Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 12071992 Meeting Sheet IIIIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII IIII IIII 101323 Box: 19 Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1992 Document: CC MINUTES 12071992 1 CITY OF ST . ANTHONY REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING 5 DECEMBER 7 , 1992 6 7 8 9 1 . CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 10 11 The meeting was called to order at 7 : 00 p.m. by Mayor Ranallo 12 who led the Pledge of Allegiance . 13 14 15 2 . ROLL CALL 16 17 Council Present : Mayor Ranallo, Councilmembers Marks , Enrooth, 18 Fleming and Wagner 19 20 Staff Present : City Manager Burt , Management Assistant Urbia, 21 Public Works Director Hamer, Finance Director Roger Larsen, 22 Police Chief Johnson, Fire Chief Engstrom, Liquor Operations 23 Manager Nelson 24 25 20' 3 . APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 7 , 1992 COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA �7 Motion by Wagner , second by Fleming to approve the agenda for the December 7 , 1992 Council Meeting as presented. 30 31 32 Motion carried unanimously 33 34 35 4 . APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 24 1992 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 36 37 Motion by Enrooth, second by Marks to approve the minutes of 38 the Regular Council Meeting of November 24 , 1992 as presented. 39 40 41 Motion carried unanimous) 42 43 5 . LICENSES/PERMITS/PETITIONS 44 45 Motion by Marks , second by Enrooth to approve the contractor ' s 46 license for Viking Automatic Sprinkler .Company of St . Paul , 47 Mn . 48 49 Motion carried unanimously 50 1 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 7 , 1992 PAGE 2 4 5 6 6 . PRESENTATIO14 OF CLAIMS 7 8 Motion by Marks , second by Fleming to approve the following 9 claims : 10 11 American Bank 12 13 American Bank in the amount of $498 , 318 . 75 for registered 14 interest, maturing bonds , and called bonds for the liquor 1.5 store revenue bonds . 16 17 Hance & LeVahn Law Firm 18 19 Hance & LeVahn Law Firm in the amount of $2 , 400 for legal 20 services rendered for the month of December, 1992 relative to 21 St . Anthony prosecutions . 22 23 Flaherty Equipment Corporation 24 25 Flaherty Equipment Corporation in the amount of $44 , 417 . 96 for 26' a trailer mounted generator including cables , connectors and accessories . R & D Enterprises , Inc . 30 31 R & D Enterprises , Inc . in the amount of $12 , 795 . 90 for the 32 Kenzie Terrace sidewalk construction project . 33 34 Model Stone Co . /R & D Enterprises 35 36 Model Stone Company in the amount of $3 , 355 . 85 for concrete 37 materials delivered for the Kenzie Terrace sidewalk 38 construction project . 39 40 Verified Claims 41 42. One page of verified claims as submitted by the Finance 43 Director . 44 45 Motion carried unanimously 46 47 48 7 . REPORTS 49 50 A. Planning Commission , November 17 , 1992 Meeting 1 REGULAR COUt\CIL MEETING DECEMBER 7 , 1992 PAGE 3 4 5 Commissioner Thompson was representing the Planning 6 Commission . 7 8 Commissioner Thompson reported that the Planning Commission 9 reviewed the subdivision/plat request from the C.G. Rein i0 Company regarding the Tires Plus Company located at 3800 11 Silver Lake Road . The Planning Commission recommends approval 12 of this request as it meets all of the requirements of the 13 ordinance . 14 15 Motion by Marks , second by Wagner to approve the 16 subdivision/plat approval request from the C.G. Rein Company on 17 behalf of the Tires Plus Company, 3800 Silver Lake Road, 18 recognizing that the request meets all of the requirements of 19 the ordinance . 20 21 Motion carried unanimously 22 23 24 Commissioner Thompson advised that there was an informal 25 request from the owner of the house located on the southeast 26 corner of 37th Avenue and Silver Lake Road for a fence. The 17 request was to erect a six foot fence . The maiority of the Planning Commission members were opposed to this fence as it 40 would interfere with site lines for traffic and pedestrians . 30 31 Commissioner Thompson stated that the fence had already been 32 installed before the owner had received the opinion of the 33 Planning Commission . It is four feet high rather than six 34 feet . 35 36 B . Council Reports 37 38 1 . Renort of Councilmember Wagner 39 40 Councilmember Wagner attended the National League of Cities 41 Conference in New Orleans . The theme of the conference was 42 cooperation and togetherness between elected bodies and 43 community organizations . He noted this included school boards 44 as well . Focus was placed on cooperatively working with common 45 problems such as crime . 