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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/24/2015LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 November 24, 2015 Mayor Dains called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilors present: Mayor Jeff Dains, Mary Gaasch, and Denise Hawkinson. Councilors absent: Roxanne Grove and Lara Mac Lean. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant City Administrator; and Terry Berg, Deputy City Clerk. Others present: Gina Fiorini of Kennedy and Graven. Approvals Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. Mayor Dains requested the topic of proposed tax statements be added. Motion was made by Councilor Hawkinson to approve the agenda with the proposed tax statements topic added under Additional Items, seconded by Councilor Gaasch and carried unanimously. Councilor Gaasch moved to approve the City Council meeting minutes of November 10, 2015. Councilor Hawkinson seconded the motion and carried unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson moved and seconded by Councilor Gaasch to approve the claims totaling $28,201.08. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Mayor Dains asked if any Councilors wished to remove items from the Consent Agenda. City Administrator Butkowski noted that the Publication by Summary requires a 4/5 vote, so the item would need to be removed. Councilor Gaasch moved and seconded by Councilor Hawkinson to approve the amended Consent Agenda thereby approving the Hiring of Seasonal Skating Rink/Waiming House Staff, Final Pay Request for Larpenteur Avenue Project, and October Financial Report. Motion carried unanimously. Public Hearings A. Benedictine Health Systems Conduit Financing — Resolution 112415A Mayor Dains introduced the conduit financing for Benedictine Health Systems. Gina Fiorini of Kennedy and Graven addressed the city council regarding the public hearing for conduit financing for Benedictine Health System. Conduit financing does not create a liability or exposure for the City but allows the Borrower to issue tax exempt debt. Ms. Fiorini noted that the revenue notes were intended to be issued before the end of calendar year 2015 but the closing has been rescheduled to January 2016 in order for the Borrower to resolve certain land sale issues. Once these issues have been resolved, the City Council will need to grant final approval for the documents. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 November 24, 2015 Kevin Rymanowski, Chief Financial Officer for Benedictine Health System, and Eric Lunde, Managing Director of Piper Jaffray and Company, were in attendance to answer any questions. Mayor Dains opened the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. There being no public comment, Mayor Dains closed the public hearing at 7:39 p.m. Motion was made by Councilor Hawkinson and seconded by Councilor Gaasch to adopt Resolution 112415A Regarding the Issuance of Revenue Notes for the Benefit of Benedictine Health System and its Affiliates. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Discussion / Action Items A. Resolution 112415B Establishing 2016 Rates for Sanitary Sewer, Storm Water and Recycling City Administrator Butkowski highlighted the discussion from the November 10 council meeting for increasing the utility rates for 2016. Motion was made by Councilor Gaasch and seconded by Councilor Hawkinson to adopt Resolution 112415B Establishing 2016 Rates for Sanitary Sewer, Storm Water and Recycling as presented. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. B. Minnesota Commercial Rail Request for Support City Administrator Butkowski reviewed a previous meeting with the City of St Paul, Minnesota Commercial Rail, and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) regarding the Como Avenue bridge condition. A loan was provided to Minnesota Commercial Rail by MnDOT to make the necessary repairs. The owner, John Gohmann, of Minnesota Commercial Rail has made a request for support to have their MnDOT loan forgiven. Discussion ensued with points being what Lauderdale businesses are served, the threat of litigation, and question of bridge ownership. Council directed the city administrator to contact the League of Minnesota Cities. Additional Items A. Proposed 2016 Tax Statements Mayor Dains began the discussion by noting that proposed property tax increases range from I% to 16% for 2016. Administrator Butkowski reported that the City had contacted Ramsey County's residential assessor, who will research and provide information for the Truth in Taxation discussion for the December 8 council meeting. City administrator noted the next meeting may include the 2016 Budget and Levy, Minnesota Commercial Rail Request for Support, and Publication by Summary of CenturyLink Cable Franchise Ordinance. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 Work Session A. Public Comment. None. November 24, 2015 B. Community Update Ehlers has contacted the realtor for the Chinese Christian Church on several occasions with no response. Brandychase has hired the City's contractor for snow removal so the sidewalk will be in better condition this winter. Administrator Butkowski informed the Council that the fitness center will not open January 1 as originally planned. Councilor Hawkinson inquired as to the Halloween volunteerism discussion from the last council meeting. Council discussed having task forces for specific events such as Day in the Park and Halloween. The task force would be for a specific purpose and duration of service. The Council will meeting jointly with the Park and Community Involvement Committee in February. Lastly, the administrator reviewed the former Rapid Printing building and its intended reuse. Closed Session A. 1821 Eustis Street Mayor Dains called the closed session of the City Council at 8:24 p.m. The purpose of the closed session was to review confidential data and consider strategies for purchase of real property at 1821 Eustis Street conducted pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Sections 13D.05, subdivision 3 and 13.44, subdivision 3. Mayor Dains closed the session at 8:30 p.m. There being no further business on the council agenda, motion was made by Councilor Hawkinson and seconded by Councilor Gaasch, carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Terry J. rg� Deputy Jity Clerk