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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/26/2013LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 2 March 26, 2013 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. Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. Mayor Dains added a report on the topics covered at the Joint Legislative Conference. Butkowski added a park use application. Councilor Mac Lean moved to approve the agenda as amended. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved to approve the March 5, 2013, City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Gaasch moved approval of the claims totaling $43,269.59. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved to acknowledge the finances for February 2013 and the PCIC minutes. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Informational Presentations /Reports Mayor Dains said he recently attended the Joint Legislative Conference hosted by the League of Minnesota Cities, the Minnesota School Board Association, the Association of Minnesota Counties, and the Minnesota Association of Townships. The conference highlighted the legislative efforts of those working on behalf of the City. He noted the likelihood of a local government aid bill passing this year. He also met with Representative Hausman along with Councilor Gaasch and Administrator Butkowski. She is on top of the issues affecting Lauderdale and regularly stays in touch with city staff. Proposal for Streetscaping Design Paul Bilotta, city planning consultant, addressed the Council. He highlighted the input councilors received from residents regarding the repurposing of the alley behind the BP gas station. The responses ranged from not supporting the idea due to loss of access to encouraging the reuse if it helped improve the commercial corridor. The Falcon Heights Fire Department weighed in on the concept recently. The alley is tight for bigger vehicles like fire engines and garbage trucks. They weren't opposed to repurposing the area but suggested the City work with the property owner to get a better turn radius for trucks. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 2 March 26, 2013 Councilor Gaasch moved to approve Phase 1 of the streetscaping proposal prepared by Stantec. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Council discussed the draft ordinance regarding fees for fire services. The Council supported charging responsible parties for the cost of fire service in the case of damage to utilities and chemical spills. They discussed whether to ask the same of those in motor vehicle accidents like Falcon Heights does. The Mayor asked whether the City could charge for calls for service if the accident was caused by criminal behavior. Butkowski said she would ask the city attorney for an opinion on that issue. Staff will continue to refine the draft based on council feedback and bring it back to a future meeting. Butkowski mentioned that Finn Sisu requested use of the picnic shelter at the park in April to host a demonstration of roller skis. Councilor Grove moved to approve Finn Sisu's application for use of the picnic shelter in Community Park on April 20. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Agenda items for the April 9 council meeting include the annual audit presentation, annual storm water presentation, street sweeping quotes, and memorial bench donation by the Croteau family. Mayor Dains 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 asked if anyone present wished to address the Council; no one did. Draft Animal Control Ordinance The Council reviewed the draft animal control ordinance prepared by staff. Staff attempted to incorporate the essence of previous council discussions. The Council asked staff to continue the revision process and further research mason bees, fencing for bees and chickens, location of chicken coops, and licensing terms. There being no further business on the council agenda, Councilor Gaasch moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, �Lk Heather But owski City Administrator