Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-21 CC MINAter! INE IIRTN /LACE Of YtNN EOOTO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 21, 2014 REGULAR MEETING Mayor Harycki called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 7:00 P.M. Present: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Harycki Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Finance Director Harrison Police Captain Meredith Deputy Fire Chief Ballis Community Development Director Turnblad Public Works Director Sanders Public Works Superintendent Moore City Clerk Ward PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Harycki led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of January 7 2014 regular and recessed meeting minutes Motion by Councilmember Kozlowski, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to approve the January 7, 2014 regular and recessed meeting minutes. All in favor. PETITIONS, INDIVIDUALS, DELEGATIONS & COMMENDATIONS CVB Presentation - Tiki Oswald Tiki Oswald, outgoing president of the CVB, presented the Stillwater /Oak Park Heights Convention & Visitor Bureau Annual Report. Barb Truman, marketing director for the CVB, explained marketing and advertising highlights for 2013, including analysis of web site views, distribution of the Stillwater Visitor Guidebook, and promotion of weddings and meetings. Christie Rosckes, Fresh Avenue Marketing, explained the monthly e- newsletter, media and social media management. She summarized CVB marketing goals for 2014. Antonio Rossini, incoming CVB president, thanked the Council for its support. City Council Meeting January 21, 2014 City Administrator Hansen thanked the CVB representatives for the clean audit report submitted. Councilmember Menikheim commended the CVB for its work promoting the City. Councilmember Weidner asked if there is any measurement of the program's success other than tracking web site visits and he would like to know whether occupancy of B & Bs increased. Mr. Rossini replied that it is difficult to track exactly how many people visit the City, though lodging statistics indicate Stillwater is above average for the State. Ms. Truman referred to the lodging tax report, Google Analytics and the State of Minnesota Office of Tourism for statistics. Councilmember Kozlowski stated that statistics he gathered indicate that B & B occupancy is UP. City Administrator Hansen added that B & Bs generate 21 -22% of lodging taxes collected. Councilmember Polehna asked how the CVB will market the new trail and other new downtown amenities. Ms. Truman replied that the CVB will promote the new bike trail and the bridge, conveying that visitors can still come to Stillwater during construction. Downtown Revitalization Committee Update - Todd Streeter Todd Streeter, Greater Stillwater Chamber, briefly reviewed the Downtown Revitalization Committee's work over the past 18 months and the scope of work planned for 2014. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. STAFF REPORTS Community Development Director Turnblad presented the Community Development Annual Report and reviewed the 2014 -2015 Work Plan. Public Works Director Sanders reported that MnDOT has decided that closing Highway 95 for two weeks to facilitate construction of the Loop Trail would not be a good idea for the summer months, so construction of the trail south of the City will be delayed till the summer of 2016. Public Works Superintendent Moore gave an overview of improvements done in 2012 -2013 in Lowell Park and proposed for 2014. Mayor Harycki recognized Finance Director Harrison and the Finance Department for receiving a Government Finance Officers Association Award. The Department has been receiving this award for over 20 years. City Administrator Hansen reported that a meeting with Congresswoman McCollum is scheduled for tomorrow to discuss Senate approval of the funding for the Armory. CONSENT AGENDA Resolution 2014 -015, directing payment of bills Resolution 2014 -016, approving Fiber Joint Powers Agreement between Washington County and the City of Stillwater Resolution 2014 -017, approving license to use real property — HHW Day, Saturday, May 17, 2014 Resolution 2014 -018, approval of Forestry Consultant Contract for 2014 Page 2 of 6 City Council Meeting January 21, 2014 Possible approval to purchase GPS Tracking System — Public Works Possible approval to purchase John Deere 1025R Tractor — Public Works Possible approval to purchase Bobcat 590 Skid Steer — Public Works Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adopt the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Harycki Nays: None PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Possible second reading of Ordinance 1063 an ordinance amending Chapter 56 of the Stillwater City Code taxes and assessments, Section 56 -5, Local Lod in Tax Tom Lynum of the Sauntry Mansion Bed & Breakfast reiterated his request to reduce the lodging tax on small properties from 3% to 1 %. He stated he had received severe reaction to comments by others claiming that B & Bs are going away. To refute this, he provided some B & B history and stated the B & Bs contribute to the community in many ways and have low impact on City services. Erin Drews of the Ann Bean Mansion Bed & Breakfast summarized free web -based promotional opportunities including Facebook pages, blogs, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Trip Advisor web site users consistently rate Stillwater B & Bs at 97% or higher. B & B owners view themselves as ambassadors for Stillwater. Together with the sales tax, the lodging tax boosts taxes over 10% which seems to be an undesirable threshold for guests. Councilmember Kozlowski asked if B & B owners feel the lodging tax is keeping guests away. Mr. Lynum responded that B & Bs try to make sure their customers get maximum value for their stay. Councilmember Polehna remarked that he does not feel people avoid Stillwater due to the lodging tax. He believes positive reviews on websites like Trip Advisor impact customer choices more than the lodging tax. Mayor Harycki remarked there is a benefit to having a vital downtown and activities for visitors to see and do, and the CVB helps achieve this. Councilmember Menikheim stated the Council must represent the majority of the City. He believes the majority of the City supports the lodging tax. Mr. Lynum noted that if the lodging tax went from 3% to 1% for small properties, other B & Bs could still charge 3% if they wanted. Jerry Helmberger of the Aurora Staples Bed & Breakfast stated he was opposed to the formation of the CVB but once it was established, he joined as a board member. If there were no lodging tax today he would argue against it. He believes the CVB does its work and supports it, but is opposed to taxes. Not all small properties in Stillwater would be opposed to the lodging tax remaining at 3%. Page 3 of 6 City Council Meeting January 21, 2014 Antonio Rossini of the Lexington Hotel and CVB president, offered to answer any questions. Councilmember Kozlowski asked for a breakdown of room bookings, large versus small properties, so that everyone could see the tangible value of the CVB's work. Finance Director Harrison shared that from 2012 to 2013, the City saw a 13% increase in occupancy rates for B & Bs in the first quarter of each year and a 10% increase in the second quarter, while third quarter saw a decrease. The same holds for the hotels, but for them the third quarter was up. Overall, occupancy rates rose by 13 %, 11 % and 11 % for the three quarters of the year. This is based on tax revenues and does not account for any increase in rates. Mr. Lynum offered to help put together any analysis that the Council would like to see compiled. City Attorney Magnuson noted that at the Council's direction, the Ordinance language changed from the previous reading, and now covers three years, sun setting January 31, 2017. Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adopt Ordinance 1063, an ordinance amending Chapter 56 of the Stillwater City Code, taxes and assessments, Section 56 -5, Local Lodging Tax. Councilmember Weidner commended the CVB and stated he is not convinced a reduction in the lodging tax would have a positive effect, nor is he sure the existing 3% lodging tax has a negative effect. He feels the B & Bs play a great role in the City's architectural and historical appeal to visitors. Councilmember Kozlowski stated he would not want the ordinance to have a negative impact on businesses. He would like to focus more on how the City can support B & Bs. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Harycki Nays: None NEW BUSINESS Possible approval of BWBR proposal for the next phase of Fire Station design services Community Development Director Turnblad informed the Council that staff is in the process of getting a bid proposal for design services. It will be brought back to the Council on February 4. Possible approval of 2014 Fee Schedule for services /publications and Administrative Citations Fines City Clerk Ward presented a recommended 2014 Fee Schedule reflecting increases in Sewer and Water Hookups, Development Fees, and Trunk Sewer and Water, based on the Construction Cost Index. Motion by Councilmember Kozlowski, seconded by Councilmember Menikheim, to adopt Resolution 2014 -019, 2014 Fee Schedule. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Harycki Nays: None Possible approval of resolution vacating street treet City Attorney Magnuson explained the vacation will eliminate a flaw on the title for the property owner and is of no benefit to the City to retain the right of way through this property. Page 4 of 6 City Council Meeting January 21, 2014 Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Kozlowski, to adopt Resolution 2014 -020, a resolution vacating a public right of way Block One (1) Thompson, Parker and Mower's Second Addition to Stillwater Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, Polehna, Mayor Harycki Nays: None Discussion on Community Resource Officer - Police Department Captain Meredith reminded the Council that in February 2013, the Council authorized the Community Resource Officer (CRO) position on a part-time, 100 -day hire basis. The CRO has been hired as a police officer, so the position is now vacant. The position has proved to be invaluable, and the Department is requesting permission to make it a full -time position. City Administrator Hansen stated there are some cost savings because the police officer hired will start at a much lower rate than the officer he is replacing. He supports the request. Councilmember Weidner asked why the position needs to be increased from part-time to full - time when the part-time position worked well. Police Chief Gannaway (arrived at 9:22 p.m.) and replied that the position has proven itself to be needed on a full -time basis, especially the investigative aid that is involved. It would make existing staff more efficient in terms of code enforcement, investigations, and other staff roles. Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Kozlowski, to approve the position as written. All in favor. COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS Councilmember Polehna asked that the Parks Commission be assigned to come up with names for the Barge Terminal Property, Hersey Bean Property and Aiple Property. Councilmember Menikheim again asked about the status of the signing of the contract for the summer event and also of hiring the Event Coordinator. City Administrator Hansen replied there is a meeting with The Locals on Tuesday, January 28 and he hopes to get the contract signed at that time. He plans to finalize the Event Coordinator job description this week and get it distributed. Councilmember Weidner noted that the Planning Commission discussed moving its regular meetings from Monday to Wednesday to provide additional time to review their packets. Community Development Director Turnblad stated it could be moved to the second Wednesday of the month, but the Commission may lose a person or two. He would like to talk again with the Commission, and if they want to move it to Wednesday, he will bring it back to Council to approve rescheduling. Councilmember Weidner suggested the Council consider amending seasonal vending permit regulations to give the City more aesthetic control over the type of trailer used. Community Development Director replied that the issue could be brought to the Planning and Heritage Preservation Commissions to discuss creating a design permit review process for temporary vending carts. Councilmember Menikheim inquired when the next Council retreat might be and City Administrator Hansen replied that he will start trying to schedule a Council retreat. Councilmember Polehna remarked that a retreat for Council to sit and talk is beneficial. Mayor Page 5 of 6 City Council Meeting January 21, 2014 Harycki encouraged Councilmembers to participate and clear calendars for the time of the retreat. Mayor Harycki stated at the next 4:30 Council meeting there will be discussion on the request for extension of the Orderly Annexation Agreement to provide Council's decision to the Joint Board. VVMII11.701u 1 D1011 Motion by Councilmember Kozlowski, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adjourn the meeting at 9:38 p.m. All in favor. /� -- Ken ATTEST: 2 / (: I ,Gr%�Z -� O� /Z � Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2014 -016, Approving Fiber Joint Powers Agreement between Washington County and the City of Stillwater Resolution 2014 -017, Approving license to use real property Resolution 2014 -018, Approval of Forestry Consultant Contract for 2014 Resolution 2014 -019, 2014 Fee Schedule Resolution 2014 -020, a resolution vacating a public right of way Block One (1) Thompson, Parker and Mower's Second Addition to Stillwater Ordinance 1063, an ordinance amending Chapter 56 of the Stillwater City Code, taxes and assessments, Section 56 -5, Local Lodging Tax Page 6of6