Work Session – March 14, 2011Page 1 of 2

CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA

Work Session–March 14, 2011

Pursuant to due call and notice, a work session of the City Council of the City of Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minnesota, was held on Monday,March 14, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall, Mayor Larson presiding.

Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers were declared present: Larson, Waldhausen,Hellquist, Johnson, Albrecht, Negard,Thompson

Staff Present: City Manager John Chattin, City Attorney Alan Felix, Police Chief Jerry Johnson, Public Works Director Craig Gray, Finance Director Ron Eischens, Parks & Recreation Director Marcia Larson, City Clerk Kay Murphy

Other Present:Brian Grund – Freeberg & Grund, Dave Smith, Chair of Parks & Trails Commission, Beryl Wernberg, Emergency Management Director – Beltrami County, Deputy Sheriff Mike Bakke

Mayor Larson stated that the purpose of the work session was to review North Country Park Plans and consider Law Enforcement Center (LEC) Software Upgrades.

North Country Park

Parks & Recreation Director Larsonreviewed the proposed plans for Phase I of North Country Park which is estimated to cost approximately $775,550. She stated that Phase I includes the main parking lot with lighting, a bituminous trail from 30thStreet connecting to the play area and grass walking trail, one basketball court and the baseball field (irrigation, fencing, foul poles, grading and seeding). The playground is included in Phase I, but will be bid separately through the Parks Department to save costs. She noted that the Parks & Trails Commission felt that a restroom/storage facility was an important feature but, due to the budget, decided to include that it as an alternate.

Council discussed the following:

  • Additional funding from the Baseball Association – M. Larson noted that there is nothing at this time from the group. She noted that the cost for bleachers, dugouts and batting cages, if desired, would have to come from the Baseball Association.
  • Restrooms – M. Larson stated that the restrooms are going to bid as an alternate bid. If not able to build, there would be satellites available for park users.
  • M. Larson stated that there were two public meetings held with residents from Vista North and the outcome was favorable.
  • Lights on ball field? Not at this time and residents at Vista North expressed concerns if lighted.
  • Will the park be gated? M. Larson stated that closing a gate makes it difficult for the police to drive through the park and check on it. She does not advocate gating the park.
  • Expressed concerns about doing the project “piecemeal”. Grund responded that it is a 20 acre parcel and it is prudent to plan the park and develop it as funding becomes available.
  • Berm. Grund stated that a berm will be added along the easterly edge of the park for residents in Vista North. Grund indicated that there may be dirt available from the grading for the ball field.

Motion by Waldhausen, seconded by Thompson, to approve the final concept plan for North Country Park and approve the plans and specifications and authorizing the advertisement for bids for Phase I. Motion carried unanimously.

LEC Software

Chattin stated that City staff have been working with the County on replacement of the existing CODY software system. He stated that the CODY software system does not integrate with the state and requires additional entry work by staff. He noted that the proposed software will be a good return on our investment.

Chief Johnson stated that the LETG system integrates with the Department of Corrections statewide and will allow police officers to file reports from their patrol vehicles, which would eliminate the need for more than one entry, and would allow the public to see crime reports for our community on-line, among other things. The current CODY system does not integrate with the statewide system which creates additional entries by staff. He stated that the City would share the cost with the County and that the purchase of this software was not a budgeted item.

Eischens stated that the budget for 2010 had a savings of $311,000 and after the year-end adjustments was just over $500,000 in savings. He stated that this is a proposed one time expenditure and recommended it come from the 2010 budget surplus.

Wernberg stated that the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) software qualifies as a 911 expense which decreases the cost significantly. Discussion continued regarding the benefits of the records management system provided by LETG versus the current system.

Motion by Hellquist, seconded by Negard, authorizing the purchase of software from LETG for the Law Enforcement Center in the amount of $91,485. Motion carried unanimously.

Staff/Council Updates

Chattin stated that he is waiting for projections from LMC and CGMC regarding the proposed bills from the House and Senate regarding LGA. He stated that the City received another incentive check from OTP regarding geothermal use at the Sanford Center. Chattin has arranged for a Strengths Finder session for the Council on April 25 with Deanna Murphy. The purpose of this is to help the Council to identify their strengths and those of the group. Chattin stated that Council and staff will be completing a strategic performance audit to identify organizational strengths and weaknesses.

Gray informed the Council that a letter went to Tyler Estates residents regarding sandbagging opportunities at the Public Works Facility. Gray has received a number of calls/e-mails from upset business owners regarding the lack of lighting in areas of the Industrial Park. He stated that he hopes to have additional information to the Council regarding the cost to repair the problem. He suggested that the Council consider using 2010 surplus dollars to make the repairs.

Chattin stated that sales tax collections will be insufficient to cover our sales tax bond payments for the first 16 years of the bond. The City will need to use surplus funds to make up the difference with those funds being recovered during the last 14 years of the bond term.

Felix informed the Council that at their next regular meeting they will be considering a Tower Lease Agreement that staff have been working on with Northern PCS Services.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, motion by Albrecht, seconded by Hellquist, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at7:45p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay M. Murphy

City Clerk