HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.a. Minutes of the June 13, 2012 Work Session Proceedings ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 13, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Rosemount City Council was
held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall at 2875 145t
Street West, Rosemount.
Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members DeBettignies, Kearney and
Weisensel attending. Council Member Shoe - Corrigan was absent. Staff present included City
Administrator Johnson, City Clerk Domeier, Community Development Director Lindquist, Finance
Director May, Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz, Director of Public Works /City Engineer
Brotzler, Interim Police Chief Ericson and Assistant City Administrator Foster.
DISCUSSION
2.A. HEALTHEAST AMBULANCE SERVICE
Laura Olson, Director of Operations, introduced the HealthEast team. Jeff Groess, Manager of
Ambulance Operations, explained how HealthEast dispatches their ambulances and the 911
deployment response times. Keith Wesley, Medical Director, stated his goal was to make sure all the
providers have the tools for the mission. Further discussion was held about the interface with DCC
and solving the issues with communications. They have met with Diane Lind to work out the
interface logistics. HealthEast also provided information how the response times will be improved.
2.B. SENIOR HOUSING UPDATE
Community Development Director Lindquist stated we have been working on the senior housing
project for a year. She stated that as of late, there has not been much activity other than Jim Trucker
has been trying to secure financing. She stated that staff gave him a deadline until the end of May.
She stated that Mr. Trucker has asked for an extension. Staff questioned if the city should be
looking at other options. The other development groups were still interested in doing the project.
Discussion was held about using Ebenezer. Council Member DeBettignies questioned the lease back
to Ebenezer. Mr. Trucker explained the fee basis and the obligations on a monthly basis based upon
the income. Ms. Linguist explained that it would be a straight management contract.
Mr. Trucker stated that on August 18 he turned in a proposal and provided a timeline of moving
forward on receiving approvals, meeting with the USDA, investors and working on a concept plan.
He explained that he had changes in his team and has spent time looking for new partners. He has
nine developers capable of handling the project. He wanted more time to continue working with
some developers and requested a six month extension.
Council Member Kearney questioned the time spent with the USDA. Mr. Trucker explained that
the USDA finances all kinds of projects however they gave Mr. Trucker incorrect information and it
cost him a lot of time. City Administrator Johnson explained that prior to the census that
Rosemount was considered rural and therefore eligible for certain USDA programs.
Mayor Droste was concerned that a six month extension was too long. Mr. Trucker stated that the
average timeline for a project was a year and a half to two years before a spade is put in the ground.
Council Member Weisensel disagreed and stated that the project could have happened in the
proposed timeline because Mr. Trucker submitted a proposal that said it would happen. Council
Member Weisensel expressed his frustration with Mr. Trucker not managing the process or having a
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 13, 2012
risk plan. He added that Mr. Trucker's communication plan was not very good. It was a realistic
schedule that was backed up by Mr. Trucker's presentation. Council Member Weisensel believed
that extending the project another six months would not be in the best interest of the community.
Mr. Johnson stated that Mr. Trucker asked staff for a 30 -45 day extension and now is requesting six
months. Mr. Trucker stated he talked to other city managers and explained the deal and was told
that six months was not a ridiculous request. Mr. Trucker stated he was more concerned to hear
that Ms. Lindquist contacted the other development teams. Ms. Lindquist stated that she told Mr.
Trucker she was checking with the other teams to see if they were still interested. Council Member
Weisensel stated that Ms. Lindquist contacting the other teams was a prime example of risk
management. Mr. Johnson stated that he approved Ms. Lindquist making those contacts based
upon the options in order to present all of the information to the Council.
Mr. Trucker provided information on possibly using Kraus Anderson for the project. He explained
that Kraus Anderson did not want to finance Ebenezer.
Council Member DeBettignies stated that Mr. Weisensel brought up good arguments. Mayor
Droste did not want to wait another five or six months to start a project. Mr. Trucker requested that
the City Council have a fair system. Council Member Weisensel stated that additional discussion will
need to be held on moving forward.
2.C. PLANNING COMMISSION VACANCY
City Administrator Johnsons explained the options for filling the vacancy as provided in the staff
report. The City Council directed City Clerk Domeier to contact the applicants that were interested
in serving on the Planning Commission to see if there was still interest. When the list has been
compiled and sent to the City Council, the City Council will email their choice to Ms. Domeier.
2.D. FRONT DESK RECEPTION
City Administrator Johnson provided a summary of the staff report. Mayor Droste stated that with
the new website residents will look to the website for information. Council Member Weisensel
preferred to move toward option 3. Discussion was held about phone calls, coverage, work duties
and administration work. Mr. Johnson stated that staff will continue to use the phone tree and
provide an update on the system at the next work session.
CONTINUATION OF 2 .B. SENIOR CENTER DISCUSSION
Further discussion was held about the Senior Housing item. Council Member Kearney suggested
that the interested parties have a commitment letter or a letter of understanding with equipment
investors. Ms. Lindquist will contact the other parties and noted that Stonebridge and Mr. Frisbee
have their own equity partners in place. The City Council requested that Mr. Trucker and any other
interested parties provide a letter of commitment from a lender by July 10.
2.E. 2013 BUDGET DISCUSSION
City Administrator Johnson provided an overview on the budget by summarizing the information in
staff report. He explained that the proposed budget did not include revenue from player fees. He
stated that staff made the assumption that we would not count on the revenue based upon the
deferment of fees the past two years. He questioned if the City Council wanted to reconsider the
use of fertilizer and herbicides in the parks. He explained that two years ago the use of the
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 13, 2012
chemicals was cut out of the budget. He shared pictures of the parks where the service was cut.
The City Council preferred to put the money for fertilizer and herbicides in the proposed 2013
budget.
Discussion was held about the wages of firefighters and concerns about the level of staffing.
Council Member Weisensel stated he received an email from a firefighter stating that if the pension
level was reduced many would retire. Discussion was held about the pension amount noting a clear
message should be sent that the City Council was not looking to reduce the benefit level. Further
debate was held about paying the firefighters hourly.
Council Member Kearney questioned the dispatch services percentage increase. Mr. Johnson
explained that the DCC was not raising Rosemount's assessment. He explained more about an
credit adjustment made three years ago is now expiring.
Mr. Johnson planned to bring the budget back to the City Council in August. He stated the fiscal
disparities should be known by August.
UPDATES
3.A. PARK AND RIDE SCHEDULE
Community Development Director Lindquist provided an update on the proposed deadline. It was
anticipated that the land lease would be signed this week and forwarded to MnDOT. She provided
further information about the Met Council possibly requiring a restriction on the property for 20
years.
3.B. AUDIO - VISUAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR CONFERENCE ROOM AND COUNCIL
CHAMBERS
City Administrator Johnson summarized the information in the staff report. The City Council
supported moving forward with improvements in the conference room and Council Chambers.
They City Council also supported fast tracking the addition of air conditioning at the Steeple Center.
3.C. RAAC AGREEMENT
Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz provided an update on the RAAC Agreement. The
Agreement will include allowing RAAC access to the Steeple Center for the "front porch" activities
along with partnerships on programming, activities, advertisements and brochures. More
information will be provided to the City Council at the July work session.
3.D. HIPP UPDATE
City Administrator Johnson stated that a press release was recently sent out about the new HiPP
initiatives.
3.E. UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL /STAFF
City Administrator Johnson provided an update on a letter received from RAAA. He also requested
feedback on continuing the State Auditor's Performance Management Program and the new
requirements of the program. He explained that the data required will require more staff time than
the previous year. The City Council agreed that performance measurements could be done
internally and to not continue the State program.
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WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 13, 2012
Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz provided an update on the parking issues at Bloomfield
Park.
Community Development Director Lindquist stated that Carla Carlson was appointed by the UMore
LLC to be the new executive director.
Council Member Kearney provided more information about the RAAA letter that was sent.
Discussion was held regarding the RAAA letter.
Council Member DeBettignies questioned when election signs could be posted. City Clerk Domeier
stated that elections signs are allowed beginning on June 29.
Mayor Droste provided information on Met Council questions regarding reducing the planned
density of the Greystone Plat. The Met Council considers density to be related to affordable
housing. Ms. Lindquist provided information on the density levels. Mayor Droste also provided an
update on the Spectro Alloy fines. He also provided an update on the foreclosed home located on
Azalea Court.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste,
second by Weisensel, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 10:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk