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<br /> <br /> <br />City Council 2007-05-23, 8:45 p.m. <br />Minutes of Work Session <br /> <br />Present were Mayor Mary Capra, Council members Michelle Lakso, Linda Broussard- <br />Vickers, Jeff Paar, and Tom Lee. Also present were City Attorney Kurt Glaser and City <br />Engineer Mark Statz. <br /> <br />City Attorney Glaser reviewed the status of the developer agreement with Beard Group <br />for downtown redevelopment. He indicated that staff had met with the developer and <br />their attorney last Thursday and had worked out nearly all of the outstanding issues. <br />Glaser suggested that the Council schedule a work session to meet with the developer and <br />get a report on the major provisions of the agreement. Then the developer could be <br />excused and the Council could freely discuss the issues and costs to the City. An <br />additional follow-up work session may be needed be to make sure all of the council <br />concerns are addressed. It is hoped that the agreement could be ready for approval by the <br />end of June. <br /> <br />The Council discussed the utility rates and a report prepared by John Meyer, Finance <br />Director. Meyer suggested that rates do not need to be raised at this time. While the <br />operating revenue does not fully cover all of the operating costs, interest and other <br />income do cover costs and provide a slight increase in retained earnings. The Council <br />expressed concern that not fully covering all of the operating costs could be a problem <br />later if interest income should drop. Staff was directed to budget for small increase for <br />2008 in order to avoid larger increases later. In the area of stormwater utility charges, it <br />was suggested that the rates for commercial and industrial properties should be modified <br />to better recognize the amount of impervious surface. This will be addressed as the <br />budget is prepared for 2008. <br /> <br />Administrator Larson presented options for sign types and possible locations for <br />community entry-welcome signs. This is one of the Council goals for 2007. It was <br />suggested that four signs might be constructed at the major entrances of the City. <br />Specifically they are on the east and west edges of the city along CSAH 14 and on the <br />south edge of the City along CSAH 21 and CSAH 54. Also recommended would be an <br />upgrade to the City Hall sign to include an electronic message board. A budget estimate <br />was presented indicating that these signs could cost between $25,000 and $35,000 each <br />depending on the sign type selected and whether they would be lighted. <br /> <br />Adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m. <br /> <br />Dallas Larson <br />City Administrator <br />