Staff Years of Service Awards Approved 11-10-08SHOREWOOD CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
November 10, 2008
Page 5 of 15
Wellens moved, Woodruff seconded, adopting "A Resolution Concerning a Certain Tax-Forfeited
Parcel Lying Within the City and Approving it for Sale to an Abutting Owner."
Councilmember Turgeon stated the City has experienced problem with owners of properties abutting
existing fire lanes encroaching on the fire lane.
Councilmember Bailey suggested the minimum auction price be equivalent to the market price if
possible, and if abutting property owners don't want to pay that price than the City should acquire the
property for public use.
Attorney Keane stated if Council is unsure if the property could be put to public use, it could decide to
take ownership of the property now and if, at a later date, it decides it is surplus property the City could
sell it for a price it thought appropriate consistent with State law.
Councilmember Woodruff questioned if the City would have to pay the delinquent taxes if it took
ownership. Attorney Keane stated he would research that.
Councilmember Woodruff stated he thought the Council needed more information before it made a
decision.
The seconder of the motion withdrew his second.
Motion failed for lack of a second.
Bailey moved, Wellens seconded, continuing this item to the November 24, 2008, City Council
regular meeting and directing Staff to explore options for establishing a price for the tax forfeited
parcel, researching what the delinquent taxes, assessments and penalties are and whether or not
the City would be responsible to pay those items if it acquired the property. Motion passed 5/0.
D. Staff Recognition Awards
Administrator Heck stated at its October 27, 2008, meeting Council approved holding an employee and
volunteer appreciation event on December 5, 2008, and it directed Staff to revise the years-of-service
award proposal. He reviewed two revised award options proposed by the staff committee.
Years of Service Certificate Option A Award
5 $ 50 gift card
10 Yes $100 gift card
15 Yes $100 gift card
20 Yes $200 gift card
25 Yes
30 Yes $200 gift card
3 5 Yes
40 Yes $200 gift card
Option B Award
$ 25 gift card
$ 50 gift card
$ 75 gift card
$100 gift card
$125 gift card
$150 gift card
$175 gift card
$200 gift ca-•d
Heck stated he recommends Council adopt the Option B award proposal.
SHOREWOOD CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
November 10, 2008
Page 6 of 15
Councilmember Turgeon suggested the award certificate be added for five years of service.
Councilmember Woodruff agreed..
Turgeon moved, Woodruff seconded, adopting the Option Byears-of-service award schedule and
authorizing appropriate funds to provide the awards in 2008 and including the necessary funds for
the awards in the 2009 General Fund Budget. Motion passed 5/0.
Mayor Lizee thanked the committee for its efforts.
E. City Requested Special Facilities Surcharge (CRFS)
Administrator Heck stated it is his understanding that as part of the County Road l9/Smithtown
Road/Country Club Road Intersection Improvement Project the overhead utilities were relocated
underground. As part of the process the City adopted a resolution to charge back its portion of the cost
for undergrounding to the residents under what is called a City Requested Special Facilities Surcharge
(CFRS). The rates were based on rates provided by Xcel Energy. The rate started at $1.25 for regular
residential use and was increased for different uses, and the CFRS would be collected for a period of
22.11. months. Recently Xcel Energy notified the City that the $1.25 rate does not conform to the Tariff
filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The Tariff does not allow for a CFRS over $1.00
for residential customers for a collection period of less than 36 -nonths. Therefore, the schedule has been
revised such that all related surcharges were lowered and the collection period was extended to 28.10
months. He noted the draft resolution is the same as the one passed in July with the exception of the
schedule change. He stated collection of the CFRS has not yet started.
Councilmember Turgeon questioned if the City is still collecting a surcharge for work done on
Smithtown Road. Director Brown stated he thought that surcharge had reached maturity. He noted the
City has received payment from Hennepin County for its share of the undergrounding cost. Turgeon then
questioned if the project was fully co-npleted. Brown stated Staff has had numerous conversations with
various Hennepin County representatives regarding the City's desire to have the project closed. He
explained Attorney Keane has prepared an action plan for the City to pursue to have the project closed
should Administrator Heck not be able to convince the County to close the project.
Turgeon moved, Woodruff seconded, Adopting RESOLUTION NO. 08-079, "A Resolution
Authorizing a Monthly Surcharge to Xcel Energy Ratepayers in Shorewood for the Placement of
its Facilities Underground for the County Road 19/Smithtown Road/Country Club Road
Intersection Improvement Project." Motion passed 5/0.
F. Selection of City Attorney
Administrator Heck stated per Council's direction Staff prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP) for legal
services. The City sent out eleven proposals and received proposals from seven firms. During a
November 5, 2008, City Council special meeting Council interviewed four firms recommended by Staff.
The firms were LaVander Gillen and Miller, Malkerson Gilliland and Martin, Kennedy and Graven, and
Campbell and Knutson. The majority of the Council recommended the appointment of Kennedy and
Graven to provide legal services to the City effective January 1, 2009, with Mary Tietjen serving as the
City Attorney.
Mayor Lizee stated the city attorney serves at the pleasure of the Council.