Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/14/2014

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City Engineer Westby stated that was a staff edit and in the grand scheme of things, that cost component of the project is very small overall so going from 25% to 0% may not have a significant impact on the funding formula used for the project. City Engineer Westby stated he does not know of the City's past practice relating to sidewalk assessments as it is not included in any current Policy. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated he is not aware of a sidewalk or trail ever being assessed. Mayor Strommen stated it would be helpful to know of the City's past practices and the proposed future practice. She asked staff to provide that information prior to another discussion on the Special Assessment Policy. The consensus of the Council was to not assess for sidewalks unless it is a new development. In that case, it would be assessed at 100 %. Staff was asked to provide additional information relating to past and proposed future assessment practices and assessment of utilities. 2.04: Discuss Practice for Closing Meetings City Administrator Ulrich reviewed the staff report addressing the ability for the Council to close a meeting. He stated the Council had requested a discussion on the City's practice to close meetings, particularly when dealing with real estate. City Administrator Ulrich stated the language contained in the staff report is a reflection of State Statute language. He stated there is some discretion when the Council can close a meeting and requested feedback if there are issues of which staff should be aware. Councilmember Riley stated in the past he thinks it has been used too much but the Council makes the decision whether to close the meeting so if it is not supported, the Council does not have to close the meeting. Mayor Strommen stated the biggest issue has been when the topic relates to the sale of public property. She suggested the Council consider, on a case -by -case basis, whether it is appropriate to close the meeting to. protect certain information. She asked if there was Council concern with any of the methods remaining on the list. No concern was expressed. City Administrator Ulrich stated staff has the responsibility and will offer an opinion when it thinks the Council is straining the boundary for closing a meeting. 3. TOPICS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION City Administrator Ulrich reported that Ed Raynoso is scheduled to attend on November 12, 2014, to discuss Metropolitan Council policy. 4. MAYOR / COUNCIL / STAFF INPUT City Council Work Session / October 14, 2014 Page 9 of 10