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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-06-11CITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 Mayor Bellows called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The pledge of allegiance to the flag was given. Present: Mayor Mark Bellows Council Member Matt Little Council Member Colleen LaBeau Council Member Kerrin Swecker Absent: Council Member Laurie Rieb Also Present: Elliott Knetsch, Assistant City Attorney Steve Mielke, City Administrator Tom Vonhof, Police Chief David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director Chris Petree, Operations & Maintenance Director Daryl Morey, Planning Director Charlene Friedges, City Clerk Citizens' Comments Ed Mako, 8455 -207th Street W., made a brief comment regarding adoption of the 2012 preliminary budget. Additional Agenda Information: Mr. Mielke provided a proposed resolution authorizing the temporary closing of Holyoke Avenue for a Lakeville high schools homecoming parade, sponsored by the Downtown Lakeville Business Association. He also provided a correction to Page 43 of the budget document. Presentations /Introductions Council Member Little read a proclamation for a National Moment of Remembrance of the l Oth Anniversary of September 11. Council Member LaBeau read a proclamation for Senior Center Month. Ted Billy and Doreen Machin accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Lakeville Senior Citizens Organization. Arts Center Coordinator Tom Barnard presented the 2011-2012 Lakeville Area Arts Center Playbill. CITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 Page 2 Chris Petree presented the August monthly report of the Operations & Maintenance Department. Consent Agenda Council members added Item 8 to the consent agenda. 11.58 Motion was made by Little, seconded by Swecker to approve the consent agenda items as follows: a. Claims for payment. b. Minutes of the August 15, 2011 City Council meeting. C. Minutes of the August 8 and August 22, 2011 Council work sessions. d. Agreement with Minnesota DNR to provide concrete planks and connectors at Casperson Park boat launch. e. Facility Use Agreement with ISD # 194 for an 18 -hole disc golf course at Kenwood Trail Middle School. f. Resolution No. 1 1 -91 adopting the Minnesota General Records Retention Schedule for Cities. g. Resolution No. 1 1 -92 calling a public hearing for certification of delinquent utilities. h. Release of development contracts for Lot 2, Block 1, Hosanna 4th Addition. i. Resolution No. 1 1 -93 approving the final plat of Quail Ridge Fourth Addition. j. Resolution No. 1 1 -94 authorizing the temporary closing of Holyoke Avenue from 207th Street to 210th Street on September 15, 2011. k. Encroachment Agreement with Malt -O -Meal Company for private storm sewer improvements. I. Policy for the creation of Housing Improvement Areas. CITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 Page 3 M. Change Orders No. 1 and 2 with Seaforth Electric, Inc. for the lighting retrofit project. n. Agreement with Federal Signal Corporation for outdoor warning sirens. o. Contract with MT2 for clean -up of the police shooting range. p. Change Order No. 1 with Northwest Asphalt, Inc. for Improvement Project 11-01. q. Resolution No. 1 1 -95 approving a Multi- Agency Law Enforcement Joint Powers Agreement, Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. 8. Findings of Fact and Conditional Use Permit Amendment to allow McDonald's restaurant to make site plan and building exterior improvements on property located at 20158 Icenic Trail. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes, unanimous. Item 7 - Preliminary 2012 Budget and Tax Levy Mr. Mielke presented the 2012 preliminary budget and 2013 estimated budget. The proposed 2012 General Fund expenditures total $21,204,087. The General Fund budget includes a number of new initiatives which reflect changes and improvements to allow the various departments to meet their needs. The budget proposes to use a portion of the fund balance to lower the property tax levy. The use of the fund balance can be accomplished while maintaining an adequate fund balance for future cash flow needs. The fund balance is proposed to remain at or near 40 %. Special Revenue Funds have separate revenue sources. Major initiatives include a community visioning process, supplemented by a community survey, technology improvements, and a new meeting room at City Hall that is more conducive to larger groups. Proposed revenues in the Debt Service Funds total $10,706,829 in 2012. In an effort to continue to make improvements to the City's roadway system, a number of bond issues are proposed over the next several CITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 Page 4 years. These bonds will be paid for using special assessments and property tax levies. The budget also proposes to retire the remainder of the Fire Station 4 bonds using liquor fund proceeds, which will reduce the overall debt and tax obligations. The budget also proposes to eliminate the need to finance equipment with equipment certificates, reducing the overall cost of equipment. Liquor Fund proceeds are used to offset expenses of the City. For 2012, over $2.4 million is proposed to be used for such purposes. Revenues from the Utility Funds will be used to repair and replace utilities in areas proposed for street improvements. There is no utility rate increase proposed for 2012. However, if electricity rates go up for street lights, the increase will be passed on to the customers. Mr. Mielke provided an historical perspective of the Market Value Homestead Credit (MVHC) program, which was originally intended to reduce taxes on lower value homes. It was intended that the State would reimburse the City for MVHC given to the homeowner. However, the State could not afford the program, and the City had to levy taxes for the loss of MVHC. A Market Value Homestead Exclusion for homes valued between $76,000 and $413,000 provides for a reduction in the taxable value of these homes. The tax levy proposed for 2012 is $23,376,570. The elimination of the MVHC program allows cities like Lakeville that do not rely on state aids and credits the opportunity to reduce its overall levy. In Lakeville's case, the overall impact results in a reduction in the levy of 2.7% for 2012. Mr. Mielke provided an overview of the upcoming budget process, which will include a presentation to the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce in September, additional Council work sessions, and two public open houses. The truth in taxation public hearing will be held on December 5th. Council Member LaBeau asked how the City would be able to reduce its debt or purchase equipment in the future if liquor proceeds are used to purchase land for a new store or the City Council chooses to vacate the liquor operation. She also raised a concern with respect to the tax impact on commercial property, which is compounded by the continuing decline in residential market values. CITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 Page 5 Mr. Mielke stated that these are policy issues which the City Council will need to address between now and December, when the final budget is adopted. Edward Mako, 8455 -207th Street W., stated that if anything new is coming up and the Council is being asked to act on it, the Council members should review and discuss these matters thoroughly prior to taking any action. Ron Gerk, 10466 W. 175th Street, urged the City Council to table action on the preliminary budget and find ways to do things cheaper. Mayor Bellows suggested having an additional meeting on September 12 to further consider the budget. Mr. Mielke pointed out that if a preliminary budget and tax levy is not adopted by September 15, the 2011 levy would remain in effect, which is $660,000 higher than what is before Council tonight. Council Member LaBeau stated she feels the preliminary levy should be reduced further from .9 down to zero. She stated she has gone through the budget and found things that could easily get it down to zero. Council Members Swecker and Little agreed that there are opportunities for additional reductions to the budget, and those decisions would be made prior to final adoption in December. Mayor Bellows stated he would support the preliminary levy based on the Council's expressed commitment to lower it prior to December. 11.59 Motion was made by Little, seconded by Swecker to adopt the following: Resolution No. 1 1 -96 adopting the 2012 preliminary tax levy Resolution No. 1 1 -97 setting the 2011 Truth in Taxation public hearing Resolution No. 1 1 -98 approving the preliminary 2012 budget and estimated 2013 budget Resolution No. 11 -99 amending the 2011 Communications Fund Budget Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes, Swecker, Little, Bellows. Nay, LaBeau. CITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 Page 6 Unfinished business None New business None Announcements - ➢ "Who Done It" Hike, Heritage Center Kick -Off andArts Center l Ot" Anniversary Gala - September 10 ➢ Lakeville Area Arts Festival - September 17 ➢ Next regular Council meeting - September 19 Mayor Bellows adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Charlene Friedges, CitV/Clerk Mark Bellows, Mayor