1999-05-18MINUTES - MOUND COMMITrEE OF THE WHOLE - MAY 18, 1999
The Committee of the Whole for the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in
regular session on Tuesday, May 18, 1998, at 7:40 PM, in the Council Workroom at 5341
Maywood Road, in said City.
Those present were Mayor Pat Meisel, Councilmembers: Andrea Ahrens, Bob Brown, Mark
Hanus, Leah Weycker. Also in attendance were: Acting City Manager Fran Clark, Police
Chief, Len Harrell, Bruce Chamberlain (HKGI),
The Mayor opened the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Bruce Chamberlain discussed part of the timetable for redevelopment of downtown. The
items he looked at include: the new post office, redevelopment of the Langdon District,
hotel/farmer's market, completion of Lost Lake Canal and Greenway projects,
redevelopment of Coast to Coast District, Auditors Road District, and the relocation of
County road 15. He stated that while it was an aggressive schedule, he felt it was doable.
He stated that he wanted to work through the EDC for additional component discussions
and then they would come to the City Council for review and approval: His intent is to
prepare a strategic plan and schedule for each endeavor (listed and others that come up)
and appropriately delegate responsibility for each of them. There will be a team of
developers, public finance specialists, acquisition and relocation specialists, architects and
engineers working on the actual plans.
Brown asked why the Post Office project was delayed. Mr. Chamberlain stated that a
number of factors played into that decision.
Chamberlain stated that with the good economy he is with working with Bill Beard
(developer for redevelopment of the Landgon District and Auditors Road District). There
has been a request to pull up the Coast to Coast project by six months.
Mayor Meisel gave an update regarding the Community Center proposed demolition. The
bids have been let and will be awarded on June 7th. She has spoken with Eric Bjorklund and
asked for a verbal appraisal of the property if it was "clean" and nothing was on it minus the
cost of the demolition. She thinks that possible the City should go in there and offer to
purchase the land as is. She stated that the school district has found the extra money to do
the demolition without touching the $1.2 million.
If the Council is inclined to do so, however, they need to move prior to June 7th when the
bids are scheduled to be awarded.
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Hanus raised the question of what was happening to the land next to the SuperAmerica.
He stated that he was more interested in this piece of land versus the Community Center
piece since it is proposed to house a hotel and restaurant. Chamberlain indicated that he
will try to work with the existing owner and see what they can do with him retaining ownership
or if they can get him to handle thc development as we would design it.
He has also discussed the choreography of the projects with Bill Beard for the downtown
development. Some of those thoughts require relocating the post office which could be placed
elsewhere. There are other retail opportunities for the corner of Auditors Road and County
Road 110.
Brown and Hanus came back to the Community Center Site. Hanus feels it may be too
expensive. · It was suggested that the area could be rolled into a TIF district. Some other
options for payment include Tax Anticipation bonds or General Obligation bonds. Hanus stated
that his preference was still the Super America site. The Mayor indicated that they should at
least consider posting an "intent to purchase" to the school district. Hanus asked if Beard could
purchase the property and develop it. Chamberlain indicated that he was working with the team
for redevelopment of the downtown area and that this would have to be weighed against the
projects and what the team said.
Chamberlain stated that if the City wanted the Community Center land, they would probably
have to go out on a limb to acquire since the school district did not trust the City. (Mayor
Meisel). If their intent stops demolition (especially after bid awarding), then there is a financial
obligation. He stated that he would work with Dean and the School District and look at the
options for financing.
Hanus asked what the City's obligation is if they give letter of intent. Chamberlain stated that
in the worse case scenario, "We buy the land and something changes, we still have property to
sell."Mayor stated that for a fallback, the City could go to the bank for a loan. Harrell stated
that his would give the City the "opportunity to control their own destiny."
Hanus asked in light of all the property the City will have to acquire, how will this impact that.
Chamberlain stated that eventually, it can be rolled into a TIF.
The Mayor directed Chamberlain to start working on the Super America site land options
vigorously also.
Chamberlain stated that he was develoPing a plan to meet with all the business owners and Bud
Storm from Evergreen regarding acquisition in order that it was handled in a "legal and moral
, ethical, professional, and above board manner." There should be on-going meetings every six
to eight weeks with business owners to keep lines of communication open that were on the order
of the earlier one sponsored by the City Council.
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Orc$ Skinner spoke with the COW regarding the Y2K requirements in the Public Works
department, particularly in the water department, A current contingency plan is being worked
Orl.
He presented the two bids they received for the work to be done. His recommendation was to
go with the quote from U. S. Filter in the amount of $16,250.00. They did receive a bid from
the current vendor. However, they have not been especially happy with the service on the
equipment from Davies. They are looking at September to be "p and running." The residential
equipment will be the same. This will place meters on the homes and readers. Clark stated that
there was not money in the budget, but that it would have to be done.
Gino Businaro sent a memo regarding the request from John Cameron to look at the Water and
Sewer Funds and determine what percentage the cost to revenue could be attributed to direct
operation, exclusive of personnel cost and payments to Metropolitan Council. For the south
portion of the WARA development, water is a direct cost, sewer isn't as concerning.
Minnetrista reviewed these numbers last night.
Hanus asked what would happen when Mound needs a new well. How would these residents
be assessed, he asked. Ahrens stated that they would probably need the new well regardless.
The Mayor asked what the Council felt about the agreement with Minnetrista. They thought it
was a fair agreement. However, Ahrens asked how much additional land was there that could
tap into this and Weycker asked for time to review these numbers. Clark stated that the
information was handed out for review and no action was being taken tonight.
Ahrens asked about the compost site and where it was to be located. The State has a plan along
Highway 7, but it is hung up with the frontage road and the striping stated the Mayor. It was
discussed at the meeting in Minnetrista the evening before that MnDOT needs a letter from them
(Minnetrista) covering striping issue. Ahrens suggested tying the water issue to the
compost/recycling issue.
Skinner stated that the SMC (corporation for recycling) had met all the requirements to go
ahead, the issue seems to be in Minnetrista. Ahrens stated that she felt uncomfortable, with
Minnetrista making all the demands of Mound and Mound ending up on the short end of things.
She stated that the citizens were "mad." They had paid all this money into a recycling fund and
now have no place to take their recycling to.
Hanus and Weycker stated that part of the fee was pick-up of the recycling and now the fee
won't be used for that. A voucher system was discussed. Harrell suggested limiting access to
the site and providing a location the residents could "dump in" and then the City could haul once
or twice a week to a more regional site. He felt this may be a short term solution for all the
phone calls the City is receiving.
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Skinner stated that he would talk with Minnetrista tomorrow and make it clear that there was
a contingency between the water and the recycling site.
· The Council gave Skinner the okay to move forward with Y2K issues.
The Council was notified that letters on the Seton Bluff variance for LMCD had been sent. This
waived the right to notice of Public Hearing for the City and allows for minimum crossing of
cattails.
There was a letter from Mr. Albrecht regarding his dock costs to the Council. If the City
purchased the dock for his cost, there would be an additional out of pocket expense for the City
of $445 between his cost and the appraised cost from Fackler. After discussion, the Council
members suggested offering the appraised amount of $1650 or suggesting that Mr. Albrecht sell
the dock on his' own.
The Council discussed personnel issues for Clark, Harell, and Joel Krumm. After a lengthy
discussion minus these people and others, the Council gave the following proposals. The Mayor
prefaced the proposals with the remark that legal opinion had to be sought on the proposals and
the money found to fund them.
Clark; raise base pay to $50,376 plus 10%. Enable a bonus system to be paid out at the
end of her term as "Acting City Manager." This system would be based on four
elements: public relations, supervision, communication and organizational skills and
would be from $2000 - $5000. If she meets all the criteria, the full bonus would be
awarded.
Clark accepted this proposal, but indicated some concern over the difference in what
Businaro received when he was Acting City Manager. The Council did comment that
the communication Clark was giving others was way up and appreciated. This increase
would be retroactive to 4/27/99. '
Harrell was offered an increase of 5% to his base pay plus 10% plus a 2% increase. In
January 2000, his base salary -would be raised 3 % more plus a $5000 bonus. This would
put his base at $65,926 now and $67,904~in January. This would assume a five year
commitment on his part to stay until retirement.
Harrell will not'withdraw from the University of Minnesota job process (at the urging
of Brown, although Harrell .stated he would withdraw) and notify Council of his decision
after that process. If he accepts the Council's offer, it would be retroactive to May 18'~.
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The Mayor stated that she would pass on this information to Businaro thc next day regarding
Clark' and the proposal to Harrell.
Hanus suggested adopting a policy which would reward departments for coming in under budget
rather than penalizing them.
Brown asked Harrell if there was anything in the Police Department that was needed from
Council. Harre. ll stated that there Was always a need'for police officers. Brown suggested
setting up an incentive for the officers to stay. Different plans were discussed.
The Mayor offered to sit down with Krumm with the Council's recommendations. Harrell will
update him first regarding the di'scussion held tonight. Krumm wOuld be asked w. hat it' would
take to keep him there in his position for five years or so and present thaf plan to the City
Council.
Clark informed the Council that there is a bid with Olympic to repair.the outside of the building
and that it would show up on the bills. Brown raised a concern about using non-Mound
contractors. Clark stated that in this case, the exterior was a specific material and Olympic was
the one that originally installed it, thus she went to them to maintain.
MOTION by Brown, seconded by Ahrens to adjourn. Motion carried: 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.'m.
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