HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-16 WSCITY OF LAKEVILLE
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
October 24, 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
Members absent: Swecker
Staff present: Justin Miller, City Administrator; Allyn Kuennen, Assistant City Administrator;
Chris Petree, Public Works Director; Jerilyn Erickson, Finance Director; Dave Olson,
Community & Economic Development Director; Tamara Wallace, Deputy City Clerk
2. Citizen Comments: None
3. Third Quarter Financials
Ms. Erickson provided an overview of the third quarter financial report which included revenue
and expenditure highlights on the General, Communications, Liquor, and Utility Operating
Fund's as compared to the 2015 year. Council members clarified the water and fuel consumption
levels, and thanked staff for preparing the report.
4. Credit Card Convenience Fee Payment
Under the current resolution for credit card payments, customers are charged a convenience fee
for the use of this option to pay their utility bills, inspection permits, or special assessments.
(These fees do not apply to recreation & art center programs or to liquor store transactions). Ms.
Erickson outlined the benefits and limitations associated with the four regulated options for
covering credit card fees, which include: the City paying all credit card fees, charging a
convenience fee, applying a service fee, or surcharging. Staff is recommending the City absorb
the convenience fee charge but establish a maximum payment amount.
Council members expressed initial concerns with the City taking on the total cost of credit card
convenience fees, and discussed the reduced staff processing time and cost savings to the City for
ACH transactions and electronic billing.
Staff received direction to look into marketing ideas to better educate, promote, and incentivize
customers on the benefits of using ACH as their payment method; and also asked for clarification
on whether a convenience fee would have to apply to ACH transactions if one remained on credit
card payments.
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5. Utility Fund Budgets
Ms. Erickson provided an overview of the proposed Utility Fund budgets which consider the
city's cost to operate the water system, sanitary sewer, street lights, promotion and protection of
the environmental resources, and personnel additions. The Council discussed the rate
adjustments needed to reduce the use of bonds and maintain an appropriate level of reserves, and
asked for explanation on the increased connection rates and the need for a utility rate study.
The council felt the utility rate increases should be based on water consumption in an effort to
advocate water preservation and management; and asked staff to look at leveling out the spike
increases with the proposed water and sewer rate changes in 2017.
6. Holyoke Streetscape Update
Monica Heil of WSB & Associates, Inc. gave a brief presentation on the background for the
Holyoke Avenue Streetscape Project which began in August of 2015. The current focus of the
project is in the business district which stretches between 2071- 2101 streets. Staff has been
working with the Downtown Lakeville Business Association (DLBA) to solidify a concept for the
project based on the feedback and comments provided by the DLBA subcommittee. Three
streetscape concepts were proposed which consider new sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping.
Bryan Harjes with Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. (HKGI) went through the tentative plans and
cost estimates for each streetscape option and other desired amenities such as electrical wiring in
trees, planting beds, outlets, and irrigation. Of particular importance was the addition of
increased and improved signage in downtown Lakeville desired by most business owners and the
DLBA subcommittee, and the subsequent need to determine who would assume financial cost.
The council discussed feedback from business owners in other areas of the city who felt primary
focus was given to downtown businesses, and considered the extent, placement, funding, and
type of signage needed along the street corridor.
Staff will begin working on an initial financing plan for the signage, and coordinating a follow-up
meeting with the DLBA subcommittee. At the November 21 City Council meeting, staff will
bring forward a request for the feasibility study to be prepared, and ultimately come back in
January 2017 to authorize a public hearing, and order the project to go out for bid with a
construction start date following Pan-o-Prog.
7. Transportation Update
Mr. Petree provided a transportation update which included the following construction projects:
Dodd Blvd. which is now open with only minor punch list items to complete, County Road 5
intersection improvements, County Road 50 demolition and restoration, 2015 & 2016
Reconstruction projects, status of the water tower currently undergoing interior painting, and the
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completion of various miscellaneous projects throughout the city absent one trail project which
will likely be moved to 2017 given wet pavement in the area.
8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
submitted,
Tamara Wa'gacep Deputy City Clerk
Matt Little, Mayor