46 47 Councilmember Wagner noted that the St . Anthony City Council 48 and School District #282 had already implemented some of the 49 ideas suggested at the conference in that they meet monthly to 50 discuss matters of mutual interest and concern . I REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING _ DECEMBER 7 , 1992 PAGE 4 4 5 6 Also, surveys and focus groups had been suggested for the 7 purpose of gathering information and resident ' s opinions , 8 suggestions and comments . Councilmember Wagner referred to the 9 example of the surveys already approved by the Council . This 10 type of informational gathering has been very successful in 11 other parts of the country. 12 13 Councilmember Wagner felt the conference was very good and the 14 plenary sessions and the workshops were beneficial for local 15 elected officials . He noted that Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser 16 was elected to the presidency of the National League of 17 Cities . The 1993 Conference will be held in Orlando and the 18 1994 Conference will be held in Minneapolis . A Mardi Gras 19 theme was used for the closing session and was quite 20 impressive. 21 22 2 . Report of Councilmember Fleming 23 24 Councilmember Fleming represented Mayor Ranallo at the recent 25 St . Anthony Shopping Center Merchants Association meeting. On 26 the 18th of December the Merchants Association is sponsoring sleighrides . There will be two sleighs and interested people can meet at the travel agency at 6: 00 p .m. 2 _. 30 3 . Report of Councilmember Marks 31 32 Councilmember Marks indicated he intends to attend the 33 National League of Cities Congressional Conference in 34 Washington, D.C. , in March . Councilmember Fleming will also be 35 attending. 36 37 4 . Report of Councilmember Enrooth 38 39 Councilmember Enrooth had nothing to report at this time. 40 41 5 . Report of Mayor Ranallo 42 43 Mayor Ranallo had polled members of the Council regarding 44 hosting a pancake breakfast for city employees . This will be 45 held either on December 17th or 18th from 7 : 00 a .m. until 9 : 00 46 a .m. Councilmembers will serve the breakfast . 47 48 The City Manager ' s evaluation was done by the Mayor and 49 Councilmember Marks . The Mayor felt it went very well . 50 1 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING "? DECEMBER 7 , 1992 PAGE 5 5 6 7 C . City Manager ' s Report 8 9 The City Manager advised that Dave Urbia has made arrangements 10 with various haulers who are licensed in the City to dispose 11 of Christmas trees . He contacted all of them and one will 12 charge a small fee and the two others will remove them at no 13 cost . Urbia will put together a press release for resident 14 information . 15 16 Councilmember Fleming noted that BFI advises its patrons of 17 this service with a flyer . 18 19 Mayor Ranallo stated that he had taped a cable program with 20 the assistance of Urbia . It will air twice during the week . It 21 had been suggested that this "Mayor ' s Report" be done live and 22 have a call in feature for residents . The Mayor is still 23 thinking about this format . 24 25 26 8 . NEW BUSINESS 7.7 A. Award of Bids for Lowry Grove Water Improvement Project 30 Maier Stewart and Associates had reviewed the three bids 31 received for the Lowry Grove Improvement Projects . In their 32 letter of December 1 , 1992 , the reputation and experience of 33 the low bidder was addressed . Maier Stewart ' s project engineer 34 recommended the low bidder noting that the firm was a 35 reputable contractor . 36 -37 The City Manager stated that 100% of the costs of this project 38 will be paid for by Federal Cartrage . The project can be 39 started immediately . He noted there is evidence of growing 40 contamination and commmencement of the project is urgent . 41 Congressman Sabo was very instrumental in obtaining the funds 42 for this project . 43 44 The location of the watermain was described by the City 45 Manager . He noted it will be an eight inch main . It will be 46 given back to the City by the trailer court owner for the sum 47 of $1 . 00 . The Mayor noted it cotild have been an assessable 48 project if it had been done thirty years ago. 49 50 • I REGULAR COUNCIL MEET114G DECEMBER 7 , 1992 PAGE 6 4 5 6 Motion by Marks , second by Enrooth to award the bid for the 7 Lowry Grove water system improvement project to F.M. Frattlone 8 in the amount of $109, 026 . 00 . 9 10 Motion carried unanimously 11 12 13 9 . UNFINISHED BUSINESS 14 15 A. Ordinance No 1992-001 , Re• Adoption of a New City Code 16 ( Second Readina) 17 18 Motion by -Marks , second by Wagner to approve the second 19 reading of Ordinance No . 1992-001 , being an ordinance 20 codifying the general ordinances of the City of St . Anthony, 21 Minnesota ; adopting a new city code; and repealing certain 22 ordinances . 23 24 Motion carried unanimously 25 26 RECESS io Motion by Marks , second by Enrooth to take a recess at 7-: 21 p .m. 30 31 Motion carried unanimously 32 33 RECONVENE 34 35 The meeting was reconvened at 7 : 30 p .m. -The recess had been 36 taken to accommodate the 7 : 30 starting time of the Public 37 Hearing regarding the City ' s tax levy and 1993 budget . 38 39 10 . PUBLIC HEARING 40 41 A. Consideration of City ' s Tax Levy and 1993 Budget 42 (Resolution No . 92-055) 43 44 The Public Hearing was called to order at 7 : 30 p .m. 45 46 The entire Council was in attendance as were the City Manager, 47 the Management Assistant and all of the department heads . 48 Twelve residents/property owners were also at the public 49 hearing. 50 1 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 7 , 1992 PAGE 7 4 5 6 Mayor Ranallo thanked all of the residents and property owners 7 for coming to the public hearing. 8 9 The Mayor explained the budget process . He advised that the 10 process started in August . The City Manager meets with all of 11 the department heads individually . These employees present 12 their department budgets and a preliminary budget is drafted 13 for presentation to the Council . Each Councilmember also meets 14 individually with the City Manager to present their views , 15 comments , perspectives and possible changes to the budget . 16 17 At the September 8th Council Meeting, a resolution was 18 considered which set the proposed 1993 tax levy. This 19 resolution was approved . 20 21 On September 15th the city certifies the 1993 proposed levy to 22 the auditor . 23 24 On October 13th an informational meeting was held where the 25 City Manager presented the budget to the City Council . This 26 meeting was a "Truth In Taxation" hearing which is required by 27 law. 0 Residents and property owners were encouraged to attend this 30 hearing to state their comments , concerns or suggestions 31 regarding the proposed budget . The date of this hearing had 32 been published in the local newspapers and public input was 33 solicited . 34 35 The Mayor advised that several changes were made to the 36 original draft of the levy and the third draft was presented 37 to the City Council at its November 2nd meeting. The changes 38 incorporated information presented by individual 39 councilmembers as well as that suggested by property owners at 40 the hearing on October 13th . 41 42 Mayor Ranallo stated that a continued budget public hearing 43 could be held on December 14th if the budget resolution is not 44 approved at this meeting. The City Manager observed that it 45 could be passed tonight if it is accepted as presented. 46 47 The Mayor noted that there has been a two million dollar 48 decrease in the market value of property in St . Anthony . There 49 also has been a change by the Legislature in the classes for 50 tax rates of property. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 7 , 1992 PAGE 8 4 5 He said there was a one and one half million dollar decrease 6 in one commercial property in the City. In July, the State 7 mandated that municipalities pay sales tax on all of its 8 taxable purchases and decreased the amount of Local Government 9 Aid the City was to receive as well . 10 11 The Mayor recalled that the 1992 budget was a "stand in place" 12 budget and there was no increase. 13 14 He cautioned those present that the discussion was to focus on 15 the budget and not on property values at this meeting. 16 Frequently, the distinction is not made between the two. 17 18 With the use of overhead graphs , the City Manager reviewed the 19 budget by departmental expenditures and revenues as proposed 20 for 1993 . The proposed increase for St . Anthony is 4 . 9% . 21 22 The City Manager advised that the property values decreased in 23 the City because of the new two tier tax structure. Market 24 rate changes have impacted the City and the City has no 25 control over this . He corrected the market value decrease in 26 St . Anthony to five million dollars rather than two million dollars . . 29 Burt noted that many commercial and industrial properties had 30 decreased in value as well as residential . The residential 31 values fell approximately two and one half million dollars . He 32 also advised that some of the City' s Local Government Aid had 33 been taken away and used to balance the' State ' s budget . St . 34. Anthony was one. of three cities who had its aid reduced in 35 1992 . 36 37 It was the observation of the City Manager that some of the 38 City ' s equipment is wearing out and can no longer have costly 39 maintenance or replacement deferred . 40 41 The Mayor invited residents and property owners in attendance 42 to address their concerns and questions to the Council or to 43 staff members present . 44 45 Scott Waldemar felt the comparison between Maple Grove and St . 46 Anthony which the City Manager made could not be accurate. He 47 cited the larger population and industrial tax base enjoyed by 48 Maple Grove . The City Manager responded that the impact of the 49 new market values placed on property has affected all 50 municipalities . I REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 7 , 1992 PAGE 9 4 5 6 Mr . Waldemar inquired if the City shares services and 7 equipment with other cities . The City Manager advised this has 8 been done for quite some time and cost savings have been 9 realized. He did feel that some sharing of services and 10 personnel may be shortsighted and gave the example of 11 consolidating police services with Ramsey County. He noted 12 that the response time would be considerably longer and many 13 items would be prioritized by Ramsey County and may not 14 receive immediate attention as they do now with the St . 15 Anthony Police Department . He noted that dispatching of 16 emergency calls is done by Hennepin County at the present 17 time . 18 19 Mr . Waldeman questioned whether the levy increase was applied 20 to all types of properties . The City Manager responded that it 21 was and the taxes applied to commercial and indust,ria.l 22 properties are much higher than those on residential 23 properties . He noted that 1993 rate on commercial and 24 industrial properties has been decreased and the difference 25 will be picked up by residential property owners . 26 77 Charlotte Olson inquired if the state requirements affect the City ' s costs and if they were as restrictive as it sounds . 10 Burt responded that eighty percent of the City' s paperwork is 30 requested by the State. He cited the Police Department ' s - 31 paperwork as an example and the $4 . 00 for the water testing. 32 33 He also noted that the City has no control over the Local 34 Government Aid nor the formula used to compute it . Last year 35 a Local Government Trust Fund was established which would be 36 funded by two cents from every six and one half cent sales tax 37 collected . The State raided this fund . The issue of handling 38 these funds has not been constitutionally mandated as to how 39 to return these funds to cities or property owners . It has 40 been suggested that this question be put on a ballot for all 41 of the State ' s taxpayers to vote on . 42 43 The City Manager acknowledged that there should be a property 44 tax reform in Minnesota . He' observed that the State ' s taxes 45 are not very high compared to those of Wisconsin . Residential 46 property taxes have been artificially low and have been that 47 way for some years . 48 49 Mayor Ranallo chaired the Fiscal Disparities Committee for the 50 League of Minnesota Cities . He stated that all city officials 1 REGULAR COU14CIL MEETING DECEMBER 7 , 1992 PAGE 10 4 5 6 agree that property tax reform is needed but do not agree on 7 how to accomplish this . He also recommended that residents of 8 the City contact their legislators and advise them of the-ir 9 feelings regarding property taxes . Twenty five percent of the 10 City ' s population is over sixty five years of age. The Mayor 11 felt this population reflects a number of people who are 12 living on fixed incomes and find it difficult to pay increased 13 taxes . 14 15 George Thompson, 301.5 39th Avenue, is of the opinion that the 16 dollars spent on City services is money well spent . He 17 particularly felt that the Public Works Department does a very 18 good job. 19 20 Jerry Kramarczuk , 3920 Macalaster , had a couple of problems he 21 wished to discuss . He noted that a portion of his taxes are 22 used by the School District . His daughter has been 23 experiencing some difficulties' at school and has not been 24 attending. Staff advised him this was a school problem and 25 should be addressed by school staff . He responded this has 26 been done and there has been no satisfactory resolution . Mr . Kramarczuk also advised that his property value has decreased yet his taxes have risen 17 . 