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ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, December 2, 2019
APPROVED MINUTES
ALBERTVILLE CITY HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Hendrickson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
7:00 PM
Present: Mayor Hendrickson and Councilmembers Cocking, Halling, Olson and Vetsch
Absent: None
Staff Present: City Attorney Mike Couri, City Planner Alan Brixius, Finance Director Tina Lannes
and City Clerk Kimberly Hodena
Others Present: Sharon Moffett
3. RECOGNITIONS — PRESENTATIONS — INTRODUCTIONS - None
4. PUBLIC FORUM
Sharon Moffett, 11200 69"' Street NE, was present at the meeting to voice her concerns regarding
the increase in valuation of her townhouse. She stated that it was 35.7% increase in her value
resulting in over $1,000 increase in taxes on her statement for 2020. Cocking stated that the meeting
to dispute property values is held in the spring at the Board of Appeals and Equalization. He
referred Moffett to the county assessor's office. Couri stated that it may be too late for the taxes
payable in 2020 but still encouraged her to talk to the assessor. Cocking inquired when the property
was built and Moffet replied it was built in 2017. Cocking thought perhaps the property was being
valued comparable to two story townhomes in the neighborhood. Moffet clarified hers is a one story
and only two bedrooms. Moffet thanked Council for listening and stated she would contact the
assessor's office.
5. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
There were no amendments to the agenda.
Motioned by Cocking seconded by Olson, to approve the Agenda as presented. Ayes:
Hendrickson, Cocking, Halling, Olson and Vetsch. Nays: None. Absent: None. MOTION
DECLARED CARRIED.
Page 1
6. CONSENT AGENDA
All items under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine by the City staff and will be
enacted by one motion. In the event an item is pulled, it will be discussed in the order it is listed on
the Consent Agenda following the approval of the remaining Consent items. These items will be
approved by a separate motion.
A. Approve the November 18, 2019 regular City Council meeting minutes as presented
B. Approve the November 18, 2019 City Council workshop meeting minutes as presented
C. Authorize the Monday, December 2, 2019 payment of claims as presented, except bills
specifically pulled which are passed by separate motion. The claims listing has been
provided to City Council as a separate document and is available for public view at City
Hall upon request
D. Approve Resolution 2019-040 Establishing the 2020 City Observed Holidays
E. Approve Resolution No. 2020-041 Establishing the 2020 City Council Regular Meeting
Dates
Olson inquired if the STMA Ice Arena ice scraper blades were charged to the arena rather than the
city and Lannes confirmed that was correct.
Motioned by Olson, seconded by Cocking, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented Ayes:
Hendrickson, Cocking, Halling, Olson and Vetsch. Nays: None. Absent. None. MOTION
DECLARED CARRIED.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
8. WRIGHT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE — Updates, reports, etc.
There were no updates.
9. DEPARTMENT BUSINESS
A. City Council
1). Committee Updates (STMA Ice Arena, Planning, JPWB, Parks, Fire Board, FYCC,
etc)
FYCC
Olson reported that FYCC has hired six rink attendants for the outdoor ice rink. The board
discussed ballfield striping policy. He stated that school sports will take priority of school fields
during the school year.
Olson also reported that he attended the National League of Cities conference. There was a lot of
content but he found it beneficial and well worth it. He stated he attended a lot of the transportation
sessions and it was very interesting how other cities and states address transportation needs. Next
year's conference will be in Tampa.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
Regular Meeting of December 2, 2019
Water Rnard
Hendrickson reported that there are some billing issues that need to be addressed. Vetsch stated that
the board heard that there will be a large increase to purchase a certain chemical that is needed to
treat the water. He said it was approximately $80,000 more, so Veolia is in a nationwide bid process
to acquire it.
B. Finance
1). 2020 Property Tax Levy and Final Budget
Lannes reviewed the proposed levy increase of 4.76% for the tax levy payable in 2020 as well as the
final 2020 budget.
Motioned by Cocking, seconded by Olson, to Approve Resolution No. 2019-042 entitled a
Resolution Adopting Property Tax Levy Collectible in 2020 (for 4.76%). Ayes: Hendrickson,
Cocking, Halling, Olson and Vetsch. Nays: None. Absent. None. MOTION DECLARED
CARRIED.
Motioned by Cocking, seconded by Olson, to approve Resolution No. 2019-043 entitled a
Resolution Adopting the 2020 Final Budget. Ayes: Hendrickson, Cocking, Halling, Olson and
Vetsch. Nays: None. Absent. None. MOTIONDECLARED CARRIED.
2). 2019 Enterprise Budgets and Rate Information
Lannes stated that there is no action required tonight if Council wants more time to review the rates;
the last meeting to make any changes to rates will be January 16, 2020.
Olson inquired why no increase was recommended for the tiered rates and only was recommended
for the base rate. Lannes replied that the base rate on the water and sewer fee is guaranteed to bring
in revenue as all accounts pay the base fee whereas the tiers are not guaranteed because some users
never reach amounts into the tiered rates. Olson felt there should be an increase to both the base and
the tiers. He had concerns that the low usage users keep getting stuck with any rate increase. He
provided some samples of what the base and tiers could be increased. He felt a fair number of
accounts do hit the tiered rates, so it would be beneficial to increase there as well. He felt part of the
reason they were in this position was due to the billing error that was found in the past.
