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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2013/03/25 (2)PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting March 25, 2013 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:00 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Flaherty, Gunn, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, March 25, 2013, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the Monday, March 25, 2013, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT None. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS None. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 8078, Authorizing Membership with the North Metro I-35W Corridor Coalition. City Administrator Ericson requested the Council consider rejoining the North Metro I-35W Corridor Coalition. He explained the City was approached by the group asking the City of Mounds View to come back to the coalition to assist in addressing issues on I-35W, such as traffic, congestion and noise levels. He noted the group began in 1997 but the City dropped out after 2008, due to budgetary constraints and the changing scope of the organization. Staff recommended the Council authorize the membership. Mounds View City Council March 25, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 2 Council Member Meehlhause questioned why New Brighton, Roseville and Arden Hills were not currently part of the coalition. City Administrator Ericson suspected other communities dropped out of the coalition for similar reasons as Mounds View. Mayor Flaherty indicated he attended a Five Cities meeting recently where this matter was discussed. He commented that Roseville was not interested in rejoining the Commission, but that New Brighton was reconsidering. Council Member Meehlhause inquired who would represent the City on this coalition. City Administrator Ericson stated in the past, the Mayor or a Council alternate had been the representative. Mayor Flaherty asked if the Council was interested in making this a long term venture as he anticipated the membership fees would increase in future years. Council Member Gunn was in favor of the City rejoining the coalition long term given the MnDOT plans for the I-35W corridor. She wanted to be assured that Mounds View had a voice through this process. Council Member Mueller agreed adding that the 35W corridor impacted the City of Mounds View and the quality of life for its residents. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8078, Authorizing Membership with the North Metro I-35W Corridor Coalition. Mayor Flaherty understood the role of the coalition, but questioned if the City could achieve the same results by speaking with the legislature as a governing body regarding the I-35W concerns. Council Member Hull indicated the coalition hires lobbyists to work on behalf of the City as the Mayor and Council Members of Mounds View were not professional lobbyists. Council Member Gunn saw the coalition as a group working in concert with the Council to speak to the concerns of the City of Mounds View to the legislature. She was in favor of letting the coalition do the majority of the work. Council Member Mueller commented in her opinion, a group of people working towards a common goal carried more weight versus one City working alone. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. City Administrator Ericson requested the Council appoint a representative and alternate to the I- 35W Corridor Coalition. Council Member Gunn explained she was willing to serve as the representative. Mayor Flaherty indicated he was available to serve as the City’s alternate. Mounds View City Council March 25, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 3 B. Resolution 8076, Approving the Purchase of Three Police Squad Vehicles and Equipment Setups. Police Chief Kinney requested the Council approve the purchase of three police squad vehicles along with the equipment setups. He explained these expenses were included within the 2013 budget. The need for these vehicles was discussed in detail. He noted the fleet would be increased by one squad car, due to the addition of a K-9 unit in 2012 and to meet the needs of the department. He recommended approval of the purchase of three squad cars along with the equipment setups. Mayor Flaherty had anticipated the K-9 unit would require its own squad. Council Member Meehlhause questioned how the three unmarked vehicles were used by the Police Department. Police Chief Kinney stated these vehicles were used by himself, the Deputy Chief and investigators. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the Police Department could lose one of the unmarked squads to keep the fleet at the same level. Police Chief Kinney commented if that were the Council’s direction, he would let go of the unmarked 2002 Impala. Council Member Meehlhause inquired what the City could anticipate to receive after auctioning the two used squad cars. Police Chief Kinney stated the sale of one squad car last year brought in approximately $3,500. Council Member Mueller questioned if the new vehicles would be equipped to work with the new 911 system, when it comes online. Police Chief Kinney commented the City would be using some new tablets, but for budgetary reasons, would also be using some of the old equipment as well. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8076, Approving the Purchase of Three Police Squad Vehicles and Equipment Setups. Mayor Flaherty stated it was of the utmost importance for the patrol units to have the best equipment and vehicles while protecting the residents of the City of Mounds View. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 8080, Awarding a Construction Contract to Northwest Asphalt, Inc. for 2013 Street and Utility Improvement Project – Area F. Public Works Director DeBar stated three miles within Area F would be completed this year through the Street and Utility Improvement Project. He explained staff advertised for bids for this project and received six responses with the low bidder being Northwest Asphalt at $3,122,034.01. He recommended a contingency of 2.5% be added to this amount. He indicated Mounds View City Council March 25, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 4 the low bid was submitted by the same contractor the City has worked with for the last three years. Public Works Director DeBar briefly reviewed the bid submitted by Stantec for design fees and management of the Area F project requesting it be approved not to exceed $165,000. He discussed the geotechnical fees from Braun for the project and recommended the Council award a Construction Contract to Northwest Asphalt for the 2013 Street and Utility Improvement Project for Area F. Council Member Meehlhause questioned how the estimated project costs related to actual project costs. Finance Director Beer commented the original estimate for the project was $3.16 million; however the scope of the project had changed slightly as two parking lots were added to the project, and would be done at the City’s expense. Public Works Director DeBar discussed this in further detail stating the Greenfield Parking lot would cost approximately $51,000 and the Police Parking lot was $117,000. He noted the additional slip lining that would be completed with this project was estimated to be $252,000. It was noted the final expense for Area F would be roughly $3.5 million. Finance Director Beer explained the Council had budgeted $3.16 million for the project. He noted the City had funds set aside for the Police parking lot, and had an additional $50,000 in park dedication fees to assist with the Greenfield Park parking lot. He explained the City would use sewer funds for the slip lining expense. Council Member Mueller was pleased that the engineering costs were able to be reduced through the assistance of Public Works Director DeBar. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8080, Awarding a Construction Contract to Northwest Asphalt, Inc. for 2013 Street and Utility Improvement Project – Area F. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Flaherty asked to remove Item B from the Consent Agenda. A. Resolution 8079, Accepting Donation from Bethlehem Baptist Church and Authorizing Distribution of Funds as Noted. B. Resolution 8077, Approving GO Capital Improvement Plan Refunding Bonds to be Issued by the City of Blaine, Minnesota. Council Member Gunn reviewed how the contributions from Bethlehem Baptist would be distributed throughout the City of Mounds View. The Council thanked Bethlehem Baptist again for their generous donation to the City. Mounds View City Council March 25, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 5 MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8079, Accepting a Donation in the amount of $17,926 from Bethlehem Baptist Church and Authorizing Distribution of Funds as Noted. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 8077, Approving GO Capital Improvement Plan Refunding Bonds to be Issued by the City of Blaine, Minnesota. Mayor Flaherty questioned what affect the refunding of these bonds would have on the City of Mounds View. Finance Director Beer stated there would be a savings to each of the three cities involved in the refinancing of the bonds. The final amount would not be known until the bonds were issued. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8077, Approving GO Capital Improvement Plan Refunding Bonds to be Issued by the City of Blaine, Minnesota. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS Finance Director Beer answered the Council's questions related to claims. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve the Just and Correct Claims as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 11, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the February 11, 2013, City Council meeting minutes as submitted. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. February 25, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes. Council Member Gunn requested a correction on Page 1, Line 32, requesting the word “the” be placed after the word “and.” Council Member Meehlhause requested a change on Page 2, Line 7, suggesting the word “has” be removed. Mounds View City Council March 25, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 6 MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Approve the February 25, 2013, City Council meeting minutes as corrected. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Gunn congratulated the Irondale robotics team for taking first place at a competition last weekend. She noted their next big competition would take place in St. Louis, Missouri in April. Council Member Mueller stated the Ramsey County League of Local Governments met last Thursday and discussed emergency management. She noted the organization was celebrating 50 years this April. She stated an Open House would be held on April 4th at the Lakewood Community College. Council Member Meehlhause congratulated Mounds View’s own Meghan Lorence and the entire Minnesota Gopher’s Hockey Team for winning the National Championship. Mayor Flaherty also congratulated the Minnesota Gopher’s Hockey Team for their remarkable season and National Championship. He then reviewed the meetings he attended last week, being the Five Cities Meeting and the North Metro Mayor’s Association. Council Member Mueller indicated there were still four volunteers needed to assist with this year’s Festival in the Park. She encouraged those interested to contact City Hall for further information. B. Reports of Staff. City Administrator Ericson explained there would be an Open House regarding the Highway 10/Highway 96 interchange project on March 27th at the Arden Hills City Hall at 4:00 p.m. City Administrator Ericson reported the YMCA Spring Fling would be held at the Community Center on April 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. He encouraged all to attend this wonderful community event. City Administrator Ericson then updated the Council on the tentative work session agenda for April 1st. 1. Admin/Community Development Annual Report. City Administrator Ericson discussed the Administrative Annual Report with the Council. He noted his summary this evening would cover both Administration and Community Development Mounds View City Council March 25, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 7 activities for the last year. He reviewed the current staffing of both departments, noting Steve Thorp was hired in 2012 to serve as the City’s Building Inspector. He then referenced other Human Resources activities. City Administrator Ericson provided comment on the Council and EDA’s activities of the previous year. He stated the City received a CDBG grant last year and the funds would be used to purchase and redevelop a property. He then discussed the improvements and maintenance work that was conducted at the Community Center in 2012. City Administrator Ericson then discussed the Community Development activities during 2012 noting permit fees were up slightly. He commented the Home and Garden Show was a great success last year. He reported on the Planning Commission’s activities. It was noted the City came in under budget for 2012. He commended his entire Staff for the work they do on behalf of the Mounds View residents. He then asked for comments or questions from the Council. Council Member Meehlhause asked why the number of Section 8 inspections was reduced in 2012. City Administrator Ericson noted part of the decrease was due in part to the fact there was less Staff to complete the inspections in 2012. He noted that some of the units were foreclosed or sold, and would not require further inspections. 2. Public Works 2012 Annual Report. Public Works Director DeBar discussed the Public Works 2012 Annual Report with the Council. He indicated the Public Works was responsible for maintaining $100 million of infrastructure in the City of Mounds View. He reviewed the personnel within his department located both at City Hall and the Public Works Facility. Public Works Director DeBar commented there were 85 call back events in 2012. He stated the Public Works Department was always on stand-by to respond to City emergencies. The water usage in 2012 was reviewed and he noted the water usage rose slightly due to the drought. He noted 762 water meter readers were replaced last year. Public Works Director DeBar stated 33.6 miles of sewer were cleaned by the Public Works Department. He explained the City now had over 400 rain gardens in the City to maintain. He discussed the equipment purchases made in the previous year noting a bucket truck and air compressor were both replaced. Public Works Director DeBar reported on the Capital Improvements Projects completed in 2012. He noted Silver Lake Road would be completed in 2013 and County Road H in 2015. He noted 4.1 miles of roadway were constructed in Area E last year. The Lambert Park improvements were reviewed along with the water tower reconditioning. He noted much of the cell companies now had 4G technology available at the City’s water tower. Public Works Director DeBar stated Mounds View celebrates its 30 years as a Tree City USA this year. He noted he would be seeking a part-time forester to for the department as Rick Riske Mounds View City Council March 25, 2013 Regular Meeting Page 8 retired last year. The financials for the Public Works Department were then discussed in detail. He thanked his entire staff for a productive year and asked the Council for comments or questions. Council Member Meehlhause asked if each of the telecommunications companies had their equipment back on the water tower. Public Works Director DeBar indicated all of the equipment had been replaced except for T-Mobile. Mayor Flaherty questioned how the City maintained its Tree City USA designation. Public Works Director DeBar discussed the ways the City worked to keep its designation through Arbor Day celebrations and forestry activities. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 12. Next Council Work Session: Monday, April 1, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, April 8, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.