Northfield City Council meeting, 11.19.07, 7 PM, City Hall
All members present.
Agenda: Approved with 2 minor changes (these noted at agenda item).
Minutes : Approved (2 mtgs., Nov. 1 and Nov 5)
Presentation: Mayor's Task Force on Youth Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Two members of the TF, Patty Gallivant and Mary Nelson, reported on last year's work and plans for structuring next year.
This has been a very active group, meeting at least once a month, but more often as needed. They have ambitious work plans, interactions with Rice County agencies, and have become the "keepers" , along with the Key, of the community suggestions from various meetings these past months.
Open Mic: A citizen reminded public that the rules for Open Mic have changed, once again, and he submitted his phone number, in addition to name and address, as all three are now required to receive an answer to a question.
Consent Agenda: Approved
Usual items of approving disbursements, licenses, etc.
Item #5, on consent, was the 2nd reading of Ord. #871, Amending Rental Housing Ordinance. C.Denison removed this from the consent agenda to preserve his ability to be consistent; he had voted against in past votes.
Regular Agenda:
Item # 6/ Motion Mediator Panel Report
The panel, John Lundblad, Pat Allen, and Charles Skinner presented their "mission" and plan for the "purpose of improving governmental relations". Council all had copies of their mission statement; it was put up on the ELMO, ubut there were no copies provided to the public. Council was asked by panel for direction as to how to proceed; some discussion uof the panel's recommendation of a "team" rather than one facilitator/ mediator, also of time frame.
Council agreed they need their own discussion of " specifics".
Council vote: all aye.
Item #7/ Resolution 2007-124 Rice County Single Sort Recycling Program
NF recycling is handled through Rice County which is discussing a commingled, rather than sorted, recycling program.There are various cost implications; final decision lies with Rice County.
Council vote: all aye.
Item #8/ Motion Johnson Controls Capital Improvement Energy program
Council is being asked to provide direction to staff on how to proceed on contract with Johnson Controls, on energy savings plans for city facilities. What level of projects should be approved? Staff feels city has not kept up with maintenance issues on city buildings and this is a chance to get ahead of problems, create energy savings, without adding to staff's time burdens.C. Pokorney continues to have problems with fiscal implications over 15 year term of project. Council voted to accept staff's recommendation.
Council vote: All Aye, except C. Pokorney
Item #9 First Reading Ord. #872, Amending Northfield City Charter
This ordinance deals with "Disposition of Control of Hospital Operations"; it has been presented to council at work sessions, and had a Public Hearing on Nov. 5th.City Attorney Swanson had made specific verbiage change suggestions to the Charter Commission, which they rejected. The commission's Chair explained their rationale, on each point, for rejecting the suggested verbiage. Council voted to reject the Charter Commission's wording, and will send back the required explanation for rejection, and council's recommendation to adopt city attorney's verbiage.
Council vote: All Aye.
Item # 10/ Resolution # 2007-125 Community Development Block Grant
Application
This year, Northfield will receive approx. $85,000. of Federal funds under the CDBG Program. Council elects to once again subsidize the rents at the NCRC; this year in amount of $29, 000. The remaining $56,000. will be used by the HRA to support housing rehab programs for low/moderate income renters and homeowners.
Council vote: All Aye.
Item #11/ Motion Consider Bids for Mill Towns Trail Bridge
Staff requests all current bids be rejected, as they were significantly higher than available funding. Additional funding will be sought, and project rebid.
Council vote: All Aye.
Item #12/ Resolution 2007-123 Amending 2007 Budget
Finance Director, Kathleen McBride, asks council to amend 2007 budget by approx. $58,000. increase to reflect reality. This is a normal "clean-up" procedure. Amending budget in the year it is active is a "comment" on its reality.
Council vote: All Aye.
Item #13/ Motion (re: Liquor Store) Downtown Boundaries as Defined by EDA; Direction to Staff, How to Proceed
Liquor Store Manager, Steve de Long, presented long rationale/report on need for new facility. Discussion of EDA's definition of Downtown as the C/1 and C/2 zoning districts. Some council direction to staff on need for another work session, with plenty of time alloted for vision discussion.
Council vote: All Aye; Mayor Lansing abstained.
Item #14/ Resolution 126 Making Tapes of closed council meetings of
May 7, and June 26, 2007 Available to the Public (this item added to agenda as item #14)
City Administrator Al Roder stated he was asked to prepare this resolution. He stated that it was council's prerogative to close these meetings on the liquor store site discussion, but also the council's prerogative to make the meeting tapes public. Some discussion on circumstances under which the closed meeting tapes would become public; city attorney informed council on possibilities.
Council vote: All Aye; Mayor Lansing abstained.
Item #5 (from Consent Agenda) Second reading of Ord. #871, Amending Rental Housing Ordinance
(see earlier entry under Consent Agenda, re: C. Denison's concern)
Council Vote: All Aye , except C. Denison , and Mayor Lansing.
Council and Administrator's Reports ...
ADJOURN: approx. 10:40 PM
submitted by K. Summa, substituting for J. McWilliams, 11.20.2007
