HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packets - 2003/03/13CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Monday, March 10, 2003
7:00 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL: Linke, Quick, Marty, Stigney, Gunn
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5. PUBLIC INPUT:
Citizens may speak to issues not on tonight’s agenda. Before speaking, please give
your full name and address for the minutes. Also, please limit your comments to
three minutes.
6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. Resolution 5960 Appointing Parks and Recreation Commission Members
7. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS
8. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Resolution 5961 Approving a Supplemental Letter Agreement with SEH for work associated
with the Water Tower Rehabilitation Project
B. Set a Public Hearing for 7:05 PM, Monday, March 24, 2003, to Consider an Appeal of the
Planning Commission’s Denial of a Variance Request Made by the Property Owners of
2075 Hillview Road, Planning Case VR03-001
C. Set a Public Hearing for 7:10 PM, Monday, March 24, 2003, to Consider the Introduction
and First Reading of Ordinance 710, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1111 of the Mounds
Vie Zoning Code Pertaining to Permitted Uses in the R-O Zoning District, Planning Case
TX03-001
D. Set a Public Hearing for 7:15 PM, Monday, March 24, 2003, to Consider a “No Parking”
Request on the East Side of Greenfield Avenue 350 Feet South from County Road I
9. COUNCIL BUSINESS
A. Resolution 5967 Approving Transfers Between Funds for the Year 2002.
B. Resolution 5968 Approving Interfund Loans for the Year 2002 and Setting an Interest
Rate on Loans for the Year 2003.
C. Request Authorization to Hire a Planning Associate in the Community Development
Department.
D. Resolution 5969 Authorizing the Write-off of Delinquent Accounts Receivable.
E. Resolution 5970 Approving Leases for Three Copy Machines from Savin.
F. Resolution 5963 Approving the Legal Services RFP and Authorizing its Distribution
City Council Agenda
March 10, 2003
Page 2
9. COUNCIL BUSINESS (Continued)
G. Resolution 5962 Approving the Purchase of a Point of Sale System for the Bridges Golf
Course.
H. Resolution 5965 Approving the Contract for a Website with TwinCitiesgolf.com
10. REPORTS
11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. City Council Minutes for February 24, 2003 will be approved on March 24, 2003.
12. Next Council Work Session: April 7, 2003
Next Council Meeting: (Special City Council Meeting) March 17, 2003
13. ADJOURNMENT
Item No: 9C
Meeting Date: March 10, 2003
Type of Business: CB
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: James Ericson, Interim City Administrator
Item Title/Subject: Authorization to fill Planning Associate Position in the
Community Development Department
Introduction:
The City’s former Planning Associate, Jim Atkinson, vacated his position in November of
2002. Rather than immediately filling the vacancy, the Community Development Director
chose to delay action to evaluate the needs of the department. The evaluation has been
done and authorization is now being requested to fill the position.
Discussion:
During the four months that the position has been vacant, it has become apparent that the
position should be more involved in the various City inspections programs, taking the lead on
zoning code inspections and lending support toward nuisance code inspections and
enforcement. It is also apparent that the vacancy is causing delays in processing resident
requests and applications and subsequent inspections and other department activities.
Fortunately the department has been able to utilize the services of a temporary inspections
assistant two days a week to help keep the inspections program on track. (The temp
position would end upon the hiring of a new Planning Associate.)
The Planning Associate’s job description has been revised to reflect the expanded
inspections role and to eliminate the primary responsibility of maintaining the City’s GIS
system. A further revision made was to remove the “desired” Masters Degree qualification.
Certainly a Masters Degree is a benefit, but probably not required as even a desired
qualification for the position.
Compensation:
The City’s 2003 pay plan articulates the five steps as follows:
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5
$37,539.84 $39,886.08 $42,232.32 $44,578.56 $46,924.80
According to the Compensation Study recently completed by Labor Relations Associates, the
Planning Associate’s maximum monthly salary exceeds the Stanton Mean rate by $426.
