HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 11142023I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 NOVEMBER 14, 2023
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5 CALL TO ORDER.
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7 Mayor Stille called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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9 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
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11 Mayor Stille invited the Council and audience to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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13 ROLL CALL.
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15 Present: Mayor Stille, Councilmembers Jenson, Randle, Walker, and Webster.
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17 Absent: None
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19 Also Present: City Manager Charlie Yunker, Police Captain Jeff Spiess, Finance Director Deborah
20 Maloney, and City Planner Steve Grittman.
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23 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
24 ITEMS.
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26 1. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 14, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
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28 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to approve the City
29 Council Meeting Agenda of November 14, 2023 as presented.
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31 Motion carried 5-0.
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33 11. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITION.
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35 A. Swearing in of St. Anthony Police Officer — Tristan Norlien.
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37 Police Captain Spiess introduced Tristan Norlien and provided some background information on
38 Tristan. He began his 14-week field training on November 1, 2023. Mayor Stille read the Oath of
39 Office. Trevor Norlien pinned the badge on Tristan. Photographs were taken with Tristan and his
40 family and also the City Council and Mayor.
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42 Mayor Stille and the Council congratulated Tristan on his swearing in as St. Anthony Police
43 Officer.
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45 111. CONSENT AGENDA.
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47 A. Approval of October 24, 2023 City Council Meetine Minutes.
48 B. Licenses and Permits.
49 C. Claims.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2023
Page 2
Motion by Councilmember Walker, seconded by Councilmember Webster, to approve the
Consent Agenda items.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING.
Motion carried 5-0.
9 A. Ordinance 2023-10 —Amending Multiple Sections of Chanter 33 Sewer, Water License and
10 Permit Fees, Stormwater Facilities.
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12 Finance Director Maloney reviewed a power point summarizing the 2024 Utility Rates. The
13 parameters are to align revenue sources with corresponding costs, provide transparency as to the
14 basis of rates and rate adjustments, maintain a structurally balanced operation, ensure that rates
15 appropriately support the ability to provide safe drinking water, properly discharge sanitary
16 sewer flows, and appropriate control and treatment of stone water runoff.
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18 Water Fund expenditures are comprised of two primary operating functions production $952,588
19 and distribution $815,732. The current adjustment to distribution fee includes continuing the
20 phase -in of the quarterly fee to support distribution system costs and increasing the quarterly
21 water distribution fee by $1.25. The current adjustment to usage rates includes the water usage
22 tier rates increases will range from .05 - .08 cents per 1,000 gallons in 2024 and water
23 consumption for 2024 is projected to be 2% lower than 2023 consumption. A chart showing the
24 adjustments impact was provided.
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26 Sanitary Sewer expenditures are comprised of two primary operating functions treatment
27 $874,889 and collection $545,415. The current adjustment to collection fee includes continuing
28 the phase -in of the quarterly fee to support collection system costs and quarterly sewer collection
29 fee will increase by $2.00. The current adjustment to usage rates includes continue to manage the
30 growth in usage rates to recognize the revenues provided by the phase -in of the sewer collection
31 fee, MCES treatment rate up 6.8% - 63K, and the sewer usage rate will increase to $4.85 per
32 1,000 gallons 2.5%. A chart showing the adjustments impact was provided.
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34 Residential Stormwater rates will have an inflationary increase, while the rates for classifications
35 4-6 will be adjusted greater amounts to move towards closing the gap between St. Anthony's
36 rates and surrounding communities. A chart showing the rates for classifications 1-6 in 2024 was
37 provided. A rate survey for surrounding communities was reviewed as well as impacts by tier
38 levels.
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40 Mayor Stille opened the public hearing at 7:19 p.m.
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42 Councilmember Walker asked if the quarterly distribution fee will increase in 2024, and the
43 water consumption is reduced in 2024 how can this be. Ms. Maloney stated the rate will increase
44 with the consumption the same, ensures the rates will cover the collection costs. Mayor Stille
45 noted it is difficult to estimate how much water will be sold.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2023
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I Mayor Stille closed the public hearing at 7:20 p.m.
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3 Motion by Councilmember Webster, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve First
4 Reading of Ordinance 2023-10 — Amending Multiple Sections of Chapter 33 Sewer, Water,
5 License and Permit Fees, Stormwater Facilities.
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7 Motion carried 5-0.
9 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF - NONE.
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11 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
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13 A. 2024 Capital Funds.
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15 Finance Director Maloney reviewed the Capital Equipment, Building and Parks Improvement
16 Funds have been long standing capital funds used by the City. The Stormwater Fund has funded
17 stormwater improvements since the 2015 retirement of the stormwater bonds. The Utilities
18 Infrastructure Fund was established during 2016 for the replacement of water, sanitary sewer,
19 and fiber optic infrastructure. The Street Improvement and Debt Service Plan is the combined
20 activity of the annual street improvement funds and their related debt service funds. Ms.
21 Maloney reviewed the notable updates by fund for the Buildings Improvement Fund, Capital
22 Equipment Fund for Police, Fire, Public Works, and Administration and Finance, Parks
23 Improvement Fund, Utilities Infrastructure Fund, Stormwater Fund, and Street Improvement and
24 Debt Service Plan.
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26 The purpose of the Capital Funds are to capture the big picture of equipment used in the current
27 delivery of City services. Equipment replacement timing is proactively managed to ensure
28 availability of resources and allows time for investigating replacement alternatives. The City's
29 capital funds are updated annually and the manufacturer's suggested end of useful life does not
30 define replacement date; equipment condition is the determining factor. The annual update
31 process was reviewed.
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33 The Buildings Improvement Fund sources are building improvement levy, community center
34 transfer, liquor store reimbursements and transfers and are used for HVAC, roofs, lighting,
35 security, windows & doors, and tuck -pointing. The uses in 2023 and future 2024 uses were
36 reviewed.
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38 The Capital Equipment Fund sources are capital equipment levy, equipment sales, grants and
39 donations, and transfers and are used for fleet, heavy equipment, specialty equipment, and
40 technology. The uses in 2023 and future 2024 uses were reviewed.
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42 The Park Improvement Fund sources are parkland dedication fees, donations and grants, park
43 improvement levy, transfers and interfund loans and used for athletic facilities and playground
44 structures, park shelters, splash pads, and trail construction. The uses in 2023 and future 2024
45 uses were reviewed.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2023
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1 The Utilities Infrastructure Fund sources are connection fees, collection of inter -fund loans,
2 grants as availability and beginning in 2025 the utility fund transfer and used for water
3 infrastructure & equipment, sewer infrastructure & equipment, and fiber infrastructure &
4 equipment. The uses in 2023 and future 2024 uses were reviewed.
6 The Stormwater Fund sources are stormwater fees and watershed grants & cost sharing and used
7 for permitting (MS4) & agency reporting, engineering studies, stormwater pond maintenance,
8 flood improvements, water quality activities, and equipment. The uses in 2023 and future 2024
9 uses were reviewed.
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11 The Street Improvement & Debt Service Funds sources are street improvement debt levy, bond
12 proceeds, assessments, MSA allocation and transfers & project savings and are used for street
13 improvement debt, street reconstruction, utility reconstruction, streetlights, sidewalks, mill &
14 overlays and alleys. The uses in 2023 and future 2024 uses were reviewed.
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16 Ms. Maloney reviewed the Phase II Debt Levy Benefits and Resulting 2024 Debt Levy Program.
17 Detailed spreadsheets were provided along with photographs of the items included.
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19 Councilmember Jenson stated he appreciated the presentation and how it was formatted.
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21 Mayor Stille stated the City Council supports the financials and referred to the capital funds book
22 distributed to Council. He would like to memorialize this by accepting in a motion.
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24 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Walker, to accept the 2024
25 Capital Funds Plan as presented.
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27 Motion carried 5-0.
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29 B. Ordinance 2023-06 — Amending the St. Anthony City Code, by Amending Title XI
30 Section 111 Relating to Regulations of the Sale and Distribution of Cannabinoid
31 Products.
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33 City Planner Grittman reviewed this is the Second Reading of an Ordinance Amendment
34 prohibiting smoking on certain public property Ordinance No. 2023-06. The Council is asked to
35 consider the issue of cannabis use in public spaces. The prohibition requirements would expand
36 on the spacing requirements of the "sensitive" land use categories. Several cities are adopting an
37 ordinance that creates or extends a prohibition of tobacco use in these areas, as a companion
38 action to controlling cannabis use in public areas. Currently, smoking or vaping of tobacco
39 products is not banned by the City in public open spaces. Under Section 111.059 of the City
40 Code, smoking is banned in indoor spaces, as the definition of Public Place is specific to
41 confined areas within buildings. Schools are customarily tobacco free, but other public park or
42 sidewalk spaces are not restricted. Consumption of alcohol is typically not permitted in public
43 spaces, with exceptions for special event licenses issued specifically for those locations and
44 purposes.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2023
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1 The Ordinance for consideration follows the nuisance approach, which would prohibit smoking
2 in specific public places, including all City and County parks; parking lots adjacent to such
3 parks; trails within City parks; on the main city campus — including City Hall and fire station; on
4 other City -owned property including the Public Works maintenance facility; and adjacent
5 parking lots to each of these facilities.
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Councilmember Jenson stated this Ordinance is reflective of other neighboring cities.
Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Walker, for approval of Second
Reading for Ordinance 2023-06 — Amending the St. Anthony City Code, by Amending Title XI
Section 111 Relating to Regulation of the Sale and Distribution of Cannabinoid Products.
Motion carried 5-0.
C. Resolution 23-061 — Canvassing Board Resolution.
City Manager Yunker reviewed on November 7, 2023 a general election was held in the City of
St. Anthony for the offices of Mayor and two Council Members. Wendy Webster received the
greatest number of votes for the office of Mayor and Thomas Randle and Lona Doolan received
the greatest number of votes for the office of Council Members.
Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Walker, for approval of
Resolution 23-061 Canvassing Board Resolution.
Motion carried 5-0.
VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
City Manager Yunker announced the deadline for the photo contest is nearing the end. Sandy
Simon resigned and had been with the City for over 26 years.
Councilmember Webster had no report.
Councilmember Randle had no report.
Councilmember Jenson stated on November 1, 2, and 10, 2023 he attended the Ramsey County
Local League of Governments meetings. On November 13, he participated in the work session to
appoint three new Planning Commissioners.
Councilmember Walker attended the November 13, Chamber of Commerce Meeting after the
Planning Commission interviews.
Mayor Stille stated on November 6, he gave a presentation to the Boy Scouts. On October 26, he
attended the badge pinning ceremony for the Fire Department and also attended the farewell
reception for Chief Sitarz. He met with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization on
October 31, 2023 and November 14, 2023. He and City Manager Yunker attended a meeting
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2023
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with the Hennepin County Assessor on October 31, 2023. On November 13, 2023 he attended
the Regional Council of Mayor's Meeting. On November 11, 2023 he attended the wine tasting
at the City Liquor Store.
VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM - NONE.
No one appeared to address the Council.
IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS - NONE.
X. ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Stille adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Wolfe
Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
ATTES .
qC Clerk
— k�* -
Mayor