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1991-10-15MINDTE$ - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - OCTOBER 15, 1991 The meeting was called to order at 7 PM. Members present: Mayor Johnson, Councilmemb~rs Ahrens, Smith, Jessen and Jensen. Also present: City Manager Ed Shukle, Police Chief Len Harrell, Mrs. John Flaherty, Parker Hodges and Finance Director John Norman. A discussion was held on the existing curfew ordinance. The City Manager pointed out that the city clerk and police chief had prepared some information for this item which included: The existing ordinance. The proposed amendments made by the Council per their instructions of the September 17, 1991 Committee of the Whole meeting. An amendment as recommended by the police chief. Upon discussion of the ordinance, the Council accepted the amendment as recommended by the police chief which addresses the age limitations, times that persons can be on the streets, highways, public grounds, etc., and repeals the reference to designated times of the year with the standard 10 PM to 5 AM schedule all year round. The ordinance also addresses ages 15-17 and changes the schedule to 12 midnight to 5 AM all year round. The City Council directed the city manager to have the attorney prepare the amendment in ordinance form to be considered at a public hearing on November 12, 1991. He is also to notify the school district regarding their possible interest in this matter so that they may attend the public hearing. Possible changes to the ordinances regulating dogs and other animals was discussed. Council reviewed a draft of an ordinance adding Section 456:26 to the city code regarding leashing and clean up after dogs or animals and agreed that they would like to see this ordinance put into effect in the City of Mound. They directed the city'manager to have the city attorney prepare it for a public hearing which is to be scheduled for November 26, 1991. Council then went further into discussing this matter. By reviewing Section 455:10, dealing with dog nuisances indicating that they would like to have the phrase "at night" be deleted from the second sentence referencing a dog barking or crying. They also looked at Section 456:80, with regard to impoundment fees and suggested that the second occurrence within a year should be fined at $55 and that the third and subsequent impoundments within one year have an additional $15 tacked on each time. The language dealing with fourth and subsequent impounds would be deleted. The city manager was directed to have these changes placed on the agenda for the public hearing November 26, 1991. 188 Ninutes, Committee of the Whole, October 15, 1991 The 1992 Proposed Budget was presented by Ed Shukle, City Manager. He highlighted the Budget Message at the beginning of the proposed budget and discussed all of the funds that are covered within the proposed operating budget. Questions were asked concerning the following: Unfunded liability of the Pension Fund Background information with regard to the Fire Relief Pension Association contribution Capital Improvement Fund The Water Fund and future improvements including lead paint removal and repainting of water tower on Evergreen Lane, watermain replacements and water meter system Sewer rate increase proposal The Council agreed to discuss the proposed budget in more detail at the next Committee of the Whole meeting anticipating the public hearings which are scheduled for Monday, December 2, 1991 and if needed Tuesday, December 10, 1991. Finance Director John Norman presented a memorandum dated October 15, 1991 dealing with a proposed computer upgrade. He indicated that the City's current computer system is near capacity. He also indicated that Computoservice, the City's computer vendor, has moved to a newer and faster operating system known as UNIX. He indicated that Computoservice will no longer write software for the existing computer system and the City is in the position where they are being forced to change systems. Mr. Norman and City Manager Ed Shukle recommended that the City upgrade the computer system through Computoservice on the software and Ameridata, through the state contract on the hardware, and to purchase the system at an estimated cost of $60,000 from the City's Capital Improvement Fund, known as Fund 30. There was a considerable amount of discussion by the Council with regard to spending approximately $60,000 at this time out of the Capital Improvement Fund. Discussion focused on whether the General Fund ought to pay back the Capital Improvement Fund with interest over a 3-5 year period, pay for the equipment out of Fund 30 without any repayment or lease the equipment through a financing company. The finance director will be researching these issues and will be bringing back a recommendation at the regular meeting of October 22, 1991. Crosswalk striping was briefly discussed. Councilmember Phyllis Jessen indicated that she had heard from some of the business community that there ought to be crosswalks painted at the intersection of Commerce Blvd. and Lynwood Blvd. on Lynwood. The city manager is to check on this. Also discussed was prioritizing crosswalks and where they ought to be in the City. 2 Minutes, Committee of the Whole, October 15, 1991 Goal Setting/Team Building follow up and any future meetings was briefly discussed. This matter was continued to the next Committee of the Whole meeting. Council briefly talked about its mission statement and how visible that should be. The annual Christmas Party was discussed. It was the consensus to have a party and to schedule it at the Mound VFW, similar to what took place the last two years. A tour of the Resource Recovery Facility at Knutson Services, Inc. was briefly discussed. The city manager indicated that a tour had been arranged for Saturday, October 19th. Council consensus was to postpone this due to schedule conflicts. Artwork for the Council Chambers was briefly discussed. indicated he was still working on this. Skip The city manager distributed proposed policies for adoption at the annual meeting of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM). Mayor Johnson indicated that he would be attending the annual meeting. City Manager Ed Shukle inquired as to what should be done, if anything, on pursuing the possible purchase of property behind Anthony's Floral. It was the consensus to have the mayor, city attorney and city manager meet with Tony and Eva VanderSteeg to discuss this matter. HRA appointments were briefly discussed. City Manager Ed Shukle indicated that Pinky Charon has resigned from the HRA Board, effective immediately and Jim Regan whose term had expired August 29, ~991, has indicated that he does not wish to be reappointed. The city manager indicated that it might be of value to have a Council representative on the HRA Board. Councilmember Ken Smith volunteered to serve in the seat that was held by Pinky Charon. That term expires August 1992. Regan's term would be for a 5 year appointment. Council took this vacancy under advisement. The police chief brought up the possibility of doing a customer's survey on police services. The survey would be sent out randomly within the community and would be paid for from funds from the Crime Prevention Fund. Council consensus was to proceed with this survey. The next meeting of the Committee of the Whole is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 1991, 7 PM, at city hall. !90 Minutes, Committee of' the l~hole, October 15, 1991 Tuesday, November 19, 1991, ? PM, at city hall. It was moved by Jensen, seconded by Smith, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Ed Shukl e Ci. ty ~anager ES:ls 4