The 2003 monthly salary for the new Planning Associate could be reduced with the intent to
set the adjusted salary range closer to the Stanton Mean, however Staff would recommend
that such action occur as part of a comprehensive response to the Compensation Study.
Planning Associate Report
March 10, 2003
Page 2
Recommendation:
Staff requests City Council authorization to post the opening for the Planning Associate
position and to hire the individual that best matches the qualifications articulated in the
revised job description, which is attached for your review. The maximum salary for the
position shall be separately established by the City Council in a comprehensive response to
the recently completed Compensation Study.
_____________________________________
James Ericson
Interim City Clerk/Administrator
Attachments:
1. Planning Associate Job Description
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Planning Associate
Department: Community Development
Accountable To: Community Development Director
Status: Exempt
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF POSITION
Administer the City’s zoning code, assist the Community Development Director in reviewing
development proposals, prepare special research, perform field inspections and provide
information to the public on planning, zoning, neighborhood and code issues and procedures. Assist
with the upkeep and maintenance of the City’s GIS system and facilitate communication with
Mounds View citizens.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general guidance and direction of the Community Development Director.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
None, although may have temporary supervision of the department in the absence of the Director.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provides information on the City’s planning program, zoning code and development
procedures to citizens, property owners, architects, engineers, developers and contractors and
others in a helpful, customer-oriented manner.
• Analyzes and prepares reports on development applications to determine compliance with the
City’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning and Subdivision Codes. Coordinates the review of
development applications with various departments and agencies. Keeps applicants, property
owners, citizens, and other interested parties informed during the course of case review.
Prepares development agreements and monitors financial guarantees to assure improvements
are completed as required. Does site inspections of development projects to check for
compliance with approved plans as assigned.
• Reviews building, sign and fence plans for compliance with Code criteria.
• Interprets and administers zoning, subdivision, housing, nuisance and other codes, and makes
recommendations when code provisions are vague or in conflict with each other. Identifies
inconsistencies in code provisions and recommends code revisions. Prepares code revisions
as assigned.
• Performs field inspections as needed to enforce zoning, housing, building and nuisance code
compliance. Draft correspondence and work with residents to achieve compliance.
• Researches and prepares studies on planning issues to meet the City’s needs, and helps
prepare revisions to the Comprehensive Plan.
• Attends and gives presentations at meetings of the City Council and Planning Commission as
required.
• Utilizes and assists in the maintenance of the City’s GIS system. Prepares maps and graphics
using computer-based methods.
• Assists in the periodic surveying of citizens utilizing the Internet and other methods to
determine current citizen needs and concerns.
• Maintains a working knowledge of state and federal housing programs and housing issues.
• Manages the planning function in the Community Development Department in the absence
of the Director. Represents the department in meetings with applicants, citizens and property
owners.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES
• Works on projects and with other departments as assigned by the Director.
• May serve as a staff liaison to City Council, Planning Commission, citizen groups and to
employee committees.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Qualifications
(A) Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Planning or related field.
(B) One year of planning related work experience.
(C) Possession of a valid state driver’s license.
(D) Windows-based computer skills in a Microsoft Office environment.
Desired Qualifications:
(A) Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Planning or related field.
(B) Graphics manipulation and digital editing skills
(C) Background or exposure to ArcView and GIS principles.
(D) HTML coding and web-based editing experience
NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
(A) Knowledge of planning principles and practices as applicable to a municipal setting.
(B) Ability to prepare, organize and maintain data, files and records.
(C) Ability to utilize computer systems to track data and prepare reports.
(D) Knowledge of planning and development ordinances and how they are applied in the
development review process; familiarity with the steps in the review process.
(E) Ability to analyze situations and information, formulate alternatives, and use sound judgment
in drawing conclusions and making decisions. Ability to develop a course of action and
maintain momentum to reach successful conclusions to assignments within agreed upon time
frames.
(F) Ability to communicate orally and in writing; ability to produce effective presentations and
reports including research, synthesis of information, preparing text, graphs, charts and
graphics. Ability to write clearly, concisely and legibly.
(G) Ability to manage deadlines, demanding schedules and workload, and with juggling a
multitude of tasks.
(H) Ability to maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other staff members,
Council and Commission members, citizens, property owners, developers and others.
(I) Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
(J) Ability to maintain professionalism in difficult situations.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheet, and data base software; motor vehicle;
telephone; mobile or portable radio; blueprint, copy, fax, and other office machines.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made
to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed in both office and field settings. Approximately half of the employee’s time
during April through October is spent in field inspections associated with development cases and
code inspections. Sufficient mobility is necessary to navigate natural terrain and construction sites.
Visual acuity sufficient to evaluate field conditions, plans and drawings is necessary, as is the ability
to communicate orally in person and over the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job
include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability
to adjust focus. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of
office equipment.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, use
hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and to reach with hands and arms.
The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in both office and field settings. When
in the field, the employee is exposed to outside weather conditions, and may experience exposure to
wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, hazardous or
unsanitary conditions, risk of electrical shock and vibration. Situations may occur which are
threatening, and where the employee may encounter aggressive and hostile behavior from individuals
the employee must deal with in the course of performing his or her duties.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application and resume, rating of education and experience; oral interview, reference checks,
physical examination and drug and alcohol tests; job related tests may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be
performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if
the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and
employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of
the job change.
Revision History:
3/2001 262 Hay Points
8/1999
6/1997
1995 ADA
Item No: 9F
Meeting Date: March 10, 2003
Type of Business: CB
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: James Ericson, Acting City Administrator
Item Title/Subject: Resolution 5963 Approving the Legal services
Request for Proposals and Authorizing its Distribution
Introduction:
This item was discussed at the March 3, 2003 worksession meeting. Staff presented a
draft legal Services RFP which was reviewed and revised by the Council.
Discussion:
The revisions have been made and the revised RFP is attached to the Resolution as
Exhibit A. The additions are indicated in red with underlining, the deletions struck out,
also in red. The timeline in Section VIII has been revised but I did not use any special
formatting to reflect the changes.
The only change I did not make was to the “Fees” clause under Section 5K. I believe the
Council had some comments about revising this to be more similar to the Farmington
language, however I did not have a clear understanding of the intent or extent and thus
made no changes to that section. Please review the Farmington language and determine
if such a change is required and if so, the change can be made at the meeting.
Recommendation:
Review the RFP and make any final changes that may be necessary. Adopt Resolution
5963 Approving the Legal Services RFP and Authorizing its Distribution.
_____________________________________
James Ericson
Interim City Clerk/Administrator
Attachments:
1. Resolution 5963
RESOLUTION 5963
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LEGAL SERVICES REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS AND AUTHORIZING ITS DISTRIBUTION
WHEREAS, to ensure the City receives the most cost-efficient legal
representation, the City Council directed staff to prepare a Legal Services Request for
Proposals (RFP); and,
WHEREAS, such an RFP has been created and reviewed by the City Council;
and,
WHEREAS, the City Council has established a timeline for review of the
proposals and anticipates selecting a firm or firms on May 26, 2003.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council approves the Legal
Services RFP attached to this resolution as Exhibit A and authorizes its distribution.
Adopted this 10th Day of March, 2003.
______________________________
Jerry Linke, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
James Ericson
Interim City Clerk/Administrator
(SEAL)
City of Mounds View
REQUEST for QUALIFICATIONS and PROPOSALS
for LEGAL SERVICES
(Revised March 4, 2003)
I. PURPOSE
The City of Mounds View is requesting qualifications and proposals for Legal
Services from firms experienced in municipal law. Firms may choose to be
considered for either or both or all of the following services:
• City Attorney
• Prosecuting Attorney
II. BACKGROUND
The City of Mounds View, located in the northwest corner of Ramsey County, is a
fully developed Home-Rule Charter City with a population of 12,900. The form of
government established by the City Charter is the "Mayor-Council Plan". Except as
otherwise provided by state law or the Charter, all powers of the City are vested in the
Council. Mounds View is governed by a City Council composed of a Mayor and four
Council Members. All are elected at-large, the Mayor for a two-year term and the
Council for four-year terms. Mounds View has 43 full-time employees, a 2003 total
budget of $4,964,000 and a tax levy of $2,543,000.
Historically the City has retained a private firm or firms to provide City Attorney and
prosecution services. The City has also utilized additional firms to provide bond
counsel service and to work with TIF-related development issues.
III. PROCESS
A. The City will use the following process for selecting Legal Service Providers.
1. The City Council will appoint a Selection Committee to interview firms. The
Committee will recommend to the City Council the firm or firms to be
selected for the two areas of legal service.
2. The City Council will, by resolution, appoint the firm or firms selected to
provide the services indicated.
3. It is the intent of the City Council to award a contract for legal services for an
initial term not to exceed three years. Prior to the expiration of said legal
services contract, the City Council will review and assess the firm’s
performance. The Council may take action to either extend or terminate the
contract, as it deems appropriate. Absent such review and/or subject to any
subsequent modifications or amendments, the contract may renew
automatically on an annually basis.
IV. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
A. Responses must provide complete information as described in this request. Ten
(10) copies shall be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on April 18 28, 2003:
City Clerk/Administrator
City of Mounds View
2401 Highway 10
Mounds View, MN 55112
B. To ensure fairness and uniformity, firms submitting responses are requested to
not contact City staff or the City Council. Questions about this RFP may be sent
by e-mail to RFP@ci.mounds-view.mn.us in writing to the City Administrator prior
to the submission deadline.
C. The City will not reimburse any expenses incurred by the firm submitting
responses including, but not limited to, expenses associated with the preparation
and submission of the response and attendance at interviews.
D. The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to request additional
information from any and all Proposers, and to suggest modifications to the
terms and conditions of a retainer agreement from that offered by a Proposer.
V. REQUIRED CONTENTS OF RESPONSE
A. Firms shall indicate which of the two legal services (City Attorney and/or
Prosecuting Attorney) for which they wish to be considered.
B. Firm Background:
1. Brief history of firm
2. Number of attorneys, including number of partners and associates and
areas of specialty
3. Support personnel: number and expertise
4. Office organization and support capabilities
5. Office location(s)
6. Current use of technology, especially capability for computerized legal
research and for sharing and editing documents electronically.
7. Statement of any malpractice claims and/or ethics complaints taken
against your firm or firm’s attorney(s) over the last five years and the
status or outcomes of such action. Indicate whether any action is pending
or is currently under review by the State Ethics Board.
8. Statement of 2002 billings for municipal work as a percentage of total
2002 billings.
9. Most recent audit or financial report.
10. Describe malpractice insurance coverage: carrier, limits, and exemptions.
11. Statement of compliance with federal and state laws respecting civil rights.
C. Attorney Qualifications:
1. Identify the specific attorney who will serve as the lead attorney for each
of the legal services you have expressed interest in providing, and
indicate the following:
• Academic training and degrees
• Description of background and experience
• Description of prior municipal experience including cities served in a
similar capacity
• List of litigation in communities where designated attorney served as
lead attorney and outcomes of litigation
2. Identify attorney who will serve in the lead attorney’s absence, and
provide information as requested in No. 1 above.
3. Identify other attorneys and support staff who will supply services for
which the City will be charged.
4. Indicate current responsibilities of person designated to serve as lead
attorney.
D. List of cities you currently represent and for what type of service.
E. List of cities you began representing in the last three years and cities you
stopped representing in the last three years.
F. Names, telephone numbers, and contact person of at least five (5) client
references, at least two (2) of which shall be cities.
G. Description of the firm’s view of their responsibilities to the City in the provision
of legal services.
H. Copy of Malpractice/liability Insurance Certificate in a minimum amount of
$1,000,000.
I. Conflict of Interest:
1. Indicate whether designated lead attorneys or the law firm represent, or
have represented, any client whose representation may conflict with your
ability to provide legal services to the City.
2. Indicate whether designated lead attorneys or the law firm currently
represent any real estate developers. If so, please identify those
companies or persons in detail and provide a percentage breakdown of
how much this work represents of your firm’s total billings.
3. Indicate whether designated lead attorneys or the law firm currently
represents any other local units of government having jurisdiction within,
or contiguous to, the City of Mounds View.
4. Identify what procedures your firm utilizes to identify and resolve conflicts
of interest.
K. Fees:
1. City Attorney—firms desiring to be considered for City Attorney services
shall indicate a monthly retainer amount and describe specific services to
be included within the retainer and any services that would be outside the
retainer (refer to the list of services in Section VII.) For services outside
the retainer, indicate the hourly rate for City Attorney and other attorneys
and support staff that may be working on City business.
2. City Prosecutor—firms interested in providing City Prosecutor services
shall provide an hourly rate for the lead attorney and hourly rates for
other attorneys and staff that may be working on City business.
3. The City is interested in exploring alternative fee arrangements other than
the retainer or hourly rate. Indicate any alternate billing arrangements you
would be willing to consider and under what circumstances they would be
most appropriate.
VII. Legal Services Requirements
Following are the primary responsibilities for each of the two legal service areas:
City Attorney
1. Attend City Council meetings and other City Board, Authority,
Commission or Committee meetings as requested by the City Council or
City Clerk/Administrator.
2. Draft and/or review ordinances, resolutions, and correspondence, as
requested. Review City Council and agendas and meeting minutes as
requested.
3. Advise the Mayor, Council Members, City Clerk/Administrator, Department
Heads and other staff on city legal matters.
4. Prepare and/or review municipal contracts, such as contracts for public
improvements, joint powers of agreements, construction, and purchase of
equipment.
5. Codification of City ordinances on a regular basis.
6. Represent City in matters related to the enforcement of City building and
zoning codes.
7. Research and submit legal opinions on municipal or other legal matters,
as requested by City Council or City Clerk/Administrator.
8. Meet with the City Council, Economic Development Authority, City
Clerk/Administrator, Department Heads and City Staff as needed to
review Council agenda items, the status of all legal matters before the
City.
9. Provide legal briefings as requested to City Council and Staff regarding
new or proposed legislation affecting municipal operations and activities.
10. Provide written update on new State or Federal legislation or judicial
decisions impacting the City and suggested action or changes in
operations or procedures to assure compliance.
11. Provide advice on open meeting law, data practice, records retention and
privacy issues.
12. Represent the City in employment related issues, labor negotiations, Civil
Service Commission, arbitration, administrative hearings and in litigation
involving same.
13. Interpret and advise with respect to municipal employment matters
including, but not limited to, PERA, labor agreements, personnel policy,
FLSA, Veterans’ Preference, and unemployment compensation.
14. Defend City in litigation (except in those cases where insurance
companies are required to provide defense) including, but not limited to,
1) human rights claims; 2) condemnation; 3) permits and administrative
actions; and 4) labor and employment matters.
15. Defend City in uninsured claims and other insurance matters.
16. In coordination with Bond Counsel, review of financing, special
assessments, bonds and insurance requirements required by or for City
contracts or activities.
17. Represent City in the acquisition of properties for public improvements,
easements, and parks.
18. Represent City in condemnation proceedings for public improvement
projects.
19. Represent City in workers’ compensation matters.
20. Initiate litigation on behalf of City as requested by City Council.
21. Interpret and advise regarding State land use statutes and City Code.
22. Interpret and advise regarding laws relating to Comprehensive Plans and
Metropolitan Council approvals.
23. Interpret and advise regarding impact fees and legal uses.
24. Advise and represent the City on environmental matters.
25. Prepare and/or review the following:
a. Conditional Use Permits and Documentation
b. Vacation of Rights-of-way
c. Special Assessments
d. Planned Unit Developments
e. Development Agreements
f. Subdivision and Zoning Requests
26. Possess an adequate knowledge of TIF laws and understand their
application.
27. The firm shall not subcontract out or assign any interest in the contract
and shall not transfer any interest in the same without prior written
consent of the City.
