HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 03262002 Meeting Sheet
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Box: 34
Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 2002
Document: CC MINUTES 03262002
1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
4
5 March 26, 2002
6
7 CALL TO ORDER.
8 Mayor Pro Tem Sparks called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
9
10 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
11 Mayor Pro Tem Sparks invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
12
13 ROLL CALL.
14 Present: Mayor Pro Tem Sparks; Councilmembers Horst, Thuesen, and Faust.
15 Absent: Mayor Hodson.
16 Also Present: City Manager Mike Mornson.
17
18 CONSIDERATION,DISCUSSION,AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
19 ITEMS.
20
21 I. APPROVAL OF MARCH 26,2002 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
22 Motion by Councilmember Faust, second by Councilmember Horst, to approve the City Council
23 Meeting Agenda of March 26, 2002.
0 Motion carried unanimously.
27 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
28 None.
29
30 III. COMMUNITY FORUM.
31 Mayor Pro Tem Sparks invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on
32 items that are not on the regular agenda.
33
34 Hearing none, Mayor Pro Tem Sparks moved forward with the agenda.
35
36 IV. CONSENT AGENDA.
37
38 1. Consider March 12, 2002 Council meeting minutes.
39 2. Consider licenses and permits.
40 3. Consider Qavment of claims.
41
42 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, second by Councilmember Faust, to approve the Consent
43 Agenda.
44
45 Motion carried unanimously.
46
0
I V. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
A. Resolution 02-033,re: Consider approval Central Park Outdoor Recreation Grant
46 Application. (Todd Hubmer, WSB, Inc., will be present)
4 Mayor Pro Tem Sparks opened the public hearing opened at 7:02 p.m.
5
6 Hubmer indicated that he had distributed a draft copy of the Outdoor Recreation Grant
7 Application to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requesting
8 funding assistance in the amount of$75,000 for the Central Park Multipurpose Field
9 Redevelopment Project. He added that the application would be submitted to the DNR
10 by March 31, 2002.
11
12 Hubmer indicated that the DNR will determine grant awards in May or June of 2002. He
13 stated that, if contracts could be executed quickly, the City may be eligible to use existing
14 funds from the Central Park Redevelopment Project as matching funds for the grant.
15
16 Mayor Pro Tem Sparks closed the public hearing closed at 7:05 p.m.
17
18 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, second by Councilmember Horst, to adopt
19 Resolution 02-033, re: Consider approval of Central Park Outdoor Recreation Grant
20 Application.
21
22 Motion carried unanimously.
23
4 VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND STAFF.
A. Presentation of Finance 2001 Annual Report. (Roger Larson, Director of Finance, will be
resent
27 Roger Larson came forward to present the Council with the 2001 Finance Annual Report.
28
29 Larson indicated that the Finance Department is comprised of five employees: the
30 Finance Director, a receptionist, a utility building clerk, an accounting technician, and a
31 part-time accounting clerk.
32
33
34 o Utility billing
35 o License/Permits
36 o Customer service
37 o Answer phones/Direct calls
38 o Community Center reservations
39
40
41 • Accounting/Record keeping
42 • Budgeting
43 • Payroll
44 • Financial Services/Departments
45 • Performance Rating- 9 to 1
0 Excellent/Very Good
48 EMPROVEMENTS IN SERVICES
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2002
Page 3
• Utility Payments ents(New Program)
2 o Automated Payments
3 ■ Checking/Savings
4 ■ 50 Households participating
5 • Drop boxes at Cub Foods
6 • Scanning Equipment
7 o Scan payments in our computer system
8 • Upgrading Mater Reading Card Systems
9
10 SERVICES TO EMPLOYEES
11 • Automatic Deposit of payroll checks
12 • Organization of a new Dental Plan
13 • Training/Education
14 o On-going at all levels
15 • Network Computer System
16
17 BUDGET CONCERNS
18 • State Budget Cuts
19 o HACA- Eliminated
20 o Potential loss of LGA
40 o Recovery of HACA Increased Levy
23 DECLINING REVENUE SOURCES
24 • User fees
25 • Increase levy
26 • Budget cuts
27 o Reduction in service levels
28
29 CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE
30 Current Level of Service
31 • Maintain our current level of service
32 o Police
33 o Fire
34 o Public Works
35
36 • Community Survey?
37 o 70%Oppose Reduction in City Services
38 o 62%Favor a Tax Increase to Maintain our Present Level of Service
39
40 WHERE WILL WE NEED FUTURE RESOURCES?
41 • Apache Mall
• 100-year Flood Protection
10 • Road Improvements
44 • Parks and Recreation
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2002
Page 4
• • Tax Increment Finance
2 • DNR Improvement Bonds
3 • Special Assessments
4 • User Fees
5
6 OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS
7 • Park Improvements
8 o Central and Silver Point
9 • City Hall
10 o Upgrades/Renovation
11 • AudioNisual
12 o Sound System upgrades
13
14 BUILDING NEEDS/NEW FACILTIES
15 • Fire Station
16 o Strong community support
17 o Comfort level in the community to increase taxes to support a new fire
18 station
19 • Public Works
20 o Community support
9 o Comfort level to increase taxes
23 TAX INCREASE FOR FACILITY NEEDS
24 o Comfort Level= $26.60 per year
25 o Referendum?
26
27 Councilmember Sparks inquired as to whether the comfort level amount of money was
28 significant, or not. Larson responded that the $26.60 would be on the low-end in terms
29 of meeting financial needs. He stated that a more realistic dollar amount would be
30 $75.00-$100.00.
31
32 FUNDING SOURCE/LIQUOR PROFITS
33 o Significance are the solid increases from 1997 through 2001.
34
35 GASB-34
36 • Requires Capital Assets be reported with accumulated depreciation
37 o Buildings/Automobiles/Computer Equipment
38 • Infrastructure Assets must be depreciated
39 o Water towers/Roads/Strom Sewer Lines
40 • Implementation
41 o Budgets under$10 million
o Fiscal years after 6-15-03
16 • Cost- $10,000415,000
44
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2002
Page 5
CREDIT RATING IS A-1
2 • Lower interest rates
3
4 INVESTMENTS-FIXED RATE OF RETRUN
5 • Hold till maturity
6 o 100%of principal is returned
7 o Interest earnings are at a fixed percentage
8
9 • Subject to market conditions
10 o Liquidated or sold before maturity
11 o Penalty for early withdrawal
12 o Sale could result in gain/loss of principal
13
14 GOVERNED BY STATE STATUTES
15 • Types of Instruments
16 o Certificate of deposits
17 o Commercial paper
18 o Zero coupon bonds
19 o FNMA's
20 o Federal Home Loan Mortgage
go INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
23 • September 11`h
24 o Uncertain Stock Market
25 o Market conditions favor investments with fixed earnings
26 • Value of portfolio-December 31"
27 o $11,411,258 Market Value
28 o $11,444,619 Book Value
29 o ($33,361)
30
31 RATE OF RETURN OF PORTFOLIO
32 • Ehlers- Independent Review
33 • Rate of Return
34 o Average Rate of Return was 1.08%higher
35 • Unrealized Loss
36 o The ratio of Market Value o Book Value is very low
37
38 Mayor Pro Tem Sparks commended Larson on his excellent presentation.
39
40 Councilmember Horst inquired about the overall portfolio, and where the $1,300,000 for
41 the redevelopment of the parks was coming from. Larson stated that, presently, the city
still has the money. He stated that the value of the investment portfolio will begin going
down,once the project is well underway.
44
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2002
• Page 6
1 Councilmember Thuesen asked if Larson was confident that the other large capital
2 improvement projects that are ahead of them (fire station and public works)could happen
3 while the city still maintained their A-1 credit rating, and their course of conservative
4 financial strategies. Larson stated that they are in a position at this time where they really
5 need to hold still. He added that it may come to be a referendum.
6
7 Mayor Pro Tem Sparks asked where the $11 million that they have in their investment
8 portfolio came from. Larson stated that it is there from the different bond sales that they
9 have had from their Tax Increment Districts, and the Water Filtration money($5.5
10 million) is included in the $11 million. He added that it is built up over years.
11
12 B. Presentation of Public Works 2001 Annual Report. (Jay Hartman. Director of Public
13 Works, will be present.
14 Jay Hartman came forward to present a the Council with a brief overview of the Public
15 Works Department covering all of the divisions of the Public Works Department.
16
17 Hartman stated that the Public Works Department is comprised of twelve employees. He
18 sated that the department is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all city
19 buildings, city property and city infrastructure. Hartman indicated that the Public Works
20 Department could be broken down into four departments: vehicle maintenance, street
21 maintenance,parks department, and water/sewer department.
qPHartman stated that the Vehicle Maintenance Department is responsible for the
24 maintenance and repair of all city vehicles, including fire and police vehicles. He
25 indicated that the goal of the Vehicle Maintenance Department is to provide a service in a
26 manner that is competitive, with outside service alternatives.
27
28 Hartman stated that the Street Maintenance Department provides maintenance and repair
29 to all city roadways, alleys, and city-owned parking lots. He indicated that the
30 department is responsible for maintaining approximately twenty-four miles of roadway.
31 He stated that the maintenance includes snow removal, crack filling,joint sealing, ice
32 control, crack-sealing, and street sweeping.
33
34 Hartman stated that, with reference to snow removal and ice control, the goal of the
35 Street Maintenance Department is to complete all primary and secondary roads within a
36 six-hour timeframe. He stated that they responded to seven full snow events in 2001,
37 using six hundred-fifty tons of salt/sand to provide ice control.
38
39 Hartman stated that the goal of the crack filling and joint sealing is to accomplish 1/5 of
40 the city per year, for a five-year total goal.
41
42 Hartman stated that the spring street sweeping is performed six to seven times per year,
43 and begins around April 1, and continues through the fall.
0 Hartman indicated that street striping occurs every year.
46
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2002
• Page 7
1 Hartman stated that boulevard tree trimming and tree replacement on a yearly basis, and
2 is performed by licensed tree inspectors on the Public Works Department staff.
3
4 Hartman stated that the Street Reconstruction Program has been quite a success.
5
6 Hartman reviewed the Parks Department, which provides the maintenance and repair of
7 all city parks and park structures:
8
9 PARKS DEPARTMENT
10 City Parks:
11 o Emerald Park
12 o Central Park
13 o Tower Park
14 o Silver point Park
15 o Trillium Park
16 Retention Ponds
17
18 WATER/SEWER DEPARTMENT
19 2001 Goals that were set and accomplished:
20 o Sewer Jetted Sanitary sewer system and inspected manholes
o Provide residents with Annual CCR Report
16 o Update utility maps and water/sewer maps
23 o Water meter replacement
24 o Inspect for non-conforming Sump Pump Discharge
25 o Annual hydrant flushing
26
27 Capital Improvements for 2002:
28 o Equipment upgrades at Water Filtration Plant
29 o Upgrade Well House#4
30 o Completion of a Well-head Protection Plan
31
32 Hartman stated that there is an obvious need to upgrade the Public Works facility. He
33 stated that there are building deficiencies, a lack of storage space, and an inability to hire
34 and retain employees due to the condition of the facility.
35
36 In conclusion, Hartman stated that 2001 was a productive year, as they maintained the
37 goals within each department, and provide the necessary service to the residents.
38
39 Hartman added that he attributes a lot of the success to the employees that work within
40 the Public Works department.
41
42 Hartman stated that the mission of the Public Works Department is to not only meet,but
0 exceed, the level of other Public Works Agencies.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2002
• Page 8
1 Councilmember Thuesen stated that he was happy to hear that the Public Works
2 Department was looking to ways to better meet the needs of some of the small retention
3 ponds on the south-end of the city.
4
5 Councilmember Horst asked about cutting costs by out-sourcing some of the services.
6 Hartman stated that there is not anything at this time that they are looking to out-source.
7
8 Councilmember Faust applauded Hartman and his employees for their can-do attitudes,
9 the ability to go the extra mile, and their assistance to other departments when needed.
