Loading...
10-06-09 Council October 6, 2009 A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Mayor Seefeldt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following council members were present: Council members Connie Amos, Pete Crum, John Lindell and Mayor Dennis Seefeldt. Absent: Council member Dolores Peterson. Staff present: Administrator Anne Hurlburt, City Attorney Dave Hebert, Building/Code Enforcement Official Steve Thorp, Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Crum, seconded by Amos, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously. GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD PROJECT, COMMUNITY CENTER SIGN Allie Dreher, Stefania Mackiewicz and Libby Faffler, members of local Girl Scout Troop #50044, were present to discuss their proposal to update the Community Center sign and surrounding landscaping to qualify for their Girl Scout Gold Award. They would replace the existing “New Scandia Community Center and Senior Center” sign to read “City of Scandia” and re-landscape the base of the sign. The Scouts would be responsible for all costs and labor associated with this project. They have acquired planting donations from Green Valley Nursery. These will be low maintenance plants and shrubs. The new sign will use the existing brick posts and match the existing style of sign as much as possible. They have estimated the total value to be $2,500 and have begun their fundraising efforts. Mayor Seefeldt commented that the plan appears to be quite well done. Crum, seconded by Amos, moved to approve the Girl Scouts’ request to replace the New Scandia Community Center sign and landscaping and to proceed with the project. The motion passed unanimously. BRAD AND SONIA BORG, REQUEST TO VACATE DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT, LOT 1, BLOCK 1, THE SANCTUARY (RESOLUTION 10-06-09-01) Brad and Sonia Borg own Lot 1, Block 1, of The Sanctuary plat and have recently been issued a building permit for a new home. The plat includes a utility easement for a storm water detention pond that was included in the preliminary drainage plan for the subdivision. The drainage plan was changed so that the pond was not needed, but the easement was not removed from the plat which was recorded. The City Engineer confirms that the pond has been moved and the easement is no longer needed for that purpose. State statute allows cities to vacate easements that are no longer needed by the city. Council was presented with a resolution which would call for a November 3 public hearing on the vacation of the drainage easement. Crum, seconded by Seefeldt, moved to adopt Resolution 10-06-09-01, Calling for a Public Hearing on Vacation of Drainage and Utility Easement of Lot 1, Block 1, The Sanctuary. The motion passed unanimously. GOOSE LAKE STORM WATER RETROFIT PROJECT The Washington Conservation District has secured funding for stormwater management retrofit projects to treat runoff generated from boat launches and the adjacent impervious areas. The Goose Lake boat launch was identified for this type of project and will serve as a demonstration model for stormwater retrofit projects elsewhere in the county. There would be no cost to the city, nor be any functional impacts at the boat launch. Pete Young, Washington Conservation October 6, 2009 Scandia City Council Page 2 of 4 District, and Jim Shaver, Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed, were present to review the proposed plan. Mr. Young stated that they have partnered with Great River Greening and will proceed with the work once a contract is signed with the city. Lindell, seconded by Amos, moved to approve the Goose Lake boat landing improvement plan as proposed by the Washington Conservation District, with the condition that low-maintenance plant materials be used in the retention/rain garden area. The motion passed unanimously. AUTHORIZE HIRING OF PART-TIME SEASONAL STAFF FOR 2009-2010 ICE SKATING SEASON Council reviewed the recommendations from City Administrator Hurlburt regarding the staffing of the warming house and ice rink for the upcoming season. John Beattie will return as Skating Manager and Mike White will continue as Ice Rink Maintenance Worker. Staff recommends that the city advertise and take applications for rink attendants, at a rate of $7.25 per hour, plus an additional $.25 per hour for each prior year of experience as rink attendant. The job description for the Rink Attendant was modified slightly to include “snow shoveling” as a job duty. Seefeldt, seconded by Crum, moved to approve the following actions: 1) Hiring of John Beattie as Skating Supervisor at the pay rate of $10.88 per hour; 2) Hiring of Mike White as Ice Rink Maintenance Worker at the pay rate of $12.86 per hour; 3) Revised position description for Ice Rink Attendant; 4) Ice Rink Attendant pay rate of $7.25 per hour, plus an additional $.25 per hour for each prior year experience up to $7.75; 5) Authorize staff to advertise for Ice Rink Attendants for the 2009-2010 skating season. The motion passed unanimously. 