06-09-15 CM Minutes Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2015
Present: Mayor Harris and Council Members, Clausen, Fonnest, Schmidgall and Snope,
City Manager Tom Burt, Physical Development Director Marc Nevinski, Finance Director
Sue Virnig, Fire Chief John Crelly, Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman, Attorney Office
Tom Garry, Administrative Assistant Judy Nally.
The meeting began at 6:30 pm in the Council Conference Room.
2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports
Bill Lauer from the auditing firm Malloy Montague Karnowski Radosevich & Co. was in
attendance to review the 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Management
Report and Special Purpose Audit Reports. He stated that they have issued an
unqualified, "clean" opinion on the City's financial statements.
Lauer reviewed highlights from the Management Report and noted that one on-going
finding is the limited segregation of duties in certain areas due to the small size of the
City's office staff.
There was one audit adjustment for an additional payable for $40,000 for engineering
costs for a street project for a 2015 project and work was done in 2014.
Single Family Residential (R-1) Side Setback Zoning Text Amendment
Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman reviewed a PowerPoint presentation which
highlighted the following areas: side yard setback, building envelope, side wall articulation,
proposed amended language, overview of previous amendments, side yard setbacks in
neighboring cities, concerns raised by City Council: restricted blockage of light and air,
simplify the City Code for better comprehension and administration, including diagrams;
allow attractive and functional home design, map showing properties in the R-1 zoning
district with a lot width at 35 foot setback, showed sample slides with graphs of homes and
setback requirements for lot width of 100, 80, 65 and 40 foot lot setbacks.
At the June 2, 2015 meeting the City Council continued discussion of the zoning text
amendment to the June 16, 2015 City Council meeting.
Administrative Citations
Burt reviewed the proposal to expand the use of administrative fines for all sections of the
City Code. The amendment also includes the use of an Administrative Hearing Officer for
any citation appeal.
Fire Chief John Crelly outlined the current process for use of citations in conjunction with
the residential property maintenance section of the City Code. Garry reviewed the
Administrative Hearing Officer appeal process.
The Council had questions regarding how the citations will apply to other sections of the
City Code, how will it be used in a non-discriminate manner, and process for working with
the residents on difficult issues.
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2015 — Page 2
The consensus of the Council was to place the proposed amendments on a future City
Council meeting for consideration.
Adoption of the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
Burt reviewed the history of the current maintenance code and how this will help in dealing
with residential and commercial property issues.
Fire Chief John Crelly reviewed a PowerPoint presentation which highlighted the following
areas: IPMC vs City Code, showed slides of residential, multiple-dwelling and commercial
properties where problems exist, reviewed rental property and licensing requirements,
residential property maintenance, international property maintenance code, how
department works with residents and commercial property owners, policing and zoning
elements. �
The Council inquired about conflict with code, level of enforcement, no point of sale
inspections (other than for sanitary sewer) and conflict resolution.
After discussion the consensus of the Council was support for the ordinance amendments
and to place the items on a future City Council meeting agenda for approval.
Peddler/Solicitor Licenses
Burt outlined the current City Code regulations, the current process for obtaining a license,
and regulations in surrounding cities. Burt stated the Police Department would issue the
licenses and recommended January 2016 effective date.
The Council discussed amending the City Code to clarify the language regarding
permitted hours for soliciting, requiring background checks, license requirements for profit
and non-profit organizations, wearing of badges, fees, license term, respect for "no
peddler/solicitor signs" and fine for police action required with the Police Department
issuing licenses.
Staff was requested to research and prepare an ordinance amendment for consideration
at a future City Council meeting.
Redevelopment of Winnetka/Highway 55 Intersection
Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman reviewed the history of the two southerly quadrants
at the intersection.
Burt stated that the southwest property was purchased with Federal LAWCON funds and
the property has to be preserved for open space forever.
Burt stated that if the Council wants to change the vision of the southeast property a public
engagement process should be conducted. If the Council wants to study the area funds
have to be put into the budget in 2016 or 2017.
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2015 — Page 3
After discussion by the Council the consensus was to review during the 2016 budget
process, adding funds to conduct a public engagement process and study for TH 55 from
Winnetka to Glenwood.
Planning Commission attend Government Training Service (GTS) Training
Council Member Fonnest proposed that the City provide training in zoning and planning
issues for the Planning Commission.
After discussion by the Council, staff was directed to contact GTS and/or the League of
Minnesota Cities to gather information for conducting training sessions. The training would
be available to Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Members and Staff. Some
of the issues for consideration are: cost of training, location, days, times and length of
training, and making training available to surrounding cities/staff to keep costs down.
Recognition of Diversity
Council Member Fonnest reviewed information in the community survey regarding the
diversity within the City and suggested the City discuss ways to inform and educate the
community about the changing demographics within the City. Staff prepared information
about the diversity in the community which was distributed to the Council.
The Council discussed various ways to educate the community about the demographics of
the city including articles in the city newsletter, website, requesting the Human Rights
Commission and/or Global Golden Valley to provide educational programs for the
community. The Council directed staff to request the Human Rights Commission explore
topics about educating, ideas to hetp celebrate the diverse demography in the community
in order to make the city a more welcoming.
Nice Ride Minnesota
Council Member Schmidgall reviewed his discussions with Nice Ride Minnesota to provide
locations within the City. Schmidgall stated they are expanding locations this season but
roll out new locations in the spring.
The Council discussed supporting locations within the City. Staff was directed to contact
the City of St. Louis Park and Nice Ride to discuss the possibility of a joint city effort to
provide future locations within both cities. The Council also discussed future expansions in
conjunction with trails, METRO Blue Line connections, parks, downtown business districts
and local companies.
Living In The Valley Events (LIVE)
At a previous Open Forum a representative from LIVE requested the Council consider
allowing their organization to advertise their events in the newsletter and website and
requested signage and traffic crossing assistance.
The Council discussed providing support for a non-city event and the consensus was to
not provide support for any of the events. The Council encouraged LIVE to contact the
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce and/or Golden Valley Business Council for support.
The City will place information about upcoming events on the Community Bulletin Board.
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2015 — Page 4
Board/Commission Vacancies
Tom Burt provided an updated list of the various board and commission vacancies and a
list of applicants available to fill them. The Council consensus was to appoint the
representatives to the Northwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission and the
Northwest Community TV Board of Directors at the next Council Meeting.
Staff was directed to contact the applicant interested in the Open Space and Recreation
Commission to see if he was still interested. The Council requested staff to place
information on the City website regarding the vacancies on the Human Services Fund and
Open Space and Recreation Commission if needed.
Staff informed the Council that since the City now has a liquor license at the Community
Center our insurance does not permit groups supplying their own alcohol. As a result, the
Mayor/Council can no longer provide beer and wine at the Recognition Dinner. A cash bar
will be available. The Council consensus was not to donate toward any purchase of
alcohol or pop.
Upcoming Meetings
Special Council/Manager Meeting - June 16, 2015 - 5 pm
City Council Meeting - June 16, 2015 - 6:30 pm
Police and Fire Open House - June 17, 2015 - 6 pm
Fire Relief Association Street Dance - June 20, 2015 - 5 pm
Special Council/Manager Meeting - June 29, 2015 - 4 pm
Special Council/Manager Meeting - July 13, 2015 - noon
Concert in the Park and Ice Cream Social - July 13, 2015 - 7 pm
The meeting adjourned at 9:42 pm.
Judy Nally
Administrative Assistant