HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23-17CITY OF LAKEVILLE
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
January 23, 2017
1. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Lake Marion Conference Room.
Members present: Mayor Anderson, Council Members Davis, LaBeau, Hellier, and Wheeler
Members absent: None.
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; Ralph Vetter, Information Systems Manager;
Tamara Wallace, Deputy City Clerk
2. Citizen Comments
There were no citizen comments.
3. Utility Rate Study Guidance
Ms. Erickson provided background on the 2013 utility rate study prepared by Springsted Inc.,
which focused on rate adjustments to both the Water and Sewer Funds. As part of the 2017
budget preparation, staff reviewed the water, sewer, environmental resources, and street light
utility funds, ultimately adjusting utility rates, which were adopted by the Council at the
December S, 2016 meeting.
Staff is now seeking to expand the study to include: water, sewer, environmental resources &
street light funds; growth assumptions by customer type; consumption patterns by customer
types; impact of changing the structure of consumption tiers; impact of incorporating
conservation goals into the rate structure; impact of weather fluctuations; as well as any policy
changes needed. Staff intends to go out for RFP to complete this study.
The Council indicated a priority to remain commercially competitive to businesses looking to
come into the area; and prior to finalizing fee adjustments, would like staff to include an analysis
of local cities and similar cities in other states to see how Lakeville's utility rates compare.
4. Holyoke Improvement Project Maintenance Expectations
At the November 21 City Council meeting, staff advanced the streetscape design for the Holyoke
Avenue Street Improvement Project. In preparation for next phases of the project, Mr. Petree
briefly outlined the estimated long-term maintenance costs for the current features and amenities
within the project, and asked the Council for any preliminary concerns. The design components
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highlighted included the installation of. street lights, electrical outlets, an irrigation system,
benches, bicycle racks, waste receptacles, movable planters, shrubs, perennials, and trees.
The Council expressed a general concern with the larger operating costs associated with the
moveable planters, and discussed their function and need.
Jim McCarty, 17477 Goodland Path,
Wanted clarification on who is doing the feasibility study and what the process encompasses.
Dean Simon with the Downtown Lakeville Business Association expressed a desire to finalize
what costs the City is willing to assume within the project. Council members discussed this with
varying opinions on whether the City should indicate their contribution now, or wait for
additional data provided in the feasibility study. Staff was asked to move forward with the
feasibility report accounting for all features currently outlined in the plan; the City Council will
look to make final decisions on amenities and cost allocation, once this report is complete.
5. Well #21 and #22 Considerations
The 2017 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) included the design and construction of Well #21.
After further review of the site and growing needs, staff recommends simultaneously constructing
Well #21 and Well #22 (currently scheduled for 2019), which will utilize infrastructure and site
improvements already in place. The construction of both wells will mean a cost savings of up to
$230,000, and the project will be fully funded using monies in the city's Water Trunk Fund.
The Council was in support of the project, and thanked staff for their creativity in finding savings.
6. 2017 - 2019 EDC Strategic Plan
Mr. Olson provided an update on the status of the proposed Draft EDC Strategic Plan prepared
by Craig Rapp LLC. Review of the plan has included the consideration of Strengths -Weaknesses -
Opportunities -and Threats (SWOT), and several meetings with the EDC and City Council. The
draft 2017-2019 plan highlights four strategic priorities which include: business retention and
expansion, maintaining a competitive edge, housing to support economic goals, and workforce.
The Council reiterated the need for workforce programs, and asked about specific outreach/
marketing efforts to attract businesses to Lakeville. They felt staff did a great job building the
strategic plan and its initiatives.
7. Two Year/ Four Year Mayoral Term Discussion
Staff indicated that this item was discussed at the January council retreat as a topic to be discussed
this year. The implementation of this change would require an ordinance amendment, which
must be adopted no later than mid-July 2018 under current filing deadlines.
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Council members discussed the impact this change would have including two seats consistently
serving with the same mayor, the mayoral election always taking place on a non -presidential year,
and possibilities for implementing a maximum amount of terms served. Ultimately the Council
felt the change would be positive, encouraging a more consistent, long range view; this item will
be brought forward at a future City Council meeting for public input and opinion.
8. City Support of Dakota County CIP Projects/ CTIB Update
Mr. Petree provided a brief update on the county transportation projects in the current CIP
which included: traffic signal at County Road 46 & Kenyon Avenue, County Road 50
reconstruction from Dodd Blvd. to 185''' Street, Automatic Traffic Management System from
Kenrick Avenue. to Pilot Knob Road, roundabout at Dodd Blvd. & Flagstaff Avenue, County
Road 50 reconstruction from Holyoke to Cedar Avenue, Dodd Blvd. intersection improvements,
and Dodd Blvd. reconstruction between Gerdine Path to Dodd Lane.
9. Dakota County Fiber JPA
The Information Systems staff is currently working with the County on a Joint Powers
Agreement (JPA), to build a citywide network providing 1G service. These network
improvements will allow for better functionality between facilities as well as improve a number of
service deficiencies, and would impact: City Hall, the Heritage Center, Fire Stations 1-4, the
Lakeville Area Arts Center, Heritage & Kenrick Liquor Stores, Police Station, and both the Water
Treatment & Central Maintenance facilities.
Under the current contract, 1G service would cost the City $276,480 and would remain a lease.
With the proposed JPA, the network would be a mix of city -owned and leased connections, with
an expected ROI of 5.5 years. This project would be funded through the communications,
general, utility, and liquor funds.
The Council discussed possible grant opportunities and current service restrictions, and
recommended that staff move forward with the Dakota County JPA.
10. Committee/ City Administrator Updates
Mr. Miller announced a couple upcoming events: the Lakeville Chamber Awards Dinner held on
January 30 in which council member LaBeau is being recognized as "Business Person of the
Year", and the Fire Banquet held on February 4. Both events are at Brackett's Crossing.
Council member Hellier attended: the Personnel Committee meeting where they examined
engineering position changes and various workforce issues, the I-35 Solutions Meeting which
included an update on the status of the Orange Line BRT & CTIB funding, and the Lakeville
Chamber BAG Committee where they discussed Sunday liquor sales.
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Council member Davis also attended the Personnel Committee meeting and felt the discussion
directly tied to the economic development priorities. There was also a Fire Relief Association
meeting that will be rescheduled to discuss pension benefits, and an upcoming DLBA meeting on
February 8.
Council members LaBeau and Wheeler both attended the Liquor Committee meeting where they
discussed a long-term succession plan for the director, as well as updates on the current store
remodeling which staff has worked hard on to minimize financial impact to the store.
Mayor Anderson attended the Mayor -Manager meeting which included a presentation from the
Community Development Agency (CDA) on economic development. The Mayor also attended a
Dakota County Physical Development Committee meeting to discuss CTIB; and met with the
Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable housing (MICAH).
11. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m. to closed session to discuss pending litigation under the
attorney-client privilege exception to the Open Meeting Law (Minn. Stat. Section 13D.05, subd.
3(b))
Motion made by Hellier, seconded by Davis to close the meeting at 8:18 p.m.
Motion made by LaBeau, seconded by Davis to end the closed meeting at 8:51 p.m.
Douglas P. Anderson, Mayor