Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 09132005I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY 2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 4 SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 5 CALL TO ORDER 6 Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 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, and Thuesen. 13 Absent: Councilmembers Gray and Horst. 14 Also Present: City Manager Mike Mornson and City Attorney Jerome Gilligan. 15 16 17 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING 18 ITEMS. 19 20 1. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA. 21 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the City 22 Council Meeting Agenda of September 13, 2005. 23 24 Motion carried unanimously, iu II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS. 27 A. Kiwanis Peanut Day, 28 Councilmember Stille read the proclamation declaring Friday, September 23, 2005 as St. 29 Anthony Kiwanis Peanut Day. 30 31 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to approve the 32 Proclamation Declaring Friday, September 23, 2005 as St. Anthony Kiwanis Peanut Day. 33 34 Motion carried unanimously, 35 36 Councilmember Stille is a member of this group and explained the group provides an outlet for 37 children through a number of programs. The group shows children by example how to be a part 38 of the community. He said they are always looking for members. He noted there would be a 39 meeting the following morning at 8:30 a.m. for students at high school. 40 41 III. CONSENT AGENDA. 42 A. Consider August 23, 2005 Council meeting minutes 43 B. Consider licenses and permits. 44 C. Consider payment of claims. 45 46 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the Consent 1� Agenda items. 4k, 49 Motion carried unanimously. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 13, 2005 Page 2 2 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS. 3 None. 5 V. REPORTS FROM PLANNING COMMISSION. 6 None. 7 8 VI. GENERAL POLICY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL. 9 A. Consider Resolution 05 -0072, re: Proposed 2005 tax levy and budget in compliance with 10 the Truth -m- Taxation Act 11 Mr. Momson reviewed the Resolution with the Council and indicated that Resolutions have been 12 prepared resolutions to set the 2006 tax levy. He noted Mr. Larson, Finance Director, and he had 13 prepared a PowerPoint presentation. 14 15 Mr. Morrison explained the Council had asked staff to develop a financial plan to review 16 alternatives to offset the impact of the 2006 tax levy. He said they have proposed a budget of 17 $4,177,500, which is an increase over last year's budget. He noted they have proposed changes 18 in the budget. Some funding has been restructured. At Council's direction, he stated they are 19 proposing a 0% increase in the General Fund levy. However, there will be an increase to the 20 Road Improvement Levy. 21 22 Mr. Momson stated it was learned that the City does not have to hold the Truth -in- Taxation meetings. The meetings can be held, however, if preferred. If the Truth -in- Taxation meetings are not held, the Council still has to adopt a levy at a December meeting. He asked the Council 25 to consider whether these meetings should be held as he reviewed the budget proposal. 26 27 Mr. Momson explained there is a $208,500 increase in the General Fund Budget over the 2005 28 budget. Employee pensions are going up due to the PERA law being changed. The levy will be 29 kept the same. He summarized how the levies impact property taxes. He stated the City is in its 30 eleventh year of road improvement projects. This portion of the budget has increased $124,180. 31 This increase for road improvement is the primary reason for the levy increasing. 32 33 Mr. Morrison pointed out that there have been no new staff positions; however personnel costs 34 have increased due to health insurance and PERA laws. Motor fuel costs are up which is an 35 impact to the General Fund. 36 37 He explained that the City receives money from the Fiscal Disparities Pool. This gets distributed 38 to cities in the metro area. St. Anthony will receive $395,820 this year. He also highlighted 39 changes in Limited Market Value Credit. This program has been extended two years until 2010. 40 This limits the amount of taxable value a property can be increased in one year. 41 42 Councilmember Thuesen asked in regard to the fuel costs rising whether the City has a contract 43 with any providers for discounts on gas if a certain amount was purchased. Mr. Momson 44 explained the City does have their own pumps, and less is paid for gas than at the gas stations. 4� Councilmember Stille asked when the Fiscal Disparities will be known for 2006. Mr. Larson 47 answered the end of October. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 13, 2005 Page 3 2 Mayor Faust noted that one of the things the Association of Minnesota Municipalities and the 3 League of Minnesota Cities is working on is to bring some truth into the Truth -in- Taxation 4 paper. He also pointed out that the only increase is the road reconstruction, and the staff felt it 5 was important to continue with the road improvements. He asked Mr. Morrison if he was 6 comfortable with the expenses and whether the budget will adequately handle the expenses 7 without putting the city at risk. Mr. Mornson answered he is comfortable. O 9 Mayor Faust reiterated that there are two options in the Resolutions. One option is to hold the 10 Truth -in- Taxation meetings; and the other is to have the statement show that there is no 11 requirement to hold the Truth -in- Taxation meetings. In this case, the normal monthly schedule 12 for Council meetings would continue. 13 14 Councilmember Thuesen stated he is in favor of holding the Truth -in- Taxation meetings even 15 though it is not a requirement. He said he feels it is the right thing to do and it shows the 16 community that the City is up front. 17 18 Councilmember Stille asked if the notices would go out either way, and whether there would be 19 an added cost to sending them. Mr. Larson explained the notices would go out either way. 20 21 Councilmember Stille said the bottom line is that we need to let the residents have a chance to 22 talk. That means we will have the hearings on a night that is not traditional for Council meetings n� and could cause confusion. He said he would lean toward keeping the current schedule. 25 Mayor Faust gave a reminder that there have already been three meetings. The Truth -in- 26 Taxation hearing is for the purpose of giving the public a chance to ask the City to reduce the 27 budget. We are keeping the budget the same and cannot reduce it. He said we may give false 28 hopes. He said that the fact that we didn't hit the threshold that requires a Truth -in- Taxation 29 meeting is a good message to the community. This is the first time since 1991 that we are not 30 required to hold one. We are attempting to be fiscally responsible. He stated he is inclined to 31 favor Option one, which is to not hold the Truth -in- Taxation hearing. He pointed out that any 32 resident can appear at any meeting and make any statements they want to regarding the budget. 33 34 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to adopt Resolution 05- 35 072, re: A Resolution Setting the City of St. Anthony Proposed 2006 Tax Levy and Budget in 36 Compliance with the Truth -in- Taxation Act, referencing Option 1 in the packet as the preferred 37 Resolution which does not require a Truth -in- Taxation meeting be held. 38 39 Mayor Faust noted the December Council meetings will be held at their normally scheduled date 40 and times. 41 42 Ayes — 2, Nays — 1(Stille) Motion carried 43 44 B. Consider Resolution 05 -073 re: Adopt Salo Park Maintenance and Regulations 45 Mr. Morrison reviewed the resolution with the Council and indicated that this has been worked on for the last 12 months. The property is owned by the developer and the City has an easement 47 to use. This partnership requires some type of agreement to be set up for maintenance purposes. 4 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 LY 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 13, 2005 Page 4 Mr. Morrison noted the four points in the Agreement for the maintenance of Salo Park: The City has a right to use the subject property for park purposes; The development team, through Apache Park, LLC, will manage and maintain the improvements. Reservations for use of facilities will be taken by Apache Park, LLC and City permitting requirements must be met; Specific rules for Salo Park are established in Exhibit B to the Agreement; In exchange for public use of the facilities, the City will, as outlined in the Redevelopment Agreement, pay the annual maintenance costs of the Ponding Site Improvements. Apache Park must provide by July 1 of each year an estimate of the maintenance costs for the following calendar year. Mr. Morrison noted that Exhibit A is the Public Use of Apache Park Property and Facilities. This is set up differently than any other park in the City due to its ownership. There will be a committee of two City employees as well as representatives of the housing and commercial entities. The committee will review applications for use. He explained the rules are those in the City Ordinance, and will be consistent with other park rules in the city. Councilmember Thuesen asked if there was any discussion about a maximum annual increase that could be charged to the City for the maintenance agreement. Mr. Morrison responded there was none. Councilmember Thuesen stated he was searching for some type of justification. Mr. Morrison explained that Apache Park will have to submit a budget every year. He added that there is also a provision that the City can take over the maintenance of the park if it feels something is not being handled correctly. Councilmember Stille questioned whether the name of Salo Park has been fully dedicated and whether the naming of the facility should be incorporated as part of this agreement. Mr. Morrison said a resolution has not been passed for the name of the park. Councilmember Stille commented the Resolution states this would finalize the Agreement, though there are details that need to be worked out. Mayor Faust noted that the final Whereas in the Resolution should have the following added to it: "This park shall heretofore be known as Salo Park." The easement gives us those naming rights. It has been suggested by several committees, and the developers, as well as the Council as a whole to name the park Salo Park. Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Thuesen, to adopt Resolution 05- 073, re: A Resolution Relating to Assignment, Assumption, Easement, Park Management and Maintenance Agreement, including in the last Whereas "This park should heretofore be known as Salo Park." Ayes — 2, Nays -1 ( Stille). Motion carried. 44 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBERS. City Manager Morrison reported the following: 4J • John Ohl is the new Police Chief effective 10/31/05. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 13, 2005 Page 5 • The ISO just completed a review of our fire delivery system. St. Anthony decreased z from a 5 to a 4. Very good news. 1 is the best number; 10 is the worst number. 3 • Finance will be conducting an RFP for Audit Services for the 2005 audit. 4 • Emerald Park Public Information Meeting September 28, 2005. A consultant was hired 5 at the Council's recommendation. 6 • Minnesota EDAM presentation Thursday, September 15 on St. Anthony's redevelopment 7 efforts. 8 • Hennepin County Health Department/St. Anthony Police and Fire conducted an 9 emergency plan for mass dispensing site at St. Anthony Schools today. 10 • Some residents that assisted the Historical Intern and asked if the City would consider a 11 Historical Society. A meeting will be held 12 • Silver Lake Village Update 13 o Celebration October 15, 2005; this is a change from October 8 14 o Curb for road in this week and pavement next week 15 o Park is starting to shape up 16 o Phase 11— November 8`h 17 • Amcon Project 18 o Amendment to Development Agreement enclosed 19 o Liquor License Public Hearing — September 27, 2005 20 o Building Permit - October 21 22 Mayor Faust asked if the Emerald Park Public Information Meeting on September 28, 2005, would be held in the Council Chambers. Mr. Momson answered it may be held at the park site, and this information will be listed on the City's web site. 25 26 Mayor Faust stated the Historical Society would be excellent for the City and suggested a staff 27 person serve as liaison. 28 29 Councilmember Stille reported he had agreed to serve on Kiwanis Board starting in October. 30 31 Councilmember Thuesen had no report. 32 33 Mayor Faust indicated that the Council met with the School Board for their quarterly meeting. 34 They reported that they had a meeting with the New Brighton City Council. He said it is 35 mutually beneficial to give updates to the boards. 36 37 Mayor Faust said he was invited to Salo Days in Salo for the Sister City Celebration. He said it 38 is an interesting government compared to ours. There are 43 members on their council. They 39 are responsible for most the functions our county does. They have 1700 employees. He said we 40 will look at inviting them back next May or June. 41 42 Mayor Faust also reported he attended the Association of Minnesota Municipalities on 43 September 6, and one of the items he talked about was the Truth -in- Taxation and how the state 44 reports the numbers. Those policies will be brought up for our vote in November. Q L 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 13, 2005 Page 6 He also reported he attended a Mississippi Watershed Management Organization meeting. He said they have prepared for science classrooms earth science that encompasses the Middle Mississippi River Watershed Management. VIII. 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. Hearing none, Mayor Faust moved forward with the agenda. IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. None. X. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENTS. Mr. Morrison noted the Planning Commission has six public hearings at their next meeting. He invited any Councilmembers to attend or watch the meeting on cable. XI. ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Chris Moksnes Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ATTEST: C City Clerk Motion carried unanimously.