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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2017/01/09PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting January 9, 2017 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:00 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Gunn, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, January 9, 2017, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Approve the Monday, January 9, 2017, agenda as revised. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT None. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Presentation by Sara Criger, Mercy Hospital President, Reviewing Mercy and Unity Hospitals Strategic Direction Sara Criger, Mercy Hospital President, provided the Council with a presentation on the hospital’s strategic direction for the future. She discussed the plans Allina had for the Mercy and Unity campuses. She reviewed the awards both hospitals have received in recent years and noted both campuses were very strong. She described how Allina was redefining hospital to health care in order to reward health and wellness. She understood status quo was no longer an option as the average daily census and surgical cases were on the decline. She explained Allina would be charting a new path while keeping the most frequently used services on both campuses, while improving access to high quality specialty services. She described the changes that have been made at the campuses that would allow Allina to care for the community together through one hospital on two campuses. She commented on the much-needed mental health and addiction Mounds View City Council January 9, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 2 services that would be offered at Unity in 2017. She thanked the Council for their time and stated she was looking forward to being a continued engaging partner to the community. City Administrator Ericson asked if new employees would be hired or lost through the changes being proposed at both hospitals. Ms. Criger explained the proposed plans would allow the hospitals to enhance the services provided which would lead to a growth in jobs. Mayor Mueller commented she had heard of the hospital campuses merging last summer. She questioned why the hospital had not been more transparent with the public regarding their plans. Ms. Criger stated Unity and Mercy have been under the Allina umbrella for the past decade. She reported the recent changes to the mother/baby consolidation happened fairly quickly and this led to a reevaluation of the programs offered at both campuses. Council Member Gunn inquired if the clinic services would change. Ms. Criger reported the clinic services would not be changing. Mayor Mueller explained she has a close family member that has utilized the emergency services at Unity on a regular basis and she wanted to see this continue as much as possible. Ms. Criger stated emergency services would continue at Unity for the time being. Linda Hamilton, 7856 Monroe Street in Spring Lake Park, noted she was the Director of the North Suburban Hospital Board. She asked how many beds would be added for mental health at Unity. Ms. Criger stated no beds would be added, but rather all mental health patients would receive private rooms. Bridget Lundquist, 2849 Bronson Drive, explained she is the newly elected North Suburban Hospital Board member for Mounds View. She reported Allina would be requesting the Council dissolve the hospital board. She believed Allina had not been very transparent in their actions. She expressed frustration with how services would be switching between the two campuses. She had concerns with the time that it would take people in emergency situations to reach Mercy from the Unity service area. Council Member Gunn referred to an article regarding the hospitals in the Sun Focus from January and encouraged the public to review this article. Council Member Meehlhause understood that three communities have voted in favor to dissolve the hospital board. He believed this meant the hospital board was therefore dissolved. He stated the City Council had no jurisdiction or authority over the taxing of the hospital district. Ms. Lundquist understood this may be the case, however, she encouraged Mounds View to hold a public meeting in order to raise awareness of the situation. Mayor Mueller inquired if the hospital board meetings were open to the public. Ms. Lundquist reported this was the case. She stated the next meeting would be held on Wednesday, January 11th at 6:30 p.m at Unity Hospital. Mounds View City Council January 9, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 3 Barbara Goodwill Bishoff, resident of Spring Lake Park, requested the Council save the hospital board. She noted every year $1.7 million has been taken from the five member cities and given to Unity Hospital. She reported this money has been used to fund the changes. She explained if the hospital board were dissolved the remaining funds would be returned to the member cities. It was noted Blaine was interested in the funds being returned on a per capita basis, which would give them 80%, Spring Lake Park wanted to use the 1960 per capita and Hilltop wants an even five way split of the assets. She supported Council Member Meehlhause’s idea to evaluate the 50-year investment each City has made. She expressed frustration with the lack of information Allina has provided and believed it would be a hardship on local residents to move certain services from Unity to Mercy. Ms. Hamilton discussed the information she learned while door knocking during the recent election. She explained that residents are concerned with being transferred from Unity to Mercy. She encouraged the community to stick together in order to learn from Allina what services are and are not being offered on each campus. Mayor Mueller reopened the Public Input portion of the meeting. Hafiz Mahmood, 5126 Long Lake Road, expressed concern with the City construction work on his property. He noted the City workers broke the sewage pipe on his property. The contractors filled the dirt back in without making the repair. He explained this led to his basement being flooded and damaged. He stated he spoke with the City technicians regarding this matter. This led the City to fixing the one foot portion of pipe that had been damaged. He has since filed a claim for the cost of the water backup in his basement. He understood the City had insurance through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust, and that it had determined the City was not liable due to the fact the pipe was not laid in accordance with City Ordinances. He stated he has spoken with a number of different lawyers and requested the City reconsider his request noting that his sewer pipe had been inspected when the service was installed. Mayor Mueller believed this issue was appropriately reviewed by the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. She understood the claim was denied and encouraged Mr. Mahmood speak with the contractor that completed the work. Mr. Mahmood indicated he had spoken with the contractor who was claiming he was not responsible. He requested assistance from the City to recover the costs that he has incurred. He believed the City should be liable for the placement and installation of the pipes. Mayor Mueller commented that at this time the Council has received a letter from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust noting that the claim has been denied, and that the City was not liable. As such, Mayor Mueller indicated the City would be taking no further action. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 8696, Approve Plans and Specifications for Public Works Facility and Authorize Advertisement for Bids. Mounds View City Council January 9, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 4 Public Works Director Erickson requested the Council approve plans and specifications for the Public Works Facility and authorize advertisement for bids. He reviewed the design plans briefly noting only the plumbing plans needed further review. He described how the plans and specs would be published for review. It was noted the bid opening would occur on February 21st with the Council awarding the bid on February 27th. He estimated the project would cost $6.9 million and discussed the project costs the City has incurred to date. Staff reviewed the project details further with the Council and recommended approval. Mayor Mueller asked what the impact would be on the average Mounds View household if the Public Works Facility project were funded through bonds. Finance Director Beer stated this would lead to roughly a 10% tax levy increase. Mayor Mueller questioned if funding from the levy reduction fund could be used to assist with this project. Finance Director Beer stated this was possible. Council Member Hull asked if the bonds were for 15 or 20 years. Finance Director Beer reported the City would be using 20 year bonds. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8696, Approve Plans and Specifications for Public Works Facility and Authorize Advertisement for Bids. Council Member Meehlhause requested staff provide the Council with an updated spreadsheet on the financing for the Public Works Facility. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 931, an Ordinance Amending Section 105.04 of the Municipal Code Regarding Council Meeting Times. City Administrator Ericson requested the Council introduce an Ordinance that would amend City Code regarding Council meeting times. He stated the Council discussed changing their meeting start times last fall to reduce staff comp time. He noted the public would still have the same access to the meetings if the time were pushed up. Staff explained the Council was considering moving the meeting start time to 6:00 p.m. He reported the Ordinance would not take effect until early March. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 931, an Ordinance Amending Section 105.04 of the Municipal Code Regarding Council Meeting Times. Mayor Mueller feared that a 6:00 p.m. start time may hinder some residents from being on time for Public Input. However, if the Council could be flexible with this agenda item she could support the start time change. Mounds View City Council January 9, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 5 Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 8695, Authorizing Ehlers & Associates, Inc., and Kennedy & Graven Chartered to act as Financial Advisor and Bond Counsel for the Issuance for General Obligation Capital Improvement Plan Bonds for Financing the Construction of a Public Works Facility. Finance Director Beer requested the Council authorize Ehlers & Associates and Kennedy & Graven to act as the Financial Advisor and Bond Counsel for the issuance of general obligation capital improvement plan bonds for financing the construction of the Public Works Facility. He explained the City has worked with Ehlers and Kennedy & Graven in the past and these entities have provided a competitive quote for their services. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8695, Authorizing Ehlers & Associates, Inc., and Kennedy & Graven Chartered to act as Financial Advisor and Bond Counsel for the Issuance for General Obligation Capital Improvement Plan Bonds for Financing the Construction of a Public Works Facility. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Resolution 8697, Appointment of Planning Commission Chairperson. B. Resolution 8694, Accepting Miscellaneous Cash Donations for 2016. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 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 – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council January 9, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 6 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. December 12, 2016, City Council Meeting Minutes. Council Member Meehlhause requested a correction on Page 6, Line 16 stating Jerry’s last name should be spelled Kunz, also changing Sidney to Cindy. Council Member Meehlhause requested a correction on Page 10, Line 34 changing the Mounds View Business Council to the North Metro Business Council. Mayor Mueller requested a correction on Page 10, Line 15 noting the Mayor was presented with a card and not a plaque. Mayor Mueller noted a correction on Page 11, Line 44 stating Boy Scouts were in attendance and not Cub Scouts. Mayor Mueller requested the minutes reflect that Boy Scout Troop #416 assisted with the Pledge of Allegiance. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Approve the December 12, 2016, City Council meeting minutes as corrected. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. December 12, 2016, Executive Session Minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Approve the December 12, 2016, Executive Session meeting minutes as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. January 3, 2017, City Council Meeting Minutes. Council Member Meehlhause requested a correction on Page 3, Line 30 stating Council Member Gunn should be named as the alternate for the Anoka County Fire Board. Council Member Gunn did not recall agreeing to this. City Administrator Ericson stated he would review the Resolution. Council Member Meehlhause requested a correction on Page 5, Line 18 removing the word the. Mayor Mueller requested a correction on Page 7, Line 14 changing “to” to in. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Approve the January 3, 2017, City Council meeting minutes as corrected. Mounds View City Council January 9, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 7 Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Meehlhause reported the YMCA Advisory Committee met today. He was pleased by the great work that occurred in 2016, noting that program revenue was up $76,000. In addition, 120 youth from the community participated in the Youth in Government program. He noted the Community Center hosted 270 events last year and overall, rentals were up 16%. He provided further comment on increased park rentals. Council Member Meehlhause noted he would be attending an NYFS Executive Committee meeting this Friday and a Twin Cities Gateway Board meeting next Tuesday. Mayor Mueller stated she attended the Five Cities meeting today along City Administrator Ericson. Mayor Mueller invited the public to attend the next Festival in the Park meeting on Tuesday, January 17 th at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Mueller explained the Council would be holding a retreat on Monday, January 30th at the Community Center at 6:00 p.m. B. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Beer reported he was preparing for the annual audit at this time. City Administrator Ericson stated the Council would be holding a Closed Session after this meeting to discuss attorney/client privileged information, and on January 23rd to address labor negotiation matters. C. Reports of City Attorney. There was nothing additional to report. 12. Next Council Work Session: Monday, February 6, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, January 23, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. Mounds View City Council January 9, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 8 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.