2016-04-19 CC Meeting MinutesMOUND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 19, 2016
The City Council of the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in special session on
Wednesday, April 19, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Centennial Building.
Members present: Mayor Mark Wegscheid; Council Members Kelli Gillispie, Ray Salazar, Heidi
Gesch, and Jennifer Peterson
Others present: City Manager/Public Works Director Eric Hoversten, Community Development
Director Sarah Smith, Public Works Superintendent Ray Hanson, Liquor Store Manager John
Colotti, Fire Chief Greg Pederson, Finance Director/Clerk/Treasurer Catherine Pausche, Oronc
Police Chief Correy Farniok.
1. Open meeting
Mayor Wegscheid called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Approve the agenda
Motion by Salazar, seconded by Peterson to approve the agenda. All voted in favor. Motion
carried.
Council Member Gillispie arrived at 6:39 pm.
3. Department Head Annual Reports
Annual reports were presented by Department Heads with discussion following.
A. Orono Police Department — Police Chief Correy Farniok
Police Chief Famiok presented highlights including an upgrade of the Records Management
System and portable radios, working with local business, a potential grant from State Farm for a
speed trailer and message board to help with issues on Highway 12. Farniok also noted an
increase in theft from autos so reminded everyone to lock cars, don't put outgoing mail in home
mail box, and noted fine revenue decreasing as compliance has increased and officers focusing
on education before issuing a traffic violation.
B. Liquor Store — Manager John Colotti
Colotti said the implementation of the new point of sale and credit card processor is complete
and that the new website is near completion. Colotti noted Total Wine in Chanhassen will be
opening and impacts on sales in other areas has been significant initially, but appears to
rebound eventually. Wegscheid asked about savings in electric bills with the cooler lighting
retrofit project. Gillispie asked about how gross profit and operating income compares to
industry and Colotti said the State Auditor publishes this information for municipal liquor stores
and his gross profit is above average.
C. Fire & Rescue/Emergency Response — Fire Chief Greg Pederson
Chief Pederson said the primary focus is on staff and recruitment, developing a long-term
strategic/financial plan and the current shared services study. Pederson noted the reduction in
building rent will allow for equipment purchases without a large increase in costs. Wegscheid
asked when the 2016 vehicles will be put into operation and Pederson said it is typical to hold a
Mound City Council Minutes—April 19, 2016
ceremony to launch a large apparatus like the aerial fire ladder truck and that will take place in
September.
D. Community Development/Planning/Zoning/Building Inspections —
Community Development Director Sarah Smith
Smith said the number of permits issued did not change but the value doubled as more infill of
existing lots takes place. Smith said code enforcement continues to be a priority and that a
multi -pronged approach is needed to give teeth in instances that are more difficult to enforce
and compel progress. Smith said special event permitting continues to show value and that
Staff and the Planning Commission has nearly completed a holistic review of the zoning code
and that additional changes for brew pubs and lake shore leading to public water will be brought
forth in May. Smith said the comp plan update will include a public input process from key
stakeholders and that Mound's interagency partnerships are strong. Smith forecasted an uptick
in redevelopment and noted the challenge to manage simultaneous projects.
E. Public Works (Parks) Operations & City Projects - Public Works Superintendent
Ray Hanson and City Manager/PWD Eric Hoversten
Hoversten highlighted the multiple construction projects that are planned, the favorable bidding
environment thus far, the challenge of staff vacancies that has been partially mitigated by the
good weather, and forecasted a need to focus on facilities, including the deteriorating Island
Park Hall, in the near future. Discussion on whether to add more projects in the favorable
bidding environment and what is a manageable work load ensued. Council Members were
encouraged to read the Mayor's updated letter on the homepage regarding construction
logistics.
Council Member Peterson departed at 7:25 pm.
F. Finance & Administration/Docks Administration — Finance Director/Clerk/Treasurer
Catherine Pausche
Pausche noted the 2015 budget to actual had been included and that vacancies helped to
produce favorable results. Pausche noted the audited financials will be issued in June and that
bonding will be delayed until fall as cash on hand is adequate and more refundings for interest
rate savings will be possible. Pausche said she will focus on fee structures and procurement
activities once the transition of Indian Knoll Manor is complete. Discussion on specialized
services versus commodity like services ensued as well as the length of contracts and need to
focus on defining service levels and terms.
4. Adjourn
MOTION by Gesch, seconded by Gillispie, to adjourn at 8:02 p.m. All voted in favor. Motion
carried.
Mayor Mark Wegscheid
Attest: Catherine Pausche, Clerk