HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-2021CITY OF LAKEVILLE
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
July 26, 2021
1. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Members present: Mayor Anderson, Council Members Hellier, Bermel, Lee, and Volk
Members absent: None.
Staff present: Justin Miller, City Administrator; Allyn Kuennen, Assistant City Administrator;
John Hennen, Parks & Recreation Director; Jerilyn Erickson, Finance Director; Zach Johnson,
City Engineer; Tamara Wallace, Deputy Clerk
2. Moment of Silence and Flag Pledge.
3. Citizen Comments
None.
4. Park Referendum Survey Results
At the May work session meeting, the City Council discussed potentially going out for Park Bond
Referendum to fund projects including: the reconstruction of Antlers Park, the construction of
Avonlea Community Park, East Community Park, improvements to Ritter Farm Park, closing
gaps in the trail system, reconstructing old basketball courts, replacing signage at park facilities,
and building a covered ice rink on the north side of Hasse Arena. The estimated total cost of the
projects is approximately $41,000,000. The Lakeville Hockey Association and Lakeville Figure
Skating Club have verbally indicated they would donate $1,500,000 towards the Hasse Arena
outdoor ice sheet.
The Council directed staff to work with Baker Tilly and obtain an updated survey to determine
the tax tolerance of the residents in the City. (The last survey was completed in 2020, however
next steps were delayed due to uncertainties as a result of COVID-19). Don Lifto of Baker Tilly
provided an overview to the Council of the survey results which was conducted July 1- July 8.
The survey included 407 random registered voters that were chosen based on demographics such
as age, gender, voting history, and geographic location within the city; and primarily asked voters
their opinions on potential improvements to the City's parks - focusing on Antlers, Avonlea, and
East Community. Overall the results showed voters had a higher willingness to fund park
improvements as compared to the 2020 survey; and based on scenarios created by Northland
Public Finance, indicated that a tax impact of under $90 per year on a $375,000 home would
receive majority vote and fund $38,000,000 in construction costs.
City Council Work Session Minutes, July 26, 2021 Page 2
The Council reviewed the scenarios outlined by Northland, clarified voter tax tolerance levels,
preliminary construction costs/ timelines, and discussed marketing/ education of the referendum.
The Council agreed to move forward with a Park Bond Referendum on November 2, 2021 at an
increase level of $88. Staff will bring back a resolution for formal approval to either the August 2
or August 16 City Council meetings calling for a special election.
5. 2022 - 2026 CIP, Transportation, Utilities, Parks, & Environmental Resources
Staff gave an overview of the transportation, utility, parks and recreation, and environmental
resources components of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Each report included project
descriptions, locations, revenue/ expenditures, but did not yet include the financial impact on the
levy or debt balance. The overall proposed cost of the projects is approximately $186,000,000.
The bulk of the capital improvement investments are in transportation over the next five years to
include annual street reconstruction projects, various mill and overlay work, and pavement
maintenance/ management. Staff also outlined various City/ County projects that will be coming
up to include the City's cost share.
Bob Egan, 17601 Glasgow Way
Expressed he does not feel the City should assume any costs associated with the maintenance of
County roads as they presently have no debt.
The remaining facilities, equipment, and technology sections of the CIP will be presented to the
Council at the August 23 work session meeting.
6. American Rescue Plan (ARP) Update and Recommendations
As part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, the City will receive $5,438,774 to assist
with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; $2,719,387 has already been received.
Eligible uses for the funds include responding to the economic impacts of the public health
emergency (such as assistance to households, small businesses/ non -profits, or impacted
industries), providing premium pay to eligible essential workers, revenue loss, and to make
necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure. In addition, there are
parameters within each eligibility section - revenue loss, for example, must be calculated on an
entity -wide basis versus specific areas that were impacted such as parks and recreation; and must
account for revenues received from property taxes, charges, or other miscellaneous revenue such
as building permits or development agreements.
Staff presented the Council with several possible uses for the ARP funds: COVID-related
expenses (PPE/ staff direct costs/ touchless sinks), infrastructure water/ sewer projects such as the
fixed base meter reading system, improvements to City facilities, and enhancements to the City's
City Council Work Session Minutes, July 26, 2021 Page 3
mental health response associated with pandemic -related safety concerns. The funds must be
obligated by December 31, 2024 and used by December 31, 2026.
Florence Wanda, 16141 Hominy Court; Laurel Igbanugo,17865 Formosa Court; Patience
Attoh, 20925 Holiday Avenue
All spoke as members of the Minnesota African Coalition (MAC) which represents a collective of
African immigrant community-based organizations, business owners, and other leaders within
the African immigrant population in Minnesota. The group is proposing that 10% of the ARP
funds be allocated to the BIOPIC/ immigrant business owners in Lakeville to support and combat
the effects of COVID-19. The group is also asking that the City partner with immigrant leaders
within the community to make decisions on how the ARP funds are used to include community
engagement to bring awareness to immigrant representation within the City.
At this time the City is only preliminarily looking into options for how the ARP funds can be
spent; staff will bring this item back to the August work session meeting for additional discussion.
7. 2021 Second Quarter Financial Report
Ms. Erickson provided an overview of the second quarter financial report which included revenue
and expenditure highlights on the General, Communications, Liquor, and Utility Operating
Fund's as compared to the 2020 year - as well as impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
8. Items for Future Discussion
None.
9. Committee/ City Administrator Updates
Mayor Anderson provided an update on the Regional Council of Mayors as well as his
participation with an organization SAVE - Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.
10. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wallace, Deputy City Clerk
Douglas P. Anderson, Mayor