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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-22-12 WSCITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES October 22, 2012 Mayor Bellows called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room of Lakeville City Hall. Council Members Present: Mayor Mark Bellows, Council Members Laurie Rieb, Kerrin Swecker, Matt Little, Colleen LaBeau Staff Present: Steve Mielke, City Administrator; Dennis Feller, Finance Director, Allyn Kuennen, Associate Planner; Chris Petree, Public Works Director; John Hennen, Interim Parks and Recreation Director; Judi Hawkins, Deputy Clerk 2. Citizen comments There were no citizen comments. 3. Liquor License Ordinance Requiring Fire Inspections Fire Chief Mike Meyer, along with Fire Marshal Brian Carstensen, is proposing to implement an annual fire inspection at all on -sale liquor establishments. Liquor license renewal would be contingent on the successful passage of the fire inspection. He stated that liquor establishments are generally at a higher risk for fires, resulting in serious injuries and loss of life. Currently, the Fire Department's goal is to inspect every business every two years, with the focus being on senior living facilities and other high risk buildings. Liquor establishments are currently inspected annually. A letter was received from Tom Smith, president of Brackett's Crossing Country Club, asking Council not to approve the proposed ordinance tying the liquor license to a fire inspection. He believes that liquor establishments are being singled out and that all businesses should be held to the same standards and be subject to the same methods of enforcement. Several council members stated that they had received phone calls from establishments who believed it would be unfair or a financial burden. Chief Meyer stated that the Fire Dept. would work with businesses to bring their establishments up to code. Council Member Little stated that businesses need to have clear expectations and directions for what needs to be done. Meyer stated that some fire code violations could be costly to correct such as sprinkler systems, and some can be easily solved by clearing exits, installing smoke detectors, etc. Council Member Rieb asked if there was another method of ensuring compliance. Mielke suggested possibly an administrative citation process could be utilized to achieve compliance. This has been researched by the High Performance Partnership (HiPP) to be used in various instances. The current process cost to prosecute offenses is high and this method would cover code violations in other portions of the code. Council Work Session October 22, 2012 Page -2- Bellows believes the liquor ordinance process may cause negative feelings toward the Fire Dept. and asked if inspections are announced or scheduled. Meyers stated that at the beginning of the year businesses receive a letter saying that there will be an inspection and then it is scheduled with about two to three weeks' notice. Little asked if there would be a committee to review the non - compliance plan and solution. Rieb stated that businesses believe the ordinance does not treat everyone equally and feel that they are being punished unfairly. Swecker suggested a three - strike warning process that would ultimate lead to a hearing by the Council. LaBeau suggested a "red tag" system similar to new homes that do not pass inspections. Council members would like to take a closer look at the administrative citation process as an alternative to tying fire code violations to a liquor license renewal. Further discussion will be held at a future meeting. 4. Electronic Signage Daryl Morey stated that as a result of requests by the Chamber of Commerce, the business community, and the Lakeville School District the Planning Commission has discussed changes to the Zoning Ordinance which would allow electronic graphic display and changeable copy signs. The current ordinance only allows electronic signs for motor fuel pricing, time and temperature, and City of Lakeville and public uses in P -OS zoning. ISD 194 received approval of an electronic sign at the Crystal Lake Education Center with a 15 minute interval for message changes. A wide range of times is allowed for electronic changeable copy in adjoining cities; the shortest time being 30 seconds in Burnsville. The Planning Commission's intent is that electronic signs be limited to the C -2 and C -3 districts and that performance standards be adopted to regulate the signs' operations to minimize driver distraction and promote attractive commercial areas. Morey stated that a representative from Holiday Station Stores attended the September 25 EDC meeting and expressed appreciation for the decision - making process. He stated that a 60- second time would be acceptable to him. EDC recommended a restriction of no less than 30 seconds for changing copy. EDC also suggested the signs be subject to annual review and licensure to ensure compliance. Burnsville has recently reduced the allowed time from 60 seconds to 30 seconds. Bellows believes allowing electronic signage is pro- business on the City's part. LaBeau supports the 30- second recommendation of the EDC. Little added that businesses would not be likely to support changing the time from 30 seconds to 60 seconds after they have made their sign investment. He feels that the process of allowing electronic signage sends a pro- business message from the City. Morey added that the timing may be set at the sign factory and cannot be randomly changed. Council directed staff to proceed with the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment to allow electronic graphic display and changeable copy signs by bringing this to a public hearing. Council Work Session October 22, 2012 Page -3- 5. Marion Fields LOMR Zach Johnson provided an update on the Marion Branch South Creek Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), FEMA's administrative procedure to modify the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). FEMA recently re- evaluated the flood hazards and updated the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Rate Map. During that process it was determined that the map was not updated at the time that improvements were made to allow the Marion Fields development to be built. Storm sewer improvements that were made downstream of the Lake Marion outlet were not accurately reflected. The map has been modified and the most current and accurate information has been provided. Barr Engineering is completing the process for submitting the LOMR application. Barr's preliminary reports show that the floodway delineations are entirely within City -owned outlots or public drainage and utility easements. Residents who will be affected by the map revisions have been informed. As a result of this change four property owners in Marion Fields will be required to secure flood insurance. Swecker asked if the owners of land within a floodplain are required to have flood insurance. Johnson stated that if it is just land they are not required to have flood insurance, but if there is a home on the property it is at the discretion of the mortgage lender to require flood insurance. This revision will remove the federal mandate requiring flood insurance since the property will no longer be in a floodway. Council directed staff to mail the application for the LOMR to FEMA. 6. 2013 -14 Budget Discussions Dennis Feller continued presenting the 2013 -2014 budget. The tax levy for 2013 is proposed to increase by $614,000, or 2.7 %, over 2012. Proposed budget adjustments in the amount of $365,000 for 2013 and $54,000 for 2014 would reduce the tax levies by those amounts. Adjustments for 2013 are due to employee vacancies and transfer of major maintenance projects from the General Fund to the Building Fund. This would reduce the 2013 tax levy increase to 1.1% in 2013 and result in an increase of 4.4% 2014. Adjustments can also be made with reduced spending or the use of debt. LaBeau asked if funds from the Highview /Holyoke Avenue project can be used for a different purpose. Feller stated that if the Council chooses not to move forward with the Highview /Holyoke Avenue bypass /turn lane project, the $192,000 would be available for a budget/tax levy reduction. A speed study for this project has been authorized. This is an interim project until the remaining property is developed and the roadways realigned or roundabouts built. The engineers feel that the extension of the asphalt onto 190 Street may not meet the objective of slowing traffic. These funds are currently in the Construction Fund budget but if they are used to lower the tax levy they are no longer available for this project. Council questioned whether it is a good use of funds to spend $192,000 when the improvements will be torn out later. Council Work Session October 22, 2012 Page -4- The Finance Committee recommended that Council look at debt financing options. Incurring debt would reduce the current year's levy but would transfer the liability into future years. Feller's position is to adhere to basic finance principles and recommends Council look at the overall picture for tax stability, avoiding significant fluctuations from year to year, and minimizing interest and issuance cost whenever possible. Mielke also supports paying with cash rather than utilizing the debt option. Swecker stated that she is not in favor of pushing debt out and raising future costs. If funds are available for pay -as -you go, this would be the option she would support, with the possible exception of large construction projects. Rieb agreed. Feller stated that when taxpayers receive their statements, they often don't look at the percentages of increase or decrease, which are a more accurate indicator than just comparing the actual dollars. Rieb added that it has been the City's philosophy for a long time to avoid debt whenever feasible. Mielke stated that with house values beginning to rise again, the tax burden will swing back to residential. Feller responded to September 10 budget work session questions which included rookie firefighters, assistant city administrator position, possible expenses that could be moved to other funds, revenues from development fees, etc. Although not recommended by staff, budget initiatives could also include reduction in service levels. Installation of an auto shut -off on police vehicles was discussed. Council would support adding $2500 to the equipment fund in order to add this feature to four new squad cars as an experiment for future department use. Council supported moving the cost of the Fire Dept. white board to the Communications Fund. Staff needs more time to monitor the senior punch card system before making a determination on its success. The Prime Time News will offer an electronic version beginning in January. Staff is recommending increasing the cost of annual dog licenses and eliminating the two -year license option. Council members recommended increasing the fee for pickup and boarding of dogs to be raised to $25. The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee provided a recommendation of which rinks to open if the Council chose to do so. Residents have asked for Cherry View Park to be re- opened. Mielke stated that adding Cherry View would require additional staff and rental of a portable warming house. The warming house at Bunker Hill will be moved to Meadows and the rink there dismantled. The Greenridge warming house could be another location. If an additional rink is opened, Park Maintenance crews will need to receive adequate shift change notification, so it needs to be determined soon. Council recommended opening Cherry View Park this year and conducting annual reviews to determine which rinks to open based on demographics and a set maximum. In response to the question from the October 15 budget meeting, staff is negotiating with Charter on paying for the City's HD signal. Staff provided information on the functions of LOGIS and outlined the benefits of this collaborative group. LaBeau Council Work Session October 22, 2012 Page -5- believes the Heritage Center irrigation system should be included with the project budget. Bellows suggested a rain garden might be an alternative. An irrigation system is proposed for the Arts Center, which is currently watered by staff with a hose and sprinkler. LaBeau is concerned that during LAAC outdoor events stakes for vendor tents could be driven into the ground and damage would occur to the system. Mielke stated that Taste of Lakeville uses sandbags, not stakes, and a locator wire would be installed. Funding for the system is a one -time expenditure from the Liquor Fund. In response to a question from Council regarding general fund ratios, Feller stated that in eight of the last 10 years general fund budget ratios have been over 50 %. With some changes in personnel at the Police Dept. some restructuring is being considered, which could be a cost savings. Further discussions on the budget will be held at the November 26 work session. 7. Other Allina is considering implementing the suggestion of a Lakeville resident that for the holiday season, ALF Ambulance would become ELF Ambulance. 8. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, d Judi,'Hawkins, Deputy City Clerk ol Mark Bellows, Mayor