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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/09/2013LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 July 9, 2013 Mayor Dains called the City Council meeting to order at 7:33 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. Butkowski added a Music under the Trees update, an additional claim for the newsletter postage, a park use application, and the Larpenteur Avenue pedestrian project. Mayor Dains added a discussion of Detroit, Michigan. Councilor Grove moved to approve the amended agenda. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Gaasch moved to approve the June 25, 2013 City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson moved approval of the claims totaling $99,241.25 plus $500 for newsletter postage. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved adoption of the Consent Agenda approving two park use applications. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Informational Presentation: Bownik noted the final Music under the Trees event would be held on July 15 with Blue Stratum performing. The Falcon Heights -Lauderdale Lions Club sponsored the music this year. Schwan's would also be providing frozen treats at the event. Discussion /Action Items: Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal and Tort Liability Waiver Councilor Mac Lean moved to not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by MS 466.04 and purchase workers' compensation insurance from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust per the attached quote based on a $2,500.00 deductible. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 July 9, 2013 Tree Inventory Intern Position The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) is looking to improve its collection of information on the natural resources of the watershed district. As part of this initiative the MWMO has funding available for a tree inventory to be completed on all the public land within the City. Staff created a job description and will post the position for hire. The City hopes to hire a tree inventory intern soon so the inventory can be concluded before the school year begins. The City may need to purchase GPS equipment for the intern. Councilor Gaasch moved to approve the job description and authorized staff to evaluate candidates for the tree inventory intern position. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Additional Items: Larpenteur Avenue Pedestrian Project The survey of the north side of Larpenteur Avenue from Eustis to Fulham Streets will be completed soon. The Council will need to approve the project after receiving the complete information and plans for the sidewalk. The project may be ready for bidding in September. The plan is to provide the contractor the option of completing the work this year or in spring. Staff is still working with Croix Oil on aspects of their rebuilding project. Detroit, Michigan Situation Mayor Dains mentioned a recent article in the New York Times regarding the poor economic condition of the city of Detroit. He said he was still concerned about Lauderdale's future and the future of state aid to the. City. Agenda items for the July 23 Council Meeting may include a discussion of the Animal Control Ordinance, the 2014 budget, 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. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 July 9, 2013 2014 Budget Discussion The City's tax increment financing (TIF) district will twilight at the end of 2013. The market value from City Gables and the Rosehill Townhomes will go back onto the tax rolls. Instead of receiving $160,000 per year in TIF funding, the City will receive $40,000 a year in general revenue funds. The policy question for the Council will be how to adjust the levy and tax rate based on the change in market value. The Council has identified projects that don't yet have a funding source. Holding the tax rate the same will allow the Council to set aside about $40,000 for those projects. Alternatively, the Council can hold the levy flat (decreasing the tax rate) and use the money to do a small tax decrease. Council members expressed interest in saving the funds to build a reserve pool for long-term residential and commercial development projects. 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 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, r Kevin Kelly Deputy City Clerk