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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.15.07 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES PRE-MEETING OCTOBER 15, 2007 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Soderberg at 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: Soderberg, Fogarty, McKnight, Pritzlaff, Wilson None Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; Peter Herlofsky, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director; Lisa Shadick, Administrative Services Director; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Kevin Schorzman, Assistant City Engineer; Jen Collova, Natural Resources Specialist; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant 2. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by McKnight, second by Fogarty to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr. Colin Garvey, Castle Rock Development, stated he has been trying to resolve an issue since last December regarding 225th Street and TH3. In his development contract and his plans, nothing was required for TH3. There were numerous meetings and nothing was said. In December 2006, $150,000 was held from his letter of credit to upgrade TH3. That was brought up because of the CDA project. He wants the issue resolved quickly. He has been more than patient. He has been charged by engineering each time he comes to a meeting. It took four months to get his letter of credit reduced. Each time a different engineering person is sent and he is charged for it. That is not the proper way to do business and it costs a lot of money. Last week he called the Castle Rock engineer and they also had meetings and nothing was required for TH3. He spoke with Tom Kaldunski and has it in writing at the pre-con, which was required by Castle Rock, and he told them there were no turn lanes required for this project. This has gone on for almost a year. December was the first time money was held from his letter of credit. If that was part of his agreement, it should have been held from the start, not the last letter of credit reduction on the project. They are done except for trees and minor items. On February 28,2007, he was told by engineering they did not have any documentation back from the state. There was another meeting on March 14,2007 with Mr. Garvey and his attorney. In 2005 there were comments back from the state addressed to engineering. These projects are hard enough and he does not appreciate being lied to. He would like to be reimbursed for the cost of the meetings with interest. In any of his projects, if something is required, he has done it. He has tried to work with staff, but it is taking too long. He thought the letter of credit was reduced to $35,000, now he finds out there is another meeting. Council Minutes (Pre-Meeting) October 15, 2007 Page 2 Mayor Soderberg noted there is an update on this item on the agenda and wanted to obtain information from staff. Council directed staff to provide Mr. Garvey with a written response. 4. COUNCIL REVIEW OF AGENDA Councilmember Fogarty asked about the gambling premise permit for the Eagle's Club. This is their bi-annual renewal. Councilmember Fogarty asked about the payment to Apple Valley Hockey. Finance Director Roland stated that is for hockey tournament advertising at their hockey tournament. Councilmember McKnight asked about the Public Works transitional plan and the reasoning for waiting until January 2008 to begin the recruitment process for the City Engineer. City Administrator Herlofsky stated prior to the holidays is not a good time to advertise. The responses are not the best. It is better to advertise after the first of the year to get a better response. The City took their time to find the Assistant City Engineer and there would be the same issues with the City Engineer position. Councilmember McKnight stated these are two different divisions, but we are not approaching it consistently. That raises a red flag in how we are filling the positions of City Engineer versus Director of Municipal Services. Councilmember Wilson asked if there was any intent to solicit for both positions, or only one position. City Administrator Herlofsky replied only the City Engineer position will be advertised. Councilmember Wilson asked if there would be a down side to posting the other position as well. City Administrator Herlofsky explained we have a vacancy because someone is leaving. The current assistant position was a test to see if this would be a way of coordinating activities and it worked very well. With the change in City Engineer, this was the time to assign that responsibility. There is a person in the Assistant Public Works Director position now. That position will no longer exist. The person who is there now has been doing a good job. Human Resources Director Wendlandt stated there will be an elimination ofthe Assistant Director of Public Works position. Weare not adding a new position. The position of Assistant City Engineer will still exist and that is the reason for the different recruitment process. Councilmember Wilson stated usually when you apply for a position you already have the educational background needed for that position. He has the feeling staff is making an exception to our educational requirements. Human Resources Director Wendlandt stated this is unusual. However, the incumbent is doing the position now. The educational requirement is something staffhas looked at extensively and there is no standard. Staff felt it would be to the City's benefit and to Mr. Reiten's benefit for him to attend the mini-MBA for Directors of Public Works. Councilmember Wilson asked ifthe position is posted, are there other individuals in the City that might have the minimum requirements. Human Resources Director Wendlandt stated not knowing who would apply, some might have the education and not supervisory experience or have supervisory experience and not the education. Councilmember Wilson stated that is his overall concern. He felt they need to be consistent. Council Minutes (Pre-Meeting) October 15,2007 Page 3 Councilmember Pritzlaff also commented on the Public Works Transition Plan. He discussed this with City Administrator Herlofsky and felt it should be posted and done fairly. Councilmember Pritzlaff received a couple calls regarding the school district presentation being on the agenda. The caller asked to be able to speak on this item. Councilmember Fogarty noted in the weekly update there was a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting summary. Council had discussed at the retreat matching priorities and goals with the commissions. He noted the Parks and Recreation Commission had discussed having tobacco free parks and trails. She was not in favor of this coming to Council for a vote. She also felt the commission had a fair point about the Veteran's Memorial Park and the article in the paper, where they felt the City was telling them the decision had already been made. She stressed to have this type of communication ahead of time. Mayor Soderberg noted the Rambling River Center Advisory Board also wrote a letter to Council regarding the Veteran's Memorial Park. He noted no decision has been made, it is just an idea and more work needs to be done before a determination is made. As far as smoke-free parks, he agreed with Councilmember Fogarty. Parks and Recreation Director Distad stated the Parks and Recreation Commission initiated the idea and talked with Dakota County Public Health and felt a tobacco-free policy would be good. The idea was to bring it to Council to vote up or down. Councilmember Wilson stated he does not mind having things brought to Council from commissions. 5. STAFF COMMENTS City Administrator Herlofsky asked Council to notify staffwho would be attending the Dakota Communications Center Open House. Finance Director Roland added a payment to the list of bills for Gerster's for $48. 6. ADJOURN MOTION by McKnight, second by Fogarty to adjourn at 6:51 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ~rv?~ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR OCTOBER 15, 2007 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Soderberg at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Soderberg led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: Audience: Soderberg, Fogarty, McKnight, Pritzlaff, Wilson None Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; Peter Herlofsky, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director; Lisa Shadick, Administrative Services Director; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Kevin Schorzman, Assistant City Engineer; Jen Collova, Natural Resources Specialist; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant Russ Zellmer, John Kampf, Douglas Bonar, Julie McKnight, Brad Meeks, Don Hayes 4. APPROVE AGENDA Finance Director Roland added a payment to Gerster's to the list of bills for $48. Mayor Soderberg pulled item 7a) Council Minutes 10/1107 Regular to abstain. MOTION by McKnight, second by Fogarty to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) Employee Recognition - Finance Rosemary Swedin was recognized for 40 years of service. b) Vermillion River Crossing Update - Mr. Bob Knutson Mr. Bob Knutson introduced Mr. Sean Smith with First Capital, developer of Vermillion River Crossing. Mr. Knutson thanked Council for their patience. Mr. Smith gave an update on the development. The gravel road will go in this fall with curb and gutter installed next spring. They have had meetings with retail developers and a couple hotels. They are also having discussions with Walgreens and CVS and are in negotiations with a big box retailer. The Credit Union should be having their closing in a couple weeks. The signs are up on the site with his contact information and he will be in charge ofleasing and sales. Mr. Tim Trimble will be in charge of development and construction. Councilmember Wilson asked about incorporating art that reflects the Vermillion River in the landscaping. Mr. Smith stated they are aware of the original designs and will be working on covenants and restrictions so there is continuity in the site. Council Minutes (Regular) October 15, 2007 Page 2 c) School District Presentation Mr. John Kampf stated District 192 serves several thousand Lakeville, township and Farmington residents and they are growing. The new high school will open in 2009. The current high school will become a middle school for grades 6-8, Middle School West will serve grades 6-8, and Middle School East will become the fifth elementary school. There are 6,207 students which includes the largest kindergarten class in the district's history of543 students. There are 180 - 200 students added every year which is six classes of new students every year. In the fall of2007 North Trail, Farmington Elementary, the Kindergarten Center, Middle School West and the high school are over capacity. 85% oftheir spending is on people. About 90% of their funding comes from state aid. Next year the state will provide only 1 % increase in state aid. Local increases are sometimes the only opportunity for relief. About 6% of funding comes from local taxes and half of that is from voter approved referendums. 73% of the spending goes to instruction and student support. 