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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/27/2023LAUD I4,RDAL Fi, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 September 27, 2023 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Roll Call Councilors present: Jeff Darns, Duane Pulford, Ivan Sayre, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilor absent: Sharon Kelly. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City Administrator and Miles Cline, Deputy City Clerk. Approvals Mayor Gaasch asked if theie were any additions to the meeting agenda. There being none, Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Damns to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the September 12, 2023 city council meeting. There being none, Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Damns to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2023 city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Damns moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to approve the claims totaling $34,127.00. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the Consent Agenda acknowledging the August financial report and approving the electronic funds transfer policy, a quote for purchase of a Ford F-350 through Boyer Trucks at the state contract price, and Resolution No. 092623A — Approving an 11.16 -Inch Variance to the Front Yard Setback Requirement at 1743 Malvern Street. Informational Presentations/Reports A. City Council Updates Mayor Gaasch shared that the League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors had their retreat last week. Cities shared their upcoming levies for 2024, many of which came in as double-digit percentage increases. Gaasch also attended an Improving Service Delivery Policy Committee meeting where they voted on a measure put forward by larger cities that would have reduced transparency at city council meetings. The measure s goal was to curb disruptive behavior at meetings, but was voted against by a simple majority. Finally, Gaasch stated that she attended a LAUDhRDALh CITY COUNCIL Mi b,TING MINUTF,S L auderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street L auderdale, MN 55113 P age 2 of 3 September 27, 2023 joint city, county, township and school district meeting where they discussed cannabis legislation at length. Councilor Pulford stated that Pat Cook will be leaving NineNorth for a new role at a different cable commission. Discussion/Action Item A. Resolution No. 092623B — Adopting the 2024 Preliminary Property Tax Levy and Establishing the Budget Meeting Date The Council expressed concern at the previous meeting over the reliance on one-time funding to balance the budget due to the extraordinary increase in costs expected in 2024 primarily related to public safety. Staff generated scenarios for increasing the levy an additional one to two percent. Each one percent levy increase generates about $10,000 dollars. 7.9% levy generates $959,241 8.9% levy generates $969,118 9.9% levy generates $979,220 After discussing, the Council approved the 9.9% levy increase thereby eliminating the need for a transfer from the sewer funds to balance the budget. Councilor Sayre made a Motion to adopt Resolution No. 092623B Adopting the 2024 Preliminary Property Tax Levy at a 9.9% increase, and Establishing the Budget Meeting Date of November 28. This was seconded by Councilor Darns and carried unanimously. Set Agenda for Next Meeting B utkowski stated that the October 10 council meeting might include a TH280 Improvements presentation by Chris Bower of MNDOT. Work Session A. Community Development Update Butkowski stated that construction at 1795 hustis Street is finishing up and the building official anticipates issuing the certificate of occupancy by the end of the month. She mentioned that the ash and buckthorn trees were removed from the coiner of Fulham Street and Roselawn Avenue. Ramsey County will host an open house for 1-iustis Street reconstruction on October 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Laudeidale City Hall. City Hall will be one of the stops for Halloween this year on Tuesday, October 31 from 5-6 p.m. City attorney Ron Batty is finalizing tobacco and cannabis ordinances. Staff is working on a DNR grant to remove and replace diseased ash trees. School board elections will be held on November 7, with extended voting hours already underway at various Ramsey County locations. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 September 27, 2023 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 Pulford to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, 0.04A, Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk