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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/24/2016LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 4 May 24, 2016 Mayor Dains called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Councilors present: Mayor Jeff Dains, Mary Gaasch, Roxanne Grove, and Denise Hawkinson. Councilors absent: Lara Mac Lean. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator and Jim Bownik, Assistant City Administrator. Approvals Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. There being none, motion was made by Councilor Grove to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilor Gaasch and carried unanimously. Councilor Gaasch moved to approve the City Council meeting minutes of May 10, 2016. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and carried unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the claims totaling $36,876.67. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Mayor Dains asked if any Councilors wished to remove items from the Consent Agenda. There being none, Councilor Hawkinson moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the Consent Agenda thereby acknowledging the April Financial Report and PCIC minutes. Motion carried unanimously. Informational Presentations/Reports A. Day in the Park Assistant City Administrator Bownik reported on plans for the July 21 Day in the Park event. Public Hearings A. Benedictine Health System Conduit Debt Project — Resolution 052416A Administrator Butkowski explained that the Benedictine Health System's (BHS) conduit debt project was coming to its conclusion. The Council was being asked to adopt a resolution providing for the issuance of debt of up to $1,300,000 after holding a public hearing. Gina Fiorini, legal counsel for the City, mentioned that this project was like previous ones in which the City participated. The City was providing BHS the City's annual allotment of bank qualified (BQ) debt. The debt would be purchased by a bank with the proceeds funding BHS's improvements. She reiterated that the City of Lauderdale was not liable for the repayment of the debt. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 4 May 24, 2016 The Council thanked Fiorini for her comments. Councilor Gaasch noted the City's participation in these projects promotes the development of non-profit community groups and provides financial resources for the City. Mayor Dains opened the public hearing at 7:41 p.m. There being no comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:42 p.m. Motion was made by Councilor Gaasch and seconded by Councilor Grove to adopt Resolution 052416A A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance, Sale, and Delivery of Revenue Obligations for the Benefit of Benedictine Health System and Its Affiliates; Authorizing the Execution of the Revenue Obligations and Related Documents; and Taking Other Actions Related Thereto. Motion carried unanimously. B. Annual Storm Water Report Administrator Butkowski provided background on city operations as it related to the City's storm water permit. Much of the City's efforts go into public education, including support for the state-wide Minnesota Waters: Let's Keep It Clean program. Mayor Dains opened the public hearing at 7:44 p.m. There being no comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:45 p.m. Discussion / Action Items A. Donation from Friends of the Lauderdale Dog Park - Resolution 052416B The Friends of the Lauderdale Dog Park raised money to purchase hardwood mulch for the dog park. The cost of the mulch was quoted at $500 by Innovative Landscaping. By adopting the resolution, the Council accepted the donation and the group may proceed with procurement. Motion was made by Councilor Gaasch and seconded by Councilor Hawkinson to adopt Resolution 052416B — A Resolution Accepting Donations for Improvements to the Lauderdale Dog Park. Motion carried unanimously. B. Non -Domestic Animal Request, 1830 Lake Street Jennifer Modder, owner of 1830 Lake Street, requested to continue using an existing shed on their property for their hens. They used the shed in the past but the latest revisions to code require the coop to be three feet from property lines. Ordinance allows the Council to waive the three-foot requirement. Motion was made by Councilor Hawkinson and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the non-domestic animal permit for Jennifer Modder of 1830 Lake Street. Motion carried unanimously. Councilor Mac Lean joined the meeting. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 4 May 24, 2016 C. Emerald Ash Borer Update In response to comments received from a resident regarding the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) tree disease at the previous meeting, staff revisited the plans put into place when the disease was first found in the area. As the progression of the disease has been slow and the City only has about five dozen public ash trees, the plan has been to remove infected trees and leave the healthy trees remain as long as possible. The Council reiterated they agree with this plan of action. D. 2016 Seal Coating Update Administrator Butkowski provided an update on the seal coating project which is expected to happen in June. Staff will advertise when the work will begin to give notice to residents on when they should find alternative parking. E. Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) Storm Water Project Discussion Staff from CRWD provided information at the previous meeting on options for storm water improvement projects in Lauderdale and the broader watershed area. Administrator Butkowski recapped the highlights of that discussion and asked the Council for feedback. Based on the discussions, staff will work with the watershed district to bring additional funding partners to the project and try to determine what the City's possible waste load allocation reductions may be when the PCA and EPA have completed their assessment of the Mississippi River. F. Election Judge Compensation Administrator Butkowski said staff were recruiting for election judges and in light of the new minimum wage laws, were proposing raising the pay for election judges to $10.00 per hour or $160 per day. The Mayor and Council expressed appreciation for the judges and noted how easy the judges make it to vote in a timely manner here. They proposed a rate of pay of $12.50 per hour or $200 per day for judges and $220 for the head judge. Motion was made by Councilor Hawkinson and seconded by Councilor Gaasch to approve the election judge compensation as discussed. Motion carried unanimously. G. Emergency Management GETS Cards Administrator Butkowski explained that the City Council may receive Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) cards for when you are called upon to assist in an emergency. The cards allow those assisting in an emergency to receive priority use of the cellular and landline networks. The Council expressed interest in receiving the cards; staff will notify Ramsey County's Emergency Management Director. Administrator Butkowski noted the next meeting may include the Comprehensive Plan Request for Proposals, presentation by the League of Women Voters, and ordinance revisions LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 4 of 4 May 24, 2016 Work Session A. Public Comment None. B. Temporary Dwelling Law Administrator Butkowski explained that the legislature adopted a law that would require cities to permit "Temporary Family Health Care Dwellings." The legislation allows cities to opt out of the requirements if they did not feel the provisions are in the best interest of their community. Due to the newness of the law and the newness of the concept, staff recommended opting out of the law until we see successful uses elsewhere. The Council agreed and staff will being an ordinance back for Council consideration. C. Dispute Resolution Services Administrator Butkowski noted that neighbors often have difficulty working out their issues and try to bring city staff in to mediate when it often is not an appropriate role for staff. These issues also detract from other projects staff are working on. Staff began researching mediation options and learned that for a small fee Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) in St. Paul will provide services to residents from Lauderdale. Staff recommended working with DRC and the Council agreed. Staff will work out the details with DRC staff. D. Use of Chemicals Policy Butkowski noted that the City Council has provided direction for staff not to use chemical herbicides or pesticides. Recent requests by residents for assistance with buckthorn and Japanese knotweed have raised questions amongst staff as to how to respond to the requests. The Council reiterated their desire to not chemically treat weeds and plants. E. Community Update Administrator Butkowski reported that staff are working with Chowgirls Killer Catering on issues related to bringing municipal water service to them via the City of Minneapolis. There being no further business on the council agenda, motion was made by Councilor Hawkinson and seconded by Councilor Gaasch, carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heather Butkowski City Administrator