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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2012/10/08PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW g V RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA PROV AP Regular Meeting October 8, 2012 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:00 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, October 8, 2012, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Approve the Monday, October 8, 2012, agenda as presented. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT Becky Ness, 6942 Pleasant View Drive, addressed an ongoing issue at her property. She commented she received a bill for using 1,000,000 gallons of water at her home. She requested that the outstanding balance of $918.48 be removed from her bill. She indicated she had not received information on why this usage was charged to her property and requested further information from the City at this time. Finance Director Beer stated back in 2003, the Ness' meter reader stopped working sometime in the 2nd quarter. He commented City policy is to send out a letter explaining the need to replace the meter reader. This letter was sent four times to the Ness family without a response. In 2008, based on Council direction the Ness family was sent a fifth letter and the City was then allowed to change out a meter reader. The new meter reader provided a reading of water used and a bill of $1,400 for water usage. The Ness' came in to request a test of the meter and the test came back positive, that it was working correctly. He stated this was not an isolated case, as other residents have had large water bills due to leaks within the home. Mounds View City Council October 8, 2012 Regular Meeting Page 2 Finance Director Beer reported the Ness family had been making payments on the bill, up until February of 2011. After that time, little progress has been made to pay off the bill. Staff was recommending the outstanding bill be sent to Ramsey County for certification as a special assessment against the Ness family. Mayor Flaherty questioned the typical quarterly bill for the Ness family. Ms. Ness estimated this to be $120. Finance Director Beer stated this was the estimate; however, the bill has gone as high as $150. Mayor Flaherty indicated the $1,400 bill did cover approximately four years of usage based on the current bills. Ms. Ness explained that for the four years the meter reader was not working, she continued to pay the estimate for her water usage. She did not stop paying the City all together. Dick Comben, father of Ms. Ness, did not understand how the new reader was able to read the usage over four years. Finance Director Beer explained the City had the last reading and the new reading and 1,000,000 gallons went through the meter. This number provided for the $1,400 bill. Ms. Ness disputed that she used 1,000,000 gallons of water over a five year time period. Council Member Mueller asked if Staff had an average quarterly use for water usage for Ms. Ness. Finance Director Beer stated he did have that on the property, except for 2003 through 2008. Council Member Mueller suggested the average for Ms. Ness be used to resolve this situation. She stated the average use of 54,000 gallons per quarter would not equal 1,000,000 gallons of water for the five years. City Administrator Ericson commented the property could have had a leaking pipe or a toilet that ran during the time in question. A running toilet can waste two gallons of water running every minute, or 30,000 gallons per week, or 100,000. Council Member Mueller explained she had a similar situation at her home when her meter reader failed. She questioned why communication was not made on the Ness' part. Ms. Ness explained her husband had left several messages with Public Works staff on two occasions. Mayor Flaherty requested Staff provide the Council with Ms. Ness' usage before and after the new meter reader before a decision is made on this issue. The information would come before the Council again on October 22"d 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom Mounds View City Council October 8, 2012 Regular Meeting Page 3 Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom addressed the Council and thanked them for their time this evening. He provided an update on the events that have taken place at the Sheriff's office. He indicated the organizational structure of the department was being maintained for both criminal detention and civil court, while still providing regional services. He then discussed the Sheriff department's mission. He explained the Sheriff's department was working to enhance communication. Sheriff Bostrom described the work that was being done to improve and better coordinate crime scene investigation across all departments in the County to avoid the duplication of services. He provided a brief explanation on the newly formed Criminal Justice Coordinating Council stating this group was working to evaluate how criminal justice was being applied throughout the entire County. Sheriff Bostrom discussed the Fright Farm and encouraged all to attend over the next three weekends. He noted all proceeds would be used to support youth initiatives in the community. Council Member Mueller thanked Ramsey County for the recent grant that was used to assist the City in getting a K-9 unit in Mounds View. Mayor Flaherty was pleased with the forming of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and was pleased Ramsey County was taking the lead in this area. Council Member Gunn indicated she had attended the Fright Farm in the past and encouraged all to take part in this special event. Mayor Flaherty thanked Sheriff Bostrom for his time this evening and for addressing the Council. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Public Hearing to Consider Resolution 7999, Adopting a Special Assessment Levy for Delinquent Public Utility Accounts. Finance Director Beer stated that delinquent special assessments were due to be certified with Ramsey County. Notices were sent to all individual property owners giving them two week's notice of this meeting. The delinquent accounts were at least one quarter in arrears with on their utility payments. He commented the City has seen a rise in delinquent accounts due to the economy with people out of work. He noted there would be a $35 administrative fee added to each account along with a 51h% interest rate. Staff recommended the Council hold a public hearing and adopt the Special Assessment Levy for delinquent public utility accounts. Mayor Flaherty opened the public hearing at 7:48 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Flaherty closed the public hearing at 7:48 p.m. Council Member Mueller indicated several locations on the list may be liquor license holders. She questioned if this delinquency would suspend their licenses. Finance Director Beer stated Mounds View City Council October 8, 2012 Regular Meeting Page 4 this was not the case and the licenses would not be suspended. Council Member Gunn asked how the City was able to collect from various companies. Finance Director Beer stated many of these were for homes in foreclosure and when the properties were sold, the assessments would be paid in full. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7999, Adopting a Special Assessment Levy for Delinquent Public Utility Accounts. City Administrator Ericson questioned how the Council would like to proceed on the Ness case. Mayor Flaherty suggested the item remain on the list as action would be taken by the Council in two weeks. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. B. Public Hearing to Consider Resolution 8000, Adopting a Special Assessment Levy for Unpaid Diseased Tree, False Alarm, Administrative Offense, and Nuisance Abatement Charges. Finance Director Beer stated the City had outstanding unpaid diseased tree, false alarm, administrative offenses and nuisance abatement charges. He commented the City had made numerous attempts to collect on these fees and was recommending the Council certify these assessments with the County. Mayor Flaherty opened the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Flaherty closed the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. Council Member Mueller stated one item on the list was an administrative fine for failing to receive a rental dwelling license. She questioned if this rental property should continue if the license was in arrears. Finance Director Beer was uncertain of a license had been received to date. Mayor Flaherty discussed the need to remove diseased trees to ensure that the entire community was not plagued with tree loss. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8000, Adopting a Special Assessment Levy for Unpaid Diseased Tree, False Alarm, Administrative Offense, and Nuisance Abatement Charges. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. C. Public Hearing to Consider Resolution 8002, Approving a Modification to the Project Plan for the Mounds View Economic Development Project and Mounds View City Council October 8, 2012 Regular Meeting Page 5 the Proposed Modification of the Tax Increment Financing Plans for Tax Increment Finance Districts Nos.1, 2 and 3. City Administrator Ericson stated the EDA approved a Resolution this evening approving modifications to the project plan for the Mounds View Economic Development project. He stated the updating of this plan would assist in creating greater flexibility in acquiring properties in the future with TIF funds. He commented State law requires that the City identify all properties the EDA may be interested in acquiring in the future. The proposed list had 540 properties throughout the community. He discussed the City map with the Council showing the proposed properties. It was noted Ehlers assisted Staff in drafting the Resolution. Staff recommended approval of the Resolution approving the modifications. Mayor Flaherty opened the public hearing at 8:02 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Flaherty closed the public hearing at 8:02 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8002, Approving a Modification to the Project Plan for the Mounds View Economic Development Project and the Proposed Modification of the Tax Increment Financing Plans for Tax Increment Finance Districts Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 8001, Adopting a Special Assessment Levy for Private Improvements in Area E of the Street and Utility Improvement Project. Finance Director Beer stated that 2012 was the fourth year of the Street and Utility Improvement Project. He commented the City has offered loans through the City to allow homeowners to complete private improvements and three homeowners chose to take part in this program. Each property would be charged the $35 administrative fee and would be charged 51h% on the outstanding assessment. Staff recommended approval of the special assessment levy for private improvements in Area E. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8001, Adopting a Special Assessment Levy for Private Improvements in Area E of the Street and Utility Improvement Project. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Schedule a Public Hearing for Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., a Resolution Approving the Adoption of the 2013 Mounds View Fee Schedule. B. Accept 2013 Twin Cities Gateway Budget. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mounds View City Council October 8, 2012 Regular Meeting Page 6 Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. 9. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS Finance Director Beer answered the Council's questions related to claims. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Stigney. To Approve the Just and Correct Claims as presented. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. September 10, 2012, City Council Meeting Minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Stigney. To Approve the September 10, 2012, City Council meeting minutes as presented. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Mueller noted the Mounds View Business Council would be meeting on Wednesday, October 10`h at 7:30 a.m. at the Community Center. He indicated the Mayoral and Council candidates would be speaking to the local business owners. Council Member Mueller thanked the public for attending the Candidate Forum, which was held on October 2nd. She explained this Forum would be replayed on cable in the near future. Council Member Mueller indicated the Ramsey County Local League of Government would meet on October 22" d to discuss Thinking Lean, and again on Thursday, November 151h to discuss the recent election and local impacts. Council Member Mueller encouraged all residents living in Area F to attend an informational meeting on Monday, October 151h at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. She commented Hillview Road, Edgewood Road and storm water basins would be discussed. Mayor Flaherty indicated he served on a committee for the North Metro Mayor's Committee. The group recently discussed unfunded mandates and the stress this placed on local government. B. Reports of Staff. City Administrator Ericson commented the City received a quote to complete a lead based paint assessment for the five county -owned signals on County Road 10. He explained the quote of Mounds View City Council October 8, 2012 Regular Meeting Page 7 $450 would test all poles, and all colors at each of the five intersections. Staff questioned if the Council would like to proceed with the testing. Mayor Flaherty was in favor of proceeding with the testing as the City needed to know if lead paint was an issue prior to repainting the signals. He questioned how the $450 expense could be funded. Finance Director Beer indicated the Council could use either the Special Project Fund or the Street Improvement Fund. Council Member Stigney asked if the Council had allocated $25,000 for repainting these signals. Finance Director Beer indicated none of the funds in the Special Project Fund had been allocated at this time. Council Member Stigney questioned if the City would have to take immediate action if lead based paint were found on the signals. City Attorney Riggs stated this was not the case. The information would simply assist the Council to take the proper action when funds allowed for the signals to be repainted. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Approve using $450 (not to exceed $450) from the Special Projects Fund to complete a lead based paint assessment on the five County -owned signals on the County Road 10 corridor. Ayes — 5 Nays — 0 Motion carried. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 12. Next Council Work Session: Monday, November 5, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, October 22, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.