August 20, 2012 Council Meeting
1. CALL TO ORDER – Acting Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL – Williamson, Widmer, Hughes. Reinhardt and Stone excused.
3. INTRODUCTIONS – Acting Mayor Hughes introduced the council and staff to the viewing public. Administrator Tolsma, Clerk Lewin.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. ADOPT AGENDA – Williamson makes a motion and Widmer seconds to adopt the agenda. All votes ayes, motion carries.
6. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA – Williamson makes a motion and Widmer seconds to adopt the consent agenda. All votes ayes, motion carries.
a. City Council Meeting Minutes from August 6, 2012
7. PUBLIC FORUM – No one.
8. PRESENTATIONS AND & GUEST SPEAKERS - None
9. PETITIONS, REQUESTS & APPLICATIONS
a. TRPD Dakota Trail Winter Use Application – Tolsma said this is an annual application. He said it’s an application to the city for winter maintenance of the trail since Three Rivers Park does not maintain the trail during the winter months. Tolsma said traditionally the city has not maintained the trail. Widmer makes a motion to not accept the winter contract. Williamson seconds. Hughes adds the City of Spring Park does not take part and directs staff to return the letter stating so. All votes ayes, motion carries.
10. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
11. REPORTS OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEES
a. Mayor and Council – Hughes said there is an LMCD meeting with the Water Patrol and bow hunting on the lake will be discussed. He said other cities are against this as well.
b. City Administrator – Tolsma gave an update on what is being worked on for future discussions and said the 2013 budget and levy discussion will be coming at the work session and for the September 4th council meeting there will be an overview of the budget and levy discussion affecting tax level. Tolsma said they are looking at keeping the levy the same so the city’s impact to property taxes shouldn’t be affected. Tolsma said a proposal has been sent to residents of Channel Road for the rain garden and they've asked for comments. Most have been favorable. Tolsma said ash trees had two different treatment methods depending upon the diameter of the tree. He said trees treated annually will be looked at again and the service will be extended to the residents who wish to treat their trees. Also the perimeter of the basketball court by the playground equipment at Thor Thompson Park will be considered. Widmer asked about Emerald Ash Borer and ash trees. Tolsma said he checked the DNR website and they are spreading closer. He said the ash borer spreads more quickly due to human transport and the moving of firewood that is infected is the problem. Hughes said regarding the annual treatment of trees, he wonders if they are the younger or older tree. Tolsma said he believes it is the younger trees under 10 inches in diameter. When they grow beyond that diameter they can move to the biannual treatment. Williamson supports offering this treatment to our residents so they have an opportunity to buy in on this treatment program. Widmer suggests in the newsletter, residents should not buy firewood from out of the area or from unreputable dealers. Widmer said some dealers are certified. Hughes wondered if the water usage would be discussed and Tolsma confirmed it will be part of the September 4th council meeting and his presentation. Tolsma said water usage and conservation efforts will be discussed. Tolsma said there is a staff meeting on Wednesday and the BCA e-charging will be discussed and the Certified Auto landscape plan.
c. City Engineer
d. City Attorney
e. Utility Superintendent
12. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
a. August 21, 2012 – LMCC – 5:30 PM – Williamson said this will be a full commission and he said it’s the adoption of the annual budget. He said within two weeks it is distributed to the cities. He said franchise renegotiation is taking place but it’s been slow and tedious.
b. August 22, 2012 – LMCD – 7:00 PM
c. August 27, 2012 – Work Session – 7:00 PM
d. September 4, 2012 – Council Meeting – 7:30 PM
e. September 5, 2012 – Police Commission – 8:00 AM – Dan said this is not a regularly scheduled meeting but it is a special meeting to discuss the impending Mound contract. Widmer wondered how the public meeting went. Tolsma said Mayor Reinhardt attended the meeting and was invited to speak about Spring Park’s experience with the Orono PD. Reinhardt said the meeting got into alleged dysfunction with staff but Mayor Hanus got it back on track.
13. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Williamson asked about the canvassing of the election and Tolsma explained because there wasn’t anything local on the ballot for the election so it isn’t necessary to canvass the primary election at the local level.
14. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATION
a. Bills & Payroll – Williamson asked about an item $2600 for tree replacement and the detail states it’s other things besides the tree. Tolsma said it was a tree damaged in a storm. Widmer said it was sheared off. Tolsma said Norling's replaced it and it’s the labor time and the replacement of the tree. Tolsma said there is money allocated for new plantings and there is money left. Williamson wondered why this tree was so costly. Tolsma said part of the labor cost was removal of the old tree. He said the tree cost was around $3-400 but it was the labor costs. Widmer said the location made it difficult too. Williamson moves approval of payment of the bills and Widmer seconds. All votes ayes, motion carries.
15. MISCELLANEOUS (Information Only)
a. July Fire Report -
16. ADJOURNMENT – 7:55 p.m. Williamson makes a motion to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. and Widmer seconds. All votes ayes, motion carries.
2. ROLL CALL – Williamson, Widmer, Hughes. Reinhardt and Stone excused.
3. INTRODUCTIONS – Acting Mayor Hughes introduced the council and staff to the viewing public. Administrator Tolsma, Clerk Lewin.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. ADOPT AGENDA – Williamson makes a motion and Widmer seconds to adopt the agenda. All votes ayes, motion carries.
6. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA – Williamson makes a motion and Widmer seconds to adopt the consent agenda. All votes ayes, motion carries.
a. City Council Meeting Minutes from August 6, 2012
7. PUBLIC FORUM – No one.
8. PRESENTATIONS AND & GUEST SPEAKERS - None
9. PETITIONS, REQUESTS & APPLICATIONS
a. TRPD Dakota Trail Winter Use Application – Tolsma said this is an annual application. He said it’s an application to the city for winter maintenance of the trail since Three Rivers Park does not maintain the trail during the winter months. Tolsma said traditionally the city has not maintained the trail. Widmer makes a motion to not accept the winter contract. Williamson seconds. Hughes adds the City of Spring Park does not take part and directs staff to return the letter stating so. All votes ayes, motion carries.
10. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
11. REPORTS OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEES
a. Mayor and Council – Hughes said there is an LMCD meeting with the Water Patrol and bow hunting on the lake will be discussed. He said other cities are against this as well.
b. City Administrator – Tolsma gave an update on what is being worked on for future discussions and said the 2013 budget and levy discussion will be coming at the work session and for the September 4th council meeting there will be an overview of the budget and levy discussion affecting tax level. Tolsma said they are looking at keeping the levy the same so the city’s impact to property taxes shouldn’t be affected. Tolsma said a proposal has been sent to residents of Channel Road for the rain garden and they've asked for comments. Most have been favorable. Tolsma said ash trees had two different treatment methods depending upon the diameter of the tree. He said trees treated annually will be looked at again and the service will be extended to the residents who wish to treat their trees. Also the perimeter of the basketball court by the playground equipment at Thor Thompson Park will be considered. Widmer asked about Emerald Ash Borer and ash trees. Tolsma said he checked the DNR website and they are spreading closer. He said the ash borer spreads more quickly due to human transport and the moving of firewood that is infected is the problem. Hughes said regarding the annual treatment of trees, he wonders if they are the younger or older tree. Tolsma said he believes it is the younger trees under 10 inches in diameter. When they grow beyond that diameter they can move to the biannual treatment. Williamson supports offering this treatment to our residents so they have an opportunity to buy in on this treatment program. Widmer suggests in the newsletter, residents should not buy firewood from out of the area or from unreputable dealers. Widmer said some dealers are certified. Hughes wondered if the water usage would be discussed and Tolsma confirmed it will be part of the September 4th council meeting and his presentation. Tolsma said water usage and conservation efforts will be discussed. Tolsma said there is a staff meeting on Wednesday and the BCA e-charging will be discussed and the Certified Auto landscape plan.
c. City Engineer
d. City Attorney
e. Utility Superintendent
12. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
a. August 21, 2012 – LMCC – 5:30 PM – Williamson said this will be a full commission and he said it’s the adoption of the annual budget. He said within two weeks it is distributed to the cities. He said franchise renegotiation is taking place but it’s been slow and tedious.
b. August 22, 2012 – LMCD – 7:00 PM
c. August 27, 2012 – Work Session – 7:00 PM
d. September 4, 2012 – Council Meeting – 7:30 PM
e. September 5, 2012 – Police Commission – 8:00 AM – Dan said this is not a regularly scheduled meeting but it is a special meeting to discuss the impending Mound contract. Widmer wondered how the public meeting went. Tolsma said Mayor Reinhardt attended the meeting and was invited to speak about Spring Park’s experience with the Orono PD. Reinhardt said the meeting got into alleged dysfunction with staff but Mayor Hanus got it back on track.
13. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Williamson asked about the canvassing of the election and Tolsma explained because there wasn’t anything local on the ballot for the election so it isn’t necessary to canvass the primary election at the local level.
14. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATION
a. Bills & Payroll – Williamson asked about an item $2600 for tree replacement and the detail states it’s other things besides the tree. Tolsma said it was a tree damaged in a storm. Widmer said it was sheared off. Tolsma said Norling's replaced it and it’s the labor time and the replacement of the tree. Tolsma said there is money allocated for new plantings and there is money left. Williamson wondered why this tree was so costly. Tolsma said part of the labor cost was removal of the old tree. He said the tree cost was around $3-400 but it was the labor costs. Widmer said the location made it difficult too. Williamson moves approval of payment of the bills and Widmer seconds. All votes ayes, motion carries.
15. MISCELLANEOUS (Information Only)
a. July Fire Report -
16. ADJOURNMENT – 7:55 p.m. Williamson makes a motion to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. and Widmer seconds. All votes ayes, motion carries.