1993-05-18N~NUTES - COI~[TTEE OF THE WHOLE - I~Y ~8, ~993
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM. Members present:
Mayor Skip Johnson, Councilmembers Andrea Ahrens, Phyllis Jessen,
Liz Jensen, Ken Smith. Also present: Arlo VandeVegte, West
Hennepin Human Services Planning Board and Bruce Larson, Assistant
Director, West Hennepin Human Services Planning Board; Ed Shukle,
City Manager.
Arlo VandeVegte and Bruce Larson from the West Hennepin Human
Services Planning Board were present to address the Council on
possible interest in joining the West Hennepin Human Services
Planning Board. Both VandeVegte and Larson indicated that the City
of Mound had been a member in the past and never officially
withdrew from the joint powers agreement. However, the City has
not participated for several years. Both individuals requested
that the City of Mound take another look at the planning board and
consider becoming involved and active in it. The City Council
thanked VandeVegte and Larson for attending and indicated that this
matter would be taken under advisement and reviewed at a future
City Council meeting. The City Council then discussed the matter
and agreed to have it on the next regular meeting agenda.
Goal setting was discussed. Councilmember Jensen indicated that
she identified three items that should be looked at: 1) Mission
Statement, 2) Approach to setting goals and 3) Establishing
goals. The mission statement was briefly reviewed and after some
discussion it was agreed that Skip and Phyllis would review the
mission statement further to try to clean up some of the
punctuation and wording. Jensen suggested that each councilmember
list 5 things that they would like to see accomplished in the City
of Mound to make Mound better. Liz will take these items listed
and put them together for future discussion.
City Manager Ed Shukle presented some information pertaining to a
possible water and sewer general obligation revenue bond issue,
dealing with capital improvement projects in the water and sewer
departments. They include a new meter reading system, repainting
of the Evergreen Road water tank, watermain improvements and gate
valve improvments and upgrading of lift stations. The total
estimated amount is $1,300,000. The proposal is to issue
$1,300,000 sometime this summer with the water meter reading system
to be out for bids within the next several months and the remaining
items to be done in 1994. Part of the proposal deals with rate
increases in both the water and sewer funds. The city Manager and
'Finance Director have recommended that 5% increases for each of the
next four years be implemented in order to provide the resources to
pay the principal and interest on the bonds and create a more
stable flow of resources to the utility funds. The City Council
discussed this information and by consensus directed the City
Manager to proceed in preparing the necessary documents to go
forward with the bond issue for the above items including the
proposal to have water and sewer rate increases go into effect by
5% increase for each of the next four years.
A discussion was then held on outstanding general improvement bond
debt. The City Manager presented some information indicating that
of 6 outstanding bond issues that have been paid for through
special assessments, there are two issues that ought to be called
in and the bonds paid off and the cash be placed in Fund #30 which
is the capital improvement fund. The rationale behind this
recommendation is the fact that the bonds are callable (paid off
early) and in one of the issues cases, the interest rates are
higher than what the normal bond market is presently. Thus, this
action would save the City money and create a cash balance that
could be used for capital improvements that the City Council deems
appropriate. The consensus was to go forward and call in the GO
improvement bond of 1979 and the GO improvement bond of 1982. The
City Manager and Finance Director will prepare the necessary
documents and will be bringing this information to an upcoming
regular City Council meeting for action.
Councilmember Ken Smith updated the Council on the Commons Task
Force. He indicated that the video tape was nearly complete and
would be available within the next few months. The video tape will
show the various commons areas from the lake that will be
catalogued and/or indexed so that areas can be identified
immediately for review by the Parks and Open Space Commission, City
Council or any other group that wishes to view the commons areas.
The Teal Pointe Environmental Assessment Worksheet was presented.
City Manager Ed Shukle indicated that the EAW will be reviewed by
the Parks and Open Space Commission and the Planning Commission at
the Planning Commission meeting of May 24, 1993. The City Council
will subsequently look at the EAW formally at its regular meeting
of June 8, 1993. Questions were raised with regard to timing and
when the city Council actually has to approve the EAW. The City
Manager indicated that he would talk to the City Planner and get
back to the Council with a response.
city Manager Ed Shukle and Mayor Skip Johnson updated the Council
on the Bruce Miller Duck Stamp Event scheduled for Thursday, July
1st in Mound.
Other business discussed was the school district survey, LMCD,
rental housing report and mid-block crosswalks.
Upon motion by Smith, seconded by Jensen and carried unanimously,
the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 PM.
City Manager
ES:is