09-10-08 CM Minutes
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2008
Present: Mayor Loomis and Council Members Pentel, Scanlon and Shaffer. City
Manager Tom Burt, Finance Director Sue Virnig, Public Works Director Jeannine
Clancy, Park and Recreation Director Rick Jacobson, Golf Course Manager Ben Disch,
Chief of Fire and Inspections Mark Kuhnly and Assistant City Manager Jeanne Andre.
The meeting began at 6:30 pm in the Council Conference Room.
2008 Pavement Management - 4911 33rd Avenue North
Mayor Loomis explained that the property owner at this address has concerns about his
driveway that she deemed of a policy nature, so she invited him to discuss the issue
with the City Council at the Council/Manager Meeting. The property owner has
suggested that he would rather address the Council at the next Open Forum instead.
Revised Verizon Wireless Antenna Request
Jeannine Clancy explained that Verizon has asked to continue the discussion started at
the August Council/Manager Meeting regarding its request to lease space on the
Golden Valley water tower for an antenna, and lease adjacent land to construct a
control building. Instead of a stand-alone building, Verizon is now requesting to place
controls in a building constructed as an addition to the Vehicle Maintenance Building.
The addition would be compatible in design and materials with the existing building.
After some discussion the Council directed staff to open negotiations on this request,
with the understanding that the antenna lease would be with the Joint Water
Commission and the land lease would be with the City of Golden Valley. Staff should
additionally negotiate terms that assure the building quality, aesthetics and maintenance
and consider oversizing the building to accommodate City functions.
2009 Proposed Budget - Other Funds
Council Members asked questions about the proposed Golf, Motor Vehicle Licensing
and Human Services Foundation budgets. Ben Disch discussed some of his ideas to
celebrate Brookview's 40th Anniversary as a municipal course and options for increasing
rounds on the golf course.
Building Department - Storm/Staffing Budget
Tom Burt explained that the Building Department hired a temporary inspector this spring
to help out with the significant increase in inspections caused by the large hail storm.
The number of inspections continues to be high this fall so Burt plans to retain this
inspector until the number of inspections drops off later in the year. These additional
hours were not budgeted and will require a budget amendment by the Council later this
year. The Council concurred with this approach.
Replacement of Brookview Community Center
Tom Burt outlined information staff compiled to help the Council decide on how to
proceed to replace the Brookview Community Center. Staff outlined financing options
and suggested using a task force to help with the process and hiring an architect to help
develop options. The Council suggested it would like to have a task force work with an
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2008 - Page 2
architect to define the program needs and when this information is ready, have the
Council address the appropriate financing option(s).
The Council brainstormed on appropriate representation on the proposed Task Force.
Some ideas for membership included representatives of the Open Space and
Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Courage Center, seniors, golf,
staff/program instructors, Golden Valley Orchestra, civic groups such as the Federated
Women's Club, Rotary or Moms' Club, and citizens at large. The Council asked staff to
draft a letter of invitation for it to review. The Council will recommend candidates from
the various interest areas who could be invited to get involved. Tom Burt suggested that
the Task Force could be recruited in the fall, anticipating that it would start work in the
winter and complete its work by the end of the year. Staff will also work on a Request
for Proposals for architectural services.
Other Issues
A number of other issues were discussed at the meeting.
New Hope Letter Regarding Ice Rink Improvements - Mayor Loomis reported that
she had received a letter from the Mayor of New Hope requesting surrounding cities to
contribute to the cost of refurbishing the New Hope ice rink. She noted that she will
have the Council receive and file the letter at its next meeting and place it on the next
Council/Manger Meeting for discussion.
Recognition of Retiring Judges - Sue Virnig noted that some judges of very long
tenure with the City will be retiring this year and suggested that they should be
recognized. The Council supported this idea.
Recognition of Olympic Athlete - A number of Council Members noted that a Golden
Valley resident has recently won a number of medals at the Para-Olympics and
suggested that staff look into recognizing her accomplishments.
The meeting adjourned at 8 pm.
Jeanne Andre
Assistant City Manager