July 1, 2013 Council Meeting
- CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Reinhardt called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
- ROLL CALL – Sippel, Williamson, Bren, Hughes, Reinhardt.
- INTRODUCTIONS – Reinhardt introduced the council and staff to the viewing public. Administrator Tolsma, Clerk Lewin, Engineer Pearson, Attorney Beck
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ADOPT AGENDA – Williamson makes a motion and Hughes seconds to adopt the agenda. All votes ayes, motion carries.
- ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA – Sippel makes a motion and Hughes seconds to adopt the consent agenda. All votes ayes, motion carries.
- City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from June 17, 2013
- City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes from June 24, 2013
- PUBLIC FORUM – No one.
- PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS None.
- PETITIONS, REQUESTS & APPLICATIONS None.
- ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS - None. Williamson wonders if liquor licenses are typically approved by the council. Lewin stated they are signed and approved by the State of Minnesota but she will check what the council's past practice has been.
- REPORTS OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEES
Mayor and Council –
· Reinhardt said she was approached by a Boy Scout wanting to do a project for Spring Park for his Eagle Scout. She said she forwarded the request to staff. Reinhardt said the project must produce public value. Hughes said he wondered if the Planning Commission acting as the park board would be interested. Williamson recommends this be brought up at their next meeting.
· Hughes said the LMCD almost issued a high water alert as the lake level is 930 plus and, if it stays at 930 for eight consecutive days, they must issue a high water warning. He said it’s recently dropped to the 929.8 mark. He said it’s still important for lake users to be considerate.
- City Administrator - Sidewalk Repair Discussion – Tolsma said Hughes raised the concern about sidewalk repair in certain areas. Hughes wondered about a change order to the streetlight project. Tolsma said this was discussed at the preconstruction meeting and discussed with Granite Ledge and they would be willing to do it but pricing is dependent upon the scope of work. Hughes asked about hiring a private contractor and bundling it all together. Hughes said the sidewalks in front of Presbyterian Homes to the Marina Center are in poor shape. Williamson said the photos dramatize the problems. He said it could be difficult for the elderly and bicyclists. He said this should be proactive and something should be done. Williamson asked if Granite Ledge is doing the concrete work or are they subcontracting it out. Tolsma said Granite Ledge would be doing their own concrete work on this project. Williamson asked if there are other areas that need repair and getting a broader view of what is out there. He wonders about curb replacement and perhaps contacting the County about this. Reinhardt said the safety concerns are important however, she is concerned about slowing up the streetlight project. Williamson said he doesn’t want to co-mingle the two projects because he thinks it should be clear what the street lights actually cost.
Tolsma said there is an annual, stand alone line item in the budget for sidewalk maintenance. He said they could bump that amount up in anticipation of this needed maintenance. Reinhardt said it might be worthwhile to hear from Spring Park’s concrete contractor to see what an estimate would be. Williamson asked about the County's involvement and Tolsma said he checked and the sidewalks are the sole maintenance of the city. Sippel said for a few sidewalk panels, it doesn’t make sense to bid it out separate but it’s worth the call for comparison. Hughes said he thinks it’s more like 15-17. Sippel said this shouldn’t slow the streetlight project because sidewalks typically come last.
- City Engineer – Nothing.
- City Attorney – Nothing. Williamson asked about the changes in state law as it may impact anything the city does. Beck said she’s going to a seminar and she’ll provide an update. Williamson asked Tolsma if he's had a chance to identify capital cost items whether in the operating fund or utility proprietary funds that are going to save money with the elimination of sales tax costs.
- Utility Superintendent – Nothing.
- UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
- July 4, 2013 – City Hall Closed
- July 5, 2013 – City Hall Closed
- July 10, 2013 – Administration Meeting – 11:00 AM – Reinhardt wonders if the summer months could be changed to 1 PM. Tolsma said it works.
- July 10, 2013 – Planning Commission – 7:00 PM
- July 10, 2013 – LMCD – 7:00 PM
- July 11, 2013 – Joint Council / MN Department of Health Staff Work Session – 7:00 PM
- July 15, 2013 – Council Meeting – 7:30 PM
- UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATION
- Bills & Payroll – Williamson makes a motion and Hughes seconds to pay the bills. All votes ayes, motion carries.
- MISCELLANEOUS (Information Only) – Reinhardt stated Orono Police have conducted compliance checks and all licensed establishments in the city passed.
- Liquor Licenses – Williamson wants to make a motion to confirm staff actions in reissuing all the liquor and cigarette licenses for on and off sale liquor to Lord Fletcher's, MGM and Tonka Grille and BBQ and Cigarette licenses. Hughes seconds. All votes ayes, motion carries.
- Cigarette License
- 2014 LMCD Adopted Budget
Hughes asked how the Norling lease for the off site building is working out. Tolsma said Goman thinks the space constraints may be difficult. Hughes wondered about signage so residents know about this alternative site. Reinhardt said she thinks since it’s temporary she doesn’t want to encourage residents to stop in thinking this is a public works facility. Williamson asked about the lease. Tolsma said the lease is twelve months starting June 1st and then renewable every three months thereafter. Williamson asked about outside storage and things that could lead to misunderstandings in the future. Sippel asked about any further research on appraisals on adjacent property and talking with the SuperAmerica site. Tolsma said that has been put to the August schedule since there is a little time now. Tolsma said July will be busy with budget items. Sippel asked about the street light preconstruction meeting and wondered about a start date. Tolsma said the hope is for the first week in August. He said the contractor doesn’t think the project will be difficult. There is an unknown about the underground wiring however. Sippel asked about noticing the county about traffic control. Tolsma said the county was at the meeting so it is being worked out.
- ADJOURNMENT – Hughes makes a motion and Bren seconds to adjourn at 8 p.m. All votes ayes, motion carries.