August 6, 2018 Council Minutes
CITY OF SPRING PARK
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
AUGUST 6, 2018 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rockvam at 7:05 p.m.
Council Members Present: Jerome P. Rockvam, Mayor; Pamela Horton; Gary Hughes, Catherine Kane Palen; and Megan Pavot
Staff Present: Dan Tolsma, City Administrator 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. Work Session Meeting Minutes from July 16, 2018
b. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from July 16, 2018
c. Special Event Application No. 18-07 SP-EV and Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for Back Channel Brewery for event on August 29th
M/Pavot, S/Kane Palen to adopt the Consent Agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
5. PUBLIC FORUM – None
6. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS – None
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, & APPLICATIONS – None
9. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
a. Ordinance 18-03: Amending Water & Sewer Utility Rates
Mayor Rockvam stated that over the past several months the City Council has researched utility rates and worked diligently with staff find a workable formula that will restore water and sewer funds while having as little impact on residents as possible. He added that the utility rates have not seen an increase since approximately 2006.
City Administrator Tolsma provided a summary about the water and sewer funds and described the need for adjustments. He spoke about the numbers from audited statements of the past five years that show the sewer fund has been losing approximately $75,000 per year during that time and that the water fund is barely breaking even. He further added that the sewer fund is used for significant capital projects so that fund needs the larger correction of the two. This rate schedule should bring the water and sewer funds into a good long-term position.
Council Member Hughes asked how the new water treatment plant factors into increased costs.
City Administrator Tolsma responded that the City has not been through a full annual cycle for billing yet so the audit for 2018 will give a good indication as to what the increased costs will be.
Mayor Rockvam stated that he is hopeful this increase will also keep the Council on a schedule to review rates on an annual basis.
Council Member Pavot noted the change in billing for multi-family housing; those buildings will now be billed using an average based on number of units so that they will not get penalized by hitting the higher tier so quickly.
M/Horton, S/Hughes to approve Ordinance No. 18-03, amending and restating Appendix A of the Spring Park City Code regarding schedule of fees and charges, that it be published in the official newspaper, and that it be made part of these minutes.
Mayor Rockvam requested a roll call vote.
Motion carried 5-0. (Pavot, Hughes, Horton, Kane Palen, Rockvam – ayes)
10. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
a. Mayor & Council – Mayor Rockvam brought up the concern of a resident about installing a crosswalk near the Marina Shopping Center on Shoreline Drive (CR 15) due to safety concerns.
City Administrator Tolsma responded that the City met with Hennepin County staff a few years ago about potential crosswalks in the city. He stated that Hennepin County had a new policy in place at the time and that area did not meet their threshold for a push-button crosswalk. The City will go back to Hennepin County to see if they have updated their policies and to also to have them recalculate the area since pedestrian traffic has increased due to the new brewery and other activities which contribute to safety concerns.
Mayor Rockvam stated that there are two pedestrian push-button crossings in Orono that are extremely close together and that are only used during the summer months since they are placed near boat clubs. A precedent has been set with those crosswalks so he doesn’t understand Hennepin County’s response stating there isn’t enough traffic to justify push-button crosswalks on Shoreline Drive which is extremely busy and difficult for pedestrians to cross. He added that this is a safety issue which cannot be ignored because somebody will eventually get hurt.
Council Member Kane Palen stated that it isn’t just a Thursday night traffic issue since people need to cross Shoreline Drive to access buses and it is a safety issue.
Council Member Horton asked if staff could look into grant money to help fund a push-button crosswalk if Hennepin County states that the City will need to cover some costs.
Mayor Rockvam asked if there is a schedule for painting the fire hydrants.
City Administrator Tolsma responded that the City does not have a schedule for painting but while the hydrants are being flushed they are inspected and notes are made about when they should be repainted.
Mayor Rockvam discussed the historical plaques at City Hall and at the City’s two parks. He added that he was hopeful that the plaque at Wilkes Park would have the nickname of Don Wilkes on it since everybody in town knew him as “Porky.”
Council Member Hughes asked about the restoration of the roads after fiber optic cable companies dig into City streets to bury their lines. He added that these companies have left large holes without repair and they need to restore the area when they are finished with their work.
City Administrator Tolsma responded that he has spoken with Public Works Operator Wilson about the issue and stated he will be more involved in the process to ensure that the streets are restored in those areas.
b. City Staff – None
c. Contract Staff – None
11. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS – None
12. CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
a. August 6, 2018 Claims
M/Kane Palen, S/Horton to approve all claims for payment.
Motion carried 5-0.
13. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
a. August 8 – Planning Commission – 7:00 PM
b. August 8 – LMCD Work Session at 6:00 PM with Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM
c. August 9 – LMCC – 7:00 PM
d. August 20 – City Council Work Session – 6:00 PM
e. August 20 – Regular City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM
f. August (date TBD) – Administration Committee – 12:00 PM
Mayor Rockvam asked about the Administration Committee Meeting in August.
City Administrator Tolsma responded that the meeting will need to be rescheduled to a later date to be determined due to the Primary Election on August 14.
14. MISCELLANEOUS (INFORMATION ONLY)
Shirley Bren, 3935 Mapleton Avenue, asked Council and staff to look into the chipped paint and other damage at the bottom of the City’s light posts which were damaged during snowplowing season.
15. ADJOURNMENT
M/Hughes, S/Horton to adjourn the City Council Meeting at 7:37 p.m.
Motion carried 5-0.
Date Approved: August 20, 2018
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Dan Tolsma, City Administrator
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Theresa Schyma, City Clerk