DUNDAS CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 28, 2006 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Glenn Switzer, Mary Amy, Tresa Mazurek, Grant Modory Craig Vold Also in attendance: Interim City Administrator Peter Connor, City Attorney Tom Neuville, Police Chief Tami Larsen, City Engineer Tom McMahon, Dan Iverson (Northfield News), Dusty Budd (KYMN Radio), Pauline Koester, Bruce Morlan, Chuck DeMann, Chip DeMann, Gary Lynch, Brian Lynch, Mike Lynch, Don Starr, Michelle Millenacker, John Zander, Court Fink (College City Beverage), Natalie Fink, Tom Heiberg (Land Sake Real Estate) Dave Swartwoudt, and other interested citizens. Call to Order Mayor Switzer opened the Regular Meeting of the Dundas City Council at 7:01 p.m. at the Dundas City Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was taken; a quorum declared. Public Forum/Citizen Comments and Concerns There were no non-agenda item comments or concerns brought forward. Approval of Agenda Motion by Vold, seconded by Mazurek, to approve agenda with additions/deletions: Public Hearing: Sale of Kor Ethanol Property Delete Item 3 City Administrator Peter Connor Add Item 6(a) Update: Unionization of Police Department City Administrator Peter Connor Add Item 6(b) Update: 2005 Audit City Administrator Peter Connor Add Item 6(c) Mileage Rate Change City Administrator Peter Connor Add Item 6(d) 2006 Lawn Mowing City Administrator Peter Connor Add Item 6(e) 2006 Bond Refinancing City Administrator Peter Connor Add Item 6(f) Strategic Planning Process City Administrator Peter Connor Add Item 6(g) Administrator Search Process Approval of Bills & Expenditures Item 7(a) Change amount to $98,472.70 Department Updates Tresa Mazurek Parks - Add Item 8(a) (1) Bids for Portable Services Department Updates Grant Modory Planning Commission Add Item 8(d) (1) Planning Commission Appointment All present in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Approval of Minutes of March 14, 2006 Regular Meeting Motion by Vold, seconded by Amy, to approve Regular Meeting Minutes of March 14, 2006. All present in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Certificate Presentation: Alcohol Compliance Chief Tami Larsen On March 16, 2006, the Police Department conducted a compliance test. All establishments passed the test, and were awarded certificates by Chief Larsen. Certificates were awarded to: L & M Bar, Dawn s Corner Bar, Fermentations, and Fire House Liquors. COLLEGE CITY BEVERAGE PROJECT Tom McMahon Preliminary Plat: Motion by Modory, seconded by Vold, to approve the preliminary plat for the College City Beverage Project as presented in the Planning Commission Action memo dated March 10, 2006 prepared by City Planner Dan Petrik, and recommended for approval by the Planning Commission on March 16, 2006, subject to the following conditions:
Dundas City Council Regular Meeting - March 28, 2006 Page 2 of 4 COLLEGE CITY BEVERAGE PROJECT Tom McMahon Preliminary Plat: (continued) 1. Revised landscape plan consistent with the concept plan presented (attached). Plan is to continue the depth of the undulating landscaped burm along entire County Road 8 frontage. This will require elimination of the small pond in the southeast corner. The proof of parking for future parking (shown in the landscape concept across the truck entrance from the small pond) is to be moved elsewhere. The revised plans shall show new plant material and or berming along the southeast property line to screen views of the building and parking/loading areas from the Foley house. Revised plan shall list all plants by species, quantity and size and subject to staff approval. 2. Submission of information on current and projected future (5 year) employee counts to determine parking needs. 3. Turn lane be provided on the west side of CR 8 for traffic entering the truck entrance. 4. A lighting plan shall be submitted including a photometric plan. Plan shall also include drawings and specifications for all exterior lighting. Full cut-off fixtures are required and lighting shall achieve minimal impact on adjacent properties as measured at the property line. 5. The design of the storm water pond shall be reconfigured into a liner shape along the west property line to increase infiltration capacity. 6. Review and approval of the plat by Rice County Transportation. 7. Review and approval of the grading, storm water and erosion control plan by the City Engineer. Tom McMahon reviewed the Planning Commission Action memo on College City Beverage Application dated March 10, 2006, prepared by City Planner Dan Petrik, as well as the above conditions established by the Planning Commission at its March 16, 2006 meeting. Discussion followed. A copy of the memo and the preliminary plat are on file at City Hall. All present in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Rezoning: Motion by Vold, seconded by Mazurek, to approve the Rezoning of the entire College City Beverage property to Limited Industrial (LI) as presented in the Planning Commission Action memo dated March 10, 2006 prepared by City Planner Dan Petrik, and recommended for approval by the Planning Commission on March 16, 2006. Discussion followed. All present in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overlay: Motion by Modory, seconded by Vold, to approve the Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay for the College City Beverage Project as presented in the Planning Commission Action memo dated March 10, 2006 prepared by City Planner Dan Petrik, and recommended for approval by the Planning Commission on March 16, 2006. Discussion followed. McMahon explained the PUD overlay gives the City and the developer more flexibility than zoning alone would provide in order to enhance the aesthetics of the property. All present in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Water System Discussion: McMahon explained the new water tower and well at the Bridgewater Heights site is approximately 1215 feet altitude. This is significantly higher than elevations for a second water tower adjacent to the College City Beverage site, which is approximately 995 feet ground elevation, with a tower height of approximately 1120 feet. To resolve a potential pressure differential problem, two altitude valves will be installed to control the pressure needed to safely operate the water system on the west side of the river within the City. Discussion followed. McMahon noted at some point in the distant future, a third water tower may need to be built in the northwest quadrant of the city in order to meet prospective fire protection requirements.
Dundas City Council Regular Meeting - March 28, 2006 Page 3 of 4 Mayor s Report Glenn Switzer Update: Economic Development Authority Formation: Mayor Switzer indicated there will be a forthcoming letter from Interim City Administrator Connor outlining the formation of a citizen-based Economic Development Authority. In a comment related to land development along Highway 3, Council Member Modory noted there are semi-trailers parked on commercial property that need to be moved, and also property owners along Highway 3 need to be contacted regarding cleaning up the general appearance of their property. Administrator s Report Peter Connor Update: Unionization of Police Department Connor stated as of this date, we are awaiting a proposal from the Police Department bargaining unit. We have received a request from the union for a dues check-off. Connor will recommend that item be negotiable, and no action taken until bargaining begins. Update: 2005 Audit Connor indicated work on the 2005 audit is progressing, and the results should be ready to be presented to the City Council, most likely in May. Mileage Rate Change Connor noted the Internal Revenue Service has lowered the allowable mileage rate reimbursement from 48.5 cents per mile to 44.5 cents per mile. The City will implement this change. 2006 Lawn Mowing Connor stated approximately 6 vendors have expressed an interest in bidding. The specifications will be mailed to interested vendors this week. 2006 Bond Refinancing Connor indicated approximately $800,000 in bond interest can be saved by refinancing a number of existing bond issues to take advantage of favorable interest rates and by shortening the maturity dates of these existing long-term bond issues. Springsted Inc. is working on this refunding effort, and will have a report ready for City Council consideration and action in April. Strategic Planning Process As this process continues, Connor suggested a Town Meeting regarding taxation and tax capacity be facilitated by the League of Minnesota Cities in order to improve awareness and understanding of this complex topic. City Administrator Search Process Connor state an advertisement has been placed with the League of Minnesota Cities. Approximately 5 resumes have been received to date. Connor will review those and establish a process for interviews and selection. The deadline for applications is Friday, April 7, 2006. Dundas Dukes Program Advertisement Connor noted he had met with a Dukes representative. It is the consensus of the City Council to take out a full-page advertisement in the 2006 Dukes program. City Staff Connor commended the city staff and contract staff for doing a good job of keeping City government on course during this transition period between permanent city administrators. Approval of Bills & Expenditures Motion by Modory, seconded by Amy, to approve payment of the bills in the amount of $98,472.70. Mazurek questioned the need for the current frequency of weekly staff meetings. Discussion followed. All present in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Department Updates Parks Council Member Mazurek - Bids for portable services Mazurek handed out a bid for 2006 from Albers for weekly service commencing April 1, 2006 through November 1, 2006, in Mill Park and Memorial Park. A copy of the proposal is on file at City Hall. The Albers A & A Portable Services proposal was approved by consensus. Mazurek will bring to the Park Board the question, when will the Park Pavilion restrooms be open? During the day until close, or only when the Pavilion is rented? Mazurek requested and received verbal approval from the Council to purchase a few plants and to order a plaque for a memorial in Memorial Park.
Dundas City Council Regular Meeting - March 28, 2006 Page 4 of 4 Department Updates (continued) Streets Council Member Vold stated the 2006 street sweeping will be done by Environmental Enhancements. The 2006 Street Sweeping Schedule will be May 1 st and May 2 nd weather permitting. A notice will appear in the April Dundas Messenger. Sweeping will also take place before July 4 th and before Labor Day. Police Department Chief Tami Larsen presented the 2005 Police Activity Report. A copy of this report is on file at City Hall. Discussion followed. The handout included several charts and graphs. Of particular interest was the Total Number of Calls by Hour and by Day of the Week. In calendar year 2005 6,048 hours were scheduled. In 2006 6,136 hours are currently scheduled. During the discussion, it was noted potential cuts of 18 hours week times 52 weeks would equal annual savings of approximately $21,000. Council Member Modory would like to see 1995-1996 statistics, in order to compare them to current statistics. He also inquired if there are other areas that could be trimmed back in terms of staffing levels with respect to both the frequency of calls and the severity of calls. Chief Larsen responded the staffing levels of the Police Department will depend upon what the City Council feels is essential. Interim Administrator Connor indicated the police staffing levels depend upon the mores of the community. He noted this report creates a great opportunity for the Council to evaluate Police Department staffing levels. Connor recommended this initial report become a starting point for a regular on-going annual report compiled by the Police Chief to enable this and future City Councils to make sound law enforcement decisions for the City of Dundas. Mazurek inquired regarding whether or not a recently hired officer had completed his probationary period. Larsen indicated she will follow-up on this in the very near future. Planning Commission Council Member Grant Modory stated the College City Beverage Project has been considered and approval has been recommended by the Planning Commission. The Comprehensive Plan has prompted considerable discussion among Planning Commission members. Planning Commission Appointment Motion by Modory, seconded by Mazurek, to appoint Kathleen Doran-Norton as the new Bridgewater Township Supervisor representative to the Dundas Planning Commission. Discussion followed. All present in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Committee Reports Council Member Amy No Report. Other Business Council Member Mazurek commended Linda Ripka on her written summary of the training she received at the 2006 Annual Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Conference this month in St. Cloud. Mazurek indicated from this point on, it would be nice to have all employees give some type of informative report of the training they attended and how it will benefit the City. Announcements Mayor Switzer reviewed the announcements. He noted a Special City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 7:00 PM at City Hall. Among other items, a public hearing will be held regarding the College City Beverage Project Tax Increment Financing District. Switzer also noted the Planning Commission Work Session scheduled for 7:00 PM on April 5, 2006 at City Hall has been changed to a Special Meeting. Adjournment Motion by Mazurek, seconded by Amy, to adjourn the meeting. All present in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Switzer adjourned the meeting at 9:18 PM. Mayor Glenn Switzer David Lang, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer