HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/04/15 CCM - WS1
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
APRIL 15, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Rosemount City
Council was held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at City
Hall, 2875 145 Street West, Rosemount.
Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members Bills, DeBettignies, Shoe
Corrigan and Weisensel attending. Staff members present included Finance Director May,
Community Development Director Lindquist, City Engineer Brotzler, GIS Coordinator
Kasel, City Administrator Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz and City Clerk
Domeier.
2.A. City Hall Landscaping
City Engineer Brotzler summarized the landscaping plan as proposed in the staff report and
requested feedback for the final plan. The City Council supported the proposed plan and
directed staff to purchase plants and landscaping materials from local businesses when
possible. Council Member Shoe Corrigan also suggested using smaller container plants to
save on the landscaping costs.
2.B. Document Retention Software
City Clerk Domeier and GIS Coordinator Kasel provided a summary on the process and
retrieval with using the current document retention Docuware software along with the
improvement proposed with the Laserfishe software. Discussion was held regarding the
decision to use the current system, sending out an RFP for services, obtaining additional
quotes, server space, document storage and the operating costs. The City Council directed
staff to obtain one more quote from another local Laserfishe vendor to ensure that the City
would be using the lowest available vendor. Staff was also directed to bring the final quotes
to City Council for consideration at a regular meeting.
UPDATES
3.A. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Update
City Engineer Brotzler summarized the information provided within the staff report
regarding the SRTS non infrastructure grant program. He added that if the City Council was
interested staff would extend an invitation to the local principals to attend the next work
session to discuss concerns.
Council Member Bills expressed concerns about the middle school parking lot and the
access to the school. Mr. Brotzler stated that changes would take solid involvement on the
school's behalf because the area belongs to the school district. He added that the district
would need to take part in finding a solution. Further discussion was held regarding the
property that is part of the district and the streets that are maintained by the City. Staff was
directed invite the school principals to the next work session.
DISCUSSION
2.D. Discussion Regarding Former St. Joseph's Church and School Campus
Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz stated staff wanted to discuss the future use of the
campus including the church and school facilities. He provided a summary of the bid
packages for the operating costs and proposed budgets along with the recommendations of
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ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
APRIL 15, 2009
the St. Joseph Task Force. Community Development Director Lindquist provided options
for the proposed site including the redevelopment opportunities of a civic building, office
building, restaurant or senior housing. She added that the CDA is very interested in the site
for a joint project.
Mayor Droste suggested making improvements to the gym, gathering area and church. Mr.
Schultz stated that while that was an option, restroom improvements would be necessary
along with an accessible route. He explained the improvements would need to be made for
use of the gym.
Council Member Bills questioned how the project would be funded since the bond
referendum failed. Council Member Shoe Corrigan stated that some funding would come
from the SKB Trust Fund. City Administrator Johnson added that there was a $300,000 in
the 2008 budget surplus to use towards the project. Stephanie Molstre -Kotz with the
Rosemount Area Arts Council (RAAC) stated that their group was pursuing grants. She
added that the RAAC would work with the City to obtain grants for the facilities.
Mayor Droste started discussion about the amount of commercial space available in
Rosemount and the Dakota County area and the types of amenities that are being provided
based upon the amount of taxes paid. Council Member Shoe Corrigan questioned how the
City would sell the improvements to the public since the referendum was voted down. Ms.
Molstre -Kotz suggested making residents part of the RAAC events.
Council Member DeBettignies suggested making the church and gathering space updates
first. He stated that the rest of the project will fall into place. Discussion about the rental
and usage of the rooms, auditorium and banquet room at the community center was held.
Council Member Bills questioned how the project would be sold to the average resident.
Discussion was held about the type of activities that would be held and the amount of
people that would visit the Downtown area. Council Member Weisensel stated residents
would be upset with using general fund monies on the project. He supported a senior
housing project on the site. Mayor Droste stated that the City would not generate money
from a senior community. Council Member DeBettignies suggested opening the church and
to entertain to the private enterprises to develop the rest of the site. Council Member
Weisensel stated that the City Council needed to articulate a vision for the project. Council
Member Shoe Corrigan stated the need to upgrade the church and school. Discussion
ensued between updating either the church or school or both with the basics.
Council Member Weisensel stated before committing to those funds he wanted letters of
intent from groups stating they will use the facility. He stated that from those letters the City
Council could start talking about spending capital dollars and the potential revenue stream.
Ms. Molstre -Kotz stated that RAAC was working on a service agreement with the City.
The direction to staff was to receive the letters of intent; discuss minimal improvements to
make the church and gathering space usable with the gym as an option on an upcoming
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
APRIL 15, 2009
regular agenda; and continue to apply for grants. Council Member Shoe Corrigan also
wanted further discussion about the school in the next quarter of the year.
2.C. 2009 Budget Update /2010 Budget Discussion
Finance Director May provided an update on the 2009 General Fund budget through the
end of March. He stated it was difficult to have a true handle on all the revenues and
expenditures because of the cyclical nature of many of the revenues coming in and the
expenditures going out. City Administrator Johnson reviewed the proposed 2010 Budget
Scenarios as provided in the packet and handed out an updated analysis at the meeting
including the different changes to the tax rate, overall levy amount and taxes on a median
home. Mr. May added that the numbers provided were conservative estimates.
Discussion was held regarding the different budget scenarios provided by staff. Mayor
Droste stated that residents are expecting cities to make cuts. He added that for Rosemount
to do nothing would be wrong and that the City needs to figure out how to be more
efficient. Council Member Shoe Corrigan stated there are many challenges in the
community with taxes and that most taxes come from the residents.
City Administrator Johnson talked about the salaries, benefits and insurance increases.
Discussion was held regarding lower or possibly no salary increases. Mayor Droste
suggested looking at different staffing and service options.
Council Member Bills questioned the costs associated with St. Joseph's campus. Mr. May
stated that the operating portion was $75,000 and an additional cost that will be part of the
levy. He added that it was similar with the additional operating costs associated with the
athletic fields at DCTC.
Council Member Weisensel questioned the opportunity to move the City's rank in the
County related to the tax rate. Discussion was held regarding the tax rates. Director of
Parks and Recreation Schultz pointed out that cuts were made last year that eliminated three
to four positions. Percentage wise it is similar to the Lakeville cuts this year. Mr. May
provided information and history on staff planning and budgeting for the past 10 years along
with union and non -union negotiations.
Council Member Weisensel suggested lowering the tax rate by 3.5 Council Member Shoe
Corrigan stated that while she agreed cuts could be made she could not support cutting a
half million dollars from the budget.
The City Council agreed to move forward with the proposed budget calendar.
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WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
APRIL 15, 2009
UPDATES
3.B. Enhanced Crosswalk Pavement Markings Downtown Area
City Engineer Brotzler stated that in response to City Council inquires regarding the use of
in- pavement reflectors for crosswalks in the Downtown area, staff researched available
products and costs. He also provided a summary of the information provided within the
staff report.
Discussion was held on high performance wet reflective tape and snowplowable reflective
markers as possible alternatives for enhanced crosswalk applications along with ADA
requirements for the concrete pedestrian ramps. The City Council favored using the
reflective tape. Staff was directed to place the item on the April 21 consent agenda for
consideration.
3.C. UMORE Athletic Fields
Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz stated that staff recently met with UMORE Park
representatives to further discuss the opportunities to develop athletic fields on
approximately 20 acres south of the soccer fields on the DCTC property. He added that
staff was working on developing a budget for the project and expected to have another
update in May.
3.D. Discuss Metropolitan Council Comments regarding the 2030 Comprehensive
Plan
Community Development Director Lindquist provided draft responses to the comments
received from the Metropolitan Council on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The City Council
agreed with staff's recommendations related to the Ag Preserve areas and the municipal
sewer connection concerns.
3.E. Updates by City Council /Staff
City Engineer Brotzler stated City was required to establish a program to identify and
eliminate illicit and non -storm water discharge entering the storm sewer system. He added
that a draft illicit discharge ordinance will be on a future City Council agenda for
consideration.
Council Member Weisensel requested that the staff reports be changed so that the
recommended action was the first part of the report. He suggested trying it for the next
work session in May.
ADJOURMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Droste moved to
adjourn the meeting with a second from Weisensel the meeting adjourned at 10:46 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk