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Home My WebLink About2002-11-19 CC MIN CITY OF STILLWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING NO. 02-24 November 19, 2002 4:30 P,M. WORKSHOP Mayor Kimble called the meeting to order at 4:30 P.M. Present: Councilmembers Bealka, Milbrandt, Rheinberger, Zoller (arrived at 4:40) and Mayor Kimble None Absent: Others Present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Police Chief Dauffenbach Fire Chief Kallestad Public Works Director Eckles City Clerk Ward OTHER BUSINESS Request to put SnowMn in front of Alfresco Casual Livinq (formal action at 7:00 p.m.) Ms. Meg Brownson, Alfresco Casual Living, stated that she would like Council approval to place a SnowMN in front of Alfresco Casual Living for three months, January - March 2003. She stated that this would be similar to the Lucy's and Snoopy's that were placed in the Twin Cities and that they would be auctioned off and the proceeds will benefit the Children's Hospital and Clinics and an area charity that she would designate. Council member Milbrandt expressed concern that this request has not been before the Chamber. Ms. Brownson stated that the Chamber has been approaching businesses to sponsor this SnowMN. Council member Rheinberger stated that he would be in favor of this request. Councilmember Bealka asked if there could be more than one in Stillwater. Ms. Brownson stated that there could be, however they are very expensive, Mayor Kimble stated that this issue would be formally addressed at the 7:00 p.m. meeting. Chamber of Commerce request for liqhtinq trees in Lowell Park Ms. Diane Rollie, Greater Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce, stated that Deb Ashand and Bradshaw Funeral Home has proposed to light a tree in Lowell Park. She stated that these sponsors of the tree lights would install and take down the lights and pay for the lighting of the trees. She also stated that she has met with TimThomsen about providing power to the trees and that he said it could be done. City Council Meeting No. 02-24 November 19, 2002 Ms. Ash described the location of the tree that would be lit and how it would be lit. Councilmember Milbrandt stated that at the time it was presented to the Parks Board there was no mention that it was sponsored by the Chamber. Councilmember Zoller stated that he supported the request but asked that the Chamber not come back next year and ask the City to pay for this. Council member Milbrandt agreed with Council member Zoller and expressed disappointment that the local businesses will support this venture but not the cost of the holiday lights. He stated that he looks to the Chamber to be a unified voice downtown. Mayor Kimble stated that the agreement for the holiday lights was with a different Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Milbrandt stated that there have been a few requests before the Parks Board and if it doesn't have the Chamber's sponsorship or approval he is very skittish approving the request. He asked how the City and Chamber can coordinate better. Ms. Rollie stated that they are working on that issue. Council member Zoller stated that it would be beneficial to know what the Chamber approves. The City needs a voice to talk to at the Chamber. Mayor Kimble complimented the Chamber efforts such as the Good Morning America Show. Motion by Council member Rheinberger, seconded by Councilmember Zoller to approve the lighting of trees in Lowell Park. All in favor. Ballot Questions Discussion City Administrator Hansen reviewed the current draft of the educational information on the ballot question regarding the management of the waterworks. He stated that staff has worked diligently to provide unbiased information and tried to answer questions that people asked. Councilmember Rheinberger stated that he thought the staff did a good job on the information. Council member Milbrandt asked if the information has been reviewed by Mr. McKnight. Mayor Kimble felt that the information was strongly biased by the phrasing of words. He also stated the City is not hiring additional personnel so the savings is not immediate savings. He stated that the City Council is the parent organization of the Water Department. Mr. Gary Kriesel stated that is hard not to be biased when the facts speak for themselves. He stated that the main argument against the merger was if it is not broke don't fix it and they did not come with any facts, just opinions supporting their view. He 2 City Council Meeting No. 02-24 November 19,2002 stated that one person said he spends 80% of his time in the summer cutting grass, that is possibly where some of the efficiencies come in. He felt that this issue has been a one-side biased argument up until this point. Mr.Kriesel stated that the Charter Commission spent significant time to lay it out and did not feel the information was biased, it was fact. Councilmember Zoller asked if the Charter Commission performed an extensive study over the last two years. Mr. Kriesel stated that the Charter Commission studied this issue more than any other Charter Commission has in the past. Councilmember Zoller stated he agrees with the Mayor that the phrasing of the words makes it biased, City Attorney Magnuson explained the statutes regarding using public funds to support a question, He stated that information has to be unbiased and based on facts and that the model used was the information that the school district prepared for their ballot questions. Councilmember Rheinberger stated anything done will show some bias, He stated that at the debate that was held he did not hear hard facts supporting the opposition, just opinions. He also stated that the words are the words of the people at the hearing and the hard questions have been answered and he stated he thought the information was done well. Mr. Kriesel stated the Charter Commission recommended study not look at just immediate savings for this year, but the Commission looked at long term cost avoidance. The Charter Commission made the assumption that City staff could operate the Water Department and with the economies of scale that it just made good sense. Mayor Kimble stated that the one-time costs are not included and no statements from the Water Board, Council member Milbrandt stated the information should say "from the auditor's report." Mayor Kimble stated that he is concerned with the tone of the information and that the City will be criticized. Council member Rheinberger stated the City will be criticized no matter what. It is not a bad document. Councilmember Milbrandt stated that the facts are correct but it is clear when you read it that it is a sales pitch from the City and it is not just facts from the Charter Commission and the auditor's report. He stated that it needs to be more neutral. Councilmember Bealka stated that the individual is not going to read into this information, they will look at the benefits. 