September 16, 2019 Council Minutes

CITY OF SPRING PARK
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL

1. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rockvam at 7:17 p.m.

Council Members Present: Jerome P. Rockvam, Mayor; Gary Hughes; Pamela Horton; Catherine Kane Palen; and Megan Pavot 

Staff Present: Dan Tolsma, City Administrator; Brian Hare, City Engineer; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; and Theresa Schyma, City Clerk

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Rockvam led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ADOPT MEETING AGENDA

M/Hughes, S/Horton to adopt the meeting agenda.

Motion carried 5-0.

4. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA
a. City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes from August 19, 2019
b. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from August 19, 2019
c. Ordinance 19-01: Amending Chapter 1 Related to Administrative Fines
d. Ordinance 19-02: Amending Chapter 8 Related to Dog Licenses
e. Ordinance 19-03: Amending Chapter 13 Related to Mobile Food Units
f. Ordinance 19-04: Amending Chapter 12 Related to Tobacco
g. Resolution 19-14: Approving Summary Publication of Ordinance 19-04
h. Resolution 19-15: Approving Local Water Management Plan

City Administrator Tolsma gave a summary of the proposed ordinances. He stated that the Tobacco 21 issue will be discussed at a future Police Commission Meeting.

Mayor Rockvam stated that all cities services by the Orono Police Department should have the same age requirements in regards to tobacco purchases for consistent enforcement.

M/Pavot, S/Kane Palen to adopt the Consent Agenda Items #4A-4G and to remove Item #4h from the agenda to be considered at a future meeting.

Motion carried 5-0.

5. PUBLIC FORUM

Michael Mason, 3950 Del Otero Avenue, stated that pull tabs were recently approved at a Council meeting and wanted to know how much of that money the City of Spring Park will receive hoping that it could offset some budget items.

Mayor Rockvam asked if the City could set a higher license fee.

City Administrator Tolsma stated there is a state mandate as to how much a city can charge for these licenses. He added that the pull tab license that was approved is not a money-making enterprise for this organization; the money raised goes to local charities.

6. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS – None.

7. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.

8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, & APPLICATIONS – None.

9. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
a. Resolution 19-16: Approving Preliminary Levy

City Administrator Tolsma spoke briefly about the process of certifying the preliminary tax levy at 5.4% for $1,128,501. He added that the Truth in Taxation hearing should occur at the December 2, 2019 City Council meeting and the final levy needs to be adopted no later than December 28, 2019.

Council Member Pavot stated that 2.9% of the increase was due to police and fire service increases.

City Administrator Tolsma discussed how public safety increases impact the overall budget.

Mayor Rockvam stated that if the City of Orono was the City’s public works provider then snow plowing service wouldn’t have to be factored into the budget anymore. He believes this option should be considered.

M/Pavot, S/Horton that the following resolution be adopted and that it be made part of these minutes:

RESOLUTION NO. 19-16

RESOLUTION ADOPTING 2020 PROPOSED TAX LEVY

Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 19-16.

M/Hughes, S/Pavot to set the Truth in Taxation Hearing for December 2, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion carried 5-0.

10. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
a. Mayor & Council

Mayor Rockvam presented Council Member Kane Palen with a certificate of appreciation for her service to the City of Spring Park.

Council Member Kane Palen thanked the Council and wanted to speak about the proposed rental ordinances that she believes are important to the City of Spring Park. She asked the Council to seriously consider the long-term rental ordinance that the Planning Commission is currently reviewing. She believes the City should be protecting its residents especially considering the health and safety impacts.

Mayor Rockvam announced the vacancy on the Council and asked interested residents to contact staff for more information.

Council Member Pavot requested an update on outdoor storage enforcement.

City Administrator Tolsma provided an update including that staff have received approximately 30 complaints and that there has been great progress since most complaints have been resolved/closed. He added that surprisingly a lot of people were thankful to have a consistent process in place when they were required to clean-up their properties. He stated that there are a few difficult enforcement and clean-up situations that are going to take more time and investment since the owners have refused to bring their properties into compliance. He further described the enforcement process.

City Attorney Tietjen discussed the administrative citation ordinance and the assessment process that follows.

b. City Staff – None.

c. Contract Staff – None.

11. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS
a. Purchase Order 19-01: Wilkes Park Playground Improvements

City Administrator Tolsma gave a brief summary of the proposed Wilkes Park Playground improvements.

Council Member Kane Palen asked about the standing water issue at Thor Thompson Park.

City Administrator Tolsma responded that Norling’s has had it on their schedule to complete the restoration on that playground. He added that it is a challenge to find the most favorable time of year to reestablish the sod but that it is on the schedule.

Mayor Rockvam discussed a grading issue at a residential property on Del Otero Avenue.

City Administrator Tolsma responded that there have not been any projects on Del Otero Avenue related to grading changes; he added that the biggest problem is elevation. He stated that a number of streets have the same issue because there is no storm sewer and curb and gutter which are typically the best option to resolve those kinds of issues.

Mayor Rockvam stated he believes that a lot can be accomplished with swales and wants to find a permanent resolution for the resident on Del Otero Avenue.

M/Hughes, S/Horton to approve Purchase Order 19-01 for Wilkes Park Playground Improvements.

Motion carried 5-0.

12. CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
a. September 16, 2019 Claims

M/Kane Palen, S/Pavot to approve all claims for payment.

Motion carried 5-0.

13. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
a. September 18 – Police Commission Meeting – 8:00 AM
b. September 25 – LMCD Work Session at 6:00 PM with Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM
c. October 7 – Regular City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM

14. MISCELLANEOUS (INFORMATION ONLY)
a. Mound Fire Department August Report
b. Mound Fire Department Press Release
c. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events Flyer

15. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:10 p.m.

Date Approved: October 7, 2019

_________________________
Dan Tolsma, City Administrator

_________________________
Theresa Schyma, City Clerk