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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/04/14 CCM - WS1 1 1 ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS APRIL 14, 2010 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Rosemount City Council was held on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 6:35 p.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall at 2875 145``' Street West, Rosemount. Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members Weisensel, Shoe Corrigan, Bills and DeBettignies attending. Staff present included City Administrator Johnson, Assistant City Administrator Foster, City Clerk Domeier, Community Development Director Lindquist, Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brotzler, Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz, Police Lieutenant Ericson, Fire Chief Aker and Finance Director May. DISCUSSION 2.A. Dangerous Dog City Code Requirement City Administrator Johnson provided a summary of the information provided in the staff report. Police Lieutenant Ericson stated that the dangerous dog was in the process of being put down. The Police Department will receive official confirmation from the veterinarian's office. Mr. Ericson provided more information about dangerous dog requirements as outlined in the City Code. Council Member Shoe Corrigan questioned the process for declaring a dog dangerous. Mr. Ericson replied that state law requires veterinarians to inform the City if a dog has bit someone or another dog. He explained that often times the City becomes aware of dangerous dogs based upon complaints and previous incidents. Discussion was held regarding a recent dangerous dog incident in Rosemount. Neighbors of the dangerous dog's owners provided the information on the events that occurred. Mr. Ericson explained that the City ordinance related to dangerous dogs was in line with the State law. Residents shared concerns because the dog was allowed to go back to the owners immediately. Mr. Ericson further explained that the dog had to be secured in the house. If the dog were to go outside it needed to have a muzzle. If the owners did not follow those requirements the dog would have been taken immediately. He added that the City was in the process of ordering signs for dangerous dog notifications. Council Member Weisensel commented that residents may not always know what to report to the Police Department. Mr. Ericson clarified that any dog that makes you feel threatened should be reported. Council Member DeBettignies suggested that neighbors within a certain parameter of a dangerous dog should be notified so they are aware of the situation and requirements for reporting incidents. The residents also spoke of the veterinarian bills. They also expressed concerns about how the dangerous dogs should be kept in homes. Council Member Shoe Corrigan stated that the City does follow the statute. Mayor Droste talked about Apple Valley's ordinance that considered allowing dangerous dogs in the industrial districts. He suggested doing research across the metro area as to what other cities are doing with dangerous dogs. Council Member DeBettignies suggested checking with the City Attorney and look at the background on legal action or cases that would be on record and the ordinances that were in place. Further discussion was held regarding the monetary fine and the insurance required for dangerous dogs. Discussion ensued regarding the dangerous dog notification to residents. Council Member Shoe Corrigan stated the statute did not address the monetary issues. She questioned if the City could 1 1 1 ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS APRIL 14, 2010 impose additional penalties. Mr. Ericson stated that the current ordinance has been a deterrent and therefore, residents do not keep animals after an incident has occurred. He provided information about insuring a dangerous dog. The City Council requested further research on tracking dangerous dogs and doing more public outreach notifying residents of dangerous dogs and what is a dangerous dog. Mayor Droste will contact residents in attendance when future dangerous dog discussion is held. 2.B. GlenRose Development Issues City Administrator Johnson summarized the information provided in the staff report. He provided further information on the bulleted items within the report. A demand was made on the letter of credit for the subdivision held by Alpine Capital. Council Member Weisensel was concerned about obtaining letters of credit because the City never cashes in or they seem to be gone. Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brotzler replied that he was not aware of any other development letters of credit on hand that were defaulted on; the previous FTTH letter of credit issue was a case where the city did not receive the letter of credit. He added that when letters of credit were required in the past they were reviewed for consistency with requirements established at the time. Council Member Weisensel questioned what protection the City had about future conditions that may arise with the infrastructure. Mr. Brotzler explained that all of the improvements on the project were completed as public improvements. The City maintains the public sewer and water. The final wear course is to protect the integrity of what is there today so that it does not deteriorate faster than normal. The road itself was not exhibiting any signs of deterioration or distress. Mr. Brotzler stated that the only issue is the developer installed retaining wall and the exposed portions and settlement of the storm sewer. Mayor Droste stated that because of the housing market the best the City could do was to have a company financially stable move forward on the projects. He wanted to protect the City's assets and have the build -out completed. The City Council supported the project moving forward as long as the City pursued judgment. Staff will work with the City Attorney on the judgment. 2.C. Draft Work Plan City Administrator Johnson summarized the information provided within the draft work plan. He requested comments, suggestions and changes from the City Council. No changes were proposed to the work plan. City Administrator Johnson stated the work plan would be presented again at the April 20, 2010 City Council meeting. 2.D. Budget Options City Administrator Johnson stated that for several weeks management has been planning for voluntary layoffs in the Community Development department. He reminded City Council that staff reductions occurred in 2008. The approach will include a voluntary reduction of hours and based upon the response further action may be needed. Mr. Johnson questioned if the City Council would support providing assistance in the areas of health, dental and life insurance if employees were to work only four days a week. He explained that the decision was based upon the economy and the change in work load for the department. He asked for consideration to allow employees working 1 1 1 ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS APRIL 14, 2010 only 32 hours a week to continue with their insurance benefits since the employees would take a reduction in their salaries. Community Development Director Lindquist added that she would be meeting with her staff on April 19 to discuss the changes. She stated the agreement for the reduction in hours would be reviewed in one year. Because it is a voluntary reduction, she will wait to see who is willing to take the furlough. She added that the union would need to approve the change of benefits because of the contract language. Discussion was held regarding the voluntary layoffs. Ms. Lindquist stated that she would have to approve the scheduling of staff. She added that any other modifications similar to this option would require union approval. She noted that layoffs did not involve the union contract. Ms. Lindquist hoped that three to four employees would volunteer for the reduced hours noting that the current flexible hours schedule would end. Staff was directed to come back to the City Council if no employees volunteer. Council Member Shoe Corrigan requested that in six months the schedule and work load be reviewed in the event an employee should return to full-time hours. The City Council agreed to continue the health insurance benefits to the employees taking the furloughs. Mr. Johnson provided handouts related to the budget planning factors for 2011. The reduction in the levy of $140,000 before the budget scenarios would cause residents to see $39 in savings for the City share of the taxes. He reviewed the list of possible service reductions. Discussion of all the options was held by the City Council and staff as follows: A List: not necessarily recommended, but should be considered: The City Council was in agreement to reduce the services provided in options 1 -8. Discussion was held on the maintenance fees potentially charged to athletic teams Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz estimated that the surcharge would cost each player approximately $5.00. He explained that the user fees would help offset the maintenance costs. Council Members Shoe Corrigan and Weisensel found the fees to be reasonable if used to offset maintenance costs. Mayor Droste was concerned about the fees and suggested eliminating other options before hitting the families with additional fees. Further discussion was held regarding the Parks Brochures and teaming up with the school district for advertising and website relations. Council Member Shoe Corrigan did not support reducing all of the City attended conferences from the budget. Discussion was held regarding having street light utility fees. Council Member Weisensel expressed concerns about eliminating overtime. He suggested that careful management be used to determine the amount of overtime needed. Mr. May added that overtime may be needed if additional cuts are made and to cover vacation and seasonality of some positions. The City Council was in agreement to maintain items 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 11, 13 and 14. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS APRIL 14, 2010 B List: Items that are not necessarily recommended, but can be considered. Generally more direct impact on the public or staff than the A list: The City Council agreed to reduce dust control on gravel roads west of Akron Avenue as outlined in item 3. It was suggested that for item 5 staff look for additional partnerships to help maintain the flowers. The City Council also supported to remove cat licensing requirements as noted in item 8. Discussion was held regarding item 9 and two police officer squads. Police Lieutenant Ericson explained that for the 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift one car would be staffed by two police officers. Mr. Johnson noted that reduction of a squad car would result in less visibility and potential response time issues. The City Council did not support the reduction. The City Council reviewed the reduction of receptionist hours in item 10. More data on the number of calls received and those that require more research were requested. The City Council discussed the reduction of GIS support in item 12. Ms. Lindquist explained that the GIS position has a strong mapping role and was busy during the comp plan update. The position also spends time entering data into the system that is backlogged. Mr. Brotzler added that the position has picked up general mapping as GIS Coordinator position has spent a significant amount of time on Laserfiche, Cartegraph, and call tracking capabilities. The GIS Coordinator position has extended beyond just GIS management. Council Member Weisensel requested further information on the amount of research and data entry that is needed before the information is up to date. C List: Not recommended. Fairly substantial impacts on the public or staff with an increased risk of unintended consequences: The City Council did not support the elimination of any of the bulleted items. UPDATES 3.A. Updates from City Council /Staff Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz provided an update on the interior changes at the former St. Joseph's Church. He provided information on the stage flooring material that will be considered at the April 20, 2010 City Council meeting. City Administrator Johnson stated that a special work session has been scheduled for April 26, 2010 at 7 p.m. to discuss the 2010 Street Improvement Project. Finance Director May informed the City Council of the City's bond rating change which will improve the City's interest rate. 1 1 1 ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS APRIL 14, 2010 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste, second by Weisensel, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Amy Domeier, City Clerk