3 City Council Meeting No. 02-24 November 19,2002 City Adminstrator Hansen stated that staff will continue to work on this information and we have heard the Council's message and staff will soften the tone of the brochure. City Clerk Ward stated that the deadline for the newsletter is December 6. After discussion, Council directed staff to review and rework the information for Council review and comment at the next meeting. REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Mayor Kimble called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Present: Absent: Council members Bealka, Milbrandt, Rheinberger, Zoller and Mayor Kimble None Others Present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Police Chief Dauffenbach Fire Chief Kallestad Public Works Director Eckles Community Development Director Russell City Clerk Ward Mayor Kimble welcomed Cub Scout Troop 242 to the City Council meeting. STAFF REPORTS Fire Chief Kallestad informed the Council that the new fire truck has arrived and that training is being given by Pierce on the rear wheel steering of the truck. He stated that is why many residents have seen this vehicle driving around the community. Public Works Director Eckles reminded the public of the Public Works open house on January 18, 2003 from 11 :00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Council member Rheinberger, seconded by Councilmember Bealka to approve the Consent Agenda. All in favor. Ayes: Council members Bealka, Milbrandt, Rheinberger, Zoller and Mayor Kimble Nays: None Resolution 2002-257 directing payment of bills Resolution 2002-258, approving renewals tobacco licenses for 2003 Resolution 2002-259, approving renewals of on-sale, off-sale, club, wine, Sunday on-sale, on-sale 3.2%, off-sale 3.2% liquor licenses for 2003 Resolution 2002-260, appointing election judges and fixing compensation for special election on January 28, 2003 Approval of Utility Bill Adjustments - Sewer Charges 4 City Council Meeting No. 02-24 November 19,2002 Resolution 2002-261, approving agreement with Johnson Radio Communications Company NEW BUSINESS Possible final plat approval of 25 lot Settlers Glen 2nd Addition Community Development Director Russell reviewed the final plat approval for Settlers Glen 2nd Addition. Motion by Councilmember Rheinberger, seconded by Council member Milbrandt to adopt Resolution 2002-262, approving final plat for Settlers Glen 2nd Addition. All in favor. Ayes: Council members Bealka, Milbrandt, Rheinberger, Zoller and Mayor Kimble Nays: None Approval of No Parkinq on McKusick Road and Owens Street Chief Dauffenbach stated that there has been complaints about vehicle parking on the west side of Owens Street north of McKusick Road obstructing the view of traffic that is east bound on McKusick. Motion by Councilmember Bealka, seconded by Councilmember Milbrandt to adopt Resolution 2002-263, requesting Washington County to install No Parking Signs. All in favor. Ayes: Councilmembers Bealka, Milbrandt, Rheinberger, Zoller, and Mayor Kimble Nays: None Approval of transfer of Club On-Sale & Sundav Liquor License - BPOE Lodqe #179. Stillwater Lodqe City Clerk Ward reviewed the transfer request for the Stillwater Lodge. She stated that the lodge is moving to a new location therefore a transfer must be completed and approved by all departments and Minnesota Liquor Control. Motion by Council member Rheinberger, seconded by Councilmember Bealka to adopt Resolution 2002.264, approving the transfer of Club On-Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor License for B.P,O.E, Lodge #179 Stillwater Elks Lodge, 1905 South Greeley Street for the year 2003. All in favor. Ayes: Council members Bealka, Milbrandt, Rheinberger, Zoller, and Mayor Kimble Nays: None COMMUNICA TIONS/REQUESTS Request to put SnowMn in front of Alfresco Casual Livinq This item was discussed at the 4:30 meeting. 5 City Council Meeting No. 02-24 November 19, 2002 Motion by Council member Rheinberger, seconded by Councilmember Bealka approving the placement of a SnowMN in front of Alfresco Casual Living at the corner of Nelson and Main Street for this year and that other requests will be acted upon on a case by case basis if request is for public property. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council member Bealka, seconded by Councilmember Rheinberger to adjourn at 7:25 p.m. All in favor. Attest: ~~D~ \.9-. L<.1ud 'Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2002-257 directing payment of bills Resolution 2002-258, approving renewals tobacco licenses for 2003 Resolution 2002-259, approving renewals of on-sale, off-sale, club, wine, Sunday on-sale, on-sale 3.2%, off-sale 3.2% liquor licenses for 2003 Resolution 2002-260, appointing election judges and fixing compensation for special election on January 28, 2003 Approval of Utility Bill Adjustments - Sewer Charges Resolution 2002-261, approving agreement with Johnson Radio Communications Company Resolution 2002-262, approving final plat for Settlers Glen 2nd Addition Resolution 2002-263, requesting Washington County to install No Parking Signs. Resolution 2002-264, approving the transfer of Club On-Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor License for B.P.O.E. Lodge #179 Stillwater Elks Lodge, 1905 South Greeley Street for the year 2003. 6