City
Council Meeting Minutes
July 19, 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 July: Roe; Pust; Johnson; Ihlan; and
Klausing). City Attorney Charlie Bartholdi was also present.
Mayor Klausing noted that
Councilmember Johnson had previously advised that he would not be available for
tonight’s meeting; and that Councilmember Ihlan had advised staff earlier today
that she would be arriving late to tonight’s meeting; and arrived at approximately
6:45 pm.
2.
Approve Agenda
City Manager Malinen noted staff’s
removal of Business/Action Item 12.a entitled, “Consider City Abatement for
Unresolved Violations of City Code at 1430 County Road C;” as the items had
been resolved.
Mayor Klausing requested removal of
Consent Agenda Item 7.f entitled, “Approve a Declaration of Intent to Reimburse
City Purchases with Bonds;” for more explanation.
By consensus, the agenda was approved
as amended.
3. Public Comment
Mayor Klausing called for public
comment by members of the audience on any non-agenda items. No one spoke.
4.
Council Communications, Reports, Announcements and Housing and
Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Report
Councilmember Pust reminded voters
that the Primary Election had been moved up to August 10, 2010 and encouraged
all to vote; and advised that Absentee Ballots were available for voting in
person at City Hall during normal office hours.
5. Recognitions,
Donations, Communications
a. Proclaim September
24, 2010 Golden K Kiwanis Peanut Day
Members of the North Suburban
Golden K Kiwanis were present to kick off their peanut drive. Four members: Peanut
Day Chair Steve Forshay; Previous Chair Robert Allen; Ron Ness; John Sweeney; and
Art Hedstrom were present to review their various fundraising efforts for
children’s programs, and various events at which they volunteer their time and seek
donations for area service programs, including their annual peanut sales.
Promotional materials were provided for Councilmembers and interested parties
for their participation.
Mayor Klausing read the
proclamation.
Klausing moved, Pust seconded,
proclamation of September 24, 2010 as Roseville Golden K Kiwanis Peanut Day.
Roll Call
Ayes: Roe;
Pust; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
6. Approve Minutes
a.
Approve Minutes of July 12, 2010 Regular Meeting
Roe moved, Pust seconded, approval
of the minutes of the July 12, 2010 Regular meeting as amended.
Corrections (Roe and
Klausing):
·
Page 13, Line 7
Change “Manson”
to “Mansion Hills”
·
Page 13, Lines 39 and 43
Change “Manson
Hills” to “Mansion Hills”
·
Page 14, Line 32
Note that Councilmembers did
not concur with the recommendation of the Planning Commission, but rather
preferred to leave the designation as-is, taking no action to change the
Comprehensive Plan designation of that property at this time.
·
Page 15, Line 3
Insert additional language after
the comma: “including ‘non-anomaly’ properties like the ‘Executive Manor
Parcel’ that the public brings to the attention of staff or Councilmembers.”
·
Page 17, Line 37
Change the first
word, “levy” to “utility fee.”
Roll Call
Ayes: Roe;
Pust; 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
Roe moved, Pust seconded, approval
of the following claims and payments as presented.
|
ACH Payments
|
$787,753.00
|
|
59093-59144
|
84,657.46
|
|
Total
|
$872,410.46
|
Roll Call
Ayes: Roe;
Pust; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
b.
Approve Business Licenses
Roe
moved, Pust seconded, approval of business license applications for the period
of one year, for applicants as follows:
|
Business / Address
|
Type of License
|
|
Banfield, d/b/a The Pet Hospital #1971
2480 Fairview Avenue
|
Veterinarian Examination &
Inoculation Center
|
|
Now & Later/Clark; 28719 Lexington Avenue
|
Cigarette / Tobacco Products
|
|
Now & Later/Clark
|
Gasoline Station
|
|
American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine;
1925 W County Road B-2
|
Massage Therapy Establishment
|
|
Optimal Wellness Services, d/b/a Mind, Body & Soul
Wellness; 2201 Lexington Avenue N
|
Massage Therapy Establishment
|
|
Stephen’s Hair Salon; 1125 W County Road B
|
Massage Therapy Establishment
|
|
Bangwu Zhang @ American Academy of Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine; 1925 W County Road B-2
|
Massage Therapist
|
Roll Call
Ayes: Roe;
Pust; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
c.
Approve St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church One-Day Gambling License
Roe moved, Pust seconded, approval
of the request of St. Rose of Lima Church to conduct bingo, raffles, pull-tabs
and tip boards on September 24 and 25, 2010 at St. Rose Catholic School, located
at 2072 Hamline Avenue N.
Roll Call
Ayes: Roe;
Pust; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
d.
Receive Second Quarter Financial Report
Roe moved, Pust seconded, received
the Second Quarter Financial Report as detailed in the RCA dated July 19, 2010.
Roll Call
Ayes: Roe;
Pust; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
e.
Accept Roseville Fire Relief Association’s Request to Defer any Increase
Mayor Klausing thanked the Fire
Relief Association for their gesture.
Councilmember Roe noted that this
action would defer any increases until the next two-year period.
Councilmember Pust also thanked
and recognized the Association for this action; and asked that staff provide a
written acknowledgement on behalf of the City Council.
Roe moved, Pust seconded, accepted
the Roseville Fire Relief Association’s recommendation to defer an increase in
benefits at this time due to current City budget challenges.
Roll Call
Ayes: Roe;
Pust; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
- Consider Items Removed from Consent
a.
Approve a Declaration of Intent to Reimburse City Purchases with
Bonds
Mayor Klausing asked staff to
explain in more detail for the benefit of the public.
City Manager Malinen noted that
with current levy limits, there were multiple constraints put upon the amount
of the levy available for City Council approval, with several exceptions for
indebtedness, one of which was issuance of equipment bonds without public
referendum. Mr. Malinen advised that, while the City Council had not yet
determined that such an option would be utilized, due to timing requirements in
underwriting and in the bond market, this requested action would preserve the
flexibility to use this option if so determined by the City Council later during
the budget process.
Discussion included the rationale
for the City using cash set aside for the fire truck (approximately $500,000)
for another use and to borrow funds for purchase of the fire truck, while requiring
specific City Council action to do so.
Further discussion included the
timing for this request prior to the City Council holding a policy discussion
on such an option, due to a partial payment coming due within several weeks as
the first installment for the fire truck, with any initial partial payments
being eligible for this funding as well, with the ability preserved to
replenish cash reserves for other capital needs.
Additional discussion included
specific language of the motion and the resolution itself in identifying the
intent of this action, as defined by statutory requirements.
Klausing moved, Roe seconded,
adopted Resolution No. 10826 entitled, ‘Resolution Establishing Procedures
Relating to Compliance with Reimbursement Bond Regulations Under the Internal
Revenue Code;” to fund replacement of a Fire Department Engine, as described in
detail in the RCA dated July 19, 2010, at an estimated cost of $500,000, and in
accordance with IRS Regulations. (Former Consent Item 7.f)
Councilmember Roe confirmed with
City Attorney Bartholdi that this action only required a majority of
councilmembers in attendance.
Councilmember Pust, for the
record, advised that she would be abstaining from the vote, as she was
uncomfortable declaring the intent without a policy discussion being held
before this action.
Roll Call
Ayes: Roe
and Klausing.
Nays: None.
Abstention: Pust
Motion
carried.
9.
General Ordinances for adoption
10.
Presentations
a.
Joint Meeting with the Human Rights Commission (HRC)
Mayor Klausing welcomed HRC Chair
David Singleton, who in turn introduced and recognized Vice Chair Marie
Oftelie; and Commissioners Gary Grefenberg; Barbara Yates; Liz Jaeger; Peg
Kennedy; and Thelma McKenzie, all in attendance.
