Agenda Packets - 2011/03/14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council February 28, 2011 Regular Meeting Page 2 1 Mayor Flaherty questioned how policies had changed with regard to sexual harassment. City 2 Attorney Riggs commented circumstances arise over the years and new policies are adopted. He 3 stated the revisions have simplified and modernized the manual. 4 5 Council Member Mueller asked if the revisions were covered by the Kennedy & Graven waiver 6 or if it was an additional fee. City Attorney Riggs stated the revisions made were billed 7 separately to the City. 8 9 Council Member Mueller inquired how all these revisions would be passed along to staff. City 10 Attorney Riggs indicated the City Administrator would bring the changes to the employees and 11 all new employees would receive this information in their Personnel Manual. 12 13 MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7733, 14 Approving Revisions to Section 1.27 of the City of Mounds View Personnel Manual about 15 “Sexual Harassment Prevention”. 16 17 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 18 19 B. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 857, An Ordinance Adding 20 Chapter 1013 to the City Code (Vacant Building Registration). 21 22 Community Development Director Roberts stated City Staff was requesting the Council to 23 consider an Ordinance adding Chapter 1013 which would require vacant building registration. 24 This issue was discussed in detail by Council in a work session meeting in both January and 25 February. The program merits and concerns were discussed and the consensus was to direct Staff 26 to draft an Ordinance for this program. The vacant building database would be managed under 27 the same software as the other City licenses and building permits. This City would require a 28 $500 fee to be paid with the permit to assist with monitoring and inspecting the vacant site. Staff 29 recommends the Council proceed with the first reading and introduce the Ordinance this evening. 30 31 Eric Myers, North Metro Realtors Association, appreciated the opportunity to address the vacant 32 building issue this evening with the Council. He then reviewed a housing market update for the 33 community noting the City has seen an increase in the mean value of homes, which was a very 34 positive sign. Mr. Myers explained the City has also assisted new homeowners with City 35 sponsored programs that have led to home ownership. He indicated the realtors association 36 appreciated the City’s efforts in this area. 37 38 Mr. Myers then expressed concern on the vacant building registration fee stating it would be 39 difficult to encumber a fee to a home being foreclosed. In addition, sales could be delayed as 40 banks try and determine what party is responsible for the fee. He cautioned the City from 41 creating an additional Ordinance to micromanage the housing stock, but rather encouraged the 42 City to focus their efforts on programs or incentives that would promote home ownership. 43 44 Mayor Flaherty thanked Mr. Myers for his comments and the information presented this evening. 45