February 3, 2014 Council Meeting

  1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Reinhardt called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
  2. ROLL CALL – Sippel, Williamson, Bren, Hughes, Reinhardt
  3. INTRODUCTIONS – Reinhardt introduced the council and staff to the public.  Administrator Tolsma, Clerk Lewin, Attorney Beck.
  4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  5. ADOPT AGENDA – Williamson makes a motion and Hughes seconds to adopt the agenda.  All votes ayes, motion carries.
  6. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA – Bren makes a motion and Williamson seconds to adopt the consent agenda.  All votes ayes, motion carries.
    1. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from January 21, 2014
    2. Work Session Minutes from January 27, 2014
  7. PUBLIC FORUM – No one.
  8. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS – None.
  9. PETITIONS, REQUESTS & APPLICATIONS – None.
  10. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
    1. Resolution 14-08: WeCAN Support for CDBG Application –

Reinhardt explained this is support for a grant application.  She said it’s an organization that helps those in need.  She said it’s not money coming from the city it’s coming through a consolidated pool from the county.  Williamson makes a motion to adopt Resolution 14-08 and Hughes seconds. Williamson said these dollars don’t come from tax dollars and it’s a consortium of communities to combine resources for area-wide benefit.  All votes ayes, motion carries.

  1. REPORTS OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEES
    1. Mayor and Council –

·         Reinhardt has nothing. 

·         Hughes has a small presentation from the HC Sheriff Department to the LMCD.  He said vehicles through the ice for the 2012-13 season, 23 of 25 were on Lake Minnetonka.  He said the figures in the presentation are representative of weather driven days - nice days and not nice days.  Hughes said the number of hours are for calendar years and the HC Water Patrol on Lake Minnetonka has increased their hours year round.  Hughes said citations are down and this is also weather related for Lake Minnetonka.  He said the last slide is illustrative of the number of safety presentations county wide.  Hughes said lastly there are three air boats, one being an 18 foot air boat dedicated to Lake Minnetonka.

    1. City Administrator

                                          i.    Liability Waiver –

Tolsma said this is an annual statutory liability waiver form.  He said traditionally the council elects to not waive the statutory limits.  This includes a memo from the League explaining the limits in place.  He said the City’s excessive liability coverage is two million dollars and it’s a nice safety net for the city.  Williamson moves to select the option that the city does not waive the monetary limits of municipal tort liability and Hughes seconds.  All votes ayes, motion carries.

                                        ii.    Orono Comprehensive Plan Amendment - Request for Comments –

Tolsma explained the City of Orono requests adjacent jurisdictions to review their recent Comprehensive Plan amendment regarding the Lakeview Golf Course rezoning to rural residential.  He said this is an opportunity for comment.  Tolsma said he asked Brixius to share comments and Brixius feels Spring Park is unaffected by the changes they are proposing and doesn’t need to comment.  This is not due until March so it can be delayed or it can be submitted back.  Williamson said it’s a two part project, one being in Minnetrista and one being in Orono.  He said Orono made a mistake by not keeping an eye on the Comprehensive Plan with anticipated changes because the Comprehensive Plan trumps the zoning.  He said now this development proposal has come forward so it effects a Comprehensive Plan change.  He wonders about 55 private wells being proposed and whether that has projected future impact on the water table and the aquifer.  He said there is no sewer problem as each property will have their own private system.  He said traffic shouldn’t be significantly different between the golf course and the new development. However, he is concerned about the water quality and would like affirmation in the record that there will not be a negative impact.  He wants to delay this to a future meeting.  Reinhardt asked Tolsma to follow up on this concern.  Williamson said there is a conflict of interest because Brixius is working with Orono on this Comprehensive Plan amendment.  Sippel said he also shares these concerns and the lack of metro sewer connection in that close proximity to the lake.  He wonders if the city could recommend the development be connected to the wastewater treatment facility.  Reinhardt agrees with both concerns and feels the same. 

    1. City Engineer – Nothing.
    2. City Attorney – Nothing.
    3. Utility Superintendent – Nothing.
  1. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
    1. February 12 – Administration Committee – 1:00 PM
    2. February 12 – LMCD – 7:00 PM
    3. February 12 – Planning Commission – 7:00 PM
    4. February 18 (Tuesday) – City Council – 7:30 PM – Reinhardt said it’s noted there might be some council absences for this meeting so there is concern about a quorum.  Williamson said he wonders about canceling the second meeting in February and post the work session instead.  Reinhardt agrees.  Williamson makes the motion to cancel the February 18th council meeting and take up any business at the following work session.  Reinhardt seconds.  All votes ayes, motion carries.
  2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None.
  3. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATION
    1. Bills & Payroll – Hughes makes a motion and Sippel seconds to pay the bills.  Sippel asked about bids for hanging flags and banners.  He said he’s amazed every time.  Williamson said there have been times in the past when they’ve borrowed Mound’s equipment.  Williamson agrees it’s a lot of money.  He said they’ve tried to combine put up and take downs together.  Reinhardt agrees that this should be bid out.  All votes ayes, motion carries. 
  4. MISCELLANEOUS (Information Only)
  5. ADJOURNMENT – Williamson makes a motion and Hughes seconds to adjourn at 7:51 pm.  All votes ayes, motion carries.