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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-11-01 WS• CITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES JUNE 11, 2001 Present: Mayor. Bob Johnson, Council Members Mulvihill, Luick, Bellows and Rieb; City Administrator Bob Erickson, Assistant to City Administrator John Hennen, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud, Human Resources Director Marcy Cordes, Director of Liquor Operations Brenda Visnovec, Community and Economic .Development Director Arlyn Grussing, and Deputy Clerk Judi Hawkins. ITEM NO. 1. REVIEW PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING DAKOTA COUNTY PARKS 2002-2006 CIP. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud stated that he and other staff had reviewed the Dakota County 2002-2006 Capital Improvement Program and also brought the plan to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for input. Following review of the document, he drafted a letter to Dakota County concerning regional park and trail issues affecting Lakeville. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee supported the letter and requested the City Council also review it prior to submitting • comments to Dakota County. The draft letter emphasizes two. issues of major concern. The first issue involves establishing a new county park unit in the northeast part of Lakeville. Staff feels that due to the growing population and projected increase in park visitations there is a need for a major County park in the proximity of Lakeville, Apple Valley, Rosemount and Farmington. The nearest regional parks, Spring Lake Park Reserve and Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, are not nearby the areas of largest county growth. Suggested county park sites include additional acreage near the Tutewohl property which we have agreed to purchase for the Northeast Sector Community Park, or possibly the Brandtjen farmstead which is east of the Tutewohl property. Possible recreational uses would be camping, trails, a golf course, athletic fields or the re-creation of an historic farm. Staff's second request is for Dakota County to support establishing a regional trail corridor connection between Murphy Hanrehan Regional Park Reserve and Lebanon Hills Regional Park. At one time, the trailways along County Road 46 were designated as a State trail corridor for the purpose of connecting the two regional park facilities. The designation was dropped several years ago. A trail connection would provide park access for a significant number of county residents. Steve mentioned that residents in the Orchard Lake area were told that a trail would be built on the north side of Klamath City Council Work Session Minutes June 11, 2001 Page -2- • Trail to provide access to Murphy Hanrehan. If this trail is not feasible, other property might exist to make an off-roadway trail feasible. Council Member Mulvihill feels the Brandtjen property is a good central county area which would serve residents of several communities. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud stated that the natural resources and amenities are available and transportation access is readily available with nearby infrastructure. He feels- that the proposed letter would stimulate the necessary conversations to begin planning. Council Members felt that a resolution would send a strong message to Dakota County to consider a county park unit in the Lakeville area based on current and projected population growth. In further discussions it was suggested that the Lakeville bike trail map be updated, including site distances and that the map be added to the City's web site so that it would be easily accessible to trail users. Council directed staff to prepare a resolution supporting the need for a major county park facility in the Lakeville area. Council further directed staff to prepare and submit the proposed letter to Dakota County asking. for their support in the effort to re-designate County Road 46 as a State trail corridor and construct • the trail access to Murphy Hanrehan Regional Park Reserve. The letter also would serve to notify the county regarding Cornerstone and Lake Place plats, adjacent to Pilot Knob Road and 170`h Street, which will require participation with the county (45/55%) for required multipurpose trailways. ITEM NO. 2. DISCUSS PROPOSAL FROM STERLING CODIFIERS REGARDING ELECTRONIC CODIFICATION OF LAKEVILLE CITY CODE. City Clerk Charlene Friedges provided information to the City Council regarding the electronic codification of the Lakeville City Code. Sterling Codifiers is proposing to complete the codification on a software- program, Folio, which would provide easy access to city codes for anyone within the current network, including the city attorney, mayor and council. For an additional fee the city code could be accessible on the Internet for access by all outside users. Several Minnesota cities have already begun to use the Internet for their city code including Farmington, Burnsville and Cottage Grove. Funds are available in the City Clerk's 2001 budget for the one-time license and preparation fees. Council Members questioned whether having the City. Code on the Internet could • generate additional inquiries and/or requests from the public, creating extra demand on staff time and resources. Council Member Luick feels that it is important for staff to City Council Work Session Minutes June 11, 2001 Page -3- • have access to the information but wants to avoid misinterpretations by the general public, who might not be familiar with City Code terminology. Council Member Mulvihill suggested staff proceed with access for the internal network users but wait with external Internet access until more evaluation can be done from other cities who are using the software from Sterling. Council directed staff to proceed with electronic codification of City Ordinances through Sterling Codifiers, Inc. with access for internal network users. Council directed the City Clerk to follow-up with other communities who are currently offering access to their city codes for the general public through external Internet access. Council will evaluate this information at a later date to determine whether expanded access should be considered. ITEM NO. 3. CONSIDER REQUEST FOR FUNDING FROM DAKOTA COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP FOR CHINA TRADE COMMITTEE. City Council Members received a memo from Community and Economic Development Director Arlyn Grussing which provided information regarding the Dakota County • Economic Development Partnership (DCEDP) International Trade Committee which has been developed to promote international trade. The committee was formed in the fall of 2000 after a trade group from China visited Dakota County. Todd Bornhauser, Executive Director of the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber was participating in the collaborative efforts of the committee, which originally was started as the China Trade Committee. At their May 22, 2001 meeting, the Lakeville Economic Development Commission considered the trade committee's proposal for the City to become involved by financially supporting the development of a booklet highlighting each community and to designate a representative to serve on the Trade Committee. The EDC agreed that the committee needed to be broader than just China and recommended that the focus be expanded to include international trade opportunities. Arlyn Grussing told Council Members that the names of business interested in doing business in China came from an old World Trade Association list. Of the businesses he attempted to contact, some were not interested, some were already doing international business and some did not return his calls. He stated that even though some of the businesses may not have an interest right now, they may in the future. The $500 being requested of the City is to assist with funding for a countywide booklet with Chinese/English interpretation. • Council Member Mulvihill stated that the recent US spy plane incident negatively affected the public's perception of China. Mayor Johnson stated that following receipt City Council Work Session Minutes June 11, 2001 Page -4- of a letter from DCEDP he returned the letter with his comments that he was opposed to doing trade with Red China. He is also concerned that the committee had not done the extensive research necessary which became evident when the committee changed their name from "China Trade Committee" to "International Trade Committee." Todd Bornhauser also mentioned that at one time the committee had requested the use of CVB funds for this trade mission. City Administrator Bob Erickson stated that the EDC had focused on "how does this meet the needs of the Lakeville businesses" and kept that issue separate from the political issues. The businesses mentioned by the trade committee were not necessarily supportive of the concept but were part of a list of potentially interested companies. Council Member Mulvihill feels promoting China trade is a poor choice, given the current relationship and public sentiment regarding China. Todd Bornhauser will follow-up with Chamber members on a publication that could be used for purposes other than China trade. A Lakeville connection, Precision Language Services, would be used to do the translations of the proposed international booklets. City Administrator Bob Erickson suggested an article be included in the next Airlake • News to promote awareness of the committee. He further suggested that not all Lakeville businesses might be supportive of the efforts, as certain trade might be detrimental. Council stated that although they are respectful of the position of the Economic Development Commission, they are not willing to commit funding at this time and felt the matter should be tabled until more information is available. ITEM NO. 4. REVIEW 2001 DENTAL INSURANCE PROPOSALS. Human Resources Director Marcy Cordes explained to City Council Members that the City is currently faced with a difficult decision regarding employee dental insurance coverage. Current coverage is through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) with the city contributing the equivalent cost of single coverage to all employees. The City was recently informed by LMCIT that their future dental coverage would be provided by Health Partners. New rates were calculated based on each city's size and claims. Since Lakeville's claims history has been high, the proposed rate increase beginning July 1 S` would be 45 % . In addition, coverage levels would be more restrictive and a smaller network of dentists would be available. As a • result, the HR Dept. began soliciting proposals for both fully insured and self-insured plans. City Council Work Session Minutes June 11, 2001 Page -5- n After providing details of the evaluation of both self-insured plans and fully-insured plans, Ms. Cordes informed City Council Members that City staff is recommending the approval of the Delta Dental Millennium plan with two options. Staff feels the plan will provide the City with fixed lower premiums while avoiding the risks that self- insured plans might present. The plan will also offer employees two coverage options and a large network of available dentists. Council directed staff to prepare information for City Council to consider designation of the Delta Dental insurance plan and to place the item on the June 18, 2001 City Council consent agenda. ITEM NO. 5. PRESENTATION REGARDING KEG REGISTRATION POLICY AMENDMENT. Director of Liquor Operations Brenda Visnovec provided information to City Council Members regarding past practices of documenting the sale of keg beer for the purpose of reducing the sale of alcohol to minors. This practice has been in place since 1990. At this year's Legislative Session, a bill was introduced which would make keg registration mandatory. The bill subsequently passed in the