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11/22/1999 - 00000839THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 The Regular Meeting of the Fridley City Council was called to order by Mayor Jorgenson at 7:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Jorgenson led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor 7orgenson, Councilmember Barnette, Councilmember Billings, Councilmember Wolfe, and Councilmember Bolcom MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STATEMENT OF MEETING CONDUCT: Please be reminded that those present at today's meeting may hold a variety of views and opinions regarding the business to be conducted. The exercise of democracy through representative local government requires that ALL points of view be accommodated at these proceedings. It is further expected that a standard of mutual courtesy and respectfulness be exercised by all in attendance, through our individual expression, manner of speaking, and conduct. Therefore, please receive the views of others with the same degree of courtesy and respect which you desire to be given your views and opinions. Any departures from this standard will be addressed by the Presiding Officer through whatever means are deemed appropriate. Thank you for your attendance at today's meeting, and your agreement to abide by thes standards of personal conduct. PRESENTATION: Presentation by Bill Morris, Decision Resources Mayor Jorgenson introduced Bill Morris and his associate, Jim Rose, of Decision Resources. Decision Resources conducted a residential, telephone survey in the City. Mr. Morris stated that this is the fourth survey done over the telephone, conducted for the City on a two-year cycle. They spoke with five hundred randomly selected households across the community. The interviews were conducted by professional interviewers over the telephone between September 7 and October 6. Mr. Morris summarized the survey as follows: FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 2 Recreation Pro�ram Usage Eleven percent of the households reported that they had participated Springbrook Nature Center programs during the past year. The percentage was down 41 percent from 1997. The trail usage was down 18 percent from two years ago. Sports League participation is down by at least half from two years ago. The Senior Center and summer playground usage are holding relatively steady. The after-school program usage was down to about half of what it was in 1997. Mr. Morris stated that for whatever reason recreational programs across the metropolitan area are showing lower and lower participation rates in the last two years. Recreation Department's Brochure Recreation Department's brochure reading rate is at 47 percent for households. Ninety-three percent of the households that do read it thought that it provided adequate information. Water and Sewer Systems Regarding the water and sewer systems, most problems were relatively infrequent. Water pressure problems were at 14 percent and water main disruption was at 4 percent. Discoloration/sediment problems seem to be emerging as a key issue across the metro area. Twenty percent stated that they have problems with water quality. City Streets Regarding City streets, for the most part people stated that the lines and markings on the streets were visible. Being able to see traffic signs was a very definite yes. Most agreed that the streets were smooth and easy to ride on. Eighty-percent indicated that the City had good pothole patching. Most people agreed there was good ice removal. City Parks Most residents felt that City parks were well mowed. Most people felt the parks were trash free. Most felt there were enough picnic facilities and sufficient play equipment. There was a decline in positive answers as to the condition of the athletic fields and play equipment, but participation rates are down compared to two years ago. Public Safety Services Most people answered that they felt the police were courteous. There were fewer people in contact with police to make the kind of judgment whether they are courteous or respond quickly, so there was a slight decline, though statistically insignificant. Firefighters were thought to respond quickly but there was a drop-off in the numbers of people who did make contact with firefighters. One-hundred percent stated that firefighters were effective. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 3 Called 911 for Police Twenty-four percent of the residents called 911 in the past twelve months. This was lower than the metropolitan area norm which is 33 percent. In St. Paul and Minneapolis it is 45 to 50 percent. Everyone was satisfied with the response except for 6 percent. Called 911 for Fire/EMS Eleven percent had made the a call fire and satisfaction was unanimous again. Nei�hborhood Crime There has been a downward trend in the last few years that residents feel that neighborhood crime is on the increase in their neighborhood. The perception is stabilizing at a lower level than what was seen before. Nei�hborhood Police Patrolling Residents indicated that they thought that the same amount of patrolling by police has been going on now as it has been in the past few years. No one had thought it had decreased in their neighborhood, while 27 percent thought it had increased. Speed Limit Enforcement Speed limit enforcement has become a hot topic across the metropolitan area. Speeding on residential streets seems to be an epidemic right now in many communities. Si�ty-four percent indicated that they thought there were not many changes in speed limit enforcement. Twenty-nine percent saw an increase, but few people saw a decrease. These results are more favorable in terms of enforcing speed limits and the perception of enforcement in other communities. Enforcement of Traffic Laws Most residents feel that there is the same amount of enforcement of traffic laws that there has been over the past few years. That is a positive response. Only two percent saw it increase. Nei�hborhood Watch Meetin� Attendance The number of people attending neighborhood watch meetings has been dropping. There has been a small drop from 1997 to 1999. Ille a.°� 1 Dru.°� Use Twenty-seven percent felt that illegal drug use was very frequent. Twenty-nine percent thought that very little drug use was occurring. Most residents were unsure of the frequency of illegal drug use. In comparison to other communities, these perceptions are e�tremely favorable. In western Hennepin County, the number of people who felt illegal drug use was frequent has started to approach eighty percent. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 4 Code Violation Very few residents stated that they have reported a nuisance code violation. Twelve percent is way down compared to the norm across the metropolitan area. Seventy-five percent felt the problem was resolved, and 20 percent did not feel that it was resolved. Of that 20 percent, it was felt that the code did not go far enough in terms of making the problem resolvable, and it was perceived that there was no follow-through after the violation was reported. Buildin P'°� ermit Fridley has one of the smoothest building permit processes found in the metropolitan area. Twenty-four percent indicated that they had taken out building permits. Seventy-three percent indicated that they were satisfied with the services of the City inspector. That is tied with the highest level of satisfaction they have seen in the last three years with City inspectors across the metropolitan area. The process seems to be well regarded with the folks that have had contact with it. Rental Property Inspection Rental property inspection got high marks. Only 4 percent indicated that they own rental property in the City of Fridley. Three-quarters indicated that they were satisfied with the inspection program and dissatisfaction was low at 11 percent. Curbside Recyclin.°� Pro.°�ram Ninety-three percent rated BFI as excellent or good. This is in line with other communities. There was an increase in the curbside recycling program since 1997. City's Yard Waste Site The usage of the City's yard waste site in the last year was 22 percent. Eighty-one percent indicated that it was an important public service. City's Drop-OffDays Twenty-five percent have dropped off items at the City's drop-off days in the past year. Si�ty- one percent indicated that they thought it was fairly important. Empowerment In 1999, there are fewer people who felt in a position to answer the question regarding whether the City responds promptly to any questions. Si�ty-percent agree that the City responds promptly. That is down from 1995 and 1997, but the share is proportionate to the people who felt they could answer the question and is actually an increase in terms of favorability. Eighty- percent felt they could answer whether residents have a say and that increased by 50 percent since 1997. Empowerment in general is at a very good level. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 5 Municipal Center Staff Twenty-two percent of the residents indicated that they had requested assistance from staff. Courtesy, listening, understanding, and promptness in handling were rated very highly. Effectiveness went down to 78 percent. Each of these is over the norms they would have expected. The only issue which might need to be looked at in more detail is effectiveness. Nei�hborhood Satisfaction I Historically in Fridley, residents have always expressed a high degree of satisfaction and connectedness with their neighborhoods. Over 90 percent of the residents responded favorably to the condition and appearance of single family homes, safety of homes, and safety of neighborhoods. The only place where residents expressed more negative responses, had to do with the condition and appearance of apartments. The satisfaction rating here is quite high regarding apartment residences compared to other communities. Nei�hborhood Satisfaction II There is a decrease in satisfaction with parks and recreation areas since two years ago. Remove University Avenue Fences Fifty-six percent of people stated that they did not want to remove the University Avenue fences. Thirteen percent said yes. Thirty-one percent were unsure. By a four to one margin, residents do not want to see the fences come down. Sand Dunes Nature Area Twenty-two percent of the households used the Sand Dunes Nature Area. There was almost a three to one vote saying yes to spending the $60,000 to replace the fence and boardwalk in the Sand Dunes Nature Area. Redevelopment Priorities Junkyard elimination, single family home rehabilitation and University Avenue rehabilitation rated high on redevelopment priorities. Apartment rehabilitation and dilapidated single family home elimination rated somewhat lower in terms of the mean scores. Vehicle Stora�e Fifty-four percent stated that storage of boats and campers in front yards should not be allowed. Thirty-five percent said they should be allowed and 11 percent were unsure. Fifty-three percent agreed with the prohibition of storage of motorized travel trailers/large RV's in the front yard, thirty-six percent stated they did not agree, and 11 percent were unsure. Double gymnasium without Tax Increase FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 6 Si�ty-nine percent stated that they would support a double gymnasium without a tax increase, seventeen percent stated they would not support it, and 14 percent were unsure. Public Access Viewership In contrast to the rest of the metropolitan area, Fridley has doubled the percent of people who watch public access frequently. Occasional viewership was also up, and the number of people who were not watching has dropped. Importance of Public Access Television Fifty-eight percent felt that public access television is somewhat important. Thirty-one percent felt that it was not at all important, or not too important. Street Reconstruction Pro.°�ram Thirty-six percent stated that their street has been upgraded during the past six years. Ninety-one percent stated that they were satisfied with the quality of the work In other cities the dissatisfaction levels of street upgrading quality was significantly higher. Good Idea to Continue Street Reconstruction Pro.°�ram Eighty-three percent indicated that they felt it was a good idea to continue the street improvement program, which is a change from 1997 when 65 percent indicated that it should continue. Mowin��ht-of-WaX Fifty-seven percent stated that they felt it was a wise use of funds to mow the University Avenue corridor. Forty-four percent stated that they agree to spending similar amounts for mowing Highway 65. In general, there is certainly a very solid majority who want to continue mowing the University Avenue corridor. Core Values Pro.°�ram Awareness of the core Values First Program has dropped by 7 percent in the last few years. Expanded City Hall Hours Only about a quarter of the residents indicated they were aware of the expanded Municipal Center hours. Only about one-third of the residents who were aware of the expanded hours have gone to the Municipal Center during those hours. The awareness is still somewhat low, but in terms of the expanded hours, the usage rate is similar to other communities who have expanded service hours. Nei�hborhood Resource Officers Awareness of the neighborhood resource officers was only 33 percent. Of that percent, half indicated they had met the officer and that was how they became aware of the assignment. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 7 Readershib of Focus News Focus News had the reach of 83 percent. It does reach over four out of five residents. City Newsletter The City newsletter was received and read regularly by 73 percent, a high number in terms of the combined receipt and regular readership. Most readers are pleased with the newsletter as a source of information. The reach and impact of the City newsletter is terrific. Cable Television Si�ty-percent indicated that they were subscribing to cable television. Twenty-five percent of the subscribers indicated they watch monthly or more often. That is far ahead of other communities with that much viewership. Computer Processes Fifty-five percent stated that they did have access to a personal computer with a modem. The 45 percent is lower than the suburban norms. Currently, overall, across the entire metropolitan area, it is about 62 percent. Fifteen percent had accessed the Fridley web site. That was a very good number in comparison to other communities. That indicates a real potential for the Fridley web site. Spendin� Tax MoneX Si�ty-seven percent rated the spending of tax money as excellent or good. That level is e�tremely high in comparison to levels in other communities. Those that rated it as fair or poor is only 21 percent, small in comparison to the norm. The norm dissatisfaction level in the metropolitan area suburbs is currently 40 percent. In general, the results conformed very well to what was found two years ago. The residents for the most part are very satisfied with their life in the community. City services are well-regarded, the spending of tax funds is e�tremely well-regarded, and the responsiveness of the City to the community received very high grades. Past decisions were supported very candidly, though the residents still show a strong streak of fiscal conservatism when it comes to the spending of funds. The City is reminiscent of the strong neighbor relations you see in St. Paul and Minneapolis, rather than what you normally see in first and second ring suburbs. There is a real community cohesiveness here and very strong neighborhoods. A moderate concern would center on redevelopment and redevelopment issues. Mayor Jorgenson thanked Mr. Morris for his presentation and asked if there were any questions for Mr. Morris. Councilmember Barnette asked if there was any confusion about front yard meaning driveway or meaning grass. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 8 Mr. Morris stated that they did a small pretest and it showed that it was clear and there was no confusion. Mr. Burns stated that a concern of the Recreation Department was if it was realistic to say that 29 percent of the households had children. Mr. Morris stated that it was realistic and very consistent with other surveys they have had in the area. Mr. Burns asked if they have doubled in their senior population. Mr. Morris stated that is realistic. Mr. Burns asked if the residents were clear on public access television. Mr. Morris stated that in the pre-test, when they asked them about public access, they talked about self-produced programming, which would tend to indicate they understood. Councilmember Wolfe asked about the boats and trailers in the front yard versus being in the driveway. Mr. Morris stated that if they changed the wording on that question he would not have a judgment on that in terms of what the impact would be. Mr. Burns asked Mr. Morris if he had any speculation as to why the residents would be opposed to eliminating the ordinance that restricts campers and RV's and also opposed to prohibiting motorized vehicles in the driveway. The answers do not seem to be consistent. Mr. Morris stated that the general comments indicated that travel trailers or large RV's tend not to be as necessarily unsightly as non-motorized campers and boats. Mr. Burns asked if the response on these two questions could be interpreted as opposition to change. For example, there is a very low percentage of the population using the yard waste site, but a very high percentage of the people would be unwilling to abandon the yard waste site as a City service. Mr. Morris stated that people felt it was okay to mow on University Avenue, but if you were going to start mowing on Highway 65, there was more of a reluctance to do so. There may be a trend in the resident's feelings that they liked what has happened so far, but they really did not want to see any major e�tensions. There were many comments about the boats looking shabby. Mayor Jorgenson thanked Mr. Morris for the presentation. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if they could receive the follow-ups of the comments that some people have made. Mr. Morris stated that it would be possible to type up some illustrative points with some comments as long as the Councilmembers understand that the comments are not projectionable the same way the systematic answers to the questions are answered. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 9 FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 10 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meetin� of November 8, 1999 MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of November 8,1999. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL FOR PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: OLD BUSINESS: 1. ORDINANCE NO. 1135 UNDER SECTION 12.06 OF THE CITY CHARTER DECLARING CERTAIN REAL ESTATE TO BE SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE THEREOF: Mr. Burns, City Manager, explained that at the November 8 meeting, Council approved the vacation of a 1.03 acre piece of University Avenue service drive right-of-way adjacent to 6111 Star Lane. The action tonight would sell the vacated property to the adjoining property owner for $1. His intent is to use the property to create additional parking for tenants at his 18-unit apartment complex. Staffrecommended Council's approval. WAIVED THE READING AND ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 1135 ON THE SECOND READING AND ORDERED PUBLICATION. NEW BUSINESS: 2. RECEIVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3, 1999: RECEIVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3, 1999. 3. APPROVE DISPOSITION OF TAX FORFEIT PROPERTIES LOCATED IN THE CITY OF FRIDLEY: Mr. Burns, City Manager, explained that Anoka County has recently forwarded a list of five tax forfeit properties in Fridley. Four of these are small, unbuildable parcels at the Innsbruck Townhomes. The fifth parcel, a buildable parcel, is located at the end of Polk Street, south of Lynde Drive. While these parcels could be acquired by the City, we find no municipal purpose served by acquiring them. Staff recommended that all five parcels be sold by the County. APPROVED DISPOSITION OF TAX FORFEIT PROPERTIES LOCATED IN THE CITY OF FRIDLEY. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 11 4. RESOLUTION NO. 93-1999 DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES AND APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES FOR THE DECEMBER 14, 1999, SPECIAL ELECTION: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that staff recommended the designation of polling places and the appointment of election judges. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 93??-1999. 5. ESTABLISH A PUBLIC HEARING FOR DECEMBER 13, 1999, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NOISE WALL ON THE WEST SIDE OF UNIVERSITY AVENUE N.E. FROM 44TH AVENUE NORTH TO I-694: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that 27 residents who attended a MnDOT open house on November 10 considered a MnDOT proposal to construct a noise wall on the west side of University Avenue between 44t'` Avenue and I-694. Of those present, fourteen favored the construction of the wall and seven opposed the wall. Staffproposed that an additional mailing to impacted residents be made and that a public hearing on this issue be held at the December 13 City Council meeting. Staff recommended approval of the motion to establish this hearing. ESTABLISHED A PUBLIC HEARING FOR DECEMBER 13, 1999, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NOISE WALL ON THE WEST SIDE OF UNIVERSITY AVENUE N.E. FROM 44TH AVENUE NORTH TO I-694. 6. ESTABLISH A PUBLIC HEARING FOR DECEMBER 13, 1999, FOR THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that the City has been selected to receive $22,705 in Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funding. In order to receive the money, the City must convene an advisory board that would recommend the manner in which the money will be spent. Once the advisory board has made its recommendations, Council must hold a public hearing to consider them. Staff recommended that this hearing be held on December 13, 1999. ESTABLISHED A PUBLIC HEARING FOR DECEMBER 13, 1999, FOR THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT. 7. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR A NEW FIRE ENGINE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that the 1999 Capital Improvements Fund includes $320,000 for the purchase of a new fire engine that would replace a 1971 and a 1981 engine. Staff recommended Council's approval. THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PLACED ON THE REGULAR AGENDA. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 12 8. CLAIMS: APPROVED PAYMENT OF CLAIM NUMBERS 90244 THROUGH 90484. 9. LICENSES: APPROVED LICENSES AS ON FILE WITH THE LICENSE CLERK. 10. ESTIMATES: Park Construction Co. 7900 Beech Street N.E. Minneapolis, MN 55432-1795 Riverview Heights Street Improvement Project No. ST. 1999-1 FINAL ESTIMATE $ 19,527.74 Diversified Paving, Inc. 8019 - 146t'` Avenue N.W. Ramsey, MN 55303 Municipal Liquor Store Parking Lot Improvement Project No. 326 FINAL ESTIMATE $ 878.92 Ron Kassa Construction 6005 - 250t'` East Elko, MN 55020 1999 Miscellaneous Concrete Curb and Gutter and Sidewalk Project No. 322 FINAL ESTIMATE $ 2,747.54 Mayor Jorgenson asked if there were any concerns regarding the consent agenda as presented. Councilmember Billings stated that he would like Item Number 7 removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda. No persons in the audience spoke regarding the proposed consent agenda. MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve the consent agenda with the exception of Item Number 7. Seconded by Councilmember Wolfe. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 13 ADOPTION OF AGENDA: Mayor Jorgenson stated that Item Number 7 would be discussed after the Open Forum portion of the meeting and before the Informal Status Reports portion. MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to approve the adoption of the agenda as recommended. Seconded by Councilmember Wolfe. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, MAYOR JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OPEN FORUM VISITORS: Mayor Jorgenson invited members of the public to come forward to address any items not on the agenda. Councilmember Wolfe, 960 Hathaway Lane, stated that he has a question regarding his water bill. He received a water bill that stated that 250,000 gallons of water had been used and registered through his meter. One bill from January 25, 1999, stated that he had used 103,000 gallons of water. He first called the Finance Department, and they red-tagged his bill. His meter was replaced. The City stated that maybe he had a leak The leak would be compared to washing five loads of clothes per hour in a large washing machine per day. He felt that if there was a leak of that capacity, his house would have been filled with water six times. He asked the Finance Department what the percentage of people is with the same problem. The answer was that it was between ten and twelve per year. Mr. Pribyl, Finance Director, explained to him that most of the time people have a water leak in their house. Councilmember Wolfe said he is having a huge problem with paying this much for water usage. He compared his bill with another resident's. At the end there was a difference of 300,000 gallons. He stated that he was not asking for favoritism but he needed to know how he could fix this problem. Mayor Jorgenson stated that when there appears not to be a leak in the pipe, it would have to become a policy issue to make sure the City is consistently dealing with this problem. Councilmember Wolfe stated that he did not have an irrigation system or a swimming pool to cause so much water usage. Councilmember Bolkcom asked Mr. Pribyl if the percentage that have the same problem are all resolved by leak problems. Mr. Pribyl stated that the City does not know how most of these problems are resolved. The City indicates that the meter had that reading. In just about every one of those cases, the reading goes down the ne�t time. One resident once had a reading of 1,000,000 gallons. The individual was not aware there was a leak In that particular case, the City found out what the problem was. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 14 The City does not do any follow-up unless there is a problem with the meter itself. Most of the cases, the ne�t reading is down, and the issue is identified and corrected. Councilmember Wolfe stated that he does not have a leak and does not know where the water is going. Councilmember Barnette asked if a citizen with a similar problem has gone to Conciliation Court. Mr. Pribyl stated that they have not had that situation, but that would be the logical direction for someone to go. Mayor Jorgenson thanked Councilmember Wolfe for addressing this issue. She said it did not need discussion of Council or staff for policies when there was no leak found. Councilmember Barnette stated that one of the reasons Councilmember Wolfe took this route even though he did not want to was to meet all of the standards that every other citizen would if they went to Conciliation Court. Councilmember Wolfe stated that was correct. Mayor Jorgenson thanked Councilmember Wolfe. NEW BUSINESS: 7. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR A NEW FIRE ENGINE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councilmember Billings asked Mr. Burns what the cost estimate for the fire engine was. Mr. Burns stated that it was $320,000. Councilmember Billings stated that what he understood was that this was in the 1999 budget. In his mind, there is a severe question of how the Finance Department is going to balance the year 2000 budget depending on the outcome of the vote that will take place for the Special Election in a couple of weeks. He was reluctant to advertise for bids for a$320,000 fire truck when he did not know where the money will come from to balance ne�t year's budget. He would be in favor of tabling this item until after the December 14 vote. Councilmember Bolkcom asked Mr. Burns if they would be putting anyone in jeopardy by not having this fire truck. Mr. Burns stated that they would not be putting anyone in jeopardy by not having this new fire engine. MOTION by Councilmember Billings to table Item Number 7 until after the December 14 Special Election. Seconded by Councilmember Barnette. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 15 FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 16 1 L INFORMAL STATUS REPORTS: Mayor Jorgenson stated that there were students present today to meet the community service portion of their social studies classes. Mayor Jorgenson invited the students to the podium to state their name, teacher, and high school. Mayor Jorgenson stated that on December 6, 1999, at a special City Council meeting, they were going to be having a presentation of the budget. Most of the information on the budget actually comes from the citizen survey that they do every two years. Council identifies priority items and looks at what the community feels needs to be done, not just what Council would like done. City government, in order to be effective, has to be representational of the community. She encouraged people to tune in on television on December 6, when they would be presenting the budget. Mr. Burns stated that he was asked about the drop-off day on November 13. They had over thirty tons of drop-off materials. In all of the drop-off days, 69 tons was collected which shows a great participation. Mayor Jorgenson congratulated stafffor a job well done. Mr. Burns stated that there was a discrepancy on the date for the debate on the franchise fee. Mayor Jorgenson stated that some of the material she has seen circulated by the League of Women Voters was misstated in Focus News. The correct date is November 30 at the Community Center at 7:00 p.m. She stated that the public is invited. Councilmember Bolkcom stated that she misspoke regarding the sound barrier meeting with MnDOT. It will be held on December 13 during a public hearing at the Municipal Center. A letter will be sent December 1 to the residents. She also wanted to thank the neighbors and residents who attended last Thursday night's meeting for the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Jorgenson stated that due to the Thanksgiving holiday, City offices would be closed on Thursday and Friday. ADJOURN: MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Barnette. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR JORGENSON DECLARED THE NOVEMBER 22, 1999 CITY COUNCIL MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:58 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Signe L. Johnson Nancy J. Jorgenson FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999 PAGE 17 Recording Secretary Mayor