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CITY OF SHOREWOOD
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1998
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1 . CONVENE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Mayor Dahlberg called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
A.
Roll Call
Present:
Mayor Dahlberg; Councilmembers O'Neill, and Garfunkel; Administrator Hurm;
Engineer Brown; Finance Director Rolek
Also Present: Councilmembers-elect Zerby and Lizee
Absent:
Councilmembers Stover and Champa
B.
Review Agenda
Mayor Dahlberg read the Agenda for November 16, 1998. The agenda was approved as
submitted.
2. REVIEW POLICY SURVEY
Bill Morse and Diane Traxler, Decision Resources Inc., were present to discuss the draft survey
questions with the Council.
Mayor Dahlberg explained the past policy for the City's survey, and that this year the decision was
made to approach the project a bit more scientifically. He then asked for any suggested revisions
to the draft survey questions.
Councilmember O'Neill asked if the survey has been changed at all since last time it was
discussed. It was noted that it had not been revised and that they are waiting for City Council
suggestions.
Administrator Hurm asked that questions 20 and 21 be removed due to the fact that the Council
will be changing in January of 1999. Councilmember O'Neill suggested removing questions 51
and 52 because they were covered in a different survey from the Park Commission recently.
Administrator Hurm suggested keeping the questions, but changing the wording from Parks to
Open Space. The Councilmembers agreed.
Councilmember O'Neill suggested adding a question to see if there was any interest in merging
Excelsior and Shorewood. Administrator Hurm questioned what would be accomplished with this
information. Councilmember O'Neill stated that asking the question is only to get a feel for how
the citizens of Shorewood may feel, to then get an idea if the City should pursue this subject, or
simply drop it.
Mr. Morse questioned if open space recommendations could be added to the survey to test public
opinion on these issues. Administrator Hurm will provide the representatives some information on
these recommendations.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
~OVEMBER 16, 1998 - PAGE 2
CouncilI?ember O'Neill suggested adding a question regarding the impiementation of a ward
system In Shorewood. Mr. Morse stated it would be necessary to inform the interviewee of
specific informati~m prior to asking this type of question. It was decided to include a question in
the survey regarding a ward system for Shorewood per language from the City Administrator.
The number of residents to be surveyed was then discussed. It was decided that 300 residents
would be called. It was also decided that a random sampling of the public would make more sense
on this type of survey, than a stratified sample. Councilmember-elect Zerby questioned how long
a survey of this length would take. Morse replied an average of 15-18 minutes, but varying greatly
with each individual.
Mr. Morse then asked if there was going to be a Work Session in January. Staff was advised to
notify the representative of which agenda they would be placed so they would have a draft of the
survey completed.
3 . DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED 1999 UTILITY BUDGETS
Finance Director Rolek stated that there is no anticipated rate increase for water and sewer for the
coming year. He then reported on the water operations budget. A discussion was held on the
water operations budget for the Munitech contract. Rolek explained that the Munitech contract will
expire at the end of 1999, at which the City could make a change. There was also concern
regarding the increase in the supplies and materials portion of the budget. Rolek explained that
there is some maintenance due periodically which causes spikes in this area.
Rolek reviewed the water debt service for sanitary sewer and the difference in the budgeted amount
for support services was questioned. Rolek explained that treatment has become more affordable,
and that the billing has changed. Billing is now closer to real time, which caused a large difference
in budgeted and actual figures, leaving the city with a large difference for this portion of the
budget.
Rolek review the recycling, storm water management and liquor budgets. He stated that there is an
upward trend in the profits of the liquor stores after several years of losses.
4. REVIEW SUMP PUMP ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
Councilmember Garfunkel reviewed the changes made to the ordinance. He stated that he is
concerned that once a home has been inspected, the City will not then retain the right to inspect at
any time again in the future. He also stressed the importance of continuing educational programs
for the public regarding the consequences of non-compliance to the neighborhoods, and to the
surrounding lands. Garfunkel then stated that the changes made to the ordinance are acceptable.
5. REVIEW STATUS OF COUNCIL PRIORITIES FOR 1998
Councilmember Garfunkel indicated that there may be one change to report, that being the Trail
Plan review has been completed. Administrator Hurm noted that the objective will be re-worded to
address the "Trail Process." Council agreed. No other changes were made at this time.
Before adjournment, Mayor Dahlberg noted that on December 14th, the Land Conservation
Committee will present their final report to the City Council.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 16, 1998 - PAGE 3
6 .
ADJOURNMENT
O'Neill moved, Garfunkel seconded to adjourn the work session at 8:45 p.m.
Motion passed 3/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Kristine Kitzman, Recording Secretary
TimeSaver Off-Site Secretarial, Inc.
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