10
I 1 Mayor Pro Tem Sparks stated that Hartman's presentation was a nice reminder of all of
12 the services that their tax dollars pay for.
13
14 VII. GENERAL POLICY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL.
15
16 VIII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBERS.
17 Mornson provided the Council with a bonding update. He indicated that they were trying to
18 move the money over from the house side to the senate side. He indicated that they look very
19 good at this bonding session, and that they are shooting for$2 million, and need at least
20 $250,000 in order to finish Silver Point Park.
21
0 A. North Metro Mayors-rescheduled for April 9, 2002 City Council meeting.
24 B. Barbershop lease(by fire station).
25
26 C. Security doors by police area.
27
28 Mornson stated that, due to the ongoing vandalism of the public restrooms located in the
29 Community Center, Hartman was requesting Finance to support the installation of double doors
30 to be located in the rear hallway next to the Police Department.
31
32 Mornson added that the City Hall cleaning service has also requested this improvement to
33 increase the security and safety of their cleaning personnel.
34
35 Mornson asked for Hartman's opinion on the subject.
36
37 Hartman stated that it appears that the current doors are secure,but stated that they are not. He
38 stated that the vandalism would be less, if the installed doors had set hours during which they
39 were unlocked.
40
41 Hartman stated that it is an on-going problem, and asked for the Council's consideration.
42
43 Councilmember Thuesen indicated that there have been times in the past year or two where the
0 door has been propped open past the hour of 4:30 p.m.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2002
• Page 9
1 Councilmember Horst asked exactly which entrances are being discussed. Hartman stated that
2 he was asking them to consider a set of double doors located between the foyer area and the
3 police hallway.
4
5 Councilmember Horst asked if the police use the doors to the outside at other times. Police
6 Chief Engstrom stated that customers use it, and the police department buzzes them in.
7
8 Mayor Pro Tem Sparks stated that she did not understand how the proposed doors would make a
9 difference, if people were stilled allowed to enter through the front of the building. Hartman
10 indicated that it might not be an end-all, but would likely reduce the ability to exit the building.
11
12 Hartman stated that he would like to look at some different alternatives, and come back to the
13 Council with more information.
14
15 Councilmember Horst stated that they needed to react to the vandalism that is coming from
16 within the community.
17
18 Councilmember Faust stated that he felt that, if there was a problem, they needed to fix it. He
19 added that he was not sure the solution solved the problem.
20
21 D. Culver's update- came to a verbal agreement with Exhaust Pro. Currently working on an
40 inspection of both facilities with an engineer for TIF purposes.
24 E. Northwest Quadrant-bi-weekly meetings are taking place between the involved parties.
25 Next steps for Council: Jim Prosser present at next City Council study session to review the
26 Development Agreement that is being negotiated.
27
28 F. April schedule:
29 April 2 Council Work Session
30 April 9 Council meeting
31 April 17 Chamber of Commerce annual meeting
32 April 23 Council meeting
33 April 26 Volunteer Dinner
34 April 30 Joint meeting with the school
35
36 Lastly, Mornson highlighted a withdrawal request for a conditional use permit for the candle
37 manufacturer on 37`h Avenue.
38
39 Councilmembers Horst and Thuesen indicated that they had nothing to report this evening.
40
41 Councilmember Faust stated that he felt that the bonding bill would come out to their advantage.
42
43 Councilmember Faust stated that one thing that has made this city strong in the past has been the
city policing. He urged residents to continue to do so, and to report any suspicions to the Police
Department.
46
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2002
• Page 10
1 Mayor Pro Tem Sparks indicated that Villagefest has been cancelled for this summer due to the
2 parks project. She added that the group decided to focus their efforts on a big blast for 2003.
3
4 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
5 None.
6
7 X. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENTS.
8 None.
9
10 XI. ADJOURNMENT.
11 Motion by Councilmember Horst, second by Councilmember Thuesen, to adjourn the meeting at
12 8:25 p.m.
13
14 Motion carried unanimously.
15
16 Respectfully submitted,
17
18
19 Courtney Seesz
20 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
21 --�
Mayor
24 ATTEST: utJ
25 City Clerk
26
0