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City
Council Meeting Minutes
Special
Work Plan Meeting
January 31, 2011
1. Roll Call
Mayor Roe called to order the
Roseville City Council special meeting at approximately 6:00 pm and welcomed
everyone. (Voting and Seating Order for January: Willmus; Pust; Johnson;
McGehee; and Roe)
Staff
Present: Police Chief Rick Mathwig; Parks and Recreation Director
Lonnie Brokke; Fire Chief Tim O’Neill; Finance Director Chris Miller; City Engineer
Debra Bloom; and Community Development Director Patrick Trudgeon; and City
Manager Bill Malinen
2. Approve Agenda
Several members of the public
were in attended and had requested to make public comment at tonight’s
meeting. By consensus, the agenda was approved as amended.
3. Public Comment
El-BannaShereif El-Banna, 2015 Pascal
Street – cul-de-sac off County Road C-2
Mr. El-Banna addressed an incident
that occurred in their cul-de-sac on December 17, 2010 when a City vehicle
pushed a transformer off its base and caused a power outage and appliance
burnout in their neighborhood. Mr. El-Banna expressed frustration that, in
the neighborhood’s follow-up with staff on damages needing to be addressed,
they had subsequently received a letter on behalf of the City from their
insurance provider, League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)
stating that no claims would be paid as there was no evidence of City
negligence I the matter. Mr. El-Banna advised that in subsequent
conversations he’d had with the City’s Public Works Director Duane Schwartz
over the last few weeks, he was hearing mixed messages.
Mayor Roe noted receipt by
Councilmembers of correspondence related to the event, including the letter
from Mr. El-Banna; and advised that while the City Council would not have a
response to the neighborhood tonight until they had a better understanding of
the issues; further discussion and a determination by the City Council would
be forthcoming at a future regular business meeting.
In the absence of Mr. Schwartz,
City Engineer Debra Bloom advised that the City’s standard practice was to
initially route any claims through the LMCIT. Ms. Bloom advised that staff
was in contact with Xcel Energy, since it was their box on City right-of-way,
and damages to the homeowners was due to the box’s location in the
right-of-way when the City was attempting to move snow back to make room for
additional storage following the major snowstorm occurring the weekend
before. Ms. Bloom advised that Xcel was still reviewing their policies
related to damage claims; and assured Councilmembers that staff was
continuing to investigate the hit.
Mr. El-Banna opined that the City
vehicle moving snow was clearing snow around the fire hydrant at the end of
his driveway, which he had already accomplished, as was his common practice.
Mr. El-Banna further opined that since those homes were built in the mid
1970’s, the Public Works Department should be aware of the location of
utility boxes in order to avoid damaging them. Mr. El-Banna stated that he found
the letter from the LMCIT insulting; and noted that the City at first denied
that it was a City vehicle, until another neighbor, Mr. Hermes, provided
evidence that it was indeed a City vehicle. Mr. El-Banna reiterated his
concern in the mixed messages being received by the neighbors who had
experienced thousands of out-of-pocket expenses in replacing and/or repairing
electrical appliances and were seeking resolution.
Councilmember McGehee advised
that she had spoken to Mr. Schwartz who had advised her that staff intended
to bring the issue to the City Council for their guidance for payment
subsequent to denial of the claim by the LMCIT, and given the City’s insurance
deductable, seeking payment to residents for their immediate out-of-pocket
expenses while the City continued their negotiations with the LMCIT and Xcel
Energy.
Councilmember Willmus opined
that, regardless of where the LMCIT stood on this, the damage was a result of
City action, and in his discussions with Mr. Hermes, the City needed to step
up to correct the situation, then continue negotiations, rather than string
things along.
Mayor Roe suggested that this
should be an item of discussion at the next regular business meeting on
February 14, 2011.
Councilmember Pust sought a copy
of the LMCIT letter of denial; and additional information from staff.
Councilmember Pust sought clarification on the vehicle operator’s use of care
and original denial that it was a City vehicle.
Ms. Bloom advised that rationale
for the LMCIT denial was that the box was owned by a private utility, not the
City of Roseville, and in City right-of-way. Ms. Bloom clarified that the
City did not have a database listing the location of all private utility
boxes throughout the City as suggested by Mr. El-Banna, since there were
thousands of them throughout the City on City rights-of-way. Ms. Bloom noted
the numerous challenges faced by the City following the major snow event, and
continued clean-up for several weeks following, with cul-de-sacs always
presented additional challenges. Ms. Bloom clarified that the City’s regular
snow plow vehicles all had GPS, and upon an immediate check of the GPS, there
was no indication that a vehicle with GPS was in that area. Due to this
incident, Ms. Bloom advised that staff had now changed their process for
investigation of concerns. Ms. Bloom further noted that this operator was a
utility person using a City street vehicle to assist clean up of
cul-de-sacs. At the request of Councilmember Pust, Ms. Bloom advised that
crews were cleaning out hydrants and cul-de-sacs.
Councilmember Johnson questioned
if postponing the decision until the February 14, 2011 regular business
meeting would cause further hardship for residents.
Mr. El-Banna advised that
residents could wait, but were seeking clear resolution.
Councilmember Johnson suggested
that this meeting be added to the February 7, 2011 Special City Council Works
Plan Meeting II if it was held; and that the posted agenda be reflected
accordingly.
Councilmember Pust questioned if
the amount shown in the referenced letter was a total for all damages or just
those of Mr. El-Banna.
Mr. El-Banna advised that some of
the damages were actual and some estimates, as all had not been repaired yet;
and noted that he had receipts from other neighbors as well.
Councilmember Pust advised that
the City Council could make a policy decision on what they were paying;
however, she noted the need to have an accurate accounting of receipted
damages before doing so.
Mr. El-Banna advised that he would
make those receipts available to City Manager Malinen or City Engineer Debra
Bloom by Tuesday, February 1, 2011.
Mayor Roe noted that the February
7, 2011 Special Meeting may be cancelled depending on the amount of progress
made tonight; at which time the City Council would make a decision at the
February 14, 2011 regular business meeting.
Mayor
Roe advised that, at the request of several Councilmembers, a viewing would
be held of the brief documentary recently aired by a local television station
discussing the City of Roseville’s aging community demographics.
3. Department Briefs – Initiatives and Suggestions
Mayor Roe briefly provided a
background for tonight’s discussion in order to outline a City Council and
staff work plan for decision- and policy-making. Mayor Roe expressed
appreciation to Department Heads for providing written discussion items; allowing
for focus on those connections where decision or policy actions from the City
Council were needed, but not creating a need for involvement by the City
Council in day-to-day operations.
a. Public Works Department
– City Engineer Debra Bloom
City Engineer Bloom reviewed the
Department’s “Must Do’s” and “Ought To Do’s” in 2011-2012, including mandated
and regularly scheduled activities or those already in process. Ms. Bloom elaborated
on those items provided in staff’s written discussion outline.
Discussion among staff and
Councilmembers included negotiations with Gibb’s Farm regarding the Fairview
Pathway Construction Project for a sidewalk along Larpenteur Avenue, with
federal funding requirements for approval by the National Historical representatives,
and their reluctance to support the project based on it not adding to the
historical nature of the area; temporary easement requirements from Gibb’s
Farm for the project; existing sidewalk and lack of feasibility for a
proposed location changes; proposed Victoria Street project in 2012 planned
as 2-3 miles of mill and overlay, not reconstruction; and estimated staff
time spent on mandated items.
Ms. Bloom estimated the staff
time spent on various projects; however, she volunteered to provide
additional and more precise information to the City Council on staff time
spent.
Further discussion included clarification of those City-owned facilities managed
by the Public Works Department and those managed by the Parks and Recreation
Department; roof maintenance completed and that scheduled in the future; City
Council preference expressed to look at all its facilities and determine a
clear maintenance schedule through asset management software; more detailed
review of the wetland inventory, management, and permitting processes; and an
update on the garbage collection issue now at the Public Works, Environment,
and Transportation Commission level and any recommendations forthcoming.
b.
Police Department – Chief Rick Mathwig
Police Chief Rick Mathwig
reviewed the Department’s “Must Do’s” and “Ought to Do’s” in 2011, including
mandated and regularly scheduled activities or those already in process.
Chief Mathwig elaborated on those items provided in staff’s written
discussion outline.
Chief Mathwig noted the
department’s continuing shrinkage over the last few years; and the critical
crossroads being realized and addressed in the “Must Do’s” listed. Chief Mathwig
addressed the changing technologies in equipment, providing for major advances
in squads, firearms, and computers in the squads and in offices. Chief
Mathwig advised that major CIP advances were included in the Department’s
budget to update equipment in accordance with technological changes in the
industry.
Chief Mathwig reviewed current
staffing levels, and his proposals to restructure command staff to ensure
sufficient training and providing recruitment incentives for officers within
the department and within existing budget dollars, and through use of
part-time law enforcement students working as Community Service Officers
(CSO’).
Chief Mathwig addressed “Ought to
Do’s” such as additional retail patrols and cost-sharing with the retail
community as the department continued to seek ways to enhance its
relationship with retailers in the community.
Discussion among staff and
Councilmembers included reciprocity of retailers with the department;
initiatives of the department to facilitate relationships with retailers and
the area school districts; community policing efforts of the department with
the City’s diverse population, and specific efforts in developing relationships
with the Karen community; and cooperative work with the City’s Human Rights Commission
and Fire Department, and area faith communities.
Mayor Roe spoke in support of
the New American Forums as a great idea and the department’s partnerships
within the community and among departments. Mayor Roe encouraged developing
other relationships with other groups beyond the new immigrant communities to
connect them with resources.
Further discussion included
staff rationale, based on industry standards and use histories, for the
replacement schedule for squads and those items considered affecting officer
safety, repair and maintenance costs, climate, and trade-in values for used
squads, usually purchased by the taxi industry.
Ms. Bloom interjected that staff
mechanics maintained software data available on all City-owned vehicles and
repair/maintenance histories of each vehicle, subsequently used to determine
which vehicles to replace and when they should be replaced based on that
data.
Mayor Roe noted the need for
effective asset management software among departments; and upcoming needs addressed
in the Public Works and Police Departments for restructuring of staffing to
address future needs.
c.
Parks and Recreation Department – Director Lonnie Brokke
Parks and Recreation Director
Lonnie Brokke reviewed the Department’s “Must Do’s” and “Ought to Do’s” in
2011. Mr. Brokke elaborated on those items provided in staff’s written
discussion outline, many as a direct result or associated with the
recently-completed Master Plan process and its next phases.
Discussion among Councilmembers
and staff included scheduled replacement of the HAVC units for City Hall and
the Public Works Maintenance building in 2013; potential acquisition of
additional parcels as identified in the Master Plan for future parks within
the City; campus geothermal capacity and current excess capacity experienced
at the skating center and potential cost savings if and when the entire
campus is on the system; existing and expanded geothermal fields and
potential for additional wells needed; land long term leases versus city
ownership of park properties and related advantages/disadvantages and any
financial benefits, similar to estate planning, for property owners and/or
the City itself.
Additional discussion included
status of the tree survey for city-owned trees; status of playground
equipment and anticipated lifespan and replacement schedules and cost-sharing
between the City and area parks support groups; asset maintenance program
indications within the department; ongoing underfunding of the Parks
Improvement Program (PIP) fund; development of a volunteer program and
adequate supervision and direction; and recognition of the need to maintain
existing parks and facilities before adding more, or factoring their
long-term maintenance into their initial cost.
Additional discussion included
the status of the Master Plan implementation survey and any potential
referendum; development of a Maintenance Trust Fund similar to the City’s
Pavement Management Plan (PMP) to generate funds for ongoing maintenance of
park equipment and facilities and in tune with asset management perspectives.
Councilmember Pust asked that
staff ensure that the survey questions are shaped in a way that gives a clear
understanding that the City Council may need to increase taxes for other programs/services
during the same timeframe a referendum for implementing the Parks Master Plan
initiatives is undertaken.
d.
Fire Department – Fire Chief Tim O’Neill
Fire Chief Tim reviewed the
Department’s “Must Do’s” and “Ought to do’s” in 2011, including mandated and
regularly scheduled activities or those already in process. Chief O’Neill
elaborated on those items provided in staff’s written discussion outline.
Significant discussion among
Councilmembers and staff included the existing and projected building needs,
currently being finalized by the Building Needs Facility Committee and
prepared for recommendation to the City Council in the near future. Discussion
included past needs and those of the next 30-40 years; changes in the
department and services provided to the community; equipment changes and
reductions in the fleet over the last five (5) years; capital equipment
funding needs anticipated in the next 5-8 years, including radios, which were
previously replaced with assistance from grant funds; and recommended
staffing changes and restructuring similar to that addressed by the Police
Department as service needs and training requirements changed.
Chief O’Neill noted that he had
inherited the current department structure, and after completing his first
year in the role of Chief would be working with City Manager Malinen for
potential structure changes in 2012 to restructure personnel.
Chief O’Neill reviewed ongoing
and projected shared services opportunities, most specific with the Lake
Johanna Volunteer Fire Department (LJVFD), and development within the next
few months of a specialized rescue team manned by LJVFD and Roseville Fire
Department day-time personnel. Chief O’Neill reviewed other agreements among
the departments for mutual assistance at fires. Chief O’Neill noted grant
funding received for volunteer training and additional outreach in the
community; and addressed the changing needs of the community with emergency
medical care and services due to the community’s aging population. Chief
O’Neill expressed the departments’ desire to provide the best possible care
to that aging population before, during and after medical incidents, and to
provide sufficient follow-up allowing them to remain in their homes.
Chief O’Neill noted, similar to
other departments, the expanded training requirements, and industry changes
with training needed for chemicals and other Homeland Security issues; and
the need to address the health and wellness of firefighters in their
strenuous jobs.
Discussion ensued regarding
recent discussions at the Ramsey County League of Local Governments (RCLLG)
on shared service opportunities; interest in expanding those shared services
with other communities based on past conversations and future potential; the
need to consider if and how any shared services make sense for respective
communities and/or fire departments; rationale for location of any future
fire station(s); current department response time of a little over three (3)
minutes and within the 90th percentile for the nation; timing
projections for a potential referendum and other funding options for a new station;
and taking into consideration potential school district referendums.
Chief O’Neill noted that in the
department’s 67 year history, the Fire Department had never sought a
referendum, but other funding had been utilized for construction of two of
the last three stations.
Additional discussion included
fleet replacement projections; Councilmember Johnson’s experience as City
Council Liaison to the Fire Commission and his encouragement to
Councilmembers to take time to tour Station #3 and changes in the department
and services provided since its construction in the 1960’s; review of the
history of current stations and their current disrepair; current limited use
of Station #1; and recognizing another example of the need for an asset
management program.
Mayor Roe observed that, given
the current condition of Station #1, it would probably be prudent to not have
any programs or community activities operating from that facility.
Recess
Mayor Roe recessed the meeting at approximately 7:59 pm
and reconvened at approximately 8:08 pm.
e.
Finance Department – Finance Director Chris Miller
Finance Director Chris Miller reviewed
the Department’s “Must Do’s” and “Ought to Do’s” in 2011, including mandated
and regularly scheduled activities or those already in process. Mr. Miller elaborated
on those items provided in staff’s written discussion outline, emphasizing
the need to seriously address the City’s long-term financial sustainability.
