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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/2014LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 4 September 9, 2014 Mayor Dains called the City Council meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. Councilors present: Mary Gaasch, Roxanne Grove, Lara Mac Lean, Denise Hawkinson, and Mayor Jeff Dains. 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. Councilor Mac Lean added stray cats to the agenda. Councilor Hawkinson moved to approve the agenda. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Mac Lean moved to approve the August 26, 2014 City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson moved approval of the claims totaling $90,058.93. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Dains asked if any Councilors wished to remove items from the Consent Agenda; none did. Councilor Mac Lean moved to approve the Consent Agenda thereby acknowledging the PCIC meeting minutes. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Informational Presentations: Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom addressed the Council with an overview and update on the Ramsey County Sheriff Department (RCSD). Sheriff Bostrom stated there are 18 potential deputies in their academy and the RCSD is emphasizing the hiring deputies who are people of character who exhibit truth, honor, respect, and responsibility. Bostrom said there is a rise in methamphetamine and heroin use in the County and the RCSD disposes of unused prescription drugs. Bostrom also stated that the new 911 system can handle a far greater amount of calls and encouraged Lauderdale residents to be "interested" neighbors who look out for others in their neighborhoods. Lauderdale -Falcon Heights SK Fun Run/Walk on September 13 Kelly stated the Lauderdale -Falcon Heights Fun Run has nearly 100 participants registered for the event on September 13. The race starts at 8:00 a.m. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 4 September 9, 2014 Farmer's Market on September 18 Bownik presented that the last Farmer's Market of the season will be held on Thursday, September 18 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Lauderdale Community Park. Public Hearings: Issuance of Conduit Financing — Eldercare Project Julie Eddington, the City's bond attorney, addressed the Council regarding the preliminary approval of the City issuing conduit debt for the Eldercare project in northeast Minneapolis. Eddington explained that this is preliminary approval as the City of Minneapolis has determined there is a historic building on the Eldercare property which may have to be moved. Final approval will be asked for later in the year. Eddington explained that a neighboring city can offer its right to issue bank qualified debt to another and not be under any economic liability due to the issuance of this debt. The City will receive $90,000.00 for its participation. Mayor Dains opened the Public Hearing on the issuance of conduit debt for the Eldercare project at 8:08 p.m. No one present came forward. Mayor Dains closed the Public Hearing at 8:09 p.m. Councilor Gaasch moved to adopt Resolution 090914A — A Resolution Regarding the Issuance of a Revenue Note for the Benefit of Catholic Eldercare and Taking Actions Related Thereto. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Luther Seminary Preliminary Plat Mayor Dains stated the Luther Seminary plat was discussed in detail with City Attorney Ron Batty at the August 26 City Council Meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to hold a public hearing on the preliminary plat. The Mayor opened the Public Hearing on the Luther Seminary preliminary plat at 8:12 p.m. for public discussion. John Herman, attorney representing Luther Seminary from Faegre, Baker, and Daniels, addressed the Council. He stated Luther Seminary supports the preliminary plat and is not seeking utility access from Lot 1 to Lot 2 which will be the parcel which Luther Seminary will continue to own. Herman stated that Greenway Holdings didn't want a larger easement through their property to Lot 2 so Luther will look to other options for utilities. He also stated the buyers of Lot 1, Greenway Holdings, have agreed to give the City access to the storm water pond easement on Lot 2. Mayor Dains asked Herman about the Seminary's plans for Lot 2. Heiman explained the first priority of Luther Seminary is to have it remain open space but the Seminary is also looking to the possibility of housing. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 4 September 9, 2014 Brian McCool, the attorney representing Greenway Holdings, agreed with John Herman and supports the preliminary plat. He reiterated that the buyer will work with the City on access to the storm water pond on Lot 2. Mayor Dains closed the Public Hearing at 8:17 p.m. Discussion Items: Luther Seminary Plat Mayor Dains asked John Herman about the "open space" concept which Herman responded that there are no specific plans by the Seminary for the area but there is a "diversity of housing choices" which the Seminary can explore. Herman stated the Trust for Public Land and they informed the Seminary there could be "legacy amendment" funds available to explore this area further. Councilor Mac Lean moved to authorize staff to prepare a resolution for preliminary plat approval. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Eureka Recycling Contract Bownik provided an overview on changes to the contract. Eureka has a new sorting system which will allow residents to put all recycling into one bin without separation. He stated recycling pick-up should continue on a weekly basis with the possibility of adding compost pick- up. Eureka will be adding new vehicles to the route which means the blue bins will be replaced with carts sometime during the spring of 2015. The recycling fees will stay at their current levels until the spring of 2015 in which the costs to the City will be lower. The larger sized carts and the new sorting system will allow for adding the recycling of plastics labeled numbers 4, 5 and 7. Chris Goodwin of Eureka joined the discussion. Lauderdale will apply to Ramsey County for a grant to help pay for the new containers. A final agreement on the Recycling Contract will be agreed to at a future Council Meeting. 2015 Preliminary Levy and Budget Butkowski presented information to the Council about the preliminary budget which does not increase the City levy. Butkowski stated the Conduit Debt for the Eldercare project will add $90,000 to City revenue and will be added to specific City funds which the Council decides. Butkowski stated the preliminary levy cannot be increased after being set by the Council. The Council will keep the levy at the present $495,000 with the conduit bond revenue making up for increased expenditures. Butkowski stated the Council will need to set the preliminary levy at the September 23 meeting. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 4 of 4 September 9, 2014 License agreement with the owners of 1773 Fulham for a retaining wall and fence Butkowski introduced a draft license agreement for a replacement retaining wall and fence at 1773 Fulham Street. Councilor Hawkinson moved to adopt the License Agreement for Retaining Wall and Fence as presented. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Additional Items: Stray Cats Councilor Mac Lean added this item to the agenda. Mac Lean stated she has seen a number of cats in the Eustis and Spring Street area. Other Councilors stated they are getting complaints about feral cats as well. Police Chief John Ohl was in attendance and stated the SAPD was happy to work with the City on this issue but there aren't the resources within the Police Department to handle strays as it costs $500.00 per cat to process them. Agenda items for the September 23 Council Meeting may include the 2015 budget and preliminary levy, Luther Seminary final plat and the July Finances and Quarterly Investment Report. 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. Ruth Knutson of Pleasant Street came forward to address the Council. Knutson stated she was having trouble with her neighbor's dogs barking in the middle of the night along with other concerns which include a garbage bin which is overfilled and attracting animals. Knutson said she has spoken to City Hall and the Police Department about her concerns. There being no further business on the council agenda, Councilor Mac Lean moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Kelly Deputy City Clerk