CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES November 18, 2013 5 ...
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES November 18, 2013 5:00pm
1) Call to Order Fischer called the meeting to order at 5:00pm. In attendance: Mayor Cheryl Fischer, Mark Vanderlinde, Anne Hunt (arrived 5:04pm), Arlene Donahue, Bob Christians, City Engineer Mark Erickson, City Clerk Terri Haarstad, City Administrator Mike Funk, Director of Finance Brian Grimm, Community Development Director David Abel, Assistant City Administrator Mike Barone and Director of Public Safety Paul Falls. 2) 5:00-6:00pm Buxton Presentation, Commercial Development Funk introduced Lisa McKay, Vice President of Buxton, who presented the report included in the City Council special meeting packet dated November 18, 2013. Hunt arrived at 5:04pm. McKay explained how Buxton uses psychographic data to improve consumer analytics and commercial site selection to ensure profitability and success for both businesses and the community. Discussion included: The meaning of the term shovel-ready Things the City can do to attract commercial developers such as timing, infrastructure, incentives etc. Whether or not Minnetrista should wait until there is clear direction in regard to the potential consolidation with St. Bonifacius Whether or not St. Bonifacius should be invited to partner with Minnetrista in this endeavor Whether or not this is part of the branding campaign Whether Buxton could provide the City with a list of clients in the seven county metro area whose population is under 15,000 Funk recommended the City Council work with Buxton before rezoning parcels commercial to ensure the parcels being rezoned are commercially viable and desirable for commercial development. He also reminded the City Council that rezoning property requires a Comp Plan amendment and approval by the Metropolitan Council. The meeting was recessed at 5:54pm. The meeting reconvened at 6:09pm. Funk reviewed the presentation with Buxton and assured the City Council that staff will reach out to St. Bonifacius to see if they wanted to partner in this endeavor with Minnetrista. He encouraged the Council to consider timeliness as other cities are considering using Buxton’s services and reminded the City Council that while it is important to work with other cities, it is important to make growth management decisions that are best for Minnetrista. 3) 6:00-6:15 pm Review Strategic Plan (Verbal) Funk reviewed the previously established strategic initiatives and the status of the key performance indicators (KPIs) for each one.
4) 6:15-6:25 pm Health Insurance and Compensation Discussion (Verbal) Funk gave an overview of the process the City uses to purchase health insurance and the financial increases associated with implementing requirements of the Affordable Care Act. He explained that the personnel will need to meet over the next week or two to discuss these cost increases and informed the Council that they would likely be seeing this issue on a future agenda. The Council asked whether or not the insurance covers just the employee or the employee’s spouse and dependants. Funk explained the City’s health insurance benefit, how a cafeteria plan works and how insurance premiums are paid. 5) 6:25- 6:35 pm Update on Water Treatment Facility (Verbal) Erickson explained that WSB has a meeting with a product provider this coming Thursday and would like this update to wait until after this meeting. 6) Adjourn Motion by Vanderlinde second Donahue to adjourn at 6:51pm. Motion carried 5 – 0. Respectfully submitted,
Terri Haarstad City Clerk
1) Call to Order Fischer called the meeting to order at 5:00pm. In attendance: Mayor Cheryl Fischer, Mark Vanderlinde, Anne Hunt (arrived 5:04pm), Arlene Donahue, Bob Christians, City Engineer Mark Erickson, City Clerk Terri Haarstad, City Administrator Mike Funk, Director of Finance Brian Grimm, Community Development Director David Abel, Assistant City Administrator Mike Barone and Director of Public Safety Paul Falls. 2) 5:00-6:00pm Buxton Presentation, Commercial Development Funk introduced Lisa McKay, Vice President of Buxton, who presented the report included in the City Council special meeting packet dated November 18, 2013. Hunt arrived at 5:04pm. McKay explained how Buxton uses psychographic data to improve consumer analytics and commercial site selection to ensure profitability and success for both businesses and the community. Discussion included: The meaning of the term shovel-ready Things the City can do to attract commercial developers such as timing, infrastructure, incentives etc. Whether or not Minnetrista should wait until there is clear direction in regard to the potential consolidation with St. Bonifacius Whether or not St. Bonifacius should be invited to partner with Minnetrista in this endeavor Whether or not this is part of the branding campaign Whether Buxton could provide the City with a list of clients in the seven county metro area whose population is under 15,000 Funk recommended the City Council work with Buxton before rezoning parcels commercial to ensure the parcels being rezoned are commercially viable and desirable for commercial development. He also reminded the City Council that rezoning property requires a Comp Plan amendment and approval by the Metropolitan Council. The meeting was recessed at 5:54pm. The meeting reconvened at 6:09pm. Funk reviewed the presentation with Buxton and assured the City Council that staff will reach out to St. Bonifacius to see if they wanted to partner in this endeavor with Minnetrista. He encouraged the Council to consider timeliness as other cities are considering using Buxton’s services and reminded the City Council that while it is important to work with other cities, it is important to make growth management decisions that are best for Minnetrista. 3) 6:00-6:15 pm Review Strategic Plan (Verbal) Funk reviewed the previously established strategic initiatives and the status of the key performance indicators (KPIs) for each one.
4) 6:15-6:25 pm Health Insurance and Compensation Discussion (Verbal) Funk gave an overview of the process the City uses to purchase health insurance and the financial increases associated with implementing requirements of the Affordable Care Act. He explained that the personnel will need to meet over the next week or two to discuss these cost increases and informed the Council that they would likely be seeing this issue on a future agenda. The Council asked whether or not the insurance covers just the employee or the employee’s spouse and dependants. Funk explained the City’s health insurance benefit, how a cafeteria plan works and how insurance premiums are paid. 5) 6:25- 6:35 pm Update on Water Treatment Facility (Verbal) Erickson explained that WSB has a meeting with a product provider this coming Thursday and would like this update to wait until after this meeting. 6) Adjourn Motion by Vanderlinde second Donahue to adjourn at 6:51pm. Motion carried 5 – 0. Respectfully submitted,
Terri Haarstad City Clerk
