Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.02.09 Council Minutes 7CL COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR February 2, 2009 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Larson at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Larson led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: Audience: Larson, Fogarty, May, Wilson Donnelly Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; Peter Herlofsky, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Lee Smick, City Planner; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant Dawn Johnson, Allen Koss, Beve Preece, Ann Muzzy, Nancy Akin, Lani Drill, Jay & Pat Christensen 4. APPROVE A GENDA Councilmember May pulled item 7f) School and Conference - Finance for discussion. Councilmember Fogarty had a question on 7c) School and Conference - Police Department. She noticed every year we send officers to the MAAG school and asked if this training was an update or new people attending. As budgets will have to change this year, she asked if this was the right time to send these officers or if we already have officers that can serve on the MAAG Team. Staff will review this item. Councilmember Wilson pulled item 7k) Adopt Ordinance -Towers, Monopoles, Antennas - Planning. City Administrator Herlofsky noted there is a revised memo for item 7 g) School and Conference - Planning. MOTION by Wilson, second by Fogarty to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Beverly Preece, 300 Spruce Street, President of the DV AC, stated the DV AC is a non-profit organization that encourages the talent and creativity of artists in our area. To achieve that goal, the DV AC and the Rambling River Center have planned a meeting on Friday, February 6, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rambling River Center. Ann Fredrickson is speaking about the in's and out's of publishing a book. She will discuss how she worked with the publisher and illustrator to achieve the finished product. She has published an illustrated book about the Fredrickson brother's baseball team that played around the 1920's. She is a freelance writer and editor. Ms. Preece encouraged those to attend who may have poems or stories they would like to have published, or documentation of a family tree. Ms. Fredrickson will explain how to do this. 1-1 Council Minutes (Regular) February 2, 2009 Page 2 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Fogarty, second by May to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (1/20/09 Regular) b) Received Information Quarterly Investment Report - Finance c) Approved School and Conference - Police Department d) Approved School and Conference - Natural Resources e) Approved School and Conference - Administration g) Approved School and Conference - Planning h) Approved School and Conference - Fire Department i) Acknowledged Resignation Finance - Human Resources j) Approved Council By-laws - City Attorney I) Approved Bills APIF, MOTION CARRIED. t) School and Conference - Finance Councilmember May noted there was a resignation from liquor operations and asked if this same person was involved with attending the conference. Staff noted Randy Petrofsky and Dave Trihus will be attending the conference. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to approve attendance by the Liquor Operations Manager and the Liquor Store Manager at the 2009 MMBA Boot Camp. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. k) Adopt Ordinance - Towers, Monopoles, Antennas - Planning Currently cell towers, 200 ft. tall, lattice type structures are allowed in the A-I and I-I districts. With the new technology, people are using more cell phones in their homes. The cell phone companies are losing the opportunity to provide this service in the homes, because the towers are too tall. The cell phone companies need towers that are shorter and closer to residential homes to provide service. Staff is proposing new districts to locate these towers and monopoles. Towers and monopoles 75 ft. in height are allowed in parks and open spaces. Engineers need to make sure the 75 ft. is enough so that it will fall within 75 ft. Now if a monopole falls, it will collapse on itself. Staff is proposing in the IP district they be allowed along with Bland B3 districts, at 75 ft. in height. Staff is also allowing in residential districts monopoles, antennas, and towers. These are subject to a conditional use. The maximum height will be 75 ft. Councilmember Wilson asked if there will be an application fee. Staff noted there will be an application fee and an agreement they cover the legal cost for review of the document. The poles will have to be removed within 90 days. There is also a permit fee for abandonment of the poles. MOTION by Wilson, second by Fogarty to adopt ORDINANCE 009-599 repealing Title 4 Chapter 4 and the text revisions in Section 10-6-14. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 1-2 Council Minutes (Regular) February 2, 2009 Page 3 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 12. NEW BUSINESS a) Approve Old City Hall Improvement Project - Parks and Recreation On November 3,2008, Council approved moving the Rambling River Center to the old City Hall building. Staff presented immediate and long-term improvements that need to be made to the old City Hall prior to this move taking place. Immediate improvements include meeting code requirements as well as aesthetics. Because the building would be changed from a business use to an assembly use, a sprinkler and fire alarm system needs to be installed. This is also required because of the size ofthe building which is 11,000 sq. ft which exceeds the threshold of 5,000 sq. ft. Improvements will accomplish the following: - Improve the cooling of the building. The existing units are old and do not cool the building adequately. - Improve the flooring by removing the carpeting and install new carpet and hardwood flooring to allow multi-purpose type use. - Reconfigure the hallways and doorways to improve traffic flow. - Increase and enhance spaces by removing temporary walls. - Painting the walls. - Remove a concrete block wall to allow parking of a bus used for senior programs in the garage space. The kitchen improvements are not included as CAP dining could not make a commitment to using the kitchen. Construction management would be handled in-house by Don Hayes, Park Maintenance Specialist. He will work with sub- contractors and volunteers. Many people have called offering their time to work on this project. The plan is to have improvements done by October 16,2009, with the grand opening on October 19, 2009. There are a number of different costs associated with the project as well as funding sources. Staff detailed the immediate improvements. Total cost is $265,000. The project would be funded through: 1-3 Council Minutes (Regular) February 2, 2009 Page 4 - A cell tower agreement with T-Mobile, where over 5 years, the City will receive $75,000. - Receive $85,000 over five years through fundraising. - $100,000 - $200,000 from a property tax levy depending on the fundraising. Suggested fundraising ideas include: -Naming rights to rooms or building - Fundraising events - Bequeaths/wills/giving program - Live or silent auctions - Donations Regarding the property tax levy, the impact on a $200,000 home would be an increase of $5.00/year on the property taxes. The operating costs for a larger building would increase. In 2007 the Rambling River Center budget was $156,253. The 2007 building maintenance budget including City Hall and the Central Maintenance Facility was $148,000. If the move had taken place in 2007, the operating budget would have been $198,000; a $42,000 increase from the old Rambling River Center. There will also be building permit fees. Current maintenance staff would be used for some of the work at a cost of approximately $3,000. Councilmember May noted the information given was very thorough and well- laid out. She did ask how the center will be used, who will be able to use it, what will happen to the old center and how will the increased operating costs be covered. She wanted to know what the plan is for moving to a bigger facility. She felt this discussion should have taken place when the decision was made to build a new City Hall. Staff stated moving to the old City Hall provides a lot of opportunity to expand the programs and rental of spaces for community organizations. Staff will also begin to offer teen programs where they can come after school with the video gaming system and computer lab. Councilmember May asked if this could be put on a spreadsheet with the income it will generate. Staff will provide this. Councilmember May asked if there have been discussions regarding the food shelf moving to the old City Hall. City Administrator Herlofsky noted there was a request for Council to consider some space in the old Rambling River Center. Councilmember May was concerned there has not been good discussions on how the space would be used. Staff explained the floor plan showing what the spaces would be used for. The plan does not include space for the food shelf. Councilmember May noted space for the food shelf would not have to be permanent. There is a huge need in the community right now. Staff explained currently the City holds a Senior Food for Health program with the Salvation Army where 30-50 lbs of food is given to each person who registers. Currently 80 people per month are served through this program. For those who are unable to get there, volunteers deliver the food. The Salvation Army purchases the food from Second Harvest food shelf. Staff noted the Rambling River Center is also used for backup space for programs in case it rains. There is 1-4 Council Minutes (Regular) February 2, 2009 Page 5 a Middle School dance planned and due to occupancy requirements the number of students allowed in at one time needs to be monitored. Staff had held a conversation with the food shelf where they were looking at using the old Rambling River Center. Councilmember Wilson asked how often the expansion space in the new City Hall is used. City Administrator Herlofsky explained staff is looking at options. Councilmember Wilson asked about use of the various conference rooms. City Administrator Herlofsky noted the rooms have been used a few times. Councilmember Wilson noted in terms of using larger space, we should keep in mind we have space at the new City Hall. He recalled when this was brought up we went from discussing options to converting the building. He felt we missed a step. We have not clearly delineated what will happen to the old building. He does see the merit of the building being a future use. Since it was approved in November, it is proposed the City will be losing $340,000 in state aid in 2009 and also in 2010. This will put a strain on the budget that Council needs to prioritize. Even though fund raising could exceed $85,000, he needs to look at the worst case scenario that could be passed on to the taxpayers. Finance Director Roland noted on a $300,000 home, the tax levy would be $7.50/year. If adding $40,000- $50,000/year in operating costs, that is an additional $5.00/year on a $200,000 home. Councilmember Wilson noted with the position the City is in, he would be uncomfortable with going forward when we do not have a fully developed plan, knowing we have to discuss serious financial issues to keep the fund balance stable. It is definitely a worthwhile project, but is still a tax increase. He would be willing to table this until a future date for more discussion. Councilmember Fogarty noted the economy changed from when we broke ground for the new City Hall. At that time it was the intent to sell the old City Hall and put that money towards the cost of the new City Hall. It would be a great value to convert it to a community center for our seniors and teens. We asked for numbers, we were given a general plan prior to the first of the year, staff has done what we asked. She did not want the old City Hall to sit empty for six months and next month is six months. She is ready to move forward. Staff has done a remarkable job keeping the taxpayer liability as low as possible. We need to have a building that involves seniors and teens, get them together, and let them come up with the programming. Working out fees, etc. would be done in the nine months the work is being done. As far as property taxes, $15/year on the high end is a great investment in the community. The food shelf wants a street level entry with adequate space. Between one of the two locations, we can find that for them. Council member May felt there is a cost for the building to be sitting there. She would like to move forward, but she is struggling with what will happen with the current Rambling River Center. She would like to hear some ideas as to what will happen with the current facility before moving forward. Staff stated the building could be sold, lease it, or tear it down for green space. City Administrator Herlofsky noted one of the issues with that building is the foundation is poor and 1-5 Council Minutes (Regular) February 2,2009 Page 6 ready to fall down. As Council considers this, he asked whatever additional amount of taxing, please do not count it against the rest of the general fund budget as we proceed to put together a budget for 2010. This last year was difficult enough to get through. We have laid off people the last couple years. If it is going to be added to the budget, keep it separate and understand that is over and above what we would otherwise be doing. He asked that staff be given a couple weeks to look at the current Rambling River Center and determine if there is sufficient reason to sell the building, if it is falling down, or is it just the fayade on the outside. Councilmember May noted if it will be sold, we should be putting up a for sale sign while working on the old City Hall. City Administrator Herlofsky stated the issue of what process will take place to sell a building or piece of property for someone to make improvements to downtown, taking the building down and selling the lot may have a longer term use rather than leaving a building that has some questions. Councilmember Fogarty agreed with his comment on the budget and felt it was fair to put that back on Council. As we go through the budget process, she asked him to continue to remind Council. Councilmember Wilson did not see the concern about getting more information on our plan of action for the next building. At the workshop on Monday we can set some general direction. At the December budget discussion, the difference between $100,000 - $150,000 was the span of a yes vs. no vote. $100,000 is a salary of a professional employee. He would not want to be in a position to decide between a patrol officer and a City facility. Mayor Larson asked how close are the estimates. Staff explained the numbers have been reviewed by heating ventilation people and a construction manager and said the numbers are right on. Mayor Larson noted between the two flooring items it is $50,000. There are volunteers to remove the old carpet. He asked if there were volunteers that could install the new flooring. Staff agreed that is an opportunity through Rambling River Center members or contractors willing to donate their time. People do not have to contribute dollars. Contributing time and expertise will save money. Mayor Larson suggested there is a workshop coming up or we can call another one. He asked staff to prepare the information Councilmember May was asking for in order to discuss it at the workshop. Staff should ask volunteers what they are capable of doing. He asked to have another month for Council to discuss this at a workshop. Staff will provide a floor plan for the different uses and rental information as to who is using the center. Staff noted in 2007 there were 365 on-going rentals and 18 private rentals. There are meetings every day along with wedding showers, birthday parties, reunions, etc. With the larger space it will be more attractive for rentals. Staff will pull the numbers from the annual report. Councilmember May noted it sounds more like a community center than a senior center. She would like to see the new Rambling River Center include the food shelf. If we are asking the community to pay an increased tax, it would be dual to help create the new facility, but also help fill a need. She asked about insurance 1-6 Council Minutes (Regular) February 2, 2009 Page 7 issues with volunteers doing the work. Volunteers are covered under the City's policy. MOTION by Wilson, second by May to table the approval ofthe old City Hall improvement conversion to the senior center until a future date undetermined. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Adopt Resolution - Approve Donation of Furniture to ISD 192 -Human Resources The school district is interested in acquiring some of the furniture from the old City Hall. They are interested in a conference table, chairs, cubicles, two file cabinets, and minute book covers. The school will be responsible for moving the furniture. The Rambling River Center will also be using some of the furniture. This will assist in cleaning out the building. The old phone system will be inventoried for an estimate as to what it is worth. A couple companies will take the old phone system and use the parts. The new Rambling River Center would be part of the City's voiceover IP system. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to adopt RESOLUTION R6-09 approving the transfer of property from the City to ISD 192. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. c) Update on Vermillion River Crossing -Administration There have been discussions with the CDA to purchase property in Vermillion River Crossing. As the CDA is also a governmental unit there is some issue regarding the purchase of property and the assessments. Staff is working on an arrangement for payment in lieu of taxes to help offset some of the assessment costs. The CDA is committed to purchasing the property, but there is no commitment as to when they would build. This is the parcel identified on the master plan for senior housing. 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember May: Attended the Community Expo and it was a great event. There were a lot of businesses represented and a lot of residents attending. Councilmember Wilson: Attended the Community Expo and thanked staff for obtaining the shirts and those who put time and effort into the event. City Administrator Herlo/sky: Thanked the City employees who worked at the Expo including Police, Fire, Community Development, Solid Waste. Also the YMCA participated with the City. Mayor Larson: Attended the Community Expo. 2500 people attended and there were 110 exhibits. It was an incredible turnout. He spoke with Annette Kuyper regarding the oral history museum exhibit that is coming and it includes all five Farmington soldiers that were interviewed. 1-7 Council Minutes (Regular) February 2, 2009 Page 8 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to adjourn at 8:21 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, // .--,,-/;:7 /;1// (:y/V<~~ /V1~A../ (;/ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant 1-8