HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.16.10 Council Minutes
7ee
COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR
February 16,2010
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; Brian Lindquist, Police Chief; Randy Distad, Parks
and Recreation Director; Kevin Schorzman, City Engineer; Tim
Pietsch, Fire Chief; John Powers, Fire Marshal; Cynthia Muller,
Executive Assistant
Colin Garvey, Tim Burke, Leon Orr, Bob Heman, Brandon Dion
4. APPROVEAGENDA
Councilmember Wilson pulled item 7i) Approve Administrative Services Agreement for
Health Reimbursement Account and Flexible Savings Account to abstain. Regarding
item lla) Ice Arena Recommendation, Councilmember Wilson proposed discussing the
item, however due to a proposal that addresses the ice arena issue that will be discussed
at the EDA meeting, and there isn't a specific recommendation for action, he suggested
continuing this item to the March 1, 2010, Council meeting.
Councilmember May pulled item 7f) Draft 2009 Financial Report for discussion.
City Administrator Herlofsky added item 71) Appointment Recommendation Finance to
the agenda.
MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Acknowledge Eagle Scout Award - Brandon Dion
Councilmember Fogarty attended the ceremony where Brandon received his
Eagle Scout award. It is amazing this young man is showing such great
leadership skills at a very young age. He has moved through the process very
quickly to receive this award. Less than 5% of Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts,
so Brandon is in an elite group.
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16, 2010
Page 2
Mr. Brandon Dion stated for his Eagle Scout project he refurbished the Welcome
to Dakota County Fair Signs. He went to multiple businesses for donations and
all contributed. There were 50 people who helped him with this project and it
went very well. His mother provided a plaque to put on the signs saying when
they were made and listing the businesses that donated. Mayor Larson presented
Brandon with a City pin.
b) Acknowledge Feely Elevator Rescue Personnel
Police Chief Lindquist provided a time line for an incident that occurred on
February 4,2010, when a man was trapped in a grain bin at Feely Elevator. The
man was rescued 8 hours after the call came in. Fire Chief Pietsch explained why
the process had to move slowly for a successful rescue. Fire Marshal Powers
explained who the organizations were that responded. Fire Chief Pietsch stated
there were 15 departments that responded. There was also cooperation from the
City and local businesses. He explained the rescue was successful because of
training and cooperation from all departments in devising a plan.
6. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mr. Colin Garvey, 22098 Canton Court, was disappointed with how the situation is going
with repairing the Ice Arena. We went from fixing the arena to building a new arena to
moving it all over the place. It is time the City starts staying with its convictions; the
Spruce Street corridor, the investment in downtown, Vermillion River Crossing. In the
studies in 2003 and 2004, the Ice Arena was one ofthe main stays of the whole corridor.
He spent two hours at the Extension Office today with Brian Watson and he saw no
reason why in the future a second rink could not be built on the site of the current arena.
There are variances and all kinds of things we can do to keep the rink there. In 2004 it
was fine to put the Spruce Street corridor in and discuss a second rink. Now there are the
reports from 2007 and it doesn't make any sense. We have a big investment in
downtown, in this building, and Vermillion River Crossing. Let's not play politics. Let's
make sure we have ice at Schmitz-Maki Arena so the kids have a place to play. You
have room to put another rink there. This process will drag out and you will miss your
opportunity. He heard at the last meeting, there is a window of opportunity and that the
contractors are filling up to get the ice fixed. What is the timeframe? Mr. Garvey
thought we had to act on it right away and now you want to table it until March. Mayor
Larson stated we are still within the time line, but we need to do something. Mr. Garvey
stated the Extension Office has not heard from anyone with the City to talk about that site
so how did you come to the conclusion it cannot handle a second rink? Mayor Larson
stated that has not been determined. Mr. Garvey stated he read the report from 2007 from
Bonestroo. No one talked to the Extension Office and that is the body you have to go
through. Mayor Larson stated that is one of the options on the table that will be
reviewed. It is not off the table.
Mr. Tim Burke, 20087 Heathrow Way, stated ifit is still on the table, why do we have a
memo from the City Administrator suggesting it is not the way to go. When the Council
and School Board met 1.5 weeks ago, the direction given to staff (the School District
Superintendent and the City Administrator) was to pursue a long term repair of Schmitz-
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16,2010
Page 3
MaId Arena and nothing more, and a corollary to see what happens with the private
developer. When we left that room, there was no discussion of two sheets of ice at
another location. The clear intention, in his interpretation from the meeting, was we are
going to work with the existing facility and nothing more. Mr. Burke felt having a memo
like this is staff disregarding the intentions that were clearly made by both the City
Council and the School Board at that meeting on Wednesday. Mr. Burke felt as the body
responsible for driving this right now, the City Council needs to make it clear to the
people who work for it, that that is the intention. To continue talk about building
something someplace else at some other point, whether it is one or ten years down the
road, is not on the table right now.
Mr. Leon Orr, 19161 Echo Lane, wanted to add in reference to the recommendations
received from the City Administrator, he referred to fixing the Schmitz-MaId Arena, he
did not have any problem with that as long as it is a first class job, because it is a good
building and serves the community well. The recommendation from Mr. Distad to use an
ammonia system is a sound recommendation if you replace all the equipment. There is
another avenue where you just replace what is under the floor. If you do the whole thing,
he has been told the ammonia system is the choice these days. He spoke with someone
from up north, and Babbitt has an ammonia system that has been in for 49 years and
Hibbing has had one for 64 years. It is a good, long-term system. Mr. Orr suggested the
Council consider separating the two issues; Schmitz-Maki and what you will do with it
and when; and the next step of what, when, and where any future rinks go. Regarding the
time line suggested, Mr. Orr hoped the Council did not go with that because once you put
something on a time line, in 2012 it will be called to your attention if it is approved by
you in 2010. There are too many unknowns. In particular, he did not like the time line
because it suggests repairing the arena for $1 million and goes further to say in 2022 that
the arena would be abandoned for ice purposes. So 12 years for a $1 million expense
when systems of that type that Mr. Distad is suggesting, could last for 35 - 44 years. He
asked Council to not adopt a long term timeline at this meeting. A time line should be
developed, but with a lot more input and a variety of sources.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a) Approved Council Minutes (2/1/10 Regular) (2/3/10 Special)
b) Approved School and Conference - Parks and Recreation
c) Approved School and Conference - Parks and Recreation
d) Adopted RESOLUTION RIO-IO Accepting Farmington VFW Donation to
Rambling River Center Construction Project - Parks and Recreation
e) Approved Curbside Cleanup Day Agreement - Municipal Services
g) Approved Updated Emergency Operations Plan - Police
h) Received Information School and Conference - Police
j) Adopted RESOLUTION Rll-IO Approving Gambling Event Permit-
Administration
k) Approved Bills
1) Approved Appointment Recommendation Finance - Human Resources
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16, 2010
Page 4
f) Draft 2009 Financial Report - Administration
Councilmember May asked if this was the final report for 2009. City
Administrator Herlofsky replied it is pre-audit and will be close to year-end.
Councilmember May asked about expenditures for street lights and signal
maintenance noting for December the amount is $29,415, and historically it was
less. Staff replied there were 13 months billed to this account. The December
number is for two months. Councilmember May stated this is a very useful
document and looking overall through the year on the revenue side she asked if
we had an ALF Ambulance payment. Staff confirmed it was the ALF payment.
Councilmember May stated we squeaked by on the revenue side and on
expenditures there are numbers that went over budget anywhere from 2.3% to
10% under patrol, fire, engineering, street lights, finance, and City Hall. When
looking at the other pages for the fund balances, the EDA had a drop of $3 8,000
in their fund balance, the ice arena $82,000, liquor $73,000. We need to be
extremely cautious in 2010 because the revenue side will struggle. She was not
sure how building permits would go this year, so the trend to see the drop in the
fund balance is concerning knowing that 2010 will be a tough year.
City Administrator Herlofsky stated considering the 2009 budget was approved in
2008, and the first thing this Council had to address early in 2009 was a reduction
of $350,000 worth of revenue from the state, we gained $200,000 back to our
fund balance, building permits were up, and employees took a furlough during the
year that also gave us $100,000 back. So we gained $200,000 and lost just under
$200,000 at the end of 2008 because of the state not forwarding the market value
homestead funds. Weare back where we were at the end of 2007 with a little
over $2 million in our fund balance. To come out $200,000 ahead after cutting
$350,000 in the beginning, he was proud of the departments including the public
safety groups as they are responding to the community in a much more direct
way. All in all we did quite well, but 2010 will be a tough budgeting year.
Councilmember May stated it will be very important that we stay at or below the
budgeted expenditures because the revenue side will struggle.
Councilmember Wilson stated this is a good reflection of staff managing
resources throughout 2009. We see these reports monthly and every one of us has
commented we are at 98% or 99% of budget. He thanked staff for managing the
expenditures very well throughout the year.
i) Approve Administrative Services Agreement for Health Reimbursement
Account and Flexible Savings Account - Human Resources
MOTION by Fogarty, second by May to approve the amendments to the
Administrative Services Agreements between the City of Farmington and
HealthPartners Administrators, Inc. Voting for: Larson, Donnelly, Fogarty, May.
Abstain: Wilson. MOTION CARRIED.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16, 20 I 0
Page 5
9. AWARD OF CONTRACT
a) Walnut Street Reconstruction Project - Engineering
There were 18 bids received for this project. Bids ranged from $1.9 million to
$2.6 million. The low bidder was S.M. Hentges and Sons at $1,889,483.73. This
compares to the estimate of $2,667,000. The result of this bid was $880,000
under the estimate. We will now be able to bond $1.2 million less than
anticipated to complete the project. The assessments and contributions from the
trunk fund are consistent as presented in the meeting in January. Staff
recommended bonding for $2 million which includes contingency, engineering,
and legal.
Councilmember Wilson asked why the estimate was so far off of the bid spread.
He asked if the bidders missed something. City Engineer Schorzman stated
nothing was missed. Two things happened, we had this out on the streets when
everyone was anxious for work, and regarding the engineering estimate, he did it
different this year. The estimate was based off of nothing but the average bid
prices for the 2009 trunk utility project and the prices we received for Dushane.
There were some gambles taken by contractors, for example on the select granular
borrow. We have fairly decent material under the streets once you get down to
the sand. Many took a gamble that they would not have to haul material in and
could use what is on site. If they need to haul it in, they will lose money.
Mayor Larson stated any bid that is let in January or February is well under the
estimate. It is the time of year and the economy. Councilmember Wilson
assumed this will have a positive impact on the contribution from residents. Staff
replied that is a Council decision. The proposed assessment of $423,000 is 16%
of the project and the City's current policy is to assess up to 35% of the project.
Since this is still at 16% based on estimates of the appraisals, that would be a
Council decision to change the policy and go lower. City Administrator
Herlofsky stated the assessment will not change, but as we have a smaller amount
to bond for, the bond payments will be less so the whole City will benefit.
Councilmember May asked if the bonds are in certain increments and why staff
said $2 million. Staff was rounding up. Councilmember May asked if there are
any upfront costs. City Administrator Herlofsky stated they will be working
through their bond consultant, but it should not be that much more.
Councilmember May asked if we can use this project to follow the paper trail with
the money. One question she has had in the past is there are administrative costs,
but you say we charge it and credit back on the bond. She would like to follow
the actual paper trail and where she can see that accounting take place. She would
like to use this project as an example for herself to learn how it works. Staffwill
provide this information.
Councilmember Fogarty thanked City Engineer Schorzman for pushing Council
because it paid off. His estimate was higher than the highest bid. A savings of
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16, 2010
Page 6
$800,000 is well worth pushing the Council to do things in a timely fashion. She
asked him to keep pushing Council. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to
adopt RESOLUTION R12-10 accepting the based bid of S.M. Hentges and Sons,
Inc. in the amount of$I,889,483.73 and awarding the project. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
a) Accept Rambling River Center Building Proposal- Economic Development
Council had directed staff to sell the old Rambling River Center building. Staff
has received a purchase offer for $50,000. In order to make the space lease ready
for a new tenant, there are a significant amount of improvements that are needed.
The cost for improvements range from $194,000 - $204,000. The proposal does
meet the Business Subsidy policy. Selling the property meets several goals of the
Council:
- Selling property no longer utilized by the City.
- Adding the property to the tax rolls.
- Attracting investment to downtown.
- Retaining an existing business.
Staff recommends accepting the purchase offer and direct staff to draw up a
Contract for Private Development.
Mayor Larson asked if there will be a timeline for the repairs to be completed and
if there will be a surety to make sure that happens. Economic Development
Specialist Hansmeier replied the Contract for Private Development would require
the improvements be made in one year of the contract date. There would be a
letter of credit or promissory note that would ensure the improvements are made.
Councilmember May asked who would draw up the contract, and if the City
would be involved with making sure there are certain items in the contract. Staff
will work with the City Attorney to prepare the contract. The contract will come
back to the Council for final approval. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson
to accept the purchase offer and authorize staff to draw up a Contract for Private
Development with Mr. Otten. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
b) Professional Services Agreement Modification - Engineering
City Engineer Schorzman stated at the Engineering workshop in January, there
was a discussion on consulting engineering services and how we use the services
of others at the City. Based on those discussions, he asked the consulting
engineering firm about options to change how services are currently handled.
General engineering services are covered by a retainer we pay each month no
matter what. That affords the City help with things on a day to day basis. The
option staff is recommending is a change to go away from the retainer and go to a
pay for the services you receive arrangement. The City would pay a reduced rate
for time that is spent on general engineering services which would be $70/hour
versus the rates for other City projects. The main benefit is it allows the City
more control over the budget. It may mean more tracking for staff, but you are
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16,2010
Page 7
paying for services that you need when you need them, versus paying up front for
something you have not decided what you received from it. City Engineer
Schorzman recommended going away from a retainer and going to a pay for
services provided. He does not anticipate any substantial budget impact. It will
be paid out of professional services.
Mayor Larson saw this as giving City Engineer Schorzman more control over the
situation which he liked.
Councilmember May would have preferred to have this at the continuation of the
Engineering workshop. She clarified the $70/hour is in addition to the project
work they do; for everyday work. She asked ifthere is a minimum number of
hours they require. Staff stated a minimum is what you are getting when you pay
a retainer. It will not have a dramatic reduction in the budget. Rather than having
x number of hours/month, there may be months we are very busy and could use
more help knowing in a couple months we may not need as much help.
Councilmember Wilson noted the memo from Bonestroo indicates 8-10
hours/week for this option, but there is no 8-10 hours referenced in the memo to
Council. He asked if the Bonestroo person could have 160 hours/month. City
Engineer Schorzman replied no, he would not allow that to happen. The other 30
hours are covered under a different financial arrangement whether it be private
develop projects, etc. Councilmember Wilson was comfortable with this, but he
would like to see how this fits into the overall scheme of engineering costs.
Councilmember Donnelly stated it is revenue neutral, but gives staff the flexibility
when to use Bonestroo and we do not have to pay for time not used.
Councilmember May noted it does state in Bonestroo's memo that it is understood
it will be 8-10 hours/week. City Engineer Schorzman stated 8-10 hours is a
historic average of time spent over the years. That will not be written in as a
minimum guarantee in the modification. The modification is we pay $70/hour for
the hours the Bonestroo employee works. This agreement is in effect until one of
the parties decides to change it. Councilmember May asked if it will be 8-10
hours/week, isn't $2500/month for the retainer cheaper? Councilmember Fogarty
stated the 8-10 hours/week amounts to $2240/month. City Engineer Schorzman
stated over the year, this will be revenue neutral. Councilmember May stated in
the engineering workshop we discussed trying to do more internally. MOTION
by Wilson, second by Fogarty to authorize a change to the Professional Services
Agreement stating General Engineering Services will be billed at a rate of
$70/hour for actual time spent performing general engineering duties. APIF,
MOTION CARRIED.
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16, 2010
Page 8
c) Adopt Resolution - Approve Plans and Specifications, Authorize Ad for Bids
Rambling River Center HV AC System - Parks and Recreation
Bonestroo has completed the plans and specifications for the HV AC system at the
Rambling River Center. The estimated cost is $97,582. The budget was set at
$85,000 which includes $65,000 from the CDBG program along with $20,000 of
unspent funds from the original project budget. The estimated amount can be
reduced by using volunteers to remove ceiling tiles which would amount to
$20,000. The HV AC units are high efficiency and will qualify for an Xcel
Energy rebate. The bid opening would be March 25,2010. If the bids come in
favorably there may be alternates that would enhance the project and then use
volunteers to keep the cost under budget. MOTION by Fogarty, second by
Wilson to adopt RESOLUTION R13-10 approving the plans and specifications
and authorizing the advertisement of bids for the Rambling River Center's HV AC
system improvements. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Ice Arena Recommendation - Administration
There was discussion at the last Council meeting regarding the current site of the
Schmitz-Maid Arena. City Administrator Herlofsky provided a time line of events
that may help in resolving the issue. The first issue is to correct the problems at
the arena. After that it is to determine a site, and financing if there is a second
sheet of ice. Council was provided with a proposal from the Colby Group and
this will be on the February 22,2010, EDA agenda. Mayor Larson asked that
copies be provided to the School Board. Weare close to the timeframe we need
to work in to make sure it is operational by next fall. The Planning Department
prepared some layouts if there were two sheets of ice on the existing site. They
do fit based on dimensions. The drawings are not based on soils, flood plain, or
storm water. The parking amounts to 250-300 parking spaces and the ordinance
requires close to 1,000 parking spaces. We would have to look at a variance for
the parking.
