HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b. Minutes of August 13, 2003 Committee of the Whole"
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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.
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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.
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