HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 020820111 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 FEBRUARY 8, 2011
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5 CALL TO ORDER.
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7 Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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9 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
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11 Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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13 ROLL CALL.
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15 Present: Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Gray, Jenson, Roth, and Stille.
16 Absent: None.
17 Also Present: City Manager Mike Morrison, Police Chief John Ohl, and Public Works Director Jay
18 Hartman.
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20 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
21 ITEMS.
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23 I. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 8, 2011 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
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25 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the City
26 Council Meeting Agenda of February 8, 2011.
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28 Motion carried unanimously.
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30 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
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32 A. Swearing In of Police Officer Lucas Power.
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34 Police Chief Ohl introduced Police Officer Lucas Power who was recently hired after completing
35 his course work.
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37 Mayor Faust conducted the formal swearing in of Officer Power and welcomed Officer Power to
38 the City's Police Department.
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40 III. CONSENT AGENDA.
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42 A. Consider January 25, 2011 Council meeting minutes;
43 B. Consider licenses and permits;
44 C. Consider payment of claims.
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46 Motion was made by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Roth, to approve the
47 Consent Agenda items.
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49 Motion carried unanimously.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2011
Page 2
2 IV. PUBLIC HEARING.
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4 None.
6 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
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8 None.
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10 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
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12 A. Resolution 11 -019; Concerning the Commencement of Formal Renewal Proceedings
13 under the Federal Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, as Amended.
14 Councilmember Roth, presenting.
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16 Councilmember Roth advised that Comcast has provided notice of its desire to continue to
17 provide cable services to the North Suburban Communications Commission member cities; the
18 Federal Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 requires notification three years in advance
19 of the renewal date. He indicated that over the next six to twelve months, the North Suburban
20 Communications Commission will hire outside help to assess whether Comcast has met the
21 contractual terms of the current contract which will be followed by formal negotiation of the
22 contract. He stated that during the renewal process, a renewal task force will be formed
23 comprised of members of the North Suburban Communications Commission, including Coralie
24 Wilson, North Suburban Communications Commission Executive Director, Lauderdale Mayor
25 Jeff Dains, Little Canada City Councilmember Rick Montour, Craig Wilson from Arden Hills,
26 and Dan Roe, Roseville Mayor. He explained that the cable commission has requested that each
27 City adopt a resolution stating that the City will support the cable commission's renewal task
28 force in its negotiations with Comcast on behalf of each member city.
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30 Councilmember Jenson asked if the new contract with Comcast will culminate in 2014. He also
31 asked what the length of the renewal contract will be.
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33 Councilmember Roth replied that the new contract will culminate in 2014, but was not certain
34 about the length of the renewal contract. He noted that the renewal is typically for an extended
35 period of time and could be determined through the negotiation process. He agreed to follow -up
36 on the length of the renewal and report back to Council.
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38 Mayor Faust stated that he thought the last contract was in 1998 so the term could be fifteen
39 years. He indicated that one of the reasons it takes three years to negotiate the contract is to
40 provide all parties with an opportunity to negotiate in good faith and/or pursue other options if
41 Comcast is not chosen. He noted that it would be difficult to find another cable provider that
42 would be willing to provide the necessary infrastructure or investment for cable service. He
43 added that the North Suburban Communications Commission provides a way for the ten member
44 cities to get the best deal it can to continue cable networking.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2011
Page 3
Motion by Councilmember Roth, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve Resolution 11-
019; Concerning the Commencement of Formal Renewal Proceedings under the Federal Cable
Communications Policy Act of 1984, as Amended.
Motion carried unanimously.
B. Resolution 11 -020; Authorizing the City of St. Anthony to Participate in the Minnesota
GreenStep Cities Program. Jay Hartman, Public Works Director, presenting.
Public Works Director Hartman presented background information regarding the GreenStep
Cities program, which is a new assistance program available to all Minnesota cities that
recognizes the implementation of 28 sustainable development best practices. He stated that the
program has been developed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency who will take the lead
on the program. He explained that the best practices focus on cost savings and energy use
reductions that lead cities beyond compliance and encourage a culture of innovation. He stated
that depending on city size, a city that implements 8, 12 or 16 best practices organized into five
categories will be recognized as a GreenStep City and implementation of additional best
practices will garner additional recognition. He discussed the five categories of best practices,
including building and lighting, land use, transportation, environmental management, and
economic /community development and explained that within the 28 best practices there are 160
action steps to help cities accomplish each best practice in the five categories. He stated that the
GreenStep Cities program represents a good fit for the City in that it fits well with the City's
current mission statement and the program is in line with the City's strategic initiatives and goals
set forth by the Council; in addition, the City should take credit for some of the projects it has
completed in the past, e.g., the water re -use project and the connection of the Northeast Diagonal
Trail. He added that the City would be considered a `B" classification which would require 12
best management practices.
Mayor Faust noted that the City's commitment to participate in the GreenStep Cities program
does not mean the City will be spending money on this program, rather, this is a way for the City
to keep focused on some of the sustainable -type activities that the City needs to do in all future
planning. He added that the City's participation in the program is intended to be concurrent with
the ongoing work of the City and will keep Council and staff, as well as developers, focused on
best practices.
Mayor Faust suggested that the City place a link under green programs on its website to the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's website so that residents can view the entire GreenStep
Cities program requirements.
Public Works Director Hartman agreed to place a link on the City's website for this program and
to provide updates as necessary.
Councilmember Stille commented that this program provides a framework for what the City has
already been doing in terms of having a green component in its goals for a number of years and
the City will not be spending any additional money on the program. He also asked what type of
recognition the City will receive for completing the best practices.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2011
Page 4
Public Works Director Hartman replied that cities are recognized at the annual League of
Minnesota Cities conference.
Councilmember Roth asked if the best practice for efficient existing public buildings includes
schools.
Public Works Director Hartman replied that he was not sure if schools are included in the
definition of public buildings. He added that the City conducted an energy audit a number of
years ago on all of its buildings and the City should get credit for that.
Mayor Faust stated that this program is a natural fit for the Public Works Director to serve as the
City's GreenStep coordinator and expressed the Council's thanks to Mr. Hartman for his
willingness to take on this responsibility.
Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve Resolution
11 -020; Authorizing the City of St. Anthony to Participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities
Program.
Motion carried unanimously.
VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
City Manager Morrison reported on the following:
• The first reading of the tobacco ordinance is scheduled for March 22, 2011 with second
and third readings scheduled for April 12 and 26.
• Meeting with George Wagner regarding the Veteran's Memorial. A presentation to the
Parks Commission will be made on March 10 followed by a presentation to the City
Council.
• 2011 street project neighborhood meeting on Thursday, February 10`h followed by a
public hearing on February 22 "a
• The bond issue for the 2011 street project will be presented on February 22na
• Ehlers is currently reviewing the City's bonds to determine if any refunding should occur.
• Silver Lake Village Phase III — a resolution to support Dominion's request for funding
from Ramsey County will be presented to Council at its next meeting. A PUD
amendment will be required and construction is anticipated to begin in November with
opening in 2013 of a 152 unit independent living, 55 and older senior building.
• Attendance at Ehlers seminar with handout provided to Council on developers.
• 2011 goals will be presented on February 22 "a
• Police Department's Citizens Academy eight week course scheduled for March 3rd —
April 21 ". Ten members are needed with only two signed up; interested parties can sign
up through the end of February.
• Legislative conference on March 24`h. Councilmembers should let him know if they are
interested in attending the conference, which provides an opportunity for cities, schools,
townships and counties to receive updates on the legislative session and to talk to
representatives of the St. Anthony area.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2011
Page 5
City Manager Morrison stated that questions were raised at the last Council meeting regarding
who owns the retaining walls and advised that the City owns those retaining walls.
4 Councilmember Roth asked if the same type of warranty applies to retaining walls as it does for
5 street projects.
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7 City Manager Momson replied that the retaining walls have the same warranty as a street project.
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9 Mayor Faust encouraged residents to sign up for the Police Department's Citizens Academy and
10 noted that the academy does not require any physical activity that would preclude someone from
11 participating.
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13 Councilmember Gray reported that the City received a letter from Northwest Youth and Family
14 Services summarizing activities from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. He advised
15 that the City's contract with the agency is to provide services including mental health counseling,
16 diversion services, and senior chores; the City spent $3,451 last year and Northwest Youth and
17 Family Services provided $25,310 worth of services, so it is well worth the money the City
18 spends to have this agency provide these services. He added that there were also six youth that
19 provided community services as part of their diversion program valued at $840.
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21 Councilmember Jenson reported on (1) his attendance at the January 26th Kiwanis monthly
22 meeting and (2) his participation in the January 26`x' City work session.
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24 Councilmember Roth: No report.
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26 Councilmember Stille: No report.
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28 Mayor Faust reported on the following:
29 • January 26`h work session.
30 • Speaking engagement at the February P Freshwater Society 10a' annual symposium at
31 the Arboretum regarding winter maintenance. Environmental leadership awards were
32 presented this year to the City of Bloomington, City of Ankeny, Iowa, and Anoka and St.
33 Louis Counties. He noted that the City received a leadership award in 2009 for its salt
34 and sand program. He added that a 20- minute video was produced and presented by the
35 University of Minnesota regarding winter maintenance for small sites and use of salt and
36 sand; copies of the video will be presented to the four churches in the City and extra
37 copies will be available at the Chamber of Commerce meeting in March. He stated that
38 the video is also available on the MPCA website and is well worth watching.
39
40 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM.
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42 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that
43 are not on the regular agenda.
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45 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2011
Page 6
1 Mayor Faust announced that the City will be hosting a public facilities open house on Saturday,
2 June 4s', from 10:00 am. to 12:00 noon at City Hall. Residents will be able to tour the Fire
3 Department, Police Department, and Public Works Department. In addition, from 8:30 a.m. to
4 10:00 a.m., the City will host a Coffee with the Mayor and Council in the Council Chambers.
6 Councilmember Roth announced that the North Suburban Cable Commission will be moving to
7 a new location and will be putting out for bid a construction project to build out its new space.
8 The specifications will be available in the next few days and interested construction firms can
9 contact the North Suburban Cable Commission office at 651- 792 -7500.
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Councilmember Roth announced that every year the North Suburban Cable Commission joins
with Comcast in giving out scholarships to applicant residents of one of the ten member cities.
Applicants must have completed one year of college or vocational training with primary
emphasis in mass communications, journalism or similar course work. Applications are
available at city halls, high school counseling offices and college financial aid offices or libraries
in the ten city area. Further information is available at www.ctvnorthsuburbs.org or by calling
the commission office at 651- 792 -7500. Applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m.
on April 8, 2011.
ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Hughes
Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
ATTEST: l C 4
City Clerk
--a5z' +. Y'r�D.
Mayor