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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/2010LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 September 14, 2010 Mayor Dains called the City Council meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Councilors present: Mary Gaasch, Denise Hawkinson, Roxanne Grove, and Mayor Jeff Dains. Councilors absent: Lara Mac Lean. 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 Hawkinson moved to approve the agenda. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved to approve the August 24, 2010, City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson moved approval of claims totaling $95,211.05. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Dains asked if members of the public wished to address the Council. Allanna Skoogman, 1887 Malvern Street, expressed concern regarding a proposed asphalt plant in Roseville and the impact it may have on Lauderdale. Mayor Dains asked if councilors wished to remove items from the consent agenda. There being no one, Councilor Gaasch moved the consent agenda approving a 2011 rental housing license and social room policy revisions. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Mac Lean arrived at 7:50 p.m. Bownik informed the Council that the City received notice to proceed from the County, which means the playground equipment can be ordered. The HUD funded grant is for $60,000, which is about $10,000 short of the amount needed to replace the large structure. The Council discussed whether to spend the additional money on the equipment. The consensus was that spending $10,000 to get $70,000 worth of playground equipment was a good value. Councilor Hawkinson moved to direct staff to order the playground equipment as quoted from MN/WI Playground in an amount not to exceed $75,000. 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 Councilors previously suggested reusing the older playground equipment at the Ione/Walnut Park. Staff received a quote for $13,988 from MN/WI Playground to move and reinstall the playground equipment. Staff would be responsible for excavating the area. Councilors expressed a strong interest in bringing an active use to the area, but directed staff to invite the adjacent property owners to the next meeting for input. The Councif took a five minute break. The Council discussed the proposed Bituminous Roadways' asphalt plant in Roseville. Councilor Gaasch felt the plant would adversely affect quality of life and that there was no benefit to Lauderdale of such a plant. The other councilors agreed. Councilors directed staff to send a letter to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on behalf of the Council. Councilors and Skoogman discussed whether a petition effort would be effective. Skoogman said she would contact city staff regarding the matter. The Council discussed the state of the economy and the impact the city levy has on residents. The Mayor said the City could not increase taxes enough to make up for the $128,895 loss in aids and credits in 2010, but he proposed a small increase in the levy to make up for part of it. Councilors discussed wanting to continue providing quality of life services, maintain a vibrant community, and be a good community to raise children. The Council settled on raising the property taxes on the local tax base by 2.5% which results in an overall levy increase of 1.57%. Councilor Hawkinson moved to adopt resolution 091410A — A Resolution Levying Taxes for 2010 Payable in 2011 in the amount of $580,730 and establishing December 14, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. as the date and time of the Truth in Taxation Hearing. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Council discussed options for a kiosk in Community Park. After reviewing the three proposals, the Council decided not to select one at this time due to budget constraints. Last year, the Council paid off the 2000A bond series. The 2002A bonds are currently callable. The City will have adequate funds to pay off the bond early in 2011. If the Council would like to proceed with bond repayment, the city's financial advisor and bond council need to prepare the documents necessary. Councilor Hawkinson moved to direct staff to,work with Ehlers and Briggs and Morgan to prepare documents needed to call the 2002A bond series. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed with Councilors Gaasch, Grove, Hawkinson and Mayor Dains voting yea and Councilor Mac Lean voting nay. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 Butkowski reviewed the preliminary agenda for the next meeting, which included a discussion on sewer finances and rates and public input regarding the installation of playground equipment at the Walnut/Ione Park. 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. Butkowski summarized what the Council has learned about municipal liquor stores. Primarily, the City meets the statuary requirements to operate a store, well run and located stores are profitable, and they are not a public safety burden. The City has not completed a market study to determine the feasibility of a store in Lauderdale. The cost of a study is approximately $6,500. Mike Larson, manager of St. Anthony Village Liquor, offered to provide the Council a tour of their operations before the next meeting. They accepted the offer and will meet with Larson at 6:00 p.m. on September 28. 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 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heather Butkowski City Administrator