Mr. Miller reviewed the changes
made to the budget process in an attempt to provide added transparency, with
that work continuing as staff channeled resources to reflect the City
Council’s priorities and away from those deemed as having less corporate
value; dedication of new moneys to eliminate funding gaps in asset replacement
programs and the millions of dollars the City continued to be behind in
funding asset replacements, opining that every year’s delay only serves to
exacerbate that problem, with the exception of the successful PMP program
created by previous City Councils. Mr. Miller noted that the last 8 out of
11 years, City Councils had tapped into its reserves to plug operating gaps,
and strongly encouraged Councilmembers to discontinue that practice, while
recognizing the reluctance of the public in increased taxes, and the
political issues faced by the City Council.
Mr. Miller specifically addressed
the City’s current and projected Information Technology (IT) services and the
need to effectively manage it for the future through investing in cost-saving
equipment.
Discussion among Councilmembers
and staff included the need to update the financial savings projections from
the 2005/06 study for the entire campus on geothermal energy and related
annual budget impacts; and use of reserve funds or asset management funds for
IT services similar to the IMP or PIP as needs over the next five years were
projected, with current funds primarily from tower rents and Joint Powers
Agreements (JPA’s) for IT services with other communities and/or agencies,
with increases built into those contracts.
Mayor Roe noted the need to tie
in geothermal energy factors short- and long-term and impacts to the annual
budget, and as part of CIP projections.
Councilmember Johnson concurred,
noting that the same projections were indicated for the City’s IT
investments.
Further discussion included
changing technologies and required updates to facilitate that change and
increase productivity and provide support staff to maintain and service those
advances.
Councilmembers McGehee and
Willmus requested additional information from Mr. Miller on how much he would
reasonably project to begin setting aside going forward to fund asset programs
not currently funded over the next ten (10) years; or viable targets for
reserve funds if realistically other than the current 50% reserve target for
the General Fund.
Additional discussion included
past City Council review of reserve funding policies and updating those
targets periodically.
Councilmember Johnson opined
that the CIP needed to be part of that discussion, noting Mr. Miller’s
continuing and emphatic caution if current practices continue in underfunding
asset replacement and his projections that a 17% annual tax increase would be
needed over a ten year period to get back on track. Councilmember Johnson
noted that he strongly supported a serious discussion on finding a compromise
or strategy to get the CIP back on track.
Mayor Roe noted that there were
some big ticket items on the CIP that were completely unfunded and that those
items needed to be addressed by the City Council as well.
Councilmember Johnson noted that
the City Council continued to listen to the facts presented by staff, but
continued to be reluctant to address the issues.
Councilmember Willmus spoke in
support of having the discussion and prioritizing strategies.
Councilmember Pust noted the
limitations based on current levy limits of 3.9% annually for cities imposed
by the State legislature.
Councilmember McGehee expressed interest
in moving beyond priorities from a realistic standpoint; noting that the City
Council’s number one job was to effectively manage public monies.
Councilmember McGehee opined that staff was obviously doing its job
transparently; and expressed her interest in addressing future steps to
correct current trends.
Councilmember Johnson concurred.
It was Council consensus that
further discussion was imperative.
Mayor Roe suggested that these
items would most likely be revisited as the City Council provided their
comments and priorities for follow-up. Mayor Roe suggested that tonight’s
meeting not exceed 9:00 p.m. to avoid loss of productivity by those in attendance
and as some of these rather daunting but vital items required further
consideration and discussion. Mayor Roe asked that individual Councilmembers
follow the process used by department heads and provide their written
comments by submitting them to City Manager Malinen to be included in the
next meeting packet. Mayor Roe noted that discussion of the damages to
residents in the cul-de-sac would also be a discussion item at the next
Special Council Work Plan meeting scheduled for Monday, February 7, 2011.
f.
