03-08-11 CM Minutes Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2011
Present: Mayor Loomis and Council Members Freiberg, Pentel, Scanlon and Shaffer, City
Manager Tom Burt, Police Chief Stacy Altonen, Finance Director Sue Virnig, Director of
Public Works Jeannine Clancy, Director of Parks and Recreation Rick Jacobson, Graduate
Engineer Mitch Hoeft and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman.
The meeting began at 7:05 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Golden Valley Little League Fundraising for Honeywell Field Expansion
Golden Valley Little League President Peter Birkeland, stated that they have raised
approximately $35,000 of the $67,500 that they've committed to raise for their field
expansion project. He added that they feel they have an opportunity to raise additional
funds by selling naming rights to the park and/or fields.
Mayor Loomis expressed concern about selling naming rights because this property is a
city-owned park and typically City parks are named after historical figures. She suggested
possibly lending the money to the Little League instead. Tom Burt explained that if naming
rights were to be sold all of the proceeds would have to go to the City because no one can
profit from city property. He added that the Council will need to consider implications to all
of the parks and various organizations that may want naming rights when making their
decision.
Council Member Scanlon asked about other fundraisers the Little League has done. Chris
Hiestand, Golden Valley Little League Fundraising, explained that they have talked to
other corporations, have applied for grants and will be selling pavers. He stated that they
are optimistic about raising the $67,500 by July and suggested that funds from naming
rights could go toward a possible phase two of the project for lights, concession stands or
restrooms.
The Council consensus was that they are more likely to support allowing naming rights for
the fields, than for the park. They suggested that the Little League come back to a future
Council/Manager meeting with a detailed proposal that addresses the Council's concerns
over naming rights.
Formation of Golden Valley Community Foundation
Dean Penk of the Envision Connection Board of Directors provided an update to the
Council regarding the work the committee has been doing to develop a community
foundation in order to help raise, collect and disburse funds to various community groups.
He explained that when disbursing funds they will use established criteria, consistent with
Envision Golden Valley core ideas. He added that they plan to file the incorporation papers
with the State within the next month or so. The Council thanked Mr. Penk and the
committee for all of their hard work.
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) Interceptor Rehabilitation
Project
Jeannine Clancy introduced Karen Keenan and Seng Thongvanh from MCES to update
the Council on the status of the 1-GV-461 Interceptor Rehabilitation Project.
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2011 — Page 2
Ms. Keenan showed the Council a map of the project area. She discussed how the project
will be implemented including temporary conveyance of wastewater, street and driveway
impacts, tree impacts, traffic control, road closures/disturbances and site restoration. She
also discussed the communication plans and how residents will be notified before work
begins. Clancy added that staff will keep the City Council updated in the Weekly Report
and that residents will be contacting Metropolitan Council staff rather than City staff with
questions or concerns.
Reconsidering of Amendment to Section 10.30, Regarding Discontinuance of Dog
Licensing Requirement (Except for Dangerous and Potentially Dangerous Dogs)
Council Member Pentel stated that she asked that this item be brought back for
discussion. She said after hearing from more residents it started to make sense to
discontinue dog licensing because the fee the City collects doesn't offset the cost of the
licenses, dogs are commonly identified using a microchip rather than license information
and there is already a requirement to have vaccination information on the dog's tags.
The Council discussed compliance and enforcement issues, the number of licenses
issued, the number of dogs impounded last year and the expense to keep licenses up to
date. They also discussed the public purpose of having a licensing requirement. Stacy
Altonen stated that the advance in the technology of microchips make them far more
prevalent than licenses. She added that the issue isn't really about compliance but that
licenses are not the main way staff identifies dogs and that the existing process is not cost
effective. Council Members Shaffer and Freiberg expressed concern about discontinuing
the dog license requirement.
Tom Burt said he would bring a new ordinance without the licensing provisions to a future
City Council meeting.
December 2010 Financial Reports
Sue Virnig referred to the December 2010 financial reports compared to the 2010
adopted/estimated budget and stated that staff is recommending a total of$900,000 be
transferred out of the general fund as follows: $300,000 to the employee benefits fund and
$600,000 to the equipment replacement fund. The Council agreed with the proposed
transfers. Virnig indicated that the resolution would be placed on the agenda of the next
regular Council meeting for formal consideration by the Council.
Interest Rate for 2011 Pavement Management Program (PMP) Special Assessments
Sue Virnig reminded the Council that they directed staff to review the interest rate charged
for special assessments to consider adding 2% to the bond interest rate. Council agreed to
use a 6% interest rate for the 2011 PMP based on the estimated rate provided by
Springsted. Virnlg stated that the call for the Special Assessment Public Hearing will be on
the next regular Council meeting agenda
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Lisa Wittman
Administrative Assistant