Minutes - Council Work Session - 02/28/2005

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6) 7) 8) 9) Water & Sewer Hook-Up Policy & Ordinances - Ms. Nelson noted that number 21 is thc same thing. #21 will be removed and this item will be brought back in the next month or two. Sign Policy - this item will be brought to a meeting in April. Mr. Kapler reported that this issue started with campaign signs but it has grown to Realtor signs, etc. Councilmember Cook felt that the Realtor signs should be pulled too. Councilmember Olson stated that she looks at a City's website before she places any Realtor signs in a city. Councilmember Cook stated that it's up to the people to check out what our sign ordinance is. They just can't put them in the road right-of-way and they need to check with the property owners. Mr. Kapler brought up RYAA signs, Game Fair signs, etc. The scope of this is huge. Police Chief Way stated that if we do it, we have to enforce it by the letter. Mr. Kapler asked if Council wanted to see some suggestions, examples, etc. and, if so, staff could research other cities. Council replied yes. Diamonds Sports Bar Financing - Mr. Norman explained that this should say storm casement. It's that strip of land originally designated as bridge crossing. Mayor Gamec stated he feels that's pretty "cut and dried". Consensus was to direct staff to begin negotiations. Stormwater Clean-Up - upon inquiry, Ms. Nelson suggested this is the ditch clean- up. It was determined this item should be renamed County Ditch. Happy Days - Mr. Norman stated that this can come off tonight but staff reserves the right to bring it back next year. He noted that Assistant City Administrator Nelson is the staff person who deals with this Committee. The Committee has taken on some ownership of this; they feel they can direct city appointments. Some communities have committees that get their own dollars for community events. Ms. Nelson stated that the Ramsey businesses put money in but what's not recognized are the soft costs - staff time, etc. It's tug and pull with what is staff's role and what is the role of the committee. It's obligating City money so someone on staff should be working on the contracts. She asked if it is City Council's interest to keep this a City event or direct it be a separate entity. In Blaine, it was a separate entity. She asked City Council to think about, as we grow, where should this relationship go. There is a lot of staff time involved and that's fine, but she wanted Council to know what's happening. Mr. Norman stated that we reimburse the City from the money brought in but the Committee feels it should be put back in their fund for the next year. Mayor Gamec suggested if there is an overage, maybe it could be put back in the fund. Staff talked about there not being an overage because of soft costs - staff time, etc. Discussion ensued relating to the difference between hard and soft costs. Mayor Gamec stated he docs not see the reason for Mr. Kapler and Mr. Dwyer to have to attend all the Committee meetings. Chief Way responded that the Committee gets upset if Mr. Dwyer is not there. Councilmember Elvig inquired how Anoka handles their Halloween Parade. Chief Way replied that it is totally separate. Councilmember Elvig suggested to maybe tailor it next year and separate it and added that we will have a change of culture once the Town Center comes in. Councilmember Jeffrey stated that a lot of communities have their own committee. This year it can be a City event and next year the City is only a fiscal agent and the next year the City can make a monetary contribution only. It's a great thing but he would like to see transition City Council Work Session - February 28, 2005 Page 7 of 9