March 18, 2013 Council Meeting

  1. CALL TO ORDER – Acting Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
  2. ROLL CALL – Sippel, Bren, Hughes, Williamson. Reinhardt excues.
  3. INTRODUCTIONS – Williamson introduced the council and staff to the viewing public.  Administrator Tolsma, Clerk Lewin, Attorney Beck.
  4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -
  5. ADOPT AGENDAHughes makes a motion and Sippel seconds to adopt the agenda.  All votes ayes, motion carries.
  6. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDASippel makes a motion and Hughes seconds to adopt the consent agenda.  All votes ayes, motion carries.
    1. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from March 4, 2013
    2. City Council Special Meeting Minutes from March 11, 2013
    3. Accept Administration Committee Minutes from March 13, 2013
    4. Accept Planning Commission Minutes from March 13, 2013
  7. PUBLIC FORUM – No one.
  8. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS – No one.
  9. PETITIONS, REQUESTS & APPLICATIONS – None.
  10. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS -
    1. Ordinance 13-01: Variance Criteria – Beck said she provided a memo on this.  She said in 2011 the criteria for granting of variances was amended.  She said undo hardship was interpreted strictly and requiring property owners to show they could put their property to no other reasonable use and it was decided it was too restrictive.  They’ve changed the language to practical difficulties.  She said the Planning Commission reviewed this ordinance and a public hearing was held.  She said they recommended approval.  Sippel asked if part of this was already adopted.  Beck said it was previously discussed but it got dropped somewhere along the way.  Hughes said he remembers something about practical use.  Williamson said he recalls advisories from the League and as a practical matter the standard was applied.  Beck said the city has been complying but now it’s bringing the code current.  Hughes moves to accept Ordinance 13-01 and Sippel seconds.  All votes ayes, motion carries.
    2. Resolution 13-14: Reimbursing Resolution – Williamson said this is to consider alternate forms of financing, specifically bonding for major projects.  He said this was done about two years ago when there were several projects.  He said while it’s not efficient to finance multiple projects, they rolled projects together.  Low interest rates were taken advantage of.  He said this takes the street light project and reserves the right to finance in the future.  He said there are reserve funds to pay for this project.  Williamson said this reservation is good for about three years but it’s doubtful this will be stretched out that long; it’s an option.  Sippel wonders about the time frame to act on this.  He prefers something more specific.  Williamson thinks the three years comes from Ehlers.  Williamson said the bonds would be tax free and its governed by IRS regulations.  Sippel moves adoption and Bren seconds.  All votes ayes, motion carries.

 

  1. REPORTS OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEES -
    1. Mayor and Council – Williamson said there was a recent news item from another city regarding a fire where the fire department showed up and the first hydrant failed.  He said another hydrant had to be used. He said his concern is regarding flushing of the hydrants.  He would like to pursue this and make sure the hydrants are being flushed  as he wants to avoid malfunctioning hydrants.  Williamson would like to have a flushing schedule in order to keep tabs on this.  Williamson clarifies the news article was referring to private hydrants and he wants to make sure private hydrants are inspected too.  Hughes would like something in the newsletter that hydrants are considered dry hydrants.  If someone backs into a hydrant, the city would rather be notified about this rather than ignoring it.

Hughes – LMCD – said the last meeting spoke about $75K and $35K attached to the AIS report.  He said funding was dropped from the report.  Twelve cities voted to drop all of the funding and only two wanted it to remain.  Williamson asked what is the next step.  Hughes said it can be brought up as a budget item. 

    1. City Administrator – Nothing.
    2. City Engineer – Nothing.
    3. City Attorney – Nothing.
    4. Utility Superintendent – Nothing.
  1. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
    1. March 19, 2013 – LMCC – 5:00 PM
    2. March 25, 2013 – City Council Work Session – 7:00 PM – Williamson said color selection will be discussed for light poles, Lord Fletcher’s Oktoberfest event and the Tour de Tonka event. 
    3. March 27, 2013 – Police Commission (Full) – 8:00 AM
    4. March 27, 2013 – LMCD – 7:00 PM
    5. April 1, 2013 – City Council – 7:30 PM
  2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  3. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATION
    1. Bills & Payroll – Nothing additional.  Hughes moves and Bren seconds to pay the bills.  All votes ayes, motion carries.
  4. MISCELLANEOUS (Information Only)
    1. MNSPECT Minute
    2. February Fire Report
  5. ADJOURNMENTSippel makes a motion and Hughes seconds to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.  All votes ayes, motion carries.