02-14-17 Council/Manager Minutes 2I OFFICAL MINUTES
c�onCOUNCIL/MANAGER MEETING
valley GOLDEN VALLEY, MINNESOTA
February 14, 2017
The meeting began at 6:30 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Present: Mayor Harris and Council Members: Clausen, Fonnest, Schmidgall and Snope.
Also present were: City Manager Cruikshank, Fire Chief Crelly, Finance Director Virnig,
Assistant City Manager Knauss, Planning Manager Zimmerman and Administrative Assistant
Nally.
1. Golden Valley Fire Relief Association By-Laws Amendments
Fire Relief Association Board Members Mr. Steve Yingst and Mr. Dominique Guzman
discussed the mission, historic municipal contributions and retirement benefits levels of the
Fire Relief Association. They asked Council to consider increasing the benefit level from
$7,750 to $8,000. Ms. Virnig answered questions from Council regarding the pension
funding.
The Council discussed the proposed amendments and the consensus was to support the
increase this year but to have the Fire Relief Association provide additional information on
the pension plan if they come back for an another increase next year. The resolution to
amend the by-laws to increase the yearly pension benefit will be brought forth at the
February 21 st Council Meeting.
2. Outdoor Storage
Planning Manager Zimmerman reviewed the staff report regarding the discussions with the
Planning Commission on the topic of outdoor storage. He said the conversations led to two
main issues with one being auto dealership inventory and the other one is residential front
yard storage. Mr. Zimmerman reviewed the current Zoning Code regulations regarding
outdoor storage and the required screening for the storage areas. He said that staff is
requesting guidance in order to work with the Planning Commission to prepare the
appropriate Zoning Code text amendments for outdoor storage and screening, to make it
easier to understand and implement, and to bridge the gap between the Zoning and the
Property Maintenance Codes.
The Council discussed the outdoor storage of vehicles, items in residential yards, and
screening options that may be used.
The consensus was to go forward to try to bridge the gap between the Property Maintenance
and Zoning Code, to bring it to the Planning Commission for review and then to a Council
meeting.
3. Employee Handbook Updates
Assistant City Manager Knauss reviewed the proposed employee handbook updates and stated
the changes were needed due to State Law, City practices and for a more efficient operation.
She said the majority of changes were due to the enactment of the Women's Economic Security
Act (WESA). She also discussed the proposed changes to the sections regarding the regular
and part-time employee definition and the car allowance and answered questions from Council.
Official Council/Manager Minutes -2- February 14, 2017
3. Employee Handbook Updates - continued
Manager Cruikshank answered questions from Council regarding the proposed employee
handbook updates.
The Council had questions regarding the updates to the regular part-time employee definition
and how this would effect Brookview Community Center employment and the budget.
The Council consensus was to go forward with the various sections updates due to the
enactment of WESA and the car allowance but to not go forward with the definition of regular
part-time employee update.
4. Council Items:
4a. Council Salaries
Finance Director Virnig explained that the City Code provides for the Council to review and
consider amending Mayor and Council salaries every two years. Staff provided a survey of
salaries of elected officials in other metropolitan cities. The Council discussed the proposed
salary increases.
The Council consensus was to bring forward the ordinance to the February 21St Council
meeting.
4b. Meeting Reimbursements
The Council discussed the proposed assignments of the Council Members eligible for
reimbursement in 2017 and the consensus was to bring forward the list of meeting
reimbursements to the February 21 st Council meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm
ATTEST: Shep rd M. Harris, Mayor
1a
Kri tine A. Luedke, City Clerk