September 16, 2013 Council Meeting

  1. CALL TO ORDER
  2. ROLL CALL All council members present.
  3. INTRODUCTIONS
  4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  5. ADOPT AGENDA Motion made by Williamson, seconded by Hughes, and unanimously approved 5-0.
  6. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA Motion made by Sippel, seconded by Bren, and unanimously approved 4-0, with Hughes abstaining due to absence from Sep. 3rd council meeting.
    1. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from September 3, 2013
    2. Administration Committee Minutes from September 11, 2013
  7. PUBLIC FORUM No comments received.
  8. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS
    1. Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison Commissioner Callison informed the council that Hennepin County recently approved a .98% levy increase and that there was a slight overall decrease in the 2014 county budget. Callison also noted that projections for 2014 are also showing the first increases in property values since 2007 and that the county would be holding their truth in taxation public hearing on Nov. 26th. Council member Hughes asked Commissioner Callison if the county is expecting significant savings due to the new sales tax exemption for public entities being implemented in 2014. Callison stated that the county was indeed expecting a substantial amount of savings, although she was uncertain what the exact figure would be. Mayor Reinhardt asked about the light signal back-up power installation schedule and when Spring Park could expect to see the back-up batteries installed on Shoreline Drive. Callison noted that the back-up program for light signals is paid for through the county’s $10 wheelage tax and that she would check into when the light signals in Spring Park are scheduled for the upgrade and get back to the city. Council Member Williamson asked how Hennepin County Medical Center was doing regarding finances. Callison said that funding for HCMC is a perpetual issue and that the county is always looking at ways to improve service quality while reducing costs for taxpayers.

 

    1. Legal Consultant Mark Vyvyan Motion made by Williamson, seconded by Hughes, and unanimously approved 5-0 to go into closed session to discuss litigation strategy.

 

  1. PETITIONS, REQUESTS & APPLICATIONS
  2. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
    1. Ordinance 13-02: Alternative Energy Regulations NAC consultant Bob Kermis updated the council on the final draft of the alternative energy ordinance before the council for adoption. Kermis noted that this draft incorporated the council’s feedback from the Sep. 3rd council meeting regarding coolants for geothermal systems and noise specifications for wind turbine systems. Council member Sippel commented that he appreciated the updated language regarding the allowable coolants and that the city should look at applying the updated noise language to other mechanical and HVAC systems throughout the city. Council member Williamson recommended that the noise standard of 55 db be reduced to 45 db due to the pervasive nature of wind turbines. Mayor Reinhardt agreed that 45 db might be a better starting point if the rest of the council was comfortable with it. Sippel stated that he was ok with the 45 db level for now, although he would like more research done on what an appropriate level should be in the future. Motion made by Williamson, seconded by Hughes, and unanimously approved 5-0 to amend the noise standard to 45 db. Williamson also noted a number of small grammatical mistakes that should be corrected. Motion made by Williamson, seconded by Sippel, and unanimously approved 5-0 to change “place” to “placed” on page 7 under section c2g, to remove the second “not” on page 8 under section c3b2, and to include “in accordance with the city’s fee schedule” to section 4c on page 6, section j2 on page 8, and section 5b on page 11. Motion made by Williamson, seconded by Sippel, and unanimously approved 5-0 to adopt ordinance 13-02 with the aforementioned amendments.
  3. REPORTS OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEES
    1. Mayor and Council Mayor Reinhardt noted that administration citations, social host ordinances, and the 2014 budget are on the agenda to be discussed at the upcoming police commission meeting on Sep. 19th.
    2. City Administrator Nothing to report.
    3. City Engineer Nothing to report.
    4. City Attorney Nothing to report.
    5. Utility Superintendent Nothing to report.
  4. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
    1. September 17, 2013 – LMCC – 5:00 PM
    2. September 18, 2013 – Fire Commission – 11:00 AM
    3. September 19, 2013 – Full Police Commission – 8:00 AM
    4. September 23, 2013 – City Council Work Session – 7:00 PM
    5. September 25, 2013 – LMCD – 7:00 PM
    6. October 7, 2013 – City Council – 7:30 PM
  5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  6. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATION
    1. Bills & Payroll Motion made by Williamson, seconded by Hughes, and unanimously approved 5-0 to pay bills and payroll.
  7. MISCELLANEOUS (Information Only)
    1. Fire Department Press Release
    2. August Fire Report
    3. Orono Police Compliance Check Results
  8. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Sippel, seconded by Bren, and unanimously approved 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m.