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City of Lakeville
Administration
Memorandum
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Justin Miller, City Administrator
Date: January 12, 2019
Subject: 2018 City Council Priority Items – Status Update
During the 2018 City Council retreat, the following items were identified as priorities for the
year. Status updates are highlighted below:
1) Park Dedication philosophy review
During the discussion of 2018 park dedication fees, it was evident that
there was not clarity on how previous councils developed the current
formula. The council may wish to review this philosophy and/or revise it.
2) Food Trucks
This summer will be the one-year anniversary of allowing food trucks in the
downtown business area. There continues to be confusion about how to
implement the practice in other areas of the city (i.e. parks). Revisiting this
issue after one year would allow us to evaluate any changes that need to be
made.
Expedited food truck regulation process (at request of local downtown
business) to accommodate summer outdoor dining season. Streamlined
permitting and inspection processes
3) Garbage Haulers/Creating zones in city by day of the week
Staff and council continue to receive requests to limit and/or regulate trash
collection. Options range from the current system (totally open system) to
an organized collection system (city selects one or more haulers). A middle
ground might be to allow individual choice of haulers but to dictate days of
the week for collection by neighborhood.
Initiated discussions with council and local waste haulers regarding “waste
hauler zones”; staff prepared to bring proposal to council if this is still a priority
4) Incentives for entry-level/single-level homes
Staff and council often discuss the challenges residential developers face
when attempting to construct entry level and/or single-level homes. If this
is something the council wishes to address, staff could provide a list of
options regarding how to make this product more economical for builders.
5) Setting tobacco age at 21
Other cities have started to implement a minimum age of 21 to purchase
tobacco products. Lakeville Liquors currently follows this practice as we
only allow those age 21 and older in our stores for purchases.
Compiled information and presented options to the city council regarding
raising the age of tobacco purchases to 21. Council decided to leave current
age in place.
6) Antlers Park master plan implementation process
The council has received the Antlers Park Master Plan and associated
budget estimates. Staff is seeking direction on how to proceed with
staging and funding.
Continued discussions on implementation of Antlers Park Master Plan and
long-term vision of Avonlea and East Community parks
7) Shade Tree Ordinance (in response to EAB outbreak)
With the detection of Emerald Ash Borer in Lakeville, the city will need to
develop an action plan on how to manage this infestation.
Developed shade tree ordinance and action plan – revised ordinance adopted
by city council in December
8) DCC Ownership/Management
Cities across the county have started to have discussions about transferring
“ownership” of the Dakota Communications Center over to Dakota County.
This transition, if it happens, could be a significant budget savings to the
City of Lakeville.
Continued to lead charge to change ownership/funding responsibility of DCC.
Working with county and other cities to reach conclusion in 2019
9) Future of DLBA
The DLBA recently approved a 50% reduction in their special service district
assessment with the plan to dissolve the taxing jurisdiction by the end of
2018. Council may want to discuss how to discuss the future of the DLBA
with the downtown businesses and property owners.
Kept DLBA special service district funding source in place for additional year to
allow city and board to discuss future plans/vision
10) Indoor Athletic Facility Progress
The Indoor Athletic Facility Taskforce provided their recommendations and
council has directed staff to come back by March 2018 with more detailed
financial projections. ISD 194 has directed their staff to further investigate a
privately-owned option at one of their locations. This will be an issue that
most likely will continue in 2018.
Continued to move towards conclusion of discussions relating to indoor
athletic facility and possible 2019 parks referendum
11) 2019 Budget Outlook
The 2018 budget was developed with many one-time savings being
incorporated into the final levy (debt reductions, using existing salt
inventory, etc.). The 2019 budget will face significant pressures and staff
will be looking for direction on various items throughout the year.
12) Heritage Commons Liquor Store
Staff have been in discussions with the new owners of Heritage Commons
about relocating our current store to a new and larger store adjacent to
Cub Foods. Staff indicated to the owners that we would revisit the concept
after the first of the year.
Ownership change of Cub Foods has put this item on hold until future of Cub
store is determined. Existing lease extension currently being negotiatied.
13) County Road Boulevard Maintenance
In 2008 as part of budget reductions, the City stopped performing
maintenance along County boulevards (i.e. boulevard mowing & weed
control). The County now performs the mowing (on a much less frequent
basis) and does not perform weed control. The City continues to receive
negative feedback on the appearance of County roadway boulevards.
Council may want to consider increasing the level of maintenance or taking
over maintenance of County roadway boulevards.
Brought forward issue of county road boulevard maintenance and action plan
to address safety and aesthetic concerns. Plan implemented in summer 2018.
14) Body Cameras
During the 2018 budget process it was decided to push back the
implementation of body cameras for the police department. More and
more departments are implementing this technology, but it does carry a
significant financial investment (for capital, storage and management). If
we would like to move forward in 2019, the council should begin to have
discussions about this topic in 2018.
Incorporated body-worn cameras into the 2019 budget and started process of
developing policy for their use
15) County Road 70
Both the City and County CIP documents have CR 70 expansion occurring in
2020. While the project has been awarded federal grant dollars, and it is
likely be funded through a cost-sharing agreement that is less than the
45%/55% split for other county projects, there will still be a significant city
expense. The council may wish to begin thinking about funding options in
2018 so we can begin discussing them with affected property owners and
businesses along the corridor.
CR 70 expansion meetings with affected property owners and businesses have
begun. Design process in underway for a 2020 construction start date
16) Fire Department Duty Crew Staffing
While the duty crew program has been successful in responding to calls
during daytime hours, there continues to be concerns from some in the
community about staffing and response times. The council may wish to
further study this or other staffing options.
Implemented (and accommodated within existing budget) expanded fire
department duty crew operations to address high-usage timeframes