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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2011/07/25 • PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY,MINNESOTA Ap p RO vED Regular Meeting July 25,2011 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10,Mounds View,MN 55112 7:02 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Flaherty, Stigney, Hull,Mueller, Gunn. NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday,July 25,2011,City Council Agenda. • MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the Monday, July 25, 2011, agenda as presented. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT Dan Mueller, 8343 Groveland Road, expressed concern with the smell of garbage being burned in his neighborhood. He questioned if the City had addressed his past concerns with regard to recreational fires and burning garbage. Mr. Mueller stated he hated to bother the Police Department with his concern, but he has. He was told by the Police Department that no action could be taken as they were dealing with a vulnerable adult. Mr. Mueller requested the City take action and uphold City Code. Mayor Flaherty stated City Staff has been dealing with this property and some abatement has occurred. Mr. Mueller indicated the abatement was not so much his concern as the burning garbage. He pleaded that the City take action. Police Chief Pinney commented on the occurrence stating the recreational fire was quite large and was extinguished by the responding officers. A warning was given to the homeowncs but explained the Police Department could give cittions. Ho lever, on the first visit a citation was not given. He recommended Mr. Mueller call the Police Department in the future with • complaints. Mounds View City Council July 25,2011 Regular Meeting Page 2 411 Mayor Flaherty requested Staff review this property further to assure that it was properly abated to be in compliance with City Code. City Administrator Ericson indicated he would review this further with Jeremiah Anderson and report back to the Council and Mr. Mueller. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Conversation with Ramsey County Attorney John Choi John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney, introduced himself to the Council and thanked them for their time. He noted the purpose of the visit was to convey to the Council that he would continue to strive to be a valuable partner to the City of Mounds View on public safety issues. Ramsey County Attorney Choi commented he has appreciated working with Police Chief Kinney over the past six months. He reviewed several initiatives surrounding domestic violence, repeat offenders and children safety issues that would continue to be his focus over the next year. He was grateful for the privilege and honor to serve this community. Mayor Flaherty questioned how many of the City's police squads were outfitted with cameras. Police Chief Kinney stated six of the seven squads had cameras. Mayor Flaherty asked if the squad cameras were assisting with evidence collection. Ramsey County Attorney Choi stated the cameras were proving to be a valuable tool and a step in the right direction. He indicated the actions of police were more easily explained as well. • Police Chief Kinney explained he has thoroughly enjoyed working with the new County Attorney as he brought some new ideas and initiatives to the forefront regarding public safety. Mayor Flaherty thanked Ramsey County Attorney Choi for his visit this evening. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 7814, Re-approving the Coventry Senior Living Plat and Development Agreement. Planning Associate Heller stated that Coventry Senior Living was before the Council this evening requesting re-approval of their development agreement and plat. She indicated on March 28th Coventry Senior Living received approval from the City. However, the plat was not filed and was in need of re-approval. The applicant was requesting an additional 120 days. Peter Jesh, Coventry Senior Living, explained nothing on the plat had changed and construction vie e ::oposed to begin this fall. TLS,:nonstraction was estimated.to 12 months. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7814, Re- app. ving the Coventry'enior Living Final Plat and Development i`_greement. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. • Mounds View City Council July 25,2011 • Regular Meeting Page 3 B. Resolution 7815, Approving Severance Payment to Nate Behlen, Public Works Maintenance Sanitary Sewer Worker. City Administrator Ericson stated the proposed Resolution would formalize the severance payout to former public works maintenance worker Nate Behlen. Mr. Behlen's last day of work was July 13, 2011. The severance payout would be consistent with the personnel manual and contract for public works. Sick leave would be paid into the employee's retirement health savings plan totaling$1,254, with vacation time being paid out totaling $714. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7815, Approving Severance Payment to Nate Behlen, Public Works Maintenance Sanitary Sewer Worker. Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 7805, Approving Revisions to Section 4 the City's Personnel Manual Pertaining to"Separations". City Administrator Ericson stated that this issue was discussed at the June 27th Council meeting. A revised personnel manual was being brought to the Council by the City Attorney's office. He noted the attorney's office had reviewed the League of Minnesota Cities manual with regard to • separations and the City's policy was more comprehensive. City Administrator Ericson reviewed the revisions to the personnel policy with the Council and recommended approval. Council Member Mueller asked who determined the Order of Layoff. City Administrator Ericson indicated this would be recommended by Staff but would be determined by the Council. Mayor Flaherty thanked the City Attorney for reviewing the League of Minnesota Cities personnel policy while making revisions to the City's manual. City Attorney Riggs indicated the City had a great personnel manual and the revisions brought it into conformance. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7805, Approving Revisions to Section 4 the City's Personnel Manual Pertaining to "Separations". Council Member Stigney questioned the language regarding employees 65 and older. City Attorney Riggs clarified the intent was to provide generic language and originated from the League of Minnesota Cities manual. He stated this was Federal law and applied to when there is a specific right for benefits to continue and when benefits do not continue. Council Member Stigney recommended ti s language within the person, ,e1 manual 1_s back to State Statute. City Attorney Riggs stated a reference to State Statute could be noted within the personnel policy but this vias not recommer (ecl as Statute numbers could el , e. City Administrator Ericson explained that a clause was written into Section 410 stating the policy • was intended to be a summary and if it conflicts with State or Federal law, the law will supersede Mounds View City Council July 25,2011 Regular Meeting Page 4 • and be implemented by the City. Ayes—4 Nays— 1 (Stigney) Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Flaherty asked to remove Item A for discussion. Council Member Mueller asked to remove Item B. A. Resolution 7812, Authorization to Enter into a Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Institute of Public Health as Part of the Alcohol Compliance Check Program. Mayor Flaherty questioned if this was the first time the grant program has been offered. Police Chief Kinney indicated the grant program was offered yearly, but the City has not been awarded the grant in four or five years. He stated the City has been applying for the grant each year; however,there were not enough funds to meet the needs of each city applying. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7812, Authorization to Enter into a Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Institute of Public Health as Part of the Alcohol Compliance Check Program. • Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 7813,Renewal of Training Contract with Century College. Council Member Mueller asked if the contract expense was included in the Police Department's budget. Police Chief Kinney noted the expense was in the Department's budget on a yearly basis. Council Member Mueller questioned how the Chief determined who within the Department should attend the training. Police Chief Kinney stated two officers could attend a course and he would review and approve the members attending. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7813, Renewal of Training Contract with Century College. Ayes J Na.;is 0 Motion carried. 9. JUST AN) CORREC".k` CLAIMS City Adri inistrato_ *icsor_ ans',vereci t o Council's '1112iiC,11S rciateci to claims. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Approve the Just and Correct Claims as presented. • Mounds View City Council July 25,2011 • Regular Meeting Page 5 Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Mueller reported Wednesday through Saturday the Mounds View Community Theater would be presenting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at the Irondale High School Auditorium. She highly recommended the production. Council Member Mueller encouraged all to take part in National Night Out on August 2nd. On August 18th, a Concert in the Park was scheduled. This was a free event, open to the public. Council Member Mueller stated Festival in the Park was scheduled for August 20`h. She noted the parade would be held at 10:00 a.m. this year and the route remains the same. She stated Jonah and the Whales would provide entertainment for the event with fireworks provided by MedTronic. • Mayor Flaherty reviewed an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press regarding Emerald Ash Borer being present in Shoreview. He indicated the City had a plan in place to mitigate concerns if the diseases spread. B. Reports of Staff. 1. Mounds View Police Department Quarterly Report Police Chief Kinney reviewed his second quarter report with the Council. He highlighted several areas in detail stating calls for service have increased in 2011 over 2010. In addition, traffic citations issued had risen, along with medical calls. He noted the DARE Officer graduated over 500 Fifth Graders at Pinewood School. Mayor Flaherty thanked the Department for completing the DARE program with the schools. He felt this was an extremely valuable program and created a great relationship between these school aged children and the Police Department. Policy: Thief Kinney explained all to ;:cco and aIcoi.o1 compliance chocks in tih ,ost quarter were completely successfully. He reviewed the Safe and Sober Program information with the Council. Deparca e nt would like to r :courage residents to wear their_- •eatbelts. Police Chief Kinney stated Officer Nitter was acknowledged by a local