2010 EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN (RESOLUTION 10-06-09-02) Administrator Hurlburt presented the report on the health insurance policy renewal plan for employees. Rates for 2010 will increase by 18.5%, the maximum rate increase for members of the cooperative pool which provides coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield. The city currently contributes 100% of the premium cost for employees taking single coverage, and 80% of the premium for employees taking family coverage. The Human Resources Committee (Crum, Peterson, Hurlburt) reviewed alternative plans which would increase deductibles and change the prescription drug benefit to a more restrictive formulary. The consensus was that the alternatives did not offer enough savings to justify the decrease in benefits. The Committee did recommend increasing the city’s Health Savings Account contribution by $35 to employees taking family coverage, to offset the increased premium deduction. Crum, seconded by Amos, moved to adopt Resolution 10-06-09-02, Establishing City Contributions to Employee Health Insurance Benefits for 2010. Council discussed the motion. Council member Lindell questioned if the HSA contribution could be used toward the employee’s premium cost. Administrator Hurlburt stated that no, HSA funds may only be used towards the deductible and any other out-of-pocket costs, including dental costs. The city does not offer dental coverage to employees. Council member Lindell stated that this appears to be more generous and excessive as compared to health plans offered to state employees. Lindell would like to see a comparison to other government plans. Administrator Hurlburt explained that health insurance coverage, begun in 2007, was modeled after comparable October 6, 2009 Scandia City Council Page 3 of 4 city and government plans which offer high-deductible health plans combined with Health Savings Accounts. These plans typically offer 100% single coverage and 80% family coverage. Mayor Seefeldt called for a vote on the motion. Voting yes to adopt Resolution 10-06-09-02: Amos, Crum, Seefeldt. Voting no: Lindell. The motion passed 3-1. UTILITY PERMIT, FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS Frontier Communications has applied for a utility permit to bury a telephone service line at th 10434 230 Street. Crum, Seefeldt, moved to approve the Utility Permit for Frontier th Communications for work at 10434 230 Street, contingent on all fees being paid and compliance with the city’s utility/ROW requirements. The motion passed unanimously. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLICANCE FOR AGRICULTURAL BUILDING, ROBIN BOOREN, 11529 MAYBERRY TRAIL (RESOLUTION 10-06-09-03) Robin Booren, 11529 Mayberry Trail, has applied for a Certificate of Compliance to construct a 3,200 square foot agricultural building. All setbacks requirements are met. Building Official Thorp has recommended approval. Lindell, seconded by Crum, moved to approve Resolution 10-06-09-03, Certificate of Compliance for Robin Booren. The motion passed unanimously. The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. The following were present: Commission Chair Chris Ness, Commissioners Christine Maefsky, Susan Rodsjo and Peter Schwarz. Absent: Commissioner Tom Krinke. APPOINT PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE TO PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC) FOR ZAVORAL MINING AND RECLAMATION PROJECT EIS As part of the process for preparation of the EIS for the Zavoral Mining and Reclamation Project, the City Council is appointing an advisory committee. The committee will have up to 12 members. Schwarz, seconded by Ness, moved to appoint Commissioner Tom Krinke as the Planning Commission representative to serve on the PAC. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ON THE HILLTOP WATER COMPANY WELL BUILDING Commissioner Rodsjo presented information concerning the status of the historic well building in the Village Area. It is currently managed by the non-profit Hilltop Water Company and houses the well pumps serving a section of residents in the Village Area on the private well system. The building is in need of repair and in danger of being torn down. Commissioner Rodsjo suggested that the city purchase the building for a minimal amount and in turn apply for grant funds which are available for the preservation of historic structures. To qualify for the grant funds, the building must be used for community activities. There is a house and lot next to the building which is for sale and could be purchased to expand the parking area. Commissioner Rodsjo asked the council if there would be any interest in pursuing this idea. City Administrator suggested that additional information be gathered, such as an engineering study to determine the actual costs of renovation. The costs to insure this type of building will also be investigated. Prior to organizing a committee to further study this, Commissioner Rodsjo will bring back cost estimates and potential for uses. October 6, 2009 Scandia City Council Page 4 of 4 Crum, seconded by Amos, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund Deputy Clerk