Community Development Department – Director Patrick Trudgeon
Community Development Director
Patrick Trudgeon reviewed the Department’s “Must Do’s” and “Ought to Do’s”
for 2011, including ongoing land use activities or those day-to-day
operations already in process. Mr. Trudgeon elaborated on those items provided
in staff’s written discussion outline. In addition to those City Code
chapters listed requiring modification and updating, Mr. Trudgeon noted the
Subdivision and Adult Use ordinances also.
In the “Ought to do’s,” Mr.
Trudgeon brainstormed various strategies related to record management and
retrieval by staff and the public; need for field personnel to be able to
access technology in the field rather than current inefficiencies; market-driven
versus planned economic development; support of existing and future
businesses in the community; and limited asset and capital investment needs
from his department’s perspective, but enthusiastic support of the department
for the overall city investment in those assets as they impacted the need for
ongoing infrastructure considerations affecting the vitality of the community.
Discussion among Councilmembers
and staff included multi-family properties and current and future projected
problems as it related to registration, licensure and inspections; development
and/or redevelopment in the community; notice process and practices for major
developments or projects in the City and the need to develop an effective
e-mail address data file to provide notices, while recognizing the need to
provide mailed and/or published notice, along with cable television notices,
to those not having access to the internet.
Mayor Roe noted the need for the
Mayor and City Council to continue their outreach efforts within the business
community. Mayor Roe questioned how funding sources were allotted to cities
for Economic Development Authorities (EDA’s) and how options fit in and which
advantages best fit the City’s needs. Mayor Roe noted the City of St. Louis
Park model and how such a model could fund other aspects of the department as
well.
Further discussion included the
HRA’s expanding role from focusing on single-family residential homes to
smaller rentals, and now larger multi-family residential properties; what
role the City and/or HRA plays in multi-family properties; and expectations
of the multi-family industry for inspections and licensing of their
properties.
Councilmember McGehee suggested
that the City develop an ordinance requiring condominium or townhome units to
maintain a reserve fund to avoid HIA’s from coming forward, with an annual
accounting to Mr. Miller of their reserve fund balances to ensure they
remained on track and did not become underfunded.
Councilmember Pust advised that,
before considering such an action, the City should seek a legal opinion as to
whether such an ordinance was allowed.
Mayor Roe concurred, noting that
associations were regulated by State Statute with those recent statutory
requirements requiring better financial planning by associations; with the
HIA in place to cover older associations needing to improve that financial management.
Additional discussion included
how to avoid situations with multi-family housing landlords recently
evidenced in the news; standards for compliance on the local and state level
through effective inspections and well-documented enforcement and abatement
procedures; and the need to carry over strong compliance procedures for
multi-family housing developments.
Councilmember Johnson spoke
strongly in support of establishing strong compliance standards for
multi-family housing developments.
Councilmember Pust noted that
increasing enforcement-oriented procedures for multi-family housing in the
community was part of the HRA’s strategic plan.
Mayor Roe noted the need to tie
the need for enforcement at those complexes with the needs of tenants or
landlords for resources; identifying frequent Police calls with family crisis
issues; and how the City is addressing and facilitating connections between
people and resources, recognizing the human side of multi-family housing and
related impacts.
Councilmember Pust noted past
discussions related to inspections and licensing and the controversy
encountered within the community, specifically with landlords.
Mayor Roe noted the need to
distinguish between smaller units and multi-family units related to that
controversy and how to address their respective situations.
Further discussion ensued
regarding unintended consequences for and the need to provide protection to
tenants who bring concerns forward and eviction clauses built into lease
agreements; fire code inspections only addressing common areas, not individual
units; and limitations on the City in getting involved in issues between
tenants and landlords; and current cooperative work between the City’s Police
Department and HRA in addressing some problems.
g. Administration -
City Manager Bill Malinen
City Manager Bill Malinen
briefly reviewed the Administration Department’s “Must Do’s” and “Ought to
Do’s” for 2011, as selected form the City’s 2010-2014 Strategic Plan. Mr.
Malinen elaborated on those items provided in staff’s written discussion
outline.
Mr. Malinen noted the shared
services currently done by Roseville, more than most communities in Ramsey
County according to a recent Chamber of Commerce study; and his personal high
priority to improve the City’s record management system to get public
documents on line to allow citizens access, even while recognizing the
resource-intensive nature of scanning and identifying the documents during
that process.
Discussion among Councilmembers
and staff included staff’s rationale in processing planning files in their
entirety versus incrementally; information sharing through cable television
as well as through social media means; and estimated personnel costs globally
at approximately 75% of overall costs.
Councilmember McGehee encouraged
individual Councilmembers to view the City of St. Louis Park website
structure and how it reflected ongoing community involvement and outreach.
Councilmember Pust encouraged
staff and individual Councilmembers to consider, prior to the next meeting,
how their presentations would have differed as they considered those aging
demographics over the next fourteen (14) years as identified in the video
viewed tonight, with more seniors than kids anticipated in the nature, which
already seemed realistic in Roseville. Councilmember Pust questioned if that
made any difference in how various departments and the City Council did
business; and how the community should be planning for the future.
Mayor Roe concurred. Mayor Roe
reviewed the homework assignments between now and next weeks’ meeting:
1) Individual
Councilmembers are tasked with submitting their “Must Do’s” and “Ought to
Do’s” to City Manager Malinen by Wednesday, February 2, 2011 end of day, or
in a similar format to those submitted by Department Heads tonight.
2) Everyone to
review the comments, and consider tonight’s discussions and notes, as they
contemplated the next discussions; with consolidation of similar items; and
prioritization of those discussions. Consideration of what kind of staff and
City Council resources it will take to focus on the “Ought To’s” from the
City Council level over the next few years, not specifically budget dollars,
but staff time required.
Discussion included identifying
individual interests over the next two (2) years to be incorporated into a
corporate work plan and to facilitate future discussions, and staff input
related to overall implications and timing for accomplishing initiatives.
Mayor Roe noted the inclusion of
the cul-de-sac issue on that agenda as well.
Councilmember Pust expressed
concern that not all neighbors had been contacted or submitted claims; and
how claims could be professionally verified and substantiated.
City Manager Malinen advised
that this was staff’s challenge; noting that insurance adjusters were able to
make that determination; but staff didn’t have much time for that step if the
item was to be acted upon at the February 7, 2011 meeting.
Councilmember Pust suggested
that Mr. Hermes, and other neighbors be contacted by staff, and advised that
the item was pushed back to the February 14, 2011 regular business meeting;
which would also allow for additional conversations with LMCIT and Xcel
Energy and a more informed decision by the City Council. Councilmember Pust
noted that this delay is in no way indicating that the City Council is taking
a position that homeowners blew out an appliance intentionally.
City Manager Malinen expressed concern that this City Council action would
also set a precedent for future incidents.
Mayor Roe concurred that
additional information and more specific information on the situation was
indicated, and directed staff to put this item on the February 14, 2011
meeting agenda. By consensus, staff was further directed to contact affected
residents on the changed date for consideration and to ensure that all receipts
and/or other documentation was submitted before that meeting; and that all
affected parties were notified and aware of the potential action.
City Manager Malinen advised
that staff would continue their discussion with LMCIT and Xcel Energy to
hopefully provide updated information to the City Council at that time as
well.
Johnson moved, Pust seconded,
that the cul-de-sac item be included on the February 14, 2011 City Council
agenda.
Roll Call
Ayes:
Willmus; Pust; Johnson; McGehee; and Roe.
Nays: None.
Mayor Roe expressed his
appreciation to Acting Mayor Pust for taking over the meeting last Monday
evening on very short notice, when he became ill during the meeting.
7. Adjourn
The meeting
was adjourned at approximately 9:13 pm.
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