2022-03-09 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Centerville Council Work Session & City Council Meeting Minutes December 8, 2021 Ms. Susan Vento was present at 7:36 p.m. and Council provided an opportunity to for her to address Council at this time. Ms. Vento stated that it has been several years since her last appearance before them, that Met Council also had a public hearing at their meeting this evening. She stated that Council Chambers was lovely and congratulated Council with the CityÓs Comprehensive Plan being adopted in April, 2020. She stated that they worked diligently with their Community Development staff and that they appreciated the hard work that was had regarding that project. She stated that the City was eligible to participate in the Livable Communities Program and been a number of years since the City has. She stated that she was available to discuss the program with Staff or Council if interested. She reported that there were no environmental service projects on schedule for the area but they do anticipate an interceptor improvement project and as more information comes forward it will be communicated to staff. She stated that she has been involved in a project which involved Oakdale and a portion Lake Elmo and she was impressed with both the Environmental Services Staff and Councils interactions. She stated that she serves on the Environmental Services Committee and that the Environment Services along with the U of M was instrumental in the detection of COVID waste treatment and monitoring trends. She thanked Council for teaching her the crucial role that they play. She stated that she was listening in on reducing debt, budgeting process and etc. and she has learned so much. She addressed Council Member King regarding fiscal disparities stating that a book was recently published this summer, ÐHow could you do this?Ñ 50 Years of Property-Tax-base Sharing in Minnesota. She stated that the book was written by Paul Gilje, former Associate Director of the CitizenÓs League and that she would be willing to obtain a copy for him. Ms. Vento asked if there were any concerns that the Council has. Council Member King stated that Met. Council would be receiving 800 million dollars and asked how the fund was looking. Ms. Vento stated that Waste Water Treatment is very well managed, Finance Director Ned Smith, the Waste Treatment Staff holds meetings with cities and counties. She stated that they have debt but in the process of getting that down. She stated that they are similar that they do not desire any spike increases either. Ms. Vento stated that the funding is going to transit but she would complete some research and get back to Council. Additional discussion to place regarding transit funding, projects, maintenance, refunds not to municipalities but rather funding being put into projects, rate increases, not sure about the return of work sites and what will be needed due to COVID, reduced size of routes and size of buses, fees for ridership being self-sustaining and not enough riders. Ms. Vento stated that she is not on Transportation but understands some of the information in transit. Discussion also involved the southwest light rail and it being driven by major companies, telecommuting, and that the project would not be allowed to end now. Council Member Lakso thanked for the Council taking care of critical infrastructure protection. Page 4 of 15