated that the base case was as fiscally beneficial as the
other alternatives (Exhibit 3).
Once the city selected the base case as the alternative
to pursue, the software program used by the city calculated
the costs of a capital facility replacement program.
Plymouth used the software to compile and analyze data on
all capital facilities, including each item's projected
remaining life and estimated replacement cost. The capital
facilities needed to serve new growth added to the projected
infrastructure replacement costs equalled the total dollars
EXHIBIT 3—Surplus to Plymouth general fund due
to growth between 1985 and 2000
(In millions of constant dollars).
TISCHLER & ASSOCLATES, INC.
FISCAL & ECONomc
4701 Sangamore Road • Suite N210 • Bethesda, MD 20816
ProMinb Solutions for Grotab
• Fiscal Impact Analysis • MUIVIES
• Capital Improvement Programming • FISCALS
• Impact Fee Modeling • CIPS
• Revenue Strategies • DEMS
• Economic Feasibility Analysis
• Growth Policy Studies
needed to continue to provide the citizens with service at
existing levels.
The city uses the fiscal analysis as a guide for budget
forecasting, particularly for personnel projects by divisions
within departments. The city has found it helpful in
fostering discussions about the assumptions underlying the
numbers in the budget and, to a lesser extent, the capital
facility replacement program. City Manager Jim Willis
estimates that 10 to 15 percent of the assumptions have
been changed since Plymouth began using fiscal impact
analysis. These changes reflect the evolution of needs and
the gathering of new information since the program began
to be used. Willis commented that a key to using fiscal
impact analysis effectively is to understand your own
operations and what needs to be measured. It is important
to understand the full range of tasks for which people are
responsible, so that levels of service can be estimated
accurately.
USING FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
This section discusses steps a local government can take in
conducting a fiscal impact analysis and planning a revenue
strategy based on its findings. -There are many possible
approaches but this section highlights the most important
steps in the process (see MIS Report for narrative)
CONCLUSION
In summary, virtually all applications for fiscal impact
analysis assist a jurisdiction in addressing financial
management and planning issues. Whether the product is
an evaluation of a change in level of service, a forecast of \_
capital facilities to be replaced or added, or a picture of
upcoming budget changes due to new development, fiscal
impact analysis can be adopted as a regular procedure to
improve management decisions.
11[he examples of computer projections used in this report were
produced by the MIINIES (Municipal Impact Evaluation System), a
fiscal impact software system provided by Tischler & Associates, Inc.
and tailored for each jurisdiction. For further information and case
examples, contact Tischler & Associates, Inc„ 4701 Sangamore Road,
Suite N210, Bethesda, MD 20816.
MINUTES APPROVED: 4-18-95
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 4, 1995
Acting Mayor Johnston called the council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the council chambers.
PRESENT: Hunt, Conlin, Johnston, DeLapp, City Engineer Bohrer, City Attorney Filla, and Administrator
Kueffner. ABSENT: Mayor John
1. AGENDA
M/S/P Hunt/Conlin -to approve the April 4, 1995 City Council agenda as presented. (Motion passed 4-
0).
2. MINUTES: March 21, 1995
M/S/P Conlin/Hunt - to approve the March 21, 1995 City Council minutes as amended. (Motion passed
4-0).
3. CLAIMS
M/S/P Hunt/Conlin -to approve the April 4, 1995 Claims #3594 through #3620 as presented. (Motion
passed 4-0).
4. PUBLIC INFORMATIONAUINQUIRIES:
Dick Johnson, 8896 Lake Jane Trail, explained there are residents on Lake Jane who object to the
holding of Water Ski Shows because of the noise pollution the residents would have to endure. A
grandstand area to view this event is planned at the location (9359 Jane Road N.) of the Kiesling home.
Johnson voiced his concern on the traffic and parking on Jane Road North because this is a very narrow
street with no shoulders. If this water ski show has to be held, Dick felt it should be held on a larger lake
like DeMontreville. He's concerned about the fact that this is a beginning of an attempt to have water ski
clubs, shows and schools on Lake Jane. Dick Johnson will send his comments to the Washington County
Sheriff's Dept. and the Tri-Lakes Association.
S. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Update on Olson Lake Estates Pond Discharge
Peter Zetterberg, VBWD, reported the VBWD requested that the City of Oakdale remove the outlet plug
in the control structure from the Olson Lake Estates Pond on March 27, 1995. VBWD plans to monitor
Lake Olson throughout the permitted discharge period ending August 31, 1995. Zetterberg informed the
council that a permanent solution for an outlet for the pond has been sought. The preferred option to the
Plan Revision will be a pipe system leading south along Olson Trail, then at Hidden Bay Trail, cut
southeast across Pebble Park to Lake Jane Trail, and follow Lake Jane Trail to Structure 9. The VBWD is
aware of the City's plan to reconstruct Lake Jane Trail from Ideal to 42nd Street in a year or two and will
cooperate in scheduling this project so they would not be digging up what the City just laid down. One of
the reasons for selecting this option is it addresses a potential future problem which is the 3M property
just north of 40th and west of Olson Lake Trail. There are indications that 3M is thinking of developing
that land, and 9 they do so, VBWD will have exactly the same situation as we had with Olson Lake
Estates. They would require a variance from the VBWD if they wanted an outlet from that property.
Granting this variance would depend on what is proposed there and on the reaction of involved
communities. The cost for the preferred option will be in the region of $625,000. The financing of the
project will be dealt with in VBWD's regular meeting. Three options considered: (1) use an ad valorem tax
over the entire watershed district. (2) look at only the subwatershed district that is involved (3)
combination of both options. The Council indicated that Option 2 was the best option for financing the
project.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 4, 1995
Bohrer explained the City of Oakdale was the first municipality in the VBWD district to have a developed
local surface water management plan. When the VBWD was formulating their overall surface water
management plan, they had a City of Oakdale plan to review. This plan showed that there would be
discharges from areas that Lake Elmo viewed to be landlocked or semi -landlocked. On Oakdale Surface
Water Plan, they showed the outletting of these areas by means of an arrow indicating direction of
drainage for surface water. Lake Elmo had an opportunity to review that plan, and we commented that
we viewed these areas as landlocked and to provide an outlet would be contrary to the philosophy of no
increase in runoff. That plan was adopted and incorporated in the overall VBWD plan. Oakdale believes
they have an approved plan which shows discharges in some fashion for outlets out of these areas.
Mr. Zetterberg stated VBWD did not approve a surface water management plan stating that a variance
was approved. VBWD would never approve anything Oakdale wanted to do on this site without
cautiously granting a variance. Oakdale does not have any permission to go ahead and do what they
want on that site and we (VBWD) have made it very clear to them.
Bohrer pointed out that in the Exec. Summary it talks about four possible sources of funding. Funding
such a project would most likely be divided between subwatershed taxing districts tributary to the Olson
Lake Estates Pond (485 acres) and subwatershed OL-17 (3M land if an outlet is provide), district wide ad
valorem tax and possibly a special taxing district of Lake Olson. In the expanded funding portion of the
plan that fourth option (a special taxing district for Lake Olson) does not appear. Zetterberg felt the fourth
option was in error and should not be included. He would make sure this option would be removed.
6. PLANNING/LAND USE & ZONING:
A. Site and Building Plan Review: Adding Garage Doors, Applicant:Steve Johnson, 2945 Lake Elmo
Avenue N.
Steve Johnson, 2945 Lake Elmo Avenue, has applied for a Site and Building Plan Review for the purpose
of putting four roll -up doors on a building located on the south side of Upper 33rd Street, west of Lake
Elmo Mill and the U.S. West switching station. The building is zoned Industrial, was originally built for
storage and has been used for storage. Mr. Johnson intends to do some maintenance to the building,
and he will not change the size of the building. He owns the apartment building to the north (on 34th
Street) and will be storing miscellaneous garage type items in the building. There will be NO outside
storage of any kind.
M/S/P Hunt/Johnston - to approve the Site and Building Plan for Steve Johnson, 2945 Lake Elmo Avenue
N., to improve property located at the south side of Upper 33rd Street west of Lake Elmo Mill and the
U.S. West switching station to be used for storing miscellaneous garage type items in the building.
(Motion passed 4-0).
Larry Bohrer informed Mr. Johnson, as the new potential owner, that a Bituminous Overlay project is
being planned for Upper 33rd Street and there is a proposed street assessment.
