HomeMy Public PortalAbout07/17/07 Special CCM261
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 17, 2007
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in special session on July 17, 2007 at 6:03 p.m. in
the Medina City Hall. Mayor Crosby presided.
I. Call to Order
Members present: Weir, Crosby, Smith, and Cavanaugh
Members absent: Johnson
Also present:
City Administrator Chad Adams, Finance Director Jeanne Day, Office
Assistant to Administration Jodi Wunsch, City Engineers Kevin Hoglund
and Tom Kellogg, SRF Consultants Kristi Herman and Rick Brown, John
Griffith from MnDOT, and Jim Grube from Hennepin County
II. Highway 55 Corridor
Jim Grube and Rick Brown provided an overview of the Highway 55 Corridor
"recommended preferred layout" throughout Medina and from I-494 in Plymouth to
CR19 in Medina. Recommended interchange/intersection design concepts were
individually discussed for Townline Road, Tamarack Drive, CSAH116 and CR101.
Discussion was held on safety concerns at Townline Road and Tamarack Drive if a traffic
signal is not incorporated in the design. MnDot does not want to put a traffic signal in
the design because they do not want to support the concept until it has gone through the
process of a cost benefit analysis. Other items that were discussed addressed access
closures, road alignment, and the possibility of a future park and ride.
Brown suggested that a decision be made sometime between November 2007 and
January 2008 by the Council to pass a resolution of endorsement for a "recommended
preferred layout" which could serve as an appendix in the City of Medina's
Comprehensive Plan.
III. Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Benefit Overview
Jeanne Day introduced the idea of adding Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) as a health
benefit option to city employees. FSA's provide a benefit to the employee and employer
through tax-free health and dependent care. There is a small risk involved to the
employee because it is a lose it or use it plan and to the employer because if the employee
used their full amount and left employment before the payment term was completed, the
city would get stuck with the additional cost. Overall the benefits outweigh the cost.
Staff was seeking direction from the Council on moving forward with this initiative
through engaging in an agreement with a provider, drafting the plan, and educating staff
prior to January 1, 2008. Council consensus was to move forward with the FSA Plan.
Medina City Council Special Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2007
262
Jeanne Day briefly discussed LOGIS and changes in health providers starting in 2008.
She also sought direction on the City's contribution to the employees' health benefit
options. The Council was short on time and tabled the discussion to the July 31 '1 work
session.
IV. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7: 00 p.m.
T. M. Crosby, Jr., Mayor
Attest:
Chad M. Adams, City Administrator -Clerk
Medina City Council. Special Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2007