Officials of the Maplewood Firefighter's Relief Association presented unaudited financial information in support of their request to raise the annual benefit from $4000 to $4500. With an asset balance of $4.85 million against a projected pension liability of $4.56 million they report they would be 106.47% funded after accounting for the benefit increase. Of the 81 active members, 9 are fully vested and 17 are partially vested.
Acting Finance Director Bauman reported that (retired) Finance Director Faust had recommended a minimum funding level of 105% before considering a benefit increase. The city is financially responsible for the benefit if investment market conditions were to worsen.
Action was tabled pending the release of audited financial reports.

Contributor JN's notes
In partnership with Presbyterian Homes Gethsemane Lutheran is preparing a formal proposal for a senior housing facility on 6 of the 10 acres the church currently leases to the city for parkland at their Stillwater Road and Lakewood Drive (McKnight) location. The 4 remaining acres on the east side of the site would continue as parkland while the proposed complex would include 61 independent living units, 32 assisted living units, and 18 memory care units.

The partnership is seeking Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to be able to offer 22 of the 61 independent living units as affordable housing with a monthly rental of $740. Without TIF support, none of the units would meet affordable guidelines.

Mr. Rossbach and Ms. Juenemann suggested they are favorably disposed towards the project.

Contributor JN's notes

Several residents collaboratively used Visitor Presentations to request the council appoint an outside facilitator to accelerate the study process associated with the southleg development moratorium. One of the affected developers requested that the council reduce the scope of the study to eliminate items over which the city has no control.
Deciding whether to include sidewalks in the Desoto Skillman street improvements turns out to be a window into all sorts of municipal public safety, public works, and land use questions. Handily, a public meeting on various design possibilities for the street improvements had been scheduled for later this week so the question could be tabled pending that meeting.
Several citizens were appointed to several commissions (details after reviewing the DVD) following the current and past practice of appointing all applicants if there are sufficient openings. In contrast, Ms. Birkholz was not reappointed to the Police Civil Service Commission even though she has applied, been interviewed, and there are no other applicants meeting statutory requirements. On 2/5/07 the Police Civil Service Commission ordered the city to reinstate John Banick to the Maplewood Police Department. So far as we know the city has made no public response to that order.
As a Council Presentation Mr. Hjelle announced he has filed a complaint with the Minnesota News Council charging the Lillie Newspapers and reporter Katy Zillmer "continue to publish incorrect stories and facts". We will pursue the details of this allegation. Mr. Hjelle also proposed a council retreat format that would not use a, in Mr. Copeland's word, "facilitator".