Prosecuting Attorney
1. Represent and prosecute all criminal law matters within the City’s
jurisdiction, included but not limited to scheduling, coordinating officer
appearances, reviewing all criminal cases presented for purposes of
prosecution, determine technical compliance with criminal code and other
state statutes, writing complaints, making recommendations to the Court
for alternatives to prosecution where appropriate, act as a resource to the
Police Department in the development of criminal cases, and provide
training sessions for Police staff as needed.
2. Timely pursuit of disposition of criminal cases in advance of actual Court
cases to avoid unnecessary officer court time.
3. Process and present forfeiture cases on behalf of Police Department.
VIII. Anticipated Timeline
Following is the anticipated schedule the City Council expects to utilize for the
review and selection of a City Attorney and Prosecuting Attorney:
1. March 11, 2003: Distribute RFPs
2. April 18, 2003 (4:30 PM): Deadline for receipt of RFPs
3. April 21 - 25, 2003: Selection Team Review Period
4. April 28 – May 2, 2003: Interview Semi-Finalists
5. May 12, 2003: Selection of Firm
6. May 13 – 23, 2003: Negotiate Contract Agreement
7. May 26, 2003: City Council Resolution appointing Firm and
authorizing execution of Contract Agreement
IX. Affirmative Action
The City of Mounds View has adopted an Affirmative Action Plan and preference
shall be given to firms having adopted such a policy. The City is committed to
achieving the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action and
fully supports the incorporation of non-discrimination and Affirmative Action Rules
and regulations in contracts. Any subcontractor to the City not complying with all
applicable Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action laws, directives and regulations of
the Federal, State and Local governing bodies or agencies thereof, specifically
Minnesota Statutes §363 will be encouraged to come into compliance or risk the
loss of future contracts.
Item 09F Resolution 5963 Approving the Legal Services RFP and Authorizing its Distribution
Administrator’s Report
Jim Ericson
March 10, 2003
Item 1. The YMCA Executive Advisory Committee. The Committee met for the first time on
March 3, 2003. All members of the committee were in attendance and a member of the community
attended as well to provide input on a certain issue. The Committee began by discussed what the
roles and responsibilities are of the YMCA according to the Agreement, and also discussed the need
to establish a procedure for dealing with complaints and concerns at the Center. All felt the meeting
was beneficial and a subsequent meeting has been scheduled for April 14, 2003 at 5:00.
Item 2. Compensation Study. Labor Relations Associates were asked to perform the compensation
study as indicated in the Personnel Manual. The City Council authorized the study on December 30,
2002. During negotiations with AFSCME, the City agreed that it would conduct the study for all
positions in the City and that as a result, “salaries will be increased or frozen as necessary, effective
January 1, 2003.” The study (which is attached for your review) indicates that 10 of the positions
have maximum wages below the Stanton 6 mean, while 12 positions’ wages are in excess of the
Mean. I would like some direction as to how the Council would like to proceed with this issue.
Item 3. Meeting with Commissioner Bennett. I will be attending a meeting on March 14, 2003 to
discuss local and regional issues with Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett and the other
administrators and managers of communities in Commissioner Bennett’s district. Please share with
me any issues, comments, concerns or anything else you would like me to communicate to
Commissioner Bennett at this meeting.
Item 4. Legislative Townhall Meeting. This is simply a reminder that Senator Betzold and
Representative Bernardy have scheduled a Townhall meeting at the Mounds View Community
Center from 10:00 am to noon on March 15th. The topic of discussion is the state’s budget deficit
and how that gets resolved. They are asking the residents as well as the Council to come forward
and to voice your opinion.
Item 5. Keyless Entry. At a previous meeting of the City Council, the Council authorized staff to
work with Best Lock Company to assess our locks and to make changes that would allow the City to
maintain the keys system as it had been in the past. Also as part of that discussion, the Council
asked staff to look into the cost of a keyless entry at the front door. The cost of keyless entry
mechanisms have come down from previous systems and it’s my understanding they work
independent of a computer until data is needed. If we need to know who accessed the building over
the weekend, we would simply bring a laptop to the mechanism and download the data. To achieve
total tracking control, three units would need to be installed for the exterior City Hall doors.
