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Home My WebLink About09-13-06 Minutes S CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 7:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 2006 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledge of Allegiance /Approval of Agenda: The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Mayor Beaudet. Present: Councilmembers Abrahamson, Doerr, McComber and Swenson. Staff present: Administrator Johnson, Finance Director Holst, Police Chief Swanson, City Attorney Vierling, City Engineer Postler, and City Planner Richards. Absent: None. City Attorney Vierling added two closed sessions to the agenda: "Contract Renegotiation" and "Rejected Litigation." Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 5 -0. II. Department /Council Liaison Reports: A. Planning Commission: City Planner Richards reported that the Planning Commission will meet on September 14 at 7:00 p.m. with a light agenda. • B. Parks Commission: Councilmember Abrahamson reported that the Parks Commission will meet on Monday, September 18 and noted that the new playground equipment has been installed in Cover Park. C. Cable Commission: Councilmember Doerr reported that the next Cable Commission meeting will be held on October 18 at 7:00 p.m. D. Water Management Organizations /Middle St. Croix: Mayor Beaudet reported that the Middle St. Croix will meet on September 14 at the Conservation District offices. Mayor Beaudet also reported that the MSC is working on a brief detail report for cities that summarizes rules changes. E. Other Liaison/Staff Reports: City Administrator Johnson reported that he attended a meeting on the Community Family Center where reports were given on surveys to determine need and identify locations. III. Visitors /Public Comment: Recvcling Award. Administrative Secretary Johnson reported that Eric and Amy Dornfeld of 15161 65 Street North were selected to receive the recycling award. IV. Consent Agenda: • A. Approval of Bills & Investments City Council Meeting Minutes September 13, 2006 Page 2 of 5 • B. Approval of City Council Minutes — August 22, 2006 C. Approve 2 nd Payment Request to Burschville Construction — Novak/Norwich D. Appoint Nicole Morris to Joint Bayport-Oak Park Heights Internship Position E. Approve Color Selections for Autumn Hills Park Shelter Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember Doerr, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 — 0. V. Public Hearings: None VI. Old Business: A. Vehicle Noise Enforcement City Administrator Johnson reported that enforcement is an issue and a challenge considering the City's manpower available and lack of sound measuring equipment. Councilmember McComber suggested also • installing signs along Stagecoach Trail. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to approve the purchase and placement of signs as recommended by staff and with the addition of signs on Stagecoach Trail. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, made a substitute motion to direct staff to obtain cost estimates for signs as recommended by staff plus signs on Stagecoach Trail and sound measuring equipment. Carried 5 — 0. B. Municipal Consent STH 36 /St. Croix River Crossinz Proiect City Attorney Vierling recapped the history of the bridge project since 1995 and explained MnDOT and the City's positions on which municipal consent law will apply to the current project. Attorney Vierling noted that the City's main concern with the new law is the appeal process and advised the Council to seek a declaratory judgment in District Court for a determination on which process will apply. Councilmember Doerr, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to authorize the City Attorney to file a declaratory action to determine the • proper municipal consent process. Carried 5 — 0. City Council Meeting Minutes September 13, 2006 Page 3 of 5 • C. New Accountant Position and Current Utility Billing /Acct. Tech. Position Mayor Beaudet stated that the City has purchased new accounting software and the Council has voted to change to quarterly billing for utilities. Finance Director Holst added that the Finance Department will be in need of more help with financial reporting and less with utility billing. Holst recommended creating a new Accountant position and abolishing the current utility billing position when the new position is filled. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the staff recommendation to create a new accountant position and abolish the current utility billing /account technician position when the new position is filled. Carried 4 — 1, Councilmember Doerr opposed. VII. New Business. A. Citizen's Advisory Committee — Comp Plan Update Mayor Beaudet reported that a few citizens have expressed interest in working with the Planning Commission on the Comprehensive Plan • Update. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to create a Citizen's Advisory Committee of five people appointed by the City Council to work with the Planning Commission on the Comprehensive Plan. Carried 5 — 0. B. Oak's Wine and Spirits — Off -Sale Liauor. Non - intoxicating Liquor and Tobacco License Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the license. Carried 5 — 0. C. Amend Ordinance 202 Mayor and Council Salaries City Administrator Johnson reviewed the recommendation for an increase in the Mayor and Council salaries, noting that the proposed increase amounts to approximately 1.1 % per year since the last increase in 1999. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the increase to $6,550 per year for Mayor and $5,550 for Councilmembers as outlined in the memo prepared by staff. Carried 4 — 1, Councilmember • Doerr opposed. City Council Meeting Minutes September 13, 2006 Page 4 of 5 • D. Request for Annexation Councilmember McComber reported that this request was brought to the Council a few years ago and the Lake Elmo council was not in favor of allowing the annexation. Councilmember McComber added that she is not opposed to meeting with them again. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to receive the letter and acknowledge receipt via correspondence to the property owners and Lake Elmo. Carried 5 — 0. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to direct the City Administrator to contact Lake Elmo and the property owners to schedule a joint worksession at the Oak Park Heights City Hall. Carried 4 — 1, Councilmember Swenson opposed. E. Adopt the 2007 -2011 Anticipated Capital Improvements Program City Administrator Johnson reported that new language in state law concerning park dedication requires that the City must adopt the Capital Improvements Program as part of the budgeting process. • Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the 2007- 2011 Anticipated Capital Improvements Program. Carried 5 — 0. F. Adopt Resolution Aparovin2 2007 Proposed Budget and Proposed Levies Mayor Beaudet reported that the proposed budget represents an increase of $27 on the city's portion of the property taxes on a home valued at $250,000. Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to adopt the Resolution as drafted to approve the 2007 General Fund Proposed Budget and Proposed General Fund Tax Levy. Roll call vote taken. Carried 4 — 1, Councilmember Doerr opposed. G. Set Date and Time for Truth in Taxation Hearings Mayor Beaudet, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to approve the staff recommendation for setting the truth in taxation hearings for Monday, December 4, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. with Tuesday, December 12, 2006 a 6:45 p.m. for the continuation hearing, if necessary. Carried 5 — 0. i City Council Meeting Minutes September 13, 2006 Page 5 of 5 VIII. Closed Session. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to adjourn to closed session at 8:00 p.m. for contract renegotiation and to discuss litigation. Carried 5 — 0. The regular meeting was reconvened at 8:40 p.m. and a brief discussion was held. IX. Adiournment. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Carried 5 — 0. Respectfully submitted, - pr s to Content orm, u ' Johnso David eaudet Administrative Secretary Mayor