HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.a. Minutes of the December 12, 2007 City Council Work Session Proceedings ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 12, 2007
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular work session of the Rosemount City
Council was duly held on Wednesday, December 12, 2007, at 6:37 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at City Hall, 2875 145 Street West.
Acting Mayor Baxter called the meeting to order with Council Members DeBettignies, Shoe
Corrigan and Sterner attending. Mayor Droste arrived at 7:02 p.m. Staff members present
were City Administrator Verbrugge, Assistant City Administrator Foster, Senior Planner
Zweber, Communications Coordinator Cox, City Attorney Vose and City Clerk Domeier.
2.E. Entrance Monuments
City Administrator Verbrugge asked for feedback on the entrance monuments that were
included in the packet. Council Member Sterner wanted the full City logo included on the
monuments. Council Member DeBettignies mentioned that some churches did not like the
words "Spirit of Pride and Progress" used within the same sentence. Council Member
Baxter stated that including the tag line could date the sign. The City Council agreed that
monument two was the best choice and not to include the whole City logo.
2.D. Greening Initiatives
City Administrator Verbrugge stated the primary issue for discussion was consideration of
supporting the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. He provided
background on the internal evaluation of the City's operation and facilities. He also
provided information about promoting the Dakota County HiPP initiative he was active in
and the "cool college presidents" agreement that was signed by Dr. Thomas.
Mr. Verbrugge noted Mayor Droste supported moving forward but did not want to
independent of the City Council He added that the City would strive to achieve the items
listed on the backside of the cover memo. The items would become a blue print of the
City's greening initiatives.
The City Council directed Mr. Verbrugge to move forward with a resolution for support at
the January 2, 2007 City Council meeting. It was decided that Communication Coordinator
Cox would do a press release once the agreement was signed.
2.B. Frontier Wireless Proposal
City Administrator Verbrugge stated that Mike Flynn had been t'lking to Mayor Droste
about the Dakota Future economic development. Mr. Verbrugge stated that last month he,
Mayor Droste and Mr. Flynn got together to discuss Frontier's interest in deploying a
wireless network in Rosemount. He added that last week they met again with Maggie Quinn
and Council Member Sterner to talk about the details of Frontier's proposal. He stated the
deployment would include the commercial area of Rosemount.
Ms. Quinn provided a power point presentation on Frontier Wireless data services. She
spoke of capital monies available for 2007 if deployment would begin before year end. She
added that Frontier was a leader in telecommunications industry.
Mr. Flynn showed a piece of the equipment. He also explained the predictive wireless
protocol and that it would have automatic configuration and would be self healing. He
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 12, 2007
stated the next step was to work with the City to create a network. Frontier was looking for
support from the community. He stated it was a capital project for Frontier to undertake for
their current customers and others in the City.
Council Member DeBettignies questioned the cost to sign on. Ms. Quinn replied that if a
resident had existing high speed internet it would be an additional $9.99 per month. There
would be mobile access anywhere there is service. Mayor Droste questioned if they intended
to stay south of the river. Ms. Quinn replied that they had not met with Lakeville but were in
discussions with Apple Valley.
Council Member Shoe Corrigan questioned if a new product was developed would the City
receive an automatic upgrade. Ms. Quinn responded that if the standards change they would
upgrade their equipment to support the standards. Council Member Shoe Corrigan then
questioned if that language would be in the contract. Mr. Flynn stated that was not in the
agreement and that most changes are software related.
Mr. Verbrugge talked about the issues raised by staff. He questioned what level of
commitment was necessary to receive the fund available. Ms. Quinn suggested working
toward a resolution of the pole agreement before doing a letter of intent. City Attorney
Vose stated the document was labeled a permit but described as a pole attachment
agreement. He thought of it as a lease situation. Ms. Quinn stated she wanted to look at it
as simply as possible.
Mr. Verbrugge questioned the proposed attachment fee and how the fee compared with
what Frontier may compensate private providers. Ms. Quinn stated that in Burnsville they
used private places and didn't pay anything.
Mr. Verbrugge questioned the plan, design path and how many City facilities were included.
Ms. Quinn replied that Frontier was researching the area to see what spots made the most
sense to use.
Mr. Vose questioned Frontier's intent to be leasing the space for a particular kind of facility.
He was concerned about the size, weight and color of the devices going on City property.
He questioned if Frontier would be open to the City limiting what could be put on City
facilities. Mr. Flynn stated that typically Frontier mounts an antenna on a 14 pound white
box. Ms. Quinn added that the device brought to the meeting was the average sized box.
Mr. Vose questioned if Frontier would just be using poles located within the right -of -way
and public places such as City Hall. He was concerned about public policy from using light
poles to everything the City owns within Rosemount. Mr. Flynn stated that the City would
dictate where Frontier could be located. If Frontier was not allowed to locate in a specific
spot they would pick a different location. Ms. Quinn added that Frontier would present the
City with a network plan. The City would review the plan and pick what locations were
allowed.
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WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 12, 2007
Council Member Shoe Corrigan questioned how long it would take a new hotel to become a
hot spot. Ms. Quinn stated that Frontier just provides the infrastructure to get the project
started.
Mayor Droste questioned the market data and if having fiber or wifi in front of a home
would add value to the home. Mr. Flynn stated that fiber could add up to $4,000 in value.
He stated that wifi was different noting there was an economic consideration for residents
and business potentials.
