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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 121120071 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES December 11, 2007 W.VP golf CI IZ$ C I ul Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. CZI] 0_IIK.11- 0 Present: Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Gray, Horst, Stille, and Thuesen Absent: None. Also Present: City Manager Mike Morrison, City Engineer Todd Hubmer, Finance Director Roger Larson, and City Attorney Jerry Gilligan CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: I. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 11, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA Mayor Faust removed Item A: Presentation from Dorothy Waltz; Ramsey County Conservation District 2 Representative from REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF. He stated she would present in January, 2008. Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the City Council Meeting Agenda of December 11, 2007 as amended. Motion carried unanimously (5/0) II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS. A. Fire Prevention Poster Contest Winners Fire Chief Malenick presented information on the Fire Prevention Program. Don Drusch, Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal, discussed the Fire Prevention Poster contest. He stated the theme for 2007 was "Planning an Escape." He announced the winners of the 2007 Fire Prevention Poster Contest. He stated the first place winning poster has gone to the state competition. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 2 Mayor Faust and Fire Chief Malenick presented the Fire Prevention Poster awards to: first place - Rajeep Lamichhane, second place - Rumi Skoglund, third place - Emily Onken, and fourth place - Tseten Dolkar. Mayor Faust commented success is measured by the low fire incidence in the City of St. Anthony. He commented he is impressed with the posters. B. Swearing in of Police Officer Joshua Donald White Police Chief John Ohl introduced Officer Joshua White from Byron, Minnesota. He introduced the family members, and friends who attended the swearing in. Mayor Faust swore in Police Officer Joshua Donald White to the St. Anthony Police Department. Mayor Faust addressed Officer White, his family, and friends and stated St. Anthony is small town culture with small town values and believes in doing the right thing. He stated they would make sure he is well trained and safe. He implored Officer White to look at safety first as he would like to see him enjoy a long and prosperous career. He assured Officer White's parents that their son is in good hands. He stated this is a well respected community and well run Police Department. C. Recognition of Councilmember Richard Horst Mayor Faust recognized Councilmember Horst for his 14 years of service as a Councilmember. Councilmember Horst was presented with a plaque from the City of St. Anthony. III. CONSENT AGENDA. A. Approval of November 27, 2007 Council meeting minutes B. Consider licenses and permits C. Consider payment of claims D. Resolution 07 -077: City anager's salary E. Resolution 07 -078: Approving members to Planning Commission F. Resolution 07 -079: Approving members to Parks Commission Mayor Faust announced that Mrs. Kim Goodwin and Mr. Peter Chaput would be appointed to the Planning Commission and Mr. Doug Koehntop and Mr. Michael Sholl would be appointed to the Parks Commission. Councilmember Thuesen requested Item A, Approval of the November 27, 2007 Council meeting minutes, be removed. Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Horst, to approve Consent Agenda items B through F as presented. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 3 I Motion carried unanimously (510) 2 3 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve Item A- the 4 November 27, 2007 Council meeting minutes as presented. b A_ yes — 4. Nays — 0. Abstain — 1(Thuesen). Motion carried. 7 8 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS. 9 10 None it 12 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF 13 14 A. Ramsey Co «t.. Conservation Dist« et -2 De ntati. 15 16 This item was removed from the agenda. 17 18 VI. GENERAL POLICY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL 19 20 A. Resolution 07 -080; Resolution Calling Bonds for Redemption 21 22 Ms. Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers and Associates, reported that in mid 2007, the City Council 23 completed a Financial Management Plan for the City. She stated that one of the components of 24 this plan was to review all the existing debts the City had issued and available funds to repay 25 debt services. She stated the debt study revealed that the City could pay off three existing bond 26 issues that are currently or will be callable in February 2008. Ms. Kvilvang stated the amount 27 for the bonds totals $943,998.25. 28 29 Councilmember Thuesen requested that Ms. Kvilvang explain the term "callable" relative to the 30 bonds. 31 32 Ms. Kvilvang explained that a bond issue that is callable means it could be paid off. 33 34 Councilmember Stille requested the rates on the bonds. 35 36 Ms. Kvilvang replied the rates range between four and five percent. 37 38 Councilmember Stille stated these bonds were issued in 1997 for the 35"' Avenue and Roosevelt 39 Street project; one in 1999 for the Wilson Avenue and Paul Street project, and in 2003 as a 40 refinancing of three other issues that were about 15 years old. 41 42 Ms. Kvilvang replied that was correct. 43 44 Mayor Faust commented that the City's oldest outstanding debt is only six years old and asked 45 Ms. Kvilvang to explain why this is good. 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 4 1 Ms. Kvilvang stated this means the City is able to pay off its debt quickly. 2 3 Mayor Faust stated it puts the City in a good financial position. He stated that if there were a 4 situation to retrenchment, the City would be in a better position because of its debt. Ms. Kvilvang replied that was correct. 8 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to Approve Resolution 07- 9 080; a Resolution Calling Bonds for Redemption. 10 11 Motion carried unanimously (510) 12 13 B. Resolution 07 -081; Resolution Authorizing Extension of $3,350,000 Credit Facility from 14 Fannie Mae. 15 16 Ms. Stacie Kvilvang reported that on May 22, 2007, the City Council and Housing and 17 Redevelopment Authority approved a resolution extending the repayment agreement with Fannie 18 May for its $3,350,000 loan. She stated the resolution authorized the City Manager and City 19 Attorney to proceed with negotiating with Fannie Mae the terms of an extension of the loan to 20 August 27, 2009, and to prepare necessary documents for execution. She reported that of the 21 130 Pratt Home units built, over 100 have been sold. 22 23 Ms. Kvilvang reported the final agreement was approved by Fannie Mae on the extension of the 24 loan. She indicated that since the resolution the City originally approved had a two -year 25 extension date, Fannie Mae requested a new authorizing resolution based upon the terms. She 26 pointed out that, pursuant to the Development Agreement, the developer is responsible to make 27 all payments referenced in the terms. 28 29 Councilmember Gray inquired as to whether all the costs involved with this extension would be 30 born by the developer with no additional costs to the city. 31 32 Ms. Kvilvang replied that was correct. 33 34 Councilmember Stille stated this loan is backed by the general obligation of the city and secured 35 by the land upon which the condominiums would be built. He stated that if the construction did 36 not move forward as planned, the City would have control of the land. 37 38 Ms. Kvilvang replied that was correct. 39 40 Councilmember Stille stated the existing dept is approximately $2 million on the two building 41 sites, and after September 1, 2008, one of the sites would be released after the developer makes 42 payments. He stated there is acceleration built in to the schedule because of the principal 43 payment. 44 45 Ms. Kvilvang replied that was the correct thought process. 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 5 City Attorney Gilligan commented this is a pass through loan to the developer and that it might be paid off earlier if the project moves forward earlier. 4 Councilmember Stille stated it shows commitment on the developer's behalf to commit to make 5 these payments. 6 7 Mayor Faust stated he appreciates that the City Attorney and Council discussed this to make it 8 clear to the public. 9 10 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Horst, to Approve Resolution 11 07 -081; a Resolution Authorizing Extension of $3,350,000 Credit Facility from Fannie Mae. 12 13 Motion carried unanimously (510) 14 15 C. Resolution 07 -082; Agreement with the Middle Mississippi Watershed Organization 16 17 City Engineer Hubmer reported that the City of St. Anthony applied for and received a 18 $1,200,000 grant from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) to 19 construct a water reuse facility at the St. Anthony City Hall location. He stated the City applied 20 for this grant as part of the implementation of the City's 2007 goals to evaluate opportunities the 21 City had to reduce or improve its impact on the environment. He explained that water runoff 22 currently directed to the Mississippi River and water discharged into Mirror Lake would be 23 captured, cleaned, and used to irrigate Central Park in lieu of potable water. 24 25 Councilmember Gray asked how much this project would cost. 26 27 City Engineer Hubmer replied about $1.3 million. He stated Hennepin County has committed to 28 work on distribution and collection system and some of the restoration work. He stated funding 29 and contributions are also anticipated from the Rice Creek Watershed District, Twin Cities Water 30 Quality Initiative, through the Metropolitan Council, and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil 31 Resources. He indicated St. Anthony would be responsible for the operation of the system and 32 the ongoing maintenance. 33 34 Mayor Faust recommended staff consider the Ramsey County Conservation District for funding. 35 36 Motion by Mayor Faust, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to Approve Resolution 07 -082; a 37 Resolution Authorizing the City of St. Anthony to Enter an Agreement with the Middle 38 Mississippi Watershed Organization for the St. Anthony Water Reuse Project. 39 40 Mayor Faust stated this is a project near and dear to him. He stated this is an outstanding project 41 that would garner the WMO and the City of St. Anthony many benefits. 42 43 Motion carried unanimously (510) 44 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 6 D. Resolution 07 -083• Authorizing WSB to Prepare Plans and Specifications of Water Use Project. City Engineer Hubmer summarized the information on the plans and specifications for the construction of the St. Anthony Water Reuse Project. He stated WSB & Associates prepared a Feasibility Study for the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization outlining the benefits and anticipated costs of the proposed project. 9 City Engineer Hubmer stated the project is proposed to be constructed in the spring and summer 10 of 2008 to coincide with the reconstruction of Silver Lake Road. He indicated the timing for this 11 project is important as coordination with Hennepin County's contractor and the City's contractor 12 for construction of the improvements is necessary to minimize the duplication of restoration and 13 construction issues associated with the reuse project. 14 15 City Engineer Hubmer reported WSB & Associates have been working closely with St. Anthony 16 Village, Hennepin County, Hennepin County's consultant, Rice Creek Watershed District, 17 Metropolitan Council, the MPCA, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Minnesota 18 Board of Water & Soil Resources on identifying the issues and benefits associated with the reuse 19 project. He stated the Rice Creek Watershed District tentatively agreed to accept the water 20 reuse project as fulfilling the permit requirements for the Silver Lake Road improvements and 21 also committed $50,000 in funds towards the completion of the water reuse project. He stated 22 Hennepin County tentatively agreed to provide the stormwater collection system and the site 23 restoration. 24 25 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve Resolution 07- 26 083, a Resolution Ordering the Preparation of Plans and Specifications and Ordering 27 Advertisement for Bids for the St. Anthony Water Use Project. 28 29 Motion carried unanimously (510) 30 31 E. Resolution 07 -084; Approving the 2008 Levy 32 33 City Manager Morrison provided a slide presentation on the 2008 Levy. He explained the 34 presentation is available on the City website. He pointed out questions could be directed to 35 Finance Director Larson at City Hall at 612 - 782 -3316. 36 37 Mayor Faust explained that much time was spent with staff dealing with this line by line and it is 38 evident by the 4.4% budget. He commented the previous CSO vehicle was acquired in 1997 for 39 free as it was a confiscated vehicle; however, it is in need of replacing. He pointed out that 40 Capital Equipment at $450,000 per year comes from other funds and transfers. He stated this 41 indicates the City is being well managed as these are not tax revenues. Mayor Faust stated it 42 would be interesting to see what the City's debt to assets ratio amounted to. 43 44 Finance Director Larson stated it would be an excellent idea to review this during a goal setting 45 meeting. 46 10 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 7 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Horst, to approve Resolution 07 -084, a Resolution Setting the City of St. Anthony 2008 Tax Levy and Budget in Compliance with the Truth in Taxation Act. Motion carried unanimously (510) F. Ordinance 07 -006; Amending Section 1000 of the St Anthony Code to comply with current Law Enforcement procedures by adding BCA to background check procedures City Manager Morrison stated staff is recommending changes to Section 1000 of Ordinance 07- 006 and request the remaining two readings be waived. He stated the sections include 565, Secondhand Dealers; 566, Pawnbrokers; 575, Physical Culture and Health Services and Clubs; and Chapter 10, Alcoholic Beverages. Councilmember Stille questioned City Attorney Gilligan whether there were any legal concerns. City Attorney Gilligan replied this is the proper action to take. Motion by Councilmember Horst, seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to approve Ordinance 07 -006; Amending Section 1000, Section 565, Secondhand Dealers; Section 566, Pawnbrokers; Section 575, Physical Culture and Health Services and Clubs; and Chapter 10, Alcoholic Beverages of the St. Anthony Code to comply with current Law Enforcement procedures by adding BCA to background check procedures and waiving the second and third readings. Motion carried unanimously (5/0) VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS City Manager Morrison reported this would be the last meeting of the year unless Council would like to meet on an alternate date as December 25 is a holiday. City Manager Morrison commented that staff, especially Mr. Doug Schnider, MWMO, is very easy to work with. He stated this is the second grant St. Anthony has received from MWMO. City Manager Morrison stated two issues would be considered this month by the Planning Commission: a hearing for a lot size variance and a concept review for a sign package with Jack & Jill Daycare in the Industrial Park. City Manager Mornson reported he and Finance Director Larson would meet with Ehlers & Associates to review the Key Financial Strategies before the end of the year. City Manager Mornson reported he and Public Works Director Hartman would meet with City Engineer Hubmer, WSB, to discuss infrastructure and capital improvement plans for the future with a presentation made to Council in January 2008. City Manager Morrison reported two fire trucks were out of service this past month, and as part of the mutual aid agreement, two Columbia Heights vehicles were loaned to St. Anthony. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 8 2 City Manager Mornson reported the Silver Lake Road update would include staff from Hennepin 3 County would attend the Chamber Lunch to present updates on January 15, 2008, work on the 4 Cooperative Agreement, finalize funding arrangements and the timing, and holding an additional 5 open house in either March or April 2008. 6 7 City Manager Morrison reported that Hennepin County Commissioner Stenglein and Met 8 Council Representative Winstock, were invited to the January 8, 2008 Council meeting. 9 10 City Manager Mornson reported staff is reviewing several changes to three large ordinances, one 11 being the sign ordinance, the fire code update, and a new code on property maintenance. 12 13 City Manager Morrison reported a meeting with Johnson Controls is scheduled for December 12, 14 2007 to discuss energy and environmental savings on all city facilities. 15 16 City Manager Morrison reported staff signed up for a public risk management association at a 17 cost of $40 per year. He stated this organization is dedicated solely to the practice of risk 18 management in the public sector. He commented there are seven meetings during the year. 19 20 City Manager Mornson reported staff is working on language for all the Joint Powers 21 Agreements and service contracts. 22 23 City Manager Mornson thanked Public Works Director Jay Hartman and staff for their work this 24 past month on the two large snow plowing efforts, a massive water main break, assisting with 25 the MWMO seminar, and the bill approved from Tight Rope. He stated Jay Hartman negotiated 26 at the time of the Sprint lease to wash the water tower saving the City $3,000. 27 28 City Manager Morrison thanked Councilmember Horst for his 14 years of support to him and the 29 City of St. Anthony. 30 31 Mayor Faust declared the December 25, 2007 meeting is cancelled. 32 33 Councilmember Stille reported that on November 29, 2007, he attended the Metro Cities and 34 League of Minnesota Cities along with Mayor Faust, City Manager Morrison, and Council 35 members Gray and Thuesen. He stated the discussion included the pandemic flu and a plan 36 being developed should a pandemic occur. 37 38 Councilmember Stille reported attending the Parks Commission meeting on December 10, 2007. 39 He mentioned the Parks Commission would present a plan for Emerald Park in January 2008. 40 41 Mayor Faust attended the League of Minnesota Cities Board meeting and the Metro Cities and 42 League Regional meetings on November 29, 2007. He pointed out that Councilmember -elect 43 Roth also attended. He stated it was great to see the entire Council attend this meeting. 44 45 Mayor Faust reported that on December 6, 2007 he attended the Chamber of Commerce Board of 46 Directors meeting. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 9 2 Mayor Faust reported that on December 7, 2007, he visited Mayor Susan Gehrz and 3 Councilmember Rick Talbot of Falcon Heights. He stated he felt is was important to visit with 4 Mayor Gehrz as she has been a mayor since 1996 and a C.C. Ludwig award winner in 2002 from 5 the League of Minnesota Cities which is the highest award presented. 6 7 Councilmember Thuesen reported attending the Metro Cities Conference on November 29, 2007. 8 He stated he is glad the City Manager looked over the Joint Powers Agreement. He knows there 9 are areas to clear up. 10 11 Councilmember Thuesen complemented Public Works on their terrific work. 12 13 Councilmember Thuesen stated he appreciated seeing Councilmember -elect Roth at the Council 14 meetings. 15 16 Councilmember Thuesen stated he would miss the insight and knowledge provided by 17 Councilmember Horst and that it has been an honor serving with him. He stress that he 18 appreciates his years of service. 19 20 Councilmember Horst made parting comments as this is his last City Council meeting. He stated 21 he is proud of the achievements made during his time with the City Council. 22 23 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM 24 25 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that 26 are not on the regular agenda. 27 28 There being none, Mayor Faust continued with the agenda. 29 30 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 31 32 Councilmember Stille reported receiving a letter from the Metro Council regarding bus routes in 33 light of the I -35W bridge collapse impacting St. Anthony. He stated residents could access 34 www.metrocouncil.org for additional information. 35 36 Mayor Faust reminded everyone that Santa would be traveling the streets of St. Anthony on 37 December 16, 17, and 19, 2007. 38 39 X. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENTS 40 41 None. 42 43 XI. ADJOURNMENT 44 45 Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m. 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 11, 2007 Page 10 2 Respectfully submitted, 11 Z) 6 Dianna Wise 7 TimeSaver Off Stte Secretarial, Inc. 8 9 -Mayor 10 ATTEST: 11 City Clerk 12