December 19, 2016, Council Minutes
CITY OF SPRING PARK
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
DECEMBER 19, 2016 – 7:30 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Mayor Williamson at 7:36 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Bruce Williamson, Mayor; Shirley Bren; Gary Hughes; and Megan Pavot.
Council Members Absent: Pamela Horton
Staff Present: Dan Tolsma, City Administrator; Al Brixius, City Planner; Nancy Beck, City Attorney; and Theresa Schyma, City Clerk.
Others Present: Catherine Kane Palen, Council Member-Elect; Jerry Rockvam, Mayor-Elect; and Michael Mason, resident.
3. INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Williamson introduced the City Council and staff to the public.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Mayor Williamson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. ADOPT AGENDA - Mayor Williamson announced that Items #11d-1 and #11d-2 would be moved to immediately follow Item #9a.
M/Hughes, S/Bren to adopt the agenda as amended.
Motion carried 4-0.
6. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA
a. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from December 5, 2016
b. Draft Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from December 14, 2016
M/Bren, S/Pavot to approve the Consent Agenda.
Motion carried 4-0.
7. PUBLIC FORUM – None.
8. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS – None.
9. PETITIONS, REQUESTS & APPLICATIONS
a. Back Channel Brewery & Taproom
1. Conditional Use Permit (Resolution 16-22) – City Planner Brixius provided a summary report of the application, site plan review and planning report for Back Channel Brewing Collective, 4787 Shoreline Drive. He further discussed the proposed resolution including changes that were recommended by the Planning Commission after conducting the public hearing at the Planning Commission Meeting on December 14, 2016.
Council Member Hughes questioned the outdoor lighting and noise concerns.
Matt Olson, CFO and Head Brewer of Back Channel Brewery, responded that the parking lot lights are already down-lit and should not pose a problem for surrounding residential properties.
Josh Leddy, CEO and Brewer of Back Channel Brewery, responded that there is not enough space to hold large concerts at this site and the music in the building will be on small speakers where the volume can be adjusted at any time. Furthermore, the main goal of his business is to educate customers about the brewery and its products which is difficult to do with loud music. There might be the potential in the future for one or two special events but they realize they would need to apply for a permit in those cases.
Council Member-Elect Palen, 4352 West Arm Road and Planning Commission Member, discussed the Planning Commission recommendations and discussion that occurred during the meeting on December 14.
M/Hughes, S/Bren that the following resolution be adopted and that it be made part of these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 16-22
RESOLUTION ADOPTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A BREWERY TAPROOM LOCATED AT 4787 SUNSET DRIVE WITHIN THE CITY OF SPRING PARK
Motion carried 4-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 16-22.
b. Contract for Services – Comprehensive Plan (Former Item #11d-1) – Mayor Williamson discussed the proposed contract for planning services relating to updating the Comprehensive Plan.
City Attorney Beck stated that she reviewed the contract and approved of its contents.
M/Bren, S/Pavot to approve the agreement for professional planning services regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update.
Motion carried 4-0.
c. Comprehensive Plan Committee (Former Item #11d-2) – City Planner Brixius discussed his recommendations for assembling a Comprehensive Plan Committee. He strongly recommends that the committee is no more than 10 people, that the Planning Commission is the foundation group, and to use the Planning Commission Meetings as the regular time to discuss the Comprehensive Plan. He asked the Council for direction regarding committee composition, advertising and recruitment.
Mayor Williamson stated that both the Council and Planning Commission will have changes in membership to start 2017 so the details regarding committee composition and recruitment should be delayed. He noted past processes have included soliciting for interested representatives in the paper and newsletter.
Council Member-Elect Palen asked about the time commitment for volunteers.
City Planner Brixius responded that the time commitment is the main reason why he would like to see the Planning Commission as the base of the committee. He would try to limit the number of nights and length of meetings by adding the Comprehensive Plan discussion after the regular Planning Commission Meetings. He further stated that he believes there will not be many substantial changes in the Comprehensive Plan so that should keep things moving swiftly.
Council Member Hughes stated that during the last Comprehensive Plan update there was a mixed group of residents and business owners.
