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Home My WebLink About07/23/2019LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 July 23, 2019 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. Roll Call Councilors present: Roxanne Grove, Kelly Dolphin, Jeff Dains, Andi Moffatt, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilor 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 Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the July 9, 2019 city council meeting. There being none, Councilor Dolphin moved and seconded by Councilor Moffatt to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2019 city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the claims totaling $38,847.56. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Grove moved and seconded by Councilor Dolphin to approve the Consent Agenda thereby approving the June Financial report and the Second Quarter Investment Report. Informational Presentations/Reports A. Night to Unite Administrator Butkowski gave an update on the upcoming Night to Unite parties taking place on August 6. B. 2019 Infrastructure Improvement Project Administrator Butkowski provided an overview of progress on the project. C. City Council Updates Mayor Gaasch thanked staff and volunteers for a successful Day in the Park celebration. She also announced that the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization is hosting a community cleanup event on July 25 from 6-8 p.m. in the Lauderdale Community Park. Councilor Dolphin LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 July 23, 2019 stated that she joined the Criminal Justice Board of Ramsey County as an alternate member. Finally, Mayor Gaasch stated that she is stepping down as the President of the League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors but will continue as a member of their Policy Committee. Public Hearings A. Annual Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Public Hearing Annually, the City must report on its storm water efforts as one of the requirements of our MS4 permit. Butkowski provided the Council and general public our most recent annual report submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Mayor Gaasch opened the floor at 7:46 p.m. to anyone in attendance that wanted to address the Council on this matter. There being no parties interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor at 7:47 p.m. Discussion/Action Items A. Resolution 072319A – A Resolution Providing Preliminary Approval to the Issuance of Revenue Obligations under Minnesota Statutes, Chapters 462C and 474A, as Amended, and Taking Other Actions in Connection Therewith Butkowski explained that Real Estate Equities (REE) plans to use revenue bonds and tax credits to construct a senior rental apartment at 1795 Eustis Street. In order to apply to the state for these bonds, they need a resolution of support from the City Council. The resolution is non-binding in that it neither creates a financial obligation for the City nor conveys land use rights. Julie Eddington, the City's bond counsel at Kennedy and Graven, explained this in greater detail. Councilor Dolphin made a motion to adopt Resolution 072319A—A Resolution Providing Preliminary Approval to the Issuance of Revenue Obligations under Minnesota Statutes, Chapters 462C and 474A, as Amended, and Taking Other Actions in Connection therewith. This was seconded by Councilor Grove and carried unanimously. Following, Ian Schwickert of Real Estate Equities; Julie Eddington; and the Council discussed options to improve the likelihood of REE getting the revenue bond and tax credit allocation. It is expected that builders will ask for about $500 million in bonding ability but the federal government has only allocated $100 million to the state. One options REE asked the Council to consider was lowering the age threshold from 55 to 50 as 55+ buildings are last in line to receive allocation. Lowering the age to 50 would allow REE to be eligible earlier in the award distribution process. After discussion, the Council stated that they would only be comfortable entertaining this idea if they received community feedback first. Eddington explained that the rules surrounding the allocation process will be changing January 1 and that may make the change irrelevant. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 July 23, 2019 Set Agenda for Next Meeting Administrator Butkowski stated that the August 13 council meeting may include a presentation by CommonBond Communities regarding the Luther Seminary Redevelopment Project and the 2019 Infrastructure Improvement Project pay request number 3. 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. Josh Hauser, 1778 Eustis Street, wanted to know if information regarding the senior housing project was covered on the City's website. He asked how items can be added to meeting agendas. There being no other parties interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. B. GARE Follow Up Training Due to a miscommunication, this will take place at a later date. C. Community Development Update Butkowski mentioned that CommonBond Communities will be at the next meeting on August 13. Adj ournment Councilor Moffatt moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk