01-13-09 CM Minutes
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2009
Present: Mayor Loomis and Council Members Freiberg, Pentel, Scanlon and Shaffer.
City Manager Tom Burt, Finance Director Sue Virnig, Public Works Director Jeannine
Clancy, Public Works Maintenance Manager Bert Tracy, City Planner Joe Hogeboom
and Assistant City Manager Jeanne Andre.
The meeting began at 6:45 pm in the Council Conference Room.
2009 Legislative Policies
The Council reviewed its 2009 Legislative Policies with Representative Lyndon Carlson
and Senator Ron Latz. The policies are similar to those adopted in 2008, but have been
prioritized differently. A study of fiscal disparities is the top priority. Rep. Carlson
suggested that the City work with Hennepin County on fiscal disparities as changes to
the law have been a County priority in the past. The legislators suggested that the City
work with the Metropolitan Council on Inflow and Infiltration issues, as this agency sets
the rules. They asked staff to send a copy of shovel-ready projects which Golden Valley
submitted to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Lighting Request for Laurel Avenue Trails
Jeannine Clancy reported that Anita and Ben Kramer wrote a letter requesting better
street lighting on Laurel Avenue and the adjacent trail system. Clancy noted that most
street lights in Golden Valley are initiated through a street light petition process and are
paid for by the benefiting properties. As this area is not adjacent to residential streets, it
is not suitable for the petition process. The Council asked staff to identify the cost of
installing street lights at Hampshire and Florida and Laurel Avenue and place this
project on a list of projects for future consideration.
Winter Sidewalk and Trail Maintenance Policy
Jeannine Clancy reviewed the memo in the agenda packet outlining the current system
for plowing sidewalks and trails. She noted that priority one and two facilities are
generally cleared on the same day and priority three facilities on the following day. A
snow event involves almost all of her crew, with those not participating available for
water main breaks or to fill in for sick or vacationing employees. Therefore it is very
difficult to add areas for clearance. Tom Burt reported that staff is creating a list of
citizen requests for service that impact the budget for the Council to review in the next
budget cycle. Council does not support clearing additional trails or sidewalks at this
time.
Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy
Jeannine Clancy explained that the City's long-standing process for snow plowing and
ice control was recently memorialized in a document titled Snow Plowing and Ice
Control Policy, dated January 13, 2009. Council Members reviewed the policy and did
not suggest revisions. Tom Burt indicated that the policy would be placed on the agenda
of the next Regular Council Meeting for formal consideration by the Council.
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2009 - Page 2
2009 Utility Billing Fee Schedule
Sue Virnig reviewed the staff report outlining proposed rate changes for water, sanitary
sewer and street lighting, to take effect in April of 2009. Water and sewer rate changes
are necessary to cover increases in wholesale charges to the City. Street lighting rate
increases are necessary to keep the ratio of charges to benefiting property at
approximately 50 percent. This ratio had dropped to 33 percent. She distributed
information on water consumption and Section 103G.291 of state statutes that requires
the City to move to conservation rates for water service (charges increase as usage
increases) in 2010. The proposed rate increases were included in the 2009 budget
documents.
The meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.
Jeanne Andre
Assistant City Manager