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Home My WebLink About02/26/2013LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 February 26, 2013 Mayor Pro Tem Gaasch called the City Council meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. Councilors present: Mayor Pro Tem Mary Gaasch, Roxanne Grove, and Denise Hawkinson. Councilors absent: 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 Pro Tem Gaasch asked for changes to the meeting agenda. Butkowski added to the agenda a resolution regarding the state sales tax. Councilors approved the agenda as amended. Councilor Hawkinson moved to approve the February 12, 2013, City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved approval of the claims totaling $28,345.10. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved to acknowledge the January finances. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Informational Presentations/Reports: Annual Police Report by St. Anthony Police Chief John Ohl Chief Ohl gave the 2012 Police Report to the Council. He stated he received many positive letters from Lauderdale residents which were included in the report. Chief Ohl stated the Police Department has built a good relationship with residents and the City Council. Chief Ohl reported that Part I crimes, which include burglary and more serious crimes, were down in 2012. Part 11 crimes were also slightly lower in 2012. There were 413 arrests and 112 cases referred for investigation. Of the 112 cases, 58 were cleared. Officers had 1,432.5 hours of training in 2012 and volunteer reserve officers contributed an additional 1,581 hours to the St. Anthony Police Department. Discussion Items: Sanitary Sewer Lining Project — Presentation by the City Engineer Darren Amundsen, City Engineer, presented the sewer lining project plan to the Council. Amundsen stated that some of the sanitary sewer lines were televised, and due to their age, need lining to ensure their longevity. The televising showed there was ground water infiltration, roots, LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 February 26, 2013 protruding taps, and some cracks in the sewer lines. The project will have a completion date of October 1. City streets will not have to be dug up as the lining work is done through the sewer line man holes. The contractor will be given three weeks to complete the project. The sewer lines which will be lined include: the Fulham / Lake Street alley from Ione Street to Summer Street, Eustis Street from Larpenteur Avenue to Roselawn Avenue and the line which runs under TH280. Councilor Grove moved to direct the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications and to bid the 2013 sanitary sewer lining project. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Fund Balance Transfer Each year the Council transfers General Revenue funds in excess of 60% of the next year's operating budget to capital improvement funds. The audit was recently completed and the auditor identified $128,024 that the Council can dedicate to future capital purchases. Staff suggested dividing the money between the Street Improvement (25%), Park Improvement (25%) and General Capital Improvement (50%) funds based on the Capital Improvement Plan. Councilor Hawkinson moved to adopt Resolution 022613A — A Resolution Depositing the Excess Unreserved Fund Balance in Capital Improvement Funds. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Additional Items: Resolution Supporting Legislation Exempting Cities and Counties from Paying Sales Tax The City paid approximately $4,280 in sales taxes in 2012. The Governor's budget proposal could see sales taxes increase for the City. Supporting the legislation exempting cities from paying sales tax would save local tax payers money and mitigate any increases proposed by the Governor. Councilor Hawkinson moved to adopt Resolution 022613B - A Resolution Supporting Legislation to Exempt Cities and Counties from Paying the State Sales Tax. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Agenda items for the March 5 Council meeting will include consent business and a presentation by a Boy Scout working to achieve Eagle status. The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan hearing set for March 12 has been rescheduled for the April 9 council meeting. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 February 26, 2013 Mayor Pro Tem Gaasch explained the Council was moving into the work session. Work sessions are a continuation of the meeting but not aired on community television. The Mayor Pro Tem asked if anyone present wished to address the Council. No one present addressed the Council. Work Session: Animal Control Ordinance Discussion — Keeping of Nontraditional Pets Mayor Pro Tem Gaasch opened the floor for a community conversation. Gail Strain of 1803 Fulham Street addressed the council. Strain stated that dogs in the City should be restrained in an uncontrolled environment. The Council asked staff to do further research on the keeping of rabbits. The Council discussed a ban on roosters within the city and to ban the feeding of feral animals which have been a problem. 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 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Kelly Deputy City Clerk