Chair Singleton reviewed the HRC 2009
Strategic Plan and Commission Initiatives as adopted August 11, 2009; the 2009-2010
Calendar of Actions; and Sub-Committees currently working under the HRC.
Commissioners Grefenberg and
Oftelie addressed the City Council action in March of 2009 expanding their charge
to the HRC to engage civic participation and foster community involvement as
addressed in the Imagine Roseville 2025 visioning statement; and also adopted
in the Comprehensive Plan; and later in the amended HRC Strategic Plan and
Commission Initiatives.
Member Grefenberg provided a summary
report entitled, “Roseville HRC, Program Planners Committee Report prepared for
July 19, 2010 Joint Meeting with the City Council,” as prepared by HRC
Committee members Grefenberg and Oftelie, summarizing how the City Council
charge was added to the HRC Strategic Plan, and funded through a grant from the
Bremer Foundation.
Member Oftelie provided another
bench handout entitled “Proposed Civic Engagement Process…” for review by
Commissioners and City Councilmembers in its first draft proposing a work plan
for a civic engagement workshop.
Discussion among HRC Commissioners
and City Councilmembers included ways to achieve initial participation from
citizens not normally civically engaged; using the City website to better advantage
in canvassing participants; use of effective outreach to ensure a clear
understanding of the purpose of the workshop among residents; and listening to
the most pressing needs and concerns of residents.
Further discussion included ways
to solicit citizen input on specific interest areas; use of other subcommittee
research as another source; and ultimate planning for HRC-sponsored events
based on that information.
Additional discussion included
target groups for involvement; experience of individual citizen participants on
the HRC; and efforts of those individuals to get their involvement in developing
a framework to recruit more volunteers.
Mayor Klausing expressed his
support of this process; and suggested several areas that might hinder people
from getting involved: their clear understanding of exactly what the volunteer
activity involved, which could be addressed through education of the
opportunities available; and through creating an environment in which people
felt welcome from their individual perspectives.
Further discussion included how
such educational opportunities for volunteerism were addressed at Roseville
University; and having individuals provide their initial experiences that got
them involved in the community, as part of Roseville University.
Councilmember Ihlan arrived at this time, approximately 6:45
p.m.
Member Grefenberg advised that a
comprehensive look would be taken by their subcommittee, as well as how to make
involvement more effective at the neighborhood level.
Councilmember Pust urged the HRC
to look at how civic engagement was measured, specifically how individual
neighborhoods defined themselves, with many integrated and cohesive, but not
necessarily represented formally documented or publicly acknowledged.
Councilmember Pust asked that, as that neighborhood inventory was formulated,
that the information be brought forward to the City Council for their awareness
and to encourage those specific neighborhood organizations, and any that needed
assistance in getting organized.
Chair Singleton noted one example
could be assigning individual HRC members to each district to engage those
groups and determine their interests and concerns, and then report to the full
HRC.
Member Grefenberg referenced the
definition of Civic Engagement from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights,
used by the Roseville HRC in their grant application criteria to the Bremer
Foundation; and was asked by Mayor Klausing to share that definition for the
public:
“Civic engagement refers to
individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of
public concern. Civic engagement can take many forms, from individual
volunteerism to organizational involvement. It can include efforts to directly
address an issue, work with others in a community to solve a problem, or
interact with the institutions of democracy.”
Mayor Klausing complimented the
HRC and thanked them for their work on the annual community forums, which he
found very informative and productive; their sponsorship of the Karen forum
earlier this year, and the positive feedback he’d received on that event, as
well as the annual Student Essay Contest.
Chair Singleton noted the HRC’s
interest in developing community districts, as well as reinstating a Youth
Commissioner to the HRC to provide their voice and perspective on Human Rights
issues; as well as reviewing the HRC by-laws, last updated in the 1980’s, to
ensure they reflect the work of the HRC today.
Member Kennedy extended credit to
the City’s Police and Fire Departments and Ms. Sarah Mahmud for the success of
the Karen forum, through their openness on some tough issues and cultural
differences, and their willingness to be open to learning as well as teaching,
allowing for very good dialogue.
Mayor Klausing concurred that the
forums provided a great opportunity for an exchange of information, including
expectations, laws, questions, discussion, and informative interaction, not
just a presentation of lectures.
Member Kennedy opined that it may
be interesting and enlightening to have such a discussion with the City’s
Caucasian population as well.
Member McKenzie opined that planning
was key to the success of that entire forum: by the church partners; School
District personnel; and the City’s Fire and Police Departments; with the School
District representatives encouraging all participants to learn the Karen greeting
as a way to welcome their participation, which served to break the ice and lend
a totally different flavor and relaxation of the Karen group.
Member Kennedy concurred, noting
that a simple smile and greeting can bridge huge cultural divides.
Member McKenzie, from her personal
observation, suggested that this forum was so vital, it would serve the
community well to document it as a pilot project and review it 10 years from
now as this group of Karen citizens become more literate and civically engaged.
While unable to attend,
Councilmember Pust noted that she had heard only favorable comments, and that
it would serve as a good framework for civic engagement; and that if people are
welcome, good conversation and dialogue is sure to follow in the steps of that
welcome. Councilmember Pust encouraged development of that framework to make
all of Roseville more welcome to all members of its diverse community.
Member Grefenberg noted that, as
addressed by Members McKenzie and Oftelie, “Creating a Welcoming Community”
served as the theme in many of the HRC projects; and from his personal
perspective as a gay father, noted the organization of the community’s first GLTB
support group. Member Grefenberg opined that the annual signature forum held
each fall had become very productive, and the HRC hoped to realistically double
this year’s attendance with help from the Bremer Foundation grant.
Member Yeager, as part of that
openness, commended City staff on their willingness to have an open attitude
and be willing to learn and go the extra mile. Ms. Yeager, in her work at a
non-profit in Little Canada, noted the attendance of City staff at a planning
session and during their lunch break, including Ms. Carolyn Curti; Ms. Sarah
Mahmud; and Police Chief Rick Mathwig.
Councilmember Roe observed, from
his involvement in the annual fall forums, that a lot of solutions to issues
involved being a good neighbor and things that are inherent in developing a
neighborhood connection and sense of community in working on solutions for
issues that the HRC sees often; and the original rationale in expanding the
HRC’s mission and results now coming through.
Chair Singleton thanked Mayor
Klausing and City Councilmembers for their unwavering support of the HRC, much
appreciated and necessary; and expressed his interest in continuing that good
relationship.
Mayor Klausing thanked HRC
Commissioners for their work and tonight’s report.
11.
Public Hearings
12.
Business Items (Action Items)
a.
Consider City Abatement for Unresolved Violations of City Code at
1430 County Road C
Mayor Klausing noted that this
item had been removed by staff as matters had been resolved.
b.
Consider City Abatement for Unresolved Violations of City Code at
2390 Cohansey Street
Permit Coordinator Munson reviewed
the request for abatement as detailed in the RCA dated July 19, 2010; providing
a visual update on the property as of today of this single-family, detached
home currently owned and occupied by Ryan and Heidi Myrold.
Mr. Munson summarized the proposed
abatement, consisting of a deteriorated fence around the swimming pool; and
deteriorated soffits on the home estimating that a total abatement cost of
approximately $5,000.00. Mr. Munson advised that the complaint originated with
the Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) process; and that the owners had
stated they would not be doing any repairs as the home is currently in foreclosure.
Staff recommended that the
Community Development Department be authorized to abate the unresolved City
Code violations at 2390 Cohansey Street.
Discussion included the process
for recovery of abatement costs for properties in foreclosure, through work of
staff with various mortgage companies and homeowners or through assessment on
property taxes as part of disclosures during closing for new owners; use of
youth and volunteers through area agencies to assist homeowners; and how staff
bids out projects depending on the extent and expertise of work to be
completed, as well as timing constraints; and how interested contractors could
get on the list of bidders by contacting City Hall.
