2014-04-09 CC WS Meeting Minutes - Approved

Home Browse Search

City Council 2014-04-09 Approximately 8:00 p.m. Minutes of Work Session Present were Mayor Tom Wilharber, Council members Jeff Paar, Steve King, D Love, and Ben Fehrenbacher. Present from Park and Rec were Suzanne Seeley and Kevin Amundsen. Present from P&Z were Darrin Mosher, Russ Koski, Mark Haiden and Olaf Lee. The purpose of the work session was to consider goals for 2014 and provide an opportunity for committees to provide feedback to Council. Mayor Wilharber reviewed the 2013 Goals adopted by the Council. Major goals approved by Council included encouraging commercial/industrial development, sale of excess real estate owned by the City and increasing collaboration with neighboring communities. Results of those efforts have been mixed. Commercial/Industrial development and sale of excess real estate have not been very successful, but collaboration with neighboring communities has been quite successful and continues to be a priority. Council member Fehrenbacher reviewed the Barr Engineering study that is currently looking at the possible creation of a joint water utilities among the six area cities of Centerville, Lino Lakes, Hugo, Columbus, Circle Pines and Lexington. The study should be complete in six months. Park & Rec member Seeley stated that she did not agree with the sale of the lot on Mill Road. The lot was acquired many years ago and the Park and Rec Committee has assumed that to be park land. Research done by the City Administrator did not confirm why the lot was acquired, but he could confirm that it was not a park dedication as a result of the plat. Also, the deed does not place any restrictions on its use, so it appears that the Council is free to do as it wishes with the property. The council previously took action to dedicate the sale proceeds toward debt service on bonds to finance the Commerce Drive street project. Several comments were made that using land proceeds to lower debt and taxes is a desirable goal. Park and Rec reviewed its goals for the coming year, noting that they plan to install several benches in the parks. Funding is short, so much discussion centered on ways to raise funds for park capital equipment. There was general agreement that individuals and business are more receptive to giving to a cause that has a defined and visible purpose, so benches seemed like a good candidate for fund raising efforts. The possibility was discussed for an optional add-on to the utility bill for individuals that want to make a contribution. Mayor Wilharber thanked the Park & Rec Committee and the Planning & Zoning Commission for their hard work in the past year. The group discussed suggestions by P&Z member Montain that modified work schedules for city employees that plow snow might save money, as well as looking for other partners if Lino Lakes withdraws from the Centennial Fire District. Administrator Larson reported that work schedules are modified to save on overtime for plowing snow and building ice rinks.