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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/28/2023LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL Mb RTING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 November 28, 2023 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Roll Call Councilors present .1Fvan Sayre, Sharon Kelly, Duane Pulford, Jeff Dains, 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 Gaasch stated that she would like to add a Kustis Street turnback discussion to the Additional Items section. There being nothing else, Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the November 14, 2023 city council meeting. There being none, Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2023 city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the claims totaling $119,975.39. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the Consent Agenda thereby approving the October financial report. Informational Presentations/Reports A. City Council Updates Councilor Pulford shared that he is currently in his second year as secretary -treasurer at NineNorth. After his term, Pulford will be nominated as vice chair. Mayor Gaasch stated that she attended a couple of Regional Council of Mayors meetings this past month. One was focused on how COVID shaped the future of cities, while the other was in regards to 1-94 corridor planning. LAUD ERDAL b CITY COUNCIL Mb FTING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 November 28, 2023 Public Hearings A. Truth -in -Taxation Public Hearing: 2024 Budget and Levy Presentation Butkowski gave a presentation to the Council highlighting the budget and fielded their questions. State law requires that the Council hold a public hearing prior to adoption of the budget and levy. Staff will prepare the documents approving the budget and levy foi the next meeting. Mayor Gaasch opened the floor at 7:31 p.m. to those in attendance interested in addressing the Council on this issue. Larry Lambert, 1803 Eustis Street, expressed his concerns about privacy issues caused by The Fern as well as potential damage to property values in that area. There being nobody else interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor at 7:34 p.m. Discussion/Action Item A. Resolution No. 112823A — Fstablishing 2024 Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer, and Recycling Rates Annually, the City Council discusses the sewei and recycling funds, and whether rate increases are necessary. Staff recommended increasing the sanitary sewer rates by 5% in 2024 to save for the mill and overlay project in 2026. This was an increase of $11.84 per residential household. Staff recommend increasing the storm sewer rates by 15% in 2024 also in anticipation of the mill and overlay project anticipated in 2026. This was the increase recommended through the Long - Tenn Financial Plan process. This was an increase of $11.20 per residential household. Staff recommend increasing the recycling rates by 9% in anticipation of the new recycling agreement that will be negotiated by mid -year 2024. Recycling contracts settled since ours have been at higher rates. This was an annual increase of $9.96 per residential household. Councilor Sayre made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 112823AA Resolution Establishing 2024 Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer, and Recycling Rates. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously. Additional Items A. Fustis Street Turnback discussion The Council has been in discussions with Ramsey County, the public, and City staff over the past year on how to handle the reconstruction of Eustis Street south of Larpenteur Avenue to the municipal boundary. After much consideration, the Council decided not to assume ownership of that portion of the road. LAUD F,RDAL F, CITY COUNCIL MkETING MINUTFS L auderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street L auderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 November 28, 2023 Councilor Pulford made a motion to enter into a cost share agreement with Ramsey County for road improvements needed on Eustis Street south of Larpenteur Avenue. This was seconded by Councilor Kelly and carried unanimously. Set Agenda for Next Meeting B utkowski stated that the December 12 council meeting would include the November financial report, a smoking of tobacco and cannabis in public parks ordinance, adoption of the 2024 budget and levy, and a variance application. Work Session A. Community Development Update B utkowski shared that she will be on the panel interviewing candidates for the police chief position. She continued to say that public works is attending a sanitary sewer training this week. 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. Closed Session A. City Administration Annual Review Councilor Sayre made a motion to enter into a closed session to discuss the City Administrator's job performance at 8:15 p.m. This was seconded by Counciloi Pulford and carried unanimously. Councilor Pulford made a motion to come out of closed session at 9:08 p.m. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously. Adj ournment Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk