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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 03082005I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY 2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 3 MARCH 8, 2005 4 5 CALL TO ORDER. 6 Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 7 8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 9 Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. 10 11 ROLL CALL. 12 Present: Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Stille, Thuesen, and Gray. 13 Absent: Councilmember Horst. 14 Also Present: City Manager Mike Morrison. 15 16 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING 17 ITEMS. 18 19 1. APPROVAL OF MARCH 8, 2005 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA. 20 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the City 21 Council Meeting Agenda of March 8, 2005. 22 23 Motion carried unanimously. 24 25 H. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS. 26 A. Presentation of Plaque to Carol Jindra for years of service for Park Commission Chair. 27 Mayor Faust gave an overview of Ms. Jindra's background. She was raised in St. Anthony. He 28 said in 1996, she went to the Council and requested improvement for the Parks. She has been 29 Chair of the first Parks Commission since 1997. She oversaw the completion of renovation of 30 Silver Point Park and Central Park. She was involved in the design of Watertower Park. He 31 presented a plaque to Ms. Jindra and read the proclamation. 32 33 Mayor Faust added that Parks have made a number of changes and improvements over the years. 34 He noted her devotion and caring of the community is why the improvements were made. She is 35 an outstanding example for her children. 36 37 III. CONSENT AGENDA. 38 A. Consider February 8, 2005 Council meeting minutes. 39 B. Consider licenses and permits. 40 C. Consider payment of claims. 41 D. Resolution 05 -020, re: Consider approval of Appointment for Parks Commission. 42 43 Councilmember Stille requested the removal of Consent Agenda Item D. 44 45 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the Consent 46 Agenda items A through C. 47 48 Motion carried unanimously. 49 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 8, 2005 Page 2 1 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS. 2 None. 3 4 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF. 5 None. 7 VI. GENERAL POLICY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL. 8 A. Consider Resolution 05 -027, re: The Sale of G.O. Improvement Bonds Series 2005A; 9 Stacy Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associates presenting 10 Stacy Kvilvang of Ehlers & Associates stated at the request of the Council at their February 8, 11 2005 meeting, her firm put together the sale of the bonds totaling $1,690,000 for the roadway 12 reconstruction program. On March 4, a conference call was held with Moody's to rate the 13 bonds. Moody's did uphold the A -1 rating for the sale of the bonds. She noted that Moody's 14 looks at redevelopment efforts. She said St. Anthony is viewed as an affluent community. The 15 redevelopment of Silver Lake Village is key. She noted there has been significant growth in the 16 community and the City is in good financial health. The City has ample fund balances, and has 17 manageable debt burden by non -levy bonds. She stated the sale of the bonds was conducted 18 earlier in the day at 11:00 a.m. There were six respondents, which is a large response. She said 19 Wells Fargo Brokerage Group was the lowest bidder, which means there is about $10,000 in 20 interest savings over time. 21 22 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to adopt Resolution 05- 23 027, re: The Sale of G.O. Improvement Bonds Series 2005A. to be awarded to Wells Fargo 24 Brokerage Service. 25 26 Mayor Faust pointed out the true interest rate is 3.9342 %. 27 28 Motion carried unanimously. 29 30 B. Review 2005 City Goals-, Stacy Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associates. 31 Item presented after Agenda Item VII due to technical issues 32 Stacy Kvilvang of Ehlers & Associates reviewed the 2004 accomplishments. She said it is 33 important for cities to undertake goal setting since it sets the vision for the community. It also 34 sets up the strategic plan. She enumerated the strategic plan process. She noted that feedback 35 from the community is taken into consideration. The surveys show that residents are pleased 36 with the development and redevelopment the city has undertaken. Future challenges are not too 37 large for the city to handle. She stated there were 34 items listed in goals for this year. She said 38 the most staff time and resources will be used for the top five goals. She noted it is important to 39 review the plan quarterly. 40 41 Ms. Kvilvang listed the 2004 goals. The first was the 2004 street and utility improvements. She 42 noted the residents are happy with the changes. The second and subsequent goals were: Kenzie 43 Terrace /27th Avenue; Water treatment chemical room improvements; Construction of new public 44 works facility; construction of a new fire station; and the construction of two municipal liquor 45 stores. 46 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 March 8, 2005 Page 3 She listed the top five goals for 2005 as: Establishing a funding plan and year for improvements to Silver Lake Road; Make improvements to City Hall and the Community Center; Development a plan for street lights, sidewalks and tree replacements; Develop a plan for Phase II redevelopment at Silver Lake Village; and Communicate to the public the value of services. In conclusion, Ms. Kvilvang commended the City for these goals, and for the work they do. She said her firm works with a lot of cities and not many do all this work. She applauded the staff for working well with the Council to get things done. She said looking at St. Anthony overall the past three years she's been working with the city, the City has done a great job. Councilmember Thuesen inquired what the date was when the old Apache site was cleared and the process of building started. Ms. Kvilvang replied the bulldozer was there in April. Mayor Faust added the Plaza was begun to be torn down on April 8 of