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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/24/2009LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Pagel of 3 February 24, 2009 Mayor Dains called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilors present: Karen Doherty, Clay Christensen, and Mayor Jeff Dains. Councilor Mac Lean arrived at 7:50 p.m. Councilor absent: Denise Hawkinson. 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 Christensen moved to approve the agenda. Councilor Doherty seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Doherty moved approval of the February 10, 2009, City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Christensen seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Dains asked the councilors if they had questions regarding the claims. There being none, Councilor Christensen moved approval of the claims totaling $34,023.01. Councilor Doherty 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 address the Council. Mayor Dains asked if councilors wished to remove items from the consent agenda. There being none, Councilor Doherty moved the consent agenda approving 2009 rental housing licenses, accepting a donation from the Lauderdale -Falcon Heights Lions for the March Dance, approving the summer Puppet Wagon program at a cost of $420, accepting a grant from the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board to purchase 800 MHz radios, and the PCIC minutes. Councilor Christensen seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Bownik reported on plans for the winter dance and dessert buffet being held from 7 — 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 5. Entertainment will be provided by the Jennifer Grimm Band with desserts donated by Baker's Square, the Finnish Bistro, and Good Earth Restaurant. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. Katrina Joseph, representing Hughes and Costello, the city's prosecuting law firm, addressed the Council. She explained options for issuing administrative citations for city ordinance and traffic violations. She said administrative citation programs have been popular as they keep petty -type misdemeanors such as rank growth out of criminal court. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 Joseph offered to help city staff create an administrative citation program. She said the violations to which the administrative citations apply need to be clearly delineated so as not to preempt state law and subvert due process. To that she added that an administrative hearing officer would be needed to hear appeals. Additionally, violators always retain the right to be heard in criminal court. In her conclusion she provided the Council.with background information from the state auditor and attorney general. Councilor Mac Lean arrived at 7:50 p.m. Annually, Police Chief John Ohl addresses the Council to review crime statistics and highlight officer activity. Among the items he noted from 2008 was a 211/o decrease in part 1 crimes and an overall decrease in calls for service. He noted the investigations department for their 71% clearance rate. Ohl said one department goal was to continue improving the professionalism of the office and provide officers the ability to grow in their positions. The officers logged 1,379 hours of training in 2008. 78% of that time was POST certified. He also highlighted the work of the volunteer reserve force as they worked 2,962 hours in 2008. Mayor Dains asked if the construction of the new TH280 Bridge or the economy would have an impact on crime. Chief Ohl replied that he had not yet seen any trends to that effect. Councilor Mac Lean asked if the 911 dispatching service had improved. Chief Ohl responded that Ramsey County was working on quality control issues and also planned to hire more staff. Mayor Dains thanked Chief Ohl for the excellent working relationship. He said it was very successful. Chief Ohl reminded viewers that openings remained for the next citizen's police academy class starting March 12. Mayor Dains asked if any items had been set for the next city council meeting. Butkowski responded that no items had yet been finalized. Mayor Dains explained the city council was moving into the work session. Work sessions are a continuation of the meetings but not aired on community television. Previously, the Council discussed whether additional crosswalks should be painted in the City. After discussing the issue, the Council decided to take a wait and see approach. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 They will discuss the issue again if staff receives community feedback on the need for intersection improvements. The Council reviewed staff's response to Duane Schwartz regarding the City of Roseville's request to connect PaCal's sewer service to Lauderdale's sewer line on the west side of TH280. The Council had no further suggestions. Butkowski explained that Roseville's attorney will draft the agreement which the Council will have the opportunity to take final action on before the agreement goes into effect. The floor was opened to councilors' comments in regard to the police contract which will be negotiated this year. Due to state aid issues impacting the city budget, the Council discussed such things as whether a one or two year contract was possible until the City was able to assess local government aid losses. Councilor Christensen addressed the City's promise to maintain 24-hour police services. Mayor Dains responded that when the City made that promise, it did not factor a situation driven by the poor economic conditions. Butkowski explained that a proposed contract was expected the first week of March and staff would bring that to the Council for further discussion. Councilor Christensen moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heather Butkowski City Administrator