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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/27/2014LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 May 27, 2014 Mayor Dains called the City Council meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilors present: Mary Gaasch, Roxanne Grove, Denise Hawkinson, Lara Mac Lean, and Mayor Jeff Dains. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator and Kevin Kelly, Deputy City Clerk. Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. There being no changes, Councilor Hawkinson moved to approve the agenda. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Gaasch moved to approve the May 13, 2014 City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Mac Lean moved approval of the claims totaling $25,634.59. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved approval of the Consent Agenda which included the April Financial Report and a new copier lease agreement. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Informational Presentation Emmett Coleman, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Comcast Mr. Coleman explained Comcast's position in the franchise renewal process with the North Suburban Cable Commission. He argued that the Cable Commission wasn't interested in addressing the "sticking points," especially the disagreements over technical and operating costs of the public access channels. Public Hearing Ordinance 14-03 Pertaining to Health and Safety; Nuisances The public hearing was being held to allow public comment on the proposed changes to the City's nuisance ordinance. Butkowski explained the amendments would increase time for residents to clear snow from sidewalks after a snowfall from 12 hours to 24 hours, prohibit a property owner from depositing snow from their property onto the property of another private property owner, and to hold owners responsible for graffiti removal on their property. Mayor Dains opened the public hearing at 7:51 p.m. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed at 7:52 p.m. Councilor Hawkinson moved to adopt Ordinance 14-03 amending Lauderdale City Code LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 May 27, 2014 regarding Health and Safety; Nuisances. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Discussion Items Renewal of Comcast of Minnesota Cable Franchise (Resolution 052714A), North Suburban Cable Commission Executive Director Cor Wilson Mike Bradley, an attorney working on behalf of the Cable Commission, filled in for Cor Wilson who was presenting at another council meeting. Bradley explained the Cable Commission has been in informal negotiation with Comcast for a few years. At this point, each city in the commission must vote to approve or preliminarily deny the franchise renewal proposal that has been presented by Comcast. Bradley recommended that the Council support the resolution which would preliminarily deny Comcast's current proposal. Bradley stated that further formal or informal negotiations would be needed to reach an agreement that met the needs of the cities. Councilor Mac Lean moved to adopt Resolution 052714A —the Preliminary Assessment that the Comcast of Minnesota, Inc., Cable Franchise should not be renewed. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Farmers Market Guidelines/Policies Butkowski stated the Farmers Markets will be the third Thursday of the months of July, August, and September. Butkowski and Bownik put together Farmers Market guidelines for the vendors to sign as the Farmers Market will be sponsored by the City in 2014. Butkowski contacted the League of Minnesota Cities attorney for information on whether the vendors should be required to carry insurance or name the City as an additional insured on their policies. The response was that risks to the City were low and requiring insurance of the vendors to protect the City was not necessary. Councilor Grove moved to adopt the Farmers Market Guidelines/Policy as presented. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Agenda items for the June 10 Council Meeting may include a discussion of the Larpenteur Avenue Sidewalk Project and a review of fines for payable offenses. 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. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 May 27, 2014 Work Session: 2430 Lai penteur Avenue Improvements The Council discussed whether to demolish or repurpose the building. Public Works staff recommended using the building to store trucks and equipment to keep them out of the elements and limit exposure to theft. Public Works estimated it would take about $2,000 in supplies to improve the structure for reuse. The Mayor stated that Ahvo Taipale of Finn Sisu expressed interest in purchasing the lot and putting a franchise on the property. Butkowski added that the Council can put conditions on the sale of the property to get what the Council would like to see developed on the site. Butkowski stated that Peter Jordan, co-owner of Corval at 1633 Eustis Street, spoke to staff about the retaining wall behind 2430 Larpenteur Avenue. Public Works staff determined there is no erosion coming from City property and there is no need at the present time for improvements. The issue will be monitored. Community Development and Sanitary Sewer Lining Update Butkowski stated the sanitary sewer lining repairs are just about completed. The company hired in 2013 to do the full length lining will be put on notice to come out and complete their portion of the project. There being no further business on the council agenda, Councilor Hawkinson moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, K<�Ke Deputy City Clerk