What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Hedberg planning and zoning item and Jarvis Street easement
The council reviewed a planning and zoning item that had been waiting on soil borings and elevation information. Staff said flood-protection and lowest-floor information was satisfactory, recommended replacing one finding with a requirement to dedicate 33 feet of road easement for Jarvis Street, and noted the formal decision would occur the following Tuesday.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Craig Lindgren, Shane, Mr. Hedberg.
2040 comprehensive plan open house materials
The council prepared for a Monday open house on the draft 2040 plan. Members discussed showing land-use maps with possible commercial and industrial expansion areas, aerial and traffic maps, and decided it was better not to distribute small copies of maps while the plan was still changing.
Agenda: 3. Speakers: council members, staff.
Official newspaper designation
The council discussed whether to keep the same official newspaper. Members balanced the lower cost of the Record against concerns that the city’s official newspaper had not covered major land-use issues or positive city events well, and discussed submitting city-written articles to improve coverage.
Agenda: 6. Speakers: Paul, Brian, council members.
Pinnacle Lake Estates overlay project
The council reviewed a two-mile, two-inch overlay feasibility report for Pinnacle Lake Estates. The estimate was $146,500, with a possible $2,930 per-unit assessment if the city paid 50 percent, but members wanted more information on financing costs and whether to use local bank financing or a larger bond approach before calling hearings.
Agenda: 9. Speakers: engineer, Bruce Kimmel, city attorney, council members.
Old Viking Boulevard overlay and Fort Brooke paving question
The council reviewed the Old Viking Boulevard overlay, discussed reducing the width to 22 feet, adding approach overlays, parcel-by-parcel assessment questions, possible Green Acres deferrals, tax-exempt or religious/cemetery properties, and whether Fort Brooke should be paved while equipment was nearby. Members asked for more information before finalizing the feasibility work.
Agenda: 10. Speakers: engineer Nelson, councilmember Bettinger, attorney Roof, council members.
Capital improvement fund setup
The council discussed creating or funding building, parks equipment, technology, digitization, road improvement, and road equipment funds using current cash and a 2016 road-fund remainder. The treasurer cautioned about maintaining at least six months of reserves, and the matter was expected to return after financial review.
Agenda: 11. Speakers: Cory, council members.
Hockey rink cost tracking
The council discussed tracking hockey rink costs. Members agreed that cost tracking was reasonable, but questioned whether quarterly reports made sense when there is no rink activity during parts of the year.
Agenda: 12. Speakers: council members.
Fire and emergency service billing
The council discussed whether residents should continue to be billed for emergency-service calls. Members raised concerns that billing can discourage residents from calling, while also discussing possible billing for illegal burns, improper business uses, commercial risks, and insurance reimbursements.
Agenda: 13. Speakers: Paul, Brian, council members.
COLA review schedule
The council discussed a process for cost-of-living adjustment decisions. The idea was to have staff gather surrounding-city information by the October meeting, discuss it then, and decide at the first November meeting whether to approve an increase.
Agenda: 14. Speakers: council members.
Clerk hiring and salary range
The council discussed the clerk hiring process after receiving 12 applications. Members considered whether the interview team should have flexibility to negotiate and recommend a final offer above the existing range if a strong candidate required it.
Agenda: 15. Speakers: Cory, Paul, Johnson, council members.