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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-22-2012 Council Minutes � f o MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING _ Monday,October 22,2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono City Council met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor Lili Tod McMillan, Council Members Cynthia Bremer,Doug Franchot,and Aaron Printup. Representing Staff were City Clerk Lin Vee,Finance Director Ron Olson,Assistant City Administrator of Long-Term Strategic Planning Michael Gaffron,Planning Coordinator Melanie Curtis,City EnginB�rfPtiblic Works Director Jesse Struve, and Recorder Jackie Young. • - Mayor McMillan called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m:,followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1. CONSENT AGENDA Item Nos. 5 through 11 were added to the Consent Agenda. Bremer moved,Franchot seconded,to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES *2. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 8,2012 Bremer moved,Franchot seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono City Council meeting of August 8,2012,as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. PUBLIC HEARING—7:00 P.M. 3. CERTIFICATION OF DELINQUENT UTILITIES—RESOLUTION NO. 6174 Olson stated each year the City certifies to the county all unpaid annual service charges for the septic program,the recycling program,and all delinquent sewer and water accounts of$50.00 or more,to be collected with the following year's ta�ces. In addition to the outstanding amounts delinquent,eight percent interest is added to all accounts and an administrative fee of$25.00 is added to all accounts. At this time the total to be assessed is $127,126.71. This amount will be decreased by any payments received up to the final payment date of November 20,2012. Notices of the public hearing have been sent to all delinquent properties. Mayor McMillan opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. There were no public comments. Mayor McMillan closed the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. Franchot asked if many of these delinquent accounts will be paid by the end of the year. Page 1 of 7 e � MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,October 22,2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. (3. CERTIFICATIONOFDELINQUENT UTILITIES, Continued) Olson stated typically they are and that this is a similar amount to last year. Bremer moved,Printup seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO.6174,a Resolution for the Collection of Delinquent 2012 Water and Sewer Utility Service Charges,Recycling Program Fees, On-Site Sewage Treatment(Septic)Program,Storm Water Charges. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. 4. CERTIFICATION OF UNNPAID SERVICE CHARGES—RESOLUTION NO.6175 Olson stated each yeaz the City certifies to the county unpaid service charges to be collected with the following year's taxes. In addition to the outstanding amounts delinquent,an administrative fee of$25.00 is added to all accounts.At this time the total to be assessed is $6,046.88. Olson noted this amount is considerably smaller than last year. The interest rate for the assessment will be eight percent. This amount will be decreased by any payments received up to the final payment date of November 20,2012. State statutes require the City hold a public hearing regarding the assessment of these fees prior to certifying the assessment roll to the county. Notices of the public hearing have been sent to all delinquent properties. Mayor McMillan opened the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. There were no public comments. Mayor McMillan closed the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. Franchot moved,Printup seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO.6175,a Resolution for the CollecNon of Delinquent Development and General Service Bills. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. BIG ISLAND PARK REPORT—GABRIEL JABBOUR,CUSTODIAN John Barton,Three River Park District,and Renae Clark,Minnehaha Watershed District,were present. Gabriel Jabbour addressed the City Council regarding Big Island Park. Jabbour stated people are becoming more accustomed to the park and the activities that are allowed on Big Island. There were three minor incidents this year; one being the disposal of a sofa in a wetland. The docks have been removed and placed in winter storage. Jabbour stated the City Council will need to determine whether they want to continue to install the dock poles for the for the Minnehaha. Jabbour noted there was a discussion about whether the dredging service will be available and the costs associated with that service. This is the second year in a row that the United States Power Squadron has asked their membership to help clean Big Island. Special permission was received from Three Rivers Park to also clean their section. Page 2 of 7 � MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,October 22,2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. (BIG ISLAND PARK REPORT, Continued) Jabbour noted he hosted the veterans at the Lafayette Club recently and they are still interested in knowing what is happening with Big Island Park. Jabbour indicated he has provided an update to the veterans and that he plans to continue to stay in contact with them. Renae Clark displayed some pictures of Big Island depicting the restoration projects that have taken place. The Minnehaha Watershed District have entered into a partnership with Three Rivers Park District to restore the cruiser's cove area almost immediately where the city park ends and the Three�ivers Park area begins. The area to be restored is approximately 1,200 feet of shoreline. John Barton,Three Rivers Park, stated Big Island has been on its radaz for a number of years but due to limited resources they have not able to address it until last year. The main objective of the restoration is to protect the wildlife sanctuaries and provide more slope stability. Gabriel Jabbour stated the continuation of this project will encompass 1,200 feet of lakeshore. The City's share of lakeshore on Big Island consists of approximately 8,800 feet. The methodology of restoration has been approved by Three Rivers and the DNR. Gaffron noted the City's survey depicts approximately 55 or 57 acres for the city park. Jabbour commented the community at large owes a debt of gratitude to Three Rivers Park District for their restoration work. McMillan stated the restoration is very impressive and sets a great example for how to restore bluffs along lakeshore areas. McMillan, on behalf of the City, thanked the T'hree Rivers Park District for their work on this project. PLANNING COMMISSION COMII�NTS—LIZZ LEVANG,REPRESENTATIVE Levang reported the Planning Commission at its October meeting looked at three applications,two of which were placed on the City Council's Consent Agenda tonight. One of the applications reviewed was John Lein's property,who is requesting preliminary plat approval and will be before the City Council next month. Levang indicated Mr. Lein had expressed some concerns with the park fees and the dedication of a trail that the Planning Commission felt were beyond their scope. Levang noted some new forms have been developed by Staff to calculate hardcover and that the Planning Commission is still learning the new hardcover regulations. PUBLIC COMMENTS None Page 3 of 7 < MINUTES OF TI� V ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,October 22,2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT *5. #11-3531 LORI GHERARDI ON BEHALF OF WOLVERTON PLACE,LCC,4550 WOLVERTON PLACE—EXTENSION TO FILE FINAL SUBDIVISION—RESOLUTION NO. 6176 Bremer moved,Franchot seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6176,a ResoluNon Granting a Six-Month Eztension to the Effective Period of Subdivision Approval Established Per Resolution No.6136. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. *6. #12-3575 SCOTT AND MELISSA MUSGJERD,4156 HIGHWOOD ROAD—VARIANCE, RESOLUTION N0.6177 Bremer moved,Franchot seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO.6177,a Resolution Granting Variances to Orono Municipal Code Sections 78-330, for the property located at 4156 Highwood Road. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. *7. #12-3578 DE1�iNIS AND DEBORAH KRUMP,25 STUBBS BAY ROAD NORTH— VARIANCE,RESOLUTION NO.6178 Bremer moved,Franchot seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6178,a Resolution Granting a Variance to Orono Municipal Code Section 78-395,for the property located at 25 Stub6s Bay Road North. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT Struve reported that all roads identified in the City's pavement management plan for improvement this year have been milled, street base repairs have been completed,the manholes have been adjusted,and paving will start tomorrow. The contractor still expects to complete the project by the end of the week. As it relates to the Orono Orchard Road project,the contractor is still finishing up some of the minor restorations in the axea north of Fox Street. That work should also be completed relatively soon. Due to the lack of rain, sod conditions in the field are poor. The contractor has requested that they be allowed to place seed this fall rather than sod. If the seed does not grow next summer,they will replace it with sod next fall at no additional cost. Struve noted there are some people with irrigation systems close to the road that may have been damaged but those systems will be repaired. If the system has already been shut down for the season,they will be repaired next spring. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT McMillan thanked City Clerk Lin Vee for her work on putting together the City's recycling contract. McMillan noted she has also received a number of e-mails about the Council considering the banning of roosters. McMillan recommended that Staff put something on the City's website on the action taken by the City Council on that item. Gaffron indicated he would follow up with a website update. Page 4 of 7 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,October 22,2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. (MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT, Continued) McMillan stated the community donation garden was very successful this year and that the garden produced a significant amount of produce that was donated to the local food shelf. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT *8. RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING SERVICE CONTRACT Bremer moved,Franchot seconded,to approve the Residential Recycling Service Contract between the City of Orono and Waste Management of MN,Inc.,effective January 1,2013 through September 30,2017. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. *9. APPROVAL OF MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING Bremer moved,Franchot seconded,to approve the Memo of Understanding relating to police officer seniority. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. *10. DISPOSAL OF BICYCLES Bremer moved,Franchot seconded,to approve the disposal of the bicycles as a donation to a local non-profit or public auction and to approve the disposal of the power drill by public auction(K-Bid or similar auction site). VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. *11. LIQUIDATION OF FORFEITED VEHICLE Bremer moved,Franchot seconded,to liquidate forfeited vehicle through the Minneapolis Auto Auction or similar business. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. 12. POLICE DEPARTMENT SECURITY UPGRADES Police Chief Farniok noted the City Council at its October 8,2012 City Council meeting directed him to obtain additional quotes for the security upgrades. Several vendors were contacted and quotes have been provided to the Council. Farniok indicated he is expecting to receive some additional quotes which is why he is requesting approval of"not to exceed"amounts. Farniok noted due to seasonal conditions and the need to complete this project prior to frost conditions,he would like to have the work started in the next four to six weeks. McMillan noted the next City Council meeting is November 13`f'. Printup asked whether the vendor GDS specializes in a certain area. Farniok indicated they were the contractor who performed the workout facility at the police department. In speaking with the City's building inspector, he suggested that a general contractor be hired to avoid duplication of services and facilitate that the proper permits are obtained,proper inspections are conducted,and that the work is performed in a satisfactory manner. Farniok indicated GDS would act as the general contractor on this project. Page 5 of 7 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,October 22,2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. (12. POLICE DEPARTMENT SECURITY UPGRADES, Continued) McMillan indicated she is okay with what is being requested of the City Council. Printup indicated he is also okay with proceeding forward. Printup moved,Franchot seconded,to approve the items recommended 6y the Police Department as outlined in the October 18"'memorandum. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. 13. YEAR-TO-DATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET INFORMATION Olson reviewed the City's third quarter General Fund revenue and expenditures. Revenues are currently at 58.57 percent of budget. This is primarily due to the timing of property tax payments,which are expected in July and December. Non-talc revenues are at 75.74 percent of budget and expenditures are currently at 70.86 percent of budget. Revenues,while below 75 percent of budget, are where they are expected to be at by this point in the year. Total revenues are projected to be at 100 percent by the end of the year. Olson noted that assessing is the only department at the moment that is over budget and that a budget adjustment will need to be done before the end of the year. Engineering and special services are below budget and those are expected to be at 96 percent of budget by year-end. The amount of police state aid received is slightly lower than what was budgeted and the golf course is also expected to be under budget by approximately$25,000. Olson stated he expects that special services will come in slightly under budget for the year. McMillan asked what the difference is between special services and special projects. Olson indicated special services deal with engineering or legal services relating to land use applications and special projects relates to transfers to the equipment improvement outlay fund and the contingency fund for items that are unexpected and not budgeted for. Olson stated overall he expects the City to be at 98.87 percent of the expenditure budget by the end of the year. Olson displayed a chart from the League of Minnesota Cities that shows the average property tax distribution through the state. Olson noted that 46 cents out of every dollar received from Orono residents goes to Hennepin County. Currently 95 percent of the City's tax base consists of residential and 4.5 percent is commerciaUindustrial. Olson stated the chart helps depict the City's ta�c base and demonstrates that Orono is keeping its tax rates low. Bremer recommended that chart be available at the truth-in-taxation hearing. McMillan thanked Ron Olson for detailing the revenues in his report. The City Council took no formal action on this item. Page 6 of 7 . ' MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,October 22,2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT Gaffron noted the City Attorney has requested a special meeting in the next week or two to discuss pending litigation. *14. LICENSES AND PERMITS None *15. BILLS Bremer moved,Franchot seconded,to approve payment of the All Funds Fund. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. ADJOURNMENT Franchot moved,Printup seconded,to adjourn the Orono City Council meeting at 7:40 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. ATTEST: � �,-����,�,.. Lin a S.Vee,City Clerk Lili Tod McMillan,Mayor Page 7 of 7