HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-02-13CITY OF LAKEVILLE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
December 2, 2013
Mayor Little called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Members Present: Mayor Little, Council Members Davis, Swecker, Anderson and LaBeau
Staff Present: Steve Mielke, City Administrator; Roger Knutson, City Attorney; John
Kornmann, Interim Police Chief; Chris Petree, Public Works Director; David Olson,
Community & Economic Development Director; Dennis Feller, Finance Director; Brett
Altergott, Parks & Recreation Director; Daryl Morey, Planning Director; Charlene Friedges,
City Clerk
3. Citizen Comments: None
4. Additional Agenda Information: Mr. Mielke provided copies of amendments to the
September 18 council meeting minutes and the November 25 work session minutes. He
also distributed Findings of Fact and Decision regarding Charter Communications, Consent
Agenda Item 6n.
5. Presentations /Introductions
Liquor Director Brenda Visnovec presented donations provided by store customers in
support of the Lakeville Liquors food drive conducted during the month of November. Lisa
Horn from Lakeville Resource Center and Sal Mondelli and Laurie Rieb from 360
Communities each received a check in the amount of $4,096.79 for their respective food
shelves.
Mr. Petree presented the November Public Works Department monthly report.
6. Consent Agenda
City Attorney Roger Knutson provided the following information with respect to Item 6n: In
conjunction with Charter's request to begin negotiations for renewal of its Franchise, the City
conducted a review of Charter's performance under the existing Cable Television Franchise
Agreement. In conjunction with that review, it was determined that Charter had not been
paying the educational and governmental (EG) Access Fee required by the Franchise. On
November 4, 2013, the City Council conducted a hearing; Charter representatives were
present and provided their testimony on the subject. The Findings of Fact and Decision
City Council Meeting Minutes, December 2, 2013
Page 2
before the Council tonight provide that Charter has committed a material violation of the
Franchise by nonpayment of the EG Access Fee.
Motion was made by Swecker, seconded by LaBeau to approve the consent agenda items as
follows:
a. Claims for payment
b. Minutes of the November 18, 2013 City Council meeting
c. Minutes of the November 18, 2013 special Council meeting
d. Minutes of the November 12, 2013 Joint City Council /EDC work session
e. Minutes of the November 12, 2013 Council work session
f. Minutes of the November 25, 2013 Council work session
g. Change Order No. 1, acceptance of improvements and final payment to McNamara
Contracting, Inc. for the 2013 miscellaneous roadway repairs, Project 13 -01
h. Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement with ISD 194 for shared facilities
i. First Amendment to Contract with Quality Refrigeration, Inc. for the Lakeville Liquors
cooler remodeling
j. Resolution No. 13 -104 granting approval for charitable gambling by the Lakeville Lions at
Heritage Center
k. Landscape maintenance contracts with VonBank Lawn Care, Inc. and Jeff Reisinger Lawn
Service, Inc.
1. Resolution No. 13 -105 requesting a variance from standard for state aid operation,
Improvement Project 12 -04
m. Resolution No. 13 -106 accepting donation from Hosanna! Church to the Police
Department
n. Findings of Fact and Decision regarding a material franchise violation by Marcus Cable
Partners L.P., d/b /a Charter Communications
City Council Meeting Minutes, December 2, 2013 Page 3
Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes - Davis, Little, Swecker, Anderson, LaBeau
7. Truth in Taxation Public Hearing
Mayor Little opened the Truth in Taxation public hearing. Finance Director Dennis Feller
explained that the budget process was different this year, in that the City Council asked staff
to start with the 2013 budget and tax levy and to justify and prioritize any increases over and
above the 2013 tax levy.
Mr. Feller presented the proposed 2014 budget of $56 million. He explained that 45% of the
budget is allocated to operations and will fund four new personnel positions. The new Code
Enforcement Officer and Engineering Technician positions are funded through user fees. The
Street Fleet Supervisor position will be financed with future reduction in expenses. The Police
Investigator position will be paid for with property taxes.
Mr. Feller went on to explain that 16% of the budget is allocated toward payment of debt, and
37% of the budget is allocated toward capital improvements. Sixteen percent of the City's
revenue is derived from service fees; another 16% from issuance of debt, and property taxes
comprise 43% of the City's revenue sources.
The proposed 2014 property tax levy is $23.658 million, which represents an increase of 2.5%
over the 2013 tax levy. As part of the budget process, the Council asked staff to start with the
2013 budget and prioritize the expenditures to add to the budget. The highest priority is for
legislative mandates, including the $141,000 reduction due to the elimination of the sales tax,
which offsets the increase for next year's election costs and police pension increases. Debt
payments related to city facilities such as the police station and central maintenance facility
increased $23,400. The debt levy for street reconstruction projects increased $253,000.
Service levels as a result of residential growth resulted in an increase of approximately
$332,000. It is anticipated that new residential home construction will offset the tax levy by
2.2 %.
Mr. Feller explained that of the 2.5% increase, 1.2% is for street reconstruction projects,
consistent with the City's pavement management program. The second largest category is for
costs related to serving residential growth. He further explained the importance of
maintaining a budget that addresses infrastructure needs and establishes a foundation for
operations.
Motion was made by Swecker, seconded by LaBeau to close the public hearing.
City Council Meeting Minutes, December 2, 2013
Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes - Little, Swecker, Anderson, LaBeau, Davis
8. Unfinished business none
9. New business none
10. Announcements: Next regular Council meeting, December 16, 2013
Council work session, December 9, 2013
Mayor Little adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Charlene Friedges, City Cler
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tt Litt