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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-05-98 WS~ ~, CITY OF LAKEVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES AUGUST 5,1998 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Zaun at 5:00 p.m. in the City Hall North Meeting Room. Individuals in attendance were Mayor Zaun, Council Members Holberg, Mulvihill, Ryan and Sindt; Robert Erickson, City Administrator; Dennis Feller, Finance Director; Danny Barth, MIS Coordinator; Jeff Lueders, Cable Coordinator; Lt. Bill Forbord, Lakeville Police Department; John Hennen, Administrative Assistant; Cable TV Board Members Greg Maliszewski, Robin Selvig and Greg Stattman. Also in attendance were Roger Knutson, City Attorney; David McKenzie, Consultant; Brian Grogan, Moss & Barnett, and Joni Hubred, Life & Times. ITEM NO. 1 - REVIEW FROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS CONCERNING DANCES, PARADES AND OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT. Mr. Erickson indicated that the ordinance amendment originated with the request to have a wedding reception and birthday party which included outdoor entertainment (music) to be ,held at the Crystal Lake Golf Club House. Since that time, additional requests have been made by institutional groups such as All Saints Catholic Church. Mr. Knutson indicated that the City Attorney's office and staff are proposing two ordinance amendments. The first would prohibit outdoor entertainment or dances on premises that sell liquor or beer unless it is specifically authorized as part of the liquor license. Mr. Forbord indicated that the Police Department has a good working relationship with current license holders. The ordinance will be helpful for the Police Department because restrictions and/or stipulations can be placed on the license. The second ordinance amendment would require an individual or business having outdoor entertainment or a parade to obtain a permit from the Chief of Police. This allows the Police Department to be informed of the event so items such as traffic control and Police protection can be addressed. It will also allow the Police Department to have some control over public assemblies. Mr. Knutson did indicate the ordinance was drafted in such a way to protect individuals rights. Council discussed the application process and Mayor Zaun indicated the definition of sidewalk in the proposed ordinance should be removed. As noted by Council Member Sindt, Cruise Night, Pan- O-Prog Parade and Kiddie Parade would all need a separate permit. Council Member Ryan noted the proposed ordinance would require a resident having a private party (i.e., graduation or New Year's) to obtain a permit if there were more than 20 people attending the event. The Council agreed that a permit for this type of private party shouldn't be required. The City Council directed the City Attorney's office to remove the definition of sidewalk from the ordinance and differentiate between commercial outdoor entertainment and residential outdoor entertainment. f City Council Work Session Minutes August S, 1998 Page Two ITEM N0.2 -REVIEW LOCAL (LAN) AND WIDE (WAN) AREA NETWORK DESIGN. Mr. Barth gave Council Members a tour of the new network center. He explained the City will have E-mail and 146 users will be communicating through the file server system. When pursuing bids on the system, staff divided the system into separate components to obtain the most competitive bids. The project cost came in under budget. Mr. Erickson indicated that staff felt it was important to show the Council how our networking system will work through the use of fiber optics before reviewing the Computer Network Agreement and Cable TV Franchise Agreement. Lakeville will be the first city in the state to network its buildings through the use of fiber optics. ITEM N0.3 -REVIEW COMPUTER NETWORK AGREEMENT. Computer network consultant, David McKenzie, informed the Council that one piece of fiber optic in a telephone environment could handle 10,000 telephone calls simultaneously. Marcus Cable will be running four strands of fiber optic to each City building which will act as a very powerful communication tool. Marcus Cable will be responsible for servicing (monitoring and repairing) the • fiber high-speed data network. The two main hubs of the network will be at City Hall and the Water Treatment Plant. As part of the 10 year agreement, the City will be charged a monthly fee for each building for the use and service of the fiber high-speed data network. Council Member Mulvihill asked what would happen if a fiber optic line were cut. Mr. Barth indicated that there other lines located throughout the City in case one is damaged allowing communications to continue to function. Mr. Erickson indicated that staff will be proposing to budget for a generator at City Hall to keep the file server operating at all times in the case of a power failure. Mayor Zaun inquired about the ability to gather information from neighboring communities in case of an emergency or disaster (i.e., use of emergency equipment, personnel, etc.). Mr. Barth indicated that some of this information can be gathered via the County system, however, Mr. Erickson indicated that other neighboring entities and schools are not in the position at this time to take advantage of the availability of fiber optics. Council and staff discussed the use of fiber optics versus telephone lines. Mr. Erickson indicated that Lakeville is a high profit center for Marcus Cable due to the fact that 80 percent of Lakeville residents are connected to Marcus for cable service. Mayor Zaun indicated that the public should be made aware of the steps the City is taking to contract with Marcus Cable and the benefits of the fiber optic system to the community. The system will be a foundation for high speed data transmission for Airlake Industrial Park which could attract additional high tech businesses to the park. • City Council Work Session Minutes August 5, 1998 Page Three ITEM N0.4 -REVIEW CABLE TV FRANCHISE AGREEMENT. Attorney Brian Grogan indicated the Franchise. Agreement requires Marcus Cable to construct and operate astate-of--the-art 750 mhz cable television system which will provide greater channel capacity for Lakeville subscribers that includes improved picture quality and enhanced reliability. Other major items to the contract agreement include: 1) 15 year support program, 2) 5 percent franchise fee, 3) free basic service to public entities, and 4) strong customer service contract. Cable Board Member Robin Selvig indicated the Board focused heavily on the issues of public access, financial reporting and customer service. Mr. Erickson indicated that Farmington and Rosemount did not have any interest in participating in a joint public access agreement. Mr. Erickson indicated that at the second Council meeting in September, staff would need approximately 20-30 minutes to present the computer Network Agreement and Cable TV Franchise Agreement to the Council Council directed staff to present the Computer Network Agreement, Cable TV Franchise Agreement and regulatory ordinance to the Council at the second meeting in September. ITEM NO. S -UNFINISHED BUSINESS -UTILITY DEPARTMENT SENIOR DISCOUNT PROGRAM. Mr. Feller indicated that utility discounts are provided to those heads of households over 65 years of age or living on Social Security or pension alone.. This discount was created more than 20 years ago. The social economic demographics of Lakeville has changed over the years. The Council requested more information concerning the participants of the program at the November 25, 1997, and Apri120, 1998, Work Sessions. Staff is aware of individuals participating in the utility discount program that are financially able to pay the standard charges. Staff is proposing two options which would modify the current Senior Discount Program. In both options, persons enrolled in the current program as of September 1, 1998 would be "grandparented" into the system and would receive the same benefits that are currently offered subject to annual application. Council Member Holberg is not in favor of either option because the program causes additional staff time and believes it is the role of the County to provide these type of social services. Council Member Ryan would prefer to leave the program as-is, but is comfortable with the 30% discount up to a maximum of 10,000 gallons/quarter and annual certification as indicated in Option 1. Mayor Zaun mentioned a 30 percent discount may be too high. After further discussion, Option 1 was chosen which would include a 30 percent discount up to a maximum of 10, 000 gallons per quarter for water and sanitary sewer, a 30 percent discount for street lights, no discount for surface water management and individuals would be eligible if the • head of household was over 65 years of age or living on Social Security or pension income alone. .. City Council Work Session Minutes August 5, 1998 Page Four The .Council directed staff to prepare a resolution regarding the Senior Discount Program and present it to them at a future City Council meeting. ITEM N0.6 -DOWNTOWN LAKEVILLE (INCLUDING ALL SAINTS CAMPUS) HOUSING STUDY AND PARKING PROJECT. Mr. Erickson informed Council Members that there is an opportunity to complete a downtown Lakeville housing study and parking project which could be funded by reallocating Community Development Block Grant Funds from the septic system improvement program. The proposed study could examine the re-use andlor redevelopment of the All Saints Campus and adjacent vacant property for a potential senior housing complex and/or performing arts center. Father Tiffany of All Saints Catholic Church has expressed an interest in working with the City regarding the re-use of the south campus for this type of use. Mr. Erickson and Council Member Ryan have had ongoing discussions with effected downtown businesses and property owners as well as representatives from agencies such as Dakota County • HRA and CommonBond regarding the need for a downtown Lakeville housing study and parking project. Mr. Ryan indicated that he has spoken with the VFW and they have an interest in expanding their facility to host larger banquets. Council Member Holberg indicated that the plan must be universal or the City could receive criticism regarding favoritism of downtown businesses. Mr. Erickson indicated staff could present a resolution regarding the reallocation of the Redevelopment Block Grant Funds from the septic system improvement program to a downtown Lakeville housing study and parking project to the Council at the next Council meeting. Mr. Erickson also indicated he would be meeting with Mr. Mike Giles regarding the purchase of his downtown property (Wren property) as part of this project. Council directed staff to present a resolution requesting the reallocation of Community Development Block Grant Funds from the septic system improvement program to found a Downtown Lakeville Housing Study and Parking Project to the City Council at the next City Council meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, • Henne ,Administrative Assistant