2005.09.07 CC Minutes - Open Meeting Law

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City Council meeting of September 6, 2005 Page 5 and Mike and Catherine Anderson for the sale of their restaurant and old antique store, in the amount of $687,000. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON REQUEST FOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTION SERVICES In June 2005, staff presented to Council a proposal for consideration whereby the City would contract out directly with an electrical inspection contractor. The current electrical inspection services are provided by the State of Minnesota through an electrical inspection contractor. Council directed City staff to review this issue and include a consideration for a Request for Proposals, whereby the City would receive other proposals instead of the single proposal received from a subcontractor, who provides electrical inspection services in the greater Hugo area. Granger made motion, Haas seconded, directing staff to proceed with the development and publishing of a Request for Proposal for electrical inspection services as an alternative to the current contract services provided through the State of Minnesota. All aye. Motion Carried. APPROVE 2006 PRELIMINARY TAX LEVY As Council is aware, a preliminary property tax levy must be certified to Washington County no later than September 15, 2005. At its budget workshop held on Wednesday, August 31, 2005, Council agreed to set the tax levy payable in 2006 at a maximum of $3,771,811. Council has the authority to reduce, but not increase, the final levy after receiving public input in December. Staff announced that the preliminary tax levy will not increase the urban tax rate. This flat tax rate is the result of Council's desire to use the increase in taxable market value to balance the City's operating budget. This tax rate also preserves the 7% tax rate reduction enacted by Council in 2004. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-52 APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY TAX LEVY PAYABLE IN 2006 AT $3,771.811. VOTING AYE: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Motion Carried. APPROVE PROPOSAL FROM LANDFORM FOR MULTI -FAMILY DESIGN GUIDELINES At its June 20, 2005 meeting, Council discussed a proposal for the development of multi -family design guidelines. After discussion between staff and the Planning Commission regarding the strong interest to have standard quality design guidelines, Council directed staff to prepare a Scope of Services proposal from the City's consultant, Landform, for this service. City Planner Kendra Lindahl prepared a Professional Services Proposal for the development of the multi -family design guidelines and presented an overview of the proposal, which includes a number of public meetings, as well as the development guidelines. The proposal includes a total cost of $11,110 and Council requested staff continue efforts to find grant money to help fund the project.