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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-01-1996 CMW COUNCIL/MANAGER WORKSHOP ` OF THE CITY OF MAPLEWOOD 5:00 p.m. Monday, July 1, 1996 Maplewood Room, City Hall MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bastian at 5:02 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Mayor Gary Bastian Present Councilmember Sherry Allenspach Present Councilmember Dale Carlson Absent Councilmember Marvin Koppen Present Councilmember George Rossbach Present Others Present: City Manger Michael McGuire Assistant City Manager Craig Dawson. Finance Director Dan Faust C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Rossbach requested that the following items be added: (Jl) Park-n-Ride Site, Highway 61 /County Road C. Mayor Bastian requested that the following item be added: (J2) Communication with Congressman Vento. City Manager McGuire asked that the following item be added: (J3) City Manager's Update. Mayor Bastian moved approval of the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rossbach and approved. Ayes: All July 1, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Two D. VEHICLE EXPENSES City Manager McGuire explained a proposal to grant a vehicle allotment for six department heads who do not have take-home vehicles. Finance Director Faust explained information from surveying the practices of several metro-azea suburbs. By having a vehicle allotment and restricting the use of City vehicles, the City would not need to purchase three additional cars for the administrative fleet. Mayor Bastian and Councilmembers Allenspach and Rossbach generally favored the idea of an allotment, and Councilmember Koppen preferred mileage reimbursement. All wanted staff to consider some differentiation based on an expected frequency to use one's personal vehicle. Council directed that staff explore alternatives and return with a proposal. E. RESPONSES TO AUDITORS' RECOMMENDATIONS Faust reviewed the auditors' recommendations from the 1995 Financial Report, and the follow-up work done by staff. The status of responses to the three recommendations were: 1. Changes at the public works garage have been made. 2. An automated cash receipt system is being considered for the 1997 budget. 3. The ticketing system for the theater at the Community Center is included in the charitable gambling grant requests to be considered by the Council on July 8. Rossbach noted that the Maplewood Heritage Theater Company may be interested in using the ticketing system after seeing if it works well for the City's functions. Bastian moved that Council accept the staff report. The motion was seconded by Allenspach and approved. Ayes: All F. SEWER BACKUPS McGuire presented a proposal that the City offer to pay for cleaning services when sewer backups occur in the City's sewer mains. Insurance claims aze vigorously defended by - the City's insurance carrier, and residents' experiences with the process are often unpleasant. Some assistance could be provided, and perhaps be capped at $1,500. An account would be established in the Sewer Fund, and revenues for it would come from customers' sewer bills. July 1, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Three Councilmembers had questions about the Ciry's history with sewer backups, whether backups are covered in most home insurance policies (and what is the usual deductible), and if such coverage is available as a rider to a policy (and what is its usual cost). Staff was directed to respond to the issues identified by the Council, to recommend a program, and to place the report on the consent agenda of a future Council meeting. Late charges: McGuire shared a recent request to waive a late charge of $4.39 on a sewer bill. The City's ordinance states that "all delinquent accounts shall have a penalty of 10 percent" added. He asked if the Council would authorize his discretion in waiving late charges. Council directed that staff develop an ordinance to enable the manager to waive late charges, and that a retroactive effective date be identified in the ordinance. Council also authorized the city manager to waive the $4.391ate charge in the case he presented. G. DISCUSSION ON MAPLEWOOD AREA LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUMMIT At the April Council/Staff retreat, the Council decided that it wished to discuss the idea of a meeting with other local governments. Council agreed that the idea was still a good one, but that now was not an appropriate time. It was decided to delay consideration until the new superintendent for ISD 622 has had a chance to become familiar with the area. H. DISCUSSION ON JOINT MEETING WITH WATERSHED DISTRICTS McGuire related that at the Council/Staff retreat, the Council had also thought it would be a good idea to meet with the several watershed districts with jurisdiction in Maplewood. It would provide mutual understanding each other's activities and concerns. Council directed that staff develop a meeting schedule with the watershed districts, such that they would meet at 6:30 p.m. before a Council meeting once a month or at a workshop. Watershed district boards would be invited, but it would be critical for the chair and the staff or engineer of each board to attend. I. FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE McGuire related that staff had met with East County Line (ECL) on June 28 to discuss minor technical changes in the tentative agreement. ECL had scheduled a vote by the membership on the agreement for July 8. Initial meetings with the other departments have been difficult to schedule. Staff had also been interviewing two candidates for the Assistant Fire Chief position. July 1, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Four J. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Park-n-Ride Site, Highway 61/County Road C: Rossbach noted that MnDOT had added a temporary overflow parking area at this site. Council directed that a letter of thanks be sent to MnDOT. 2. Congressman Vento Communication: Bastian said that he received a phone call from Congressman Vento about a resident living by the Maplewood Nature Center who believes the City is responsible for permanent water problems on her property. Vento said he is taking a personal interest in this matter. Bastian related that the City is arranging for a neutral third party to help in resolving the concerns. 3. City Manager's Update: McGuire noted a letter had been sent to members of the Maplewood Community Center about an incident that occurred there in late June. He and - Public Safety Director Ken Collins last week attended aoommunity-oriented policing services seminar in Brainerd, and they believed that adopting such an approach in Maplewood held promise. K. FUTURE TOPICS The list of future topics was noted. L. ADJOURNMENT At 6:52 p.m., Mayor Bastian moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember seconded and the motion was approved. There was no further discussion. Ayes: All