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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-09 Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order/Pled$e of Allegiance /Aonroval of Agenda: The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Mayor Beaudet. Present: Councilmembers Abrahamson, McComber, Swenson, and Runk. Staff present: Administrator Johnson, City Attorney Vierling, Finance Director Holst, and City Engineer Long. Absent: City Planner Richards. Mayor Beaudet added "Set Budget Workshop for First Meeting in October" to New Business Item C. and "Approve Engineer to Design Water System Controls" as New Business Item E. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 5 -0. II. Denartment/Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the next meeting of the Planning Commission was set for September 10 with a continued discussion on design guidelines. • B. Parks Commission: Councilmember McComber reported that the next meeting of the Parks Commission was set for September 21 with a walkthrough beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Cover Park and ending at Autumn Hills Park with the regular meeting to follow. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Swenson reported that the next meeting of the Cable Commission was scheduled for October 21. D. Water Management Oreanizations/Middle St. Croix:. Mayor Beaudet reported that the next meeting of the Middle St. Croix Water Management Organization was set for September 17 at 5:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District Office. E. Other Liaison/Staff Retorts: Mayor Beaudet announced that Fall Clean -up has been scheduled for Saturday, October 10 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. III. Visitors/Public Comment: Administrative Secretary Pinski reported that Robin and Steve Jensen of 14797 Upper 55 Street North were chosen as the recycling award winners. IV. Consent A etf nda: City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2009 Page 2 of 4 • A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — August 25, 2009 C. Approve 2009 — 2010 Snow Plowing Agreement D. Approve Purchase of Ford Pick -up F -350 Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Consent agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. V. Public Hearines: None VI. Old Business: A. Citv Hall Facilitv General Update: Mayor Beaudet directed staff to pursue change orders for conduits to connect the new City Hall building to well number 1. B. Citv Hall Facility — Final $1.2 Million Bond Issue: Steve Madsen of Northland Securities came before the council and explained that the Federal Government had implemented a new program called Build . America. Bonds in lieu of tax -free municipal bonds. He provided the council with a spreadsheet showing the difference in payments for the two bond types. He recommended that the City proceed with tax -free municipal bonds. Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve tax -free bonds according to the Resolution in the packet. Roll call vote taken. Carried 4 -1, McComber opposed. VII. New Business: A. Appointment of and Swearing in of Police Officer: Mayor Beaudet called a brief recess for photographs. The meeting was called back to order. Police Chief DeRosier recommended approval of the hiring of Jonathan Givand as Police Officer for the City of Oak Park Heights. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the hiring of Jonathan Givand. Carried 5 -0. Mayor Beaudet swore in the new officer. B. Washington Countv — Reauest for Refund from Utility Charges: City Administrator Johnson provided a brief background review on this issue. • He reported that Washington County had requested a refund from the City City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2009 Page 3 of 4 for utilities they believe they overpaid. Harley Will, Accounting and Finance Director for Washington County, came forward at the meeting and reported that the County determined that there were issues with the meter reading charges. Mayor Beaudet pointed out that the meters at the County were read by County staff during the duration when the problems occurred, and that City staff had contacted the County about the discrepancy at that time. Councilmember Swenson stated that there was a lot of information provided by the County and that he would like this item to go back to City staff for further review. City Attorney Vierling stated that the City should take this issue under advisement. He stated that City staff has the record and the county may supplement it if they wish. He stated the council could deliberate on the issue if they wish, and City staff could prepare Resolutions both ways on the issue for the County's consideration. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to take this issue under advisement, put this item on the table for the next 30 days, • and keep the record open. Carried 5 -0. C. 2010 Budget — Adopt Resolution Approving 2010 Proposed Budget and Proposed Tax Levies and Set Budget Workshop for First Meeting October: Finance Director Holst stated that the Resolution provided for levying to the maximum. She reported that Utility Transition Aid had been cut and that the City is losing Market Value Homestead Credit. Councilmember McComber and Councilmember Abrahamson reported that they would like the impact to the residents to decrease. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to approve the Resolution and continue to look at ways to cut the budget. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to direct staff to prepare comments for the upcoming newsletter pertaining to this topic. Carried 5 -0. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to set a budget workshop prior to the first council meeting in October at 5:45 p.m. in the rear conference room. Carried 5 -0. • D. 2010 Budget — Schedule Public Co nent/hearins Meetiq&&T,Tnxth in Taxation: Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2009 Page 4 of 4 • McComber, moved to reschedule the November 24 council meeting to December 1 and hold the Truth in Taxation Hearing at that time. Carried 5 -0. E. Approve Engineer to Design New Water Svstem Controls: City Administrator Johnson reported that the City is looking to install a new control system for the water system for the new City Hall. He reported that $60,000 has been budgeted to date and that the project is estimated to cost $125,000. Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to approve the engineer to design the new water system controls. Carried 5 -0. Councilmember Abrahamson requested the City Engineer provide a timeline. VIII. Adiournment: Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to adjourn at 8:13 p.m. Carried 5 -0. • Respectfully submitted, App v as t ontent o , ` fer Pinski avid Beau et Administrative Secretary/Deputy Clerk Mayor •