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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/27/2013LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 August 27, 2013 Mayor Dains called the City Council meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. Councilors present: Mary Gaasch, Roxanne Grove, Denise Hawkinson, Lara Mac Lean and Mayor Jeff Dains. 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. No changes were made to the agenda. Councilor Hawkinson moved to approve the agenda. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved to approve the August 13, 2013 City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson moved approval of the claims totaling $37,436.48. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Gaasch moved to approve the consent agenda approving the July Financial Report and the deputy clerk step increase. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Dains mentioned the successful Day in the Park event which was held on August 16. The family of Mary Croteau dedicated a bench in her memory. Mary was a longtime city volunteer and her family was present for the dedication. The bench will be used in the tennis court. Councilors also thanked Jim Bownik for all his work in coordinating the Day in the Park event and activities. Discussion Items: 2014 Budget and Levy Butkowski presented factors that affected the proposed budget. Those factors included an increase of $18,000 in Local Government Aid, a $1,000 decrease in Fiscal Disparities funding, and an increase of $15,000 in the police services contract. Another cost will be payment to Ramsey County for an upgrade of election equipment. The proposed budget balanced with a two -percent levy increase. The Council discussed ways to bring that down to a one -percent increase. Butkowski said the Council could pay for the election LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 August 27, 2013 equipment over time, thereby decreasing the levy. The Council suggested this was reasonable and directed staff to prepare a budget showing a one -percent levy increase. Sanitary Sewer Lining Butkowski reported the Highway 280 portion of the lining project was completed last week. The sewer lines between Fulham and Lake Streets and Eustis Street have been worked on this week which leaves three areas which cannot be lined in their current condition. The city engineer is considering options. To keep the process moving forward, staff asked for permission to authorize a survey of the easement area, if needed, and to secure temporary construction easements, if needed. Councilor Grove moved to authorize a survey and directed staff to enter into temporary construction easements as needed for the sanitary sewer lining project. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Agenda items for the September 10 Council Meeting may include a discussion of two different lot consolidation applications, appointment to the St. Paul Regional Water Board, the 2014 budget and levy, and the Larpenteur Avenue pedestrian project. 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: Larpenteur Avenue Pedestrian Improvement Project Geoff Martin and Paul Bilotta from Stantec produced the latest design changes to the project. These changes incorporated information which was gained from the survey work completed on the north side of Larpenteur Avenue to establish the right-of-way area. Martin summarized his understanding of work the Council is considering and asked for any changes or suggestions. Otherwise, civil engineers would begin drafting the construction documents for the project. The Council had no changes and directed Martin to move ahead with the preparation of construction documents for the work between TH280 and Eustis Street and Pleasant Street to Fulham Street. Butkowski and the Council discussed how to handle snow clearance for the proposed sidewalk along the north side of Larpenteur. The City will have to contract out the work as there is not LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 August 27, 2013 enough City staff to clean the sidewalks in a timely manner as alley plowing will remain the priority. Staff will look into how this may be handled. Mayor Dains stated he would invite the residents along Larpenteur Avenue to a future Council Meeting to discuss the plans for the Larpenteur Avenue project. The meeting went into closed session at 9:15 p.m. to discuss potential agreement with the property owners of the property at 2430 Larpenteur Avenue. The Council returned from the closed session at 9:36 p.m. The Mayor said the Council had decided not to lease or purchase the property at 2430 Larpenteur Avenue. 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 9:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Kelly Deputy City Clerk