Minutes - Council Work Session - 03/11/2014

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Councilmember Riley noted a ten -year JPA term allows for making long -term decisions. Acting Mayor Backous asked why Ramsey would not want to arbitrate everything. City Attorney Langel stated the LRRWMO is aware of the "hammer" and that will be kept in mind when approving a capital improvement and allocation of costs. City Engineer Westby noted on Page 7, it indicates the LRRWMO will consider the ability of members to fund the ordered capital improvements. Acting Mayor Backous asked if Ramsey has an `out' if it signs the JPA and then decides it was not the proper action. City Attorney Langel stated there is ability to dissolve the LRRWMO, noting it requires 30 -day notice and a two - thirds vote to approve. City Engineer Westby reviewed the terms to dissolve on Page 18. Councilmember Kuzma stated there have been no problems during the previous ten years and the member cities have worked well together. He stated Ramsey made it clear to Anoka, when it raised the issue of the dam becoming a carp barrier, that the dam belongs to Anoka. Councilmember Kuzma stated the amendments proposed by LRRWMO Attorney LeFevere tightened up the language and addressed most of Ramsey's concerns. Acting Mayor Backous stated his concern is to assure Ramsey's residents are protected. He stated his concerns have been addressed so he can support moving forward. Councilmember Tossey arrived at 6:09 p.m. The consensus of the Council was to support the LRRWMO JPA as amended. 2.03: Select Resident Survey Method City Administrator Ulrich reviewed the staff report and noted that during the 2013 Strategic Planning process, the Council discussed initiating a resident surveying process, which would allow the City to clearly analyze organizational performance measurements including the City's Strategic Plan. Assistant to the City Administrator Brama noted that $7,500 was budgeted in 2014 for a resident survey. In addition, the City participates in the State of Minnesota's `City /County Performance Measurement' (CPM) program. The State allocates about $3,350 annually to the City for performance measurement related costs. As a result, the City has $10,850 to conduct a resident survey in 2014. Assistant to the City Administrator Brama described a comparison chart depicting five surveying methods: 1) Ramsey Resident, 2) online, 3) utility bill insert, 4) third party phone, 5) third party mail, and a list of benefits resulting from a regular surveying program. City Council Work Session / March 11, 2014 Page 5 of 9