girl scout troop as a hero as he provides security and safety to the children attending school. He stated Officer Andy Olson Mounds View City Council July 25,2011 Regular Meeting Page 6 • was hired on April 28th to fill a vacant position. The Department was pleased with his progression through the field training program. Police Chief Kinney stated four members of the Department took part in the Torch Run for Special Olympics. He noted the Department held a bike helmet fitting and over 70 children attended. Council Member Mueller asked how many National Night Out parties were registered with the City. Police Chief Kinney stated 26 parties were registered and several more may still register with the Department. Mayor Flaherty thanked the Department for assisting and taking part in the event. Police Chief Kinney questioned if the Council was interesting in pursuing a canine program. If there was an interest,he could present it to the Council further at a work session meeting. Council Member Stigney felt this was an expensive program and should not be investigated further. Council Member Gunn stated the program could potentially be a cooperative effort between departments as neighboring communities are lacking a canine unit as well. Council Member Mueller indicated the City of Blaine does fundraising to assist with the canine • programs expense. She understood the value of canines to the Department and felt the Council should consider the program. Mayor Flaherty suggested the information be gathered and presented to the Council at the August 1st work session meeting. 2. Public Works Project Updates Public Works Director DeBar presented an update on the status of projects taking place in the City this summer. He stated Area D was slightly behind schedule due to the popularity of the private utility program. He noted the first layer of asphalt was down west of Quincy on Bronson. Area D2 has a limited use agreement that has been granted to allow for on-street parking on Groberg and Jackson Drive. Further information would be brought back to the Council on August 8th Public Works Director DeBar explained the water tower renovation continues but the humid weather and rain has slower'' the prod arc. ---1-le telecom: novJ 1.-edcd to tcn3F,e arily relocate their towers onto wooden poles. recomrric: F ed the painting completeci in the spring to avoid any further weather delays. This would also avoid any conflict with the Festival in the Park. The Council was in favor of Sty? reco nmeo_r_'�.ation. Public Works Director DeBar reported Mounds View Estates, located in Area B, was looking to formalize a limited use agreement for on-street parking. He stated MnDOT was being contacted • Mounds View City Council July 25,2011 • Regular Meeting Page 7 to discuss the need for on-street parking in this area. The Council was in favor of proceeding with the limited use agreement. Public Works Director DeBar stated the Lambert Park bid opening was delayed to August 4th The Council could consider the estimated costs at the August 8th meeting. The Public Works Department would demo the existing building to save on costs but this would not be completed until a contract was signed. Public Works Director DeBar noted the City Hall and well house reroofing would take place early September. The generator for City Hall was ready for use after a concrete slab was poured and fenced. This work should be completed in the next month. Public Works Director DeBar explained the Community Center furniture was refurbished and the carpets would be cleaned next week. He stated the HVAC unit was having trouble at this time due to the high levels of humidity. The software program that controls the HVAC unit was out of date and the City may have to look at updating. Public Works Director DeBar stated the wellhead protection plan would continue and a consultant would be presenting further information to the Council at a work session meeting. Public Works Director DeBar indicated slip lining was complete. The Public Works Department • was reviewing strategic locations for additional storm water drains. He stated a spray crack filling would be investigated for concrete roadways in the City since it would increase the life of these roadways. Public Works Director DeBar noted the Public Works Department received the GPS handheld unit. This piece of equipment would greatly assist the City in completing its necessary mapping. Public Works Director DeBar explained the County was interested in taking over the County Road 10/County Road H improvement project. He stated the City had $675,000 in federal grant funds available for these improvements. The funding could not be used for engineering and he recommended the Council allow the County to take the lead on this project. Council Member Stigney questioned if the Lambert Park building could be turned over the Fire Department for a controlled burn learning experience. Public Works Director DeBar stated he would speak with Fire Marshall, Kathi Osmonson about this further. Council Member Mueller asked if the weeds at City Hall, in the fire ring, could be managed. Pub c Works DirT,ctor DeBar stater'the park sup ,visor would b°contacted to akar this area. C. Rol orts of City At c tey. City 1 , y ig had nothing adds _ c to rep • 12. Next Council Work Session: Monday,August 1,2011,at 7:00 p.m. Mounds View City Council July 25,2011 Regular Meeting Page 8 • Next Council Meeting: Monday,August 8,2011,at 7:00 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. • •