last year. Councilmember Thuesen commented it has changed incredibly in the year. Mayor Faust commended Ms. Kvilvang and Ehlers & Associates for their work. He said the City has received very good financial advice and key strategies from them. He stated because they, and Staff, worked at hard as they did, everything stayed on task. He commented it is because of everyone working together that so much was accomplished; it cannot be attributed to any one group. Councilmember Stille commented this document was a lot of hard work and suggested it be made available for the community to read. He asked when it would be on the City website and if hard copies would be available at City Hall. City Manager Mike Mornson said it will be available on the web site and on the cable access channel soon. He said it could be put in the library, and it also could be sent to residents upon request. C. Consider Resolution 05 -028, re: -2005 Street Improvement Bid Award — Todd Hubmer, WSB nresentina Mr. Hubmer reviewed the Resolution awarding the bid for 2005 street improvement reconstruction project. He noted the area that will receive improvements. He said the City received bids on January 7, 2005 and there were a total of 11 bidders. The low bidder was SM Hentges & Sons with a bid of $1,311,115.72. He explained there are two alternates in the proposal. These alternates were to use a vinyl coated chain link fence along the cemetery, with the cemetery paying for the difference between alternates 1 and 2 to upgrade the fencing. He pointed out the engineer's estimate was $1,345,000. Councilmember Stille asked why there is such a large difference in the bids. Mr. Hubmer explained that possibly one of the contractors was very busy, but wanted to keep his name in front of the City for future work, and put in a high bid. He said at times there are very few bidders, and the high bidders win. He further noted that SM Hentges & Sons do quality work and have done other work in the city. They have a good understanding of the project at hand. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 8, 2005 Page 4 1 Mayor Faust pointed out this is the fourth year with SM Hentges & Sons, and asked if Mr. 2 Hubmer is comfortable with the work they complete. Mr. Hubmer said that it has become better 3 with lessons learned. He explained that the issues in the past that were not resolved quickly were 4 due to the fact that the VP that usually handled such issues was out on medical leave. They have 5 assured Mr. Hubmer that this will not happen. Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to adopt Resolution 05- 028, re: -2005 Street Improvement Bid Award to SM Hentges & Sons Inc. 10 Motion carried unanimously. 11 12 D. Consider Ordinance 05 -001; 200.12 re: Mayor and Councilmembers' Salaries — 2'd 13 Reading. 14 Mayor Faust reviewed the resolution with the Council and indicated that it requests the increase 15 of salaries for the Mayor and Councilmembers. 16 17 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to approve the second 18 reading of Ordinance 05 -001; 200.12; Mayor and Councilmembers Salaries to $550.00 and 19 $440.00 respectively. 20 21 Motion carried unanimousiv. 22 23 E. Ordinance 05-002:305.04 & 305.07 - Planning Commission Compensation and Planning 24 Commission By -laws, respectively. - 2nd Reading 25 Mayor Faust said this makes the by -laws codified so they have the strength after turnover of 26 commissioners and increases the compensation to the Commissioners to $25 per month. 27 28 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the second 29 reading of Ordinance 05 -002; 305.04 & 305.07; Compensation to include that commissioners 30 would receive $25.00 per month. This amendment would take effect January 1, 2005. Also, 31 adding Ordinance 305.07; Planning Commission By -laws. 32 33 Motion carried unanimously. 34 35 F. Ordinance 05 -003: 306.07 - Park Commission By -laws. - 2nd Readinr 36 Mayor Faust stated this codifies the By -laws from a separate document into the City Ordinance. 37 38 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to approve the second 39 reading of Ordinance 05 -003; Park Commission By -laws. 40 41 Councilmember Stille pointed out changes to be made to Page 32 of the document regarding 42 Ordinance 03 -006: The Commission should consist of 8 members instead of 10; The voting 43 members should say 5 instead of 7; 7 of the Commissioners to be appointed should say 5 of the 8 44 instead of 7. 45 46 Motion carried unanimousiv. 47 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 8, 2005 Page 5 G. Ordinance 05 -004: Water Rate Increase 2nd Reading Mayor Faust explained this is a recommendation from the Finance and Public Works Department. 5 Motion by Councilmember gray, seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to amend ordinance 05- 6 004 Section 610.02 — Water, Subdivision #610.02 to reflect a 2005 water rate of $1.83 per 100 7 cubic feet and to approve language to the ordinance to increase water rates in 2006 and 2007 by 8 $0.05 for non - recurring maintenance funding. 9 10 Motion carried unanimously. 11 12 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBERS. 13 City Manager Morrison reported the following: 14 A reviewer from the ISO (Insurance Service Office) spent one day with the Fire 15 Department and one day with the Public Works Department. The City currently has an 16 insurance rating of 5, which is good in the industry. He explained that a rating of 1 is the 17 best, and 10 is the worst. The City has not been rated since 1989. He noted that six or 18 seven firefighters came in on their own the day of reviewal since the rating process is so 19 infrequent. He explained if the rating improved, it could affect commercial as well as 20 homeowners insurance. 21 • A Presidential Declaration from the 911 commission that requires the Staff to complete 22 more NIMS (National Information Management System) training. The Council will need 23 to approve more training for Staff. He said the Fire Chief will present more information 24 at the April 12 meeting. The City will receive federal funding if the City Staff go through 25 more training. The City will also need lD badges. 26 • With the new fire station, there is a facility certified by the state to provide First 27 Responders. Because the employees can be trained, the City will save $150 per 28 employee. 29 • He thanked Autumn Woods for holding a silent auction and raising money for the Fire 30 Department. They will likely be recognized at the April 12 meeting. 31 • Employee recognition for longevity will be recognized at the May 24 meeting. 32 • Reports will be given the next two months from the department heads. 33 • The City does not have a methamphetamine ordinance. Staff has been working with the 34 Police Department. A first reading of an ordinance is scheduled for the April 26 meeting. 35 If a meth house is discovered, an ordinance is needed to assess the homeowner for clean 36 up. They are difficult to clean up. 37 • He advised Councilmembers to bring goals to the Park and Planning Commission joint 38 meetings next week. 39 • Council will hold a joint meeting with the School Board on March 29. 40 • Wal -Mart is tentatively scheduled to open on March 23 at 7:30 a.m. Several businesses 41 should be open in the next 30 days. The footings are going in for the last commercial 42 building in the project. A tenant has agreed to take half the building but has not been 43 identified. 44 • The park project is in bid and being reviewed. It will be presented to the Council. The 45 development team is working on parks rules. It will be a special park and have a special 46 committee overseeing it. It will be more an athletic type of park. 4 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 Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 8, 2005 Page 6 • 39`h Avenue is being worked on with MnDOT; it will be bid in May with completion approximately September. • Congressman Sabo's aide will attend the next Council meeting. He said the City would like to thank her for the funding she has given to the projects in the city. • A meeting was held with Dominium on the senior housing project. There will be 80 units just for seniors and the city would like to see the seniors in the community go into the project. • The City is working with the School District to complete a community -wide survey. The proposal for this project will be presented at the March 22 meeting. A survey of this type has not been done since 2001. • The web site is changing developers to Govofc.com. There are more options for managing the web site and making it user friendly. • Sunset Cemetery report: A proposal to demolish the building on St. Anthony Boulevard will be present to the Planning Commission on March 15. • A meeting was held with a representative from AmCon on St. Anthony Marketplace. There are two restaurants that are interested in the corner property next to H &R Block. There is a list of issues that must be resolved with the Council and Planning Commission. There will be public hearings. • Elections will be held this fall for the City and Schools. They will share the City Clerk and work together in the elections. • An Agreement with the City of Roseville has provided a new phone system. This building has been converted, and provides more capabilities. Councilmember Gray had no report. Councilmember Stille stated that he took advantage of invitation to visit the new library in Rogers. He said their footprint is smaller than St. Anthony's. They had wireless internet service, which is absent from the St. Anthony library. He noted he took part in Read Across America and read at Wilshire Park. Councilmember Thuesen stated he also took part in Read Across America and had a good time. Mayor Faust reported he met with the Mayor of Falcon Heights. St. Anthony has a police contract in conjunction with Falcon Heights, and they agree to continue that contract as long as it is beneficial for both parties. Mayor Faust said because he is new, the Mayor of Falcon Heights wanted to meet with him. It was beneficial for both cities organizationally and financially. He gave her a tour of the city and she was impressed with Silver Lake Village. He explained Falcon Heights undertook a redevelopment project on the corner of Larpenteur and Snelling. While it is a good project, it is small in the scope of what St. Anthony is doing. Mayor Faust said he and Mr. Pratt met with the City Manager to discuss future developments. Mr. Pratt requested to appear before the Council in June or July. He said they toured the urban townhouses, and suggested when it is further in construction, the Councilmembers should tour also. Mayor Faust stated that if residents wish to get into senior housing, they can call the City Hall for information. The information is available on the web page as well. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 8, 2005 Page 7 2 Mayor Faust reported he attended a Middle Mississippi Water Management meeting earlier in 3 the day, and "all is well'. He noted Mr. Hubmer has a request from the City to that organization 4 for funds. 6 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM. 7 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that 8 are not on the regular agenda. 9 10 Hearing none, Mayor Faust moved forward with the agenda. 11 12 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. 13 Mayor Faust stated correspondence from the National League of Cities was received 14 congratulating the City on St. Anthony Village. He noted the City was awarded by the 15 Minnesota League of Cities last October for communications. The National League has 16 incorporated that into their database, and the city is receiving national attention. 17 18 Mayor Faust reported that the City has a contract with Northwest Youth and Family Services. 19 This provides a good value for the citizens. He said the annual contract is $3,500 and in all of 20 last year, the service has provided over 1,700 services in counseling, youth and senior services. 21 22 Mayor Faust said there is a one -day conference with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance 23 Trust on the 13`h of April in Brooklyn Park. He advised it is worth the cost of $20 to attend. 24 25 X. 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 XI. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENTS. None. ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Chris Moksnes Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor