HomeMy WebLinkAbout3A 12 03 2018 City Council Minutes1
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
December 03, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Briggs called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Councilors McGuire, Thompson,
Burkart and Braid, City Manager Boyles, City Attorney Schwarzhoff, Assistant City Manager
Olson, Finance Director Erickson, Fire Chief Steinhaus, Community Development Director
McCabe, Public Works Director/City Engineer Wedel, Assistant City Engineer Monserud and
Development Services Assistant Peppin.
PUBLIC FORUM
Mayor Briggs reviewed the process for the public forum and explained that items scheduled for
public hearing or items for which a public hearing has been held but no final action taken, are not
eligible for discussion on the public forum.
Tom Schutz, 16743 Markley Lake Court SE: Stated he is here on behalf of the Prior Lake Snow-
mobile Association. Commented on the Snowmobile Club and the Minnesota United Snowmobile
Association have worked together to form a community that would venture into designating the City
of Prior Lake as a snowmobile friendly community which would provide safe quarters and access
to snowmobilers as well as venues. Stated he is here tonight to recognize the City of Prior Lake,
Council Members and Staff in working with the Prior Lake and making our community that of a
locally, regionally and nationally recognized snowmobile friendly community. Presented a plaque of
appreciation and asked for a picture with the Council Members.
Gary Shelton, 20810 Hickory Lane: Noted his retirement at the end of the year. Mentioned con-
versations with Manager Boyles regarding taking an opportunity to visit with all Cities, Townships,
and governmental agencies within Scott County to thank City Council for their service. Noted the
degree of difficulty City Council and elected officials have. Commented on running for public office,
continuance of SCALE and the County being a safer place to live. Compared numbers for affordable
housing, increased income, economic development, Scott County versus Hennepin County and
living and working in Scott County. Explained how tracking “the Cost of Local Government” is done
at the County and how it has improved. Wished Boyles farewell and thanked him for his service.
Briggs: Thanked Shelton for his service to the County, partnering and partnerships, seeing all these
items through over the years and wished him the best in the new year.
Mike Sandness, 14236 Wilds Drive NW: Stated he is the President of the Business Network
Group (BNI) called Premier Professionals that rents out the Parkview Room. Explained the busi-
ness, how many members and stated they are all small business owners. Commented on a usage
agreement stating in the 2019 year there will be a usage fee for use of the rooms. Asked for a
waiver of this fee due to being a community based group and do not generate funds, fees or revenue
in that group. Stated Boyles has attended the group and may have more insight to this. Gave
details on what they would have to do if they could not use the rooms in 2019.
Boyles: Stated the Public Hearing on official fee schedule would be reviewed tonight and would
like to have Sandness input on that Public Hearing.
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 2
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Burkart: Suggested moving 9A to 6A for presentation.
MOTION BY BURKART, SECOND BY MCGUIRE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MOTION BY THOMPSON, SECOND BY BRAID TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NO-
VEMBER 19, 2018 REGULAR MEETING AS PRESENTED
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
City Manager Boyles reviewed the items on the consent agenda.
5A. Consider Approval of Claims Listing
5B. Consider Approval of Resolution 18-187 Approving the Emergency Siren Preventive
Maintenance Contract with Ready Watt Electric For 2019-2022 And Authorizing the
Mayor and City Manager to Execute the Same
5C. Consider Approval Consider Approval of Resolution 18-188 Authorizing the Mayor and
City Manager to Enter into a Standardized Professional Services Agreement with NFP for
Benefits Consultant Services in an Amount not to Exceed $19,500 Annually
5D. Consider Approval of Resolution 18-189 Approving the Sentencing to Service (STS)
Joint Powers Agreement for 2018 and Authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to Exe-
cute the Same
5E. Consider Approval of 2019 Tobacco License Renewals
5F. Consider Approval of 2019 Massage Therapy License Renewals
5G. Consider Approval of a Massage Therapy License for Kimberly Zachary
5H. Consider Approval of Resolution 18-190 Designating Polling Locations for 2019
5I. Consider Approval of Resolution 18-191 Authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to
Amend the City's Standard Construction Contract for the 2018 AMRS Replacement Pro-
ject (WTR17-000004)
5J. Consider Approval of Resolution 18-192 Approving the Wetland Replacement Plan for
the Meadows of Cleary Lake Development Project
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 3
5K. Consider Approval of October 2018 Treasurer’s Report
5L. Consider Approval of Resolution 18-193 Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers
Agreements with the City of Prior Lake on Behalf of its Police Department
5M. Consider Approval of Ordinance 118-18 Amending Section 705 of the Prior Lake City
Code Relating to Pool Drainage into the Sanitary Sewer System
5N. Consider Approval of Ordinance 118-19 Amending Section 701 of the Prior Lake City
Code Relating to Removal of Snow
5O. Consider Approval of Resolution 18-194 Approving an Amendment to the 2030 Compre-
hensive Land Use Plan Map and Ordinance 118-20 Amending Section 1101 of the Prior
Lake City Code Relating to the Zoning Map for a Property Located at 2495 154th Street
NW
Briggs: Commented on Item 5M; specifically, to thank City Staff for rapidly developing the ordi-
nance Amending Section 705 in regard to Pool Drainage. Stated it effects only these pools that
are connected to our sanitary sewer system that would be required to have a permit, in a safe
guard to the residence, to lessen the possibility of a pool drainage exceeding the capacity of our
sanitary sewer.
MOTION BY MCGUIRE, SECOND BY BURKART TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
PRESENTATIONS
6A Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the naming of the athletic fields at Lake-
front Park “The Patrick F. Cawley Memorial Fields”.
Assistant City Manager Lori Olson presented on this agenda report dated December 03,
2018.
McGuire: Stated it is a great idea and glad it was brought to our attention; Mr. Dresen has a few
comments to make on the topic per the approval of the Council.
Briggs: Replied, yes.
Charles Dresen, 16803 Lyons Avenue SE: Said he has lived in Prior Lake 1977 and explained
he didn’t know Patrick Cawley but has made several trips to Washington DC to visit the Memorial
there and the last time that he was there he did a little research looking for Scott County Veterans
and he noticed there was a second name from Prior Lake, Patrick Cawley. After research on Pat-
rick Cawley he found local friends and family of Patrick Cawley. Stated in his research he also
verified that he is a 1966 graduate of Prior Lake High School. Explained the documentation from
when he was a helicopter pilot shot down and killed over Cambodia while flying in supplies to a
unit that was pinned down by an ambush; this led him to talking with McGuire who advised him on
how to go forward with this request to hopefully get Patrick Cawley. Added he wanted to addition-
ally recognize and thank everyone involved with the memorial statue up at Memorial Park.
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 4
Briggs: Thanked Patrick Cawley’s friends and family for being here this evening.
MOTION BY MCGUIRE, SECOND BY BURKART TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
THE NAMING OF THE ATHLETIC FIELD AT LAKEFRONT PARK THE “PATRICK F. COWLEY
MEMORIAL FIELDS”.
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7A Consider Approval of a Resolution Adopting the 2019 Prior Lake Budgets and Certify-
ing Final 2019 City of Prior Lake Property Tax Levy’s to the Scott County Department of
Taxation
Finance Director Cathy Erickson presented on this agenda report dated December 03, 2018.
Burkart: Thanked Erickson. Asked for the reaction of the Council to the Minnesota Supreme
Court decision; hypothetically if this council in the near future took an approach to putting a mor-
atorium on growth for a short time, how does that affect the assumption of this budget that is be-
ing presented tonight.
Erickson: Replied she would need to research the assumptions of the budget and explained
how there is additional revenue and what departments we rely on that from, as well as the gen-
eral fund and plan check fees that would impact the budget. Explained the street oversizing
fund, collecting fees upfront and a special assessment or a tax levy impact, which we would pre-
fer not to do.
Briggs: Asked for the stack bar chart (budget at a glance) and called attention to the CIP
bucket. Asked if Erickson is she could comment on trial replacement/equipment replacement
and what was the funding level on those in 2018 and walk us through the use of the reserves for
onetime costs.
Erickson: Explained the Park Plan amount on the trail replacement funding and how it goes up
as the years go on; there has been zero amount of funding for trail replacement for the last 3-5
years. Added the annual funding for the equipment replacement plan; being shy of what we
need to maintain our funds to replace equipment as needed. Stated the amount that is being
planned to use is to minimize the impact of the tax levy. Noted we need to be careful to consist-
ently use our reserves as we prefer to use it for just one-time funding due to increasements of
other areas; that is why we are focusing on using the reserves on onetime items.
MOTION BY BURKART, SECOND BRAID TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:49 P.M.
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 5
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Raymond Lemley, 5955 Hidden Oaks Circle SE: Stated he came to the meeting tonight to
hear why his taxes have increased at 9.2%, as this is a spike in comparing past years.
Woody Spitzmueller, 4279 Grainwood Circle NE: Stated he is here on behalf of the Commu-
nity Safety Advisory Committee and they would like to relay a message to Council on the im-
portance of retain an additional police officer in the budget for next year. Commented years of
services on the committee with the former Chiefs O’Rourke and Elliott who both have suggested
the need for additional officers and explained metrics city to city in terms of population for offic-
ers we are behind and heard the department services calls and has no staff for enforcement.
Wes Mader, 3470 Sycamore Trail: Commented on the council approving a 6.7% tax levy in-
crease. Offered some observations from the Kiplinger Report regarding Minnesota tax, retire-
ment and gave some reasoning behind his sharing of the observation. Commented on families
with lower incomes meeting their basic needs and availability of tax dollars. Shared a story of a
city in another state; comparing the first-class government building to the struggling rest of the
town. Expressed his ideas on how to eliminate the tax levy increase and stated the council must
mandate it to be so. Commented on voter candidate forum and the lack of support on a tax levy
increase with the following years of levy increases, support for no increase on tax levy and elim-
inating expenditures that are needed.
Alexandra Matyja 5417 Amblewood Drive NE: Noted the keeping of your own money versus
how expenditures all add up, as well as options of running out of money, including choosing pri-
orities and making tough decisions. Commented on the over spending of taxing authorities and
how they approach there needs in comparison of how we must meet our needs. Shared exam-
ples of how she feels tax dollars were spent foolishly. Commented on the elimination of debt,
Prior Lake being a great community and very well maintained, the 2040 Vision Plan, and the ac-
countability of debt versus excellent management. Suggested the challenge of updating the
2040 Vision Plan to include the commitment to completely eliminate debt by 2040 and gave ex-
amples of how this could be done.
Kim Churchill, 16209 Evanston Avenue SE: Stated she is on the Citizen Engagement Com-
mittee and is here to monitor the Social Network Site. Stated she was asked by someone on the
Committee to please add a police officer. Explained where she lives her taxes and property
value went down and commented on a statement she seen on social media regarding your
taxes and property investments, the amount to pay is small for living in Prior Lake, top state be-
ing one of the top ten places to live and retire, maintenance of Prior Lake, maintenance of trails,
and police force needing to be improved on.
Steve Millar, 4851 Rutledge Street SE: Explained what happens in the different stages of elec-
tions, getting elected into office and the complexities of trying to govern a city with the realization
of voting on a higher levy. Said he is in support of the proposed levy at 6.57% and gave his
experiences as being on the Council in prior years and dealing with complexities and focusing on
capital expenses, infrastructure, streets, sewer and water, operating expenses, maintenance, po-
lice and fire, as well as being prudent, and financially responsible with the people’s money. Com-
mented on the proposed levy and the hiring of a police officer and city clerk. Explained cutting
down the levy and deferring some of the city’s current and past needs; leading to kicking the can
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 6
down the proverbial road which leads to spending a lot more money down the road when you do
finally address those needs. Commented about pressure while being on the Council and how
lowering the levy will probably never be enough. Suggested to retain the levy at 6.57% and start
addressing other pressing needs and urged Council to not bow to pressure; but, to think about
the greater good and do the right thing. Added Prior Lake is one of the gems in the outer ring of
cities in this metro area; please keep our city a shiny example of what it is and what it can be;
please support the proposed levy for 2019.
Sarah Watters, 15065 Green Oaks Trail SE: Said she is Chair of the Citizen Engagement
Committee. Shared a little about the process and what she has learned as the Chair of the Citi-
zen Engagement Committee this year and it is relevant to this discussion. Said she has seen a
Police Force putting in a considerable amount of overtime, and being more reactive than proac-
tive, out of date phone system, website that is not mobile friendly, staff look for creative uses or
finding funding resources via partnerships with other communities, how to leverage additional
State Funding by packaging projects together, communication manager put together some more
impressive video communications than other cities pay outside parties to do with leveraging
staff that they have here, meeting consultant not even be able to open power point presentation
because our city system couldn’t handle it from a conference room, watched City Council Mem-
bers spend far more hours than they ever thought they had to invest every week and responsive
staff that has answered every question she has asked. Added but what she has not seen is lar-
gesse or careless disregard of the tax payer. Challenged council however you vote today to
start working on the 2020 Budget tomorrow, making sure we fully investigate existing expendi-
tures as much time as we have spent on the proposed change expenditures to make sure that
our tax payers feel like there is opportunity for savings are fully investigated, continue efforts to
engage our citizens besides in person town hall and find new ways for them to be heard, con-
sider appropriate use of reserves where possible and would also encourage looking into not
keeping or incurring more debt. Noted she wanted to live in a community that has services with
safe streets, homes, clean parks, etc.
