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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/12/2021LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD REMOTELY VIA TELECONFERENCE Page 1 of 4 January 12, 2021 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Swearing in Ceremony Administrator Butkowski performed the swearing in ceremony for Mayor Gaasch and Councilors Dains and Pulford. Roll Call Councilors present: Andi Moffatt, Roxanne Grove, Jeff Dains, Duane Pulford, 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 Moffatt moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the December 8, 2020 city council meeting. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2020 city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the claims totaling $391,957.35. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Consent Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the Consent Agenda thereby approving Resolution No. 011221A — Designating Official Depository and Investment Institutions, Resolution No. 011221B — 2021 Fee Schedule and acknowledging the November financial report and the 2021 city council meeting schedule. Public Hearings A. Ordinance No. 21-01 Amending Title 3, Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances Regarding Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Tobacco -Related Devices, Nicotine or Lobelia Delivery Products, and Electronic Delivery Devices and Resolution No. 011221C — Authorizing Publication of Ordinance No. 21-01 by Title and Summary Early in 2020, the Council began studying the tobacco ordinance recognizing it would need to be updated to reflect new federal and state legislation. The Council also considered the interest of the existing tobacco license holders to open tobacco shops in order to sell a broader selection of LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD REMOTELY VIA TELECONFERENCE Page 2 of 4 January 12, 2021 flavored tobacco products. The ordinance was revised to reflect the legislative changes and amended to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco in the community. Notice of the proposed changes was provided to the existing tobacco license holders and the community. Mayor Gaasch opened up the floor to anyone in attendance interested in addressing the Council on this topic. Melissa Walker, 1895 Pleasant Street, stated that she supported the T21 and flavor restrictions when the Council passed them in 2018. Walker continued to say that both her father and father- in-law died from lung cancer, and she supports the ban on all flavored tobacco. Vakare Bartkaitis, former RAHS student, shared that she spoke at the 2018 public hearing in support of the T21 measure. She returned to speak out against flavored tobacco and supports a ban on it in Lauderdale based on her experience seeing used by peers. There being no others interested in speaking on this topic, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. After discussion, Councilor Pulford made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 21-01, an Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances Regarding Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Tobacco -Related Devices, Nicotine or Lobelia Delivery Products, and Electronic Delivery Devices. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Councilor Pulford made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 011221C A Resolution Authorizing Publication of Ordinance No. 21-01 by Title and Summary. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously on a roll call vote. B. Lot Coverage Variance Request for 1763 Malvern Street The owner and applicant propose constructing a home on a lot that does not have a house. The lot has an existing garage that will remain. The existing garage is larger than what would have been newly constructed. The house was designed with a smaller footprint to accommodate but to have covered porches requires a variance from the 30% lot coverage allowance. The owner and applicant are requesting a 3.4% lot coverage variance. Mayor Gaasch opened up the floor to anyone in attendance interested in addressing the Council on this topic. Dave Zdenek, 1767 Malvern Street, asked the Council what considerations have been given to privacy for neighboring properties. Tim Helin, the applicant, said they are in compliance with front, side yard, and backyard setbacks. He said that the utility spaces are on the north side of the house to afford private. Butkowski responded that the required side yard setback is five feet and the applicant's approved LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD REMOTELY VIA TELECONFERENCE Page 3 of 4 January 12, 2021 plan provides seven and one-half foot setbacks. When the lot was detached from the adjacent property to the north earlier in the year, the Council provided a variance for the deck of the northern property as it encroached into the side yard setback of that lot. There being no others interested in speaking on this topic, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. Councilor Moffatt made a motion to direct staff to prepare a resolution of approval for the lot coverage variance request at 1763 Malvern Street for the next meeting. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Discussion/Action Item A. Resolution No. 011221D — Awarding the Sale of Taxable General Obligation Tax Increment Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2021A, in the Original General Aggregate Principal Amount of $1,390,000; Fixing their Form and Specifications; Directing their Execution and Delivery; and Providing for their Payment The bond sale to refinance the Series 2018A General Obligation Tax Increment Revenue Bonds was held the morning of Tuesday, January 12. The results of the sale were reported to the City Council who were asked to adopt Resolution No. 011221D. Councilor Moffatt made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 011221D A Resolution Awarding the Sale of Taxable General Obligation Tax Increment Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2021A, in the Original Aggregate Principal Amount of $1,390,000; Fixing their Form and Specifications; Directing their Execution and Delivery; and Providing for their Payment. This was seconded by Councilor Pulford and carried unanimously on a roll call vote. B. 1795 Eustis Street Salvage Agreement There has been a lot of interest in preserving as much of the former Lauderdale School as possible and prevent the beautiful old woodwork and finishes from ending up in a landfill. The difficult part is removing items of value and finding new homes for them. Previously, staff spoke with two salvage companies about the building. Both were interested in the opportunity to salvage the premises but only one would compensate the City. Staff worked with the city attorney to draft an agreement with Bauer Brothers of Minneapolis. They would remove items with resale value such as: wooden trim, railings, doors, flooring, cabinetry, bathroom fixtures, drinking fountains, emergency signage, windows, lighting, chalkboards, and heating and cooling units. The rest would remain until the asbestos abatement and demolition. If the Council approves, we will let the community know so they can connect with Bauer Brothers if they are interested. Councilor Pulford made a motion to enter into the Salvage Agreement with Bauer Brothers, Inc. as presented. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously on a roll call vote. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD REMOTELY VIA TELECONFERENCE Page 4 of 4 January 12, 2021 C. Committee Appointments and Assignments The Council determines committee assignments and makes other designations at the first meeting of the year. Staff presented a listing based on previous years' assignments. The Council made a few changes; staff will update the list and distribute after the meeting. Councilor Moffatt made a motion to adopt the committee assignments and designations as discussed. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Set Agenda for Next Meeting The January 26 council meeting may include the Gasperre Pond dredging quote. Work Session A. Community Development Update Butkowski stated that the Luther Seminary pond work was completed for the season; work will resume in the spring. Stacie Kvilvang answered questions from the Council about Real Estate Equities' recent application for affordable housing tax credits. Councilor Pulford mentioned that Deterra packets are available to safely dispose of old prescription drugs. Councilor Grove mentioned that the Falcon Heights Fire department was disbanded. B. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council Mayor Gaasch opened up the floor to anyone in attendance interested in addressing the Council. There being no people interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. Councilor Moffatt made a motion to enter into a closed session at 8:29 p.m. This was seconded by Councilor Pulford and carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Closed Session A. Union Proposal and Negotiations The Council discussed the union's proposal for wage and insurance increases for 2021-2022. Staff will bring a final draft of the agreement to the next meeting for consideration. Councilor Pulford made a motion to return from closed session at 8:39 p.m. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Adj ournment Councilor Moffatt moved and seconded by Dains to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Respectfully submitted, 441:41- U411x. Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk