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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/2018LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 September 11, 2018 Roll Call Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. Councilors present: Andi Moffatt, Roxanne Grove, Kelly Dolphin, Jeff Dains, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilors absent: None. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City Administrator; and Miles Cline, Deputy City Clerk. Approvals Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any additions to the meeting agenda. There being none, Councilor Grove moved and seconded by Councilor Moffatt to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any corrections to the meeting minutes. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the minutes of the August 28, 2018, city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Dolphin moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the claims totaling $92,645.41. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Moffatt moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the Consent Agenda thereby acknowledging the July Financial Report. Informational Presentations/Reports A. City Council Updates Councilor Dains stated that he attended a Mississippi Watershed Management Organization meeting. Councilor Dolphin shared that she attended a North Suburban Cable Commission meeting where budgetary issues were the primary topic. Mayor Gaasch stated that she will be attending a League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors retreat on September 12. Finally, Councilor Dains commemorated those who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001 attacks and paid tribute to the police and fire departments of New York City for their brave work. Discussion/Action Items A. Rental Housing Fine Waiver Request for 1866 Eustis Street The owner of 1866 Eustis Street submitted a petition to waive the late fees associated with his LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 September 11, 2018 rental housing license. Rod Borg, dba Perma Companies, is appealing the late fees on the basis that the tenant changed the locks which prohibited access during the first inspection. After discussion, Councilor Dolphin moved to reduce by the late fee by $200. The motion was seconded by Councilor Moffatt. After further discussion, Administrator Butkowski polled the Council. Councilors Dolphin and Gaasch voted in favor of the motion and Councilors Dains and Moffatt vote against the motion. Councilor Grove abstained. Motion to reduce the late fee was denied. B. 2019 Preliminary Budget and Levy Staff reviewed the 2018 actuals and revisited the anticipated costs for 2019 since the previous meeting and nothing has really changed. To recap the last meeting, compared to other Ramsey County cities, Lauderdale is seeing a large increase in home values for 2019 per the county assessor. A median valued home is $206,300 for 2019 (up 9.1% over 2018). As the City's overall market value went up considerably over 2018, the proposed levy increase would actually result in a decrease in the tax rate. The proposed budget would balance at $1,437,074 or an increase of 3.5%. To support a balanced budget, the levy would need to increase by 5.7% which results in roughly a $39.00 city property tax impact on a median valued home. Butkowski informed the Council that the levy must be set at the next meeting. Staff will be preparing the appropriate documents and continuing to revisit the budget in the interim. C. Update on Staff Projects Butkowski went through the various projects staff have been working and noted which will be on council agendas in the near future. Set Agenda for Next Meeting Administrator Butkowski stated that the September 25 council meeting may include the 2019 preliminary budget and levy, proposed tobacco ordinance revision discussion, and 1795 Eustis Street discussion with the City's financial advisor. Work Session A. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to anyone in attendance that wanted to address the Council. Fakhri Alaghbash, Falcon Heights resident, approached the Council. He stated that he and his business partners were interested in purchasing the Lauderdale Service Station. Their intention is to either open a food establishment or violin store. They are open to renovating the existing structure or building a new one on a different part of the parcel. The Council mentioned that the LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 September 11, 2018 building is not technically for sale and in order to consider an offer they would have to see a detailed proposal. Namely, they would need to see how the business fit into the zoning requirements, accommodated parking, and would be financially viable. B. Community Development Update Butkowski informed the Council that all updates were covered throughout the course of the meeting. Adjournment Councilor Grove moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nu/ Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk