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1988-08-30 Council Workshop minutes Plng Comm InterviewsPage 1 August 30, 1988 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA Minutes of the Special Council Workshop Held Tuesday, August 30, 1988 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special workshop meeting of the City Council was held on Tuesday, August 30, 1988, in the City Council Chambers, 750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers Blesener, Hartmann, and Witt. Councilmember Cummins arrived at 7:15 P.M. AGENDA ADOPTION COUNCIL INTERVIEW OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANT FRIEL The agenda was adopted as recommended. Mr. Bernard Friel, 750 Mohican Lane, indicated that he had been involved in over 30 years of legal counsel to municipal government in numerous capacities, particularly bond work. He also recited his other civic group associations and accomplishments, and made note of the fact that he had served on the Independent School District 197 School Board from 1967 to 1969. It was noted that Mr. Friel has been a resident of the community since 1957. Mayor Mertensotto asked Mr. Friel why he would like to serve on the Planning Commission. Mr. Friel noted that he had been involved in numerous City planning issues, usually in an adversarial role to something the Planning Commission and Council were doing. He indicated he would like to be involved in City planning in other than an adversarial role. Councilmember Cummins indicated that he felt Mr. Friel was particularly well informed on issues and could be very formidable in pressing his point. He questioned Mr. Friel as to whether he felt he could be a "teamplayer" on the Planning Commission, and not overwhelm the other members. Mr. Friel responded that he had much experience working with other bodies, and that while he holds tenaciously to his point of view, he is willing to live with the concensus of opinion that comes out of the democratic process. Page 2 August 30, 1988 City Administrator Frazell noted that if Mr. Friel is appointed to the Planning Commission, the City will lose his services as its representative to the Metropolitan Aircraft Sound Abatement Council, since the two bodies meet at exactly the same time. Mr. Friel responded that he had become frustrated working on the MASAC, and would be happy to give up that seat for a position on the Planning Commission. BARTON-ASCHMAN City Administrator Frazell indicated that PARK PLANNING at the last regular City Council meeting, STUDY the Council had directed him to pursue terminating the contracts with Barton- Aschman for the park landscaping project and the schematic development of the three new neighborhood parks. Mr. Frazell said that following that Council meeting, he had contacted Parks Commission Chair Jim Stein, who did not feel nearly as negatively about the work that had been done by Barton-Aschman as did some members of the Council. Mr. Frazell said that he, Stein, and Councilmember Jann Blesener had had lunch the previous week to discuss the status of the park planning studies and satisfaction with the work being done. It was the concensus of those three that the landscaping project ought to be terminated, since no one seemed to have very clear objectives as to what was to be accomplished. However, the schematic plans for the three neighborhood parks seemed to be proceeding relatively well, and the work by Barton-Aschman was over 60% complete. Mr. Frazell indicated that he thought it would be a waste of money to terminate that project at this point, and recommended that we continue. He said he would present this to the Parks Commission at their September meeting, and would have a final report and recommendation back to the City Council at its September 20 meeting. PROPOSED 1989 City Administrator Frazell and Treasurer BUDGET REVIEW Shaughnessy offered some introductory comments about the increase in the budget, the tax implications to the average Mendota Heights homeowner, etc. Frazell made note of the fact that the budget proposed the addition of three full-time Page 3 August 30, 1988 personnel which he realized was considerable. However, he said that with the growing community, the current City staff was becoming hard pressed to respond to all of the demands and needs, and it had become apparent that the departments were going to have to expand somewhat in size. There was also general discussion about the budget impact of occupying the new city hall. Councilmember Blesener indicated that people asked her why there has to be a tax increase, when it is obvious that the City's tax base is growing so rapidly with all the new development. There was a rather lengthy discussion about the implications of the new State property tax bill, which does not provide much additional local government aid for communities like Mendota Heights. City Administrator Frazell also pointed out that while the proposed budget would result in an average tax increase of around 7% in real dollars for most Mendota Heights homeowners, there was actually a decrease in the mill rate. He added that many people got very sizeable increases in their assessor's market value this past Spring, and were probably fearful that they were going to see tax increases of a similar size. He indicated that in fact because the City is dropping the mill rate, people will not experience that large of a tax increase. Councilmember Blesener said she felt it was important that the City have a simple, concise explanation of the tax increase issue, and asked staff to work on that as a part of presenting the 1989 budget to the public. Treasurer Shaughnessy reviewed the proposed revenues and answered Council questions, particularly relative to contracts with Mendota and Lilydale for police and fire service. Staff was directed to review the formulas to be sure that the City is being adequately compensated. Administrator Frazell and City Clerk Swanson reviewed the Administration budget Page 4 August 30, 1988 proposal. Councilmembers Blesener and Cummins felt that the proposed compensation for the Administrative Assistant position was too high. Councilmember Cummins asked that Council be given further justification for the salary: Councilmember Blesener felt that the compensation should be targeted in the $25,000 to $30,000 range. Administrator Frazell stated that he would contact other communities and report to Council on the results of his survey. There was some discussion over the need for allocating 75% of the secretary's time for utility fund purposes. Council was also informed that purchase of the proposed copier will be delayed as long as possible. Assistant Fire Chief Lerbs responded to Council questions over the proposed Fire Department budget. The Council asked several questions pertaining to the capitol requests, particularly the need for an additional computer and network and the justification for a cellular phone. Councilmember Hartmann stated a problem with the philosophy rescue truck and that he does would take $80,000 to equip a support unit. The Council asked that Chief Maczko submit an annual report for 1987. Public Works Superintendent Olund reviewed the Public Works budget requests. With respect to the proposed purchase of plow wings, he explained that the existing wings are constant problems and need replacement. Council discussed the issue of street lighting, and Councilmember Witt stated that she feels Council should establish a program for lighting major intersections, and a street lighting policy, and select a standard light to be used. that he has behind the not feel it basic life Police Chief Delmont reviewed the proposed Police and Animal Control budgets and answered Council questions. Chief Delmont explained the need for an investigator position. CITY LOGO DISCUSSION ADJOURN Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ATTEST: .24,4 /W,- Page 5 August 30, 1988 Administrator Frazell reviewed the Planning and Recycling budgets. City Administrator Frazell reported that graphic artist Robyn Huspek had recommended a color scheme for the new city logo. He presented the colors to Council, and Council felt that they were attractive and endorsed the selections. Frazell noted that Huspek was also recommending that we use gray stationery. Council asked that some additional work be done in laying out the other lettering on the stationery. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Cummins moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 10:05 o'clock P.M. Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor Kevin D. Frazell City Administrator