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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/12/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING PARK ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA December 2, 2002 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7.30 p.m. The following Councilmembers were present at roll call: Jim Bnmeyer, Ron Latz, Chris Nelson, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Councilmember Susan Sanger was absent. Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer); City Attorney (Mr Scott), Director of Finance (Ms. McGann); Director of Public Works (Mr Rardin); Director of Human Resources (Ms. Gohman); Public Works Coordinator(Mr. Merkley); Administrative Specialist Public Works (Ms. Hellekson); and Recording Secretary (Ms. Samson). Additional staff present was the City Assessor(Mr. Stepnick). 2. Presentations--None 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Minutes of November 18, 2002 3b. City Council Special Meeting Minutes of November 18, 2002 3c. City Council Study Session Minutes of November 12, 2002 3d. City Council Study Session Minutes of October 28, 2002 All minutes were approved as presented 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar NOTE: The Consent Calendar lists those items of business which are considered to be routine and/or which need no discussion Consent items are acted upon by one motion. If discussion is desired by either a Councilmember or a member of the audience, that item may be moved to an appropriate section of the regular agenda for discussion. 4a Adopt Resolution No. 02-129 declaring a vacancy in At-Large A Council seat 4b Motion to adopt Resolution No. 02-130 authorizing the installation of Permit Parking restrictions on Idaho Avenue, 2nd Street, and 1St Street 4c Approve Ordinance No. 2234-02 zoning ordinance text amendments to add large item retail as a separate land use classification, correct the table of bulk regulations to reflect previous amendments to residential setbacks, allow use of certain exterior building materials for park buildings, and correct a code formatting error relating to the location of required parking in the R-1, R-2 and R- 3 residential districts, approve summary ordinance and authorize publication 4d Motion to approve Resolution No. 02-131 authorizing final payment to Ron Kassa Construction, Inc. for random curb replacement. Council Meeting Minutes -2- December 2, 2002 4e Motion to accept for filing the Human Rights Commission Minutes for October 16, 2002 4f Motion to approve Resolution No.02-132 authorizing execution of a Limited Use Permit with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the construction, maintenance and operation of a pedestrian trail over Trunk Highway 100 It was moved by Councilmember Nelson, seconded by Councilmember Velick, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar. The motion passed 6-0. 5. Boards and Commissions--None 6. Public Hearings 6a. Public Hearing on the 2003 Budget and Tax Levy Director of Finance Jean McGann reported on the 2003 proposed budget and property tax levy. Ms. McGann said the 2003 proposed budget includes the general operating budget, the debt service budgets, and the enterprise fund budgets. The City's objective is to maintain the current level of services. Ms. McGann reported that the operating levy increase is 1.9%, and the overall general fund increase is 4.7%. There are no projected increases for the enterprise funds for 2003, i.e., the water utility or the sewer utility. Ms. McGann added that the storm water utility rates are being reviewed. The refuse contract from the utility fund is being negotiated. Ms. McGann continued. Within the general operating budget, two information technology (IT) staff persons are expected to be added in order to maintain the City's current technology and to be poised for future changes. Thirteen percent of the expense of the two positions will be covered by the general operating budget, and remaining dollar amounts will be derived from the enterprise funds and other funding sources. Ms. McGann said a 3.0% cost of living increase is proposed for union and nonunion employees. Two of the City's five contracts are under negotiation at this time. A Capital Improvement Expense (CIP) is the need for the Rec Center roof replacement. Ms. McGann stated that from property tax dollars collected, the City receives 25%, the County 34%, the school district 33%, and other taxing jurisdictions such as the Metropolitan Council and the Mosquito Control District receive 8%. Ms. McGann discussed property tax refunds, special tax refunds, and the senior deferred property tax program She said the market value of a home is not correlated with the dollar amount the City will collect. An e-permitting system for City permits will be available soon, however, exceptions to the e-permitting system will be if a planned review is required. The final budget adoption will be held on December 16, 2002. Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. No one came forward and Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing. Councilmember Nelson said he thinks the 2003 proposed budget is a good budget. He said the replacement of the Rec Center roof is estimated to cost $2.6 million. Council Meeting Minutes -3- December 2, 2002 Russ Lewellen, 3053 Zarthan Avenue South, asked about the funding for the two information technology positions. Ms. McGann said to cover the expense of the two positions, 13% will come from the general operating budget, 70% will come from the police and fire pension fund interest earnings, and the remainder from the utility funds. Mr. Lewellen asked if the 1.9% operating levy increase could be lowered to a .95% increase; and add just one IT position rather than two. Also, Mr. Lewellen would like to know if an internship position would be a viable option for one of the IT positions. City Manager Charlie Meyer commented that there is only one IT staff person at this time, and no one is currently available to maintain the City's GIS systems. Mr. Meyer said the City would like one individual to support the City's PC network and provide training, and one individual to maintain the GIS systems. The IT positions represent an impact on the tax levy of approximately no more than one or two tenths of one percent. Mr. Lewellen would still like to submit a decrease from 1.9% to .95%, and fill only one IT position. Mayor Jacobs said final approval of the budget will take place on Monday, December 16, 2002. Councilmember Latz responded to Mr. Lewellen's concerns. Councilmember Latz said to decrease the operating levy from 1.9% to .95% would cut far more than two IT positions He thinks the budget has been assembled in a measured way with minimal impact on individual property taxpayers, and the budget still provides for the services residents want and expect. 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public--None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions 8a. Recommended program changes for residential solid waste collection Director of Public Works Mike Rardin introduced Scott Merkley, Public Works Coordinator, and Sarah Hellekson, Administrative Specialist Public Works Mr. Merkley gave a brief overview of the proposed solid waste program changes. Proposed changes include elimination of one pass trucks, carts for refuse paid for by the City, an optional user credit for reduced summer yard waste collection, citywide spring cleanup day, use of performance indicators, and multi-family residential recycling program He reported that some of the goals are to increase recycling and reduce the amounts going to landfills, cost effective services, effective communication, and continual evaluation of the program and industry. Susan Bloyer, 2935 Pennsylvania Avenue South, stated that she does not favor the purchase of the refuse carts by the City, especially during these difficult economic times; she suggested that perhaps the hauler should be solving the refuse problems that have been cited, she would like greater recycling capability; and she would prefer a pay-as- you-throw system for lawn refuse ,i Council Meeting Minutes -4- December 2, 2002 Gordon Anderson, 4246 Vernon Avenue South, reported that a letter he sent to the Sun Sailor was published several weeks ago, however, the newspaper edited, i.e., deleted, two paragraphs. Mr. Anderson read the two paragraphs to the Council, the essence of which was a quarterly fee is being charged for those residents who require walk-up service. Mr. Anderson cited the Waste Management contract as providing doorstep service upon application to the contractor under certain conditions, and nowhere is a fee mentioned. He provided two examples of cases that were resolved in favor of the complainants. Robert Olson, 2840 Glenhurst Avenue South, asked what the refuse fees will be. Mr. Rardin said the fees are subject to negotiations. Mr. Meyer said the City sets the rates the residents pay, not the hauler. John Mayer, 7704 Victoria Circle, is very pleased to hear about the use of smaller refuse vehicles. Mr. Mayer said a lawn service for the townhome owners of Victoria Ponds removes their lawn refuse, therefore, is it correct that credit will be given for the 72 units? Mayor Jacobs replied yes. Ms. Hellekson said because the refuse trucks are about one- half the size of the current refuse trucks, two trucks will be required, one for refuse and one for recycling It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Nelson, to direct staff to prepare contract documents incorporating program changes as outlined in this staff report. Councilmember Latz commented that the contract sets the nght incentives, and he is pleased to see public support for the proposed changes. He said the walkup service of five years ago was very informal. The Council thought there were a few hundred residents receiving walkup service, however, when a new contractor came on board, it was discovered that about 900 residents were receiving walkup service—and every household was paying for that service. Councilmember Latz stated that Council thought it unfair for everyone to pay for those who didn't require but benefited from the walkup service. Council did not want Staff to make medical and disability decisions on behalf of those who required any kind of proof of a physical disability. Mr. Anderson stepped forward and said to be sure all Councilmembers get a copy of the two cases he mentioned earlier. Mayor Jacobs said that will be done and the City Attorney will also receive a copy. Councilmember Nelson said everyone is charged the same fee. He said Council did not want to screen residents for disability and income when this issue came up in 1998, therefore, Council made a policy decision not to subsidize walkup service. The motion passed 6-0. 8b. Paid Time Off Policy - Resolution No. 02-127 Director of Human Resources Nancy Gohman discussed paid time off in regard to salary limitations. Council Meeting Minutes -5- December 2, 2002 It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Velick to adopt Resolution No. 02-127 revising the City of St Louis Park Personnel Manual by adding a Paid Time Off Policy. The motion passed 6-0. 8c. 2003 General Pay Increase Ms. Gohman reported on the 2003 general pay increase for non-union employee compensation, the paid-on-call Firefighter Performance Program and the City Manager's contract. It was moved by Councilmember Velick, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt Resolution No. 128 confirming a general increase for non-union employees, increasing performance program pay for Paid-on-call Firefighters, and adjusting compensation for the City Manager. The motion passed 6-0 9. Communications From the City Manager: Mr. Meyer reported that on November 27th, a certificate of occupancy was issued for the Excelsior and Grand project. From Councilmember Nelson: Councilmember Nelson announced that the bike trail -that runs along the Southwest LRT line is now complete. From the Mayor: Mayor Jacobs announced a Council vacancy due to Ron Latz' January 2003 departure to the State Legislature. Applications to fill the At-Large Council position are being accepted through December 9, 2002. Mayor Jacobs said the Council anticipates filling the seat in early January 2003. 10. Adjournment Mayor Jacobs adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m. ------- • ite-i-c.-61-*----09— --_---7,4/ yz, ty Clerk Mayo f