House but did not get • through the Senate before the session ended. It is anticipated that it will pass easily at the next legislative session. The Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association (MMBA) and Lakeville City staff would like to go ahead with the plan prior to the process being mandated. Early compliance would allow Lakeville to provide valuable data to the legislature at the next session. Approximately 875 kegs were purchased last year. An additional cost of $.97 per keg would be incurred for the proposed tags. Council Member Luick asked if there would be more time needed for checkout of kegs. Brenda V. stated that it would not be a significant amount of time. Council Member Mulvihill stated that it would be easy to remove the tag if the person did not intend to return the keg. Brenda V. stated that the $50.00 deposit would encourage return of the empty kegs. Council Member Bellows suggested that cable ties would also work and might be more durable than plastic. City Administrator Bob Erickson stated that the implementation of the keg registration would demonstrate self-regulation and control and enhance the statewide image of Lakeville with positive recognition and press coverage. It would also send a positive message to MADD and other groups that Lakeville is dedicated to maintaining control of the sale of alcohol to minors and community's great concern for its youth. • City Council Work Session Minutes June 11, 2001 Page -6- Brenda V . is proposing to implement the new policy on September 1, 2001, which would give staff several months to complete appropriate training. Brenda reiterated the importance of the City being a leader with early compliance utilizing the keg registration policy in controlling the sale of alcohol to minors. Council directed staff to proceed with implementation of the proposed policy for the City of Lakeville that would coincide with the proposed legislation requiring all beer kegs sold by off-sale retailers to have an identification tag. The policy would further prohibit anyone other than the wholesaler, retailer, peace officer or department of public safety employee from removing the tag and prohibits anyone from intentionally defacing or damaging the tag. ITEM NO. G. STATUS UPDATE OF PROPOSED ACQUISITION, 10714 - 175' STREET (DECOKES BERM PROPERTY). City Attorney Jim Walston described the location of the. property proposed for acquisition as being behind the SuperAmerica, southeast of 175`'' Street and CSAH 50. The purpose of the acquisition is to accommodate future roadway improvements for 175`" Street/Junelle Path/176''' Street. Mr. Walston discussed the acquisition with Ms. Behm and explained past practices regarding lease-back and relocation benefits. He is of the opinion that Ms. Behm is .ready to proceed with the sale of her property. Following their meeting, Ms. Behm retained legal counsel and obtained an appraisal of the property. The appraisal highlighted the potential commercial .value and estimated the property at $390,000. This figure is much higher than the current assessed value of $171, 400. At the request of the city attorney, an appraisal was also completed by Swan Appraisals, which indicated a value of $325,000. City Administrator Bob Erickson pointed out that there is no current development that is driving the road realignment or requiring the purchase of the property. He also stated that no funds are currently budgeted, although TIF funds are available. It might be in the City's best interest to determine the status of available funding in this TIF district following the legislative session. Council directed Jim Walston to forward a letter to Delores Behm, 10714 - 175t'' Street, representing the City's current position regarding the acquisition of her property. City Attorney Jim Walston also discussed possible purchase of three homes on the backwaters of Lake Marion, on Kenyon Avenue, west of I-35 and south of 185x'' Street, to accommodate the future 185`'' Street/I-35W interchange upgrade project. The three City Council Work Session Minutes June 11, 2001 Page -7- properties are not served by public utilities and are non-conforming with no expansion possibilities. Holding tanks are currently being used at all three properties. All homeowners seem to be interested in selling, but some have longer lease-back expectancies than others. Mr. Walston's estimate of the property value was approximately $100,000 each. One property owner has been told his property might be valued at as much as $180,000. Mr. Walston suggested that a preliminary appraisal be completed for all three properties, establishing an estimated value. Council directed staff to continue negotiations on the Chastain and Jungels parcels at this time, since they are apparently of comparable value. Negotiations on the third parcel might be improved after a settlement has been reached with the other two property owners. ITEM NO. 7. PLANNING COMMISSION VACANCY. City Council Members received a letter of resignation from the Planning Commission from David Bellows, effective July 1 S`. Planning Commission Member Sharon Kot also recently resigned. Council Member Rieb had spoken to Mr. Bellows who indicated that the extensive preparation for the Planning Commission and evening meetings were beginning to consume too much of his time. Council Member Luick had spoken to Sharon Kot who stated that she has enjoyed serving on the Planning Commission and in the future might be interested in a committee appointment with less time commitment. Council Members discussed possible appointees to fill the vacancies and the importance of the commissioners' demeanor and approach to issues in potentially volatile situations. Council directed the Mayor to contact several possible appointees to determine if they would be interested in filling the vacancies on the Planning Commission. ITEM NO. 8. ADJOURN. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, M~' tw • Judi R. Hawkins,. Deputy Clerk