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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1998/11/09APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER The Mounds View City Council was called to order by Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners at 7:03 p.m., on November 9, 1998. 2. ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Mayor Koopmeiners, Council Members Gunn, Stigney, and Quick MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor McCarty (excused) • ALSO PRESENT: Chuck Whiting, City Administrator; Bruce Kessel, Finance Director; Rick Jopke, Community Development Director; Mike Ulrich, Public Works Director; Mary Saarion, Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director; Bob Long, City Attorney; and Dave Hix, Recorder 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. October 26, 1998, City Council Meeting Minutes MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Stigney to approve the November 9, 1998, City Council Meeting Minutes as published and amended. Stigney offered the following corrections: Page 1, Item 3 A, last sentence, correct the spelling of the name "Caughlin" to "Coughlin." Page 2, Item 6, last sentence, change the word "Commission" to "Council." Page 4, third paragraph, change the first occurrence of the word "to" to "told," in the same paragraph, change correct the spelling of the word "opposed." Page 5, at the MOTION/SECOND: insert Stigney as the seconder to the motion. Page 6, second paragraph, change the word "completion" to "competition." In the same paragraph change the word "Director" to "Economic Coordinator." In the second to last paragraph on Page 6, change the word "review" to "reviewed." VOTE: Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 The motion carried • Page 2 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council B. November 4, 1998, City Council Canvassing Meeting Minutes MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Quick to approve the November 4, 1998, City Council Canvassing Meeting Minutes as submitted. VOTE: Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 The motion carried 4. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Certificate of Appreciation for Keith Anderson -Minnesota Technology Teacher of the Year Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Mounds View to Mr. Anderson for his work in achieving The Minnesota Technology Teacher of the Year award. Keith Anderson accepted the award and told the Council that he was proud to be a teacher in and resident of Mounds View. B. Certificate of Appreciation for Mike Hanson -American Truck Driving Association's Professional Truck Driving Championship Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Mike Hanson for his efforts in winning the American Truck Driving Association's Professional Truck Driving Championship, 1st place in the "Flatbed Division." Mike Hanson is an employee of SYSCO, a business located in the City of Mounds View. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve Just and Correct Claims MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Quick to approve the Consent Agenda as published VOTE: Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 The motion carried 6. RESIDENTS' REQUESTS AND COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR David W. Jahnke, 8428 Eastwood Road, asked the following questions: • 1. How did the City get from the original Resolution on the Community Center to Page 3 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council $6.5 million on the Bel Rae Ballroom? 2. Is it true that the Children Home's Society wants to get out of their lease, or renegotiate the lease to a lesser amount? 3. Did the City lose or gain money in regard to the litigation at the "Golf Course." 4. Are the taxes charged on utilities in the City going to go up or stay at their current levels? City Administrator Whiting offered the following answers to Mr. Jahnke's questions: 1. The correct amount for the Community Center (the old Bel Rae Ballroom) is $6.2 million dollars. This is a total of all of the costs incurred to date. At the time of the referendum the amount was $3.3 million. Prior to that about $800,000- 900,000 had been spent. After the referendum process there were additions to the proposed design of the building, which were agreed to and approved by the City Council in conjunction with the Community Center Task Force. These changes brought the project to its current $6.2 million. Whiting told Mr. Jahnke that he would forward to him a breakdown of all of the costs. Mr. Jahnke expressed his concern that the citizens never had an opportunity to vote on all of the changes that are taking place on the project. "The original Resolution and the Charter called for only going over a certain percent, by a Resolution," he said. "Legally, by the Charter, how did this happen?" 2. Whiting told Mr. Jahnke the Children's Home Society, during the summer months, had been experiencing some shortfalls in the number of children that it cares for. Currently the number of children being cared for has increased. The City has been in discussion with Children's Home Society in regard to what could be done to keep them in the building or whether or not the City should find someone else to operate the facility. A verbal agreement has been reached to the effect that Children's Home Society will stay in the building for the "base rent," $30,000 for 1999. Any difference (shortfall) will be held in escrow to be paid back at some point in the future, or if they decide to break the lease ahead of time they will owe that amount ($8,000 - 15,000) to the City. Their play ground equipment will be installed along with other undefined equipment. If and when they leave all of this equipment would be left to the City. The Council has agreed to this approach and a written document is being prepared by staff. 3. City Attorney Long told Mr. Jahnke the City settled its Litigation involving the Golf Course. The. City was paid $125,000 as a result of this litigation. Cost of litigation was $300,000. Page 4 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council 4. Whiting stated the the tax on utilities issue would be discussed later in the Council's regular meeting. The Franchise Fee expires at the end of the year. The only way to keep it going is to pass an ordinance so the City can notify NSP to continue their services. Jalie Olson, 2663 Lake Court Circle, requested information documentation regarding the "overspending" at the Community Center. Continuing, Ms. Olson asked when the TIF District No. 4, which the Community Center is part of, would be decertified and how would the citizens go about having the TIF District No. 4 decertified if it has not been done. Whiting stated the issue would be put on the Council's future agenda for action. Kesel told Ms. Olson state law requires that the district be decertified if there is no activity in the district. Ms. Olson asked if the Holiday Gas Station, which is part of TIF District No. 2, could be decertified. She stated the money realized by the City's general fund from decertification of these TIF districts would help make up the operating funds needed for the new Community Center. Kesel stated. "80 percent of the money that's coming into the district is not General Fund Money. It's from the School District and the County. So, the City is approximately 18-20 percent of the total taxes." Jopke told the Council they could take any parcel of land out of a Tax Increment District. You can decertify districts or you can decertify individual properties. Koopmeiners suggested putting the issue on a December Council Work Session for future discussion. Stigney suggested putting the senior housing project on the same discussion agenda because they are no longer looking for TIF assistance. Jopke stated when the senior housing project changed from an apartment complex to a co-op concept there was a change in the project's tax structure. Real Life has decided that TIF assistance is not needed. Dan Coughlin, 8468 Spring Lake Road, offered his thanks to the City staff, in particular Chuck Whiting and Cari Schmidt, for their good work during the past election process. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Public Hearing and Consideration of Ordinance No. 622, an Ordinance Implementing a franchise fee on electric and natural gas utility companies for the operation of the utility within the City of Mounds View. 1. Public Hearing and Second Reading Page 5 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council 2. Motion to Adopt Kessel recommended holding off on the Motion to Adopt in light of its impact on the budget discussions taking place during the week of November 16, 1998. Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners closed the Council meeting and opened the public hearing. David Jahnke, 8428 Eastwood Road, said it was his understanding that it was the City's goal to get taxes taken off of the utilities used by the City residents. "Why does the City want to raise taxes? Is it because we spent so much money on the Bel Rae and all other things?" he asked. Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners said there are other issues besides the new Community Center that the City needs to generate funds to pay for, such as: paying for the police officers that had been part of a federal funding program that is no longer funded. Whiting said street improvement funds also needed to be maintained. Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners closed the public hearing and returned the floor to the Council. • MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Gunn to waive the second reading of Ordinance No. 622, an Ordinance Implementing a franchise fee on electric and natural gas utility companies for the operation of the utility in the City of Mounds View. The Motion to Adopt was tabled until the City Council meeting of November I6, 1998. VOTE: Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 The motion carried B. Discussion of Community Center Management Options. Whiting said the item was put on the agenda to solicit suggestions and discussion from the community in regard to how best to manage the Community Center's operations. One of the goals is to keep the operations, on a yearly basis, as free from the general fund budget as possible. Early on in the planning of the Community Center one of the operation options that had been considered was working with a volleyball association (the V.B. Diggs Group) as the operator of the Community Center. This plan did not come to fruition. Other options were to take the existing Park and Recreation staff, move them into the new facility and complement them with added personnel to help cover the hours of operation on a seven-day a week, full-time operation schedule. This option is financially undesirable because of the City's limited levy increase. Requests for Proposals (RFP) were sent out to private vendors to solicit bids for private management of the Community Center. The YMCA, The City of New Brighton, and Innovative Images responded to the RFPs. Page 6 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council The proposals were reviewed by staff and Council Members. New Brighton's proposal was based on how they run the New Brighton Family Services Center. It was very strong on building management. They were proposing to share some administrative costs with the City of Mounds View. Innovative Images made a presentation that was very strong in marketing. They emphasized the Center's banquet facility and activities that would generate revenues. Another feature of their proposal was to act as a contracted employee to oversee the Park and Recreation programs not only in the Community Center but throughout the entire community. Whiting turned the floor over to Bruce Kessel to discuss the YMCA proposal. Kesel told the Council that several options had been discussed in regard to having the YMCA involved in the Community Center. This included after school and summer programming. Another option is for the YMCA to do all of the City's recreation programming. After preliminary evaluation it appeared that between $50,000 - 100,000 could be saved by having the YMCA take over the entire Park and Recreation program. Guidelines for the YMCA's operation S of the City's Park and Recreation program were stated as: 1. City input into the types of programs that would be offered 2. Local input into the fee charged for the programs 3. Local input into the hours of operation 4. Retain the existing fee structure a. set fees per program and not monthly fees 5. Additional joint ventures 6. Additional fund raising 7. Take advantage of senior and volunteers The YMCA would furnish a local manager on site with oversight from the Shoreview Executive Director. There would be local programmers and local instructors. Pat Reimersma, YMCA representative, gave the following presentation: A brief history of the YMCA was given. The YMCA has nine branches and three resident camps. Ms. Reimersma read the YMCA's mission statement which emphasizes "strong kids, strong families and strong communities." The YMCA sees this opportunity with Mounds View as an extension of its services to the community and not as an economic opportunity; although one of its objectives is operate a facility "in the black. All of the YMCA's programs include the • core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Page 7 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council The YMCA has collaborated with the City of Shoreview in running their summer parks and recreation programs. This includes sharing of staff and internal activities. A similar program was set up in New Brighton. There is also strong participation with Mounds View community education and school district and the Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative. The YMCA would provide: 1. Program directors 2. A person that would be responsible for the management of the facility 3. Support staff for the park and recreation programs 4. The staff would be hired by the Northwest YMCA and comply with their personnel policies 5. Mounds Views Park and Recreation Commission would be asked for help in planning the programs 6. Programs and fees would be established by the YMCA with consultation from Mounds View's Parks and Recreation Commission 7. Mounds View residents would be provided a "fee" specifically for them 8. Other communities would be encouraged to participate in the programs 9. No annual membership would apply at the Mounds View branch Acting Mayor Koopmeiners opened the floor for question of the YMCA presenters. Julie Olson expressed her concern that the City staff had not advertised in enough venues for the RFP for managing the Community Center. She also stated she would be in favor of having the YMCA operate the Community Center. Ms. Olson suggested formulating a management agreement that was entered into on a year-to year basis. Kessel stated the City would be looking at an agreement for three to five years with renewal options. Ms. Olson asked if the YMCA would run the Community Center and park and recreation activities totally independent of the City. Whiting stated the City's basis for performance standards, for service delivery, is what is happening now. It is the feeling of staff that these performance standards should be maintained. David Jahnke gave the Council his recommendation to offer the YMCA the management contract because, "they can run a business better than a government can." Page 8 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council Pam Starr, Park and Recreation Commissioner, asked for the following clarifications: 1. What will the staffing levels be at the Community Center which are dedicated to park and recreation activities? Pat Reimersma stated there would be two full- time employees for this purpose. 2. What do you think that the fee levels will. be, do you think that they will be the same, increasing, decreasing? Pat Reimersma stated the fee structure would be established with the input of the Park and Recreation Commissioners and staff. It is the YMCA's intent to cover the expense from staffing and run a quality program. 