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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/08/2009LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 September 8, 2009 The Mayor called the City Council 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 Hawkinson moved to approve the agenda. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Mac Lean moved to approve the August 25, 2009, City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson asked how much Superior Roofing charged to replace rotted boards during the warming house roof project. Butkowski replied $62.50. Councilor Hawkinson moved approval of the claims totaling $82,115.00. Councilor Christensen 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'`fhere being none, Councilor Doherty moved the consent agenda approving a 2009 renta housing license. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Butkowski updated the Council on changes to the budget since the last meeting. Due to Council concerns over future unallotments and the impact of such things as emerald ash borer, the contingency fund was increased by $5,000 with the remaining funds budgeted for the zoning ordinance update, copier costs, and snow plowing. Mayor Dains pointed out that the Council made decisions to stop delivery of the Roseville Review, cut the hours of a previously full-time position, and changed the election schedule, which saves approximately $50,000 per year. Additionally, a budget transfer; to the park fund was eliminated in 2009, thereby retaining an additional $43,118 in the LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 general fund. These decisions covered almost three-quarters of the unallotted $126,419 in local government aid (LGA) in 2008 and 2009. Councilors expressed concerns over the on-going financial distress of the state and the impact that may have on the city. Councilors discussed the degree to which the leVy�wquld need to be raised to ensure the on-going delivery of services within the City without overly burdening residents. After considerable discussion, Councilor Christensen motioned to raise the net levy, 3.0% as presented in the council packet. Councilor Doherty seconded the motion. The motion passed with Councilors Mac Lean, Hawkinson, Doherty, and Christensen voting yes, and Mayor Dains voting no. Butkowski reminded the Council that overall, the general fund budget is 5% smaller than the previous year even with the 2.4% gross levy increase. Council Doherty reiterated that point by saying a 3% increase after a 10% loss of funding reflects the Council's effort to face the cuts in a reasonable way. Councilor Christensen moved to adopt resolution 090809A — A resolution levying taxes for 2009 payable in 2010 in the amount of $571,738 and establishing December, 8, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. as the date and time of the truth in taxation hearing. Co'uuc ior` Doherty seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Council reviewed the one, two, and three year agreements proposed by Abdo, :Fick, and Meyers (Abdo) for auditing services. Councilor Mac Lean moved to enter into a one year agreement with Abdo, Eick, and Meyers for auditing services as presented. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Mayor acknowledged the list of agenda items for the next meeting which included appointing election judges and establishing a compliance agreement with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture regarding the trimming and movement of ash trees. 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. Oi Chief Ohl attended the council meeting to discuss allowing dogs off -leash in the City Park. He said he thought it was an interesting idea and a great benefit to pet owners with,well- trained dogs. His concern was that not everyone who lets their dog off -leash will actually have absolute voice control. He made three suggestions to the City Council based on the initial proposal drafted by Councilors Hawkinson and Christensen: LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 ■ Define sight control so that it doesn't exceed a certain distance; ■ Provide the officers the discretion to issue warnings or citations to owners Who are unable to control their dog; and it ■ Specify that owners may not allow their dogs to approach others in the,park.r The Council discussed other issues that may occur if dogs are allowed off -leash such as too many dogs off -leash and establishing criteria or a means to test which dogs are under voice command. Some councilors expressed concern that the park is not large enough for both the dog park and an off -leash area in addition to the fact that some people are intimidated by the presence of dogs. Councilors Hawkinson and Christensen will revisit their original proposal in light of the conversation and Chief Ohl's suggestions. There being no further business on the council agenda, Councilor Christensenmoved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Doherty seconded the motion and it carried., The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heather Butkowski City Administrator