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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/13/2014LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 4 May 13, 2014 Mayor Dains called the City Council meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. 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 to the City Administrator; and Kevin Kelly, Deputy City Clerk. Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. There being none, Councilor Grove moved to approve the agenda. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Mac Lean moved to approve the April 22, 2014 City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved approval of the claims totaling $120,128.77. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Mac Lean moved approval of the Consent Agenda which included the PCIC Minutes, F Investment Report, Public Entity Innovations Grant Application, Resolution 051314B Establishing an Absentee Ballot Board, and the purchase of fire hydrant markers. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Special Recognition - Peace Officers Recognition Week The Mayor and Council expressed their appreciation for the services of the St. Anthony Police Department and lauded them for being one of the best forces in the metro. Councilor Mac Lean moved to adopt Resolution 051314A. A Resolution to Recognize and Proclaim Police Week in the City of Lauderdale. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Informational Presentation. -Annual City -Wide Garage Sale Bownik presented information on the City -Wide garage sale which will be being held on May 17 starting at 8:00 a.m. Public Hearing - Annual MS4 Public Hearing A Public Hearing is held annually to allow the public to comment on the City's storm water management program. The City program covers everything from education and outreach to violation enforcement. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 4 May 13, 2014 Mayor Dains opened the public hearing at 7:43 p.m. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed at 7:44 p.m. Public Hearing - Tobacco Ordinance Butkowski stated that the draft tobacco ordinance reflects the changes recommended by the City Council at the first meeting in April. This public hearing afforded affected persons one last opportunity to comment on the ordinance before adoption. Mayor Dains opened the public hearing at 7:50 p.m. Katie Engman from the Association of Non - Smokers Minnesota thanked the Council for preventing addiction by working to keep tobacco out of the hands of children. Engman credited the Council with setting penalties above the State minimums. Mayor Dains closed the public hearing at 7:52 p.m. Discussion Items Music under the Trees and City Sponsored Farmers Market Bownik stated that Music under the Trees will be held on July 17 in coordination with a farmers market being organized by PCIC member Susie Zahratka. To get the farmers market off the ground, staff was seeking Council approval to have the City sponsor all three markets this year. Zahratka plans to organize an independent board to run the farmers market next year. Councilor Grove praised the work of the PCIC and the energy brought by the new board members. Councilor Gaasch moved to authorize the farmers markets as City -sanctioned events for 2014. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Social Media Policy Staff has long discussed the merits of having a social media presence like a Facebook page. The issue is devoting enough staff time to make it successful. Recently, Susie Zahratka of the PCIC volunteered to take on that responsibility. As the City is subject to laws that private citizens are not, staff prepared a social media policy for Council consideration. Councilor Gaasch moved to adopt the Social Media Policy as presented. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 4 May 13, 2014 Agenda items for the May 27 Council Meeting may include a discussion of the future use of 2430 Larpenteur Avenue and a presentation from Cor Wilson of the North Suburban Cable Commission regarding the franchise renewal with Comcast. 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. Work Session: Owner of Best Pawn, Larry Kasella Larry Kasella addressed the Council and provided information regarding his business. He plans to lease or purchase the building at 2520 Larpenteur Avenue. Kasella said he has been in business for 15 years. He reasoned that Best Pawn is the ultimate recycler as 99% of the merchandise they sell is used. Mayor Dains explained that three residents have called in opposition to a pawn shop opening in the City. Councilor Mac Lean was concerned with security and Kasella responded that Best Pawn follows the letter of the law in regard to recording transactions. Councilor Gaasch commented on the quality of references and the overall material in the packet but expressed concern that a pawn shop could increase policing costs. Kasella stated if the City Council allowed Best Pawn in the City, the Rapit Print building would house on-line sales and be additional warehouse and office space for Best Pawn. The Council thanked Kasella for his presentation. Co -Owner of Gentleman Scholar Distillery, Jon Bohlinger Butkowski stated that Gentleman Scholar (GS) is leasing property owned by Bolger Printing with the plan to start a micro distillery. Jon Bohlinger was present at the meeting to discuss their plans and introduce the Council to their company. Bohlinger said that GS has been a company for a year and there are 14 other micro distilleries in the state, three of which are in operation. GS is currently in the process of getting its federal permit, and when it's secured, it will apply for the Minnesota permit. GS will produce gin and vodka at first and may produce Whiskey in the future. GS is hoping to start production in July. Bohlinger stated the base grain of the alcohol will be milled corn. GS will purchase blank spirits for distillation into gin and vodka. This means they will not have stored grains on site. After a few more questions, the Council thanked Bohlinger for his presentation and wished him luck. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 4 of 4 May 13, 2014 Community Development and Sewer Lining Project update Butkowski stated the sewer lining project is moving forward. She also stated that Corval (1633 Eustis) removed a number of trees on the northern edge of their property to re -pave and improve their parking lot. Butkowski also stated that city consultant Paul Bilotta left Stantec to take a position with the City of Roseville. There being no further business on the council agenda, Councilor Gaasch moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m. Ressppectfull submitted, Kevin Kelly Deputy City Clerk