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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-22-16 WSCITY OF LAKEVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES August 22, 2016 1. Mayor Little called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Members present: Mayor Little, Council Members Anderson, Davis, LaBeau, Swecker Members absent: None Staff present: Justin Miller, City Administrator; Allyn Kuennen, Assistant City Administrator; Chris Petree, Public Works Director; Jerilyn Erickson, Finance Director; Jeff Long, Police Chief; Tammy Schutta, Human Resources Manager; John Hennen, Parks & Recreation Director; Ralph Vetter, Information Systems Manager; Barb Klausler, Web Communications Specialist; Tamara Wallace, Deputy City Clerk 2. Citizen Comments: None 3. Website Preview Mr. Kuennen presented the new City of Lakeville website, recently re -designed by CivicPlus: Government Website Design, after a series of meetings and workshops with directors and staff. The site aims to specifically address the needs and offerings of each department, while providing the public a user-friendly experience to navigate and search for information. Staff continues to improve and enhance the website, with an anticipated go live date in early September. City Council members thanked web communications specialist Barb Klausler for her efforts. 4. Technology Taskforce At the June 27 work session, staff was advised to begin constructing a 12 - 18 month taskforce to evaluate current and future technology and infrastructure requirements throughout the city. Mr. Kuennen gave an overview of potential topics of discussion for the group including: city wide fiber/ broadband deployment, LOGIS services, consideration of county fiber JPA coordination, and review of internal and external technology policies. Council members suggested organizations to consider for the taskforce, discussed its format and size, and offered ideas for subjects and themes the taskforce could undertake. The city's new Information Systems Manager, Ralph Vetter, also attended the meeting to introduce himself, explain his vision for the taskforce, and get additional direction on the next steps. City Council Work Session Minutes, August 22, 2016 Page 2 5. Transportation Update Mr. Petree provided a transportation update which included the following construction projects: the Holyoke Avenue progress following a meeting with the Downtown Lakeville Business sub- committee, 172nd Street Reconstruction & Realignment, 2015 & 2016 Street Reconstruction, various trail reclamation & storm water drainage improvements, Highview Avenue south of County Road 50 currently scheduled for preconstruction on September 6, County Road 50 which includes the demolition of seven sites the week after Labor Day, and Dodd Boulevard tentatively scheduled for completion in early September after delays due to heavy rain. Staff was encouraged to increase the communication levels to keep ISD 194 more informed about the re -opening of Dodd Boulevard as the start of school approaches. 6. 2017 CIP/ Budget Finance Director Jerilyn Erickson provided an overview of the proposed 2017 property tax levy, property tax supported -funds, revenue and expenditure changes in the General Fund, and the impact on the home and fund balance reserves. The 2017 property tax levy considers the city's growth, inflation, and debt service; and is comprised of the general fund, street reconstruction, pavement management, building, equipment, park & trail improvements, and debt service funds. The proposed preliminary levy is a 5.5% increase over the 2016 levy. Not reflected were slight adjustments due to an anticipated HRA lease revenue bond refund, lower than projected health insurance rates, and potential opportunities to use reserve funds. Mayor Little expressed his concerns about the long term City debt based on inadequate funding to areas such as the equipment and facility plans. Council member LaBeau asked staff to research and include the tax impact on commercial properties within the City. Council member Davis clarified the importance of re-evaluating the current equipment replacement schedule given increasing technology and machinery improvements. Council member Anderson asked about proposed improvements to the Central Maintenance Facility, and emphasized the benefit of the streets and park maintenance divisions working together to reduce personnel additions. Council member Swecker asked for clarification on whether the fleet supervisor has provided any long term expenditure savings as originally projected, as well as finding ways to keep equipment or vehicles longer through preventative maintenance efforts. City Council Work Session Minutes, August 22, 2016 Page 3 In addition councilmembers clarified proposed personnel additions, and discussed the prospect of a future park referendum to afford anticipated maintenance costs for current and projected park amenities. 7. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m. Matt Little, ayor