HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 03252014I
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CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 25 , 2014
CALL TO ORDER.
Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLLCALL.
Present:
Absent:
Also Present:
Guest:
Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Gray, Jenson, Roth and Stille.
None.
City Manager Mark Casey, Police Chief John Ohl , and Liquor Operations Manager
Mike Larson.
Shelly Eldridge (Ehlers & Associates).
CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
ITEMS.
I. APPROVAL OF MARCH 25, 2014, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
Mayor Faust requested that agenda item VI.C. be heard before agenda item VI.B.
Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Council member Jenson, to approve the City
Council Meeting Agenda of March 25 , 2014, as amended.
Motion carried unanimously.
33 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS -NONE.
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35 III.
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46 IV.
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48 V.
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50 VI.
CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Consider March II, 2014, Council meeting minutes;
B. Consider licenses and permits; and
C. Consider payment of claims.
Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to approve the Consent
Agenda items.
Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING -NONE.
REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF -NONE.
GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
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2 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 25, 2014
Page 2
A. Resolution 14-026; Resolution Relating to $2.070.000 General Obligation Improvement
Bonds, Series 20 14A; Awarding the Sale, Fixing the Form and Details and Providing for
the Execution and Delivery Thereof and Security Therefor and Levying Ad Valorem for
the Payment Thereof. Shelly Eldridge, Ehlers & Associates, presenting.
Mayor Faust introduced Ms. Shelly Eldridge from Ehlers & Associates.
Ms. Eldridge explained that on February 25 , 2014 , the City Council called for the sale of
$2 ,070,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds to pay for the 2014 street projects and the
City received four bids with Northland Securities , Inc., the winning bidder with a true interest
rate of2.7421%. She advised that the bidding was tight with the second and third bids were
within ten basis points of the lowest bid and they believe this is reflective of the market today.
She stated that the principal amount did not change but the net proceeds increased by $37 ,000
because the City received a premium bid and the premium can be used to pay the interest rate
down or it can be used for additional project costs. She advised that the City opted to keep the
premium bid and if the funds are not needed for project costs, the funds can go into the debt
service fund to pay interest and principal. She advised that the market has been soft for
municipal bonds and there has not been a lot of demand for bonds and they believe that getting
four bids is representative of the current demand in the market.
Councilmember Stille requested confirmation that the City would add the premium to the
contingency fund for the 2014 street proj ect and the extra money used to pay down the debt.
City Manager Casey replied that this was correct.
Motion by Councilmember Roth, seconded by Councilmember Gray , to approve Resolution 14-
026 ; a Resolution Relating to $2,070 ,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds , Series
2014A; Awarding the Sale , Fixing the Form and Details and Providing for the Execution and
Delivery Thereof and Security Therefor and Levying Ad Valorem for the Payment Thereof,
awarding the winning bid to Northland Securities, Inc., at an interest rate of2.7421%.
Motion carried unanimously.
C. 2013 Police Department Annual Report. John Ohl, Police Chief, presenting.
Police Chief Ohl presented the Police Department 2013 Annual Report and discussed how being
a good citizen affects quality law enforcement because the Police Department relies on its
citizens to help them in their efforts and this relationship revolves around trust and citizen
engagement. He stated there were 407 Part I crimes in 2013, an increase of 32 crimes and all
were attributable to gas station drive-offs, adding that the Police Department is working with the
gas stations on a better system to deal with drive-offs and they are making some progress. He
stated there were nine additional Part" crimes in 2013 and noted that there was a significant
decrease in criminal damage to property crimes. He stated the Police Department responded to
6 ,482 calls for service in 2013 with 317 calls regarding suspicious parties, 48 domestics , 149
disturbance calls, and 138 alarms . He reminded residents that the Police Department always
encourages residents to call 911 and the Police Department enjoys taking those calls. He advised
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 25 , 2014
Page 3
that the Police Department wrote over 3 ,000 citations in 2013 with 396 for non-moving
violations; in addition , the Police Department made over one thousand arrests and had a total of
623 criminal cases in 2013 and cleared 305 of those cases for a clearance rate of 59%. He noted
the Police Department investigates all criminal offenses and the clearance rates are quite high
compared to other averages in the metro area. He stated the Police Department puts a lot of
effort into training and this training keeps everyone on task and keeps the officers motivated and
brings a high quality product to residents. He stated the Police Department is currently
conducting interviews for Police Reserves and stated the Reserves are a great asset to the City
who volunteered a total of 3 ,635 hours during 2013. He stated the Police Department conducts a
number of educational programs that provide opportunities for residents to engage with the
Police Department, including Night to Unite, the Summer Survival School, Cops versus Kids
basketball , and the Citizen 's Academy . He stated the Police Department has a culture of service
and engagement and he thanked the citizens of St. Anthony for engaging with the Police
Department and helping the officers do their jobs.
Councilmember Gray thanked Police Chief Ohl for emphasizing the importance of calling 911
and stated these calls are a significant part of the City 's crime prevention efforts in combination
with the outstanding police force. He requested further information about the changes in
technology over the last couple of years.
Police Chief Ohl advised that the Police Department has a new records management system and
is using an e-citation system that automatically sends citations to Hennepin and Ramsey
Counties and that system self-populates into the Police Department's records management
system. He added there have also been a lot of technical advancements within the County
Attorney 's office and everything is submitted electronically.
Council member Gray expressed thanks to Police Chief Ohl and his entire staff for the wonderful
job they do in keeping the community safe.
Councilmember Stille expressed thanks and appreciation to Police Chief Ohl and the members of
the Police Department.
Council member Jenson stated he appreciated the fact that the Police Department reaches out to
serve the community and thanked Police Chief Ohl and the entire Department for their efforts.
Mayor Faust encouraged residents to read the Police Department's 2013 Annual Report and
recited an excerpt from one of the letters received by the Police Department thanking the officers
for their assistance. He stated he has heard positive comments about the Police Department's
relationship with its citizens from residents in Falcon Heights and Lauderdale, as well as from
other councilmembers and city managers. He expressed thanks to Police Chief Ohl and the
entire Police Department.
B. 2013 Liquor Department Annual Report. Mike Larson, Liquor Operations Manager,
presenting .
Liquor Operations Manager Larson presented the 2013 Liquor Operations Annual Report and
stated the Liquor Operations mission statement is to control the sale of alcohol to intoxicated
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 25 , 2014
Page 4
VII.
person and minors. He advised that they have added a vision statement that states the St.
Anthony Village Wine and Spirits brand is committed to providing a unique retail environment
that is based on excellent customer service, product selection, competitive pricing, while
providing safe, bright and clean stores that drive long term customer loyalty. He stated that
profits generated from liquor sales is used to reduce the property tax levy and pay for other
projects with over $2.4 million being contributed over the la st fi v e years. He stated that the 2013
mid-year projection showed projected sales of $6.9 million and y ear-end sales ended up at
$6.972 million. He stated that the 2013 mid-year projection of net income was $494,000 and the
year-end figure came in at $503,000. He advised that they conducted alcoholic beverage server
training as well as store security training with the Police Department and they passed all
compliance checks for alcohol and tobacco. He stated they conducted three physical inventory
counts resulting in adjustments of ($3, I 00), adding that with $6.9 million in sales and a
significant amount of product coming and going, he is very happy with that result. He reported
that they were the winner of the Lillie Suburban Newspapers Readers Choice Awards for best
wine and best beer selection and the website had 6 ,300 visits in the past two months. He
discussed 2013 events and stated they will be holding the spring wine event on Saturday, April
12th . He also discussed the proposed legislation allowing Sunday liquor sales and stated they are
monitoring this legislation. He stated that the Liquor Operations Department has held two goal-
setting meetings with staff in 2014 and they plan to do a facilities assessment on the liquor store
buildings because they are approaching the ten-year anniversary in these buildings. He then
introduced Assistant Liquor Operations Manager Kevin Morelli.
Councilmember Jenson expressed appreciation for the contributions made to the City from liquor
sales and was pleased that they added a vision statement that helps set their direction and enables
them to make progress on their goals. He stated the Liquor Operations staff in the stores are
always courteous and friendly and put a good face on the City'S operations.
Councilmember Gray expressed thanks to Liquor Operations Manager Larson, Assistant Liquor
Operations Manager Morelli, and the entire staff and stated they have created a great culture of
service.
Mayor Faust commented on the proposed Sunday sales legislation and stated it was important to
think about whether this legislation is going to increase sales or just take six days of sales and
spread it over seven days, thereby increasing the City'S operational costs. He felt that the cost of
being open on Sundays far outweighs the convenience of being open on Sundays, but if the
legislation passes , the City will rise to the occasion.
Councilmember Stille commended Liquor Operations Manager Larson for taking the time with
his staff to go through the goal-setting process.
Mayor Faust expressed the City Council 's thanks and appreciation to Liquor Operations
Manager Larson and his entire staff and stated their efforts do not go unnoticed .
REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
City Manager Casey reported that staff has been working with the School District and parents at
Wilshire to put together a draft plan as part of the Safe Routes to School grant and the draft plan
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C ity Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 25 , 2014
Page 5
will be available for viewing on Monday, May 5th , at 6:00 p.m. at Wilshire Elementary. He
added that the plan will be presented to the City Council for approval and further information
will be available on the City 's website.
Councilmember Jenson reported on his attendance at the March 24th joint meeting with the City
Council and Planning Commission. He also reported that he will be participating in three
strategic planning sessions with the School District and the first session will be on March 27th .
Councilmember Roth reported on his attendance at the March 24th joint meeting with the City
Council and Planning Commission.
Councilmember Stille reported on his attendance at the March 24th joint meeting with the City
Council and Planning Commission and noted this joint meeting was held specifically to present
the strategic plan.
Councilmember Gray -no report.
Mayor Faust reported on his attendance at the March l7'h meeting with Rep. Ellison and
representatives from the immigration service to discuss the new law that protects non-residents
who have witnessed criminal activity or are victims of a crime and encourages non -residents to
come forward without fear of deportation. He advised that Mr. Tom Miller retired on March 20th
after 34 years with Berger Transfer and congratulated him on his retirement and thanked him for
his service to the Kiwanis and Chamber of Commerce. He also reported on his attendance at the
March 24th joint meeting with the City Council and Planning Commission.
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 8:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Hughes (TimeSaver OjJSite Secretarial, Inc .)
ATTEST: W~tiu
City Clerk
Mayor