HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.a. Minutes of the December 15, 2011 Work Session ProceedingsROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 15, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Rosemount City Council was
held on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at City Hall, 2875
145t Street West, Rosemount.
Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members Bills, DeBettignies, Shoe Corrigan
and Weisensel attending. Staff present included City Administrator Johnson, Assistant City
Administrator Foster, City Clerk Domeier, Finance Director May, Director of Public Works /City
Engineer Brotzler, Community Development Director Lindquist, Youth Commissioners Laumer,
Olson, Neuens and Brist.
DISCUSSION
2.A. Youth Commission
Assistant City Administrator Foster summarized the staff report. Youth Commissioner Chair Brist
provided a report to City Council and summarized Youth Commission activities to date. The
biggest event being planned is a Youth Rally /Summit for the spring of 2011. Youth Commission
Secretary Laumer provided some preliminary ideas of what the Youth Rally will entail. Youth
Commissioner Olson read an email that Youth Commissioner Carroll has sent to local school and
church groups about the event. The City Council supported the idea of a Youth Rally and
encouraged the Commission to contact local groups to participate in the event.
Ms. Foster led discussion on the appointment options for the Youth Commission vacancies (one
Commissioner member and Alternate). After discussion between the City Council and Commission,
staff will wait to appoint these positions until the end of the school year. Council Member
Weisensel will serve as the new City Council liaison to the Commission.
2.B. Water Rates
Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brotzler summarized the background and information
provided in the staff report. The primary issue raised by the Crosscroft Community HOA is that it
is not receiving the benefit of the tiered rates for the watering of the 150 individual properties
because all water is controlled by the HOA through the four irrigation meters. Larry Bakker and
Gerry Falkowski were in attendance to represent the HOA.
Mr. Falkowski did not believe the HOA was being treated fairly. He proposed that consideration be
given to distribute water usage from the four irrigation meters in Crosscroft to the 150 individual
units for purposes of billing to provide the benefit of the tiered rates. The change would reduce the
cost. Finance Director May stated that the billing system was not set up as such and to change it
would mean staff would be doing manual calculations for billing. He added that when the tiered
rate system was discussed, the capabilities of the City utility billing system were taken into account to
ensure that the final rate structure could be billed with the system. Mr. Falkowski suggested that the
rest of the community should pay the $2.00 rate on irrigation meters to level the playing field Mr.
Brotzler noted that single- family homes may choose to install second meters to save on sewer
charges and that these meters are not viewed as irrigation meters. He additionally explained the
tiered rate system for the average user and added that the City has not increased rates for 10 years.
He expressed concern about maintaining the total revenue at the end of each year if the rates were
lowered from the top.
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 15, 2010
Finance Director May explained the billing system and how it would affect staff if the Crosscroft
idea were used. He added that Crosscroft would not be charged for sewer on those four meters. He
was concerned about the equity issues and explained that the statute was clear in that the meters
could not be billed separately. Mr. Falkowski questioned if there were a way to enter into the system
one meter and 36 homes. Mr. May stated that it could not be done separately per the DNR rules.
Mr. Brotzler added that the City received official approval from the DNR for the tiered rate
structure. Further discussion was held regarding the equity issues and the intent of the DNR rules.
The City Council directed staff to determine the sewer usage fees and the anticipated revenue
projections for the year.
2.D. Presentation 2011 Street Improvements Project, City Project #432
Director of Public Works /City Engineer provided a presentation on the 2011 Street Improvement
Project. The presentation included the proposed project location, estimated costs, funding, striping
modifications, pedestrian signage, roadway bump outs and proposed schedule.
Discussion was held regarding the paved paths and painted bike lanes. Concerns were raised about
bike lanes, active living, parking, bump outs, crosswalks, traffic speed and safety. Don Sinwell, a
resident in attendance, stated that no one uses the bike lanes. Mr. Brotzler stated that the City was
promoting opportunities that do not exist today.
Mr. Brotzler provided further information on the street CIP funding. The proposed project would
be limited to the Valley Oak Addition and the section of 145 between Diamond Path and Shannon
Parkway. He spoke of the changes at Diamond Path including a proposed crosswalk. Because it is a
County project and the crosswalk will require a median, the City will be required to split 45% of the
cost with Apple Valley. It was estimated that the project cost to the City would be approximately
$17,000. He also provided options and alternates for trails along the north side of 145 Staff will
look at the trail options during street construction. The portion of Shannon Parkway to the east will
be pushed back to 2012. He anticipated further discussion would be held regarding bike lanes and
parking.
2.C. Snowplow Policy for Trails
Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brotzler provided background information on trail
plowing. He stated that when staff and resources are available after primary activities staff could
look at plowing trails. He also provided the proposed updated information to the snow plow policy.
Policy changes discussed included the addition of a new 3r priority category for trail plowing that
would include trails in Innisfree, Carrolls Woods and Bloomfield Parks. These trails would only be
plowed as time and conditions permit. Also discussed was the process and procedure for clearing
downtown snow removal. The City Council also suggested changes to the trail and sidewalk plow
map changing the segments of Dodd Boulevard between Shannon Parkway and Chippendale
Avenue, and Connemara Trail between Diamond Path and Shannon Parkway to 1s priority status.
Mr. Brotzler will bring the proposed changes for City Council consideration at the December 21,
2010 regular meeting.
City Administrator Johnson provided information about a complaint received related to Downtown
snow removal. In the letter, a resident expressed concern about the City not clearing the sidewalks
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 15, 2010
within a 24 hour period. Further discussion was held regarding the City's ability to suspend sidewalk
and trail snow removal. Community Development Director Lindquist shared a map illustrating the
plowing violations. She provided the process for citing a property owner and noted that staff would
prefer to remove the snow and charge back the resident.
Discussion was held regarding sidewalk cleanup. It was suggested that cleanup be required within
48 hours of a snow event. The City Council preferred for the City to have the ability to suspend the
obligation of property owners or occupants to remove snow and ice in all, or any part, of the City
which would result in the ceasing of enforcement action. Further discussion was held regarding
"exceptional events" which would warrant suspending the snow removal requirements.
Another item discussed was enforcement for snow removal. The current ordinance allows for the
City or its designee to remove the snow and bill it back to the property owner. The City Council
supported the enforcement as allowed by ordinance.
2.E. Downtown Zoning District, Case 09 -32 -TA
Senior Planner Zweber provided a summary of the staff report. Further discussion was held on the
auto related uses and building standards within the district. Don Sinwell of the Rosemount Business
Council provided his concerns on the changes to the ordinance. Staff will prepare a final ordinance
for consideration on January 18, 2011.
2.F. Submittal of an Application to the Dakota County Community Development Agency
Redevelopment Incentive Grant
Community Development Director Lindquist summarized the information provided in the staff
report. The City Council supported moving forward with the grant application.
UPDATES
3.A. MVTA Park and Ride Planning
Community Development Director Lindquist provided a summary of the staff report. She also
provided more information on the proposed park and ride, the estimates, and that restrooms were
not included. The City Council stated that restrooms should be included in the project. Staff will
continue to provide updates on the status.
3.B. Updates from City Council /Staff
Community Development Director Lindquist stated staff met with University to continue talking
about the AUAR. She stated that the City will work with WSB through contract and invoice the
fees back to the University. City Administrator Johnsons provided information on legislative
initiatives.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste,
second by DeBettignies, the meeting was adjourned at 11:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk