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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2017/11/13PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting November 13, 2017 Mounds View City Hall 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:12 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Bergeron, Gunn, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: Hull (excused) 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, November 13, 2017, City Council Agenda. Mayor Mueller requested an item be added to the agenda allowing for an update from Ramsey County Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire under Special Order of Business. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Bergeron. To Approve the Monday, November 13, 2017, agenda as amended. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. October 23, 2017, City Council Meeting Minutes. Council Member Meehlhause requested a correction on Page 3, Line 11 changing being to be. Council Member Meehlhause requested a correction on Page 3, Line 37 changing house to hoist. Council Member Meehlhause requested a correction on Page 4, Line 40 and 41 noting Sharon’s last name was spelled Klumpp. Council Member Meehlhause requested a correction on Page 4, Line 22 stating this line should read: a representative from MWF and INH. Mounds View City Council November 13, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 2 Council Member Meehlhause requested a correction on Page 5, Line 12 noting this line should read: the City has received. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Approve the October 23, 2017, City Council meeting minutes as amended. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. CONSENT AGENDA A. Just and Correct Claims. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 8. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Swearing-in of Officer Sydney Dison. Police Chief Harder introduced newly hired Police Officer Sydney Dison to the City Council and administered the Oath of Office to Officer Dison. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Mayor Mueller and the City Council welcomed Officer Dison to the Mounds View Police Department. B. Resolution 8856, a Resolution Canvassing Election Results of the November 7, 2017 Election. Finance Director Beer reviewed the results from the November 7th election and requested the Council adopt a Resolution that would canvass the election results. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8856, a Resolution Canvassing Election Results of the November 7, 2017 Election. Council Member Meehlhause thanked the residents of Mounds View for offering their support to the referendum to hire an additional police officer. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Presentation by SBM Fire Chief Charlie Smith of the SBM Fire Department Capital Budget Equipment Overview. Mounds View City Council November 13, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 3 Fire Chief Smith presented the Council with an update on the 20-year capital plan for the SBM Fire Department Capital Budget. He described how this plan would assist cities in planning for the future while working to keep expenses consistent over time. He stated this was a realistic plan that was subject to change. He thanked staff for their assistance with the plan. Council Member Meehlhause asked if Stations 1, 2 and 4 would be getting new stations. Fire Chief Smith stated this was inaccurate. He explained Station 4 was the oldest station noting it was built in 1974. He indicated there would be further discussions about the replacement or renovations needed for Station 4. Mayor Mueller questioned if Engine #6 would be purchased in 2020 or 2024. Fire Chief Smith explained this engine would be purchased in 2020. Mayor Mueller inquired if there was a way to smooth out some of the peaks and valleys over time. Finance Director Beer stated he would be working on that on behalf of the City. He reported after 2026 the payments would be steady. Mayor Mueller commented Mounds View did not have a lot of tall buildings, except for Medtronic. She asked if the ladder truck was necessary in Mounds View. Fire Chief Smith explained ladder trucks were used on all structure fires, especially for two and three-story apartment buildings. He described how ladder trucks were used for putting out fires in addition to assisting with rescuing individuals stranded in a fire. D. Update from Ramsey County Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire Ramsey County Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire thanked the Council for their time. She provided the Council with an update on events occurring at the County. She reviewed the County’s vision, mission and goals and commented on the team of individuals that served District 2. The 2018-2019 budget for the County was discussed, along with the County’s proposed revenues and expenses. She described how the County was working on economic development noting the County’s population was on the rise. She provided further comment on the Rice Creek Commons redevelopment. She explained the County’s efforts on Active Living within Mounds View. She encouraged the public to sign up for her District 2 newsletter. Mayor Mueller thanked Commissioner McGuire for her recent assistance regarding access issues onto Mounds View Boulevard. Council Member Bergeron thanked Commissioner McGuire and her staff for their attention to this matter. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the County’s access policy was ever reviewed by the County board. Commissioner McGuire stated she discussed this matter with Public Works today. She explained that while the policy may not be reviewed on a regular basis by the Board, Mounds View City Council November 13, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 4 the understanding was that the County was to work with its cities to find solutions, while still maintaining proper safety regulations. Council Member Meehlhause stated the City was frustrated by the fact its businesses have had access to Mounds View Boulevard for years and through redevelopment projects access was now not allowed. Commissioner McGuire discussed how the County was working with the City to strike a balance between access and safety. Council Member Gunn requested further information on Rice Creek Commons. Commissioner McGuire stated agreements are being worked on between the County and the City with the Master Developer. She explained the property was being marketed at this time and the County believed this was a very attractive property. She stated there has been challenges regarding the proposed density within the development. Council Member Gunn asked when County Road I would be open. Commissioner McGuire reported County Road I would be open in the next week or two. Further discussion ensued regarding road construction that would be occurring in and around Mounds View. She thanked Council Member Gunn for her service on the I-35W Coalition. Council Member Meehlhause questioned if a solar garden was still being considered for Rice Creek Commons. Commissioner McGuire believed the solar garden would be installed on the north end of County Road I. Council Member Meehlhause inquired where Heather Worthington had moved. Commissioner McGuire explained Ms. Worthington had taken a position with the City of Minneapolis. She then described how the department of Economic Development had been restructured after Ms. Worthington’s departure and noted two individuals would be hired to fill her position. Mayor Mueller stated the public safety message came through loud and clear in the meetings she attended with the County. She explained the data presented did not show a concern for the Mounds View Boulevard corridor with how access points were aligned. She indicated she was grateful the City’s representatives had been working behind the scenes to assist with further local economic development while still taking into consideration public safety. She appreciated the fact the traffic lights along the Mounds View Boulevard corridor had been synchronized and recommended the speed limit for the corridor not be increased. She suggested signs be posted noting the proper speed for the corridor. Council Member Bergeron agreed stating he did not want to see the speed along the Mounds View Boulevard corridor increased knowing full well traffic was already moving faster than the posted speed limit. Commissioner McGuire thanked the City Council for all of their work in the community on behalf of the residents in Mounds View. 9. COUNCIL BUSINESS Mounds View City Council November 13, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 5 A. Resolution 8853, Approving the hire of Rayla Sue Ewald as Human Resource Technician. Interim City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve the hire of Rayla Sue Ewald as the City’s human resource technician. He commented on the hiring process that was followed noting the City had 10 applicants. He reported Ms. Ewald was the strongest candidate and comes with 24 years of human resource experience. If approved, Ms. Ewald would begin working with the City on Monday, November 20th. Mayor Mueller discussed the City’s Human Resource Technician position noting this had been revised after Assistant City Administrator Des Crane left the City in August of this year. Council Member Bergeron was pleased by the fact the City revised this job description after Ms. Crane left the City as this ensured the City had the proper staffing model. Mayor Mueller thanked Council Member Meehlhause and Council Member Hull for their service on the Human Resources Committee. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8853, Approving the hire of Rayla Sue Ewald as Human Resource Technician. Mayor Mueller stated based on the qualifications of this individual she would be starting at Level 4 of the 2017 compensation plan. Council Member Meehlhause commended Interim City Administrator Zikmund for his efforts in creating a probationary plan for this new employee. Mayor Mueller encouraged Ms. Ewald to attend the Council’s planning retreat meeting on Monday, November 20th. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 8854B, Approving the Appointment of Virgil Beyer and Robert King to the Police Civil Service Commission. Police Chief Harder requested the Council approve the appointment if Virgil Beyer and Robert King to the Police Civil Service Commission. He explained the Civil Service Commission currently had one vacancy and noted another seat would expire in December. He was pleased to report he received three applications for these positions. Robert King, 7408 Silver Lake Road, explained he has lived in Mounds View for the past 20 years and worked at Sysco for over 30 years. He stated he was looking forward to serving his community on the Civil Service Commission. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8854, Mounds View City Council November 13, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 6 Approving the Appointment of Virgil Beyer and Robert King to the Police Civil Service Commission. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Mr. King for stepping forward and being willing to serve. He thanked Mr. Beyer for his continued service with this group. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mayor Mueller requested an update from the Mounds View Police Foundation. Kathryn Smith, president of the Mounds View Police Foundation, stated she was happy to report the foundation was recently awarded two grants. The grants totaled $2,500 and would be used to assist with K-9 expenses. She commented on the Shop with a Cop event that would be held in December. The public was encouraged to attend the Father/Daughter Dance in February of 2018. C. Resolution 8857, Approving the Purchase of Sonetics Hearing Protection. Public Works Director Peterson requested the Council approve the purchase of Sonetics Hearing Protection. He explained this equipment would be used by staff when completing watermain breaks. He described the benefits of this product noting communication between staff members would be greatly enhanced. Staff recommended purchase of the four headsets and charging case. Council Member Bergeron was pleased this product would improve communication between employees while also enhancing hearing safety. Mayor Mueller asked if four headsets would be enough. Public Works Director Peterson believed that four would be enough for the time being and noted an additional headset could be purchased in the future if deemed necessary. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8857, Approving the Purchase of Sonetics Hearing Protection. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 8858, Approving HVAC repairs at City Hall and the Mounds View Community Center. Public Works Director Peterson requested the Council approve HVAC repairs at City Hall and for the Mounds View Community Center. He discussed improvements that were made in 2014 and noted there were still problems regulating the temperature in the northwest corner of the Community Center. He stated options to address this concern have been discussed with Trane and it was recommended an electric reheat VAV be installed. He then discussed the cooling unit that would be installed in the IT room. He reported the cost for these improvements would be $19,208. Mounds View City Council November 13, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 7 Mayor Mueller thanked staff for providing the City Council with a detailed report on the history of this matter. She asked if this was a budgeted item for 2017. Finance Director Beer reported this was a budgeted expense. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8858, Approving HVAC repairs at City Hall and the Mounds View Community Center. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 8859B, Approving the Advertising for a Police Officer Position. Police Chief Harder requested the Council approve the advertising for a Police Officer Position. He explained on November 7th the referendum passed which authorized the City to hire another police officer for the purpose of backfilling a patrol officer and assigning a veteran officer to the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force. He reviewed the job posting with the Council and recommended approval. Mayor Mueller requested the date on the Resolution be changed. Police Chief Harder explained he had made this change to the Resolution. Council Member Meehlhause asked how the Police Department would be assigning an officer to the task force. Police Chief Harder stated an internal memorandum of interest would be drafted in April of 2018 and interviews would be held within the department. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8859, Approving the Advertising for a Police Officer Position. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 10. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Meehlhause reported he would be attending an NYFS HR Meeting on Wednesday and a Twin Cities Gateway meeting next Tuesday. Council Member Meehlhause asked if staff would be registering the City Council for the Metro Cities/League of Minnesota Cities meeting on Wednesday, November 29th. Interim City Administrator Zikmund stated the Council was registered for the League of Minnesota Cities (MNA) meeting. He reported he could still register the Council for the additional meeting if interested. Council Member Gunn reported the I35W Coalition met recently and discussed the budget for the MnPASS project. She noted the City of Minneapolis has joined this coalition. She anticipated the MnPASS project would have a ground breaking ceremony in 2018 with work Mounds View City Council November 13, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 8 beginning in 2019. She commented on how arterial roadways through Mounds View and New Brighton would be impacted during the four years it would take to complete this project. Mayor Mueller reported she attended a Five Cities meeting earlier today. She provided the Council with an update from each of the mayors that were in attendance, noting Mayor David Grant from Arden Hills provided the group with an update on TCAAP. She explained this group would be meeting next on Monday, January 22nd. Mayor Mueller reviewed her upcoming meeting schedule and indicated she would be attending a North Metro Mayors meeting on Wednesday, a Ramsey County Dispatch Policy meeting on Thursday and on Monday, November 20th she would be attending a Council Retreat at Random Park. She stated she planned to attend the League of Minnesota Cities meeting on Wednesday, November 29th. She commented on an upcoming GARE (Government Alliance on Race and Equality) meeting on Tuesday, December 12th at 8:30 a.m. and noted the entire Council was invited to attend. Mayor Mueller reported the Festival in the Park Committee would not be meeting in November or December. The next meeting for the committee would be held on Tuesday, January 16th. B. Reports of Staff. Police Chief Harder reviewed the 3rd Quarter Police Report with the Council. He commented on a recent outreach event held with the Ghana community. He thanked Council Member Bergeron for speaking at this event. He stated he was tremendously proud of the fact that calls for service were increasing which meant his officers were being proactive in the community. He discussed the National Night Out Pre-Party and believed this event was a huge success. He reported all Mounds View Police Officers were using body worn cameras. He provided further comment on the departments calls for service and crime statistics for the 3rd quarter. He reviewed the training his officers attended. He thanked Shield 616 and Bethlehem Baptist for their incredible support. He noted the Police Department would be hosting Shop with a Cop on Monday, December 18th. He explained the department would be holding a Citizen’s Academy from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Adult Learning Center on December 5th, 7th, 12th and 14th. The topics planned for these dates was reviewed in detail with the Council. Council Member Bergeron thanked Police Chief Harder for his great work on the Ghana-fest. He was pleased to see how the Mounds View Police Officers were interacting with the children attending the event. Public Works Director Peterson noted segment 6 of the Silver View Trail was now complete. He reported the street contractor was finalizing this project and was working on a punch list. He stated Ramsey County had completed tree removal in the ditch at County Road I and Silver Lake Road. He then provided the Council with an update on the Public Works Facility. He indicated the facility should be completed by mid-January. Mounds View City Council November 13, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 9 Mayor Mueller asked if the situation on Gloria Circle had been resolved. Public Works Director Peterson indicated he was working to resolve this situation with the residents. Interim City Administrator Zikmund reported building official interviews were held last week and a recommendation would be made to the Council at the Monday, November 27th meeting. Interim City Administrator Zikmund stated he attended a MAC meeting last Thursday. He provided the Council with a handout from that meeting and commented on the noise complaints from the airport in Blaine. Interim City Administrator Zikmund updated the Council on the Crossroad Pointe development. He reported the Council would be receiving an update on this redevelopment project at the worksession meeting on Monday, December 4th. He noted MWF could be reviewed by the Council on Monday, December 11th. Mayor Mueller requested staff place this information on the City’s website. Interim City Administrator Zikmund stated the 2017 Council priorities were being reviewed by staff and would be addressed at the upcoming retreat. Interim City Administrator Zikmund requested feedback from the Council on how to proceed with the childcare situation at the Community Center. He explained two sealed bids have been received by the City. He indicated staff could open the bids publicly and could then move forward with further evaluation. Mayor Mueller suggested the bids be opened with both parties in attendance. After that time, the bids should be reviewed by staff in order to complete a comparison on the bids. This information should then be provided to the City Council in order to assist with making a final decision on the matter. The Council supported the bids item moving forward in this manner. Interim City Administrator Zikmund stated staff has sent RFP’s for prosecutorial services and noted three firms have responded. He explained he would be coming back to the Council with additional information at a future Council meeting after the bids can be evaluated and references can be checked. Mayor Mueller provided a recap on the recent election and congratulated the winning candidates. She encouraged those that were not successful to find another way to serve the community. Mayor Mueller stated this evenings meeting started late due to a technical difficulty. She reported the meeting would be rebroadcasted and available for streaming on the City’s website. She explained the City was working to replace its aging broadcasting equipment. Mayor Mueller indicated the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf served the City of Mounds View’s residents and was in need of donations this time of year. She added that the food shelf has a Mounds View City Council November 13, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 10 donor match of up to $15,000 through December 31, 2017. She reported the food shelf was taking reservations now for their Thanksgiving bundles. C. Reports of City Attorney. There was nothing additional to report. 11. City Council Retreat: Monday, November 20, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, November 27, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. Truth in Taxation Meeting: Monday, December 4, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Work Session: Monday, December 4, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. 12. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.