Mr. Verbrugge questioned Frontier's commitment and at what point would they be
comfortable building out for the full coverage area. He was concerned about the benefit if it
was only limited to the commercial area. He wanted consideration for adding a free hot spot
at Central Park, the high school football field or Ericson Park. Ms. Quinn stated that
Frontier would be willing to invest in additional equipment to have Central Park covered. It
would be an extension off the network. She envisioned that the use would be casual and
noted that some cities have sponsored a hot spot and paid a certain fee each month. The
community build out would be considered but that Frontier would want to make sure it
would make sense for Frontier to take on the project. She stated a lot of Frontier services
are offered a la carte. Mr. Flynn stated the intent was to deliver the service in a way no other
provider currently offered.
Council Member DeBettignies questioned the footprint of the commercial area. Mr. Flynn
replied it included County Road 42, Highway 3 and perhaps some other areas. Ms. Quinn
added that Frontier was also looking to add DCTC.
Mr. Verbrugge questioned if Frontier would provide the City with user rates and numbers so
the City could gauge if the residents found the service important. He questioned using a
confidentiality agreement. Ms. Quinn stated she would check into that question.
Mr. Verbrugge questioned the City Council's comfort level. He suggested doing a letter of
understanding. Mr. Vose stated concern about the $15 per pole fee. Mayor Droste stated he
would be mad to find out that Apple Valley got a different rate and same equity within
reason. Ms. Quinn stated she was not part of the Apple Valley negotiations.
The City Council agreed to move forward with a letter of intent. Ms. Quinn would check
into Frontier's acceptance of the letter. Frontier wanted to have an agreement in place by
Christmas and the City Council agreed to have the item on the December 18 agenda.
2.C. Transfer of Cable Franchise to Rudder Capital Corporation
City Administrator Verbrugge provided background on the project and summarized the staff
report. He stated that a First Reading of the Ordinance would be held on December 18 with
the Second Reading following on January 2. He explained the different phases of the project
build out. He added that Rudder was very interested in deploying a wireless service along
with their fiber connection.
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 12, 2007
City Attorney Vose questioned if the City Council believed Rudder was qualified to be the
owner of the company. He noted that the City did not have amend the franchise but that
Rudder was making a business case for doing it. He added that legally the City can approve
the amendment but cautioned the potential legal argument that Charter could make.
Commissioner Sterner questioned the penalty phase. Mr. Verbrugge explained that when
the penalty fee was imposed the City collected $34,000 in fees. He stated that money was
used to fund the technology study. The City has stopped collecting penalty fees from
Rudder.
The City Council was comfortable moving forward with the transfer starting with a First
Reading on December 18.
2.A. Robert Street Transit Corridor
Dan Krom, Dakota County Transit Manager, presented an update on the Robert Street
Corridor feasibility study. He provided a slide show presentation on the transit corridor. He
provided the City council with the comments he received and the public meetings.
Discussion ensued between Mr. Krom, the City Council and staff regarding transportation.
Mr. Krom asked the City Council to email any comments to him. He added they could also
share their comments with Senior Planner Zweber.
UPDATES
3.A. City Organizational Meeting
City Administrator Verbrugge stated that appointments were needed for the DCC Board. It
was decided amongst the City Council that Council Member Baxter would serve as the City's
representative and Council Member Sterner as the alternate.
Changes were made to the 2008 City Council meeting calendar. The goal session would be
held on January 25 and 26. A special work session would be held on January 2 to discuss the
Outdoor Recreation Complex. Additional changes included the meeting scheduled for
August 5 will be held on August 4 so that Council Members may attend National Night Out.
In addition, the schedule change included a start time of 8:00 p.m. on November 4 due to
Election Day statutes.
Discussion was held regarding the designation of the official newspaper. After reviewing the
circulation, amount of Rosemount news included in each newspaper, publication fees and
deadlines it was decided that the City would continue using Rosemount Town Pages.
ADDITIONAL UPDATES
City Administrator Verbrugge stated that his evaluation was soon due. He questioned the
idea of using a "coach" and having a third party who facilitates the process. Mayor Droste
suggested holding out one election year. Council Member Shoe Corrigan favored doing an
evaluation every six months. She asked Mr. Verbrugge to bring goals to the goal session so
the City Council could provide feedback. Council Member Baxter questioned using a
different evaluation form and though the City Council could do the evaluation without
outside help.
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WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 12, 2007
Council Member Sterner explained setup of the Northwoods Minor League Baseball team.
He thought that the team would be able to use a field at the Outdoor Recreation Complex.
Mayor Droste stated that local terms should be the ones using the fields. City Administrator
Verbrugge asked Council Member Sterner to find out the team's scheduling. Council
Member DeBettignies added that the team should contact Dan Schultz.
Council Member Sterner did not support bulldozing the homes on Cameo Avenue. Instead
he would support a program that would look into moving the homes by the railroad tracks.
Council Member DeBettignies stated that if someone can use the house that is great but
stated the moving costs would be high. Council Member Shoe Corrigan cautioned that by
doing a subsidy it would be giving away tax dollars. City Administrator Verbrugge stated he
would check with legal counsel. He added that staff discussed using the homes as shelter
homes in coordination with the CAC.
Council Member Sterner suggested a commode replacement program that would encourage
residents to use a 1.6. gallon toilet as a way to conserve water. It was decided that a public
education piece around greening initiatives, including a commode section, would be inserted
in a future utility billing.
Council Member Baxter stated that he and City Administrator Verbrugge attended the
Dakota County Regional Luncheon. He added that the Chamber was upbeat about the
agreement reached with Dr. Hansen and moving forward with Downtown Redevelopment
Mayor Droste stated the City received the full grant amount from the LCA. He added that
starting June 8 the MVTA will be adding an express service out of Rosemount. Mayor
Droste will be meeting Roger Rehbling on December 20 to discuss the senior issues.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Droste moved a
motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m. Second by Sterner.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier
City Clerk