Mayor-Elect Rockvam stated that City Planner Brixius has done a great job with past Comprehensive Plan updates and he would like to see him take the lead on this process. He further agreed with the suggestion of including large business owners on the committee for their input.
City Planner Brixius stated that staff would take the suggestions from tonight and bring it to the new Council in January.
10. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
a. Resolution 16-20: 2017 Property Tax Levy – Mayor Williamson provided a summary report on the proposed 2017 Property Tax Levy and the two options that were presented to Council for a 1.9% increase in the amount of $1,027,143 or a 0.9% increase in the amount of $1,017,063.
Council Member Hughes stated his concern with reducing the preliminary levy due to upcoming projects, including the Comprehensive Plan. He stated he is not in favor of reducing the preliminary tax levy.
Council Member Bren agreed with Council Member Hughes and further stated she is in favor of keeping the tax levy at 1.9%.
Mayor Williamson stated that reducing the preliminary tax levy by 1% only amounts to approximately $10,000. He stated he has a problem raising taxes when the City reserves are in good shape.
Mayor-Elect Rockvam stated that he wants to make sure that residents realize that the City doesn’t have $4 million in unobligated money currently sitting in reserves. There are approximately $3 million in bonds that need to be repaid. It is like having credit cards and eventually that money needs to be paid back.
Council Member Hughes stated that the cost of items has increased including police and recycling services. He continued that the City has a changing population and should be looking at improving the parks.
Council Member Bren agreed and stated that there are many areas in the City that can be improved but these items keep getting pushed back instead of being addressed and dealing with these issues costs money.
Council Member Pavot stated that her main concern is that the City is facing infrastructure updates. It is important to keep the City’s reserves bolstered for aging items that can no longer be repaired and will need replacement. Furthermore, the City is losing money on sewer rates that haven’t been raised in a while. She stated that she is comfortable with keeping the tax levy at 1.9%.
M/Hughes, S/Bren that the following resolution be adopted and that it be made part of these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 16-20
RESOLUTION ADOPTING FINAL TAX LEVY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,027,143
Motion carried 4-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 16-20.
b. Resolution 16-21: 2017 Budget – City Administrator Tolsma stated that no changes had been made to the budget numbers that were discussed at previous meetings.
M/Pavot, S/Bren that the following resolution be adopted and that it be made part of these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 16-21
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET
Motion carried 4-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 16-21.
11. REPORTS OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEES
a. Mayor and Council – Mayor Williamson provided details from the most recent Lake Minnetonka Cable Commission (LMCC) meeting.
Council Member Hughes provided an update from the most recent Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) meeting and details regarding the LMCD watercraft inspection program.
Council Member Bren stated that she has enjoyed her time on the City Council and that is has been a wonderful learning experience. She thanked the other council members for their support and wished the new Council well.
b. City Administrator – None
c. City Engineer – None.
d. City Planner – None.
1. Contract for Services – Comprehensive Plan – moved to Item #9b.
2. Comprehensive Plan Committee – moved to Item #9c.
e. City Attorney – None.
f. Public Works – None.
12. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
a. December 28 – LMCD – 7:00 PM - CANCELLED
b. January 3 (Tuesday) – Regular Council Meeting – 7:30 PM
Council Member Hughes stated the December 28 LMCD Meeting has been cancelled.
Mayor Williamson announced that there will not be a work session on December 27.
13. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None.
14. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATION
a. Bills & Payroll
M/Hughes, S/Bren to approve the bills & payroll.
Motion carried 4-0.
15. MISCELLANEOUS (Information Only)
a. Mound FD Monthly Report
b. PeopleService Monthly Report
Mayor Williamson and Mayor-Elect Rockvam noted the exceptional detail that was provided in the PeopleService Monthly Report. The report will become even more beneficial over time since these are statistics that the City has never had before.
Mayor Williamson stated that he has enjoyed serving as mayor for the past two years. He complimented the other council members and staff for their cooperation during his term. He added that he will continue to find ways to contribute to the community in other roles.
16. ADJOURNMENT
M/Hughes, S/Bren to adjourn the City Council Meeting at 9:23 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0.
Date Approved: January 3, 2017
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Theresa Schyma, City Clerk
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Dan Tolsma, City Administrator