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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2007/01/22PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW • RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA egular Meeting January 22, 2007 Mounds View City Hall 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:15 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Marty, Stigney, Hull, Flaherty, and Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, January 22, 2007 City Council Agenda • MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Stigney. To Approve the Monday, January 22, 2007 agenda as presented. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT Rick Perrozzi of 7791 Groveland Road indicated that he spoke to staff regarding Velmeir's lack of response on finishing the parking lot. He then said that as of the end of September there was an approved plan and he was waiting for the utility easement agreements from Velmeir and he just got them recently and then he received a changed plan shortly after. He further said that the plan sent to engineers for approval is a plan that was rejected by them. Mayor Maxly indicated that he is not sure that Staff realized that the plans submitted to the City were plans rejected. Mr. Perrozzi indicated that the plan of the work done is not what was approved. He then said that when he showed the plan to the Watershed he asked if it would be approved and they said no because water would go into the parking lot because the grades are wrong. Mr. Perrozzi indicated that they assumed this was one property and had they known that it was two separate pieces of property they would not have allowed it because water cannot be directed • to someone else's property. He then said that he wonders why there are permit fees or inspectors that they have to pay because this was not handled properly and he cannot rent the building for going on three years. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 2 Mayor Marty indicated that he would contact Community Development Director Ericson and ~ Mr. Perrozzi tomorrow to discuss this because there have been no plans before Council on this recently. Council Member Mueller asked where this property is located. Mr. Perrozzi explained his location. Ella Shavonic of 7959 Sunnyside Road said she is circulating a petition on the 2006-2007 Street and Utility Improvement Project and most people are opposed so she would like to know why Council ordered a survey and estimates for road construction after the survey in 2006 revealed that most were opposed. Mayor Marty indicated the new survey results came back differently. Ms. Shavonic asked how the new Council Members feel. Council Member Hull said that if residents could pay for this over 15 years he would not mind that but right now he is wavering in his support. Council Member Mueller indicated that she has been looking into this and she does not know that concrete curb and gutter for all of the streets is appropriate based on the average income and demographic of the City. She then said that she thinks that there are some roads that could be • replaced as existing or with surmountable curb. She further said that some shared use roads have requirements by Mn/DOT but she likes the country feel of the streets and she is not sure that concrete curb and gutter is the thing to do for every street in town. Ms. Shavonic asked if Council has considered approving roads without concrete curb and gutter. Mayor Marty indicated that he has discussed with Staff ways to assess less for concrete curb and gutter and noted that the overall increase in cost is $200 and no one makes bituminous curbs at the present time so there is a potential possibility that it would have to be created specifically for this City and that could end up costing more than $Z00. Ms. Shavonic indicated that some people are concerned about which roads would need to be narrowed under this project. Mayor Marty indicated that the standard width is 28 feet from face of curb to face of curb and the one road that the City was considering narrowing was Hillview but residents asked the City to leave it as it is. Ms. Shavonic asked if homeowners with wide driveways would be allowed to maintain the width. Mayor Marty indicated that at the curb cut the code is approximately 26 feet but the rest of the • driveway can maintain its width, Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 3 • Ms. Shavonic asked if sidewalks are being added with the project. Mayor Marty indicated that if Hillview were narrowed sidewalks would have been added but the City is not talking about any new sidewalks in the current project area. Ms. Shavonic asked what the increase is per year for the new school referendum passed. Finance Director Beer indicated that it would be $76.00 per $100,000 of value for approximately $162.00 for an average home in the City. Ms. Shavonic asked what the tax increase would be for the curb and gutter. Finance Director Beer estimated about $420.00 per year over 10 years. Ms. Shavonic said that when Council was talking about the different options she would like to know what the strategy is for finding out the best plan for each individual street. Mayor Marty indicated that this has been an ongoing process for years and there were complaints of too many surveys in this area and comments that residents just want the roads done. • Anna Shavonic of 7959 Sunnyside Road asked about the position of the sod and asked whether during the three years it takes the sod to become