Lannes stated that tiers have not been increased and the base rates have remained at the same rate
since 2017. An option would be to look at smaller yearly increases.
Cocking felt that a percentage on the base rate isn't overly burdensome. He is not opposed to an
increase in the tiered rates, but he felt that it would not generate what is needed to the make the
funds whole. He wondered if the larger volume users generate an added cost to operate the WWTP.
Council discussed the tiers and inquired if there has to be tiers. Couri replied that State law requires
the tiers and was a means the State used for water conservation. Lannes emphasized that multiple
tiers need to be kept for the water fund; there is only one tier for sewer.
Olson suggested keeping the base fees as proposed resolution but to increase the tiers as below:
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
Regular Meeting of December 2, 2019
Water:
3,334-6,667 gallons
6,668 11,667 gallons
Over 11,668 gallons
Sewer:
Over 5,000 gallons
$0.77 per 1,000 over 3,333 to $0.81
$0.82 per 1,000 over 6,667 to $0.87
$0.84 per 1,000 over 11,668 to $0.90
$3.90 per 1,000 over 5,000 to $4.00
Motioned by Olson, seconded by Cocking, to Approve Resolution 2019-044 setting the 2020 Water
Utility Base Rate and Tiers as amended by Olson. Ayes: Hendrickson, Cocking, Halling, Olson
and Vetsch. Nays: None. Absent. None. MOTIONDECLARED CARRIED.
Olson would like the increase be an 80/20 split on the base/tiers. Lannes stated that residential
accounts are capped during the winter months for sewer and there are no residential accounts over
5,000. She stated the sewer fund is healthy, but they are not funding depreciation and with the new
discharge pipe, depreciation could double.
Olson stated that there will be a need to hire additional utility help in the future and they will need to
plan for the future. Hendrickson was fine with the resolution as proposed and would like to see how
it plays out for the next year. Olson wanted the funds more balanced and he wants to be sure they
don't fall behind again where they would have to have a five year base increase again. He stated
they also need to keep up with the rate of inflation as well.
Halling requested clarification be made to the sewer resolution to state that the per 1,000 tier is for
gallons over 5,000.
Motioned by Olson, seconded by Cocking, to Approve Resolution 2019-045 Setting the 2020 Sewer
Utility Base Rate and Tiers as amended by Olson and Cocking. Ayes: Hendrickson, Cocking,
Halling, Olson and Vetsch. Nays: None. Absent. None. MOTIONDECLARED CARRIED.
C. Planning/Zoning
1). International Property Maintenance Code
Brixius stated that the International Property Maintenance Code provides for up to date and detailed
standards for buildings. This will be helpful to the rental housing inspection program as it addresses
both site and building issues such as interior condition, exterior maintenance and yard maintenance.
However, there were items with the code that the building department felt should be modified to
Albertville's standards. Brixius reported the proposed ordinance adopts the code in its entirety with
the modifications and repeals sections 10-4-4 to 10-4-9 of the existing Albertville City Code.
Olson had concerns with the grading and drainage language in the code. Section 302.2 states that
from May to October every yard shall be graded and drained to be free of standing water. He stated
that some yards never fully dry out. Brixius stated that enforcement would only be enacted if it was
causing issues. Staff felt that the language is needed in the ordinance to address mosquitos or
stagnant water issues.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
Regular Meeting of December 2, 2019
Hendrickson inquired about noxious weeds and Brixius replied that is in the code and can be
addressed with the city's code enforcement policy. Couri added that it follows what the State
defines as noxious weeds.
Brixius stated that the International Property Maintenance Code is well defined and not vague for
both inspectors and residents.
Motioned by Vetsch, seconded by Olson, to Adopt Ordinance No. 2019-09 for code amendment of
sections 10-4-4 through 10-4-9, International Property Maintenance Code and authorize
publication of the summary ordinance. Ayes: Hendrickson, Cocking, Halling, Olson and Vetsch.
Nays: None. Absent. None. MOTIONDECLARED CARRIED.
D. Fire — None
E. City Clerk — None
F. Public Works/Engineering — None
G. Building — None
H. Legal —None
I. Administration
1). City Administrator's Update
Hendrickson inquired if the Council had any requests to change board and committee assignments
among the Council and there were no changes.
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND/OR UPCOMING MEETINGS
Vetsch reported there will not be a Joint Powers Water Board meeting in December.
December 9
STMA Ice Arena Board, 6:00 p.m.
December 10
Planning Commission, 7:00 p.m.
December 16
City Council, 7:00 p.m.
December 23
Joint Powers Water Board, 6:00 p.m. - CANCELLED
Parks Committee, 7:00 p.m. - CANCELLED
December 24
City Hall Closes at Noon, Christmas Eve
December 25
City Hall Closed, Christmas Day
January 1
City Hall Closed, New Year's Day
January 6
City Council, 7:00 p.m.
January 13
STMA Ice Arena Board, 6:00 p.m.
January 14
Planning Commission, 7:00 p.m.
January 20
City Hall Closed, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 21
City Council, 7:00 p.m.
January 27
Joint Powers Water Board, 6:00 p.m.
Parks Committee, 7:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5
Regular Meeting of December 2, 2019
10. ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Cocking, seconded by Olson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Ayes:
Hendrickson, Cocking, Halling, Olson and Vetsch. Nays: None. Absent. None. MOTION
DECLARED CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberly A. odena, City Clerk
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6
Regular Meeting of December 2, 2019