HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b. Minutes of the May 14, 2008 City Council Work Session ProceedingsROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MAY 14, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular work session of the City Council was held
on Wednesday, May 14, 2008. The meeting was held in the conference room at City Hall,
2875 145 Street West, Rosemount.
Mayor Droste called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Council Members Baxter and Shoe
Corrigan were in attendance. Council Members DeBettignies and Sterner arrived shortly
thereafter. Staff members present included Interim City Administrator /Community
Development Director Kim Lindquist, City Engineer Brotzler, City Clerk Domeier,
Assistant City Administrator Foster, Senior Planner Zweber and Finance Director May.
DISCUSSION
2.A. WHEP Presentation
Terry Pearson thanked the City Council for supporting the WHEP program. Mr. Pearson
and Jane Porterfield provided more information about the program and summarized the
results of the 2007 wetland monitoring. Mayor Droste suggested that Mr. Pearson and Ms.
Porterfield provide the same presentation to the neighborhoods.
2.B. City Administrator Executive Search Process
Richard Fursman with the Brimeyer Group was in attendance and provided suggested search
timetables for an August or September City Administrator start date. City Council preferred
to move forward with the timetable including the August 2008 start date. Mr. Fursman
stated that applications would be due by June 21. He added that department heads have
expressed interest in participating in the interviews.
Mr. Fursman explained the process for the May 15 open forum. He added that the profile
information will be disseminated on May 19 to the City Council for consideration and
approval at the May 20 regular meeting.
2.C. Robert Street Corridor Transit Feasibility Study
Sam O'Connell, Transit Specialist, with Dakota County was in attendance to provide a
presentation on the feasibility study.
Council Member Sterner questioned the demographics of the study. Ms. O'Connell
responded that the study included the 2030 projections.
Council Member Shoe Corrigan questioned if research was done to see how other cities of
similar size improved their transit systems. She found it hard to determine the number of
users because the current transit is not convenient and underutilized. She thought the metro
area was behind in mass transportation. Council Member DeBettignies stated it was time to
act on transportation instead of spending money on developing plans. Mayor Droste stated
that the studies need to be done to make the progress happen so a funding mechanism can
be determined.
Mayor Droste stated the need to support the proposed study. Discussion ensued regarding
the transit locations and funding issues in the metro area. Interim City Administrator
Lindquist spoke of the transit options with the UMore development. She questioned if the
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MAY 14, 2008
City Council wanted to preserve a corridor through the business park would they be willing
to make that investment. Council Member Shoe Corrigan did not want to plan for a project
without a commitment. Mayor Droste supported the transit plan using County Road 46.
Ms. O'Connell stated that the transit options would depend upon the development of
UMore.
Ms. O'Connell will send the City Council additional research information compiled from
other U.S. cities of similar size. The City Council thanked Ms. O'Connell for her
presentation.
2.D. Transit Plan, ENG 0126
Interim City Administrator Lindquist stated that the process was started long before and was
presented to the City Council approximately two years ago. A public input process was
started as part of the plan and a transit task force was established. She also explained how
the transit plan tied in with the 2030 Comprehensive Guide Plan Update.
Chuck Rickart with WSB Associates, Inc. presented the draft Transit Plan to the Council.
Council Members requested that the transit taxes associated with MVTA generated by the
City be included in the plan. Mayor Droste wanted the plan introduction changed to include
the transit history and monies spent in Rosemount. Ms. Lindquist stated the City will score
higher in federal solicitations with the Downtown redevelopment project increasing the
density.
Mayor Droste wanted it to be known that the City was frustrated with the opt -out
alternatives. He wants the City to aggressively take a stand in the system.
Council Member DeBettignies stated that the plan could be shortened and to the point. Ms.
Lindquist understood that the action plan could be better stated but indicated that some of
the language was needed as part of the 2030 comp plan update. Conversation continued
regarding the frustration with the transit options in Rosemount.
Mr. Rickart stated that the issues are regional and that MVTA has not been providing the
service. He understood that the City Council wanted stronger language included in the plan.
Council Member Baxter stated looking at what MVTA has done for the City and looking out
20 years the City should look to the Robert Street Corridor for transit. Mayor Droste
disagreed because most Rosemount residents work in Minneapolis.
Ms. Lindquist suggested strengthening the transit ties to UMore. The City Council agreed
that UMore would be the driving factor for transit in Rosemount. Council Member Shoe
Corrigan wanted the UMore information documented within the 2030 comp plan.
Mr. Rickart stated that MVTA recently requested three express services from Rosemount to
St. Paul, Minneapolis and Mall of America. He added that he would provide the City
Council with a revised transit plan including the hard data and other issues discussed.
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MAY 14, 2008
2.E. Dakota County 2009 -2013 Draft CIP
City Engineer Brotzler explained the CIP modifications and requests as proposed in the staff
report. He requested City Council input and direction on the contents of the proposed
letter.
Council Member Shoe Corrigan questioned the intersection of Shannon Parkway and
McAndrews. Mr. Brotzler stated that the City submitted a cost estimate and layout for the
project. He stated the County wanted to review the project to determine if they would fund
the project. The City Council discussed the safety issues associated with the project in
relation to other safety issues on County roads. Mr. Brotzler noted that Dakota County
Transportation staff has offered to address the Council regarding County transportation
issues. The Council indicated their desire to have Dakota County Transportation staff at a
future regular Council meeting. The City Council wanted to add the CSAH 38 /McAndrews
project to the CIP request. Mayor Droste wanted hard data on the number of accidents and
information provided on other safety issues to present to Dakota County Transportation
staff.
The City Council questioned the equity and justice in the maintenance cost share
requirements. Mr. Brotzler pointed out that as part of the transportation plan the County
plans to review their cost share requirements. Council Member Baxter would like a fair say
in determining access if the City is paying 45% of the cost.
Mr. Brotzler summarized the items to discuss with the County engineers including CSAH 38
and Shannon Parkway, safety issues, funding, trails and communications. Council Member
DeBettignies wanted a County presentation on how they measure safety and access.
2.F. Fiber Quotes
Finance Director May requested consideration of connecting City buildings to a fiber
network that would increase the efficiency and effectiveness of City staff. He provided
background on the quotes received from Dakota County to connect the Community Center
and Fire Station #2 to the County /State's fiber network. He stated that the National Guard
wants the City to obtain an easement before fiber could be put in the ground at the
Community Center. If the City Council was considering moving forward he asked them to
hold off on the Fire Station #2 quote based upon conversations with FTTH. He then
provided more information about the fiber located at Fire Station #2.
Council Member Shoe Corrigan questioned the investment in the Community Center. Mr.
May stated the Community Center has a great need to be connected to fiber. He talked
about the frustrating issues in the current operations and how the fiber would benefit the
employees.
Mayor Droste did not support spending funds for Fire Station #2. Mr. May questioned the
risk if the fire station would be used as an EOC. The current DSL would suffice for day to
day operations but would not be able to serve as an EOC.
The City Council supported installing fiber at the Community Center but wanted to delay
installation at Fire Station #2.
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MAY 14, 2008
UPDATES
Quiet Zones Update
City Engineer Brotzler stated that funding questions were raised at the last work session. He
has learned that those types of improvements on the municipal state aid system qualify for
state aid funding. State aid funds can also be used for County roads as part of off system
improvements. He requested clarification on the option to use at the 145 intersection. The
City Council agreed on Option 3 at the 145 intersection to install a 4- quadrant gate system.
Rosemount Liquor Liquor Violation
Interim City Administrator Lindquist stated that Rosemount Liquors has started to serve the
11 day suspension. She explained the violation penalties agreed to by Rosemount Liquor.
Mayor Droste provided background on his meeting with the owners. Council Members
Shoe Corrigan and Sterner expressed their concerns with the violation.
Council Member Shoe Corrigan wanted to find out the policies other businesses use to
prevent this type of violation. She also wanted to check with other cities to find out what
they have done on fourth violations. She did not agree with the penalties and thought the
issues were very serious. Council Member Baxter agreed with the suspension for the third
violation per Chief of Police Kalstabakken's recommendation. Council Member Sterner
agreed with the penalties outlined and suggested all customers carded for the next 36
months.
Greg Clausen Day
Mayor Droste will sign the proclamation.
League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference and Marketplace
Mayor Droste and Council Member Sterner planned to attend the conference.
Centex Homes Evermoor Glendalough Development
Interim City Administrator Lindquist stated that Centex Homes has applied for minor
amendment to build homes within the Evermoor Glendalough development. Staff has
sorted through the proposed housing elevations and chosen those which fit the
development. Steve Ach from Centex Homes was not pleased with the elevations chosen by
staff and may call the Council Members to discuss. Ms. Lindquist stated the proposed minor
amendment will be sent to the City Council for consideration and approval on May 20.
UMore
Interim City Administrator Lindquist recapped a meeting with UMore on May 12 where the
EIS was discussed including an end use plan. After the meeting, Ms. Lindquist sent
previously written letters to the UMore rep detailing that the EIS would not include the
property's end use plan. The UMore rep was in agreement with information in the letters
and apologized for the misinformation presented on May 12.
Mayor Droste stated that UMore has four conceptual plans. He spoke of the various plan
features.
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MAY 14, 2008
AFSCME
Interim City Administrator Lindquist provided updated information about the union's stance
on the newly created inspector position. Mayor Droste stated the broader the scope of the
job description the better the job security. Council Member Baxter stated he was not
interested in negotiating the job description.
Meeting Calendar
Interim City Administrator Lindquist provided a calendar of events from May through
August.
ADDITIONAL UPDATES
Council Member Sterner questioned if Departments could investigate ways to save gas costs
in preparing for the 2009 budget.
Mayor Droste received a request to have more high school baseball team leagues.
Mayor Droste received a complaint from Carlson Tractor about the purchase of recent City
equipment.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Droste adjourned
the meeting at 10:32 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk