HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-19CITY OF LAKEVILLE
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
October 28, 2019
1. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room.
Members present: Mayor Anderson, Council Members Hellier, Lee, Volk, and
Wheeler
Members absent: None
Staff present: Justin Miller, City Administrator; Allyn Kuennen, Assistant City Administrator;
John Hennen, Parks & Recreation Director; Paul Oehme, Public Works Director; Mike Meyer,
Fire Chief; Tammy Schutta, Human Resources Manager; Jerilyn Erickson, Finance Director;
Tamara Wallace, Deputy Clerk
2. Citizen Comments
There were no citizen comments regarding non -agenda items.
3. Vernon and Tonete Jensen Pioneer Plaza Application
The Lakeville Area Historical Society submitted an application to consider long-term Lakeville
residents Vernon and Tonete Jensen for the Pioneer Plaza Induction. The award was established
in 2010 and seeks to recognize Lakeville residents or business owners for their contributions and
influence within the community. The Jensen's were local farmers who were involved in various
organizations, helped organize Lakeville's first Historical Society where they served as officers/
board members, and were generous donors - including their donation of 130 -acres of land in
Otter Tail County gifted to the State of Minnesota.
Dianne Lamb, President; Wally Potter, Treasurer of the Lakeville Area Historical Society
Shared that the Jensen's remained passionate about Lakeville and the community throughout
their lives, were strong advocates of farmers, dedicated members of the Historical Society, and
were extremely knowledgeable about the City's history.
The Council was in support of moving forward with the induction of Vernon & Tonete Jensen
into Pioneer Plaza; staff will bring forward a resolution to a future City Council meeting for
formal approval.
4. POP De -Brief
Members of the Pan-O-Prog (POP) Board attended the work session meeting to provide an
update on last year's event and discuss improvements for 2020. Newly elected President, Tom
City Council Work Session Minutes, October 28, 2019 Page 2
Knutson thanked the Council, City, Staff, and individual departments for their support and
partnership each year. Mr. Knutson shared the POP Board's goal to expand social media
presence, connect with the next generation of Lakeville residents, expand volunteer recruitment
and sponsorship, work closer with the Downtown Lakeville Business Association (DLBA), and
maintain an annual conversation with the Council to review the event and gain feedback.
The Council discussed the potential to have alcohol at the Fireworks event to compliment the
food available, other neighboring events during this time, bands/ entertainment, outreach to the
newer neighborhoods, security measures, economic impact to the downtown businesses, food
trucks/ vendors, changes to Cruise night, and clarified the City's role as a sponsor of the event.
The Council thanked the POP Board for the update and their continued efforts and collaboration.
5. City Council Emergency Operations
Annually, each department in the City must review the Emergency Operation Plan. The purpose
of the plan is to provide a guide for emergency operations to assist key City officials and
emergency organizations with their responsibilities under emergency conditions; it also identifies
what level of an event is taking place.
Fire Chief Mike Meyer went through the document which consists of two parts - the basic plan as
well as the annexes. Throughout the next few months, Chief Meyer will be meeting with
individual departments to go over their responsibilities should an emergency take place; and
long-term plans to hold tabletop discussions to roleplay various emergency situations. A copy of
the updated Emergency Operation Plan will be provided to the Council.
6. City Council Compensation
In 2018, the City contracted Springsted Incorporated to conduct a job classification and
compensation study, ultimately adjusting salaries and benefits based on the data obtained
effective January 1, 2019.
Staff conducted a 2019 survey of salary and benefit compensation for mayors and council
members in comparable cities including: Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park,
Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, St.
Louis Park, and Woodbury. Additional benefits include a technology stipend and health
insurance coverage. Currently the Lakeville City Council is provided an iPad, receives $25.00 for
each committee/ inter -agency meeting they attend, and are reimbursed for meeting fees and
mileage. Any changes to the Council compensation would not take place until January 1, 2021.
The Council reviewed the data and discussed the Council's ability to buy -in to the City's health
insurance coverage, implementation of an annual COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) and
City Council Work Session Minutes, October 28, 2019 Page 3
evaluating compensation levels for comparable cities outside of Minnesota. The Council decided
not to move forward with a compensation increase at this time but preliminarily agreed to review
this information every other year.
7. Utility Fund Budgets
Ms. Erickson provided an overview of the proposed 2020 Utility Fund and Liquor Fund budgets,
and proposed utility rates. The Utility Fund budget considers the City's cost to operate the water
system, sanitary sewer system, streetlights, environmental resources, and personnel additions.
Staff presented the utility fee changes incorporated into the proposed revenues for each of the
Utility Funds; the changes would mean a household increase of approximately $4.85/ month or
$58.20 annually for water, sewer, streetlights, and environmental resources services.
The Council reviewed the Utility Fund charts which outlined the expenses, revenues, cash
position, and projected rate changes for each of the funds; as well as the Liquor Fund budget
which considers both the cost to operate the three liquor stores as well as various transfers from
the Liquor Fund to support other city endeavors. The Council thanked staff for their work in
preparing the item.
8. Fee Schedule
Ms. Erickson outlined the 2020 recommended fee schedule as part of the annual budget review
process, which included the proposed fee schedule changes and explanations. The Council went
through each section of the fee schedule and clarified specific line items.
The November 25 work session meeting will be the final preview discussion on the budget. As
required by State statute, a public hearing will be held on December 2, 2019 which will allow the
community to provide feedback and input about the proposed fee schedule. All feedback
provided by the public and City Council on December 2, 2019 will be integrated into the
proposed 2020 changes and incorporated into the City Code with an effective date of January 1,
2020 unless otherwise noted.
9. Credit Card Fees
The City currently accepts credit cards for online building permits/ e -permits, utility billing,
recreation, and Arts Center fees, but regularly receives requests from homeowners and
contractors to allow the use of credit cards for building permits at the counter, special
assessments, and miscellaneous billings. Based on current activity, staff estimated the costs
should the City decide to allow the use of credit cards and absorb some or all of the credit card
transaction fees. (The City currently does not charge a credit card transaction fee for utility bill
payments).
City Council Work Session Minutes, October 28, 2019 Page 4
The Council talked about ways to encourage e -check/ versus paying by credit card, possibly
charging a credit card fee for utility bill payments, and the potential long-term goal to accept
alternative pay options such as Google Pay or Venmo.
The Council instructed staff to move forward with accepting credit card payments for building
permits, special assessments, and miscellaneous billings, charging all transaction fees. Staff will
bring forward more information on how many residents currently pay their utility bills by credit
card, and estimated savings should the City decide to charge a credit card transaction fee on
utility payments.
10. Third Quarter Financial Report
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
Funds as compared to the 2018 year.
11. Agenda Setting Process
The Council discussed the process for placing items on future meeting agendas, and asked staff to
include a placeholder on the agenda for these discussions moving forward.
12. Committee/ City Administrator Updates
Council Member Hellier provided an update on the process for City Administrator Justin Miller's
upcoming performance evaluation; the Personnel Committee also reviewed salary increases based
on the 2018 compensation study.
Mayor Anderson and the City continue conversations with local legislators regarding the
Housing First Report.
Council Member Lee gave an update on the Lakeville Public Safety Committee: Fire Chief Meyer
presented a strategic plan which will be brought to the next work session meeting; Police Chief
Long talked about the Pursuit Policy and a progress report on the implementation of police body
worn cameras. At the I -35W Alliance Meeting they reviewed their legislative priorities; Council
Member Lee placed his name to be considered for the election committee.
Council Member Volk indicated the next Chamber Business Advocacy Committee (BAG)
meeting has been changed to Friday, November 15.
Council Member Wheeler updated that Shayne Ratcliff will be leaving the City after 12 years of
service.
City Council Work Session Minutes, October 28, 2019 Page 5
Mr. Miller informed of the upcoming Economic Development Commission Strategic Planning
meeting which is taking place tomorrow October 29 at the Water Treatment Facility; as well as an
update on some recent resident concerns.
13. The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
submitted,
LA �s,
Tamara allace, Deputy City Clerk Douglas P. Anderson, Mayor