HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/28/2023LAUD F ,RDALE CITY COUNCIL
Ml ETING MINUTFS
L auderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
L auderdale, MN 55113
P age 1 of 2 February 28, 2023
Call to Order
Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Roll Call
Councilors present: Sharon Kelly, Evan Sayre, and Mayor Mary Gaasch.
Councilors absent Duane Pulford and Jeff Dains.
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 Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the agenda. Motion carried
unanimously.
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the February 14, 2023 city
council meeting. There being none, Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to
approve the minutes of the February 14, 2023 city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor
Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to approve the claims totaling $18,122.61.
Motion carried unanimously.
Informational Presentations/Reports
A. Presentation by the Roseville Area League of Women Voters
B onnie Koch from the Roseville Area League of Women Voters approached the dais to share
their research on cities within the area and their compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA). After her presentation, she answered questions from the council.
B . City Council Updates
Mayor Gaasch shared that she, Councilor Sayre, and Councilor Kelly attended a League of
Minnesota Cities (LMC) conference for elected officials. Gaasch continued to say that a majority
of the Council would be attending Day on the Hill on March 9. Finally, Gaasch stated that she is
on the search committee to replace the LMC Fixecutive Director.
Discussion/Action Item
A. Resolution No. 022823A — Condemning the Use of Discriminatory Covenants and Approving
Participation in the Just Deeds Coalition
The City Council supports efforts to improve racial equity in Lauderdale. The University of
Minnesota's Mapping Prejudice identified two properties with restrictive covenants.
LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Lauderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
Lauderdale, MN 55113
Page 2 of 2 February 28, 2023
B y joining Just Deeds, the covenants can be removed from the deeds. No official action is
required to join Just Deeds, but most cities have adopted a resolution of support. By becoming a
member, city can access pro bono lawyers that will work with the homeowners to have the
covenants removed. One of the lawyers that does this work also represents our cable commission
and he said he is ready to help our homeowners.
Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to adopt Resolution No. 022823A
Condemning the Use of Discriminatory Covenants and Approving Participation in the Just Deeds
Coalition. Motion carried unanimously.
B . City Administrator Employment Agreement
B ased on the recent class and compensation study, the Council discussed raising the
compensation of the city administrator position. As the position was below market pay by more
than ten percent, the Council discussed raising the pay by five percent in 2023 and 2024 in
addition to the COLA adjustment. The employment agreement was amended accordingly.
Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the city administrator
employment agreement as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Set Agenda for Next Meeting
Butkowski stated that the March 14 council meeting might include the January financial report,
garbage hauler licenses, and a waiver request for a fence at Xcel Energy's substation.
Work Session
A. Community Development Update
Butkowski shared that City staff is working with Eureka Recycling on residential pickup issues.
She continued to say that Goodmanson Construction salted the alleyways on February 25.
B . Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council
Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those in attendance interested in addressing the Council.
There being nobody interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor.
Adjournment
Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Miles Cline
Deputy City Clerk