Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/02/03 CCM - RM1 1 ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 3, 2009 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Rosemount City Council was held on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 2875 145` Street West, Rosemount. Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members DeBettignies, Shoe Corrigan, Weisensel and Bills in attendance. Staff members present included City Administrator Johnson, Community Development Director Lindquist, Communications Coordinator Cox, City Engineer Brotzler, Assistant City Administrator Foster and City Clerk Domeier. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA City Administrator Johnson stated that item 6.g. Expenditure Approval from the Donation Account Parks Recreation Dept. had an extraneous extra page at the end of the staff report. He noted the motion in the staff report was correct as stated. Motion by Droste. Second by DeBettignies. Motion to adopt the Agenda as it stands. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by DeBettignies. Second by Shoe Corrigan. Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. a. Minutes of the January 14, 2008 City Council Work Session Proceedings b. Bills Listing c. Appoint Directors Dakota Communications Center d. Appointment of SKB Class I Trustee (Resolution 2009 -07) e. Budget Encumbrances (Resolution 2009 -08) f. Receive Donations Parks Recreation Dept. g. Expenditure Approval from the Donation Account Parks Recreation Dept. Ayes: DeBettignies, Shoe Corrigan, Droste, Weisensel, Bills Nays: None. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS 8.a. An Ordinance Amendment Creating Minimum Material and Construction Standards for Fences, 08-43 -TA Community Development Director Lindquist summarized the revised language to the proposed amendment. She stated that proposed ordinance amendment now provided that temporary or seasonal fences shall not be in place longer than six months and must be removed within 15 days after receiving notice in writing from the City that the fence no longer serves its originally intended, temporary or seasonal, purpose. The ordinance also 1 clearly states that temporary or seasonal fences are allowed without a permit provided the fence conforms to the standards outlined in the ordinance. Motion by Shoe Corrigan. Second by DeBettignies. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amendment Creating Minimum Material and Construction Standards for Fences. Ayes: Shoe Corrigan, Droste, Weisensel, Bills, DeBettignies Nays: None. Motion carried. (Ordinance B -198) NEW BUSINESS 9.a. Consider notice to Minnesota Valley Transit Authority to withdraw from membership at the end of 2009 City Administrator Johnson provided an overview of the information provided in the staff report. Discussion points addressed by Mr. Johnson included financing, current services, the City of Prior Lake's withdrawal, rescinding the notice, City concerns, possible MVTA responses and the impacts on Rosemount residents. He added that because the MVTA will not be able to give an official response to our concerns until February 11 he suggested postponing an immediate decision on withdrawing and holding a special meeting on February 12 to consider the results of the MVTA meeting and any new information available at that time. Council Member Bills questioned the ridership level for the local express route from the Community Center. Mayor Droste stated that Beverly Miller would provide an answer during her presentation. Commissioner Branning provided his history on working with transit over the years. He wanted the MVTA to continue working with the City but asked for flexibility to making requests happen. Council Member DeBettignies stated that he appreciated and admired everything Commissioner Branning has done for Rosemount. Beverley Miller, Executive Director of the MVTA, provided the City Council a hand out with information related to MVTA's operating funding process, capital funding process and the funding of transit facilities. She explained the changes from using property tax funding to receiving MVST funding. She pointed out that some transit facilities are owned and operated by MVTA. In order to have the transit station, funding was required through partnerships. Ms. Miller also stated that over time receiving funding for transit projects has become more complex. She added that MVTA does not use its operating fund to fund projects. Ms. Miller stated that she has really enjoyed working with the City of Rosemount. She added that the MVTA has tried really hard to make service grow in the south metro with a lot of input from governing agencies. Ms. Miller stated that the express route started this fall in Rosemount was just the start even though it may not be ideal for the residents. MVTA is faced with severe budget shortfalls. 1 ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Council Member DeBettignies questioned Apple Valley and Burnsville funding their own portions of project and receiving grants. Ms. Miller explained the funding that was used for the Apple Valley and Burnsville projects. She further explained the MVTA budget breakdown and talked about the severe shortfalls the MVTA faces. Ms. Miller also explained that the Met Council has stated they would share in the regional funding solutions and shortfalls. She added that the MVTA board has met to discuss its operating budget and cuts to existing service. Mr. Johnson added that at the Met Council State of the Region Address on February 2, Peter Bell stated there was 23 million dollars lost in MVST funds in the region. Ms. Miller stated that it was not easy to bring the bus service to Rosemount in September because the Met Council said the use of funds was not sustainable. Mayor Droste requested an explanation on how Lakeville benefits on transit and it's not part of the transit district. Ms. Miller stated that a lot of cities are asking the same questions. She added that Lakeville negotiated and was able to use their leverage. She noted that the Met Council would be the agency to answer those concerns. Mayor Droste stated that the Rosemount residents have been at the table for 18 years and currently paying 1.1 million dollars per year. He added that according to surveys, Rosemount residents are driving to other cities to get on the bus. He questioned whether any other city has had the growth like Rosemount and does not have a transit facility. He further questioned how the City Council can justify the expense to its residents. Ms. Miller stated that Rosemount needs to partner with Dakota County and the MVTA to recognize the resources available and put all the cards on the table to see what we can afford to do together to reach the goal on constructing a transit station in Rosemount. Mayor Droste stated he thought the City has been doing that all along. Council Member DeBettignies concurred. Mayor Droste questioned what more the City could do in partnering that it has already done in the past. He added that the City also has a transit plan incorporated into its transportation plan. Ms. Miller stated that the MVTA has gone twice for federal solicitations and was not successful. She stated that another application will be sent in April and a back up plan is in place should funds not be received again. She suggested meeting with the Dakota County and the Met Council to find out where Rosemount ranks in priority. She stated it would be good to have plans with goals, objectives and timelines in place. Mayor Droste stated that the strongest voice should be through the JPA. He cautioned having an individual City going outside the JPA because it would create mixed messages. Ms. Miller stated she didn't imply for the City to go on its own but to work as a partnership. Council Member Shoe Corrigan questioned how CMAQ awarded points and the City's score. Ms. Miller explained that CMAQ scores cities based upon congestion noting it was a highly competitive process. Council Member Weisensel questioned whether a master plan has been developed over the past 18 years. He expressed concern as to where Rosemount falls on the list and stated he did not see a benefit to belonging to the MVTA. Ms. Miller stated that MVTA was not the 1 ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 3, 2009 lead component for bringing transit facilities to the area. She added that there was not enough money or ridership to guarantee a facility in Rosemount. Council Member Shoe Corrigan questioned the fund balance of the MVTA. Ms. Miller replied that MVTA's policy was to have four months worth equaling about eight million dollars. Ms. Miller stated that if the MVTA had the funding then the City of Rosemount would have a transit station. Council Member Shoe Corrigan stated that Ms. Miller advised the City Council to partner with Dakota County and the MVTA; resubmit for grants; and to have goals and objectives in place. Council Member Shoe Corrigan stated that the City has already done all of the items Ms. Miller suggested. She further questioned why Rosemount residents are forced to travel long distances when Rosemont could have something more convenient and equitable for what we have paid into the system over 18 years. She added that Rosemount is now being a partner with agencies and has a plan. The City already does both and still does not receive any equality. Council Member Shoe Corrigan stated that according to the MVTA representatives there is over three million dollars in their fund balance above the amount needed for operations. She then questioned the cost to build a park and ride. Ms. Miller responded approximately $300,000 $400,000. Council Member DeBettignies stated he wanted to see equability in the process. Commissioner Branning stated that funding programs will allow all the agencies to work together. Mayor Droste stated that Ms. Miller suggested that the City partner with MVTA and bring a proposal before the County. Commissioner Branning stated that Dakota County only has so much man power to bring to the table. He added that the 35W and Cedar corridors are a hefty load to fund. City Administrator Johnson recommended that the City Council await the outcome of the February 11 MVTA Board meeting and hold a special meeting on February 12 to discuss the options moving forward. Motion by DeBettignies. Second by Shoe Corrigan. Motion to hold a Special Meeting at 6:45 p.m. on February 12, 2009 to discuss the full report from the MVTA. Ayes: Droste, Weisensel, Bills, DeBettignies, Shoe- Corrigan Nays: None. Motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Droste stated that the next regular City Council meeting would be held on February 17, 2009. 1 1 1 ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 3, 2009 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste, second by Bills, the meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Amy Domeier, City Clerk