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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/24/2008LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Mayor Dains called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. Council members present: Lara Mac Lean, Denise Hawkinson, Karen Doherty, Clay Christensen, and Mayor Jeff Dains. Mayor Dains asked for any additions, deletions, or changes to the meeting agenda. Council member Christensen moved to approve the agenda. Council member Doherty seconded the motion and it carried. Council member Mac Lean moved approval of the June 10, 2008, City Council meeting minutes. Council member Doherty seconded the motion and it carried. Council member Hawkinson moved approval of the claims totaling $30,416.15. Council member Mac Lean provided the second and the motion carried. Mayor Dains asked if members of the public wished to address the Council. Ms. Jean Blat and Ms. Leslie Kratz appeared before the Council to express their desire to see the Council approve the dog park project. Ms. Kratz added that she visited the Columbia Heights dog park and indicated that is what they hope to see in Lauderdale. Heck provided an update on the sound wall. He said the wall is still on schedule and construction is planned to begin in late July / early August. Bownik advised the Council on the status of the park projects. He said the hockey rink is moving forward on schedule and the fence completion is planned for this week. Bownik told the Council the Music under the Trees event was attended by close to 200 people. The next event is in July and will feature the Fairlanes. Heck updated the Council on the discussions with Mr. and Ms. Schultz to resolve the issue of their front yard slope. Heck presented the Council a memorandum outlining the status of the debt service funds. There were no questions from the Council. Heck stated he spoke to Mr. Frazell of the League of Minnesota Cities and explained the situation. Heck told the Council that Mr. Frazell is willing to work with the Council on governance issues and roles should they choose to do so following the departure of the City Administrator. It was the consensus of the Council to hold off on the facilitation. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 Heck provided the Council with a letter of formal resignation as City Administrator for the City of Lauderdale. He indicated he is taking the position of City Administrator for the City of Shorewood. The Mayor and Council wished him well. Heck recommended appointing Heather Butkowski as the interim City Administrator, and if things work out, make her appointment official. Heck stated Heather has the necessary education and experience to qualify her for the position. Mayor Dains suggested the Council consider this issue at a future meeting. The Council suggested items for the next council meeting agenda. The items included comments on the Comprehensive Plan and possible discussion of the 2009 budget. The Council moved into the work session portion of the meeting. The Council discussed the 2009 park priorities and projects. Council member Doherty voiced her support for playground improvements indicating the Council discussed this prior and chose to do the hockey rink in 2008 and the playground in 2009. Council member Hawkinson liked the idea of paths or trails in the Walsh Lake area. Council member Mac Lean indicated the area is prone to.flooding and wondered if a path in the area is wise. Council member Christensen asked if there was information on the park improvement fund balance and what impact additional projects would have on the funds and proposed projects. Heck stated there is about $115,000 in the fund right now and estimated about $47,000 at the end of 2008 for use in 2009. He said adding a project in 2008 might impact the scope of projects in 2009 and beyond. After further discussion, mayor Dains summarized saying it appears the top three projects are a dog park, the playground, and warming house improvements. Heck added that staff will provide information on the current park fund balance, the current costs for the hockey rink and fencing, and an estimated ending balance for 2008 so the Council can decide if there are funds to complete additional projects in 2008. Heck outlined the memorandum and options discussed for redevelopment along Larpenteur Avenue. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to proceed on a two track process of talking to developers on the prospects of redeveloping the property and talking to the property owners about their willingness to participate in a development including selling their property. Council member Christensen moved to adjourn the meeting. Council member Doherty seconded the motion and the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brian W. Heck City Administrator