08-11-10 CM MinutesCouncil/Manager Meeting Minutes
August 11, 2010
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 Burt Tracy, Director of Parks and Recreation Rick
Jacobson, Director of Fire and Inspection Services Mark Kuhnly, Director of Planning and
Development Mark Grimes and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman.
The meeting began at 6:30 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Solid Waste Study -Presentation from Environmental Commission
Rich Baker, Chair of Environmental Commission, was in attendance to discuss the solid
waste study process and report written by the Environmental Commission. He referred to
the report and discussed some of the highlights including: the cost of waste collection
services in other cities, statutory requirements, how other cities devoted their staff time to
waste management and some of the other expenses involved.
The Council referred to the City's Conservation Recycling Fund chart shown in the report
and asked why the costs of the Spring Brush Pickup and Fall Leaf Drop-off programs
increased in 2008 and 2009. Sue Virnig explained that the market for recyclables dropped
in 2009 so the City didn't get the rebate and had to pay the actual costs of collection.
Baker explained that the Environmental Commission would like to move ahead with the
study but at this point they would like to gauge public opinion through an open house or
survey process. He added that they would also like to get feedback from the City's
licensed waste haulers.
Tom Burt discussed the statutory requirements and stated that the whole process could
take approximately two years to complete. He reminded the Council that if they wish to go
forward with the study they must adopt a resolution of intent.
The Council consensus was to have the Environmental Commission clearly identify the
goals and intent of the study, and then to move toward having an open house or creating a
survey, prior to starting the statutory process, that would include the waste haulers.
Highway 55/Rhode Island Avenue North Access
The Council discussed MnDOT's response to staff's inquiry regarding the application of
Complete .Streets practices to the intersection of Highway 55 and Rhode Island Avenue.
Jeannine Clancy said one thing to consider is whether opening the intersection will have a
negative impact on the neighborhood south of TH55. She noted that if a development is
proposed in this location a traffic study would be required, but it is difficult at this point to
do a traffic study when there isn't a development proposed.
Mark Grimes discussed the density and the zoning and Comprehensive Plan designations
for the properties. The Council questioned the possibility of using Livable Community grant
dollars for a traffic study. They also suggested further discussing the zoning of the
properties.
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August 11, 2010 -Page 2
The Council consensus was to talk to the people at Livable Communities and get a cost
estimate for a traffic study before the properties are potentially rezoned and bring it back to
a future Council Manager meeting for discussion.
Residential Fence Permit Update
Mark Grimes stated that this issue was discussed at the June 8, 2010 Council/Manager
meeting and since that time staff has researched what other cities do regarding fence
permits. He discussed the approach regarding fence permit requirements and related fees
in other cities.
The Council discussed whether or not to require fence permits and if there should be a fee
for fence permits. Tom Burt said he could have staff research the AMM survey to help
decide the fee for fence permits and bring that information back to an upcoming
Council/Manager meeting.
Continuing Participation in the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act Local
Housing Incentives Account Program
The Council discussed the number of additional affordable and life-cycle housing units
called for under the program and where they could potentially be located. Mark Grimes
stated that the Comprehensive Plan addresses those issues in more detail.
The Council consensus was to continue participation in the Metropolitan Livable
Communities Act Local Housing Incentives Account Program.
Biennial 2011-2012 Proposed General Fund Budget
The Council reviewed the recommended the budget for Park and Recreation, Recreation
Programs, Community Center, Fire and Inspections, Council, City Manager, Transfers Out,
Administrative Services, Legal, Planning, Risk Management Insurance, General Fund
Revenues and Tax Impact as well as the 2011-2012 Capital Improvement projects for
equipment, buildings and parks. The Council asked questions and staff informed Council
on budget items including vehicle life span and replacement, generators, park equipment,
park and recreation programs, salaries, insurance premiums, long distance phone charges
and the deer management program.
The Council discussed reducing some of the Center for Energy and Environment
programs. Tom Burt noted that the City will continue Contractual Services with Home Free
Shelter but will eliminate the allocation to the YMCA in 2011 and 2012. He also stated that
the City has not entered into a partnership agreement with 3rd Lair this year.
Sue Virnig noted that most cities have gone to having one meeting, rather than two, for the
Truth in Taxation hearing process. She added that the budget will be formally presented to
the Council for determination of the maximum 2011 levy at the City Council meeting of
September 7, 2010. Council directed Staff to have one public hearing for the Truth in
Taxation.
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August 11, 2010 -Page 3
Bottineau Transitway
Council Member Pentel updated the Council on a Policy Advisory Committee (PAC)
meting she attended regarding the Bottineau Transitway study. She stated that if the
proposed D1 alignment through Golden Valley is chosen, the County will want a letter of
support from the Council fairly soon. The Council discussed the various alignments and
the lack of public input and information. They expressed reluctance to support the D1
alignment through Golden Valley without some sort of parking structure included in the
plans.
Planning Commission Vacancy
Mayor Loomis noted that there is a vacancy on the Planning Commission and asked the
Council if they would like to advertise for new members or re-assign some of the existing
commissioners. The Council supported re-assigning existing commissioners. Linda Loomis
will follow-up with appointments to occur in September.
Organizing Local Businesses
Mayor Loomis added this item to the agenda. She noted that the request to work with local
businesses to develop a local business council has been discussed in the past. She
recommended that the Council take the initiative and have some of its members clarify the
objectives of the initiative and identify a process to achieve the Council's objectives.
Council Member Scanlon and Shaffer indicated that they would like be involved and Mayor
Loomis suggested she would also be likely to participate.
The meeting adjourned at 9:12 pm.
Lisa Wittman
Administrative Assistant