HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-11-06 WSMinutes
City of Lakeville
City Council Work Session
Wednesday, January il, 2006
4:0o p.m.
Marion Conference Room
Lakeville City Hall
In attendance: Mayor Robert Johnson; Council Members: David Luick, Wendy Wulff, Laurie
Rieb, and Mark Bellows.
Also in attendance: City Administrator Steve Mielke, Assistant to City Administrator Brian
Anderson, Finance Director Dennis Feller, Cable Coordinator Jeff Lueders, Captain John
Arvidson, Sergeant Tim Knutson, Planning Director Daryl Morey, NAC Representative Dan
Licht, and Parks and. Recreation Director Steve Michaud.
i. Cable TV Franchise Audit
Mr. Feller informed the City Council that the City has previously approved an agreement with
HLB Tautges Redpath, Ltd to perform a cable TV franchise fee audit relating to Charter
Communications operations for the years of 2ooi to 2003. Based on the audit findings, HLB
Tautges Redpath identified four areas of concern that they recommended need to be addressed
by Charter and rectified to the City of Lakeville's satisfaction. The audit report was forwarded to
Charter Communications for their response.
Charter responded to the audit, on August 4, 2005, by indicating that although the review noted
potential areas of concern it also reflected areas in which, in their estimation, Charter overpaid
the City of Lakeville. Brian Grogan, attorney with Moss and Barnett, prepared a response to
Charter Communications September 26, 2005, on behalf of the City offering a settlement
resolution of $i5,ooo. Charter Communications responded with a $5,00o counter offer. on
October 3i~. Due to the high cost of litigation, staff and Mr. Grogan are recommending a
settlement with Charter Cable in the amount of $5,000.
After a brief discussion, City Council directed staff to counter their offer.
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• 2. PD Building Project
Sergeant Knutson stated that before proceeding with the design phase of the project, several
decisions need to be made from the information contained in the space needs analysis. After a
brief discussion regarding the project, City Council consensus was to pursue a phased facility
with WOLD Architect on a new site. City Council directed staff to bring forth the optional
building program areas at a future work session for discussion.
3. Juvenile Party Ordinance
Captain Arvidson discussed a potential ordinance that if enacted would. result in citations to
adults who knowingly allowed juveniles to have alcoholic parties in their home, whether they
provided the alcohol or not. He informed the City Council that the proposed Open House Party
Ordinance is a result of past incidents in which homeowners and their family members have not
taken responsibility for actions taking place within their home. The proposed ordinance is to
create an environment in which officers can react appropriately and aggressively to concerns
often mentioned by our citizens. Family members would have to have some link or knowledge of
a prohibited act occurring for a violation of this ordinance.
City Council contemplated whether this was overstepping the bounds of government. The City
Council directed staff to inquire about what other cities have this ordinance, how often they use
it, and why they don't use it for those that don't.
4. Buffer Yard Ordinance
• Mr. Licht presented to the City Council the proposed Residential Buffer Yard Modification
ordinance, along with pictures, that would minimize the impact of noise and traffic on Lakeville
neighborhoods. Mr. Morey stated that the Planning Commission voted 5-i in favor of the new
ordinance. He then outlined the process by which the planning department has taken to notify
the public and local developers of the proposed ordinance as outlined it the packet memo. Mr.
Morey stated that developers are already incorporating the changes on their sketch drawings.
After the brief discussion, City Council directed staff to bring for the proposed Buffer Yard
Modification ordinance at a future City Council meeting.
5. Park and Open Space Plan
Mr. Michaud presented before the City Council slides of the 2005 Comprehensive Parks, Trails
and Open Space Plan Update as outlined in the packet. Mr. Mielke asked Mr. Michaud to show
where the regional park trails will eventually join each other. City Council inquired about the
idea of making trails on or along the current rail corridor. Mr. Michaud agreed and stated that
he would work with the Progressive Rail and the Met Council to create a plan. City Council
agreed with the plan and directed staff to continue the planning process and bring it back for
approval at a future City Council meeting.
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• 6. King Park Improvements
Mr. Michaud presented the King Park Improvement Plan to the City Council and stated the park
would like to construct a concession stand building, additional parking space, fencing, and trails,
and an irrigation system at two of the fields. Total cost of the project including engineering
services, utilities, and electric service will cost about $445,000. The money was budgeted in the
2005 CIP and has now carried over to the 2006 CIP. City Council agreed with the needed
improvements and directed staff to proceed with the project.
~. Veteran's Memorial Plans
Mr. Michaud informed the City Council of the upcoming fund raising events that will take place
to raise money for the proposed Veterans Memorial as outlined in the packet memo. In addition,
Mr. Michaud briefly presented the site plan for the Veterans Memorial as shown in the packet
memo. City Council agreed with the plans and events and directed staff to continue with the
proposed Veterans Memorial.
8. Council Appointments for 2006
Mr. Mielke briefly reviewed the 2006 appointments with the City Council and inquired if there
were any changes that Council Members would like to make. No changes were made. He then
inquired as to which member of the City Council wanted to be on the Municipal Legislative
Commission. Council Member Wendy Wulff was unanimously appointed to serve on that seat.
Mielke was also directed to inquire about the status of the Chemical Health Commission.
• 9. Mayoral Term of Office and Off-year Elections
Mayor Johnson stated that he felt that City elections should be held off year of the federal and
state elections as he felt local elections tend to get lost in the political limelight. The turnout for
local elections would be smaller but the voters tend to be more informed about local .elections.
Mr. Mielke stated that the City might be able to partner with the school districts as a cost savings
measure during the off year elections. Mr. Mielke recommended staff create a process by which
this issue should be pursued. City Council agreed with the mayor and Mr. Mielke's
recommendation and directed staff to create a process.
io. Interview Schedule -Boards and Commissions
City Council reviewed the list of applicants and directed staff to schedule a three hour meeting to
interview each of the applicants.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, ---
J"~-
• Brian J. derson
Assistan to City Administrator