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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/27/2010LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 July 27, 2010 Mayor Dains called the City Council meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilors present: Mary Gaasch, Denise Hawkinson, Roxanne Grove, Lara Mac Lean, and Mayor Jeff Dains. Councilors absent: none. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator. Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. Butkowski said the city attorney would not be present for a closed session meeting. Councilor Mac Lean moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Mac Lean moved to approve the July 13, 2010, City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson moved approval of the claims totaling $27,764.25. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Dains asked if members of the public wished to address the Council. No one present wished to do so. Mayor Dains asked if councilors wished to remove items from the consent agenda. There being no one, Councilor Mac Lean moved the consent agenda approving the bond interest payment totaling $19,888.75 and acknowledging the second quarter investment report. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Butkowski reported on plans for Minnesota Night to Unite. Six blocks signed up to host parties, which was down from the previous year when 10 blocks participated. Police officers, firefighters, and city officials will visit parties throughout the night. The City has participated in the Livable Communities Program since 1996. Since then the City received money for the rehabilitation of the area that is now Boyer Motor and Hamline Autobody among other planning grants. The Council may participate in the Livable Communities Program through 2020 by adopting the resolution provided in the council packet. The resolution commits the City to the affordable housing goal of 23 to 35 new units and 35 to 90 new units of lifecycle housing. Ultimately, it was in the interest of the City to participate to remain eligible for the Livable Communities dollars should the need arise. Councilor Mac Lean moved to adopt resolution 072710A — A Resolution Electing to Continue Participating in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under the LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 Metropolitan Livable Communities Act from 2010 to 2020. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Staff from Abdo, Eick, and Meyers has performed the city's audits for a number of years. They submitted one and three quotes for council consideration. The three year agreement offered discounts that result in $990 in savings over three years. Councilor Hawkinson moved to enter into a three-year agreement with Abdo, Eick, and Meyers for auditing services. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The past two years the Council has purchased accident insurance for city volunteers including those that serve on the PLIC. The attached quote for basic accident coverage and the optional medical benefit totals $291.00. Councilor Mac Lean moved to purchase accident insurance for city volunteers through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust per the attached quote. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Butkowski reviewed the preliminary agenda for the next meeting, which will include a budget update and a closed session meeting with the city attorney regarding current litigation. Mayor Dains explained the Council was moving into the work session. Work sessions are a continuation of the council meetings but not aired on community television. The Council reviewed the preliminary 2011 budget numbers presented by staff. Butkowski noted there are many "ifs" right now as local government aid, fiscal disparities, and market value homestead credit numbers are still being finalized and they are the driving forces that determine what the City must levy to continue providing the same level of services. She said many of the big ticket expenditures for 2011 are known as the city's contract for police service extends through 2011 and the union agreement for 2010-2011 included no wage increases. The Council discussed the items within the budget that are discretionary such as alley plowing, city events, and the ice rinks and warming house. The Council wants to keep those items as they are key quality of life services and eliminating them does not result in significant savings. The Council also discussed the renewal of the police contract for 2012 and options for reducing public safety costs. Staff will update the Council on the budget development at each August meeting. The preliminary levy will need to be set no later than the September 14 council meeting. As a city of less than 2,500 in population, levy limits do not apply. The levy the Council establishes in September may not be increased; it may be decreased prior to final levy adoption in December. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 There being no further business on the council agenda, Councilor Mac Lean moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heather ut owski City Administrator