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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/22/2016LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 March 22, 2016 Mayor Dains called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. Councilors present: Mayor Jeff Dains, Mary Gaasch, and Roxanne Grove. Councilors absent: Denise Hawkinson and Lara Mac Lean. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator. Approvals Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. There being none, motion was made by Councilor Gaasch to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilor Grove and carried unanimously. Councilor Gaasch moved to approve the City Council meeting minutes of March 8, 2016. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and carried unanimously. Councilor Gaasch moved and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve the claims totaling $47,963.84. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Mayor Dains asked if any Councilors wished to remove items from the Consent Agenda. There being none, Councilor Grove moved and seconded by Councilor Gaasch to approve the Consent Agenda thereby approving Street Sweeping Service Agreement with Mike McPhillips, Inc., Revisions to Deputy City Clerk -Treasurer Job Description, and Park and Community Involvement Committee Minutes. Motion carried unanimously. Informational Presentations / Reports A. Annual Police Report St. Anthony Police Chief John Ohl presented the 2015 annual report highlighting statistics for Lauderdale through his PowerPoint presentation. In closing, Chief Ohl reinforced that the department is focused, dedicated and involved in the community. He expressed his appreciation for the relationship with the community, City Council and City staff. Mayor Dains and members of Council agreed that the officers are professional and dedicated and do a great j ob for Lauderdale. Chief Ohl will address the Council before he retires in June. Discussion / Action Items A. Community Event Planning City Administrator Butkowski highlighted discussions with the Park and Community Involvement Committee on community events. The recommendation was to continue with the city-wide garage sale, bringing additional events/features to the Farmers Market by eliminating the Day in the Park, and continue with the 5K Fun Run and Halloween Party. The budget costs would remain the same but the need for volunteers would be reduced. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 March 22, 2016 Mayor Dains noted that the elected State officials are invited to the Day in the Park so the City should try to accommodate them with another event. Councilor Gaasch expressed opposition to the elimination of the Day in the Park because of the volume of community participation and being a weekend event. Mayor Dains suggested moving the Day in the Park to an evening similar to Falcon Height's Ice Cream Social. Councilor Gaasch noted other avenues to recruit volunteers and possibly involving paid staff to supplement volunteers. Councilor Grove voiced concern with lack of volunteers and whether having the Day in the Park events during the workweek would impact volunteerism and attendance. Conclusion was to continue discussion at the April 12 meeting. B. 2016 Election Update and Absentee Voting Agreement with Ramsey County Administrator Butkowski reviewed the election calendar, new voting booths and new election voting equipment. The main topic was absentee voting with Administrator Butkowski noting that only Lauderdale and Maplewood still manage absentee voting in house. Ramsey County offered three options for assisting with absentee voting services. Motion was made by Councilor Gaasch and seconded by Councilor Grove to approve Ramsey County providing absentee voting services as defined as Option A in the attached document at a cost of $5.25 per ballot. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Administrator Buticowski noted the next meeting may include the 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report presentation by Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP, Utility Billing Fee Correction Policy, and Comprehensive Plan Update Request for Proposals. Additionally, Comcast Cable Franchise, the Annual Storm Water Report and Storm Water Project Discussion with Capital Regions Watershed District on April 26. Work Session A. Public Comment None. B. Fence Ordinance City Administrator Butkowski made revisions to the proposed fence ordinance from the last Council discussion. Councilor Gaasch inquired as to the chain link fence slats with Administrator Butkowski noting that use is more common in a commercial setting but maintenance can become a concern. Jeanine Erkenbrack of 2387 Larpenteur Avenue requested to address the Council on their fence extension that provides a barricade between them and neighbor, Paul Roufs. Ms. Erkenbrack LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 March 22, 2016 stated that the fence extension was suggested by the St. Anthony Police Department. Currently, they are researching removal of the current fence and extension with plans to install an eight foot fence. Mayor Dains noted that the Council had discussed fence height at the last meeting with consensus that six feet was sufficient. Administrator Butkowski reviewed the revisions by Section of the Code with Council discussion. The final draft will be brought to the April 12 for further discussion and approval. C. Predatory Offender Ordinance Council consensus was to table. D. Nuisance Code Enforcement City Administrator Butkowski reviewed past attempts to use the court for non-compliance to code violations with results being less than desirable. Staff recommended revisions to the existing abatement language so code violations can be addressed by notification by City staff and remedies by independent contractor with costs incurred to collected through special assessments. Council consensus was to amend the Code. E. Community Update Administrator Butkowski reported that the Bell Museum groundbreaking is scheduled for April 22. Closed Session A. Labor Negotiations Mayor Dains called the closed session of the City Council at 9:45 p.m. The purpose of the closed session was to consider strategies for labor negotiations including negotiation strategies or developments or discussion and review of labor negotiation proposals conducted pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Sections 179A.01 — 179A.025. Mayor Dains open the session at 9:55 p.m. There being no further business on the council agenda, motion was made by Councilor Gaasch and seconded by Councilor Grove, carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 9:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, t rr� Terry J.( Deputy City Clerk