Klausing moved, Roe seconded, directing
staff to abate the above-referenced public nuisance violation at 2390 Cohansey
Street by hiring general contractors to repair and repaint the fence around the
swimming pool and soffits on the home as detailed in RCA dated July 19, 2010,
at an estimated cost of approximately $5,000.00; and further directing that the
property owner be billed for all actual and administrative costs; and if those charges
remain unpaid, staff is to recover costs as specified in City Code, Section
407.07B; with costs to be reported to the City Council following the abatement.
Roll Call
Ayes: Roe;
Pust; Ihlan; and Klausing.
Nays: None.
c.
Consider Reappointment of Susan Elkins to the Housing and Redevelopment
Authority (HRA)
Mayor Klausing reviewed his
evaluation of the reappointment of Ms. Elkin to the HRA, following confirmation
of her desire for reappointment, her attendance record, with only one absence,
and input from the HRA Chair Dean Maschka recommending her reappointment.
Councilmember Pust, in serving on
the HRA with Ms. Elkin, noted her excellent value to the HRA with her
background in the financial market, and the helpfulness of that expertise in
HRA deliberations.
Roe moved, Klausing seconded, approving,
Mayor Klausing’s recommendation to reappoint Susan Elkins to a five year term
on the HRA beginning September 24, 2010 to September 23, 2015.
Roll Call
Ayes: Roe;
Pust; Ihlan; and Klausing.
Nays: None
13.
Business Items – Presentations/Discussions
a.
Continue Discussion on 2011 Priority-based Budgeting
Finance Director Chris Miller summarized
the expanded listing of tax-supported programs and sub-programs contained
within the RCA dated July 19, 2010, to provide additional information for
individual City Councilmembers as previously requested. Mr. Miller noted that
three of the five Councilmembers had provided their individual rankings to
staff; and welcomed them to revisit their original rankings after receipt of
this additional information, and encouraged submission of remaining rankings to
staff as soon as possible to continue the 2011 budget process.
Councilmember Roe thanked
Department Heads and staff for their efforts in providing the additional
information, having found it very helpful as opposed to cryptic names on a
list.
Councilmember Ihlan concurred;
opining that it was helpful to have the information available to consult.
Mayor Klausing suggested that
individual Councilmembers complete their ranking prior to next Monday’s regular
business meeting; and asked that, once received, Mr. Miller provide those individual
rankings to all Councilmembers for comparison purposes and to prompt potential
discussion at the next meeting and for potential individual re-ranking upon
further consideration.
City Manager Malinen encouraged
City Councilmembers to complete their rankings as soon as possible to provide a
composite look at priorities at next Monday’s meeting; with staff intending to
use those composite priority rankings to make budget adjustments as indicated.
Mr. Miller noted his inclusion in
last week’s packet of a spreadsheet, and hoped Councilmembers found it useful;
and offered to include an updated version as a bench handout for next week’s
meeting upon receipt of additional and/or revised rankings; providing he
received those rankings by mid-afternoon on Monday, July 26.
Mayor Klausing advised that he may
re-rank his original priorities following review of program and service
descriptions.
Councilmember Roe encouraged
Councilmembers to submit their rankings or re-rankings yet this week, to allow
each Councilmember to review individual and composite rankings prior to Monday
night’s meeting to allow for discussion, and so those rankings could be
delivered in Council Agenda packets.
14.
City Manager Future Agenda Review
City Manager Malinen distributed
upcoming agenda items. City Manager Malinen noted that Councilmember Roe would
be available for the July 26, 2010 meeting.
15.
Councilmember-Initiated Items for Future Meetings
Mayor Klausing sought clarification
that staff was continuing to work on a sign ordinance addressing political
signs, with City Manager Malinen responding affirmatively.
Councilmember Pust requested that
this be addressed sooner rather than later, given the increased number of signs
that would be installed between the Primary and General Elections.
16.
Adjourn
The meeting was
adjourned at approximately 7:22 pm.