4% is spent on district administration. The revenue is $600 per pupil lower than the state average which translates to more than $17,000 less per classroom than the average Minnesota district. The school district is asking voters to consider an operating referendum this fall. Ms. Julie McKnight, School Board Chair, stated ifthere is no additional revenue to the district this fall, they will not be able to open and operate the new high school, will not be able to hire staff for the fifth elementary school, they will have to cut $500,000 from the budget next year and $2.5 million over the next three years which is equivalent to 40 teachers. The district will have to rent portable classrooms for students. Voters will be asked to answer three questions. Question one would increase the voter approved operating revenue by $420 per pupil. This will generate $3 million in annual revenue. $1.7 million will go towards operating the new high school, $460,000 for hiring staff at the fifth elementary school, and the rest will be used to maintain current staffing levels and programs. The second question is a capital project levy. Funding will be used for technology needs across the district. $450,000 will be used each year to establish a computer replacement cycle. Funding will also increase student and classroom access to current technology. It will ensure the computer labs are capable of running state mandated standardized tests which are online. The third question is to consider a funding increase of $200 per pupil which will bring $1.4 million per year. This will provide additional resources and support for teachers and staff. This is dependent upon question one passing. The district would like to have class sizes no larger than 20 at the kindergarten level and 24 at grades 1-3. The rest of the funding would be used to address the adequate yearly progress needs, additional rigorous options for students, expand the pre-engineering programs at the middle school and expand extra-curricular options. Council Minutes (Regular) October 15,2007 Page 3 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr. Tim Burke, spoke regarding the school district's operating levy questions and wanted to add some information to help put those questions into perspective. Mr. Burke stated one ofthe slides in the district's presentation showed the operating levies currently being collected by the various school districts in the area. It showed Farmington is the lowest with $180 per student. Mr. Burke presented information showing what those same school districts are collecting in total school taxes. Farmington is not at the bottom, it is at the top. This was based on homes with a market value of $250,000. In Farmington residents are paying $1,246 in school taxes. This shows Farmington is the highest taxed school district in the area. If the levy is approved, the increased school taxes would be $389. A couple weeks ago the school district passed its regular levy increase, which for a $250,000 home would be $47. Mr. Burke stated they did not know how much the bond levy would increase, but felt it would because the capital levies that the school district has structured are back loaded. If the property valuation does not keep up, then that number could be higher. Based on the numbers known, the 2008 school taxes would be $1,682, which is a 35% increase in school taxes in one year. Council was struggling with the levy for the City and was not talking about anything near 35%. For the school district that has the closest tax bill to Farmington, we are paying more than 12% more. We need to find a different way to take care of our needs. The coming ballot referendum will push us that much more out of line with our neighbors. Mr. Jeff Priest, School District Finance Director, stated the bond levy increase is already built into the regular levy increase. There would be no additional increase for the bonds that have just been sold. In comparing 2007 school taxes, the district is looking at the total operating dollars. These dollars can be used for school district operations. In comparing the different school districts, two thirds of Farmington's total levy is for retiring debt. A large part of the debt is a debt service levy to retire the bonds that were sold to construct new school facilities as well as the new high school. Those dollars are not for operations. They are specific dollars that come into a debt service fund, and the district cannot use any of those dollars. Two thirds ofthe $1246 goes for the school district's debt service levy. Mr. Brad Meeks, School District Superintendent, stated since 2003 there have been almost 900 students added to the district without adding any additional buildings. A lot of the debt is incurred with a voter approved bond referendum. The $180 in place is the only voter approved operating levy dollars the district has. Without additional funding, they will not be able to open the new high school or the fifth elementary school. The school will hold another public meeting on October 24, 2007. Mr. Doug Bonar, Buildings and Grounds Director, noted the number he sees daily is Farmington 12,635 residents. Seven years ago that was accurate. Today it is nearly 21,000. With that comes investment, whether it be investment at a municipal level or at a district level. With the growing family community and the additional homes it should not be a surprise that taxes are going up. It is a pleasure to see Vermillion River Crossing moving forward. He was hopeful it will provide a balanced opportunity for the Council Minutes (Regular) October 15,2007 Page 4 taxpayers. Education is an investment in the next generation. Some may consider it a tax burden, others may see it as an investment opportunity. Mark Twain said, if you think the price of education is steep, estimate the cost of ignorance. 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Wilson, second by Fogarty to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: b) Approved School and Conference - Fire Department c) Received Information Third Quarter Building Report - Building Inspections d) Approved Change Order Hunter Lift Station - Engineering e) Approved Non-degradation Stormwater Plan Phase 3 - Natural Resources f) Approved Funding for the Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition - Natural Resources g) Approved Appointment Recommendation Heritage Preservation Commission - Administration h) Adopted RESOLUTION R76-07 Approving Gambling Premise Permit - Administration i) Adopted RESOLUTION R77-07 Approving Gambling Event Permit - Administration j) Approved Temporary On-Sale Liquor License - Administration k) Authorized RFP Auditing Services - Finance 1) Approved Appointment Recommendations Liquor Operations - Human Resources m) Approved Bills APIF, MOTION CARRIED. a) MOTION by McKnight, second by Fogarty to approve Council Minutes (10/1/07 Regular). Voting for: Fogarty, McKnight, Pritzlaff, Wilson. Abstain: Soderberg. MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS a) Adopt Resolution - Certification of Delinquent Municipal Utilities - Finance At the time of notice, delinquent utility accounts amounted to $326,463.17. The number has now decreased to $282,451. Staff expects that by November 14, 2007 that number will be reduced further. There have been a number of homes in foreclosure which also affects the City's ability to collect municipal service bills. Any accounts outstanding after November 14,2007 will be certified to the 2008 taxes. Mayor Soderberg asked staff to inform Council of the amount after that date. MOTION by McKnight, second by Wilson to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Fogarty, second by McKnight to adopt RESOLUTION R78-07 certifying the delinquent accounts as special assessments to the 2008 taxes ofthe appropriate properties. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.t 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT Council Minutes (Regular) October 15, 2007 Page 5 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Approve Snow Removal Plan - Parks and Recreation In 2003 Council approved a sequencing plan for removal of snow from downtown sidewalks, trails and outdoor ice skating rinks. Following is the existing snow removal plan: Second Priority: Third Priority: Fourth Priority: Downtown area including sidewalks and the arena parking lot Trails that lead to schools Outdoor rinks (Monday-Friday) Remaining designated trail loops First Priority: The trail along Pilot Knob is plowed only on the west side as the east side is used by snowmobiles. The trail along CR50 is plowed to Pilot Knob Road. Rinks are not plowed on weekends or holidays as this would be overtime pay and efforts are concentrated on the downtown area and trails to schools. Mayor Soderberg noted Vermillion River Crossing will be attempting to get a connection from Spruce Street to McDonalds. The school is encouraging youth to use the sidewalks in this area rather than CR50. He asked if plowing of sidewalks could be extended into that development. Staff will review the agreement, but recalled the City is responsible for plowing Spruce Street, but the development itself is up to the developer. Councilmember Pritzlaff asked about plowing along CR50 and asked if that is in the same category as Pilot Knob Road even though it is a county road. Staff concurred it is part of the agreement for the City to plow the trails. Plowing is now done past Pilot Knob on CR50 because it is an open, rural area. Councilmember Pritzlaff received calls from residents by Evergreen Knoll Park asking if the trail in that park could be plowed to allow residents to walk the trail in the winter. This could be included as a fourth priority. Staff does plow other trails not identified as a fourth priority as time allows. City Administrator Herlofsky noted ice rinks are not plowed on weekends and holidays. He felt on holidays and weekends, trails to schools would not be as important as having the ice rinks open for youth. On holidays and weekends moving the ice rinks to a higher priority would be beneficial to providing additional recreation. Parks and Recreation Director Distad noted a lot depends on how heavy the snowfall is. When the plows are out, snow is pushed onto the trails and when it freezes, it is more difficult to remove. However, staff is open to making that change. It is easier to remove snow from pleasure rinks. Hockey rinks are more labor intensive because of the process required. MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Wilson to add the trail loop in Evergreen Knoll park and approve the snow removal plan. Councilmember Fogarty noted last year she received 10-15 comments in one day because the ice rinks were not plowed Council Minutes (Regular) October 15, 2007 Page 6 on a holiday. She felt this was important enough to put dollars towards it and change the priorities. It does not happen often, but when it does, let's give the residents what they want. Brenda Wendlandt, 19344 Embers Avenue, stated she does not have children or uses the hockey rinks, but everyday she walks the trails. While she appreciates the effort to clear the trails, she would like to see all the trails become a priority and for the City to make a commitment that whether they are a fourth priority or not, that all the trails are plowed. She walks them everyday, every season. There are people out all hours on the trails. She would like Council to make trails a priority. Councilmember McKnight noted the group of employees that plow the trails are different than those that plow the streets. He receives calls asking why a trail is plowed before a street. He agreed with staffs proposal. Councilmember Wilson supported the recommendations from Councilmembers Pritzlaff and Fogarty. He asked if there was a way to clear a hockey rink without it being perfect on a weekend by clearing the middle and leaving the edges for a weekday. Staff noted if all the snow is not removed from the rinks, ice builds up on the edges and it takes a lot of work to get it back to a level surface. Parks and Recreation Director Distad suggested looking at holidays where there is no school and get to the rinks at some point during the day. Mayor Soderberg noted there is a motion and second to add the trail loop at Evergreen Knoll Park and approve the snow removal plan. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Staffwill revise the map and post it on the website. Mr. Don Hayes, 18890 English Avenue, stated there is a time frame where staff begins flooding rinks and a date to stop. It has been extended both ways during the years. He wanted Council to keep this in mind. The cut off date is February 15. When the temperature is not 20 degrees, you cannot make ice. Mayor Soderberg stated a citizen had made a suggestion for looking at equipment to freeze ice for outdoor rinks. Parks and Recreation Director Distad stated some cities are looking at outdoor rinks that have a refrigeration system in the concrete. It has been discussed and is very expensive. Mayor Soderberg asked for a preliminary cost on doing this. b) Project Updates - Engineering Assistant City Engineer Schorzman gave an update on various projects as follows: - Well Number 8 pump house is operational. - The Elm Street reconstruction project has a few punch list items remaining. Light poles and banner poles should be installed next week and the project will be complete. Council Minutes (Regular) October 15, 2007 Page 7 - Regarding the Flagstaff Avenue utility and street improvement project, the sanitary sewer is in close to CR50, the water line has been installed across the street from the Meadowview Elementary School to Flagstaff, the grading is coming from the north and they are just short of 190th Street and weather permitting they should have rock to 195th Street in two weeks. - The Hunter lift station is essentially complete. - Regarding the new City Hall, they are working on installing storm sewer and water main this week. Then the alley will be paved and patches will be done on 3rd and Spruce. The water main and sanitary sewer have been installed at the First Street Garage and the parking lot will have aggregate placed this year and will be paved next year. The below grade foundation is in for both buildings and work is being done on above ground foundation. At the City Hall site they are working on underground plumbing. Jen Collova, Natural Resources Specialist, updated Council on the following: - The backlog is complete on the boulevard tree replacement project. 100 trees were removed, 121 stumps were ground and 175 new boulevard trees were installed. - Staffwill begin writing the nondegradation review document and on November 1,2007 it will go out for a 30-day comment period. - Along with the NPDES permit, there is another storm water survey that will meet one of the City's best management practices and the survey is on-line. - Regarding the Fairhills Pond slope stabilization project, drawings were reviewed today and if approved, work will begin next week. Paving and curb will be completed in spring 2008. - Monitoring was done on the Prairie Waterway and it has been accepted to be presented at a post session at the 2007 Minnesota Water Resource Conference, October 23-24,2007. - The Green Team will be presenting "How to Start a Green Team" at the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Annual Conference on November 14,2007. Mayor Soderberg asked if the new City Hall and First Street Garage will be enclosed so work can continue over winter. Staff noted the weather has not been cooperating, but they will receive an update at the weekly construction meeting. Councilmember Wilson asked if residents were able to travel along Flagstaff Avenue. Staff replied there have been some concerns, but they are being addressed. Councilmember Wilson stated residents have mentioned the condition of Walnut Street and Spruce Street. He asked if staff will be looking at those streets this fall or next spring to assess changes in the road condition. Staff replied they have looked at Walnut and it is part ofthe CIP. The CIP also includes Spruce Street around City Hall. Councilmember Wilson stated the last Pavement Management Report was done in 2003 and would like to know the cost to update the report. Council Minutes (Regular) October 15, 2007 Page 8 Councilmember Pritzlaff asked about the 4-way stop at 1 st Street and Spruce Street. Staff noted that will go back to a 2-way stop on Wednesday. Mayor Soderberg received a call regarding school bus traffic on Flagstaff and staffwill follow-up with the school district. c) Discuss TH3 and 225th Street Intersection - Engineering As part of the development in Executive Estates, the decision was made to pave 225th Street to TH3. The change from the gravel road to a paved road required a permit from MnDOT. In discussions with the developer, the issue was raised of whether turn lanes would be required as part of the permit. Staff recently met with MnDOT and received inconsistent answers. There is a meeting scheduled for Thursday with MnDOT, the developer, and the developer's engineer so the City can understand what is required as part ofthe permit so staff can move forward to resolve the developer's concerns. Mayor Soderberg stated a permit was required from MnDOT to do the paving. A permit has not been issued. He would like to receive documentation from the state and Mr. Garvey is also interested in seeing it. The developer needs to get this resolved. City Administrator Herlofsky stated one concern from the City is that if there is a requirement to do the improvements, we want to make sure there are appropriate funds to take care of it other than City funds. Hopefully, the meeting on Thursday should resolve the issue. Mayor Soderberg noted Mr. Garvey stated he was being charged for meetings. City Administrator Herlofsky replied there are charges through inspections on the project. The monthly report from Bonestroo contains the charges for Executive Estates and he will note those charges in the next mailing. Mayor Soderberg stated the fact work was allowed without a permit, it seems things are out of order. Staff noted there was no question as to whether 225th would be paved or not, the question is as part ofthat, do you have to build turn lanes on TH3. MnDOT is having internal disagreements on whether to do that and they are holding the permit until they sort that out. Councilmember Pritzlaff asked which turn lanes they are looking at. Staff replied a southbound left turn and a northbound right turn and possibly a northbound acceleration lane. Councilmember McKnight asked staff to make sure the developer is at the meeting. The turn lane issue is holding up the letter of credit issue for the developer. The developer will be attending the meeting. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Transition Plan Update - Human Resources Staff provided Council with a transition plan for Public Works in preparation for Lee Mann's departure. The position of City Engineer will be added and the City will be conducting an employment search to fill that position. The recruitment Council Minutes (Regular) October 15, 2007 Page 9 process will begin in January 2008 and during that process, the Assistant City Engineer Kevin Schorzman will fill the roll of Interim City Engineer until the regular full time position is filled. The intention is to eliminate the position of Assistant Director of Public Works and create a new position of Director of Municipal Services and promote the current Assistant Director into that Director position. Councilmember Pritzlaff questioned the way staff is handling the Director of Municipal Services and the City Engineer positions. He asked if the City Engineer position is advertised, can the Assistant City Engineer apply or can we say the Assistant becomes the City Engineer and advertise for the Assistant. Human Resources Director Wendlandt stated there is that possibility. The Assistant is eligible to apply for the City Engineer position. City Administrator Herlofsky stated the Assistant City Engineer position is not being eliminated with the hiring of a City Engineer. In Municipal Services, a position is being eliminated and there is a person who has been running that division for almost a year. Councilmember Wilson had concerns with the method being used for the Municipal Services position, but supports the method used for the Engineering Department. b) Approve Change Order City Hall - Administration There was an issue with the elevator. The change order is $960. The State inspector required additional railings be added to the elevator, so staff felt for aesthetics a larger elevator would look better. MOTION by Wilson, second by McKnight to approve change order #2 in the amount of $960 for the new City Hall. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 12. NEW BUSINESS a) Authorize Soliciting Quotes for 2008 Seeding - Engineering The sod installed in the Hill Dee Addition and Sunnyside and Chateau Manor Additions needs to be replaced. Staff is recommending obtaining quotes for seed similar to that used on Elm Street. The cost for seeding is one-third the cost of sod. The annual plow damage repair would be done with the same project. Initial estimates are 1,000 - 1,500 sq. yds. of sod. Work would be done in the spring of 2008. The old sod would be removed to get to the dirt base. Councilmember Fogarty asked if staff was asking for a shift in policy to use seed rather than sod. Staff felt it was premature to change policy, but this is an opportunity to see how the seed works in the fall and spring. Councilmember McKnight asked how this will be communicated to residents. Staff will do a mailing or a flyer with the plan and communicate with the residents who have contacted the City. Council Minutes (Regular) October 15, 2007 Page 10 MOTION by McKnight, second by Fogarty to authorize staffto solicit quotations to complete this work in the spring of 2008 and bring them to Council for approval. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember McKnight: Thanked Council for taking the time for the retreat last week. Councilmember Wilson: He attended the event at Fire Station 2 and thanked the volunteer firefighters for taking their time to be at the event. Mayor Soderberg: Council received a letter from the Rambling River Center Advisory Board regarding what to do with the City Hall building. There were also concerns from the Parks and Recreation Commission. There are issues with this building regarding some ofthe systems and no determination has been made to keep the building in service. There is a concern with selling the building because of the well on site. No decisions have been made as to what will be done with the site. There are only ideas. CEEF will be holding the annual Halloween Walk at the Kindergarten Center on October 31,2007, from 5:30 -7:00 p.m. There will be ajoint Council/ Planning Commission Workshop on Wednesday, at 6:00 p.m. Council received an invitation for the dedication and open house for the new Dakota Communications Center on Saturday, October 27,2007 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. It is located in Empire Township at the corner of 160th Street and TH3. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Fogarty, second by McKnight to adjourn at 8:46 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ~~r?L~ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant