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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES03112014CITY OF ST. ANTHONY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MARCH 11, 2014 CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 10 11 Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. 12 13 ROLL CALL. 14 15 Present: 16 Absent: 17 Also Present: 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 48 49 50 Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Gray, Jenson, Roth and Stille. None. City Manager Mark Casey, Fire Chief Mark Sitarz, and Public Works Director Jay Hartman. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. I. APPROVAL OF MARCH 11, 2014, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA. Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City Council Meeting Agenda of March 11, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS. A. Presentation of the "2013 Spirit of St. Anthony" Award. Tom Sullivan, 2012 Spirit of St. Anthony Award Recipient, presenting. City Manager Casey stated the Spirit of St. Anthony Award was established in 2012 and the award recipient is selected by City employees and presented to a staff member that displays and embodies the characteristics of S.E.R.V.I.C.E. He then introduced Tom Sullivan, the 2012 Spirit of St. Anthony award recipient, and asked him to introduce this year's award recipient. Mr. Tom Sullivan stated this year's Spirit of St. Anthony award recipient is a great asset to the City and always has a positive attitude and is always willing to help. He introduced Phuongmai Dang, the 2013 Spirit of St. Anthony award recipient, and presented her with a plaque. Ms. Phuongmai Dang thanked the City for the award and for the opportunity to serve the City and its residents. She stated she would like to continue to dedicate all her efforts for the City. Mayor Faust stated that Phuongmai Dang is typically the first person that greets you when coming into City Hall and she has a great attitude and is always willing to help. He stated he gets many positive comments from residents about Phuongmai Dang and expressed the City Council's thanks and appreciation to her for her dedication to the City and its residents. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 11, 2014 Page 2 III. CONSENT AGENDA. A. Consider February 25, 2014, Council meeting minutes; B. Consider licenses and permits; and C. Consider payment of claims. 8 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the Consent 9 Agenda items. 10 11 Motion carried unanimously. 12 13 IV. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE. 14 15 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF - NONE. 16 17 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL. 18 19 A. Presentation of the 2014 Strategic Plan. Mark Casey, City Manager, presenting. 20 21 City Manager Casey advised that on January 23 -24, 2014, the City Council, staff, consultants, 22 and representatives from the Planning Commission and Parks Commission participated in the 23 annual strategic planning session and the agenda included a review of the City's goals and a 24 discussion about values and the City's long term vision; in addition, the participants engaged in a 25 strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges analysis, culminating in preparation of the 26 Pyramid containing the mission, vision, strategic initiatives, goals, and action steps. He 27 indicated the 2014 Strategic Plan will be published in the spring newsletter and copies are 28 available on the website and at City Hall. He thanked the City Council, Commission 29 representatives, and staff for participating in the strategic planning session. 30 31 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to adopt the 2014 Strategic 32 Plan as presented. 33 34 Motion carried unanimously. 35 36 B. 2013 Fire Department Annual Report. Mark Sitarz, Fire Chief, presenting. 37 38 Fire Chief Sitarz presented the Fire Department 2013 Annual Report and stated that the Fire 39 Department has five divisions, including Fire Inspections, Fire Prevention/Public Education, 40 Operations, Training, and Code Enforcement. He stated that 2013 was a transitional year with 41 the retirement of Fire Chief John Malenick in December as well as the appointment of Jay Olson 42 to the position of Assistant Fire Chief and Chris Fuller to the position of Fire Marshal. He stated 43 the Fire Department has a staff of 33 and nine rookie firefighters were hired in 2013 in 44 anticipation of future retirements. He explained that the Fire Department responded to 1,409 45 calls for service in 2013, a 55% increase, and 72% of the calls were medical calls. He stated that 46 the Fire Department's average response time was 2 minutes 37 seconds. He presented a 47 photograph of Tom who collapsed and fell down two flights of stairs and Chief Sitarz asked to City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 11, 2014 Page 3 1 share his story and to thank the Fire Department for their assistance. He also presented a 2 photograph of a mechanical compression device used to perform CPR that was obtained through 3 a grant from the Minnesota Resuscitation Consortium and stated the device has had a positive 4 impact. He discussed the Fire Department's prevention and public education efforts including 5 school visits, fire extinguisher training, annual open house, severe weather training, and first aid. 6 He stated that 2014 goals include increased presence and community involvement and 7 revamping of the fire inspections and preplanning process; in addition, Mr. Fuller will be 8 focusing on preparation of standard operating procedures and standard operating guidelines. He 9 stated that the Fire Department is committed to the safety of the community and expressed 10 appreciation to the firefighters for their support of him in his new position. 11 12 Councilmember Jenson commended the Fire Department for the average response time of 2:37. 13 He also acknowledged the Fire Department's training process and noted that their training 14 exceeds the OSHA mandate by two and one -half times. 15 16 Councilmember Gray stated that the Fire Department has maintained a tradition of having a 17 professional culture and asked Fire Chief Sitarz to pass along his thanks to everyone in the Fire 18 Department. 19 20 Councilmember Roth expressed appreciation to the Fire Department for their hard work and 21 professionalism. 22 23 Councilmember Stille thanked Fire Chief Sitarz and the Fire Department and stated he was 24 pleased to have Mr. Sitarz as the new Fire Chief and looked forward to working with him. 25 26 Mayor Faust noted that the Fire Department ranks in the 901h percentile for response times of 27 four minutes or less and congratulated the Fire Department for its average response time of 2:37. 28 He stated that comments have been received about how the Fire Department personnel treat 29 people with respect and dignity and expression appreciation for their dedication and great work. 30 31 C. 2013 Public Works Department Annual Report. Jay Hartman, Public Works Director, 32 presenting. 33 34 Public Works Director Hartman presented the 2013 Public Works Department Annual Report 35 and stated the Public Works Department is comprised of 14 full -time employees, noting that the 36 number of personnel has not changed over the last twenty years while the overall workload has 37 increased and it is because of the employees' dedication that the Public Works Department is 38 able to continue to deliver a high level of cost - effective and efficient services. He advised that 39 the Street Division performed seven street sweepings, had nine citywide plowing events, and 40 completed its annual joint sealing project and striping of all MSA road segments. He indicated it 41 has been a tough winter and the Public Works staff has done a great job responding to and 42 dealing with the snow and ice and he commended them for their efforts over and above their 43 normal shifts. He stated the Parks Division activities included repair and maintenance of the 44 storm water retention ponds as well as maintaining the City's five parks, the Water /Sewer 45 Division activities included the annual hydrant flushing and annual maintenance of the lift 46 station, and advised that to date, the Public Works Department repaired nine water main breaks 47 and three service leaks due to the cold weather. He stated the Vehicle Maintenance Division City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 11, 2014 Page 4 1 provides maintenance and repair for all public works vehicles and City equipment, the City 2 Buildings Division assisted with City Hall improvement projects in the Administration area and 3 Police Department, and the Engineering Division assisted with the Silver Lake carp removal 4 project and is researching the possibility of retrofitting the City Hall parking lot lights with solar 5 and/or LED. He advised that the 2014 street and utility improvement project is located on 6 Penrod Lane from 36th to 37th, Edgemere Avenue from Penrod Lane to Chelmsford Road, and 7 Wendhurst Avenue from Penrod Lane to Chelmsford Road and this project is scheduled to start 8 around May 1St. He advised the City is also doing a major drainage improvement project at 9 Central Park consisting of a biofiltration basin that will reduce overall runoff and reduce 10 pollutants that end up in the Mirror Lake pond. He discussed the City's sustainability initiatives 11 and explained that a stone water mechanical separator will be installed near Highway 88 at 12 Lowry Avenue that will treat 600 acres of storm water runoff before reaching the Mississippi 13 River, adding this project was made possible through a grant from MWMO. He stated that the 14 Salo Park alum system goal is to remove 85% phosphorous or 27 pounds of phosphorous per 15 year from the stone water ponds before entering Silver Lake. He advised that staff is working on 16 the Regional Indicators Initiative to reduce the City's carbon footprint and find initiatives to 17 improve conservation and the Public Works Department continues to work on the Green Step 18 program with the goal of achieving a Step 4 level. He advised that the City's annual cleanup day 19 is Saturday, May P, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, curbside branch clipping is scheduled for 20 May 12 -14, hydrant flushing is scheduled for May 19 -23, and the 2014 Villagefest is scheduled 21 for August 1 -3. He thanked the City Council for its ongoing support and the ongoing support of 22 the City's other departments, adding it has always been the Public Works Department's mission 23 and focus to be proactive and provide services that meet and exceed expectations. 24 25 Councilmember Gray asked about the City's salt and sand use this winter and the budget. He 26 stated that the City receives a lot of compliments about its snow removal efforts and expressed 27 his thanks and appreciation to the Public Works staff. 28 29 Public Works Director Hartman replied that overall, salt use was slightly above average but 30 because of the need for additional ice control, the City used more sand and salt than normal, but 31 the City will likely not need to purchase additional salt this year. He advised that the budget is in 32 good shape and did not believe any adjustments would need to be made to the budget. 33 34 Councilmember Roth requested information about pothole repairs and when the City would be 35 able to begin filling potholes with a permanent patch. 36 37 Public Works Director Hartman advised that the Public Works Department started repairing 38 potholes with a temporary patch last week and during the next month they will begin gearing up 39 for permanent patches. 40 41 Councilmember Stille commended the Public Works staff for their snow plowing efforts and 42 keeping the equipment running this winter and for their efforts throughout the year. 43 44 Councilmember Jenson expressed thanks to the Public Works staff for everything they do for the 45 City. 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 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 11, 2014 Page 5 Mayor Faust commended the Public Works Department staff for their hard work and dedication. He also expressed a personal thank you to Public Works Director Hartman for all his efforts. VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL City Manager Casey reported that the Fire and Police Departments held a joint training exercise involving an active shooter. He commended staff for their commitment to training and working together to make the community a safer place. Councilmember Gray reported on his attendance at the March 6th North Suburban Communications Commission meeting. He stated the Commission received a proposal from Comcast for extension of the franchise agreement and the ten member cities will be invited to a meeting on April 17'h to review the proposal. He also reported on his attendance at the March 10th City Council work session and joint meeting with the Parks Commission. Councilmember Jenson reported on his attendance at the March 10'h City Council work session and joint meeting with the Parks Commission. Councilmember Roth reported on his attendance at the March 10th City Council work session and joint meeting with the Parks Commission. He also reported on his attendance at the March 2 "d Sister City meeting. He advised that FinnFest will be held the second weekend in August. Councilmember Stille reported on his attendance at the March 10th City Council work session and joint meeting with the Parks Commission. Mayor Faust reported on his attendance at the March 10th City Council work session and joint meeting with the Parks Commission. He also reported on his attendance at the March I Vh MWMO board meeting. 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. ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Hughes (Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, ATTEST: t14,14 t City Clerk Inc.) Mayor