3. What happens if the YMCA's budget doesn't deliver the type of service that the City currently has? Scott Goyer stated the expenses and incomes for programs will be handled just as they are being handled now. If there are surpluses they will be shared with the YMCA and the City. Kesel stated the programming would be identical to what is currently being offered by the City. 4. If the level of service is less, will the YMCA's budget make up for any short falls? Kesel stated the projected cost for the YMCA to operate identical programs is the same as the City is expending now. Savings will be realized in overhead and administrative costs. Ms. Starr stated the Park and Recreation Commission wants to see fees and the level of service remain the same. She asked for an itemized budget for the YMCA's proposal. Richard Sonterre, 5060 Red Oak Drive, expressed his concern that the YMCA could effectively operate Mounds View's Park and Recreation programs. He said he was concerned with the YMCA's lack of experience in handling this type of program in other communities in the area. Whiting said if the YMCA and Mounds View do enter into a management agreement for the Community Center, maintaining the current level of services will be an ongoing effort for both the City and the YMCA. "The City's intent is for no cut in services; although, realistically, it will be different. The people will have to judge for themselves whether it is better or worse," he added. Mr. Sonterre asked if some of the Parks and Recreation work load is shifted to Public Works, will they be getting additional help to offset their added responsibilities. Whiting said the two individuals that are currently Park employees would be shifted over to the Public Works Department. Again, the City staff would be responsive to public input in regard to the level of service and whether the current level of service is being maintained. Page 9 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council Mr. Sonterre expressed his concern that this process of the proposed dismantling of the Parks and Recreation Department was the beginning of "out sourcing" for City services. He stated he was not opposed to the YMCA proposal but he is concerned at the speed that the process is going at. The City has a successful quality service (Parks and Recreation) and yet they are considering turning over the management responsibilities of that Department to an organization that has no past experience in running a parks and recreation department. Mary Saarion, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Mounds View, gave a brief overview of the services that the City's Parks and Recreation Department provides. These include parks facilities, recreation programs, obtaining grants for facility and program impxovements, training of citizen volunteers to help in operating the facilities and programs, and employing and training youth in park and recreation programs. The Park and Recreation budget has been reduced from $800,000 in 1988 to $500,000 in 1998. This has been done with study into more efficient operations and scheduling, with service evaluation, and with hard work. The current budget cannot be cut any more without cutting either services or staff . Ms. Saarion encouraged the YMCA to take over the operation of the Parks and Recreation Department if they thought they could furnish the same quality and Level of services that are now being offered. She stated of the 104 recreation program areas, only 14 of those areas are to be held at the Community Center. The remaining 90 programs are held out in the community, in the schools, churches and parks. "Who is going to manage this remaining 87 percent of the programming?" she asked. Ms. Saarion urged the staff and Council to make sure that the service delivery would meet the communities expectations. Mike Sapanski, 2485 Oak Court Drive, expressed his concern that the City built a Community Center and doesn't know what they are going to use it for. He also expressed his concern that the City's "vague proposal" to the YMCA, would yield dollar savings that are just as vague. Mr. Sapanski expressed his concern with "outsourcing" of the City's labor. Scott Denz, Park and Recreation Commission, Commissioner, agreed with all of the previous comments made by Parks and Recreation Commissioners. He asked staff to provide to the Commission a detailed YMCA proposal and any specifications that were provided to the YMCA to make their proposal on. Mr. Denz asked staff who would be handling grant applications if the YMCA was to take over the operation of the City's Parks and Recreation Department. He sated his opposition to hiring the YMCA to manage the City's Parks and Recreation Department. Whiting stated grant applications would have to be a joint effort between the YMCA and the City. He added a meeting would be held with the current Parks and Recreation Commission i before any final decision is made. "'" John Craiger, 8280 Pleasant View Drive, said his biggest concern, and what the communities Page 10 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council biggest concern should be is: "How will the kids benefit? How will the adults benefit? And how will the City benefit from hiring the YMCA to manage the Parks and Recreation Department?" Mr. Sonterre asked if the budget proposals would be based on the City's operation of the Parks and Recreation Department or the YMCA's proposal. Whiting stated that would be a discussion held by the Council in the following weeks prior to approving the budget. Harvey Feldman, New Hope, MN, stated he had been the Minneapolis Park and Recreation's Assistant Superintendent for Administration for 20 years. During that time he had the opportunity to write 21 "joint facility agreements" with the Boys' and Girls' Clubs, Pillsbury United, and many with the School Board. Government is being asked to provide more services with less money, as Mr. Quick eluded to, he said. Mr. Feldman suggested not proceeding with any agreement with the YMCA without an agreement signed by the Board of Directors of the YMCA; the main governing board. He suggested not approving any agreement until the new City Council was in place. Mr. Feldman offered a lengthy list of items to include in an agreement if and when it is reached. He suggested agreeing to nothing less than afive-year time period for the agreement. Mr. Feldman offered his advise as an interested professional if and when the City decides to proceed with hiring the YMCA as its Community Center manager. He also added that the YMCA, as part of its operating function, can take profit from its existing operations to support other facilities that it is running, and Mounds View must be aware of this fact. Gunn asked the Commission if it came to increases in fees or taxes how much they would be willing to pay to keep the operation of the Parks and Recreation Department "in-house." The Commission answered they would be willing to pay higher fees to keep the services in-house. Terresa Lexan, 5229 Jeffery Drive N.E., expressed her concern that the personnel that would be working out of the Community Center under the YMCA organization would be entry level, inexperienced people, replacing the City's experienced staff. She stated she was happy with the City's staff running the Park and Recreation programs. Ms. Lexan suggested not looking at the issue as an "all or nothing type of choice." It might be possible to have the City and the YMCA work together to operate the facility, she said. Stigney advised the Council to consider the comments of the incoming Council members in any discussions held on the Community Center management issue. This would give the Council "eight people looking at the issue instead of five. He offered his appreciation to the YMCA staff for taking into consideration all of the questions and comments being offered at this meeting. Page 11 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council Gunn asked the YMCA staff why they were interested in doing something of this nature when they had no prior experience. Scott Goyer told the Council the Y's vision is to work with communities. This is an opportunity to fulfill their vision. He gave a list of YMCA facilities located throughout the country that do operate parks and recreation departments for their surrounding cities. Ms. Starr asked: "Do you see any money coming out of the Mounds View operation that would go back into the inner city YMCA's?" She strongly urged that language be included in the contract that would keep surplus funds, from the operations of the Community Center by the YMCA, in the City of Mounds View. Mr. Goyer stated it was the YMCA's intent to recoup the money that it takes to provide the services. Surplus funds would be put back into the system to improve the programs that are being offered, he said. Ms. Reimersma asked the Council to keep in mind that the YMCA's fund raising efforts could possibly bring money into this city from other cities. Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners called for a fve-minute break - 9:45 Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners called the meeting back to order at 9:50 C. Consider Authorizing the Mayor and City Administrator to Finalize and Execute the Agreement with Innovative Images for Banquet Center Management. Kessel gave his report as follows: The City Attorney has not reviewed the final draft so any agreement would be subject to his review. The contract is proposed to be a five-year contract starting January 1, 1999 continuing through 2003, with options for renewal periods. Compensation would be based on how much rental and other fees are generated at the banquet center. A list of compensation percentages versus gross revenues was reviewed. Images will be responsible for the management, marketing, reservations and events at the facility. Kessel said that several other cities had been contacted to determine if the program being offered by Images was to the City's best interest. i The City will have the option of reserving time for its needs taking into consideration the busy `~ times of the year where Images would be generating most of its business. Page 12 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Gunn to Authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to Finalize and Execute the Agreement with Innovative Images for Banquet Center Management; and that the City Attorney will word the contract to create and "early review period" (two years) or to create some additional language to allow the City, at its determination, to request a review in the negotiation. Discussion: Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners expressed his concern that proper termination clauses be developed by the City Attorney. He also asked who would determine nonperformance of the operator. Whiting stated there would be some staff oversight of the facility and they would determine any issues of nonperformance. Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners expressed his concern in regard to having afive-year contract and not being able to change operators if there were nonperformance issues. . Stigney said he had no idea if Image's proposal was good or not because there were no other companies that submitted proposals to manage the banquet facility. Whiting stated that in the original RFP for management of the Community Center, Images was the only firm that addressed an active marketing program for the banquet facility. Staff decided that a negotiated agreement with Images would be in order because of the expertise that they offered in this area. The City had only received three responses to its RFP for management of the Community Center and its facilities. Whiting stated at this point it would not be fair to Images to release their contract specifications for an open public bid. Stigney stated staff should have gone out and solicited other bids. He agreed that it wouldn't be fair to Images but it is also not fair to other possible vendors. "If the staff feels this is good and the rest of the Council feels this is good, I guess that's the thing that is the bottom line here," he added. Stigney stated the City Attorney needs to spend more time in "fine tuning" the contract. He said that he would like to go over some of the contract details with the Finance Director before the contract is adopted. Julie Olson asked that the City Attorney review the contract before any final decision is made. She also expressed her concern with afive-year contract. Ms. Olson said she was in favor of offering Images ayear-to-year contract. Whiting stated he disagreed with the year-to-year agreement. "Who would want to commit certain resources and time to make a commitment to an endeavor for only aone-year period?" he Page 13 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council asked. Whiting stated he could not support, as City Administrator, opening up Images contract for public bid. Ms. Olson stated the process should be opened up for public bid. Dan Coughlin suggested offering the banquet manager a "probationary period" which would give both the contractor and the City the ability to assess operation successes and failures. He stated he would not be in favor of a five-year contract. City Attorney Long stated the first term, whether it be six months or a year, couldn't really be covered in a termination clause. "As a policy matter the term of the contract is important and separate from the termination clause," he added. Quick stated, "Image's owner has a track record with the City and I feel perfectly comfortable with this individual handling this job...I don't see any problem. I don't see any need for a probationary period. I think we're drawing at straws. I think there might be some political undertones here, considering what happened here in the last couple of weeks (the election), and I'm sick and tired of hearing it....All's we're doing is burning time." Stigney stated the issue can be carried over and Quick was out of order. Mr. Coughlin stated the issue wasn't politically motivated. But, "Are we going to set a precedent where we just base things off of our own personal impressions of individuals here in town. Or do we basically say, this is an agreement, forget the personalities involved, but this is an agreement that the City is entering into that may or may not work out. On that basis, and on that basis alone, I raise the concern of entering into a long term contract when we have no track record with a facility that hasn't opened yet." Long stated if the Council's wish is to have the ability to renegotiate the contract at any point, that statement would have to be added to the contract. Stigney stated Images would be a good choice for the job; however, they have no experience in managing a banquet facility. If we're going to look at this individual for this job maybe we should go out for RFPs and see what else might be out there. "And the bottom line is, whoever looks like they've presented the best overall package for the City perhaps that would be the way to go," he added. Stigney suggested holding off on a decision on the banquet facility. Gunn stated she was in favor of a two year contract because it would take more than one year to get the facility "up and running" to the point of profitability. Page 14 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council • VOTE: Ayes - 3 Nays - 1(Stigney) The motion carried D. Consider Authorizing the City Administrator to enter into contract with Innovative Images to begin the steps necessary to manage, operate and market the banquet center for the remainder of 1998. Kessel gave his report as follows: The purpose of the request is to start getting contracts and rate finalization. The proposal is to pay Innovative Images $2,000 for the remainder of the 1998 year to advertise, handle inquiries, and handle the day-to-day operations of the banquet facility for the rest of the year. Stigney recommended using current staffing to do the job. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Quick to Authorize the City Administrator to enter into a contract with Innovative Images to begin the steps necessary to manage, operate, and market the banquet center for the remainder of 1998. VOTE: Ayes - 3 Nays - 1(Stigney) The motion carried E. Set a Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 623, An Ordinance authorizing the City Council of the City of Mounds View to set water and waste water rates and surcharges effective with the January 1999 billings. 1. Conduct First Reading; and 2. Motion to Set a Date for Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. and Second Reading for December 14, 1998 Kessel gave his report as follows: What's being proposed is that all quarterly meter charges would remain the same. Water rates would be raised from $1.40 to $1.45/per 1,000 gals. Waste water rates would be raised from $45.50 to $47 per quarter, effective January 1, 1999. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Stigney to waive the First Reading and set a Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 623, An Ordinance authorizing the City Council of the City of Mounds View to set water and waste water rates and surcharges effective with the January 1999 billings. The Public Hearing will be set for 7:00 p.m., December 14, 1998. VOTE: Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 The motion carried Page 15 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council F. Set a Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 624, An Ordinance adopting the Long Term Financial Plan MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Gunn to waive the First Reading and Set a Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 624, An Ordinance adopting the Long Term Financial Plan. The Public Hearing will be set for 7:05 p.m., December 14, 1998. VOTE: Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 The motion carried G. Resignation of Planning Commission Member Bobbi Brooks MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Stigney to accept the October 22, 1998 resignation of Bobbi Brooks from the Planning Commission. VOTE: Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 The motion carried • Jopke gave his report as follows: The Planning Commission is asking the Council direct staff to advertise the Planning Commission's open seat, contact the previous applicants that had expressed interest in the seat vacated by Marshal Johnston; and give the Planning Commission the opportunity to interview and recommend the candidate to fill the vacancy. H. Resolution No. 5287, Requesting an Extension of Comprehensive Plan Submittal Deadline Jopke gave his report as follows: The Metropolitan Council has indicated that over half of the communities in the metropolitan area have or will be requesting and extension to their Comprehensive Plan Update process. Staff is also recommending that the City of Mounds View apply for an extension. The following is a revised schedule: 1. Draft plan completion -January 29, 1998 2. Planning Commission sponsored community forums in February 3. Planning Commission sponsored formal public hearing and recommendation to adopt to the City Council in March 4. City Council sponsored public hearing and approve the updated Comprehensive Plan for submittal to the Metropolitan Council in April 5. 60 day approval process by the Metropolitan Council and final adoption by the Page 16 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council City of Mounds View MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Stigney to approve Resolution 5278, Requesting an extension of Comprehensive Plan Submittal Deadline. VOTE: Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 The motion carried I. Consideration of Resolution No. 5276, Authorizing Release of Use Deed to Ramsey County for Property known as PID #08-30-23-22-0002 MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Gunn to approve Resolution no. 5276, Authorizing Release of Use Deed to Ramsey County for Property known as PID #08-30-23-22-0002 Discussion: Stigney asked whether TIF money could be used to purchase the property. • Jopke told the Council that TIF money can be used to acquire property. The purpose of the TIF funds has to be outlined in the purpose of the TIF plans. If it is indicated that land will be acquired for economic development purposes, then the TIF funds can be used. If the property was purchased and resold, the proceeds would have to go back into the TIF pool. Stigney asked if the Salvation Army had tax exempt status, do they pay city and county taxes, or not. Jopke stated it depends on the funding source of the project that they are proposing. Stigney asked if the City has to assume a tax exempt development. Long stated if the property was purchased by a private entity they would be responsible for taxes. But if a tax exempt entity bought the property, and it was properly zoned, the City could not stop the development. VOTE: Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 The motion carried I. Consideration of appointing Jim Schmidt, 5446 Erickson Road, Mounds View, to the Streets Policy Committee • MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Gunn to approve the appointment of Jim Schmidt, 5446 Erickson Road, Mounds View, to the Streets Policy Committee. Page 17 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council VOTE: 8. REPORTS Quick Ayes - 4 No Report Nays - 0 The motion carried Gunn asked Director Ulrich for an update on the City's missing traffic counter. Director Ulrich told the Council that one of the City's new traffic counters, and aluminum fixture that is applied to the street with a special adhesive tape, had been removed from the street and has not been seen since. He asked the viewing audience to keep a look out for the object and, if found, to return it to the City Hall. Stigney No Report Whiting thanked Cari Schmidt and the election judges for the work that they had done at the • recent elections. Whiting also told the Council that Council Member Gunn had requested a recount of the recent election for her seat on the Council. This recount will be held November 16, 1998, at the City Hall. Attorney Long No Report Acting-Mayor Koopmeiners thanked Cari Schmidt and the election judges for the work that they had done at the recent elections. ` 9. Next Council Work Session: Next Council Meeting: 10. Adjournment December 7,1998 - 6:00 p.m. November 23, 1998 - 7:00 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Gunn to adjourn the meeting at 11:28 p.m. VOTE: Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 The motion carried. Respectfully submitted,