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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/08/2011LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 2 February 8, 2011 Mayor Dains called the City Council meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Councilors present: Mary Gaasch, Roxanne Grove, Denise Hawkinson, Lara Mac Lean, and Mayor Jeff Dains. Councilors absent: none. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City Administrator. Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. There being none, Councilor Mac Lean moved to approve the agenda. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson moved to approve the January 25, 2011, City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Mac Lean moved approval of the claims totaling $66,055.74. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Dains asked if anyone in attendance wished to address the Council. Harvey Skow, 1931 Carl Street, addressed the Council. He questioned the city's prosecuting attorney's opinion that the city's civil attorney did not make false statements. Mayor Dains said the attorney provided her opinion and there was nothing further to discuss. Councilor Gaasch thanked Skow for his comments but noted that he had exceeded the time allotted for public input. Mayor Dains asked if councilors wished to remove items from the consent agenda. There being no one, Councilor Hawkinson moved the consent agenda item: 2011 HVAC and garbage hauler licenses. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Bownik reported on preparation of a CDBG grant application for playground equipment. In order to submit the application, the Council must adopt a resolution in support of the project. Councilor Gaasch moved to adopt Resolution 020811A — A Resolution Authorizing Application for CDBG Funds for Phase II Playground Improvements at Lauderdale Community Park. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Previously, the Council discussed whether to hire a consultant to prepare market research for a municipal liquor store in Lauderdale. Staff solicited two quotes. One quote was for a full report totaling $6,500. The other group offered to perform the research and report back to the Council LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 2 without writing a full report for $2,300. If the Council moved ahead with the project or financing, a full report would be drafted. Councilor Hawkinson moved to hire Bonestroo to perform market research for a municipal liquor store in Lauderdale at a cost of $2,300. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Last year the Council hired Bonestroo to help rewrite the City's zoning ordinance in response to changes in the Comprehensive Plan. Shortly thereafter, a court decision left doubt as to whether cities can issue variances. In light of this, staff felt the Council should discuss whether they want to continue the revision process or wait until the legislature reaches a decision. Councilor Hawkinson moved to table the ordinance update until the end of the legislative session unless the legislature clarifies city zoning and variance authority first. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The City Council discussed the status of the Park and Community Involvement Committee (PLIC) as the committee has not been able to maintain full membership recently. The Council also discussed the extent to which staff time is needed to supplement volunteer time. The Council and staff discussed ways that may cut down on the overall amount of time needed for city events and changing them to reflect the interests of the community. Staff said they would prepare a survey for the next newsletter and discuss the Council's ideas with the PCIC. Butkowski reviewed the preliminary agenda for the next meeting, which included a discussion of the upcoming police contract renewal and purchase of a replacement tractor. Mayor Dains explained the Council was moving into the work session. Work sessions are a continuation of the meetings but not aired on community television. The Council discussed ordinance Title 1, Chapter 5 regarding city officials. The Council discussed the need to tweak the ordinance to reflect the way the Council conducts business. This included a discussion of the best time for which to allow public comment. Staff will update the ordinance based on suggestions and bring it to the next meeting for further discussion. 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 8:44 p.m. Respectfully submitted, K A ether �utkowski City Administrator