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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2017/02/27PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting February 27, 2017 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Blvd, 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, February 27, 2017, City Council Agenda. City Administrator Ericson asked that Item 7D be removed from the agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Approve the Monday, February 27, 2017, agenda as amended removing Item 7D. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT None. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Presentation by the North Suburban Hospital District, represented by Board Chair Gerald Maeckelberg and General Counsel Scott Lepak, and Consideration of Resolution 8716, a Petition for Dissolution of the North Suburban Hospital District. Scott Lepak, attorney with Barna, Guzy & Steffen, introduced himself and described the historical purpose and function of the hospital district. He discussed how the taxing district used public funds over the years. He explained how Allina was altering the Unity Hospital campus to become a combined entity with Mercy. It was his opinion that the useful life of the hospital district had come to an end and asked the Council to consider a Resolution that would dissolve Mounds View City Council February 27, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 2 the North Suburban Hospital District. He stated he was also seeking direction on how the funds should be distributed. Council Member Meehlhause asked if all five cities had to approve the dissolution. Mr. Lepak explained that the hospital board only needed approval from one city to dissolve but he was seeking input from all five cities. Council Member Meehlhause stated he was troubled by the fact that input was not sought from the member cities prior to seeking dissolution. Mr. Lepak reported the hospital board made a determination to go out of business and after this determination was made, it went to the member cities. Mayor Mueller questioned if the North Suburban Hospital Board knew of Allina’s plans to merge to two campuses under one umbrella. Gerald Maeckelberg, Hospital Board Chair, explained Allina attended several meetings in late December of 2016 where their intentions were shared. He understood people within the community were excited for the changes that would occur at Unity Hospital. He appreciated the investment that Allina had made in the hospitals and believed that the community would receive a better level of care from the two campuses. Mayor Mueller expressed frustration with the fact that Allina had not informed the member cities of their plans prior to last December. Council Member Meehlhause commented on the conduit bonds that were financed through the City for the hospital. He inquired if Allina could purchase the hospital for $1. Mr. Maeckelberg reported this was not the case. He discussed the bonds that would need to be assumed in order for Allina to purchase the hospital. Mr. Lepak provided further comment on the original bonds that were used to construct the hospital and who covered the payments. Council Member Meehlhause questioned the amount or value of hospital assets that would have to be disbursed amongst the member cities. Mr. Lepak estimated the hospital district had $1.2 million in cash with additional assets in land. Further discussion ensued regarding the distribution of the assets. Council Member Meehlhause stated he was in favor of the assets being distributed based on the total tax collection from each City since 1960. He believed this would be the most fair option as it would take into consideration the size of Blaine back in the 1960’s. He inquired how the hospital district would make a determination on how to distribute the assets. Mr. Lepak explained the board was taking comments from the member cities and would make a final decision. Council Member Meehlhause asked what city Chair Maeckelberg represented. Chair Maeckelberg explained he represented the City of Fridley. Mounds View City Council February 27, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 3 Council Member Meehlhause questioned if the vote would require a 2/3’s vote from the Council. Mr. Lepak understood this was not addressed in State Statute and explained he was looking for a super majority vote from the Council. Council Member Gunn supported Council Member Meehlhause’s recommendation to have the funds repaid based on the taxes that have been paid in since 1960. Mayor Mueller asked if the member cities do not approve of the manner in which the funds are disbursed if there was any action they could take. Mr. Lepak reported this action would be left up to the hospital board and there was no appeal process. Mayor Mueller questioned how long Chair Maeckelberg had served on the hospital board. Mr. Maeckelberg stated he has been on the hospital board since 1994. It was his opinion it was in the City’s best interest to dissolve the hospital board. Alison Caldwell, 8144 Pleasant View Drive, recommended the taxes paid to the hospital district be calculated in present value. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8716, a Petition for Dissolution of the North Suburban Hospital District, amending Item 3 to read: The hospital board shall repay the member cities based on a comprehensive accounting of all taxes paid by each member city since 1960. Council Member Meehlhause stated he would not support the Resolution without the proposed amendment. While he understood the changes Allina was making, he was disappointed that Allina had not reached out to the member cities prior to merging the campuses. Council Member Hull explained he had an emotional attachment to Unity given the fact his daughter was born there. It was his hope Allina would keep the Unity campus fully staffed and operational for the community. Mayor Mueller questioned how many communities have voted and offered their support for this Resolution. Mr. Lepak indicated four communities have already offered their support for this Resolution. Mayor Mueller asked when the hospital board would meet next to approve the dissolution. Mr. Lepak explained the hospital board had no specific timeline to go out of business. He reported the board would meet next on Wednesday, March 8th at Unity. He anticipated it would take some time for the hospital board to sell off their properties, which would have to occur prior to the board dissolving. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council February 27, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 4 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing: Resolution 8721, a Resolution to Consider a Residential Kennel License to allow four (4) dogs at 8144 Pleasant View Court. Applicant: Alison Caldwell. Assistant City Administrator Crane requested the Council consider a residential kennel license to allow four dogs at 8144 Pleasant View Court for Alison Caldwell. She explained the City has received no complaints regarding this property. Staff reported that if the license were approved, it would expire on June 30, 2017. Council Member Meehlhause asked how long Ms. Caldwell has owned four dogs. Alison Caldwell, 8144 Pleasant View Court, stated the fourth dog joined her last July. Council Member Meehlhause questioned when Ms. Caldwell was made aware that she needed a kennel license. Ms. Caldwell explained she was made aware of this when she applied for dog licenses with the City. Council Member Hull inquired if Ms. Caldwell had received any police calls. Assistant City Administrator Crane reported the City has not received any police calls for Ms. Caldwell. Council Member Gunn reviewed a complaint the Council received about barking dogs. Ms. Caldwell indicated the barking dogs lived behind her and noted her dogs were rarely outside, except to go to the bathroom. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:54 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:54 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8721, a Resolution to Consider a Residential Kennel License to allow four (4) dogs at 8144 Pleasant View Court. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing: Resolution 8722, a Resolution to Consider a Transfer of an Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License from Menbe, Inc. (doing business as ABC Liquor) to AB Liquor, LLC. Assistant City Administrator Crane requested the Council consider the transfer of an off-sale intoxicating liquor license from Menbe, Inc. to AB Liquor, LLC. She reported AB Liquor has submitted all necessary paperwork and fees. Staff explained the approval would be contingent upon a satisfactory fire inspection and the license would expire on June 30, 2017. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:56 p.m. Mounds View City Council February 27, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 5 Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:57 p.m. Council Member Meehlhause asked if property taxes were up to date. Assistant City Administrator Crane reported this was the case. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8722, a Resolution to Consider a Transfer of an Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License from Menbe, Inc. (doing business as ABC Liquor) to AB Liquor, LLC, contingent upon a satisfactory fire inspection. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 8723, Approving a Revised Job Description and Authorization to Advertise for a Seasonal Intern in the Public Works Department. Assistant City Administrator Crane requested the Council approve a revised job description and authorize staff to advertise for a seasonal intern in the Public Works Department. She explained last year an engineering intern was hired to assist the City with GIS and engineering work. She indicated the focus for 2017 would be GIS and the intern would be limited to 600 hours. Staff recommended approval of the Resolution. Mayor Mueller questioned if Public Works Director Erickson had reviewed the job description. Assistant City Administrator Crane explained this had been done to evaluate the needs of the department. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8723, Approving a Revised Job Description and Authorization to Advertise for a Seasonal Intern in the Public Works Department. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 8719, Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract for the Construction of the Public Works Facility. This item was removed from the agenda. E. Resolution 8720, Accept Improvements and Approve Final Payment for 2016 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project. Public Works Supervisor Peterson requested the Council accept the improvements and approve the final payment for the 2016 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project. He discussed the project timeline and indicated the project was substantially completed in February of 2017. It was noted additional sewer lining was requested which was above the contingency amount and was approved by the Council under a separate Resolution. Staff recommended the Council accept the improvements and approve the final payment after the City receives proper paperwork from the Mounds View City Council February 27, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 6 contractor. Mayor Mueller asked if the contractor would receive any penalty for not filing their paperwork in a timely manner with the City. Public Works Supervisor Peterson explained the penalty was the contractor would not receive final payment. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8720, Accept Improvements and Approve Final Payment for 2016 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Resolution 8715, Approving Amendments to Section 3.35 and Section 3.45 of the Personnel Manual, Relating to the Sick Leave Policy and the Retirement Health Savings Plan Policy, Respectively. B. Resolution 8724, Approving Insurance Contribution Adjustment for Non- Union Employees. C. Resolution 8717, Adopting a Post-Issuance Debt Compliance Policy. D. Resolution 8718, Certifying the City of Mounds View’s Share of Indebtedness Related to the City of Spring Lake Park’s $1,090,000 General Obligation Equipment Certificates of Indebtedness, Series 2017A, the Proceeds of Which are to be Used by the Spring Lake Park Fire Department, Inc. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. 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: Meehlhause/Hull. To Approve the Just and Correct Claims as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Mounds View City Council February 27, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 7 Council Member Gunn reported she recently attended a cable commission meeting and noted the group discussed the promotion of CTV. Council Member Meehlhause stated last Friday night he attended an event at Irondale High School where the Robotics Team unveiled their new robot. He wished the Irondale team much success in Duluth this weekend. Council Member Meehlhause reported he would be attending an ISI event at Highview Middle School on Tuesday, February 28th at 5:30 p.m. Council Member Meehlhause indicated the YMCA would be holding an advisory committee meeting on Monday, March 6th at 11:00 a.m. Council Member Meehlhause provided the Council with an update from the Festival in the Park Committee. He noted the bicycle races were scheduled to continue, but indicated a new route would be chosen. Mayor Mueller stated additional volunteers were still needed to assist with Festival in the Park. She encouraged anyone interested in assisting to attend the next committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. She explained she was specifically seeking an individual willing to assist with fundraising. Mayor Mueller indicated she missed the Ramsey County League of Local Government meeting last week where a legislative update was provided. However, she noted she reviewed the recap of the event. City Administrator Ericson reported a Ramsey County Commissioner would be attending the March 27th City Council meeting and would be providing the Council with an update on TCAAP. Mayor Mueller reviewed the Twin Cities Business Magazine with the Council and noted a special feature on Page 45 where Twin Cities Gateway had featured several Mounds View businesses. Mayor Mueller encouraged all residents of Mounds View to get out and vote on Tuesday, March 7th for the Special Election from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. She reviewed an article within the Sun Focus regarding the upcoming election noting the four candidates were featured. Mayor Mueller recognized the loss of Mr. and Mrs. Wall and thanked them for their dedicated service to the community. B. Reports of Staff. City Administrator Ericson reported the EDC met and revised their priorities for 2017. Staff would be passing along this information to the Council. It was noted the EDC would like to see market rate apartments or senior housing on the Crossroad Pointe property. Mounds View City Council February 27, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 8 City Administrator Ericson reviewed the March worksession agenda with the Council. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 12. Next Council Work Session: Monday, March 6, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, March 13, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. Town Hall Meeting: Monday, March 20, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.