2021-10-19 CC Meeting MinutesMOUND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
OCTOBER 19, 2021
The City Council of the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in special session on
Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Centennial Building.
Members present: Mayor Ray Salazar; Council Members Phil Velsor, Paula Larson, Sherrie
Pugh, Jason Holt
Members absent: None
Others present: City Manager/Public Works Director Eric Hoversten, Administrative Services
Director Catherine Pausche, City Engineer Matt Bauman
1. Open meeting
Mayor Salazar called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Approve the agenda
Motion by Velsor, seconded by Larson to approve the agenda. All voted in favor. Motion
carried.
3. Discussion Items
A. Fee Schedule suggested changes for 2022
Pausche highlighted proposed changes to dock program fees as recommended by the
Docks Commission that are intended to streamline the application process by no longer
singling out the LMCD fee as well as raise the secondary watercraft fees back to 2008 levels
at $150 and have multiple slip licensees cover the cost of the in/out service. Discussion
ensued on the temporary visiting dockage permit and it was agreed that the number of days
should be reduced from 21 to 10 at a cost of $150 with a limit of one per season per
licensee.
Pausche noted the addition of nuisance abatement charges and policy related clarifications
for the fee schedule for which the Council concurred.
B. Next phase for cemetery improvements
Pugh said the Cemetery sub -committee toured Eden Prairie's Pleasant Hill Cemetery to
view the newly installed Ossuarium for ash remains and found it to be serene and
respectful. Pugh said it the committee thought it would be a nice addition to Mound's
cemetery, noting there is enough room for more than one. Discussion ensued about the
cost of the Ossuarium and Staff was directed to develop a plan that was flexible in
accommodating one Ossuarium and either full or half graves. Larson asked if two caskets
can fit in a single grave or more than two urns and why two grave markers were not allowed.
Pausche said that has not been past practice and would need to be further investigated.
The Council discussed the entry and potential iron fence and directed Staff to look into
options for a potential overhead entry monument and screening of the east end of Area D.
Mound City Council Minutes —October 19, 2021 Workshop
C. Polling places for City run elections
Pausche stated that the 2020 census gives cities the opportunity to evaluate the number of
polling places. Pausche said that since no -excuse absentee voting, expanded window for
early voting, and the direct balloting option was approved in 2016, the number of early votes
has increased. Pausche said it has also been a struggle to recruit election judges and she
would like to consider reducing the number of polling places from 4 to 3.
Discussion ensued on the 2020 election, when the City temporarily reduced the number of
polling places to two due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Larson and Holt noted long waits at
the Centennial Building. Larson said she would like to see a polling location added to the
island. Velsor said he has no problem leaving the island to vote as one has to leave to do
many things.
Pausche said Staff will go through the exercise to evaluate reducing to three precincts and
bring an analysis back to the City Council for consideration.
D. Surfside Park & Beach remaining improvements
Hoversten showed the concept sketch from the master plan, noting the east side parking lot
and storm water improvements have been completed leaving the western portion.
Hoversten said the parking lot and Depot sidewalks are in the CIP and the Jaycees have
funded a picnic shelter. Hoversten said this discussion should focus on what to do with the
playground structure.
Discussion ensued on the pros and cons of a nature -play theme vs. a pipe and plastic
assembled play structure. Hoversten noted the limited parking that should caution the
Council on overdesign/intensity. Pugh asked if some of these solutions should be
considered for the Harbor District public space. Hoversten said the challenge will be to
determine the main purpose of the Harbor District space. Salazar agreed parking is less of
a challenge in the Harbor District. Pugh said the play area in these spaces should be
different than what is available in the 25 neighborhood parks. Hoversten said the question
is what is the appetite for overall cost and whether the nature theme is preferred. Holt
expressed concern on whether the log theme would maintain appeal and he would like to
see a combination. Velsor said he visits many parks and he has found his boys enjoy all
varieties.
Hoversten noted there is nothing budgeted for recreation equipment at this time and he will
work on bringing forward some options. Velsor asked if the Depot parking lot could be
looped. Hoversten said that would require much more space, but perhaps a
turnaround/bump out could be added. Hoversten noted approval of the parking lot and
sidewalk improvements are included in the 2022 CIP with the design/development phase
happening in 2021. Pugh asked for arms on any benches or a variety of seating
arrangements to accommodate different ages.
4. Long -Term Financial Plan (LTFP)/Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Pausche noted the three pages of the 2018 assumptions that were a product of the fact that the
City had improved or evaluated every component of major infrastructure and came up with the
frequency of ongoing maintenance and replacement schedules. Hoversten said the timelines
for individual projects are constantly reviewed and in some cases, projects have been pushed
Mound City Council Minutes —October 19, 2021 Workshop
out to accommodate new, more pressing needs like the downtown sidewalks. Hoversten also
said assuming a bit more risk will provide short-term relief for the utility funds.
Hoversten noted the Chateau water tower coating has been pushed out to 2027 because
although people may not like the color, it is functional.
Hoversten said there are 7 lift stations left to replace and the cost estimates have been updated
for current prices. Hoversten also noted there are many placeholders for things like televising
sewer that may or may not be capitalized. Discussion ensued on the crosswalks and the need
to add more and the amount of City -owned retaining walls.
Pausche noted more analysis is needed on buildings and equipment needs. Pausche said the
levy will increase 5% and the sewer rate will increase 3% for 2022, but noted the 5 year freeze
on water rates should end in 2023 in order to off -set the ongoing deficit. Pausche said debt
service peaked in 2017/2018 but the 20-year utility bonds repayments will continue well into the
2030's. Pausche said the reserves being created in the governmental funds will fund the
deficits in the enterprise funds and reduce the City's future need on debt and special
assessments during the next round of street improvements. Salazar noted the Council's
decision to commit to a 5% levy increase will reduce the need to bond as well.
Pausche noted the expenditures in the capital reserve funds are placeholders as the needs
continued be identified and that consistently funding over time will prevent spikes in the levy.
5. Council direction to Staff on how to proceed with preparing the final budget,
including the levy and utility rates, for consideration at the December 14 th final meeting
of the year.
Salazar said this plan reflects needs, not wants.
Holt asked for an update on the trail crossing. Hoversten stated he was able to work through
the County's concerns and noted Center Point Energy has some major work scheduled and the
County plans to do a mill and overlay in 2023. Hoversten said the County has instructed the
City to prepare the final specs and get the City portion of the work done prior to that. Hoversten
said the County policy makers and staff have committed. Pugh noted the significant amount of
construction that will be occurring in the downtown area.
Pugh asked if the bus service was restored and Hoversten said partially, with the express bus
leaving from the transit station. Pugh encouraged Staff to investigate paperless agendas,
noting she can share the MN Council on Aging's software. Pugh also said she requests the
Power Point presentation that also make it much easier to view images.
6. Adjourn
MOTION by Velsor, seconded by Holt, to adjourn at 9:58 p.m. All voted in favor. Motion
carried.
Mayor Raymond J. Salazar
Attest: in Kelly, C erk