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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda & Minutes REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA MARCH 17, 2003 7:00pm Fire Station No. 1 1. CALL TO ORDER and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 7:00 p.m. 2. PUBLIC FORUM: The Public Forum is intended to afford the public an opportunity to address concerns to the City Council. The Public Forum will be no longer than 30 minutes in length. Items to be considered as part of the Council's regular agenda may not be addressed at the Public Forum. Topics of discussion are also restricted to City governmental topics rather than private or political agendas. The City Council will not take formal action on issues presented during the Public Forum. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 4. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MARCH 3, 2003 MEETING MINUTES: 5. CONSENT AGENDA: Those items on the Council Agenda which are considered routine and non controversial are included as part of the Consent Agenda. Unless the Mayor, a Councilmember, or member of the public specifically requests that an item on the Consent Agenda be removed and considered separately. Items on the Consent Agenda are considered under one motion, second and a roll call vote. Any item removed from the "Consent Agenda" shall be placed on the City Council Agenda as a separate category. A) Consider Approval of Invoices to be Paid. B) Consider Approval of Treasurer's Report C) Consider Approval of Building Permit Report D) Consider Approval of Animal Warden Monthly Report E) Consider Approval of 4th Quarter Budget Report for 2002. F) Consider Approval of a Resolution Approving a Joint Powers Agreement with the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Prior Lake Police Department. G) Consider Approval of a Resolution Approving the Common Interest Community Number 1097 (Meadowview Townhomes) Original Declaration and First through Twelfth Supplemental CIC Plats. H) Consider Approval of a Resolution Approving the Final Plat and Development Contract for Deerfield 11th Addition. I) Consider Approval of a Resolution Amending Resolution 03-11 Authorizing Expenditure from the 2003 Contingency Account for Repair of the Aerial Ladder Truck. J) Consider Approval of a Resolution Requesting a Variance from Municipal State Aid Standards for the TH13 Frontage Road Connecting Commerce Avenue to Boudins Street. 6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA: 160~ Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A) Public Hearing to Discuss Future Operation of the Dance Program. 8. PRESENTATIONS:: A) Safe & Sober Award Presentation to Prior Lake Police Department 9. OLD BUSINESS:: A) Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing Negotiated Sale of $1,975,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds of 2003. B) Consider Approval of Report Regarding the Position of the Planning Commission and Lake Advisory Committee Regarding the 75 Foot Setback from the Ordinary High Water Level. 10. NEW BUSINESS:: A) Consider Approval of a Resolution Approving a Concept Plan for Jeffers Pond. B) Consider Approval of a Resolution Denying an Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan for 4.25 Acres of the Deerfield Area and Consider Approval of a Resolution Amending the Comprehensive Plan for Approximately 20 Acres of the Deerfield Industrial Area Located in Section 12, Township 114, Range 22. (Case File #03-11) C) Consider Approval of an Ordinance Approving a Zone Change Request for the Property Located at 16450 Anna Trail (formerly the CH Carpenter Lumber Site). D) Consider Approval of Joint Powers Agreement between Scott Joint Prosecution and the Scott County Attorney's Office. E) Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of One Crack Joint Sealing Unit and Pavement Crack Router Equipment through the State Cooperative Purchasing Program. F) Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of One 9-Foot, 3.06 Cubic Yard Slide-in Sander through the State Cooperative Purchasing program. G) Consider Approval of a Resolution Approving Acquisition of Parcels A and B from Wells Fargo for the Ring Road and Authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to Execute all Documents to Effectuate the Purchase. 11. OTHER BUSlNESS/COUNClLMEMBER REPORTS: 12. ADJOURNMENT 031703 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 3, 2003 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Present were Mayor Haugen, Councilmembers Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeUair, City Manager Boyles, City Attorney Pace, Public Works Director Osmundson, Community Development Director Rye, City Engineer McDermott, Civil Engineer Wittkopf and Administrative Assistant Meyer. PUBLIC FORUM: The Public Forum is intended to afford the public an opportunity to address concerns to the City Council. The Public Forum will be no longer than 30 minutes in length. Items to be considered as part of the Council's regular agenda may not be addressed at the Public Forum. Topics of discussion are also restricted to City governmental topics rather than pdvate or political agendas. The City Council will not take formal action on issues presented during the Public Forum. No persons were present to address the Council at the public forum. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Zieska: Requested adding an item under New Business to discuss State Budget Funding. MOTION BY ZIESKA, SECOND BY PETERSEN, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeMair, the motion carded. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 18, 2003 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MOTION BY PETERSEN, SECOND BY BLOMBERG, TO APROVE THE FEBRUARY 18, 2003 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeUair, the motion carded. CONSENT AGENDA: (A) Consider Approval of Invoices to be Paid. (B) Consider Approval of Monthly Fire Call Report for January 2003. (C) Consider Approval of Resolution 03-26 Approving the Common Interest Community No. 1079 (Deerfield Condominium) Fourteenth Supplemental CIC Plat. (D) Consider Approval of Temporary 3.2 Non-Intoxicating Liquor License for the Church of St. Michael Apdl Fest. (E) Consider Approval of Stipulation Regarding Road Right-of-Way and Utility Location. Bo¥1es: Reviewed the Consent Agenda items. MOTION BY LEMAIR, SECOND BY ZIESKA TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeUair, the motion carded. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENTAGENDA:NONE. 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph.(952)447-4230 / Fax (952)447-4245 AN EQUALOPPORTUNITYEMPLOYER City Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT March 3, 2003 PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE. PRESENTATIONS Municipal State Aid Presentation (Bud Osrnundson, Director of Public Works) Osmundson: Discussed the allocation of Minnesota Highway Funding and where the City of Prior Lake fits in to the overell allocation of funds. Also discussed Prior Lake's 2003 State aid apportionment, the 88.2 miles of streets that the City is responsible for, the designation of what streets within the City are state aid streets, and the 2003 Street Maintenance budget. Explained the Omnibus Federal bill whereby local governments are lobbying the Federal legislature for the designation of excess funds for local projects. Noted the number of complicated projects facing the City. Cautioned the Council that the City will be exhausting much of its State Aid funding over the couree of the next several yeare, and in fact borrowing ahead against its future allocation, given the large projects programmed. LeMair: Asked if there are any changes in the amount of funding the City may receive over the next several yeare. Osmundson: Explained that funding is based upon population, so in theory we should get more, but the preblem is that all metre area cities are also expanding at a similar rate and the funds available are not growing at the same rate. Haugen: Asked if any of the funding is at risk with the State budget shortfall. Osmundson: Explained the gas tax, change in license tabs fees, General Fund reimbureements and interest income which fund the municipal State Aid fund. The portion of the fund that is allocated from the State General Fund could be at risk, and have been told by MnDOT that we could see about a 15% reduction in funding in the next fiscal year which begins July 1st. 2003 Legislative Report (Minnesota State Representative Mike Beard and State Senator Claire Robling) Boyles: Thanked Mike Beard and Claire Robling for being present, and advised that the intention of this exchange was to share information and perspectives on the State budget issues currently facing the legislature. Senator Claire Robling: Thanked the Council for the opportunity to discuss these types of issues in a public forum. Reviewed the process to date and asked for Council input in discussing the elimination of the market value homestead credit and its impacts upon Prior Lake in the approximate amount of $322,000, as well as Local Government Aid in the amount of $44,000. In the bigger picture, the Govemor proposed that no community be cut more than 5% of their total revenue for the first year, and 9.5% the second year. Prior Lake's cut is 2.7%. City's like Jordan receive about 25% of their budget from State revenues and their projected cuts are much more significant. There are many proposals on the table at this point for cutting State spending as we face this deficit. Representative Beard: Advised that although he is a new legislature, he is enjoying the honor of representing Prior Lake. Advised that 43 of 134 members in the House are new members and are faced with a $4.2 billion deficit. Stated that the primary reason for this type of discussion tonight was to hear the Council's position. Haugen: Pointed out that last fall, in anticipation of State Aid cuts, the City increased its Contingency Fund by $100,000. Believed that by prudently budgeting, plus some cuts in adding personnel, the City has positioned itself to absorb the loss of State aid. Added that projections from the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities indicate that Pdor Lake will lose $366,842 each year in 2003 and 2004. City Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT March 3, 2003 Zieska: Added that the City would have been very naYve to assume that we wouldn't take some sort of hit in local government aid. Pdor Lake expects to share in the solution to the State budget shortfall. Believed this is an opportunity to examine those types of programs. Even though Prior Lake has historically been a higher taxed community, we are also one of the most independent in that we are one of the smallest receivers of local govemment aid. The programs should be looked at for proportionality. Representative Mike Beard: Commented on attempts to re-do the government aid formula, and phasing out of those communities that had been grandfathered into the system. The phasing out at some point was suspended. This does appear to be an opportunity to re-evaluate the process of how local govemment aids are distributed. Haugen: Added that even though Pdor Lake has been considered as a highly taxed community, over the past several years, Councils have been successful in effectively reducing the level of taxation to Prior Lake residents. Robling: Further reviewed the proposals that have taken place with respect to levy limits and reverse referendums. A bill has passed the tax committee that would freeze levies at 2002 levels. Believed that the proposal was extreme in that it does not account for growth and other factors. Other levy limits being proposed seem to consider additional factors. Another option is for reverse referendum which would allow cities to propose levy increases, but if not supported by the public, they could petition and request a referendum on the levy increase and could reverse a local Council's decision to increase the levy. Zieska: Advised that with respect to levy limits, there should be no hard cap, and that they should factor in growth and debt service similar to the formulas used currently. In Prior Lake's case, last year the levy was 5% under our levy limit, and communities shouldn't be penalized for being prudent. With respect to reverse referendum, believed that the public is already given a mechanism to criticize action by their elected officials - voting. Timing is also an issue given that the budgeting process takes months. Additionally, he has heard of proposals that would initiate prohibitions on bonding for cities, which would penalize communities like Pdor Lake who have prudently attempted to get the most out of their equipment and facilities, and now need new buildings in response to growth. As local officials, we are the most accountable to our communities. Petersen: Commented that prohibitions on bonding would significantly affect the City's ability to provide infrastructure and roadway improvements. Also pointed out that information from the LMC indicated that Prior Lake would incur cuts in LGA of $366,000 this year, as well as next year. Asked for clarification. Beard: Believed the last legislature had project ahead for the July 1, 2003 biennium budget, and that the concept is that Pdor Lake would not get LGA this year, and it wouldn't get it next year. Blomberg: Provided an example illustrating how local residents are over-govemed, and stated that local officials have the most impact on the day-to-day lives of its residents, whether through providing aesthetic value to their community, providing facilities for them to live, work and play, or providing adequate water, sewer and infrastructure. Believed that if Pdor Lake and its local officials are responsible enough to be willing to be part of the solution to the State budget shortfall, and are responsible enough to provide the services needed by this community, then we are responsible enough to decide for ourselves the most prudent funding and budgeting mechanisms for our residents. Added that it is not reasonable to mandate levy limits, reverse referendums, or freeze wages. It is not necessary to take the money away and also tell us how to spend it. Roblin.q: Understood the concerns voiced by the Councilmembers. Explained that the proposal for wage freezes was intended to be a tool to help local govemments control their costs. The intent was to give school districts and cities a mechanism to manage costs as their aids were cut. Salaries are a large part of that spending. 3 City Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT March 3, 2003 Blomber,q: Did not believe a mandated wage freeze was a tool, but yet another limit or regulation that the Council needed to work around that would provide no financial benefit to the State. Roblin,q: Added that if costs continue to escalate, which costs are certainly associated with wages but probably more so in school districts than cities, those local governing bodies do return to the State to take care of those costs. The other result of not getting more revenue, is that more overall cuts in personnel are required. Beard: Commented that the House seems to be debating the issue of an employee wage freeze much more aggressively than the Senate. Noted that when he was a Councilmember ten years ago, similar issues were faced. At that time, levy limits were instituted, as well as a requirement that cities pay sales tax on taxpayer purchases. Did not believe it was a wise expenditure. With respect to wage freezes, his position was that if the State wanted to freeze the wages of the people it directly employs, that is our prerogative. But, imposing wage freezes on the people who work park maintenance or plow streets in Prior Lake, should be determined by local officials. The issue is also complicated by the fact that some employees are covered by union contracts and other are not. There is some movement to talk about school districts because so much of school funding comes from the State. The debate will continue. Haugen: Commented that with respect to levy limits, his impression is that neither the Senator or Representative believe levy limits are necessary. Believed that local govemments should have that accountability. Reverse referendums, from a local perspective, seem to be an exercise in chaos, especially at a time when govemments need to use their resources particularly effectively. Frankly, if residents in Prior Lake want their taxes increased by "x" to provide "y", they should have that option to make effective decisions for their community. Zieska: Equated lowering the blood alcohol level to .08 or losing federal funding to imposing wage freezes. Asked what if the federal government mandated that no roads in Scott County could be built with federal funds? Would the State legislature view it as a tool to have the federal government mandate which specific projects should be cut? Roblin.q: Commented that she co-authored a bill several years ago to eliminate the sales tax for local units of government. It is not likely that such a proposal will go very far at this time given the revenue stream it creates for the State. Hau.qen: With respect to the auditor's report, asked the Governor's intent in his goal to establish an appropriate surplus for the State while the State Auditor criticized cities for having too big a surplus. Cities like Prior Lake have worked hard to establish a surplus. Asked if a mixed message is being sent, or if a different set of standards applies for the State versus cities? Beard: Commented that the cities within Scott County seem to have prudent surplus. The $500 million rainy day fund proposed by the Govemor has more to do with the State's bond rating. Robling: Advised that she is not very familiar with the auditor's report, but that some cities have tucked away 100% or more of their annual budget. Certainly before the State considers their cry for more aid, we would say to look to your reserves. The intent is not to abuse fiscally responsible communities. Believed that holding some level of reserves was necessary. Talked about having targeted purposes for building up reserves, and those situations being taken into account. Further discussed that the majority of the State's transportation funding is protected because they are in constitutionally dedicated funds. At this time, there has been no proposal to remove the portion allocated from the General Fund from the Trunk Highway fund. Advised that transportation is an issue she has participated in in committee for quite some time. Did support additional money for transportation. Supported an increase of up to $.05 per gallon in gas tax, which hasn't increased since 1988. 4 City Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT March 3, 2003 Beard: Added that a review of the formula for municipal state aid and county state aid highways. He expects to participate extensively in those issues on the Transportation Policy Committee and Transportation Finance Committee. Advised that MnDOT has had a significant budget cut, but those cuts are to overhead and not project related dollars. Robling: Noted that a press conference had been held today proposing adding slots to the rasino at Canterbury and using the revenue to fund transportation projects. Would not support having our education budget, for example, become dependent upon gambling revenues, but using it for transportation projects might be a workable plan. LeMair: Asked if there was a movement for an expansion in gaming at this time. Roblin.q: The current discussion is about putting slot machines in an already State regulated gambling facility. Did not believe you could convince people that we should do that in a lot of other locations. It seems to be an attractive altemative in this set of circumstances. Govemor Pawlenty has not made any commitment and is typically anti-gambling. Beard: Also inclined to support such a bill. Believed at this time the House was about 50/50. Boyles: Thanked the legislatures again for being present. Advised that the Finance Commissioner was present at the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities meeting last week, and the 30+ communities that participated were unanimous and resounding in their comments. First, we understand that we are part of the solution, but the hits are big. To use percentages very much understates the impacts. In calculating percentages, all the revenue sources whether from the General Fund budget or the Enterprise budgets. In fact, all of the cuts directly impact the General Fund. Second, the communities all said that we have the tools today that we need to deal with this issue, and they don't include reverse referendum, levy limits, or pay freezes. Roblin.q: Thanked the Council for their input and offered that their door is always open as this process continues. Haugen: Lastly discussed the City's 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan and the communities commitment to create partnerships. We are evaluating the services the City provides for ways to partner within other govemments and our residents to better manage resources. The Council took a brief recess. OLD BUSINESS: Consider Approval of a Resolution Approving the Cooperative Agreement with Scott County for Cost. Sharing of Aerial Photography and Digital Mapping Services. McDermott: Reviewed the agenda in connection with the staff report. Blomber,q: Asked if the State is requiring us to update for auditing purposes. McDermott: Confirmed. Petersen: Supported the project and believed the software is valuable. Zieska: Fully supported the project. 5 City Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT March 3, 2003 LeMair: Asked why Scott County has waited so long to update the system given the growth in the County. McDermott: Explained that there is no scheduled date for the updates to occur MOTION BY ZIESKA, SECOND BY LEMAIR, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 03-27 APPROVING THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH SCOTT COUNTY FOR COST-SHARING OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIGITAL MAPPING SERVICES. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeUair, the motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Consider Approval of a Report Regarding the Prior Lake Dance Program. Boyles: Reviewed the agenda item in connection with the staff report. LeMair: Asked why there was such a significant increase in operating expenses for the program from 1999 to 2002. Believed the question was do we really want to be in the dance business, even though there appears to be substantial benefit to the community. Privatizing the program would probably result in allowing the program to grow because there would be an investment of self and individual resources. Did not believe it appropriate to privatize only based upon losing a particular employee. Believed that the Council needs to make an educated decision based upon the facts and what is best for the program. If there is a market for privatization today, believes that the program would continue into the future. Zieska: Would like to know what percentage of the dance participants are City residents, and if there is a non-resident fee charged for those outside City limits. Believed the issue is definitely worth evaluating. Would like to hear input from the Dance Advisory Committee and Parks Advisory Committee, as well as an informational meeting or public hearing to hear concerns from the parents. Petersen: Commented that most dance programs are private, but would like to see some form of scholarship program continue. Blomber.q: Stated that she would definitely appreciate hearing from the people involved and from the Park Advisory Committee and Dance Advisory Committee. Also believed that if being fiscally responsible is the reason to pdvatize the program, suggested reviewing other recreation programs as well. Also reminded the public that if the program is pdvatized, any one can bid the operation of the program with no control beyond being a Lessee. Lastly commented that she did not want to see the analysis drag on because the worst thing is to be lee in limbo. Hau.qen: Did not believe fiscal responsibility was the only consideration for privatizing the program, because there are other recreation programs that are subsidized by the City. Believed that timing led to the discussion to privatize the program. It will come down to a cost-benefit relationship. Echoed the thoughts of Councilmembers Zieska and Blomberg to receive additional information. Added that many recreation programs such as youth baseball, hockey and soccer, are not tied to the City. Reviewed the approaches, including (1) privatize; (2) contract the program; or (3) maintain the status quo. MOTION BY BLOMBERG, SECOND BY PETERSEN, TO DIRECT STAFF TO TAKE THE ISSUE TO THE PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND DANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND TO DIRECT A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MARCH 17, 2003. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeUair, the motion carded. 6 City Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT March 3, 2003 Consider Approval of a Resolution Supporting Improvements to the Intersection of 150th Street and TH13 Including Overlay, Right and Left Turn Lanes. Osmundson: Reviewed the agenda item in connection with the staff report. Blomber.q: Agreed that there is a safety issue for the area and supported the project. Petersen: Also commented on the need for safety improvement in the area, and although there is not adequate stacking on the Savage side, believed this will be an improvement. Zieska: Agreed with Councilmember Petersen in that the improvement might not be ideal, but something is necessary. Given the fiscal constraints, this appears to be our best altemative for the time being. LeMair: Agreed, but would like to see even more improvement to the area in the future. Haugen: Believed this project was a band-aid, but that it's better than doing nothing to address the serious safety concerns. Since there is no State funding available, and that Savage is unable to designate funding at this time, this appears to be our only course of action. Boyles: Reviewed the language from the proposed resolution recognizing that staff agrees that a more permanent solution is required. MOTION BY PETERSEN, SECOND BY ZIESKA, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 03-28 SUPPORTING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTERSECTION OF 150TM STREET AND TH13 INCLUDING OVERLAY, RIGHT AND LEFT TURN LANES. Hau.qen: Commented that he is not being critical of staff or of the proposed temporary solution, but that we all realize and seek a more adequate and permanent solution. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeMair, the motion carried. Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing Purchase of One Tandem Axle Cab and Chassis Truck and Appurtenant Equipment through the State Cooperative Purchasing Program. Eldred: Reviewed the agenda item in connection with the staff report, explaining how the equipment will be utilized by all divisions of public works. LeMair: Asked why the mileage is so Iow given the age of the vehicle. Eldred: Believed the vehicle probably wasn't used to the extent that vehicles are utilized today. As Bud indicated, we have added a significant number of miles of street. In addition, the vehicle did not perform as expected. The new machine would be utilized much more aggressively. Osmundson: Added that a 10 mile plow reute takes about 10 hours to complete, so even though the vehicle may have only registered 10 miles, it ran and was utilized significantly longer. Similar trucks acquire high mileage by hauling long distances. Discussed the preventative maintenance program utilized to make equipment last longer, and also added some equipment acquisitions will be pushed back in the CIP as a result. 7 City Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT March 3, 2003 Zieska: Commented on the number of ways the truck can be utilized in both winter and summer. Eldred: Discussed how staff time can be better utilized with the additional equipment. Zieska: Pointed out that approximately $7700 Will be sent to the State in tax on this vehicle. Petersen: Asked if the City's trucks should have a blade under the center for scraping ice similar to State and County trucks. Asked how the horsepower of the vehicle was different with the same engine. Eldred: Explained that the City has three single-axle trucks with the ability to scrape ice. Staff believed the ability to haul more of a load would provide more benefit. Added that the difference in horsepower is relative to emissions requirements, both of which correspond to price. This engine should perform very well given the pounds of torque which is what is needed for plowing snow and moving heavy material. MOTION BY LEMAIR, SECOND BY BLOMBERG, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 02-29 AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF ONE TANDEM AXLE CAB AND CHASSIS TRUCK AND APPURTENANT EQUIPMENT THROUGH THE STATE COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeMair, the motion carried. Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing Purchase of a Commercial Mower and Utility Maintenance Vehicle through the State Cooperative Purchasing Program. Fried.qes: Reviewed the agenda item in connection with the staff report, noting that the City is retaining the current cab and attachments. Petersen: Asked the City Attorney if the bid practice is acceptable given the fact that two of the bids include the cab and attachments, and the other bid utilizes the City's existing cab and attachments. Pace: Explained that even though she agreed that this appears to be an apples to oranges comparison, the same option was given to each of the bidders to utilize the existing cab and attachments. The issues before the Council then is to determine if there are factors other than the base price that provide the best value to the taxpayer. Fried.qes: Added that it did not seem feasible to spend additional money on equipment that was not needed. At the time that the whole package wears out, the City will bid a whole package. Pace: Clarified that she would have preferred a different process and rationale be used that more clearly explained how the City would evaluate the lowest bid under the circumstances. LeMair: Asked if it was completely necessary to bid a replacement part in instances of this type. Could the City have gone out and asked for bids on only Toro mowers. Pace: Explained that the City could go out and ask for bids or quotes on equipment that was compatible with appurtenant equipment. Zieska: Added that the City could competitively bid only Toro motors, but that there is a cost to soliciting those bids in the preparation of specifications, advertising, and staff time. The risk is that it is unlikely that the City would get better overall costs. 8 City Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT March 3, 2003 Osmundson: Noted that the State identifies how many units will be purchased before they put out the bids. Given that number, the vendors submit quotes. The price the State gets for "x" number of units is likely to be much less than the City would get for one. There is a lot of staff time saved by using the State program. Zieska: Asked the life of the remaining attachments. Also commented on the efforts of staff to be fiscally prudent and looking for ways to save money. Friedges: Advised that the attachments we are utilizing will last the life cycle of the new machine. MOTION BY PETERSEN, SECOND BY LEMAIR, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 02-30 AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF A COMMERCIAL MOWER AND UTILITY MAINTENANCE VEHICLE THROUGH THE STATE COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeUair, the motion carried. Consider Approval of a Resolution Accepting the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Programs (SWPPs) for the City Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) and for the City's Public Works Facilities as Prepared by WSB & Associates. Wittkopf: Reviewed the agenda item in connection with the staff report. Hau.qen: Asked staff to explain the reference to BMPs. Wittkopf: Explained that BMPs are the best management practices necessary to ensure that everything is being done to prevent pollution from entering into the storm water which is the benefit to the community. MOTION BY LEMAIR, SECOND BY BLOMBERG, APPROVING RESOLUTION 03-31 ACCEPTING THE STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR THE CITY MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEMS AND FOR THE CITY'S PUBLIC WORKS FACILITIES AS PREPARED BY WSB & ASSOCIATES. Osmundson: Commented how much effort went into the process by Jen Wittkopf and Sue McDermott. Much of this stuff the City already does, and now has to be tracked. This program is basically a paper program and an unfunded mandate by the State, and will take a lot of additional work to monitor. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeMair, the motion carried. State Budget Deficit Discussion Zieska: Thanked Representative Beard and State Senator Robling for being present tonight. Understood that cities will need to be part of the solution for the State budget deficit, but repeated that it is not necessary to provide additional mandates in the form of levy limits, wage freezes, reverse referendums, or other limits on local authority. Offered a resolution for consideration stating the City of Prior Lake's position relative to proposals by the State to limit local government authority as it addresses its budget shortfall. MOTION BY ZIESKA, SECOND BY BLOMBERG TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 03-32 CALLING ON THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE TO NOT ENACT MANDATORY LEVY LIMITS, LEVY FREEZES, LOCAL GOVERNMENT SALARY 9 City Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT March 3, 2003 FREEZES, RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYEE PENSION OR HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS, REVERSE REFERENDUM REQUIREMENTS, OR ANY OTHER LIMITATION ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ABILITY TO RESPOND TO THE LOSS OF STATE AID IN A MANNER THAT BEST REFLECTS THE CHALLENGES AND PRIORITIES OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Blomberg, Petersen, Zieska and LeMair, the motion carried. Haugen: Asked that the Resolution be distributed accordingly to appropriate State personnel. OTHER BUSINESS A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. The meeting adjou~~ Frank Boyles, City Manager f~elly Meyer, ,Recording Secretary 10