HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.a. Minutes of the June 9, 2010 City Council Work Session ProceedingsROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
I V JUNE 9, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Rosemount City Council was
held on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 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, Shoe - Corrigan and Weisensel
attending. Council Member DeBettignies arrived late. Staff present included City Administrator
Johnson, Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brotzler, Finance Director May, City Clerk
Domeier, Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz, Chief of Pohce'Kalstabakken and Community
Development Director Lindquist.
DISCUSSION
2.A. Water Rates ,
Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brotzler summarized the information provided within the
e staff report. He stated that the residents of the Crosscroft Homeowners Association (the "HOA ")
have expressed concerns about their irrigation meters in residential areas. He explained that the
HOA has five meters for irrigation including one for the clubhouse and four others for watering
yards and common areas. He stated that no individual unit is watering grass on their own property
around their house. In looking at where other communities are at and how we can come up with a
system to treat all properties fairly and equitable staff has discussed eliminating the'top tier
residential rate of $2.75 per 1000 gallons and establishing a new rate that is $2.00 per 1,000 gallon
flat rate for all irrigation uses.
Council Member Bills'questioned if the same issues could arise for any commercial or industrial
properties. Mr. Brotzler responded that there are some businesses that have irrigation meters and
would'be subject to the irrigation meter rate of $2.00 per 1,000 gallons. Mr. May added that a
majority of cities that have irrigation meters charge a flat rate that is typically at the highest rate.
Mr. Brotzler pointed out that the City's water usage on public land was 438,000 per acre in
comparison to the Crosscroft HOA usage of 750,000 gallons per acre. Discussion ensued regarding
the water use of the HOA along with billing and second meters. Council Member Shoe - Corrigan
stated the bottom line is promoting conservation. Further discussion was held regarding the
issuance of citations for violating the water bans. _.Mr. May noted that it would beat least two years
before the Gity will notice if residents are changing their,watering habits. Mayor Droste stated there
needs to be .a clear message that the rates are used to help maintain the system and conserve water.
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Mr. May asked the City Council to considering making the change in rates in this billing period to
avoid making adjustments after the period ends. He stated that Utility Billing staff can make the
changes and modifications to resident's` accounts now.instead`of doing it manually in the future. Mr.,
May stated that a modification would need to be made to the Fee Resolution. The resolution will be
considered at the June 15 City Council meeting. Further discussion was held regarding the education
of the changes in water rates. Mr. Brotzler and Mr. May recapped the public outreich that was done
to promote water conservation and outline the changes in the water rates. ,
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2.E. 2011 Budget Discussion .
City Administrator Johnson summarized the information provided with the staff report. The
recommended budget for2011 proposes a reduction of $42 in the City taxes assessed to a median
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ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 9, 2010 y
value home. The City tax levy-would decline by 1.54% and the overall reduction in City funding
needs would be 2.17 %. With the reduction of $77 in taxes for the median home in 2010; °the two
year propertytax decline for the median home will be $119 or 13.1 %. The median family home paid
$1,025 in City taxes in 2009 and would pay $906 in 2011 with the proposed budget.
Discussion was held regarding the Emerald Ash Borer threat. Director of Parks and Recreation
Schultz provided information on staff's goals moving forward with adopting anew ordinance and
planting new trees. A plan will be developed and brought back to the City Council of a later date.
Mayor Droste expressed concerns on the street CIP proposed levy and the amount spent since the
program was put in place. Council Member Shoe - Corrigan stated that the number of streets added
were mostly new and paid for by developers. Discussion was also held regarding having a street
light utility ,fee similar to other Dakota County cities.
Mr: Johnson updated the City Council on the staff reductions in the Community Development
Department. Council Member Shoe - Corrigan questioned when a new work flow plan will be
discussed. Community Development Director Lindquist stated it would depend upon the variables
for the FMLA leave for an employee and the replacement options for the GIS Technician ". Mr.
Johnson provided a handout of the receptionist duties noting that approximately 60% of her time is
secretarial. Because of the cuts in the Community Development Department he did not
recommend 'any changes to the position. Further discussion was held regarding union contract
negotiations throughout the metro area.
Finance Director May stated that the goal of the discussion was to receive feedback from -the City
Council on the budget as proposed.
Council Member Bills stated that in reviewing the budget the staff has done a great job of peeling
back the larger layers over the past two years. Mr. Johnson added that changes were made to
approximately 55 line item's this year totaling about $90,000 in savings. Council Member
DeBettignies expressed concerns about only projecting 5% for fuel increases. Mr. Brotzler
explained the process "for locking in the fuel rates. Currently staff locks in 45% of its monthly fuel
consumption in January of each year. After that, the cost is the daily spot rate. He noted that a big
variable for 2010 was that snow plowing was not done in March or "April. Council Member
Weisensel suggested locking in at a larger percentage. Council Member DeBettignies also
questioned the contract for purchasing salt for winter. Mr. Brotzler stated that the City purchase`s
the salt off the state bid. Council Member.DeBettignies stated there is an expected increase of up to
17% for the price of salt.
Finance Director May stated that some variables like the TIE numbers and fiscal disparities will-not
be known until the end of July or early August. Because of those variables the,City Council will not
hold another budget discussion until "those numbers are received or another issue should arise for
discussion. Mr. May stated that the preliminary budget will be considered at the September 7, 2010
meeting and certified to the County by September 15, 2010.
Mr.-Johnson questioned if any information about the budget should be added to the newsletter
going out later in the month. The City'Council preferred waiting to add it to a newsletter until the
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JUNE 9, 2010
preliminary levy is set. Discussion was held regarding having a town hall meeting °during
Leprechaun Days to discuss the budget and other items such as the Steeple Center.
2.13. SKB Wetland Replacement Modification"
Community Development Director Lindquist summarized the information provided within the staff
report. We will need to modify the WACA permit so it will come before the City Council for the
formal process for the amendment. Director of Parks and Recreation Schultz provided more
information on the future of the wetlands. Discussion was held on the replacement modifications.
2.C. Dakota County 2011 -2015 Draft CIP
Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brotzler summarized the information provided within the
draft letter to Dakota County. Discussion was held regarding the future of County Road 73 (Akron
Avenue). Mayor Droste suggested the additions to the trail system from County Road 42 to
Connemara Trail. The City Council supported the sending the letter as proposed with the one
suggested change to continue requesting a trail on the east side of CR 33 from CR 42 to Connemara
Trail. Mr. Brotzler will send the letter out this week. ,
2.D. Steeple Center— Purchase of Chairs k
Director of Park Recreation Schultz provided an option of chairs to be purchased. Mr. Schultz will x
check out the other options for the swift set that may include padding and the sonic poly. Further
discussion will be held on June 15, 2010. E
UPDATES
3.A. Park and Ride funding update
City Administrator Johnson summarized the update in the staff report.
3.13. Updates from City Council /Staff
City Administrator Johnsons stated the early bird registration for the Annual LMC Conference
ended tomorrow. Mayor Droste and Council Member Shoe - Corrigan will be attending the
conference.
Council Members DeBettignies and Shoe- Corrigan botfi provided updates on conversations with
residents regarding the 2010 Street Improvement Project.
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Council Member Bills stated that the Leprechaun Days golf event will be held on July 31,.2010 at
Rich Valley Golf Course.
Mayor Droste'provided updates on the liquor license ratios; the veteran's memorial walk at Central
Park; DCTC baseball field; and discussions with the Rosemount Seniors.
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 9:38 p.m.
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Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk