HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 09091997 Meeting Sheet
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Folder. CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1997
Document: CC MINUTES 09091997
I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
t2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 SEPTEMBER 9, 1997
4 I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL.
5 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by
6 Mayor Ranallo.
7 H. ROLL CALL.
8 Councilmembers Present: Ranallo, Marks, Wagner, and Faust.
9 Also Present: City Manager Mike Morrison and City Attorney Jerry Gilligan.
10 Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Enrooth.
11 III. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 9, 1997 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
12 Motion by Wagner, second by Marks to approve the September 9, 1997 Regular Council
13 Meeting Agenda as presented.
14 Motion carried unanimously.
15 IV. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 26, 1997 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
16 MINUTES.
17 Motion by Marks, second by Wagner to approve the August 26, 1997 City Council Regular
Meeting Minutes as presented.
19 Motion carried unanimously.
20 V. LICENSES/PERMITS/PETITIONS.
21 Motion by Marks, second by Faust to approve the following licenses:
22 Contractors License:
23 Nordquist Sign Company, Minneapolis, MN/working at St. Anthony Nursing Home
24 Heating License:
25 Dependable Indoor Air Quality, Inc., Coon Rapids, MN/work at 3425 Fordham Court
26 Multi-Dwelling License:
27 Autumnwoods Apartments, Long-Nelson Associates/201 Units
28 Motion carried unanimously.
29 VI. PRESENTATION OF CLAIMS.
30' Motion by Marks, second by Faust to approve the following claims:
31
32 A. New Liquor Store.
33 1. St. Anthony Housing and Redevelopment Authority, in the amount of
34 $97,054.12 for reimbursement of expenses incurred for the building of the new
liquor store at Apache.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
Page 2
1 2. Springsted, Inc. in the amount of$576.85 for Bond printing for $940,000
2 Liquor Store Revenue Bonds, Series 1997.
3 3. Dorsey & Whitney in the amount of$408.01 for legal services rendered
4 through July 31, 1997 for purchase of Tires Plus building.
5 4. KKE Architects, Inc. in the amount of$2,089.30 for services rendered ending
6 July 25, 1997.
7 B. Barr Engineering Company in the amount of$2,607.85 for professional services
8 rendered during the period of July 11 through August 1, 1997.
9 C. Braun Intertech in the amount of$2,256.50 for services rendered from June 14 through
10 August 8, 1997 for 1997 Street Improvements Construction Testing Services.
11 D. Dorsey & Whitney in the amount of$1,394.00 for legal services rendered through July
12 31, 1997 for general.
13 E. WSB & Associates in the amount of$1,303.00 for professional services rendered from
14 July 1 through July 31, 1997 for Storm Drainage Task Force.
15 F. 3 pages of Verified Claims as presented by the Finance Director.
16 Motion carried unanimously.
17 VII. REPORTS.
18 A. Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to Police Reserve Sergeant Richard
Hopperstad.
0 Police Chief Richard Engstrom introduced Police Reserve Sergeant Richard Hopperstad who
21 has been with the Reserve Program in the City of St. Anthony for ten years and had also
22 served with the City of Minneapolis for five years. Chief Engstrom commended Sergeant
23 Hopperstad for his commitment to the program year after year. He stated Sergeant
24 Hopperstad was a great asset to the program and has helped make the program what it is
25 today. In recognition of his ten years of service, he was presented with a polo shirt and a $30
26 Barnes & Noble gift certificate. Chief Engstrom also presented him with a gift from the
27 Police Officers in appreciation for his service and help.
28 On behalf of the Mayor and City Council, Mayor Ranallo presented Sergeant Hopperstad with
29 a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding volunteer community service work for ten years,
30 from 1987 to 1997. Mayor Ranallo thanked Sergeant Hopperstad and all the Police Reserves
31 who do such an excellent job.
32
33 B. Proclamation Designating Kiwanis Peanut Day,
34 Motion by Marks, second by Wagner to approve the Proclamation that Friday, September 26,
35 1997 be designated as St. Anthony Kiwanis Peanut Day.
36 Motion carried unanimously.
37 Paul Redlinger and Ted Gromek were present to represent the Kiwanis Club of St. Anthony.
Mr. Redlinger thanked the Council for the opportunity to sell peanuts in the City of St.
*9 Anthony. He stated he hoped for good weather and looked forward to a good year.
f,
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
• Page 3
1 Mayor Ranallo thanked the Kiwanis Club of St. Anthony for the work they do in the
2 community.
3 C. Discussion of Properly at 2716 St. Anthony Boulevard.
4 Mayor Ranallo noted a letter which was received from Norine (Jaros) and Ted Lockrem, 2716
5 St. Anthony Boulevard on August 29, 1997 in regard to the City purchase of their property.
6 Norine Lockrem, 2716 St. Anthony Boulevard, stated she had appeared at the July 8, 1997
7 City Council meeting and requested that the City of St. Anthony purchase their property at
8. 2716 .St. Anthony Boulevard. At that time, they requested a response within 60 days. She
9 stated that since that request, a number of events have occurred including the appointment of
10 a City Task Force and declaration by Hennepin County of the area as a federal disaster.
11 Mrs. Lockrem stated that on August 29, 1997, she sent another letter to the City stating that
12 the 60 days would soon be over and requesting them to purchase the property. Since August .
13 29 other events have occurred. A week ago Friday, 1.2 inches of rainfall was experienced
14 and the streets were full of water to the point that she was awakened at 3:00 a.m. due to a car
15 stalled in the street. She stated this is indicative of the severity of the problem in St.
16 Anthony.
Mrs. Lockrem stated that FEMA has determined that her home is unlivable and will provide
qV8 three months of rental assistance. She noted how expensive it is to move and stated she did
19 not believe anyone would want to move for three months. She also noted most reputable
20 apartment buildings require a one year lease. She stated she did not feel this was an
21 acceptable solution.
22 Mrs. Lockrem reported that last night her home was inspected by an SBA evaluator. The
23 evaluator stated that although a formal investigation has not been approved, he believed that
24 the structural damage alone was more than 50% of the value of the home. The SBA rule is
25 that if the damage is more than 40% of the value of the home, they will not provide loan
26 assistance as they feel the damage is not worth repairing. She stated she and her husband
27 could not afford a third mortgage but even if they could, it would not be available. The SBA
28 evaluator stated however, that if the Lockrems were to involuntarily leave their home, the
29 SBA could provide assistance in the form of a low interest relocation loan. Mrs. Lockrem
30 stated that if the City of St. Anthony would determine that the property should not include a
31 home, they would be forced to leave the home and would be eligible for an SBA loan.
32 Mrs. Lockrem stated that her family needed help and a response now. She stated that
33 although her family empathized with their neighbors who also experienced water management
34 problems, her home is the only one that had water at the level where it could come through
35 their front door destroying not only the basement but the upper level as well. She stated she
36 knew it was a difficult decision to make but urged the City to purchase the property because
it is the right thing to do.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
• Page 4
1 Mayor Ranallo stated that due to the anticipated request for direct assistance to the property
2 owners whose property was damaged as a result of the July storms, the City has asked for a
3 legal opinion from the City Attorney as well as the League of Minnesota Cities as to whether
4 or not the City can use public money to, in effect, donate funds to voluntarily reimburse the
5 property owners for their damages.
6 It is the opinion of the City Attorney that the City cannot legally make such an.expenditure.
7 A valid municipal expenditure must be for a public purpose, which means it must: (1)
8 benefit the community as a whole; (2) be directly related to the functions of government;
9 - and the City Legal Counsel feels there does not appear to be any legal authority for the City
10 to give money to citizens who have suffered property damage resulting-from the July- storms.
11 In terms of buying homes, the City can buy and sell real estate, providing the City has a
12 public purpose for the property such as a ponding area or a park, etc. The purchase of
13 property may be one of the Task Force's long term solutions.
14 Mrs. Lockrem asked the legal opinion in regard to the City's response in terms of
15 condemnation. She stated the property is not livable. FEMA has determined it is not livable
16 and the SBA has determined that the structural damage is more than they would give funds to
17 fix. She stated the City is the only one authorized to condemn the property. She felt this was
18 a different issue than asking the City to give her money.
09 City Attorney Jerry Gilligan stated he believed a condemnation of the property is basically a
20 purchase of the property. It is not different. The City has the authority to purchase a
21 property directly or through a condemnation process.
22 Mrs. Lockrem again stated that if the City were to condemn the property (if the City would
23 say that they have to involuntarily leave the property) the SBA could possibly provide
24 relocation funding. She stated there is a difference between giving people public money that
25 is not for the benefit of the general public and condemning a property.
26 Mayor Ranallo asked the City Attorney if he could investigate this and his time frame for
27 doing so.
28 Mr. Gilligan stated he would research and report back to the City within a week.
29 Mrs. Lockrem requested a copy of the statement made by Mayor Ranallo with regard to the
30 legal opinion of reimbursement to property owners. City Manager distributed copies to the
31 audience.
32 Councilmember Marks noted that when the City had condemned property in the past it was
33 for redevelopment purposes. There is nothing like that proposed for this property.
Ted Lockrem, 2716 St. Anthony Boulevard, suggested his property could be purchased now
5 for future ponding use. He also stated that he had sent letters to Senators, Representatives,
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
• Page 5
1 and even the Mayor of Minneapolis and the only one who never responded to the letters was
2 the City of St. Anthony.
3 Mayor Ranallo stated the City was waiting for a response from Legal Counsel. The City had
4 also responded on a face-to-face level at previous Council meetings.
5 Mr. Lockrem stated that Mayor Ranallo had told him when he visited his home that the City
6 would do something and not to worry.
7 Mayor Ranallo stated he had thought that the City could do something until he received this
8 legal opinion. Mayor Ranallo stated he had also been under the assumption that the Storm
9 Sewer Fund could be utilized but has found out those funds cannot be utilized for this
10 purpose.
11 Mr. Lockrem stated that at the first meeting, the Council had urged him to convince the rest
12 of the City of the problem. He then erected a sign which demonstrated the height of the
13 water level. The only letter he had received was a letter from the City telling him to remove
14 the sign. He asked how else he could educate the City and stated he felt the sign was
15 removed because someone down the street was selling their home and did not want anyone to
�16 know the severity of the problem. He stated the sign is going back up.
�i8 D. Appoint Additional Members to the Storm Water Task Force.
19 Mayor Ranallo reported that as of the application deadline one application was received for
20 the Task Force. The application was received from Dennis Cavanaugh, who is unable to be
21 present at the Council meeting this evening but still wishes to be a member of the Task Force.
22 Motion by Marks, second by Wagner to appoint Dennis Cavanaugh to the Storm Water Task
23 Force in accordance with the reopening of the application process.
24 Motion carried unanimously.
25 E. Silver Lake Road Bridge Project.
26 Dan Solar, Ramsey County, stated this project has been discussed at public meetings and
27 through the Comprehensive Plan Update process. The project will include the reconstruction
28 of the bridge on Silver Lake Road north of 37th Avenue. The two existing bridges are quite
29 old and deficient and will be replaced with a single new bridge in the same location. The
30 project includes three separate areas: the bridge itself, the top of the bridge including railings,
31 etc.; and the piece of Silver Lake Road between County Road D and Silver Lane.
32 Mr. Solar reported the bridge can be built, the curbs fixed, and a mill and overlay completed
33 at 100% County cost. There have, however, been a number of requests from residents to
34 provide the same enhancements to the roadway which were done on Silver Lake Road south
of Silver Lane. These enhancements would include a median surface enhancement which
OP6 would cost $16,500. Approximately $7,500 of.this cost could be paid with State-Aid Funds.
37 The remainder would be paid with Local Funds. Another possible enhancement would be
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
• Page 6
1 lighting which would cost approximately $126,000. State-Aid Funding could be used for this
2 enhancement if the lighting poles and fixtures are City standard units.
3 Mr. Solar stated another possibility is the addition of sidewalks on the east side of Silver Lake
4 Road at a total cost of$33,460. The County has recently changed their policy and would
5 fund 25% of the cost which would result in a cost to the City of$25,100. This does not
6 include the cost of the sidewalk on the bridge as that cost is included in the bridge cost.
7 State-Aid Funds could be used for the cost.
8 Mayor Ranallo stated he has received several calls from residents who do not want a sidewalk
9 installed on the east side of Silver Lake Road. They are concerned with the loss of parking
10 area and turnaround. This would affect the townhome owners especially, and Mayor noted a
11 public meeting should be held to discuss this issue.
12 Marks asked if the sidewalks would be installed adjacent to Silver Lake Road.
13 Mr. Solar stated that normally the sidewalks are installed six to eight feet from the curb. He
14 noted that at the intersection of Silver Lane the sidewalks may be adjacent to the curb.
15 Marks noted there have been problems in the past with the clearing of ice and snow on the
sidewalks on the west side of the bridge. There has been a conflict as to who was responsible
*7 for the clearing of the sidewalks.
18 Mr. Solar stated the clearing of snow on sidewalks is clearly the responsibility of the City but
19 the clearing of snow on a bridge is clearly the responsibility of the County. He noted
20 however sidewalks are not a high priority to the County.
21 Marks stated he was concerned with the bridge design. He noted that the plowing of the
22 current bridge creates a ridge of ice that is extremely dangerous.
23 Mr. Solar stated another element of the bridge project is the installation of a new watermain
24 on the west side of Silver Lake Road. The current watermain is under Silver Lake Road and
25 presents a number of problems in terms of servicing. The cost for installation of the
26 watermain is $168,000. He noted replacement of the sidewalk on the west side of Silver Lake
27 Road is included in this cost although he inspected the sidewalk and felt it was generally in
28 good shape.
29 Morrison noted he had asked Bob Moberg of RCM to determine if the watermain needs to be
30 replaced at this time.
31 Mr. Solar then presented four options for bridge enhancements. He responded to a previous
32 question of Councilmember Marks by noting that the new design will allow the snow to be
Wpushed off the bridge and not onto the sides as the previous design required.
34 Mr. Solar asked the Council for direction as to how to move forward with the project.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
• Page 7
1 There was Council consensus to install the median and lighting enhancements on Silver Lake
2 Road, to continue analysis of the necessity of the new watermain through consultation with
3 Bob Moberg of RCM, for Ramsey County to layout the sidewalks on the east side of Silver
4 Lake Road to determine the impact to residents, and that no action be taken in regard to
5 bridge enhancements at this time.
6 F. Councilmembers.
7 Councilmember Wagner reported he had spoken with Mike Bonaventura, a resident of St.
8 Anthony, who frequently runs through Central Park in the evenings with his dog. Mr.
9 Bonaventura stated he has not seen any acts of vandalism in the Park but that he will watch.
10 Councilmember Faust reported he will attend another Storm Water Task Force meeting
11 tomorrow evening. He also reported that on Thursday he will attend a League of Minnesota
12 Fiscal Futures meeting as they will begin to consolidate their plans for the legislative session.
13 Councilmember Marks reported the Sister City Committee is in the process of getting the
14 organization incorporated. This should be completed within the next few weeks. He also
15 reported a Sister City Conference will be held in Duluth this Saturday and he and his wife are
16 planning to attend the event.
G. Mayor.
8 Mike Jacobs, 2914 29th Avenue NE, stated he could not help but be mortified after the
19 response of the City to the Lockrem's request. He stated it reaffirmed the position of the City
20 to do nothing in regard to the situation. He felt there are several good people in this
21 community working to find a solution but he has yet to see the City come forward with some
22 sort of support. He stated he found it troublesome that the City would contact an attorney to
23 obtain legal representation when talking about helping neighbors. All the responsibility for a
24 solution has been passed to the Task Force. The City has backed out of their responsibilities.
25 He stated it is the City's responsibility to look at the residents affected and do something
26 about it.
27 Mr. Jacobs stated he loves this community but is beginning to lose heart very quickly. He
28 questioned why anyone would want to live in St. Anthony now. He asked that the City
29 Council see the needs of people, the people who are hurting. Two months have gone by with
30 no action and he did not want another two months to go by. When people are at this level of
31 devastation something needs to happen. Residents are trying to help and offer support but he
32 sees the City continually back pedaling the issues. He stated he was troubled with going to
33 the next Task Force meeting because if they make a suggestion the City will say that they
34 cannot legally do it and nothing will be done again.
35 Mr. Jacobs stated the City has to develop a kinship and take the lead. He stated that
36 something has to be done relatively quickly as winter is approaching. He felt that if the
VCouncil's families had the same situation, they would do everything in their power to help.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
• Page 8
1 Mayor Ranallo stated that if it were up to him personally, he would take care of it but he
2 does not have that authority. He and the Council have a fiduciary responsibility. He stated
3 the City has to look at what they can do legally.
4 Mr. Jacobs questioned the point of benefitting the community as a whole. He noted that the
5 exterior of his house is in need of painting but because his basement if full of sewage he is
6 unable to deal with that repair. This affects the whole community. He stated that fixing the
7 water problem would benefit the entire community. He stated that he did not see any reason
8 to continue on the Task Force if the end result would be to do nothing and all the time and
9 effort would be.in vain.
10 Mayor Ranallo stated the Task Force is working to find a solution on how to take care of the
11 water problem. He noted he had suggested the City purchase the two acre Town and Country
12 site to use as a holding pond but the engineers have stated that would not solve the problem.
13 Mr. Jacobs stated he had a hard time seeing the projects and the amounts budgeted for
14 development in the City and the continual ignorance of this situation.
15 Mayor Ranallo stated the City did not know the solution and that is why they have put
16 together the Task Force. He stated his response did not come from his heart but from his
fiduciary responsibility in the City.
18 Wagner stated it is not that the City does not want to provide funds. The City has checked
19 with a number of attorneys and also other cities to determine what they can do. The City
20 cannot spend their own funds. Other cities are spending donated funds but the City of St.
21 Anthony has not received any donated funds.
22 Mayor Ranallo again stated he had thought the funds from the Sewer Fund could be used but
23 it has been determined that they can't.
24 Morrison noted the Sewer Fund could be used to purchase a home if the land was to be used
25 as a holding pond, if it would serve a public purpose.
26 Mr. Jacobs stated he cannot live in his house anymore. He has thought of abandoning the
27 home. He stated the City Councilmembers are voted into office and they need to support the
28 issue and determine a solution.
29 Marks noted a major study of the flooding problem was conducted seven years ago and no
30 obvious answers were determined. He hoped the people on the Task Force would act as
31 champions for ideas and find ideas that will fit within the constraints that the City and
32 residents have to work within.
Mr. Jacobs asked, as a Task Force Member, for guidelines to work within to be able to make
34 progress. He stated these residents have a right to clean water and a sewer system that works
35 just like everyone else.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
• Page 9
1 Wagner suggested fundraising and donations. He stated he would personally support this
2 effort.
3 Faust stated the City had fought hard to get federal, state, and other funds for short-term
4 assistance. When it was clear that none of the funds were available, the City asked if they
5 could spend City funds. The answer is no. He suggested that any suggestions or
6 recommendations from the Task Force need to have a plan that will serve the problem over
7 the long run. He stated he did not know of a source for short-term relief. He stated the idea
8 of fundraising was good but he did not know where to begin.
9 Mr. Jacobs stated people needed to use not only their heads but also their hearts in this
10 situation. These people are backed into a corner. He asked the City Council to consider
11 guidelines for the next Task Force meeting.
12 Mary Ann Kuharski, 2709 Pahl Avenue NE, stated this should not be looked at as a donation
13 or reimbursement to the property owner for damages. This is a drastic problem mi the
14 community which may warrant assistance to the property owners. She stated her property had
15 flooding again last week. This is the fourth time this year. This problem is a public health
16 hazard. She stated it is an urgent matter of justice. A storm sewer system that works is
17 necessary for public health reasons. She also noted there is a safety issue involved. She
stated her fear is that with the continuing flooding, someone will eventually drown. She felt
qF9 this problem should be seen as a disaster due to the public health and safety issues. She
20 stated she could not imagine holding a fundraiser for a new sewer system because the City
21 should take care of that.
22 Wagner stated that he had suggested fundraising for the purpose of reimbursement to affected
23 residents.
24 Brian Thuesen, 2804 Pahl Avenue NE, stated he has been a resident of St. Anthony for five
25 years. When he moved to St. Anthony he could not believe the positive responses and almost
26 envy he received from people. He stated the night of the July storm he had to park three
27 blocks from his home and wade through waist deep water to get to his house. He did not
28 have water in his basement but feels for his neighbors that did. He stated he was appalled at
29 the pitting of the north side against the south side of the City. This was not acceptable and
30 had to stop. He stated he was disturbed by the lack of empathy exhibited by the City. He
31 stated he felt that roadblocks were being set up every time something tried to get done. If
32 nothing is done in regard to the problem the property values on the south end of town will be
33 affected and that will affect the entire community.
34 Marks noted flooding did occur on the north side of town also. He stated the Council would
35 like the situation resolved for the entire City.
VMr. Thuesen suggested the City needed to work harder with the legislature.
37 Wagner stated he had met with Senator John Marty three times.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
• Page 10
1 Mr. Thuesen suggested that the purchase of 2716 St. Anthony Boulevard would benefit the
2 City.
3 Mayor Ranallo noted he has been driving through the City for 35 years and has had to deal
4 with this issue. This problem has been in existence for many years.
5 Mr. Thuesen noted the engineers are saying the solution will cost millions of dollars. He
6 questioned the future of St. Anthony is the City can't afford the solution.
7 Wagner stated that.is the reason_that the City is attempting to obtain metropolitan help. The
8 system extends out of the City of St. Anthony and all the way to the Mississippi River.
9 Mr. Thuesen questioned if the City had been bamboozled with the Quarry Center. He noted
10 when that land was lost it had to have an affect.
11 Mayor Ranallo stated the City was told that it would not have an affect. He also noted that in
12 an attempt to stay informed, a Councilmember is a member of the Task Force of the Upper
13 Mississippi/Lower Mississippi Watershed District.
14
15 Mr. Thuesen stated he felt for the neighbors and suggested there was a need for better
communication between the residents and the City.
17 John Kuharski, 2709 Pahl Avenue NE, stated he was against a sidewalk on Silver Lake
18 Bridge because it would cover more land and affect the flooding problem. He stated he was
19 not in favor of any enhancements as he felt the money should be spent on the storm sewer.
20 He also questioned how money from the Sewer Fund could be used for waste management
21 pick up of trash.
22 Mr. Kuharski stated he was upset to come to this meeting the day before a Task Force
23 meeting and'learn that no public funds can be spent on the water problem. He stated he is a
24 member of a sub-committee of the Task Force which spent 40 hours coming up with solutions
25 which have been shot down in two minutes. He stated the City Council accuses the Task
26 Force of meeting privately and yet did not inform the members of the law. Now the Council
27 did not inform Task Force members that City Funds can't be used. He stated his first
28 reaction was to resign from the Task Force.
29 Faust urged Mr. Kuharski and all members of the Task Force not to resign.
30 Mayor Ranallo stated he had just learned today that City funds could not be used. He noted a
31 legal opinion had not been requested earlier because the City was still hopeful that they would
32 receive federal or state funds.
0 Mr. Kuharski stated he thought funds were also coming from the City.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
• Page 11
1 Mayor Ranallo stated the City did not have that kind of money. They had to acquire funds
2 from another source. When the legislature verbally advised the City that no funds were
3 available, Mayor stated that he suggested the Sewer Funds be utilized. He also suggested that
4 the City triple that amount so they could provide an estimated $500,000. He was then told
5 that this could not be done. The City Attorney was contacted and he stated this was not
6 legally allowable. Other attorneys were contacted and they responded in the same manner.
7 Mayor Ranallo stated that in regard to the public meeting law he had never imagined that the
8 citizens of St. Anthony working on a Task Force appointed by the City would hold a private
9 meeting. He stated that all he had done was caution the members that this was not allowed
10 and that there could be a problem.
11 Mr. Kuharski questioned how citizens would know that they are not allowed to meet without
12 notice. He stated it would have been nice if someone could have informed the Task Force
13 members that the City was obtaining a legal opinion in regard to the use of City funds. He
14 questioned why it was not brought up at the last Task Force meeting.
15 Marks noted that the Council is very limited on what they can do and they are constantly
16 obtaining legal opinions about everything they do. He stated the City is accustomed to that.
17 A citizen may not be accustomed to it or even know it. It is a different mind-set. He stated
a Task Force has never held a private meeting before. He stated he was personally shocked
19 but he realized that it is a different mind-set.
20 Mr. Kuharski stated he felt there was no communication from the City. He felt there was a
21 brick wall between the City and the Task Force.
22 Wagner stated he had looked at the previously mentioned recommendations of the Task Force
23 sub-committee and he did not believe they were all wasted. He stated the source of funding
24 may need to be changed but the ideas may be useful. He hoped that Mr. Kuharski would stay
25 with it and continue.
26 H. City Manager.
27 Mornson reported the Building Inspector selection process is close to resolution. The City
28 currently is negotiating with a private firm and the City of New Brighton. The advertising for
29 the Public Works Director position closed today and 20 applications were received. The
30 process will continue with a decision and recommendation in mid October. He noted Public
31 Work Director Larry Hamer's last day will be November 21, 1997.
32 Mornson reported he had worked through the final punch list for the City Hall with the
33 contractor and hopes to have that job completed soon.
34 Mornson reported the steel for the construction of the new Liquor Store has been delayed by
two weeks. This will delay the opening of the store from November 1 to November 11,
6 1997.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
• Page 12
1 Morrison reported there is one, possibly two, openings in the Police Department. The new
2 test was given and 114 candidates applied. At a recent work session with the Department
3 Heads of the City there was discussion of the need for additional police officers due to the
4 increased demand in the parks and the CUB Foods Store. Staff is researching the Clinton
5 Cop Program which will fund 75% of an officer's salary for the first three years. It is
6 possible this could be used to supplement two new officers next year.
7 Mr. Jacobs stated his daughter and a lot of his children's friends would like the opportunity to
8 use the gym but he was told that there was an insurance liability conflict. He stated he would
9 . be willing to chaperone a night where his kids could come and use the gym rather than
10 having to go to other communities and use their facilities'.
11 Morrison noted that Community Services offers an open gym. He explained that when the
12 gym was opened there was a large number of requests to leave the gym open for use and the
13 insurance company stated the City could not because use of the gym required supervision.
14 Community Services is in need of more parents or supervisors to participate. Morrison stated
15 he would let Kathy Knapp know that Mr. Jacobs was interested.
16 Wagner suggested the possibility of involving a Community Service Officer with the open
17 gym.
408 VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None.
19 IX. NEW BUSINESS.
20 A. Resolution 97-038, re: Amend Assessment Policy Pertaining to Sidewalk Assessments.
21 Marks noted that the previous policy in regard to the sidewalk assessments was somewhat
22 vague and ambiguous. This resolution would merely clear up the policy.
23 Motion by Marks, second by Faust to approve Resolution 97-038, approving the third
24 amendment to the assessment policy of the City of St. Anthony.
25
26 Motion carried unanimously.
27 B. Resolution 97-042, re: Set Proposed 1998 Tax Lew and City Budget.
28 Motion by Marks, second by Wagner to approve Resolution 97-042, setting the City of St.
29 Anthony Proposed 1998 Tax Levy and Budget in compliance with the Truth in Taxation Act.
30 Marks noted that this is not a "stand in place" budget. This takes into account a cost-of-living
31 adjustment.
32 Morrison noted the levy increase is 2.4% and the budget increase is 3.6%.
33
6 Motion carried unanimously.
35 C. Resolution 97-043, re: Participation in Local Housing Incentives Act.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 9, 1997
Page 13
1 Motion by Marks, second by Faust to approve Resolution 97-043, electing to continue
2 participation in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under the Metropolitan
3 Livable Communities Act for calendar year 1998.
4 Motion carried unanimously.
5 X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
6 A. Ordinance 1997-006, re: Add Professional Buildings to Comprehensive Sign Plan
7 2nd Reading-).
8 Motion by Marks, second by Wagner to approve the 2nd'-reading of Ordinance 1997=006, an
9 Ordinance relating to signs, amending Chapter 14 of the 1993 St. Anthony Code of
10 Ordinances, by adding Subd. 36 to Section 1400.04; and by amending Section 1400.09, Subd:
11 5.
12
13 Motion carried unanimously.
14 XI. ADJOURNMENT.
15 Motion by Wagner, second by Marks to adjourn the meeting at 9:19 P.M.
Motion carried unanimously.
17 Respectfully submitted,
18 Lorri Kopischke
19 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial
20
21 Mayor
22 ATTEST:
23 City Clerk
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