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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/28/2009LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 t Page 1 of 4 r ! y July 28, 2009 Mayor Dains called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilors present: Clay Christensen, Karen Doherty, Lara Mac Lean, Denise Hawkinson, and Mayor Jeff Dains. 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 Christensen moved approval of the June 23, 2009, City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. f Mayor Dains asked the councilors if they had questions regarding the claims. Councilors` Mac Lean, Doherty, and Hawkinson asked about the payment to Mn/DOT. Butkowski said that was the city's contribution to the traffic and emergency lighting system on the new TH280 Bridge. Councilor Hawkinson moved approval of the claims totaling $124,495.46. 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 wished to address the Council. Mayor Dains asked if councilors wished to remove items from the consent agenda. There being none, Councilor Christensen moved the consent agenda approving the Boner; interest payment totaling $32,845; PCIC minutes; city administrator step increase; second quarter investment report; and donations from the Lions Club for Day in the Park. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Y Mayor Dains announced the public hearing for the proposed ordinance changing city ; `E elections from odd to even years. If adopted, the seats of councilors elected in 2007 would extend to 2012, the seats of councilors elected in 2009 would extend to 2014, and the seat of mayor would extend to 2012. He told the audience the change was a cost saving measure. Mayor Dains opened the public hearing at 7:36 p.in. No one presented wished to speak. The public hearing closed at 7:37 p.m. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 4 Councilor Doherty moved to adopt Ordinance 09-03 amending Section 1-6 of the Code of Ordinances regarding elections. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Bownik reported on Minnesota's 1St Annual Night to Unite, which was previously known as National Night Out. Nine block parties registered and St. Anthony Police would be dropping off party supplies before the end of the week. Additionally, Congresswoman Betty McCollum will be visiting parties within Lauderdale. Butkowski said $38,223 had been unallotted from the City for 2009. She recommended the Council forego the budgeted transfer of $43,118 to the Park Fund (404) for 2009 to offset the loss. A resolution is necessary to amend the budget. Councilor Hawkinson moved to adopt resolution 072809A — a resolution amending the 2009 adopted budget. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed,i ' unanimously. Bownik reminded the Council that they had approved a purchase agreement with V. Matheny at the last council meeting for the former lift station property on Walnut Street. A contingency of the purchase agreement was the consolidation of the lots. This is done by resolution; Bownik prepared a resolution for the Council to consider. Councilor Mac Lean moved to adopt resolution 072809B — a resolution supporting the application for consolidation of two properties in Lauderdale. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Amlually, the City Council must decide whether or not they will waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability. The City has not waived the limits in the past as it exposes the City to greater financial liability. Additionally, the City received a quote from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) for workers compensation insurancerfor;'' 2008-2009. The quote covers staff, elected officials, and city volunteers and factors a deductible of $2,500. Councilor Christensen moved not to waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by MS 466.04 and not purchase additional excess liability coverage. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Doherty moved to purchase workers compensation insurance from the LMCIT for staff, volunteers, and elected officials based on the attached quote. Councilor Christensen seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 4 Butkowski said that in spite of most capital projects being put on hold for 2009, public works staff felt the warming house roof needed to be repaired. They contacted three businesses for quotes and two replied. Hinck Construction provided a quote for $4,990 and Superior Roofing Construction for $6,640. Councilor Christensen moved to accept the Superior Roofing quote for removal;and replacement of the warming house roof as it was a professional and complete proposal that included a ten year warranty on labor and materials. Councilor Doherty seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Lisa Abernathy, Falcon Heights Park and Recreation Supervisor, recently visited City Hall and was impressed by the social room space. She asked if the City Council would be willing to let Falcon Heights use the room for an adult yoga class this fall. In exchange, Lauderdale residents may attend the class for the same price as Falcon Heights residents. The agreement included in the packet addresses liability issues and was reviewed by LMCIT. Councilor Hawkinson moved to approve the Recreation Agreement with the City of Falcon Heights as presented. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Butkowski explained to the Council that the League of Minnesota Cities successfuliy'�'` lobbied this legislative session for a change to the liquor laws. Cities no longer need to, license public facility users who provide alcohol at their events, so long as it is no=t sold. The Council is being asked to address this change taking effect August 1 in light of a request to have alcohol in the park on August 8. Mayor Dains expressed concerns about allowing alcohol in the park. Councilor Doherty said the Council has allowed groups to consume alcohol in the park in the past and approving this request would continue that precedent. Mayor Dains suggested discussing the issue further and allowing for public comment. Staff will bring more information to the Council in future meetings on the topic. Councilor Doherty moved to allow Wieke Dahl to consume alcohol in the park on August 8. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion. Butkowski asked the Council to clarify what types of alcohol she would be allowed to consume in the park. Councilor Mac Lean offered a friendly amendment limiting the alcohol to beer and: wine. Councilor Doherty accepted the amendment with Councilors Mac Lean, Hawkinson, Doherty, and Christensen voting yes, and Mayor Dains voting no. 4 LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 4 of 4 At the previous meeting, the Council asked staff to generate ideas for park signage to address the issues brought forward at the park forum in June. The Council reviewed the.. sign and offered suggestions for clarity. Councilor Mac Lean moved to approve the park signage language as discussed. Councilor Doherty seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Butkowski suggested a goal setting date of August 11, so the goals could be included in the 2010 budget. Councilor Mac Lean moved to hold the annual goal setting session on August 11 at 5:30 p.m. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Mayor acknowledged the list of agenda items for the next meeting which included a discussion of the TIF district and the goal setting session. 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. J The Council took a break from 8:25 to 8:30. The Council looked at the preliminary budget figures. The sewer enterprise funds are projected to run at a deficit for 2010. The Council discussed the need to review the sewer, rates. They also discussed a modest levy increase may be necessary to cover unexpected costs due to emerald ash borer. There being no further business on the council agenda, Councilor Doherty moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Christensen seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heather Butkowski City Administrator