HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 041420091
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CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 14, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL.
Present: Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Gray, Roth, Stille, and Thuesen
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Mike Momson and City Attorney Jerome Gilligan,
CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
ITEMS.
L APPROVAL OF APRIL 14, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Roth, to approve the City
Council Meeting Agenda of April 14, 2009.
Motion carried unanimou
II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
None.
III. CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Consider March 24, 2009 Council meeting minutes.
B. Consider licenses and permits.
C. Consider payment of claims.
Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the Consent
Agenda items.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING.
None.
Motion carried unanimously.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2009
Page 2
V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
None.
VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
A. Presentation by Jerry Hromatka, Northwest Youth and Family Services.
9 Mr. Jerry Hromatka, Northwest Youth and Family Services (NYFS), provided a presentation on
10 the services provided by the organization. He stated the primary emphasis of NYFS is youth ages
11 5 — 21 and the families that affect them. NYFS helps youth develop to their full potential. All
12 residents of St. Anthony are eligible for the services of NYFS. Mr. Hromatka provided
13 information on expanded programs offered by NYFS and the completion of the new Discovery
14 Center. Mr. Hromatka announced the upcoming Taste of Northwest Fundraiser and the May 6s'
15 Leadership Luncheon.
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17 Councilmember Stille congratulated Mr. Hromatka on his new position as President/CEO of
18 NYFS and stated he brings a lot of vitality and energy to the organization
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20 Mayor Faust thanked Mr. Hromatka for his work and commented on the return on investment of
21 funds the City provides to NYFS. He noted that last week's police report identified that a student
22 had been referred to NYFS, which is a better way to handle the situation than working through
23 the court.
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25 B. Consider Resolution 09 -036, Relating to $5,175,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series
26 2009A, Awarding the Sale, Fixing the Form and Details and Providing for the Execution
27 and Delivery Thereof and Security Therefor and Levying Ad Valorem Taxes for the
28 Payment Thereof. Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associates, presenting,
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30 Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associates, presented the City Council with a plaque of recognition
31 for the City's upgraded AA bond rating by Standard & Poors.
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33 Mayor Faust stated this AA bond rating is a very significant event. The upgraded bond rating has
34 been a goal since he has been on the Council and it will result in lower interest rates for the City.
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36 Ms. Kvilvang reviewed the proposed resolution relating to $5,175,000 General Obligation Bonds
37 Series 2009 for the 2009 Road Reconstruction Project, Improvements to Emerald Park, and to
38 refinance the 2000A and 2000B Bonds. She reported on the results of the bond sale held today at
39 noon. There were 10 bidders. RBC Capital Markets was the lowest responsible bidder at a true
40 interest cost of approximately 3.2 %.
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42 Councilmember Stille verified with Ms. Kvilvang that the difference in spreads from the City's
43 previous A bond rating to the upgraded AA bond rating can be from 1.21 to 1.39 %, resulting in
44 an average savings of 1.3% just due to the increased bond rating. He pointed out that by
45 amortizing this bond issue over 10 years, it results in a savings in the aggregate of approximately
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2009
Page 3
$450,000 over the course of the 10 years as a result of the upgraded bond rating. In addition there
was an additional $70,000 in savings on the issue amount.
Councilmember Thuesen requested information on factors that go into the number of bidders.
Ms. Kvilvang replied it depends on how many issues are on the market that particular week or
day. Higher ratings are very attractive and the City's past track record attracts more bidders.
Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to adopt Resolution 09-
036, Relating to $5,175,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2009A; Awarding the Sale, Fixing
the Form and Details and Providing for the Execution and Delivery Thereof and Security
Therefor and Levying Ad Valorem Taxes for the Payment Thereof.
Motion carried unanimously.
C. Quarterly Goals Update. Mike Morrison, City Manager.
Mr. Momson provided an update on the Council approved goals and activities. (2009 Council
adopted goals are 1) Environmental Stewardship; 2) Improve and Maintain Infrastructure; 3)
Technology Advances; 4) Maintain/Improve Housing Stock; 5) Senior Transitions.
Mr. Mornson reported on the following additional activities: 1) Re- Codification completed April
1, 2009; 2) Comprehensive Plan has been approve by the Metropolitan Council; 3) Arbors Alley
Project; 4) Goals presented to Kiwanis, Parks Commission, Planning Commission and ISD #282
School Board and Former Elected Officials.
VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
City Manager Morrison reported on the following:
• The next City Council meeting will include a presentation from the City Engineer on the
Arbors Alley Project, water main work, St. Anthony Boulevard, and an update on the
Water Reuse Plan.
• April 24`h scheduled round table discussion with Hennepin County development
directors. He will be presenting on the redevelopment of Apache Plaza Mall.
• April 28`h scheduled bus tour of Silver Lake Village provided by himself and the Mayor
for the National Planners Association.
• It is anticipated that the Falcon Heights City Council will sign the three -year police
department contract on April 22 "a and that the Lauderdale City Council will sign the
contract on April 28"'. If the contracts are approved by the cities of Falcon Heights and
Lauderdale they will be presented to Council for approval at the May 12, 2009 City
Council meeting.
• All ten establishments in the City passed the recent tobacco compliance check.
Councilmember Stille reported on his attendance at the April 4`h goals presentation to fonner
elected officials of the City.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2009
Page 4
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Councilmember Thuesen reported on his attendance at the April 4"' goals presentation to former
elected officials of the City.
Councilmember Gray reported that the Village Fest Committee has decided to move the event
back to the shopping center this year. The event is scheduled for July 315`, August 15S and August
2nd
Councilmember Roth: No report.
Mayor Faust reported on his attendance at the following events:
• March 26`" Annual Chamber of Commerce Meeting. George Wagner was honored for his
work as a volunteer in the community.
• March 315` briefing by the Monticello City Manager on fiber -to- premise.
• March 315` Council meeting with ISD #282.
• March 315` City Council budget work session.
• April 2 "d Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) meeting. The
MWMO has entered into a contract to buy a piece of property on the Mississippi River to
build its own building.
• April 4t° goals presentation to former elected officials of the City. He expressed his
appreciation to City staff for taking a Saturday morning for the meeting.
COMMUNITY FORUM.
Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that
are not on the regular agenda.
Mr. Paul Berry, 3417 Edwards Street NE, addressed the City Council and stated he realizes that
the Emerald Park renovation is more than likely a foregone conclusion. He understands it has
been in the planning process for many years. As a citizen he became aware of the project with
the recent coverage on the splash deck vote and investigated it further. He stated the council
members have all received emails from him. He has been a resident of St. Anthony for almost
five years. He and his family are avid users of the park system in the City. They use the parks a
minimum of 50 times per year, split evenly between the three parks in the City. He does not
consider any of these parks to be inferior to another. All of the parks are close together and
minutes away by car. The addition of the new Three Rivers Park will be a great asset to the
community and will add a fourth fine park in St. Anthony. Mr. Berry stated they are in tough
economic times. Hopefully times will get better, but there is no guarantee on if or when that will
happen. Last week 20% of the people in his subdivision lost their jobs; no one is immune. Their
property values have decreased, yet their property taxes continue to increase. As a city he
believes St. Anthony should be tightening its belt as all the citizens have done. An expense in
this magnitude is not warranted in his opinion. Mr. Berry stated 32 of the 33 people his neighbor
randomly spoke with about the project were in opposition to the project and signed a petition
stating so. The Emerald Park renovation is not a necessity. He believes a majority of the
taxpayers in the City would understand and applaud a decision by the Mayor and City Council to
scale the project back.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2009
Page 5
1 Mr. David Spano, 2504 West Armour Terrace, addressed the City Council and stated he is here
2 to speak briefly about property taxes. He spoke several years ago about the tax increase and feels
3 as citizens they are taxed to the limit. He feels that the people that run this City do not have a
4 concept of how the tax increases they have incurred impact the senior citizens. Mr. Spano
5 expressed concern about the City funds involved in improvements on Silver Lake Road, which is
6 a County road. He stated the residents are at the maximum of what they should have to pay to
7 live in their homes. He stated the taxes they pay to live in small ramblers in this City are
8 unconscionable. He expressed concern that tax increases resulting from the school board were far
9 above the information included in the brochure. He stated if they continue to tax people this way
10 they will drive people out of the City. The City needs to tighten its belt and look at ways to save
11 money.
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13 Mr. Jerry John, 3456 Silver Lane, Evergreen Townhomes, addressed the City Council and stated
14 his position that there are roads that need attention much more than Chandler Drive. He stated
15 rehabbing Emerald Park and the splash pool seems ludicrous. The plans may be too far along
16 now, but they can show the City Council that a great many residents are not happy with these
17 decisions. In one afternoon he spoke with 22 different residents in his townhome association that
18 are not in agreement with these decisions. The other night he was at a meeting where two other
19 gentlemen had lists just like this with people that think the City is spending money improperly.
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21 Ms. Pam Golubowics, 2524 36`h Ave NE, addressed the City Council and thanked the Mayor and
22 council members for serving. She stated she has lived in St. Anthony for seven years. It is a
23 wonderful small town. She thought it was right to introduce herself because she wrote a letter to
24 the editor in response to Emerald Park. Her concerns were all stated in that letter. She expressed
25 concern that she did not receive a response to the email she sent to all of the council members.
26 She stated she agrees with what was said before. Last week her husband was asked to take one
27 week without pay and the drivers at his company were asked to take a 1 penny per mile cut. If
28 they are looking at another park she thinks they are forgetting about basics such as the overhead
29 wires in the older neighborhoods and concrete roads that can be skateboarded on.
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31 Mayor Faust stated the Council appreciates the concerns expressed by the residents and thanks
32 them for coming. The Council may not agree with everything that was said, but they do take the
33 tax impact seriously. He stated the City does not receive any local government aid. They spend a
34 lot of time in financial planning to get a better bond rating and a lower interest rate. The brochure
35 on the school referendum was put out by the school district, not the City. The road project is
36 likely the City's biggest investment. They take infrastructure very seriously. This includes roads,
37 as well as police and fire. The City's Fire Department has a 1 minute, 30 second response time
38 on average. The City Council does not get involved in the selection of roads to be repaired. This
39 is done purposely so that politics are not involved in this aspect. The City Engineer and Public
40 Works Director lay out a plan on the roads in the worst condition, a lot of which is predicated on
41 things like water main breaks or sewer. Each of the members of the City Council lives in the City
42 and pay taxes, and they have spirited debates over spending and costs. Some of them are also
43 going through difficult times so they are attuned to this concern. He stated they will get through
44 this and will probably be a much better City at the end of this than it appears now. He thanked
45 the residents that spoke for being concerned citizens.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2009
Page 6
1 As no one further wished to appear, Mayor Faust moved forward with the agenda.
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3 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
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5 Councilmember Stille announced the garage sale to benefit the Patriots Marching Band
6 beginning Thursday Apri l 10h.
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8 Mayor Faust announced that Village Notes has been distributed and is available at city hall. He
9 reported that the Hennepin County Open Book Review was held yesterday. Four real estate
10 property owners and four personal property owners appeared before the County and discussed
11 their values.
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13 X. ADJOURNMENT.
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15 Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
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18 Respectfully submitted,
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21 Carol Hamer
22 Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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25 ATTEST: / ayor
26 City Clerk 2
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