established the City will be maintaining it. Mayor Marty indicated that it has to be mowed and watered or it will die and that is the responsibility of the resident. Ms, Shavonic said that it makes this sound like a days worth of work when you cannot enter your driveway or street but she read in the documentation that there would actually be seven days for the concrete to set. Public Warks Director Lee explained that there would be a period of seven days that vehicles couid no~ travel over the concrete to allow for the time to cure and vehicles would be allowed to park in front of homes rather than on the driveways. Ms. Shavonic indicated that some residents have upcoming events for the summer and they would like to know when roads are affected to allow for planning. Mayor Marty indicated that the plans are not approved and the project has not been ordered. He then said that Staff has a timeline set up. Public Works Director Lee explained that this project, if approved, would begin in July of 2007 and end in 2008. He then said that anyone with events being planned can contact Staff to be . scheduled into the construction process. Ms. Shavonic asked Staff to make sure there is information available to residents at any upcoming meetings. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 4 Public Works Director Lee indicated that information in on the internet or Staff is willing to • entertain questions. Ms. Shavonic indicated that they have lists of people not in favor of the project based on the petition and asked how to present that to the City. Mayor Mariy asked her to bring it to the next Council meeting. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUISNESS A. Senator Betzold and Representative Tillberry Mayor Marty introduced Senator Betzold and Representative Tillberry. Senator Betzold addressed Council and those in attendance to review legislative issues for the 2007 Session. Senator Betzold explained that there really is not much of a surplus in the budget because there is $1 Sillion leftover from last session that was not spent and part is for tax collection that is one- time money. He then said that the economists have said that there should be a budget reserve of 5% of the state's budget which would take $1 billion in one time money to accomplish. Senator Betzold indicated that over the next two years it is projected that more money will be • taken in than will be spent by June 30, 2009. He then explained that adding inflation to revenues would eliminate any projected surplus. Senator Betzold indicated that he introduced a bill to establish a sound wall across from Medtronic but he is not sure how that bill will proceed. Representative Tillberry addressed Council and those in attendance and thanked those that supported his campaign. Representative Tillberry provided information on the committees he has been assigned to. Council Member Mueller mentioned that the decibel levels were tested before the Medtronic campus was done and said she thinks that the decibels are getting to threatening levels and that is a health and safety concern for the residents and she would appreciate anything that can be done to move the sound wall project forward. Mayor Marty asked the Senator and Representative to do what they can to support administrative fines and provide clarity on the issue. Senator Betzold indicated that there was a bill last year but that died so it must be started over this year. • Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 5 • Finance Director Beer asked if there has been any consideration of local government aid to first ring suburbs. Senator Betzold indicated that there was some money put back in for 2005 but the formulas did not help the first ring suburbs. Mayor Marty said that he feels that the local government aid formula needs to be looked at and he would appreciate any help. City Administrator Ulrich indicated that Senator Betzold has been working with the Fire Department to complete a study of firefighter pensions and thanked him for his work on the project. Mike Read of 2208 Lois Drive said the transportation bill was passed and he is wondering why the gasoline tax is being considered again. Senator Betzold explained that the Governor vetoed the gas tax bill last year but that bill has been reintroduced. Council Member Flaherty asked what kind of bills are being seen for the motor vehicle taY funds and. • Senator Betzold explained that the Governor cannot veto constitutional amendments and the voters passed dedicating all motor vehicle sales tax to roads and transit to be phased in over a couple of years. Mayor Marty noted that bus route 860 was cut through the City and a lot of residents depended upon that to get to work and he asked Staff about that and Staff is going to research the status of that route. He then said that he would contact the Senator if the City needs help with the issue. Mayor Marty thanked Senator Betzold and Representative Tillberry for coming in to discuss the issues and provide information. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Public Hearing, Resolution 7003 to Consider a Civil Penalty and Suspension of Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor Business License for ABC Liquor at 2840 County Highway 10 Mayor Marly opened the public hearing. Chief Sommer addressed the Council and susllniarized the facts of this case. On January 13, 2006 Mr. Xiong was charged with sale of alcohol to are underage person and this offense was • related to an investigation and they were able to confirm the sale of alcohol to an underage person and he was charged with a gross misdemeanor. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 6 Chief Sommer indicated that this came to the attention of Council during license renewal for • ABC Liquor in 2006 and Council expressed disappointment but the license was renewed. He then explained that on November 28, 2006 Mr. Xiong sold to a customer who was under 21 years of age during a compliance check and he was charged with gross misdemeanor sale to underage person. He also noted that on December 18, 2006, Mr. Xiong failed a tobacco compliance check and this time the license holder sold to the underage person and was charged with sale of tobacco to minor. Chief Sommer indicated that this matter was discussed at the January work session and Council consensus was to issue a civil penalty of $2,000 and suspension of liquor license for a 30 day period. He then explained that the license suspension cannot take effect until they have been given an opportunity for a hearing and that is the purpose of this hearing. Mr. Ge Xiong and Mr. Xang Xiong were present for the hearing. Mr. Xang Xiong said that they will be going to court on the sales to minor in February. Mr. Xang Xiong indicated that the first incident was October of 2005 so the two offenses were not within one year as alleged by the City. Mr. Xiong indicated that he does not believe that this can be decided until the case has been decided in Court so he would like the City to table this until after the hearing. Mr. Xiong said that for the first offense what it was he was trying to comply and asking • assistance from the City police because he had two people who he knew were going to commit theft so he tried to keep one at the store and by the time the police arrived one made off with a couple bottles of liquor and then the person that was kept in the store reported that he had sold alcohol to a minor. He then said that he never knew that anything would go against him that happened that night. City Attorney Riggs indicated that this is dealing with the license not the criminal matter. He then said that the criminal matter will be heard in the court and the license procedure is to determine whether the offenses occurred and they have not denied the instances. Mr. Xiong said that he cannot comment until he speaks further with his attorney. City Attorney Riggs indicated that they were noticed as required by law and this is their time to respond and refute the charges or not. Mayor Marty closed the public hearing. Council Member Flaherty asked Mr. Xiong whether he was denying selling to an underage person in 2006. Mr. Xiong indicated that, at the time, he had no reason to believe that the person was underage • because a crime was being committed and the person at the counter was distracting him as the crime was being committed so he did not check his identification. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 7 . Council Member Flaherty asked if a sale was wrung up for that person at the counter. Mr. Xiong said he cannot recall for certain because that was a yeax and a half ago. Council Member Flaherty asked if there was a sale to a minor on that date. Chief Sommer indicated that Mr. Xiong was charged with it in January and it occurred in October and he was convicted. Mr. Xiong indicated that the case is not fully completed as it goes to court in February. Council Member Flaherty asked whether a sale was made to a minor. Mr. Xiong asked if a full sale is considered the individual leaving the store or if simply handing over money is considered a full transaction. City Attorney Riggs asked whether there was a business transaction that occurred. Mr. Xiong said that the person gave him money but he had no bottle when he left the store and the money was for something else because he had stolen from his store previously. • City Attorney Riggs asked if Mr. Xiong is claiming that no transaction occurred. Mr. Xiong indicated that the person had stolen from him for two days straight. Mayor Marty said that the individual said that he had come in previous times with a fake identification and had not been carded and had not used it for a number of months and was still allowed to purchase alcohol. He then said that when the license holder was in last year for licensing Council cautioned that a suspension was possible for another offense. He further said that two things happened one with alcohol, and one with tobacco and both compliance checks were failed. He also said that waiting for the court date is totally separate on the criminal case and this is the license renewal that the City can control. MOTION/SECOND: Mariy/Flaherty. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7003, Civil Penalty and Suspension of Liquor License for ABC Liquor. Council Member Stigney mentioned that this Resolution approves a civil penalty of $2,000 and a suspension of the license for 30 days. Mr. Ge Xiong asked whether the penalty would be for each offense. Mayor Marty indicated that this is the total for the offenses. ~ Mr. Ge Xiong indicated he would be willing to attend classes to help him make sure that underage persons do not buy at his store. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 8 Council Member Flaherty suggested that he work with the Police Deparhnent for better • information and understanding of the law. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. B. Presentation by Kari Murlowski in Regard to an Alternative Wellness Center at Mounds View Square Assistant to the Administrator Crane addressed Council and provided an overview of the request and introduced Ms. Murlowski. Ms. Murlowski explained that she is a life coach and learning consultant but does not perform any massage at a11. She then explained that her clients are fully clothed and nothing that she does is massage. Council Member Flaherty indicated that the raindrop therapy Council considered massage as oils are put on the spine area and the back is exposed. Ms. Murlowski indicated that is the only technique considered massage by the City so she would eliminate that technique at this location. Council Member Stigney indicated that this type of business is not spelled out in the Code. He then said that he is looking at what type of regulation or oversight there should be for therapeutic • wellness businesses. He then said that he would like a postponement or moratorium to allow time to research whether the Code should be amended to handle this type of business. He further said that he would like to know what other cities are doing to regulate these types of businesses and to check with the League of Minnesota Cities. Ms. Murlowski indicated that there is a state office that handles alternative wellness businesses. She then said that there are no issues with this type of business in other cities and she has been doing this for four years with no issues and she is insured. She further said she could eliminate the raindrop technique. City Attorney Riggs indicated that the City could move forward with a moratorium and clarified that right now, if it is not allowed by Code, then it is not allowed. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Hull. To Postpone for 30 Days to Direct Staff to Review and Bring Back Suggested Code Language and the Type of Regulation that the City Should Require for Alternative Wellness Businesses. Council Member Flaherty recommended to Staff that when this is reviewed that the largest issue was the raindrop technique and placing hands on an unclothed portion of the body and the Applicant is not a licensed therapist. Mayor Marty indicated that the Code does not handle how to regulate this type of business. • Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 9 • Ms. Murlowski commented that Medtronic will have a wellness center and they will be using a lot of the techniques that she plans to do so this should be addressed by the City. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. C. County Road 10 Trailway Project: Segments 9& 10 - Review of Boardwalk Bump Out Public Works Director Lee explained that the bump out is estimated to cost $4,900 and to change the plans and specs and bid documents would be approximately $1,200 to $1,500. He then asked Council for direction to either continue moving forward with Option One to keep the bump out or to move forward with Option Two amending the plans and specs to remove the bump out. Mayor Mariy said that he would like to word the bids in the future so that there is not a fee to change the bid like is happening in this instance. Public Works Director Lee said that he does not know a way around getting the bid without the bump out without amending the plans. Mayor Marty said that it does not seem very complicated to do this and the fee to change the plans seems a little high. ~ City Attorney Riggs explained that there must be bid standards to allow the contractors to bid this competitively. Public Works Director Lee explained that this bump out has been engineered with footings and pilings and if there is just a straight boardwalk it needs to be determined whether those footings are to be included or removed by the engineers. Council Member Mueller asked whether the Council determined to ask for the bid with the bump out. Public Works Director Lee explained that it came from the Consultant from direction to include things to make this project appealing to pedestrians to get them to use the trailway. Council Member Flaherty said that he likes the bump out and feels it is a nice amenity for residents. He then said that this was in the original feasibility report. City Administrator Ulrich indicated that throughout the County Road 10 corridor project there are a number of pocket parks and bump outs so there would be opportunities to scale down if that is the desire of Council. Mayor Marty indicated that he would like to leave it in especially since it would cost money to • redo the plans to remove something from the p1an. He then said that perhaps Staff could ask the contractors if they can do it without the bump outs when that time comes. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 10 Council Member Mueller said that she wants to be clear that if it stays in now then that is what • the contractors will bid on. Council Member Flaherry said he would like to keep Option One with the bump out because it is a nice amenity. Council Member Stigney said that he thinks that this needs a motion. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Hull. To Approve Option Two To Direct Staff to Revise the Plans and Spec to Remove the Bump Out. Council Member Stigney said that this was not to create a scenic boardwalk but to provide safe pedestrian crossing along Highway 10. Council Member Mueller said that she was wondering why the Council went ahead with the Plans with the bump out included. Mayor Marty indicated that the bump out was to break up the 161 feet. Council Member Mueller asked whether it is worth the extra $3,700 if Mounds View is a destination rather than just moving people through. Council Member Flaherty said that he would like to leave it in as it was in the original plan and • would be a nice amenity for residents as part of the revitalization of the corridor. Mayor Marty indicated that it bothers him to pay the architects to revise the plans but he would rather put the money taward streets or another bench or something. Ayes - 4 Nays -1(Flaherty) Motion carried. D. Resolution 7012 Supporting the County Road 10 Trailway Project: Segments 1-5 and Consequent Department of Natural Resources Trailway Grant Easement Public Works Director Lee indicated that the City will be applying for a DNR Trailway Grant and the City must submit a Resolution in support of the grants as part of the requirements. He then said that the City is attempting to obtain support from civic groups within the City. Mayor Marty read a list of civic groups to be included. Mayor Marty suggested a letter from Kraus Anderson and Paster Enterprises and maybe some of the businesses in town in support of the grant. Council Member Flaherty suggested Medtronic. • Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 11 • MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Stigney. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7012 Supporting the County Road 10 Trailway Project: Segments 1-5 and Consequent Department of Natural Resources Grant Application. Council Member Mueller said that she thought that Council had discussed a grant that was available. Public Works Director Lee indicated that the City did obtain a federal grant and this would be additional funds on t~ehalf of the trail system. Mayor Marty suggested checking with Congressman Oberstar's office or Commissioner Bennett to see if there is any other funding the City could tie into for this project. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Licenses for Approval Y~--~te'Se~H~9~r~t7tf.9--~c~l~e~'ci'H',~'"~TIICCU~3~H~ l~~i..a.~.n..~. u..a.i..~.~.a. 7 i ~.. ~.,a..,.., n~~,... .,~... ~.:n ~.,. .,a.»;~;..+,,..;,,,. mi .............~;,, nR.,.,~.,,~,. .,+ c•~.,,,...,;,..., c~uuaa.J va ~ ~ r~.;,.s... n+;,, r,.,,+,... • C. Resolution 7006 Approving a One-Day Charitable Gambling Permit for Community Partners with Youth to Conduct a Raffle on October 25, 2007, at The Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center at 2200 Highway 10 D. Resolution 7007, Approving a One-Day Charitable Gambling Permit for the New Brighton/Mounds View Rotary Club to Conduct a Raffle on April 20, 2007, at The Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center at 2200 Highway 10 E. Resolution 7009 Approving a One-Day Charitable Gambling Permit for the Pinewood Elementary School to Conduct a Raffle on March 4, 2007, at the Pinewood Elementary School located at 5500 Quincy Street F. Resolution 7010 Approving a One-Day Charitable Gambling Permit for the Twin Cities North Chamber to Conduct a Raffle on February 10, 2007, at The Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center at 2200 Highway 10 G. Resoiution 7011 Approving a One-Day Charitable Gambling Permit for the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society to Conduct a Raffle on February 17, 2007, at The Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center at 2200 Highway 10 H. Resolution 7008 Approving the City's Pay Equity Report Council Member Flaherty requested that Item B be removed for discussion. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve Consent Agenda Items A, C, D, E, F, G, and • H, as Presented. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 12 B. Resolution 7005, Approving a Therapeutic Massage business License to • Audrey Olsen, who will be Administering Therapeutic Massage at the Silverview Chiropractic Center in Mounds View Council Member Flaherty explained that Audrey Olson is a licensed massage therapist but Ms. Murlowski is not and he wanted to make the clarification for residents. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7005, Approving a therapeutic Massage Business License to Audrey Olsen, Who Will Be Administering Therapeutic Massage at the Silverview Chiropractic Center. Council Member Mueller asked whether the background check has come back or when it will because that would set the license effective date. Council Member Mueller asked if there are any other therapeutic massage licenses in the City. Council Member Stigney asked if she has worked somewhere else for a year as required. City Administrator Ulrich indicated that this is the only therapeutic massage license in the City and the license will become effective upon receipt of the background information. He then said that Ms. Olsen does have the required one year of experience. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. • 9. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS Council Member Mueller said she talked to Staff about her questions earlier today. She then said that one thing she was concerned about was on Page 8, the payment to Brighton Veterinary Hospital and she would like to have that explained a little bit for residents. Finance Director Beer indicated that the amount is a monthly retainer for housing stray animals picked up within the City. City Administrator Ulrich indicated that this contract is a cost effective way to handle animal control. Council Member Mueller asked whether the expenditure to Harmon Auto Glass will be reimbursed by vehicle insurance. Finance Director Beer indicated that the City has a large deductible so it will not be reimbursed. Mayor Marty reviewed the claims that have been paid and asked Staff to remove them frorn the list. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Flaherty. To Approve the Just and Correct Claims as Presented. • Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 13 • 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. City Council Minutes January 2, 2007 Special Meeting Mayor Marty Page 2, Line 31 add commas or slashes between City names; On Page 3, Line 23, Park and Recreation add Commission; On Page 6, Line 12, correct spelling of second and correct Mary to Marly. MOTION/SECOND minutes as amended. 11. REPORTS Marty/Stigney. To Approve the January 2, 2007 City Council meeting Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. A. Reports of Mayor and Council • ~ U Mayor Marty reported that he and Mr. Ulrich attended the Mayor and City Managers' meeting in Shoreview and met the new city manager for the City of Roseville and met the new Mayor far the City of Arden Hills and they discussed the TCAAP site along with administrative offenses. Mayor Marty indicated that he and Mr. Ulrich talked about the Communication Coordinator position and then said that there are some Cable Committee Members who felt that the Coordinator position held by Blackford was too all encompassing with Mounds View Matters, press releases, cable programming and editing as well as the web page so they think that the City should look into full time cablecasting position and not hiring an additional second part time person. Mayor Marty indicated that Staff has said that there will be someone in each department assigned to the web page. He then said that he would like to have the new person, once hired, in charge of cable casting along with Dave Olsen. City Administrator Ulrich indicated that the deadline for applications for the Cable Coordinator position is February 5, 2007 and only one application has been received to date. He then said that this will be discussed at the work session. Mayor Marty noted that there are still some trees down from a storm more than a year ago and residents had asked if there is a timeframe to clean up the storm damage and there is not. He then said that, after discussing it with Staff, he would like to discuss offering some type of incentive to do the work. He then said that he would like to ask the contractor for a bulk rate on what it would cost to have new driveways installed to provide a less costly way for those with gravel driveways in the City to get a new driveway. Council Member Flaherty reported that he has met with residents at Silverview Apartments and they are pleased with the striping on County Road I and the Silver Lake Road Trail. But, one thing is that they would like the City to look at speeding on County Road I and would like the Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 14 City to send a representative over to Silverview Apartments for an update on the trail in their • location. Council Member Mueller reported that the North Metro Abate is having a fundraiser at Roberts this coming weekend. Mayor Marty said that he talked to the Mayor of New Brighton this last fall and he was told that a week before the election they bring voting machines in to allow seniors to vote but Staff looked into it and the only places that are qualified are nursing homes, assisted living or hospitals so the City does not qualify. B. Reports of Staff City Administrator Ulrich indicated he had included a draft Agenda for the CounciUStaff Retreat. Council Member Stigney asked if the personality information could be completed prior to the retreat by the new members to save time and money. Mayor Marty noted that the Council/Staff retreat is an open meeting and residents are welcome to attend if they so desire. City Administrator Ulrich reported that the Red Cross will be sponsoring a program called "Get • Ready" to get residents ready for natural disasters and training for first aid and CPR. City Administrator Ulrich reported that the Fire Department Operating Committee met last week and the Fire Department is showing a$40,000 surplus for last year with the station completed at this time ending up on budget. City Administrator Ulrich commended Mr. Backman for receiving the "Outstanding Person" award from Visit Minneapolis North for his work with them over the past five years. 1. Finance Finance Director Beer explained that METRICOM put up towers and receivers in the City and then disbanded but has now resurrected itself as Ricochet Communications in Denver and would like to offer services in Mounds View with the only cost to the City being free rent on the tower and they would offer reduced fees to the residents of Mounds View. He then said that he will provide further information when it becomes available. Mayor Marty said he had raised the issue of laptop computers before and he thinks that the amount of paper could be greatly reduced if Council could view the packet on a laptop. Staff will look into it with the option of high speed. • Mounds View City Council January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 15 ~ Finance Director Beer indicated that the City is working through the audit with the IRS on some employee benefit issues and the IRS has suspended any further activities with regard to the audit but the City will need to make changes to the Retirement Health Savings Plan in the future. C. Reports of City Attorney u None. 12. Next Council Work Session: Next Council Meeting: Monday, February 5, 2007, at 7 p.m. Monday, February 12, 2007 at 7 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. •