B. Repealing Section 301.070 D.i.b. (6) permitting Recording Studios in the Agricultural Zoning
District
At their March 27, 1995 meeting, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to repeal "Recording
Studios" as a use permitted by CUP in the Agricultural Zoning District. There were no proponents or
opponents. On a 5-0 vote the commission recommended the city council adopt an ordinance repealing
Section 301.070 D.1.b.(6) - Recording Studios in the Lake Elmo Municipal Code.
M/S/P Hunt/DeLapp - to direct the staff to prepare an ordinance to repeal Section 301.070 D.11.b.(6)
Permitting Recording Studios in the Agricultural Zoning District in the Lake Elmo Municipal Code based
on recording studios are not an Ag related use, the city will be undergoing an 1-94 study for the
Comprehensive Plan. (Motion passed 4-0).
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 4, 1995. 3
7.
A. Update on Oakdale's Section 32 Improvements which may affect Lake Elmo
Larry Bohrer understands that the property owners immediately west of Inwood Avenue, Decoster and
Schiltgen Estate, has a petition forthcoming that would cause this watermain on 4th Street between
Guardian Angels Drive and Inwood Avenue to be constructed in 1995, not in 1996. Also, there may be a
petition forthcoming from United Properties. The watermain to service Oakdale's needs would just have
to be an 8" size. If a petition is received by the City of Oakdale and they order the improvement, Bohrer
would-be recommending to Lake Elmo that this piece of watermain be upgraded from an 8" to a 12" size
which would be necessary for the interim connection to Lake Elmo. He may have more information to
bring to the council at the next meeting.
Surface Water Management Plan:
The City budgeted $10,000 a year for the next three years to develop a Surface Water Management Plan
for 1997. This was to be done in phases: in 1994, map all the existing drainage facilities, In 1995
Identification of localized drainage problems that the city knows of and determine which of those should
be addressed in the local Surface Water Management Plan.
8. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
A. Resolution denying the Armstrong request for a Text Amendment to the Lake Elmo Municipal
Code relating to Alternative Ag
Attorney Filla provided a draft of a Resolution requested by the City Council on March 7, 1995. If the city
grants or denies a rezoning, a variance, or a conditional use permit, it must state its reasons and the
reasons should relate to the standards contained in the City's code. The City can adopt or repeal
legislation; or it can approve or deny request to adopt or repeal legislation without stating reasons based
upon the standards contained in the City's code. The adoption, repeal or amendment of legislation is a
discretionary matter to be exercised as the City Council deems appropriate.
The Planning Commission on February 27, 1995 continued its review of the Armstrong request to amend
its CUP for 60 days. This means that part of this application. should be back on the Planning Commission
agenda on or before April 27, 1995..
Attorney Filla will fax his letter addressing the questions raised by the Armstrong's to the City on
Wednesday and also to the Armstrongs.
M/S/P Conlin/Hunt - to adopt Resolution No. 95-34, as amended (typographical error Section 1, Sub D,
June 2 should be June 21, 1994), a Resolution Denying the Armstrong Request to Add Alternative
Agricultural Use Regulations to the Lake Elmo City Code. (Motion passed 4-0).
Council member Conlin reported on the following:
At the last cable commission meeting there was discussion on the ongoing lawsuit pertaining to the
FCC former Executive Director. Karen Wandmacher spent time at the capitol with Representative Mark
Holsten for adopting legislation supporting passage of the Minnesota Emerging Communications Services
Act of 1995. On April 8, Senator Paul Wellstone will be at Oakdale City Hall featuring Talk of the Town.
Attended a special meeting on the Joint Powers Agreement draft and final comments should be in by
April 14, 1995. Rita suggested the City Attorney take a look at the draft plan.
Attended the Sensible Land Use Seminar which dealt with regional planning and provided
informational handouts to the Council.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 4, 1995 4
Gave an update to the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce which highlighted Lake Elmo's activities in
1994 - prominent among them the agreement with Oakdale on annexation issues, Lake Elmo goals for
1995 and the visit by the Minnesota Design Team
Council Member DeLapp suggested inviting the Executive Director of the Minnesota Land Trust to explain
what the land trust means, how it can provide better housing opportunities, preserve wetlands and
thereby improve conditions for the residents. This may be an appropriate item for the Joint CC/PZ
meeting in May. DeLapp provided a draft resolution calling for the Convocation of Parties with Land Use
Interests in the Washington County Corridor of 1-94 and a letter inviting other city councils to participate in
a dialog of governmental bodies which interests in the future land use along 1-94. This will be an agenda
Rem at the April 18th council meeting.
