City Council Meeting Minutes
June 14, 2010
1. Roll Call
Mayor Klausing called to order the Roseville City Council regular meeting at approximately 6:00 pm and welcomed everyone. (Voting and Seating Order for June: Johnson, Ihlan, Pust, Roe; and Klausing). City Attorney Charles Bartholdi was also present.
2. Approve Agenda
By consensus, the agenda was approved as presented.
3. Public Comment
Mayor Klausing called for public comment by members of the audience on any non-agenda items. No one appeared to speak at this time.
4. Council Communications, Reports, Announcements and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Report
Mayor Klausing announced that Chief Rick Mathwig would be sworn in on June 16, 2010 at 3:00 pm as the City of Roseville’s new Police Chief; and that Chief Tim O’Neill would be sworn in on June 22, 2010 at 3:00 pm as the City of Roseville’s new Fire Chief, with each ceremony held in City Hall Council Chambers and open to the public as the new Chief’s took their oaths of office and received their new badges.
Councilmember Roe announced that on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, the first draft of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, as drafted by the consultant and staff from public dialogue would be presented at a community meeting at the Roseville Skating Center from 7:00 – 9:30 pm; and invited citizens to attend and review the draft and provide additional feedback prior to the final draft moving forward.
5. Recognitions, Donations, Communications
a. Proclaim Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT)Week
Mayor Klausing read a proclamation declaring June 21-27, 2010 to be GLBT Pride Week in the City of Roseville, recognizing contributions made by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families in society and reaffirming the City’s commitment to promote full equality for every resident of Roseville.
Pust moved, Ihlan seconded, a proclamation declaring June 21-27, 2010 to be GLBT Pride Week in the City of Roseville, recognizing contributions made by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families in society and reaffirming the City’s commitment to promote full equality for every resident of Roseville.
Roll Call
Ayes: Johnson; Ihlan; Pust; Roe; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
Nancy Niggley, 1995 Hershel
Ms. Niggley advised that she was representing a group of GLBT “folks and friends” in the north suburban area; and thanked the City Council for bringing this proclamation forward and developing a clear policy to recognize diversity in the community. Ms. Niggley advised that their group continued to meet with the City’s Human Rights Advisory Commission to address ongoing diversity issues.
Gary Grefenberg, 91 Mid Oaks Lane
Mr. Grefenberg expressed his pride in being a resident Roseville; and thanked the City Council individually and corporately for issuing this proclamation and for the importance in recognizing for the first time this diverse portion of the community of which he’s a part of. Mr. Grefenberg noted this initiative was begun as part of the Imagine Roseville 2025 process and was serving to give new meaning and respect to a portion of the community still looking for full equal rights.
6. Approve Minutes
a. Approve Minutes of June 07, 2010 Regular Meeting
Johnson moved, Klausing seconded, approval of the minutes of the June 07, 2010 Regular meeting as presented.
Roll Call
Ayes: Johnson; Ihlan; Pust; Roe; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
7. Approve Consent Agenda
There were no additional changes to the Consent Agenda than those previously noted. At the request of Mayor Klausing, City Manager Bill Malinen briefly reviewed those items being considered under the Consent Agenda.
a. Approve Payments
City Manager Malinen noted that the substantial amount of this batch of payables was due to the City’s payment to Ramsey County of a check to Ramsey County for closure of Tax Increment Financing District No. 1, closed out at the end of 2009; with Ramsey County then disbursing those funds to each taxing jurisdiction, including approximately $1.7 million back to the City of Roseville.
Johnson moved, Roe seconded, approval of the following claims and payments as presented.
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ACH Payments
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$7,721,108.74
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587065-58752
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214,487.74
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Total
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$7,935,596.49
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Roll Call
Ayes: Johnson; Ihlan; Pust; Roe; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
b. Approve Business Licenses
Johnson moved, Roe seconded, approval of business license applications for the period of one (1) year, for applicants as detailed in the Request for Council Action (RCA) dated June 14, 2010
Roll Call
Ayes: Johnson; Ihlan; Pust; Roe; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
c. Approve General Purchases and Sale of Surplus Items Exceeding $5,000
Johnson moved, Roe seconded, approval of general purchases and/or contracts as follows:
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Department
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Vendor
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Item/Description
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Amount
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Garage
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Hartland Fuel
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Unleaded fuel purchase order
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$ 9,804.14
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Recreation
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Upper Cut Tree Service
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Diseased and hazardous tree removal
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25,000.00
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Water
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Truck Utilities
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Hydrant wrench
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6,849.02
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Roll Call
Ayes: Johnson; Ihlan; Pust; Roe; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
d. Approve Amendment to the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team Joint Powers Agreement
City Manager advised that this agreement had previous come before and been approved by the City Council; however, since that approval the County Attorney had made several additional revisions, and it was therefore coming back before the City Council for approval.
Johnson moved, Roe seconded, approval of the second amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement Creating the East Metro Narcotics Task Force, N/K/A the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team; accepting the terms of the Agreement as detailed in “Attachment A” to the RCA dated June 14, 2010; and authorizing the Mayor, City Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director and Chief of Police to execute the document.
Roll Call
Ayes: Johnson; Ihlan; Pust; Roe; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
e. Adopt a Resolution Awarding Twin Lakes Phase Two Infrastructure Contract Bid
Johnson moved, Roe seconded, adoption of Resolution No. 10820 entitled, “Resolution Awarding Bids for Twin Lakes Phase II Infrastructure Improvements,” to Veit & Company, Inc. of Rogers, MN, in an amount not to exceed $1,573,337.25.
Roll Call
Ayes: Johnson; Ihlan; Pust; Roe; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
f. Authorize Twin Lakes Phase Two Construction Administration Professional Services Agreement
Johnson moved, Roe seconded, authorization of a contract as detailed in “Attachment A” to the RCA dated June 14, 2010, between the City of Roseville and WSB & Associates for construction engineering services for Twin Lakes Phase II Infrastructure Improvements in the amount of $211,771; and authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute the document.
Roll Call
Ayes: Johnson; Ihlan; Pust; Roe; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
8. Consider Items Removed from Consent
9. General Ordinances for adoption
10. Presentations
a. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Presentation
Parks and Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke summarized the City of Roseville Strategy and emergency response procedures for addressing the EAB infestation. Mr. Brokke included the history of the EAB; what was at stake for the City of Roseville, including 25% or more public an private trees being Ash trees, and the resources required for all options; what trees are at risk in addition to Ash trees; EAB life cycle for infected trees; readiness planning, including an inventory of public trees; and potential software for tracking tree inventory data.
Mr. Brokke further reviewed management options for EAB, including reactive removal; pre-emptive removal; treatment by pesticide; combination of treatment and/or removal; replacement; and an ordinance update as part of the Department of Agriculture Grant requirements to update and address current and future forest and shade tree pests; and public and private tree approaches to discuss responsibility of homeowners and the city. Mr. Brokke advised that the Parks and Recreation Commission, serving as the City’s Tree Board hopes to have an ordinance completed by year-end; that would include readiness planning for wood handling and quarantines restricting movements; planting of a diverse mixture of trees to avoid future catastrophic loss; as well as providing additional educational opportunities for staff and the public.
Mr. Brokke noted realities of the EAB issue related to current limited city forestry-related resources; and 2010 grant/budget, and 2011 budget; potential funding sources, with Preparedness received in 2010 in the amount of $50,000 for a public tree inventory to be completed by May of 2011; and a limited amount of removal/replacement; need for reallocation of existing city funds or additional revenue; cost-share with homeowners; and partnering/sharing with other cities.
City Manager Malinen clarified that the golf course had treated their Ash trees by pesticides at a cost of $600 total; and Mr. Brokke estimated that the cost per tree for annual treatment would be $120 per tree.
Discussion among Councilmembers and staff included the effectiveness of a pesticide treatment rather than complete removal of the trees, with limited data available to-date, but indicating limited success; anticipated completion of the City’s tree inventory by the end of summer; average cost of removing a mature tree depending on size estimated at $1200 per tree; and staff estimating that Ash trees represented approximately 25% of the City’s tree inventory.
Councilmember Pust suggested that the City’s Code Enforcement staff, completing the annual Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) incorporate and pinpoint locations of Ash trees to further facilitate the inventory, and while walking certain areas of the City. Councilmember Pust noted that, in a recent seminar she had attended in New Brighton, they estimated that their community had 3,000 Ash trees.
Further discussion included how previous tree disasters (e.g., Dutch Elm disease) had been paid for; availability of a software program to document the tree inventory data and to provide cost calculators for additional data; impacts and cost-sharing options for Ash trees on private property; impacts to compromised trees as well as healthy ones with the average life expectancy of Ash trees at 20-30 years; and the City’s accountability for stockpiled wood and/or destruction as per state directives.
11. Public Hearings
12. Business Items (Action Items)
13. Business Items – Presentations/Discussions
a. Continue Discussions on the 2011 – 2020 Capital Investment Plan (CIP)
Finance Director Chris Miller provided additional background information as detailed in the staff report and attachments dated June 14, 2010, as a follow-up to previous discussions held by the City Council on May 17, 2010. That detail included whether the current ten-year CIP was realistic and whether broader policy discussions on some of those items in the CIP needed more consideration. Staff provided each major category in summary spreadsheets and narratives; and identified those items having a greater sense of urgency to fund as core functions; and those having more stable funding sources. Department Heads were present to respond to any questions or to provide additional detail. Mr. Miller identified the vehicle and equipment funds as the most glaring and urgent problems.
Councilmember Johnson identified $20 million over the ten-year period specific to the park system, and how those items would be addressed through prioritization in the Master Planning process.
Discussion included inclusion in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan priority recommendations for available and/or potential funding sources (e.g., referendum); and how different needs can be addressed by multiple options as the next phase of the Planning process (i.e., implementation), including partnership opportunities.
Councilmember Roe suggested that similar implementation plans be utilized for the remaining $80 million of the CIP gap.
Further discussion included those funds showing a healthier reserve level at this time with a caution by staff that the current practice of using those reserve funds for operational costs was not sustainable in the long term.
Councilmember Pust initiated a discussion on Equipment Certificates for funding vehicles and equipment, above and beyond current state-mandated levy limits.
Discussion continued on how those Certificates were issued, with a shorter term (e.g., 5-10 years) as opposed to normal municipal bonding at 15-20 years, and also subjecting them to smaller rates; with staff offering to consult with the City’s bond counsel on the actual items for which those Certificates could be used.
Further discussion included other levy exemptions available to the City that have not been used in the past (e.g., Police and Fire salaries).
Mayor Klausing observed that, while other options may be available, the main City Council consideration was how much could be imposed on the community, and what the community thought they could shoulder.
Councilmember Pust observed that past discussions and considerations had also been within the context of a major recession as well as state-mandated levy limits.
Councilmember Ihlan noted that the City applied a levy increase of over 7% in 2010 during a recession, and now appeared to be considering a higher levy in 2011; and suggested that the discussion needed to consider long-term outlooks for taxpayers with ongoing significant increases annually and compounding upon each other. Councilmember Ihlan suggested that it may be more prudent to anticipate areas of reduction in the size of vehicle fleets, equipment holdings and not maintaining current levels; and also to consider cost-sharing, pooling vehicles, and reducing fleets based on energy efficiencies or maintaining the current fleet. Councilmember Ihlan expressed concern in using Equipment Certificates, essentially a way for the City to bond without a referendum and approval by the City’s taxpayers.
Mr. Miller noted that the CIP made some assumptions based on status quo operations and anticipated growth for service and/or program levels; however, noted that if and when other models of service were considered (e.g., fire service model), significant savings could be realized on the fleet itself and long-term facility needs.
Additional discussion included impacts of new facilities versus maintenance and repair of existing over the long-term; anticipated ten-year payback for a new fire station; funding through borrowing money for one-time purchases (e.g., for construction of new facilities) versus advantages of having reserves built into the system for ongoing maintenance needs.
Mayor Klausing cautioned the need for discipline by current and future City Council’s to avoid dipping into those reserves to maintain artificial levy rates to consider long-term rather than short-term community needs and benefits.
Councilmember Johnson spoke in support of perpetuating savings, recognizing Roseville’s identify as a low-tax community and different options taken by past City Councils. However, Councilmember Johnson noted the stresses those actions have placed on the City’s day-to-day operations and resources in all departments, and expressed his sincere interest in considering all options with an open mind, including raising the levy if there were not other obvious options.
Mayor Klausing expressed his interest in pursuing a referendum to provide a better sense to the City Council on whether they were addressing citizen values and allowing taxpayers to make those decisions on specific proposals.
Councilmember Roe noted the need for community input for all the issues and funding caps currently before the City to consider the proposals put forth by the City Council to resolve those issues as part of the upcoming budget discussions. Councilmember Roe cautioned the need to recognize that the entire problem could not be resolved in 2011, but a start could be made rather than continuing to defer the problem. Councilmember Roe suggested that the anticipated $1.7 million allocation from Ramsey County for the City of Roseville’s closure of Tax Increment District No. 1 be applied to the City’s vehicle and equipment deficit.
Mayor Klausing concurred with Councilmember Roe on use of these funds.
14. City Manager Future Agenda Review
City Manager Malinen distributed upcoming agenda items.
Mayor Klausing requested information from staff and the HRA Chair on the upcoming HRA member reappointment process for further consideration.
Councilmember Johnson reminded everyone about the upcoming Rosefest Parade on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 6:30 pm, starting at the Roseville Area High School.
15. Councilmember-Initiated Items for Future Meetings
16. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:26 pm.