Paul Gazuski, 17090 Toronto Ave SE: Stated he wants to hear more about adding more offic-
ers; the FBI suggests we have 34 officers but we only have 26 officers. Noted he was curious
about the resignation of Mark Elliott.
MOTION BY BRAID, SECOND BY MCGUIRE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:18
P.M.
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
Briggs: Requested Erickson to explain what may cause an increase on property owner tax
statements.
Erickson: Noted the tax statement will include the city, school district, county, mosquito control
and other taxing districts so it depends on which portion you are looking at and you need to look
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 7
to see if you’ve had a change of the market value of your home. Pointed out on the bar chart
about 4.35% of our change is for the mandatory items, money for trail and equipment replace-
ment then adding a police officer and city clerk mid-year and a replacement of the city phone
system.
Boyles: Regarding the comment for the additional police officers, there are a lot of proxy deter-
minations used. Added the council has been working hard to build our police department; in the
last 4 years we have added 4 new positions and one more is set for next year. Noted it is not
easy to increase the property tax levy and the city tries to operate efficiently.
Thompson: Noted the council is aware of the need for more officers and we have been adding.
Burkart: Thanked the staff for their effort into the budget process where we have had more dis-
cussions around this then in the past which have been healthy. Stated his position goes back to
earlier this year where the staff presented a proposal of supports for growth, cost of living and
debt service; at the time the council seemed it would make sense with 1.7% for growth, 2% for
inflation and 1.1% for debt service totaling 4.8%. Added he was a bit surprised that it came back
at a higher percent. Stated he looked at the 5-year projection and does not feel the growth is
sustainable; as a compromise he would be comfortable making a motion for 5.7 or 5.8% in-
crease. Noted he wanted to cut the CIP numbers in half then add in a percent for a website up-
grade. Stated there is a growth in our utility fees; asked for a more sustainable percentage over
the next 5 years. Added we value our parks and trails which we have spent a considerable
amount of money on but he disagrees throwing a $50,000 bone to the trails when we just
awarded a contract to study our parks and trails; suggested a compromise to half resulting in
$25,000 for trails. Agreed with Braid who has suggested in work sessions that we have a step
approach as we try to get this closer to the $600,000; noted we should do this at $25,000 per
year. Stated we should add back in a responsive website across all platforms. Believed we are
sitting on a landmine within this budget if we do a moratorium on building and that is TBD which
concerns him and suggested we proceed with caution. Suggested instead of a process that
simply increases the prior year’s levy, we should periodically undertake zero base budgeting.
Requested a motion for 6% increase in the levy where we cut the CIP items by 50% and add in
$20,000 for a website upgrade.
McGuire: Stated there were good comments and many in the audience realizes the amount of
time the council puts in understanding the budget. Responded that the council somewhat settled
at the 6.5% for the preliminary levy. Explained we have been kicking the can down the road, as
the saying goes, regarding the need to invest in trails and roads otherwise it will cost us a lot of
money when they fail. Believed people in Prior Lake are willing to pay that little bit extra to have
the quality in our city rather than cutting $10-$20. Stated if the council does choose to cut, it
should be left to staff to determine what will be changed as they have a better understanding.
Noted he supports the 6.5%.
Braid: Noted he remembers the budget starting at 10% and this budget has given him heart-
burn. Stated staff and council have put a lot of time into this lowering the number. Added we
have a really great staff and thanked them for the work they do. Noted a large portion increase
comes from the union negotiations last year; as council I remember going through this item
thinking it was a large change but given the current market it was correct; as a small business
owner the public sector is still complex which he still struggles with. Added the debt service
items were necessary items and needed because the can was kicked down the road as
McGuire mentioned. Commented he understands the needs and supports the additional police
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 8
officer but does not want the officer position cut in order to reduce the costs; the city clerk also
makes sense as it serves multiple departments; IT services makes sense since we are not
bringing in a full-time employee which avoids the need of benefits and such. Explained we have
100 miles of trails and we have zero dollars in a fund to maintain those trails. Believed if we put
$25,000 into these funds slowly overtime we will find the stability. Added we could pull back
some of the overlays until the following year since we are constructing two major intersections
next year.
