06-14-2004 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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A D M I N I S T R A T O R ’S D I G E S T June 14, 2004 Sun-Focus Newspaper Intern- I met with Ms. Kelley Blomberg, the new summer intern for the Sun-Focus newspaper. Kelley is a Mounds View resident and a student at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. She’ll be covering most of our Council meetings this summer. Elections must be just around the corner, as Desaree Crane recently had to request the number of absentee ballots from Ramsey County. Since this is a presidential election, it appears that turnout will be high. Fire Department Capital Equipment Planning – Charlie Hansen and I are working with the staff of Blaine, Spring Lake Park and the Fire Department to develop a long-term plan options for financing the Fire Department’s long-range building and equipment needs. Springstead, Inc. financial consultants are working with the Fire Department to analyze several different options. A joint Council meeting of Blaine, Mounds View and Spring Lake Park is tentatively planned for Thursday, July 22, 2004 at Blaine City Hall. Labor Negotiations – An executive session is scheduled following tonight’s meeting to review the status of bargaining group contracts. A recent four-hour mediation session was held with the AFSCME Union with some headway. The Police Officer’s Union (LELS) has filed for arbitration, which is expected to take place this fall. A meeting was held with Labor Relations, Inc. in preparation for the arbitration. Another meeting is being held with the Public Works collective bargaining unit in the next week or two. The Police Sergeant’s Union (also LELS) is “sitting-tight” and reviewing their position in light of the Police Officer’s decision to arbitrate. Golf Course Study – The staff Golf Course study committee (Mary B., Jim E., and me) met with a private developer from United Properties Company to review potential development solutions to the Golf Course financial issues. The main issues are determining the value of the land, restrictions for sale or reuse, and the highest and best use of the property, while maintaining the option to retain or improve golf operations. The developer is going to review the situation and get back to the City with a market value estimate of the land. MVCC Kitchen Licenses – The Mermaid has obtained an extension to their license for the Mounds View Community Center kitchen. This will help fix accountability for keeping the kitchen in good working order. The Mermaid previously had been utilizing the kitchen under the licensed held by the Creative Kids Day Care. The City is also renewing its license in order to accommodate civic groups (e.g. Girl Scouts, Athletic Associations, etc.) who might want to use the kitchen. Banquet Center – Current tenants of the Mermaid, the In the Word Church, stopped by to inform me that they are considering a proposal to run the MVCC banquet facility. I explained our current situation with the Mermaid and current rent requirements. The church is going to review it further and perhaps put together a letter of interest to manage the property for the City. North Metro Mayor’s Association Operating Committee - The NMMA Board of Directors met to review current financials and discuss legislative actions during the past session. Odds for a special session appear to be 50/50. The NMMA also hosted a community partner’s event,