Another unit (or units) could be installed on the Police Department exterior as well. The cost of
each unit is $500. Please direct staff if this is something you’d like installed.
Item 6. Pawn Shop Ordinance. As the Council is aware, there is an entity that would like to site a
pawn Shop in Mounds View Square. The City adopted an ordinance in February to give the City
time to review its Codes and Licensing procedures and to make any necessary amendments.
Pursuant to direction provided by the Council, I have solicited the assistance of a planning consultant
to research other city zoning ordinances, the requirements from adjoining communities and
requirements from communities that already have pawn shops. Staff will present the consultant’s
findings to the Planning Commission and it is expected that the Council would see this on their
agenda in May.
Item 7. 7741 Long Lake Road. Councilmember Quick brought this to my attention. There is a
house being constructed at 7741 Long Lake Road that extends into the front setback. The survey
indicates a 30-foot setback, which is the minimum front yard setback for a structure, however there
is a footnote to the code which states that no new structure may locate any closer to the street than
the closest structure on the block, but in no case shall the setback be less than 30 feet. The
prevailing setback for this block is approximately 40 feet. We issued a “Stop Work Order” on the
construction but have since modified the order to exclude the residence, as the garage is the part that
is in violation. We provided the builder with three options. 1. Cut ten feet off the garage. This
would seem the least problematic as the garage is shown to be 42 feet wide. Reducing that by ten
feet would leave a 32-foot wide garage. 2. The second option presented was to shift the whole
building back yen feet. This would be problematic in that the footings have already been poured and
some walls have been erected. (The builder indicates they will not be moving the building.) 3. The
last option is to apply for a variance, which they have indicated they would do. There really is no
hardship in this case and the structure does appear out of plac e and too close to the road.
Item 8. Metricom Wireless Bankruptcy. Some on the Council may recall there was a time when the
City Council laptops utilized wireless modems which had been provided by a wireless internet
service that had located equipment on top of the water tower. The company, Metricom, filed for
bankruptcy in 2001 and it ceased operating. Working with Kennedy & Graven, I made a claim on
behalf of the City for lost rent revenue, the value of the lost wireless Internet connections, and the
cost to remove Metricom’s equipment, which I believe is still located on the water tower. The claim
was filed in December of 2001. Fifteen months after the fact, I have been informed that a settlement
has been offered which I will discuss in greater detail at the Council meeting. We will probably be
seeking Council authorization to accept the settlement proposal. Additional documentation will be
available Monday night.
Item 9. Internet Quotes for Playback Decks. Ken Gammell has provided some addit ional
information regarding the playback decks in response to questions raised by Councilperson Stigney.
His report is attached for the Council’s information.
Item No. 10
Type of Business: Reports
Meeting date : March 10, 2003
City of Mounds View Staff Memo
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Kenneth Gammell, Television Production Coordinator
Subject: Additional D igital Video Deck Quotes
To the Council,
This memo is a follow-up to Council Member Stigney’s request to obtain internet
quotes for the Sony DSR-11 Digital video deck. The following quotes were found:
Interscreen.tv $1,949 (No Rating)
B&H $1,995 (Shipping - $26.50) = $2021.50
Samy’s DV $2,049
PROMAX $2,150
ECost $2,400
PCMall $2,600
Below are the quotes previously mentioned in a Staff report dated 2/27/2003:
SONY DSR-11
EPA $2,165.00
ALPHA $2,117.00
AVI $2,339.00
Interscreen.tv is an unknown seller with no ratings by previous buyers. This is highly
suspect, and would not recommend purchase from them. B&H, which is a reliable
seller in New York, has the next cheapest quote of $1,995, with a calculated
shipping cost of $26.50, totali ng $2021.50.
The cheapest local quote is Alpha, which was given an opportunity to beat the
Internet price. They responded they could not.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kenneth Gammell