Thompson: Appreciated the people coming to speak as it is important to hear from residents
and agreed with Burkart that we have a great staff. Explained we have 3.5% of mandatory tax
levy increases that cannot be changes; then we have some other items we can work with;
agreed a police officer is a mandatory item for her; the remaining portion the staff can massage
what is needed as they know the nitty gritty. Asked why are we always cutting trails and equip-
ment. Noted we have to start doing something different so it is not those two categories that get
cut each year. Added she is passionate about lowering our debt and we need to find other ways
to be more frugal with the funds; equipment has been a major area of spending and is not sure
all that equipment is necessary. Realized some pieces of equipment have been pushed to their
limit but does not believe that is the case for all equipment items. Added we have to have a po-
lice officer, cover the 4.35% and other than that she is open to negotiation. Noted she would like
the levy to be at 5.35%; you cannot keep going back to the tax payer all the time.
Briggs: Stated he was among the candidates that campaigned on reducing the debt and getting
the city on a sustainable financial path moving forward. Explained he has learned some things
that he did not know before which may not be overly popular with fellow councilors nor is it pop-
ular at his home dinner table. Stated there are over $200,000 in expenses that are onetime ex-
penses in 2019 absent that reserve we would try to introduce to the levy. Noted it is easy to cut
trail and equipment replacements; when we reduce the levy, we relieve the tax payer of an artifi-
cial cost because then we bond for the expenses. Explained we need to break this cycle of not
saving rather we bond for it; we give the illusion we are saving our tax payers since we bond for
it. Noted as councilors have said we beat this up again and again but when we reduce this levy
we increase our bonding and debt service. Added no one wants a debit increase but reducing
the levy gives a false appearance of lessoning the tax payer burden. Agreed this should be left
to the staff if the levy is going to be reduced. Supported the proposed amount in order to break
the cycle.
Braid: Stated once again to staff to not cut the police officer; pulling a percentage for the web-
site is a onetime expense that needs further discussion.
Erickson: Noted staff asked the website to be delayed a year because we are currently updat-
ing our Laserfiche software and we do not have the resources to do the software process up-
dates and a website update.
MOTION BY MCGUIRE, SECOND BY BRIGGS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 18-195 ADOPT-
ING THE 2019 PRIOR LAKE BUDGETS AND CERTIFYING FINAL 2019 CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
PROPERTY TAX LEVY’S TO THE SCOTT COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AS PRE-
SENTED BY STAFF
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 9
McGuire: Noted the mayors’ comments that $50,000 is a small amount but he has heard this for
six or seven budgets with it always being pushed out. Explained we are fooling ourselves if we
do not start with some savings amount otherwise we will have to bond for it.
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Nay ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion failed.
MOTION BY BRAID, SECOND BY BURKART TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 18-195 ADOPTING
THE 2019 PRIOR LAKE BUDGETS AND CERTIFYING FINAL 2019 CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
PROPERTY TAX LEVY’S TO THE SCOTT COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AT 5.8%
McGuire: Noted it does not say we are cutting $50,000 out of trails and that is left up to staff.
Braid: Responded yes but we still need to be putting something away even if it is $25,000.
Thompson: Added this motion also would include a full-time police officer.
Burkart: Appreciated the citizen comments and respects the conversation across the board and
meeting in the middle is a compromise. Noted we have a great knowledgeable council that is very
functional; looking at surrounding neighbors there are some very dysfunctional council out there
so we are very fortunate.
Briggs: Noted he will support the motion since it is about moving us forward giving staff re-
sources. Agreed with Burkart that we do discuss these items in detail.
McGuire: Asked if that includes the $10,000 for EDA.
Braid: Responded it does.
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
7B Public Hearing to Consider Approval of the Proposed 2019 Official Fee Schedule and
Consider Approval of Amendments to the Prior Lake City Code Section 113 (Adoption of
the Official Fee Schedule) and Sections 704 Relating to Utility Charges and a Resolution
Approving a Summary Ordinance for Publication
Finance Director Cathy Erickson presented on this agenda report dated December 03, 2018.
MOTION BY BRAID, SECOND BY THOMPSON TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 9:03
P.M.
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 10
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
Mike Sandness, 14226 Wilds Drive NW: Noted he is the president of a local business, BNI,
who meets weekly at city hall; about a week ago he was presented with a fee schedule change
with a question as to if we are profit or non-profit. Stated the group itself is not looking to make a
profit as it is a professional’s group who help grow each other’s businesses. Requested consid-
eration to have the fee waived for their group.
MOTION BY MCGUIRE, SECOND BY THOMPSON TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT
9:05 P.M.
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
Erickson: Mentioned there may be a misunderstanding for the fee.
Boyles: Stated there is no cost but there is a cleanup fee if necessary.
Recreation Manager Barstad: Noted the fee schedule is current that there is only a cleanup
fee however, the policy itself states the rooms are only available for non-profit organization.
Boyles: Agreed that non-profit organization get the priority and the rooms are getting full so we
are trying to prioritize the use of the rooms.
Briggs: Directed staff to pick this one up and follow up with Sandness.
Braid: Noted the 7% increase from the Met Council and does not feel that the city should ab-
sorb this; there were some fees that were removed. Noted there are some pool fees that are dif-
ferent than the item on consent, asked if this is an annual fee or construction fee.
Erickson: Stated it is a onetime fee.
Braid: So if someone builds an inground pool there is a onetime fee and if someone goes and
buys a pool they would just pay a onetime fee. Asked if that is correct.
Erickson: Responded, yes.
Braid: Asked for the reasoning for a fee on the above ground pool.
McCabe: Explained the pool fees are primarily for inspections regarding depth, fences and se-
curity.
Briggs: Noted we did eliminate some of the park fees and would like to recommend not elimi-
nating some of those fees pending the completion of our park study.
Erickson: Asked for clarification to keep the revenue in but not the beach attendant.
Thompson: Questioned why these parking fees were eliminated.
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 11
Erickson: Responded that we have a hard time filling the beach attendant position as it is only
$11.00 an hour; without the enforcement people are not paying for the parking; in 2019 we had
budgeted for the attendant and beach manager about $20,000 with a clear of about $10,000 so
with the additional revenue and work it was not worth it.
Barstad: Added it was not worth it financially and the biggest complaint she hears each summer
is that they have to pay to park; the beach attendants are often not treated well from people who
are upset that they have to pay to park and without an officer there to assist with enforcement
the outcome is not positive nor cost effective.
Erickson: Noted neighboring communities are not charging park fees either due to the cost to
try and collect the payments.
Burkart: Asked if we looked at an automated parking attendant.
Barstad: Responded yes and we received a donation from the Lions to put in an automated at-
tended but unless it is enforced by someone who can write a parking ticket, people will not pay.
Thompson: Questioned Briggs if he is going to withdraw his request. Added she never liked the
idea of paying to park.
Briggs: Stated he is not withdrawing his request.
McGuire: Noted there are a lot of people from the public access that use this lot.
Barstad: Responded there is a DNR parking area and we only have about ten spots for trailer
parking otherwise it is just cars; this also causes confusion between the two parking areas.
Burkart: Suggested keeping the parking fees as it is a beautiful beach which is not an ordinary
park. Added about 80% of people may find it acceptable to pay and use the beach for the day.
Noted many of the residents pay fees for their own beaches each year and would support pay-
ing for use of our boat launch to help cover lake costs.
McGuire: Noted it would be great to charge for the boat launch but that is owned by the DNR.
MOTION BY MCGUIRE, SECOND BY BURKART TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 118-21 AMEND-
ING SECTION 113 RELATING TO THE OFFICIAL FEE SCHEDULE, SECTION 401 RELATING
TO BUILDING PERMIT FEES AND SECTION 704 RELATING TO UTILITY CHARGES WITH
THE INCLUSION OF PARK FEES AND TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 18-196 APPROVING THE
SUMMARY OF THE ORDINANCE AND ORDERING THE PUBLICATION OF SAID SUMMARY
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☐ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
No Old Business Scheduled
NEW BUSINESS
9A moved to 6A.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
DRAFT 12 03 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes 12
No Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
COUNCILMEMBER LIAISON UPDATES
Burkart: Explained he has been on the MVTA for the past year and would like to continue this
next year; this Wednesday evening they will be electing their leadership for next year and he
has thrown his hat in the ring for that at the MVTA.
Briggs: Noted Prior Lake was invited to present at the Metro Cities meeting last Thursday on
our virtual communication. Added we are doing interviews this week for our City Manager final-
ists and invited all to the Meet and Greet on Wednesday, December 5 in the Council Chambers.
Stated there will be a kickoff event for the downtown road improvements at the demolition of the
Flowers Naturally building.
OTHER BUSINESS / COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
12A Street Project Update - Public Works Director/City Engineer Wedel provided an update.
Briggs: Asked for any bid updates.
Wedel: Responded there are no names as of right now.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business brought before the Council, a motion was made by Burkart and se-
conded by Thompson to adjourn. The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
_______________________
Frank Boyles, City Manager