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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2008/12/22PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCI CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting December 22, 2008 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:00 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Marry, Stigney, Hull, Flaherty, and Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, December 22, 2008, City Council Agenda MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Flaherty. To Approve the Monday, December 22, 2008 Agenda as Amended. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC INPUT None. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Recognition of Pinewood Elementary as a School of Excellence, Principal Bill Book and Staff Principal Bill Book addressed the Council and explained the process of becoming validated as a School of Excellence. Sharon Pfiffner from Pinewood Elementary addressed the Council and provided information on what it was that sets Pinewood Elementary out as a School of Excellence. Mayor Many congratulated the school on this achievement. • Mounds View City Council Regular Meeting • 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS December 22, 2008 Page 2 A. Resolution 7380, Approving Salary Compensation Study and 2009 Pay Plan Clerk Administrator Ericson recommended making adjustments as outlined but limit all increases to 3%. He then said that he is aware of the loss of funding the City has received due to cuts in local government aid. The proposal is to increase wages no more than 3% at this time. Finance Director Beer indicated that limiting increases to 3% would save $41,000 in the budget as he had budgeted enough to cover the recommended increases Council Member Flaherty indicated that he is in favor of accepting the study but he is not in favor of increasing wages 3% until funding is known for 2009. Council Member Stigney asked if this 3% is on top of the COLA. Finance Director Beer indicated that it would be. Council Member Mueller indicated that certain positions within the City were evaluated for salary and there is a recommendation to increase the wages that were lower than other communities. Key staff have moved on to other communities to make more money for doing the same job. She further said that the City paid for a consultant to look into this information and it would be almost "criminal" to not take action on the information. Council Member Mueller said that by not moving forward with a compensation package for these employees they will be lost and the City will be training again. She then said that she is in favor of moving forward with approval of the compensation study and approval of a 3% adjustment. Council Member Hull agreed with Council Member Flaherty to a degree but he feels it is time to move this forward. Mayor Marty indicated that this study was done a couple of years ago and nothing was done. There were some job duties that have been absorbed by other employees when the person left the City and that was the reason there were issues assigning Hay points for these positions. MOTION/SECOND: Marry/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7380, Approving Salary Compensation Study and 2009 Pay Plan as Amended to Limit the Increase to 2% Effective January 1, 2009. Council Member Flaherty said that he does not want anyone to think that he feels the staff should not be compensated because he does. His concern is that the City may need to "look for" up to $750,000 if local government aid is cut for 2008/2009. Council Member Mueller said that the budget can be cut in other ways than cutting it on the backs of the people that work for the City. She then said that the Staff does a great job and a 2% increase is only $15,000 and the City budgeted $63,000 and this needs to be done. Mounds View City Council December 22, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 3 Council Member Stigney asked if $600,000 can easily be cut from the budget. Finance Director Beer indicated that it would depend upon what the Council is willing to consider. Council Member Stigney indicated that he does not agree with the comparable cities and he does not support this at this time. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Flaherty. To Postpone Until Further Information is Provided by Staff on Budget Impacts From the State. Council Member Flaherty said he would like to wait until he knows where the finances are to consider any increases. Mayor Marty noted the Council approved comparable cities and the City is not going to find a mirror image of Mounds View, so the list was comparable. The employees have not been living in a fish bowl and are aware of what is going on in the business community. He further said that it has been 10 years or more since this was addressed. Ayes - 1(Flaherty) Nays - 4 Motion failed. Council Member Stigney said that he feels this is the wrong spreadsheet of cities because it is not based on tax capacity nor is it based on other factors. This whole thing could be thrown off because he feels the information is skewed anyway. He then said that he wishes that he was paid some of these salaries as it seems they are doing fine to him. Ayes - 3 Nays - 2(Flaherty/Stigney) Motion carried. B. Resolution 7381, Approving the Findings of the Ardan Avenue Subdistrict Drainage Analysis. Mayor Marty indicated he needed to leave the meeting. He then thanked Joe Rhein for the excellent reports and for the work that he has been able to accomplish. Mayor Marty thanked residents for the opportunity to serve them. Council Member Flaherty thanked Mayor Marry for the professionalism and fairness in his dealings on behalf of the City. Mayor Marty left the meeting. Joe Rhein provided a report regarding the Ardan Avenue subdistrict drainage analysis. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7381, Approving the Findings of the Ardan Avenue Subdistrict Drainage Analysis. • Mounds View City Council December 22, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 4 Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 7382, Approving the Plans and Specifications, Setting the Bid Date, and Authorizing the Advertisement for the 2009-2010 Street and Utility Improvement Project. Joe Rhein provided information on the plans and specifications for the project. The bid came in about 1 % under the engineer's estimate. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7382, Approving the Plans and Specifications, Setting the Bid Date, and Authorizing the Advertisement for the 2009-2010 Street and Utility Improvement Project as Amended. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. D. 7:15 Public Hearings 1. Resolution 7387 -Code Violations Abatement - 8379 Red Oak Drive (Moe) • Acting Mayor Stigney opened the public hearing. Jeremiah Anderson provided information on the code violations at 8379 Red Oak Drive. Sheldon Moe, representing the property owner, noted that they are doing clean up on the property by giving things away and are attempting to clean up the property. Mr. Moe asked that anyone who comes to the property from the City should speak to the property owner as his brother is not the property owner. He then said that they have hauled out trailer after trailer of debris but there is snow and cold to deal with now and they need an extension to complete the work. Hearing no further public comment, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Mueller asked whether Staff felt it would be reasonable to grant an extension due to the death in the family. Mr. Anderson indicated that he feels it would be reasonable to allow some additional time but noted he has not seen much change since he was out there December 15. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Postpone City Enforcement Action for 30 Days. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council Regular Meeting Mr. Anderson indicated that both sides of the duplex are vacant and there is debris that needs to be removed. 2. Resolution 7388 -Code Violations Abatement - 5055-57 Sunny Side Road (Oberstar) Acting Mayor Stigney opened the public hearing. Hearing no public comment, the public hearing was closed. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7388, Code Violations Abatement - 5055 and 5057 Sunny Side Road (Oberstar). Nays - 0 December 22, 2008 Page 5 Motion carried. Ayes - 4 • 3. Resolution 7389 -Code Violations Abatement - 2070 Terrace Drive (Higgins) Mr. Anderson noted that this has been a continuous open case and there is still junk and debris in the yard that need to be removed. Acting Mayor Stigney opened the public hearing. Hearing no public comments, the public hearing was closed. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7389, Code Violations Abatement at 2070 Terrace Drive (Higgins). Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 7383 Approving Members to Various City Commissions and Committees. Assistant City-Clerk Administrator Crane reviewed Resolution 7383 outlining the appointments to Commissions and Committees for 2009. Valerie Amundsen said that she would like to have new thoughts and new members on commissions. Brian Amundsen agreed and said that a fresh perspective could generate new ideas and he thinks it is important to appoint new people to commissions. He then said that there are positions available on the Charter Commission if anyone is interested. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Mueller. To Approve Resolution 7383 Approving Members to Various City Commissions and Committees. c: Mounds View City Council December 22, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 6 . Council Member Mueller would like to appoint Virgil Beyer and Dale Federer for Police Civil Service, and Nathan Bjerke to the Street and Utility Commission with terms expiring December 31, 2011. The Motioner agreed. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Clerk Administrator Ericson noted that the Committee/Commission appointment process will be on the work session agenda for discussion. F. Resolution 7384, Setting the 2009 City Council Meeting Dates, Staff Retreat and 2009 Town Hall Meeting. Assistant City Clerk-Administrator Crane noted that two legal holidays fall on meeting nights, Memorial Day and Labor Day and Staff recommends moving those meetings to the Tuesday of those weeks. Council Member Flaherty indicated that he would like to cancel the retreat facilitator to save the $3,000. Council agreed. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Eliminate the Outside Facilitator for the Retreat. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Flaherty. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7384, Setting the 2009 City Council Meeting Dates, Staff Retreat and 2009 Town Hall Meeting as Amended to Include the Special City Council Meeting on January 5, 2009. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 7377, Approving an Agreement with the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC) for Housing Resource Center (HRC) Services. Suzanne Snyder from GMHC appeared before Council to answer questions and provide information on how GMHC can assist residents of the City. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7377, Approving an Agreement with the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC) for Housing Resource Center (HRC) Services. Council Member Mueller asked that Staff request that a representative from GMHC come to the Town Hall meeting. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council Regular Meeting December 22, 2008 Page 7 H. Resolution 7392, a Resolution Approving aTwo-Year Labor Contract with LELS Loca1234 (Mounds View Police Sergeants) Effective January 1, 2008. Clerk Administrator Ericson noted that an agreement has been reached with the primary provisions being wage increases of 3% and the insurance contribution the same as other personnel. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7392, a Resolution Approving aTwo-Year Labor Contract with LELS Local 234 (Mounds View Police Sergeants) Effective January 1, 2008. Council Member Stigney said that it concerns him to pass a 3% additional at this time. Ayes - 3 Nays - 1(Stigney) Motion carried. 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Licenses for Approval B. Resolution 7385, Approving Therapeutic Massage License Renewals. C. Resolution 7386 Approving a Lease Assignment for and with Creative Kids Operating in the Mounds View Community Center D. Schedule a Public Hearing for Monday, January 12, 2009 at 7:OSpm for the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update. E. Resolution 7390, Accepting the Pinewood Storm Sewer Repair and Authorizing Final Payment. Council Member Flaherty requested that Item C be removed for discussion. Council Member Mueller requested that Item E be removed for discussion. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve Consent Agenda Items A, B, and D. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 7386 Approving a Lease Assignment for and with Creative Kids Operating in the Mounds View Community Center Clerk Administrator Ericson noted that the owner of Creative Kids is selling the business to another entity. This matter is necessary to transfer the lease to the new party. Council Member Mueller asked whether a background check is done for the new owners. Clerk Administrator Ericson indicated that the City does not but there is a state requirement that a background check be conducted. Mounds View City Council Regular Meeting Council Member Mueller asked the consulting engineer whether all things are done according to the contract specifications. Joe Rhein indicated that the contract requirements have been met. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7386, Approving a Lease Assignment for and with Creative Kids Operating in the Mounds View Community Center. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 7390, Accepting the Pinewood Storm Sewer Repair and Authorizing Final Payment. • MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7390, Accepting the Pinewood Storm Sewer Repair and Authorizing Final Payment. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 9. JUST AND CORRECT CLAIMS Council Member Flaherty, on Page 9, rotating nozzle he feels that a new Vector for public works is budgeted for public works and that will need to be reviewed. Council Member Mueller, on Page 10, Minnesota Pollution Control conference, she is wondering if this is a licensure requirement for Staff. Finance Director Beer indicated that was correct. Council Member Mueller, on Page 12, water service repair, she would like to know if that was a water line break due to cold weather. Finance Director Beer indicated that there was a repair necessary but he is not sure of the specifics. Council Member Flaherty, on Page 14, the invoice from Trane, he wanted to look at that and he is wondering what the repair was for. The hot water coils required a pump, the isolation valve was bad and filled the system and the charges seem appropriate. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve Just and Correct Claims as presented. Ayes - 4 10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 22, 2008 Page 8 Motion carried. Nays - 0 A. November 24, 2008 City Council Minutes MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Mueller. To Approve the November 24, 2008 City Council Minutes as Presented. • Mounds View City Council December 22, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 9 Community Development Director Roberts noted the time needed to be filled in and provided the information as 12:30. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. 11. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council Council Member Flaherty noted that last Thursday evening he and Mr. Ericson attended the North Metro Mayor's organizational meeting for the new year. Council Member Mueller thanked everyone for a productive year. She then thanked Mayor Marty for his years of service to the community and said she is looking forward to working with the new Mayor and Council in the coming year. Acting Mayor Stigney commented that he hopes that balancing any loss of LGA is not going to come out of the levy reduction fund. B. Reports of Staff • 1. Report from Bonestroo about Arden Hill's Proposed I-35W & County Road H Interchange Improvements Joe Rhein provided an update for Council. Council Member Hull indicated that he would like to join Shoreview and work together on not having the County Road I interchange affected. Council Member Mueller said that she likes having County Road I accessible to the freeway and she would hate to have the interchange removed. Staff will relay to Mn/DOT that the City is preliminarily opposed. 2. Report from Bonestroo about Traffic Counts on Red Oak Drive at Long Lake Road Joe Rhein noted that traffic counts were taken and then reviewed those counts with Council. C. Reports of City Attorney None. • Community Development Director Roberts provided an update on the branding survey that is ~. • Mounds View City Council Regular Meeting December 22, 2008 Page 10 being done and the business retention survey. This matter will be discussed at an upcoming worksession. 12. Next Council Work Session: Next Council Meeting: Monday, January 5, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 5, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. (Special) 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m. Transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.