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