City
Council Meeting Minutes
March 7 2018
1. Roll Call
Mayor Roe called
the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. Voting and Seating Order:
Willmus, Laliberte, Etten, McGehee and Roe. City Manager Patrick Trudgeon and
City Attorney Mark Gaughan were also present.
2. Pledge of
Allegiance
3. Approve Agenda
City Manager
Trudgeon requested the addition of an additional agenda item to consider
adoption of a resolution approving special law passed by the State Legislature
relating to governance and administration of the Roseville Volunteer Fire
Relief Association; suggesting its addition under Action Item 14.b.
McGehee moved,
Etten seconded, approval of the agenda as amended.
Roll Call
Ayes: Willmus,
Laliberte, Etten, McGehee and Roe.
Nays: None.
4. Public Comment
Mayor Roe called
for public comment by members of the audience on any non-agenda items. No one
appeared to speak.
5. Council
& City Manager Communications, Reports, and Announcements
Mayor Roe
announced several upcoming opportunities, including a Solar Power Hour
providing an overview of solar power; co-sponsored by the City of Roseville;
upcoming annual Roseville Police Citizen's Academy and registration particulars;
and another periodic Police Department "Coffee with a Cop."
Councilmember
Laliberte reported on her attendance as Roseville City Council Liaison at a
recent meeting of the Ramsey County League of Local Government (RCLLG).
Councilmember Laliberte advised that, as typically done, this first meeting of
the year included organization business, and a meeting with Ramsey County's
legislative delegation to discuss priorities for the upcoming legislative
session. Councilmember Laliberte advised that, in this biennial bonding year,
legislative focus would include expenditure of excess tax proceeds, including
transportation and tax targets. Other discussion at the meeting, reported on by
Councilmember Laliberte, included the RCLLG board meeting; invoicing to
municipalities; and stepping up monthly discussions with some of those topics
involving sharing local ideas for best management practices, including in March
-How to Get Your Community Center to Work for YOU, with several cities
reporting on the positive and negative aspects (e.g. Cities of Shoreview and
New Brighton); and in April, a presentation by the Minnesota Ethnic Council.
Councilmember Laliberte advised that she would share the upcoming meeting
calendar of events with staff for dissemination to the City Council.
City Manager
Trudgeon reported that a pre-screening for the ECHO program, initiated by the
City of Roseville's staff along with other partners to bring rental rights and
responsibilities to immigrant communities in the area through five different
languages. City Manager Trudgeon advised that the pre-screening event will be
held on March 31, 2016 at the OVAL in the Olympic Room from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
with the actual broadcast scheduled on April 4, 2016 at 9:00 p.m. with five
minute segments occurring in those five different languages.
In a related
note, City Manager Trudgeon advised that he had been tapped to appear on Twin
Cities Public Television's Almanac program on April 1, 2016, along with another
person, to talk about the ECHO initiative. City Manager Trudgeon expressed
appreciation for the amount of attention this partnership was receiving and to
staff for their initiation of the efforts.
a.
Receive Report on City Manager Performance Evaluation
In follow-up to
a closed session of the City Council at their last meeting for the purpose of
reviewing the performance of City Manager Trudgeon, Mayor Roe reported that the
overall review was very positive. Mayor Roe noted that there were several
items of focus asked of City Manager Trudgeon over the next year. Out of that
work, Mayor Roe noted additional work of the City Council's Subcommittee of
Councilmembers Laliberte and Willmus to develop those goals for the City
Manager and bring them back before the full City Council for approval, as well
as providing a report of this performance review in writing for the employee
file with Human Resources.
6. Recognitions,
Donations and Communications
7.
Approve Minutes
Comments
and corrections to draft minutes had been submitted by the City Council prior
to tonight's meeting and those revisions were incorporated into the draft
presented in the Council packet.
a.
Approve February 22, 2016 City Council Meeting Minutes
McGehee moved,
Etten seconded, approval of the February 22, 2016 City Council Meeting Minutes
as amended.
Corrections:
·
Page 3, Lin 1 (Laliberte)
Typographical
Correction: Change "neighborhood" to "neighbor."
·
Page 16, Line 43 (Laliberte)
Typographical
Correction: Change sentence to read "what worked well, [that]
[what] didn't and what to avoid repeating in the future."
·
Page 28, Line 389 (McGehee)
Typographical
Correction: Change "housing gin" to "housing in"
·
Page 35, Lines 23 - 29 (McGehee)
Change to read "of the questions could be removed[.] [and she would like
to see a free-format question, and address those items over the last two-year
period for areas indicated as needing improvement from the perspective of
residents to see if that had been achieved, similar to that done by the City of
Shoreview using this same firm.] Councilmember McGehee suggested
focusing on one particular community issue over a two-year process for
applicable measurement [or] [of] success or failure[.]
[even though she was unable to identify a particular issue.]"
·
Page 43, Line 5 (Roe)
Indicate time
closed executive session convened as "approximately 9:55 p.m."
Roll
Call
Ayes:
Willmus, Laliberte, Etten, McGehee and Roe.
Nays: None.
Mayor Roe announced that, in
accordance with Minnesota State Statutes Chapter 13.D and exceptions to Open
Meeting Laws, he would entertain a motion to move into Closed Executive Session
for the purpose of discussing the potential acquisition of property located at
1716 Marion Street.
Etten moved, McGehee seconded,
recessing the City Council meeting at approximately 6:15 p.m. and convening in
Closed Executive Session, per State Statute.
Roll Call
Ayes: Willmus, Laliberte,
Etten, McGehee and Roe.
Nays: None.
CLOSED
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Roe convened the City
Council in Closed Executive Session at approximately 6:16 p.m.
In addition to the
Councilmembers, City Manager Trudgeon, City Attorney Gaughan and Assistant to
the City Manager/City Clerk Kari Collins were also present.
RECONVENE
OPEN SESSION
At approximately 6:32 p.m., Etten
moved, McGehee seconded, recessing the Closed Executive Session and reconvening
in Open Session.
Roll Call
Ayes: Willmus, Laliberte,
Etten, McGehee and Roe.
Nays: None.
Summary of
Discussion in Closed Session
Mayor Roe advised that the
summary of the closed session would be addressed by staff in the Request for
Council Action dated March 7, 2016 and subsequent discussions.
8.
Approve Consent Agenda
9. Consider Items
Removed from Consent
10.
General Ordinances for Adoption
11.
Presentations
12.
Public Hearings and Action Consideration
13.
Budget Items
14.
Business Items (Action Items)
a.
1716 Marion Street Purchase Agreement
City Manager
Trudgeon deferred to and Administrative Assistant/City Clerk Kari Collins for a
summary of this potential purchase over the last few months, the partnership in
acquiring and maintaining the planned public park and place space; and details
of the purchase. As a result of City Council discussions during closed session,
Ms. Collins reported that the cost of the acquisition would be $68,000, with
$500 of that as non-refundable Earnest Money.
Mayor Roe noted
that, now that negotiations had been finalized, a copy of the Purchase
Agreement was available in the Council Chambers and available to the public.
Etten moved,
McGehee seconded, adoption of Resolution No. 11301 entitled, "Resolution
Approving the Purchase/Sale of Certain Land by the City of Roseville;" authorizing the purchase of property addressed as 1716 Marion Street.
Councilmember
Willmus noted his ongoing concerns with the proposal; and asked for staff
clarification as to the basic acquisition costs as well as any additional costs
that the City may incur as part of this going forward. Councilmember Willmus
asked if there had been any additional discussion with the Roseville Area
School District as to how those future expenses may be allocated.
Ms. Collins
responded that the School District had been and would continue to be a
supportive partner of the project; and assured Councilmembers that City staff
would continue to work with them on any programming needs. Ms. Collins
reported that various programs were under consideration for the Karen
community, but had not been formally developed at this point. Ms. Collins
clarified that this did not include a fiscal partnership, but one primarily of
programming, and had been brought the City's and partnership's attention as a
community need. Given the negative governmental experiences of this people
group, Ms. Collins noted the importance of building trust by bringing services
to them (e.g. health, dental care and other services on-site versus expecting
them to seek out those services).
For the benefit
of Councilmembers, Ms. Collins noted the breakdown for upcoming costs above and
beyond property acquisition, prepared by memorandum dated January 14, 2016 by
Parks & Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke, detailing those costs that would
be generated into the Parks Master Plan. Ms. Collins noted those costs, broken
down in applying for grant funds, included potential site improvements,
additional upfront costs, and other anticipated needs. Ms. Collins advised
that a cost share for those costs will include $50,000 from U. S. Bank toward
equipment, and grant award funds from the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) anticipated in excess of $113,000 covering the remainder of playground
costs. Ms. Collins estimated additional City costs for site improvements and
park design at approximately $41,000.
At the request
of Councilmember Willmus, Ms. Collins clarified that dollars expended for due
diligence for Phases I and II were estimated at $7,000 to $10,000 in addition
to the initial purchase price of $41,000.
Councilmember
Laliberte expressed her respect for staff presentations given to-date and ideas
proposed. However, Councilmember Laliberte expressed her ongoing discomfort
that the grant application and ideas for the property had already been
pre-determined by a small group of people without input of involvement through
a larger community engagement process that continued to be a stated goal of the
City Council and staff. Councilmember Laliberte opined that this goal was
inherent in any expenditure of public dollars; and further opined that in this
case she felt shortcuts had been taken. While concerns of the SE Roseville area
had been identified as a high priority and only a small sliver of land was
being acquired, Councilmember Laliberte noted that the broader area, briefly
discussed had yet to be reviewed in detail, making her feel disadvantaged in
this process. If those discussions had occurred in smaller groups,
Councilmember Laliberte noted that the information had not been shared with the
City Council accordingly to inform them and their decision-making.
Councilmember
McGehee opined that she had found the presentations to-date very clear; and
noted that this was a unique opportunity presenting itself. As with most all
forms of land acquisition, Councilmember McGehee noted the need to be able to
move in a reasonable timeframe to accomplish purchase. Councilmember McGehee
stated that she felt she had sufficient information to move forward. As she
had previously stated, she supported open and green space in high density
residential areas; and in this area in particular, it was sorely needed to
accommodate children living in those area housing developments. Councilmember
McGehee noted that this area is and has been unique in Roseville; and further
noted that she didn't see the use of those buildings or that property changing
significantly in the future. Councilmember McGehee opined that this will
provide an opportunity to have services brought to the residents of that
community, as well as having a small open park area part of a larger complex
that would address the City's charge to address the health, safety and welfare
needs of the community. Councilmember McGehee stated that the City owed a
considerable debt to those working on this type of opportunity, especially in
SE Roseville, organizations involved, and adjacent municipalities and
jurisdictions, allowing for the opportunity to realize significant changes in
that area; and not causing a major expense for the City to cover for what it
will get in return.
Roll
Call
Ayes:
Etten, McGehee and Roe.
Nays: Willmus,
Laliberte.
Motion
carried.
For the record,
City Manager Trudgeon advised that this property acquisition by the City would
need to go before the Planning Commission seeking their determination and
report to the City Council that its acquisition met the guidance of the city's
comprehensive plan.
Councilmember
Willmus noted that the City will likely need to initiate rezoning of this
property, currently designated high density residential (HDR); with City
Manager Trudgeon agreeing that subsequent determination would need to be
reviewed in considering whether or not to rezone the property to Park/Open
Space designation.
b.
Consider Adoption of Resolution Approving Special Law Passed by
State Legislature Relating to Governance and Administration of the Roseville
Volunteer Fire Relief Association
As noted by
City Manager Trudgeon at the beginning of tonight's meeting, this additional
item was a result of 2015 special legislative action by Senator John Marty and
Representative Alice Hausman and their sponsorship of a bill on behalf of the
Roseville Volunteer Fire Relief Association (SF 1398) as part of the Omnibus
Bill approved on May 20, 2016 and subsequently signed by Governor Dayton. As
part of that action, City Manager Trudgeon noted that the effective date of the
legislation was dependent on City Council approval, previously having escaped
staff's attention but embedded in language of the bill and needing that
approval prior to the start of the next legislative session, occurring
tomorrow, March 8, 2016.
City Manager Trudgeon
apologized for the omission of this action until now, and sought City Council
approval of the legislation by adopting the draft resolution and in accordance
with past discussions; allowing the Relief Association to initiate appropriate
changes. City Manager Trudgeon noted that the Association met in January and
approved bylaw amendments in accordance with the special legislation, and that
those bylaw amendments would be brought before the city council on March 14,
2016.
As a
representative of the Fire Relief Association Board, and for clarification,
Mayor Roe noted that the language in State Statute referenced this required
action before the start of the next legislative session. For the benefit of
the public, Mayor Roe further reviewed the need for this action as new
firefighters were moved into Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
retirement benefits, fewer Relief Association member employees were available
to serve on the Board, currently limited to one retiree in accordance with State
Statute. Mayor Roe advised that this action addressed that changing Association
make-up and anticipated other Relief Associations across the state would also
run into this situation and follow Roseville's example.
McGehee moved,
Laliberte seconded, adoption of Resolution No. 11302 (Attachment B) entitled,
"Resolution Approving Article 10 (1) Roseville Volunteer Fire Relief
Association; Governance and Administration of Senate Fie 1398 Approved by the
State Legislature on May 20, 2015."
Roll
Call
Ayes: Willmus,
Laliberte, Etten, McGehee and Roe.
Nays: None.
Recess
Mayor Roe recessed the meeting at
approximately 6:48 p.m., and reconvened at approximately 7:00 p.m.
Advisory Commission Interviews
15.
Business Items - Presentations/Discussions
With commission
interviews completed, Mayor Roe, noting that the meeting was nearing the
curfew, asked the council if it wanted to extend the meeting and proceed for
the purposes of the final item, a presentation by Parks and Recreation Director
Lonnie Brokke providing and update on the Parks Renewal Program as it nears
closeout.
City Manager
Patrick Trudgeon noted that he had spoken with Mr. Brokke and that Mr. Brokke
was happy to provide the presentation if the City Council desired otherwise
there is the option to have Mr. Brokke return and provide the presentation at
either the March 14 meeting or the March 28 meeting.
Mr. Trudgeon
noted that the agenda for the March 14 meeting was already very crowded and
that the March 28 meeting had more room.
Councilmember
McGehee state her preference for ending the meeting and having Mr. Brokke
return at a future meeting. Councilmember Laliberte said that she was flexible.
Councilmember Willmus asked if it made more sense to have Mr. Brokke's
presentation at the March 14 or 28 meeting. City Manager Trudgeon said that the
March 28 meeting was more flexible and provided more opportunity to fit the
presentation into the agenda, but that the timing was more desirable for March
14.
Not hearing an
overriding interest in continuing the meeting and noting that the March 14
agenda was quite crowded Mayor Roe proposed bringing forward anything that
required council action to the March 14 meeting, but saving the broader
discussion to the March 28 meeting.
With no motion
to extend the meeting Mayor Roe moved the meeting on to item 16 City Manager
Future Agenda Review.
16. City Manager Future
Agenda Review
City Manager
Trudgeon provided a preview of upcoming agenda items.
17. Councilmember-Initiated
Items for Future Meetings
None.
18. Adjourn
Etten moved,
Laliberte seconded, adjournment of the meeting at approximately 9:58 p.m.
Ayes:
Willmus, Laliberte, Roe, Etten, McGehee and.
Nays:
None.