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Home My WebLink About12-03-12CITY OF LAKEVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES December 3, 2012 Mayor Bellows called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Members Present: Council Members Rieb, Swecker, Little, LaBeau and Mayor Bellows Members Absent: None Staff Present: Steve Mielke, City Administrator; Roger Knutson, City Attorney; Tom Vonhof, Police Chief; Chris Petree, Public Works Director; David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Dennis Feller, Finance Director; Daryl Morey, Planning Director; Char Friedges, City Clerk. 3. Citizen Comments Terry Branham, 16409 Gunflint Trail, asked the City Council to consider improving the accessibility of the front entrance to City Hall for disabled veterans and other persons with disabilities. Mr. Olson stated the City is considering the use of some of its federal community development block grant funds to install power assist doors at City Hall and other city buildings. 4. Additional Agenda Information Mr. Mielke provided an amendment to Page 6 of the November 19 Council meeting minutes, as requested by Council Member LaBeau. 5. Presentations /Introductions Mr. Petree presented the November Public Works Department monthly report. Mr. Petree then recognized Utilities Superintendent Ken Seurer, who was recently named Superintendent of the Year by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Public Works Association. Bob Erickson also congratulated Mr. Seurer. 6. Consent Agenda Motion was made by Rieb, seconded by Swecker to approve the consent agenda items as follows: a. Claims for payment b. Minutes of the November 19, 2012 City Council meeting, as amended c. Summary Ordinance No. 896 concerning licensing massage therapy centers City Council Meeting Minutes, December 3, 2012 Page 2 d. Final acceptance of public streets in Quail Ridge 4 1 Addition e. Resolution No. 12 -129 approving off -site gambling by the Lakeville Lions at Highview Hills f. Resolution No. 12 -130 accepting bids and awarding contract for potassium orthophosphate g. Resolution No. 12 -131 accepting bids and awarding contract for water treatment chemicals h. Contract for maintenance of HVAC systems with Nasseff Mechanical Contractors i. Resolution No. 12 -132 establishing a policy for mailbox replacement during snow and ice control season j. Resolution No. 12 -133 setting 2013 City Council meeting dates k. Resolution No. 12 -134 setting 2013 City Council work session dates 1. Jamesdale Estates one year preliminary plat extension m. Deferment of special assessments for senior citizens and residents with disabilities • Gloria Vanderveen, 20540 Idalia Avenue $5,337.09 • Betty L. Decker, 20212 Hunter Court $1,851.46 • Gayle L. Slette, 20245 Hunter Court $1,851.46 • Kaylene Marks, 20295 Hunter Court $1,758.89 • Marjorie A. Schroeder, 6606 Gerdine Path $4,162.36 • Joseph & Rita Pawlowski, 17130 Florida Court $4,162.36 • T. John Carter, 17055 Gannon Way $4,162.36 • Lawrence W. Huber, 16557 Frazer Way $4,162.36 • Dean & Darla Traynor, 6663 168' St. W. $4,162.36 • Brownie Johnson, 6656 Gerdine Path $4,162.36 • Gerald Murphy, 16550 Florin Avenue $4,162.36 • Gary Anderson, 16642 Gerdine Path $4,162.36 n. Tree work license for Ideal Tree Service o. Resolution No. 12 -135 approving the final plat of Crescent Ridge Fourth Addition City Council Meeting Minutes, December 3, 2012 Page 3 p. Release of Outlot B, Acorn Tappe Addition, from development contracts Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes - unanimous 7. Public Hearing on Weed /Grass Removal and Property Maintenance Code Violations Mayor Bellows opened the public hearing on proposed assessments for weed and grass removal and property maintenance code violations. The City Clerk attested to legal notices being duly published and mailed. Mr. Feller stated there are 20 parcels proposed to be assessed for costs the City has incurred this year for weed and /or grass removal and property maintenance code violations. The total amount of the assessment is $10,962.18, which includes administrative fees and interest. There were no questions or comments from the audience. Motion was made by Swecker, seconded by Rieb to close the public hearing. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes - unanimous Motion was made by LaBeau, seconded by Little to approve Resolution No. 12 -136 adopting assessments for weed and grass removal and property maintenance code violations. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes - unanimous 8. Truth in Taxation Public Hearing Mayor Bellows opened the Truth in Taxation public hearing. Mr. Feller presented the proposed 2013 budget and tax levy. He explained that the 2013 tax levy has been reduced by $662,448 since September, when the preliminary tax levy was adopted. The tax levy reductions are the result of building permit revenue, major maintenance, personnel transitions and other adjustments. Therefore, the revised tax levy is $23,079,185, which is $47,775 less than the 2012 tax levy. As a result, the owners of an average valued home will see a $20 reduction in the city's tax levy. Commercial /industrial property valued at $1 million will see a $300 increase in the City's tax levy. Mr. Feller explained how property taxes are allocated, based on the levy established by the governing body and a proportionate share of the total value of property in the City. He further explained the shift in the tax burden, which occurs when all property values do not rise or fall at the same rate. City Council Meeting Minutes, December 3, 2012 Page 4 The total City budget is $48 million. Approximately half of the budget is paid for with property taxes. Mr. Feller explained that the State Auditor's Office publishes a per capita operating expense report, which assures the taxpayer that the city's budget is being spent efficiently. Liquor operations will contribute $1.7 million to the City's 2013 budget for expenditures that would otherwise be paid with taxes. Mr. Feller explained that 15% of the City budget is financed with fees for services. There is no proposed increase for utility fees; however, there is a 15 cent increase proposed for street lights. Commercial and industrial properties pay on a front foot basis, and those rates will increase proportionate to the residential rate. There were no questions or comments from the audience. Motion was made by Rieb, seconded by Swecker to close the truth in taxation public hearing. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes - unanimous Council Member LaBeau stated she had hoped to hold back on some of the equipment purchases or capital improvements to further reduce the budget. She stated she is concerned about the 2014 budget and feels the Council will need to work diligently to reduce it next year. In response to Council Member Little's question, Mr. Feller stated that the assessor's market value for business properties has remained relatively stable at a time when residential values have been declining. As a result, the commercial and industrial property's share of the tax levy is increasing, while the residential share of taxes is decreasing. Mayor Bellows asked Mr. Feller to explain the process for property owners to appeal the appraised value of their property. Mr. Feller stated residents would need to contact the Dakota County assessor's office, which establishes property values. 9. Ordinance Amending Titles 3,10 and 11 of the City Code Mr. Morey presented the third phase of the zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments, which is being processed in conjunction with the development forum that was held in 2011. This phase, he stated, includes the allowance of commercial electronic dynamic display signs, modifications to Office Park District uses and exterior building material requirements, and modifications to residential development buffer yard requirements to increase developer flexibility. Input on the proposed amendments was received by area businesses, the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City's Economic Development City Council Meeting Minutes, December 3, 2012 Page 5 Commission. Dan Licht of TPC summarized the proposed changes to Titles 3, 10 and 11 of the City Code. Motion was made by Swecker, seconded by Rieb to adopt Ordinance No. 897 amending Title 3 (business licensing), Title 10 (subdivision ordinance) and Title 11 (zoning ordinance) of the Lakeville City Code, and adopt a summary ordinance for publication. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes - unanimous 10. Unfinished business None 11. New business Mr. Mielke briefly outlined the process for filling the vacancy on the City Council that will be created on January Th when Council Member Little is sworn in as Mayor. He suggested the City Council meet in a work session immediately following the regular Council meeting on January Th to discuss the application process. 12. Announcements • Lakeville Fire Relief Association received a $1,000 donation from All Safe Alarms in appreciation for the Fire Department's response to the Allison Shaw Make -a -Wish request • Holiday Art Sale and Empty Bowl Fundraiser at the Lakeville Area Arts Center • Next regular City Council meeting, December 17, 2012 Mayor Bellows adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Charlene Friedges, City Mark Bellows, Mayor