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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/26/2019LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 4 November 26, 2019 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. Roll Call Councilors present: Andi Moffatt, Kelly Dolphin, Jeff Dains, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilors absent: Roxanne G•ove. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator and Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City Administrator. Approvals Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any additions to the meeting agenda. There being none, Councilor Moffatt moved and seconded by Councilor Dolphin to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the November 12, 2019 city council meeting. There being none, Councilor Dolphin moved and seconded by Councilor Moffatt to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2019 city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Moffatt moved and seconded by Councilor Dolphin to approve the claims totaling $17,613.07. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Dolphin moved and seconded by Councilor Moffatt to approve the Consent Agenda thereby approving the Agreement with AEM Financial for audit preparation services and rink attendant hiring for the 2019-2020 winter season and acknowledging the October Financial Report. Informational Presentations/Reports A. 2019 Infrastructure Improvement Project Administrator Butkowski provided an overview of the finishing touches of the project. Work will resume in the spring. B. City Council Updates Mayor Gaasch shared that there will be upcoming conversations regarding the census and why it is important for the state to have an accurate count. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 4 November 26, 2019 Public Hearings A. Truth -in -Taxation Hearing — 2020 Budget, Levy, and Capital Improvement Plan Administrator Butkowski provided an overview of the budget including a draft of the 2019 General Fund, the 2019 Special Revenue Fund budgets, and the 2020-2029 Capital Improvement Plan. The budgets reflect the recommended increases for sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and recycling rates for 2020. State law requires that the Council hold a public hearing prior to adoption of the levy. The budgets and levy are anticipated to be adopted at the December 10, 2019 council meeting. Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to anyone in attendance that wanted to address the Council on this issue at 7:48 p.m. Josh Hauser, 1778 Eustis Street, asked how tax rates work, for an explanation of the economic development transfer, questions regarding the Como Avenue sewer improvement project, and information on the increase in public safety expenditures. Administrator Butkowski said she would reach out to answer the questions. There being no additional parties interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor at 7:50 p.m. Council member Dains joined the meeting. B. Public Hearing on High Density Residential — Conservation Zoning Ordinance Jennifer Haskamp of Swanson Haskamp Consulting addressed the Council. She noted the history of the development of the High Density Residential Conservation (HDR -C) zoning district proposed in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the efforts to draft the new zoning for the district. A public hearing was held earlier in 2019. Feedback from the community and Council was included in the updated draft available for public comment during the meeting. Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to anyone in attendance that wanted to address the Council on this issue at 8:30 p.m. Wayne Sisel, 1567 Fulham Street, expressed that he is primarily concerned with density being increased in the area. Steve Ahlgren, 1563 Fulham Street, read an excerpt from the draft zoning ordinance and asked for clarification on the language since he had been unable to locate a copy of the revisions. He asked that the zoning ordinance be put on hold until a later date. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 4 November 26, 2019 Heather Brian, 1778 Eustis Street, was interested in knowing how the public could influence future planned unit development projects. Josh Hauser, 1778 Eustis Street, wanted to know how the conservation ordinance could work in other zoning district. He also asked about who would perform the natural resources inventory and when the presentation by Master Properties would take place. There being no additional parties interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor at 8:47 p.m. Staff responded that Master Property's presentation will occur after they present their concept plans to the city council; that date is unknown. Haskamp clarified the public comment process for planned unit developments and provided information regarding the natural resources inventory process. Discussion/Action Items A. Resolution No. 112619A Establishing 2020 Sanitary Sewer Rates, Storm Sewer Rates, and Recycling Rates Butkowski noted that staff recommended holding the sanitary sewer rates flat for 2020 and increasing the storm water charge by 2.0% or $1.40 per year. Due to recycling processing cost increases, staff recommended raising the recycling fees by $2.00 per month. Councilor Dolphin made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 112619A A Resolution Establishing 2020 Sanitary Sewer Rates, Storm Sewer Rates, and Recycling Rates. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously. Set Agenda for Next Meeting Administrator Butkowski stated that the December 10 council meeting may include a review of long-term financial plans with AEM Financial, front yard fence regulations, and a few other year-end materials. The Council took at short break from 8:59 to 9:08 p.m. 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. Steve Ahlgren, 1563 Fulham Street, asked for an update on the Seminary Pond project and LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 4 of 4 November 26, 2019 mentioned his conversation with Metropolitan Council staff. B. Presentation by St. Paul Fire Chief Butch Inks City staff met with Chief Inks to discuss services the St. Paul Fire Department (SPFD) provides to the city of Lauderdale. Namely, SPFD has provided EMS services to Lauderdale for decades, and they provide mutual aid services for fire calls. Chief Inks has been having similar conversations with neighboring cities to discuss opportunities for improvements especially in the area of sharing services. Chief Inks provided similar information to the Council and answered their questions. C. Community Development Updates Staff mentioned that Ramsey County would like to change their plowing equipment and routes and they do not believe that will allow them to continue plowing Lauderdale streets. They wondered if we had an alternative plowing option. Staffs responded that we would like to explore ways to continue working together after they make these equipment changes. Adj ournment Councilor Moffatt moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Heather Butkowski City Clerk