6 percent . He has felt 30 the value on his home has been too high for some time . The 31 City Manager suggested this is an item which should be 32 addressed at a Board of Review. 33 34 The Kramarczuk home is located in Ramsey County . There are no 35 local boards of review held for Ramsey County properties . The 36 City Manager advised Mr. Kramarczuk to make an appointment 37 with the Ramsey County Assessor regarding his market value . 38 39 Mayor Ranallo requested the City Manager to contact Mr . 40 Kramarczuk on Tuesday with the phone number of the Ramsey 41 County Assessor . He also advised Mr. Kramarczuk to contact the 42 City Manager if he receives no satisfaction from the Assessor . 43 Mr . Kramarczuk is of the opinion that his value has been too 44 high for the last ten years . 45 46 Ivar Slettemoen requested the Council to re-examine the 47 proposed budget to find dollars to cut . He noted that the 48 population is aging, there are many lay-offs and some loss of 49 employment . 50 J REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 7 , 1992 PAGE 11 4 5 6 The Mayor inquired if he had any suggestions or insight as to 7 how the budget could be reduced. Mr . Slettemoen questioned the 8 need for salary increases for City staff . The Mayor advised 9 him that two of the City ' s unions have binding arbitration and 10 one does not . Two and one half percent raises are being 11 offered to union members . Councilmember Marks also reviewed 12 some of the joint powers agreements the City has with other 13 cities and counties . He noted these agreements save the. City 14 considerable money with shared equipment and employee -15 services . 16 17 Referring to the proposals for deferring road and sewer 18 maintenance, Scott Waldemar expressed some concern that these 19 items may require more costly repair or replacerr;ent in the 2.0 future. 21 22 The City Manager advised that the Pavement Management Study 23 and the Road Maintenance Task Force have drafted proposals for 24 maintenance and repair . These ten year studies were approved 25 by the City Council . Fifty percent of the costs will be 26 assessed to benefitted properties and the other fifty percent of the costs will be from equipment reserve funds . There is a five year replacement plan in place for equipment . Certificates of Indebtedness can also be issued for this 30 purpose. 31 32 Mr . Waldemar also inquired what the income from the cable 33 franchise is used for. The City Manager responded that there 34 are ten cities which participate in the cable commission 35 activities . There are some costs associated with cable 36 productions . He also noted that ' the franchise fees may 37 decrease if subscriptions are cancelled . 38 39 The Mayor advised Mr . Waldemar that there wi11 be neighborhood 40 meetings for those residents whose streets will be considered 41 for repair or replacement and are assessable projects . These 42 meetings will not be held during the winter months as so many 43 residents are not in town . 44 45 Motion by Marks , second by Enrooth to close the public hearing 46 at 9 : 35 p.m. 47 48 Motion carried unanimously 49 50 1 REGULAR COUNCIL N,EETING DECE14BER 7 , 1992 PAGE 12 4 5 6 The City Manager advised the Council and the residents where 7 copies of the budget will be located for public review. 8 9 Mayor Ranallo thanked the residents for attending the public 10 hearing. He also expressed the Council ' s gratitude to the 11 staff and department heads for their participation in making 12 this a very workable budget . He stated the Council ' s position 13 in not wanting to cut city services yet have only a modest 14 increase in the budget . 15 16 The Mayor suggested that budget deliberations begin earlier 17 next year . 18 19 Motion by Marks , second by Wagner to approve Resolution No. 20 92-055 being a resolution certifying the City of St . Anthony 21 tax levy and 1993 budget in compliance with the Truth in 22 Taxation Act . 23 24 Motion carried unanimously 25 26 1 1 . ADJOUR14ME14T 40 Motion by Enrooth, second by Marks to adjourn the meeting at 9 : 40 p.m. 30 31 Motion carried unanimously 32 33 34 35 36 Respectfully submitted, 37 38 39 40 Jo-Anne Student , Council . Secretary 41 42 43 44 45 Mayor Clarencf Rariallo 46 47 48 ATTEST: 49 Cit Clerk 50