Council member Johnston provided a copy of a letter to Representative Mark Holsten from Peter
Zetterberg of the VBWD thanking him for agreeing to serve as House sponsor for the special legislation
to increase the Valley Branch Watershed District's administrative fund levy cap from $125,000 to
$200,000. Johnston attended a retirement dinner at the Fire Hall and gave out certificates of recognition
to Joel and Bill Eder who have been volunteers with the Lake Elmo Fire Department for 30 years.
10. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
A. Set dates for MN Design Team Steering Committee
The City received a letter from W. Arthur Mehrhoff, Ph.D. indicating the Minnesota Design Team Steering
Committee has reviewed Lake Elmo's application for a fall visit. They would like to conduct a follow-up
screening visit in order to meet with civic leaders and public officials involved in seeking a Minnesota
Design Team visit. The Team normally conducts such screening visits on weeknights or on Saturday
mornings and would like to determine two or three dates in April.
The Council set the following tentative meeting dates: Wednesday evening, April 19; Saturday, April 22,
Tuesday evening, April 25; and Saturday April 29, 1995.
B. Board of Review
The 1995 Board of Review is scheduled for April 13, 1995 from 3 to 6 p.m. at city hall. The Council
received the 1995 Local Board of Review and County Board of Equalization Booklet.
C. Recommendation from Solid Waste Committee on Composting and Recycle Material Purchases
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee met on April 3, 1995 and recommended the compost fees as
follows: Lake Elmo Residents $10 which includes Clean Up Day, Non Residents $25, and Commercial
licenses $85. The Committee realized Clean Up Day costs the City more than what had been budgeted,
but there is still $2,300 excess in the Solid Waste Fund to keep the fee from being raised for residents.
Brush, branches, tree trimmings will only be accepted from Lake Elmo Residents.
M/S/P Hunt/Conlin - based on the recommendation from the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, to accept
the rate structure as follows: Lake Elmo Residents $10 includes access to Clean -Up Day, Non -Residents
$25 and Local Commercial Companies $85. (Motion passed 4-0).
D. Administrator Kueffner reported the new Planner, Ann Terwedo, will start work on April 26, 1995.
M/S/P Conlin/Hunt - to adjourn the council meeting at 9:00 p.m. (Motion passed 4-0).
Resolution No. 95-34 Denying the Armstrong Request to Add Alternative Agricultural Use Regulations to
the Lake Elmo City Code
Since we do not have time to discuss every point presented, it may seem that decision
are preconceived. However, background information is provided for the City Council on each
agenda item in advance from City Staff and appointed Commissions; and decisions are bases
on this information and past experiences. In addition, some items may also have been
discussed at previous Council meetings.
If you are aware of information that hasn't been discussed, please fill out a "Request to
Appear Before the City Council" slip; or, if you came late, raise your hand to be recognized.
Comments that are pertinent are appreciated. Items requiring excessive time may be
continued to another meeting.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 4, 1995
7:00 p.m. MEETING CONVENES
Pledge of Allegiance
1. AGENDA
2. MINUTES: March 21, 1995
3. CLAIMS
4. PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL/INQUIRIES:
5. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Update on Olson Lake Estates Pond Discharge
6. PLANNING/LAND USE & ZONING:
A. Site and Building Plan Review:Adding Garage Doors
Steve Johnson, 2945 Lake Elmo Avenue N.
B. Repealing Section 301.070 DA.b. (6) permitting Recording Studios
in the Agricultural Zoning District
C. Other
7. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT:
A. Update on Oakdale's Section 32 Improvements which may
affect Lake Elmo
B. Other
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA APRIL 4, 1995 2
8. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
A. Resolution denying the Armstrong request for a Text Amendment
to the Lake Elmo Municipal Code relating to Alternative Ag
9. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
A. Mayor John
B. Council Member Conlin
C. " " DeLapp
D. " Hunt
E. " Johnston -Letter to Rep.Holsten from Peter Zetterberg, VBWD
10. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
A. Set Dates for MN Design Team Steering Committee
B. Board of Review
C. Recommendation from Solid Waste Commission on Composting and Recycle
Material Purchases
D. Other
11. ADJOURN