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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/10/2014LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Pagel of 3 June 10, 2014 Mayor Pro Tem Gaasch called the City Council meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. Councilors present: Mayor Pro Tem Mary Gaasch, Roxanne Grove, Denise Hawkinson, and Lara Mac Lean. Councilors Absent: Mayor Jeff Dains. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City Administrator; and Kevin Kelly, Deputy City Cleric. Mayor Pro Tem Gaasch asked for changes to the meeting agenda. There being no changes, Councilor Grove moved to approve the agenda. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson moved to approve the May 27, 2014 City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved approval of the claims totaling $90,218.54. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. There were no items on the Consent Agenda. Discussion Items Police Contract Renewal Butkowski explained that the Falcon Heights City Council had reservations similar to those previously expressed by the City Council to the St. Anthony City Manager. The only reopener remaining in the draft agreement could be exercised if the cost increased more than three percent in any year. The agreement also allows the City to opt out of the agreement annually. Councilors expressed approval for this draft agreement as they felt it better represented the interests and needs of the City. Agenda items for the June 24 Council Meeting may include a discussion of the Larpenteur Avenue Sidewalk Project; the Police Contract; the Ramsey County Economic Prosperity Report; and a discussion with Frank Langer, owner of Historic Stone. Mayor Pro Tem Gaasch 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 Pro Tem Gaasch 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 2 of 3 June 10, 2014 Work Session: City Logo Merchandise The Council discussed different types of shirts to purchase with the new City Logo. Butkowski stated there are a number of old City shirts which haven't sold and staff will have a fire sale to get rid of them. Staff will put in an order for t -shirts and some sample sweatshirts. They will be available in a couple of weeks. Review of Fines for Payable Offenses Butkowski stated that the City Council has not reviewed fine amounts for a number of years, maybe since the early 1990s. This means the fines don't really act as a deterrent or punishment for failing to comply with the City's parking regulations. In comparison to our neighbors, St. Anthony's fines are established by Hennepin County, and while Falcon Heights hasn't raised their fines recently, they are significantly higher than Lauderdale's. The Council reviewed the current list of payable offenses; the fine amount was generally $15. The Council suggested they be raised to match the fines of Falcon Heights at $35. Staff will prepare a resolution approving the change for the next meeting. Butkowski also introduced the idea of making rank growth a payable offense as some homeowners only mow when the City tells them they have to. The goal would be to put the onus on the owner to manager their yard. She envisioned giving homeowners one letter informing them of the infraction and state that future failure to comply would result in a citation from the police. Repeat neglect would result in escalating fines or abatement. The Council and Butkowski discussed concerns residents have expressed about the aesthetics of their neighbors' yards. Regulations geared towards aesthetics versus health and safety nuisances are often harder to define and enforce. They tend to be more subjective but some cities have crafted defensible rules. The Council asked staff to continue researching options related to such things as management of native plantings and alternative gardening practices (especially in front yards). Community Development and Sanitary Server Lining Update The sanitary sewer lining repairs are completed. The remaining manhole to manhole sewer lining should be completed soon. Luther Seminary will have the preliminary plat of their property completed soon. The Capitol Region Watershed District is planning to study the storm water situation on Eustis Street south of Laipenteur Avenue in order to make the proposed sidewalk feasible. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 June 10, 2014 There being no further business on the council agenda, Councilor Hawkinson moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Kelly Imo'/ Deputy City Clerk