City Council Workshop

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final City Council Workshop Thursday, June 2, 2016 6:30 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:30 p.m. 2 Roll Call Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Clark Arneson; City Attorney Patrick Sweeney; Planning and Community Development Director Bryan Schafer; Public Services Manager Bob Therres; Finance Director Joe Huss; Police Captain Dan Szykulski; City Engineer Jean Keely; Finance Supervisor Bonnie Frederich; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Senior Engineering Technician Al Thorp; Administration Technician Lisa Derr; and Recording Secretary Linda Dahlquist. Present: 7 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Clark, Councilmember Bourke, Councilmember Herbst, and Councilmember King 3 New Business 3-1 WS 16-34 2015 CAFR/AUDIT REVIEW Finance Director Huss introduced Peggy Moeller, Redpath & Company. Ms. Moeller gave an overview of four reports that include Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), State Legal Compliance Report, Report on Internal Control, and Communication with Those Charged with Governance. She noted the City’s 2015 audit of financial statements received a clean opinion and the City received the 2014 GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Ms. Moeller stated all governments that participate in a defined benefit pension plan are required to report net pension liability, deferred outflows and inflows of resources on the full accrual statements. She noted that the pension expense is no longer equal to pension contributions. City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final June 2, 2016 Ms. Moeller gave an overview of the Report on Internal Control and noted the City had one internal control finding for 2015 which is a significant deficiency relating to audit adjustments for two capital assets that was not capitalized. Councilmember Bourke asked what staff could have done different. Ms. Moeller replied the two assets were expensed instead of being moved into assets. Ms. Moeller gave an overview of the State Legal Compliance Report and noted the City received a clean report with no compliance findings for 2015. Ms. Moeller gave an overview of the Communication with Those Charged with Governance Report and noted one recommendation on Other Audit Findings and Issues it is a management best practice to have Council approve all transfers, including transfers to close funds. Councilmember Herbst asked about other cities and fund balances. Ms. Moeller replied the City is comparable with other cities of the same size. Discussed 3-2 WS 16-35 WOODS AT QUAIL CREEK LANDSCAPING DISCUSSION Public Services Manager Therres gave an overview of five options to mitigate noise from 125th Avenue which include earthen berm, sound wall, privacy fence, adding coniferous trees on Zumbrota Street, or do nothing. He noted none of the options include costs for right-of-way or construction easements. Councilmember Bourke asked if a sound wall could be closer to the road. Public Services Manager Therres replied a sound wall would require more room and it would also require a sound study. He stated a privacy fence could be installed without a sound study. He gave an overview of the City Forester’s landscaping plan that includes planting trees at the corner of Pioneer Park and 21 Norway Spruce trees east of the pond. Councilmember King asked who owns the property by the pond. Public Services Manager Therres replied Mark Gagnon owns the property. Councilmember King asked about mounding by the pond. City Manager Arneson replied mounding would require Watershed District approval, an engineering study and permit. He noted planting trees would not require a permit. Councilmember King asked about the type of trees that would grow in the area near the house on the east. City Manager Arneson replied Willow trees would grow there because it is wet. City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final June 2, 2016 Councilmember King stated the residents want the proposed trees planted on the north east corner and a privacy fence. Councilmember Herbst asked for the cost of the trees. City Manager Arneson replied that the developer was required to put the cost of 40 trees into the reforestation fund. He noted funds will be needed for a privacy fence. Councilmember Herbst suggested adding trees in between the existing trees to fill in some gaps. Public Services Manager Therres replied some trees could be added, although there is a chance of damaging the roots of the existing trees. Mayor Ryan commented he agrees with planting extra trees. He noted trees on top of berms need extra watering. Councilmember Bourke confirmed the City already has the funds for the trees, but will need to identify funding for a privacy fence. City Manager Arneson stated the Council’s option is a general fund contingency and the City needs a policy statement for why this development is different than the rest of Main Street. Planning and Community Development Director Schafer noted the Council discussed the road improvements prior to the development’s construction. Councilmember Herbst asked if there is room for trees along Rolf’s driveway. City Manager Arneson replied he thought the grade was too steep. Councilmember Herbst stated he wants the trees planted right away. Councilmember King noted the trees will provide screening, but will do nothing for noise. Mayor Ryan stated he would like to start with the tree planting. Councilmember Swanson stated sound walls do not always work. Councilmember King requested the trees planted and for staff to identify funding for a privacy fence. City Manager Arneson stated staff will prepare a request for proposals for the design and fencing. Discussed City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final June 2, 2016 OTHER BUSINESS Councilmember Clark requested staff research cross walk signs that are free standing that could be used in The Lakes development. Direction given to staff ADJOURN The Workshop adjourned at 7:25 p.m. City of Blaine Page 4