Councilmember Fogarty felt we should move forward with the feasibility study.
She was interested in what the Colby Group has to say, but there is no reason we
cannot be on two tracks. She is very concerned if we wait we will miss the
bidding opportunity and will have a tough time getting the ice done this summer.
That needs to be our first priority. Her frustration is when the Schmitz-Maki
Arena was built, they did build it with forward thinking. They bought extra land
and created extra space. Some things have changed, but looking at the
meandering line, she sees no reason why we cannot put in another sheet of ice
area wise or river wise to the east. She was looking for answers of not why we
cannot do it, but how we can get it done. She feels staff is not interested in
finding a way to make this happen. The community is behind this site. She
realized parking is complicated, but it is complicated everywhere. She has no
problem telling people the Boeckman Middle School parking lot is for overflow
parking. The nursery area could be converted to overflow parking. She was
looking for more of a can do attitude. It will be cost effective and we can save
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16, 2010
Page 9
money by putting it on that site. She was not interested in following the timeline
except for 2010 and let's get the first sheet taken care of. We need to make sure
we have ice next year. That is one thing the Council and School Board agree on.
Mayor Larson agreed and is ready to move forward to get the arena fixed
correctly. He would like to see a second sheet of ice at the current arena site.
Let's see the obstacles, how much they will cost and make a decision instead of
saying it will not work. First, we need to address the current problem with the
arena.
Councilmember Wilson asked if Councilmember Fogarty was looking to take
action tonight. Councilmember Fogarty stated she would like to move it forward
tonight. Councilmember Wilson noted there is nothing to act on. He was
disappointed because he wanted to approve this and there is nothing to approve.
If Council approves this item, they are approving the timeline. He wants to make
sure we have ice for next year. He wants to get the issue resolved, go out for bids,
and if we need to, get professional people from the community to add their
experience. He appreciated the information in the timeline, but there is no action
item for Council to adopt.
City Administrator Herlofsky noted the item for 2010 says to correct the ice
problem at Schmitz-Maki Arena. He was trying to provide Council with a variety
of options. After the last meeting, he did not have a consensus from Council. If
Council wants to have the arena fixed and prepare design documents, there is
nothing to keep Council from doing that. Councilmember Wilson stated at the
joint workshop the entire room was in agreement on a dual track of fixing the
arena and looking at the Colby Group.
Councilmember Donnelly stated he does not understand why we are not following
a dual track. He wanted to clarify that he and Councilmember Fogarty asked
during the joint meeting if there was a way to build a second sheet of ice at the
arena. That is what the information says. The immediate need is to make sure we
have ice for the near future. Fixing the arena does that. Then we have time to
decide what to do after that.
Councilmember May agreed we need to fix the arena, but she did not know how
they can say to what degree they want to fix it. We all know the floor needs to be
replaced, but she was not convinced we need to buy all new equipment and that
will depend on what the rest of the plan looks like. She did not know how we can
spend $1 million when we may only need to spend $500,000. She was confused
why we want to jump in without getting the whole picture. She was embarrassed
that we sound anti-new developer. We have not had a chance to meet with them.
They will meet with us next week, not in three months. We should give them an
opportunity to present to us formally and hear them out. She would like staff to
visit with Gustavus as Mr. Orr pointed out they have similar equipment and
similar issues and we could cut the cost in half. If the long range plan is to build
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16, 20 I 0
Page 10
elsewhere, maybe we could get by with just the floor for now and replace the
equipment later. Whatever the long range plan is, it will not happen soon enough
to not fix the arena for next year. There is no discussion on financing. She will
not approve anything without further discussion on financing. Is it just the City's
dime? Is the school or the hockey association involved? We are not talking
months. We can make these decisions within the timeframe we were given.
Mayor Larson stated the way the feasibility study was shown, the bids would
come back itemized so we could chose what we wanted. City Administrator
Herlofsky noted the agenda also includes a memo from Randy Distad, Parks and
Recreation Director and Jeremy Pire, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor with their
recommendation. The major objective has been fixing the arena. Until we decide
what we will do, it is difficult going to the school or the hockey association. We
are providing a recommendation as to what we should put into the building. The
floor needs work and we also need to look at some of the equipment that makes
the ice. The task force discussed the possibility of having portable units outside
the building, or creating a hole in the wall so the equipment can be removed later.
Weare trying to make sure the ice works and to use the building to its optimum
use. If Council chooses to repair the arena, staff will contact the school district to
see if we can count on them for half. We can also contact the hockey association
for a certain amount of ice time. If this is what Council wants, we can check on
the elevation for the flood plain, storm water, and parking.
Parks and Recreation Director Distad stated stafP s recommendation is to make a
permanent fix at the existing site. The cost would be $1,062,000. The floor,
compressor and dasherboards are integral to each other for the system to function
correctly. The existing compressors could be rebuilt at a savings of$160,000-
$180,000. We still would have 35 year old compressors. Staff felt we should do
it right and replace the compressors with a new system that utilizes ammonia
rather than Freon. Freon is being phased out. Beginning in 2020, Freon will not
be made anymore. We can try to mix match the dasherboards, but then it is a mix
of new and old boards. It would be much safer to replace them.
Councilmember Fogarty asked if Council can authorize staff to prepare and send
out the design documents from what we have even though it is not being
requested and there isn't a specific resolution. City Attorney Poehler stated they
can as it is inherent in what they are discussing. Staff noted it will come back to
Council again to approve the plans and specs and authorize the ad for bids. Staff
noted according to the timeline they were hoping to approve the plans and specs
and authorize the ad for bids tonight. That was to start the project on April 5,
2010, as soon as the ice is out. So we are a few weeks behind.
Councilmember Wilson asked if the feasibility report included the document
along with preparing plans and specs. Parks and Recreation Director Distad
replied no, the feasibility report was just a presentation; no approvals were given.
The idea was to wait until after the joint meeting to bring it back tonight to
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16,2010
Page 11
discuss what direction Council wanted to go. Councilmember Wilson stated
when we authorized the $40,000 for the feasibility study, did we save $28,000 or
is there money in reserve? City Administrator Herlofsky stated the $40,000 was
for feasibility and design. We have only completed the feasibility portion. We
need design documents so people can have some documents to use for bidding.
Now we are spending the rest of the $40,000. Councilmember Wilson stated he
still did not know what he was giving direction to. Every meeting we have a
specific action on an item and we vote. He was concerned that because the
timeline is included in the agenda memo, that somewhere down the road we will
be held to it. Councilmember Fogarty stated that would be handled in the
wording of the motion.
MOTION by Wilson, second by Fogarty to prepare plans and specifications
consistent with the February 9, 2010, memo as identified on pages 16-3 and 16-4
of the February 16,2010, Council packet.
Mr. Tim Burke stated if you are going to move ahead with the motion, this will
put the building in shape for the next 20 years. You will need the
dehumidification system as well. Why not put that in there and get it done? You
are saving something this year, but not in the long term. If you are going to bond
for it you will be paying for it for the length of the bond issue. If at some point
you do not want it, you can reject that part of the bid.
Councilmember Wilson amended and Councilmember Fogarty seconded his
motion to include the dehumidification system as an alternate in the bid. Voting
for: Larson, Donnelly, Fogarty, Wilson. Voting against: May. MOTION
CARRIED.
12. NEW BUSINESS
13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE
a) Reschedule City Administrator Evaluation Workshop
The workshop was set for February 22, 2010, at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmemher Wilson: Complimented the Public Works staff for continuing to do
an outstanding job with cleaning the streets. He reminded those living near a fire hydrant
to make sure it is shoveled out.
Councilmemher Fogarty: Staff has done an excellent job with snow plowing. There
has not been one complaint.
City Administrator Her/o/sky: Noted the snow plow crews did an extra clean-up
around Christmas and that really made a difference. They cut the snow banks down for
visibility. The quality of people working for the City are always concerned about the
service and try very hard.
Council Minutes (Regular)
February 16,2010
Page 12
Parks and Recreation
Director Distad: The outdoor rinks are closed. Staff will sweep the rinks,
but will not flood or maintain them. The warming houses are also closed.
Councilmember Fogarty asked if we keep the lights on. Staff replied no because of costs.
Councilmember Fogarty would like to discuss that before next year's season.
Mayor Larson: Thanked all the rescue workers, City employees and
anyone who helped with the rescue last week. It was an incredible job.
The liquor store held a wine tasting last week which he attended. There were 75 people
in attendance.
Thanked the high school civic teachers for having him at the high school last week.
He noted the City and the school district do meet on a consistent basis and try to foresee
problems before they occur.
He encouraged residents to support local businesses.
14. ADJOURN
MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
?>~~ P/~
Cynthia Muller
Executive Assistant