11-10-09 CM Minutes
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2009
Present: Mayor Loomis and Council Members Freiberg, Pentel, Scanlon and Shaffer, City
Manager Tom Burt, Finance Director Sue Virnig, Director of Parks and Recreation Rick
Jacobson, Public Works Director Jeannine Clancy and City Planner Joe Hogeboom. Also
present was Brent Rusco from Hennepin County.
The meeting began at 6:35 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Bottineau Transitway Alternatives Analysis Study - Alternative Evaluation Results
Presentation
Joe Hogeboom introduced Brent Rusco from Hennepin County to present the results of the
Bottineau Transitway Alternatives Analysis Study which looked at the long term mass transit
options for the Bottineau transit corridor which runs mostly along County Road 81.
Rusco presented the results of the Bottineau Transitway Alternatives Study. He went over
the context of the study, the 21 alternative concepts they've analyzed, the results of the
evaluation process, and the public involvement process. He showed a map of the 2030
Transitway System Plan for the metropolitan area and discussed how important the
Bottineau corridor is to the system. He showed the Council several maps of segment
alternatives and discussed several different alignments and station locations.
Rusco answered questions from the Council and Staff about the possible locations of
stations and parking and access concerns along TH 55 and Golden Valley Road. Rusco
discussed the next steps in the study completion process and invited Golden Valley to
become part of the Policy Advisory Committee. Pentel volunteered to be on the Policy
Advisory Committee.
The Council excused themselves for an executive session to receive a status report on a
civil lawsuit, Mr. & Mrs. Steven Dargi vs. City of Golden Valley. They were absent from
7:45 pm to 8:15 pm.
2010 General Fund Budget and Tax Levy
Sue Virnig explained that this item is on the agenda in order to discuss the Home Free
Shelter service agreement and the YMCA service agreement. Tom Burt stated that the 2010
budget is proposing to give half of the 2009 amount to Home Free Shelter ($10,000) and the
YMCA ($12,500). The Council agreed that they would like to support Home Free Shelter
and the YMCA as presented in the 2009 budget and continue to make funding decisions
year-by-year as funds allow.
2010-2014 Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Sue Virnig explained that the CIP is on the agenda for preliminary review and would come
back to the Council at its December Council/Manager Meeting with recommendations from
the Planning Commission, which will review it November 23.The Council asked questions
about various projects. She pointed out that in 2011 to make the budget balance the transfer
to the building fund had to be lowered. She discussed the Market Value Homestead Credit
and noted that if the City loses that credit $360,000 will have to be cut from the budget in
2011.
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November 10, 2009 - Page 2
Virnig referred to the water and sewer section of the CIP and recommended that the
conservation rate not kick-in until the use of 80,000 gallons per quarter due to the Pavement
Management Program and the need for residents to assist with watering their new sod. The
Council agreed with the recommendation.
The Council discussed possible grant opportunities and costs for the Douglas Drive
improvements. They also discussed the schedule and costs of replacing equipment and
ways to reduce the City's "carbon footprint". Tom Burt explained that staff is working on
writing a vehicle replacement policy which will address length of vehicle and equipment
service, maintenance, operation and funding. Council Member Pentel asked if staff could
provide a list of the City's entire fleet of vehicles how Golden Valley's fleet compares to other
comparable sized cities.
Burt referred to the parks section of the CIP and explained that delaying the replacement of
park equipment is an option the Council could consider. Shaffer recommended delaying the
purchase of new park/playground equipment for one year. Rick Jacobson stated that if the
purchase is delayed he recommends that there be adequate funding available for the
maintenance of park and playground equipment. There was discussion about ADA
improvements that are made concurrent with trail and playground rehabilitation and
replacement.
There was discussion regarding the Douglas Drive Corridor improvements and configuring
the streets to three lanes. Burt explained that there has been some very preliminary
concepts prepared on this issue in conjunction with the planning study, but it has not yet
been decided.
Use of Tax Exempt Status and Exemption of Issuance Fee
Sue Virnig explained that LOGIS has requested the use of the City's tax exempt status to sell
bonds and waive the issuance fee for the purchase of public safety software and related
equipment. The Council discussed how waiving the fee will help defray costs to member
cities. Virnig discussed the bank qualified amounts had increased to 30 million for 2010 and
would not have to pay additional interest costs for this issue. Burt added that there is no risk
to the City in doing this. The Council agreed to have LOGIS bring forward its request for use
of the City's tax exempt status with a request to waive the issuance fee.
Board/Commission Leave of Absence Policy
Mayor Loomis explained this issue has come up because a commission member has
requested a leave of absence due to a recent surgery. She stated that in the past the Council
has denied leaves of absences because it is not fair to keep open positions available and it
causes issues in obtaining a quorum. They discussed implementing a policy in the future
regarding leaves of absences and interim members. The Council agreed that the
commission member requesting the leave should be asked to resign and reapply at a later
date.
Festoon Lighting
The Council discussed bringing back the festoon lights on the trees in the downtown area.
Tom Burt explained that there is approximately $6,000 to $7,000 worth of work that would
need to be done to put the lights back up. Jeannine Clancy suggested possibly focusing on
the arbors in this area instead of the entire streetscape. The Council discussed the idea of
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November 10, 2009 - Page 3
implementing a special business improvement or tax district in this area and agreed to put
together a plan to possibly install something seasonal at the arbors next year.
Xcel Energy Request to Install Overhead Utilities - Country Club Drive/Portion of
Douglas Drive
Jeannine Clancy explained that the City received an application for a right-of-way permit
from Xcel Energy to install additional overhead utilities and poles on Country Club Drive and
on a portion of Douglas Drive. Staff denied the application because the City's right-of-way
management ordinance states that reconstruction of existing facilities must be located and
maintained underground. Xcel has indicated that they would like to proceed with the design
and installation of the project however, they believe they have the right to recover the costs
for anything that is considered to be nonstandard construction which they consider
underground utilities to be. Xcel believes the underground construction should be paid
directly by the City or through a facilities surcharge or franchise fee. Clancy asked the
Council if they would like to 1) consider amending the City's right-of-way ordinance to allow
Xcel to construct the utilities above ground; 2) if they are willing to consider financial
payment to Xcel for incremental cost to place the overhead utilities underground or 3) refuse
to authorize the permit for overhead work and refuse to authorize payment for underground
work in which case the matter would most likely be considered by the Public Utilities
Commission (PUC) which could authorize a citywide surcharge to pay for the costs
associated with the nonstandard construction.
The Council discussed other communities' right-of-way ordinances, why parts of the utilities
in this area are already underground, why Xcel is requesting new service for their customers
and the need for Xcel and the City to work with customers on reducing their energy needs.
The Council further discussed the options of having a citywide surcharge or franchise fee
and other options to get the power to this area. They decided they were reluctant to
implement a franchise fee for this proposed project and would rather have the issue go
before the PUC. The Council directed staff to bring this item to the next City Council meeting
to take formal action.
The meeting adjourned at 9:28 pm.
Lisa Wittman
Administrative Assistant