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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/12/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING PARK ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA DECEMBER 3,2007 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong), City Assessor(Mr. Bultema), Public Works Administrative Specialist (Ms. Hellekson), Communications Coordinator(Mr. Zwilling) and Recording Secretary(Ms. Schmidt). Guest: Jennifer Klennert, Marketing Manager, Waste Management. 2. Presentations 2a. Green Business Awards Mayor Jacobs and Ms. Klennert presented the Green Business Awards to General Office Products, Rainbow Treecare and Stahl Construction Company encouraging everyone to help the environment with going green. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Minutes of November 5,2007 It was noted on page three, item #8a, the second paragraph, second sentence should state: "...chose not to bring it forward." It was noted on page five, item #8b, the second paragraph, fifth sentence should state: "...positions being Minnesota Nursing Association (MNA) contract positions." It was noted on page five, item #8b, the second paragraph, sixth sentence should state: "...had been covered under the Minnesota Nursing Association labor contract and MNA pension for the last twenty years." The minutes were approved as amended. 3b. City Council Minutes of November 19,2007 It was noted on page three, item #6a, the fifth paragraph, first sentence should state: "...still did not make a commitment..." City Council Meeting -2- December 3, 2007 It was noted on page six, item #8c, the second paragraph, should state: "... on to state that if the street was that narrow..." The minutes were approved as amended. 3c. Special Study Session Minutes of November 19,2007 It was noted on page two, item #1, the second paragraph, first sentence should state: "... hard time deciphering because such a large proportion was placed in the miscellaneous category." It was noted on page two, item #2, the second paragraph, fourth sentence should state: "...also having supply issues with solar panels." It was noted on page two, item #1, the fourth paragraph, first sentence should state: "... need for another staff person." It was noted on page three, item #2, the second paragraph, fourth sentence should state: "Mr. Harmening said ARINC..." The minutes were approved as amended. 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. Motion to approve Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2346-07 amendment deleting Section 8-258 (b) of the Ordinance Code regarding eliminating the Tobacco smoke testing and disclosure requirement for licensed food and beverage establishments. 4b. Motion to approve Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2347-07 amending St. Louis Park Ordinance Code Chapter 32: Utilities. 4c. Motion to approve Amendment No. 3 to Contract 129-06 Highway 7 / Wooddale Avenue Interchange Project- Project No. 2004-1700. 4d. Adopt the following Resolutions Imposing Civil Penalties for Liquor License Violations according to the recommendation of the City Manager: Resolution No. 07-146 Apple American Ltd, Applebee's Grill Bar Resolution No. 07-147 Vescio's of St Louis Park, Vescio's Italian Restaurant Resolution No. 07-148 Rackner Inc., Bunny's, Resolution No. 07-149 Taste of India St. Louis Park, Taste of India Resolution No. 07-150 Al's Liquor Store Inc., Al's Resolution No. 07-151 Miracle Mile Liquor Barrel, Liquor Barrel Resolution No. 07-152 W2005 WYN Hotels, Doubletree Park Place Hotel. 4e. Motion to approve Amendment No. 18 to Contract No. 1893 Reilly Tar & Chemical Corporation. 4f. Award Engle Fabrication Inc. contract for a mounted water delivery system. 4g. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 07-153 authorizing execution of contract with ENSR Consulting and Engineering for consultant services. City Council Meeting -3- December 3, 2007 4h. Motion to approve Change Order No. 2 to Contract No. 60-07, Flood Improvement Project- Area#26 (Dakota Park) - Project 2003-1300. 4i. Motion to approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract 148-06 Dakota Park Flood Improvement Project- Project 2003-1300. 4j. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 07-154 establishing a special assessment for the repair of the water service line at 3433 Rhode Island Avenue South. 4k. Motion to approve for filing Vendor Claims. It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Carver, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar. Mr. Harmening requested Council add agenda Item 8a, a closed meeting to discuss with the City Attorney the Initiation of a Lawsuit against ARINC and related legal strategy. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Boards and Commissions 5a., Appointment of Citizen Representatives to Boards and Commissions It was moved by Councilmember Basill, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to appoint citizen representative Renee Fitzgerald to the Housing Authority, effective January 1, 2008 with a term expiration of June 30, 2008,filling a vacated position; and also motion to appoint citizen representative Mary Feldman to the Human Rights Commission, effective upon approval of this motion, with a term expiration of December 31, 2008, filling a vacated position. The motion passed 7-0. 6. Public Hearings 6a. Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing on the 2007 Budget and Property Tax Levy Mr. DeJong presented the staff report. Mr. Harmening explained that the 5.6 percent budget increase includes levying back funds to the police and fire dispatch services. He went on to explain that they had been using a capital special services fund to pay for the ongoing dispatch services. Mr. Harmening stated with approval of the increase, they would be gradually working toward the use of funds from that account. Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m. Karen Pere, 1408 Nevada Avenue South, had questions concerning the increased square footage of their property. Mr. Bultema stated he would be happy to discuss the situation with her. City Council Meeting -4- December 3, 2007 Stan Jurgensen, 2309 Westbridge Lane, stated concern with the total spending going up 4.5 percent and social security only going up 2.3 percent and asked that consideration be given to those who don't receive increases of 4.5 percent to cover the increased property taxes. Chad Larson stated concern with taxes and the per capita income difference, illustrating a line item chart of his City taxes for the past 12 years and stated he has had double-digit increases each year. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if they were just the City taxes. Mr. Larson stated that was correct. Mayor Jacobs encouraged him to discuss the matter with the City Assessor. Mr. Larson went on to state concern with the City Reserves and referenced the recent Florida reserve problems. Councilmember Finkelstein explained that Florida had a State mandated money market account that had been invested badly in consumer loans, further stating that the City places their funds in conservative investments. Mr. Larson stated in viewing the 2007 adopted budget information on the City web page, he did not see a written expense management policy. Mr. DeJong stated there was an expense management policy that is governed by the approval process and individual authorization levels. He stated that all expenditures are signed off by at least two people and he personally reviews every expenditure over $5,000. Mayor Jacobs stated that yearly auditors also verify the expenditures. Mr. Harmening explained the budget itself was the expense policy, stating the charter contains requirements for the City Manager and Council approvals, as well as internal policies on what department directors are allowed to approve. Mayor Jacobs went on to state that the policy would be the Council and what they think they should be spending to do what was necessary for the long term benefit of the community. Deb Jetzer, a fourteen-year resident, explained her frustrations with the way condo units were being assessed and compared the rates with the home she recently sold. Mr. Bultema stated he would be more than happy to discuss her situation. He further stated it sounded like it was relatively close in terms of the margin of error, stating there may not be a whole lot that could be done. Nile Fitzpatrick, 40th Lane asked if the information presented tonight would be available on the web site and inquired about the taxable market value versus limited market value differences on a residential level. Mr. Bultema stated that the best way to explain was by evaluating each parcel individually and suggested Mr. Fitzpatrick discuss the matter further with him. Mr. Fitzpatrick also asked who monitored the info@u,stlouispark.org mailbox, explaining that his wife had sent three emails to the address and finally the third one was acknowledged. Mr. Harmening stated it's monitored daily by the communications department. Mayor Jacobs advised Mr. Fitzpatrick and the community they could send their questions directly to the Council or staff. Mr. and Mrs. Dale Johnson, 1319 Texas, stated concern with the way the City plows snow, leaving huge piles for them to deal with from their driveway. Mr. Johnson stated concern with the continual increases in property taxes and how it affects them as well as other senior citizens on a retired fixed income. Mayor Jacobs suggested they talk with Mr. Bultema for possible tax relief options. Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing at 8:39 p.m. Mayor Jacobs thanked everyone for their comments. City Council Meeting -5- December 3, 2007 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public—None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances,Motions and Discussion Items 8a. Closed Meeting with City Attorney 9. Communications Councilmember Finkelstein stated since Hanukkah started this week, he wanted to wish everyone a Hag sameach (Happy Holidays)! 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. (/, Y)a A Nancy Stroth, Cffy Clerk ff J'obS, Mayor /,