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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.03.09 Council Minutes 7cc COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR AUGUST 3, 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, Donnelly, Fogarty, May, Wilson None Andrea Poehler, City Attorney; Peter Herlofsky, City Administrator; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Brian Lindquist, Police Chief; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director; Kevin Schorzman, City Engineer; Lisa Shadick, Administrative Services Director; Lee Smick, City Planner; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant Rambling River Center Advisory Board, Tom Hemish, Jay Clinkscales 4. APPRO VE A GENDA Councilmember Wilson pulled item 7b) Fire Relief Association Pension Request. Councilmember Fogarty pulled item 7b) to table discussion until the budget discussion. Councilmember May agreed with 7b) and also pulled 7f) for questions. Mayor Larson pulled item 7d) Transportation Plan to receive an update. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) Commissioner Joe Harris Commissioner Harris gave an update on several projects. Work on CR64 is ahead of schedule for an important east-west connection. The Cedar A venue corridor is moving forward. There will be transit stations at 79th Street and Cedar A venue in Lakeville, at 155th Street and Cedar Avenue in Apple Valley, and also one in Eagan. The project should be completed by 2012. The CDA has completed the Twin Ponds townhome development consisting of 25 units. The CDA is also working to acquire property in Vermillion River Crossing for senior housing. This would consist of 60 units. Farmington will be receiving a $65,000 Community Block Grant for the Rambling River Center. The County has also been working with the School District and the City on the new High School and transportation issues. Council Minutes (Regular) August 3, 2009 Page 2 Councilmember Wilson asked about the wheelage tax that began two years ago and how that affects Farmington. Commissioner Harris stated the $5 wheelage tax was instituted by the County and shows up on license tab fees. The funds go directly to Dakota County's transportation fund and amounts to $1.5 million/year. This allows the County to do transportation projects. 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (7/20/09 Regular) c) Adopted ORDINANCE 009-607 Amending Definitions, Detached Garages and Storage Sheds, and Accessory Structures - Planning e) Approved School and Conference - Fire Department APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Fire Relief Association Pension Request - Administration Councilmember Wilson preferred to look at the pension benefit during the 2010 budget process. Councilmember May asked if the $195,584 was due to the lack of contribution in 2009. City Administrator Herlofsky replied no, it may make a small difference, but this is an investment issue. The City has an obligation to pay the $195,584. The second part of the Relief Association's request is for an increase in the pension benefit level. Staff is recommending to not approve an increase. Finance Director Roland noted the City was not required to make a contribution in 2009, therefore, the $70,000 was absorbed into the general fund levy. Councilmember May asked if staff knew the status of the Relief Association's investments when the $70,000 was pulled from their budget for 2009. Finance Director Roland explained that at the end of July the investments were great. They fell in September. In July, staff did not have the numbers to show a decrease in value in the investments. Councilmember May also felt the Relief Association should not be investing in such volatile funds because now the City needs to contribute $195,000. She approved staffs recommendation. Councilmember Fogarty needed more time to review the information and had this concern two years ago when the schedule was approved. Councilmember Wilson asked if the City can suggest investments. Staff noted the Mayor and City Administrator sit on the Relief Board. The financial advisor for the Relief Association makes good investments. In a couple years, we will not have this problem. MOTION by Wilson, second by Larson to approve the $195,584 City contribution and to table the pension benefit level for discussion at a budget workshop as to whether to leave it the same or increase it. Voting for: Larson, Donnelly, May, Wilson. Voting against: Fogarty. MOTION CARRIED. Council Minutes (Regular) August 3, 2009 Page 3 d) Approve Transportation Plan - Engineering The County, School District and City have been meeting to discuss transportation issues along Pilot Knob Road and the area surrounding the new high school. Council asked for a summary of the transportation study. City Engineer Schorzman explained the short-term solutions include a 3-way stop at 195th Street and Flagstaff Avenue; street lights at 195th Street and Flagstaff Avenue, and CSAH 50 and Flagstaff Avenue. Mid-term solutions consist of the intersection of Pilot Knob and 195th Street which is included in the County and City plans for improvements within two to five years. Specific improvements would include a roundabout. Also included is a preferred alternate for CSAH 50 and Flagstaff Avenue by 20 II. Long-term solutions identify primary intersections at Pilot Knob and Upper 182nd Street, 18ih Street, 190th Street, 195th Street, CSAH 50, 208th Street, 200th Street, and 197th Street. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to approve the recommendations. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. f) Approve Bills Staff provided answers to questions Councilmember May had regarding several bills. MOTION by Fogarty, second by May to approve the list of bills. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. A WARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Approve Accepting Donations for Canine Unit - Police Department The Police Department has obtained a grant to assist with funding a canine unit. The cost for a canine and training is $10,000. The grant is in the amount of $6,000 and the remaining $4,000 would be covered by donations. Any ongoing costs would also be covered by donations. Police Chief Lindquist would like to begin this program in March. Council cautioned canines are extremely expensive if there are no donations. Council would also like to be updated on policies for the host officer. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to allow the Farmington Police Department to solicit and receive donations to implement a canine program. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Approve Completion of Remaining Rambling River Center Construction Project Improvements - Parks and Recreation The Rambling River Center Advisory Board has requested the remaining improvements be completed for the Rambling River Center. This includes the kitchenette area in the multi-purpose room, A.V. equipment, furniture, fixtures and equipment, exterior painting and signage, a moving allowance for the fitness equipment, volunteers to seal the garage floor, a new boiler/chiller, and change Council Minutes (Regular) August 3, 2009 Page 4 the locks on the interior doors. The total cost for these remaining improvements is $64,150. These improvements would be covered by the unspent balance from other items. Other funding sources include a cell tower agreement with T-Mobile for $75,000 paid over five years, Empire Township contribution of$10,000 paid over five years, fundraising letter which received $4,800, fundraising events totaling $18,000, and a $100,000 property tax levy paid over five years. Councilmember Fogarty asked staff to reach out to teens when selecting the A.V. equipment. Councilmember May noted the seniors have done a phenomenal job in coming in under budget and the cost of the improvements are lower than expected. She preferred they stick to the original budget, but would approve the boiler/chiller, A.V. equipment, moving allowance, sealing the garage floor and changing the locks. She was concerned with the other items and felt they should stick to the basics and celebrate the money saved. They could drop the fundraising requirements and the tax levy amount. Councilmember Wilson asked about the block grant and staff explained it is being approved by HUD and will be brought to a future meeting. He also asked if the boiler/chiller was in the original plan. It was a long-term improvement until the grant opportunity became available. Councilmember Wilson preferred to not have taxpayer dollars used to fund the A.V. equipment, but to use fundraising dollars instead. Councilmember Donnelly confirmed the A. V. equipment was in the original plan. Councilmember Wilson did not feel this was an appropriate item in the original plan. Councilmember Donnelly noted the total project is still under the estimate and felt it was better to complete the project now rather than later. He would approve completing the remaining items. Councilmember May stated a budget does not mean much if we can spend to the maximum amount. She felt we should celebrate what we have done and save money. Farmington has the highest rate of pendencies and sheriff sales in the county. We need to consider the struggling families. The seniors wanted to get in the building and get it renovated. They got what they wanted. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Donnelly to approve the request to complete the Rambling River Center Construction Project improvements identified in the not to exceed amount of $64,150. Voting for: Larson, Donnelly, Fogarty. Voting against: May, Wilson. MOTION CARRIED. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 12. NEW BUSINESS Council Minutes (Regular) August 3, 2009 Page 5 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE a) Budget Review Schedule - Finance The Council will receive a copy of the preliminary 2010 budget this week. The preliminary levy will be brought to Council at the September 8, 2009, Council meeting. Council will bring budget workshop dates to the August 5, 2009, Council workshop. b) Dushane Parkway Update - Engineering Staff will be going out for bid this year to pave Dushane Parkway in Vermillion River Crossing. They would like to start the project before the first of September. The developer will be funding this project through escrow held on the City's behalf. Councilmember May: Asked why all of Akin Road was not seal coated. Staff explained the area north of 195th Street is in the plan for next year. Councilmember Fogarty: Tuesday is National Night Out and the Police Department has 20 appearances planned. Councilmember Wilson: He will not be able to attend the August 10 Council Workshop. Councilmember Donnelly: Reminded everyone the Dakota County Fair is next week. City Administrator Herlofsky: Wednesday is the next strategic planning session and reminded Council to complete the material prior to the meeting. Eureka Township would like to form a Planning Committee with the City similar to Empire and Castle Rock. It will be placed on the next Council agenda to select a Councilmember to serve on this committee. Regarding the 20 I 0 budget, staff has met with the Police Officers and they are willing to reduce some amounts in their contract. Parks and Recreation Director Distad: The August 10 Park Tour for Council will start at 6:00. Mayor Larson: Noted the seal coating project looks great. The residents have been very generous in the fundraising for the Rambling River Center. He met with Dr. Meeks and Mr. Bob Heman, of the School District, and the remodeling of the schools is ahead of schedule and they are starting to move in. He looked at the new 195th Street bridge and it is a beautiful area. Council Minutes (Regular) August 3,2009 Page 6 He attended Battle of the Bands and there was a good turnout. The Pastor where the event was held sees the need for a teen center. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to adjourn at 8:36 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ~~ >>?~ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant