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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/10/2015LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 Mayor Dains called the City Council meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. March 10, 2015 Councilors present: Mary Gaasch, Roxanne Grove, Lara Mac Lean, and Mayor Jeff Dains. Councilors Absent: Denise Hawkinson. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant City Administrator; and Kevin Kelly, Deputy City Clerk. Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. There being none, Councilor Mac Lean moved to approve the agenda. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved to approve the February 24, 2015 City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved approval of the claims totaling $105,721.30. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Dains asked if any Councilors wished to remove items from the Consent Agenda. There being none, Councilor Gaasch moved to acknowledge the January Financial Report. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Informational Presentations: Ramsey County Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire Commissioner McGuire made her annual address to the Council McGuire noted her board assignments and her efforts to secure a sidewalk on Eustis Street during the upcoming mill and overlay project. Due to the complexity of the project, it mostly likely will happen in 2016. McGuire stated the County Board is also pushing for state legislative support on the I-694/Rice Street Interchange and Rice Creek Commons (the former TCAAP site). McGuire said the County also has worked on strategic planning with a new vision and mission and restructured staff to achieve their goals. The Council thanked McGuire for her presentation. Mayor Dains called for a break at 8:26 p.m. The meeting resumed at 8:32 p.m. DiscussionMction Items.- Green tems: Green Step Cities - Resolution 031015A Butkowski stated that at the last meeting Peter Lindstrom, Falcon Heights Mayor and Green Step City staff member, explained the benefits of being a Green Step City. Considering the City LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 March 10, 2015 undertakes a number of sustainable initiatives, the Council discussed becoming a member city so those things would be recognized. Councilor Mac Lean moved to adopt Resolution 031015A — A Resolution Authorizing the City of Lauderdale to participate in the Minnesota Green Step Cities program. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. North Suburban Communications Commission — Joint Powers Agreement Based on recommendations from the member cities, Mayor Dains stated that the cable commission by-laws had been updated. The update also reflects the City of Shoreview's withdrawal from the commission. The agreement will go into effect once all member cities have approved. Councilor Gaasch moved to adopt the Amended North Suburban Communications Commission Joint and Cooperative Agreement for the Administration of a Cable Communication Franchise as presented. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The agenda for the next meeting will include the Annual Audit Report; discussion with a party interested in 2430 Larpenteur Avenue; the public works job description; and a discussion on the hazardous buildings law with City Attorney Ron Batty. Senator John Marty and Representative Alice Hausman's annual report will be on April 14. Work Session: Mayor Dains explained that the Council was moving into the Work Session. Work Sessions are a continuation of the meeting but not aired on community television. Mayor Dains asked if anyone wished to address the Council. No one came forward. Nuisance Code Enforcement Policies Butkowski presented a PowerPoint to the Council which showed properties which have seen improvement with increased code compliance activities the Council authorized in 2012. The presentation also showed common issues that could be addressed by the nuisance code (rotting boards, peeling paint on trim and soffit, etc.) if the Council desired. Butkowski stated she was looking for Council direction in whether to enforce further aspects of city code as it related to the maintenance of structures now that issues of peeling paint have largely been dealt with. The Council discussed properties that may be candidates for condemnation. Butkowski said the condemnation process is a legal process. She said she would invite the city attorney to the next meeting to discuss the steps and costs involved. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING NIINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 March 10, 2015 Planning for Staff Changes Butkowski explained she would like to post the open position. Before doing that, she asked the Council to approve the updated job description, enter into an agreement with Lisa Lynn Consulting for psychological assessments of final candidates, and determine which councilors would like to participate in the interview process. Councilor Gaasch moved to approve the Deputy Clerk Job Description. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved to begin the hiring process for the Deputy Clerk position with Councilors Mac Lean and Gaasch taking part in the second interview of candidates. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove expressed concern about the cost of the candidate testing. Butkowski explained the benefits she expected from the testing. After further consideration, the Council approved working with Lisa Lynn Consulting. Councilor Gaasch moved to enter into an agreement with Lisa Lynn Consulting. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Community Development Update Butkowski stated Stacy Kvilvang reported that a home builder is attempting to get in touch with the Twin Cities Chinese Christian Church. David Lawrence, the individual interested in the 2430 Larpenteur site, will address the Council at the March 24 meeting. There being no further business on the council agenda, Councilor Gaasch moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Kelly Deputy City Clerk