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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/26/2022LAUD FRDALE CITY COUNCIL MIiETING MINUTI-i,S Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street L auderdale, MIS 55113 P age 1 of 3 April 26, 2022 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Councilors present: Andi Moffatt, Jeff Dains, Roxanne Grove, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilors absent Duane Pulford. 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 Counciloi Grove to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the April 12, 2022 City Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Moffatt moved and seconded by Counciloi Dains to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2022 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 $51,411.12. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Moffatt moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the Consent Agenda thereby acknowledging the March financial report and the first quarter investment report. Informational Presentations/Reports A. Annual Report by Police Captain Jeff Spiess Captain Jeff Spiess presented to the Council and residents the annual police report. He also fielded questions after the conclusion of his presentation. The report is available on the City's website. B . City Council Updates Councilor Dains shared that the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) hired Kevin Reich to be the executive director. D iscussion/Action Items A. Resolution No. 042622A — Supporting No Mow May Initiative 2022 LAUDIt,RDALE CITY COUNCIL MH -TING MINUTES L auderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street L auderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 April 26, 2022 Lawrence University researched the impact on bees if property owners didn t mow their yards in May. The results showed those yards had three -times higher bee species richness and five -times higher bee abundance than nearby areas that had been mowed. If the City Council would like to encourage residents to participate in No Mow May, the first step is to suspend enforcement of City ordinances regarding the length of the grass. Thereafter, staff would provide signs for participating residents to put in their windows. Councilor Grove made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 042622A A Resolution Supporting No Mow May Initiative 2022. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously. B . 2021 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project Change Order No. 1 B utkowski explained that the City Council awarded a sanitary sewer lining project in 2021. ✓ isu-Sewer won the contract and completed about half of the work in 2021. They will complete the rest of the lining work in 2022 The plan was to have the sewer mains not cleaned/televised in 2021 to be completed in 2022. This can be done as an extension of the original project if the Council approves the change order. Councilor Moffatt made a motion to approve Change Order No. 1 of the 2021 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project. This was seconded by Councilor Grove and carried unanimously. C. Classification and Compensation Services Proposal from DDA Human Resources, Inc. Butkowski noted that the last class and compensation study predates the tenure of all staff. If theie was a good time to do one, it was now in advance of union negotiations and the 2023 pay equity report. Staff asked DDA Human Resources, Inc. to prepare a proposal. Butkowski said based on recent experience bidding this service as a member of the Metro-Inet executive committee, she was confident DDA offered the best price. Staff recommended having the full study completed at a cost of $8,100. Councilor Moffatt made a motion to approve Option 5 of the Classification and Compensation Study with DDA Human Resources, Inc. This was seconded by Councilor Grove and carried unanimously. Set Agenda for Next Meeting Administiator Butkowski stated that the May 10 council meeting may include a Green Step Cities update and a briefing from Ramsey County attorney John Choi. Work Session A. Administrative Citation Program Butkowski explained that as pait of the new contract, Rum River Consultants (RRC) would be assisting with code enforcement. There are a number of properties with long-standing issues that have been a challenge to address using the criminal court system. The recent zoning survey LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 April 26, 2022 highlighted community frustration around unaddressed code violations. RRC's preferred method of addressing code violations is an administrative citations program. The City has previously not used an administrative citations program due to the prosecuting attorney's advice regarding the administrative burden of such a program. With RRC taking care of the administrative burden, staff look forward to addressing some long-standing violations. The Council directed staff to prepare a draft ordinance for consideration. B. Community Development Update Butkowski shared that she had a meeting at Seminary Pond today to discuss ongoing maintenance and revegetation. She said she met with Real Estate Equities' general contractor on site at 1795 Eustis Street on April 25. Butkowski added that she will discuss names for the new senior apartment with Real Estate Equities. Finally, the fiber optic project on Eustis Street is almost complete. B. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to anyone in attendance interested in addressing the Council. There being no one interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. Adj ournment Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk