HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.a. Minutes of the March 11th, 2015 Work Session ProceedingsROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MARCH 11, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a work session of the Rosemount City Council was held on
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at City Hall, 2875 145th
Street West, Rosemount.
Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members DeBettignies, Nelson, Weisensel
and Demuth in attendance. Staff present included City Administrator Johnson, Public Works
Director Brotzler, Community Development Director Lindquist and City Clerk Hadler. Guests
included Jim Hickle of Gigabit Minnesota, Lisa Alfson of the Dakota County Community
Development Agency, and Craig Ebeling, consultant for the Dakota County broadband project.
City Administrator Johnson stated there was one item added to Discussion, item 2.D. Commission
Appointments, and a number of items that were added to the Updates portion of the agenda.
DISCUSSION
2.A. Proposed County Broadband
City Administrator Johnson introduced Craig Ebeling, consultant, and Lisa Alfson, of Dakota
County CDA. Ms. Alfson gave an overview of the proposed Dakota County Broadband initiative.
Mr. Ebeling continued this discussion, describing how the concept might be moved forward. A
core ring of broadband would be created using assets that already exist and supplemented by items
that need to be built. The goal of the project is getting fiber broadband closer to the eventual end
users. Mr. Ebeling explained the benefits of a fiber network including; unlimited bandwidth
potential with capacity to meet growing demand of residents and businesses. Mr. Ebeling explained
the difference between fiberoptic lines and radio, satellite, and copper systems.
Mr. Ebeling explained the possibility of internet service providers to then expand the fiber network
to businesses and homes. The study showed that approximately 21 more miles of fiber that needs to
be installed before the core network is completed.
Mayor Droste and Mr. Ebeling discussed a couple of businesses that located in Scott County due
largely in part to their core network of fiber cable. The City of Eagan has also installed fiber and has
since recruited a data center.
Council members and guests discussed the current fiber situation in the area, the challenges of such,
and the many benefits of fiber networks. The cost of the 21 miles of new fiber would cost
approximately $3.4 million.
Council member Weisensel inquired about the possibility of community-based wireless. Mr. Ebeling
stated that was a possibility with additional towers and hardware.
Mr. Ebeling explained there was a similar type agreement in the San Francisco Bay area that created
a cooperative agreement that may be instructive in creating the JPA for Dakota County.
Discussions with the members of the consortium will continue in the months to come to develop an
agreement.
Council members were supportive of the concept of a core fiber network in Dakota County.
6.a.
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MARCH 11, 2015
2.C. Integrated Water Management Update
Public Works Director Brotzler introduced Todd Hubner and 3 students from the University of
Minnesota Resilient Communities program who are sitting in to hear about the project. Mr. Brotzler
gave a brief update in the Integrated Water Management proposal. The Metropolitan Council has
provided a feasibility report for a treated wastewater facility if Mississippi River water is needed to
meet water supply needs in the future. The report estimates the cost of a facility would be $1.2
billion and could serve 8 cities in Dakota County. The City of Rosemount share would be $108
million.
Mr. Brotzler explained some of the comments the Southeast Metro Groundwater Group had
submitted to the Met Council regarding their groundwater model, including an added 20% reduction
scenario and a model that removes the demand from two private water users. Mr. Brotzler showed
the updated model based on these suggestions. The new model seems to be an improvement over
the first model that was presented two years ago. However, there are still challenges for the water
supply in the future.
Mr. Brotzler explained the proposed water reuse system, which would take treated effluent from the
Empire Treatment Plant and use it for irrigation and other non-potable uses. This would be
achieved by installing a fourth pipe during development. This system could help forestall the need
for the expensive river water treatment system. Rosemount has a particularly unique opportunity
which other cities do not have because of the Empire Plant, as well as the fact that UMore Park is
not yet developed.
Mr. Brotzler explained the concept of Integrated Water Management; the examination of
groundwater, storm water, and wastewater as a whole. Mr. Brotzler noted that the Met Council may
consider treating the effluent to a higher level so that it could be used at Flint Hills.
Mr. Hubner of WSB explained some of the funding opportunities for this type of a project.
Potential partners include Dakota County, Minnesota Department of Health, DNR, Vermillion
River Watershed, U of M, Met Council, MPCA, and Empire Township. There is a state natural
resource trust fund, Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) through the
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) that is a possibility for larger
projects such as this. The deadline for this grant is May 2015. Other opportunities include
legislative appropriations. Another option is direct funding allocations through partner
organizations.
Mr. Hubner outlined potential next steps for acquiring funding and how WSB, staff and elected
officials might be involved in that process. They plan to submit the ENRTF grant application to the
Council for approval at the first meeting in May.
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MARCH 11, 2015
2.B. Met Council Draft Water Resources Policy Plan
Public Works Director Brotzler introduced a letter of comment to the Met Council regarding the
Draft 2014 Water Resources Policy Plan. The letter expresses concern that the plan moves certain
controls to the Met Council and out of the hands of local governments.
Council member Demuth asked that comment number 9 be removed. Staff and council agreed.
Mr. Brotzler stated the final letter will be presented on the next Council agenda.
2.D. Commission Appointments
Council members discussed the commissioner appointments.
Council also discussed the potential of adding 2 more members to the Planning Commission.
Council members generally favored adding2 seats to the Planning Commission.
UPDATES
3.a. Park and Rec Commission Ice Arena Fees
City Administrator Johnson stated that staff is intending to bring forward a proposal for increased
prime time ice arena fees as discussed in budget discussions last year. The 2015 budget also contains
an increased transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Ice Arena budget. The increased fees
would help cover current revenue shortages, the new refrigeration unit and new Zamboni machine.
Council member Nelson expressed concerns relating to the cost of our ice compared to other cities.
City Administrator Johnson showed a matrix of neighboring communities that shows that
Rosemount’s prime time rate is the lowest of all cities shown.
Council members were generally supportive other than Council member Nelson.
3.b. Steeple Center Lighting
City Administrator Johnson state that Jeff Bartlett has provided estimates for the Steeple Center
Lighting project. He estimates it would cost approximately $98,000 for the front of the Steeple
Center, or $160,000 for a larger project. Council members discussed the quote. Mr. Johnson
suggested further discussion with Mr. Bartlett at a future meeting.
3.c. Volunteer Recognition
City Administrator Johnson inquired what Council would like to do for volunteer recognition this
year. Council members debated where to have the gathering and what format it should be. Council
members suggested waiting until Fall when the Steeple Center is open again.
3.d. Early Voting
City Administrator Johnson explained a proposed Resolution in support of early voting, which is
recommended by the League of Minnesota Cities. City Council members expressed support for this
in general.
3.e. Kenrose Property
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MARCH 11, 2015
City Administrator Johnson stated the Kenrose Property may be for sale. Mr. Johnson recommends
monitoring the situation.
3.f. Potential Development
City Administrator Johnson presented information regarding a potential single family housing
development.
3.g. Future Conferences and Registrations
City Clerk Hadler inquired which conferences council members would like to attend. There will be
an approval on the next council agenda.
COUNCIL UPDATES
Council Member DeBettignies stated that he spoke to someone at Sweet Harvest Foods and
thanked them for moving to town.
Council Member Demuth stated that DCTC might not be using their baseball field. She stated the
County will do a free environmental assessment if needed. Johnson clarified that the property
would not be transferred, so that would not be needed.
Council Member Demuth expressed concern over the WSB employee sitting on the LCCMR Board
that City will be applying to for grant discussed earlier. She is also concerned about treated effluent
being returned to the aquifer.
Mayor Droste shared a Sustainability Update for 2013 from Burnsville and expressed interest in
having a similar report of some kind.
Mayor Droste shared his experience at a meeting at the University regarding sustainability.
Mayor Droste stated he had heard from a neighborhood member that is concerned with the fact
their association owns their own streets and is responsible for all of the maintenance. They would
like the City to take over ownership of those streets.
Weisensel stated he has information from NLC and it will be placed on Dropbox.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste,
second by DeBettignies, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Clarissa Hadler, City Clerk