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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b. Minutes of August 13, 2003 Committee of the Whole" � `J ROSEMOUNT CITY PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AUGUST 13, 2003 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the Committee of the Whole Work Session was held on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members Riley, Shoe - Corrigan, DeBettignies and Strayton present. Also in attendance were City Administrator Verbrugge, City Planner Pearson, City Engineer Brotzler, Parks & Recreation Director Schultz, and Police Chief Kalstabakken. Great River Energy Power Plant City Administrator Verbrugge introduced Rick Lancaster of Great River Energy (GRE). Mr. Lancaster informed the City Council that the original proposal for a 600 megawatt natural gas - burning power plant in Rosemount is being reconsidered by GRE. Lancaster said that GRE had an agreement with Minnesota Power in Duluth to purchase a portion of the electricity that the original proposal in Rosemount would have provided. He further stated that GRE is looking at building two 150 megawatt natural gas - burning peaking plants. The personal property tax exemption granted by the State Legislature in 2003 for the project was very specific to a combined -cycle plant, which means GRE will have to approach the Legislature in 2004 to receive a new exemption. Lancaster said that the revised development proposal would mean more personal property tax to be exempted because the plants won't qualify for State allowed efficiency -based tax reductions. Mr. Lancaster said the request of GRE to the City Council was to continue negotiating a host agreement. GRE hopes to have the agreement finalized before the next legislative session. City Council had several questions regarding the revised proposal. Lancaster said that GRE has a similar plant in southeastern Minnesota and that he would be glad to arrange a bus tour for City Council members, County Commissioners, and nearby residents. The City Council directed staff to continue working with GRE on a host agreement. Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan Staff reviewed the proposal provided from MCES for the proposed oversizing of the MCES Outfall system to accommodate stormwater discharge from the City of Rosemount. Four options were presented by Staff and based on the information presented, Council provided direction to proceed with Option No. 3. Staff also reviewed with Council the status of the Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan Update review and approval by the Vermillion River Watershed Organization. The plan has been submitted to the VRWO but no action has been taken yet. Staff and the City Attorney will draft a letter to the VRWO requesting formal action by the VRWO on the City's CSMP Update. 2004 Proposed Budget and Levy City Administrator Verbrugge introduced discussion of the 2004 preliminary budget. Council members had earlier received the preliminary budget prepared by staff. Verbrugge gave an overview of the preliminary budget indicating that the total budget is increasing about five point four (5.4) percent; that increases in the general fund operating budgets were projected at less than one percent; and, the proposed levy was the maximum allowed within the State - imposed levy limits and included the sixty percent recovery of lost State aids. 1 ROSEMOUNT CITY PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AUGUST 13, 2003 Council members requested more information about the general fund balance. Staff was directed to project end of year 2003 expenditures, revenues, and reserves, and to report back to the City Council by late August or early September. Council members requested this information in advance of the first regular meeting in September when they are scheduled to set the preliminary levy. Staff reminded Council that once the preliminary levy is set it can be reduced at a later date but it cannot be increased. The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m Respectfully submitted, Jamie Verbrugge City Administrator The City Council's Agenda Packet is Clerk's File 2003 -29A. 2